Discover more Education Resources Political Commentary Books ▲ Most Widely Read Newspaper By Animashaun Salman Kindly share this story: Discover more Business Newsletters Newspaper Nigerian News Aggregator Entertainment Event Tickets Cross-border onion trade between Nigeria and Ghana has officially resumed following the lifting of restrictions that had disrupted the movement of goods and stranded dozens of trucks along the trade corridor. In a notice issued on Tuesday, the Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa confirmed that all outstanding issues affecting the trade had been resolved after sustained dialogue and interventions by relevant authorities and industry stakeholders. The President of the regional body, Aliyu Maitasamu, announced that normal operations would resume immediately. “All trucks conveying onions between Nigeria and Ghana are authorised to resume movement, and all affected trucks have been released,” he said. So This Happened (EP 385): Leadership crisis deepens in ADC as INEC removes David Mark, Aregbesola0:00 / 0:00 The resumption follows weeks of disruption triggered by a dispute involving onion traders and authorities along the Ghana corridor. Nigerian exporters had earlier suspended shipments after reporting harassment, trade bottlenecks, and safety concerns affecting drivers and consignments. The standoff significantly impacted regional commerce, with industry sources estimating daily losses running into billions of naira due to halted exports. Nigeria, one of West Africa’s largest onion producers, relies heavily on Ghana and neighbouring countries as key markets. The disruption also affected supply chains beyond Ghana, with ripple effects felt in countries such as Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, which depend on the same trade route. Fresh assurances Related News CBN eyes DFI recapitalisation amid N122tn funding gap for MSMEs Court jails five Boko Haram members to 20 years in prison BREAKING: Dangote hikes petrol price to N1,275, diesel N1,950 Maitasamu said the resolution was the result of recent interventions and ongoing dialogue among stakeholders in both countries, noting that mechanisms had been put in place to prevent a recurrence. “All outstanding issues that previously disrupted trade and posed challenges to the safety and commercial activities of Nigerian and Ghanaian onion traders have been addressed,” he stated. He urged traders and transport operators to strictly comply with existing trade regulations and safety procedures as operations resume. “We encourage all stakeholders to conduct their business in accordance with established trade frameworks while authorities continue to monitor activities to ensure a safe, lawful, and fair trading environment,” he added. Traders and exporters have welcomed the development, describing it as a major relief after weeks of uncertainty and financial losses. A Lagos-based exporter said the reopening would help stabilise supply and prices across the sub-region. “This is a big relief for us. The losses were huge, and many trucks were stranded for days. Now we can return to business and gradually recover,” the trader said. Stakeholders also expressed optimism that renewed cooperation between Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities would strengthen regional trade ties and prevent future disruptions. With movement restored, attention is now shifting to rebuilding confidence along the corridor and ensuring that cross-border trade remains smooth and mutually beneficial. Animashaun Salman Kindly share this story: All rights reserved. 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N Rampaging terrorists on Tuesday invaded communities in Shiroro Local Government Area, killing some residents and setting houses ablaze. The terrorists stormed Bagna community on motorcycles and began shooting sporadically. They also set the community ablaze as frightened residents fled in different directions. A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told PUNCH Online that they came into the community and began to set the place on fire “Over 160 terrorists invaded Bagna early this morning and have been burning houses using explosives. As at this evening, Bagna community is on fire with rising thick smoke,” he said. PUNCH Online learnt that the terrorists killed no fewer than five people and injured eight vigilantes who attempted to confront them. They were rushed to a nearby hospital. The terrorists had on Monday rustled many cattle from Nada village in Shiroro Local Government Area but apparently lost their route before finding themselves in Bagna community. The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the terrorist attack on Tuesday, said three persons were killed. “On 7th April 2026 at about 6.30am, information received indicated that some armed bandits invaded Bagna village and later moved to Erena village, but joint security in the area mobilised and engaged the bandits, which pushed the hoodlums out of the area. “Unfortunately, two vigilante members and a driver from the joint security team lost their lives during the attack, while some others were injured. “Meanwhile, the area is relatively calm whilst monitoring continues,” he said.

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News The Nigerian Army has dismissed allegations by a former soldier, Rotimi Olamilekan, that personnel purchase their uniforms and protective equipment with personal funds. In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, the Army described the claims as false and misleading, insisting that troops are adequately equipped and catered for. The statement was in response to a viral interview in which Olamilekan, popularly known as Soja Boi, alleged that soldiers buy items such as uniforms, boots and bulletproof vests despite earning modest salaries. On remuneration, the Army maintained that it operates a structured and transparent salary system, with additional benefits for personnel. In addition to consolidated monthly salaries, personnel are entitled to uniform allowances and other allowances, which are periodically paid directly into their accounts,” it said. The Army also noted that troops deployed for operations receive extra support. “Personnel serving in operational theatres… are also paid operational allowances and other mission-specific entitlements designed to support their welfare and enhance operational effectiveness,” the statement added. Addressing the core allegation, the Army rejected claims that soldiers procure their own kits and protective gear. “The claim that soldiers are required to purchase uniforms and protective equipment, including bulletproof vests and helmets, is entirely false. The provision of uniforms, kits, arms, ammunition, and operational gear is an institutional responsibility executed through established logistics systems,” it stated. It acknowledged that some personnel may choose to supplement issued kits for personal comfort but stressed that such decisions are voluntary. “While some personnel may choose to supplement issued kits based on personal preference and comfort, such actions are voluntary and do not indicate any systemic failure,” the Army said. The statement further emphasised that no soldier is deployed without adequate protection. “For the avoidance of doubt, no soldier is deployed to an operational theatre without the necessary protective equipment,” it added. The Army urged the public to disregard the allegations, warning that such claims could undermine mo rale and national security. “The public is requested to disregard these baseless allegations… Citizens are urged to refrain from amplifying unverified claims that may undermine these institutions,” the statement said. Reacting, the Army said the former lance corporal was dismissed over disciplinary breaches and not for expressing his views. “The Nigerian Army categorically states that Mr Olamilekan was not dismissed for ‘speaking the truth’ or expressing opinions on political leadership. He was dismissed following persistent and grave acts of indiscipline, including violations of the Armed Forces Social Media Policy,” the statement read. It added that his actions, including unauthorised media appearances and misuse of military identity, contravened established regulations. Olamilekan had earlier claimed in an interview that soldiers earned between N51,000 and N111,000 and were responsible for purchasing essential gear, sparking widespread reactions online. Samuel Omotere Samuel Omotere is an experienced journalist covering human interest stories, pop culture, and digital trends. He combines his background as a language graduate with a focus on sustainable digital storytelling.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has urged parents and candidates to speak up if they are confident in their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination scores but are not admitted to their desired institutions. Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said this during an interview on Good Morning Nigeria, a Nigerian Television Authority’s programme. In a video posted by NTA on Tuesday, the registrar explained that many parents still resort to illegal means because they have “climbed the ladder to illegality” and believe no other path exists. He, however, stressed that the system is now transparent and designed to ensure fairness.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, on Wednesday evening met with President Bola Tinubu at his official residence in Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. The governor arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 6:45pm, according to the State House media office. The meeting comes days after the deadly Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba district of Jos, which reportedly left at least 27 persons dead. The development also follows an earlier directive by the President summoning the governor for discussions over the worsening security situation in Plateau State. In a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu strongly condemned the attacks in Jos and a separate incident in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where wedding guests were killed and abducted. The President had described the killings as “barbaric and cowardly,” vowing that the perpetrators would not go unpunished. “Anyone who will sneak under the cover of the night and kill defenceless citizens as done in Jos and Kahir village is a heartless coward,” Tinubu had said. While condemning the attacks, the President commended Mutfwang for his efforts in containing the situation in Jos and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to pursue the perpetrators. The President also cautioned sections of the media against insinuating the attacks were religiously motivated, warning that such narratives could escalate violence. The Wednesday meeting is expected to focus on immediate security measures to prevent further attacks in Plateau. Stephen Angbulu

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News The Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Federal Constituency Matters, Dare Adeleke, has slammed former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose over comments made at Saturday’s Abuja convention of the Peoples Democratic Party. The PDP, backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, elected new executive members of its National Working Committee, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed as chairman, with the Independent National Electoral Commission updating its website on Monday to recognise the newly elected officers. However, Adeleke, in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday, described the Wike-backed Abuja convention as “fake” and legally questionable. Recall that Fayose, at the convention, predicted Makinde’s expulsion from the party while hailing Wike as the true national leader of the PDP. Fayose said, “Seyi Makinde will be expelled. Let him be reminded that my name is Ayo Fayose, and I am saying this in public. “This convention is open for the benefit of sincere PDP members. This party has a leadership, and our national leader is Nyesom Wike. We are all celebrating him and thanking God for his life.” Adeleke, in Tuesday’s statement, described Fayose’s remarks as a “torrent of words” reflecting “how far the Nigerian political space has deteriorated.” He accused Fayose of speaking with “reckless abandon” and dismissed the claim that Makinde had been suspended as “legally questionable and insulting.” Adeleke criticised Fayose’s past attempts to dominate the PDP South-West, noting that Makinde’s record of “discipline, enterprise and credibility” stands in stark contrast to Fayose’s “political theatrics and personal instability.” The aide accused Fayose of launching an “unprovoked tirade” against Makinde in a bid to assert credibility and relevance in the public space. He said, “Fayose appears to believe that mere utterance transforms falsehood into fact. Emboldened by his alliance with Nyesom Wike, Fayose now speaks with reckless abandon. “Their indulgence in power and privilege has clearly fostered the illusion that they are beyond consequence. But history is replete with examples of such hubris ending in disgrace. Their day of reckoning, however delayed, is inevitable.” Makinde’s aide also slammed the Wike-Fayose faction for undermining democratic norms, noting ongoing legal challenges against the convention. “With subsisting court orders and ongoing legal challenges surrounding the legitimacy of the Abuja convention, it is astonishing, though not surprising, that certain actors continue to push forward with actions that raise serious constitutional questions,” he said.Makinde’s aide also slammed the Wike-Fayose faction for undermining democratic norms, noting ongoing legal challenges against the convention. “With subsisting court orders and ongoing legal challenges surrounding the legitimacy of the Abuja convention, it is astonishing, though not surprising, that certain actors continue to push forward with actions that raise serious constitutional questions,” he said. Makinde’s aide also slammed the Wike-Fayose faction for undermining democratic norms, noting ongoing legal challenges against the convention. “With subsisting court orders and ongoing legal challenges surrounding the legitimacy of the Abuja convention, it is astonishing, though not surprising, that certain actors continue to push forward with actions that raise serious constitutional questions,” he said.

FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, in charge of electricity distribution in Anambra State, has decried high cases of electricity theft across the state, adding that the development is majorly contributing to poor power supply across the state. The Managing Director, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company, Okechukwu Okafor, disclosed this during a two-day interactive town hall engagement forum with electricity consumers in Onitsha, on Tuesday. The event, themed ‘Public consultation on draft regulations’, was organised by the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission. The ASERC is an independent regulatory body established under the Anambra State Electricity Law, 2025, to oversee and develop the State’s electricity market. Speaking during the event, Okafor said FirstPower has mapped out plans through community engagement to combat the menace of energy theft across its network with the aim of improving service delivery and operational integrity. He emphasised the company’s zero-tolerance policy on energy theft, including meter bypassing/tampering, transformer and cable vandalism, warning of severe consequences for offenders. According to him, the company has also mapped out plans to phase out estimated billings by closing the metering gap with the aim of distributing pre-paid metres to customers across the state. He added that consumers’ failure to pay for the usage of electricity has resulted in financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of naira. Okafor urged collaboration by electricity consumers in strengthening the capacity to detect and prosecute perpetrators of transformer vandalism and energy theft. He said, “Electricity theft is one of the major challenges that has affected our ability to provide reliable service to our esteemed customers. “We are intensifying our efforts through partnerships with critical bodies like electricity consumers to ensure that those who engage in such practices face the full wrath of the law. “We can’t fight this challenge alone; we want all the concerned stakeholders/authorities to assist us to enable the company to operate better. “Our partnership with the above-mentioned bodies is crucial. It will not only enhance our capacity to detect and prosecute offenders, but also send a strong message that electricity theft will not be tolerated. “This singular act has undermined the integrity of our operations and deprived us of resources needed to improve service delivery to Anambra residents.” He, however, urged customers to refrain from engaging in meter bypass, emphasising that the distribution company is determined to take strict action against defaulters, including imprisonment, as stipulated in the Electricity Act of Nigeria. In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASERC, Prof. Frank Okafor, called for a better working relationship between the electricity distribution companies and the consumers, adding that the vision of the commission under his leadership is to ensure that any electricity company operating in the state maintains the Anambra State Electricity Law, 2025 standard. Okafor appealed to consumers to be patient over the current poor power supply, noting that the power currently being generated from the national grid is low to serve the state as a whole. The ASERC Executive Director, Consumer’s Affairs, Nosike Emmanuel, stressed that ASERC regulates operators, protects consumers, and promotes investment and innovation in power generation, transmission, distribution, and supply and is guided by integrity, professionalism, and transparency.

The Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday shut down the headquarters of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company in Abuja, protesting the controversial disengagement of nearly 900 workers and issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the company to resolve the dispute or face a total shutdown of operations. The protest, led by NLC President Joe Ajaero, disrupted activities at the electricity distribution firm as workers vacated their offices in compliance with the union’s directive. Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Chijioke Okwuokenye, said the company had commenced discussions with labour leaders to resolve the ongoing dispute. “We are currently engaging the leadership of the NLC,” he stated in an exclusive chat with our correspondent on Tuesday night. Tax Deadline Alert: What Every Nigerian Needs to Know Before March 310:00 / 0:00 During the picketing exercise, Ajaero accused AEDC of misleading labour over the nature of the disengagement, describing the exercise as deceptive and unjust. “The understanding we had was that those affected were workers who had reached retirement age or were about to retire. No responsible labour leader would oppose that,” he said. “But what we found is completely different. A majority of those disengaged are not retirees. Some have not even spent up to five or six years in service. Many worked for just two to three years. That is the height of deceit.” The protest escalated when NLC leaders arrived for a scheduled meeting with AEDC management but discovered that the AEDC Managing Director, Chijioke Okwuokenye, was absent. “We came here for a meeting, but the MD was not on seat. Even previous engagements have been handled in a very lukewarm manner,” Ajaero said. The union immediately called off the meeting and directed workers to withdraw their services, effectively grounding operations at the facility. Ajaero warned that failure by the company to address the issue within 48 hours could lead to a wider industrial action that may disrupt electricity supply in Abuja and beyond. “If nothing is done within that time, we cannot guarantee power supply. The workers who keep the system running will stay at home, and if they are not at work, the system will naturally be affected,” he said. “This will not stop here. All AEDC stations will be affected. Operations will be halted until this matter is addressed. The labour movement is demanding that AEDC publish the full list of affected workers, including their years of service and reasons for disengagement. “Let Nigerians see whether the union is being unfair or whether management acted unjustly,” Ajaero said. He also raised concerns over poor welfare conditions, lack of promotions, and unresolved staff issues within the company. “What we are seeing is a policy of endless dialogue without implementation. That has no place in industrial relations,” he added. The latest crisis is linked to a mass disengagement exercise carried out by AEDC last year, which initially sparked controversy within the sector. At the time, management reportedly said the exercise would target only staff who had reached retirement age. However, labour unions later alleged that younger employees were also affected, triggering disputes that have remained unresolved. The power sector has continued to face tensions between operators and labour unions since the 2013 privatisation, with recurring disputes over workers’ rights, conditions of service, and compliance with labour laws. The current standoff, if not quickly resolved, could worsen electricity supply challenges in the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding states. In a strongly worded remark, Ajaero said the union would no longer tolerate what it described as injustice in the sector. “The management of AEDC seems to think they can dribble everyone, and people will forget. But today is a day of reckoning,” he said. “History has shown that unresolved labour issues do not disappear; they come back, often worse. Time is ticking.” He urged workers to remain united, insisting that justice must be done. “Those who were unjustly sacked must have their cases revisited within the law. We are not asking for anything outside the law, but the law must be followed,” he stated. Last year, PUNCH Online reported a sweeping retrenchment exercise that affected 800 employees, even as Nigerians continue to reel under rising inflation, soaring living costs, and erratic power supply. The mass layoff, which began on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, follows months of internal restructuring at the utility firm, which serves the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa States. Multiple sources familiar with the development within the company said that the management had initially proposed to sack 1,800 workers before reducing the number to 800 after a series of tense negotiations with the National Union of Electricity Employees and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies. A sample of the disengagement letter titled “Notification of Disengagement from Service”, sighted by The PUNCH, dated November 5, 2025, and signed by AEDC’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Adeniyi Adejola, confirmed that the exercise was part of an “ongoing rightsizing process.” The letter also stated that all affected staff would be paid their due entitlements upon completion of an exit clearance process. The letter read in part, “We regret to inform you that your services with the company will no longer be required, effective 5th November 2025. This decision follows the outcome of the company’s ongoing rightsizing exercise. Please be assured that this decision was made after careful consideration and in accordance with company policy.” ” The NLC expressed concern that similar practices could spread across the power sector if not checked. “What is even more troubling is that other distribution companies are beginning to copy this pattern. That sends a very dangerous signal across the power sector,” Ajaero warned. He described the situation as part of a broader breakdown in labour relations within the electricity industry. “In Abuja today, almost 90 per cent of electricity billing is estimated, yet there is no corresponding supply. Nigerians are being exploited under a system that rewards inefficiency,” he said. He also criticised power generation companies, accusing them of demanding government support while neglecting obligations to workers. “Some of them are asking for about N6tn for what is essentially darkness, yet they are owing over N5bn in union dues. How do you demand trillions when you cannot meet your responsibilities?” he queried.

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has said she will no longer mediate in the ongoing rift between her colleagues, Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, following fresh tensions that have reignited conversations within the industry. Ojo made this known in a lengthy post shared via her Instagram page on Tuesday, where she addressed criticisms trailing her involvement and clarified her past efforts to reconcile both actresses. Iyabo Ojo Iyabo Ojo “For those of you maligning my character, insulting me, and calling me unprintable names, this is for you!! Now, I need to set the record straight. This is the first and last time I will be talking about anything like this……” She disclosed that her relationship with Akindele dates back years, although it had experienced periods of disagreement. “Funke and I have been friends for the longest, but there were times we fell out, fault on both sides. I once came online to drag Funke because of Toyin’s movie. That was a wrong move on my part; I should have handled it better.” Nollywood filmmaker, Funke Akindele….Photo Credit: IG / Funke Akindele According to Ojo, she later reconciled with Akindele and took deliberate steps to mend the strained relationship between her and Abraham. “Funke and I later made up, and we addressed all our issues and put them behind us. I tried my very best to settle both of them, cried, knelt down, begged both parties to embrace peace which they both later did, reason you saw them a few months ago interacting with one another.” She explained that the reconciliation came with an understanding that both parties would avoid public disputes and resolve issues privately. “…but there was a condition, no one was to shade online if any issue arose, they both promised to address it off camera…” However, she noted that the agreement broke down following controversies that emerged in December over a cinema release. …but unfortunately, Dec came, Toyin made some complaints about her movie in cinemas claiming some people or person was trying to sabotage her, some fans pointed accusing fingers towards Funke, that sparked up a fresh beef.” Nollywood Actress and Filmmaker, Toyin Abraham.. Credit: Instagram | toyin_abraham Nollywood Actress and Filmmaker, Toyin Abraham.. Credit: Instagram | toyin_abraham Ojo also spoke on the circumstances surrounding Abraham’s absence from her upcoming movie project, The Return of Arinzo, stating that the actress had initially been part of the production. “About The Return of Arinzo, Toyin was suppose to be in it but she said she was exhausted, and she also had to travel, so she pulled out last minute, i was upset boos it cost me alot, to rewrite the story, but the show must go on… she apologized, we made up, and the rest is history.” Despite her efforts, Ojo said she has decided to step back from any further reconciliation attempts, stressing that she no longer wishes to be involved in the dispute.

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to secure fresh external loans totalling $6 billion, aimed at plugging fiscal gaps and financing key infrastructure projects. The approval followed the presentation and consideration of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North). The decision came just hours after the President formally wrote to the Senate seeking legislative backing for the facilities, underscoring the Executive’s push to secure funding for priority sectors. In a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and read during plenary, Tinubu sought approval to borrow $5 billion from Abu Dhabi Bank to support budget deficit financing and meet existing debt obligations. In a separate communication, the President also requested approval to obtain a $1 billion loan facility from UK Export Finance through Citibank in London to fund the rehabilitation of critical port infrastructure. Tinubu noted that the projects—covering the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port—are designed to tackle longstanding operational challenges and reposition Nigeria’s maritime sector. According to the President, the projects aim to address critical deficiencies, improve efficiency, enhance safety standards, support non-oil trade diversification, and position Nigeria as a trade hub. Following the reading of the requests, Akpabio referred both letters to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the panel to expedite consideration and report back promptly—a directive that culminated in Tuesday’s approval. The latest borrowing request comes amid the Federal Government’s continued reliance on a mix of domestic and external loans to finance budget deficits and critical infrastructure. Just four months ago, the National Assembly approved Tinubu’s request to raise N1.15tn from the domestic debt market to fund the 2025 budget deficit, effectively completing the government’s financing plan for the year. Both chambers endorsed the borrowing after considering reports from their respective committees on local and foreign debts. At the Senate, the approval followed the adoption of a report presented by Wamakko’s committee, which highlighted key provisions of the 2025 Appropriation Act. The panel noted that the 2025 budget provides for a total expenditure of N59.99tn—an increase of N5.25tn from the initial N54.74tn proposed by the Executive—highlighting the widening fiscal gap and the government’s reliance on borrowing to bridge the deficit.

OpenAI has put plans for a sexually explicit chatbot on hold indefinitely, the company said on Thursday, amid mounting concerns about the societal and reputational risks of releasing such a product. The move, first reported by the Financial Times, comes as the artificial intelligence giant seeks to shed what executives have described as peripheral projects as it tries to maintain its lead in the AI market. OpenAI told the newspaper it wanted to conduct long-term research into the effects of sexually explicit conversations and emotional attachments before making any product decision. Asked for comment, an OpenAI spokesperson told AFP the company had “nothing further to add.” The explicit content feature, internally dubbed “Citron mode,” had drawn pushback from both staff and investors, the FT reported. Some employees questioned whether the product was compatible with OpenAI’s stated mission of ensuring the technology benefits humanity, while investors raised concerns about the reputational risks relative to any commercial upside, according to the report. OpenAI said last year it would relax restrictions on its ChatGPT chatbot, including allowing erotic content for verified adult users as part of what the company described as a principle to “treat adult users like adults.” The dropping of the plan comes the same week that OpenAI announced it was winding down its Sora video social media app, which has been accused of triggering a flood of low value-added AI content online. The decisions come at a sensitive moment for the tech industry, with Meta and other social media companies facing a wave of lawsuits—and regulations—over the impact of their platforms on minors. The US Federal Trade Commission has also launched an inquiry into several tech companies, including OpenAI over how AI chatbots could negatively affect children and teenagers. Elon Musk’s rival AI venture, xAI, drew global condemnation last year after its Grok chatbot was used to generate fabricated sexual images of real people, including children. OpenAI has also faced its own legal challenges from families of teenagers who say ChatGPT caused harm and even suicide among young people, prompting the company to introduce an age-verification system. The company deployed a behaviour-based age prediction technology that estimates whether a user is over or under 18 based on how they interact with ChatGPT. AFP

Following the assault of several women and female students during a traditional festival in Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, panic has gripped the community, with many students reportedly fleeing over fears of possible fresh attacks. Sunday PUNCH gathered that the development comes in the aftermath of the controversial ‘Alue-Do’ festival, during which viral videos showed young women being chased, stripped and assaulted by groups of youths, sparking nationwide outrage. Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, a student leader in the community disclosed that many female students, still traumatised by the incident, had begun leaving to avoid being caught in further violence. “Most of the female students in the community are scared, especially when they were told that the festival is meant to last for seven days. Many left early this morning, and others were still seen leaving up to this evening,” the source said. He noted that the atmosphere in the community remained tense, with growing anxiety among residents and students alike, particularly as uncertainty persists over the duration of the festival and the likelihood of a recurrence. The student leader also alleged that some university students were among those who molested women during the festival. He described the development as “deeply troubling,” noting that it was not only indigenes who participated in the assault. “It is not only the indigenes who participated in the molestation. Some students also took part in it, and that is the most painful part. It speaks to the level of decadence in our society, the education system and human behaviour as a whole,” he said. The student leader insisted that all those involved should be treated as “common criminals,” regardless of their status, and called for their arrest and prosecution. While clarifying that no case of rape had been confirmed among the affected students, he said some victims were taken to the hospital and treated for assault. “Sexual assault is a serious offence, and it desecrates the dignity of our women. We will not condone that,” he added, expressing hope that such an incident would not recur. Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command has arrested 11 additional suspects in connection with the assault, bringing the total number of persons in custody to 15. The police had earlier arrested a community head, Omorede Sunday, and four others. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, said the arrests were made by operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team, acting on the directive of Commissioner of Police Aina Adesola. Edafe explained that a detailed analysis of video footage and intelligence led to the arrests, identifying some of the suspects as Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, and Evidence Oguname. He stressed that preliminary investigations showed the incident was carried out by criminal elements who exploited the festival to commit sexual violence, adding that such actions were not part of any recognised cultural practice. “The Commissioner of Police condemns these acts in totality and reassures the public that the command remains resolute in its determination to ensure that all those involved are identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Edafe stated. The incident, which was captured in viral videos showing women being chased, stripped and assaulted, has sparked nationwide outrage. The Nigerian Bar Association described the development as “a national disgrace.” In a statement signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, and the Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Huwaila Muhammad, the association said, “A society reveals its true character in how it treats its women. Where women are chased, stripped, violated and publicly humiliated under the guise of celebration, what is on display is not culture but barbarity.” The NBA stressed that no cultural justification could excuse violence against women, urging the Delta State Government and law enforcement agencies to ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice. Similarly, the Nigeria Federation of Business and Professional Women petitioned Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to suspend all traditional rulers in Ozoro, accusing them of failing to prevent the violence. The group also called for an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the incident and determine the role of traditional authorities. Olufemi Adediran