
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, has announced a crackdown on smugglers across Nigeria, urging them to find alternative livelihoods. Speaking in Yola, Aliyu highlighted that strategic operations along Nigeria’s borders aim to protect food, energy, and national security, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s mandates. Operation Whirlwind Zone ‘D’ has achieved significant success, recording 47 seizures with a monetary value of ₦93,029,800.00 within six weeks in Adamawa State. These seizures, made across various flashpoints including Mubi-Sahuda axis and Gurin-Fufore axis, include 64,410 liters of Premium Motor Spirit PMS packed in jerry cans and drums, along with two vehicles used for conveyance. The seizures were made in contravention of sections 150, 248, and 250 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. Additionally, a DAF fuel tanker carrying 50,000 liters of PMS was intercepted on April 15, 2026, along the Mubi–Uba road due to product diversion and will be handed over to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA. Aliyu attributed the high rate of smuggling to the significant price difference of PMS between Nigeria and neighboring countries like Cameroon and Benin Republic, where prices are substantially higher despite Nigeria's own price increases.
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Must ReadThe Court of Appeal in Abuja has invalidated several sections of the Electoral Act 2026, ruling them unconstitutional. A three-member panel, led by Justice Balkisu Aliyu, unanimously allowed an appeal filed by the Zenith Party, overturning a previous Federal High Court judgment. The court declared Sections 775, 776, 777, and 842 of the Electoral Act unconstitutional, stating that the National Assembly cannot impose restrictions on political parties that conflict with their constitutional powers. The court emphasized that Sections 221 and 222 of the Constitution recognize political parties as responsible for sponsoring candidates and managing internal affairs. It held that the Electoral Act cannot introduce additional conditions that restrict qualified individuals from participating in party primaries when the Constitution already prescribes qualifications. Specifically, Section 775, which required only members on the submitted register to vote or be voted for in primaries, was deemed to unlawfully restrict parties' power to regulate membership. Section 776, prohibiting parties from using any other membership register, was also invalidated for giving excessive control to the electoral umpire. Section 777, which barred parties failing to submit registers from fielding candidates, was struck down for depriving parties of their constitutional right to sponsor candidates. Additionally, Section 842, limiting parties to direct primaries or consensus for candidate nomination, was dec

Activists Peter Akah and Precious Oruche, known as Mama Pee, stated they would not be silenced after being questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC regarding allegations of naira abuse. Following their second round of questioning at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, the duo released a video on Akah’s X handle, reaffirming their commitment to criticizing "poor governance" and their support for Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for the 2027 elections. Akah explained that they honored the EFCC's invitation on Wednesday, were released around midnight, and returned for further questioning on Thursday. He initially believed the invitation was related to a "fake agency" or other issues but was informed it concerned naira abuse. Akah stated they provided clarification, denying any naira abuse. They thanked Nigerians for their concern and their lawyers, Inibehe Effiong and Prof. Sam Amadi, for legal representation. Akah also thanked some EFCC officials. Akah insisted the EFCC invitation would not deter them from criticizing the government, vowing to continue speaking for a better Nigeria. He criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a "fatal and hopeless failure" and reaffirmed his "unapologetic" support for Peter Obi in 2027, stating no harassment would change his vote, campaign, and support. He urged the government to address insecurity instead of targeting critics. Mama Pee encouraged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent V

The Kogi State Government has announced the successful rescue of four individuals kidnapped during an attack on an unauthorized examination center in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area. Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, stated that the rescue was the result of a coordinated security operation ordered by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. The Governor directed the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara Rtd, to lead a joint mission involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and local vigilante groups. The sustained pressure from heavily armed security personnel forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims. The rescued individuals include the School Principal, a NECO official, and two students, who are currently undergoing debriefing and medical checks. Security operatives remain in the forest, and the operation is ongoing to apprehend the criminals. Fanwo commended the professionalism of the security agencies and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support in the state's security efforts. Governor Ododo's administration affirmed its commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of residents through continued investment in intelligence, security logistics, and inter-agency collaboration.