There are strong indications that controversies over some plots of land in Abuja may have pitched the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, against one another.

This became feasible when the NSITF issued a public notice claiming that the lands’ documents are missing, a development that prompted the NLC to debunk it.

The NLC had insisted that it is in possession of the original documents, puncturing the claims that they were missing.

Trouble started when the management of NSITF issued a public notice signed by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oluwaseun Faleye, and published in two national dailies, including Vanguard and The Sun on Thursday, July 10, 2025, declaring that it could no longer find the Certificate of Occupancy, Power of Attorney, and Deed of Assignment relating to Plot Numbers MISC 54707 and MISC 54824.

Faleye equally claimed the plots were in favour of the NSITF Management Board and warned the public and relevant authorities, including the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS), not to deal with any person in possession of the original documents.

But in a sharp reaction to the public notice, NLC described the claims as “mischievous,” “utterly ridiculous,” and possibly a product of “sheer ignorance.”

Debunking the position of NSITF, the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated: “We find this publication as mischievous or utterly ridiculous or hopefully, an act of sheer ignorance because the aforesaid plots of land have always belonged to the Nigeria Labour Congress, and will continue to belong to the Nigeria Labour Congress.”

He insisted that the Congress is not only the bona fide owner of the controversial land in question but has possession of it.

To further buttress NLC’s position, Ajaero argued that: “It is trite knowledge that one cannot claim loss or issue loss notice over that which one has neither possessory nor proprietary right.”

But in another swift reaction, the NSITF maintained its stance through a counter-statement signed by its Head of Corporate Affairs, Alexandra Mede.

Mede stated: “The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has taken note of the press release issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in reaction to our recent publication relating to plots referenced under file numbers MISC 54707 and MISC 54824.”

Reaffirming its earlier position, the Fund added: “The Fund reaffirms its position as stated in its previous publication and maintains full confidence that the appropriate authorities will resolve the matter in accordance with the law.”

About six members of Community Protection Guards (CPG) have been brutally murdered following an ambush by armed men in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara state.
Security expert, Zagazola Makama revealed on his X handle that several others remain unaccounted for and are feared kidnapped.

The attackers laid siege on Thursday, as the team went from Bungudu to Yar Katsina in the Kekun Waje District to pay their respects to the family of a fallen colleague who had been killed by suspected bandits just the day before.

According to sources, the group was caught off guard by heavily armed men who emerged along the route and opened fire without warning.

Six members of the community guard were killed instantly in the ambush.

Reports suggest the armed men seized several pump-action rifles from the fallen guards and also took away a motorcycle.

By the time troops arrived at the scene, the assailants had already left the surrounding forest, making pursuit difficult.

The bodies of the slain guards were later conveyed to Bungudu Town, where preparations for their burial are now underway.

Meanwhile, a search-and-rescue mission has been launched in hopes of locating those still missing.

UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body, CFCB, have removed Crystal Palace from the Europa League.

They will now be replaced by Nottingham Forest, who had qualified for the playoff round of the Conference League.

Palace have now been demoted to play in the Conference League, after CFCB ruled they were too closely linked to Lyon.

The Eagles will now appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS.

Olivier Glasner’s men qualified for the Europa League by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final.

However, Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in the Coupe de France final, saw Lyon promoted to play in the Europa League.

UEFA’s regulations take issue with any dual holding above 30%. The majority owner and chairman of Eagle Football Holdings, John Textor, has a 77% stake in Lyon but also owns 43.9% of Palace.