The Federal Government has commenced a mass trial involving terrorism suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as legal proceedings begin for dozens of defendants facing terrorism-related charges.   The cases, which were previously handled in Kainji, Niger State, have now been transferred to the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. Court officials confirmed that 58 suspected terrorists were listed for arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite on Monday. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, is leading the prosecution team, while defence lawyers are being coordinated by the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Abubakar. The proceedings are taking place across multiple courtrooms and are expected to last four days. Several judges are handling different cases, including Justices Binta Nyako, Musa Liman, James Omotosho, Obiora Egwuatu and Ekerete Akpan among others. The Federal High Court proceedings mark a significant coordination effort in handling terrorism-related prosecutions across Nigeria.

The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to step up engagement with gas producers and marketers to increase imports of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, in response to rising prices and supply concerns.   According to a statement from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, published by Channels Television, marketers have agreed to raise import volumes to support domestic supply and stabilise the market nationwide. The minister said the recent price increases were driven by foreign exchange volatility, higher logistics costs, infrastructure limitations and global LPG price fluctuations. He added that these pressures reflect broader market conditions rather than policy failure. The government also said regulatory measures remain in place to ensure locally produced LPG is prioritised for domestic use, while a new Seplat gas facility expected to begin deliveries in July is projected to strengthen supply. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the average cost of refilling a 5kg cylinder rose from N7,655.73 in March to N8,706.93 in April, a 13.73 per cent increase. The price of a 12.5kg cylinder also climbed by 13.89 per cent month-on-month during the same period. Officials say the combination of increased imports, domestic production prioritisation, and upcoming supply expansions is aimed at improving availability and stabilising prices in the coming months.

The United Kingdom has announced plans to introduce a nationwide ban on social media for children under the age of 16, marking one of its most sweeping online safety measures to date.   According to a report by Channels Television, Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement on Monday, stating that platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube would be covered under the proposed restrictions. Starmer said the move was aimed at addressing growing concerns that social media is contributing to declining mental wellbeing among young users, arguing that such platforms are “making children unhappy” and exposing them to addictive and potentially harmful content. The government confirmed that messaging services like WhatsApp would not be included in the proposed ban. Officials said the legislation could be passed by December 2026, with enforcement expected to begin in spring 2027. The plan also includes broader measures targeting gaming and live-streaming platforms, alongside possible restrictions such as overnight usage limits and breaks from infinite scrolling features for minors. The announcement follows a government-led consultation involving more than 100,000 responses. According to the findings, over 80% of parents supported tighter restrictions on children’s access to social media, with many backing a minimum age of 16. The proposal draws on international developments, including Australia’s earlier decision to restrict under-16 access to social platforms, as several countries tighten regulations around children’s online safety. A spokesperson for YouTube warned that a blanket ban could push younger users towards less regulated and potentially unsafe platforms. The UK government also signalled parallel action requiring tech firms such as Apple and Google to strengthen safeguards against the sharing and sending of explicit images involving minors. Officials described the policy shift as part of a “moral responsibility” for technology companies to better protect children from exploitation, abuse and online grooming risks.

The United Kingdom has appointed Peter Vowles as its new High Commissioner to Nigeria, a move that highlights continued diplomatic cooperation between both countries ahead of his arrival in September 2026.   The announcement was made in a statement by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on Monday, confirming that Vowles will succeed Dr Richard Montgomery CMG. According to the statement, Vowles is currently serving as the British High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, a position he has held since 2023. He is expected to formally assume duty in Nigeria later in the year. His appointment reflects the UK’s sustained diplomatic engagement with Nigeria, one of its key partners in Africa, across governance, trade and development cooperation. Vowles brings more than two decades of experience in international development and diplomacy. His career includes senior roles within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the former Department for International Development (DFID). He previously served as FCDO Transformation Director between 2022 and 2023, and as British Ambassador to Myanmar from 2021 to 2022. From 2018 to 2021, he was Director for Asia, the Caribbean and Overseas Territories at DFID. Earlier in his career, he held positions including Country Director for DFID in Kenya, Deputy Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and governance and security roles in Afghanistan. His background also includes development work in Bangladesh, India and Zimbabwe, as well as early experience in health systems and education programming. The UK government said his extensive experience across Africa and Asia makes him well placed for the Nigeria assignment.