Relief for Dispatch Riders as FCTA Suspends Permit Levy Enforcement - Newstrends
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Relief for Dispatch Riders as FCTA Suspends Permit Levy Enforcement

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FCTA

Relief for Dispatch Riders as FCTA Suspends Permit Levy Enforcement

The Transportation Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has suspended the enforcement of the controversial Drivers and Riders Permit Levy, pending further engagement with relevant stakeholders.

The directive was issued by the Mandate Secretary of the Transportation Secretariat, Chinedum Elechi, in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of First Capital Cargo Ltd, the firm contracted to collect the levy.

According to the letter obtained in Abuja on Monday, the decision followed a meeting held on February 19 with leaders of the Association of Dispatch Riders in the FCT, during which concerns over multiple taxation were raised.

“Following the meeting with the leaders of the Association of Dispatch Riders in the FCT, and the concerns of multiple taxation by various authorities raised during the meeting, you are by this letter directed to suspend the enforcement of collection of the Drivers and Riders Permit Levy, pending further engagement with all relevant stakeholders,” Elechi stated.

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“Please ensure this directive is accorded the needed attention and compliance.”

The development comes days after thousands of dispatch riders stormed the FCT Administration Secretariat in Abuja in protest, alleging extortion and excessive levies imposed by different authorities.

The riders had appealed directly to the Nyesom Wike, urging him to intervene and halt what they described as an unfair financial burden on their operations.

According to the protesters, dispatch riders already pay a ₦13,000 annual levy to the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari Area Council, and Gwagwalada Area Council. This, they said, is in addition to the newly introduced ₦25,000 Drivers and Riders Permit Levy by the FCTA Transportation Secretariat.

They further claimed that riders are required to pay a ₦300 ticket each time they enter markets within Abuja, a situation they argue amounts to multiple taxation and significantly increases the cost of doing business.

Stakeholders within the transport and logistics sector have welcomed the suspension, describing it as a relief measure and a step toward resolving lingering disputes between government agencies and dispatch riders. They stressed the need for a harmonised levy system that avoids duplication and protects livelihoods while ensuring proper regulation.

The FCTA has assured that consultations will continue with dispatch riders’ associations, area councils, and other relevant authorities, adding that any final decision on the levy will be communicated through official government channels.

Relief for Dispatch Riders as FCTA Suspends Permit Levy Enforcement

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Ten Killed in Coordinated Bandit Attacks in Plateau

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Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina
Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina

Ten Killed in Coordinated Bandit Attacks in Plateau

Fresh violence rocked Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night, leaving at least 10 people dead in coordinated attacks on Jol and Dorowa Babuje (Rob District) communities. Local leaders confirmed the assaults occurred between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm, sparking fear and outrage among residents.

The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYMA), Barrister Solomon Dalyop, told reporters that nine people were killed in Dorowa Babuje, while one person died in Jol. He said the attackers arrived on motorcycles from the Manga axis in Jol, despite prior warnings to security agencies about suspicious movements.

Operation Rainbow, Plateau State’s specialized security outfit, was already deployed in Jol and successfully repelled the attackers, helping to limit casualties. In Dorowa Babuje, the assailants were reported to have emerged from the Jong-Wereh area, where they had allegedly been camping for some time. Dalyop praised the swift intervention of the military, which prevented the death toll from rising further.

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Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Plateau State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, did not respond to calls. The Nigeria Police is yet to issue a formal comment on the attacks.

The attacks come amid a disturbing pattern of insecurity in Riyom and surrounding areas, which have recently experienced repeated night raids, ambushes, and community displacement. Residents are now demanding a sustained security presence and long-term peacebuilding measures to prevent further bloodshed.

In the aftermath, youths and community leaders blocked major highways leading to Jos on Monday, protesting the killings and urging authorities to apprehend the perpetrators. Demonstrators warned that they would not clear the roads until action is taken to secure their communities.

The latest violence underscores the urgent need for enhanced security strategies, intelligence-driven policing, and federal-state collaboration to protect residents in Plateau State’s most vulnerable communities.

Ten Killed in Coordinated Bandit Attacks in Plateau

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Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna

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Police Dislodge Bandit Camps Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna

Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has achieved major operational successes in the last two weeks, including the dislodgement of bandit camps, the arrest of suspected gunrunners, and the seizure of illegal firearms and narcotics, officials confirmed at a press briefing on Monday.

State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, said the operations were intelligence‑led and conducted across Kajuru, Tafa, Igabi, and Kauru Local Government Areas. Several bandit camps were destroyed, with some suspects neutralised during firefights and others escaping with injuries.

He also revealed that the police recovered a range of illegal weapons, including:

  • Three AK‑47 rifles
  • 21 fabricated firearms
  • One sub‑machine gun (SMG)
  • Two English pistols and four fabricated pistols
  • Large quantities of hard drugs

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Muhammad highlighted the arrest of five suspected notorious gunrunners. On February 20, the Anti‑Kidnapping Unit apprehended a suspect from Jaji, Igabi LGA, who had six fabricated AK‑47 rifles, three revolvers, two pistols, seven AK‑47 magazines, and a pair of black Wellco boots. A second suspect from Unguwar Rogo, Jos North, was also taken into custody. Preliminary investigations show the suspects are involved in illegal arms fabrication and supply, fueling criminal activities within and beyond the state.

Earlier, on February 17, police intercepted three suspects at Kasuwan Magani in connection with an illegal arms transaction. Recovered items included one fabricated AK‑47 rifle and a pump-action gun.

The commissioner emphasized that the successes reflect the command’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-driven policing aimed at cutting the supply chain of illegal arms and dismantling criminal networks linked to banditry and violent crimes.

Muhammad further appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for leadership support, the Kaduna State Government for logistics assistance, and members of the public for providing credible intelligence, saying:

“Together, we shall ensure that Kaduna State remains secure for all law-abiding citizens.”

Police Dislodge Bandit Camps, Arrest Gunrunners in Kaduna

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BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal

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Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA)

BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal

A fire outbreak on Monday rocked the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, triggering panic among passengers and airport workers.

The incident, which occurred during peak operational hours, saw thick smoke billowing from a section of the terminal building, forcing travellers and staff to evacuate parts of the facility.

Eyewitnesses said the situation created confusion as passengers hurriedly moved away from the affected area while airport officials directed them to safer locations within the premises.

Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that emergency response teams, including the airport fire service unit, were immediately deployed to the scene.

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According to sources at the airport, firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it spread to other sections of the terminal. There were no immediate reports of casualties as of press time.

Although the exact cause of the fire had not been officially disclosed, preliminary information suggested it may have originated from one of the service or administrative sections of the old terminal.

The incident reportedly caused temporary disruption to passenger processing and flight operations, with some activities briefly suspended as safety checks were carried out.

FAAN assured passengers and members of the public that the situation had been brought under control and that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of damage.

Further updates are expected from airport authorities as operations gradually return to normal.

BREAKING: Panic at MMIA as Fire Breaks Out at Old Terminal

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