The Nigerian Army expressed its deep regrets over the loss of life and committed to ensuring that justice is served in this unfortunate incident.

In a tragic turn of events, a 16-year-old boy, Ismail Mohammed, lost his life during a confrontation between protesters and the Nigerian Army in Zaria. According to a statement released by the military on Tuesday, July 6, the incident occurred when troops responded to a distress call about hoodlums gathering in Samaru, burning tyres, and pelting stones at security personnel.

Upon arrival, the soldiers faced aggressive behavior from the mob, prompting one soldier to fire a warning shot to disperse the crowd. Unfortunately, this shot resulted in the death of young Mohammed. The soldier responsible has been arrested and is currently undergoing interrogation.

Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja dispatched a high-powered delegation led by Maj Gen Lander Saraso, General Officer Commanding 1 Division, to visit and offer condolences to the grieving family. Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, stated, “The Nigerian Army deeply regrets the loss of life and is committed to ensuring that justice is served in this unfortunate incident.”

The deceased was laid to rest according to Islamic rites, with senior military officers in attendance, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the Army’s commitment to addressing the consequences of the tragic event.

The DSS also disclosed that some bank accounts linked to the protests had been blocked.

The Nigerian government has directed the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) to arrest human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, along with other sponsors of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest. These individuals have been placed on a watchlist, according to NIS Comptroller General Kemi Nandap.

Nandap, speaking to newsmen after a meeting of heads of military and paramilitary agencies at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, did not disclose the identities of those on the watchlist. She emphasized that these individuals currently abroad will be apprehended immediately upon entering the country. “We have Diaspora sponsors, they are on our watchlist. They are watchlisted, any attempt they make to come into the country, we’ll be notified and they will be picked up and handed to the appropriate authority,” Nandap stated.

She also mentioned that in response to the protests, the Immigration Service has increased officer deployment to land borders and airports to ensure thorough monitoring of the country’s entry and exit points and stepped up surveillance to prevent foreign intervention.

A credible source revealed to Pulse Nigeria that Omoyele Sowore is among those listed. Reacting on X, Sowore dismissed the government’s actions as “Afro-Foolishness,” stating, “We are already on your watchlist, so don’t worry yourselves. While you prepare to jail us, also don’t forget to fix the prisons because most of you will end up there pretty soon. For now, we are focused on #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria #DaysOfRage #RevolutionNow. #NoGoingBack.”

The meeting, convened by President Bola Tinubu, saw the Defence Chief and heads of intelligence and security agencies discussing the implementation of the crackdown order.

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, represented by DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya, confirmed that the agency had identified some sponsors. However, he refrained from providing further details. Bichi also disclosed that some bank accounts linked to the protests had been blocked. He noted that several individuals operating these accounts are based abroad and are being closely monitored.

The government’s measures highlight its determination to quell the ongoing protests and maintain national security, though critics argue it is an attempt to silence dissent and stifle democratic expression.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions and raises concerns about press freedom and safety during protests in Lagos.

Suspected hoodlums, alleged to be linked to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, have harassed journalists covering the #EndBadGovernance protest in Lagos, chasing them out of Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos. In a video posted by Omoyele Sowore on X, it was claimed that these thugs were connected to Governor Sanwo-Olu.

The video’s caption by Sowore stated, “Tinubu and @jidesanwoolu thugs in Lagos harassing journalists on live TV! Unbelievable! #RevolutionNow.”

An account by Daily Trust reported that more than ten thugs attacked the crew of News Central Television, who were at the venue to monitor the situation. Despite protesters retreating earlier for a strategic meeting, the area remained under police surveillance, and businesses had resumed operations.

When the News Central crew arrived, police directed them to leave the park. They relocated to a distant location to continue their live broadcast. During the broadcast, the journalists were confronted by hoodlums wielding sticks and shovels, who assaulted several reporters and forced them to flee.

One journalist recounted, “The policemen stationed around the park did nothing as we were harassed.”

In response, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, ordered an immediate investigation. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the development in an X post, stating, “The Commissioner of Police @LagosPoliceNG, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has ordered an immediate investigation into this incident. He mandated the investigating team to fish out the miscreants and ensure their prosecution accordingly.”

He added that the directive was given after the crew involved, led by News Central MD Kayode Akintemi, submitted an official complaint letter at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja.

Bola Babarinde, former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in South Africa, has advocated for the death penalty as a measure to combat corruption among public officeholders in Nigeria. He emphasized the urgent need to consider this drastic step to restore accountability and integrity in the country.

Babarinde criticized the ostentatious display of wealth by some officials, suggesting that a regular life audit should be implemented to assess the legitimacy of their assets. He argued that many public officeholders could not afford such luxuries without engaging in corrupt practices, and that monitoring mechanisms are essential to curb excessive and unexplained wealth.

He also called for greater dynamism and openness in the current administration to address declining public character and the difficulty in finding genuinely service-oriented individuals. Babarinde advocated for transparency in the salaries and allowances of public officials, suggesting a reduction to 60% of current levels and a formal apology to Nigerians for past misallocations of funds.

In addition, Babarinde highlighted issues such as the disregard for traffic regulations by those with police escorts and the rising cost of staple foods, attributing these problems to inadequate local production and disruptions in farming due to climate change and criminal activities. He stressed the need for modern farming techniques and better farm produce sales technologies.

Babarinde also proposed engaging with Nigerians in the diaspora to leverage their experience and perspectives for national development. He urged the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, particularly the National Orientation Agency (NOA), to enhance its effectiveness.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has announced the establishment of a new investment promotion agency aimed at streamlining investment activities in the state. The agency, created under Executive Order 002 of 2024, was established following recommendations from the state’s economic summit.

Fubara described the agency as a “one-stop-shop” designed to handle all investment-related activities, ensuring that investors have a central point for inquiries and business interests. He emphasized that this initiative will eliminate the confusion and inefficiencies previously faced by new investors, providing them with clear, direct access to the right authorities and information.

The governor highlighted that the agency will facilitate robust business opportunities, particularly in the healthcare and agriculture sectors, aligning with the state’s goals to address food security issues and improve the cost of living for its residents.

Pastor Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International and the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), has achieved remarkable financial success through his YouTube channel. Eze has amassed over ₦7 billion from his online activities, making him Nigeria’s highest-earning YouTube creator.

According to Playboard, Eze earns over ₦7 million daily, with a record single-day revenue of ₦21 million on July 16, 2023, due to a spike in viewer engagement. His channel, which has 2.1 million subscribers, is a major hub for prayer and spiritual content, attracting nearly 30 million views in the past week alone. Eze’s videos have been viewed over 274 million times in total.

He consistently produces around 1,500 videos weekly, maintaining high engagement and viewership. Notably, a single video has garnered over 200,000 views, 6,000 reactions, and generated close to ₦2 million in revenue.

Eze’s success is also linked to his educational background. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Abia State University and a postgraduate certificate in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT). His ability to engage with a global audience through faith-based content has solidified his status as a major digital influencer and a millionaire in the religious sector.

Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has announced that the recent diving training for the agency’s Marine Command officers will significantly deter large cocaine shipments to Nigeria. Marwa emphasized that this new capability would send a clear message to international drug cartels that their illicit consignments cannot be hidden on any ship or vessel entering Nigerian waters.

According to a statement from Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, the training involved basic diving, advanced open-water diving, and full-face mask diving. Eight officers from four countries, including two from Nigeria, were trained by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Bombinhas City, Brazil, in two phases—November 2023 and July 2024. This initiative was part of a broader effort to enhance the fight against drug trafficking and transnational crime in Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, and Senegal.

Marwa praised the NDLEA officers for their exemplary performance and highlighted that their new skills in diving will enable them to inspect ship hulls thoroughly. This advancement is expected to discourage global drug networks from attempting to smuggle large quantities of drugs into Nigeria. The NDLEA will continue to advance its capabilities and training to stay ahead of drug traffickers and ensure the safety and security of the country.

The Labour Party (LP) in Oyo State has issued a warning to the 33 local government chairmen in the state against forming any financial alliances with the state government that contravene the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy. LP Chairman Sadiq Atayese emphasized that the chairmen must be accountable for the use of their allocations, given their role as chief accounting officers of their respective councils.

Atayese noted that the monthly allocations to local governments are public information and reminded the chairmen that their primary responsibility is to the people who elected them, not to any external parties or influences. The Labour Party has raised concerns that the chairmen might be aligning with Governor Seyi Makinde’s opposition to local government autonomy, which the Supreme Court upheld.

Governor Makinde has been vocal against local government autonomy and the Supreme Court ruling, and the chairmen of all 33 local councils in Oyo State have reportedly distanced themselves from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to support the governor’s stance. The Labour Party urges the chairmen to act independently and responsibly, focusing on their stewardship and the needs of their constituents.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has restored power to areas affected by an arcing incident on the Benin-Egbin 330kV line. The incident occurred on Monday at around 2:47 pm, caused by a heavy system surge that led to arcing at the Egbin Transmission Substation switchyard. This resulted in a power tripping at the Egbin Generating Station, affecting power supply to the Egbin Transmission Substations’ outgoing lines.

Ndidi Mbah, TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, explained that the arcing caused lines to trip, leading to a loss of power supply to several regions, including Lagos, parts of the South West, parts of the North Central, and Abuja. The Osogbo-Ihovbor 330kV line 1 also experienced issues due to increased load.

To prevent further grid disruption, the Osogbo-Ihovbor 330kV line was temporarily cut off. The Benin-Egbin 330kV line 1 Circuit Breaker tripped at 2:56 pm, but the situation was rectified, and power supply was fully restored by 6:10 pm. Other regions, including the South Eastern region, North East, and some parts of the North Central and South West, continued to receive power without interruptions.

The Dataphyte Foundation has criticized the Nigerian government for its recent internet shutdowns during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. The foundation’s Programme Director, Femi D. Amele, emphasized that digital rights and freedom of expression are crucial components of democracy, particularly during times of civil unrest.

Dataphyte’s statement argues that the government’s communication clampdowns have severely hindered citizens’ ability to organize, seek emergency help, and hold officials accountable. The foundation highlights that such disruptions not only affect democratic engagement but also exacerbate economic and social instability by impacting essential services like businesses, education, and healthcare.

The foundation is calling for the Nigerian government to stop further communication clampdowns and ensure open, unrestricted digital channels. They urge the government to engage transparently with citizens and empower local authorities, while also encouraging citizens to use their digital platforms responsibly and advocate for their rights.

Dataphyte remains committed to promoting digital rights and good governance, aiming to support initiatives that enhance transparency and accountability in Nigeria.

On Tuesday, a Lagos High Court extended its earlier order restricting protests to two designated venues: Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park and Peace Park. The extension follows an application by Lagos State Attorney-General Lawal Pedro (SAN) to ensure continued public safety and peace during ongoing protests.

The extension came after the Attorney-General, represented by Hameed Oyenuga, argued that the respondents had yet to respond to the application and emphasized the need to maintain order and safety in the state. Justice S.I. Sonaike ruled in favor of the extension, citing satisfaction with the Attorney-General’s compliance with previous court orders and pre-action protocols.

The restriction aims to prevent disruptions and ensure public safety amid the protests. Defendants in the application include representatives from the Active Citizens Group, Take it Back Movement, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.

On Tuesday, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo inaugurated the state Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) in Awka, tasked with overseeing the upcoming Local Government elections. The six-member commission, chaired by Magistrate Genevieve Osakwe, also includes Bernadine Obande, Osita Igbokwe, Chinedu Nnalue, Helen Umeh, and John Okeke.

Governor Soludo emphasized the importance of the commission’s role, urging them to provide exceptional service to the people of Anambra. The commission’s responsibilities, as outlined in the Anambra Electoral Law 2024, include organizing, supervising, and managing all aspects of the local elections, including the division of local government areas into wards or constituencies as legally required.

The Niger Delta Young Leaders Forum has officially withdrawn from the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest. Chief Imo Okoko, the National Chairman of the forum, made this announcement in Abuja.

In his statement, Okoko thanked the protesters and security operatives for their professionalism and civility throughout the demonstrations. He praised the government for its tolerance and empathy during the protests but noted concerns over the involvement of criminal elements, which led to looting and violence.

The forum’s decision to withdraw follows a review of the situation after five days of protest. They will now focus on collaborating with the National Civil Society of Nigeria (NCSCN) for further dialogue and advocacy with the government.