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IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade Assumes IFEX Leadership Roles

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The Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, has been elected Deputy Convenor of the 13-member Council of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) and appointed to its Governance Committee. Arogundade was first elected to the IFEX Council at the organisation’s reconvened Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2026. His new leadership roles were unanimously approved at the inaugural meeting of the 2026–2029 IFEX Council held on August 5, 2026. At the meeting, Layal Bahnam, Programme Manager at the Maharat Foundation, was appointed Convenor, while Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited, was appointed Treasurer. As Deputy Convenor, Arogundade will support the Convenor in providing leadership to the Council and assume relevant responsibilities in the Convenor’s absence. His duties will include chairing Council and members’ meetings, convening Council committees when necessary, supporting the implementation of Council deci...
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STS-FID Neutralises Suspected Bandit Kingpin “Acid”, Recover AK-47, 56 Rounds In Imo

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  The Special Tactical Squad-Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID) of the Nigeria Police Force has neutralised a suspected bandit kingpin, Ojiogu Elumah Martin, also known as “Acid”, during an operation in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State. The statement was issued by CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on August 8, 2026. The operation, conducted on August 6, 2026, was led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, following the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu. The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP Ani Iniedu, said in a statement that the operation was part of efforts to arrest members of a criminal group allegedly responsible for several killings, including the murder of HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom, his security guards and other victims. According to Iniedu, STS-FID operatives stormed “Acid’s” hideout at about 1:...
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Tobacco Act Amendment Bill Is Damaging To Nigeria, Africa Centre Warns NASS

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ATIM Director Prof Olalekan Ayo-Yusuf The Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM) has urged the National Assembly to urgently reconsider the proposed amendments to Nigeria’s National Tobacco Control Act 2015, warning that provisions on “Tobacco Harm Reduction” could undermine the country’s tobacco-control gains. In a statement seen by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), on Sunday, August 9, 2026, ATIM backed the rejection of the proposed amendments by Nigeria’s tobacco-control community, saying the changes could weaken the existing regulatory framework and create loopholes for tobacco and nicotine companies to expand the use of emerging products, particularly among young people. The organisation said the development was concerning given Nigeria’s progress in reducing smoking prevalence and its obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). “Nigeria should be strengthening...
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Tobacco Control Groups Reject Amendment Bill, Demand Immediate Recall

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Nigeria’s tobacco-control community has rejected the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, describing it as a dangerous reversal of public-health protections and a threat to young people. In a joint statement issued on Thursday, 13 tobacco-control, health and civil society organisations called on the relevant committees of the National Assembly to immediately withdraw the bill and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent if it is presented for executive approval. The statement was signed by Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation in Africa (CAPPA), Gatefield Impact, Youth Coalition Against Cancer, Nigerian Cancer Society, Call Off Cancer Initiative, Association of Resident Doctors, Abuja, A New Thing International Foundation, Oncology Nursing Society of Nigeria, Development Initiative for Society Health, Centre for Youth Inclusion and Development, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, and Trailblazers In...
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AIG Akpanudom Warns FCID Officers Against Illegal Arrests, Rights Abuse

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AIG Simeon Akpanudom The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Lagos, Simeon Akpanudom, has warned officers against unlawful arrests, prolonged detention of suspects, extortion and other acts of misconduct, declaring that violators will face sanctions. The warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCID Annex, ASP Mayegun Aminat, following the Formation's Lecture Parade held at the FCID Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos. According to the statement, the AIG directed detectives to carry out investigations professionally, fairly and in strict compliance with the law, stressing that investigators are fact-finders and not judges.  He cautioned officers against indiscriminate transfer of case files, the criminalisation of civil disputes and any action capable of violating the fundamental rights of citizens. Akpanudom also reiterated the Inspector-General of Police's vision of...
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Police Link Alleged Killing of Emmanuel Nwanneniya to Land Dispute in Anambra, Reveal Use of Restricted Sedative

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The Nigeria Police Force has arrested five suspects over the alleged murder of Emmanuel Nwanneniya, former Chairman and land agent of Ikem Nando Community in Anambra State, following investigations that uncovered the alleged use of a restricted veterinary sedative in the crime. The breakthrough was announced by the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (STS) after weeks of intelligence gathering, digital surveillance and coordinated operations.  Police said investigations revealed that the killing may have been connected to a prolonged dispute over the management of proceeds from community land sales. According to investigators, the dispute began after proceeds from the sale of community land were shared among the three clans that make up Ikem Nando Community.  They said one of the clans reportedly received about N39 million, with community members agreeing that the money should be invested in a community hall and other development projects.  Police said ...
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2027: When Religion is no longer the Issue

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By Seye Oladejo, Lagos APC Chieftain As the countdown to the 2027 general elections gradually begins, political actors have started testing narratives they believe could shape the electoral conversation. Among these is the perennial attempt to reduce Nigeria’s democratic choices to the prism of religion. It is a temptation that has surfaced repeatedly in our political history, yet it has consistently failed to answer the real questions confronting the Nigerian electorate. The truth is simple: in 2027, religion should remain a non-issue. This is not because religion is unimportant. Far from it. Religion remains one of the strongest moral and social institutions in our society. It shapes our values, strengthens our communities and inspires millions of Nigerians to serve humanity with compassion and integrity. However, governance is measured not by religious affiliation but by competence, vision, courage, capacity and measurable outcomes. The Nigerian voter is becoming increasingly sophis...
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