The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has rescued 14 victims abducted by sea pirates along the Calabar–Oron waterways.

The police said the victims were freed following sustained intelligence-driven operations, inter-agency collaboration, and coordinated efforts targeting criminal elements operating within the maritime corridor.

Force public relations officer, DCP Anthony Placid, announced this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has successfully secured the release of fourteen (14) victims abducted by sea pirates along the Calabar–Oron waterways.

“Acting on credible intelligence, joint operatives intensified surveillance and conducted targeted operations across identified flashpoints, leading to the safe rescue of all victims without harm.

“The rescued victims are currently undergoing medical evaluation and necessary debriefing, after which they will be reunited with their families.”

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the joint security team for the successful operation, describing it as a testament to effective inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-led policing.

The police also assured that efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.

It was reported on April 21 that the abduction occurred when suspected sea pirates intercepted a passenger ferry traveling from Calabar in Cross River State to Oron in Akwa Ibom State.

Initial reports had indicated that the passengers included some Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination candidates, though the official did not confirm that.

This rescue comes days after the incident drew attention from the Senate, which had urged security agencies, including the Navy and Police, to intensify operations along Niger Delta waterways to secure the release of those abducted.

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President Bola Tinubu is receiving Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

According to Punch, both men, dressed in matching sky-blue agbada, entering the Villa at approximately 4:20 pm.

The purpose of the visit had not been officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report.

However, it may be connected to Sani’s new role in the ruling party ahead of the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026.

On April 26, the All Progressives Congress appointed Sani as Chairman of its Ekiti State Governorship Election Campaign Council.

The role places Sani at the centre of the APC campaign in Bamidele’s home state.

Sani is also the APC’s Coordinating Governor for the North-West and was appointed by Tinubu as Renewed Hope Ambassador and Deputy Director-General for party outreach, engagement, and mobilisation in February.

Tuesday’s meeting comes hours after APC nomination forms went on sale.

Bamidele’s return to the Villa comes barely a week after Tinubu rebuffed a push by the extended Senate leadership, which Bamidele was part of, for automatic return tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

At that meeting on April 22, multiple sources told The PUNCH that the President told the senators plainly that state governors, as the leaders of the APC in their respective states, would determine who gets the party’s ticket.

He subsequently formalised his position in a separate meeting with APC governors the following day.

Bamidele had himself described the April 22 meeting as one at which “far-reaching decisions were taken” on “matters of urgent national importance,” following a resolution at a closed executive session of the Senate earlier that day.

The Senate Majority Leader represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District and is one of the most high-profile senators whose re-election prospects are complicated by Tinubu’s stance on letting governors handle the primaries in their states.

His fate at the Senate primaries, now fixed for May 18, will be determined in significant part by his relationship with Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

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Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has announced a three-week break for students following a peaceful protest over persistent transportation challenges and welfare issues on campus.

The protest took place on Tuesday, with students gathering as early as 6 a.m. at the main gate to express frustration over the new CNG-powered bus and tricycle system.

Students complained about long queues, overcrowding, delays, and higher costs, which have disrupted movement across the large campus.

This latest demonstration follows an earlier 72-hour lecture boycott held in mid-April over the same transport problems.

Students also raised concerns about mid-semester eviction from parts of Awolowo Hall and delays in the e-portal system affecting registration and results.

In a statement, the Students’ Union described the protest as peaceful and in line with Great Ife traditions, urging management to provide urgent solutions such as more vehicles and better route coverage.

The three-week break is seen as management’s move to ease tensions and allow time to address the grievances. Students have been asked to vacate the campus while discussions continue.

The situation highlights ongoing difficulties in implementing infrastructure changes while maintaining smooth academic activities at the university.

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The Delta State Commissioner of Police has strongly condemned the extra-judicial killing of a 28-year-old suspect, Mene Ogidi, and ordered the immediate arrest of the officer responsible.

The incident occurred on April 26, 2026, in Effurun, following a tip-off regarding a suspect allegedly attempting to transport a Beretta pistol and ammunition via a waybill service.

According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, a team led by ASP Nuhu Usman was deployed to the scene to take the suspect into custody. However, Edafe noted that ASP Usman discharged his firearm in “clear violation of Force Order 237 and the Standard Operating Procedure of the Nigeria Police Force,” resulting in the death of the suspect.

In response, the Commissioner of Police has directed the Effurun Area Commander to transfer ASP Usman to the State Headquarters in Asaba for disciplinary action. The command reiterated its commitment to accountability and ensuring that officers adhere to the highest professional standards.

‘’The officer has since been queried and transferred to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he will appear before the Force Disciplinary Committee, currently in session, for immediate disciplinary sanction and prosecution.

The Command, in line with the policy of the Nigeria Police Force, emphasizes respect for the rule of law, human rights, professionalism, accountability and public trust. The Command further reaffirms its zero tolerance for lawlessness, recklessness and extra-judicial conduct.” he said

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, assured the bereaved family that the Command is fully committed to ensuring that justice is served.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States has “no closer friends” than the British, as he welcomed King Charles III to the White House on a state visit overshadowed by tensions over the Iran war.

In speech during a pomp-filled welcome featuring a 21-gun salute, Trump’s tone was a world away from the recent broadsides aimed at Britain’s government for failing to join the conflict with Tehran.

“In the centuries since we won our independence, Americans have had no closer friends than the British,” said Trump, referring to the fact that the visit marks the 250th anniversary of the US colonies declaring their freedom from British rule.

Using a phrase prized by British governments since Winston Churchill first used it after World War II, Trump said that the two countries had a “special relationship, and we hope it will always remain that way.”

The US leader also praised the British military, saying that “nobody fought better together” with the United States — despite recently deriding Britain’s two aircraft carriers as “toys.”

After his speech, four US jets roared over the White House in a noisy flypast as Trump, Charles, Queen Camilla and First Lady Melania Trump watched.

On the second day of the four-day state visit, Charles will later address the US Congress and is expected to call in his speech for “reconciliation and renewal” amid the recent strains in ties.

Beautiful British day

A long-term fan of the British royals, Trump appeared in a jovial mood on a rainy Washington morning as he looked to the sky and quipped: “What a beautiful British day this is.”

The 79-year-old president even joked about how his late mother “had a crush on Charles”, who is now 77.

Cannons rang out while a military band played “God Save the King,” the British national anthem, and the Star Spangled Banner, the anthem of the United States.

Charles shook hands with top Trump administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The king and the president — who received his own state visit to Britain last September — inspected troops from different branches of the US armed forces.

A band of soldiers dressed in uniforms from the Revolutionary War that drove the British out of America two and a half centuries ago then marched past, playing fife and drums.

As the ceremony unfolded, construction noise could be heard from the site of the huge $400 million ballroom that Trump is building at the White House.

The Trumps are next due to host the royals in the Oval Office behind closed doors. In the evening, they will return to the White House for a grand state dinner.

Tight security

Security has been tight for the visit, which comes just days after a shooting at a White House Correspondents’ Dinner attended by Trump.

The first day of the trip featured a more informal welcome, with the Trumps treating Charles and Camilla to tea and cakes in the White House before showing them beehives on the famed lawn.

But the second day will feature perhaps the most public-facing moment, when Charles becomes the first British monarch to address Congress since his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in 1991.

It comes at a delicate moment after Trump raged over London’s refusal to help with his war in Iran.

In the 20-minute speech, Charles is expected to appeal to Trump in guarded terms, saying that defending common democratic ideals is “crucial for liberty and equality.”

“Time and again, our two countries have always found ways to come together,” he is expected to say.

But he will have his work cut out to placate the mercurial Republican in the longer term.

Trump has repeatedly lambasted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his war opposition, alongside the country’s immigration and energy policies.

AFP

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The Labour Party, LP, has elected Nenadi Usman as its National Chairman at the party’s national convention held on Tuesday in Umuahia, Abia State.

With her emergence, Usman makes history as the first woman to be elected National Chairman of a political party in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that on Wednesday, 4th September 2024, Usman was appointed to lead the National Caretaker Committee of the party at a NEC meeting in Umuahia, following a leadership vacuum created by the expiration
of the tenure of the former National Working Committee.

She successfully steered the party through a turbulent period marked by leadership disputes, which were ultimately resolved in her favour by the appellate court.

A former Minister of Finance and senator, Usman brings a wealth of experience and proven capacity to her new role.

As the 2027 general elections approach, she bears the immediate responsibility of positioning the party for electoral success.

Following its strong showing in the 2023 general elections, the Labour Party has firmly established itself as a formidable political platform, a foundation Usman is poised to consolidate upon.

Prior to the convention, Usman had been recognised as the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Party by the Independen National Electoral Commission, INEC, following a Federal High Court judgement delivered on 21st January 2026 affirming her leadership.

This decision was subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal in a unanimous judgement delivered on Tuesday, 21st April 2026.

In her acceptance speech, Usman expressed gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in her and pledged to reposition the party
for greater success.

She commended the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, and assured members that she would not let the party down in her new capacity.
Usman also reaffirmed her commitment to fostering unity, peace, and
reconciliation within the party ahead of the next general elections.

In his remarks, Governor Otti charged the newly elected National Working Committee to provide purposeful leadership and strengthen the
party’s structures nationwide.

Others elected into the National Working Committee of the party include Iheanacho Obioma, National Secretary; Mrs Nike Oriola, Deputy National Chairman, Ken Eluma Asogwa, National Publicity Secretary; Mrs Oluchi
Oparah, National Organising Secretary; Comrade Anslem Eragbe, National
Financial Secretary; Hilda Dokubo, National Women Leader.

The newly elected National Working Committee was sworn in at
the convention.

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The Senate on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to repeal the existing Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, 2019 and enact a new legal framework to strengthen funding for the Nigeria Police Force.

The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Bill, 2026 (SB 1030), aims to provide sustainable financing for police equipment, training and welfare, while establishing a new structure for funding the Force.

Debate on the floor was heated, centring on the constitutionality of funding the Police Trust Fund through deductions from the Federation Account.

Leading the concerns, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo warned that a proposed 0.5 per cent deduction could render the bill “null and void” if challenged in court, recalling that a similar arrangement had previously been set aside following opposition from state governors.

He also questioned how funding for the federal police would be harmonised with ongoing discussions around the creation of state police.

Other lawmakers, including Buhari Abdulfatai, argued that the core problem facing the police was not necessarily the volume of funding but the lack of adequate tools and operational support.

He noted that Nigeria currently has about 300,000 police officers serving a population of over 200 million.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, stressed that while there is broad consensus on the need to improve police funding, the overriding concern remains compliance with the Constitution.

“We make the laws; we cannot also break the laws. The Constitution of Nigeria is the ground norm,” he said.

Akpabio urged his colleagues to interrogate whether the bill aligns with Sections 80 and 81 of the Constitution of Nigeria, which regulate withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

In response, Mohammed Tahir Monguno cited Section 80(2) to argue that the National Assembly possesses the authority to legislate expenditures charged to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

However, the Senate President countered that Section 81 requires such expenditures to be incorporated into the annual budget estimates, rather than being implemented as a direct statutory deduction.

Following the debate, Akpabio put the bill to a voice vote, with the “Ayes” prevailing and the legislation scaling second reading.

He noted that a public hearing would address lingering concerns, including accountability for previous Police Trust Fund expenditures, alternative sources of funding, and whether the proposed framework would accommodate state policing structures.

Akpabio also directed the Senate Committee on Police Affairs to brief the leadership on how past Trust Fund allocations were utilised.

The bill has now been referred to the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, which is expected to report back to the chamber within two weeks.

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Former Senate Leader Ali Ndume has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving ₦68 billion operational support for the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant (MEPP).

The funding, to be released in phases from March 2026 to December 2028, aims to address power shortages in Borno State, exacerbated by insurgent attacks on infrastructure.

Ndume said this in Abuja Monday, explaining that stable power will boost economic activities, support SMEs, and complement military efforts against insurgents.

The federal lawmaker said, “I join the Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Zulum and other well-meaning citizens of my state to express
profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this great gesture, aimed at ensuring stable electricity in the state.

“The fund released to the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant is a lifeline that would ultimately engender economic activities, particularly operations of Medium and Small Scale Enterprises (SMES).

“As the saying goes, an idle mind is a devil’s workshop. When the informal sector thrives in a place like Borno state, the government would have succeeded in cutting off the supply chain for recruitment of able-bodied men by the terrorists.

“Apart from that, the stimulus for the seamless operations of our military would have been strengthened.”

The former Senate Chief Whip equally urged the relevant federal and state agencies, the military and the citizenry to ensure that power infrastructures were no longer destroyed, either by insurgents or the nefarious activities of vandals.

“It is to the eternal credit of the federal government that it has responded speedily to our lamentations over power shortage.

“I urge our people to be vigilant and assist the security agencies in checking the excesses of vandals.

“We owe it a duty to safeguard the facilities as the benefits of stable electricity are numerous. When power is restored, it will boost economic activities and improve livelihoods. It will also strengthen efforts to address security challenges.”

He urged citizens to safeguard power facilities and assist security agencies in preventing vandalism.

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has initiated an investigation into the viral social media storm surrounding a loaf of bread that reportedly remained fresh for nearly two months.

The probe follows widespread public concern sparked by a TikTok video posted by Abuja-based shop owner Love Dooshima (also known as “Love”).

In the video, she expressed alarm over a loaf of bread widely believed to be from Bon Bread that showed no signs of mold or spoilage even after sitting on her shelf for about two months.

She cautioned viewers about potential food safety implications and the heavy use of preservatives in some commercial breads.

The video quickly went viral, triggering intense online debate about bread production standards, excessive preservatives, and consumer rights in Nigeria.

Bon Bread’s CEO, Maria Abdulkadir (also referred to as Maria Umeagwukadilo), strongly defended the company’s products, describing them as safe.

The company responded by filing a ₦50 million lawsuit against Dooshima, alleging reputational damage and defamation.

The situation escalated when police in Abuja detained Dooshima for questioning over the review. She was later released following interventions, including from senior police authorities and public outcry.

Critics argued that the matter should have been handled by regulatory bodies rather than through police action or civil suits.

The FCCPC’s involvement comes amid growing calls for official intervention by the Commission and NAFDAC to test the product, verify compliance with safety standards, and address broader concerns over food preservatives and shelf-life practices in the industry.

Consumer rights advocates have welcomed the probe, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve transparent information about the safety and quality of everyday food items.

The investigation is expected to examine whether the bread in question meets regulatory requirements and to clarify the balance between freedom of consumer expression and business reputation.

This case has highlighted tensions between brands, online reviewers, and regulators in Nigeria’s digital age.

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