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By Sabiu Abdullahi

Hundreds of Nigerians in South Africa who registered for evacuation following recent xenophobic attacks are reportedly facing hardship due to delays in the Federal Government’s repatriation programme.

The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its National President, Frank Onyekwelu.

The Federal Government had earlier announced plans on June 7, 2026, to deploy five chartered Air Peace flights to evacuate affected Nigerians from South Africa. Despite the announcement, only one flight has so far arrived in Nigeria. The aircraft landed in Lagos last Thursday with 258 evacuees, although more than 1,000 Nigerians were said to have shown interest in returning home.

NICASA said many Nigerians travelled from different provinces in South Africa after authorities directed them to appear for registration and screening. According to the association, many of them are now stranded without accommodation, food, transport fare or financial support.

The statement read, “Hundreds of Nigerians who responded to the Federal Government’s evacuation programme have endured untold hardship following delays in the scheduled repatriation flights.

“Many of these citizens travelled from distant provinces across South Africa after being instructed to report for registration and screening. Today, numerous families, including women and children, are stranded without shelter, food, transportation, or financial means to sustain themselves.

“The situation has become increasingly distressing as some of our nationals have been left sleeping in difficult conditions, uncertain of when they will return home.

“Several have exhausted their limited resources after travelling long distances in good faith, believing that arrangements had been adequately concluded for their departure.”

The association appealed to the Federal Government and relevant agencies to urgently address the situation.

NICASA stated that it “makes an urgent and passionate appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, the National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Matters, to immediately intervene in the worsening humanitarian situation facing stranded Nigerian nationals awaiting voluntary repatriation from South Africa.”

The group also requested the immediate release of emergency assistance for stranded Nigerians while they await evacuation.

It further called on “Relevant government agencies to urgently facilitate the remaining four evacuation flights so that all registered citizens can be safely returned home without further delay.

“The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa to improve communication, provide temporary welfare support, and engage constructively with community leadership structures to address the immediate needs of affected citizens.”

Reacting to the development, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said there was no fresh update yet on the evacuation exercise. He, however, promised to provide information once there is a new development.

Also speaking, the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocol at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, assured affected Nigerians that everyone who registered for evacuation would eventually return home.

He appealed for patience, stating that the government was working to ensure the smooth completion of the repatriation process.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has intercepted expired pharmaceutical products valued at more than ₦12.7 billion alongside about 1.8 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa during separate operations in Lagos.

The seizures followed intelligence-driven operations carried out in collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Isah Sulaiman.

According to the statement, the operations were successful due to credible intelligence gathering and improved risk assessment measures adopted by the Command.

Customs said one of the operations led to the interception of a 40-foot container identified as CAAU7569127, which contained a large quantity of Cannabis Sativa, popularly called “Canadian Loud.”

Officials recovered 3,639 sachets of the substance from the container. Each sachet weighed 500 grams. Authorities estimated the total weight at about 1,819 kilograms, equivalent to roughly 1.81 tonnes.

Field examinations later confirmed the substance as Cannabis Sativa.

The illicit drugs were reportedly concealed inside a black Toyota Nissan vehicle, a Toyota Sienna, as well as bags and drums loaded in the container.

In another operation, Customs officers intercepted two separate 40-foot containers loaded with expired pharmaceutical products allegedly intended for illegal relabelling before resale in the Nigerian market.

The Command stated that the combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized expired drugs stood at ₦12,784,479,341.72.

Customs described the attempted importation as a major threat to public health and an act capable of undermining the economy.

Reacting to the seizures, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba warned smugglers and other criminal elements to stay away from illegal activities.

“Unpatriotic importers and their collaborators who deliberately engage in smuggling, drug trafficking and the importation of expired pharmaceuticals are enemies of Nigeria’s progress.

“We have the intelligence, the technology and the resolve to identify and apprehend them. Anyone still contemplating these criminal acts should desist immediately, because the consequences will be swift, decisive and uncompromising,” he said.

Oshoba also stated that Apapa Port and other Customs-controlled locations remain under close surveillance.

He added that enforcement activities would continue to rely on intelligence while ensuring that lawful business activities are not disrupted.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two women linked to terrorism activities to 40 years imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to charges filed against them by the Federal Government.

The convicts, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, are the mother and sister of late terrorist commander Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo, who was killed by security operatives on June 10, 2026, near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa delivered the judgment on Friday after the two women admitted guilt to Counts 2, 4 and 5 in a five-count terrorism-related case instituted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The court, however, discharged them on Counts 1 and 3, which involved allegations that they received ₦490,300 from Battujo despite knowing the money came from terrorism proceeds, as well as sponsorship for a religious pilgrimage financed with terrorism funds.

During proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Oyedepo Rotimi, SAN, asked the court to strike out the two counts and proceed with conviction on the remaining charges.

Part of Count 2 stated that the women “aided and abetted the activities of Battujo, a known bandit kingpin, and passed information through telephone conversations to the said Battujo, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

The court heard that Battujo’s mother pleaded guilty to Count 5, which accused her of concealing information concerning her son’s terrorism activities.

Halima Abdullahi also admitted guilt to Count 4, which alleged that she failed to report her brother’s illegal possession of firearms after seeing the weapons during a visit to his camp in the forest.

Justice Yilwa sentenced each of the women to 20 years imprisonment on the counts for which they were convicted.

The judge directed that the jail terms run concurrently. The court also ordered that both convicts should undergo rehabilitation after serving their sentences.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has approved a fresh six-month extension for the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.

Adeniyi’s current tenure was earlier extended by one year in 2025. The tenure was expected to end on August 1, 2026.

According to the Presidency, the latest extension will run until February 2027. The statement explained that the decision will allow the Customs boss to continue the implementation of the National Single Window project and also ensure a smooth leadership transition within the service.

The Presidency stated that during the transition period, Adeniyi will work alongside the Nigeria Customs Service Board to oversee the promotion of qualified officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs.

He is also expected to supervise the compulsory retirement of officers who have either reached the age of sixty or completed thirty-five years in service.

Adeniyi joined the Nigeria Customs Service after graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University in the late nineteen eighties.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has approved the payment of allowances to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state.

The approval was contained in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mahmud Muhammad Dantawasa, on June 19, 2026.

The approval covers corps members from Batch A Stream I and II through to Batch C Stream I and II.

The state government stated that the move demonstrates its appreciation for the contributions young people are making in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and other community development activities in Zamfara.

The statement further indicated that Governor Dauda Lawal has directed the Office of the Accountant General of the state to finalise all necessary arrangements to ensure the smooth and proper implementation of the payments, in line with established procedures.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz after accusing the United States of violating a recent agreement signed between both countries.

According to reports, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, IRGC, announced the decision through a statement broadcast on maritime radio channels on Friday. Iranian authorities linked the move to the continued presence of US forces in the region and Israel’s military operations in southern Lebanon.

The IRGC claimed Washington failed to comply with conditions contained in the memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

“Since Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, the complete lifting of the naval blockade, and the withdrawal of American terrorist forces from the Persian Gulf and the region are among the main conditions of the agreement between Iran and the United States, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until these conditions are met,” the IRGC said.

“All ships are requested, for the sake of their security and safety, not to approach the Strait of Hormuz. Any vessel that defies this directive will be targeted.”

Iran’s Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC, also issued a statement on the situation. The agency insisted that the waterway would remain shut until Israel ends its military actions and completely withdraws from Lebanon.

“The continuation of Israeli crimes and the occupation of Lebanese land signify the death of the agreement, and this must not be tolerated or overlooked,” the Tasnim statement reads.

The latest development came shortly after Switzerland confirmed that follow-up talks connected to the agreement had been postponed.

The deal signed earlier this week was expected to end the conflict involving Iran, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin a sixty-day negotiation process on broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.

The agreement was also expected to stop hostilities in Lebanon. However, Israel’s military announced fresh strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon on Friday.

As part of the arrangement, Iran was expected to receive a reconstruction package valued at three hundred billion dollars from the United States.

Meanwhile, Trump reacted to the situation in a post on Truth Social. He argued that the conflict had weakened Iran and denied claims that Washington approached Tehran from a position of weakness.

The US president said Iran was “finished” in the ongoing dispute and stated that America would allow the sixty-day negotiation window to continue.

Trump also rejected the possibility of financial assistance for Tehran, saying the United States would not provide “ten cents” in funding.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Israel and Hezbollah have accepted a ceasefire agreement expected to take effect on Friday after months of fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border.

A senior United States official confirmed the development on condition of anonymity. The official said the agreement followed fresh exchanges of fire between both sides earlier in the day.

“Hezbollah and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire,” the official said, noting that negotiators from the United States and Qatar helped broker the arrangement with support from Iran.

“We understand that after the exchange of fire earlier today, Israel and Hezbollah are now in a ceasefire,” the official added.

The agreement comes amid fears that the conflict could expand across the Middle East due to the involvement of Israel, Hezbollah, Iran and allied armed groups in the region.

The ceasefire also followed recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump, who urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show caution in Lebanon.

Trump warned that continued Israeli military actions in Lebanon could affect wider diplomatic efforts linked to regional peace talks and negotiations involving Iran.

Although Trump stressed that he still maintained a good relationship with Netanyahu, he advised the Israeli leader to exercise restraint.

“I’ve had a great relationship with Bibi, but now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.”

Trump also spoke about Lebanon’s past status as a major centre for education and professional excellence in the Middle East.

“Lebanon used to be a great country. It was a country where you had professors, doctors, lawyers. The great intellect was in Lebanon. Now it’s just terrible.”

Reports indicated that Trump was unhappy after Israeli forces allegedly carried out strikes on Beirut shortly before a planned understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Despite the ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, Netanyahu defended Israel’s military operations against Iran and its allies. He insisted that the campaign had weakened Iran’s military capabilities and blocked what he described as a looming nuclear threat.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday night, Netanyahu said stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons had remained his long-term objective.

“Dear citizens of Israel, for decades, I have been fighting against Iran’s efforts to arm itself with nuclear weapons. I can define it as my life’s mission,” Netanyahu said.

He also vowed that Israel would continue taking action against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“With an agreement, without an agreement – Iran will not have nuclear weapons. Not today, and not tomorrow. As long as I am the Prime Minister of Israel – this will not happen.”

Netanyahu dismissed criticism about Israel’s recent military operations and argued that the country had recorded major successes.

“I hear people asking: What have we achieved? And my response to them is: ‘What have we achieved?!’ We have fended off an immediate threat of annihilation,” he stated.

According to him, Israel and the United States carried out what he described as “the largest offensive air operation in Israel’s history.”

“We neutralised nuclear scientists, decapitated the leaders of the terror regime, pulverised nuclear facilities, destroyed missiles and the vast majority of the factories that produce them,” he said.

Regional and international observers are expected to monitor the ceasefire closely as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced the suspension of the Office of its Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, alongside the office of the Director of Radio Biafra.

The decision followed a meeting of the group’s Directorate held on Wednesday. IPOB said its leadership examined intelligence reports linked to communications allegedly sent by Kanu from Sokoto prison. The position of the group was contained in a statement released on Thursday by Mazi Chikadibia Edoziem, who heads the Directorate of State.

According to the statement, the Directorate of State will now supervise the affairs of the organisation and coordinate its activities.

The group stressed that IPOB was “formed and nurtured by a group of Biafrans in the Diaspora (not by any singular individual)” and insisted that no individual possesses the authority to disband the Directorate of State, which it described as the highest leadership body of the movement.

IPOB explained that the action became necessary after it observed that “mindful that certain unguarded communications from Sokoto prison to those in Biafraland has caused unnecessary arrests and death of IPOB family members in Biafraland.”

The leadership also claimed that visitors and activities connected to Kanu remain under close monitoring by the Department of State Services, DSS. It further raised concerns over alleged plans by some persons to establish another militia group that could spark renewed violence in the South-East.

The statement added that the suspension would “prevent unchecked actions, reckless assumption of authority and unguarded utterances from resulting in the reckless arrests, torture and needless death of Biafran youths.”

IPOB also distanced itself from future actions linked to the suspended offices. The group stated that “IPOB shall hence forward not be held accountable for actions of individuals or groups of Individuals not holding any active position within IPOB.”

The development came shortly after reports emerged that Kanu had dissolved the third administration of the Directorate of State and introduced a new leadership structure.

Reports said Kanu appointed United States-based Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ as the head of a newly formed fourth administration of the Directorate of State.

A statement credited to IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful said Nwaọgụ had been directed to immediately oversee the administration and coordination of the group’s activities under Kanu’s authority.

The Directorate of State was created by Kanu in 2012 as the administrative arm of IPOB. Previous heads of the body included Dr. Justin Akujieze in the United States, Mazi Uchenna Asiegbu in Spain, and Chika Edoziem in Switzerland, who assumed office in March 2017 during Kanu’s detention at Kuje Prison.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said he believes President Bola Tinubu will continue to receive God’s guidance to lead Nigeria until 2031.

Umahi made the remark on Thursday during an inspection of ongoing bridge projects in Lagos State. The projects included the Carter Bridge, which is expected to undergo reconstruction from next week.

The minister said the current administration would continue to enjoy divine backing as it works to address national problems, especially insecurity.

“The same God that brought him is going to be there to solve all the problems,” Umahi said.

He also appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with the Federal Government and support efforts aimed at restoring security across the country.

According to him, every government desires peace and stability, but leaders must take action whenever challenges emerge.

“There is no leader who will not want his reign to be peaceful, but when crises come, the leader must confront them. That is exactly what we are doing,” he stated.

Umahi added that regardless of the cause of insecurity in the country, he remained confident that Tinubu would receive the wisdom and strength needed to handle the situation and other national issues.

The minister also expressed confidence that projects initiated by the administration would be completed successfully.

“Your hands that have started this will complete it,” Umahi stated.

Speaking on the reconstruction of Carter Bridge, Umahi disclosed that the project is expected to last for about three years.

“It is within our five-year plan,” he added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness as part of efforts to prevent a possible outbreak in the country.

Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, inaugurated the committee on Thursday in Abuja. He said the initiative was designed to ensure Nigeria takes preventive action early and avoids a repeat of the Ebola outbreak recorded in 2014.

“We did the inauguration today on the preparedness of Nigeria for the Ebola virus disease. We’ve covered a lot of ground.

“Right now, there’s no reported case, which is good news, and that’s why all hands have to be on deck to make sure the measures we are taking are preventive, not curative,” he said.

Gbajabiamila explained that the government intends to act ahead of any emergency instead of waiting until the virus enters the country.

“We don’t want to be in the situation we were last time, where we had a carrier in the country and we’re all running helter-skelter,” he added.

According to him, the task force has already created teams that will focus on disease surveillance, border monitoring and emergency coordination.

He stated that the new strategy extends beyond airport checks and now includes stronger monitoring at land borders and informal travel routes.

Gbajabiamila noted that authorities are expanding surveillance because of the high level of movement across land borders. He said agencies such as Immigration, the Border Control Development Agency and border communities are involved in the operation.

Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, also confirmed that health screening measures have been strengthened at major entry points across the country.

He added that the preparedness plan connects federal ministries and state governments to ensure coordinated action against any possible Ebola outbreak.