President Bola Tinubu has reportedly directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to withdraw its directive restricting access to Osun State Government’s account, following the controversy surrounding the account freeze.

The development comes after the EFCC placed a Post-No-Debit (PND) restriction on an Osun State Government statutory allocation account domiciled with First Bank, preventing withdrawals from the account as part of an ongoing investigation.

The action sparked a political uproar after Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, accused the anti-graft agency of attempting to cripple government operations ahead of the state’s governorship election. The governor argued that freezing a state government account lacked legal justification and could affect the payment of salaries and other government obligations.

Sources familiar with the matter said President Tinubu’s intervention was aimed at resolving the dispute and preventing further escalation between the federal agency and the Osun State Government. The EFCC had earlier maintained that the restriction was connected to an ongoing investigation and that several government officials had been invited in connection with the probe.

The account restriction had heightened political tension in Osun, coming shortly before the state’s governorship election, with opposition figures and observers questioning the timing of the action.

As of the time of this report, further details on the formal communication between the Presidency and the EFCC, including whether the restriction has been officially lifted, are still awaited.

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspected human trafficker and rescued a 25-year-old woman during an operation targeting human trafficking and other organised crimes. The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable persons.

According to police authorities, the suspect was apprehended following credible intelligence, while the victim was successfully rescued before she could be moved to an undisclosed destination. Preliminary investigations indicate that the woman may have been deceived with false promises before falling into the suspect’s custody.

Police said the rescued woman is receiving the necessary care and support while investigators work to uncover the full extent of the trafficking operation and identify other individuals who may be connected to the syndicate. The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.

The command reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking and urged members of the public to report suspicious activities involving the recruitment, movement or exploitation of individuals. It also encouraged citizens to remain vigilant and verify employment or travel offers before accepting them.

Authorities assured that anyone found involved in human trafficking or related offences would face prosecution in accordance with the law as efforts continue to curb the crime across the country.

The Niger State Police Command has arrested 71 suspects linked to offences including kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, fraud, and drug-related crimes during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted across the state in July. The operations also led to the recovery of 10 AK-47 rifles, 15 magazines, and 330 rounds of live ammunition, alongside several other exhibits connected to criminal activities.

Addressing journalists in Minna, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, said the successes were achieved through targeted raids on criminal hideouts, strategic deployment of tactical teams, and improved collaboration with members of the public. He described the operations as part of the command’s ongoing efforts to strengthen security across Niger State.

One of the major breakthroughs was the dismantling of a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating in parts of Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Police arrested the alleged gang leader, Samaila Ilya, also known as “Maikujuri,” while intelligence gathered during the investigation led to the recovery of additional weapons and the rescue of three kidnapped victims.

In another operation, officers intercepted a suspect allegedly transporting five AK-47 magazines and 185 rounds of live ammunition concealed inside a bag of cement. Investigators believe the ammunition was intended for another suspect who remains at large. Police also uncovered a forgery syndicate, recovering 105 fake National Identification Number (NIN) cards and 189 fake Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from a suspect accused of producing forged documents for hundreds of people.

Beyond the arrests, the command rescued nine children and an abducted infant, while recovering stolen livestock, vehicles, motorcycles, illicit drugs, and other items believed to be linked to criminal activities. CP Elleman reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven policing and urged residents to continue supporting law enforcement with credible information.