Oil prices slip as hopes for US-Iran peace talks raise supply outlook
Oil prices fell in early trade on Friday, April 17, 2026, on optimism that the Middle East conflict could be nearing an end after a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel took effect. United States President Donald Trump also said the U.S. and Iran may meet for talks over the weekend. Brent crude futures declined by $1.34, or 1.35%, to $98.05...
FG tightens airport, prison security over insurgent plot
Security agencies have reinforced surveillance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and correctional facilities in Abuja and Niger State following intelligence reports of a coordinated terrorist plot to attack the sites and free detained insurgents. The Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigeria Correctional Service confirmed the measures on Thursday, describing them as proactive responses to a credible threat. The...
‘Driver declined policy to travel at night’: Benue police probe 14 passengers’ abduction
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of 14 passengers, mainly Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) candidates en route from Makurdi to Otukpo Local Government Area of the state. The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed the abduction to newsmen on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Emenari said the passengers who were travelling on a Benue Links...
NGX investors gain N1.66trn as market cap hits N136trn
The Nigerian stock market extended its bullish run on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with investors recording a gain of N1.663 trillion as market capitalisation rose to N136 trillion. The uptrend was driven by price appreciation in stocks such as Guinea Insurance, Trans-Nationwide Express, Aradel, Ecobank Transnational, Daar Communications, and 40 other equities. The market capitalisation increased by 1.23 per cent, representing...
FG: Our economic reforms working, we don’t need IMF’s support
The Federal Government says Nigeria has no immediate plans to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for financial assistance. The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, made this known at the African Finance Ministers’ briefing, during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings, in Washington on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Edun stated that the reliance on ongoing domestic economic reforms was working. The minister said...
Army distribute fertilisers to Benue farmers in push for peace
The Nigerian Army has distributed fertilisers to farmers across several Local Government Areas of Benue State in a corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at boosting food security and deepening civil-military relations in the region. The exercise, conducted on April 15, 2026, was led by the Commander of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Brig.-Gen. K.O. Bukoye, under the Army Headquarters...
Man arrested for stealing Ghana police armoured vehicle
A Ghanaian man, Ebenezer Frimpong, has been arrested after allegedly stealing an armoured vehicle belonging to the Ghana Police Service from Nkawie Market in the Ashanti Region. The incident occurred when the vehicle's driver briefly stepped out of the armoured car, leaving the engine running — an opening Frimpong allegedly exploited by climbing in and driving off from the busy...
Nigeria spends up to $600m annually importing palm oil— Minister
Nigeria produces approximately 1.4 million metric tonnes of palm oil each year against a domestic demand of more than 2.5 million metric tonnes, forcing the country to spend between $500 million and $600 million annually on imports to bridge the gap, the Federal Government has said. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this on Thursday at...
Police commissioner raises the alarm over cult clash in Lagos
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, has condemned rising cultism and violence in the Agege area of the state, describing the situation as unacceptable. Tijani made this known at a town hall meeting with Area G Police, stakeholders, and residents at Orile-Agege LCDA Hall in Agege on Thursday, April 16, 2026. He expressed disappointment over increasing killings and gangsterism,...
JAMB distances itself from hijab harassment at Ibadan exam centre
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has attributed an incident involving the alleged harassment of hijab-wearing candidates at a computer-based test centre in Ibadan to an "overzealous" ad hoc staff member who acted outside official guidelines. The incident occurred at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre during the first session of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination screening exercise on Thursday, April...
