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Footage from Burkina Faso shows militants planting an IED on a road taken out by a drone strike. The video also captures separate drone strikes against militants operating in Tongomayel and Sebba.

BREAKING: Nigeria’s merchandise trade hits N34.8 trillion in Q1 2026 nairametrics.com/2026/06/08/nig…

Tinubu Commends Troops, Reaffirms Commitment To Defeating Terrorism President Bola Tinubu has commended Nigerian troops and other security personnel on the front lines of the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, describing them as the nation’s shield against forces threatening peace and security. channelstv.com/2026/06/08/tin…

TINUBU’S FOUR LEGACY PROJECTS WILL LINK ALL SIX GEOPOLITICAL ZONES SAYS UMAHI AS ECOWAS BANK MOVES TO APPROVE FUND FOR CALABAR-ABUJA SUPER HIGHWAY The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's four legacy road projects as a transformative national infrastructure network that will connect all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, unlock economic opportunities, boost food security, and accelerate regional integration. Umahi stated this on Monday, June 8, 2026, while receiving a delegation from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), led by Maimouna Sidibe, Head of the Basic Infrastructure Division, Department of Public Sector Corporations, at his office in Abuja. The EBID team is currently undertaking appraisal activities ahead of the approval of financing for Section One of the Trans-Sahara Super Highway, one of President Tinubu's landmark legacy projects. Welcoming the delegation, the Minister explained that the President's four legacy road projects were deliberately designed to function as an interconnected national transport network. "Let me say that the entire four Legacy Projects of Mr. President are interconnected in a loop," Umahi said. He explained that the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway seamlessly links with the Trans-Sahara Super Highway through Ndibe Beach in Cross River State. According to him, Section One of the Trans-Sahara Super Highway spans 123.64 kilometres and runs from Ndibe Beach to the Benue border, while additional sections through Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa States have already been awarded. The Minister noted that the historic route has existed since colonial times, serving as a major corridor for trade and agricultural activities. "It has long existed and remains a major food corridor. It is critical to food sufficiency in our country," he stated. Highlighting the economic significance of the project, Umahi said the highway would connect major agricultural belts across the country, including Ebonyi, Benue and Cross River States, while significantly reducing travel time between Calabar and Abuja. "This route will shorten travel time from Calabar to Abuja to about four hours. It is therefore a very important corridor," he said. Beyond transportation, the Minister revealed plans to harness existing dams along the corridor for irrigation and renewable energy generation, creating new opportunities for industrialization, investment and job creation. "There are many benefits to this project. Beyond tolling and corridor development for investment returns, it will generate numerous jobs, both direct and indirect. There will be factories along the corridor, power projects, and significant traffic volumes on the road," he added. Umahi further explained how the Trans-Sahara Super Highway connects to the fourth Legacy Project through the Abuja-Akwanga Road corridor, extending through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, Biu and Maiduguri. He noted that the recently flagged-off Gombe-Biu section covers 125 kilometres and is being constructed as a six-lane highway, while procurement activities are ongoing for the Bauchi-Gombe section. He also outlined plans to link the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway through a new route beginning at Victoria Island, traversing a 3.5-kilometre tunnel, Ogogoro Island and Snake Island before connecting to Badagry. "When you look at all of this on a map, you see a loop. All the geopolitical zones are included," Umahi said. "If you start from Sokoto, you can access all six geopolitical zones within two days. It is a remarkable development." Commending the contractor handling Section One of the Trans-Sahara Super Highway, Infioues, the Minister disclosed that work has already exceeded 20 percent completion. "My concern is that we need to fast-track the loan component because once they reach 30 percent completion, payments will become necessary," he said.

JUST IN: Nigeria records N7.54tr trade surplus as importation drops by 18% in Q1 2026.

In 2024, only 21 of Nigeria’s 36 states reported any local government internally generated revenue (IGR). According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), no figures were captured for the remaining 15. Those 21 states accounted for N39.40 billion in total, with Bauchi on top at N7.50 billion and Imo at the bottom with just N72.15 million. Lagos, which led the year before with N10.49 billion, did not appear on the 2024 list at all. Local governments were granted financial autonomy in 2024. But if states still cannot account for what their councils generated under the old system, the harder question is whether autonomy will be any more transparent than what it replaced. #GetInvolved #DataofTheDay

COAS TASKS BANKING SECTOR ON COUNTER-TERRORISM FINANCING, SECURES UBA HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FOR TROOPS The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called on Nigeria’s banking sector to strengthen efforts at disrupting terrorism financing and other illicit financial flows that threaten national security. The COAS made the call on Monday, 8 June 2026, while receiving the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/COE) of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr Oliver Alawuba, during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters, Abuja. He described the financial sector as a critical stakeholder in safeguarding national stability and supporting economic resilience. Lieutenant General Shaibu urged Mr Alawuba, in his capacity as Chairman of the Body of Bank CEOs, to mobilize the banking industry towards enhancing financial surveillance and intelligence-sharing mechanisms capable of detecting and blocking suspicious transactions linked to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities. He emphasized that disrupting the financial lifelines of criminal networks remains a key component of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and internal security strategy. The COAS also highlighted the commitment of the Nigerian Army to improving personnel welfare as a pillar of operational effectiveness and force readiness. He disclosed that the Army is partnering with UBA to develop structured mortgage schemes and other housing initiatives aimed at expanding homeownership opportunities for serving and retired personnel while complementing ongoing barracks infrastructure renewal efforts. In his remarks, Mr Alawuba reaffirmed UBA’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian Army through tailored financial solutions, including mortgage financing, support for military infrastructure projects, and welfare initiatives. He further pledged the bank’s assistance in facilitating efficient financial services for personnel deployed on international peace support operations. APPOLONIA ANELE Colonel Acting Director Army Public Relations 8 June 2026

“Susan Rice and Al-Mustapha Got It Wrong” -Fmr DSS Assistant Director, Dennis Amachree reveals his account of how General Sani Abacha really died. In one of the most revealing editions of #BeyondTheHeadlines, I sat down with the former DSS chief to discuss some of the best kept secrets in the DSS from most his new book, DSS @ 40: My Journey Behind the Shield. From Abacha’s death to the Isa Pantami controversy, kidnapping as a criminal industry, political interference in intelligence, and untold stories from 35 years inside Nigeria’s intelligence community, this is a conversation packed with rare insights and remarkable revelations.

Today, I assented to the Benue State Electricity Law 2026, a landmark legislation designed to transform our state’s power sector and unlock new economic opportunities for our people. This law is a deliberate step toward strengthening our economy.

PRESS RELEASE: NDPC, Meta Launch Initiative to Strengthen Data Protection in Nigeria.

BREAKING NEWS. Akwanga - Jos- Bauchi- Gombe- Borno Dual carriageway bush clearing from Kobin, Sanga LGA Kaduna State to Jos commenced today 8 June 2026. Thank you President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, Thank you Sen. David Umahi.

“I want to commend the efforts of the Nigerian armed forces. We remain eternally grateful...” Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has praised the Nigerian Government, military, and security agencies following the release of 434 abducted women and children.

ICYMI: FG relocates Great Green Wall HQ to Kano The federal government has relocated the operational headquarters of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) from Abuja to Kano. In a statement, Balarabe Lawal, minister of environment, said the move is aimed at improving the agency’s capacity to address desertification, land degradation and climate change impacts across northern Nigeria. thecable.ng/icymi-fg-reloc…

PRESIDENT TINUBU BEGINS PROJECT COMMISSIONING IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY …TO INAUGURATE PROJECTS IN THE AREA COUNCILS The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will officially begin the commissioning of several high-impact legacy infrastructure projects across the nation's capital on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, as part of his third anniversary celebrations. Speaking with newsmen during a high-level site verification tour to assess final delivery arrangements and mobilization frameworks on Monday, June 8, 2026, the Minister stated that the President will commence with the commissioning of stage two of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) Main Carriageways, which he said was 100 percent complete.  Wike, who was visibly excited at the rapid engineering turnarounds achieved across multiple strategic arterial corridors within the territory during the visit, said, “Tomorrow, the President will start the commissioning of the OSEX road, which was the first place we visited this morning". The Minister further disclosed that the commissioning itinerary will extend through a packed multi-day calendar to celebrate the administration's third anniversary, adding that the President will commission the strategic Arterial Road N5 in Life Camp on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, which will be followed on Thursday by the commissioning of the newly dualized Highway 105 (Airport-to-Kuje carriageway), providing critical economic links to outlying development zones. "These three projects are one hundred percent complete and ready for commissioning. What is important to us is that we have been able to achieve the timeline, and I commend the various contractors that are involved for keeping to their promises", the Minister remarked. Beyond the city centre, Barr. Wike further confirmed that President Tinubu will also visit the satellite towns to personally inaugurate vital interventions within the Area Councils. While specific targets remain confidential, the Minister disclosed that the spread is proof of the administration’s commitment to touching the lives of the rural dwellers. He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his consistent support to the FCT Administration, which, he said, made the achievements possible. “The credit must go to Mr. President, who has given that directive and support for us to go this far. I have always said that one of the things about leadership is the will to continue with projects that may not have been initiated by you, but you continue and complete those projects”, the Minister stated. Responding to questions regarding completed FCT bus terminals that are yet to open for commercial operations, Wike urged residents to remain patient with the mandatory bureaucratic process. He clarified that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has already approved a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) lease structure, and the concessionaire is presently consolidating public transportation fleets to match modern requirements. "For you to give a private individual to run a government facility, it has to pass through a procurement process", Wike explained. "Government process is not easy; bureaucracy is involved, and once you have achieved that, be patient. We don’t want to commit ourselves to go and run that business because we know that it won’t work. The person going to manage the facility has pleaded with us that he is assembling the buses and the taxis to ensure that it takes off smoothly".

"We are also planning to extend the rail line that ends at Ikeja bus stop. We are working with the Lagos State government to extend that rail line all the way to the GAT all the way to the international airport." - Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo speaking at the Invest Lagos 3.0 opening ceremony. 📽️Arise TV

Lagos Blue Line Expands Service to 94 Daily Trips, Starts Earlier at 6:00 AM #LAMATA #Keepinglagosmoving #lasg

"Now in Imo state, we generate, transmit and distribute electricity. We have provided electricity to the various industries around the state capital, connected electricity to the senatorial headquarters of Imo State under phase 1. We at the state capital enjoy 24 hours electricity provided by Imo state." - Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma speaking at the Invest Lagos 3.0 Opening Ceremony.

Economy: Tinubu Has Taken The Bullet For Making Painful Decisions — Shettima Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday said Nigeria’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy is driven by enterprise, investment and coordinated reforms across all levels of government. channelstv.com/2026/06/08/eco…

Nigeria’s total merchandise trade stood at N34,788.59 billion in Q1 2026. Total exports in Q1 2026 were valued at ₦21,169.27 billion, reflecting a 2.77% increase compared with ₦20,598.48 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2025, and an 11.63% increase compared with ₦18,963.41 billion in Q4 2025. The value of total imports stood at ₦13,619.33billion in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 18.17% decrease from the value recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025 (₦16,644.42billion) and a 21.05% decrease compared to the value recorded in Q4 2025 (₦17,250.93 billion). Read the Q1 2026 Foreign Trade Statistics Report here: microdata.nigerianstat.gov.ng/index.php/cata…

“I want to appreciate Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for inviting us. It takes a lot of selflessness to invite other states to take advantage of a platform to market themselves, and I assure you I will not demarket you as I market myself. Lagos is a mega city. If you ask me, I would say it is overpopulated, and that is why it is good for other states to begin to grow. We cannot all be mega cities like Lagos, but there are things we can take from Lagos.” — Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, speaking today at Invest Lagos 3.0