Modibbo Umar, charge d’affaires at the Nigerian embassy in Riyad, says pilgrims performing the 2025 hajj without a permit are liable to a 100,000 riyals fine, a 10-year ban and deportation.

Mr Umar said this at the hajj 2025 pre-Arafat stakeholders’ meeting organised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in Mecca on Monday.

He stated during the 2024 hajj, the fine for illegally performing pilgrimage without a permit was 50,000 riyals.

He, therefore, urged Nigerian pilgrims to be law-abiding and follow the rules and regulations of their host, Saudi authorities.

“We should also let our people around here know that the Saudi authorities this year have sent very strong signals that hajj without a permit will not be condoned.

“They have raised the stake. Last year, the fine for illegally performing hajj without a permit was 50,000 riyals, but this time around, their message is 100,000 riyals, including deportation and being banned from the kingdom for 10 years. So, please, I urge you to tell our people all this,” he said.

Mr Umar also urged Nigerian pilgrims to pray for Nigeria in order to leave a better country for future generations.

“We would like to use this opportunity to call on all our pilgrims who are in this holy session of the hajj to pray for our country and Muslims all over the world. May we have a world that is far better than what it is now for our children and our grandchildren,” he said.

NAHCON chairman Abdullahi Saleh said the common goal of the Pre-Arafat Stakeholders’ meeting was to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims receive the benefits and services they deserve.

Officials on Tuesday reported that more than 200 prisoners in Karachi have escaped after they were permitted to leave their cells following a series of earthquake tremors.

Zia-ul- Hasan Lanjar, the provincial law minister, told reporters at the scene that hundreds of prisoners were allowed into the jail courtyard due to the tremors.

“There was panic here because of earthquake tremors,” said Mr Lanjar, adding that it was hard to control a throng of up to 1,000 people.

The jailbreak began just before midnight on Monday and carried on till the early hours of Tuesday, he said.

Police said the prisoners snatched guns from prison staff, leading to a shootout, and then forced open the main gate.

On Tuesday, a Reuters reporter at the site saw shattered glass and damaged electronic equipment inside the jail.

A meeting room for prisoners to see their families had been ransacked.

Anxious family members gathered outside the jail on Tuesday.

Mr Lanjar said this was one of the largest jailbreaks ever in Pakistan.

The prison in the Malir district of Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city, is in a poor residential and industrial neighbourhood.

Local footage also showed prisoners running through the area through the night, some barefoot, chased by police.

The police were able to round some up into police vans, the footage showed.

Provincial police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said that most of the inmates had been involved in small-time crimes like drug addiction.

Mr Memon added that at least one prisoner was killed in the shooting, which also wounded three prison staff.

Murad Ali Shah, the provincial chief minister, said that around 80 prisoners had so far been caught, adding that it was a mistake for the prison authorities to have allowed the inmates out of their cells.

He warned those still at large to hand themselves in or face a serious charge for breaking out.

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity have launched the 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index Methodology Handbook.

The event, held in Abuja on Monday, drew participation from senior officials and representatives of ministries, departments, and agencies across the country.

Now in its fifth year, the TII offers a consistent framework for evaluating over 500 national and sub-national bodies across five key governance pillars.

These pillars include Fiscal Transparency, Open Procurement, Control of Corruption, Human Resources and Inclusion, and Citizens Engagement.

The revised methodology is anchored in national laws and international frameworks, including the UN Convention Against Corruption.

It promotes the proactive online disclosure of essential information, such as budgets, procurement records, staff data, and anti-corruption policies.

In his keynote address, the secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume, highlighted the TII’s relevance to national development and accountability.

Mr Akume said transparency and integrity form the foundation of public trust.

“Through TII implementation, we can drive a culture of accountability, transparency, and inclusivity in public administration,” he said.

He urged MDAs to adopt the methodology and embed it within their operational frameworks for improved governance and ethical service delivery.

Presenting the updated methodology, CeFTPI executive director Umar Yakubu stressed the importance of proactive information disclosure by public institutions.

“Institutional performance is assessed by the publication of statutory data, including budgets, staff records, procurement details, and anti-corruption measures.

“Each of the five categories carries equal weight, with scoring based on accessibility, completeness, and legal compliance,” Mr Yakubu explained.

He clarified that the index was intended to drive reform, not embarrass institutions, by encouraging self-assessment and transparency.

“The TII serves as a preventive tool against corruption. MDAs should carefully review the criteria and work towards improved openness,” he stated.

The 2025 evaluation is currently underway, with final rankings scheduled for release on September 28, International Day for Universal Access to Information.

Mr Yakubu urged MDAs to align with the revised methodology to strengthen public confidence and enhance service delivery outcomes.

BPSR director-general Dasuki Arabi commended CeFTPI’s efforts and noted that the index aligns with Nigeria’s broader reform goals.

“There is increasing compliance with the TII framework. The updated methodology addresses emerging governance challenges and fosters continuous improvement,” he said.

According to him, the index supports Executive Order 001 on public service transparency and backs the Tinubu administration’s economic reform agenda.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration will ensure that residents of the Guzape and Kpaduma communities, who are affected by road construction in the area, are duly compensated without delay.

FCT minister Nyesom Wike made the pledge during a meeting with traditional rulers and representatives of the Kpaduma and Guzape communities in Abuja on Monday regarding the road project.

He explained that the meeting was to address concerns about the delay in relocating affected villagers living on the road corridor.

The minister expressed concerns over the continued presence of the residents on the road corridor marked for construction to ease traffic and boost connectivity within Abuja.

He assured the traditional leaders and community members of the government’s commitment to ensure justice and fairness to everyone affected.

Mr Wike promised that every affected individual would be duly compensated, adding that a right of occupancy for new resettlement areas would be provided without delay.

The FCT minister directed the director of resettlement to evaluate the cost of resettling the affected residents. He pointed out that the compensation rate was too meagre and asked the director to increase it by 100 per cent.

“Increase their rate. If they are supposed to get N50, give them N100. We are not here to displace anyone unjustly. This is about building a better Abuja for all.

“We will ensure your people are properly compensated and given legal documents for their new homes,” Mr Wike said.

He, however, clarified that compensation would be paid only for structures along the road corridor, not the entire community.

The minister reiterated the critical importance of the road project to the overall development plan of the capital city. He acknowledged the deep-rooted attachment the communities have to their ancestral lands and appealed for their understanding.

According to him, the government’s development efforts must sometimes involve difficult decisions.

The traditional leaders, led by the Sa’peyi of Garki, Usman Nga-Kupi, commended Mr Wike for his transparency and willingness to engage them directly.

Mr Nga-Kupi acknowledged the benefits the road project would bring to the area and pledged their resolve to cooperate and support the resettlement process.

“We are grateful for the minister’s assurance and the respect shown to our people.

“We will support this effort in the interest of peace and progress”, the community leader said.

More than 10,000 Israeli soldiers have been killed or injured since the start of Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, a senior military officer has said, according to Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth daily.

The figure includes combat injuries and psychological trauma, although the official toll is far lower.

“We have a shortage of more than 10,000 soldiers who have been killed or injured and a few thousand who repeatedly enter the cycle of post-traumatic stress disorder,” the unnamed officer was quoted as saying.

The officer did not provide specific details or a breakdown of the figure.
According to official figures from the Israeli military, at least 861 soldiers have been killed and 5,921 others injured in the Gaza war since October 2023.

Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has pursued a devastating offensive in Gaza since October 2023, killing nearly 54,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

Aid agencies have warned about the risk of famine among the enclave’s more than two million.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war crimes against civilians in the enclave

The Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps has warned motorists against drunk driving and recklessness to minimise road crashes during the Sallah celebrations.

Temitope Oseni, the Ijako unit commander of TRACE, gave the warning on Tuesday in Ota, Ogun.

Ms Oseni said that the warning became necessary to prevent unnecessary loss of lives during the Eld-el-Kabir celebrations.

She noted that motorists were accustomed to flouting traffic rules and regulations, especially during festive periods, which resulted in road crashes.

“We are warning them ahead to refrain from reckless driving and desist from taking intoxicating substances that could affect their sense of reasoning negatively, thereby leading to loss of lives and properties.

“In addition, they should ensure that their vehicles are in good condition and plan their journeys to prevent travelling at night because of poor visibility.

“They should also stop driving against one-way (sic) and abide by all the rules and regulations of the road to reduce fatality rates in case of any crash,” the TRACE commander said.

She also urged market women to desist from placing their goods on the roads to prevent being rammed by vehicles.

The federal government had declared Friday and Monday as public holidays for the Muslim faithful to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir across the country.

Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA)
Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA)
The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency has announced the development of 27 natural medicines and health supplements within the last two years.

The agency’s director-general, Martins Emeje, who disclosed this in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja, credited the milestone to targeted local research and development efforts aimed at addressing Nigeria’s pressing healthcare needs and reducing reliance on imported pharmaceuticals.

“We have successfully developed 27 products. Five already have NAFDAC registration numbers, while 18 are undergoing regulatory assessment. Most of them have NAFDAC application numbers and are at the final stages of evaluation,” Mr Emeje said.

He said all the products were developed using 100 per cent indigenous resources, plants, soil, water, and animals—backed by scientific research and aimed at solving local health problems.

He listed the products to include remedies for sickle cell disease, diabetes, ulcers, diarrhoea, immune support, anti-ageing, and malaria prevention, among others.

Mr Emeje attributed the progress to the strengthened political will and policy support under the current administration, especially through the 2022 National Policy on Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Mr Emeje reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to driving natural medicine research and development with a vision to position Nigeria as a continental leader in evidence-based traditional medicine innovation.

Meanwhile, the NNMDA has called on private sector players, non-governmental organisations, and faith-based institutions to invest in research and development.

Mr Emeje said, “We are all aware that there is high competition for the limited and scarce resources, which is why it is important the private sector gets actively involved.

“With the high competition for limited resources, it’s essential that private organisations, including banks, pharmaceutical, chemical, agricultural and food industries, as well as churches and NGOs, actively invest in R&D.”

He noted that such investments would not only foster national development but also benefit the funders, who would retain ownership of the intellectual property and commercial outputs of any research they support in line with global best practices.

According to Mr Emeje, such investments would not only foster national development but also benefit the funders, who would retain ownership of the intellectual property and commercial outputs of any research they support in line with global best practices.

“If you fund research, you own the result; the government benefits through the skill acquisition and equipment retention by institutions, but the intellectual property and commercial output belongs to the funder.

“The private organisations should feel free to talk to us, to make deals with us, to negotiate, sign Memorandums of Understanding because, in the end, it will be a win-win situation.

“You get a product or service out there, you get your profit, you recoup your investment, the community is better because the solution to the problems in the community will become available to our people,” Mr Emeje said.

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo executed at least 21 civilians over two days in February in the eastern city of Goma, Human Rights Watch said in a report published on Tuesday.

The report covers incidents on February 22 and 23 in a Goma neighbourhood, offering a snapshot of the violence during the latest escalation of the decades-long conflict.

The 21 slain civilians included six men and one woman shot in the head near Katindo military camp in Goma on February 22. HRW stated that M23 was responsible, citing a witness.

“Commanders and combatants who directly ordered or carried out abuses should be held criminally accountable,” Human Rights Watch said in the report.

M23 rebels have seized eastern Congo’s two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu, in an offensive that began in January.

The unprecedented advance has killed thousands of people and forced hundreds of thousands to flee.

In a separate incident, M23 killed people and dumped their bodies at a construction site less than 100 metres away from their camp.

These included a 15-year-old who was taken from his home and later found dead at the site, HRW said, citing a relative and a neighbour.

According to HRW, Goma’s Kasika neighbourhood was targeted because it had previously housed Congolese army barracks.

The violence continued in the neighbourhood a day later, on February 23, when M23 rounded up around 20 young men at a nearby sports field, according to the report.

A witness told HRW the rebels accused the young men of being members of the army. Three who tried to run away were shot.

An M23 leader stated that the group would investigate the allegations and publish its findings.

M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa told Reuters, “HRW allows us to mirror ourselves. We respect this organisation despite its past accusations, which proved to be false’’.

HRW said the overall toll in Goma is likely to be higher, with medical workers reporting that over 50 bodies were collected from the Kasika area over the two days.

Other organisations have previously reported grievous crimes committed in eastern Congo since M23 seized swaths of territory.

Amnesty International in March said rebels had raided hospitals in Goma for wounded Congolese soldiers and taken 130 people, including caregivers. Many were tortured, and some are still missing.

UNICEF also reported a five-fold surge in rape cases treated across 42 health centres in eastern Congo, in February, describing it as the worst sexual violence seen there in years.

Almost a third of the victims were children, UNICEF said.

In one example, a mother reported that her six daughters, the youngest just 12 years old, were raped by armed men searching for food.

The conflict in eastern Congo is rooted in the spillover of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the struggle over Congo’s vast mineral resources.

Rwanda denies UN allegations that it supports the M23, stating that its forces are acting in self-defence against the Congolese army and allied militias.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may skip the upcoming G7 summit in Canada later this month for the first time in six years.

The decision is reportedly due to ongoing tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa, according to India Today, which reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Though India is not a G7 member, it has been invited to recent summits as a guest.

Mr Modi has attended the last five G7 gatherings, but sources say he is unlikely to participate in this year’s meeting, scheduled for June 15-17 in Canada.

The report also noted that India had not yet received an official invitation to the event.

Sources indicated that New Delhi had no current plans to attend, emphasising that bilateral relations needed to improve before such a high-level visit could take place.

Security concerns were also cited as a factor influencing Mr Modi’s potential absence.

Despite the diplomatic chill, Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand told The Globe and Mail on May 29 that Canada remains interested in strengthening ties with India.

Relations between the two countries have been strained since September 2023, when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Modi government of involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

India strongly rejected the allegation, calling it “baseless”.

The diplomatic fallout led to both nations expelling several diplomats, and relations were currently downgraded, with no ambassadors in place in either country.

Marwan Adamu, national president of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, on Monday, said all the organs of the union would meet to review and take necessary action following the feedback from the ongoing strike.

Mr Adamu stated this while reacting to reports that workers of the Supreme Court and the National Judicial Council had withdrawn from the industrial action declared by the national body.

JUSUN’s national body, in a circular by its acting national secretary, M.J. Akwashiki, on May 30, had asked all its chapters’ chairpersons to, effective from midnight on Sunday, June 1, direct all their members to stay at home.

It stated that the directive followed unfruitful meetings, particularly with the Minister of Labour and Employment, who was attempting to conciliate on their matter.

“We believe that, as directed by the organs of the union, National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) of our great union, the action will continue until further notice.

“Our demands are for the government to pay us five months wage awards and implement the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, as well as the 25/35 per cent salary increase,” JUSUN had said.

At the Supreme Court on Monday, business activities were proceeding unhindered, and courts were also in session. However, at the NJC, the office was not shut down.

Reacting, Mr Adamu said there was no division in the leadership of JUSUN.

On why the workers at the Supreme Court and NJC refused to join the strike, Mr Adamu said, “There are leaders of the JUSUN chapter at the Supreme Court; you should have asked them.

“They are in the position to tell you why they are not complying. We have agreed to go on a strike. It is not an individual matter. It is a decision of the organ.

“If one of the organs is not complying, it is their duty to tell you why they are not complying.”

According to him, it is not an issue of division.

The president emphasised that the judiciary workers at the state level were not part of the ongoing industrial action because their demands did not affect them.

Mr Adamu, therefore, said that all the organs of the union would meet to review the level of compliance.

He said he could not tell how long the strike would last.

“Currently, as I am speaking with you, a meeting at the instance of the chief justice of Nigeria is taking place now. And if the meeting is not combined, there is going to be another meeting with other stakeholders at the Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

“If the demands are met, it will be resolved, but I can’t tell you when the strike will be called off,” he said.

The Supreme Court, in a communique issued at the end of its meeting, stated that workers decided not to join the industrial action after assessing the issues and considering the efforts of the CJN to meet their demands.

The communique confirmed that the CJN had already visited the presidency and presented their demands in order to have them fully resolved.

The communique, signed by 12 principal officers of the Supreme Court chapter of JUSUN, led by chairman Danladi Nda, stated that joining the June 2 strike would amount to misplacing priority and neglect, resulting in an exercise in futility.

The North East Development Commission has inaugurated seven infrastructure and capacity-building projects in Yobe, reaffirming its commitment to the reconstruction and long-term development of the North-East region.
NEDC chief executive Mohammed Alkali announced this during the inauguration in Damaturu on Monday.

He highlighted the key completed projects, including the new state office complex, ICT centres in Damaturu, Gashua, and Potiskum, as well as the newly built mega schools in Buni Yadi and Potiskum.

“We are decentralising our operations to bring development closer to the people.

“Yobe is the first state to receive a commissioned NEDC office among the six North-East states, reflecting the state’s readiness and partnership,” Mr Alkali said.

He said NEDC had also constructed a 250-seat lecture auditorium at Yobe State University and installed solar streetlights in various communities to enhance security and promote nighttime economic activities.

Mr Alkali said that 12 additional projects were at advanced stages of completion across the state and would soon be commissioned.

In his remarks, Governor Mai Mala Buni appealed for further support in road infrastructure, water supply, housing, and youth empowerment programmes.

Mr Buni called for the rehabilitation of strategic road corridors, including the Damaturu–Mazagum and Gaidam–Damasak roads, and the expansion of potable water and shelter projects to support displaced communities.

Earlier, Uba Ahmadu, the minister of state for regional development, commended the commission for its consistency in delivering impactful projects in alignment with the federal government’s renewed hope agenda.

Mr Ahmadu noted that the ministry, established in October 2024, was created to coordinate sustainable growth across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones through regional development commissions.

The minister outlined the federal government’s eight priority intervention areas for the North-East, including security and stabilisation programmes, education and vocational training, and renewable energy initiatives. Others are maternal and child health services, agro-industrial development, infrastructure rehabilitation, and humanitarian assistance.

Mr Ahmadu also unveiled plans for future transformative projects, including the establishment of a North-East regional airline and a rail line linking the region to Calabar port. Others are a pharmaceutical company, a regional power utility firm, and integrated agricultural processing hubs

The police command in Bauchi has apprehended a man for raping his 15-year-old stepdaughter in the Yalwa Tsakani area of the Bauchi metropolis.

The police operatives saved the 37-year-old suspect from being lynched by irate youths, who accused him of sexually abusing the teenage girl.

The spokesman for the command, CSP Ahmed Wakil, who confirmed the arrest on Monday in Bauchi, stated that the victim’s father had reported the case to the police in the area.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect married the victim’s mother and allegedly sexually assaulted her whenever the mother was asleep.

“He sneaked into her room and engaged in non-consensual acts on multiple occasions.

“The victim, suffering in silence, confided in the neighbours, leading to a coordinated action that caught the suspect in the act,” he said.

Mr Wakil said the victim had been referred to a medical facility for examination and care, while the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.

He reiterated the commitment of the command to maintaining peace and security while ensuring justice for victims of abuse.

The Federal Government has declared Friday June 6 and Monday June 9 as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government. He congratulated all Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion.

He called on the Muslim Ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and faith as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

The Minister in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, assured Nigerians, the people-oriented reforms and initiatives carried out, in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s Administration, is to restore Nigeria on the path of progress.

While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-ul- Adha celebration, the Minister urged all Nigerians to join hands with the present administration in its efforts to restore the glory of Nigeria as a great nation.

The Achalla community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra has pledged to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to tackle insecurity.

The traditional ruler of the community, Ositadimma Nwokedi (Eze Oranyelu I of Achalla Kingdom), made the pledge on Sunday during a courtesy visit to his palace by the state commissioner of police, Ikioye Orutugu.

“We will collaborate with the police and other security agencies to enhance safety and order in Achalla and Anambra state,” he said.

Mr Nwokedi appreciated the commissioner for the visit.

Earlier, Mr Orutugu said the visit was to promote alternative dispute resolution to bring the stakeholders in the community together.

According to Mr Orutugu, this visit aims to promote security dialogue in addressing matters of concern among community stakeholders and foster collaboration to combat the common enemy threatening the state.

He sought greater cooperation from the community’s indigenous residents to continue denying the criminal elements the space to wreak havoc.

The Debt Management Office (DMO), on behalf of the federal government, has offered two savings bonds for subscription at N1,000 per unit.

According to a statement by the DMO on Monday in Abuja, the first offer is a two-year FGN savings bond due on June 11, 2027, at an interest rate of 16.121 per cent per annum.

The second offer is a three-year FGN savings bond due on June 11, 2028, at an interest rate of 17.121 per cent per annum.

“Offer opens on June 2 and closes on June 6; the settlement date is June 11, while coupon payment dates are September 11, December 11, March 11 and June 11.

“They are offered at N1,000 per unit, with a minimum subscription of N5,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter, subject to a maximum subscription of N50 million.

“Interest is payable quarterly while bullet repayment (principal sum) is on maturity,” it said.

It assured that FGN savings bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the FGN and charged upon the general assets of Nigeria.

“They qualify as securities where trustees can invest under the Trustee Investment Act.

“They qualify as government securities within the meaning of the Company Income Tax Act and Personal Income Tax Act for tax exemption for pension funds amongst other investors.

“They are listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited and qualify as liquid assets for liquidity ratio calculation for banks,” it said.

FGN savings bonds are a government-backed security issued by the DMO on behalf of the federal government.

They are designed to provide a safe and accessible investment opportunity for individuals and small-scale investors.

They are considered one of the safest investments in Nigeria because there is virtually no default risk.

They offer fixed interest rates, providing predictable returns. Unlike general FGN bonds, which often have high minimum subscription amounts, FGN savings bonds are tailored for retail investors, allowing for lower entry barriers.

The government uses the funds raised from these bonds to finance various projects and budget deficits.

Judiciary workers under the Supreme Court, National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal High Court (FHC) have pulled out of the planned strike due to begin on Monday.

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had directed its members in all federal courts nationwide and other judicial institutions to withdraw their services from Monday.

A communique signed by 12 principal officers of the Supreme Court chapter of JUSUN, led by Danladi Nda, said that joining the June 2 strike would amount to misplacement of priority and neglect and would result in an exercise in futility.

The apex court workers noted that they opted out as a result of cogent and verifiable assurances extracted from the intervention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

They confirmed that the CJN had already visited the presidency and tabled their demands to get them resolved fully.

“Lower sister courts’ position on the planned nationwide strike cannot be managed by us in the Supreme Court as it will put the CJN’s efforts in vain, jeopardy and swept under the carpet.

“We pray that our colleagues be calm and allow the efforts of the CJN to achieve meaningful results,” the principal officers said.

The communique hinted that the Supreme Court chapter of JUSUN has commenced discussions with all the federal chapters to see the reason and drop the planned nationwide industrial action for now.

“We urge those insisting to participate in the strike action to be patient and calm and go along with the CJN to achieve a deserved result”, the communique said.

NJC, in a statement by Joel Ebiloma, the public relations officer (PRO) of the JUSUN NJC chapter, had hinted that a two-week grace period was granted to the concerned authorities to enable them to put their house in order and meet their demands.

The union said the strike was put on hold to allow relevant stakeholders to engage the necessary authorities.

It is to ensure that the Accountant-General of the Federation releases the statutory allocations to the Judiciary based on the 2025 Appropriation, in which the arrears of the Wage Award, minimum wage, and the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase have been captured.

The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commiserated with the people of Mokwa Local Government Area over the devastating flood disaster that wreaked havoc in the area.

In a condolence message made on Sunday, the state chairman of CAN,
Bulus Yohanna, assured them of continuous prayers.

“On behalf of the entire Christendom in the state, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones, and we stand with everyone who has suffered in this disaster,” he said.

Mr Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, commended both the federal and state governments for directing all relevant MDAs and emergency response agencies to mobilise resources to support the affected people.

He urged all residents of Mokwa to remain hopeful and proactive in the recovery efforts so that the community can emerge stronger from the crisis.

“While we continue in our prayers for you, we urge you to remain hopeful and resilient,” he added.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the disruption of water supply in Abuja city and some satellite towns is due to the ongoing major rehabilitation of two treatment plants.

Mr Wike disclosed this in a statement by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Sunday.

He stated that the treatment plants were among the four facilities responsible for producing and supplying water to FCT residents.

The minister said that due to the ongoing rehabilitation of the plants, water supply from the two functioning treatment plants would be rationed for two weeks.

“What is being experienced is a partial and not a total shutdown of the entire water supply to the residents of FCT, as two of the water treatment plants are still in operation.

“SCC Nigeria Ltd. is, however, working 24/7 to ensure that the rehabilitation is concluded before the scheduled time.

“Residents are, therefore, urged to store enough water to cater for their needs during this period, as supply will be rationed,’’ he said.

Mr Wike appealed to the residents to bear with the FCT Administration, assuring that the rehabilitation, when completed, would improve the water supply.

He, however, said the two plants undergoing rehabilitation would be temporarily powered to supply water to residents during Sallah celebrations.

“The FCT Water Board operates four water treatment plants of 30,000m3/hour, which are divided into Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4.

“As a result of the inefficiency of the plants, which are currently producing below their installed capacity, a contract was awarded for their rehabilitation to Messrs SCC Nigeria Ltd.

“The rehabilitation works have reached an advanced stage on Phases 1 and 2 where the electro-mechanical equipment, which is the prime mover of the treatment plants, are to be replaced and reinstalled.

“This warranted a total shutdown of the two plants, which are interconnected. However, phases 3 and 4 water treatment plants are operational but won’t sustain, meet or cater for the demands of the populace,” the minister said.

Mr Wike said the water board had made a rationing timetable by alternating between lines one and two of the distribution network.

According to him, this will minimise the adverse effects of inadequate water supply to FCT residents.

The Lagos State government on Sunday warned Alaba Rago Market traders of possible closure if they fail to comply with the state’s environmental rules within 24 hours.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said this while speaking with journalists after inspecting the Alaba Rago Market and other areas.

Among the places visited by the commissioner were Idi-Araba and its environs, as well as Orile-Iganmu.

He said the market was sealed up last year for environmental infractions, adding that a decision would be taken if they failed to clean up the environment within 24 hours.

“We have been to Alabarago before sometime last year, and we had to seal the market for them to do the right thing.

“Unfortunately, we may have to thread that part, but by tomorrow evening, we will determine if we should or we shouldn’t.

“They now turn the place into a waste system point to dump their waste. They turned the markets, pushed it to the road, and blocked all the drainage systems and the alignments.

“They have agreed that they are going to clear everything, and if they don’t by tomorrow evening, we can now take steps to sanction them,” he said.

Earlier, the commissioner, who also took an inspection tour to Idi Araba, witnessed the cart pusher syndicate going on around the environs.

“For the past few weeks or months, there has been a major enforcement against cart-pushing statewide to enforce the law.

“So, we now had intelligence that this whole cart-pushing thing, there is a syndicate kind of behind it around Idi-Araba, and you saw it yourself.

“We are going to take steps to report to the law enforcement agencies this week about what we found out, and we also believe strongly that we must be very proactive about it,” the commissioner said.

Mr Wahab also took an inspection tour to Orile-Iganmu to appraise the situation around the place.

“We came to Orile because the other side of this place, there is a system there that gets to flood, and it has been awarded.

“However, that will not be holistically done without looking at this side of the road, which is the side of system five.

“So, we just came to see and appraise it, so the Lagos Waste Management Authority can come in this week and start moving the dirt so that the water can move on fine,” he said.

Mr Wahab appealed to Lagosians to take ownership of their environment during Sallah celebrations by being responsible.

The police command in Anambra has arrested two suspects over alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of a female bank manager in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra.

The command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed their arrest in a statement in Onitsha on Sunday.

Mr Ikenga revealed that the suspects murdered their victim after the collection of a ransom of N14 million in Onitsha.

According to him, following the assurance of the Anambra State Police Command to follow up cases until suspects are apprehended to prevent further criminal activities in the state, two suspects were arrested on May 28.

“The operatives, while on diligent investigations, trailed two of the suspects, one Monday Egbe, a 32-year-old Bakersfield man, and Kenneth Nnoga, a 28-year-old man, in their criminal hideout in a neighbouring state.

“The unfortunate incident happened on Jan. 13th, when the lifeless body of the victim was found along Nnobi Road with her eyes tied after the abductors had collected the ransom of N14 million from the deceased family,” he said.

The police PRO assured that the suspects are currently undergoing interrogations for more insights into the modus operandi of the criminal gang and the possible arrest of other gang members.

Mr Ikenga said the police commissioner in Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, has assured that the command shall continue to live up to its mandate of protection of lives and property of the people.

He appealed to residents to ensure all cases were followed to a logical conclusion and justice was served.