Author: Lawan

Forward Operating Base Maiyama attackRecovered motorcycles Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force (North West), Operation Fansan Yamma, have repelled an attack by members of the Lakurawa terrorist group on Forward Operating Base Maiyama in Kebbi State. The Theatre Command said the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, October 7, when a large number of terrorists operating on over 100 motorcycles and armed with General Purpose Machine Guns and Rocket-Propelled Grenades launched an attack on the base. Troops responded swiftly and repelled the attack, preventing the terrorists from achieving their objective. In a Thursday statement, the Media Information…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has ordered a high-level investigation involving military and civilian aviation safety experts into Monday’s fatal crash of its ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, pledging to establish the cause and support the victims’ families. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, announced the investigation during a visit to the crash site on Thursday, as the service confirmed a separate incident in which two pilots were safe after their helicopter made a precautionary landing on farmland in Makurdi, Benue State. Aneke said the crash investigation team would include representatives of the Nigerian Safety…

President TinubuNDC alleges subsidy return; Makinde campaign calls N60 reduction deceitful‘What happens on Day 31?’ Atiku asks Opposition parties and presidential campaigns have criticised the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount, dismissing it as temporary relief designed to win political support ahead of the 2027 elections. The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) accused the administration of attempting to restore subsidy through the backdoor, while African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, questioned what would happen when the discount expires. The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation described the offer as deceitful and inadequate. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy,…

Seeks February start to minimum wage talks • Gives health ministry days to resolve JOHESU dispute The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to increase workers’ salaries without waiting for a new minimum wage agreement, saying prevailing economic conditions require immediate attention to their welfare. TUC President, Festus Osifo, made the call while addressing journalists after the congress’ National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting, where he also announced preparations for fresh minimum wage negotiations. “We have mentioned several times that allowances do not need a minimum wage conversation. And even salaries, government on its own can…

Orodata Science, a Nigerian data science and research organisation, has urged civil society organisations (CSOs) to participate actively in shaping frontier Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance. Orodata made the call in a policy brief titled “Pacing Frontier AI: Protecting Rights and Public-Interest Access in Nigeria”, released in Lagos on Wednesday. The ​‌‌‌‍‌⁠‍⁠⁠‍​‌​‌‌⁠‍‌‌​organisation said the global debate on slowing the development and deployment of increasingly capable AI systems presented risks and opportunities for Nigeria and other Global South countries. It said the debate followed recent calls by Dario Amodei, the Chief Executive Officer of Anthropic, for deliberate pacing of frontier AI development.…

Senator representing Plateau Central, Diket Plang, has warned that outsiders cannot determine who becomes the state’s next governor, as Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo rallied support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, describing the 2027 polls as a defining moment for Nigeria’s growth and development. Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a seven-day exercise in Gombe State for voters to verify their details and challenge ineligible entries in the preliminary voters’ register ahead of the elections. Speaking to journalists in Jos, Plang said Plateau’s political future must be determined by its people, warning that allowing external forces to…

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned judges against conduct suggesting political alignment and cautioned lawyers against manipulating the judicial process for partisan or strategic purposes ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the 2026/2027 Legal Year ceremony of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), she said some judges may be called upon to serve on Election Petition Tribunals, where they would determine “politically sensitive disputes which attract considerable public attention”. “The nature of such assignments therefore demands an even greater degree of impartiality, restraint and detachment,” she said. Justice Kekere-Ekun…

The Nigerian Air Force has commenced a comprehensive investigation into Monday’s crash of its ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as recovery teams battle difficult swampy terrain to retrieve the wreckage and remains of the 25 victims. According to a military source, the military activated a board of inquiry after the crash, while the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, ordered the investigation. The source said the Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation traditionally heads the board. “A board of inquiry has been set up. Immediately after an aircraft crashes, we…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has declared an indefinite strike across the Federal Capital, directing workers in both the public and private sectors to withdraw their services from Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The directive followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over unresolved grievances concerning the promotion and conditions of service of FCT teachers.In a communiqué issued after its State Executive Council meeting on Monday, October 6, and signed by the FCT Council Chairman, Knabayi Adalo, the NLC said the FCTA’s response to its demands was “ambiguous…

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and APC governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda held a four-hour closed-door meeting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday as efforts to cement their emerging political rapprochement in Rivers State gather pace. Wike and Chinda arrived at the governor’s residence in Port Harcourt at about 4pm on Tuesday alongside their supporters and met with Fubara and members of his political camp. The meeting, which lasted until about 8pm, brought together political figures and supporters from both sides of the divide as efforts continue to consolidate the emerging rapprochement in the state. It was also the first…