On Tuesday, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated on the Mandafuma Bridge along the Biu-Damboa road in Maiduguri, causing significant structural damage. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert specializing in the Lake Chad region, the bridge was completely destroyed, effectively severing the link between Mandafuma Village and Biu town.

The attack, attributed to suspected ISWAP-affiliated terrorists, is believed to be aimed at disrupting transportation and impeding military reinforcements in the area. This incident further underscores the ongoing security challenges and the evolving tactics employed by extremist groups in the region.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a warning regarding fraudulent messages being circulated to registered candidates for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). These messages, disseminated by suspected fraudsters, aim to deceive candidates through the fabrication of issues within their JAMB details.

The perpetrators are utilizing a deceptive sort code, created by merging the UTME numerical variant (8863) with JAMB’s sort code (55019), to mimic the Board’s official communication channels. Candidates are urged to disregard any messages employing this method and claiming irregularities in their registration.

JAMB assures the public that these messages are not sanctioned by the Board. Security agencies have been alerted and are actively pursuing the individuals behind this fraudulent scheme. Candidates are strongly advised to exercise vigilance and report any suspicious communication that deviates from official JAMB channels.

Dangote Refinery has announced a further reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), bringing it down to N835 per litre from the previous N865. This N30 decrease, communicated to customers via notice on Wednesday, follows a reduction to N865 just six days prior.

This adjustment is expected to translate to lower retail prices at partner stations, such as MRS, with potential reductions from N940 per litre anticipated.

The price reduction coincides with regulatory approval for the importation of 117,000 metric tonnes of petrol between April 8th and 16th, 2025. However, industry analysts, including the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN), caution against expecting a drastic price crash due to demand/supply dynamics and foreign exchange fluctuations, even with the renewal of the naira-for-crude deal.