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Tinubu honours June 12 heroes, names institution after Shehu Yar’Adua

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Tinubu honours June 12 heroes, names institution after Shehu Yar’Adua

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Friday announced the revitalisation and renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, after the late Shehu Yar’Adua, a retired general.

Tinubu made the announcements in his Democracy Day address to Nigerians.

The president also approved national honours for several pro-democracy activists and military officers who played key roles in the June 12 struggle.

He described Yar’Adua as one of the architects of modern democratic Nigeria whose vision helped shape the country’s democratic evolution.

“Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership.

“In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology,” he said.

Tinubu also announced national honours for several Nigerians who, he said, endured persecution, exile, incarceration and other hardships in the struggle for democracy.

Those listed for national recognition include Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran and Ayo Opadokun.

Others are: Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Osa Director, Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous), Osagie Obayuwana, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola and Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous).

George Mbah, Niran Malaolu, Ishola Williams, a retired general, Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta were also honoured.

The president also recognised the military officers he described as “soldier-democrats” who supported the June 12 struggle.

They include M.A. Garba, a Maj. Gen.; Jaafaru Isa, Brig.-Gen; Farouk Ahmed, Col; Sambo Dasuki, Col.; Lawan Gwadabe, Col.; Jonathan Temlong, Brig.-Gen., Musa Shehu, Col.; Chris Eze, Maj.-Gen.; and Harris Dzarma, Maj.-Gen..

Others are: Isa Jibrin, Col.; Joseph Oshanupin, Maj.-Gen.; Olusegun Oloruntoba, Col.; Kefas Bulus, Lt.-Col.; J. Okai, Col.; Emmanuel Ndubueze, Col.; Yakubu Muazu, Lt.-Col.; and Yahaya Abubakar, Brig.-Gen., now the Etsu Nupe.

Tinubu said the full honours list would be released in the coming days.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, the president said the country’s diversity, once seen as a challenge, had become one of the pillars sustaining democracy in the country.

“Twenty-seven years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to renew their commitment to the ideals of democracy and nation-building.

“Let us renew our covenant that the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land,” he said.

The president prayed for God’s blessings on the heroes of democracy and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while wishing citizens a happy Democracy Day celebration. (NAN)

Tinubu to Nigerians: Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe you

Mustapha USMAN
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Tinubu to Nigerians: Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe you

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has said access to reliable electricity remains a key democratic dividend his administration is committed to delivering to Nigerians, describing power supply as central to economic growth, national development and improved living standards.

Tinubu gave this assurance on Friday, June 12, in his Democracy Day address marking Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999. He pointed to the ongoing economic and governance reforms under his administration as part of his efforts to deliver stable electricity and other basic amenities to Nigerians.

According to him, the country’s electricity sector had long been burdened by chronic generation shortfalls, weak gas supply, transmission constraints and heavy commercial losses that made it impossible for the system to meet national demand.

“By 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power,” he said.

The president added that distribution companies were struggling with massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million customers, while the entire value chain was weighed down by legacy debts.

Tinubu said the sector, at the time, generated far below its installed capacity of about 13,500 megawatts, while transmission and distribution networks were also operating below acceptable levels.

To address the challenges, the president noted that his administration signed the Electricity Act, which decentralises power generation and allows states to participate in electricity production, transmission and distribution.

He explained that the reform was designed to open up the sector for greater efficiency, investment and competition, stressing that electricity remained a critical component of national development.

“The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It has also been authorised to raise a N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts,” Tinubu said.

He further disclosed that the Rural Electrification Agency, with support from the World Bank and African Development Bank, had expanded off-grid and mini-grid projects to underserved communities, including schools, markets and hospitals.

“Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it,” the president declared.

Tinubu also linked power sector reforms to broader economic recovery efforts, saying improved electricity supply would boost productivity, support small and medium enterprises, and attract investments across key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and technology.

Across the country, he said infrastructure development was being expanded to connect producers to markets, while over 1,000 small and medium enterprises had been certified for export under ongoing economic initiatives.

He acknowledged that despite the reforms, many Nigerians were still facing economic hardship, but insisted that the administration remained focused on stabilising the economy and ensuring that the benefits of democracy reach households across the country.

“We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region,” Tinubu said.

The president maintained that democracy must be felt in the lives of citizens, particularly through improved infrastructure, job creation and access to basic services such as electricity.

Nigeria’s fragile power sector

The ICIR reports that Nigeria’s electricity sector has remained one of the country’s most persistent governance challenges over the years, particularly under the current administration.

Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission shows that while the country has an installed generation capacity of about 13,500 megawatts (MW), actual power delivered to the national grid often falls below half of that figure. In October 2025, for instance, only about 5,500MW was transmitted at peak periods, while early 2026 averages dipped further to around 4,900MW—far short of national demand estimated at over 20,000MW.

The shortfall is largely driven by gas supply constraints, ageing infrastructure, and weak transmission capacity operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, which continues to struggle with grid stability.

System collapses have also remained frequent, with multiple nationwide outages recorded in recent years.

The ICIR also reported that government interventions, channeled through the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, are meant to cover the difference between cost-reflective tariffs and regulated consumer prices. However, these subsidies have ballooned significantly, with about ₦2.8 trillion reportedly spent in 2024 alone.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, the Federal Government paid an estimated ₦418.79 billion in electricity subsidy, according to regulatory filings, even as experts warned that the intervention failed to tranlate into improved supply.

The sector is also burdened by legacy debts running into trillions of naira, further constraining investment in metering, network expansion, and infrastructure upgrades.

Tariff reforms introduced in recent years, including the Band A classification system, have attempted to reduce subsidy exposure by requiring higher-paying consumers to fund a greater share of electricity costs. While this has slightly improved revenue inflows, critics argue that it has not significantly improved service delivery for most households and small businesses still facing prolonged outages.

Democracy without security is a mirage, Tinubu says

Mustapha USMAN
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Democracy without security is a mirage, Tinubu says

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Friday, June 12, said that democracy cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity, vowing his administration would intensify efforts to combat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across Nigeria.

In his Democracy Day address, Tinubu said the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states have shown the need to strengthen national security, stressing that democratic gains would remain fragile if citizens could not live safely.

“Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is not solid enough,” the [resident said.

He said the Federal Government had responded to the current insecurity crisis by declaring a security emergency and approving the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers as well as thousands of military recruits.

Tinubu also pointed to the fact that the 2026 budget earmarked N5.41 trillion for defence and security, while describing it as the largest allocation ever made to the sector.

According to him, Nigeria’s security agencies have recorded significant gains against insurgents and other criminal groups in recent years.

The president said military operations had shifted from routine training exercises with international allies to precision-targeted operations against terrorist groups.

“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre,” he said.

Tinubu claimed that terror-related deaths had fallen by 81 per cent since 2015 and that more than 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised within the past year.

The president acknowledged that insecurity remained one of the country’s biggest challenges and linked it partly to governance failures at the grassroots.

He argued that weak local government administration had contributed to the rise of insecurity in many communities, adding that efforts to secure financial autonomy for the country’s 774 local councils were aimed at improving governance and strengthening local institutions.

“A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance,” he said.

The president urged Nigerians not to politicise crime or attach criminal activities to ethnic identities.

He warned that such narratives could undermine national unity.

“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history,” he stated.

Tinubu further asked terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and their sponsors, to surrender or face decisive action from the government.

“To bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror: surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he said.

Tinubu’s remarks came against the backdrop of persistent insecurity across the country despite repeated military offensives, increased defence spending and government assurances since he assumed office in May 2023.

Data compiled by the Mass Atrocities Tracker and analysed by The ICIR show that at least 4,416 people were killed across Nigeria in 2023. The figure rose to 5,353 in 2024 and climbed further to 6,518 in 2025, reflecting a steady increase in fatalities linked to insurgency, banditry, communal violence and separatist-related attacks.

The trend has continued in 2026, with at least 3,693 people killed between January and April alone, according to the data.

The killings have been accompanied by widespread abductions. While kidnapping cases dropped to 2,653 in 2023, the crime surged again in 2024 with 5,171 recorded abductions. Although the figure fell to 3,033 in 2025, at least 1,505 people were kidnapped between January and April 2026.

Recent attacks on schools in Oyo and Borno states have further heightened concerns over the security situation.

On May 15, gunmen attacked Government Day Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State and abducted dozens of pupils. On the same day, armed men invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting pupils and teachers and killing at least one teacher.

The incidents revived memories of the Chibok and Dapchi school kidnappings and sparked nationwide protests by the Nigeria Union of Teachers and civil society groups demanding stronger protection for schools.

Borno, the epicentre of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgency, remains the deadliest state in the country. According to The ICIR’s analysis, the state recorded 5,706 deaths between 2021 and 2026, the highest in Nigeria.

The security crisis has also spread beyond the North-East. Zamfara recorded 4,396 deaths within the same period, while Benue, Kaduna and Plateau states collectively accounted for more than 8,000 deaths linked to banditry, communal violence and farmer-herder conflicts.

Kidnapping has remained particularly prevalent in the North-West, with Zamfara leading the country with 5,676 abduction victims between 2021 and 2026, followed by Kaduna with 4,394 cases and Niger State with 3,597.

Hope rises for state police as Reps approve constitutional amendment bill

Esther Tomo
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Hope rises for state police as Reps approve constitutional amendment bill

THE HOUSE of Representatives has endorsed a constitutional amendment proposal that would pave the way for the creation of state police forces, marking a significant development in efforts to reform Nigeria’s security system.

The legislation, known as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, received overwhelming backing from lawmakers during plenary on Thursday after it was considered by the Committee of the Whole.

According to Daily Trust’s account of the proceedings, the proposal was presented by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who also heads the House Committee on Constitution Review. Following deliberations, members voted overwhelmingly in support of the measure.

A manual vote conducted on the floor of the chamber showed that 289 lawmakers backed the bill, while one member abstained. No vote was recorded against the proposal.

The amendment seeks to introduce a two-tier policing structure consisting of a federal police service and separate police organisations operated by state governments. Supporters of the proposal argue that a decentralised system would improve security management and strengthen responses to criminal activities in different parts of the country.

If enacted, the amendment would revise Section 214 of the Constitution to formally recognise both federal and state policing institutions. While the National Assembly would retain responsibility for setting operational standards, powers and administrative guidelines for the federal police, it would also establish minimum requirements that states must meet before creating their own police services.

The proposal stipulates that a state police outfit cannot begin operations unless the relevant State House of Assembly passes an enabling law and the organisation is certified as meeting nationally approved standards.

It also provides that federal police officers will continue carrying out policing duties in any state until the state’s police service is fully established and operational.

To prevent misuse of the system, the bill outlines conditions under which federal authorities may step into state policing matters. Such intervention would only be allowed during a breakdown of public order, at the request of a state governor, or where a state police organisation is unable to function because of financial, administrative or operational difficulties.

The measure also proposes adjustments to police leadership appointments.

Under the arrangement, the Inspector-General of Police would be appointed by the President based on the recommendation of the Nigeria Police Council and subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.

At the state level, governors would appoint commissioners of police from among serving state police officers, following recommendations from the Nigeria Police Council and confirmation by the relevant State House of Assembly.

Governors would also be empowered to issue lawful directives on public safety and security matters. However, where a commissioner believes such instructions are unlawful or conflict with established policing standards, the matter may be referred to the Nigeria Police Council for a final determination.

The amendment further seeks to update constitutional references by replacing the National Police Council and Federal Police Service Commission with the Nigeria Police Council and Police Service Commission.

Speaking during consideration of the proposal, Kalu said the reform was intended to address persistent security threats across the country by bringing policing closer to local communities.

He argued that a command structure concentrated in Abuja often slows emergency responses, adding that officers with better knowledge of local environments, languages and culture would be more effective in tackling crime.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over the sitting, said lawmakers chose to give priority to the security-related amendment because of its urgency and national importance.

The House relied on a manual voting process after the electronic voting system developed technical problems during proceedings.

With the House’s approval secured, the proposal will now proceed to the Senate for consideration. If endorsed by the Upper Chamber, it must then be ratified by at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before being transmitted to the President for assent.

Should it eventually become law, the amendment is expected to establish a multi-layered policing structure aimed at improving efforts to combat kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and other security challenges through greater involvement of state governments and local communities.

Xenophobic attacks: 258 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa

News Agency
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Xenophobic attacks: 258 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received the first batch of Nigerian nationals evacuated from the Republic of South Africa due to recent xenophobic attacks.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, said the evacuation of the 258 nationals demonstrated Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare and safety of Nigerians abroad.

This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

The special evacuation flight operated by Air Peace Airline arrived at the International Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday at 10.25 a.m.

The nationals were escorted by officials of the Nigerian Mission in South Africa, led by the Acting High Commissioner, Temitope Alexander Ajayi.

They were officially received at the airport by Enikanolaiye on behalf of the Federal Government.

Addressing the returnees, Enikanolaiye said that the government would not tolerate subjecting Nigerians to attacks and harassment wherever they might be.

The minister commended effective coordination of the process by the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria.

He urged all Nigerians in South Africa to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and report any threats to the Nigerian mission.

“The Federal Government remains fully engaged with the South African authorities at the highest levels to ensure protection of Nigerian nationals and to address the root causes of these unfortunate incidents,” he said.

He noted that the evacuation was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria.

Other stakeholders include the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affair, Ministry of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the nation’s security agencies.

“This exercise underscores the government’s proactive and decisive response to protect Nigerians’ lives and dignity in the face of violence and intolerance. No Nigerian should live in fear simply because of their nationality,” he said.

He said that the evacuation did not signal defeat but showed the proactive and citizen-centred foreign policy of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

“More flights carrying returnees are expected to arrive in the country in the coming days as the evacuation exercise continues,” he said, adding that the returning nationals were undergoing the process of documentation, profiling and necessary medical checks.

He said that they would be provided with temporary accommodation before reuniting them with their families.

The ICIR reported that xenophobic attacks in South Africa have led to several African countries evacuating their citizens from the southern African nation.

The attacks have led to the deaths of many immigrants and destruction of their businesses. Many of the victims are tagged by South Africans as illegal immigrants despite holding valid papers. Many South Africans, especially the youths, believe immigrants take over their jobs and other means of livelihoods.

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, recently vowed to crack down on groups behind the latest wave of violence in the country, as renewed anti-immigrant protests continued to trigger regional concern, diplomatic tensions and evacuation plans by affected countries.

Ramaphosa, in a televised address, said the government would not allow individuals or groups to exploit public frustration over illegal immigration to incite violence, lawlessness or political instability.

Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, and Mozambique are among the countries that have evacuated their citizens.

According to reports, Mozambique said at least five of its citizens were killed during the unrest.

Ronaldo, Messi headline stars as World Cup 2026 kicks off in North America

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Ronaldo, Messi headline stars as World Cup 2026 kicks off in North America

AFTER a two-year qualification campaign involving hundreds of matches across six continents, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to kick off today, as co-hosts Mexico will face South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Forty-Eight nations will compete for football’s most coveted trophy, with the United States, Canada and Mexico jointly hosting the month-long spectacle. The expanded tournament will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities before culminating in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Nigeria’s quartet of superstar singers Burna Boy, Davido, Rema and Ayra Starr will perform at the World Cup.

Defending champions Argentina arrive in North America aiming to retain the title they won in Qatar four years ago. Much attention will once again focus on Argentine captain Lionel Messi, who could be appearing in his final World Cup.

Messi, 38, and Ronaldo, 41, have competed in five World Cup tournaments, with only Messi’s Argentina winning the title in 2022.

Traditional powerhouses Brazil, Germany, France, Spain, England and Uruguay are also among the favourites to challenge for the title.

Brazil, the most successful nation in World Cup history with five titles from 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 to 2002, will seek to end a 24-year wait for another championship. Germany and Italy have won four titles each, while Argentina have notched three wins and France, two with Uruguay, the inaugural champions at home in 1930 and in Brazil 20 years later, have two World Cup titles.

England have a solitary title, which they won on home soil in 1966. Spain triumphed at South Africa 2010.

Biggest World Cup ever

The 2026 edition represents a historic expansion of the competition.

From the inaugural tournament in 1930, which featured just 13 invited teams, the World Cup has steadily grown into a global sporting phenomenon, as the competition expanded to 16 teams in 1934, increased to 24 teams in 1982 and then to 32 teams in 1998.

Now, FIFA has expanded the field to 48 teams, creating a significantly larger tournament that offers more opportunities for countries from Africa, Asia, North America and Oceania to compete on football’s biggest stage.

A total of 104 matches will be played during the tournament, nearly doubling the number contested in previous editions.

Africa will have its strongest-ever representation, with 10 teams participating after FIFA increased the continent’s allocation of qualification slots.

The financial stakes are higher than ever, as FIFA has increased the jackpot to $770 million from the $440 million in Qatar 2022, as every finalist is guaranteed at least $10.5 million, and FIFA has set aside $355 million for clubs with players in the tournament.

The winners will receive $50 million from FIFA. The cost to host the finals this time is estimated at $12 billion, far lower than the $200 billion Qatar spent to host the 2022 finals, largely due to massive infrastructure projects completed in advance.

However, before the kick-off, the tournament has been overshadowed by geopolitical tensions and controversies that threaten to blur the line between football and politics.

As the football world turns its attention to North America, several traditional football powers will be watching from home, because questions have emerged over visa restrictions and travel arrangements affecting some participating delegations and supporters.

Iran, one of Asia’s representatives at the tournament, has raised concerns over ticket access for some of its fans amid ongoing tensions with the United States, and reports have also surfaced regarding entry complications involving match officials from countries affected by diplomatic restrictions.

The controversies have reignited debates about the growing intersection of politics and international sport, particularly as FIFA President Gianni Infantino has maintained close public engagements with political leaders from host nations in recent years.

One of the most controversial cases of such restrictions is the deportation of award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan by U.S. authorities. Artan had already arrived in the United States when he was denied entry and returned to his country of departure.

Despite these distractions, anticipation remains high for a tournament expected to deliver memorable football moments, emerging stars, and dramatic storylines.

Among the most notable absentees is Italy, one of the most successful nations in World Cup history. The four-time champions have now missed multiple recent editions, extending one of the most surprising downturns ever experienced by a football giant.

Several other established football nations also failed to navigate the qualification process, underlining the increasingly competitive nature of international football.

For Nigeria, another World Cup absence will be particularly painful. The Super Eagles, once regular participants at the tournament, were unable to secure qualification despite boasting a squad filled with players competing in Europe’s top leagues.

Can Africa make history?

Africa’s best World Cup performance remains Morocco’s remarkable run to the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022, the furthest any African nation has advanced in the tournament’s history.

Before Morocco’s breakthrough, Cameroon reached the quarterfinals in 1990, while Senegal matched that feat in 2002.

With an increased number of African representatives and several highly competitive squads entering the tournament, hopes are once again high that the continent could produce another historic campaign.

Whether Morocco can repeat its heroics or another African nation emerges as a surprise package remains one of the tournament’s most intriguing questions.

As football’s biggest-ever festival begins, the countdown to crowning a new world champion has finally come to an end.

Senate orders arrest of Ex-NNPCL boss Mele Kyari over ₦210tn audit query

Mustapha USMAN
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Senate orders arrest of Ex-NNPCL boss Mele Kyari over ₦210tn audit query

THE Senate Committee on Public Accounts has ordered the arrest of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over his repeated failure to appear before lawmakers investigating an alleged N210 trillion discrepancy in the company’s financial records.

The directive was issued on Wednesday, June 10, after Kyari allegedly failed, for the ninth time, to honour invitations from the Nigerian Senate Public Accounts Committee, which is probing audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General covering the period between 2017 and 2023.

Chairman of the committee, Ibrahim Dankwambo, a senator from Gombe North, said Kyari should be compelled to appear before the panel, following a voice vote by lawmakers who rejected further delays.

“Anywhere Mele Kyari is, he should be arrested and brought before this committee,” he declared.

Background to the probe

The investigation stems from audit queries flagged by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which raised questions about discrepancies running into ₦210 trillion in NNPCL’s accounts over a six-year period.

The matter first became public in 2025, when the Senate Public Accounts Committee began reviewing the national oil company’s audited financial statements and requested explanations for the figures submitted.

Lawmakers subsequently issued multiple invitations to Kyari and other senior officials of NNPCL to appear before the committee. 

However, his repeated absence led to multiple adjournments, with senators stating that the committee had held at least nine sittings without resolution.

Kyari was removed from office in April 2025 by President Bola Tinubu as part of a broader restructuring of the national oil company amid increasing scrutiny of its operations.

Since his exit, the Senate has continued its probe, while NNPCL’s management has provided partial explanations to the committee, including claims that portions of the disputed figures represent accrued expenses and receivables rather than missing funds.

Arguments at the hearing

At Wednesday’s session, some senators appealed for caution, citing reports that Kyari was receiving medical treatment in Germany.

Tony Nwoye, a senator representing Anambra North said he had spoken with the former NNPCL chief and was informed of his condition abroad, while Saliu Mustapha of Kwara Central urged the committee to grant him more time.

However, several lawmakers opposed any further delay.

Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that claims of illness must be supported with documentary evidence, while Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) argued that Kyari’s continued absence showed disregard for the committee.

“This matter has been on for sometime. We have been expecting Mr Mele Kyari to appear before us for one year or more and for us to receive information that he’s abroad. It shows that he’s not taking us seriously,” ” Umeh said.

Deputy Chairman of the committee, Peter Nwaebonyi (Ebonyi North), noted that the panel had already met nine times on the matter.

“This is the ninth time this committee is meeting on the 19 queries raised against NNPCL by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, three of which were chaired by me.

“Mr Chairman, the time to issue a warrant of arrest against Mele Kyari is now because the committee must conclude its assignment and report back to the Senate.”

Also, the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole backed enforcement action, warning that failure to compel compliance would weaken the authority of the legislature.

Following deliberations, the committee resolved through a voice vote that Kyari should be arrested and produced before it.

Dispute over ₦210 trillion figure

During the session, former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, challenged the allegation that ₦210 trillion was missing, describing the figure as inconsistent with the company’s financial capacity.

He said NNPCL’s total revenue within the period under review stood at about ₦54.5 trillion, making it mathematically impossible for ₦210 trillion to be unaccounted for.

 “To be clear, if money had gone missing at NNPC during our tenure, we would not have had the courage to publish audited accounts. For over 40 years, those accounts were either not prepared, not made public, or not even shared with the Auditor-General.

“₦210 trillion is an enormous sum. NNPC’s total revenue in the period under review was about ₦54.5 trillion, even before deducting production costs. It’s impossible for ₦210 trillion to be missing or unaccounted for,” he said.

Ajiya maintained that the disputed figures likely arose from accounting classifications such as receivables and accrued expenses rather than missing funds.

He urged anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), to conduct a forensic audit to establish clarity.

He also warned that unverified allegations could damage Nigeria’s reputation and investor confidence.

The committee subsequently directed Ajiya and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, to reappear before it within two weeks as the investigation continues.

EFCC witness alleges Nigeria Air’s launch was staged days before Buhari left office

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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EFCC witness alleges Nigeria Air’s launch was staged days before Buhari left office

ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Christopher Odofin, told a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday, that the controversial unveiling of Nigeria Air days before the late President Muhammadu Buhari left office was a carefully choreographed display involving a chartered Ethiopian Airlines aircraft.

Testifying on Wednesday before Justice S.C. Oriji in Abuja, the EFCC investigator alleged that the aircraft presented to Nigerians as Nigeria Air on May 27, 2023, was merely leased for a three-day public relations exercise designed to create the impression that the long-promised national carrier had become a reality before the administration exited power.

“The aircraft will depart from Addis Ababa (ADD) late evening of May 26, 2023, for it to be positioned early morning of May 27, 2023, at the Abuja (ABV) airport. The aircraft will stay in ABV airport for static display of Nigeria Air livery until May 28, 2023,” he said, reading from a portion of contract agreement with Ethiopian Airline.

The testimony came during the ongoing trial of former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, who is facing six amended counts of alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of more than N2 billion alongside his daughter, Fatima Sirika, his son-in-law, Hamma Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.

According to documents tendered before the court, the aircraft arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on May 27, 2023, just three days before the end of Buhari’s administration and departed for Addis Ababa on the morning of May 29, the day power was transferred to incumbent President Bola Tinubu.

Odofin told the court that investigators discovered a charter agreement between Ethiopian Airlines and Nigeria Air that explicitly outlined the aircraft’s role as a temporary display item.

“The aircraft will leave ABV airport early morning on May, 29, 2023. The chartered flight will be operated by the Ethiopian Airline crew in Ethiopian Airline uniform. The Federal Government of Nigeria and Nigeria Air may put together local models who will be in Nigeria Air uniforms to pose for ceremonial pictures. The models may come to Addis Ababa so they may fly with the chartered flight to ABV,” he told the court.

The witness said the aircraft’s presence in Nigeria was deliberately timed to coincide with Sirika’s final days in office, alleging that after less than 72 hours on Nigerian soil, the Nigeria Air branding was removed and the aircraft returned to Ethiopian Airlines.

Court documents showed that the charter agreement was signed on May 24, 2023, just five days before Sirika left office, despite the government’s repeated assurances that Nigeria Air was nearing operational takeoff after years of planning and public expenditure.

Odofin testified that the contract for establishing Nigeria Air was awarded on April 4, 2022, to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly linked to Gabriel Tilmann, described in court as a close associate of the former minister.

The witness said the contract, initially valued at over N299 million, was later extended to more than N599 million on Sirika’s directives.

According to him, investigators arrived at that conclusion after analysing the phone of a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Enitan Abel. The analysis allegedly revealed a voice note sent by Sirika from Spain directing the official to ensure that the contract was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited.

The prosecution tendered multiple documents, including correspondence from Ethiopian Airlines dated June 12, 2023, which reportedly confirmed the temporary charter arrangement.

Among the exhibits admitted by the court is a compact disc containing a voice note allegedly sent by Sirika. The prosecution has indicated that the recording will be played during subsequent proceedings.

Justice Oriji adjourned the case until June 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.

The testimony appears to reinforce long-standing criticisms from aviation stakeholders who questioned the legitimacy of the unveiling ceremony in 2023.

At the time, several industry groups, airline operators and labour unions argued that the project lacked the regulatory and operational foundations required for a functioning national carrier despite the high-profile launch event.

The prosecution also sought to establish a pattern of preferential treatment in contracts linked to the project.

The ICIR reports that controversies had greeted the relaunch of Nigeria Air under Buhari. The House of Representatives had grilled the Permanent Secretary of the Aviation Ministry shortly after Buhari left office.

The Reps later described the project as a fraud resulted in Sirika’s probe and trial by the EFCC.

 

Gunmen strike another Nigerian school, kill vice principal, two others

Mustapha USMAN
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Gunmen strike another Nigerian school, kill vice principal, two others

THE Kogi State Police Command has confirmed an attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of the state, saying three persons were killed during the invasion by armed men.

The command in a statement on Wednesday, June 10, shortly after the incident, said the attackers stormed the community on about 40 motorcycles with the suspected intention of abducting students and residents.

The statement, signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Saliu Oyiza, said operatives received a distress call at about 10:00am and immediately mobilised a joint security response.

According to the police, personnel from the Kabba ‘A’ Division, the Police Mobile Force, tactical teams, soldiers, and local vigilantes engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into surrounding bushes.

The command said one of the attackers was killed during the exchange of fire, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment.

However, the police said preliminary investigations had yet to establish any conclusive evidence of a successful mass abduction of students or residents.

“Investigations and ongoing assessments are continuing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Daily Trust Newspaper, quoting some residents, said that the attackers invaded the school during the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and abducted some of the students.

“The major target of the attack was UBE Iluke Bunu, where students from three communities were sitting for their WAEC examination at the time of the invasion,” the source was quoted to have said.

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Zacchaeus Michael, a lawyer, condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable.”

He said the council was working with security agencies to strengthen security in affected communities and prevent further attacks.

The ICIR reports that Nigeria has continued to witness a resurgence of school attacks and mass abductions, with armed groups increasingly targeting rural communities and schools.

Earlier today, this organisation reported how Edo State Government shut some schools in the state following intelligence that kidnappers were targetting them.

In recent weeks, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) staged nationwide protests across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over the killing of a teacher and the abduction of pupils in Oyo and Borno States.

The protests followed the May 15, 2026, attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed men invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, abducting pupils and staff while killing a teacher.

The NUT also protested the abduction of students from Mussa Primary and Secondary School in Askira Uba Local Government Area, describing the attack as part of a worsening pattern of insecurity targeting schools.

The ICIR reports that school abductions, once largely concentrated in the North-East and North-West, have now spread to other regions, raising fresh concerns over the safety of educational institutions across Nigeria.

Between 2014 and 2024, over 1,000 students were abducted in various school nationwide, including the Chibok girls in 2014, Dapchi in 2018, Kankara in 2020, Jangebe in 2021, Kuriga in 2024, and Papiri in Niger State in 2025.

AXS Film Fund offers grants for documentary filmmakers, new media creators

Blessing OTOIBHI
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AXS Film Fund offers grants for documentary filmmakers, new media creators

THE AXS Film Fund is accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle, offering awards of up to $10,000 to support documentary filmmakers and nonfiction new media creators working on projects at any stage of production.

The fund prioritises creators living with disabilities, particularly those from underrepresented communities, but welcomes applications from all eligible storytellers.

Eligible projects include feature-length documentaries (45 minutes or longer), experimental nonfiction films, and nonfiction new media projects with a video component. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, not enrolled in a degree-granting programme, and serve as the director or producer of the project.

Each year, the fund supports between three and five creators, helping them complete impactful nonfiction stories that bring underrepresented perspectives to audiences. Selected projects are evaluated based on artistic merit, feasibility, ethics, accountability, and the strength of the proposal.

Applications close on July 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Interested applicants can apply here.

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