Nigerian Union Demands Autopsy After Member Dies in South African Police Custody

The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) has called for a full autopsy and independent investigation following the death of one of its members, Ekpenyong Andrew, a Nigerian mechanic who was allegedly arrested by police officers in Pretoria and later found dead in a morgue under disputed circumstances.

Andrew was reportedly taken into custody on Sunday by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in the Booysens area while returning from work. According to NUSA, he was later discovered dead the following day at the Pretoria Central Morgue.

The union’s president, Smart Nwobi, confirmed the development in a statement, saying Andrew’s partner, Ms Kuma Kaku, recounted that police officers had earlier visited their home the same day of the arrest to conduct a search for drugs, which reportedly yielded no incriminating evidence.

Nwobi described the circumstances as deeply suspicious, stating that the discovery of Andrew’s body shortly after his arrest raises “serious concerns of possible foul play.” He added that a murder case has already been opened at the Hercules police station under the South African Police Service (SAPS).

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“NUSA categorically condemns this alleged extra-judicial killing and calls for an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Andrew’s death,” the statement read.

The union is demanding several actions, including the immediate suspension of the four Tshwane Metro Police officers allegedly involved, a probe by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), and compensation for the deceased’s family if wrongdoing is established.

NUSA also said the matter has been escalated to the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, urging diplomatic engagement to ensure accountability and justice.

The incident has added to growing concerns about deaths of Nigerians in South Africa police custody, a recurring issue that has previously triggered diplomatic complaints and calls for reforms in law enforcement conduct.

Human rights observers have also emphasized the importance of independent autopsies and transparent investigations in custody-related deaths to prevent allegations of cover-ups and ensure compliance with international policing standards.

Meanwhile, the union has appealed for calm among Nigerians living in South Africa, urging them to avoid retaliation and allow legal processes to take their course while monitoring developments closely.

South African authorities are yet to issue a detailed public statement on the case, but an official investigation is expected as custody-related deaths typically fall under the jurisdiction of IPID for independent review.

Nigerian Union Demands Autopsy After Member Dies in South African Police Custody

Recruitment: Police Announce Date for Nationwide Written Examination

The Police Service Commission (PSC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has fixed April 28 to 30, 2026, for the written examination of candidates seeking recruitment into the Police Constable cadre across Nigeria.

The examination, which covers both General Duty and Specialist categories, will be conducted simultaneously at approved centres in all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, only candidates who successfully passed the physical and credentials screening stages will be eligible to participate in the next phase of the recruitment process.

The PSC directed shortlisted applicants to log on to the official recruitment portal, npfapplication.psc.gov.ng, from Friday, April 24, 2026, to print their Examination Invitation Cards. The card will contain details such as the candidate’s assigned centre, date, and time of examination.

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Candidates are required to appear at their designated centres with the following items:

• A pen
• National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) with a clear photograph
• Printed Examination Invitation Card
• White shorts, white T-shirt, and white canvas shoes as the official dress code

Authorities emphasised that strict compliance with instructions is mandatory, warning that failure to present required documents or adhere to guidelines may lead to disqualification.

The PSC also reiterated that the entire recruitment exercise remains free of charge, warning applicants to avoid fraudsters and job racketeers who may attempt to exploit the process.

“The Police Service Commission reiterated that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge and cautions applicants against any form of job racketeering, scam, or financial inducement. Any individual found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement read.

The recruitment drive is part of ongoing efforts by the federal government to boost manpower within the Nigeria Police Force and strengthen internal security operations amid rising security challenges across the country.

Security analysts say the exercise is crucial to addressing personnel shortages in the force, improving response capacity, and enhancing policing at community levels.

Applicants have been advised to regularly check official communication channels for updates and avoid relying on unofficial sources to prevent misinformation.

Recruitment: Police Announce Date for Nationwide Written Examination

MTN Credits Nigerians Airtime as NCC Enforces Poor Service Compensation Rule

Telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria has begun crediting subscribers with airtime as compensation for poor quality of service, following a directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission aimed at enforcing stricter quality-of-service standards across the sector.

Subscribers across Nigeria have started receiving notification messages confirming the credits. One message read: “Dear Customer, your account has been credited with ₦341 airtime for quality of service issues in January 2026. Thank you for your understanding.” Similar alerts show varying amounts credited to users, depending on location and level of service disruption.

Reports indicate that compensation amounts differ widely, with some customers receiving as low as ₦20 or ₦91, while others reported ₦284, ₦341, and in some cases up to ₦900. The variation has raised questions among subscribers about how the figures were calculated and whether all affected users have been fully captured in the rollout.

The NCC had earlier directed MTN and other operators—including Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile—to compensate customers in areas where service performance fell below regulatory benchmarks between late 2025 and early 2026. The regulator said the initiative is part of a broader shift from punitive fines to direct consumer compensation, ensuring affected users benefit directly from enforcement actions.

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Under the framework, eligible subscribers must have experienced poor voice, SMS, or data service and recorded at least one billable activity during the affected period. The process is fully automated, with telecom operators required to identify impacted users using network performance data and credit accounts without requiring applications from subscribers.

The NCC said the compensation programme is designed to improve accountability in Nigeria’s telecom industry, following widespread complaints earlier in the year about dropped calls, slow data speeds, and network outages that disrupted business operations, online services, and daily communication.

Industry sources note that the regulator has intensified monitoring of service quality indicators, including call completion rates, data throughput, and network availability, as part of ongoing reforms in the Nigerian telecom sector.

MTN Nigeria has acknowledged the directive and said it is complying fully while continuing investments in network expansion and infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving nationwide coverage and reducing service disruptions.

Despite the compensation rollout, some subscribers have expressed mixed reactions—welcoming the credits but questioning whether one-time airtime payments adequately address recurring service challenges.

The NCC has maintained that operators remain responsible for sustained compliance with service benchmarks and warned that further sanctions could follow if quality standards are not met consistently.

MTN Credits Nigerians Airtime as NCC Enforces Poor Service Compensation Rule