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Tinubu Approves N50 Billion Water Project for Satellite Towns, Kuje to Benefit

By
Toyin Adebayo
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and improved living standards, announcing a N50 billion water project for satellite towns, with Kuje Area Council as a key beneficiary.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the commissioning of the asphalt carriageway from Garage Junction to the LEA Secretariat in Kuje.

“This year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N50 billion in the budget to provide water to satellite towns, and Kuje Area Council is a key beneficiary,” Wike announced. “This demonstrates a government that understands and prioritizes the needs of its people.”

Progress on Kuje Road Project

Wike also addressed the ongoing Kuje road project, originally awarded under the previous administration for N59 billion but stalled until recently. “The President directed that whatever needs to be done to complete the project must be done. Contractors are now back on-site, and soon, residents will no longer need to leave Kuje to access essential facilities,” Wike said.

The Minister revealed plans to extend the road project beyond its current endpoint to Opakuk, with the extension included in the statutory budget presented to the National Assembly.

Community-Centered Governance

Wike highlighted the unique approach of the Tinubu administration in engaging communities directly. “This government sits with you, asks what you want, and ensures it is done. This is governance that communicates with and delivers for the people,” he stated.

He commended the leadership of Kuje Area Council for their dedication to community development. “Your chairman has done well, and with your continued cooperation, more projects and development will come to Kuje,” Wike said.

Call for Unity

Urging residents to support government initiatives regardless of political affiliations, Wike emphasized that governance is about improving lives. “This is about the people, not parties. Together, we can achieve even more,” he concluded.

The announcement underscores the administration’s focus on impactful projects that address core community needs and its commitment to fulfilling promises made under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Southwest Governors Criticized Over Lack of Collaboration on Security Amid Bandit Influx

By
Udehi Alambo
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Amid concerns about the influx of bandits and terrorists from the North into the Southwest, Yoruba leader and Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, along with key security groups, have criticized Southwest governors for failing to collaborate on strengthening regional security.

Adams, speaking through his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, expressed frustration over the governors’ lack of response to repeated calls for partnership to curb insecurity. “Yorubaland will be too hot for terrorists and ISWAP members. Our security groups, including the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and the Southwest Security Stakeholders Group (SSSG), are ready to flush out these criminals,” he said.

Security Groups Call for Collaboration

The OPC Deputy Coordinator in Ogun State, Alao Olusola, revealed that letters sent to governors and traditional rulers seeking approval to support security efforts have gone unanswered. “We are ready to flush out all criminal elements if the governments in the region give us the go-ahead,” Olusola said.

Similarly, the Coordinator of OPC in Osun State, Mr. Adeyemi Aboderin, stated that while they have been instructed by Gani Adams to remain vigilant, the state government is yet to engage them for collaboration. “We have 36,000 members spread across the 30 local government areas of the state, ready to contribute to ensuring safety,” Aboderin noted.

Amotekun Steps Up Efforts

Meanwhile, the Southwest Security Network, known as Amotekun, has intensified its operations, with the Ondo State Command arresting 21 suspects involved in various crimes, including kidnapping and violations of anti-open grazing laws.

Adetunji Adeleye, Chairman of the South West Amotekun Commanders, emphasized their readiness to protect the region. “The Southwest is not a safe haven for criminals. We are on top of the situation and determined to flush out those who have infiltrated our region,” he stated.

Adeleye disclosed that Amotekun foiled 15 kidnapping attempts within a month and assured residents that security breaches at the borders have reduced due to heightened vigilance.

Governors Urged to Take Action

While some governors, such as Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, have supported security groups with operational tools, stakeholders like the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) believe more collaboration is needed.

“The governors cannot tackle this menace alone. We are closer to the grassroots and can play a critical role in securing our forests and border towns,” said NFSS Media Officer Bayo Adediran.

Conclusion

With rising threats in the Southwest, stakeholders have urged governors to engage regional security groups proactively to safeguard lives and property. The call for collaboration underscores the urgent need for a unified approach to counter the infiltration of bandits and terrorists in the region.

NNPCL Uncovers 179 Oil Theft Incidents in One Week Across Niger Delta

By
Uche Kingsley
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reported uncovering 179 incidents of crude oil theft between January 11 and 17, 2025, as part of its ongoing war against oil theft and vandalism.

A video released by the NNPCL revealed that the discoveries were made in collaboration with the Command and Control Centre, Tantita Security Agency, and other industry stakeholders, including government security agencies.

Details of the Operations

During the week, security forces uncovered 29 illegal pipeline connections and 55 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region. Several hidden storage sites used for illegal petroleum activities were also exposed and destroyed in Rivers and Abia States.

“Security operatives dismantled illegal refineries producing black-market petroleum products and repaired vandalized pipelines to mitigate further environmental damage,” the NNPCL stated.

The incidents were recorded across the Central, Eastern, Western, and Deep Blue Water corridors, with the Central Corridor accounting for 90 incidents, followed by the Eastern Corridor with 70, the Western Corridor with five, and 14 in Deep Blue Water.

Arrests and Confiscations

Security teams intercepted vehicles and wooden fibre boats transporting stolen crude oil in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Abia States. In total, 30 suspects were apprehended and handed over to government security agencies for further investigation.

Environmental Impact and Challenges

The week also saw several oil spills caused by acts of sabotage, including vandalized condensate pipelines and damaged wellheads in Rivers State. The NNPCL confirmed that efforts are ongoing to repair affected facilities and prevent further environmental damage.

Commitment to Eradicating Oil Theft

The NNPCL reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating oil theft, which has long hindered Nigeria’s ability to meet its annual oil production targets. “Our resolve remains unshaken, and the fight against crude oil theft will continue until the menace is eradicated,” the company stated.

Reports show that 128 illegal refineries were uncovered in the first two weeks of January, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

The crackdown on oil theft is a critical step in securing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon infrastructure and ensuring the nation achieves its production targets and revenue projections.

Nigeria’s Debt Servicing Hits N3.57tn in Q3 2024 Amid Rising Costs, Weak Revenue

By
Olajumoke Sanusi
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Nigeria’s total debt servicing costs surged to an estimated N3.57 trillion in the third quarter of 2024, reflecting the twin pressures of increased external debt obligations and a depreciating naira. This marks a 1.71% rise from the N3.51 trillion recorded in the preceding quarter, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).

Rising External Debt Servicing

External debt servicing costs stood at $1.34 billion in Q3, translating to N2.14 trillion at an exchange rate of N1,601.03/$ as of September 2024. This represents a 29.7% increase in naira terms compared to the N1.65 trillion spent in Q2, largely driven by naira depreciation and higher dollar obligations.

The bulk of external debt service payments went to multilateral creditors, totaling $712.66 million in Q3—an increase of 6.04% from $672.01 million in Q2. Payments to the International Monetary Fund rose slightly to $406.98 million. Meanwhile, bilateral debt servicing costs skyrocketed by 325.52%, driven primarily by a sharp rise in payments to China’s Exim Bank, which accounted for $182.04 million in Q3.

Commercial debt obligations, including Eurobonds, amounted to $438.68 million, with Eurobond interest payments alone reaching $427.72 million.

Domestic Debt Trends

Domestic debt servicing costs declined to N1.43 trillion in Q3 from N1.86 trillion in Q2, driven by a drop in Federal Government bond interest payments. Despite the decline, bonds accounted for 87.41% of domestic debt servicing, down from 90.32% in the previous quarter.

Interest payments on Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs), however, rose significantly by 56.8% to N168.53 billion in Q3, signaling increased reliance on short-term borrowing instruments

Nigeria Leads Fight Against Skin Bleaching Epidemic, Says Minister Salako

By
Mosali Edunosa
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Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, has described the pervasive use of skin-bleaching products in Nigeria as a public health crisis, calling for stronger regulations and cultural reorientation to combat the practice.

Speaking at a high-level workshop in Libreville, Gabon, on January 22, 2025, Dr. Salako identified Nigeria as “the world capital of skin bleaching,” citing a World Health Organization (WHO) report that 77% of Nigerian women use skin-lightening products.

“Despite the well-documented harmful effects of these products, skin bleaching remains prevalent in Nigeria and across Africa, driven by societal pressures linking lighter skin to beauty, success, and social mobility,” Dr. Salako said.

Health Hazards of Skin Bleaching Products

Dr. Salako emphasized the severe health risks associated with these products, including skin damage, organ toxicity, and cancer. Hazardous substances such as mercury, hydroquinone, and heavy metals—commonly found in unregulated skin-lightening products—pose significant dangers.

“Mercury exposure can lead to renal and neurological damage, while hydroquinone has been linked to ochronosis, a bluish-black discoloration of the skin, and potential carcinogenic effects,” Dr. Salako warned.

Government Action and Regulatory Framework

Dr. Salako highlighted Nigeria’s proactive measures, including the 2019 Cosmetics Products (Prohibition of Bleaching Agents) Regulations, which ban harmful ingredients and limit hydroquinone concentration to 2%.

He commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for ensuring cosmetic products meet safety standards through stringent testing and certification. “Through the Cosmetics Safety Management Programme, we’ve conducted public sensitization campaigns, market surveillance, and grassroots education to raise awareness and remove hazardous products from circulation,” he said.

Cultural and Behavioral Change

The Minister called for a cultural shift to dismantle harmful beauty standards. “We must revive the ‘Black is Beautiful’ movement to celebrate Afrocentric beauty and dispel the myth that fairer skin is better,” he stated.

Dr. Salako added that influencers, community leaders, and celebrities are being engaged to promote natural beauty and self-acceptance, with campaigns emphasizing that beauty is not tied to complexion.

Global and Regional Collaboration

Dr. Salako urged African nations to adopt national policies on cosmetics and enforce global conventions such as

Five Rivers Cultists Arrested for Killing Man, Collecting Ransom

By
Gladys Phillip
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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five suspected cultists for allegedly beating a 34-year-old man, Rowland Horsfall, to death after accusing him of generating a fake alert for hard drugs he purchased from them. The suspects, members of the dreaded Iceland cult group, collected ransom from the victim’s mother despite having already killed him.

According to the police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspects were arrested after the victim’s mother became suspicious and alerted the police. The suspects confessed to the crime, revealing that they had dumped the victim’s remains along Queens/Kings Bakery, Abuloma Road, Port Harcourt.

The arrested suspects include Endurance Friday Thompson, Boma Otonye, David Link Ishaku, Moses Nsikak Benjamin, and Emmanuel Aniete. The police have recovered the victim’s remains and deposited them at a morgue. The command has intensified its search for other fleeing suspects to bring them to justice.

The police warned young people to be cautious of the company they keep and the places they visit to avoid falling prey to criminal elements.

Immigration Arrests 90 Foreigners for Cybercrime in Rivers

By
Mosali Edunosa
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The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service has arrested 90 foreigners for suspected cybercrimes. The suspects, mostly from Cameroon, were arrested in collaboration with other security agencies at their hideout in the state .

According to the Rivers State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. YI Abdulmajeed, the arrest followed credible intelligence. A total of 94 persons were arrested, comprising 85 Cameroonians, five Chadians, and four Nigerians.

The suspects gained access to Nigeria through unauthorized entry points and failed to present residence cards or valid travel documents. Two Nigerians from Rivers State, who provided accommodation for the suspects, were also arrested.

The Comptroller General of Immigration Service has ordered the repatriation of the foreigners to their respective countries of origin. This development highlights the Nigeria Immigration Service’s commitment to securing the nation’s borders and curbing illegal activities perpetrated by undocumented immigrants .

Man Found Dead in Kano Well

By
Nnenna Nwankwo
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A 45-year-old man was found dead in a well in Babawa village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, on Tuesday. The Kano State Fire Service recovered the body after receiving a distress call at 12:59 pm.

According to Saminu Abdullahi, the Fire Service spokesman, the emergency rescue team arrived at the scene at 1:25 pm and found the man unconscious in the well. Despite efforts to rescue him, the man was later confirmed dead, suspected to have succumbed to prolonged exhaustion .

The victim’s identity remains unknown, as neither community leaders nor residents could recognize him or determine where he came from. The body was handed over to ASP Kabiru Lawan of the Gezawa Police Division for further investigation .

This incident is a tragic reminder of the importance of community vigilance and timely reporting of emergencies. The Kano State Fire Service has demonstrated its critical role in responding to distress calls and providing emergency support .

Terrorist Kingpin Bello Turji Suffers Major Blow as Military Kills Second-in-Command and 31 Others

By
Victor Obabunmi
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0

The Defence Headquarters announced on Wednesday that Aminu Kanawa, the second-in-command to notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji, has been killed by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma. This development comes after the military killed Turji’s fighters and son during clearance operations on his hideout .

The military also inflicted serious injuries on some of Turji’s close allies, including his younger brother, Dosso, and Danbokolo, one of Turji’s closest allies. Additionally, troops neutralized several of Turji’s key commanders, including Abu Dan Shehu, Jabbi Dogo, and Dan Kane .

The Defence Headquarters had previously vowed to capture or kill Turji in 2025, following his repeated mockery of the military and challenge to engage them in combat. The military has reaffirmed its commitment to capturing Turji, despite the recent surrender of two terrorist leaders in the North-West region .

The outgoing Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, stated that the death of Turji’s second-in-command, close allies, commanders, and combatants is a significant blow to the terrorist network in the North-West. The military operations aim to create an atmosphere of safety and security for all citizens .

In a related development, the Defence Headquarters reported that troops killed 10,937 terrorists, arrested 12,538 others, and rescued 7,063 hostages in 2024. The military also recovered 8,815 weapons, 228,004 ammunitions, and denied oil theft worth an estimated N68.5 billion .

Amotekun Foils Rape Attempt, Rescues Teen in Ekiti

By
Shehu Danladi
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0

Operatives of the Ekiti State Amotekun Corps have arrested a 25-year-old man, Ojo Adewunmi, for allegedly attempting to rape a 19-year-old girl in Ilawe Ekiti. The suspect was apprehended on Tuesday by Amotekun operatives from the Ekiti South West Local Government Command.

According to Abiodun Adeleye, the Ekiti Amotekun Head of Communications, the victim was locked indoors by the suspect, who attempted to sexually assault her. However, the girl’s screams for help alerted the Amotekun operatives, who arrived at the scene and foiled the suspect’s attempt.

The victim narrated her ordeal, explaining how she felt helpless and hopeless until the Amotekun operatives arrived to assist her. The suspect has been handed over to the Ilawe Ekiti Police Division for further investigation and possible prosecution.

This incident highlights the importance of the Amotekun Corps in maintaining law and order in Ekiti State. The corps has been instrumental in preventing and responding to various crimes, including rape attempts and kidnappings .

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