The Federal Government has declared Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid-il-Fitr, which signifies the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the announcement on behalf of the Federal Government.

The minister, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, urged Muslims to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice, which were emphasised during the holy month.

He also called on all Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the continued peace, unity, and prosperity of the nation.

While wishing the Muslim faithful a joyful Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, the minister encourages citizens to celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged in society.

“The federal government remains committed to fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians,” the statement added.

Nigerians were among dozens of people injured after Iran launched another wave of missiles and drone attacks in the United Arab Emirates, leaving six people d3ad.

The UAE Ministry of Defense said its air defense systems intercepted several ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles fired from Iran in what authorities described as a major escalation of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

In a statement, the ministry said its defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones launched during the latest assault on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

According to the ministry, the attack k!lled six people and injured 141 others, including foreign nationals living and working in the Gulf country.

“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry said.

“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defenses have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” the statement read.

Authorities said the fatalities included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Although the ministry did not disclose the exact locations where the casualties occurred, it confirmed that the injured included residents from several countries, among them Nigeria.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has declared that banks and financial institutions must establish and maintain a temporary watch-list for Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) implicated in suspected fraudulent transactions.

According to the CBN in a circular dated March 12, 2026 and signed by its Director of Payments System Policy Department, Musa I. Jimoh, the apex bank said such a suspected BVN may remain on the temporary watchlist for a maximum period of twenty-four (24) hours during which the owner would be contacted to make clarifications.

The circular explained that the move is part of several new measures under a revised regulatory framework aimed at enhancing financial system stability.

“A BVN may remain on this temporary Watchlist for a maximum period of twenty-four (24) hours, during this period, the BVN owner shall be contacted to provide clarification regarding the identified transaction(s),” the circular stated.

The circular also sets an age requirement for BVN enrolment, restricting registration to individuals who have attained eighteen (18) years and above.

The CBN also added that amendments to phone numbers linked to a BVN shall be allowed only once.

“Amendments to phone numbers linked to a BVN shall be allowed only once,” the circular noted.

The apex bank stated that access to BVN databases will remain tightly controlled.

“Access to the BVN databases shall be exclusively granted to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licensed financial institutions.

“Notwithstanding this provision, the Central Bank of Nigeria (the Bank) reserves the right to approve access to the BVN databases in extenuating circumstances and in accordance with the provisions of extant laws,” the circular said.

Financial institutions are expected to comply with the new requirements, and customers may be contacted by their banks if their BVNs are temporarily flagged during the new fraud monitoring process.

The new policy, as stated by the CBN, takes effect from May 1, 2026.