INEC Disowns Fake CVR Portal, Warns Nigerians of Phishing Scam

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disowned an online portal for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise currently circulating on social media platforms, describing it as a phishing scam designed to harvest the personal data of unsuspecting citizens. The Commission’s Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Wilfred Ifogah, issued the warning in an interview in Abuja on Thursday, urging Nigerians to exercise caution and ignore the fraudulent message. The viral post, titled “INEC ONLINE VOTERS REGISTRATION 2026 ONGOING,” has been widely shared on WhatsApp and other digital platforms. It directs users to the fraudulent website https://linksnapro.com/cvrreg, falsely claiming that the registration deadline is August 17, 2026. The post also falsely states that the home addresses provided by applicants would be used to deliver their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

READ ALSO:

• Xenophobic Attacks: NANS Threatens Shutdown of MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic IBTC
• Relief for Last-Mile Delivery Operators as TSS Motors launches Forland T5 light Trucks
• MURIC Demands Release of El-Rufai’s Personal Physician, Condemns ICPC Arrest

Ifogah advised members of the public to disregard the message and avoid clicking on the link, warning that doing so could expose users to identity theft and cyber fraud. He emphasised that INEC does not use third-party blogging links or private URLs for official exercises, nor does it deliver PVCs to private residences. The only official and approved INEC portal for all voter registration activities, including updates, transfers, PVC replacement, and registration centre location, remains https://cvr.inecnigeria.org. Ifogah urged citizens to verify all electoral information through INEC’s official website inecnigeria.org or its verified social media handles.

The warning comes as the Commission recently extended the nationwide CVR exercise by two weeks and introduced a self-service online registration option for eligible first-time voters. The exercise, which began on August 18, 2025, was originally scheduled to end on July 10, 2026, but will now close on Friday, July 24, 2026. The new self-service portal, launched on July 8, 2026, allows eligible citizens to initiate and complete their voter registration, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without visiting an INEC office. This development is part of INEC’s broader efforts to leverage technology to enhance voter participation and make the registration process more accessible to Nigerians across the country.

INEC Disowns Fake CVR Portal, Warns Nigerians of Phishing Scam

Soldiers Reject N100,000 Salary as Tinubu Holds Emergency Security Meeting

The Federal Government’s disclosure that the lowest-paid Nigerian soldier now earns N100,000 monthly has sparked criticism from serving and retired military personnel, who say the amount falls far short of addressing the country’s economic realities .

The backlash followed comments by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, who said the government had doubled soldiers’ minimum salary from N49,000 to N100,000 as part of efforts to improve their welfare . The minister made the disclosure during an interview on News Central on Wednesday, ahead of its broadcast on the NC Exclusive programme on Friday . He also admitted, however, that defence funding remains inadequate, stating: “It’s not enough” .

Many personnel argued that the increase remains inadequate and urged President Bola Tinubu to fulfil his promise of a broader salary review announced earlier this year . On March 7, 2026, during an interfaith breaking of fast with Service Chiefs, the President had assured members of the Armed Forces that his administration would prioritise their welfare, accommodation and other benefits . Serving personnel who spoke on condition of anonymity pressed the government to implement the promised salary increase, warning that poor remuneration was contributing to declining morale and increasing cases of personnel going AWOL .

A retired soldier, Abdul Isiak, said the current salary could not sustain military personnel in the face of rising living costs. “It is not enough at all. What is N100,000 with the current situation of the country? It can’t get to anywhere. They should do better. If they pay more, they would put more effort into what they are doing” .

Another retired serviceman, Sergeant Zaki Williams, questioned whether the amount announced by the minister was actually being paid. “I doubt if they are paying up to that amount now. It is a lie,” he said . He also criticised the remuneration offered to soldiers: “Even at that, that money is too ridiculous. Any government paying a soldier N100,000 is not a serious one. If you know what they are passing through, you would not offer them such money. We have been crying but no help. The government has tried, but they can do better” .

The Coordinator of the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, Abiodun Herbert-Durowaye, described the salary as insufficient for personnel risking their lives to defend the country . “How can that be sufficient for someone who’s putting his life on the line for the country? We know the cost of living in this country today. That’s not sufficient for any man who is ensuring the peaceful coexistence of the country. It is far from it. My brother, how much is a bag of rice today? We are not talking about children’s school fees, shelter and what have you” .

READ ALSO:

• DJ Chicken Arrested Over Viral Video Threatening Seyi Tinubu
• Israel Warns US of ‘Specific’ Iranian Assassination Plot Against Trump
• Troops intercept foreign courier carrying drugs, alcohol to terrorists in Borno

Serving personnel who spoke anonymously urged the Federal Government to implement the salary increase President Tinubu announced in March, saying the promised review had yet to take effect . One officer said: “The Federal Government should immediately implement the new salary structure it promised members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria if it is serious about restoring morale and strengthening the nation’s military. Today, many personnel are living in conditions that do not reflect the enormous sacrifices they make in defence of the country” . Another personnel appealed directly to the President: “During Iftar, the President raised our hopes and we were very happy. He should please make it a reality so that everybody will be happy. Things are quite expensive, which has made our current salaries not enough. I personally need the increment as I speak. I have children and dependents to cater for” .

The controversy unfolded as President Tinubu on Thursday convened a high-level security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with service chiefs, intelligence heads and senior security advisers to review the nation’s security situation . The closed-door meeting, which lasted more than two hours, brought together the nation’s top military commanders and security leadership .

Those present at the meeting included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.); Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Isa; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.); and Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu .

READ ALSO:

• Kogi Teacher’s Murder: Three Suspects Arrested, to Face Trial for Culpable Homicide
• Nigeria’s stock market surpasses South Korea as world’s top-performing equity market
• Tinubu vows not to betray Nigerians, says economic reforms will secure brighter future

The meeting focused on a comprehensive review of security challenges and developments across various theatres of operation . It came two days after troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, supported by the Air Component of the Joint Task Force, disrupted what the military described as a major planned terrorist offensive in Zamfara and Katsina States . During the July 7 operation, three Nigerian Air Force aircraft reportedly tracked a convoy of approximately 300 heavily armed terrorists on motorcycles and conducted precision airstrikes on the formation .

In a separate engagement, troops neutralised Alhaji Tukur, identified by military authorities as a notorious bandit commander and younger brother of wanted kingpin Alhaji Shehu Bagiwaye, in Dogon Kade . In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have continued operations against ISWAP and other terrorist groups . Although details of the deliberations were not made public, officials familiar with the meeting said it focused on reviewing ongoing military operations against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements .

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, the Defence Minister addressed the recent abduction of pupils in Oyo State, alleging that the kidnappers were seeking the release of detained commanders . “You know, it’s a very sad event. Unfortunately, bad things do happen. For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us, and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander” . He added: “They are now threatening that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids” .

The minister also called for stiffer penalties against kidnappers, including capital punishment. “I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment” .

Badaru also rejected claims circulating on social media that soldiers were poorly fed, insisting that a viral video had been manipulated . “The soldier’s food was okay. There was meat; there was all this. But he told them to pull out those things and make it look as if those things were not there” .

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the Defence Headquarters had issued an official statement on the outcome of Thursday’s security meeting . The State House announced the meeting through a photograph released on Thursday evening but did not immediately disclose the resolutions reached during the engagement .

Soldiers Reject N100,000 Salary as Tinubu Holds Emergency Security Meeting

Tinubu vows not to betray Nigerians, says economic reforms will secure brighter future

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering on the promises of his administration, declaring that he will never betray the trust reposed in him by Nigerians while insisting that the ongoing economic reforms are laying the foundation for a stronger economy and a brighter future for generations to come.

The President made the declaration on Thursday in a message delivered on his behalf by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during the inauguration of the executives of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, a grassroots mobilisation platform established to promote the Renewed Hope Agenda across Nigeria.

Addressing political leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, youth groups and supporters at the event, Tinubu said his administration remains focused on building a stronger and more prosperous nation despite the difficult decisions it has taken since assuming office.

“I am delighted to be here to see what Nigerians are doing from their hearts for the development of the nation. I can see people interested in the future of the country,” the President said.

He added: “I am determined never to betray the trust by Nigerians and the vision of ensuring a better Nigeria.”

Tinubu called on members of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement to intensify grassroots engagement by taking the message of his administration directly to Nigerians, stressing that democracy flourishes through sustained interaction between leaders and citizens.

According to him, meaningful political victories begin with conversations at the community level rather than at the ballot box alone.

“Every great nation is driven by one citizen at a time, and one door at a time. Before victories at the ballot boxes, there are confrontations at every door,” he said.

READ ALSO:

• Mbappe breaks records as France defeat Morocco to reach World Cup last four
• Miyetti Allah President Remanded Over $2.63m Money Laundering, Terrorism Charges
• NANS exposes 43 institutions over alleged failure to refund NELFUND tuition fees

The President urged supporters to educate Nigerians about government programmes and policies, saying the benefits of good governance become more meaningful when citizens understand the purpose behind them.

“Go to these doors and tell them about the dividends of good governance after they vote. That is how democracy endures,” he said.

Tinubu acknowledged that many Nigerians have made sacrifices as a result of the administration’s economic reforms, but maintained that the measures were introduced to address long-standing structural challenges and create lasting prosperity.

“The purpose of reforms is not to make life difficult for citizens but to lay the foundation that future generations can build on. Lasting progress is rarely achieved without enduring sacrifice,” he stated.

The President said countries achieve sustainable development by confronting difficult challenges with courage and patriotism rather than avoiding necessary reforms.

He also stressed the importance of collaboration among the executive, legislature and citizens, describing collective responsibility as essential to effective governance and national development.

“Good governance succeeds when the executive, legislature and the citizens agree to work together,” he said.

Calling for national unity, Tinubu urged Nigerians not to allow political differences to weaken the country’s shared aspirations.

“Politics should never divide us as Nigerians. Our nation is greater than any political party, office holder or elections,” he declared.

He encouraged members of the movement to spread hope, respect and confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“Knock on every door with respect, while strengthening faith in our democracy and the future of Nigeria. Let every door lead to a renewed hope for greater Nigeria and a more prosperous nation,” the President said.

Tinubu also commended High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and members of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement for launching the grassroots mobilisation initiative.

“I commend High Chief Government Ekpemupolo and his team for putting this together. We are united whenever the nation calls,” he said.

Highlighting the achievements of his administration, Tinubu maintained that reforms introduced over the past three years were already positioning Nigeria for sustained economic growth and national development.

“In three years we have embarked on various reforms to grow our economy and make life brighter for Nigerians. The future is indeed brighter for Nigerians,” he added.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Kestin Pondi, who represented the Grand Patron of the movement, Tompolo, described the inauguration as the beginning of a nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign in support of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Pondi thanked the thousands of Nigerians who attended the event, including political leaders, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic community, youth and women groups, civil society organisations and media representatives, saying their presence reflected a shared commitment to promoting national unity, good governance and sustainable development.

He described Tinubu as a courageous leader whose reform agenda demonstrated determination to transform the country.

“President Tinubu is a man of immense courage as can be seen in the breadth of his reform programmes. To every Nigerian who believes in the vision of a prosperous, united and progressive country, he is the man of the moment,” Pondi said.

He acknowledged that the country’s journey towards sustainable development may not be easy but expressed confidence that Nigeria was moving in the right direction.

“The inauguration is only the beginning. Together we shall continue to mobilise support, strengthen grassroots engagement and promote constructive citizen participation in nation building. The road ahead would be bumpy but a safe arrival is assured,” he said.

Pondi urged members of the movement to remain peaceful, disciplined and committed to promoting national unity while supporting initiatives aimed at advancing Nigeria’s growth and development.

“As we move forward, I urge every member and supporter of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement to remain committed, peaceful, disciplined and focused on our collective objectives. Let us work together to deepen national unity and contribute positively to the growth and development of our dear nation,” he said.

Tinubu vows not to betray Nigerians, says economic reforms will secure brighter future