Author: Vanguard News

Youths and residents of Imafon, Igushin, and Ilado communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Saturday protested the wave of abduction and killings in the area. 

The protesters, who carried branches and barricaded the busy Shoprite intersection a few meters away from the Governor’s Office, said, “The brutal attacks have continued to plunge the communities into mourning.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Thursday, gunmen killed a poultry farmer and her daughter while two others were rescued by the police in the Igushin community.

Also on Friday, gunmen attacked the Ilado community, where they macheted and shot a popular youth while he was trying to escape from being abducted.

Speaking with newsmen, a youth leader, who identified himself as Kunle, said gunmen had been operating unchecked across the state, especially within Akure and its environs.

“We are protesting due to the incessant killings and kidnappings day in and day out at Imafon, Igushin and Ilado.

“A mother and daughter were killed two days ago, and another guy was brutally macheted yesterday.

“We want government to rise up to its duties. We have not seen the impact of the monthly security votes in the state.

“We are tired of burying our people every week while those paid to protect us do nothing. These gunmen move freely in the state capital, and yet our leaders remain silent.

“Where exactly is the security vote going? We see no presence of security, no patrols, no results,” he said.

The youth leader said that residents would not relent until the government took concrete action to secure the lives and properties of residents. (NAN)

The post Youths, residents protest incessant abductions, killings in Ondo appeared first on Vanguard News.

Kemi Badenoch, the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party leader, has faulted the Labour Party’s government’s approach to tackling crime, noting that in Nigeria, any youth that goes against the law is made to face the consequences.

She said Britain convinced itself that crime, idleness and bad behaviour are things to be explained away rather than clamped down upon, thereby trying to be everyone’s “therapist, careers adviser or youth worker”.

According to Kemi Badenoch, “All of us were shocked by the phone footage of children smashing up shops in broad daylight, stealing, laughing, filming themselves as though it were a game.

“Some commentators immediately reached for a racial explanation, but that was to miss the point completely.

“While the majority of young looters in Clapham, south London, seemed to have Caribbean or African heritage, the fact is that children in Lagos and Nairobi do not behave that way.

“Why? Because in Nigeria and Kenya the boundaries are clear and actions have consequences. Parents, communities and authorities do not wring their hands or look the other way. It’s a lesson we’ve forgotten here.

“We didn’t get here overnight. For years, there’s been a drip, drip, drip of institutional and cultural change, not least the belief that social programmes matter more than tough enforcement in maintaining discipline. I profoundly disagree.”

Police tired

“It’s no wonder the police are at the end of their tether. Last year, almost 4,500 officers quit before they had completed their probation. Walking a beat in Croydon last month, I asked the sergeant escorting me about his main frustration.

“His reply echoed the feelings of my local officers in Essex. They are tired of arresting the same people week in week out only to see them get off scot-free, or be released just a few weeks later.

“There is a way forward, of course, and it’s called enforcement. It’s not as if there’s a shortage of rules in Britain, after all – it’s the failure to apply them that’s the problem.”

Conservatives

After mentioning the impact of illegal migration, Kemi Badenoch made reference to positive effect of Conservative Party’s deportation plan.

“We see the same lack of consequences when it comes to those who enter Britain illegally. The small boats and lorry loads keep arriving, whereupon yet more illegal migrants follow.

“This is why the Conservatives’ Rwanda plan was so critical.

“Merely the threat of deportation to central Africa was a deterrent in itself, with illegal migrants reportedly bypassing Britain and going to Ireland instead. When Keir Starmer scrapped the Rwanda scheme, small boat crossings hit new highs and asylum claims reached record levels.

“Our increasing addiction to ‘welfareism’ is another facet of the same problem. If people believe there are no consequences for not working, their behaviour changes accordingly.”

This story is an extract from an opinion piece the Conservatives leader wrote for Daily Mail UK.

Vanguard News

The post ‘In Nigeria, actions have consequences’ – Kemi Badenoch flays UK’s leniency with youths appeared first on Vanguard News.

Nigerian goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo, has crowned Manchester United legend Edwin Van Der Sar as the greatest goalkeeper in history.

Speaking on the Wrexham Podcast, Okonkwo also opened up about his childhood loyalty to Man United.

When asked to name his No. 1 between the sticks, he replied: “Van der Sar. I was a Man United fan. I grew up watching.”

Okonkwo currently plays his trade with Championship side Wrexham.

He has quietly built momentum over the past three years after leaving Arsenal in 2024 to join the Red Dragons.

The 24-year-old helped Wrexham to gain promotion from League One to the Championship.

Since then, Okonkwo has held down the starting role, recording ten clean sheets in 38 appearances.

‘I grew up watching him’ – Arthur Okonkwo names greatest goalkeeper ever

The United States has started “clearing out” the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump said Saturday, as US-Iran negotiations toward a deal to end the Middle East war got underway.

The comment came as US media outlet Axios reported that several US navy ships had crossed the Strait on Saturday in a move not coordinated with Iran. A senior Iranian military official — quoted by state television — denied the report.

“We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform, calling it “a favor” to countries such as China, Japan and France that “don’t have the Courage or Will to do this work themselves.”

He insisted that Iran is “LOSING BIG!” in the conflict, while acknowledging that Iranian mines in the strategic strait — through which a fifth of the world’s crude passes — still pose a threat.

“The only thing they have going is the threat that a ship may ‘bunk’ into one of their sea mines,” Trump wrote.

The key shipping lane off the coast of Iran has been virtually blocked by Tehran since the United States and Israel started bombing Iran on February 28, though reopening the strait was ostensibly a condition of the shaky ceasefire put in place earlier this week.

Senior Iranian and American officials began negotiations in Pakistan on Saturday, Iranian media reported, in a bid to bring to an end a conflict that has plunged the Middle East into violence and sent shockwaves through the world economy.

In an earlier post, Trump said that empty tankers were headed to the United States from around the world to purchase oil, without providing details.

AFP

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A civil society organisation, CSO, in Akwa Ibom State, Policy Alert, has called for strengthened citizens’ engagement in governance at the local level.

It noted that such participation would improve service delivery and deepen accountability.

Idorenyin Eyo of Policy Alert made the call during a one day Town hall meeting on ‘Governance and Citizens Engagement’ organized in partnership with Okobo local government with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, NYFF, held in Okobo.

“Strengthening participatory governance at the local level remains critical to improving service delivery and deepening accountability.

“In many communities within Okobo Local Government Area, citizens particularly youth and women have limited access to structured platforms for engagement with public officials.

“This gap often leads to weak feedback mechanisms, reduced transparency, and low trust in governance processes,” she said.

At the meeting, the Executive Chairman of Okobo LGA, represented by the Vice Chairman, Mrs Veronica Clement, called for open and honest discussions, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the local government and citizens in promoting transparency, accountability, and improved service delivery.

She reaffirmed the council’s commitment to sustaining inclusive governance practices through regular town-hall meetings to strengthen collaboration with citizens and improve service delivery.

Meanwhile, the participants while sharing their concerns with the council officials highlighted the need to complete the primary healthcare centre for improved access to quality healthcare services in the community, as well as establishment of financial institutions within the local government.

They also raised concerns about the absence of an ICT centre in the community, stressing that school leavers currently travel to the state capital to register for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, examinations. They noted that the situation creates financial and logistical burdens for families.

The participants further raised concern over shortage of teachers in Community Secondary School, Okobo.

According to them, currently, the school has only six teachers serving approximately 800 students, a situation which they said negatively affects the quality of education.

Akwa Ibom: CSO seeks participatory governance at grassroots

Police have launched an investigation into alleged misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos, after a viral social media video.

Force Media Officer, CSP Aliyu Giwa, disclosed this in a post on his X handle, @aleeygiwa, on Saturday.

He said police acted promptly after the video was posted on April 4 by an X user, Rhapstar, alleging misconduct by some officers.

“We saw the video, we acted, and here is where things stand,” he said.

Giwa said the Divisional Police Officer and implicated officers were summoned, statements obtained, and interviews conducted as part of the ongoing investigation.

He said preliminary findings indicated the incident occurred in May 2025, adding efforts were ongoing to obtain accounts from victims central to the probe.

“This process is not a cover-up; it is a demonstration of accountability,” he said.

He added that police leadership had reiterated commitment to upholding the rule of law in operations nationwide.

“No officer is above accountability, and no incident is too old to investigate,” he said.

Giwa assured the public that the investigation remained ongoing, with updates to follow as developments unfold.

He acknowledged public feedback in prompting the probe, stressing its role in ensuring accountability.

“To every Nigerian who spoke up, your voice prompted accountability, as it should be,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the complainant, Rhapstar, posted the video on April 4, alleging incivility by officers on surveillance duty.

In the footage, officers stopped a vehicle, ordered occupants out, and searched one individual away from the roadside-parked vehicle.

The incident has triggered widespread reaction, amid concerns over alleged harassment during a roadside stop-and-search operation. (NAN)

The post Lagos Police probe viral misconduct allegations appeared first on Vanguard News.

As part of its commitment to enhancing connectivity and providing convenient travel options, Ogun State-owned airline, Gateway Air, has announced new flight operations covering major cities across Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement issued at the weekend by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Hon. Kayode Akinmade.

According to the statement, Gateway Air will commence scheduled flight operations on the following routes beginning Monday, 13th April 2026:
– Iperu to Abuja
– Abuja to Port Harcourt
– Abuja to Calabar
– Abuja to Jos
– Iperu to Kano

The airline noted that the one-way flights will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, offering passengers reliable and convenient travel options. Economy fares are as low as ₦100,000.

The development marks a significant step in improving regional accessibility and delivering efficient, reliable air travel services to passengers, while also supporting economic growth and connectivity across the country.

Passengers are encouraged to make early bookings and stay updated through the airline’s official communication channels for flight schedules and additional information:

Phone: +2349125950403, +2349153823424, +2347047108136
Email: contactcenter@flyvaluejet.com, feedback@flyvaluejet.com, corporatesalesdesk@flyvaluejet.com

Gateway Air remains committed to providing safe, efficient, and customer-focused air travel services.

Gateway Air begins Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Jos, Kano flights

Arsenal displayed a poor performance on Saturday in the English Premier League as visiting Bournemouth snatched a 2-1 victory right at the Emirates.

It was a damaging defeat for the league leaders, who have only six games to go, with Manchester City having two games in hand and set to play Mikel Arteta’s side next.

Despite having a comfortable nine-point lead over City, Arsenal never looked comfortable all afternoon and were only lucky to score via a penalty, in a decision where the referee ignored proximity when the ball hit Ryan Christie with his arm outstretched.

Ahead of the game, Arteta had called for perspective, defending his team as the only side across Europe to have played the most games this season.

They had scraped a 1-0 victory midweek at Sporting Lisbon, with a return leg scheduled for midweek.

But for all the talk of being the most consistent and targeting double trophies, it appears once more Arsenal may settle for another runner-up position, which will set a record as the team to finish second on the table four times consecutively.

On the day, the warning signs were there as Arsenal played with little urgency, poor marking, and no real attack until Eli Junior Kroupi scored, capping excellent passes in the 17th minute before Arsenal could register a shot on target via a penalty in the 35th minute.

Viktor Gyokeres’ goal appeared to have galvanized the team heading into half-time. Unfortunately, Bournemouth had other ideas, with Alex Scott scoring in the 74th minute to consign Arsenal to a damaging defeat at a crucial stage of the season.

Bournemouth Punish Poor Arsenal In Damaging 2-1 Emirates Victory is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Maduka Okoye will be looking to set a personal record when Udinese face AC Milan at the San Siro on Saturday (today), DAILY POST reports.

Okoye will be looking to keep three consecutive clean sheets for the first time in his career.

The 26-year-old shut out Genoa, and Como in Udinese’s previous two games.

The Nigeria international has not conceded a goal since Jérémie Boga’s 38th-minute strike in a 1-0 defeat to Juventus on 14 March.

DAILY POST recalls Okoye also kept successive clean sheets for Udinese against Monza and Juventus in February 2024.

He has made 23 appearances for the Zebras this season.

Serie A: Okoye targets clean sheet record against AC Milan

Federal Government agencies have urged shipping companies and terminal operators to grant waivers to importers and clearing agents affected by delays linked to the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) at the nation’s seaports.

The agencies, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), appealed in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

They made the call during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the NSC headquarters, which brought together representatives of the council, NRS, the NSW Secretariat, terminal operators and shipping companies.

The meeting reviewed the progress and challenges of the newly introduced National Single Window platform.

Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Dr Akutah Pius, acknowledged that the initiative marked a major milestone for the maritime industry.

Akutah said the rollout of the NSW had been accompanied by initial operational challenges affecting cargo clearance timelines.

He noted that the system, inaugurated on March 27, was a long-awaited reform aimed at streamlining port processes, enhancing transparency and improving efficiency across the sector.

“The National Single Window is a significant development that has brought optimism to stakeholders.

“However, like any major reform, it comes with teething challenges that must be collectively addressed to ensure seamless implementation,” he said.

Akutah said the engagement was convened by the NSW Secretariat to assess implementation progress and address emerging bottlenecks, particularly those affecting cargo movement and clearance.

“We are here to review the implementation and the challenges that have arisen, and to work together to ensure smooth progress at this stage,” he said.

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, describing the port ecosystem as one that requires collective effort to sustain reform gains.

Also speaking, the Chairman of NRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji, urged shipping companies and terminal operators to grant waivers on demurrage and storage charges incurred during the delay period.

Adedeji said the measure would cushion the financial burden on importers and clearing agents affected by system-related disruptions.

“There have been delays linked to the implementation of the Single Window, which have affected cargo clearance.

“That is why we are seeking your support during this initial phase, so that together we can address these challenges,” he said.

He commended terminal operators for their willingness to consider waivers where delays were directly related to the NSW.

Akutah also urged concessionaires and terminal operators to accelerate the automation of their operations to ensure seamless integration with the platform.

“With the advent of the National Single Window, full automation has become critical. Stakeholders must fast-track digital integration to achieve the expected efficiency gains,” he said.

Responding, shipping companies described the initiative as beneficial to the sector, but cautioned that it should not encourage operational inefficiencies.

The General Manager, Port and Terminal Multi-Services Ltd. (PTML), Mr Tunde Keshinro, said requests for waivers would be considered in deserving cases.

Stakeholders at the meeting acknowledged the long-term benefits of the platform but expressed concerns over delays and technical issues affecting cargo clearance.

They, however, expressed confidence that with sustained collaboration, system upgrades and temporary relief measures, the initiative would deliver improved efficiency and competitiveness in the maritime sector.

FG Seeks Waivers Over Single Window Port Delays is first published on The Whistler Newspaper