The Kogi State Government has called on residents of the State to remain calm and vigilant following reports of a planned terrorist attack in parts of Kogi and Ondo States.

In a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the Government described the intelligence report as a step towards victory, noting that it demonstrates the proactive work of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in protecting Nigerians from criminal elements.

“The report itself is evidence that our security agencies are alive to their responsibilities.

“We commend the DSS for their vigilance and for providing early intelligence capable of preventing such evil plans from being executed,” the statement read.

The Commissioner assured citizens that the Kogi State Government is working closely with the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Police, and other relevant security formations to ensure that any terrorist attempt is completely foiled before it can threaten lives or property.

“His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, has made security of lives and property a top priority of his administration.

Strategic security measures have been reinforced across the State, and surveillance has been intensified, especially around border communities,” Fanwo added.

He urged residents to go about their normal businesses without fear but to remain security-conscious and report any suspicious movement or persons to the nearest security agency.

“The Government will protect the people at all costs. We will not allow criminals or terror groups to disrupt the peace and progress we have built.

Kogi remains one of the safest states in Nigeria, and we intend to keep it that way,” the statement concluded.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, announced this morning the suspension of its two-week warning strike it declared last week across all public universities in the country.

The union announced the suspension on Wednesday at a press conference held at its headquarters in Abuja.

President of ASUU, Chris Piwuna, explained that the development followed intervention by the Senate and some other well-meaning Nigerians.

However, he said that the National Executive Council of the Union resolved to give the government a one-month window to address all contending areas.

In a landmark step toward modernising its operations, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday officially launched the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS) — a new digital platform that allows Nigerians to verify the clearance and duty payment status of imported vehicles in real time.

The platform, unveiled at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, is part of a broader reform initiative aimed at enhancing transparency, curbing smuggling, and improving service efficiency.

“This platform redefines how vehicle verification is conducted across Nigeria,” Adeniyi said. “For years, outdated systems left room for fraud, revenue leakage, and frustration. CVMS now introduces a simple, seamless, and secure way to verify a vehicle’s duty status — accessible from anywhere in the world.”

Developed Through Public-Private Partnership

The CVMS was developed in partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and Afripoint Consult, an indigenous tech firm, as part of the NCS’s digital transformation strategy. The platform, which has been in trial mode for two months, is now fully operational.

Users can verify vehicle clearance by entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and paying a ₦15,000 verification fee using any local or international debit or credit card.

“This is a homegrown solution to a long-standing problem,” Adeniyi said. “It empowers the public, importers, and dealers with verifiable data while eliminating manual bottlenecks and inconsistencies in our internal operations.”

Empowering Citizens, Supporting Enforcement

Adeniyi highlighted that the CVMS will democratise access to verified customs data, giving buyers and importers the confidence to transact with certainty and reducing fraud linked to fake customs papers.

“For the public, it brings transparency and ease of access. For our officers, it means smarter, faster, and more accountable customs operations,” he added.

He also noted that the platform supports the federal government’s broader digital agenda and will strengthen enforcement by providing officers with real-time data and analytics to detect anomalies and improve decision-making.

A Tool for Dealers and Law Enforcement

Ajibola Adetula, Managing Director of Afripoint Consult, described the CVMS as a “bifocal platform” serving both the public and customs officers.

“It allows users to confirm vehicle clearance instantly, while also helping enforcement agents verify documents, even outside working hours,” he said.

The platform is integrated with the NCS vehicle clearance database dating back to 2017, ensuring historical records are accessible and verifiable.

A Welcome Relief for Auto Dealers

Also present at the launch was Ajibola Adedoyin, Chairman of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, who called the system a long-overdue innovation.

“For years, we’ve asked for a reliable system to confirm clearance and reduce harassment of legitimate dealers. This gives us proof we can stand by when issues arise,” he said.

Part of a Broader Modernisation Drive

The CVMS is part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s 20-year Trade Modernisation Project, which seeks to improve trade facilitation, increase revenue, and reduce corruption in the customs process through automation and private sector collaboration.

It also comes amid growing concerns over fake customs documents and smuggled vehicles, which have led to revenue losses and frequent disputes between customs officers and dealers.

With CVMS, the NCS aims to close loopholes, restore public trust, and support the federal government’s goal of achieving a fully automated border and trade management system by 2030.

The launch marks another milestone in Customs’ journey towards digital transformation — ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability across Nigeria’s import and vehicle verification processes.