Category Nigeria News

The Nigeria Police Force has unveiled the official portrait of the Acting Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu.

Force spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, released the top police cop’s image via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.

The development comes a day after the Nigeria Police Council (NPC) confirmed Disu’s appointment as the substantive Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The Council, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, confirmed the appointment at its Monday meeting.

According to a statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the endorsement has paved the way for his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.

The ceremony will take place during the Federal Executive Council meeting, scheduled for the same day.

The Council’s meeting, which took place at the State House, was presided over by President Tinubu and was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, state governors, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu, in accordance with the Constitution.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Police Council Backs Disu’s Appointment, Tinubu To Swear In New IGP Wednesday

Others in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam; the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; and the head of service, Esther Didi Walson-Jack.

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who spoke glowingly about Disu, commended the Acting Inspector-General of Police for his exemplary services as a policeman, especially when he served as the commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos State between 2015 and 2021, where his tenure earned him and the RRS recognition for excellence in crime control.

Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, commended the President’s appointment of Disu, noting that it was based on his excellent career record.

Wike, who is a former governor of Rivers State, also lauded Disu for his efficiency as a crime fighter and for ensuring the command’s strategic impact in addressing security concerns within the territory.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State seconded the motion endorsing the appointment.

President Tinubu appointed Disu as the acting IGP on February 25, 2026, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested two suspected arms couriers, seized two Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) warheads, an RPG launcher, and other items linked to bandits’ networks in Gombe State

Security sources say the suspects, Muhammed Alhaji Mohammed, and Sani Gesha, were intercepted at Mararaban Tula, in Kaltungo Local Government Area of the state while travelling in a grey Toyota Corolla with registration number Taraba JAL475YQ.

According to sources, the operation was the result of the covert surveillance of a bandit cell led by Kachalla Gambo involved in arms trafficking across Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Adamawa States.

READ ALSO: DSS Arrests Suspect Over Attack On Peter Obi, Others In Edo

The operatives, according to a source, monitored the trafficking syndicate for over 3 weeks, before eventually launching an operation which was professionally carried out and the suspects arrested with a huge cache of arms and ammunition’ the source disclosed.

Security sources disclosed that, during investigation the suspects confessed that the consignment was billed to be delivered to one Ardo Hamma Ari, a resident of Kukawa Village in Alkaleri LGA, Bauchi State.

The operatives also rescued a six-year-old boy, identified as Mohammed Jabir, at Gyada Village, Talase in Balanga LGA of Gombe State.

The suspects are currently in DSS custody and will be arraigned in court soon, the source declared.

The five worshippers abducted at a branch of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) in Uso, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State have regained their freedom.

The four worshippers were released on Monday evening at Ilado community after their families reportedly paid a ransom of ₦9 million to the kidnappers.

An anonymous family source revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded ₦40 million to secure the release of each of the victims, however, the ransom was later reduced to ₦9 million, after a series of negotiations between the relatives of the victims and the kidnappers.

Confirming the attack on Tuesday, the Ondo State Police Command said the police launched an operation in colloboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes.

In a statement, the Command’s spokesman, Abayomi Jimoh, said one of the abducted worshippers was rescued, while one suspect was arrested.

READ ALSO: DSS Arrests Suspect Over Attack On Peter Obi, Others In Edo

However, the remaining five victims were not so lucky as they were taken to unknown destination.

The Public Relations Officer of Ondo State Police Command, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the abduction in a statement on Tuesday.

He noted that after the attack, the Command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes, immediately launched a rescue operation. He revealed that one of the abducted worshippers was rescued, while one suspect was arrested.

The Command’s spokesman stated that efforts were ongoing to track the fleeing kidnappers.

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had on February 25, 2026 attacked the church during an early morning prayer session and abducted six worshippers.

Cases of kidnapping have been rampant in Ondo State since January 2026, especially in the Akure North Local Government Area as well as Owo Local Government Area and the Akoko axis, both in the northern part of the state.

Prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is beginning to rise across petrol stations nationwide amid a sharp surge in global crude oil prices above the $80 per barrel threshold.

The development comes following a report by the Petroleumprice.ng, that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals had increased the ex-depot price of petrol from ₦774 to ₦874 per litre, representing a ₦100 hike.

An economist, Paul Alaje, on Monday, warned that petrol prices in Nigeria could climb to about ₦1,000 per litre if the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran is not effectively managed.

Alaje, who is the Chief Economist at SPM Professionals, appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today, against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

According to him, increases in crude oil prices typically translate into higher costs for refined petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel, with broad implications for businesses and households.

Consequently, the report noted that petrol loading, alleged to have been previously halted on Sunday midnight, has now resumed at the new price, while Proforma Invoice (PFI) issuance has reopened strictly based on the revised rate.

Meanwhile, approved marketers around the refinery have begun adjusting their selling prices in response to the hike.

Market checks indicated that several marketers are now offering PMS at ₦900 per litre, while a few depots have fixed prices slightly lower at ₦895 per litre.

The rapid adjustment underscores the direct impact of rising crude oil prices on Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market, with further price realignments expected as operators reassess replacement costs.

READ ALSO: PMS May Rise To ₦1,000 If US-Iran War Isn’t Properly Managed — Paul Alaje

“While crude oil goes up, we all need to check the impact on our economy. The first thing you see is high inflation, because as crude oil goes up, the cost of PMS, diesel, and Jet-A1 will also follow.

“As that is going on, about nine per cent has already attracted more cost for PMS in Nigeria, and by the end of April, we project that if the war is not properly managed, it might get to ₦1,000 plus for PMS in Nigeria.

“If PMS is ₦1,000, you can imagine what diesel will be; you can imagine what flight tickets will be. It will affect the poor, the middle class, and, of course, the rich,” the economist said.

Dangote Refinery has yet to issue an official statement on the latest increase in price as of the time of filing this report.

READ ALSO: Oil Extends Gains, Stocks Drop As Iran Conflict Spreads

Meanwhile, President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has unveiled plans to expand into steel production, electricity generation, and port development as part of a broader ambition to accelerate industrialisation across Africa.

In a statement on Monday, Dangote, whose conglomerate spans cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, and petrochemicals, said that his long-term goal is to deepen Africa’s manufacturing base beyond oil refining and position the continent as a global industrial force.

An economist, Paul Alaje, has warned that petrol prices in Nigeria could climb to about ₦1,000 per litre if the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran is not effectively managed.

Alaje, who is the Chief Economist at SPM Professionals, stated this on Monday while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

According to him, increases in crude oil prices typically translate into higher costs for refined petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel, with broad implications for businesses and households.



“While crude oil goes up, we all need to check the impact on our economy. The first thing you see is high inflation, because as crude oil goes up, the cost of PMS, diesel, and Jet-A1 will also follow.

“As that is going on, about nine per cent has already attracted more cost for PMS in Nigeria, and by the end of April, we project that if the war is not properly managed, it might get to ₦1,000 plus for PMS in Nigeria.

“If PMS is ₦1,000, you can imagine what diesel will be; you can imagine what flight tickets will be. It will affect the poor, the middle class and, of course, the rich,” the economist said.

He added that sustained increases in fuel prices would raise production costs for manufacturers and push up the prices of goods in the short, medium and long term.

READ ALSO: Trump Lists ‘Clear’ Iran War Objectives As Conflict Spreads

‘Nigeria Could Benefit’

Alaje further explained that rising crude oil prices could initially benefit Nigeria through higher export earnings, noting that oil-dependent economies often see revenue increases during global supply shocks.

“The America–Israel war and Iran have far-reaching effects. The first effect for Nigeria is going to be positive. What does that mean — crude oil prices are significantly going up.

“We project that before the end of the month, if the war continues as mentioned by President Trump, we might see oil prices go to what we saw during President Jonathan’s regime—more money for Nigeria—because the world cannot suddenly change all equipment that relies on by-products of crude overnight,” he said.

However, Alaje cautioned that the gains could be offset by domestic economic pressures, particularly inflation driven by higher energy costs.

Meanwhile, petrol prices have reportedly already risen across the country.

Conflict 

The warning comes amid an escalation in hostilities in the Middle East.

After failed nuclear negotiations in February 2026, the conflict escalated when the US and Israel launched a joint offensive, Operation Epic Fury (U.S.) and Roaring Lion (Israel).

The strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, with President Donald Trump stating the campaign’s goal is to dismantle Iran’s security infrastructure and prevent its nuclear development.

Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel and US bases across the Gulf, while Hezbollah has attacked Israel from Lebanon.

Hundreds of civilian casualties are reported, amid global protests and growing humanitarian concerns.

Jurors at the ongoing bribery trial of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, were on Monday presented with further financial and property evidence at Southwark Crown Court.

Prosecutors told the court that properties purchased between 2013 and 2014 were acquired in the name of the Christian Way of Life Church, where her brother and co-defendant, Archbishop Doye Agama, was listed as a director.

Emails shown to jurors indicated the properties were bought outright through donations.

The court heard that businessman Benedict Peters transferred £1 million into the church’s account, from which thousands of pounds were later spent, including on international stays at Hilton hotels.



READ ALSO: Court Hears Evidence On Luxury Purchases In Ex-Petroleum Minister Alison-Madueke’s Alleged Corruption Case

Jurors were also shown images of luxury antiques and designer pieces allegedly paid for by businessman Kola Aluko and later found in properties and storage units linked to Alison-Madueke.

She denies all six charges.

Alison-Madueke, who is the first female OPEC President, is on trial for six bribery-related charges.