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The Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin, has disclosed that the newly unveiled standards for used vehicles in Nigeria have no financial implications on importers. Speaking to Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, the DG explained that the primary target of the new standards is to curtail the influx […]

A United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, has accused elements within Nigeria’s security apparatus of complicity in attacks on Christian communities in parts of the country.

Daniels, who serves in the Florida House of Representatives and chairs the United World Congress of Diplomats, made the allegations in a report released on April 14, 2026, focusing on recent waves of violence in Nigeria’s North-Central and North-West regions, including incidents reported during Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services in Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states.

She described the attacks as part of a sustained and deliberate pattern targeting religious gatherings, arguing that official condemnations have not translated into adequate protection for vulnerable communities on the ground.

In her report, Daniels said there appeared to be a disconnect between government statements and the lived reality of affected populations, citing continued insecurity despite repeated assurances from authorities.

She also referenced allegations previously linked to former Zamfara State governor Bello Matawalle, raising concerns over claims of complicity with armed groups and warning that such accusations, if unaddressed, could undermine public trust in security institutions.

The report included testimonies attributed to survivors and local residents who expressed frustration over recurring attacks and what they described as inadequate protection, with some lamenting that they continue to bury victims despite official statements from Abuja.

Daniels further urged the Nigerian government to undertake urgent reforms in its security architecture, stating that failure to act decisively could embolden perpetrators and worsen the humanitarian situation.

Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread insecurity involving banditry, insurgency, and communal violence, with international attention frequently drawn to reports of attacks on rural and religious communities.

No immediate official response from the Nigerian government had been issued at the time of filing this report.

U.S. Lawmaker Accuses Nigerian Security Of Complicity In Attacks is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command have recovered at least 17 vehicles stolen at gun points in within the territory.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, who disclosed the development during a press conference at the command’s headquarters on Tuesday said all suspects linked to the crime are in custody.

The CP identified the suspects as one Mustapha Difcha, Ahmed Difcha, Sanusi Isa, John Emmanuel, Blessed Yusuf, Chinaza Ijere and Joshua Luka Dagana.

Others include one Mohammed Sabiu, Zakariya Liman, Babajo Ishaya, Cornellius Abang, Sani Kabiru, Gambo Ibrahim and Jakuta Kandoki Ibrahim.

The CP explained that the huge operational success was recently recorded following the command’s move to conduct anti-crime operations across the nation’s capital to combat incidents of car theft.

The operation, according to the CP was carried out at strategic areas in Mabushi, Durumi, Maitama and the Central Business District.

“Through intelligence led operations and strategic deployments by Mabushi, Durumi, Maitama and Central Police Station Divisions of the FCT resulted in the arrest of eleven (11) suspects and the recovery of seventeen (17) vehicles which are being paraded today”, he added.

According to the CP, the recovered vehicles include, “One Toyota Avalon XLE black in color with Reg. No. LKJ 232 CV.

“One Toyota Camry with registration number DKA 988 MT stolen from Kaduna state and recovered in the FCT,

“One black colored Ford Jeep with Reg. No. KWL 978 PP.

“One Toyota Corolla (2003 model) with registration number DBT 467 BZ,

“One Toyota Corolla with registration number KWK 221 AE.

“One Toyota Corolla S, dark grey in color without registration Number.

“One green colored Nissan vehicle with Reg. No. RBC 99 XP.

“One Hyundai Elantra 2013 model with Reg. No: ABJ 904 HL.

“One Nissan Suv with no Reg. Number.

“One Toyota Hilux 2021 Model with no Reg. number.

“One Toyota Corolla with Reg. No: NSR 57 AT.

“One black colored Volkswagen Golf 2 vehicle with Reg. No. JJJ 112 DW.

“One Toyota Camry, gold in color, with registration number ABJ 513 CN.

“One Volkswagen Golf 3, black in color, without registration number.

“One Toyota Carina with Reg. No. CQ 302 GGE stolen from Durumi in the FCT and recovered in Kaduna State.

“One black colored Hyundai vehicle, with Reg. No. ABJ 371 DZ abandoned by one chance suspects upon sighting a Police Patrol team from Central Police Station.

“And Foiled theft of a white colored Range Rover with Reg. No. ABJ 36 AS”.

He called on the general public, especially possible owners, to reach out to the command for verification with necessary documents.

FCT Police recover Range Rover, other exotic cars, invite owners for identification

Members of the Jigawa State House of Assembly have unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Governor Malam Umar Namadi, endorsing him as their sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

The resolution was reached during plenary on Wednesday, citing developmental projects executed across the 30 constituencies of the state as the basis for his endorsement and to ensure continuity of ongoing programmes and projects.

Speaker of the House, Alhaji Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, said the administration’s achievements over the past three years had positively impacted the lives of the people of Jigawa State.

Other members of the Assembly also praised the governor’s performance, describing his leadership as focused on growth and public welfare.

They listed major improvements in education, healthcare, agriculture, job creation, and youth empowerment as reasons for their endorsement of Governor Namadi for another term in office.

The lawmakers noted that several communities across the state had benefited from road construction, school rehabilitation, healthcare expansion, and support for farmers under the present administration.

They expressed confidence that sustaining the current pace of development would bring more economic opportunities, improved living standards, and greater prosperity for the people of Jigawa State.

Jigawa Assembly endorses Gov Namadi’s re-election

The Bauchi State Civil Service Commission has terminated the appointment of Aminu Abdullahi, a clerical assistant in the state service, over misconduct involving reckless driving that led to the death of two journalists, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

DAILY POST reports that the crash involving 13 journalists occurred along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area shortly after the NEDC delegation, led by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, accompanied by Bauchi State Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau, handed over the Government Secondary School project in Yelwan Duguri to the Bauchi State Government.

The convoy was heading to inaugurate the Bara Bridge between Bauchi and Gombe states when the accident happened minutes after the ceremony.

In the aftermath, a cameraman with Channels Television, Kani Ben, and another cameraman with the Bauchi State Television Authority, Kabiru Ahmed Ilelah, died from injuries sustained in the accident.

The decision to dismiss Abdullahi was part of resolutions reached during the Commission’s 13th plenary session held yesterday at its conference hall.

The meeting also considered promotions and approved the conversion of 10 officers to other cadres.

According to the Commission, Abdullahi, a Grade Level 03 clerical assistant with the Ministry of Higher Education, was found negligent while carrying out an assigned duty of driving, an action said to contravene Rules 0312 and 0327 of the Bauchi State Public Service Regulations.

He was reportedly directed under “Any Other Duty” to convey a team of journalists covering the commissioning of projects by the North East Development Commission in Alkaleri Local Government Area.

The Commission said the termination followed recommendations from the Ministry of Higher Education and the resolutions of the State Executive Council on the disciplinary matter. It also queried the management of the ministry to explain why a clerical assistant was assigned the duties of a driver.

Bauchi Civil Service Commission dismisses clerk over fatal accident involving journalists

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Kebbi State branch, has threatened to embark on industrial action over unresolved welfare issues.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the union’s chairman, Dr Musa Isah Fakai.

The union said agreed remuneration packages between the Federal Government and ASUU had yet to be implemented, despite several communications with the university management and the Kebbi State Ministry for Higher Education.

It also listed non-payment of academic earned allowances, wage awards, and delays in promotions and payment of promotion arrears as part of its grievances.

According to the union, annual salary increments have not been implemented for several years, further worsening the welfare of academic staff.

ASUU said it had engaged the university management and relevant authorities without positive response, warning that it may be forced to down tools if the issues remain unresolved.

The union, however, expressed confidence in Governor Nasir Idris to address the concerns, noting that the issues may not have been brought to his attention.

Kebbi university lecturers threaten industrial action over unpaid benefits

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has begun the screening of 243 PhD applicants from Nigeria’s South-South region in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, under its 2026/2027 Overseas Scholarship Scheme, in a move aimed at strengthening local capacity and curbing capital flight in the oil and gas sector.

The exercise, taking place at the PTDF Centre for Skills Development and Training, forms part of a nationwide selection process designed to identify qualified candidates for advanced studies in key areas of the petroleum industry.

Speaking during the screening, PTDF’s Deputy Manager, Internal Audit, Mr. Daddy Ogiri Obonin, said the initiative underscores the Fund’s commitment to developing the technical manpower required to drive Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Obonin revealed that the scholarship programme has undergone strategic restructuring to discourage capital flight, with the introduction of a “split-site” model that allows beneficiaries to undertake a significant portion of their studies within Nigeria.

According to him, the new approach reduces the volume of funds spent abroad on tuition and living expenses, while also addressing the long-standing challenge of scholars remaining overseas after completing their programmes.

“I wish you have visited our centre in Kaduna. You will see that Kaduna Centre is a world-class institution that we have built. We have made it in such a way that it is better than what you have overseas,” he said.

He added, “As of today, the management of PTDF are drastically pursuing capital flight reduction. That is why we have come up with the programme of the split site.

Before now, we had more participants applying for fully-funded UK PhD programmes, but we discovered that many beneficiaries preferred to remain abroad after completion.”

Obonin noted that the revised structure has led to a reduction in applications for fully overseas programmes, as the Fund intensifies efforts to retain both investment and expertise within the country.

“With this programme, the knowledge gained will be retained in-country, and we are going to see more Nigerians participate actively in the oil and gas sector,” he said.

He further disclosed that candidates are being evaluated across a wide range of disciplines including engineering, geosciences, management, and other related fields.

He emphasized that all applications are processed online and that the selection process remains transparent, merit-based, and strictly adheres to the Federal Character principle to ensure equitable representation across states.

Also speaking, one of the panelists, Dr. Hafisat Lawal, commended the high quality of research proposals presented by the applicants, noting that candidates from diverse professional backgrounds demonstrated strong relevance to the oil and gas industry.

“These candidates are crafting PhD topics that are highly relevant to the industry. Some are lawyers, health workers or educators, yet they demonstrate clear connections to oil and gas challenges,” she said.

Dr. Lawal expressed confidence that the eventual beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme would make meaningful contributions toward addressing critical challenges in the sector.

One of the applicants, Alete Godwin, a chemical engineer researching the extraction of oil ethanol from solid waste, described the screening process as thorough and commendable.

He praised the professionalism of the panelists and expressed optimism about his chances of being shortlisted.

The PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme remains one of Nigeria’s flagship human capital development initiatives in the oil and gas sector, aimed at bridging skill gaps, promoting research, and enhancing indigenous participation in the industry.

PTDF Screens 243 South-South PhD Applicants In Rivers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Clean water is essential for good health, yet many Nigerians cannot always trust tap water for drinking which is  ironically the most common form of water . 

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the latest findings by the World Bank on Nigeria’s fiscal structure, describing the situation as deeply troubling and unacceptable.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku Abubakar said the World Bank’s revelation is alarming and unacceptable.

He noted that Nigeria is earning more revenue, yet citizens are receiving less benefits.

According to him, the report confirmed suspicions by Nigerians that the Tinubu government is operating an opaque financial structure that enables systemic corruption.

“What the World Bank has revealed is both alarming and unacceptable. Nigeria is earning more revenue today, yet the Nigerian people are receiving less benefit from it. This contradiction points not just to inefficiency, but to a system vulnerable to abuse, leakage, and the possible diversion of public funds.

“The report confirms what many Nigerians have long suspected: that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu operates an opaque financial structure that enables systemic corruption.”

He noted that excessive deductions from national revenue, before distribution through the Federation Account, have significantly reduced what is available for governance and development across all tiers.

“When large portions of national income are deducted at source, outside full legislative scrutiny, it creates fertile ground for opacity, unaccounted spending, and financial recklessness. That is how nations lose track of their own wealth,” Atiku stated

World Bank report exposes ‘possible diversion of public funds’ under Tinubu – Atiku

The Indigenes of Aye Kingdom, Okitipupa/Irene Federal Constituency of Ondo State, have made one demand from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a viral request sent to Gov. Aiyedatiwa recently, the Indigenes of the constituency said it is regrettable that since the state was created on 3 February 1976, it has never produced a senator nor a federal House of Representatives member.

Consequently, in a request made by the traditional council of Aye Community and stakeholders led by Oba Williams Akinlade and Chief G. A. Famodu, they urged Gov. Aiyedatiwa to support Bidemi Obayangban’s ambition to represent them in the House of Representatives in the 2027 election.

“We humbly urge Your Excellency to use your good office to support our position and ensure that the rightful place of Aye Kingdom is recognized.”

Aye Kingdom is one of the largest communities in the constituency, comprising two (2) wards out of the twenty-three (23) wards that make up the federal constituency. However, it is on record that Aye Kingdom has never produced a member of the House of Representatives or a senator since the creation of the constituency.

“This situation has led to growing concerns among our people, who feel marginalized despite their contributions to the political growth and electoral success of APC.

“We therefore humbly appeal to Your Excellency to use your good office to support our request.”

2027: We’ve never produced Senator or Rep member — Ondo indigenes to Gov Aiyedatiwa