Nigeria

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office, expressing confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will retain the presidency in the 2027 general election.

Adeleke made the declaration on Wednesday at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), where he urged Nigerians to give Tinubu more time to implement his administration’s reform agenda.

The governor expressed optimism about the ruling party’s electoral prospects and called on its supporters to sustain their efforts ahead of the 2027 polls.

He argued that a single four-year term would not be sufficient for Tinubu to fully implement his proposed reforms, urging Nigerians to remain patient with the administration.

“Nobody can stop this movement. We shall dance all the way back to Aso Rock.

“We must give our father, the President of this nation, time for his reforms to work. It’s not easy. Four years is not enough,” Adeleke said.

The Osun governor also called for greater emphasis on action rather than rhetoric, noting that efforts were already underway to secure Tinubu’s re-election.

His declaration signals support for the President’s second-term ambition as political activities and preparations for the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned the Nigerian government against restoring blanket petrol subsidies, advising it to direct financial support towards vulnerable households struggling with rising fuel and transportation costs.

Rodrigo Valdés, Director of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department, gave the advice on Wednesday during the IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.

He was responding to growing calls for the reinstatement of petrol subsidies in Nigeria amid rising energy prices and political pressure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Valdés acknowledged that increases in petrol and diesel prices could create significant political challenges for governments. However, he warned that subsidising fuel consumption for everyone could place an additional burden on public finances.

He said, “At the end of the day, it’s very tempting politically speaking because it’s not trivial the political effect of the price of oil, of fuels, of gasoline, of diesel.

“But you have to explain that this is a global shock, first. Second, that it’s very, very expensive for the country not to recognise that shock.

“And third, it’s much better to use some of that money that would be spent in the subsidies channelled towards more vulnerable people.”

The IMF official argued that targeted assistance would offer greater benefits to low-income households than a universal subsidy that applies to all consumers, regardless of their financial circumstances.

He also proposed transport support as a possible alternative to reducing petrol prices across the board.

“Yeah, gasoline could go up, and perhaps bus fees may be subsidised in a way. That is a much better policy at the end of the day than just a blanket subsidy for everybody,” Valdés said.

The IMF has consistently argued that universal fuel subsidies can strain public finances while disproportionately benefiting wealthier households, which typically consume more petroleum products.

FG Introduces Temporary Petrol Price Relief

The IMF’s warning comes amid renewed concerns over petrol affordability in Nigeria, where rising international energy prices have increased pressure on household budgets and transport operators.

In response, the Federal Government recently introduced a 30-day petrol price discount at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) retail outlets, with public transport operators listed among the priority beneficiaries.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the arrangement required NNPC Retail to temporarily forgo its profit margin and sell petrol at cost to provide relief to consumers.

Oyedele stressed that the measure was a temporary intervention and did not represent a return to the former petrol subsidy system.

IMF Raises Concern Over Fuel Demand

Beyond the financial implications, Valdés warned that keeping fuel prices artificially low during periods of supply disruption could encourage consumption and worsen pressure on global petroleum supplies.

According to the IMF’s position, allowing fuel prices to reflect market conditions can encourage consumers to moderate demand when supplies are limited.

The fund’s recommendation places emphasis on targeted support for vulnerable Nigerians, particularly those most affected by rising living costs, rather than a nationwide subsidy that benefits consumers across all income groups.

The debate over petrol pricing remains a major economic and political issue in Nigeria, as the government faces pressure to ease the cost-of-living burden while maintaining fiscal stability.

By Maji Bappa Maina


Poverty often forces people to think about today at the expense of tomorrow.

For a widow struggling to feed her children, a woman displaced by insurgency, or a household living under severe economic pressure, immediate needs can leave little room to consider long-term financial security.

This is why initiatives that connect social support with asset ownership deserve closer attention.

Governor Mai Mala Buni’s approval of ₦230.62 million for the purchase of Dangote Refinery shares for 43,928 vulnerable women across Yobe State introduces an important dimension to the state’s recovery efforts.

Under the proposed arrangement, the Aliko Dangote Foundation is expected to provide an equivalent matching grant, bringing the projected investment to approximately ₦461.24 million, subject to applicable IPO conditions and successful allotment.

The significance of this initiative goes beyond the amount involved.

It raises an important question about how government can help vulnerable citizens move from receiving assistance to participating in economic opportunities.

Beyond Conventional Financial Assistance

Traditional welfare interventions often focus on immediate needs.

Such assistance remains essential, particularly for households affected by conflict, displacement and extreme poverty.

However, lasting economic inclusion also requires opportunities for people to acquire assets and participate in the formal economy.

The proposed share initiative seeks to introduce that additional dimension by giving eligible women an opportunity to own shares in a major Nigerian industrial enterprise.

According to the government’s announcement, each participating woman is expected to receive 20 shares in her own name, credited to her individual Central Securities Clearing System account, subject to successful allotment.

This is significant because ownership gives the beneficiary a documented financial interest rather than merely a temporary benefit. However, shares are investments, not guaranteed income.

Their value can fluctuate, and returns depend on the company’s performance and applicable investment conditions.

For this reason, financial education must accompany the programme so that beneficiaries understand their rights, the value of their holdings and the risks associated with investment.

The Value of Partnership and Strategic Engagement

The proposed matching arrangement with the Aliko Dangote Foundation illustrates how government resources and private philanthropy can potentially combine to expand opportunities for vulnerable citizens.

The role of strategic engagement also deserves recognition.

According to the government’s announcement, the initiative followed discussions led by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mohammed Goje, with the Aliko Dangote Foundation during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

This engagement illustrates how international platforms can be used to explore partnerships that connect private-sector resources with local development priorities.

The next measure of its value will be the successful completion of the arrangement and the delivery of the promised ownership opportunities to the women concerned.

By prioritising internally displaced households, widows with multiple dependants, women with disabilities and those living in extreme poverty, the initiative also recognises that economic recovery must reach people facing substantial barriers to participation.

Yet the success of this approach will depend on implementation.

Beneficiary selection must be transparent, ownership properly documented and the shares successfully allotted.

Women must also be able to verify their accounts and access information about their investments without unnecessary difficulty.

These safeguards are essential to ensure that the programme delivers its intended benefits fairly.

From Approval to Measurable Impact

The approval of funding marks an important step, but the ultimate value of any development initiative is established through implementation and results.

Yobe State can strengthen this programme by monitoring the number of women who successfully receive their shares, ensuring that beneficiaries understand their ownership rights and evaluating whether the initiative contributes to their longer-term financial security.

Such evidence would help distinguish the number of people reached from the actual benefits achieved.

It would also provide useful lessons for future programmes designed to support households recovering from conflict and economic hardship.

The wider policy lesson is that social protection and economic participation need not be treated as separate objectives.

With appropriate safeguards, an intervention can address vulnerability while opening a pathway into formal investment.

For Yobe’s 43,928 intended beneficiaries, the real milestone will be the successful transfer of ownership and the ability to understand and exercise the rights attached to it.

Governor Buni’s initiative presents an opportunity to connect public support with financial inclusion on a substantial scale.

Its lasting significance will depend on transparent delivery, genuine individual ownership and measurable benefits to the women it is designed to serve.

Maji Bappa Maina, Voice of Development, Leadership & Public Insight

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A community hunters’ leader and member of the Forest Guard Corps, Shuayibu Danladi Ciroma, has died after sustaining a gunshot wound during a clash with suspected bandits in Andamin community, Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Ciroma was reportedly part of a joint security team that mobilised on Monday evening after receiving intelligence about a planned attack on the community.

In a statement dated October 13, 2026, the community leader, Tanko Bobbo Andamin, said the team comprised military personnel and local hunters who set out to prevent the suspected attack but encountered armed men along the way.

“A joint team of military personnel and hunters mobilised towards the area to prevent the suspected attack but encountered the armed men along the way, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire,” the statement said.

Ciroma reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to his leg during the exchange and lost a significant amount of blood.

The statement said the team returned to its base after the confrontation but later discovered that Ciroma was missing. A search party returned to the scene early the following morning and found his body.

Andamin mourned the deceased, describing him as a man who died defending his people, land and humanity. He also extended condolences to Ciroma’s family, the Andamin community and fellow hunters.

The community leader called on the Taraba State Government, security agencies and intelligence authorities to strengthen security operations in the area.

He expressed concern that persistent insecurity had disrupted residents’ livelihoods, with many reportedly unable to travel safely to their farms, visit markets in neighbouring communities or conduct routine business without fear of attacks.

According to the statement, the situation had worsened poverty, hunger and starvation as residents’ economic activities continued to suffer.

The community also alleged that armed groups initially entered Taraba from neighbouring states but had since moved closer to local settlements.

It called for urgent, coordinated security measures to protect lives and property, restore peace and rebuild public confidence.

When contacted, the Taraba State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Victor Mshelizah, said poor network connectivity had prevented him from reaching the Divisional Police Officer for details of the incident.

He promised to provide further information after establishing contact with the officer.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has urged federal and state governments to adopt and fund the Girls Act model to reduce HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women, citing poverty, school dropout and limited access to information as factors that increase their vulnerability.

The advocacy group made the call on Tuesday during activities to mark the International Day of the Girl Child in Abuja.

AHF said although progress had been made in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, adolescent girls and young women continued to face a disproportionate risk of infection, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Steve Aborisade, AHF’s Advocacy Lead, cited data from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which indicate that women account for more than half of people living with HIV globally and about 60 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa.

The data also show that adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 24 are up to two to three times more likely to acquire HIV than males in the same age group.

“Adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 24 years are up to two to three times more likely to acquire HIV than young males of the same age.

“Biologically, women face a roughly two-fold higher acquisition risk per unprotected heterosexual act due to a larger mucosal surface area and longer exposure to seminal fluids.”

The report further highlighted challenges that prevent adolescents from accessing HIV testing, including physiological, psychological, legal and social barriers.

“Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years face distinct physiological, psychological, legal and social factors that make them disproportionately vulnerable to low uptake of HIV testing,” the data indicated.

AHF said gender inequality, poverty and inadequate information often restrict girls’ ability to make decisions about their health and personal lives.

“A girl who cannot afford menstrual products, who has dropped out of school, or who depends on others for money, has fewer options, including options about sex. HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) thrive in exactly those conditions,” AHF said.

Girls Act Targets Health, Education And Leadership

The organisation said its Girls Act programme seeks to prevent HIV and sexually transmitted infections, support girls living with HIV to remain on treatment, reduce unplanned pregnancies and help girls stay in school.

According to AHF, the initiative had more than 4,500 girls actively participating as of 2026.

The programme operates across four areas: health, education and livelihoods, leadership, and results.

Under its health component, girls living with HIV receive support to remain on treatment, while HIV-negative participants learn how to prevent infection and make informed decisions.

The programme also provides free menstrual health products to girls and surrounding communities. It teaches participants to make and maintain reusable sanitary pads to improve access beyond direct supplies.

On education and livelihoods, AHF said the programme supports girls who wish to return to school and provides life-skills training and business support to those who have dropped out.

Its leadership component creates opportunities for mentorship, advocacy and access to resources to enable girls to take active roles in their communities.

“Girls are turning up empowered, able to negotiate safe sex and exercise bodily autonomy.

“Negotiating safe sex is the difference between exposure and protection, and bodily autonomy is not a slogan but a public health asset.”

AHF Seeks Government Funding

AHF called on federal and state governments to incorporate the Girls Act model into HIV, education and youth development plans, with dedicated funding for its activities.

The group said the funding should cover menstrual health products, skills training and start-up support for out-of-school girls, assistance for girls returning to school, leadership opportunities and stronger links to HIV testing, treatment and care.

“This means dedicated budget lines for menstrual health, so no girl misses school for want of a sanitary pad; skills training and start-up support that reach out-of-school girls where they live; support for girls to return to, and stay in, school; leadership platforms for girls in schools and communities; and clear pathways linking young people to HIV testing, treatment and care,” the advocacy group said.

The organisation also urged stakeholders in the national HIV response to give greater attention to the needs of girls and young women.

“Some will say the country has more pressing priorities. They should weigh the cost of inaction: new infections among young people, lifelong treatment, interrupted schooling and lost productivity.

“Prevention that also builds livelihoods and leadership is among the smartest investments a government can make.

“Our girls have shown what is possible when someone invests in them. They have earned the right to be treated as a key population in the national response, not as an afterthought.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Indian police have arrested a Nigerian national, Ezeaputa Chijioke, over allegations that he supplied cocaine to club-goers and partygoers through intermediaries in Chandigarh and surrounding areas.

According to a report published by The Times of India on Tuesday, Chijioke was arrested on October 6 with approximately 70.5 grammes of cocaine.

The arrest followed a crackdown on an alleged drug distribution network that led to the arrest of three suspected dealers, from whom police reportedly recovered a combined 113 grammes of cocaine and an ATM card.

The operation began on October 4, when officers arrested Rakesh Kumar, also known as Karan, near Sector 23-C market. Police reportedly recovered 22.1 grammes of cocaine from him.

“During interrogation, he named Jaskaran Gill as his supplier. Jaskaran was arrested in Dehradun the same day,” the police reportedly said.

Gill allegedly identified Chijioke as his source of supply, leading to the Nigerian’s arrest two days later.

The report said Chijioke was unable to produce his passport and was suspected of staying in India illegally. The allegation has not been established in court.

Police alleged that Kumar, a private cab driver, delivered cocaine to customers on Gill’s instructions and received Rs 500 for each delivery.

Gill reportedly obtained the drugs from Chijioke and coordinated deliveries through Kumar, while payments were allegedly collected through QR codes and online platforms.

Investigators also reportedly recovered 21.30 grammes of cocaine, a Mercedes-Benz, a Mitsubishi Pajero, a Tata Safari and an SBI ATM card allegedly linked to financial transactions from Gill.

The vehicles were suspected by police to have been purchased with proceeds from drug trafficking. The report said Chijioke had been living in Kharar before his arrest.

Police investigations into the alleged network are ongoing.

The arrest comes less than three months after four Nigerian nationals were reportedly arrested in India over alleged links to a drug trafficking network, with narcotics valued at approximately Rs 15 crore, equivalent to about N2.1bn, recovered during several operations.

The Hindu reported that those arrests followed coordinated operations by the Narcotics Control Bureau, state police and other security agencies targeting foreign nationals suspected of drug trafficking and overstaying their visas.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

An additional 17.9 million Nigerians became multidimensionally poor between 2021 and 2024, marking the largest increase recorded by any country during its latest assessment period, according to the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index.

The report, published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), showed that Nigeria’s progress in reducing multidimensional poverty between 2018 and 2021 was reversed in the subsequent three years.

Afghanistan followed Nigeria with an increase of 5.3 million people living in multidimensional poverty during its latest assessment period.

The report stated, “In absolute terms, the largest increase in the number of poor people is seen in Nigeria, where although poverty had decreased in the previous period (2018–2021), in the recent period (2021–2024), 17.9 million people became multidimensionally poor, followed by 5.3 million in Afghanistan.”

Nigeria was among five countries that recorded increases in multidimensional poverty during their respective assessment periods. The others were Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Guinea and Kyrgyzstan.

The report stated, “In contrast, five countries reported increases in multidimensional poverty. These are Afghanistan (2015/16–2022/23), Central African Republic (2010–2018/19), Guinea (2016–2018), Kyrgyzstan (2018–2023) and Nigeria (2021–2024).”

Poverty Rate Rises To 38.7 Per Cent

Unlike conventional poverty measures based on income or consumption, the Multidimensional Poverty Index assesses overlapping disadvantages in health, education and living standards.

These include inadequate nutrition, limited access to healthcare and education, poor sanitation, insufficient drinking water, lack of electricity and substandard housing.

The report’s harmonised historical comparison showed that Nigeria’s multidimensional poverty rate increased from 33 per cent in 2021 to 38.7 per cent in 2024, a rise of 5.7 percentage points.

The number of people affected rose from 72.21 million to 90.07 million, while the country’s Multidimensional Poverty Index value increased from 0.175 to 0.208.

However, the report’s separate national estimate for 2024 put the number of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty at 113.32 million, representing 48.7 per cent of the population. This estimate was based on the latest survey without the adjustments used for the historical comparison.

The report also found that 28.7 per cent of Nigerians experienced severe multidimensional poverty, while another 18.1 per cent were vulnerable to it.

It explained, “In Nigeria, poverty incidence declined from 2018–2021, then increased from 2021–2024.”

Significant Differences Across States

The report highlighted wide variations in the causes and severity of poverty across Nigeria’s states. Kebbi, Yobe and Sokoto were among the states with the highest multidimensional poverty burdens, while Lagos recorded the lowest MPI value.

It used Yobe and Sokoto to illustrate how similar levels of poverty can arise from different forms of deprivation.

The report noted, “Compare, for example, the poorest subnational regions of Nigeria: Yobe and Sokoto, which have similar MPI values. Deprivations in nutrition and child mortality contribute more to poverty in Yobe, while in Sokoto, deprivations in water and electricity are stronger contributors.”

It stressed that identifying these differences was important for developing interventions that respond to the specific needs of individual communities.

Sub-Saharan Africa Records Largest Share Of Global Poverty

Globally, the report estimated that 1.2 billion people, representing 18.9 per cent of the population covered by the index, lived in acute multidimensional poverty.

Of this number, 534 million experienced severe poverty, while another 952 million people were classified as vulnerable to multidimensional poverty.

Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 616 million people living in multidimensional poverty, more than half of the global total.

Children bore a disproportionate share of the burden, with 617 million people under the age of 18 classified as multidimensionally poor worldwide.

The report stated, “Roughly one in every three children is multidimensionally poor, compared to one in seven adults.”

The findings raise concerns about Nigeria’s progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of reducing poverty in all its forms and dimensions by at least half by 2030.

Utomi Raises Concern Over Economic Hardship

The findings come amid concerns about the cost of living, food insecurity and the widening gap between wealthy Nigerians and citizens struggling to meet basic needs.

Professor of Political Economy Pat Utomi recently warned that rising poverty, hunger and insecurity, alongside declining public confidence in government institutions, were putting pressure on the country.

He also urged Nigerians to resist the erosion of democratic values ahead of the 2027 elections.

Utomi warned that growing inequality between wealthy politicians and impoverished citizens could threaten national stability.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local hunters and forest guards, have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued an abducted man in Edo State.

The operation took place on Sunday at Sasaro Forest in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, following intelligence reports about suspected kidnappers operating in the area.

Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the 4 Brigade in Benin City, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

According to Anyanwu, troops of the 195 Battalion (Rear) encountered the suspected kidnappers during the operation. The suspects allegedly opened fire when they sighted the advancing security team, triggering a gun battle that left three of them dead.

The troops rescued the abducted victim, identified as 44-year-old Prince Michael Akao.

Items recovered from the scene included three locally fabricated firearms, nine live cartridges, five mobile phones, two power banks, two cutlasses and two torchlights.

Other items were foodstuffs, two cooking pots, three food plates, a bottle of oil, two pairs of shoes, three pairs of bathroom slippers, a head warmer, three packs of cigarettes, suspected illicit drugs, charms, a bucket and clothing materials.

Anyanwu said Akao was taken to a hospital for medical attention and was confirmed to be in stable condition.

He added that the recovered items had been handed over to the DSS command in Igarra, while the remains of the three suspects were transferred to the Igarra Division of the Nigeria Police Force for further necessary action.

The Army said the operation demonstrated its commitment to intelligence-led operations and efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo State.

Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, Commander of the 4 Brigade, commended the troops for their vigilance, courage, professionalism and prompt response during the encounter. He also praised the cooperation among the participating security agencies.

Balogun assured residents that the brigade would sustain operations against suspected kidnappers and other criminal groups in its area of responsibility.

He urged members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and credible information, noting that community cooperation was essential to preventing crime and protecting lives and property.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Nigeria’s solid minerals sector presents a bittersweet story for the country and its people, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

Mining has created wealth, jobs and economic opportunities for individuals and communities. In mineral-rich areas, it has provided livelihoods and opened new sources of income. At the same time,  illegal mining activities have contributed to insecurity, environmental degradation, exploitation and social disorder in some communities.

Since 2023, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has undergone significant reforms to modernise the industry, strengthen regulation and enforcement, attract investment, and shift the country away from exporting raw minerals toward local processing and value addition.

There has also been growing interest in critical minerals, particularly lithium, alongside efforts to formalise artisanal mining and improve government revenue from the sector.

Some reports say revenue from the solid minerals sector rose from about ₦16 billion in 2023 to ₦38 billion in 2024, and from approximately ₦68.1 billion to over ₦70 billion in 2025.

The niger state tragedy in which  37 young lives were lost is being linked to illegal mining, official negligence and unprofessionalism by some Civil Defence officers 

Illegal mining is the exploration, extraction, processing or trading of mineral resources without the licences, permits or regulatory approvals required by law, or in violation of the conditions governing such activities.

Nigeria has an established legal and regulatory framework for mining, primarily under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, along with subsequent legislation affecting the sector. The Nigeria Tax Act 2025, which took effect on January 1, 2026, also introduced changes affecting mining taxation and mineral royalties.

Therefore, not every person found around a mining site is necessarily an illegal miner. The important questions include: Who holds the mining title? Is the operation properly licensed? Are the miners operating within the approved area and under the approved conditions? Are the required royalties, taxes and fees being paid? And are environmental and safety requirements being observed?

Despite improvements in regulation, modernisation and enforcement, illegal mining, insecurity and environmental degradation remain interconnected challenges in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

The problem is not simply the absence of laws. Nigeria already has extensive mining legislation and regulatory institutions. Rather, poverty, unemployment, weak enforcement capacity, informal economic activity, insecurity and limited government presence in some remote areas can create conditions in which illegal mining thrives.

This is particularly important in rural communities where artisanal mining may provide livelihoods for families with few alternative sources of income.

Nigeria’s challenge, therefore, is not merely to stop illegal mining, but to bring legitimate artisanal miners into the formal economy, enforce the law against criminal mining operations, protect host communities and the environment, improve security around mining areas, and ensure that Nigeria’s mineral wealth translates into sustainable development.

Nigeria is richly endowed with solid minerals. The ultimate objective should be to ensure that the wealth beneath the ground becomes prosperity above the ground, legally, safely and sustainably.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has received 105 Nigerians rescued from cybercrime syndicates in Ghana during a coordinated security operation.

According to a statement issued on Monday by NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, the operation was coordinated by Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser following a report from Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority.

The Ghanaian authorities said 119 Nigerians were rescued during the operation, with 105 repatriated to Nigeria while the remaining 14 were undergoing processing.

Receiving the returnees on behalf of the Nigerian government, NAPTIP Director-General Binta Lami Adamu Bello assured them of their safety and said they would undergo profiling and reintegration processes to determine their individual needs.

The operation involved several Nigerian security and law enforcement agencies, alongside Ghanaian authorities and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.

NAPTIP commended the agencies and international partners for their collaboration, reaffirming its commitment to combating human trafficking and related exploitation.

The agency also urged Nigerians to exercise caution when considering overseas employment, scholarships and other opportunities, particularly offers involving unrealistic promises, unclear job descriptions or suspicious recruitment arrangements.