News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among security agencies to address smuggling and its negative impact on Nigeria’s economy effectively.

Speaking on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja, Adeniyi delivered a lecture to participants of Course 33, advocating for mutual understanding and partnership among security bodies to combat illegal trade and safeguard economic stability.

“No single agency can effectively combat the complexities of smuggling without the support and cooperation of others,” he stated.

“Collaborating with other security agencies is essential for effective anti-smuggling operations. It is only through synergy that we can reduce these illegal activities to the barest minimum and foster economic growth in Nigeria.”

The lecture, held at the NDC Auditorium, served as a platform for the Customs chief to outline strategies for tackling smuggling and its economic consequences.

The National Defence College, recognized as Nigeria’s top institution for military and strategic studies, hosts participants from diverse sectors, including the armed forces, paramilitary organizations, and the civil service.

Adeniyi’s presentation portrayed the benefits of a unified approach to protecting the nation’s economic interests and reiterated inter-agency cooperation as a critical factor in addressing Nigeria’s security issues.

Attendees, comprising senior officers, faculty members, and participants from across the country, described the lecture as a valuable insight into the interplay of security and economic protection.

By Uzair Adam

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded Garo town in Kabo Local Government Area of Kano State in the early hours of Sunday, abducting a young lady after collecting N8 million from her family.

A source who spoke to journalists in the state disclosed that the attackers, numbering 10, stormed the residence of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Auwal, at Garo Sabuwar Unguwa around 1:20 a.m.

Three of them were said to be armed with guns, while the others carried different weapons. The source narrated how the assailants forced their way into the house by breaking a small door, gathering the entire family in one place and instilling fear and panic.

“The head of the family begged for the safety of his loved ones and offered to meet their demands. The gunmen were handed N8 million,” the source explained.

Despite receiving the ransom, the attackers abducted the eldest daughter of the family, a secondary school graduate, and fled the scene.

The family has not received any communication from the kidnappers regarding her whereabouts, leaving the community in a state of fear and uncertainty.

Residents are appealing to authorities to address the worsening insecurity in the area.

When contacted, Kano Police Command spokesman SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa confirmed the incident and said an investigation is underway to apprehend the culprits.

By Uzair Adam 

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has clarified that police officers have the legal authority to enter properties without a warrant if they reasonably suspect a crime is being committed.  

Adejobi made the statement on Saturday while responding to a widely circulated video that has drawn public outrage. 

The Daily Reality reports that the footage shows masked armed policemen in unprofessional attire storming a property, allegedly without a warrant.  

In the video, shared by @General_Somto and tagged “What’s Going On Here???,” two masked officers carrying AK-47 rifles demanded access to a house, but the occupants refused, citing the absence of proper identification and a search warrant.  

One of the occupants, believed to be the homeowner, said, “Imagine police people with facemasks come into my house to force our door, saying that we are fraudsters.”  

The officers overheard threatening to enter by force, eventually fired a shot and scaled the fence. Once inside, one officer opened the gate for his colleague.  

Reacting to the incident, ACP Adejobi stated, “The police have the power to break into any house or place where they are reasonably convinced an offence is being committed. That is understandable. 

However, I am not too ok with their dress and appearance. Policemen are not allowed to wear masks or tie headgear.”  

He further questioned the circumstances surrounding the invasion, saying, “What is the offence of the people to have warranted breaking in, and why this dressing? 

“I wish I knew the location so that we could direct these questions to the men involved.”  

The Nigeria Police Force condemned the officers’ actions, describing their conduct as unprofessional while assuring the public of an investigation into the matter. 

Adejobi noted that the video had been forwarded to the relevant authorities to identify and hold the officers accountable.  

The incident has reignited concerns about police brutality, human rights violations, and the need for accountability within the force.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over what it described as an “arbitrary, unconstitutional, unlawful, unfair, and unreasonable” increase of 50% in telecom tariffs.

The NCC recently approved the increase, raising the cost of a one-minute call from N11 to N16.5, the price of 1GB of data from N287.5 to N431.25, and SMS charges from N4 to N6.

In a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025), SERAP argued that the hike violates citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and international treaties.

According to a statement released on Sunday by SERAP, titled “SERAP wants court to stop Tinubu govt, telcos from implementing 50% telecom tariff hike,” the organization stated: “The unilateral decision by the NCC to approve a 50% hike in telecom tariffs is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unfair. This action contravenes both the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 and international human rights standards.”

SERAP’s lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, Sa’id there is a failure in consultiu key stakeholders like the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission before implementing the hike.

He added, “The NCC’s action undermines citizens’ right to seek, receive, and impart information through communication media without discrimination.”

SERAP also lamented the economic challenges Nigerians face, referencing a report by the National Bureau of Statistics that revealed 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor.

The statement noted, “This tariff hike is happening at a time when Nigerians are grappling with a cost-of-living crisis. Many are struggling to afford basic necessities, let alone higher communication costs.”

The organization is seeking a court declaration that the hike violates constitutional provisions and an injunction to halt its implementation.

SERAP is also calling for the nullification of the NCC’s decision, describing it as “extortive, unreasonable, and a breach of due process.”

Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, said, “Access to communication is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right. The government and the NCC have a duty to ensure that telecommunication services remain affordable, especially for the millions of Nigerians living in poverty.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu is reportedly working on restructuring the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) to accommodate former Kano State governor, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, in the party once again.

Sources within the APC suggest that the recent appointment of Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s national chairman, as the new board chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is the first move in a series of changes that Tinubu plans to make.

The strategy includes appointing key NWC members to various government positions, which will create space for a revamped leadership team.It’s expected that a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will soon be held to finalize these adjustments.

The chairmanship position is likely to be filled by a leader from the North-Central zone, though the specific state has yet to be revealed.

“Most of the current NWC members will be exiting, as the president prepares to implement changes. The NEC meeting will likely happen soon, but the president is prioritizing appointments first,” an insider disclosed.

Previously, Kwankwaso’s attempt to return to the APC was blocked by Ganduje, his long-time political rival. However, with Ganduje set to exit the position of national chairman, it’s expected that Kwankwaso may rejoin the APC if he still wishes to do so.

As one source explained, “Before, Ganduje’s leadership was the barrier, but with his exit, Kwankwaso could come back into the fold. Ganduje’s dominance and control over the APC leadership were factors that made it difficult for Kwankwaso to return.”

Alongside Kwankwaso, reports suggest that political shifts may also see Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, a former APC member, returning to the party.

However, this move is causing friction among APC leaders in Osun, creating a tense atmosphere within the state’s political circle.

Meanwhile, efforts are being made to reconcile the bitter rivalry between Kwankwaso and Ganduje, with prominent figures like Murtala Sule Garo, Baffa Babba ƊanAgundi, and AbdulMumin Jibrin playing pivotal roles in the mediation process.

This long-standing feud has been a source of concern for residents of Kano, with many feeling that it has hindered the state’s growth.

Ganduje, who once served as Kwankwaso’s deputy governor, became the APC National Chairman in August 2023, though reports indicate he has been unhappy with the potential changes being brought by Tinubu.

As these developments unfold, political realignments within the APC seem imminent, particularly with an eye on the 2027 general election

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Bandits have placed N540 million ransom on the victims abducted from a General Hospital in Kankara local government area of Katsina State.

The attack on the hospital left a medical doctor and one other with gunshot injuries.

The medical doctor, Dr Murtala Sale Dandashire had sustained gunshot injury when bandits attacked the hospital, Tuesday, during which some staff members were kidnapped.

Yusuf Muhammad Mairuwa, an Assistant Director of Nursing Services and head of the nursing section of the hospital, is one of the kidnapped victims.

A source told Daily Reality that, the attackers had demanded a ransom of N270 million for the release of the nurse.

The bandits have also demanded another sum of N270 million for the other hospital staff and some staff of a fertilizer factory kidnapped close to the hospital during the attack.

Earlier, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State condemned the hospital attack, assuring of his administration’s commitment to ensuring safety and security of the health workers.

He stated that though the state had made noticeable progress in reducing such attacks, the incident reminded them that their mission was not complete.

He assured that the government would implement additional security measures, including enhanced personnel presence at healthcare facilities throughout the state.

According to the Governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, “We are restrategising our security approach to ensure that our medical professionals can perform their vital duties without fear.

“The safety of our healthcare workers and residents remains our paramount concern.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Tinubu has mandated a reform of the N-Power Scheme to enhance its productivity and impact.the N-Power Scheme to enhance its productivity and impact.

According topresidential aide, Dada Olusegun, in a post on X, the reform aims to connect youths through training and also link them directly to the market space and private sector, ensuring that acquired skills translate into viable job opportunities.

Olusegun said over 100,000 items have been procured to empower youths across the country.

He said the President has also approved a sum of N32.7bn for the implementation of the National Social Investment Program in 2025.

“Through cooperative clusters, Nigerians will benefit from low-interest credits of N300,000-400,000,” he said.

The presidential aide added that the initiative aims to empower vulnerable Nigerians, particularly women and youth, by enabling them to launch or expand small businesses, thus improving their livelihoods.

⁠“2025 promises to be a year of rewards for all Nigerians who have had to go through ongoing economic reforms as the administration seeks to fulfil the Renewed Hope agenda,” he concluded.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern over the low literacy levels in Kano State, revealing that only 9.6% of primary school pupils in the state have adequate reading skills, while 11.2% demonstrate basic numeracy abilities.

This was disclosed by Rahama Mohammed, the Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, during a news conference in Kano to mark the 2025 International Day for Education.

Citing the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), Mr. Mohammed highlighted that nearly one million children—about 32% of Kano’s primary school-age population—are not enrolled in formal education.

“This is not just a statistic; it represents the dreams and potential futures of nearly one million children being cut short. Urgent action is required to address this crisis,” he said.

Efforts to Tackle the CrisisTo address the alarming situation, UNICEF has launched several initiatives, including integrating Quranic schools into the formal education system. Under this program, over 290 Quranic teachers and proprietors in Kano and Jigawa states have been trained to combine religious and basic education for children.

Mr. Mohammed added that UNICEF has improved infrastructure in 33 schools across Kano and Jigawa by constructing and rehabilitating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, benefiting 39,432 children.

“UNICEF has also supported the training of 1,109 teachers in critical areas such as Reading and Numeracy Activities (RANA), Early Childhood Development, and non-formal Quranic school education through the ‘HASKE’ initiative,” he said.

In addition, over 630,249 teaching and learning materials have been distributed to schools, focusing on enhancing early childhood and primary education.

Collaborations and Future PlansUNICEF acknowledged its partners, including the European Union and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), for their contributions to the Education and Youth Empowerment (EYE) Programme and the CRIBS project in Kano and Jigawa.

“We remain committed to collaborating with the governments of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa to achieve better basic education outcomes. Education is the cornerstone of development, and we must not let these children down,” Mr. Mohammed stated.

The conference served as a call to action for stakeholders to work collectively in addressing the education crisis threatening the future of Kano’s children.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A petrol tanker accident occurred early Saturday morning on the Ugwu Onyama Federal Highway in Enugu State, resulting in the loss of numerous lives and injuring several others.

The incident also destroyed multiple vehicles and comes just a week after a similar tragedy in Niger State claimed at least 98 lives.

Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scenes at the site, with a tanker driver, Eziechina, recounting the catastrophic events.

“A tanker carrying premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, fell at the hilly road and spilled the product down the road.

“Unfortunately, it caught fire, and all the vehicles plying the road at the time caught fire and burned people beyond recognition.”

According to Eziechina, over 10 people, including children, were burnt beyond recognition, with many others transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities are yet to release an official death toll from the Enugu explosion.

By Uzair Adam

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has called off its warning strike following the intervention of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

In a statement issued on Friday, the President of the Association, Dr. George Ebong, confirmed that the FCTA, under Wike’s leadership, has addressed their key demands.

The doctors had shut down all FCTA-owned hospitals on Wednesday to protest unpaid salary arrears and other unresolved issues.

However, Dr. Ebong announced that members of the association have started receiving alerts for their six-month salary arrears, prompting the decision to end the strike.

According to the statement, Minister Wike also approved and ordered immediate payment of the accoutrement allowance owed to health workers, reduced the medical residency bonding to two years, and sanctioned the immediate employment of additional doctors and allied health workers to address the acute shortage of manpower.

Furthermore, he approved and facilitated the payment of locum doctors and other health workers who were owed outstanding wages.

The association has directed its members to resume work on Saturday, January 25, 2025, averting an imminent indefinite shutdown of hospitals in the capital.

Dr. Ebong expressed appreciation for the minister’s swift response, which resolved the immediate concerns but urged him to address other outstanding demands to prevent future industrial actions.

“These demands include the payment of hazard allowances, upgrading and rehabilitation of healthcare facilities, and converting post-part 2 doctors to consultant cadre,” Dr. Ebong stated.

He further praised Wike’s commitment to transforming the health sector in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda and extended an invitation for the minister to visit district hospitals in the near future.

The association also reaffirmed its support for Wike’s efforts to enhance healthcare delivery in the FCT.