Public sector workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have given the Federal Government until August 11, 2026, to address outstanding welfare issues affecting federal employees, warning that continued delay could heighten industrial tensions.

The council said unresolved issues, including unpaid wage award arrears and the implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, have remained outstanding despite repeated engagements with government officials.

In a letter dated July 31, 2026, the JNPSNC requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to discuss the pending demands.

According to the council, previous letters sent to the minister’s office had not received any response, prompting the latest ultimatum.

Among the key demands is the payment of two months’ outstanding wage award arrears covering March and April 2026.

The wage award was introduced by the Federal Government in 2023 as a temporary measure to cushion the impact of the removal of petrol subsidy and the rising cost of living.

The workers also demanded the implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal public servants, which they said was approved to take effect from May 1, 2026, following a directive by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

The JNPSNC expressed concern over what it described as the government’s slow response to the issues and warned that prolonged inaction could increase tension across the public service.

The council disclosed that both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had been informed of the situation.

However, it clarified that August 11 is not a strike date but rather a deadline for the Federal Government to engage the council and resolve the outstanding issues.

The council added that failure to make meaningful progress after the deadline could leave workers with no option but to consider further industrial action.

The latest development comes as many Nigerian workers continue to grapple with rising inflation, increased living costs and broader economic pressures.

As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government had not publicly responded to the council’s latest demands.

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspects allegedly involved in the killing of two police officers during a violent attack on a stop-and-search team in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

The officers were attacked on June 29, 2026, when armed assailants reportedly launched a commando-style assault, opened fire on the patrol team and fled with the officers’ AK-47 rifles.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Agabe, one of the officers suffered severe gunshot injuries that led to the amputation of one of his legs before he later died in hospital. The attack claimed the lives of two officers.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Agabe said the arrests followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, ordering an intensive investigation and the deployment of operational and intelligence assets to apprehend those responsible.

She said operatives of the Command’s Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) tracked the suspects to their hideout through credible intelligence and sustained tactical operations.

The arrested suspects were identified as:

Maduabuchi Emeka, alias “Doctor”, 34, from Egbata Community, Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

Chinedu Owhor, 42, a native of Akabuka in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, resident in Aluu.

Kamachi Joe, 28, also from Egbata Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA.

Police said operatives recovered three AK-47 rifles and one Scorpion rifle during the operation.

According to the command, one of the suspects has also linked members of the gang to other murder cases currently under investigation.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to arrest a fourth suspect, who remains at large.

Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju commended the officers involved in the operation, describing the arrests as evidence of the Command’s determination to ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice.

He reaffirmed the Rivers State Police Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and warned that the state would not serve as a safe haven for criminals.

Adepoju also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely information to assist ongoing crime-fighting efforts.

The latest breakthrough comes amid continued efforts by security agencies to tackle violent crime and improve public safety across Rivers State.

At least four people have been killed and several others injured after suspected armed herdsmen launched a midnight attack on Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack occurred on Monday night in the community, which is the hometown of former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.

According to residents, the assailants stormed the village at about midnight while many people were asleep, catching the community off guard.

Witnesses said the attackers moved from house to house, forcing open doors before attacking residents inside their homes.

A community source said the attack was unprovoked.

“They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses,” the source said.

The source disclosed that three people were initially confirmed dead, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries during the assault.

The injured victims were rushed to the General Hospital, Gbajimba, for treatment. However, one of the injured later succumbed to injuries, raising the death toll to four.

The latest attack triggered panic in the community, forcing many residents to flee their homes for safety amid fears of further violence.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement confirming the incident or providing details of any arrests. Similarly, state authorities had yet to comment publicly on the attack.

Guma Local Government Area has witnessed repeated attacks in recent years, with several communities affected by violent clashes and armed assaults that have resulted in loss of lives, displacement of residents, and destruction of property.

The latest incident is expected to renew calls for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable rural communities and curb the persistent violence affecting parts of Benue State.