Nigeria News (Standard)
Visa Releases Study Showing 88% of Lagos Residents Now Use AI for Shopping, But Checkout Trust Remains Low
New survey finds most Nigerians embrace AI tools for shopping, yet only a third trust artificial agents at payment stage
New survey finds most Nigerians embrace AI tools for shopping, yet only a third trust artificial agents at payment stage
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has revealed that 88 percent of consumers in Lagos and across Nigeria have used artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with shopping online. The findings were released on Wednesday in Lagos as part of Visa’s annual Stay Secure study conducted between January and February 2026 by Wakefield Research.
The research, which surveyed over 5,800 adults across 17 countries including Nigeria, shows that while nearly all respondents believe AI-powered shopping makes the process faster and easier, only 34 percent actually trust AI agents to handle checkout transactions on their behalf. The majority of Nigerian consumers continue to expect banks and regulators to lead in protecting them from fraud, with just seven percent believing individuals should bear primary responsibility.
According to Visa’s report, the adoption of AI technology is transforming how Nigerians shop online. Most respondents use AI for comparing prices (54 percent), finding gift ideas (53 percent), and checking product reviews (56 percent). The study also found that social commerce is now mainstream, with 83 percent of Nigerians having purchased products directly through social media platforms. However, this trend comes with increased risks: among those who have experienced financial scams in the past year—51 percent overall—over half said these scams took place on social media.
The study further highlights growing concern about children’s safety online. Seventy-six percent of Nigerian adults said children around them struggle to recognise scams, while 62 percent had seen a child fall victim while gaming or shopping on the internet. A significant number of parents—33 percent—reported their children now have access to mobile payment apps or digital wallets.
Speaking on the findings, Irene Auma, Head of Risk for Visa Sub-region Africa, emphasised the importance of secure payment systems: “Visa’s Stay Secure study shows that while online shopping and social commerce continue to grow, scams and fraud are evolving too. Consumers see fraud protection as a shared responsibility but expect financial institutions and payment providers to take the lead.”
Looking ahead, Visa says it is investing in intelligent commerce solutions that combine convenience with enhanced security features such as real-time alerts when suspicious activity is detected. Sixty-four percent of Nigerian respondents said such alerts from their bank or payment app would help them feel safer paying online.
The full Stay Secure 2026 Nigeria report can be accessed via Visa’s official website.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Edo Senator Okpebholo Alleges Locals Recruit Criminals From Other States for Crimes
Senator claims some residents aid insecurity by bringing in outsiders; calls for joint community and security response
Senator claims some residents aid insecurity by bringing in outsiders; calls for joint community and security response
Senator Monday Okpebholo, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, has raised concerns about rising criminal activities in Edo State, stating that some residents are recruiting criminals from neighbouring states to perpetrate crimes. Okpebholo made the allegation on Wednesday during an address in Edo State.
According to the senator, investigations indicate that not all criminal elements operating within Edo originate from the state. He alleged that a number of locals are complicit, actively inviting or harbouring outsiders who engage in criminal acts such as kidnapping and armed robbery. The lawmaker did not provide specific figures but insisted the trend has aggravated insecurity in various communities across the state.
Okpebholo’s comments come amid growing anxiety over security in Edo and other parts of the South-South region. Residents and community leaders have repeatedly called for more robust policing and intelligence gathering to tackle increasing incidents of violent crime. The senator warned that unless citizens collaborate with security agencies to expose collaborators within their midst, efforts to secure lives and property will remain insufficient.
“Some of our people are involved in these activities by recruiting people from other states,” Okpebholo said, urging traditional rulers and youth groups to join hands with law enforcement. He added that the government alone cannot solve insecurity without grassroots support. Security agencies have yet to issue an official response to his allegations.
The senator’s remarks are expected to spark further discussion among stakeholders on how best to address community complicity in crime. Civil society organisations have called for transparent investigations and a review of local vigilante structures, while others advocate economic empowerment programmes as a long-term solution.
Nigeria News (Standard)
DIG Orders Immediate Security Reinforcement in Aba to Curb Violent Crimes
Police directive comes after recent spike in armed attacks and robberies across key commercial areas of Abia South
Police directive comes after recent spike in armed attacks and robberies across key commercial areas of Abia South
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) has directed security agencies in Aba, Abia State, to urgently intensify operations against violent crimes following a rise in armed attacks and robberies in the city. The order was issued on Wednesday, June 17, as concerns mount over the safety of residents and businesses in the commercial hub of the South-East.
Security operatives have been instructed to increase patrols and surveillance across major roads, markets, and residential neighbourhoods notorious for criminal activity. The DIG’s intervention follows reports of recent incidents where armed men targeted both traders and commuters, leading to injuries and significant property losses. Law enforcement officers are expected to collaborate with local vigilante groups and other stakeholders to restore calm.
Aba’s status as a major economic centre in Abia South has made it a target for criminal elements, especially as economic hardship persists nationwide. Residents have repeatedly called for better protection amid fears that unchecked violence could disrupt commerce and threaten livelihoods in one of Nigeria’s most industrious cities.
According to police authorities, the new measures will include increased checkpoints, intelligence gathering, and community engagement efforts. While security personnel have assured citizens of their commitment to safeguarding lives and property, some local leaders have urged government to deploy additional resources for lasting peace.
The police said they would continue monitoring the situation closely and warned that anyone found engaging in violent crimes would be prosecuted according to the law. Community members are encouraged to report suspicious activities promptly as security agencies work to dismantle criminal networks operating within Aba.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Kano Magistrate Court Jails Man, Fines Him ₦100,000 for Storing Human Faeces Outside Home
Environmental authorities say health risk triggered prosecution after residents’ complaints; convict reportedly collected waste for resale as fertiliser
Environmental authorities say health risk triggered prosecution after residents’ complaints; convict reportedly collected waste for resale as fertiliser
A magistrate court in Kano State on Monday sentenced Mohammed Saidu to two weeks in jail and imposed a ₦100,000 fine after finding him guilty of storing multiple bags of human faeces outside his residence. The case, which unfolded in a densely populated area of Kano metropolis, followed persistent complaints from neighbours about the offensive odour and health risks posed by the stored waste.
According to local authorities, residents had repeatedly appealed to Saidu to desist from the practice without success, prompting them to petition environmental regulators. Officials said environmental health officers visited the scene and discovered dozens of bags filled with human waste, which were being kept in an open area next to Saidu’s home.
Saidu earns his living by emptying septic tanks and was found to have been collecting the faecal waste for resale to farmers as organic fertiliser—an informal trade observed in parts of northern Nigeria. However, the unsanitary storage method created a serious public health hazard for those living nearby.
Delivering judgment, the magistrate noted that Saidu’s actions violated environmental sanitation laws and endangered community health. Environmental officials welcomed the verdict as a signal that similar offences would not be tolerated. The court also warned other residents against improper disposal or storage of hazardous waste materials.
While no opposition group or lawyer issued a public response as at press time, authorities say they will intensify monitoring and enforcement of hygiene standards across Kano metropolis. Residents have called on government agencies to provide safer alternatives for waste disposal and ensure regular inspections in affected neighbourhoods.
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