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THE STATES

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Bauchi
The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Zaki Ahmed, said the command has arrested 131 suspects for alleged kidnapping, rape, robbery and other offences from January 10 to February 28.
Ahmed disclosed this on Friday while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command in Bauchi.
He also said that the command had rescued 21 hostages of which 12 were women in Basirka/Balmo forest in Darazau local government area of the state.
“A total of 131 suspects were arrested which include 55 suspected kidnappers; 39 suspected armed robbers; 16 rape suspects and three thugs known as “Sara Suka”.

Borno
The Borno State Police Command on Friday advised residents of the state to be more vigilant by reporting strange happenings around them to law enforcement agents nearest to them.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Damian Chukwu, gave the advice while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Chukwu was reacting to Friday’s multiple blasts in Maiduguri in which three suicide bombers died and three petrol trucks were destroyed.
He said that the residents must collaborate with security agents by sharing vital information on suspicious movements around them.
“ I want to appeal to the people to be vigilant and be wary of happenings and people around them.

FCT
The UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Mr John Howell, has commended the Federal Government on the review of its visa policy, which he said would enhance doing business in Nigeria.
Howell told newsmen in Abuja last Thursday that the new visa policy would boost the country’s economy.
In its efforts to boost the economy and open up business space, the Federal Government in February reviewed visa processes for prospective foreign investors and tourists.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that the essence of the new visa policy was to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and encourage business travellers and tourists into the country.

Gombe
The Police Command in Gombe State has appealed to government hospitals, private hospitals and clinics to treat patients brought to them with suspicious injuries before reporting to police for investigation.
The command made the call in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Obed Malum, and issued last Friday in Bauchi.
It also advised them not to reject such cases for lack of police report.
It, however, added that such cases should be promptly reported to the police for thorough investigation while treatment continued.
“The essence is to save lives first before any relevant action is taken,” the command said.
It urged the public to inform the police and any other security agency, persons found with suspicious injuries, including gunshot wounds, and assured of the informant’s safety and security

Kaduna
The Sokoto State  Government is to establish a fertiliser, tomatoes and cement companies in the state.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal said this last Saturday in Kaduna State while marking the “Sokoto state special day” at the 38th Kaduna International trade fair.
Tambuwal, who was represented at the event by the deputy governor,  Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, said the gesture would bring about rapid development and would also boost the economy of the state and the nation in general.
“By the end of the first quarter, two of the companies will begin operation,”he said. He said, the state is also the largest producer of leather, solid minerals, and other precious stones; while most of it remained exploited.
According to him, all machinery have been put in place to reposition and revive collapsed industries in the state.
He said the government is also working with rural farmers in the state to be self sufficient in food production.

Kano
The Chief of Air staff, Air Marshal Saddiq Abubakar on Thursday pledged to continue to give priority attention to training and retraining of personnel in the service as part of renewed effort to enhance professionalism.
He made the pledge while addressing officers and men of the service at the Air Force Flying Training School in Kano.
Abubakar said the force had sponsored pilot to undergo professional training at home and abroad adding that the welfare of officers and men in the force must be given the needed attention.
This, he said was necessary in order to ensure professionalism and effective service delivery.
According to him, the Nigerian Air Force had effected the repair of 13 moribund Aircrafts with the aim of making them serviceable in order to tackle the security challenges in different parts of the country.
The Chief of Air Staff was in Kano to inaugurate two blocks of 63 flats for married officers and one block of 18 by 2 for senior non-commissioned officers.

Katsina
The Katsina State  Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Saturday warned drivers against conveying passengers in the boot of cars used for commercial purposes.
Mr Abdu Bagadawa,  Katsina State Sector Commander gave the warning while speaking with newsmen in Katsina.
He said that any commercial driver caught conveying passengers in the boot  of his vehicle would be arrested.
“We have directed our officers and men to arrest any commercial vehicle driver carrying passengers in the boot of his car.
“It is totally unacceptable for drivers to be treating human beings like sheep or goats.
“Transporting passengers in the vehicle boot is dangerous,” he said.

Kogi
The Kogi State Judiciary has offered to train prosecuting officers of its state police command on how to apply Information Communication Technology (ICT) to speed up prosecution.
Justice Nasir Ajanah, who made the offer on Thursday in Lokoja, when the new Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, paid him a courtesy visit, said that such knowledge was key to quick dispensation of justice.
“Educating prosecuting officers on using the ICT will broaden their capacity in the tackling of high level crimes.
“Criminals use electronics and computers in the commission of crimes; unless the prosecutors are kept abreast of what is going on, it is so easy for criminals to get away with their crimes.
“The judiciary has a computer centre and we are ready to partner with the police to train your officers,” he said.
On measures to ensure quick dispensation of justice, the Chief Judge said that the state judiciary would embark on a two-week special adjudication from March 20.

Kwara
The Kwara  State Government has restated its commitment to collaborating  with relevant organisations in its drive to develop the state.
The state’s  Deputy Governor, Mr Peter Kisira,  stated this on Thursday, in Ilorin, while receiving a delegation from Star Deep Water Petroleum limited.
Kisira noted that government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of providing social amenities for the people, adding that  there was  need to partner with private organisations and agencies to meet the needs  of the people.
The deputy governor pledged the readiness of the government to maintaining  and sustaining  projects provided by the company in the state, particularly in Eruku and Isanlu-Isin communities.
He commended  the company  for the  scholarship awarded to indigenes of the state and across the country.

Lagos
Governor  Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Saturday advised security officers to be friendly with residents in their host communities, being the primary source of intelligence gathering.
Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, gave the advice at the Passing Out Parade of Cadet Officers Basic Course 29/2016 of the Department of State Services Academy, Ojo, Lagos.
He also urged them to be diligent, disciplined and dedicated to the responsibility of ensuring the security of  lives and property.
“The constitution makes security a direct responsibility of government.
“The training and retraining of security personnel are part of government strategies to equip security officers with knowledge and skill to discharge their duties.
“The state government will continue to support our security agencies with equipment and facilities to enhance their performances in ensuring security for all,” he said.

Niger
The Niger  State Police Command last Saturday confirmed the killing of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Aaron Sunday, serving with Kpakungu Division, Minna, by suspected hoodlums in Barkin-Sale area.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Bala Elkana,  who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Minna, said it occurred at about 6pm on Friday when the deceased was performing his official duty.
Elkana said that over 13 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident, adding that the arrested suspects would help police to fish out the rest of the hoodlums.
He said that the command had declared war on hoodlums in Minna, and urged parents to advise their wards to desist from taking the law into their hands.
“Any youth caught in the act will be made to face the law; it is high time we stop the madness,’’ he said.
The remains of late Sunday have been deposited at the Minna General Hospital morgue.

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) says it has strengthened collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to enhance quality control and enforcement frameworks.
Mr Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, the Head of Communications, REAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the collaboration would also involve stakeholder engagement on testing, certification and capacity building in Nigeria.
He said the synergy would strengthen quality control and enforcement frameworks, promote policy alignment, and ensure stronger regulation across the renewable energy value chain.
“REAN reaffirms its commitment to standardisation and quality assurance; tighter collaboration with SON is critical to eliminating fake and substandard renewable energy products from the Nigerian market.
“Enforcement and gaps in existing standards have continued to allow inferior products to circulate, undermining consumer confidence and slowing sector growth.”
Lloyd-Dietake said that at high-level discussions, REAN also highlighted the need for stronger regulatory coordination to address emerging challenges in the renewable energy space.
According to him, the issues include inconsistencies in standards, affordability issues linked to certification processes; and the increasing presence of substandard solar and renewable energy equipment in the country.
“The association further raised concerns about delays in product testing and approval, calling for the establishment of more testing laboratories and certification facilities to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks in the system,’’ he said.
Lloyd-Dietake urged closer collaboration among key regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Rural Electrification Agency.
He said such team work would ensure harmonised standards and more effective enforcement against fake renewable energy products in the Nigerian market.
In response, SON acknowledged the important role REAN continued to play in supporting standardisation within Nigeria’s renewable energy industry and reaffirmed its willingness to deepen collaboration with the association.
SON further confirmed that REAN would be actively involved in future standard review processes and upcoming stakeholder engagements related to renewable energy and electric mobility standards development.
Lloyd-Dietake said REAN affirmed its willingness to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
He said the MoU is aimed at deepening cooperation, promoting quality assurance, and accelerating Nigeria’s transition towards reliable and standardised renewable energy solutions.
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Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

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The WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Programme, implemented by Self Help Africa, has expanded access to safe water and sanitation services for more than 320,000 people in Kano and Cross River States.
The organisation disclosed this on Tuesday at the WS4H National Results and Learning Workshop in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed achievements and lessons from the intervention.
Speaking at the event, Self Help Africa Country Director, Joy Aderele, said the programme demonstrated that sustainable WASH improvements require strong institutions, effective governance, adequate financing and collaboration.
Aderele said the UK-funded programme was designed to strengthen systems that support sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.
According to her, the intervention focused on improving governance, planning, financing, accountability and sector coordination to ensure resilient service delivery.
“More than 320,000 people now have improved or restored access to water services through programme-supported interventions,” she said.
She added that more than 5,520 household toilets were constructed in Yala and Makoda Local Government Areas, boosting sanitation, public health and efforts to end open defecation.
Aderele said the programme also strengthened public investment in WASH, with Cross River increasing its sector budget by 211 per cent in 2026 and Kano by 169.07 per cent.
She added that dedicated WASH budget lines had been established across 40 Ministries, Departments and Agencies in both states, strengthening accountability and institutional commitment.
According to her, both states reviewed and adopted updated WASH policies, while key planning documents were developed to guide future investments and service delivery.
She said Cross River also recorded a major legislative milestone through the passage of the Water Law and Open Defecation Prohibition Bill.
Aderele added that lessons from interventions in Yala LGA were already informing expansion efforts in Obubra Local Government Area.
While commending the achievements, she noted that capacity gaps, resource constraints and climate-related pressures remained challenges to sustainable WASH services.
“The sustainability of these gains will depend on continued government leadership, adequate financing, strong partnerships and investment in institutional capacity,” she said.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager of WS4H, Mr Timothy Ibeawuchi, said the intervention focused on strengthening systems needed to sustain gains and attract future investments.
According to him, the programme engages stakeholders in developing strategies that preserve achievements and support long-term service delivery.
“System strengthening work takes time because it addresses the fundamental issues responsible for sustainable and resilient service delivery,” he said.
Ibeawuchi said the programme strengthened policy development, planning, financing, monitoring and evaluation systems across the WASH sector.
He said two pilot local government areas were supported to develop WASH strategic plans outlining sector goals, targets and activities between 2026 and 2030.
According to him, the plans will guide future interventions and improve service delivery in the affected councils.
Earlier, the representative of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chidera Chukwu, reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s development efforts in spite of the programme nearing completion.
Chukwu commended the Self Help Africa-led consortium for delivering the programme with professionalism and a strong focus on systems strengthening.
He said the consortium contributed greatly to strengthening Nigeria’s WASH sector through policy reforms, improved coordination and enhanced accountability.
“Together, we have advanced key policy and legislative reforms, including open defecation-free laws and strengthened state WASH frameworks,” he said.
According to him, the reforms represent enduring system-level changes that will continue delivering benefits beyond the programme’s lifespan.
In his remarks, Mr Jamilu Habu, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, commended the programme’s achievements.
Habu, who represented the Permanent Secretary, said the intervention strengthened governance, coordination, evidence-based planning and institutional capacity in the WASH sector.
He described the workshop as an opportunity to review achievements, share lessons and identify pathways for sustaining and scaling successful interventions.
According to him, the programme’s innovations and best practices will guide future policies and investments aimed at expanding access to safe WASH services.
Habu stressed the need for continued collaboration among governments, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities.
He said stronger partnerships remained essential to achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and meeting Sustainable Development Goal 6.
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Lagos Residents Stranded As Floods Cut Off Ajah, Mafoluku Communities

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Residents of Ajah, Mafoluku and other flood-prone communities in Lagos have recounted how Thursday’s torrential rainfall left them stranded, submerged homes and cut off access to major roads.
The residents, who spoke with Tide source, on Friday called for urgent government intervention to tackle the recurring flooding blamed on poor drainage infrastructure.
Along Mobil Road in Ajah, Mrs Rukayat said floodwaters submerged about 200 metres of the road, forcing commuters to wade through waist-deep water.
“The water level was almost up to my lap. People literally had to wade through it to get home,” she said.
According to her, many motorists turned back, while others abandoned their vehicles and continued their journeys on foot.
“The only way to pass through the water was by walking or using a tricycle. Even then, the tricycles broke down and had to be pushed,” she said.
Rukayat said some youths assisted stranded tricycle operators by pushing their vehicles through flooded sections for a fee.
She said residents had repeatedly alerted authorities to the flooding but little had changed.
“We reported this when the rains started, but apparently nothing has been done about the problem,” she said.
She attributed the flooding to poor drainage and possible blockage of a major canal serving the area.
“There is a big canal here, but I don’t know what is preventing water from flowing through it properly,” she said.
According to her, overgrown vegetation and sand deposits might have obstructed the canal, reducing its capacity to discharge stormwater.
She added that although floodwaters usually receded after a few hours, sections of the road remained waterlogged.
In Mafoluku, residents said several streets, homes and access roads were submerged, leaving many unable to return home after going about their daily activities.
Mrs Iriagbonse Okunkpolor, a resident of Agboola Street, said what began as a short trip to buy household items became an hours-long ordeal.
“I left my house to buy a few items nearby, but the rain started suddenly and flooded the entire street.
“I was stranded for hours because there was no safe way back home,” she said.
Another resident, Mr Mukaila Idris, described the flooding as both dangerous and distressing.
“The current was very strong. I watched people pay young men to carry them across the water because they were afraid of being swept away or falling,” he said.
According to him, only physically fit residents could navigate the floodwaters safely, while many others waited several hours for the water level to subside.
Mr Williams Ekpo, who lives in the Eyinogun area, said the flood extended beyond the roads and entered residential compounds.
“The floodwater entered our compound and damaged some household items.
“This happens almost every rainy season, yet nothing seems to be done to address the drainage problem,” he said.
The residents urged the relevant authorities to investigate the persistent flooding and improve drainage infrastructure to prevent a recurrence during the rainy season.
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