he National Bureau of Statistics released its Consumer Price Index report for April 2025, revealing a slight easing in Nigeria’s inflation rate compared to previous months and the same period last year.

The headline inflation rate moderated to 23.71 per cent year-on-year, marking a decline from 24.23 per cent recorded in March 2025 and a sharp reduction from 33.69 per cent in April 2024.

On a month-on-month basis, the inflation rate dropped sharply to 1.86 per cent in April 2025, down from 3.90 per cent in March. This indicates a slower rate of price increases across consumer goods and services during the month.

The NBS report read, “The Consumer Price Index rose to 119.52 in April 2025, reflecting a 2.18-point increase from the preceding month. In April 2025, the Headline inflation rate eased to 23.71 per cent relative to the March 2025 headline inflation rate of 24.23 per cent. Looking at the movement, the April 2025 Headline inflation rate showed a decrease of 0.52 per cent compared to the March 2025 Headline inflation rate.

“On a year-on-year basis, the Headline inflation rate was 9.99 per cent lower than the rate recorded in April 2024 (33.69 per cent). This shows that the Headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) decreased in April 2025 compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., April 2024), though with a different base year.”

Despite a slight easing in Nigeria’s overall inflation rate in April 2025, 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory recorded inflation rates exceeding 30 per cent, highlighting persistent price pressures in several parts of the country.

According to the latest CPI report released by the NBS, while the national headline inflation rate moderated to 23.71 per cent year-on-year in April, inflation in specific states remained alarmingly high.

Urban inflation, which reflects price changes in cities and towns where the majority of Nigerians reside, remained elevated at 24.29 per cent in April 2025, signalling that many urban households continue to grapple with rising living costs.

The monthly urban inflation rate was 1.18 per cent, a decline from 3.96 per cent in March. Rural inflation was slightly lower at 22.83 per cent year-on-year, down from 31.64 per cent in April 2024.

The month-on-month rural inflation was 3.56 per cent, marginally lower than March’s 3.73 per cent. The PUNCH observed that the states that witnessed inflation surpassing 30 per cent include Enugu, Kebbi, Niger, Benue, Ekiti, Nassarawa, Zamfara, Delta, Gombe, and Sokoto, alongside Abuja, the nation’s capital.

These figures highlight a stark contrast with the national average and demonstrate the unevenness of inflationary pressures across the federation. Enugu emerged as the state with the highest headline inflation, recording a year-on-year rate of 36.0 per cent.

This represents a sharp increase compared to previous months and was accompanied by a significant 12.3 per cent month-on-month rise in the all-items inflation index.

Food inflation in Enugu stood at 24.4 per cent in April, with a modest 3.9 per cent month-on-month increase, pointing to continued pressure on food prices amid broader cost-of-living challenges.

Kebbi State also reported persistently high inflation figures, with the all-items inflation rate at 35.1 per cent year-on-year, increasing by 5.4 per cent month-on-month. Food inflation in Kebbi rose to 33.8 per cent in April, up 4.3 per cent compared to the previous month.

This suggests that food price increases are a major contributor to overall inflation in the state. In Niger State, the inflation rate surged to 34.8 per cent year-on-year in April, reflecting a notable 14.7 per cent increase on a month-on-month basis, the highest monthly jump among the states reporting inflation above 30 per cent.

Food inflation in Niger was recorded at 24.3 per cent, increasing by 5.7 per cent month-on-month. Benue State presented an especially concerning picture with food inflation reaching a staggering 51.8 per cent year-on-year, alongside a dramatic 25.6 per cent monthly increase in food prices.

This sharp escalation in food prices is due to the persistent insecurity in the region. The overall all-items inflation rate in Benue was 34.3 per cent, rising 12.8 per cent month-on-month.

Ekiti State also recorded an all-items inflation rate of 34.0 per cent, matched by a similarly high food inflation rate of 34.0 per cent year-on-year. Month-on-month, prices rose by 11.0 per cent for all items and 16.7 per cent for food.

Nassarawa State’s inflation profile featured a year-on-year increase of 33.3 per cent in the all-items index, with an especially sharp monthly rise of 16.0 per cent.

Food inflation, at 23.3 per cent year-on-year, also rose by 7.4 per cent month-on-month. Zamfara State reported an annual all-items inflation rate of 33.2 per cent, with a smaller but still significant month-on-month increase of 4.6 per cent.

Food inflation was 24.0 per cent, rising marginally by 0.4 per cent month-on-month. Though the monthly food inflation rise was subdued, the persistently high annual rates point to entrenched inflationary pressures affecting consumer purchasing power.

The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, registered an all-items inflation rate of 32.9 per cent year-on-year, with a 9.8 per cent increase on a monthly basis. Interestingly, food inflation in Abuja declined slightly by 0.7 per cent month-on-month to 22.2 per cent year-on-year, suggesting some stabilisation of food prices in the capital.

Delta State reported a 31.9 per cent all-items inflation rate year-on-year, increasing by 10.7 per cent month-on-month, with food inflation at 15.9 per cent and a modest 2.2 per cent monthly increase.

The divergence between food and all-items inflation suggests that rising prices in non-food categories such as housing, utilities, and transport are significant drivers of inflation in Delta.

Gombe State recorded an all-items inflation rate of 31.0 per cent, rising 9.0 per cent month-on-month, with food inflation at 26.4 per cent and a monthly increase of 5.8 per cent. These figures point to broad-based price increases affecting the cost of living in the state.

Sokoto State’s inflation stood at 30.5 per cent year-on-year, with a striking 16.3 per cent month-on-month rise, while food inflation was 25.3 per cent, increasing 13.1 per cent month-on-month.

These state-level inflation figures highlight the heterogeneous nature of inflationary pressures across Nigeria. While some states experience sharp monthly spikes, others have more gradual but persistently high inflation rates.

Food inflation, a key component of the CPI basket given Nigeria’s consumption patterns, remains especially high in states such as Benue, Kebbi, Ekiti, and Sokoto, with year-on-year increases well above the national average.

This places severe strain on households’ disposable incomes, exacerbating poverty and food insecurity. The national Food inflation slowed sharply to 21.26 per cent year-on-year in April 2025, down considerably from 40.53 per cent in the same period last year.

This marked decline is largely attributed to the change in the base year used for calculations, as well as falling prices of essential staples including maize flour, wheat grain, dried okro, yam flour, soybeans, rice and various beans.

On a month-on-month basis, food inflation edged down slightly to 2.06 per cent in April, a 0.12 percentage point decrease from March’s 2.18 per cent. The average food inflation rate over the past twelve months stood at 31.43 per cent, marginally lower than the 32.74 per cent recorded in the previous year.

Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes the often-volatile prices of farm produce and energy, settled at 23.39 per cent year-on-year, down from 26.84 per cent a year earlier. Month-on-month, core inflation fell sharply to 1.34 per cent in April from 3.73 per cent in March.

Over the 12 months ending April 2025, core inflation averaged 24.91 per cent, up from 22.84 per cent in April 2024. Energy prices recorded a steep rise of 13.6 per cent month-on-month in April, following a 9.21 per cent increase in March.

Inflation on farm produce moderated to 0.95 per cent in April from 2.64 per cent in March, while services inflation also slowed to 2.20 per cent from 3.44 per cent. The goods index recorded a modest month-on-month increase of 1.89 per cent.

The NBS report suggests that inflation easing at the national level has not yet translated into relief for many Nigerians, especially those living in states with persistently high inflation.

Reacting to the development, the National President of the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, Dr Femi Egbesola, said despite the slight easing in inflation, Nigeria’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are yet to feel the impact.

He asserted, “The marginal drop in Nigeria’s inflation rate to 23.71 per cent in April 2025 is a welcome development on the surface, but for MSMEs, the impact is yet to be truly felt. While the easing of inflationary pressure, especially in food prices, offers a glimmer of hope, the realities on the ground for small businesses remain harsh. Input costs are still high, consumer purchasing power remains weak, and access to affordable financing is limited.

“Many MSMEs are still grappling with the cumulative effects of prolonged inflation, from dwindling sales to supply chain disruptions and eroded working capital. Until these gains are sustained over time and translate into lower operating costs and improved consumer demand, the MSME sector will remain under significant strain.

“We urge the government to complement these macroeconomic gains with targeted support policies for MSMEs, including tax reliefs, access to low-interest credit, and market access support, to ensure that the sector can begin to recover and contribute meaningfully to economic growth and job creation.”

In a similar vein, the Chairman of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria, Dele Oye, said the decline in inflation hasn’t been felt.

He said, “Our members have not felt the impact. Too early to comment on the report.”

Meanwhile, the National Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists, Segun Kuti-George, said the decrease was too little for any meaningful or noticeable impact

“The Consumer Price Index is universally used to measure inflation rates, and the NBI claimed to have used the same. Hence, it would be said to be correct.

“However, the decrease in change is too little for any meaningful or noticeable impact. We in the manufacturing sector have not felt any positive change in the prices of our inputs. Prices of basic raw materials are still maintaining an upward trend. Therefore, we are very far from Uhuru.”

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry qualified April’s 23.71 per cent inflation rate as unremarkable. While the chamber acknowledged that inflation dropping by 0.52 per cent from the 24.23 per cent recorded in March 2025 meant that inflation was not worsening, it ruled out any celebration, rather urging more focus on workable inflation-reduction policies.

“This is nothing significant statistically or even in terms of impact on all of the economic metrics,” Idahosa stated in a phone interview with The PUNCH. “If anything, the current interpretation is that inflation has remained flat. A drop of that kind of magnitude is not significant in any sense.”

Idahosa warned that there is no reason to rejoice at April’s inflation rate, stating, “No, there’s no reason to rejoice. There is just reason to be hopeful that what has started as a signal will begin to manifest in terms of a larger drop in inflation rates month-on-month.”

The LCCI president offered a cautious hope that a marginal drop in April’s inflation might result in a slow build-up to a sizable lowering of inflation rates, given the right conditions.

Idahosa explained: “The only thing to be said about (April’s inflation rate) is that it’s not getting worse. It’s flat, and it gives a sign that we are going to see a trend of gradually lowering inflation rates. It’s very gradual because the factors that are driving it are working very gradually.”

According to the LCCI, reduced transportation costs enabled by electric and Compressed Natural Gas vehicles will precede any significant reduction in inflation. However, Idahosa noted that high costs have slowed the pace of converting to these alternative energy sources.

“The factors that ensure we are reducing the cost of transportation include getting more CNG buses and electric vehicles, obviously takes a lot of cost to convert to, whether they are buses in a state like Lagos and a few other states that are bringing out electric vehicles,” he added.

The LCCI predicted a consistent drop in inflation over four to five months, noting that the forces that have kept inflation flat will continue to work until the country sees a significant drop.

Further, Idahosa observed that, with April’s inflation rate, any private sector expectations of the Monetary Policy Committee loosening interest rates are dashed.

“(April’s drop) has no immediate impact on interest rates. There is no reason to expect any significant drop in interest rates,” he asserted. “What the business community is looking at is a kind of signalling from the Central Bank of Nigeria to reduce the monetary policy rate by a very small amount; to send a message that in the future, MPR will slide down slowly but steadily.

“We do not expect any dramatic drops in the MPR and general interest rates, seeing we are in a plateau and just coasting around where we are in the economy now.”

Addressing the root causes, including improving agricultural productivity, enhancing supply chain efficiency, stabilising energy prices, and boosting market competition, will be essential in curbing inflationary pressures.

The World Bank has projected that Nigeria’s inflation rate will average 22.1 per cent in 2025, attributing the anticipated decline to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s tight monetary stance aimed at restoring price stability and anchoring inflation expectations.

The projection was contained in a statement published Monday on the World Bank’s website, following the formal launch of the latest edition of the Nigeria Development Update report in Abuja.

The biannual report, titled “Building Momentum for Inclusive Growth,” assesses recent economic trends and policy responses, and outlines priorities for sustaining reforms and promoting inclusive growth.

According to the report, while macroeconomic indicators have improved significantly, particularly GDP growth, revenue mobilisation, and fiscal consolidation, headline inflation remains a pressing concern.

“The report further adds that inflation has remained high and sticky but is expected to fall to an annual average of 22.1 per cent in 2025, as a sustained tight stance firmly establishes monetary policy credibility and dampens inflationary expectations,” the statement read.

The World Bank identified the major drivers of elevated inflation in recent years to include the removal of petrol subsidies, exchange rate unification, rising logistics and energy costs, and recurring food supply disruptions.

However, it noted that the Central Bank’s ongoing monetary tightening efforts are starting to show positive signs, with inflationary pressures expected to ease going into 2025.

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rome, the capital of Italy, on Saturday at the invitation of Pope Leo XIV.

Accompanied by top Catholic leaders, “President Tinubu will attend a solemn mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement he signed Thursday.

The statement is titled ‘Pope Leo XIV invites President Tinubu to his inauguration on Sunday.’

In the Papal invitation sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV underscored the need for President Tinubu’s physical presence “at this moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and the world afflicted by many tensions and conflicts.”

The Pontiff further stressed: “Your great nation is particularly dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s.”

President Tinubu’s entourage includes the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Archbishop of Owerri and President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, and Alfred Martins of Lagos.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, is also in the president’s entourage.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, will be formally installed to the exalted office on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

The Conclave of Cardinals elected him 27 days after his predecessor, Pope Francis, died on April 21.

President Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday, May 20

In a shocking twist, kidnappers who abducted Nelson Adepoyigi, the All Progressives Congress chairman in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, have also detained two individuals sent to deliver his ransom.

The abductors are now demanding a fresh ransom of ₦30 million for the release of all three captives.

The two individuals who delivered the initial ransom—identified as Bayode Loco and Isimeri—had taken ₦5 million in cash and some food supplies to the kidnappers as agreed during earlier negotiations. However, upon arrival, they were reportedly held hostage by the same gunmen.

Adepoyigi, a ward chairman in Ose LGA, was abducted from his residence in Ifon town at around 10 p.m. on Monday.

Reports indicate that the attackers beat him with sticks before dragging him away.

His wife, upon hearing his cries, rushed outside only to find that he had already been taken by the armed men.

Vanguard gathered that the kidnappers had initially demanded ₦100 million but later reduced the amount to ₦5 million along with food supplies. After receiving the items, they reversed course and issued a fresh demand.

A party chieftain familiar with the matter revealed, “Those who took the ransom to them, as agreed during negotiations, were held by the same kidnappers.”

“They have now turned around to demand a fresh ₦30 million before they can release all three of them.”

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Local Government, Hon. Kolapo Ojo, confirmed the kidnappers’ initial agreement to reduce their demand.

“The abductors initially agreed to reduce the ransom to ₦5 million and the provision of some food items,” he said.

Ojo expressed concern over the unfolding events and called for calm, assuring that security agencies are actively handling the situation.

Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili has criticised the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over the error that affected the 2025 UTME results.

Recall that JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede, during a press conference, apologised for errors in UTME results and announced that affected students would retake the exams.

Ezekwesili, in a post shared on the X platform on Thursday, asked why JAMB did not address earlier complaints with humility and prompt investigation.

“Why could the authorities not have immediately acted with humility and done an unbiased and swift system check once unusual trends emerged instead of immediately impugning citizens who expressed concern?” she asked.

She also criticised JAMB’s handling of unusual results in the South East States, saying that technical matters require professionalism.

Ezekwesili shared screenshots of her 2018 and 2023 tweets, including one where she called for the redeployment of a former Minister of Education and another where she suggested an independent tech investigation into the controversy surrounding a 2023 UTME candidate.

“If I were President and my Minister of Education concerned herself with the ‘revenue & remittance” of the exam body, JAMB, rather than fixing the integrity & competence testing of the exam system, process & infrastructure, I would immediately REASSIGN her to Airport Toll Gate,” Ezekwesili said in one of her posts.

The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has urged the National Assembly to prioritise funding for the effective development of existing tertiary institutions rather than focusing on the establishment of new ones.

He made this call on Thursday during a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education.

The public hearing, held in Abuja, focused on three critical bills:

1. A Bill to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State (HB.1797).

While the minister expressed support for technical education and skills development, he opposed the establishment of the proposed Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Borno State, citing the federal government’s policy of equitable distribution of federal institutions across states.

He noted that currently, every state—except Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory—already has one federal polytechnic.

“Given the limited resources available, the federal government’s focus should be on strengthening and fully developing existing institutions to ensure they can provide quality education and meet national needs,” Alausa stated.

He emphasised that the expansion of tertiary institutions should not come at the expense of diluting available resources.

Alausa further encouraged states and private investors to establish more private tertiary institutions through the Federal Ministry of Education’s expanded channels.

Meanwhile, the sponsor of the Insecurity and Unemployment Bill, Rep. Usman Balami (PDP–Borno), defended the proposal, arguing that the college would address pressing challenges of insecurity and rising unemployment in Borno State.

He said the institution would offer vocational and entrepreneurship training tailored to equip youths with practical skills for self-reliance and economic empowerment.

“This proposed college will help bridge the gap between academic theory and practical industry needs. It will nurture innovation, promote self-employment, and stimulate economic activities in the region,” Balami asserted.

Of the two proposed amendments to the Federal Polytechnics Act, Alausa raised no objections to most of the provisions.

However, he expressed reservations regarding a clause seeking to include representatives of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on the Governing Councils of polytechnics.

“While these organisations play vital roles, their core mandates do not align with the governance functions of polytechnic councils.

“NBTE is a regulatory body, and MAN focuses on advocacy for manufacturers. Including them on the councils could create conflicts of interest and administrative complexities,” he explained.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Rep. Fuad Laguda (APC–Lagos), acknowledged the importance of technical education and skills acquisition in addressing Nigeria’s unemployment crisis.

“There is a general consensus on the need to expand access to skills-based education to empower our youth. This hearing is an opportunity for robust engagement with stakeholders to ensure that any legislative action taken reflects the best interests of the country,” Laguda said.

He assured stakeholders that all submissions would be carefully considered and commended the Speaker of the House and other House leaders for their support of the committee’s mandate.

“Our goal is to ensure that Nigerians gain greater access to quality education in arts, sciences, technology, humanities, and vocational training, which are essential for national development,” he added.

The committee is expected to deliberate further on the recommendations and concerns raised before presenting a final report to the House of Representatives for legislative action.

The Defence Headquarters on Thursday night dismissed a viral video circulating on social media, which purportedly shows terrorists overrunning a military base in Marte, Borno State, and killing soldiers.

According to the DHQ, the video is part of a disinformation campaign and is unrelated to the recent incident in Marte.

The footage, they clarified, originated from a different location and was first posted online on December 7, 2020.

Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, explained that the video was subjected to forensic analysis and determined to be fake.

He stated, “The attention of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has been drawn to a video currently circulating on social media, falsely presented as footage from the recent attack on troops in Marte, Borno State.”

“Following a thorough analysis by relevant authorities, it has been confirmed that the video is not related to the Marte incident in any form.”

“The visual content, terrain, and operational context clearly indicate that the footage is from an occurrence at a different location which was first posted on 7 December 2020.”

Major General Kangye added that the video is being recycled and manipulated by criminal elements and sympathisers of terrorist groups with the intent to mislead the public and create panic. He said this effort was designed to undermine public confidence in the military’s operations.

He explained, “The video clip is being deliberately recycled and manipulated by criminal elements and sympathisers of terrorist groups to mislead the public and sow seed of fear, while aiming at dissuading the public from the gains being recorded by troops of the AFN in the ongoing operations across the country.”

Providing context to the actual event, he said, “For the avoidance of doubt, troops of AFN in Marte came under attack on Monday 12 May 2025 at about 0300hrs (3 am).”

“However, the troops were able to repel the terrorists after a fierce gun battle, with a large number of terrorists neutralized while others escaped with bullet wounds.”

“Following this, the terrorists resorted to sharing an old clip as propaganda to mislead gullible members of the public.”

The DHQ strongly condemned the spread of the false video and reassured Nigerians of the military’s resolve.

“This act of misinformation is not only malicious but also a failed attempt to demoralize our gallant troops and undermine the confidence of Nigerians in the Armed Forces.”

“The AFN condemns in the strongest terms this reckless dissemination of fake content and warns that those behind such disinformation campaigns will be identified and held accountable in accordance with the law.”

Major General Kangye concluded by reaffirming the military’s commitment: “The Nigerian military remains fully committed and unwavering in its efforts at defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation. Our troops in the North East and across all theatres of operations remain resolute and are making significant progress in dismantling terrorist networks.”

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five individuals in connection with the abduction and sale of a two-week-old baby for N3m.

The suspects, including a woman entrusted with the care of the baby’s teenage mother, are currently in custody following a detailed investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

According to the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Thursday, the case was initially reported at the Ajah Police Division on May 5 by a man who disclosed that his 16-year-old cousin, identified as Miss Happiness, had become pregnant by an unknown individual.

Due to financial hardship, the complainant’s mother had entrusted the pregnant teenager to one Nonye Osi for shelter and care until she gave birth.

However, investigations revealed that Osi conspired with others to relocate the girl to an undisclosed location.

When she was eventually found, she no longer had her pregnancy, and the baby was missing.

Upon transferring the case to SCID for further investigation, detectives arrested five suspects: Osi, Akintan Adedayo, Jimoh Bashiru, Elizabeth Bishop, and Bukola Oladapo.

The suspects were found to have conspired in the sale of the baby.

Following extensive investigative efforts, the two-week-old baby boy was recovered safely from the Agemuwo area of Badagry.

Hundeyin said the child was found in good health.

The case is now being handled by the Gender/Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, which is providing care for the infant pending his reunion with his biological mother.

Hundeyin reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Lagosians.

“The child was found safe and sound. The Gender/Anti-Human Trafficking Unit is currently handling the case and attending to the baby, who is in good health, pending his reunion with his biological mother.

“While investigations are ongoing to bring all involved parties to justice, the Lagos State Police Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents,” he said.

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hashimu Argungu, has identified conflicting roles among security agencies due to unclear mandates as one of the major threats to effective implementation and compliance with criminal justice procedures in Nigeria.

Speaking at a one-day programme titled “The Executive Forum for Efficient Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Regime in Nigeria,” Argungu said it was pertinent to review and explore the challenges of compliance with the administration of criminal justice instruments.

The programmme was organised by CLEEN Foundation in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force, the statement by the PSC Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, reads.

Argungu emphasised the urgent need for clearly defined roles among Nigeria’s security agencies to “eliminate ambiguity and conflict in their operational mandates” while calling for the review of the “country’s passive justice systems” as currently practised at both the federal and state levels.

In his address, Argungu highlighted several other drawbacks affecting the criminal justice system, including “lack of funding, the impact of globalisation and computerisation, inter- and intra-service conflicts, unnecessary competition, and petty jealousy”.

He further noted that “poor coordination and collaboration, ignorance of institutional roles and responsibilities, and the politicisation of crime and security issues” continue to undermine the administration of justice.

This is as he urged both the federal and state governments to urgently review the justice systems in their jurisdictions.

Argungu also appealed to the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to “update Nigeria’s laws to reflect current global realities affecting law enforcement and justice delivery”.

Subsequently, he recommended that the Attorney General of the Federation, along with the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs, should organise workshops for investigative and prosecutorial agencies on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

These workshops, he said, should also “cover the admissibility and use of electronic evidence to enhance successful investigation and prosecution, especially in cases involving suspects residing abroad”.

Argungu further advocated for coordinated efforts among democratic institutions and components of the criminal justice system, stating, “The democratic institutions and other components which constitute the criminal justice system should be encouraged to work in coordination of justice as any organ that acts wrongly may affect the whole system.”

He also urged the National Human Rights Commission to collaborate with key stakeholders involved in the daily operations of the criminal justice system and engage the public for operational support.

…Bans Trousers For Female Soldiers

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, has sparked fresh controversy after declaring that citizens who oppose his father in the upcoming general election will be banished.

He also announced a new policy banning female soldiers from wearing trousers.

Ugandans are expected to head to the polls in January, but the political climate has been growing increasingly hostile, with alleged frequent crackdowns on the opposition.

“Those who do not support Mzee (respectful term for his father) wholeheartedly better be very careful!” he warned in a post on X.

“We will deport all the traitors in public view!!” he added.

The army general, widely seen as Museveni’s heir apparent, is known for his provocative online remarks. Earlier this month, he claimed responsibility for the assault and torture of Eddie Mutwe, bodyguard to opposition leader Bobi Wine.

“I take FULL responsibility, including the long overdue beating of Eddie Mutwe… That was an appetiser!” Kainerugaba boasted.

In another post, Kainerugaba imposed a new dress code for women in the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), mandating skirts instead of trousers.

“Trousers are for men, not for women,” he stated, adding that “Anyone who forces our sisters to put on trousers on parade again will have a very bad day.”

Although women make up a small percentage of the UPDF, they have historically been issued the same uniforms as male soldiers, with skirts typically reserved for ceremonial events.

The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny has successfully deactivated an illegal refining site at Peterside Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The operation, conducted on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, resulted in the impounding of approximately 19,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

According to Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha, Base Operations Officer of FOB Bonny, the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence reports received by the Base.

Acting on the intel, the anti-crude oil theft team, comprising armed personnel, was deployed on an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission to validate the intel and subsequently deactivate any illegal refinery site sighted.

During the operation, the team discovered an active illegal refining site behind the community, equipped with cooking tanks, storage tanks, plastic tanks, and a dug-out pit.

He explained that further assessment revealed that one storage tank was laden with about 5,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, the plastic tanks were laden with about 1,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, while the dug-out pit contained about 1,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

Additionally, a large wooden boat carefully concealed at the entrance of the community was discovered, laden with about 2,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

He stated that the boat was confiscated in line with extant regulations.

In a related development, operatives of the FOB Bonny stationed at the Oputumbi general area, acting on received credible intelligence, intercepted a wooden boat conveying suspected stolen crude oil and promptly confiscated both the boat and its cargo.

The wooden boat was found to be laden with about 10,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally stolen crude oil.

The Base Operations Officer reiterated the determination of the Nigerian Navy to sustain its bullish aggression against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities, warning perpetrators to consider alternative business options.

He reassured stakeholders in the maritime sector of the commitment of the Navy to ensure safe waters for both maritime commuters and businesses within the nation’s maritime domain.

The FOB Bonny confirmed that an investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend the operators of the site.

The Nigerian Navy’s continued efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities have been commended by stakeholders, who appreciate the Navy’s commitment to protecting the nation’s maritime domain.