1. There is pressure on the Federal Government to introduce economic relief measures as the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran drives up global crude oil prices and pushes petrol costs to record levels across Nigeria.
Industry operators, economists, labour unions and private sector leaders have urged the government to deploy the expected windfall from higher oil prices to cushion the impact on citizens and businesses, warning that soaring fuel prices are already deepening economic hardship
2. Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a political support group of President Bola Tinubu, has received directives from the President to distribute rice nationwide in support of citizens observing Ramadan and Lenten fasts.
This was disclosed by the Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, in a statement on Saturday
3. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Sunday demanded a cost-of-living allowance, a wage award for workers and tax relief to cushion the effects of the recent increase in the price of fuel occasioned by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
4. Many residents of Kungaboku and Paze communities in the Federal Capital Territory have fled their homes following a letter by suspected bandits threatening coordinated attacks. In the letter allegedly found in a pupil’s school bag in a private school, the bandits vowed to attack Kungaboku and neighbouring Paze to avenge their commander’s killing.
5. Ondo State Police Command has arrested a “wanted” suspected cult leader, identified as Akinwale Tomiwa, who had been on the command’s watchlist for alleged cult-related activities in Owo Local Government Area. Tomiwa, reportedly the leader of the notorious Eiye Confraternity operating around Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, was apprehended by operatives of the command’s Special Anti-Cultism Squad in Akure, following credible intelligence.
6. The Federal Government has alleged plans by a mining firm, Jupiter Limited, to launch what it described as a campaign of calumny against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his state visit to the United Kingdom. The government said the alleged move was aimed at blackmailing the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to sanitise Nigeria’s mining sector.
7. Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after allegedly attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food items while travelling to the United Kingdom. NDLEA said the suspect was apprehended at the departure hall of the Abuja airport on Saturday, while attempting to board a British Airways flight to Heathrow Airport, London.
8. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi, on Sunday, condemned the disruption of the African Democratic Congress secretariat opening in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, describing the incident as “an attack on democracy itself.” In a statement via X released on the development, Obi said the attack by suspected thugs reflected a worrying decline in democratic standards in the country.
9. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on Sunday announced the arrest of four suspected “bandits” within the vicinity of Akure Airport at Eleyewo in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State following a coordinated security operation involving aviation and local security agencies. The arrest is coming amid the incessant kidnappings and violent attacks occurring at Ilu-Abo community near the Akure Airport in Akure North LGA of the state.
10. The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has elected Abdulrahman Akinoso, a lecturer in the Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan, as its Oyo State chairman. Akinoso was elected during the party’s state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, at the weekend.
