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The Federal Government of Nigeria has identified 470 gazetted and legally recognised grazing reserves across the country for the rehabilitation and settlement of pastoralists as part of measures to phase out open cattle roaming in cities such as Abuja and Lagos.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, disclosed this during an interview on Arise News while discussing the implementation of the National Dairy Policy Framework and broader reforms in the livestock sector.

Maiha explained that relocating herders into designated reserves would improve disease monitoring, animal healthcare and livestock breeding systems.

Responding to questions on whether cattle roaming on city streets would soon end, the minister said open grazing had become unsustainable, noting that long-distance cattle movement negatively affects productivity and contributes to Nigeria’s inability to meet local dairy demands.

“We are sensitising pastoralists to adopt a sedentary lifestyle. Once they settle in designated reserves, all the interventions required to improve productivity become easier to implement,” he said.

The minister also revealed that the government planned to introduce electronic jaw-tagging for cattle to improve monitoring and security.

“We are also introducing jaw-tagging of animals so that once a cow steps outside its designated boundary, an alarm is triggered, indicating it has either strayed or been stolen, and it can be returned immediately,” he added.

Speaking on dairy production, Maiha stated that average milk yield in Nigeria currently ranges between 1.2 and 2 litres per cow daily, compared to countries like Kenya where cows can produce up to 30 litres each day.

He attributed the low output to poor livestock genetics, inadequate feeding systems and weak disease management practices.

According to the minister, Nigeria possesses an estimated 270 million ruminants, including cattle, sheep, goats and camels, but has failed to modernise livestock genetics over the years.

He noted that while several African countries had improved their cattle breeds through deliberate breeding programmes, Nigeria continued to rely largely on traditional breeds with low productivity.

Maiha added that despite the presence of research institutes and veterinary institutions nationwide, large-scale genetic improvement had not been effectively implemented.

“While every other thing in our national space has changed, we have not been able to transform our livestock by introducing new genetics or selecting based on performance traits.

“Either of those approaches would have lifted yields from two litres to 15, 20, 30 or even 50 litres per cow per day,” he said.

The minister said the government’s livestock reform strategy would focus on improved feeding systems, disease control and enhanced genetics under the National Dairy Policy Framework, with the aim of boosting local milk production and reducing dependence on imports.

Nigerian govt identifies 470 grazing reserves to end open cattle roaming

The lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has denied he alleged that signatures of lawmakers were forged in the report that recommended the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

This was contained in a statement he issues on Tuesday, noting that his comments during an interview on AIT were misrepresented.

Oshiomole denied that he ever claimed signatures of senators were forged.

He said that he only raised  issue that a senator who served on the committee had claimed that attendance signatures of some lawmakers were attached to the final report.

Recall that the Nigerian Senate denied allegations by Oshiomhole over Natasha’s issue, stating that it would look into it and take a stand.

According to Oshiomole in the statement, “The insinuation that I said signatures of Senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said

“The only comment I made is that one Senator, who is a member of the Committee, claimed’ that the signatures of attendance of some Senators were attached to the final report.

Oshiomhole makes U-turn on forgery claim in Natasha’s suspension

 

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, on Tuesday , 16th June 2026, paid a working visit to Zamfara State where he joined officers, families, and members of the public at the Islamic funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah) held in honour of three police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. 

The IGP also visited the Zamfara State Police Command to commiserate with officers and men of the Command and reaffirm the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to combating banditry and other violent crimes across the State.

The Inspector-General was received by senior government officials and security stakeholders, including the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Mallam Abubakar M. Nakwada, who represented the Governor of Zamfara State at the funeral prayers and related engagements.

Addressing officers and men of the Command, the IGP described the fallen officers as courageous personnel who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation while confronting criminal elements threatening the peace and security of Zamfara State. He extended the condolences of the Force Management Team and the entire Nigeria Police Force to the families of the deceased officers and assured that their sacrifice would never be forgotten.

The Inspector-General noted that while the loss was deeply painful, it would only strengthen the resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to sustain ongoing operations against banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. He charged officers to remain focused, resilient, and professional in the discharge of their duties, emphasizing that criminal elements would not be allowed to undermine the determination of security agencies to restore lasting peace across the State.

He commended the Command for its recent operational achievements, including the arrest of criminal suspects, recovery of explosives and other dangerous materials, recovery of stolen motorcycles, rescue of kidnapped victims, and successful operations against armed bandits. He noted that the successes recorded by the Command demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing, operational commitment, and inter-agency collaboration in addressing security challenges.

The IGP assured officers of continued efforts to improve operational capacity, logistics, welfare, and other resources necessary for effective policing. He further emphasized the importance of intelligence-led operations, community partnership, and collaboration with other security agencies in the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality.

The Inspector-General urged officers and men of the Command to remain steadfast, disciplined, and dedicated to their constitutional responsibilities, stressing that the greatest tribute to the fallen officers would be the continued pursuit of peace, security, and justice for the people of Zamfara State.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to supporting its personnel and strengthening ongoing efforts aimed at protecting lives and property, combating violent crime, and enhancing public safety across the country.

Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, has shattered Ronaldo Nazario and Miroslav Klose World Cup goal records just with his first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He also joined Ronaldo as the only players to score in five different editions of the FIFA World Cup.

The 38-year-old celebrated his 200th international cap with a remarkable hat-trick against Algeria.

La Albiceleste faced Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Kansas City Stadium.

The reigning champions started strong, with Messi finding the net in the early minutes; however, this goal was promptly ruled out for offside.

Algeria responded by scoring at the opposite end, but their effort was also disallowed for offside by the officials.

Subsequently, in the 17th minute, Messi received the ball in the attacking third, executed a swift turn, and charged towards the Algerian goal, unleashing a powerful shot from distance.

Luca Zidane managed to touch the ball, but the force of the strike sent it into the top corner. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner celebrated joyfully with his teammates, marking his 118th goal for Argentina.

Messi later added more two goals to complete a hat-trick on the night and has now netted 16 goals in FIFA World Cup history, placing him above Ronaldo Nazario (15) and equal with Klose (16) in the all-time rankings.

Argentina defeated Algeria 1-0 in the Group J match.

World Cup 2026: Messi breaks Ronaldo’s goal record, equals Miroslav Klose as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0

THIS powerful biblical phrase that speaks to the place of preparations and steadfastness in the midst of a challenge or contest readily comes to mind as the people of Ekiti State go to the poll this Saturday, June 20, 2026

The post Ekiti 2026: The contest, the issues and the BAO effect appeared first on Tribune Online.

 

The police in Anambra State have arrested four suspects for the alleged killing of a 23- year-old girl, after reportedly using the victim’s phone to contact her family and demand a ransom of N2 million.

The first suspect in this case was given as Ifechukwu Okechukwu, who is currently in police custody. It is yet to be confirmed if the family made the payment before the victim was killed. However, the girl’s remains were eventually discovered in a shallow grave, where sympathisers assisted in exhuming the body.

In a statement confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said four suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder. He commended residents for their vigilance, cooperation and timely information that aid security agents in exposing criminal activities and apprehending offenders.

Ikenga said “the first suspect in custody, Ifechukwu Okechukwu, 33, is being investigated for the alleged murder and secret burial of his 23-year old girlfriend. The case was reported following credible information from concerned members of the public, resulting in the suspect’s arrest.

Police operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) have taken over the case and commenced detailed inquiries to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that justice is served.”

Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vampeta has slammed Neymar’s inclusion in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.

Vampeta, a former Brazilian international, believes the Santos forward’s inclusion in the squad took another player’s dream.

Neymar made Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti’s final squad list for the World Cup.

The former Barcelona star missed Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Morocco last weekend because he is currently nursing a calf injury he sustained on 17 May.

Speaking to Brazilian media BNews, Vampeta said of Neymar’s inclusion in the Brazil squad, “[It] took the dream away from another player.

“Neymar played his last match on May 17. In the first 16 days, Neymar has zero chance of playing; he has no condition whatsoever to step in and perform with a grade-two calf injury.

“With the World Cup, countries and nations fighting for the title, is Neymar going to be fit to play? No chance whatsoever.”

World Cup: It took another player’s dream – Vampeta slams Neymar’s inclusion in Brazil squad

The Federal Government has secured approximately 150 convictions within the first two days of its latest phase of mass terrorism trials, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed on Tuesday.

Fagbemi made the disclosure while speaking with journalists at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the trials are being conducted simultaneously before 10 judges of the court.

The AGF said the current phase, which commenced on Monday, had already recorded about 160 trials leading to roughly 150 convictions on its first day alone.

“Yesterday, we had about 160 trials. I think about 150 convictions,” Fagbemi told reporters.

He added that proceedings on Tuesday brought approximately 300 cases before the courts, with another 84 cases expected to be concluded before the close of the day.

“Whatever we can do, or wherever we stop today, we’ll continue tomorrow and also on Thursday. So it’s still ongoing,” the minister said.

Fagbemi appealed for patience from members of the public as the exercise continued, stressing that the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to justice, accountability and the rule of law.

On Monday, the AGF had said the ongoing phase marked the fourth round of mass terrorism trials conducted since the inception of the current administration, describing the exercise as a clear signal that the government would not tolerate terrorism in any form.

“The message is clear, direct and straightforward. It is that the present administration is not taking the issue of terrorism with levity. And that is why you see ongoing trials.

“Since the inception of this administration, this is about the fourth phase that we are undertaking. So the message is that let everybody know that terrorism in whatever form or shape will not be tolerated,” Fagbemi added.

The prosecution is being led by the AGF himself, while the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar, heads the defence team.

Among the judges handling the cases are Justices Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu and Ekerete Akpan, with proceedings taking place across several courtrooms simultaneously.

The current phase of trials is expected to run through Thursday, with the overall exercise scheduled to last one week.

The latest phase follows a previous round conducted between April 7 and April 10, during which no fewer than 500 alleged terrorists were tried before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

 

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has introduced a strict anti-defection policy requiring all its candidates for elective offices to sign indemnity and affidavit forms committing to vacate their seats if they defect from the party after winning elections.

The policy, unveiled on Tuesday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, is expected to affect prominent members, including the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other recent entrants into the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during the signing ceremony attended by some candidates and aspirants, NDC National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, said the move was aimed at protecting the party’s electoral mandates and strengthening internal discipline.

According to him, the decision was informed by repeated cases of politicians winning elections on party platforms only to defect to rival parties after securing office.

He said, “In our last NEC meeting, a motion was moved, supported, and established that when we take over the government, people elected on the platform of our party must respect the party’s instrument.

“This is not just a party for one man to rise and achieve his ambitions and do anything he likes with the party.

“This is a political party that we desire to groom and hand over to the next generation.”

He said the NDC had observed a trend in which elected officials abandoned the parties that sponsored them for personal or political reasons.

“One thing we have come to observe is that in the present polity, when people contest elections and win under political parties, they become gods.

“And in between the time that they ought to have, they will just use one minor excuse to dump the platform and perhaps go into the ruling party,” he said.

Cleopas cited the experience of the Labour Party after the 2023 elections as justification for the new policy.

“A very typical example that we have all seen in the last three years is the Labour Party, where so many individuals won elections under the platform of the party.

“Now, we are in another election cycle. Go and check their history. How many of the people who won elections under the Labour Party and were inaugurated are still members of the party?

“If all of them had remained, you and I can imagine how the Labour Party could have been today, even if they had not won the presidency. When you see these kinds of things happening, it is expedient that you start to think of how to guide your political parties,” he stated.

The NDC chairman stressed that while membership of the party was voluntary, anyone seeking to contest elections on its platform must agree to abide by its rules.

 “If you want to contest the election under the platform of the NDC, you are free to come. Nobody is forcing you. But when you come, you should know that there are certain rules by which we, as a political party, guide our members.

“One of them is that if you contest an election under our platform and win, under no circumstances, as against what is provided for in the 1999 constitution, that you will just wake up to say that I don’t like the NDC again, or I don’t like the face of my national or state chairman. Therefore, now that I am already elected, I am leaving the party,” he said.

He said candidates would be required to sign affidavit and indemnity forms before receiving the party’s ticket.

“If you win, the mandate is owned by the party. If you otherwise choose to leave, go the same way you came and leave what you picked from here.

“That is why we brought our National Legal Adviser and his team to prepare documents that include affidavit and indemnity forms for every candidate in all categories to fill and take the oath,” he stated.

The party’s National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, defended the policy, describing political parties as voluntary associations governed by internal rules accepted by members.

“A political party is just like a club, church or mosque where there are rules and regulations. That is why the 1999 constitution, under Section 222, states that a candidate of a political party is just a mere agent of the party.

“And once a candidate is declared the winner and inaugurated, until the expiration of the tenure upon which that candidate won the election and was inaugurated, the mandate belongs to the political party, not any other.

“So, if you are privileged to win the election after clinching the party ticket, that does not mean the mandate belongs to you,” he said.

Despite the significance of the policy, several prominent party figures, including Obi and Kwankwaso, were absent from the event.

The development is widely seen as an attempt by the NDC to avoid the wave of defections that has weakened several opposition parties in recent years.

-Punch

 

The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging that the late Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Khan Salihu, was kidnapped before his d£ath.

“For the avoidance of doubt, DCP Khan Salihu was never kidnapped at any time prior to his d£mise. The report is entirely false, misleading, and a complete fabrication with no basis in fact whatsoever,” reads the statement released by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, for the Commissionerof Police Lagos State Police Command.

Explaining how he di£d, the police command said: “The Command wishes to state categorically that prior to his passing, DCP Khan Salihu briefly complained of feeling unwell and was immediately rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention. 

Sadly, upon arrival, medical doctors confirmed him dead. At no time was he abducted, kidnapped, or involved in any incident remotely connected to criminal activity as falsely portrayed in the publication.”

The police demanded a retraction of the reports.

“The Command finds it deeply disturbing and professionally disappointing that such a spurious and unverified story could be published by a recognised media platform without the slightest attempt to verify the information from the appropriate authorities,” the statememt reads. 

“This represents a serious breach of the fundamental principles of responsible journalism and has unnecessarily misled the public while causing avoidable pain and distress to the family, friends, and professional colleagues of the late senior officer.

“The publication is not only inaccurate but also insensitive, particularly at a time when the Command, family members, and loved ones are mourning the loss of a dedicated and accomplished senior police officer who served the nation with distinction.

“The Lagos State Police Command therefore demands the immediate withdrawal of the false report and urges the media organisation concerned to issue a public correction and apology in the interest of truth, professionalism, and public accountability.”

NPF MOURNS THE PASSING OF DCP KHAN SALIHU

The Nigeria Police Force announces with deep regret the passing of Deputy Commissioner of Police Khan Salihu, who until his demise served as the officer in charge of Finance and Administration, Lagos State Police Command. He passed away on Monday, 15th June, 2026, after a brief illness.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, on behalf of the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, described the loss as deeply painful. He recalled DCP Khan Salihu as a dedicated, disciplined, and professionally accomplished officer whose administrative acumen, loyalty, and commitment to duty distinguished him throughout his career and significantly enhanced the efficiency of the Lagos State Police Command.

IGP Disu extended heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, and to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, psc, mnips, and the officers and men of the Command. He prayed that Almighty God grant the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and the departed officer eternal rest.

The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state categorically that DCP Khan Salihu was never kidnapped at any time before his demise. Before his passing, he briefly complained of feeling unwell and was immediately rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention, where he was sadly confirmed dead on arrival. Reports circulating in certain media outlets alleging that he was kidnapped by suspected criminals before his death are entirely false, misleading, and a complete fabrication with no basis in fact. 

The Force finds such reckless and unverified publication deeply disturbing, particularly at a time when his family, colleagues, and the entire Force are in mourning. The Nigeria Police Force demands the immediate withdrawal of the false report and urges the media organisation concerned to issue a public correction and apology in the interest of truth and professional responsibility. Members of the public are advised to disregard such reports entirely and rely only on information released through official channels.

May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

DCP Anthony Okon Placid, psc(+), mnipr, mni

Force Public Relations Officer

Force Headquarters, Abuja

16th June, 2026