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State Police Framework Ready Soon, Presidency Tells Nigerians

Published

2 months ago

June 5, 2026

L-R: IGP Olatunji Disu, Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi

State Police Framework Ready Soon, Presidency Tells Nigerians

The presidency said Thursday that a constitutional amendment to establish state police will soon happen following months of consultations between the executive, the National Assembly, and security authorities.

President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, briefed correspondents after a consultative meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, June 4, 2026. According to Gbajabiamila, discussions on the proposed state police framework began several months ago following a directive by President Bola Tinubu, and substantial progress has been achieved in developing the legal and constitutional pathways required for implementation.

“We started deliberations in the last three or four months on how to go about the establishment of state police as directed by Mr President,” he said. “Establishing state police is not something that you do with the snap of the fingers. There is a lot involved in terms of constitution and legalities, and thank God we have now gained a lot of traction.” Gbajabiamila expressed optimism that the constitutional amendment required to create state police would be introduced soon. “Hopefully, the amendment will come shortly, and the details of the amendment will come after that,” he added.

According to the Chief of Staff, the current focus is on the constitutional amendment itself, while enabling legislation would follow afterwards to define operational procedures and administrative frameworks for state police across the country. “Right now, what we are looking at is the constitutional amendment itself, and then the enabling law would follow thereafter. That is what we have been deliberating on in the last couple of hours,” Gbajabiamila stated. He further noted that there is now broad national consensus on the need for state police, stressing that discussions had evolved beyond the question of whether state police should exist. He said the focus had shifted toward ensuring the establishment of an effective legal and institutional framework capable of guaranteeing accountability and efficient operations.

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President Tinubu will receive a full report on the meeting’s outcome. He has consistently backed decentralised policing as a necessary response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, maintaining that such a structure would improve grassroots security, enhance intelligence gathering, and better protect lives and property across the country.

The consultative meeting was attended by a cross-section of senior government officials, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to the initiative. Those present included Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) , and Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu. The meeting formed part of ongoing consultations by the Federal Government aimed at developing a workable and nationally acceptable framework for state police to enhance internal security and improve the ability of sub-national governments to tackle emerging security challenges.

The Thursday meeting followed recent kidnappings across the country that have reignited calls for security sector reforms. In May 2026, armed gunmen on motorcycles attacked schools in the Ahoro Esinle community of Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State and abducted at least 39 pupils and 7 teachers. The assailants eventually killed one of the teachers in captivity. According to reports, the attackers stormed three schools on May 15, 2026 — Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele — in what has been described as a highly organized operation. The attack marked one of the first mass school abductions of its scale in the South-West, a region previously considered relatively insulated from the mass kidnapping crises that have plagued Northern Nigeria.

Governor Seyi Makinde reported 32 total abductions and took decisive action in response to the crisis. The Oyo State Government ordered the immediate suspension of all school excursions, field trips, inter-school sports competitions, and any extracurricular activities that require students to leave school premises. The Ministry of Education issued a circular directing all school administrators to comply with the suspension until further notice, citing growing security concerns across the state.

The abduction took a tragic turn when reports emerged that a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded by his captors. Another teacher, identified as Joel Adesiyan (also reported as Adesiyan Adegboye), was killed during the initial raid on the schools. The deaths have sparked national outrage and triggered protests by teachers across the country. In a message marking Eid-al-Adha and National Children’s Day, Governor Makinde expressed deep solidarity with the families of the abducted school children and teachers. “As we mark this year’s Eid and Children’s Day, our thoughts are with every family awaiting the return of their loved ones, and with security agencies working to keep our communities safe,” he wrote on his official X handle. He reassured the state of his administration’s efforts to resolve the crisis, stating, “We are working to ensure the safe return of those who were kidnapped in Oriire LGA.”

The Oyo school abduction has triggered nationwide protests by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) . Members of the NUT, Kwara State wing, joined the nationwide solidarity rally organised by the national body of the union to protest the abduction and continued captivity of teachers and pupils. The rally, held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, saw teachers marching with placards bearing inscriptions such as “From Chibok to Oriire: Our children are still crying,” “We say no to attacks on schools,” and “Stop the killing and maiming of teachers in Nigeria.” The Deputy Secretary-General of the NUT in Kwara State, Mike Modesty, lamented that the victims had remained in captivity since May 15, adding that the continued attacks on teachers and learners showed that the government had not done enough to protect schools. “They have been abducted since May 15. One teacher has been killed and the remaining ones are still in captivity. And we are hearing that the bandits want to negotiate. Negotiate what? The lives of our children and the teachers?” he said.

The push for state police has gained renewed momentum amid growing concerns over insecurity and increasing calls for a more decentralised policing structure capable of addressing local security challenges across the federation. Supporters of the initiative have argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing structure has become overstretched amid rising security concerns including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence. Some states have already established regional and local security outfits, such as Amotekun in the South-West, but these operate without full constitutional backing. However, opponents have continued to raise concerns about possible political interference and the potential misuse of state police by state administrations, urging the inclusion of robust legal safeguards to prevent abuse. The state police bill has been one of the most contentious constitutional matters since 1999, with northern governors and some civil society groups previously expressing reservations. Nonetheless, Gbajabiamila expressed confidence that there is now a national consensus on the necessity of the reform.

The constitutional amendment, once finalised, will be presented to the National Assembly for consideration before the enabling legislation that will define the operational procedures and administrative frameworks for state police across the country. President Tinubu will receive a comprehensive briefing on the outcome of the meeting and the progress made toward actualising the long-awaited security reform. According to the administration, a decentralised policing structure would strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering, and enhance protection of lives and property across the country.

State Police Framework Ready Soon, Presidency Tells Nigerians

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INEC recruitment 2026: How to apply as commission opens portal for nationwide jobs

Published

5 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Trends Admin

INEC recruitment 2026: How to apply as commission opens portal for nationwide jobs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially commenced its 2026 recruitment exercise, inviting qualified Nigerians to apply for permanent entry-level positions across various departments as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s electoral system ahead of future elections.

The electoral umpire announced that its online recruitment portal opened on Monday, July 20, 2026, and will remain accessible until Monday, July 27, 2026. The commission urged interested applicants to complete their registration before the deadline, stressing that late submissions will not be considered.

According to INEC, the recruitment exercise is designed to boost its workforce in critical areas including electoral administration, voter registration, election logistics, information and communication technology (ICT), data management, engineering, legal services, finance and healthcare. The commission said the exercise forms part of its commitment to improving operational efficiency and delivering credible elections across Nigeria.

The commission emphasized that the recruitment process is completely free of charge and warned Nigerians against fraudsters posing as recruitment agents or promising employment in exchange for money. It reiterated that no individual, group or organization has been authorized to collect payment or influence the recruitment process.

Applicants are advised to submit their applications only through the official INEC recruitment portal, where they are required to create an account using a valid email address and their National Identification Number (NIN) before completing the online application form.

Vacancies available

The commission said recruitment is being conducted under three major cadres.

The Professional Cadre, covering Grade Levels 09, 10 and 12, includes vacancies for Accountants, Lawyers, ICT Officers, Engineers, Clinical Officers and Quantity Surveyors.

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Candidates applying for these positions must possess at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution. Depending on the position, applicants are also expected to possess relevant professional certifications such as ICAN, ANAN, NBA, COREN, NSE, NIQS or CPN, alongside a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience and an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.

For the position of Administrative Officer II (Registration Area Officer) on Grade Level 08, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree, Higher National Diploma (HND) or equivalent qualification in the Social Sciences, Humanities or Sciences. They must also demonstrate proficiency in computer applications, records management and data administration.

The commission is also recruiting Executive Officers (Registration Officers) on Grade Level 07. Applicants for this category are required to possess a National Certificate in Education (NCE) or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, in addition to strong communication, organizational and computer skills.

General eligibility requirements

To qualify for the INEC recruitment 2026 exercise, applicants must:

Be Nigerian citizens.
Not be more than 35 years old at the time of application.
Possess a valid certificate of state of origin signed by the chairman or secretary of their Local Government Area.
Be medically certified as physically and mentally fit by a government medical officer.
Have no criminal record or conviction.
Be willing to work in any part of Nigeria.
Demonstrate integrity, discipline and commitment to public service.

Documents required

Applicants are expected to upload the following documents during registration:

Recent passport photograph.
Birth certificate or declaration of age.
O’Level certificate.
Degree, HND or NCE certificate, where applicable.
NYSC discharge, exemption or exclusion certificate.
Local Government Area identification certificate.
Relevant professional certificates for specialized positions.

INEC advised candidates to ensure that all documents uploaded are genuine and legible, warning that false declarations or forged credentials will lead to immediate disqualification and possible prosecution.

How to apply for INEC recruitment 2026

Interested candidates should visit the official INEC recruitment portal, create an applicant account using their personal information, email address and National Identification Number (NIN), verify their email and proceed to complete the online application.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully select their preferred cadre before submitting the application because the commission said submitted applications cannot be edited or transferred to another vacancy.

INEC also clarified that applications submitted through email, third-party websites or recruitment agents will not be accepted. Only applications completed through the commission’s official recruitment portal will be processed.

The commission added that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment exercise, which may include document verification, aptitude tests, interviews and other assessment procedures before final appointments are made.

With preparations gradually gathering pace for the 2027 General Election, the recruitment exercise is expected to enhance INEC’s institutional capacity and improve the delivery of electoral services across the federation.

INEC recruitment 2026: How to apply as commission opens portal for nationwide jobs

News

Abacha Died of Cardiac Arrest During Intercourse, Not Poisoning — Ex-DSS Chief

Published

7 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Trends Admin

General Sani Abacha

Abacha Died of Cardiac Arrest During Intercourse, Not Poisoning — Ex-DSS Chief

Former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has provided a fresh account of the death of Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, claiming the late military ruler died from a cardiac arrest during an intimate encounter at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Amachree made the revelation in his newly released memoir, DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield, offering what he described as the true account of the circumstances surrounding Abacha’s controversial death on June 8, 1998.

Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from November 1993 until his death in office, has remained one of the country’s most controversial leaders, with his demise giving rise to numerous conspiracy theories over the years.

According to excerpts of the book published by The Nation, Amachree, who was serving as Assistant Director of Operations and Intelligence at the Lagos DSS Command at the time, said Abacha died at about 4:05 a.m. while in the company of a female pharmacist at the Aso Rock Guest House.

He explained that the woman had accompanied her elder sister, described as Abacha’s girlfriend, to the Presidential Villa after the Head of State reportedly purchased a new SUV for the elder sister.

Amachree said the elder sister later returned to her hotel, leaving the pharmacist alone with Abacha.

He wrote that shortly after they became intimate, the woman noticed that the military ruler had suddenly become motionless and unresponsive.

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According to him, the pharmacist checked Abacha’s pulse but found none before hurriedly dressing up and requesting a vehicle back to her hotel.

“The soldier on duty, unaware of what had happened, arranged transportation for her,” Amachree wrote.

He added that after informing her elder sister about the incident, the pharmacist was immediately taken to the Abuja airport, where she boarded a 7:00 a.m. Okada Air flight to Lagos.

Amachree disclosed that Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, was informed of the president’s condition around 5:00 a.m. and immediately sought to locate the woman who had been with him.

However, by the time security operatives arrived at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja, the pharmacist had already departed for Lagos.

The retired DSS officer said he later received instructions from the DSS headquarters in Abuja to locate and interrogate the woman in Lagos.

According to him, she was traced to Ogudu and brought to his office for questioning.

Amachree recalled that her first words during the interrogation were: “I did not kill him, he died on top of me.”

He said after obtaining her detailed statement, he contacted the DSS headquarters, after which the woman was flown back to Abuja.

The former intelligence officer maintained that the pharmacist’s account supports the conclusion that Abacha suffered a coitus-induced cardiac arrest.

He argued that the testimony dismisses several longstanding claims surrounding the former military ruler’s death, including allegations that he was poisoned with an apple or died after being entertained by foreign women.

Amachree insisted that the account presented in his book reflects the actual events and should put to rest decades of speculation over Abacha’s final moments.

General Sani Abacha died on June 8, 1998, after nearly five years in power. His death came less than a month before the death of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, who died in detention while under the Abacha regime.

Abacha Died of Cardiac Arrest During Intercourse, Not Poisoning — Ex-DSS Chief

News

NLC Announces Nationwide Campaign for New Minimum Wage, National Pension for Retirees

Published

10 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Trends Admin

NLC Announces Nationwide Campaign for New Minimum Wage, National Pension for Retirees

Joe Ajaero says it is a ‘historical injustice’ for retirees to live below poverty line after years of service

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to launch a nationwide campaign for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage while also pushing for the introduction of a national minimum pension for retirees, describing the current plight of pensioners as a “historical injustice” that must be urgently addressed.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners’ Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the welfare of pensioners must receive the same level of attention as that of serving workers, stressing that organised labour would no longer advocate improved wages without demanding better living conditions for retirees.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress is currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage,” Ajaero said. “However, it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.”

Describing the current condition of many retirees as unacceptable, the labour leader said it was a “historical injustice” for citizens who devoted their productive years to national service to be left in poverty after retirement. “It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement,” he said.

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The NLC president attributed the worsening plight of pensioners to the rising cost of living, galloping inflation and the increasing prices of food, healthcare and transportation, which have made life increasingly difficult for many retirees across the country. He noted that many retirees now survive on pensions that can no longer meet their basic needs, describing the situation as one that requires urgent government intervention. “We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” Ajaero stated.

The NLC president urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepare to support the campaign for improved retirement benefits, describing the newly inaugurated Legacy House as a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity ahead of the planned campaign. He called on workers to remain united in defending their collective interests, noting that the labour movement would continue to demand the payment of outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension system that guarantees retirees’ dignity and financial security. “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security,” Ajaero said.

According to the NLC president, the Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension to guarantee retirees a decent standard of living. He said the completion of the Legacy House should encourage workers and supporters of the labour movement to strengthen their collective efforts in ensuring that government meets its obligations to both serving workers and retirees. “Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve,” Ajaero stated.

The event, which took place at the NUP’s national headquarters in Abuja, also featured the inauguration of the union’s corporate headquarters, a multi-purpose hall and apartment complex commissioned by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf. Governor Yusuf, who was honoured as the Most Pensioners-Friendly Governor of the Year 2024, announced a donation of ₦100 million to the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to clearing pension liabilities in Kano State.

The NUP President, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, commended the Kano State Government for paying ₦32 billion out of the ₦48.6 billion gratuity liabilities inherited by the administration, describing the intervention as a major relief for thousands of pensioners and their families. Abumisi also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving pension increases, clearing pension arrears and settling accrued rights, which he said had significantly improved the welfare of pensioners nationwide.