Igbo youths under the aegis of Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), have asked the proscribed Indigenous Peopl of Biafra (IBOP) to review its threat to lock down the Southeast region over Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s travail from August 9, saying such directive could be counter-productive, given the current harsh economic realities facing Ndigbo and the entire nation. They stressed that what Ndigbo needed presently was any drive or agenda that could accelerate growth and development of the region above others than anything that might escalate tension in the zone. IPOB issued a threat to attack any who violates the lockdown of states in the East every Monday. The group believes the lockdown of movement and all forms of activities including economic activities will cause the federal government to lose revenue. They believe the sit-at-home will put pressure on the government to release their incarcerated leader. In a statement by COSEYL President General Goodluck Ibem on Tuesday, the group pointed out that while it understands that the group has the right to self-determination, but added that it does not see any economic wisdom in shutting down business in the zone especially on Mondays, generally regarded as the beginning of a business week.

Gunmen have been reported to have gunned down several persons and burnt several houses in some parts of Miango chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau. The attackers were said to have raided the communities, although, as at the time of reporting, the number of casualties is yet to be ascertained. According to a statement issued by Plateau command Public Relations Officer, Gabriel Ubah, he said the command received a report of a conflict between gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia and youths from the Irigwe community that involved several lives and properties. He added that the police has begun a full investigation into the matter.

Kaduna State government has filed fresh charges against the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky 48 hours after being discharged and acquitted by Justice Gideon Kurada. A Kaduna State high court had on Wednesday discharged and acquitted El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat Ibrahim from an 8 count charge of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of the public peace, among others for four years.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) announced that 8 upstream countries of the River Niger Basin are set to experience flooding from August and are likely to release water which will flow downstream the basin to where Nigeria is located.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has met with the President of the French-speaking West African nation, Patrice Talon, on Tuesday during the official presentation of his letter of credence. Other ambassadors including those of Germany to Benin Republic, Michael Derus; as well as those of Ghana, Gabon, and Norway also presented their letters of credence to Talon. Buratai’s meeting with President Talon came in the course of the planned extradition of wanted Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, who was arrested in Cotonou on July 19, 2021 while he tried to catch a flight to Germany.