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.

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation UDO KA have reopened a major road closed for over three years due to persistent threats and attacks by IPOB/ESN militants during clearance operations in Imo State.

The Army also said it uncovered an improvised explosive device factory.

The development was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni.

Ayeni said the troops were conducting aggressive joint clearance operations in parts of Imo State under Operation EASTERN SANITY, aimed at dismantling criminal enclaves and restoring normalcy to affected communities.

He explained that the operations were carried out in the Orsu–Eketutu Mother Valley and Orsu–Ihiteukwa general areas to remove IEDs planted by criminal elements and enable displaced residents to safely return to their homes.

According to him, troops operating under the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), conducted a joint clearance operation along the Lilu–Eketutu Road in the Orsu–Eketutu Mother Valley area on March 6, 2026.

“The road, which serves as a strategic route and the community’s lifeline for the movement of people, goods and services, had been abandoned for over three years due to persistent threats and attacks by IPOB/ESN militants,” Ayeni said.

Exhibits recovered. . Credit: Nigerian Army | X

He added that troops discovered several IEDs planted at different points along the road during the operation.

The explosives, he said, “were successfully disconnected and safely recovered by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists, preventing potential casualties and restoring access to the route.”

In a related operation on March 11, 2026, troops conducted another clearance operation in the Orsu–Ihiteukwa general area to clear suspected IED locations along key routes.

Ayeni said the exercise was aimed at enhancing security and enabling displaced residents to safely return to their communities.

He noted that several IEDs were detonated along the troops’ route of advance during the operation.

“Despite the explosions, troops maintained operational momentum and discovered an IPOB/ESN IED-making factory within the area,” he said.

Ayeni said the facility was subsequently exploited, leading to the recovery of several items, including Biafran flags and insignia, several rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, pipes used for priming IEDs, pistol magazines containing ammunition, double-barrel guns, CCTV cameras, as well as multiple clips and electrical wires suspected to have been used in the fabrication of explosive devices.

He added that EOD teams also discovered additional IEDs concealed within the area, which were carefully disconnected, recovered and safely destroyed.

The Army spokesman reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal networks threatening peace and security across Imo State and the South-East region.

He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to help dismantle criminal syndicates.

According to him, community cooperation remains vital to restoring lasting peace and stability in the region.

The raid comes on the heels of similar operations reported last week, during which security forces dismantled multiple camps belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network in Anambra State.

The Lagos State Government has commenced an investigation into the reported d3ath of a Lagos socialite popularly known as Elena Jessica, following a cosmetic surgery.

It was gathered that Elena allegedly d!ed after undergoing a Brazilian Butt Lift cosmetic procedure, popularly known as BBL, at a clinic in the state.

The probe is being conducted through the Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) the regulatory body responsible for monitoring and accrediting health facilities in Lagos.

The Permanent Secretary of the agency, Dr. Abiola Idowu, who made this known in a statement issued on Thursday, March 12, 2026, said the investigation followed reports circulating on social media alleging that the woman developed complications after the aesthetic procedure.

While noting that the clinic is registered with the regulatory agency, it however stressed that registration does not shield any facility from investigation when patient safety concerns arise.

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