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NIPOST committed to securing Nigeria’s logistics space

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The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) says it is committed to using modern tools to secure the country’s logistics space from illicit activities, making it secure and trustworthy.

This is contained in a statement signed by NIPOST’s Director of Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Musa, in Abuja on Wednesday.

 

Musa said that the agency was committed to leveraging technological tools to sanitise Nigeria’s postal and logistics network.

 

According to him, recently, NIPOST had intercepted a consignment of seven pouches of cannabis that arrived in Lagos from Bangkok, Thailand.

 

Musa said this was a fundamental step toward ensuring NIPOST becomes a secure and reliable channel for commerce and communication, serving as a key player in a modern, trusted logistics ecosystem.

 

“The seizure serves as a concrete example of the agency’s commitment to securing the nation’s logistics space from illicit activities.

 

“The interception highlights a strategic shift within NIPOST, as the agency moves to leverage technology to combat threats,” he said.

 

According to him, this operational success resulted from close collaboration between NIPOST and other relevant security agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

 

“By working together and using advanced screening techniques, they can detect contraband and illegal substances before they enter circulation,” he said.

 

Musa added that NIPOST’s actions aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritising national security and the fight against crime.

 

He said NIPOST’s resolve to protect its network was a vital contribution to this broader national effort to safeguard public trust and ensure the integrity of the country’s infrastructure.

 

“Our proactive security measures aim to transform the postal system into a trusted channel for commerce and communication,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NIPOST had earlier invested in advanced scanning equipment to detect contraband at the Lagos International Airport.

The organisation is also implementing a digital system that provides every package with a unique ID for an end-to-end tracking.

Bauchi Security Votes: Court dismisses application against ICPC

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A Bauchi State High Court has dismissed an application for an order of perpetual injunction that will restrain the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) from taking any action relating to the financial activities (in the name of security votes) of the Office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government.

 

In the suit marked BA/834M/2024, the nine applicants, under the name of “Concerned Indigenes of Bauchi State”, stated that they have lost confidence in ICPC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) due to their “unwillingness to discharge their duties” over the office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, which, according to them, has been turned into a financial drainpipe against the general interest of the populace of Bauchi State.

 

The applicants argued that since the ICPC, EFCC, and NFIU had “deliberately failed to take actions on the numerous complaints made to them for the alleged financial infractions in the Office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, they prayed for an order of the court mandating the three anti-graft bodies to hands-off the matter and hand it over to the Nigeria Police.

 

The lawyer for the applicants, Mr M. J. Jaldi, in his oral argument, posited that “some of the actions of the 4th Respondents (Bauchi SSG), like payment of huge amounts of money in cash without passing through financial institutions, violate the provision of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act which calls for investigation by the Police.”

 

ICPC, in response to the application, filed a counter-affidavit to oppose all the reliefs sought by the applicants.

 

The Commission and its sister agency, the EFCC, argued that what the applicants were attempting to do was to set the court to be used as an instrument of subversion in the performance of their statutory mandate.

 

They stated that the applicants failed to present any complaints or petitions to them against the 4th to the 25th respondents.

 

The ICPC also contends that neither it nor the EFCC or NFIU were the only anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria and that nothing stops the applicants from approaching other agencies of government (including the police) to investigate the alleged information of corrupt practices (against the 4th to the 25th respondents) instead of filing for an order of perpetual injunction against the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents in court.

 

 

 

While delivering his judgement on the matter, Honourable Justice F.U. Sarki ruled that the power of the 1st to the 3rd Respondents (ICPC, EFCC, and NFIU) to investigate and prosecute did not exclude the powers of the 26th Respondent (The Police) to also investigate and prosecute. The judge held that the police powers are even wider and more general.

 

“It is not within the powers of this court to restrain the 1st to 3rd Respondents from carrying out their statutory functions. The application is therefore consequently refused,” the judge ruled.

 

 

Rivers: Fubara to resume Thursday as Tinubu removes emergency rule

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President Tinbu

President Bola Tinubu has suspended the emergency rule in Rivers State.

In a statement released by the Presidency on Wednesday, Tinubu asked Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor, to resume work on Thursday, September 18.

The President also asked the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume their duties.

Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State six months ago.

Tinubu, while lifting the state of emergency in the oil-rich state on Wednesday, said, “It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today.

 

“The governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara; the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu; and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025.”

Full text:

STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY, BOLA AHMED TINUBU, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ON THE CESSATION OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE

 

My Fellow countrymen and, in particular, the good people of Rivers State.

 

I am happy to address you today on the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State.

 

You will recall that on 18th March, 2025, I proclaimed a state of emergency in the state. In my proclamation address, I highlighted the reasons for the declaration. The summary of it for context is that there was a total paralysis of governance in Rivers State, which had led to the Governor of Rivers State and the House of Assembly being unable to work together. Critical economic assets of the State, including oil pipelines, were being vandalised. The State House of Assembly was crisis-ridden, such that members of the House were divided into two groups. Four members worked with the Governor, while 27 members opposed the Governor. The latter group supported the Speaker. As a result, the Governor could not present any Appropriation Bill to the House, to enable him to access funds to run Rivers State’s affairs. That serious constitutional impasse brought governance in the State to a standstill. Even the Supreme Court, in one of its judgments in a series of cases filed by the Executive and the Legislative arms of Rivers State against each other, held that there was no government in Rivers State. My intervention and that of other well-meaning Nigerians to resolve the conflict proved abortive as both sides stuck rigidly to their positions to the detriment of peace and development of the State.

 

It therefore became painfully inevitable that to arrest the drift towards anarchy in Rivers State, I was obligated to invoke the powers conferred on me by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to proclaim the state of emergency. The Offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and elected members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for six months in the first instance. The six months expire today, September 17th, 2025.

 

I thank the National Assembly, which, after critically evaluating the justification for the proclamation, took steps immediately, as required by the Constitution, to approve the declaration in the interest of peace and order in Rivers State. I also thank our traditional rulers and the good people of Rivers State for their support from the date of the declaration of the state of emergency until now.

 

I am not unaware that there were a few voices of dissent against the proclamation, which led to their instituting over 40 cases in the courts in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa, to invalidate the declaration. That is the way it should be in a democratic setting. Some cases are still pending in the courts as of today. But what needs to be said is that the power to declare a state of emergency is an inbuilt constitutional tool to address situations of actual or threatened breakdown of public order and public safety, which require extraordinary measures to return the State to peace, order and security. Considered objectively, we had reached that situation of total breakdown of public order and public safety in Rivers State, as shown in the judgment of the Supreme Court on the disputes between the Executive and the Legislative arm of Rivers State. It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation.

 

As a stakeholder in democratic governance, I believe that the need for a harmonious existence and relationship between the executive and the legislature is key to a successful government, whether at the state or national level. The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy. However, that expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence, anarchy, and insecurity borne by misguided political activism and Machiavellian manipulations among the stakeholders.

 

I am happy today that, from the intelligence available to me, there is a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance. This is undoubtedly a welcome development for me and a remarkable achievement for us. I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it.

 

It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today. The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025.

 

I take this opportunity to remind the Governors and the Houses of Assembly of all the States of our country to continue to appreciate that it is only in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good government that we can deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. I implore all of you to let this realisation drive your actions at all times.

I thank you all.

Champions League: ‘Nobody has kind of squad they have’ – Thierry Henry names strongest team in Europe

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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has said that manager Mikel Arteta’s side is the team with the best squad in Europe this season.

Henry also said that the race for the Premier League title is between Arsenal and Liverpool but refused to write off
Manchester City.

The former Barcelona forward spoke on CBS Sports after watching the Gunners beat Athletic Club 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

Henry said that Arteta has no excuse for not delivering the title to Arsenal fans this season.

Arteta has guided Arsenal to three wins in their first four games in the Premier League and will play Manchester City on Sunday.

Henry said, “Right now I will say that nobody has a team as deep as Arsenal, in terms of the quality they can have.

“Some team can give them a good run for the starting eleven, but if you look at the team itself it’s almost two teams.

“When you see who is on the bench tonight and you’re still missing [Martin] Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus… when you look at that the team is well-equipped to play in all competitions.

“But now let’s all be honest, it’s a must this year to win something. It’s a must, you can’t hide.

“I do think it is going to be a battle between Liverpool and Arsenal, you can’t write off Man City yet, they’re trying new things with new players.

“You look at Paris Saint-Germain, they’re struggling also with injuries after international duty and a bit before.”

Arsenal host Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday following their 2-0 win over Athletic Club in Spain on Tuesday evening.

Summary of top headlines from Nigerian Newspapers today, Wednesday September 17

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Good morning! Here are six top headlines from Nigerian Newspapers today;

1. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday evening returned to Abuja from Paris after ending his annual working vacation ahead of schedule. His arrival at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was announced by his Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who confirmed the development on his verified X handle, @DOlusegun.

2. A fire broke out at a section of Afriland Towers, which houses a branch of the United Bank for Africa, and other companies in the Marina area of Lagos Island. The incident, captured in several videos shared on social media from different angles, showed thick smoke billowing from the high-rise building as panic spread across the busy commercial hub.

3. The Department of State Services on Tuesday filed a five-count charge against former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, alongside social media platforms X Corp and Meta Incorporation, over posts critical of President Bola Tinubu. The suit dated 16th September,2025, was lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja after Sowore allegedly refused to delete certain posts about the President.

4. The Nigerian Army on Tuesday confirmed the capture of a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, widely known as Gentle de Yahoo. He was apprehended Okorienta at his hideout in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

5. No fewer than 123 million Nigerians have been captured in the National Identity database of the country with their National Identity Numbers by the National Identity Management Commission. The Director General/CEO of NIMC, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday.

6. The National Assembly Service Commission has approved the appointment of Mr Emmanuel Odo as the Actng Clerk of the Senate. In a statement the commission explains that the appointment was communicated in a letter signed by Dr. Saviour Enyiekere, the Executive Chairman of the National assembly service Commission.

Tension as staff jump down from UBA Bank Lagos Island storey building amid fire outbreak 

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There is tension as a viral video showed some of the Nigerian bank, United Bank for Africa’s, staff members trying to escape while the office was engulfed in fire on Tuesday.

The affected branch is in Lagos Island.

The workers were captured in the video trying to escape through the windows.

As of the moment of this report, emergency responders are yet to make an official statement as efforts to contain the situation continue.

Watch the video below.

https://x.com/ChuksEricE/status/1967948908174426450?t=bMgUwF2E4WVmoidm8xaRc

Anxiety as Wike fails to appear in public events amid reports of health crisis

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Wike Minister of FCT

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has been absent from official events over two weeks now.

The development fueled reports that the Minister jetted out of the country for immediate medical attention.

The Minister, who was expected to attend the transition Thanksgiving in Port Harcourt on Sunday was conspicuously absent.

Although his media aide, Lere Olayinka has kept mum on the development, some online platforms reported that Wike was suffering from heart related issues.

Speaking on the development, a social media influencer, James Ahmed told Nigerian NEWS SPHERE that “Nigerian politicians are like that”, stressing that “Wike has been suffering from effects of too much alcohol”.

“Wike should stop excess alcohol. Why is it always him? Why do we always have such rumours about him? Is he the only Nigerian politician?

“See how Nigerians are celebrating that he is sick. This is sign that he is not loved by the people. It’s time for him to amend his ways”, the influencer added.

Nigerian NEWS SPHERE reports that the rumour about Wike’s I’ll health is coming barely a month after the Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s whereabouts could not be ascertained following alleged health crisis.

Read other interesting stories on NIGERIAN NEWS SPHERE 

Wike on inspection before he disappeared

NIMC arrested over 30 fraudulent operators, achieved 126m NIN enrolments– Tinubu 

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President Tinbu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the National Identity Management Commission, with the help of security agencies, arrested over 30 fraudulent operators and shut down illegal centres in Nigeria.

This comes as he said his administration is committed to enforcing the mandatory National Identity Use Regulation in Nigeria.

He revealed that 126 million Nigerians and residents have been enrolled into the NIN database.

President Tinubu said NIN must become the key to unlock every service, opportunity and platform in both public and private establishments in Nigeria.

Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, disclosed this at this year’s National Identity Day event organised by the National Identity Management Commission in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Public Key Infrastructure: Backbone To Digital Infrastructure’, Tinubu said the government will ensure that all entities in Nigeria are harmonised into the National Identity Database.

He maintained that the NIN is requisite for securing Nigeria and strengthening the economy.

“The National Identification Number must become the key that unlocks every service, every opportunity, and every

platform in both the public and private sectors. That is why my administration remains fully committed to enforcing the Mandatory Use Regulation for the NIN.

“This commitment is not just about compliance. It is about securing our nation, strengthening our economy, and ensuring that every Nigerian can participate fully in the digital era,” he stated.

He added that NIMC has harmonised and integrated 125 partner agencies, creating a unified ecosystem that reduces duplication, saves costs, and improves service delivery.

“Working with the police and security agencies, NIMC has arrested over 30 fraudulent operators, shut down illegal centres, and maintained ISO 27001:2022 certification, a global benchmark for data security,” the president stated.

On his part, the Minister of Interior said Nigeria is making progress on national identity.

“Nigeria is already moving deliberately in this direction. The National Information Technology Development Agency and the NIMC are working to integrate public key infrastructure into our national identity and service stack.

“This is an essential step for secure e-government, trusted digital signatures and machine-to-machine authentication across regulatory, revenue and border systems. This collaboration is both timely and strategic; it will make digital government services verifiable and auditable at scale.

“Finally, as Minister of Interior, I commit my ministry to the steady work of integration. We will continue to modernise our services, expand secure enrolment and verification across government, and ensure that identity-driven services are delivered with dignity, protection and predictability. The investments we make today in PKI, data centres and secure enrolment will be the collateral for Nigeria’s digital economy tomorrow. They will enable secure cross-border commerce, diaspora engagement and global trust in Nigerian credentials,” he stated.

Also, in her speech, the Director of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, emphasised that NIN is not just a number but a gateway to opportunity, security and dignity for Nigerians.

“As we reflect on the remarkable progress we have achieved in Inclusion, Protection, and Empowerment, it is clear that the National Identification Number (NIN), supported by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), is more than just a number; it is a gateway to opportunity, security, and dignity for every Nigerian. From enrolling over 123 million citizens and residents to safeguarding identities against fraud to empowering students, women, and households economically, NIMC’s work demonstrates that a secure, verified identity is the backbone of a digital public infrastructure,” she stated.

At the event, Senate President Goodwill Akpabio, represented by Victor Umeh; Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abass, represented by Okunjimi Odimayo; Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Zacch Adedeji; and others in their goodwill messages harped on the centrality of NIN in Nigeria’s development.

Summary of top headlines from Nigerian Newspapers today, Tuesday September 16

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Good morning! Here are six top headlines from Nigerian Newspapers today;

1. Barring any adjustment in schedule, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return to Abuja today. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement on Monday that his boss would shorten his work vacation in France.

2. The ward head of Shuwaka (Sarkin Shuwaka) Kyaram District, Garga Community of Kanam Local Government Area, Plateau State, Mallam Hudu Hassan Barau, who was abducted about six days ago by bandits, has been found dead. It was learnt that the body of the monarch was recovered from the bush Monday morning.

3. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA on Monday confirmed that six persons were rescued and four died following the collapse of a three-storey building. The building is located at No. 325, Bornu Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos State.

4. No fewer than six persons are feared dead in Ikn’gwakap community of Mushere Chiefdom, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State after gunmen stormed the community at midnight on Sunday and shot sporadically. In a statement, the National Publicity Secretarythe Mushere Youth Movement, Kutyil Gashion Nahum, said the dead included women and children while several others are missing.

5. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says over two years after taking the reins, there is no sign that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can address the prevailing hunger and poverty in the country. The opposition leader described the hunger in the country as unacceptable, especially the underprivileged poor and down-trodden.

6. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says inflation figure dropped to 20.12 percent in the month of August. A report released on Monday said food inflation also dropped to 1.65% when compared to the 3.12% recorded in the month of July.

EFCC’s Port Harcourt longest serving staff bows out in grand style

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate recently rolled out accolades in honour of Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Ifehinwa Ephraim Ajaja, as he ceremoniously bowed out of service after decades of meritorious and selfless dedication.

The event, held at the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate, was a blend of emotions and celebration as officers and staff gathered to pay tributes to an officer widely regarded as a mentor and the longest serving professional staff of the Directorate.

In a series of farewell messages, colleagues described Ajaja as a man of empathy and integrity, with a rare level of emotional intelligence. He was praised as a father figure, tutor, and mentor, who consistently placed the health and safety of staff and suspects as his top priority. Senior officers highlighted his distinct approach to situation management, describing him as a professional of uncommon discipline and compassion.

Delivering his farewell remarks, the Acting Zonal Director, Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate, ACE I Hassan Saidu, lauded Ajaja’s impeccable qualities. He noted that within the short period of working with him, Ajaja demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and selflessness in the discharge of his duties. He urged officers and staff to emulate his example, stressing that “nature always has a way of rewarding good deeds.” Saidu added that Ajaja’s retirement would create a void that will be deeply felt in the Directorate, even as he wished him peace, good health, and fulfilment in his retirement.

In response, Ajaja expressed profound gratitude to the Acting Zonal Director and the entire staff of the Directorate for their cooperation and support throughout his years of service. He reaffirmed his confidence in the structure he put in place in the medical unit and in those he handed over to, adding that it had been a great privilege to work alongside dedicated colleagues and to contribute to the Commission’s numerous success stories.

Reflecting on his career, he identified his greatest personal achievement as the fact that “under my watch as the Head Medical since I came in, no suspect died in the cell”. He urged staff to remain committed to excellence, continue to give their best in the discharge of their duties, and uphold the flag of the Commission with pride.

Fondly referred to as “Dr. Ajaja,” he was the pioneer staff and Head of the Medical Unit of the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate. He spearheaded the installation of all medical facilities and equipment supplied to the clinic, thereby laying the foundation for medical services in the Directorate. He also attended to the health needs of staff and suspects for several years with no single record of misconduct. colleagues in the Directorate said that “his exemplary service to the Commission is deeply appreciated, and his absence will be gravely felt by the entire EFCC”.

Read more reports on Nigerian News Sphere 

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