–Tells Editors: “remain primary filter against information disorder.”

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set in motion a financial monitoring mechanism, in conjunction with anti-graft and financial intelligence agencies, to fish out those embarking on illegal campaign spending.

This was one of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan’s, disclosures on Monday in Abuja while delivering a keynote at a strategic workshop with media executives organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in collaboration with the commission.

INEC chairman also disclosed that the number of registered voters has risen to more than 103 million.

In addition, INEC said, it has acquired 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines as part of measures to strengthen the technological infrastructure for the 2027 elections.

Its target, according to the body, was to commence voting simultaneously across all polling units nationwide during the 2027 elections.

INEC’s collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), he said, was to monitor campaign financing and identify suspicious expenditure with s view to preventing money from undermining the credibility of the elections.

In Amupitan’s view, the teams will track illegal campaign spending, strengthen surveillance around polling units to detect attempts to influence voters through financial inducements.

He warned political actors that violators of the Electoral Act would attract arrest and prosecution, adding that elections must be decided by the conviction of the voter, not the depth of a candidate’s pocket.

The chairman disclosed that the three-phase National Register of Voters had produced 10,772,421 new voters, with 2,611,266 in the first phase, 4,121,835 in the second phase and 3,867,997 in the third phase, respectively. But the fugure is subject to final verification, completing eight of the 14 major statutory activities contained in its timetable for the 2027 elections.

The electoral umpire added that the final Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup was complete, and the preliminary register was displayed for claims and objections. In his words:

“In line with Section 10 of the Electoral Act 2026, the first phase of the CVR commenced on August 25, 2025 and ended on December 10, 2025, registering 2,611,266 voters; Phase II commenced on January 5, 2026, and ended on April 17, 2026, registering 4,121 ,835 voters; and Phase Ill commenced on May 11, 2026 and ended on July 26, 2026, registering 3,867,997 voters. The total new registration stands at 10,772,421, subject to the ABIS verification being concluded.”

Amupitan revealed that the commission had drawn lessons from recent off-cycle elections and would improve its logistics, personnel and technology ahead of the 2027 polls.

The commission further warned political parties, candidates and campaign managers against violence, intimidation and hate speech and other vices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission, through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), he said, had activated an early-warning framework to monitor political violence, thuggery and dangerous campaign rhetoric.

Amupitan called editors, the “bridge in an era of information chaos”, to work with INEC to build a public space of verified information, civic responsibility and institutional trust. In his words:

“When newsrooms prioritise factual accuracy over sensational headlines, when reports contextualise field logistics rather than default to inflammatory speculation, and when information is verified before publication, you perform a sacred public service. You act as the primary filter protecting our democracy against information disorder.”

In his submission at the event, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Eze Anaba, canvassed for a credible and transparent electoral process that would give voters, rather than the courts, the outcome of elections.

He said: “Elections were not merely about casting ballots but about building citizens’ confidence that their votes would count and that institutions responsible for conducting elections would act fairly and professionally.”

To Akingbulu, verification was a two-way process, arguing that newsrooms could not properly verify information that institutions failed to disclose.

Warning against deepfakes, fabricated campaign materials and other forms of manipulated content, saying such developments could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

The Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPI), Lanre Arogundade, stressed the importance of timely and transparent communication from INEC.

By Michael Lim, Jos

On Tuesday morning, the corpse of an unidentified man was found behind the Monday Market in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State with his private part and other vital organs allegedly removed.

According to a community source, the corpse was discovered by members of the community in the morning, upon which security operatives were alerted, and they reportedly arrived at the scene to evacuate the body.

The disturbing discovery attracted concerned residents to the General Hospital, Pankshin, where efforts were made to identify the deceased.

The Punch reports that a local resident, Panshak Rogo, who spoke at the hospital, said the identity of the deceased was yet to be established.

“Presently, we are at the General Hospital. We are here because there is an unidentified individual who was killed around Monday Market.

“The corpse is yet to be identified because some sensitive organs have been removed from the body. His ears and nose were cut off, while his private part has also been tampered with.”

Rogo urged members of the public who had relatives or friends reported missing to contact the police for possible identification of the corpse.

“Please, if you have any report of a missing person, go to the nearest police station. To be precise, Pankshin Police Station is important,” he said.

He appealed to anyone with useful information about the deceased or the circumstances surrounding his death to report to the police.

Efforts to reach the Plateau State Police Command for confirmation and further details were unsuccessful as of press time.

By Felix Umande

The Nigerian Air Force has confirmed that 25 persons died in the crash of its ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State, and has released the list of casualties.

The release corrects the earlier speculated crew members and passengers said to be 32, as victims of the crash.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, in a statement on Saturday, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Air Force and the nation, and expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers.

The aircraft had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, and was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred.

According to the NAF, search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated in coordination with relevant authorities, but no survivors were found.

The Air Force assured bereaved families of its full support during this difficult period.

The casualties are:

Crew

1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime — Flight Captain
2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje — Co-pilot
3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako — Co-pilot
4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A — Aircraft Technician
5. Corporal Uguru HC — Aircraft Technician

Passengers
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola

Air Marshal Aneke has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday, said the NAF will continue to provide timely and verified updates, and urged the public to refrain from speculation and circulation of unverified information while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families.

A condolence register has been opened at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other well-wishers.