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The Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Aniekan Umana, has distanced himself from a police press release alleging that a vigilante guard attached to him was arrested with an AK-47 toy gun.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, DSP Timfon John, had in a press release on Wednesday explained that upon the arrest of the suspected vigilante guard, he told police operatives that he was attached to the Commissioner for Information on escort duties. The PPRO said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s activities and possession of the imitation firearm had commenced.

The statement read in part: “An officer attached to Government House apprehended one Wisdom Umana, who was found in possession of a toy AK-47 rifle. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect claimed to be a vigilante operative attached to the Commissioner for Information on escort duties. The circumstances surrounding his activities and possession of the imitation firearm are being thoroughly investigated.”

Alarmed by the claim, the commissioner, in a press release personally signed by him, said no vigilante personnel had been assigned to him from any source, stressing that the security personnel attached to him were officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), officially posted to his office by the state command.

He said, “My attention has been drawn to a press release issued by the Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), alleging that a vigilante operative carrying a toy gun is attached to me.

“I wish to state categorically that I have no vigilante personnel attached to me from any source whatsoever. The security personnel serving in my office are officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who were officially posted to my office by the state command in the discharge of their official duties.”

While urging the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegation and establish the true facts surrounding the matter, the commissioner called on the public to disregard the suspect’s claim as “false and misleading in its entirety.”

Akwa Ibom: Info Commissioner denies having vigilante guard attached to him 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the worsening security situation and economic hardship in the country, accusing the Presidency of shifting responsibility onto Nigerians and the media.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described as troubling recent remarks suggesting that many kidnapping incidents occur because citizens ignore police warnings against travelling at night.

According to him, such comments imply that Nigerians can only be safe for a limited number of hours each day.

“Is the presidency admitting that Nigerians can only be safe for a few hours of the day? Is this an official declaration that Africa’s largest economy has been reduced to an eight-hour economy where citizens must shut down their businesses, abandon legitimate travel, and retreat indoors once the sun sets?” Atiku asked.

The former vice president argued that the primary responsibility of any government is to protect lives and property, stressing that citizens should not be blamed when criminal attacks occur.

“The primary duty of any government is the protection of lives and property. Citizens do not surrender their freedoms in exchange for curfews imposed by fear,” he said.

Atiku maintained that insecurity across the country is evident in the daily experiences of Nigerians and cannot be dismissed as media exaggeration. He cited killings in Benue and Plateau states, bandit attacks in Zamfara, Katsina and Niger states, as well as recurring kidnappings and terrorist activities in several parts of the country.

“A trader travelling from Kano to Lagos, a businessman returning from Abuja to Kaduna, a farmer transporting produce to market, or a family embarking on a legitimate journey should not be blamed when criminals attack them. The blame belongs squarely where it should — on those charged with securing the country,” he stated.

He warned that normalising insecurity by advising citizens to avoid travelling at certain hours could have serious economic consequences.

“A nation cannot prosper when its people are told that safety ends at sunset. Economies grow because people can move freely, trade freely, and conduct lawful activities without fear,” he said.

Beyond security concerns, Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of being disconnected from the economic realities facing Nigerians, noting that hunger, inflation, unemployment and declining purchasing power have continued to worsen.

“The father who goes to bed wondering how to provide the next meal for his family does not need a newspaper report to confirm hardship,” he said.

The former presidential candidate also faulted what he described as attempts by the Presidency to blame the media for reporting insecurity and economic challenges, insisting that journalists were merely reflecting the realities experienced by citizens.

“Blaming journalists for reporting insecurity and hardship is like blaming a thermometer for a fever,” Atiku said.

He urged the government to focus on addressing the country’s challenges rather than managing public perception.

“Nigeria does not need explanations for suffering. Nigeria needs solutions. Nigeria does not need lectures about perception. Nigeria needs results,” he added.

The statement comes amid growing public concern over the rising cost of living and persistent security challenges across parts of the country, issues that have remained at the centre of national discourse since the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira by the Tinubu administration.

Atiku Blasts Tinubu Over Insecurity is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The average retail price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, rose to ₦1,596.25 per litre in May 2026, representing a 55.31 per cent increase compared to ₦1,027.76 recorded in the same period last year, according to the latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The NBS, in its May 2026 PMS Price Watch report, also noted that petrol prices increased by 4.13 per cent month-on-month from ₦1,532.93 per litre recorded in April 2026.

Data from the report showed that petrol prices remained relatively stable for much of 2025, ranging between ₦970.59 and ₦1,061.35 per litre from September to November.

However, prices began to rise sharply in early 2026, climbing from ₦1,051.47 in February to ₦1,288.54 in March before reaching ₦1,596.25 in May.

At the state level, Edo State recorded the highest average petrol price at ₦1,722.91 per litre, followed by Bauchi State at ₦1,715.47 and Benue State at ₦1,698.57.

On the other hand, Adamawa State recorded the lowest average price at ₦1,469.83 per litre, while Katsina State and Sokoto State posted averages of ₦1,470.63 and ₦1,489.33 respectively.

Among the six geopolitical zones, the North-West recorded the lowest average petrol price at ₦1,564.11 per litre, while the South-South posted the highest average at ₦1,623.84.

Despite having the cheapest petrol prices, the North-West emerged as the region with the highest diesel costs. According to the NBS, diesel prices surged by 86.40 per cent year-on-year to ₦3,277.47 per litre nationally, more than double the average petrol price.

The North-West recorded the highest zonal diesel price at ₦3,313.60 per litre, placing additional pressure on businesses, farmers and households that depend heavily on diesel-powered equipment and transportation.

The statistics agency said the data was compiled from more than 10,000 respondents across selected outlets in all 774 local government areas of the country, covering the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Petrol Price Hits ₦1,596/Litre as North-West Records Lowest PMS Cost is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Nigeria and the wider African continent will continue to align with international protocols on climate change mitigation, environmental sustainability, and energy transition, the new President of GLOBE Legislators, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, has said.

Onuigbo gave the assurance in his acceptance speech after his inauguration as President of GLOBE at the organisation’s 35th anniversary ceremony held at the Churchill Room, House of Commons, Parliament of the United Kingdom, London, on Wednesday.

The former Nigerian lawmaker, who becomes the first African to occupy the position, said GLOBE’s work over the years had helped legislators across the world establish guardrails for climate action.

He said, “We must therefore commend them for thirty-five years of intensive efforts which have seen the organisation rise from convening legislators on a cross-party basis to adding a new role as the Focal Point of the UNFCCC’s Parliamentary Group, where it now also convenes parliamentary networks across the world to work collaboratively.

“Under this mandate, GLOBE hosted the first Parliamentary Pavilion at COP28 in Dubai, repeated the feat at COP29 in Baku, and is on course to do so again in COP31 in Antalya. These pavilions provide a point of convergence for legislators to share ideas, showcase their work, and gain further insights from experts across the many fields of climate action.”

Onuigbo also commended parliamentarians from the UK, Africa, Europe, Asia, Central and Latin America, and the Pacific for their continued contributions to climate action, stressing that GLOBE’s efforts would mean little without their commitment to its vision.

Recalling Nigeria’s entry into the global body, Onuigbo, who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act in 2021 during the 9th National Assembly, praised former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, for helping introduce GLOBE to Nigeria and supporting its growth across Africa.

He said, “As we now enter a new era, it is my firm commitment that we will continue to build on the ideals and visions of this great organisation. We will build to support parliamentary efforts to progress climate action globally. This is a fire that has been handed to us by great men and women, and we will not let it dim or die.

“In line with the theme of today’s event, ‘Building Political Resilience and Public Consensus for Climate Action at a Time of Severe Domestic and Geopolitical Challenges,’ and as the new President of GLOBE, I will work closely with the Board, staff and our partners to ensure that we begin addressing these critical challenges without delay.”

Outlining his agenda for the organisation, Onuigbo said his leadership would focus on targeted training programmes, strategic advocacy, and stronger parliamentary involvement in climate action.

According to him, “We will collaborate with various stakeholders to promote widespread green investments and climate initiatives globally. As we step into this new era, my main focus will be on specific issues to propel GLOBE forward. These include targeted training programs, strategic advocacy efforts, and increased parliamentary involvement.

“Under my leadership, GLOBE aims to enhance opportunities for knowledge sharing, capacity development, and peer learning, while also strengthening collaborations with governments, development agencies, civil society, and the private sector. Our goal is to ensure that climate actions are not only discussed at international legislative forums but also translated into tangible initiatives and actions within communities worldwide.”

He also said GLOBE would prioritise climate education and push for its integration into learning at all levels.

Onuigbo stated, “We will also establish essential frameworks to promote climate education across all educational levels. Since the future of climate action relies on the knowledge, awareness, and leadership of the next generation, it is crucial to integrate these elements into educational curricula to ensure proper information, enlightenment, and communication.”

He added that promoting climate literacy, environmental stewardship, and practical understanding of sustainability would equip younger generations with the mindset and skills needed to confront future environmental challenges.

“Through GLOBE’s programmes and partnerships, we will advocate for the mainstreaming of climate education globally, helping to build a generation that is informed, innovative and prepared to lead the transition to a sustainable future.

“Thankfully, at GLOBE, we are already doing the latter through our Student-MP Climate Surgery, which I oversaw in Nigeria in 2022. We will expand this. We will also find ways to ensure and support the enhancement of parliamentarians’ ability to effect concrete impacts across the world by fostering peer exchanges and, where needed, capacity building.

“Climate change remains one of the defining challenges of our time, and effective responses require informed and empowered legislators who can champion robust policies, enact progressive legislation, exercise leadership and fairness in ensuring that adequate appropriations are made for climate change, provide effective oversight and mobilise public support,” he said.

Onuigbo noted that the outlined priorities were only a fraction of the initiatives his administration intends to pursue over the next year, adding that more steps would be unveiled as consultations continue.

He stressed the central role of lawmakers in climate governance, saying, “And, as GLOBE rightly coined in 2023, ‘Parliaments Make COPs Count,’ indeed, there will be no headway in climate action without parliaments. Therefore, we call on all legislators, development banks, governments, donor agencies, academics, the youth, etc., to rally round us and support parliamentary engagement. Without parliaments, we cannot achieve anything.”

The event formed part of activities marking the London Climate Action Week, with one of the highlights being the ongoing Nigeria Climate Investment Summit, where the country is promoting its carbon market potential and energy transition opportunities.

Nigeria, Africa Will Sustain Global Climate Partnerships – Onuigbo is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated the completed Phase I of the Kuje-Gwagwalada Dual Carriageway in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning of the 7-kilometre road in Kuje Area Council, said the project would improve connectivity between Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali and adjoining communities.

“For decades, this road was a death trap. Traders from Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali and beyond lost time, goods and sometimes lives while plying this road. Criminals thrived in the darkness. Students wasted hours in traffic. Farmers could not get their produce to market on time. But that story ends today,” the President said.

He said the road, equipped with solar-powered streetlights, pedestrian walkways and modern drainage facilities, represents more than physical infrastructure.

“This 7-kilometre dual carriageway with solar-powered streetlights, pedestrian walkways and proper drainage is more than a road. It is security. It is commerce. It is dignity.

“It is the economic corridor linking Abuja to three area councils and an opening and exit route to Southern Nigeria. With the construction of this road, we have unlocked the agricultural potential of this area, opened new residential layouts and made it safer for mothers, students and workers to move at any hour,” he declared.

Tinubu urged residents to safeguard public infrastructure and support government efforts through civic responsibility.

“My people of Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali and all the area councils and satellite towns, hear me clearly: this government sees you. You are not forgotten.

“For too long, Abuja’s development stopped at the city centre. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, every area council matters. Every community counts. We will keep bringing roads, water, schools and hospitals to you.

“Do not build on the median. Do not vandalise the solar lights. Pay your taxes and ground rents. When government works and citizens cooperate, development moves faster,” he said.

The President also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for expanding development to underserved communities across the territory.

“I gave you an instruction when I appointed you: make Abuja work for all Nigerians, not just for those in Maitama and Asokoro.

“You have taken Renewed Hope to the grassroots. From judicial quarters in Katampe to roads in Kuje and Gwagwalada, you are proving that development must not be selective. You heard the cries of satellite communities and responded. That is leadership. Well done, Honourable Minister,” Tinubu said.

Speaking earlier at the inauguration ceremony, Wike said insecurity and poor road infrastructure were the top concerns raised by residents of Kuje.

“So, one day, while returning from Kwali after inspecting projects, I said let us pass through the road the traditional ruler had been talking about.

“As we travelled, it took us almost two hours. I asked where we were heading to and they said Kuje. I said, ‘Are we in America?’ This is within the FCT and it took us almost two hours. The road was terrible. In fact, saying it was bad is an understatement; there was practically no road,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the project was awarded to Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited in early 2025 and expressed satisfaction with the timely completion of the first phase.

He added that the contractor had assured the government that the second phase, covering the remaining six kilometres of the corridor, would be completed by December 2026.

“What this means is that the people of Gwagwalada and Kuje can now interact more easily, businesses can thrive and farmers can move their produce to markets without stress. That is governance. That is bringing hope to the people,” Wike said.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of citizens through infrastructure projects.

The Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department, Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said the project includes a three-span bridge, drainage systems and solar-powered streetlights.

Tinubu Inaugurates 7km Kuje-Gwagwalada Dual Carriageway is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Ranchers Bees have announced the appointment of Usman Abd’Allah as their new head coach, DAILY POST reports.

Abd’Allah signed a two-year contract with the newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side.

The 51-year-old briefly managed Remo Stars last season, failing to help escape relegation.

Abd’Allah is one of the highly respected coaches in the Nigerian top-flight.

He boasts an impressive résumé that includes a league title with Enyimba in the 2018/19 season and spells with Kano Pillars, Katsina United, and Beninoise club USCN Cavaliers.

Ranchers Bees secured promotion to the NPFL after finishing top of the Nigeria National League, NNL, Conference D last season.

NPFL: Abd’Allah takes over as Ranchers Bees head coach

Former Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Solomon Dalung, has raised an alarm over the security situation in the country.

This is after Dalung shared a video of heavily armed bandits moving freely on a highway and casually greeting security personnel without any hindrance.

The ex-minister made the disclosure in a post on his Facebook page, where he uploaded a video capturing the incident.

He described the scene as a heartbreaking reality that shows how deeply entrenched criminal activities have become in the country.

This came on the heels of an upsurge of insecurity across the country, with one of the most disturbing incidents being the kidnapping of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers from three schools in Oriire LGA, Oyo State, on May 15, during which a teacher lost his life.

Dalung wrote: “This country is in a very dire situation. Seeing that bandits now move openly on highways in large numbers on motorcycles, heavily armed, while security personnel stationed along the same roads can do little more than exchange greetings with one another is heartbreaking and unbelievable!

“And no, I am not referring to the security operatives who are doing their best to confront these bandits, but about the apparent normalization and entrenchment of banditry in Nigeria. The question now is: what is left for the ordinary citizen?”

Watch video:

Armed bandits move freely on highway, greet security men [VIDEO]

The Federal Government, in partnership with the Lagos State Government and Conference 57, has unveiled the “Adopt a School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS” initiative to provide nutritious breakfast snacks to primary school pupils

The post FG, Lagos partner to provide breakfast for public school pupils appeared first on Tribune Online.

Three members of the armed gang that attacked the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Anambra State, Dr Ben Nwankwo, earlier this month have been killed.

A press release by Mr Nweke Nweke, spokesperson for Agunechemba Security Outfit, the state-controlled security agency, stated that while the men were killed, other members of the gang escaped with gunshot wounds.

Dr Nwankwo was attacked on June 3 by armed men along the Amansea-Awa-Ndiukwuenu-Ufuma Road while returning to Awka from his village. He and another official, said to be a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, escaped. However, a friend who was travelling with them in the vehicle was shot dead.

Two police operatives attached to them who had travelled with them were also killed, while the armed men fled the scene.

But Nweke, in the press release, said three members of a criminal gang killed by operatives after a gun duel around the Aguata area were the same individuals who attacked Nwankwo.

The statement read: “The Agunechemba unit from FOB Aguata in Anambra State on Tuesday, 23/06/2026, neutralized three members of a terror group masquerading in federal government security uniforms and who had previously attacked the convoy of Chief of Staff to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, resulting in casualties.

“Several others, however, managed to flee with gunshot injuries. This gang has caused considerable turmoil in the region.

“With thorough intelligence gathering, our team, in partnership with the police, zeroed in on the gang in the Isuofia-Igboukwu area, where they were robbing innocent victims. As our operatives approached, the gang attempted to flee.

“In a determined chase, Agunechemba and police units sealed off all escape routes in the Aguata Council Area. Realizing they were being pursued, the gang opened fire, but thanks to divine intervention and the ancestors of Anambra State, three notorious gang members were neutralized without any casualties among Agunechemba operatives.

“Our intelligence indicates that these dangerous individuals were using a white Hilux van for a variety of criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery and the abduction of innocent civilians throughout the Anambra South Senatorial District and beyond, operating freely.”

He listed items recovered from the suspects to include a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG), AK-47 rifles and other weapons, the gang’s operational white Hilux van, as well as various charms, handbags and other incriminating items.

Vigilante operatives kill three members of gang that attacked Soludo’s CoS 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized prohibited imports worth N273.7m in Cross River State, in what officials described as part of efforts to protect local manufacturers from unfair competition and curb smuggling activities.

Among the items intercepted were 1,996 kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil, a product listed under the Federal Government’s import prohibition policy aimed at encouraging domestic production and reducing dependence on foreign goods.

Speaking during a press briefing in Calabar on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller of the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, Comptroller Giwa Dauda, said, “The products, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N195.5 million, were concealed in a truck intercepted during a routine patrol operation.”

Dauda said officers intercepted two 20-foot containers conveying the vegetable oil along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway on June 14.

The seizure comes amid concerns over the impact of smuggling on local industries, particularly sectors where manufacturers have invested heavily in domestic production.

According to Dauda, unrestricted entry of prohibited products into the Nigerian market could undermine local investments, weaken production capacity and affect jobs across manufacturing and agricultural value chains.

Dauda said vegetable oil remains one of the sectors in which Nigerian investors have committed significant resources, warning that smuggling could reverse gains made by local producers.

“These products are listed under the Federal Government’s import prohibition policy, which seeks to stimulate local production, promote self-sufficiency, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base,” he stated.

Beyond the vegetable oil, the Command also seized “1,500 used tyres and 105 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing during separate operations”.

Dauda said the additional seizures contributed to the total “Duty Paid Value of N273.7m” recorded from prohibited imports intercepted by the Command.

He also disclosed that it intercepted “800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), bringing the total volume of petrol seized within the Command’s area of responsibility in 2026 to 5,760 litres.”

“The product was subsequently disposed of in accordance with approved safety procedures due to its highly combustible nature,” Dauda said.

He warned smugglers to desist from illegal importation activities, saying such practices distort market competition and undermine government efforts to deepen industrialisation and diversify the economy.

Dauda maintained that the Service would continue surveillance and enforcement operations across the region to prevent prohibited goods from entering the domestic market.

Customs Intensify Anti-Smuggling Drive, Seize N273m Contraband is first published on The Whistler Newspaper