Nigeria News (Standard)
NYSC DG Olakunle Nafiu Warns Corps Members Nationwide to Shun Politics Ahead of 2027 Elections
NYSC leadership urges strict neutrality, bars political engagement online or offline as preparations for 2027 polls intensify
NYSC leadership urges strict neutrality, bars political engagement online or offline as preparations for 2027 polls intensify
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, has issued a strong warning to corps members across Nigeria, advising them to avoid involvement in partisan politics as the country begins early preparations for the 2027 general elections. Nafiu delivered the caution during recent orientation exercises in states such as Zamfara and Niger, stressing that NYSC members must uphold neutrality to safeguard the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
According to NYSC management, corps members are routinely deployed as ad-hoc staff for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during election periods, serving in sensitive roles like presiding officers and polling assistants. The DG stated that any form of political activity, including campaigning or public endorsement of candidates—whether physically or on social media—could compromise not only individual corps members but also undermine public trust in the electoral system.
Nafiu’s renewed emphasis on non-partisanship comes at a time when political activities are increasing nationwide and preparations for the next election cycle are already underway. As millions of young Nigerians remain highly engaged online, NYSC officials noted that digital behaviour is now under scrutiny. “Corps members must avoid making political posts or sharing content that could be linked to any party or candidate,” Nafiu said at one orientation camp, highlighting the risks posed by social media engagement.
The warning reiterates long-standing NYSC regulations that prohibit corps members from participating in party politics throughout their service year. Officials say this measure is necessary because corps members are trusted with key election duties and any perceived bias could erode confidence in Nigeria’s democracy. “Their role as INEC ad-hoc staff demands complete impartiality,” an NYSC statement noted.
As Nigeria moves closer to another general election season, institutions like NYSC and INEC are taking steps to reinforce expectations around neutrality among all personnel involved in election logistics. While reminders about non-partisanship are not new, observers say the current climate calls for even greater vigilance to maintain the integrity of national service and ensure free and fair elections. The NYSC says it expects all serving youth corps members to remain symbols of unity, discipline, and impartiality during their national assignment.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Senator Ireti Kingibe Denies Endorsing Suspension Report Against Akpoti-Uduaghan
Kingibe distances self from committee recommendation, says due process must be followed in Senate disciplinary actions
Kingibe distances self from committee recommendation, says due process must be followed in Senate disciplinary actions
Senator Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT) has publicly refuted claims that she signed a committee report recommending the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) from the Senate. The development unfolded in Abuja on Thursday, following widespread reports suggesting Kingibe’s involvement in the disciplinary recommendation.
The controversy began after a Senate committee submitted a report allegedly bearing Kingibe’s signature, calling for the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan over undisclosed infractions. However, Kingibe stated that her name was wrongly included and insisted she neither participated in such deliberations nor consented to the final document.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case has attracted attention given her recent election victory and the heightened scrutiny over internal Senate procedures. The incident also raises questions about transparency and due process within the legislative arm, especially as regards how disciplinary recommendations are handled and communicated to the public.
“I wish to categorically state that I did not sign any report recommending my colleague’s suspension,” Kingibe said while addressing journalists at the National Assembly complex. She emphasised her commitment to fair hearing and respect for institutional guidelines. Attempts to reach Senate leadership for comment were unsuccessful at press time.
The matter is expected to be raised formally when the Senate reconvenes for its next plenary session. Observers say its outcome could shape future relations among lawmakers and influence how disciplinary matters are managed going forward.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Troops Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Kogi as Military Intensifies Operations
Army says abductors abandoned victims in Adankolo Forest amid sustained ground and air raids on criminal hideouts
Army says abductors abandoned victims in Adankolo Forest amid sustained ground and air raids on criminal hideouts
Troops of the Nigerian Army rescued five persons kidnapped by armed men in Kogi State on Tuesday, after their captors fled ongoing military operations targeting criminal camps in Adankolo Forest. The rescue, which took place along the Oshokoshoko-Adankolo route, was confirmed by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, acting assistant director of army public relations for 12 Brigade.
According to Abdullahi, the victims—four men and one woman—were intercepted by troops from Forward Operating Base Oshokoshoko during a blocking operation. The kidnappers reportedly abandoned the captives while escaping coordinated ground and air offensives launched against their hideouts.
“Vigilant troops intercepted five kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists while fleeing from the intense military pressure mounted on their camps,” Abdullahi said in a written statement issued Wednesday. The statement added that recent air interdiction missions were part of broader efforts to disrupt kidnapping networks and restrict the movement of armed groups operating within Kogi and neighbouring states in North-Central Nigeria.
The rescue comes amid heightened concern over rising cases of abduction across several parts of the country, with security agencies intensifying patrols and surveillance in forested border areas commonly used as hideouts by criminal gangs. The Nigerian Army has reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive actions until peace is restored in affected communities.
Further details regarding the health status or identities of the rescued victims were not disclosed as at press time. The military urged residents to continue sharing timely information on suspicious activities to support ongoing security efforts.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/troops-rescue-five-kidnap-victims-in-kogi/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Enugu Cooking Gas Sellers Record Sharp Drop in Sales as LPG Prices Hit ₦2,000 per Kilogramme
Households reduce gas purchases, with many turning to charcoal as marketers urge federal government intervention on rising costs
Households reduce gas purchases, with many turning to charcoal as marketers urge federal government intervention on rising costs
Cooking gas retailers in Enugu State say they are witnessing a severe drop in sales following a dramatic increase in the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), forcing many households to cut their usage or switch to charcoal. The trend, which became more pronounced in recent months, has left traders struggling with shrinking profits and customers buying only minimal quantities.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, several sellers at Enugu’s major gas refill points revealed that many customers who previously bought five kilogrammes of gas now opt for just two kilogrammes or less. One retailer explained that he currently buys LPG at about ₦1,600 per kilogramme and sells at ₦1,850, barely making profit as he tries to keep prices within reach. “People no longer buy like before,” he lamented, adding that daily sales have dropped to a fraction of their previous levels.
The impact is also being felt among local charcoal dealers, who report increased patronage as families priced out of LPG return to solid fuels. A bag of charcoal now sells for between ₦8,000 and ₦8,500. While the price has remained relatively stable compared to gas, sellers note that transport costs from supply areas such as Eha-Amufu in Enugu State and parts of Benue and Kogi continue to erode margins.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows the average price of cooking gas has soared by 335 percent over the last decade—from ₦400 per kilogramme in 2016 to about ₦2,000 in 2026. The average cost for refilling a five-kilogramme cylinder rose from ₦7,655 in March to ₦8,706 by April alone—a 13.73 percent increase within one month. Despite Nigeria holding Africa’s largest proven gas reserves, industry analysts say more than 62 percent of the country’s output was exported during the first two months of 2026, leaving only 38 percent for local consumption.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers and financial analysts have called on government to urgently introduce targeted subsidies or other relief measures at the supply level. They warn that unless action is taken soon, years of progress towards cleaner cooking fuels could be reversed permanently as more families abandon gas entirely. A secondary school teacher in Enugu said she now buys less than half her usual amount and fears she may soon have no choice but to stop using LPG altogether if prices do not come down.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/enugu-cooking-gas-sellers-customers-buy-less-2026061814135053476
Senator Ireti Kingibe Denies Endorsing Suspension Report Against Akpoti-Uduaghan
Troops Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Kogi as Military Intensifies Operations
Enugu Cooking Gas Sellers Record Sharp Drop in Sales as LPG Prices Hit ₦2,000 per Kilogramme
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