By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has deployed 2,500 personnel and 50 operational vehicles, including seven heavy-duty tow trucks and six ambulances, to ensure effective traffic management and emergency response during the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.

In a press statement signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Deputy Corps Commander Osondu Ohaeri, on Friday, the FRSC said the deployment would cover the three senatorial districts and all operational areas of the state to ensure seamless traffic flow, prompt emergency response and compliance with the restriction of movement order during the election.

The statement noted that the deployment comprises 2,300 personnel from the Osun Sector Command, supported by 50 personnel each from the Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo and Ogun Sector Commands.

According to the Corps, operational and rescue assets have been strategically positioned across the state to guarantee safe and orderly movement for election officials, accredited observers, security personnel and other road users throughout the electoral process.

FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, said the deployment underscores the Corps’ commitment to supporting a peaceful, safe and credible election within its statutory responsibility of road safety and traffic management.

He said personnel would carry out their duties with professionalism, neutrality, discipline and respect for human rights while working closely with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, and other relevant agencies.

“Our mandate is clear: to ensure that the roads remain safe, orderly and accessible within the framework of the electoral security arrangements. We will be firm, professional and impartial in the discharge of our responsibilities,” Mohammed said.

The statement added that the Corps would conduct a Train-the-Trainer Workshop for personnel involved in election duties. The workshop is expected to bring together representatives of the FRSC, Nigeria Police Force, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.

The FRSC also said it would certify vehicles provided by fleet operators for the transportation of electoral materials to ensure they meet safety standards and are roadworthy before deployment.

The Corps Marshal reiterated that the restriction of movement order would be strictly enforced across designated areas during the election.

According to the statement, vehicles assigned for enforcement of the restriction will commence deployment from 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, while personnel will be stationed at strategic locations across the state.

The Corps advised motorists, transport operators and other road users to plan their journeys ahead, comply with traffic regulations and avoid restricted routes during the election period.

It added that FRSC operatives would also undertake traffic control, crowd management, obstruction clearance and rescue operations before, during and after the election, while maintaining close collaboration with other security agencies.

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— As plants reduce reliance on imports — CORAN President

By Udeme Akpan, Energy Editor & Olakunle Oke

The Federal Government has created an automated crude oil trading platform bringing together industry regulators, crude oil producers, refineries and oil marketers to enhance crude oil production, allocation, pricing and delivery to indigenous refineries in the country.

Before now, the different parties operated in silos, making it difficult to engage, reach agreements and take seamless actions aimed at ensuring adequate and timely crude oil supply and smooth operations of refineries under the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) framework.

In its latest report, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, said the Dangote Refinery required 63 million barrels of crude oil in the second quarter of 2026, while producers offered higher volumes of 68.1 million barrels.

“Eventually, 52.6 million barrels were accepted by the Dangote Refinery. This implies that the refinery only accepted 78 per cent of what it was offered,” the NUPRC stated.

In his response, the Group Vice President, Oil & Gas and Fertiliser, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the company remained willing to purchase Nigerian crude oil, provided it was available in sufficient volumes and at competitive market prices.

“Our position is straightforward. We are ready and willing to purchase Nigerian crude oil, provided it is available in sufficient volumes and at competitive market prices. Like every refinery, we must procure crude that supports sustainable operations and value creation.

“This is essential to maintaining the economics of domestic refining and enabling us to deliver petroleum products to Nigerians at affordable and competitive prices,” he said.

However, a demonstration of the crude oil trading platform presented to stakeholders in Lagos on Thursday showed that regulators, oil and gas producers, refiners and traders would be able to engage in live trading, potentially removing some of the hurdles and disagreements associated with crude oil supply to local refineries.

Speaking with Vanguard, the President of the Crude Oil Refinery-Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) and Chairman of OPAC Refineries, Momoh Jimah Oyarekhua, said local refineries were increasingly meeting domestic demand for petroleum products, significantly reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imports.

Oyarekhua said Nigerians were increasingly relying on products refined locally, a development he said was helping to strengthen domestic production.

According to him, Nigeria is already on track to becoming a net exporter of petroleum products as local refining capacity continues to grow.

“We are doing very well. Today, I think we have brought down importation significantly. At least Nigerians are relying more on internal production of petroleum products like it used to be some years back,” Oyarekhua said.

He, however, identified crude oil supply as one of the major challenges affecting refinery operators in the country.

Oyarekhua said the issue of the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation was one of the reasons stakeholders were engaging with relevant authorities, adding that the challenges were gradually being resolved.

He expressed optimism that, with continued cooperation from regulators and improved responses from crude oil producers, refineries would increasingly receive the crude volumes required to operate at optimal capacity.

“Gradually, we are seeing that those problems are being solved, but we are thinking with time, this is going to be completely optimised and all the refineries will of course get the crude that they require,” he said.

On measures to move the downstream petroleum sector in the right direction, the CORAN president said refinery owners and other stakeholders were working together to strengthen the domestic supply chain.

He noted that most downstream players were increasingly buying petroleum products from Nigerian refineries rather than importing them, describing the development as the desired direction for the sector.

Oyarekhua said stakeholders would continue to engage and collaborate with downstream operators to ensure that the sector improves steadily.

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By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

SOKOTO: The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Friday, August 14, 2026, as the first day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1448 AH, following the confirmed sighting of the new crescent across several parts of Nigeria.

The declaration brings the Islamic calendar into a new month of profound religious significance for Muslims in Nigeria and marks the commencement of Rabi’ul Awwal, the month traditionally associated with the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, on behalf of the Sultanate.

According to the statement, the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, working in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee, received credible reports confirming the sighting of the new moon of Rabi’ul Awwal 1448 AH on Thursday, August 13.

The sighting was recorded on Thursday, which corresponded with the 29th day of Safar 1448 AH, thereby signalling the end of Safar and the commencement of the new Islamic month.

The statement said the reports were received from various authorised moon-sighting committees across the country and subjected to the necessary religious verification before being presented to the Sultan for consideration.

After reviewing and accepting the reports, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar formally approved the commencement of Rabi’ul Awwal 1448 AH from Friday, August 14.

The Sultan’s declaration is expected to guide Muslims nationwide in determining the appropriate dates for religious observances and activities associated with the new Islamic month.

Rabi’ul Awwal holds a special place in the Islamic calendar, particularly for its historical and spiritual significance to Muslims worldwide. It is widely associated with major events in the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), including his birth and passing.

The Sultan, as the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslim community and the country’s recognised authority on matters concerning the Islamic lunar calendar, routinely relies on verified moon-sighting reports before announcing the start of each new Islamic month.

The latest declaration therefore underscores the importance attached to the traditional and religious process of moon sighting in determining dates in the Islamic calendar.

The Sultanate Council urged Muslims to take note of the declaration and conduct their religious activities in accordance with the commencement of Rabi’ul Awwal 1448 AH.

The announcement also provides the necessary religious framework for Islamic scholars, institutions, communities and individuals across Nigeria to plan activities associated with the new month.

With the declaration, Friday, August 14, 2026, officially becomes 1 Rabi’ul Awwal 1448 AH in Nigeria, following the confirmed crescent sighting and the Sultan’s acceptance of the reports.

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By Rosemary Iwunze

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has threatened to sanction  Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) that fail to meet prescribed targets under the ongoing Retirement Savings Account (RSA) data recapture exercise.

PenCom, in its first-quarter 2026 report, disclosed that only 17.03 per cent of the industry’s legacy RSA holders had completed the mandatory data recapture exercise.

According to the report, 58,220 RSAs were recaptured during the quarter, bringing the cumulative number of recaptured accounts to 1,485,052 out of an estimated 8,722,609 legacy accounts.

The Commission warned that, at the current rate, completing the outstanding recapture exercise would take more than 25 quarters.

It therefore said the exercise must move from being PFA-driven to a Commission-led process, with quarterly targets and performance reports to be introduced.

“PenCom will introduce PFA-level quarterly recapture targets, publish quarterly progress reports, and impose regulatory sanctions on operators that materially under-perform against target during 2026,” it stated.

Norrenberger Pensions led the industry during the first quarter with 17,157 recaptures, representing 29.47 per cent of total Q1’26 activity. 

Stanbic IBTC followed with 10,963 recaptures, while Veritas Glanvills recorded 6,328.

Guaranty Trust Pensions and FCMB Pensions completed the top five with 3,918 and 3,888 recaptures respectively.

The data recapture exercise, introduced by PenCom in August 2019, requires RSA holders to update and validate their personal and biometric information with their PFAs.

Meanwhile, PenCom said Katsina State’s amendment of its pension law to adopt the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) increased the number of states with CPS legislation to 25 from 24.

Eight states are fully compliant, having enacted the required legislation and commenced implementation through licensed PFAs, while 17 others have enacted legislation but are yet to commence implementation.

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Two governorship candidates in Saturday’s Osun State election, Adebayo Simon Adewale of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Adedamola Adebayo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have withdrawn from the race and endorsed the incumbent governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

Adewale announced his withdrawal at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday, saying the decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.

The APM candidate said his decision was driven by what he described as the need to place the interest of Osun State above personal political ambition.

“I, Adebayo Simon Adewale, the governorship candidate of Allied Peoples Movement in Osun governorship election 2026, after deep reflection and extensive consultation with party leaders, supporters and stakeholders, have decided to withdraw from the Osun State governorship election,” he said.

According to him, his decision was not influenced by pressure or personal interest but followed his assessment of the political situation in the state.

Adewale said he believed Adeleke should be given another term to consolidate the achievements of his administration.

“Having carefully assessed the situation, I believe Governor Adeleke Ademola deserves another term to consolidate the progress of his administration as recorded,” he said.

He consequently called on his supporters and members of the APM to support Adeleke’s re-election.

“Accordingly, I hereby declare my full support for the re-election of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, and I call all my supporters, members of Allied Peoples Movement, and the good people of Osun to join me in supporting the election,” he said.

Adewale said his decision was aimed at promoting peace, stability and development in the state.

He added: “This decision is about the future of Osun. Politicians should always serve the people, and today I have chosen the path that I believe will best advance peace, stability, development, and the collective interest of our state.”

PDP candidate also withdraws

In a separate development, the PDP governorship candidate, Adedamola Adebayo, popularly known as Fryo, also announced his withdrawal from the election and endorsed Adeleke.

Adebayo made the declaration during a press briefing in Osogbo, urging PDP members and supporters to back the incumbent governor.

“I, Honourable Adedamola Adebayo, known as Fryo, hereby endorse His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election,” he said.

He called on PDP members, supporters and the party’s structure to support Adeleke.

“I encourage all PDP members, supporters and structure to share this position peacefully. Support the emergence of Ademola Adeleke as the governor till 2030,” he said.

The withdrawals came less than 48 hours before the governorship election scheduled for Saturday.

Adeleke is contesting the election on the platform of the Accord Party, while Bola Oyebamiji is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam is the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

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By Jimoh Babatunde

Founder of the Initiative for Peace, Forgiveness and Love for One Another (IPFLOA), Ambassador Kingsley Atoe, has appealed to Nigerian music stars, Peter and Paul Okoye of the defunct P-Square duo, to forgive one another and reconcile their differences.

Atoe made the appeal in a message addressed to the two brothers, urging them to put aside their quarrels, disagreements, hurt and bitterness and restore their bond of brotherhood.

The appeal comes amid renewed attention to the prolonged disagreement between the Okoye twins. The brothers, who reunited in 2021 after their earlier split, fell out again in 2024 amid disagreements involving their music business and their elder brother, Jude Okoye.

According to Atoe, Peter and Paul should remember the years they spent growing up together, working together and building the musical brand that eventually became P-Square.

He said their success was the product of the strength, talent and determination of two brothers who shared a common dream.

“Peter, reach out to Paul. Paul, reach out to Peter,” Atoe appealed, stressing that their relationship as brothers should take precedence over their differences.

He urged the musicians to recognise the influence they have had on millions of young people who watched their journey from humble beginnings to international musical success.

Atoe said their reconciliation would send a powerful message to their fans and young people around the world that disagreements do not have to permanently destroy relationships.

“Show them that forgiveness is greater than bitterness. Show them that love is stronger than disagreement. Show them that brothers can disagree, forgive, reconcile and come back even stronger,” he said.

The IPFLOA founder also urged the brothers to regard forgiveness and reconciliation as a greater legacy than their music, awards and other accomplishments.

He said: “Let reconciliation become your new manager. Let forgiveness become your new song. Let peace become your greatest performance.”

Atoe’s intervention follows other recent appeals for the Okoye brothers to resolve their differences. Their elder brother, Henry Okoye, recently expressed doubts about the possibility of a reconciliation but nevertheless appealed to Paul to forgive Peter and urged the family to work towards restoring unity.

Atoe prayed that God would heal the wounds between the brothers, remove bitterness and restore their relationship.

He concluded by urging Peter and Paul to “come back together” and demonstrate that brotherly love, forgiveness and peace can overcome even deep disagreements.

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Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended the use of public funds to support marriage arrangements in states operating under Shariah law, describing the practice as a legitimate responsibility of government.

Gumi made the position known in a statement shared on Facebook on Thursday, arguing that governments in Shariah-governed societies have a duty to address social needs arising from the prohibition of sexual relationships outside marriage.

According to him, where prostitution, fornication, adultery and promiscuity are prohibited by both religious principles and state laws, government intervention to assist people who cannot afford marriage should be viewed as part of responsible governance.

He said public resources could legitimately be used to support young people in urgent need of marriage, as well as women who face limited opportunities to find suitable spouses.

“In a Shariah law-driven state, where prostitution, fornication, adultery, and promiscuity are prohibited by both divine and state laws, using public funds to facilitate the marriage of women who are in excess of the available pool of eligible men, or of any young person in dire need of marriage, is a legitimate and responsible component of good governance,” he said.

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…Residents demand government intervention as traders seek grants, lower levies

By Ugochukwu Alaribe, Chinedu Adonu, Vincent Ujumadu, Jeff Agbodo, Chimaobi Nwaiwu and Emma Iheaka

UMUAHIA — Residents and traders across the South-East have lamented the rising cost of goods and services, declining consumer purchasing power and worsening business conditions, urging the Federal Government to introduce measures to ease the economic hardship.

From Aba and Umuahia in Abia to Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi in Anambra, Enugu, Abakaliki in Ebonyi and Owerri in Imo, traders said high transportation costs, fuel prices, multiple levies, weak purchasing power and other operating challenges had significantly affected their businesses.

They said customers who previously bought goods in large quantities now purchase only what they could afford for immediate consumption, while many traders struggle to recover their capital.

Aba residents lament rising food prices

Residents of Aba, Abia State, said the prices of staple foods such as rice, beans, yam, tomatoes, garri, pepper and onions had risen beyond the reach of many families.

They attributed the situation largely to rising fuel prices and the general increase in the cost of doing business.

A housewife, Mrs Oluchi Nwankpa, said she previously spent about N20,000 to prepare a pot of soup for her family of five, but the amount could no longer provide what she described as a “rich pot of soup” capable of lasting the family for a week.

A trader at Cemetery Market, Aba, Mrs Ada Emeka-Ogbugo, said customers had continued to complain about rising prices.

“Prices of goods have continued to increase in the market. Whatever commodity you buy at a particular time must have an increase the next day and our suppliers tell us that they have no choice because the increase in fuel is affecting their cost of production. Everyone is affected because our customers are also complaining about price increase,” she said.

Another trader, who identified himself as Friday, said consumers were now primarily concerned with buying food to survive.

“You can observe that people are only interested in buying foodstuff to feed their families. Only survival matters now. Even foodstuff like rice, beans, yam and even bread are going beyond the reach of the ordinary man,” he said.

Produce dealer blames security checkpoints, middlemen

A produce merchant, Mr Egbu Peters, however, attributed part of the increase in food prices to alleged extortion by middlemen and security personnel at checkpoints along major highways.

Peters, who deals in tomatoes, vegetables and okro, said traders often incurred additional costs while transporting produce from northern states to the South-East.

He said commodity unions should not be blamed for rising food prices, arguing that they played a role in ensuring the distribution of farm produce across the country.

According to him, traders travelling to states such as Kaduna and bringing produce to the South-East encounter numerous checkpoints where they are allegedly charged various amounts.

He said the additional expenses incurred on transportation, middlemen and checkpoints were eventually reflected in the prices paid by consumers.

Enugu traders lament declining patronage

In Enugu, foodstuff dealers also complained of declining patronage and rising costs.

A dealer, Mrs Ngozika Igbokwe, said consumers who previously bought large quantities of foodstuff could now afford only small portions.

“We don’t sell goods like before. We find it difficult to sell after buying from the company or dealers.

“Customers who used to buy plenty now buy only a little for their daily needs, and before you know it, the perishable goods will get spoiled,” she said.

Igbokwe said a customer who previously bought four paint buckets of garri could now afford only one, while tomatoes that previously sold out within hours could remain in the market for days.

She appealed to the government to reduce taxes imposed on traders and provide grants and other interventions to help small businesses survive.

A petty trader at Ogbete Market, Mr Kevin Ugwuogor, said many traders who borrowed money to finance their businesses were finding it difficult to repay their loans because of low sales.

“We are suffering now. We, the petty traders, are finding it difficult to survive. We borrowed money from banks to do business, but when you buy goods, you will not sell them quickly enough to recoup the money before the end of the month when you are expected to pay the bank interest,” he said.

He urged the government to introduce measures to improve purchasing power, reduce fuel prices and make credit available to small businesses at affordable interest rates.

Anambra traders count losses

Traders in Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi, Anambra State, also said the unfavourable economic climate had taken a heavy toll on their businesses.

A trader at Onitsha Main Market, Mr Clement Nwadikwa, said the decline in his capital had made it difficult for him to stock his shop.

He said the removal of fuel subsidy, depreciation of the naira and rising fuel prices had combined to reduce consumers’ purchasing power and increase the cost of transporting goods.

An electronics dealer, Mr Nicholas Okeke, said traders dealing in non-essential goods had been particularly affected as many residents now prioritised food and rent.

“With fuel prices above N1,000, the cost of moving goods from Lagos ports to Onitsha and other cities in the South-East became very high, thereby causing astronomical increase in the cost of electronics and other luxury goods,” he said.

Ebonyi traders seek grants

At Abakaliki International Market, Ebonyi State, traders said low patronage had left many shops deserted.

Mrs Joy Ezediora said many traders had remained idle because customers no longer had enough money to patronise them.

“There is no money, hunger and starvation everywhere. It is when the customers have money that they will come to market to patronise us,” she said.

Another trader, Mr Ekene Nwankwo, said some traders had been forced to consume their capital because of the lack of turnover.

“There is no business. Some of us have been eating from capital. I don’t have goods in my shop anymore. I need support to stock my shop, like government grants to support the business,” he said.

A building materials dealer, Chief Chukwudi Nweke, said traders in the sector were also struggling because of poor sales.

He said some cement dealers had incurred losses when their products remained unsold for long periods.

Nweke appealed to the government to provide empowerment programmes and grants to enable traders to sustain their businesses and meet family obligations.

Imo traders complain of low sales, levies

Traders at Relief Market, Owerri, Imo State, identified low sales and market levies as major challenges.

A fabric seller, Mr Ifeanyi Osuji, said his sales had dropped by about half due to the economic situation.

“Our biggest challenge is low sales. I now sell about half of what I used to sell before this government came into power. Some days, I manage to make N20,000. You can imagine what will be my profit out of the N20,000,” he said.

Another trader, Mrs Bridget Nwankwo, said traders were required to pay an annual levy of N24,000 in addition to other charges.

She appealed to the government to reduce the levies, saying traders were struggling to make sufficient sales.

Enugu traders decry poor market infrastructure

Traders at Eke Market in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State also complained about dilapidated infrastructure, poor drainage and congestion.

A condiments seller, Ezinne Nwobodo, said poor drainage made the market difficult to access during rainfall.

“Every part of the market becomes marshy whenever it rains and it has made customers to consider other places where they buy condiments. We hardly sell anything when it rains,” she said.

A cosmetic dealer, Emeka Amadi, called for expansion of the market to accommodate the growing number of traders and customers.

He said the market served students and staff of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, the Nigerian Law School, Agbani Campus, residents of Nkanu West and surrounding communities.

Vanguard gathered that traders often displayed their goods along major roads because of congestion and inadequate stalls, a situation that contributes to heavy human and vehicular traffic around the market.

Onitsha traders allege harassment, multiple challenges

Beyond declining sales and high operating costs, traders in Onitsha also identified multiple taxation, rising shop rents, alleged harassment and disputes over business premises as major challenges.

A former market union leader and trader at Ozomagala Building Materials Market, Mr Kenneth Okafor, called for government intervention over what he described as alleged harassment of traders by some law enforcement personnel in connection with disputes over shop leases.

Okafor alleged that some traders and market leaders had been arrested and taken outside the state over disputes concerning lease agreements with property owners.

He claimed that some of the affected traders had invested heavily in renovating or reconstructing market facilities based on agreements reached with property owners, but later faced disputes over the terms of the agreements.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Anambra State Government to investigate the allegations and ensure that disputes involving traders were handled according to the law without intimidation.

Okafor also appealed to the state government to prevent the disputes from escalating into a breakdown of law and order in the markets.

The traders across the South-East urged federal and state governments to address the factors driving up the cost of goods and doing business, while providing grants, affordable credit, improved infrastructure and a reduction in taxes and levies to enable businesses to survive.

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At least four people died in eastern Japan after “unprecedented” heavy rain that left thousands stranded at Narita airport overnight and snarled up roads and rail services, authorities said Friday.

The torrential downpours late Thursday triggered landslide warnings and power outages, with forecasters issuing the highest-level heavy rain warning for the Chiba region for the first time.

“I never thought I’d spend the night at the airport, but it is what it is and we are learning,” one stranded air traveller told NHK.

“We’re never going to forget this trip,” he said.

Those killed included a man in his 60s or 70s found floating in a flooded road and a 66-year-old woman stuck in her submerged car, the Chiba Prefecture Disaster Management Office said.

The third fatality was a man of unknown age found collapsed on the street, and the fourth a person of undetermined gender and age.

As of Friday noon, public broadcaster NHK reported an additional two people died, putting the total death toll at six.

Meanwhile, close to 26,000 households across Chiba prefecture were without power, the disaster management office said.

A total of 45 houses flooded in cities such as Ichikawa, Kashiwa and Sakura. Another 39 homes saw water seeping in below the floorboards.

– Trains cancelled –

A Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) official told a news conference on Thursday that this was “shaping up to be an unprecedented level of heavy rain”.

Around 6,000 people were stranded overnight at Narita, one of two main airports serving Tokyo, with many trains to and from there cancelled until Friday afternoon, the Chiba disaster office said.

At Narita, sleeping bags piled up as passengers slept all over the terminal, with massive lines forming for check-in across the airport.

A traveller from the United Kingdom who gave his name as Philip told AFP that he had to go through a nine-hour journey, including a taxi ride, before finally arriving at the airport early Friday morning.

With a sleeping bag in hand, he said he has “just been trying to get some sleep and watching Netflix now”.

“Just get on with it, really. Nothing else you can do,” he said.

Users on social media said that airport staff handed out free water, food and sleeping bags.

Hundreds of people were also left stranded in Chiba station due to suspended train services, an AFP journalist saw.

Hundreds spent the night in shelters in Chiba, NHK reported, showing cars in water up to the headlights in Kashiwa city.

“This happened all of a sudden, so it was a complete surprise. The power is out, so I’m worried whether I can open my business in the next couple of days,” a woman in Chiba’s Ichikawa city told NHK on Thursday.

The level-5 warnings of heavy rain were all downgraded to level-4 as of Friday morning.

Scientists say human-driven climate change is making extreme weather more frequent, prolonged and intense.

tmo-stu/fox

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The Police Command in Kaduna State says it has arrested six suspected kidnappers and dismantled a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Ikara Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kaduna.

Hassan said the suspects were arrested following credible information from a kidnap victim who escaped from captivity, and intelligence provided by members of the public.

He said the victim reported his abduction to the police on Tuesday and identified a house belonging to one Ja’e Samalu, 65, of Dogon Pako Village, Ikara, as the location where he was held captive.

“Upon receiving the complaint, the Ikara Police Division promptly mobilised officers, in collaboration with members of the local vigilante service, to raid the location,” he said.

He said the operation led to the arrest of six suspects aged between 20 and 65.

The police spokesperson added that the suspects were currently in police custody, while investigation continued to establish their individual roles in the crime.

“Efforts are also ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal network,” he added.

Hassan quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Muhammad Rabiu, as commending the operatives and members of the public for providing timely information.

Rabiu urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the nearest police formation.

The commissioner also warned residents to be wary of criminal elements, who might use residential buildings as hideouts or holding facilities for kidnapped victims.

He stressed that community vigilance and timely information-sharing remained critical to preventing and dismantling criminal networks in the state.

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By Dickson Omobola

Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State, AREDOLS, has petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly over what it described as the Lagos State Waste Management Authority’s, LAWMA, misclassification of construction materials as waste, urging the lawmakers to direct the agency to stop imposing levies and penalties on such materials.

AREDOLS Chairman, Kamil Shodeinde, and General Secretary, Ahmod Olukotun, made the call in a petition titled: ‘Urgent Petition on LAWMA’s Neglect of Its Primary Responsibility on Domestic Waste Management and Misclassification of Construction Materials as Waste,” dated August 10.

The association faulted LAWMA for classifying planks, derricks and other construction materials as construction waste, insisting that the items were recyclable materials used in building projects.

It also called on the House of Assembly to investigate what it described as LAWMA’s failure to effectively manage domestic waste across the state.

AREDOLS questioned the categorisation of waste into domestic, medical and industrial waste, arguing that each category required distinct handling and management.

The petition read in part: “We wish to state categorically that these items are recyclable materials used for construction purposes and not waste in the ordinary sense. The misclassification and attendant levies and penalties are imposing an undue financial burden on developers and end users, thereby worsening the cost of housing and construction in Lagos.”

The developers therefore, urged the assembly to intervene by reviewing the agency’s classification of construction materials and addressing what they described as the financial burden imposed on developers and home buyers

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By Godwin Oritse

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill 2026, paving the way for the establishment of a dedicated economic regulator for Nigeria’s port sector.

The development was disclosed by the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr Pius Akutah, in a post on his Facebook page.

Akutah expressed appreciation to the President for assenting to the legislation, stating: “Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Act, 2026. Thank you Mr. President for making it a reality.”

Although details of the assent and implementation framework were not immediately available at press time, the development marks a major milestone in the country’s long-running effort to establish a statutory economic regulatory framework for the port industry.

The NPERA legislation has been in the works for several years, with successive National Assemblies seeking to establish a dedicated economic regulator following the concession of Nigeria’s ports.

In 2014, the Federal Government designated the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the interim economic regulator of the ports pending the enactment of a substantive law.

However, the absence of a dedicated Act meant that the Council performed its economic regulatory functions largely on the basis of government policy and regulations.

The new legislation is expected to provide stronger legal backing for the regulation of economic activities at the ports, including tariffs, rates, charges, competition, licensing of port service providers and resolution of commercial disputes.

Previous versions of the Bill had attracted concerns over possible duplication of functions with agencies including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The National Assembly subsequently reviewed and amended the legislation after President Tinubu withheld assent to an earlier version.

The Senate passed the amended Bill in April 2026 after addressing identified legal and procedural issues.

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All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has congratulated the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR, on his inauguration as the Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas.

Recall that the inauguration ceremony took place on Wednesday, at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, and was officiated by the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, with traditional rulers from all 20 local government areas in attendance.

The event followed the expiration of the tenure of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, as chairman of the council.

The Ogun State Council of Obas serves as an important advisory body to the government on matters related to the state’s socio-economic development.

In a congratulatory message, Adeola noted that the appointment is a testament to Oba Gbadebo’s wealth of experience, wisdom and longstanding commitment to the peace, unity and development of Egbaland and Ogun State.

He expressed confidence that Oba Gbadebo’s leadership would strengthen collaboration between traditional institutions and government while promoting peace, unity and development across the state.
He prayed that Almighty God would grant the Alake greater wisdom, sound health, strength and long life in his new role.

“We heartily congratulate our revered royal father, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR, on his inauguration as the new Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas. Kabiyesi remains a highly respected traditional ruler and custodian of our cherished culture, traditions and values.”

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By Olasunkanmi Akoni

All Progressives Congress, APC, stalwart and lead visioner of Lagos4Lagos Movement, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has pledged the support of his political structure for the party and its candidates both Federal and state  ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Jandor made the commitment yesterday when he led about 300 members of the group on a visit to the campaign office of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Director-General of 2027 Lagos APC governorship candidate, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, KOH, campaign organisation at Ikeja.

The meeting focused largely on integrating Lagos4Lagos into the APC’s grassroots mobilisation structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adediran explained that his decision to withdraw from the APC governorship primary was motivated by respect for President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the party.

He said: “We withdrew from the state governorship primary election out of respect for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leaders of the party.”

According to him, Lagos4Lagos had continued to support the APC even during the last local government elections, despite not presenting candidates.

“In the last local government election, we didn’t have any candidate, but we supported the party. We printed posters and campaigned across all the local governments,” he said.

Adediran said the speed with which his supporters responded to Obanikoro’s invitation demonstrated the group’s readiness to work with the APC “We are here today because you called me yesterday to come and meet you, and within 24 hours we mobilised our people across the wards and local governments to be here today,” he said.

He, however, noted that further integration of Lagos4Lagos into the APC structure would depend largely on the party’s leadership.

“We are already working to have two people in each of the more than 13,000 polling units in Lagos State. We are ready to ensure victory for the party in the state,” he said.

Adediran said that the presidential election would be a major priority for his political structure, insisting that victory for Tinubu in Lagos would be critical to the party’s overall success.

“The most important is the presidential election and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must win for all of us to win,” he said.

Adediran said the group was prepared to mobilise across the state to help the APC regain the presidential votes it lost in Lagos in 2023.

“We will bring the energy back to win the presidency in the first ballot. We just need to right the wrong of 2023,” he said.

“It is not fair that President Bola Tinubu had been winning for everybody and he later lost in Lagos State, but it must not happen again.”

He urged party members and supporters to work together to reverse the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in the state.

Earlier, Obanikoro said that the campaign organisation would adopt an inclusive approach and urged members of Lagos4Lagos to integrate into the party’s grassroots structures.

According to him, the APC had identified voter turnout as one of the challenges that affected its performance in previous elections.

“We have people, but they did not come out to vote in 2023. We want people to come out this time around,” Obanikoro said.

He urged the group to integrate into their respective wards and local governments, stressing that the campaign would be decentralised.

Obanikoro, described Hamzat as “the best candidate that anybody can offer in Nigeria”, maintaining that his experience as Deputy Governor of Lagos State had prepared him for the governorship.

“Lagos State cannot be left to unprepared minds, we must deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Dr Obafemi Hamzat,” he urged.

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By Emma Ujah & Rosemary Iwunze

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has announced seven more insurance companies that have scaled the recapitalization hurdle, following a 14-day period granted to eight insurance companies for final verification and regulatory review

With this development, forty-eight (48) insurance companies and two (2) reinsurance companies have been confirmed and verified as compliant with the Minimum Capital Requirements stipulated under NIIRA 2025 and applicable insurance laws and guidelines issued by the Commission.

The regulatory agency said in a statement in yesterday that with the latest announcement, the Nigerian insurance industry recapitalization exercise had been concluded.

The latest to be cleared were: emPLE General Insurance Limited; emPLE Life Assurance Limited; Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc; Tangerine Life Insurance Limited; Alliance & General Insurance Plc; Guinea Insurance Plc; and Regency Alliance Insurance Plc.

The commission was silent on the fate of NICON Insurance and Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA, has thrown its weight behind the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, on the recapitalisation exercise.

NIA maintained that clear regulatory guidelines, systematic verification, defined timelines, and rigorous supervisory oversight provided operators with a credible framework to navigate the recapitalisation exercise successfully.

Chairman of NIA, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, in a statement yesterday, noted that the exercise underscores the importance of an orderly and clearly defined regulatory process and represents an important milestone in strengthening the financial capacity and stability of the sector, marking a pivotal milestone in bolstering the financial capacity, stability, and global competitiveness of the Nigerian insurance sector. She assured the apex regulator of the Association’s continued support and constructive engagement in leveraging the gains of the recapitalisation process to drive sustainable industry growth, enforce high market conduct standards, elevate consumer trust, and expand the sector’s contribution to the national economy.

She said: “The successful outcome of this recapitalisation exercise is a major win not just for regulators and operators, but for policyholders, investors, and the wider Nigerian economy. A well-capitalized insurance sector is better equipped to honour obligations promptly, underwrite complex and large-scale risks, and serve as a reliable pillar of national economic growth.”

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ABUJA—Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a high-profile terrorist operative linked to notorious terrorist leader Dogo Gide and 60 suspected collaborators in separate intelligence-led operations across the country, while launching a fresh offensive against terrorists in the North-West.

The operations, recorded between August 12 and 13, also led to the recovery of weapons, military uniforms and other items, according to military authorities.

In Kaduna State, troops of 4 Demonstration Battalion arrested a suspected ISWAP operative at Kadage Check Point while allegedly conveying seven pairs of sewn foreign camouflage uniforms to a terrorist camp.

The military said preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect was a close confidant of Dogo Gide and had been supplying logistics to him. Troops recovered 23 yards of foreign camouflage material, two mobile phones, three ATM cards and an identity card.

In Adamawa State, troops of 226 Battalion, supported by hunters, raided a motor park in Gombi following intelligence on suspected terrorist collaborators allegedly disguising themselves as menial workers and hawkers. The operation led to the arrest of 60 suspects, who are being held for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, launched Operation Clean Sweep IV, a coordinated ground and air offensive aimed at intensifying pressure on terrorists and armed criminal elements.

The Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said: “The operation brings coordinated ground and air actions to bear on identified threats across the North Western States.

“It also has the objective of degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their movements and logistics, and denying them the opportunity to establish footholds within Nigerian communities.”

In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2 conducted a clearance operation on August 12 around suspected terrorist enclaves in Dutsinma Local Government Area.“The operation mounted significant pressure on the terrorists, compelling them to abandon their positions and withdraw into surrounding bushes. Clearance operation is ongoing in the general area,” Danja said.

In Zamfara State, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma conducted precision strikes on terrorists who had converged on motorcycles.

in Anka Local Government Area. The strikes reportedly neutralised scores of terrorists and forced survivors to flee into surrounding bushes.

Troops of 1 Brigade also recovered an RPG bomb during a patrol around Tunga-Jambako in Maradun Local Government Area following an earlier terrorist ambush.

In Benue State, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested five suspected terrorists during operations in Chito, Jootar and Ikyior in Ukum Local Government Area. The troops destroyed the suspected enclaves and recovered two motorcycles and two locally fabricated guns.

The military also intercepted five women and seven children suspected to be family members of terrorists in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State. Similarly, six male children were intercepted at Ajiri after reportedly escaping from Murofari Village following clashes between rival terrorist groups.

Danja said a major component of Operation Clean Sweep IV was the effort to contain and dismantle the Lakurawa terrorist network across the theatre.

“The operation is designed to prevent the infiltration and reinforcement of Lakurawa elements into Nigeria while denying the group the opportunity to exploit border areas as corridors for movement, logistics and the establishment of enclaves,” he said.

He added: “The launch of Operation CLEAN SWEEP IV underscores the proactive and sustained posture of Operation Fansan Yamma in confronting evolving terrorist threats across the region.

“The Theatre remains resolute in protecting civilian communities, securing Nigeria’s territorial integrity and denying terrorist elements the opportunity to regroup, reinforce or establish operational footholds.”

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By Nkiruka Nnorom and Dennis Agbo

The Federal Government has denied receiving any request from South Africa for reimbursement of costs incurred in repatriating Nigerians and other migrants from the country.

The clarification comes after South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs told Parliament on Tuesday, that it had written to Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia to seek refund for part of the R292.77 million, (approximately $18 million) spent on accommodating and transporting deportees and voluntary returnees.

This came as former South-East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, also rejected the demand.

Speaking to Vanguard, yesterday, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said: “It is not true, we have not received any document to that effect.”

Asked if the South African government has reacted to Nigeria’s request for compensation to Nigerians forced to leave the country, he said no response has been received yet.

Corraborating him, Nigeria’s Consul General in South Africa, Mrs. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, said no such demand for reimbursement had been communicated to the Nigerian mission in Pretoria.

Home Affairs Director-General, Tommy Makhode, had told the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs that the department spent R292 million on the operation, far above its R60 million budgetary allocation for deportations this year.

He described the expenditure as unforeseen and unavoidable and an unfunded mandate, stressing that repatriations were not provided for in the existing legislative framework.

“We have also written to the governments of Malawi, and of course the embassies of Nigeria and Ethiopia to request for reimbursements of these costs through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, DIRCO.

“We are expecting responses from those governments,” Makhode said.

According to him, the bulk of the spending went to hiring buses to transport migrants, running temporary repatriation centres, and paying staff overtime. Some municipalities and government departments that assisted with the operation are also seeking reimbursement from Home Affairs.

Onoh rejects S’Africa’s $18.5m repatriation bill
Onoh in a statement in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, described the demand as a matter that should be subjected to diplomatic and legal review, arguing that costs incurred by South African authorities in managing immigration-related operations should not automatically be transferred to other sovereign governments.
His reaction followed reports that South Africa had approached Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia over expenses associated with the accommodation, transportation and repatriation of foreign nationals during recent immigration enforcement operations.
Onoh said Nigeria should formally seek clarification from the South African government on the legal and diplomatic basis for the reimbursement request.
He argued that the responsibilities of a host country towards migrants and foreign nationals should be considered within the framework of applicable international and regional agreements.
Onoh also called for discussions on the treatment of African migrants and businesses in South Africa, particularly where individuals or companies have suffered losses during incidents of unrest.
He said Nigeria should work with other affected countries and relevant stakeholders to establish the scale of any verifiable economic losses suffered by their nationals.
Onoh said Nigeria could engage South African authorities through diplomatic channels to address concerns relating to the welfare, property and business interests of Nigerian nationals in the country.
He further called for consultations among Nigeria, Malawi, Ethiopia and other affected countries to develop a coordinated position on the reported repatriation expenses.

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By Kingsley Omonobi

Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr. Olatunji Disu, has disclosed that preparations for the recruitment of 50,000 Police Constables had reached the final pre-training stage, with comprehensive training programmes being developed around an improved curriculum and international best practices.

He also reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to strengthening counterterrorism, community protection, human rights and the rule of law.

Disu spoke on Wednesday, in Washington, D.C., while representing the Nigeria Police Force at the 2nd United States-Nigeria Country of Particular Concern, CPC, Joint Working Group meeting.

The meeting reviewed progress recorded under the CPC Joint Working Group Roadmap during the April-June 2026 reporting period and explored opportunities for deeper cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in tackling security and law-enforcement challenges.

Disu was part of a high-level Nigerian delegation led by the National Security Adviser, NSA, and comprising the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Defence, Service Chiefs, and heads of other security and law-enforcement agencies.

Presenting the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to the implementation of the roadmap, Disu highlighted sustained counter-kidnapping and anti-banditry operations, increased police presence in vulnerable communities, early-warning mechanisms and measures to facilitate the protection and safe return of internally displaced persons.

Disu disclosed that preparations for the recruitment of 50,000 Police Constables had reached the final pre-training stage, with comprehensive training programmes being developed around an improved curriculum and international best practices.

The IGP stressed the importance of community engagement in strengthening national security, noting that the Police had continued to deepen collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders and other critical stakeholders.

According to him, public trust, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence remain critical to achieving sustainable security across Nigeria.

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Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority, PGSA, the body responsible for maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, has rejected claims by the United States of America officials that the waterway is open.

“Claims and repeated posts by U.S. officials that the Strait of Hormuz is no longer blocked do not change the reality,” PGSA stated.

The PGSA claimed in a social media post on X that “Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and will not be reopened until Iran’s conditions are accepted.”

The PGSA’s remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed earlier that the country maintains “total control” of the strait of Hormuz and will keep it.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. naval blockade of the waterway had been described as a “wall of steel” and Iran lacked the capability to challenge it.

The newly-appointed secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless the U.S. changed its behaviour and accepts Iran’s conditions, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Rezaei said: “United States must end the war and pay the country’s frozen assets, and the war must end in the entire region, including Lebanon and Gaza. ”

He said that Iran’s other conditions had been conveyed to the United States through mediators.
Rezaei also referred to the ongoing negotiations between Iran and Oman over the designation of a new route through the strait.

He emphasised that a potential agreement between the two countries “will be an issue separate from the strait’s closure.”

Iran tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the U.S. This followed the joint strikes on Iranian territory by the two countries.

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By Kingsley Omonobi

The Nigerian Navy has rescued 22 passengers following the hijacking of a wooden passenger boat by suspected sea robbers along the Calabar–Oron–Ibaka waterway in Akwa Ibom State.

The operation, conducted on August 11, 2026, was carried out by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka, in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Sector 4 and the Marine Police.

The operation followed an attack on a passenger boat travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka.

Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement, saying the boat was intercepted by armed sea robbers shortly after passing Enwang Community.

According to him, the passengers were abducted while the vessel was hijacked.

“Following receipt of the distress information, personnel of FOB Ibaka and the collaborating security agencies launched a coordinated operation to locate the victims and recover the hijacked boat.

“The operation resulted in the recovery of the vessel and the rescue of 11 passengers who had been abandoned by the suspected criminals at Asak-Ikang Creek.

“Another 11 passengers who had escaped during the attack were subsequently located at the OPDS Sector 4 command post, bringing the total number of rescued and accounted-for victims to 22,” he said.

Folorunsho said the rescued passengers were taken to the FOB Ibaka Sickbay for medical assessment and first aid before arrangements were made for their safe return to Calabar alongside the recovered boat.

He added that no ransom was paid for their release.

The Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to strengthening maritime security, enhancing inter-agency cooperation and leveraging timely intelligence to deny criminals freedom of action along the nation’s waterways.

Okehie said the successful operation underscored the Navy’s determination to protect lives, safeguard legitimate maritime activities and maintain a secure maritime environment.

He added that the Nigerian Navy would continue to work with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to combat sea robbery, kidnapping and other forms of maritime criminality across the country’s waterways.

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