Month: June 2025

Makurdi, Nigeria – The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has endorsed the training of credible youths in Benue State as community vigilantes under military supervision to safeguard local communities against terrorist and herdsmen attacks. General Musa made this known on Tuesday during a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the rising wave of violence that has plagued the state. The Defence Chief called on traditional leaders to play a proactive role by monitoring criminal elements within their communities, warning that acts of sabotage would not be tolerated. “We’re tired of innocent souls being killed. We’re here to ensure that we address this. I’ll be going to see my commanders — we have to change our strategy,” Musa said. He emphasized that a successful security operation would require the collaboration of the military, state authorities, traditional institutions, and the local population, stating that insider information had aided attackers in previous incidents. “Even before now, we used to have people within who compromise and give information. Some of the burnings were targeted, meaning there were insiders,” he added.

Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned the management of Air Peace Limited over mounting complaints from passengers alleging non-refund of ticket fares, even in cases where the airline cancelled scheduled flights. In a formal notice dated June 13, 2025, the FCCPC directed Air Peace officials to appear at its Abuja headquarters on Monday, June 23, 2025, to address allegations of consumer rights violations and increasing public outrage. The summons, signed by FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, noted that the airline’s actions may violate Sections 130(1)(a), 130(1)(b), and 130(2)(b) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, which guarantee passengers a timely refund when a service provider fails to fulfil a booking or reservation. “These actions potentially contravene provisions that enshrine the principle of fair dealing and safeguard consumers against unfair, unjust, or unreasonable practices,” Ijagwu said in a statement issued Monday in Abuja. The Commission has also demanded detailed documentation from Air Peace, including: The FCCPC stressed that the summons was issued under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, with Section 33(3) specifically mandating compliance. Failure to comply, it warned, could attract serious penalties, including fines or imprisonment. While not directly referenced in the FCCPC’s statement, the development follows a public spat involving Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Air Peace staff, after the lawmaker accused the airline of racketeering and extortion. Oshiomhole claimed he missed a scheduled flight after arriving on time, alleging that airline officials demanded N109,100 from stranded passengers — himself included — to reschedule them to a later flight. According to the senator, 20 to 30 passengers were affected and witnessed preferential treatment for late arrivals who allegedly paid extra. Air Peace denied the allegations, insisting that the senator arrived late and was never extorted. The FCCPC’s intervention signals an escalation in regulatory scrutiny of Nigeria’s aviation sector, as passenger dissatisfaction continues to mount over flight disruptions, poor communication, and lack of accountability by domestic airlines.

Abuja, Nigeria – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the composition of its Screening and Screening Appeal Committees ahead of the 2026 Area Council Elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. According to a statement by the party, the inauguration of the Chairmen and Secretaries of both committees will take place as follows: The screening process is a key component of the party’s internal preparations for the upcoming elections across the six area councils in the FCT.

Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for urgent constitutional reform to overhaul Nigeria’s national security architecture, declaring that the establishment of state police is no longer optional but a “national imperative.” Speaking through the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, at a high-level legislative dialogue on constitutional review and national security in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu said Nigeria’s centralised policing system has outlived its usefulness in the face of rising terrorism, cybercrime, banditry, and farmer-herder clashes. “The debate over state police is no longer theoretical. It is grounded in the daily fears and lived anxieties of Nigerians,” Tinubu said. “Our Constitution must evolve or risk becoming a danger to the very unity it was meant to protect.” The president advocated for moving policing from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, enabling states to establish their own forces while retaining federal oversight. He also emphasized the urgency of constitutional clarity on border security, local policing roles, and coordination among security agencies. While highlighting recent gains in security operations—including the dismantling of terrorist camps and reduction in piracy—Tinubu warned that structural limitations still hinder lasting impact. “Without constitutional backing for decentralised policing, these initiatives will remain limited in impact,” he said. House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu echoed the call for reform, pledging the National Assembly’s readiness to enact legislation that aligns with current realities. Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa proposed sweeping amendments, including clearer operational mandates, courts-martial reforms, and new legal tools for combating terrorism. He called for a modern security legal framework that matches evolving threats like cyber warfare and hybrid insurgency. Also speaking, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, underscored the link between security and a responsive constitution, saying Nigeria’s stability depends on institutional reform, decentralisation, and public trust. The dialogue, organised by the House Committee on Constitution Review, is expected to shape critical amendments aimed at securing Nigeria’s future through stronger, decentralised, and accountable security systems.