Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Seme Area Command, recorded a remarkable financial performance in 2025, closing the year with a 117 per cent increase in revenue generation compared to the previous year.

The Command generated a total of N15.6 billion in 2025, a sharp rise from the N7.2 billion realised in 2024.

The surge was capped by its strongest monthly performance on record in December 2025, when revenue collections peaked at N3.63 billion.

In a statement issued by the Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer of the Seme Area Command on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the impressive outcome was attributed largely to the successful implementation of the One-Stop Shop, OSS, initiative introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

According to the statement, the OSS framework significantly enhanced operational coordination, improved trade facilitation and strengthened engagement with key stakeholders, thereby boosting efficiency and revenue inflow at the border command.

The Command also credited part of its success to the rationalisation of checkpoints along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

Adenuga explained that the reduction of checkpoints to the two locations approved by the Federal Government eased the movement of legitimate goods, reduced delays for traders and transporters, and created a more conducive environment for lawful cross-border trade.

Beyond revenue generation, the Seme Area Command said it sustained strong enforcement efforts against smuggling and other illicit activities throughout the year. In December 2025 alone, officers of the Command seized 685 parcels of Cannabis sativa (marijuana), 495 packs of Tramadol and 2,000 packs of Super Power Sildenafil tablets (300mg), an unregulated and excessively high-dosage sexual enhancement drug.

The Command noted that the seizures were the result of intelligence-driven operations, intensified border patrols, effective risk profiling and improved collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies.

It reaffirmed its commitment to balancing trade facilitation with strict enforcement, stressing that efforts would be sustained to protect the nation’s economy, public health and security while supporting legitimate commerce.

Plans have been concluded for the partial demolition of the Iddo Bridge in Lagos, with reconstruction works set to commence next week as part of efforts to overhaul the ageing infrastructure.

The Regional Manager of Julius Berger Nigeria, Mr Thomas Christl, disclosed this on Sunday during an inspection of the bridge by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.

Christl explained that structural assessments revealed severe damage to key sections of the bridge, necessitating the replacement of three spans to ensure safety and durability.

“Three spans of the existing Iddo Bridge are heavily damaged and must be replaced,” he said.

According to him, the reconstruction will be executed in phases to limit traffic disruption.

He noted that the two carriageways would be separated, allowing work to proceed on one section while traffic is diverted to the other.

“What we are doing now is to separate the two directions. By next week, traffic will be diverted to one side of the bridge, while one half will be demolished and rebuilt,” Christl explained.

He added that once reconstruction of the first section is completed, traffic would be redirected to the new portion to allow demolition and rebuilding of the second half.

“By the end of March, traffic will likely be moved onto the newly completed side, after which the remaining section will be demolished and reconstructed,” he said.

Christl further disclosed that complementary works are already ongoing beneath the bridge, including upgrades to the drainage system and underpass.

“We have commenced drainage works, and the outfall into the lagoon has already been completed,” he said.

He explained that after completing the drainage, the soil beneath the bridge would be excavated to lower the road level, thereby increasing clearance and preventing trucks from crashing into the structure, a major cause of previous damage.

Commenting on the state of the bridge, Senator Umahi attributed part of the deterioration to a fire incident triggered by illegal activities under the bridge, which affected several spans.

“Six spans were affected by the fire. What we have done is to re-asphalt one carriageway so that traffic can be fully diverted there, after which three spans on the other carriageway will be removed,” Umahi said.

“Once that is completed, traffic will be diverted back, and we will proceed to demolish and reconstruct the second carriageway,” he added.

The minister disclosed that the reconstruction project, estimated at about N15 billion, is expected to be completed by June.

He explained that one of the major design improvements involves increasing the bridge’s headroom from about 4.5 metres to the minimum required clearance of 5.6 metres.

“That clearance is critical, and we are working towards achieving it,” Umahi said.

He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work so far, noting that a bypass route has already been constructed to ease movement.

“Julius Berger is doing well, but I do not want any delays,” the minister said, adding that he had directed engineers to closely monitor the project and provide regular updates to ensure timely completion.

Umahi also assured that upon completion, the Federal Government would deploy closed-circuit television cameras beneath and on top of the bridge to enhance security, similar to measures already implemented on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has challenged Nigerians to publicly come forward with evidence if he has ever been involved in fraudulent activities, insisting that he has never benefited from corruption throughout his years in public service.

Olukoyede made the declaration during an interview with Channels Television aired on Sunday, where he dismissed claims linking him to fraud or illicit enrichment.

“I’d like to tell Nigerians here, with every sense of responsibility, all through my service in the public sector, as Chief of Staff, in the EFCC, as Secretary in the EFCC, and I make bold to say that I’ve never been involved in any fraudulent activity,” he said.

The EFCC chairman further stated, “I’ve never been involved in any fraudulent activities. I serve as Chief of Staff, no Nigerian, and I challenge anybody to say, ‘Oh, this man has ever collected one bottle of coke or one naira to influence my sense of judgement in carrying out my responsibility.’”

Addressing concerns about asset management during his time as EFCC Secretary, Olukoyede said he handled seized assets without personal gain.

“As Secretary, I’ve got to manage assets here and to dispose assets. I never—you can’t trace any asset to me, nor any member of my family, as a matter of principle. And no Nigerian can say I collected one dime because of carrying out my activities,” he said.

He questioned the basis of the allegations against him, adding, “So the issue of fraudulent attachment, I don’t know where that would have come from. And I’ve told you now, I’ve never benefited from any of these assets. Never.”

When asked about his wealth, Olukoyede said Nigerians were free to verify his claims.

“I mean, Nigeria should go and investigate that. So I don’t understand the concept of being a rich man,” he
said.

Responding to a question on asset declaration, the EFCC chairman said he complied fully with the law at every stage of his career.

“Of course I did that. I mean, I said that to the public. That was the first thing I did. I did it as Chief of Staff. I did it as Secretary. I did it as Chairman,” he said.

He added, “I remember Nigerians also remember that I asked all my staff to also declare their assets. So look, it’s something that anybody can verify.”

Reiterating his challenge, Olukoyede said, “I’m telling you, I’ve never been involved in any fraudulent activity. Whether as Chief of Staff or as Secretary, and I’m telling Nigerians, if you have ever offered me a bribe, and I collected, come out and say it.”

Asked if he considered himself upright, he replied, “To the best of my knowledge. I do my work with every sense of diligence, and I do my work with every sense of commitment and loyalty to the mandate.”

Rivers State House of Assembly has said that the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, is fully on course.

Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

George said the move is in line with relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

He added that the two notices of allegations of gross misconduct brought pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution against the Governor and Deputy have been forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House while we await their responses.

According to him, it is the House of Assembly that is empowered by the Constitution to stand by the people and stop infractions on the Constitution by the Governor, Deputy Governor or any other officer of the Rivers State Government so, adding that the Assembly members remain duty bound in this regard.

“We are aware that certain persons and media platforms are at it again to misinform the public particularly to the effect that the process has been halted or discontinued. Some are trending false narratives to cause disaffection between the House and well-meaning Nigerians.

“Therefore, with the leave of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule DSSRS .I call on all and sundry to disregard their antics, as their actions have already failed. We remain committed to our constitutional duties and would not be dissuaded by cheap blackmail or threats from those who do not mean well for our country’s nascent democracy.

“Finally, we thank the good people of Rivers State for their prayers and encouragement and express our gratitude to all stakeholders and leaders at all levels and use this medium to extend our warm regards to all democrats who believe in the Nigerian project.

“May God continue to bless our dear Rivers State and Nigeria,” the statement read.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, says the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, is the only life in the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Fayose made this statement on Friday while fielding questions in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television monitored

He also said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is technically no more, adding that it is dead.

The former governor equally said that Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, should not be dragged into the woes of the PDP.

He said: “Obi is the only life in ADC; all other people in ADC are semi-existent. If Obi had gone to remain in Labour Party or has gone to Accord Party, he is the only life there. All the other people there, they are not existing. They are old-forces.

“Openly, I supported Tinubu in 2023. I didn’t hide it. Till now I’m still there. I don’t jump. I have said it to you I’m not a member of APC and I will never be.”

The Taraba State government has ordered the temporary closure of the State Specialist Hospital, located in Jalingo, the state capital.

The decision, DAILY POST learnt, is aimed at ensuring that the ongoing comprehensive renovation of the facility is successfully completed.

According to an official directive issued by the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, the closure follows the extensive overhaul currently taking place and the environmental and safety hazards associated with the construction work.

The directive, conveyed on the instruction of the state governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, stated that all activities within the hospital are to be suspended to enable contractors and their workers to carry out the renovation unhindered and complete the project within the shortest possible time.

The Chief Medical Director was formally instructed to shut down the hospital temporarily until the renovation work is fully completed.

The statement, signed by the Commissioner of Health, Dr Bordiya Gbansheya Buma, emphasised that compliance with the directive is mandatory and should be carried out without delay.

Abia State Government has constituted an administrative panel of enquiry to investigate the causes of the crisis in Okun Aku community, Ohafia local government area.

DAILY POST recalls that a youth, Mr. Igwe Akuma Akwu was shot dead last week, while houses and vehicles belonging to some other indigenes of Okon-Aku were set ablaze during the crisis.

A public notice announcing the setting up of the panel of inquiry was signed by the Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,
Uzor Nwachukwu,

According to the notice, the approval for the panel was granted by Governor Alex Otti, following concerns over the remote and immediate causes of the crisis and the need to identify individuals or groups directly or indirectly involved in the escalation of the conflict.

The panel is to be headed by Justice K. O. Nwosu, Rtd, while its members include Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd), Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mrs Charity Okeagu, Director of chieftaincy affairs, who will serve as the Panel’s Secretary.

Others are: Obinna Chimbuo of Abia State Ministry of Justice; Eze Kalu Ogbu; Eze Franklin Nwosu; and Mr Ahamefula George, Head of Service, Ohafia local government.

The panel, which is expected to commence sitting immediately, is expected to  and submit its report within four weeks.

The Commissioner called on residents of Okun Aku community, stakeholders, and concerned citizens to cooperate fully with the panel by providing useful information that will assist in restoring peace to the area.

Kwara South is currently facing significant security challenges, with bandits holding over 22 people captives across various communities, demanding ransom payments totaling over N400 million, food, and drinks, DAILY POST reports.

A breakdown of the captives showed that nine people were abducted in Adanla community on December 26,2025, Boxing Day, with N300m ransom demanded by the bandits, 11 persons held in Isapa community with N35m ransom demanded, four people were abducted along Isanlu-Isin highway, while two people were kidnapped in Owa-Onire and eight others abducted at Ikosin community, all in Kwara South Senatorial District of the state.

The affected communities include Adanla, Ikosin, Afin Isapa, Isanlu-Isin, and Owa-Onire, just as some residents have fled their homes due to fear of attacks.

Of particular concern is the abduction of Oniwo of Afin, Oba Olanipekun and his son, a serving youth corp member.

The bandits threatened to kill either the monarch or the son to show their seriousness if the ransom demanded is not paid to them.

Findings by DAILY POST showed that the armed bandits are operating in the region’s vast forests, hills, caves, and porous borders, thereby making it difficult for security forces to track them down.

To complicate the situation, there are allegations of support from locals, who act as informants and provide items including food, shelter, and intelligence, aided by lack of effective communication and coordination between security agencies and local communities.

On the protracted issue of local informants, aiding the bandits, DAILY POST gathered that the government and security agencies are working to address it but specific details are not available.

Credible sources disclosed that “several appeals have been made to communities to fish out informants within their midst.”

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has also trained and deployed forest guards with a view to working with security agencies to comb the forests in addition to constant joint patrols to combat banditry.

A source disclosed that “although the exact number of suspects arrested is not available, recent operations have resulted in the neutralization of several bandits and the arrest of suspects supplying them with guns, food, and other essentials, but more needs to be done.”

According to the source, “the Kwara State Government, in collaboration with federal security agencies, has taken steps to address the security challenges, including deploying forest guards and proposing to launching joint patrols.

“The government has also warned that it will not tolerate banditry and is committed to restoring peace in the region.”

He stressed the need for community engagement by impressing locals to report suspicious activities and provide intelligence to security agencies.

“Also, there should be increased patrols and checkpoints in vulnerable areas.

“There should also be a coordination between security agencies, traditional leaders, and community leaders, as well as leveraging technology and human intelligence to track and apprehend bandits.

“Kara cattle markets where the bandits are believed to store arms and ammunition as well as holding clandestine meetings for their operations should also be temporarily closed,” he added.