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Aso Rock Flooded with Protests as FG Grounds Dozens of Private Jets in Shocking Sweep!”
The Federal Government, via the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has initiated the grounding of approximately 60 private jets nationwide as part of a bold effort to recover billions of naira in unpaid import duties.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This enforcement, quietly launched on Monday and confirmed by Customs officials on Wednesday, targets luxury aircraft owned both by individuals and corporations. Sources told Punch that private jet hangars at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja were sealed during the operation. Among the jets affected are premium models such as the Bombardier BD-700 Global 6000, BD-700 Global 6500, and BD-700 Global 7500 series. The crackdown follows months of unsuccessful attempts to get jet owners to verify their aircraft and settle outstanding duties during a verification exercise that began in October 2024. NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada confirmed the operation to Punch, emphasizing that the agency is simply fulfilling its statutory responsibility. He stated, “Yes, enforcement has begun. The aircraft have been grounded due to unpaid customs duties, and they will be released once the owners regularize their payments and fulfill their obligations to Nigerians.” Maiwada recalled that Customs had issued multiple warnings and extended the verification deadline several times before deciding to enforce compliance. He added, “We announced the verification exercise, extended the deadline—even over-extended it. Now that we are taking action, everyone understands why. We must enforce the law and collect revenue for Nigerians, which will be used to benefit them. “Now that the jets are grounded, owners must comply. We are optimistic they will.” Sources within the aviation and customs sectors revealed that some jet owners—including prominent bank executives and oil and gas industry leaders—have begun lobbying the Presidency and other influential bodies for reprieve. Reports indicate that one commercial bank plans to settle its dues by next Tuesday, while another is negotiating with Customs via intermediaries. Additionally, an energy company owning three jets has committed to making payment within the coming week.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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