Evening Recap: DSS Halts Civil Arrests, Fubara Signs N1.84tn Budget, Online Mockery Raises N14m for Graduate

The evening’s top stories range from a directive aimed at improving the Department of State Services’ human rights record to an unexpected N14 million raised for a struggling graduate.

DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi ordered operatives not to arrest people over civil disputes. The agency will instead approach the courts in such cases, as part of reforms intended to strengthen respect for the rule of law.

In Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara signed the N1.84 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law nearly two months after presenting it to the House of Assembly. The legislature approved the measure with adjustments after contentious discussions over allocations, including funding proposed for a privately owned university.

Felix Nwachikerendu initially became the subject of online mockery when photographs from his final-year project defence went viral. But attention shifted after Nigerians learned that he had sold peanuts, washed clothes and endured hardship to complete university. Donations to support him reached N14 million.

The roundup also reports that the Bauchi Police Command is investigating Corporal Yusuf Aliyu’s resignation after he said he could not access his salary for two years. The command said the salary had been paid consistently, but a discrepancy in his Bank Verification Number details restricted access. In the United Kingdom, recognised modern slavery victims on Skilled Worker visas can now leave exploitative employers and take other jobs without losing their immigration status. The exemption took effect on September 3 and lasts for the remainder of their existing permission.