Category: News

Customs Launches Smart Declaration Platform to End Airport Delays

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched the Simplified Customs Advanced Declaration System (SCADS) at the International Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, in a move aimed at improving passenger clearance, boosting compliance and enhancing Customs operations across Nigeria’s international airports. The platform, unveiled on Monday, is designed to simplify baggage declaration for inbound international passengers by enabling advance declarations before arrival. Customs authorities say the initiative will reduce manual bottlenecks, improve transparency in revenue assessment and speed up passenger processing at airports. Speaking during the official launch, the…

NUJ FCT Chairman Urges Journalists to Prioritise Mental Health Amid Rising Workplace Pressure

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has urged journalists in the Federal Capital Territory to pay closer attention to their mental health amid the increasing pressure associated with media practice. Ike made the call on Monday during the 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week Health Walk held in Abuja, where she noted that the theme of the exercise, “Mental Health and Stress Management in High-Pressure Work Environments,” reflects the everyday challenges faced by journalists. According to her, media professionals in Abuja operate under…

APC Governorship Aspirant Bakare Condemns Abduction of Students, Teachers in Oyo, Demands Swift Rescue

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Ololade Usman Bakare, has strongly condemned the abduction of students and teachers in Ahoro-Esinele community in Orire Local Government Area of the state. Bakare described the attack on the school as “barbaric, unacceptable and intolerable,” urged security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure the safe rescue of the victims from captivity. In a statement issued on Monday, the APC chieftain expressed sympathy with the affected families and the host community, calling for calm amid the growing tension surrounding…

Jonathan to Headline Abuja Anti-Disinformation Summit, Receive DICAN Statesmanship Award

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has confirmed his participation in the forthcoming Diplomatic, Security, Trade and Investment International Conference in Abuja, where he will also receive the prestigious DICAN International Award for Statesmanship and Global Peace. The high-level conference, themed “Information Warfare (FIMI): Strengthening Global Security, Trade and Investment Through Collaborative Truth: Role of Diplomacy, Intelligence and Media,” is scheduled to hold on May 20, 2026, at the Rotunda Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja. Organisers said the former president accepted the honour in recognition of…

MURIC Condemns Alleged Violation of El-Rufai’s Rights, Demands ICPC Explanation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the alleged treatment of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, while in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), describing the development as “deplorable, unjustifiable and unacceptable.” In a statement issued on Monday by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights organisation expressed concern over allegations that one of El-Rufai’s wives was prevented from giving him food during detention. MURIC said it relied on a viral video circulating online in which El-Rufai’s…

EU, UNODC, ECOWAS Back Nigeria’s 2026–2030 Drug Control Plan, Laud NDLEA’s Anti-Narcotics Drive

Lukman Laleye Babalola

International partners including the European Union (EU), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have reaffirmed their support for Nigeria’s renewed war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking under the proposed National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2026–2030. The assurances were given on Monday during the opening of a two-day NDCMP Consultative Forum organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Abuja. Representing the EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Deputy Head of Delegation, Mr. Zissimos Vergos,…

Niger Police Arrest Four Suspected Fraudsters, Recover Vehicles, 67 Cattle

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested four suspected fraudsters allegedly involved in a criminal syndicate that specializes in framing unsuspecting buyers of stolen vehicles and extorting them. According to a crime bulletin issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the suspects were arrested on May 12, 2026, following credible intelligence that they were attempting to move a suspected stolen Volkswagen Golf vehicle along Kaduna Road in Suleja to meet a prospective buyer. The suspects identified as Badamasi Saidu, 30, of Sabon-Wuse; Adamu Musa, 31, of…

Dabiri-Erewa Hails Adegoke’s Historic Emergence as First Black Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Councillor Christopher Adegoke on his historic election as the first Black and minority individual to emerge as Chairman of the Nottinghamshire County Council since its establishment in 1889. Councillor Adegokediaspora was officially elected into the position on Thursday, May 14, 2026, marking what has been described as a significant milestone for the Nigerian community and diversity in public service within the United Kingdom. Dabiri-Erewa described the development as a proud moment for Nigeria, saying Adegoke’s emergence reflected the…

Saudi Arabia Announces May 27 for Eid-el-Adha as Muslims Welcome Dhul Hijjah 1447

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Excitement has continued to spread among Muslims across the world following Saudi Arabia’s official announcement of the date for Eid-el-Adha 2026 after the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon.   Saudi authorities confirmed on Sunday evening that the moon marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH had been sighted, meaning the new Islamic month will commence on Monday, May 18, 2026. Consequently, the Day of Arafah will be observed on Tuesday, May 26, while Eid-el-Adha celebrations will hold on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.   The announcement sparked joy…

NDLEA Intercepts UK, Australia-Bound Cocaine, Opioids Hidden in Carton Walls; Destroys 65,000kg Skunk in Delta

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of cocaine and opioids concealed in carton walls and destined for the United Kingdom and Australia, while also destroying 65,000 kilograms of skunk during raids on forests in Delta State. NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed on Sunday that the seizures were made during operations conducted across several states by operatives of the agency. According to him, the cocaine and opioid consignments were intercepted at a Lagos courier company on Friday, May 15, during the examination of outbound shipments. He said…