NEWS
INEC Assures of Swift Conclusion of Electoral Processes
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured the electoral process for Saturday’s presidential and national assembly would be done with swiftly.
Chairman, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, where he also assured that electoral umpire would be unbiased.
He acknowledged that the populace had become anxious, which informs why the INEC would double up to ensure that collation and announcement of the result would be done quickly.
On when INEC would announce the winner of the elections, Prof Yakubu said, “We will ensure that it is done speedily but I can’t put a finger on the number of days or hours it would take. But it will be done speedily.
“We are aware of the anxiety and the need for us to conduct the process quickly, so it will be concluded quickly.”
And on the effect of the naira scarcity on the electioneering, he explained that the cash provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had been distributed to states and would be utilised to pay for unbanked services.
“It is not all our operations that are paid for by cash. In fact, the bank of our operations for the procurement of work, goods, and services are paid for electronically but we need a small amount of money to pay for the unbanked who render critical services, particularly at the local level.
“We anticipated this challenge and we interacted with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the CBN promised us that for the little amount that we need to pay for services in cash they will make the funds available to us and they have done so, and these funds have already been accessed by our state offices for the election.
“That’s why the movement of personnel and materials in the last couple of days ahead of the election tomorrow (today) has gone unhindered.
“The processes will not suffer encumbrances. It is not every aspect of our operations that we need to be remunerated by cash. Only a small aspect of our activities will be remunerated by cash.”
On the death of the Labour Party’s Enugu East Senatorial candidate, he said, “Remember a party lost its candidate and the law says we should allow the party to replace its candidate if it wishes to continue to participate in the election. So, I expect the party will conduct primaries as early as next week and submit the name of the candidate to the commission.
“It only follows logically that that candidate should also campaign ahead of the election but the law is very clear that campaign for all elections will end 24 hours before the election.”
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has explained the reason behind the suspension of the 2026 Batch B Stream I Orientation Course for prospective corps members deployed to Niger State.
In a notice shared on its official X account on Sunday, the scheme said the orientation exercise was put on hold due to ongoing renovation work at the state’s orientation camp.
According to the NYSC, the temporary suspension affects all prospective corps members (PCMs) posted to Niger State for the current orientation programme.
SEE ALSO: NYSC Under Fire As Sowore Plans Protest Over Withheld Certificate of Corps Member
“This is to notify the General Public and Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) deployed to Niger State for the 2026 Batch B Stream I Orientation Course that their Orientation Course Exercise is suspended for now due to ongoing renovation work at the Orientation Camp,” the statement read.
The scheme assured affected corps members that alternative arrangements would be communicated soon, noting that they would be informed of a new reporting date and venue once preparations are completed.
“PCMs affected should note that they will be contacted at a short notice on where and when to report for their Orientation Course,” the NYSC added.
The management also apologised for the inconvenience caused to both the prospective corps members and their parents.
“The Management regrets all inconveniences to the affected PCMs and their parents,” the statement said.
The suspension comes months after a devastating windstorm damaged critical facilities at the NYSC orientation camp in Paiko, located in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The storm reportedly affected several structures, including male hostels, the multipurpose hall, kitchen and staff quarters.
Following the incident, the Niger State Government commenced rehabilitation and renovation works aimed at restoring the camp’s infrastructure to a suitable condition for hosting corps members.
While the 2026 Batch B Stream I Orientation Course began nationwide on June 10 and is expected to conclude on June 30, corps members posted to Niger State will now have to await further directives from the NYSC regarding their orientation exercise.
The Nigerian Army has recorded another success in its ongoing offensive against terrorism and banditry in Zamfara State, forcing terrorists to flee their hideout, destroying their camp, and rescuing three kidnapped victims.
According to an operational report released on Saturday, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, carried out the operation on June 12 across communities in Zurmi and Shinkafi Local Government Areas of the state.
The report stated that troops conducting a fighting patrol through Birnin Saba, Yanbuki, and Sabon Garin Daudawa communities came into contact with terrorists operating in the Yanbuki District of Zurmi LGA.
SEE ALSO: How Troops Forced Kidnappers to Abandon Two Bank Staff in Taraba
During the encounter, troops engaged the criminals in a gun battle, successfully neutralising one terrorist while others escaped into nearby areas.
Security forces recovered several items from the scene, including rifles, four magazines loaded with ammunition, two motorcycles, seven mobile phones, two MP3 players, woodland camouflage trousers, and an inner vest.
Maintaining pressure on the fleeing terrorists, the troops advanced toward Sabon Garin Daudawa. On sighting the approaching soldiers, the terrorists reportedly abandoned their camp and fled.
The troops subsequently cleared the area and destroyed the camp to prevent it from serving as a base for future criminal operations.
In the course of the clearance operation, three kidnapped victims were rescued and safely evacuated from the area.
The military said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to rid Zamfara and other parts of the North-West of terrorist and bandit groups responsible for attacks, kidnappings, and other criminal activities.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations across the region until lasting peace and security are restored to affected communities.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a shipment of weapons allegedly destined for a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Zamfara State and arrested a suspected arms courier in Kano State.
According to an operational report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the suspect was apprehended on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State following intelligence-led operations by DSS operatives.
ALSO READ: Pastor Escapes Into Bush as Gunmen Kidnap His 9-Year-Old Son in Ondo Attack
The report disclosed that the suspect was intercepted while transporting a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Funtua in Katsina State, from where the weapons were expected to be delivered to criminal elements.
Items recovered from the suspect included three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.
Security sources said preliminary investigations linked the weapons consignment to a suspected bandit leader believed to be operating in parts of Zamfara State.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed that he had been contracted to move the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.
The report noted that investigations are ongoing to uncover the network behind the arms trafficking operation and identify other individuals connected to the movement of the weapons.
Authorities described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in efforts to disrupt the flow of arms and ammunition to criminal groups responsible for violent attacks, kidnappings, and other security threats across the North-West region.
The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to face further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.
The development comes as security agencies continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling logistics networks that support banditry, terrorism, and other forms of organised crime across Nigeria.
Why NYSC Stopped Orientation Exercise for Corps Members in Niger State
Nigeria’s Crude Output Grows to 12m Barrels on Utapate, Cawthorne
Ekpo Urges Entrepreneurs to Harness Nigeria’s Gas Resources for Economic Growth, General Wellbeing
Terrorists on the Run as Troops Destroy Camp, Rescue Kidnap Victims in Zamfara
Why Nigerians Think I’m Wicked — Patience Ozokwor Finally Reveals the Truth
DSS Foils Arms Smuggling Operation, Arrests Suspect Linked to Zamfara Bandit Leader
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
