Royal News

Author: Nurat Adedokun

  • Nollywood Star Nkechi Blessing Survives Lekki Ceiling Crash

    Nollywood Star Nkechi Blessing Survives Lekki Ceiling Crash

    Popular Nollywood actress, Nkechi Blessing Sunday, has recounted how she narrowly avoided disaster after part of the POP ceiling in her Lekki residence suddenly collapsed.

    In a video shared on her Instagram page on Tuesday, the actress expressed shock over the incident, revealing that the ceiling crashed close to her newly acquired car.

    “Come to Lekki, they said. Thank God it didn’t fall inside the house and my new car wasn’t parked there. What would I have said? It’s well with una Lekki developers,” she lamented.

    Nkechi Blessing further noted that she had never witnessed such an incident before, adding that she was grateful no life was lost.

  • Apapa Customs Records ₦161bn Revenue Amid System Downtime

    Apapa Customs Records ₦161bn Revenue Amid System Downtime

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has announced the collection of ₦161 billion in revenue within a three-week period through the Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as B’Odogwu.

    The Customs Area Controller, Babtunde Olomu, disclosed this during a stakeholder engagement at the command, according to a statement issued on Monday.

    Olomu noted that the B’Odogwu platform has shown strong potential for growth, assuring stakeholders that their patience with the new system will yield positive results.

    “Between August 1 and 22, 2025, the command collected N161bn using the B’Odogwu system,” Olomu revealed, expressing optimism that the platform would facilitate more trade than previous ICT systems deployed by the service.

    He further stressed that Apapa Command remains a strategic hub for the NCS’s overall revenue drive. Olomu also confirmed that the Comptroller-General of Customs has been in constant dialogue with the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) to address challenges, including network downtime, while working with the ICT department to provide permanent solutions.

    Speaking at the session, Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Charles Orbih, commended importers, freight forwarders, and licensed customs agents for their patience during the transition.

    “I am pleased with the maturity, understanding, and support shown by our stakeholders. Their confidence in the service’s ability to resolve network glitches underscores our shared values as patriotic Nigerians who want to see our homegrown ICT initiative thrive,” Orbih said.

    He added that the CGC has been working closely with terminal operators, shipping companies, and the NSC to secure demurrage waivers for affected stakeholders.

  • Bayelsa University Exam Turns Violent as Lecturer, Student Fight

    Bayelsa University Exam Turns Violent as Lecturer, Student Fight

    Social media has been flooded with disturbing videos of a lecturer at Niger Delta University (NDU), Bayelsa State, engaging in a physical fight with a female student during an examination.

    According to eyewitnesses, the incident started when the lecturer, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, accused the student of malpractice and ordered her out of the hall.

    Trouble escalated when the student allegedly demanded that her seized mobile phone be returned before she would comply. In the heated confrontation, she reportedly smashed the lecturer’s phone, sparking a physical fight between both parties.

    In one of the viral clips, another university official could be heard instructing the student to leave the hall, but she refused until her phone was released.

    Efforts by DAILY POST to reach the university management for an official response were unsuccessful as of press time.

    When contacted, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, said: “I will contact the DPO in the area and get back to you.”

    The incident has triggered outrage across social media, with many Nigerians calling for a thorough investigation and disciplinary action by the school authorities.
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  • Nestlé Trains 250 Bauchi Food Vendors on Business Skills

    Nestlé Trains 250 Bauchi Food Vendors on Business Skills

    Nestlé Professional, the Out-of-Home business arm of Nestlé Nigeria, has trained more than 2,600 food vendors across 11 states through its Business of Food workshop series, aimed at equipping small food entrepreneurs with practical culinary and business skills.

    The most recent edition was held in Bauchi State, where 250 food vendors, caterers, and canteen operators benefited from intensive hands-on sessions designed to boost food service quality, business management, and customer satisfaction.

    Speaking during the workshop, Ibraheem Awelenje, Business Manager at Nestlé Professional Nigeria, said the programme was created to help small businesses not only survive but succeed in Nigeria’s highly competitive food service sector.

    “Our goal is to see food vendors in Nigeria thrive. Bauchi’s food entrepreneurs are deeply rooted in tradition yet eager to innovate, and this excites us. By connecting them with practical skills, fresh ideas, and a strong network of peers, we are investing in businesses that feed families, create jobs, and preserve our rich culinary heritage,” Awelenje stated.

    The training covered key areas such as menu planning, hygiene, food styling, pricing, and customer service. A highlight of the event was a live masterclass by Chef Paulina, who demonstrated innovative approaches to traditional Bauchi dishes, including Dafadukan Shinkafa Da Awara.

    Participants also engaged in a cooking challenge, with winners recognized for their creativity and presentation.

    One of the participants, Justina Stephen, Managing Director of Justfine Restaurants, praised the initiative, noting how it broadened her business outlook.

    “The training opened my eyes to possibilities I never considered before. I now understand better how to plan my menu and price my meals to increase profit. I am truly grateful to Nestlé for this opportunity,” she said.

    Since its launch, the Business of Food series has enhanced menus, improved food safety practices, and helped build customer loyalty, thereby strengthening the livelihoods of vendors nationwide.

    Nestlé Professional reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s food service ecosystem through continued training, innovation, and sustainable income opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs.

  • Katsina Security Forces Rescue Four From Armed Ambush

    Katsina Security Forces Rescue Four From Armed Ambush

    Security operatives in Katsina State recorded a major breakthrough on Monday after successfully foiling a kidnap attempt and rescuing four victims during a joint operation along the Funtua–Gusau highway.

    The operation, carried out by troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in collaboration with police patrol teams, took place near Tudun Malamai village in Faskari Local Government Area, a hotspot that has witnessed frequent bandit activities in recent months.

    According to security sources, armed men laid an ambush on the highway, blocking the road and targeting a Toyota Corolla with registration number FSK 94 ML, which was traveling from Zaria to Faskari. The assailants reportedly attempted to abduct the passengers before military intervention.

    Renowned security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that the troops acted swiftly, engaging the gunmen in a fierce exchange of fire, forcing the attackers to abandon their mission and flee into the nearby bush.

    The four passengers, identified as Abubakar Hamisu (36) of Faskari, Ashiru Saidu (35) of Faskari, Kabir Sulaiman (30) of Faskari town, and Bishir Ibrahim (34) of Kagana village, were rescued unharmed.

    The victims were immediately taken to safety, while security forces launched a follow-up operation to track down the fleeing suspects. Authorities confirmed that intensified patrols have been deployed in the Faskari axis to prevent further attacks and reassure road users of their safety.

    This rescue mission adds to the series of successful operations recently recorded under Operation FANSAN YANMA, a security initiative launched to combat banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities in Katsina and neighboring states.

    Community leaders in Faskari commended the troops and police for their swift response, describing the intervention as a timely action that averted what could have been another deadly tragedy along the troubled highway.

    Despite this success, residents continue to call on the government to sustain military pressure in order to restore lasting peace and protect travelers on the Funtua–Gusau corridor, which has become notorious for armed attacks.

  • Kaduna Attack: Seven Killed, Eight Injured in Kauru LGA

    Kaduna Attack: Seven Killed, Eight Injured in Kauru LGA

    Tragedy struck late Sunday night in Angwan Rimi community, Kamaru ward of Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, as suspected armed herders carried out a deadly attack that left at least seven people dead, including children, and eight others critically injured.

    According to residents who spoke with Zagazola Makama, the assailants invaded the village under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically and setting off panic. The assault left behind a trail of grief, with victims ranging from infants to young teenagers.

    The deceased were identified as Jacob Zaka (12), Felicia Francis (30), Magret Mathias (5), Veronica Paul (25), Delight Paul (1), Confidence Yakubu (15), and Sati Markus (9).

    Those injured include Mathew Sunday (14), Jethro Istafanus (7), Jackson Istafanus (5), Emmanuel Morris (14), Agatha Sylvester (9), Joy Markus (9), Devine Paul (6 months), and Mary Ishaya (12). They are currently receiving treatment at nearby medical facilities, where doctors say some remain in critical condition.

    Residents of Angwan Rimi condemned the killings, describing the attack as “wicked and inhuman.” Community leaders and the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), Kamaru Branch, have called on both the state and federal governments to act decisively to halt the escalating violence.

    “We sympathize with the families that lost their loved ones and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. We call on the Federal Government, Kaduna State Government, and Kauru Local Government to intervene to protect lives and property,” the association said in a statement.

    The group also urged villagers to remain calm during the mourning period, assuring them that security agencies had been alerted.

    This latest violence comes against the backdrop of rising insecurity in Kaduna State. Analysts had earlier warned of renewed attacks after the assassination of Musa Kachallah, a repentant bandit leader who had renounced violence but was killed on August 16. His death is believed to have sparked retaliatory raids by rival groups unhappy with the state’s controversial amnesty program.

    So far, the Kaduna State Government has not issued an official response. Security experts have called for heightened surveillance in vulnerable areas such as Chikun, Kauru, Giwa, Makarfi (along the Zaria–Kano highway), and Kajuru, which have been repeatedly targeted in recent months.

    Meanwhile, families in Angwan Rimi are preparing mass burials for the victims, while survivors and displaced residents continue to grapple with fear of further attacks.

  • Ibadan Residents Escape Disaster as LPG Tanker Somersaults

    Ibadan Residents Escape Disaster as LPG Tanker Somersaults

     


    A major disaster was averted on Monday after a tanker loaded with 26 tons of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) overturned along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, near the Sat Guru Maharaji area in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Eyewitnesses said the tanker swerved off the road and somersaulted, raising fears of a possible explosion in the densely populated axis.

    Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, said emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene to secure the area and prevent a fire outbreak.

    “Upon arrival, it was a Mack trailer tanker, registration number T25163LA, fully loaded with 26 tons of LPG. The vehicle swerved and fell on the open road. Our officers quickly engaged necessary equipment to stabilize the tanker and avert an explosion,” Akinwande stated in a release on Tuesday.

    He assured residents that no lives were lost and that the prompt intervention of fire officers ensured the safety of lives and property.

    “The tanker was saved, no casualty was recorded, and normal vehicular movement has since been restored,” he added.

    The swift intervention of the fire service prevented what could have been a catastrophic incident on one of Nigeria’s busiest highways.

  • Bandits Kill One, Abduct Another in Kaduna’s Hunkuyi

    Bandits Kill One, Abduct Another in Kaduna’s Hunkuyi

    Suspected armed bandits late Monday night invaded Hunkuyi town, the headquarters of Kudan Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing one person and abducting another.

    Residents said the attackers stormed the community around midnight, shooting sporadically into the air to scare people before carrying out their operation.

    During the assault, a local resident was reportedly gunned down, while another victim was whisked away into the nearby forest by the assailants.

    The attack threw the town into panic, forcing residents to remain indoors throughout the night.

    In response, traditional rulers and community leaders in Hunkuyi condemned the incident and appealed to security operatives to intensify patrols in the area. They urged government authorities to take urgent steps to strengthen protection for vulnerable communities across Kaduna State.

  • Family Laments Rescue Failures in Third Mainland Bridge Tragedy

    Family Laments Rescue Failures in Third Mainland Bridge Tragedy

    A 27-year-old woman, Aisha Maikudi Ibrahim, tragically lost her life after her vehicle reportedly somersaulted and plunged into the Lagos Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge.

    Family sources said the young entrepreneur, who lived in Gbagada, was returning from an event in Ikoyi, where she worked as a vendor, when the accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday.

    “She called her mother around 1 a.m., assuring her she would be home within 20 minutes,” her aunt, Hadiza Oyewumi, told journalists in a telephone interview on Sunday. “By 2 a.m., her line had gone off. By 4 a.m., her mother became worried, and by 6 a.m., she and Aisha’s elder sister went out to search for her.”

    According to Mrs. Oyewumi, the search ended at the Third Mainland Bridge, where emergency responders and onlookers had gathered. “We were told a vehicle had somersaulted into the lagoon. The car’s bumper was visible, and when they checked the number plate, it was hers,” she explained.

    The family suspects speeding may have caused the crash, though the exact circumstances remain unclear.

    What worsened their grief, Mrs. Oyewumi said, was the response of emergency agencies at the scene.

    “Officials from LASTMA and the marine police kept making calls but did not attempt to go into the water,” she recounted. “Her father eventually negotiated with local divers, who demanded N400,000 before agreeing to dive. Only after payment was her body recovered.”

    Her remains were pulled from the lagoon between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday—nearly 12 hours after the accident—and buried immediately in accordance with Islamic rites.

    In a statement, Mrs. Oyewumi described her niece as “a bright and ambitious entrepreneur,” while condemning what she termed the “commercialisation of human lives” during the failed rescue attempt.

    “The tragedy of her death is painful enough, but the greater pain lies in the response that followed,” the statement read. “Despite the presence of LASTMA and marine police, no meaningful rescue effort was made. Local fishermen instead demanded money before acting. In our grief, the family paid, not as a bargain, but simply to retrieve her for burial.”

    She urged the Lagos State Government to strengthen emergency response systems by equipping officials with adequate tools and formally integrating trained divers into operations.

    “Structures must be put in place to ensure that human lives are never weighed against money in critical moments,” she said. “Lagos cannot afford to commercialise life. Preparedness and compassion must define our response to emergencies.”

  • Court to Hear $200m Fraud Case Against Sterling Bank September 10

    Court to Hear $200m Fraud Case Against Sterling Bank September 10

    An Abuja-based engineering and consultancy firm, Miden Systems Limited, has filed criminal charges against Sterling Bank Plc and some of its management staff over alleged conspiracy, forgery, misappropriation of funds, and criminal breach of trust.

    The company, which operates a corporate account with the bank, accused Sterling Bank and its affiliates of diverting and siphoning funds running into more than $200 million from its accounts. The suit, filed before Magistrate Njideka Duru of the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, also names Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc and four other defendants.

    The case, however, could not be heard on Monday due to the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Enugu and has been adjourned to September 10 for mention.

    In a 29-page petition submitted to the court, Miden, through its counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Louis Alozie, alleged that the bank engaged in “massive fraudulent practices,” including opening unauthorized accounts in its name, booking unsolicited loans, and deliberately restricting its access to funds and account statements.

    The company claimed the defendants deliberately placed liens on all its accounts without notification, denied it cheque books and internet banking access, and secretly moved large sums of foreign currency through spurious debits. It further alleged that dollar revenues paid into its account were held and traded by the bank for months, only to be released when the naira had significantly depreciated, resulting in huge losses.

    According to Miden, in July 2017, it had fully exited its loan obligations with the bank. However, just three months later, Sterling Bank allegedly booked an unsolicited $30 million loan in its name without its consent. “The signatures to this loan acceptance are alien to Miden’s Board of Directors,” the company insisted, further alleging that the funds were quickly disbursed to unknown beneficiaries.

    The firm also cited another case where the bank booked a $3 million loan for an unrelated company, Chasewood Limited, and later transferred the debt to Miden’s account under the false claim that the two companies were affiliates.

    In what it described as “massive identity theft,” Miden alleged that the bank even forged signatures of unknown individuals in connection with a loan facility purportedly granted by Afrexim Bank. The company also discovered that several accounts had been fraudulently opened in its name at an address in Wuse 2, Abuja, which it does not operate from.

    Frustrated by the alleged financial manipulations, Miden petitioned the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions. After reviewing the claims, the committee forwarded the matter to the Inspector General of Police. An investigation report submitted in February 2025 reportedly indicted the defendants, leading to the criminal charges now before the court.

    The case is expected to generate public interest as it touches on issues of corporate fraud, banking integrity, and regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s financial sector.