Governors Unite Behind State Police, Insist on Constitutional Safeguards

The 36 state governors have renewed their collective demand for the immediate establishment of state police, insisting that any new policing framework must be constitutionally sound and fully aligned with the principles of true federalism.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, presenting the communiqué of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum following its second meeting of 2026 in Abuja, disclosed that the forum has consulted state Attorneys-General on the proposed establishment of state police, with strong emphasis on constitutional safeguards, federalism, and the protection of citizens’ rights.

“The forum received a presentation from the NGF Secretariat and a delegation of the Honourable Attorneys-General of the states on efforts to support establishing state police in Nigeria,” Abiodun said. “Governors emphasised the need for the state police to be constitutionally sound and aligned with federalism and citizens’ rights”.

The push comes as the House of Representatives passed a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow for the establishment of state police on June 10, with the Senate following suit on June 11 by passing the bill for second reading and referring it to its Committee on Constitution Review.

The governors’ renewed call reflects growing frustration over Nigeria’s security challenges, which have persisted for over two decades, driven by Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, and other criminal groups, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.

FG Vows to Evacuate All Nigerians Willing to Leave South Africa

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians in South Africa that all citizens who have signified interest in returning home amid ongoing anti-migrant violence will be evacuated before the June 30 deadline.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed that about 1,000 Nigerians have so far registered for evacuation from South Africa. The first batch of 258 Nigerian nationals has already been airlifted from the troubled nation, with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, receiving the evacuees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has assured that no Nigerian who has indicated interest in leaving South Africa would be left behind,” a statement from her office read.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Bola Tinubu had directed that Nigerians exposed to danger and harassment in South Africa who voluntarily indicated interest in returning home should be assisted without delay.

“When it comes to situations like this, of course, it is necessary to be temperate and exercise caution. But when your citizens are being harassed, when your citizens are people who have spent years there, and mind you, some of them are married to South Africans and have children who have known no other home but South Africa, then it becomes a serious concern,” the minister lamented.

She expressed concern that the matter had degenerated to the extent that South African spouses of Nigerians and their children were also being asked to leave the country.

The minister also warned that Nigeria may review its options against South African businesses operating in Nigeria, including MTN, MultiChoice, and Stanbic, as the situation has taken a particularly troubling dimension. “There are over 120 South African companies operating in Nigeria. Nobody is asking them to provide proof of identity… But this is happening to Nigerians in South Africa. So, I think that at some point, we really have to review the options available to us,” she stated.

Nigeria’s N200 Trillion Debt Lacks Clear Impact, Obi Raises Concern

Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (ADC), has expressed concern over Nigeria’s rising debt profile, arguing that the country’s growing borrowings have not translated into visible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.

Obi called on Nigeria to adopt South Africa’s approach to borrowing, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability in public debt management.

His remarks come amid growing debate over Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability, with the country’s debt stock continuing to rise without corresponding improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, or other critical sectors that directly impact citizens’ welfare.

NEC Approves N83.2 Billion for Flood Mitigation

The National Economic Council has approved N83.21 billion for flood preparedness and climate-related disaster mitigation across Nigeria, as the federal government intensified efforts to move from emergency response to preventive action in managing recurring environmental crises.

The approval was granted at the 158th meeting of the Council chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

Stock Market Sheds N2.18 Trillion as Investors Adjust to T+1 Cycle

The stock market extended its negative trend on Thursday, wiping out N2.179 trillion from investors’ wealth. The decline was driven by sell-offs in fundamentally strong stocks as investors adjust to the new T+1 settlement cycle.

BusinessDay reported that the Nigerian equities market has lost about N8.24 trillion within just three weeks since June 1 transitioning to the T+1 settlement framework.

Naira Depreciates in Parallel Market

The Naira depreciated to N1,410 per dollar in the parallel market on Thursday from N1,405 per dollar on Wednesday. Similarly, the naira depreciated to N1,365.5 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market.

The official exchange rate hovered between ₦1,357 and ₦1,364 per dollar based on recent market data and trading activity. Market analysts attributed the naira’s resilience at the official window to ongoing foreign exchange reforms, improved transparency in the market, and sustained dollar supply from authorised dealers.

Retired Military Officers Seek Decisive Action Against Banditry

Colleagues, friends, and associates of the late Director of Defence Information, Major General Abubakar Rabe (retd), have called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s security architecture, following his death at the hands of bandits after being kidnapped in Katsina State.

Retired military officers and associates of the late general cautioned Nigerians against blaming the North for the country’s worsening insecurity, insisting that terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping have become a national challenge affecting every region. The group made the submission at a press briefing held in Kaduna on Thursday.

Afenifere Raises Alarm Over Escalating Insecurity

Nigeria’s foremost pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation across the country, warning that the surge in kidnappings, banditry, and violent attacks poses a serious threat to the nation’s democratic stability.

The warning comes as insecurity continues to dominate national discourse, with the Oyo State House of Assembly also putting off elaborate plans to celebrate its third-year anniversary due to growing security concerns in the state.

DSS Rejects Foreign Funding for Security Trust Fund

The Department of State Services has cautioned lawmakers against allowing foreign organisations to contribute financially to a proposed Security Trust Fund for the agency, arguing that such arrangements could compromise intelligence operations, weaken institutional independence, and expose sensitive national security activities to outside influence.

Senate Forgery Controversy Deepens

Fresh controversy has erupted over the six-month suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following revelations by the lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Ireti Kingibe, that she neither saw nor signed the committee report that recommended the disciplinary action.

Customs, BAT Nigeria Sign Pact Against Tobacco Smuggling

The Nigeria Customs Service and British American Tobacco Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at deepening collaboration in the fight against smuggling, enhancing regulatory compliance, and protecting legitimate investments.

Speaking during the MOU signing ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the agreement as a strategic framework that will strengthen cooperation between the service and BATN in addressing illegal cross-border trade.

“We feel delighted that we have been able to sign this instrument, which will provide an effective framework to deepen collaboration between our two organisations. I would like to assure you that we will remain committed to both the spirit and the letter of this MOU and ensure that we wipe out illegal cross-border movements of products within the Nigerian territory,” Adeniyi said.

The Managing Director of BAT Nigeria, Yarub Al-Bahrani, described the agreement as a landmark development that reflects the strength of the relationship between BATN and the NCS.

“We believe that effective public-private sector cooperation is critical to protecting legitimate commerce, supporting regulatory compliance, and fostering a business environment where responsible businesses can thrive,” he said.

Rights Lawyer Urges Court to Vacate Bench Warrant Against Sowore

Human rights lawyer Aloy Ejimakor has called on Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja to vacate the bench warrant issued against activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore.

In a statement titled “Why the Bench Warrant Against Omoyele Sowore Must Be Vacated,” Ejimakor contended that the circumstances leading to the revocation of Sowore’s bail and the issuance of the warrant raise serious constitutional and judicial concerns.

Ejimakor argued that the order violates principles of fair hearing and procedural justice, noting that Justice Umar’s absence from court on previous hearing dates and his ignoring of Sowore’s letter requesting a change of date constituted a deliberate trap by the court.

“It exemplifies how judicial discretion, when exercised without due regard for constitutional safeguards and equity, can undermine the rule of law,” Ejimakor stated.

Inflation Accelerates, Renewing Cost-of-Living Squeeze

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate accelerated to 15.93 percent and food inflation to 16.96 percent in May 2026. No fewer than 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. About 35 million Nigerians are projected to face acute food insecurity between June and August during the lean period, over worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and climate shocks.

US Shuts Abuja Embassy, Lagos Consulate for Juneteenth

The United States Mission in Nigeria announced that its Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day.

Ogun Bans School Graduation Ceremonies

The Ogun State Government has outlawed graduation ceremonies and end-of-session celebrations in both public and private schools across the state, citing concerns over the growing financial burden such events impose on parents and guardians.

Iyabo Obasanjo Returns to PDP, Clinches Senatorial Ticket

Former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo was formally received into the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State following her recent defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress.

NIPSS Attack: Security Agencies Arrest Suspects

Security agencies have arrested some suspects in connection with the recent armed attack on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State, which left three persons dead. Vice President Kashim Shettima is scheduled to visit the institute today.

FG Approves International Routes for United Nigeria Airlines

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, revealed that the federal government has approved between four and five international routes for United Nigeria Airlines, naming New York, Canada, and Dubai among the destinations the carrier has now been cleared to fly.

INEC Distributes Sensitive Materials for Ondo South By-Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials for the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election, with the exercise scheduled for Saturday. The distribution involved deploying ballot papers, result sheets, and other sensitive materials to designated locations under the supervision of electoral officials, security agencies, and political party representatives.

Fire Guts Polaris Bank Building on Lagos Island

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service extinguished a fire outbreak that occurred on the third floor of the Polaris Bank Building on Broad Street, Lagos Island. The incident, which happened at about 11:33 a.m. on Thursday, involved a stationary saloon car parked on the third floor of the 17-storey building.

OPHK Troops Inflict Heavy Casualties on Terrorists in Borno

In the early hours of June 19, 2026, ISWAP terrorists launched multiple attacks on troops’ locations at Dusten Kura and Chara road in Buratai, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. Troops of Operation Hadin Kai reportedly inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers.