A man, Alhaji Muhammad Usman and his wife, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Usman, alongside their four relations reportedly lost their lives in a motor accident which occurred at Ahoko bridge, along the Abuja-Lokoja highway on Sunday.

A source said the incident took place on Sunday around 12:34 pm, the eid el fitr day.

DAILY POST learnt that the couple and the four others left Toto town in Nasarawa State in an unmarked Honda car to attend a burial of one of their relatives at Kotonkarfe when the accident took place.

The car, according to the source veered off the road and somersaulted into a ditch after a trailer hit the vehicle from behind, saying that all the six occupants died on the spot.

DAILY POST learned that Muhammed Usman, the victim, was the chairmanship aspirant for Toto LGA in the November 2024, election in Nasarawa.

The remains of the deceased have been evacuated to Toto LGA for burial.

All efforts to get police confirmation on the incident were unsuccessful.

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have joined Israeli and U.S. forces to participate in the ongoing multinational air exercise Iniochos 2025 at the Andravida Air Base, Greece.

Newsweek has reached out to the Hellenic Air Force, the Israel Defense Force, and the governments of Qatar and the U.A.E. for comment.
The participation of these countries together highlights a significant realignment in regional military cooperation. Amid escalating Middle East conflicts—with U.S. rhetoric rising against Iran and attacks on its Houthi allies in Yemen— the exercise signals strengthening security ties between Arab states and Israel.

The United States is participating with F-16 fighters and KC-46 and KC-135 refueling aircraft. Israel has deployed a G-550 aircraft. The UAE is contributing with Mirage 2000-9 jets, and Qatar has sent F-15 fighters, according to the Hellenic Air Force (HAF).

The exercise, which runs from March 31 to April 11, 2025, includes a diverse array of air forces from allied and partner nations, including France, Italy, Spain and India.

Iniochos 2025 reportedly marked Qatar's first participation in this specific exercise alongside Israel. While both nations took part in the U.S.-hosted Red Flag exercise in 2016, their military cooperation has been limited due to historical tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Qatar has so far opposed normalization with Israel, unlike those such as the UAE and Bahrain which signed the Abraham Accords.

However, its recent participation could be seen as a de facto step toward cooperation. Qatar – which hosts a significant U.S. military presence – supports Palestinian factions but plays a mediating role between Israel and Hamas, alongside the U.S. and Egypt.

Israel is engaged in a prolonged military offensive against Hamas in Gaza with U.S. backing since the Islamist group attacked Israel in October 2023. Arab and Gulf states have criticized Israel over the humanitarian impact of the conflict, particularly the civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have previously engaged in several joint military exercises, reflecting their evolving defense cooperation, especially after signing the Abraham Accords in 2020.

The U.S. in March launched what it called a 'decisive' series of military strikes against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The Trump administration has worked to strengthen ties with Gulf allies, seen as key partners in the Middle East, by facilitating advanced weapons sales and increasing investments in the U.S.

UAE Ministry of Defense on Instagram, Sunday, translated from Arabic: "The Air Force and Air Defense of the United Arab Emirates have arrived in Greece to participate in the "Iniochos 2025" exercise, which is being held at Andravida Air Base. The event will begin on March 31 and continue until April 11. It is worth mentioning that the "Iniochos" exercise is an annual multinational air exercise aimed at enhancing strategic partnerships, exchanging expertise, and contributing to improving combat readiness by conducting various air operations in a realistic training environment."

This growing military cooperation, despite past tensions, could lead to more formal alliances and reflect a broader shift toward rapprochement between Arab states and Israel.

Thousands of angry residents have flocked to the streets in protest against the rising cases of herdsmen killings and kidnappings in the area.

The demonstrators, chanting “We no go gree!” blocked major roads, demanding urgent action from the government and security agencies to address the growing insecurity.

One of the protesters, who identified himself as Daniel Oche, lamented the frequent attacks, describing them as a “constant recurrence.”

Accorisng to Daily Post, he also made a shocking revelation, alleging that electricity is always cut off in the community before each attack.

Earlier, residents of Olena community in Asa, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, fled their homes following days of sustained attacks by suspected herdsmen.

The community has been under siege for the past four days, with several persons killed and many others abducted.

A resident, who escaped with his family, confirmed that villagers were forced to flee late Monday night when it became apparent that no help was coming.

“I am currently in Upu. I escaped with my family this night. At the moment, we have all vacated our community. Olena has been under attack for days now,” the distraught villager said.

He lamented that the attackers operated unchallenged, leaving the community in a state of terror.

“They have killed and kidnapped several people. We have been crying for help, but no security agents have come to our rescue. I barely managed to escape with my life and my family tonight. Olena is under serious attack as we speak,” he added.

SaharaReporters reported last week that an intelligence report warned that criminal herders were shifting their focus to the southern part of the country, creating a national dimension for the pastoral crisis in Nigeria.

The report, obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday, was titled "A National Emergency: The Escalating Crisis of Pastoral Violence in Nigeria."

The report by a think thank, SBM Intelligence, reads in part: "The geographical pattern of pastoral violence in Nigeria paints a troubling picture of relentless expansion. Between 2019 and 2025, the North-Central zone remained the most severely affected region, with Benue State enduring over 200 documented attacks, cementing its grim reputation as the epicenter of the crisis."

"Neighbouring Plateau State followed closely with 150 incidents. Their shared border has transformed into a deadly conflict zone, exemplified by the May 2023 massacre in Mangu, which left 80 people dead, followed seven months later by the Christmas Eve atrocity in Bokkos, which claimed 140 lives."

The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies has assured Nigerians that the price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, will drop as Dangote Refinery and other local refineries begin operations.

Before the fuel subsidy removal, petrol was sold for less than ₦200 per litre.

Now, prices have surged to around ₦930 per litre, depending on location.

Despite the increase, NIPSS Director-General Ayo Omotayo said there is hope for relief in the future when he featured on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday,

Omotayo explained that as more refineries start working, fuel prices will begin to fall.

“With the removal of the first subsidy, we have Dangote Refinery coming on. We have the other refineries. The refinery in Port Harcourt has worked continuously for 110 days if I’ve counted right! These are the short-term gains,” he said.

He predicted that petrol prices could drop to around ₦750 per litre before the end of the year and that the exchange rate would stabilise.

“We’re looking at it coming down as low as ₦750 before the end of the year. And of course, foreign exchange, we believe, will still drop to about 1.3 before the end of the year and it is going to continue like that as more of our refineries come into place.

“We will become a net exporter in the long run,” he added.

He acknowledged that Nigerians are currently facing difficulties but insisted that the country will benefit from the policy in the long run.

“The gains at this time are very little, but then in the long run, we will make up for whatever sacrifices we have made today as Nigerians,” he stated.

Defending the removal of subsidy, Omotayo stated that while the impact may be tough now, the decision will benefit the country in the long run.

Omotayo said, “Most of the benefits will come in the medium and long term. For now, the government has introduced palliatives to help ease the burden on the poor. We all need to adjust our spending.”

He acknowledged that the gains might not be immediately visible but emphasised that, “In the long run, we will recover whatever sacrifices we have made today as Nigerians.”

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called for adequate compensation for those who died in the mob attack on travellers at Uromi, Edo State.

The caucus also asked the President to order a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that those found culpable are brought to justice.

Edo Governor Monday Okpebhelo said about 14 persons have been arrested in connection with the mob action on the victims said to be hunters travelling from Port Harcourt to Kano.

In a statement by Kingsley Chinda (Minority Leader), Ali Isa JC (Minority Whip) and Aliyu Sani Madaki. (Dep Minority Leader), the caucus said the action on the travellers was in reprehensible, saying Justice must be done.

The statement reads: “It is with extreme shock and grief that we received the news of the barbaric murder of about 16 Nigerians, mainly northerners, by a gang of lawless anarchists in Edo State in the last couple of days.

“We find such brutal killings of innocent Nigerians in any part of the country by lawless mobs very reprehensible, and if allowed to fester without being put in check by responsible organs of government, such actions could threaten the peace and unity of the country.

“As such, we, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, condemn this violent attack on the northern travellers, which culminated in their gruesome deaths.

“”We implore all Nigerians to never to resort to such jungle attacks on their fellow citizens but to always implore the services of lawful authorities whenever they notice any issue of concern.

“We are a nation under the rule of laws, and our law enforcement agencies are always available to partner with every Nigerian to assuage their concerns.

“In the face of this grave incident, which is already setting emotions on edge in parts of the country, we hereby call on the President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the security agencies to investigate this matter and bring all those involved in the killings to book in order to prevent its recurrence. And also adequate compensation should be paid to the affected families.

“We also call on all Nigerians to remain calm, peaceful, and law abiding and allow the federal and state governments to get to the root of this matter in the interest of justice.

“We express our sincere sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims even as we assure them and all Nigerians that we, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, will remain eternally vigilant until justice is done on this matter”.

I Was Removed Because of LNG Plants, Not Sexual Harrasment- Natasha Akpoti Makes U-turn on Senate Ordeals

Natasha Akpoti has once again changed her narrative regarding her political challenges, now claiming that her removal was due to the LNG plants she allegedly facilitated in Kogi State, rather than the earlier allegations of sexual harassment. Speaking at her rally today, she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of conspiring to have her eliminated in Kogi.

This latest claim comes despite the Ministry of Petroleum denying her involvement in the facilitation of any LNG projects, which the ministry claimed was cited due to existing plants and pipeline projects in Ajaokuta. Her statements have been met with widespread skepticism, particularly on Facebook, where many users criticized her for inconsistencies and probable emotional blackmails in her story.

Previously, Natasha had alleged that she was targeted over sexual harassment concerns against the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, a claim that fueled public sympathy. However, her sudden shift in position has led to accusations of political blackmail against the Senate leadership and the Kogi State government.

Her speech today has reignited debates over her credibility, with critics pointing to a pattern of shifting narratives depending on public sentiment. Many observers believe that Natasha’s allegations are aimed at gaining sympathy ahead of upcoming political battles.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has revealed that efforts are in place to ensure the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport runs 24-hour operation, in a bid to make the route competitive.

The Governor also expressed delight that the economy of the state has recorded significant improvement in the past two-and-a-half years, promising to do more in order to ensure a more sustainable development of the state and better living standard for the people.

Governor Oyebanji who stated these on Monday night during the March edition of his monthly media chat, "Meet Your Governor", said his government intends to make the Ekiti Airport a major hub, as well as a major driver of the economy, attracting more investors to the state and boosting the economic capacities of the citizens.


He explained that his administration has entered into discussions with three major airlines in the country to commence commercial flights at the airport, facilitate air travel, tourism development, more investment and transportation of cargoes and export of farm produce to local and international destinations.


While expressing optimism that at least two of the airlines would operate flights to and from the airport, Oyebanji said his administration also hopes to make the route competitive by working hard to install Instrument Landing System (ILS) that will enable the operation of 24-hour flights in the airport.


The Governor said: "The issue is to make the route profitable and competitive for airlines and if the route is profitable, they will bring their planes. Part of what we are doing is to make it an airport of choice and by next year, they will be able to run Hajj and (Christian) pilgrimage.

"To make it an airport of choice, we must put a structure that guarantees 24-hour landing. There is what we call Instrument Landing System (ILS) which enables night operations and also enables planes to land in extreme weather. ILS as at today will cost close to N4.6 billion but we are determined to get it done.

"We are determined that before the end of this year, we will install ILS at the Ado Airport. If we are able to do that, it will be the second airport in Southwest after Lagos Airport that has such a facility so that aircraft can land at night. We are also talking to a vendor that will provide a hangar for airport services, so it's a whole gamut of transaction that is going on."

The Governor also disclosed that a cargo shed is being constructed at the airport to serve as storage facility for farm produce and cash crops. He commended the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele for facilitating its inclusion in the budget.

The Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport was given approval for non-scheduled flight operation for six months last December. Governor Oyebanji who said expressed optimism that the airport would be one of the most competitive by the time it commences commercial operations.

Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji identified some indices of economic growth witnessed under his administration to include springing up of more businesses in the state made possible by an enabling environment for them to flourish, improved internally generated revenue and receipts from the Federation Account, as well as adequate protection of lives and property.

The Governor who disclosed that the state's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) have moved from about N600 million monthly to over N2 billion monthly, attributed the feat partly to the fact that more residents are now encouraged to pay their taxes, having seen evidence of the government’s effective utilization of proceeds of the taxes in every part of the state.

He explained that his administration has not restricted development strides to only Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, as it is being speculated in some quarters, noting that virtually all parts of the state including the rural areas have been touched. He also expressed readiness to keep on working for the people of the state till his last day in office, stressing that he wont be distracted by on going politicking.

Speaking on the state of the treasury, Oyebanji said what the state government and local governments receive monthly are not hidden as they are published by the office of the Accountant General noting that they vary from one month to the other.

He emphasized that his administration does not tamper with the local government funds as the State House of Assembly has an enabling law with established the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) with the monies for the councils coming directly into the account from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

While noting that he does not get involved in how the funds are shared, the Governor pointed out that he only monitors the projects the council chairmen execute with the funds to ensure that they are in line with the needs of the people and they such projects are satisfactory.

Valencia forward and Super Eagles striker, Sadiq Umar, has condemned the mob killing of 16 Hausa travellers in Edo State, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Real Sociedad loanee lashed out at people’s ignorance following the tragic death of over a dozen northern travellers who were mistaken for kidnappers and lynched in Edo State.

Reports confirmed that 16 Hausa hunters, travelling from Port Harcourt to Kano for the Sallah festivities, were brutally attacked and burned alive by a mob after being falsely labelled Fulani herdsmen and kidnappers while passing through a community in Edo.

Why did Umar react to Fulani/Hausa mix-up?

According to witnesses and emerging reports, the victims were part of a Dangote cement truck heading back to the North when locals in a Udune Efandion community within Edo State allegedly blocked their route, searched their truck, accused them of being part of criminal herder gangs, and delivered mob justice on the spot.

The brutal and unjust killing of 16 innocent Hausa travelers in Edo State is a horrifying tragedy that demands an immediate and resolute response.

The fact that such a heinous act could unfold so viciously, based solely on false accusations, exposes the deep-rooted dangers of mob.

Eyewitnesses claim the men were burned in tyres, which left no chance for explanation or due process. Another, per Punch, claimed that on searching their truck, Dane guns were reportedly discovered, and the mobs were triggered.

Sadiq Umar Speaks Out

Reacting to the horrifying news, Sadiq Umar took to his social media platforms to school Nigerians on the difference between the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups.

The Super Eagles attacker, born in Kaduna, believes there has been a distinction often overlooked or misrepresented in southern narratives.

“Only the ignorant don’t know the difference between Hausa and Fulani,” Sadiq posted. “Hausa is a tribe from the North on its own, with both Muslims and Christians in it, and with good and bad people like any other tribe.

[It is the] same as the Fulani, who have their own language (Fulatanchi) and are also made up of both Muslims and Christians. Ignorance is killing people. We have good and bad people in every tribe.”

The Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State command, has demoted Inspector Moshebun Segun, AP No. 354466, to the rank of sergeant for being absent from duty for 17 days.
This decision followed a review of the orderly room proceedings by Compol DFE Akure.

Segun was found guilty of violating Paragraph 1 and 3 of the Police Act and Regulation 2020 (as amended). In addition to his demotion, he was ordered to forfeit 17 days' pay.

Supol Ikare of Zone 17, Akure, enforced the decision, stating, "I guarantee it will not happen again. If it happens again, I will dismiss you.”
An official further stressed, "This is the last time," reiterating the seriousness of the matter.

The disciplinary proceedings concluded with a stern reminder about the importance of discipline, with an officer saying, "I want you to do your job so when you leave this job, you don't want to hear 'Welcome to the Durand, Black Mubisa, Vietnam.'"

Meanwhile, a similar recent incident involved the suspension of Police Officer James Okechukwu in Lagos State for unauthorised absence and negligence in March 2024.
Okechukwu, who was stationed at the Ikeja Police Command, faced internal disciplinary actions after being absent for 12 consecutive days without approval.

Another related incident occurred in 2022 when Inspector Richard Madu of the FCT Command in Abuja was demoted for a similar violation.

Madu, who had been absent from his post for over two weeks without a valid excuse, was demoted to the rank of sergeant and also forfeited his pay for the duration of his absence.

When contacted by SaharaReporters, the state's Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, responded that police matters were internal, saying, "I don’t know what you want to confirm there."

Charles Aniagolu: Talking about reflection, let's reflect into the two years of Pesident Tinubu's term, what is known as the midterm. If you look into what he has been doing in the last two years, how will you assess his midterm?

Peter Obi: You know Charles, I have always not want to be involved in assessing this present Government because I have always been consistent that he is doing well, because what he promised the people is exactly what he is doing. That he will start and continue from where the previous Government stopped, and that is doing well Charles. Go and use any measure, I have said it in this studio before, Somebody who met dollar at three hundred and something- four hundred, it's now 1500. Charles, he has done fantastic. Same in fuel, same in everything, same in unemployment, you know, everywhere, in terms of democracy, in terms of everywhere. He is on the sliding side and that is doing well because that's what he promised.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping reconstitution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited board, removing the chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure and the group chief executive officer, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari.

President Tinubu removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.

The new 11-man board has Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive chairman.

Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as the chief financial officer last November, has been appointed to the new board by President Tinubu.

Six board members, non-executive directors, represent the country's geopolitical zones. They are Bello Rabiu, North West, Yusuf Usman, North East, and Babs Omotowa, a former managing director of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas( NLNG), who represents North Central.

President Tinubu appointed Austin Avuru as a non-executive director from the South-South, David Ige as a Non-executive director from the South West, and Henry Obih as a non-executive director from the South East.

Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will represent the ministry on the new board, while Aminu Said Ahmed will represent the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

All the appointments are effective today, April 2.

President Tinubu, invoking the powers granted under Section 59, subsection 2 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, emphasised that the board's restructuring is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialisation and diversification.

President Tinubu also handed out an immediate action plan to the new board: to conduct a strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture Assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives.

Since 2023, the Tinubu administration has implemented oil sector reforms to attract investment. Last year, NNPC reported $17 billion in new investments within the sector. The administration now envisions increasing the investment to $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030.

The Tinubu administration targets raising oil production to two million barrels daily by 2027 and three million daily by 2030. Concurrently, the government wants gas production jacked to 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion cubic feet by 2030.

Furthermore, President Tinubu expects the new board to elevate NNPC's share of crude oil refining output to 200,000 barrels by 2027 and reach 500,000 by 2030.

The new board chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is from Borno State. He is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he received a degree in civil engineering in 1984. He also obtained a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris

He started his career in the oil industry at Elf Petroleum Nigeria and later joined Total Exploration and Production as a trainee engineer in 1985.

Musa became Total Nigeria's Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services in 2015. Last year, he became an Independent Non-Executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group.

Apart from his oil industry career, Ahmadu Musa Kida is a former basketballer and the president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation(NBBF) board.

Ojulari, the new NNPC Limited Group CEO, hails from Kwara State. Until his new appointment, He was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. His Renaissance recently led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in the landmark acquisition of the entire equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), worth $2.4 billion.

Like Kida, Ojulari is also an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Elf Aquitaine as the first Nigerian process engineer to begin a stellar career in the oil sector. From Elf, he joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991 as an associate production technologist.

Apart from working in Nigeria, he worked in Europe and the Middle East in different capacities as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager. In 2015, he became the managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).

During his career, he was chairman and member of the board of trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

President Tinubu thanked the old board members for their dedicated service to NNPC Limited, particularly their efforts in rehabilitating the old Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which enabled them to resume petroleum product production after prolonged shutdowns. He wished them well in their future endeavours.