At least 30 people, including women and children, lost their lives on Monday morning when a bus ran over an explosive device believed to have been planted by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State. The tragic incident occurred about eleven kilometers from Rann, near the border area and the fringes of Lake Chad, as vehicles made their way to Gamboru Ngala. According to members of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), the explosion killed at least four women, six children, and several men, all of whom were commuters. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and devastation, with survivors rushing to help the wounded before emergency services arrived. Three people-a child, a woman, and a man-were among the injured and were quickly evacuated to medical facilities in Gamboru Ngala and Rann for urgent treatment. The attack is part of a wave of violence in Borno State. On the same day, Boko Haram gunmen targeted a community in Chibok during a prayer gathering, killing at least 14 people and setting houses ablaze. Just days earlier, 14 farmers and two Civilian JTF members were killed in border communities in Gwoza, and 10 Civilian JTF members lost their lives in an ambush along the Hawul-Garkida axis. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, speaking during a federal government delegation’s visit, expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s porous borders, which he said enable terrorists to regroup and launch attacks. “Until our borders are properly secured, our communities remain at risk,” Zulum warned. These attacks highlights the persistent threat posed by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria, despite ongoing military efforts to restore peace to the region. “We are calling on the government to do more to protect our people and secure our roads,” said a local resident, reflecting the fears and frustrations of many in Borno. Authorities have promised to intensify security patrols and provide support to victims’ families as investigations continue.
EFCC arrests businesswoman Aisha Achimugu at Abuja airport over money laundering allegations
Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, a prominent Nigerian business executive and socialite, was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) early Tuesday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The arrest took place around 5 a.m., shortly after Achimugu voluntarily returned from London to Nigeria. Achimugu had been declared wanted by the EFCC in March over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. Her return followed a Federal High Court order issued on Monday by Justice Inyang Ekwo, directing her to appear before the EFCC on April 29 and before the court on April 30, 2025, as part of ongoing investigations. Her lawyer, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, criticized the EFCC’s actions, stating that Achimugu had arrived in the country specifically to honor the court’s directive and cooperate with the investigation. Ojukwu described her arrest at the airport as a violation of the court’s order and revealed that Achimugu had begun a hunger strike in protest, calling her a “prisoner of conscience”. An EFCC source, speaking anonymously, defended the arrest, saying the agency was not restricted from taking Achimugu into custody and that ensuring her appearance was necessary given her previous wanted status. The source noted that while the court instructed she should not be detained if she appeared, the EFCC needed to guarantee her compliance with the investigation. As of the time of this report, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale had not issued an official statement regarding the arrest or the specifics of the allegations. Achimugu is expected to appear in court on Wednesday, April 30, as the legal proceedings continue.
CBN orders Nigerian banks to adopt PAPSS for cross-border payments
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all banks in the country to immediately adopt the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) for processing cross-border transactions. This move, announced in a circular dated April 28, 2025, is designed to boost intra-African trade, make payments more efficient, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign currencies like the US dollar. PAPSS, launched in 2022 by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, serves as a centralized platform enabling instant, secure, and cost-effective payments across Africa. By allowing transactions in local currencies, PAPSS aims to cut transaction costs and speed up settlements for businesses and individuals trading within the continent. Key Policy ChangesSimplified Documentation: For transactions up to $2,000 (individuals) and $5,000 (corporates), only basic Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) documents already submitted to banks are required. Higher-Value Transactions: Transactions above these limits must still comply with full documentation requirements as outlined in the CBN Foreign Exchange Manual. Foreign Exchange Sourcing: Banks can now source foreign exchange for PAPSS settlements directly from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, without needing CBN approval. Export Proceeds: All export proceeds repatriated through PAPSS must be certified by the processing banks to ensure compliance. The CBN is urging exporters, importers, and individuals to familiarize themselves with these new requirements and take advantage of PAPSS for their cross-border transactions. The regulator believes this initiative will make payments faster, cheaper, and more accessible for Nigerian businesses and support the country’s integration into Africa’s growing trade ecosystem.
Philippines Launches Digital Nomad Visa, Inviting Remote Workers to Paradise
The Philippines has officially joined the global digital nomad movement, launching a new visa program that lets remote workers live and work in the country for up to one year-with the possibility of renewal. The initiative, backed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., aims to boost tourism and tap into the growing trend of location-independent work. Under the new Digital Nomad Visa, eligible foreign professionals can enjoy the Philippines’ vibrant cities, tropical beaches, and rich culture-all while working remotely for employers or clients based outside the country. The program is designed to attract long-term visitors who contribute to the local economy without competing for local jobs. Who Can Apply?Applicants must meet several requirements: Be at least 18 years old Work remotely using digital technology, with all income generated from outside the Philippines Show proof of a stable and sufficient income Hold valid health insurance for the entire stay Have a clean criminal record Be a citizen of a country that offers similar digital nomad privileges to Filipinos and where the Philippines has a Foreign Service Post The Department of Foreign Affairs will oversee the visa’s rollout, with details on the application process expected soon. The visa grants an initial 12-month stay, with the option to renew for another year. Holders are allowed multiple entries during their stay and are exempt from local income taxes, provided their earnings come from abroad.The Philippines is positioning itself as a top destination for remote professionals seeking both adventure and productivity.
NRC to resume Warri-Itakpe train service April 30 after three-week suspension
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) will resume operations on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, following a three-week suspension caused by multiple engine failures and other technical challenges. Train services on the busy corridor, which connects Warri in Delta State to Itakpe in Kogi State, were halted on April 10 after a major breakdown left passengers stranded and highlighted the need for urgent repairs and operational improvements. NRC’s engineers have since worked round the clock to address the faults, boost operational capacity, and ensure a safer, more reliable service. From May 1, the Warri-Itakpe trains will operate six days a week-Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday-with Thursdays now set aside exclusively for maintenance of tracks and rolling stock. This new schedule aims to minimize future disruptions and improve overall service reliability. NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, apologized to passengers and stakeholders for the inconvenience and thanked them for their patience and understanding during the suspension. He assured the public that the NRC remains committed to delivering better, more dependable train services. Passengers who requested refunds during the suspension have been fully reimbursed, while those holding tickets can revalidate them for any future travel date through the NRC’s e-ticketing platform. For further assistance, customers can contact the NRC ticketing line at 0903 788 0657. The NRC has urged all passengers to take note of the updated schedule and maintenance day, promising a renewed focus on safety and customer satisfaction as services resume.
Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ takes Nigerian box office by storm, hits ₦269.9 million in nine days
Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller Sinners has become the talk of the town in Nigeria, smashing box office records with an eye-popping ₦269.9 million haul just nine days after its April 18 premiere. The film, starring Michael B. Jordan and distributed by Warner Bros, saw a remarkable 43% surge over the weekend of April 25–27, cementing its status as a local favorite and a global blockbuster. Sinners debuted in Nigerian cinemas with an impressive ₦79.6 million opening, quickly gaining momentum and outpacing expectations in one of Africa’s most vibrant theatrical markets. The film’s success in Nigeria echoes its strong international performance, where it has shown exceptional staying power. In North America, Sinners dropped only 6% from its $48 million opening to a $45 million second weekend-a rare feat for the horror-thriller genre, which typically sees steep declines after launch. Globally, the film’s earnings have soared to $161.6 million, with $122.5 million coming from the U.S. box office. This places Sinners among the most profitable releases of 2025, especially impressive for an original, non-franchise film with an R rating. Much of Sinners’ appeal lies in its rich storytelling, which draws deeply from Yoruba mythology. The film centers on the Smokestack Twins, characters inspired by Ìbejì-the sacred twin deities of the Yoruba Orisha spiritual tradition. This cultural grounding gives the movie a unique resonance, offering Nigerian audiences a blend of the familiar and the fantastical. Director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan have spoken about the personal and spiritual themes that shaped the film. “We wanted to create a story that felt ancient and modern at the same time-a horror film with heart, rooted in something real,” Coogler explained in a recent interview. The journey to the big screen was not without challenges. Sinners was initially budgeted at $80 million, but production setbacks pushed the final cost to an estimated $100 million. Coogler personally absorbed $20 million in overages, sacrificing part of his fee and backend compensation to keep the project on track. Unlike other high-profile director-studio clashes, Coogler maintained a collaborative relationship with Warner Bros., incorporating feedback from test screenings into the final cut. Warner Bros. secured the rights to Sinners after a competitive bidding war, agreeing to Coogler’s demands for first-dollar gross, final cut, and a rare clause granting him ownership of the film 25 years after release. These terms reportedly caused other studios to bow out, but the gamble has paid off handsomely. Sinners currently boasts an IMDb rating of 8.2/10 and a stunning 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. The film’s blend of supernatural thrills and cultural depth has resonated strongly, particularly in Nigeria, where moviegoers are increasingly embracing global blockbusters.