Photo caption: President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.

Dangote Cement Transport has scaled up series of impactful, and technology backed programmes designed to improve performance, governance and compliance to road safety.

Head of Transport, Dangote Cement PLC, Mr. Murilo Silva

A statement from the Branding and Communications Department of the company said the enhanced programmes cover key operational areas, including performance metrics, strengthened governance standards, and improved accountability frameworks.

It further noted that the programmes also extend to comprehensive driver training and competency development, technology-enabled safety systems, journey management protocols, and regular recertification processes.

Other components include mandatory drug screening, strategic partnerships and collaborations, as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, sustainability programmes, and community impact programmes, among others.

The statement signed by the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, recalled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had recently commended the company for its proactive safety programmes, which have contributed to reducing road traffic crashes across the country.

The statement quoted Head of Transport of the Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Murilo Silva, as saying that the company has upscaled its transport management systems through the deployment of automated inspection technologies and artificial intelligence-driven solutions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and road safety.

Mr. Silva said the company has since deployed enhanced GPS and telematics systems for real-time monitoring of driver behaviour during transit, strengthening oversight and operational safety across its fleet.

He added that, in a bid to combat driver fatigue, the company has increased its wellness campaign, while also engaging in a series of stakeholder fora with third-party truck operators and drivers to reinforce safety awareness, compliance, and responsibility on the road.

Mr. Sliva said the company’s collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is already yielding positive results, noting that the partnership has continued to strengthen safety standards across its operations.

He added that FRSC officials are actively involved in the training and screening of drivers at the Dangote Articulated Vehicle Driving School in Obajana, where they provide technical guidance, enforce compliance with best practices, and support the development of highly competent and safety-conscious drivers.

According to him, the percentage of drivers undergoing structured training, drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic recertification, has increased significantly, describing the growth as “astronomical.”

According to him, between the first quarters of 2025 and 2026, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, recorded significant improvements in its safety compliance measures, with drug and alcohol testing increasing by 245.2 per cent, pre-trip vehicle inspections rising by 489.1 per cent, and driver training programmes expanding by 128.4 per cent.

Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, had commended the company for setting new standards in road safety management and urged it to sustain the reforms that have continued to improve safety across Nigeria’s transport sector.

The Corps Marshal stated that comparatively between 2025 and 2026, road crashes involving trucks belonging to the Dangote Cement Plc declined by 56 per cent, while fatal cases decreased by 36 per cent and injuries dropped significantly by 52 per cent.

He said the improvement has shown that the company has implemented its Gap Analysis, and company policies worthy of emulation by all logistics companies in Africa.

“We have always said that if Dangote Cement get its right, Nigeria and Africa, will get it right. This is a plus for Nigeria,” he said.

Boko Haram terrorists, in the early hours of Friday, attacked a Nigerian Army base in Mandaragirau under the 25 Brigade of Sector 2 in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, killing five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force who were on duty.

In a statement, the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Haruna Sani, said troops at the base contained the attack despite adverse weather conditions and poor visibility caused by heavy rainfall.

According to him, the terrorists launched the attack at about 3am and attempted to breach sections of the FOB under heavy rain and poor visibility.

“Determined troops responded with a fierce counter-offensive, decisively frustrating further incursions and inflicting casualties on the attackers. The counter-assault underscores the resilience of the troops at FOB Mandaragirau and reflects the courage and determination of our personnel across the theatre,” Sani said.

He added that five soldiers paid the “supreme price” during the intense firefight and close-quarter combat, while some equipment was also affected.

Sani noted that their sacrifice embodied the highest traditions of service, courage and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation.

“Operation HADIN KAI honours their heroism and the bravery of all personnel who stood firm in the face of a determined but ultimately futile enemy assault.

“Three members of the CJTF also fell alongside the troops, while those wounded have been promptly airlifted by the Air Component Command and are currently in stable condition receiving medical care,” he said.

Sani assured that troops remain firmly in control of the FOB and continue to dominate the general area, while exploitation operations are ongoing for consolidation.

“These failed attacks further underscore the growing desperation of terrorist elements who continue to suffer devastating losses under sustained operational pressure. All necessary measures are being taken to protect communities and sustain relentless pressure, with the deployment of additional troops and critical combat enablers throughout the North-East theatre,” the statement added.

Sources said the attackers stormed the military location and operated for nearly one hour with little or no resistance during heavy rainfall.

Judgment on a suit seeking the de-registration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), over alleged constitutional breaches.m, was deferred Friday due to absence of the presiding judge

It would be recalled that Justice Lifu had on May 20, adjourned to June 5, to decide whether the affected parties should be allowed to participate in future elections in the country, having failed to win any seat in previous elections.

However, the judgement could not be delivered as scheduled due to the absence of the judge.

At the scheduled date, litigants and lawyers were all in court, including journalists and after waiting for nearly two hours, one of the court’s registrars announced to the court that the matter would not go on as scheduled due to the judge’s engagement with other official duties outside Abuja.

The registrar added that a new date for the delivery of the judgement would be communicated to parties in the suit, once it has been fixed.

Justice Lifu had last month fixed June 5, for judgement after taking arguments from all parties in the suit seeking the deregistration of the above political parties over alleged constitutional breaches.

He had also dismissed an application for stay of proceedings as well as applications seeking to be joined as an interested party.

The court had predicated the refusal on the grounds that granting a stay of proceedings at that stage would cause hardship on the litigants, especially as political parties were already expected to submit names of candidates ahead of upcoming elections.

Lifu had recalled that the Supreme Court had repeatedly cautioned lower courts against granting undue stay of proceedings, adding that since the applicants had already approached the Court of Appeal, the trial court should be allowed to conclude hearing of the matter unless otherwise directed by the appellate court.

“It is my considered view not to grant the stay except otherwise decided by the upper court,” the judge said, adding that all issues raised by the applicants lacked merit and were accordingly dismissed.

On the joinder applications, Lifu explained that most of the political parties seeking to be represented were already defendants in the suit, making the inclusion of individual members unnecessary.

Justice Lifu consequently dismissed the applications seeking to be joined in the suit by 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th defendants.

The applicants included incumbent governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke and a governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Oluwafemi Abayomi Adebambi both of the Accord party, and Hon Sani Yakubu Noma of the ADC.

The court also heard arguments on an application by counsel to the APP, Peter Abang, seeking dismissal of the suit on grounds that issues raised had already been argued before the appellate court.

In a brief ruling, Justice Lifu stated that the court would consider the decision of the Court of Appeal as relates to this matter alongside issues raised by parties before delivering judgement.

He subsequently directed parties to amend and adopt their final processes in line with the accelerated hearing earlier ordered by the court.

The suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and several political parties, including the ADC, Action Alliance, APP, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.