The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has issued a warrant of arrest for the new Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, and the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, along with 17 others. This action was taken because they did not respond to the committee’s invitations regarding inquiries into their operations. Lawmaker Fred Agbedi introduced a motion during the committee’s hearing on Tuesday, December 5, leading to the adoption of the arrest warrant. Agbedi explained that the officials were invited four times but failed to attend, prompting the need for a warrant. He urged the Inspector General of…
Author: Hassan Haruna
Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has visited Tudun Biri community in Kaduna State to offer condolences after a tragic incident. Accompanied by senior staff officers, he met with local leaders, including the District Head of Rigasa, Architect Aminu Idris, expressing deep regret for the unfortunate event. During his visit, General Lagbaja acknowledged the challenges the community faced with armed banditry in the past. He explained that a drone strike occurred during aerial patrols when troops mistakenly identified a group of people, leading to the regrettable incident. The COAS emphasized his personal presence to witness…
The Borno State Police Command reported a successful operation in defusing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) discovered at the University of Maiduguri entrance on Monday. The Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident during an interview on Tuesday in Maiduguri. According to Daso, around 9:00 a.m. on December 4, a suspicious device was observed near the main gate of the university. The command promptly deployed the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team, which confirmed the device as a makeshift IED. The Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) then acted swiftly, successfully diffusing the IED without causing harm to individuals or property.…
Approximately 2,000 people in eight communities within the Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State had to leave their homes for Benishek, the LGA headquarters, due to a warning from suspected Boko Haram insurgents. The insurgents issued a notice, giving residents three days to vacate or face severe attacks. After the ultimatum, the terrorists raided the villages about a week later, forcing residents to flee and causing several casualties. The fleeing villagers, complying with the terrorists’ directive, left their harvests behind, arriving in Benishek without any food. The insurgents accused the communities of betrayal, alleging that residents failed to inform…
As part of a concerted effort to solve the overcrowding issue in Correctional Centres, the Federal Government has successfully settled fines and compensations amounting to N52 million for a total of 399 inmates housed in various centres across Kaduna State. Dr. Ado Saleh, the Comptroller of Correctional Service in Kaduna State, made this revelation during the inauguration of the initiative in Zaria on Monday. The initiative, designed and implemented by the Federal Government, aims to release inmates by covering fines and compensations owed. The inauguration event in Zaria marked the release of 68 inmates from Zaria, Makarfi, Soba, and Ikara…
The UK government is planning to increase the minimum salary required for foreign workers to take jobs in the country, as part of efforts to reduce migration. The minimum salary for a skilled worker visa will go up from £26,200 to £38,700 next year. Home Secretary James Cleverly unveiled a five-point plan to address immigration concerns, stating that migration levels to the UK are “far too high,” highlighting years of abuse in health and care visas. Conservative MPs, pressured by record net migration figures of 745,000 last year, urged action on legal migration. In addition to the salary hike, Cleverly…
In 2022, Nigeria experienced persistent terrorism, according to the U.S. Department of State’s latest Country Reports on Terrorism (CRT). The report highlights continuous attacks by groups like ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA), Boko Haram, and Ansaru in the northern and central regions of Nigeria. These attacks targeted the government, security forces, and civilians, resulting in casualties, injuries, abductions, and property destruction. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, emphasized the deployment of a comprehensive counter-terrorism (CT) approach with allies globally to address diverse and dynamic national security challenges. The report outlines various tactics employed in Nigeria, such as small…
The University of Calabar, Unical, recently declared a significant surge in undergraduate tuition fees, surpassing the 100% mark. This development, as conveyed in a statement by the university’s spokesperson, Effiong Eyo, was formally announced on Monday in Calabar. The decision to revise the fees was reached during an emergency meeting of the university’s Senate convened on Friday, as highlighted in the released statement. This adjustment is slated to be implemented starting from the academic sessions of 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. Breaking down the specifics of the fee restructuring, students in non-science courses, including freshers, returning students, and final-year students, will now…
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial on multiple corruption charges is set to resume after a pause caused by the conflict in Gaza. A Jerusalem court is scheduled to begin hearing the case on Monday, focusing on allegations of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust in cases known as Case 1000, 2000, and 4000, filed in 2019. In Case 1000, Netanyahu and his wife Sara are accused of receiving gifts, such as champagne and cigars, from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer in exchange for political favors. Bribery charges, if proven, carry a potential sentence of up…
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu is facing legal challenges as he’s accused of unlawfully inaugurating himself despite a pending legal action against the 2023 presidential poll. Constitutional lawyer and 2019 presidential candidate Chief Albert Ambrose Owuru filed a case at the Supreme Court, seeking to nullify Tinubu’s inauguration. Owuru argues that the election leading to Tinubu’s victory is invalid due to his unresolved legal dispute against Tinubu and others. Owuru, who contested the 2019 election, claimed victory but filed a suit against the result. “The implication of this, by law is that the 2023 presidential election and its outcome which Tinubu…
During a Maulud celebration at Tudun Biri, a village in Kaduna State, Nigeria, a bomb purportedly dropped by a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jet has reportedly led to the tragic loss of numerous lives. The incident occurred on Sunday around 9:00 pm, and as of the time of this report, the details of the event remain unclear. It is said that the bomb struck while villagers were gathered to commemorate Maulud, the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. According to residents, more than 30 people lost their lives instantly in the aftermath of the bomb explosion. There is a…
Telegram has unveiled a host of exciting features aimed at elevating user experience on its platform. Premium users now have the ability to personalize their profiles with unique color combinations and logos, adding a distinct touch to their presence. Moreover, the platform now allows users to repost stories from other accounts or channels, enabling them to enrich content by incorporating audio, text, or video comments while also having the flexibility to adjust visibility settings as per their preferences. To further enhance user engagement, Telegram has introduced ‘Recommended Channels’. This feature suggests similar channels to users upon joining a specific channel,…
In northern Tanzania, at least 47 people lost their lives, and 85 others suffered injuries in landslides triggered by heavy flooding, according to a local official. The town of Katesh, situated approximately 300km north of the capital Dodoma, was severely impacted by intense rainfall on Saturday, causing devastating consequences. District commissioner Janeth Mayanja stated that as of Sunday evening, the death toll had reached 47, and 85 individuals were reported injured. Both Mayanja and Queen Sendiga, the regional commissioner in the Manyara area of northern Tanzania, issued warnings that the casualty count could rise further. Mayanja highlighted the blockage of…
Since June 2022, more than 32,000 civilians from Ukraine have received military training from the United Kingdom and its partners. This training aims to prepare them to defend their country against the Russian invasion. Several countries, including Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Romania, have collaborated in this effort, conducting operations at various locations across the UK. Colonel James Thurstan, the Commander of Operation Interflex responsible for training Ukrainian infantry soldiers, explained that the program focuses on providing basic warfare skills to volunteer recruits with minimal or no military experience. The training, based on…
Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has announced that the federal government has successfully secured an agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to establish humanitarian response stations throughout Nigeria. This initiative aims to provide timely assistance to victims of disasters. Speaking to state house reporters in Dubai after her discussions with Emirati government officials during the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Edu emphasized that Nigeria sought UAE’s support in addressing humanitarian crises resulting from insurgencies, particularly in the North East, and alleviating endemic poverty in specific regions of the country. Edu highlighted…
Troops participating in “Operation Desert Sanity” in Maiduguri, Borno State, reportedly apprehended three soldiers on allegations of stealing ammunition in the state. The soldiers were taken into custody during a covert operation conducted at motor parks along Njimtilo road in Maiduguri. According to a source, the incident occurred on December 2, 2023, when the troops engaged in covert operations at motor parks and along Njimtilo Road at Njimtilo. During this operation, three soldiers were apprehended. One of them, who was on his way to Makurdi, was found in possession of 250 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. Another soldier, also en…
Takes Off with AK-47 Rifle and Hand Grenades. Boko Haram arms supplier and detained Nigerian soldier, Abba Gesh, managed to escape from the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State. The JIC has a history of holding numerous suspected and confirmed Boko Haram members arrested during the ongoing insurgency in Northern Nigeria. Though the exact date of Gesh’s escape is unclear, he was last seen on November 26 in Malari, Borno State. Gesh, a member of the Nigerian Army Special Operations Command (NASOC), was arrested earlier in the year for allegedly selling ammunition worth millions of…
Is there something with the presidential system of democracy we have twice adopted for ourselves that necessitates involving the courts where judges are made to be the ultimate arbiter between contestants? In 1979, it was the judges who decided who emerged as the president between Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Obafemi Awolowo when they told the nation what two-thirds of nineteen should be in a judgment that is more of a compromise between the spirit of the law and political practicality. The requirement to be the president was a majority of votes and national spread, determined by the ability of…
In an unfortunate incident near the famous Eiffel Tower in central Paris, a German tourist lost his life, and two others were injured in a knife attack. The French interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, disclosed that a 26-year-old French citizen, already known to authorities and undergoing treatment for mental illness, was responsible for the assault. Darmanin stated, “A man attacked a couple who were foreign tourists. A German tourist, born in the Philippines, tragically died from the stabbing.” The assailant, having been previously sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 for planning another attack that he didn’t carry out, is…
The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and the Republic of Niger have officially declared their withdrawal from the G5 Sahel, as revealed in a joint statement dated Friday, December 1, 2023. The G5 Sahel, also known as G5S, serves as an organizational framework for coordinating regional cooperation on development and security matters in West Africa, comprising five Sahel countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. In their statement released on Saturday, Burkina Faso and Niger expressed their observation that, after nearly nine years, the G5 Sahel is struggling to achieve its intended objectives. They contended that the organization has…
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has given approval to 110 private tour operators for the issuance of 2024 Hajj licenses and slot allocations. This announcement was made by Fatima Usara, Assistant Director at NAHCON, in a statement released on Friday in Abuja. Mr. Usara explained that the approval followed a thorough screening process of the companies that met the necessary requirements for obtaining a hajj license. These requirements include possessing a certificate of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission and an International Air Transport Association Certificate (IATA). Additionally, companies had to demonstrate accredited staff and principal officers with…
President Bola Tinubu has emphasized his government’s dedication to putting an end to terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities across the country. Speaking at the 7th and 8th combined convocation of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) in Katsina State on Saturday, Tinubu, represented by Prof. Abdulkarim Mohammed, Vice Chancellor of Federal University Dutse (FUD), expressed deep concern about the security situation in the country. He reiterated his administration’s full commitment to combating terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities, particularly in the northern part of the country. Tinubu stressed the importance of collective effort in achieving this goal and…
Air Vice Marshall Haruna Umar Mohammed (Rtd), the Zonal Coordinator of the North West National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), is determined to eliminate small arms and light weapons in the region. During his recent official visit to Jigawa and Kano States, he assured the public that the center, tasked with formulating and implementing strategies to eradicate weapon proliferation, had successfully recovered over 5,000 arms and light weapons, along with more than 20,000 dangerous ammunition last year. AVM Mohammed (Rtd) emphasized that the recovered weapons often bear trade markings, enabling the identification of their…
Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially signed a decree to bolster the country’s troop numbers by 15%, marking an increase to reach a total of 1,320,000 serving personnel. This decision, according to the Russian defense ministry, is a response to perceived growing threats, particularly from the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Russia, which has been engaged in a prolonged conflict in Ukraine, cites concerns about NATO’s increased presence near its borders. The defense ministry clarified that the augmentation of troop numbers will occur gradually through a recruitment drive, emphasizing that it will not involve mobilization or alterations…
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Borno state has taken significant actions against 42 individuals involved in various activities that threaten the peace of the region. At a press conference held in Maiduguri, State Commandant Musa Boyi disclosed that the apprehended suspects, predominantly youths, were engaged in offenses ranging from vandalism to illegal activities. Commandant Boyi highlighted that 14 of the individuals were arrested for vandalizing critical national assets and participating in the illicit metal scrap business, commonly known as “ajaokuta.” This business had been banned by the Borno state government. The NSCDC also intercepted a truck…
The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) recently shared an alarming information during its 54th Annual General Meeting in Maiduguri. According to APN President, Prof. Taiwo James Obindo, around 50% of people in the northeast region are grappling with mental health issues. These challenges are attributed to the prolonged insurgency and economic difficulties facing the country. Prof. Taiwo emphasized the pressing need for basic mental health services, which many individuals cannot access due to their economic circumstances. He expressed distress over the rising rates of mental illness influenced by various factors, including kidnapping, unemployment, underemployment, loss of loved ones, insecurity,…
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to vote Next week to lift the remaining restrictions on weapons deliveries to Somalia’s government and its security forces, marking a significant development more than 30 years after the initiation of an arms embargo in 1992. This embargo was initially imposed to stem the flow of weapons to conflicting warlords who, following the overthrow of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, plunged Somalia into a devastating civil war. Scheduled for adoption on Friday are two resolutions, both drafted by the United Kingdom. One resolution aims to completely lift the arms embargo on Somalia, while…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, expressed his concern about the prolonged 13-year effort to complete the construction of the Vice President’s residence in Nigeria. During his address to the House of Representatives committee, Wike defended the allocation of N15 billion for the construction, even in the face of ongoing economic challenges. Wike emphasized the importance of providing a dignified residence for the Vice President and suggested incorporating the project into the statutory budget. He urged the completion of the residence, regardless of whether it would be immediately utilized. The Minister acknowledged the initial approval of…
The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Bello Goronyo, has announced the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting irrigation farmers across the nation by cultivating 500,000 hectares. This initiative aims to bolster food security in the country. Goronyo conveyed this message during a meeting with officials from the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority in Sokoto. Highlighting President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to ensuring food availability for citizens, the minister emphasized the administration’s intention to maximize the country’s water resources. The goal is to enhance food production, eradicate hunger, generate wealth, and tackle unemployment. The strategy involves tapping into…
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has announced that soldiers involved in the recent attack on the Adamawa State Police Command headquarters, which resulted in the death of an inspector, will face a standing court-martial. The incident occurred during a clash initiated by the Nigerian Army against the police in Yola. Police sources revealed that a military armoured carrier was used in the attack around 11 pm last Tuesday, leaving some officers injured and one killed. An officer on duty during the invasion expressed shock, stating that they initially thought the attackers were Boko Haram or other terrorists,…
