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The Benue State Police Command has announced that the written examination for successful applicants in the ongoing Police Constable Recruitment will take place from April 28 to April 30, 2026, in Makurdi.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command.

The examination follows the recently concluded physical and credentials screening exercise and is the next phase for qualified candidates.

The test, organised by the Police Service Commission in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, will cover both General Duty and Specialist applicants from Benue State.

The venue has been fixed at Government Model Secondary School, located at High Level, Makurdi.

Applicants have been directed to visit the official recruitment portal to print their updated Examination Invitation Card, which contains their specific exam date, time, and other details.

Those who earlier printed slips with previous dates have been advised to reprint the updated version.

Candidates are required to come along with their printed invitation card, National Identification Number (NIN) slip with a clear photograph, a pen, and be dressed in white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.

The command stressed that the recruitment process is free of charge and warned applicants against dealing with fraudsters or individuals demanding payment for assistance, noting that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.

Police fix April 28–30 for constable recruitment exam in Benue

The German government has reaffirmed its support for reconciliation initiatives aimed at resolving conflicts between farmers and herders in Benue State and fostering sustainable peace.

This assurance was given by Thomas Rachel during a visit to Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi on Monday.

Rachel stated that Germany is willing to support credible efforts that encourage peaceful coexistence, stressing the importance of collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders.

He also pointed to the strong diplomatic ties between Germany and Nigeria, anchored on shared democratic principles and joint efforts toward peace and development.

Describing Benue as Nigeria’s “food basket,” he acknowledged the persistent challenges confronting the state, including clashes between farmers and herders, religious tensions, and illegal mining activities.

According to him, Germany seeks to better understand these issues and contribute to practical, dialogue-driven solutions.

He noted that Germany is already supporting peacebuilding programmes in the state through the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

“Our role is to support the Benue State government with funding from the German government through the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

“This is an important measure to support peace. It is the responsibility of local leaders to find solutions, but we are committed to supporting initiatives that improve the humanitarian situation and promote peace,” he said.

In response, Governor Alia, represented by his deputy Sam Ode, expressed confidence that ongoing peace efforts are beginning to produce results, particularly in reducing farmer-herder clashes.

He reiterated Nigeria’s status as a secular state, citing constitutional provisions that guarantee freedom of religion and government neutrality.

The governor explained that the seasonal movement of pastoralists across West Africa has increasingly triggered disputes over land use in recent decades, especially as population pressure grows. In Benue, where most rural residents rely on farming, this has led to recurring violence and loss of lives.

While noting that pastoralism is an age-old practice, he said the situation has deteriorated due to the infiltration of criminal elements.

“In the dry season, pastoralists move across the West African sub-region into the southern parts of Nigeria. This transhumance has existed for centuries, but in recent decades, pressure on land has forced herders into farmlands, leading to conflicts and the tragic loss of lives.

“In Benue, over 95 per cent of the rural population depends on agriculture. The government has made sustained efforts to de-escalate these conflicts, and we remain committed to that goal.

“We are not supporting any group; we have a duty to protect our citizens.

Unfortunately, genuine pastoralists have been infiltrated by bandits, leading to senseless killings. As a government, we are committed to deepening the peacebuilding process,” he said.

Governor Alia further highlighted that the state had enacted the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in 2017 to regulate livestock activities and curb conflicts.

(NAN)

Germany backs peace moves between farmers, herders in Benue

Nollywood actor and entrepreneur Solomon Akiyesi is dead.

The tragic incident was confirmed on Monday by Abubakar Yakubu, President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

According to Yakubu, Akiyesi died in his sleep on Sunday. He added that the actor’s body has since been deposited in a mortuary in Abuja.

Yakubu also disclosed that the guild is still awaiting further details surrounding the circumstances of the actor’s death from his family.

“Yes, it is true. He died yesterday. He slept and did not wake up. We await further details from the family.

“His body is in the morgue in Abuja, where the sad incident happened,” Yakubu told TheCable Lifestyle.

Born in Edo State, specifically the Akoko-Edo/Ososo area, Solomon Akiyesi was active in Nollywood for many years and appeared in several films.

He featured in movies including Heart of a Saint, Desperate Ladies, Pretty Liars, and Bridge of Contract.

His death has come as a shock to Nigerians, with some expressing disbelief as tributes begin to pour in following the tragic news.

Nollywood actor Solomon Akiyesi is dead

Optimus Bank Limited, a fast-growing Nigerian National Commercial Bank, has reported strong audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, delivering robust growth across key performance indicators and reinforcing the strength of its business model.

Gross earnings rose by 73.53% to ₦50.67 billion from ₦29.20 billion in 2024, driven by growth in core banking activities, improved asset yields and increasing customer adoption across key segments.

Operating income grew strongly by 82.02% to ₦42.75 billion, demonstrating the strength of the Bank’s earnings capacity, while profit before tax increased by 69.94% to ₦24.14 billion, highlighting the Bank’s ability to translate revenue growth into stronger profitability.

Balance sheet stood at ₦286.02 billion, gross loans rose by 137.19% to ₦118.16 billion, reflecting stronger credit support to businesses and key productive sectors of the economy.

Customer deposits closed at ₦114.12 billion, reflecting sustained customer confidence and deepening market acceptance. The Bank maintained a sound liquidity position, with a liquidity ratio of 101.52%, providing headroom to support business growth and strategic initiatives.

Commenting on the results, Ademola Odeyemi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our 2025 performance reflects the strength of our execution and the resilience of our business model. We delivered strong growth across key financial indicators while maintaining discipline in risk management and operational efficiency.

“These results reflect the continued success of our digital-first strategy, which is accelerating customer acquisition, deepening engagement and enhancing service delivery across our platforms, while positioning the Bank for sustainable scale.”

“As we look ahead, we remain focused on scaling our operations, deepening customer relationships and leveraging technology to deliver innovative financial solutions that support economic growth.”

With strong earnings momentum, growing balance sheet strength and a solid capital base, Optimus Bank remains well positioned to accelerate growth, deepen market presence and deliver sustainable long-term value to customers, shareholders and stakeholders.

Optimus Bank Limited is a fast-growing Nigerian National Commercial Bank committed to delivering digital-led financial services, deepening financial inclusion, and supporting economic growth across the country.

FY 2025: Optimus Bank’s PBT grows by 70% to ₦24.14bn, Gross Earnings hit ₦50.67bn

Chief Billy Osawaru, the House of Representatives member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency in Edo State, is set to declare his bid for a second term in the 2027 elections.

His declaration will take place on April 30, 2026, at the APC Secretariats in Ehor and Abudu, Edo State.

Osawaru, who holds a PhD in International Business and years of corporate experience, currently chairs the House Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa and serves as vice chairman of the Poverty Alleviation Committee.

His legislative efforts include a bill to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Ehor. He has also sponsored a bill proposing a Federal College of Agriculture in the constituency, which passed first reading, and another bill seeking to create a Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Projects he has facilitated in the constituency include road grading across parts of Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode and the installation of solar streetlights in several communities.

He has also supported existing health facilities and runs empowerment drives through his outreach platform, “Billy Media.” In 2025, he received a Humanitarian Service Award at the Edo Festival and Awards ceremony held in London.

Born on October 7, 1971, Osawaru holds the traditional title of Obazuhunwa of Benin.

Billy Osawaru Lunches Re-Election Bid is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Parents, advocates, and policy stakeholders under the Nigerian Women in Leadership Coalition (WIL Coalition) have called for urgent national reform of Nigeria’s parental leave system,

They described the current framework as unequal, burdensome, and economically limiting.

At a public activation held on Monday at the Ministry of Labour in Abuja, the coalition launched the Best Start campaign.

It called for the adoption of a national parental leave framework, guaranteeing a minimum of 16 weeks of fully paid maternity leave and two weeks of fully paid paternity leave across all sectors.

The coalition stated that Nigeria’s current leave policies leave mothers with only 12 weeks of maternity leave with half salary, and zero days of paternity leave for fathers, besides those working in the Federal civil service and a few states.

“This means that for most fathers in the private sector, there is no consistent statutory protection, creating unequal access to care during the most critical period of early childhood development’’, it stated.

According to the coalition, the proposed reform seeks to establish a unified national standard applicable across federal, state, and private sector employers, supported by clear enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance and end the existing patchwork of inconsistent policies.

It called for legal protection against pregnancy and caregiving discrimination; transparent public reporting on employer compliance; and a structured pathway to extend parental leave protections to informal sector workers over time.

Citing economic evidence, the coalition noted that Nigeria could unlock up to $23bn in economic value by closing gender gaps in workforce participation.

Speaking, the Executive Secretary, WISCAR, Ekimini Akpapan, said: “Nigeria does not have a functioning parental leave system. There is no national standard for paternity leave. And maternity leave provisions are inadequate. We have fragmented rules across states and employers.”

On his part, a father, Samson Elijah, regretted that he did not have enough time to bond with his daughter.

He said: “As a working father, with no leave, I did not have enough time to spend with my child during the early days. Most times I come back at night, and the child is already asleep”.

A grandmother, Mrs Priscilla Shinshima, also lamented that her daughter, who is a nursing mother, was forced to return to work after 12 weeks at 50% payment.

“As a grandmother, my daughter was forced to return to work after 12 weeks at 50% payment. 12 weeks is not enough for recovery, which affects your productivity. Also, the 50% payment is not enough support,” said Shinshima, a nurse.

Another father, Joshua Chinedu, said: “I believe the two weeks are necessary so that the dad can help the new mum. It also helps the dad to have a good relationship with the child”.

In her argument, a Senior Program Officer, Nigerian Governors
Forum, Tolu Abdul, said: “Evidence shows that parental leave does not cause productivity to drop. Instead, it improves retention. As we all know, talent stays when care is supported.”

Stakeholders Seek 16-Week Maternity, Two-Week Paternity Leave is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A witness, Chinedu Eneanya on Monday, April 27, 2026 told Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja, a total sum of $6.23billion was allegedly siphoned from the coffers of the Central Bank of Nigeria under the guise of funding foreign election observers.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Emefiele on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence.

Eneanya, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, as the 13th prosecution witness, PW13, told the court that he was part of the team assigned to investigate the allegations against the defendant.

According to him, investigations revealed that the sum of $6.23 billion was removed from the coffers of the CBN purportedly for the funding of foreign observers for the 2023 general election.

He further stated that individuals connected with the movement of the funds were invited and interviewed during the course of the investigation, while relevant documents authorising the release of the funds were recovered from the CBN.

The witness added that findings from the investigation showed that the signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were forged to facilitate the release of the funds.

He disclosed that forensic analysis conducted on the documents confirmed that the signatures attributed to the two officials were not genuine.

Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, Eneanya told the court that five CBN officials who signed the internal memo relating to the transaction were suspended by the bank.

Earlier in the proceedings, Burkaa had applied for the foreclosure of the prosecution’s case should it fail to present its remaining two witnesses at the next adjourned date, alleging a pattern of delay aimed at frustrating the defendant.

Responding, Oyedepo opposed the application, stating that the prosecution was not attempting to delay proceedings but was facing challenges in securing the attendance of the remaining witnesses, who are said to be outside the court’s jurisdiction in Benin-City and Lagos.

He urged the court not to shut out the prosecution from presenting its case.

Justice Muazu advised both parties to reserve their arguments on the application until the stage of final addresses. He also directed the prosecution to liaise with the court registrar to facilitate the issuance of subpoenas for the witnesses.

The matter was subsequently adjourned till Tuesday, April 28, 2026, for continuation of trial.

The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has condemned the killing of one of its staff, Oladipupo Akinola, who was shot during an enforcement operation in Wuse II.

In a statement signed by Kingsley Madaki, media aide to the AMAC Chairman, the council described the incident as a “cold-blooded murder” that occurred in broad daylight on 24 April 2026 at NITEL Junction.

According to the statement, Akinola, an officer in the Mobile Advert Permit Department, was part of a team checking vehicles with expired operational permits when they stopped a Hilux vehicle linked to a Chinese company.

The council said the situation escalated after two men dressed in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) uniforms arrived at the scene.

“Instead of calming the situation, they turned aggressive,” the statement said.
“One of them fired a gun at close range, killing Mr. Akinola on the spot.”

AMAC alleged that the attackers also threatened people at the scene, seized the impounded vehicle, and fled.

Reacting, the council’s leadership said, “We will not be intimidated by the barrel of a gun.”
It called on the NSCDC to urgently identify those involved, asking: “Are these your officers or are they hired mercenaries in your uniform?”

The council said the case has been reported to the police and demanded a “swift, transparent, and thorough investigation.”

It added that authorities are probing any link between the Chinese company and the armed men.
“No entity, foreign or domestic, is above the laws of the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement said.

Describing the incident as “a dark day for Abuja,” AMAC said the killing of a public officer while carrying out official duties is an assault on the state itself.

The council also expressed sympathy to the victim’s family, calling Akinola “a hero of the grassroots.”

“His sacrifice will not be in vain. Justice must be swift. Justice must be seen. Justice must be served,” the statement added.

AMAC condemns killing of staff during enforcement operation in Abuja

Malian forces have reportedly foiled a suspected coup attempt following coordinated attacks across key parts of the country.

It raised fresh concerns about stability following the exit of foreign troops from the Sahel nation.

According to reports attributed to the Malian Armed Forces, the attacks began on Saturday, hitting strategic locations in the capital, Bamako, and spreading to major cities including Gao, Kidal, Kita, and Sévaré.

Military and administrative sites were among the main targets.

Security sources described the operation as a coup-style attempt allegedly backed by foreign interests, with multiple armed groups said to have taken part.

Some analysts also linked the offensive to a coalition of insurgent and separatist factions operating across the Sahel.

A security report cited by local media claimed that thousands of fighters were involved in the attacks, with attempts made to seize critical infrastructure, including the presidential palace and key airbases.

“The operation reportedly included attempts to seize key infrastructure, including the presidential palace and other strategic sites,” the report stated

Malian troops, supported by personnel from the Africa Corps, reportedly pushed back the assaults and retained control of major military bases, government facilities, and Bamako’s international airport.

The Malian Army said its forces maintained control of all strategic positions, including the national arsenal in Kita, preventing what officials feared could have escalated into a wider crisis.

Unconfirmed casualty figures circulating in security circles suggest heavy losses among the attacking groups, with hundreds killed and dozens of vehicles destroyed.

However, authorities have yet to release official figures.

In a separate development, the government confirmed the death of Defence Minister Sadio Camara, though details surrounding his passing were not immediately disclosed.

Some reports also alleged the involvement of foreign fighters and mercenaries in parts of the operation, particularly in northern regions.

These claims have not been independently verified, but officials insist the attacks formed part of a broader attempt by external actors to destabilize the country.

Meanwhile, claims in some international outlets suggesting that allied forces lost ground to rebels have been dismissed by local sources.

Local sources said all major cities and critical infrastructure remain under government control.

Local media claim Russian Africa Corps has been actively present in Africa, tactically repelling insurgency attacks in the Sahel region, with the latest being the April coordinated rebel operations.

The report claims that the effective action of the Africa Corps repelled a large scale attack along the contact line stretching over 2,000 km.

Western media had earlier reported that the Africa Corps has surrendered and entered a deal with the Tuareg rebels, hoisting a white flag and surrendering Kidal to the rebels.

But private media sources from Mali on Sunday, April 26, revealed that the Malian international airport remains functional, stressing that attacks on the main cities have been completely repelled.

In the meantime, the Russian Embassy in Mali and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not publicly commented on the recent attacks or on the heroic actions of the Africa Corps.

Neither Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor foreign diplomatic missions in the country had issued formal statements on the incident as of press time.

Analysts say the development highlights the fragile security situation in Mali, where authorities have increasingly relied on new military partnerships after the withdrawal of earlier foreign forces.

Malian forces thwart suspected coup d’etat, allege foreign sponsorship

Cross River State Government has appealed to the Nigerian Navy for collaboration in areas of medical training, particularly in residency programmes and specialist support services.

The Commissioner for Health, Henry Egbe Ayuk, made the appeal, noting that the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Calabar, has capacity in areas such as radiology and obstetrics, which can complement state health services.

Ayuk made the plea today when he received the Medical Director of the hospital, Commodore Amodu Muhammed, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the ministry.

He assured the delegation of the state government’s willingness to facilitate higher-level engagements, including with Governor Bassey Edet Otu, to address areas of mutual interest.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the Navy to enhance healthcare delivery and improve medical services across the state.

He said the Navy hospital is a critical pillar in the state’s healthcare system, noting that its consistency in service delivery, especially during industrial actions in other health institutions, has made it a reliable alternative for residents.

“For us, the Navy hospital in Calabar is a very important safeguard for sustainable healthcare services. When other institutions experience service disruptions, the hospital remains operational and continues to serve the people,” he said.

The commissioner emphasized the need for stronger collaboration in areas such as data sharing, medical training, and specialist support, stressing that harmonised health data is essential for effective planning and policy formulation.

He also disclosed that the state would intensify regulatory oversight of healthcare facilities to ensure compliance with professional standards, adding that the ministry would soon commence visits to facilities to strengthen coordination and data reporting.

Speaking earlier, Commodore Amodu Muhammed said the visit was aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration in line with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, noting that the hospital remains open to both military personnel and civilians.

He explained that the 100-bed tertiary facility offers a wide range of specialised services, including internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, radiology, and public health interventions.

According to him, over 60 percent of patients treated at the hospital are civilians, with more than 12,000 patient encounters recorded between January and March 2026, alongside about 150 deliveries, 250 surgeries, and nearly 900 admissions within the period.

Muhammed said the hospital also serves as a training centre for medical professionals, including resident doctors, interns, and students from various institutions, including the University of Calabar and the University of Cross River State.

Cross River seeks support from navy for medical training, residency programmes