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Nigeria unveils diplomatic duty free village
Nigeria unveils diplomatic duty free village
By Michael Mike
Nigeria has unveiled the Diplomatic duty free village in Abuja.
The establishment of the village is in compliance with the United Nations Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which domesticated by the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1961, through the diplomatic immunities and privileges act of December 1962.
This statutes provide for the exemption of diplomats from all duties and taxes, whether national, regional or municipal.
“Specifically, the diplomatic immunities and privileges act of 1962 empowers the Ministry of Finance to exempt diplomats from all taxes.
The minister of Finance and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed said on Tuesday during the unveiling of the village, said diplomats are already enjoying duty free shopping facilities in several countries, such as South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, most of the EU countries and a few others, insisting that it in line with government’s responsibilities to ensure same in Nigeria.
Ahmed said that the facility is only for diplomats and members of their household, while noting that the facility became important to ensure coordination of imports for the diplomats.
The village she said is for “strict control or cessation of individual requests for waivers on imported items by diplomats which presently, is largely uncoordinated and originated. Another number six digital connectivity largely uncoordinated and originated.
She also said that the duty free facility will enable government to maintain a database of products.
The Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada said the facility will also help in reducing the level.of shipment by various diplomats as the facilty, which is one-stop shopping village will take care of all the needs of the diplomats in Abuja.
He also assured the diplomatic circle of their safety saying that the government will provide adequate security at the village.
He said, “No doubt the services provided by the duty free facility will drastically reduce the volume of diplomatic shipments into the country.
“It is my hope that the services of the duty free facility will further provide an additional platform and opportunity for members of the diplomatic community to enjoy this dividend stay in our country. I understand that the facility has different interesting and top notch sections ranging from shopping centre recreational services, spa, eye centre, restaurants and us.
“They need to affirm that the federal government of Nigeria has so far demonstrated his commitment towards ensuring the success of the duty free facility by giving the needed support for each operation, which will by no small measure contribute immensely to the economic growth of Nigeria.”
The Managing Director, Diplomatic Village, Uche Odozor said that the project which started since 2010, noted it is to meet the needs of the diplomats in accordance to the Vienna convention.
“We have within this facility a wellness and fitness centre comprising of a spa for those who enjoy wellness and beauty if you go around this country and this city, you will find nothing like these within these premises. “We also have laundry services person wants to do yoga, but we also have above all, our diplomatic village clinic.”
Yobe Police rescue 4 kidnapped victims in Fika
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Yobe State Police Command has rescued four young female victims who were abducted in an attempted kidnapping incident in the Fika local government area of Yobe State.
This was contained in a press release issued and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ,SP Dungus Abdulkarim, said on 28th June, 2026, Fika Division received a distress call reporting that unidentified persons attacked and abducted four young females at Didim village.
According to the release, the victims are all females and minors; young persons were aged between 15 and 17 years.
He maintained that, upon receiving the report, police operatives attached to Kukar Gadu outstation, in collaboration with local vigilantes, swiftly mobilized and launched a rescue operation.
Therefore, reinforcement from the division was deployed, leading to the successful rescue of all four victims unhurt, and the victims were immediately taken to Kukar Gadu primary healthcare center for medical examination and necessary support before being reunited with their families.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the criminal syndicate responsible for the attack as the command intensifies its operations to bring them to justice.
The Yobe state commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin psc, mspsp, has directed sustained and intelligence led operations to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and made to face the full weight of the law. He reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
He urged the residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide the police with credible and timely information on suspicious persons, movements, or vehicles.
Yobe Police rescue 4 kidnapped victims in Fika
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Drug Peddlers in Jos Raid
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1,Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have arrested three suspected drug peddlers during a raid on a notorious hideout in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Military sources said the operation was conducted at about 6:00 a.m. on June 29 at the Congo-Russia area following sustained efforts to curb illicit drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
According to the sources, the troops arrested three suspects identified as Abubakar Abdulrahman, 23; Muhammadu Abubakar, 28; and Awal Ali, 33.
The sources said quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa and other illicit drugs were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
The arrested suspects have been profiled and are undergoing further investigation, while appropriate legal action will follow.
The military said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and deny drug traffickers safe havens within Plateau State.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Drug Peddlers in Jos Raid
Court Grants Sowore N200m Bail
*Lists fresh conditions
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, granted bail to online publisher and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Aside a N200 million bail with two sureties, one of them must be a traditional ruler in Sowore’s community in
Ese-Odo Local Government Area in Ondo State.
The second surety, the court ruled, must have landed property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Also, Sowore is to surrender his international passport to the court’s deputy registrar for safekeeping. The court held that both sureties must be verified by counsel to the prosecution, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN.
Following Sowore’s absence in court, the judge, on June 16, 2026, revoked the bail he granted Sowore on “self-recognition” last December. Thereafter, he issued a bench warrant for the politician’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for his trial on allegations bordering on cybercrime and criminal defamation.
Last Tuesday, Justice Umar ordered that Sowore be kept in the Kuje Correctional Centre until his motion for a stay of the execution of the order for the revocation of his bail and bench warrant is determined.
Justice Umar dismissed Sowore’s other application that the judge be withdrawn from further presiding over his trial on the ground of alleged bias.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over alleged criminal defamation arising from claims that he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts made on his official X and Facebook accounts.
The defendant’s lawyer, R. O.
Adakole, however, appealed to the judge that Sowore be released to him to enable him get his passport from the US embassy in Lagos.
Justice Umar Mohammed adjourned to July 6, 2026, for continuing of hearing.
Court Grants Sowore N200m Bail
*Lists fresh conditions
Yobe Police rescue 4 kidnapped victims in Fika
Nigerian Army Boosts Training Capacity as COAS Inaugurates Modern Training Facilities in Plateau
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Drug Peddlers in Jos Raid
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