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Amid growing confusion fueled by viral social media posts and reports, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has clarified that it has not banned airtime borrowing or data advance services in Nigeria.

It described the reports as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Friday on its official X handle, the Commission clarified that it has not issued any directive prohibiting consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services.

It stressed that airtime borrowing and data advance services remain available, and any suggestion to the contrary is inaccurate.

The FCCPC explained that the confusion arose following regulatory measures introduced in July 2025 under the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations.

”The Commission has not prohibited airtime borrowing or data advance services, and no directive was issued preventing consumers from accessing lawful telecom value-added services,” the statement read in parts.

According to the Commission, the framework was established after a surge in consumer complaints relating to opaque charges, unexplained deductions, aggressive recovery practices, poor disclosure standards, and weak accountability in parts of the digital lending and advance-services market.

Rather than banning services, the regulations were designed to promote fairness and transparency by requiring operators to register properly, disclose fees and terms clearly, adopt responsible lending practices, and provide accessible channels for consumer complaints.

It noted that these measures are intended to strengthen consumer protection, improve service quality, and boost confidence in the market.

It further revealed that some telecom operators had engaged in exclusionary third-party arrangements in violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, limiting competition within the sector.

The new regulations, it said, are aimed at opening up the market to both local and international participants in line with free market principles.

”The primary aim is to promote a fairer and more transparent system by mandating proper registration, responsible lending conduct, clear disclosure of fees and terms, accessible consumer complaint channels, data protection safeguards, stronger accountability for third-party partners, and effective regulatory oversight.”

The FCCPC stated that operators were initially given a 90-day compliance period to align with the new framework, which was later extended to January 5, 2026.

Despite this extension, some operators failed to regularise their services within the stipulated timeframe and continued operating models that had long generated consumer complaints.

According to the Commission, any temporary suspension or restriction of airtime borrowing or data advance services should be understood as a business or compliance decision by the operators involved, not a ban imposed by the regulator.

It added that attributing such disruptions to regulatory action is misleading, especially when operators had sufficient time to comply.

The Commission also warned against what it described as deliberate attempts by vested interests to spread disinformation and undermine efforts to create a fair and transparent market

It urged Nigerians to disregard false narratives and rely on accurate information regarding the status of telecom services.

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the release of results for 632,788 candidates who participated in the first day of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), held on Thursday.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Board’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on Friday.

According to the Board, candidates can now access their results by sending “UTMERESULT” via SMS to either 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number registered during the examination process.

At this stage, only result viewing is available, as printing of result slips has not yet been enabled.

JAMB emphasised that the UTME exercise is still ongoing, adding that additional batches of results will be released progressively as marking and processing continue.

The Board also issued a stern warning against any attempts to manipulate or falsify results.

It cautioned candidates against altering SMS messages received from its official platforms to misrepresent their scores to others, including parents and guardians.

Describing such actions as a serious criminal offence, JAMB disclosed that it has already taken action against offenders. “Two candidates and one parent are currently in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means,” the statement revealed.

The Board reiterated that anyone found guilty of such misconduct would face the full weight of the law.

JAMB urged candidates to adhere strictly to official channels and maintain integrity throughout the examination process, as it continues efforts to ensure a credible and transparent admissions system in Nigeria.

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Security operatives in Benue State have arrested seven suspects in connection with the kidnapping incident in Otukpo Local Government Area.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer for the Benue State Command, Udeme Edet.

The abduction occurred on Wednesday when gunmen attacked a commercial bus operated by Benue Links Limited in Otukpo.

According to reports, the assailants intercepted the vehicle, robbed the passengers, and abducted several of them into the bush.

There have been conflicting reports regarding the number of victims. While some sources estimate that about 17 passengers were abducted, the police confirmed that 14 persons were taken, noting that one individual escaped during the attack.

According to the police, the suspect’s arrest was achieved through a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies.

The Force disclosed that intelligence gathered during the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are now in custody.

“The Benue State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a significant breakthrough following the kidnapping incident that occurred on 15th April, 2026 in Otukpo.

“Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven (7) suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing,” the statement partly read.

It added that operatives are currently conducting a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and surrounding areas.

“The operation has led to the successful rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention,” the force said.

Police Clarify UTME Claims

The Command also addressed reports suggesting that the victims were students travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing the claim as inaccurate.

“The Command wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

“The Command states that this claim is incorrect, as the victims were not confirmed to be part of any organised UTME-bound student convoy but passengers in a Makurdi-bound bus,” the statement read.

Contrary to the police dismissal, reports suggested that many of the victims were believed to be UTME candidates travelling for the examination, which began on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the 2026 UTME has been marked by major logistical challenges, as many candidates were assigned CBT centres far from their homes, often in hard-to-locate areas. This has drawn public outcry and criticism of the board.

Rescue Efforts

Security agencies have intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims, with tactical and anti-kidnapping units deployed to the area.

The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, assured residents that operations are ongoing to restore normalcy.

“The Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, is intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining victims and ensure the full restoration of peace and security in the affected area,” the statement noted.

Authorities also confirmed that at least two abducted passengers have since escaped, as search operations continue.

Meanwhile, police investigations indicate that the driver of the bus may have breached company regulations.

He is alleged to have travelled at night and picked up passengers outside approved procedures. The driver is currently under interrogation.

The police urged members of the public to support ongoing operations by providing credible information.

“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to official police hotlines. The Command further urges continued cooperation by providing credible and timely information to security agencies,” the statement added.

Opposition leader Peter Obi condemned the incident, describing it as a reflection of deepening insecurity and a failure of leadership, accusing authorities of prioritising electoral interests over citizens’ safety.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said the abduction of the students was both “heartbreaking” and indicative of a systemic breakdown in governance.

The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of travellers across Nigeria, particularly during peak periods such as national examinations, when movement increases significantly.