Author: Vardiafrica

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against two senior commanders of Ansaru, a terror group reportedly linked to Al-Qaeda, over their alleged role in violent attacks across Nigeria. The suspects are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a Abbas/Mukhtar, who is described as the Emir of Ansaru, and his deputy, Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also known as Malam Mamuda. They were recently captured during security operations. According to the secret service, the charges against them include leading a terrorist organisation, funding its activities, recruiting members, and planning violent operations nationwide. The two men are alleged to be behind…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has sued the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over the tinted glass permit policy, labelling the move as illegal In April 2025, the IGP introduced a policy, instructing the public to apply for and get annual motor tinted glass permits from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for a stipulated amount. A platform was launched for the application to be processed. However, during the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association at its pre-conference NEC meeting held on August 23, 2025, the association said it would challenge the legality of the Nigeria Police…

Argentine magician Lionel Messi hinted at the possibility of missing the 2026 World Cup title defence. The 38-year-old believes it is “logical” at his age to think that he would sit out of the action, but ultimately, he will take the final call depending on his fitness level. Messi continued to dazzle on the field with his precise passes and impeccable finishing touches. He netted a record-breaking brace during Argentina’s 3-0 triumph over Venezuela in Buenos Aires, his last qualifying match on home soil. After the fixture, the Albiceleste captain remained tight-lipped about his return to the World Cup, which…

The Department of Defense (DoD) – which oversees the US armed services – is the successor to the War Department, which was first established as a cabinet-level agency in 1789 and existed until 1947. It says: “The name ‘Department of War’ conveys a stronger message of readiness and resolve compared to ‘Department of Defense,’ which emphasizes only defensive capabilities.” The order says Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will be known as secretary of war. It instructs him to recommend and include legislative and executive actions to move toward a permanent renaming of the department. The responsibility of creating executive departments…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has established a dedicated Compliance Department to strengthen regulatory oversight and address emerging risks in the financial sector, including financial crimes, cybersecurity, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. The new department, created in the first quarter of 2025 and fully operational from the second quarter, was announced in a circular signed by Olubunmi Ayodele-Oni. The move forms part of the apex bank’s broader structural reforms designed to consolidate supervisory roles, improve efficiency, and ensure targeted regulation of non-prudential risks. Expanded Oversight Functions The Compliance Department will now oversee four key areas: Financial Crime…

The Federal Government has made Tax Identification, (Tax ID) compulsory for people getting involved in banking and allied services in the country. Consequently, all taxable Nigerians are to obtain a Taxpayer Identification when the new tax Acts come into force in January 2026. The Tax ID is contained in the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, Part II Section 4 of the legislation which was recently signed by President Bola Tinubu. It says, “Every Taxable person shall register with the relevant Tax Authority and obtain a Taxpayer Identification Card (Tax ID) for the purpose of compliance with tax…

Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, has said the revenue of states has doubled since the removal of the petrol subsidy. Edun made the remarks during the National Health Financing Dialogue in Abuja. “And over the past two years, the bold reforms have come at some cost as you repair and you fix some of the things that were broken in the economy,” he said. “So, the removal of subsidy was a tough decision but it has restored fiscal balance, not just at the federal level. The states have much more money, they have…

The Kaduna State Police Command has invited former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and six chieftains of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for questioning over allegations of criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance of public peace, mischief, and causing grievous hurt. ‎The invitation was contained in a letter dated September 4, 2025, addressed to the state chairman of the ADC. It directed that the former governor and the six others be presented at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, in Kaduna. ‎Those listed alongside El-Rufai include Bashir Sa’idu, Jafaru Sani, Ubaidullah Mohammed, Nasiru Maikano, Aminu Abita, and Ahmed Rufa’i Hussaini. ‎According to the letter,…

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said insecurity in the state would be history within two months if given total control of the security agencies. This is as he even claimed to know the location of a bandits’ leader, saying with his mobile phone he could show where the bandits are. In a viral video clip, the governor lamented that he could not do anything beyond his power as the state governor. Governor Lawal said most times he weeps for his people because he could see a problem but, since he does not have control over the security agencies,…

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a 10-day vacation, marking the start of his 2025 annual leave, the Presidency announced. A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the President will spend his 10-working-day vacation between France and the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria. He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave. “The vacation will last 10 working days. “President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to…