
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to immediately deploy additional troops to Askira-Uba and Kachia communities in Borno and Kaduna States, respectively, following recent violent attacks by bandits. This resolution came after two motions of urgent public importance were raised by Midala Balami, representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, and Gabriel Zock, representing Kachia/Kagoro Federal Constituency. Balami highlighted persistent attacks in his constituency, including the abduction of about 20 persons along the Biu-Buratai-Damaturu road, leading to loss of lives, displacement, and disruption of socio-economic activities. He noted that despite efforts, security responses have been insufficient. The House urged the Federal Government to deploy military and paramilitary personnel to affected Borno communities, ensure the rescue of abducted persons, and called on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and other security chiefs to intensify surveillance and establish permanent security outposts. They also requested the National Emergency Management Agency to provide humanitarian assistance. Zock reported that his Kaduna constituency has seen the killing of 20-30 persons in coordinated attacks, mass abductions of 260-350 people between October 2025 and April 2026, and the abduction of 180 residents in January 2026, including worshippers. He also mentioned the abduction of 32 persons in Kagarko in February 2026 and a recent att
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.

Air Peace and Etihad Airways have signed an interline agreement to enhance connectivity across Nigeria and West and Central Africa. This partnership will allow passengers to access more destinations with a single ticket. The agreement opens 20 destinations across Nigeria, West, and Central Africa to Etihad Airways’ passengers, while Air Peace customers will be able to connect to Abu Dhabi via Etihad’s Lagos and Accra services once they commence. Etihad passengers can travel beyond Lagos and Accra to Air Peace’s domestic and regional destinations, including Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Benin City, Owerri, Warri, Asaba, Abidjan, Dakar, Banjul, Freetown, Monrovia, Conakry, Bamako, Douala, and Libreville. This collaboration supports Etihad’s African expansion, which includes a planned daily service between Abu Dhabi and Lagos. Arik De, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer of Etihad Airways, stated that Nigeria is central to their long-term ambitions in Africa. Nowel Ngala, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace, highlighted that the agreement extends their goal of opening doors for Nigerian and West African travelers. Combined journeys will be bookable on both airlines’ platforms once the agreement takes effect. This marks another international partnership for Air Peace, following agreements with Turkish Airlines and Emirates, as it continues to expand its global reach and aims to position Lagos as a major regional aviation hub.

The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau NSIB and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA have initiated discussions to enhance cooperation in supporting victims of aircraft accidents and their families. This move aims to align Nigeria's emergency response framework with international aviation standards. The discussions, held in Abuja, involved the National Family Assistance Committee, coordinated by the NSIB, and NCAA officials. Both agencies focused on improving institutional coordination, building capacity, and implementing Family Assistance programs within Nigeria's aviation sector. Funke Arowojobe, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, stated that the engagement with the NCAA sought to strengthen collaboration on aviation disaster victim and family assistance. Discussions covered the objectives of the Family Assistance Programme, the International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO policy on assistance to aircraft accident victims and their families, and the roles of both NSIB and NCAA. Michael Achimugu, NCAA's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the need for continuous training and retraining of personnel. Both agencies identified practical areas for collaboration, including joint capacity-building programs, knowledge sharing, and stakeholder sensitization, to establish clearer institutional procedures for supporting families affected by aviation accidents.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC has started a nationwide operation to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate PET bottles under 200 milliliters. This action aligns with the Federal Government's ban on the production, importation, distribution, sale, and use of such alcoholic drinks. NAFDAC stated on X that enforcement is occurring across all six geopolitical zones, following the closure of non-compliant manufacturing facilities. The agency's enforcement teams are targeting markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars, and other distribution channels to seize banned products. NAFDAC has warned all stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, and retailers, to surrender any remaining stock of these products, emphasizing that continued possession or sale is illegal and will lead to seizure, sanctions, and prosecution. The public is urged to support this effort by avoiding banned alcoholic beverages and reporting offenders to NAFDAC.