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🇳🇬Punch Nigeria·3 mins ago
Nigerian Air Force graduates 111 special forces operators to boost national security
The Nigerian Air Force NAF has graduated 111 personnel from Special Forces Course 13/2026 at the Regiment Training Centre Annex, Bauchi. This initiative aims to enhance the NAF's operational capacity and strengthen national security. The NAF stated that this marks a significant step in building a highly skilled, combat-ready force capable of addressing Nigeria's evolving security challenges. The intensive program equipped personnel with specialist knowledge, tactical skills, and resilience for complex Special Forces operations supporting air and joint military missions. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, represented by the Chief of Training, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Dari, congratulated the graduates and urged them to maintain professionalism and discipline. The ceremony included tactical demonstrations such as obstacle crossing drills, commando self-defense techniques, and air assault operations. The NAF emphasized that this graduation highlights its ongoing investment in human capacity development and operational excellence to bolster its ability to deliver air power for national security objectives.
1 min read
Must Read🇳🇬Punch Nigeria·4 hours ago
SERAP calls for N110 billion recovery from lawmakers after court voids allowances and car purchases
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project SERAP has urged the National Assembly leadership to recover N110 billion allegedly spent unlawfully on lawmakers' vehicles and support allowances. This call follows a Federal High Court judgment in Lagos, delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro, which found that the expenditure of N40 billion for 465 vehicles and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members violated procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and public trust. In a letter dated June 20, 2026, SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, emphasized that the judgment necessitates consequences and full restitution for the unlawful expenditure. SERAP also called for the establishment of mechanisms to ensure future procurements comply with due process, transparency, accountability, and value for money. The organization further recommended public hearings on the National Assembly's budget and proactive publication of detailed budgetary information to enhance transparency and public participation. SERAP argued that allowing lawmakers to retain benefits from unlawful expenditure undermines public trust and constitutional principles, stating that restitution is crucial for upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability. While the judgment did not explicitly order a refund, SERAP believes it provides sufficient legal grounds for recovery and has threatened further legal action if its recommendations are not implemented within seven days.
Must Read🇳🇬Punch Nigeria·11 hours ago
Governor Biodun Oyebanji re-elected in Ekiti State governorship election
The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the Ekiti State governorship election. Governor Oyebanji secured re-election after polling 319,224 votes. His closest rivals were Olumayokun Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party, who received 40,533 votes, and Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress, who garnered 12,872 votes. The results were announced by the Returning Officer for the election, Professor Adenike Oladiji, Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure, in Ado-Ekiti. Out of 988,251 registered voters, 384,940 were accredited, with 382,109 votes cast and 375,777 valid votes. The PDP candidate notably lost in his home local government area of Efon-Alaaye, where the APC scored 8,742 votes against the PDP's 2,051.
2 min read