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Tag: Nigeria

  • Nigeria records decrease in kidnapping cases in 2024 – Counter-terrorism centre

    Nigeria records decrease in kidnapping cases in 2024 – Counter-terrorism centre

    Nigeria recorded 16.3 per cent decrease in kidnapping for ransom incidents in 2024.

    Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Center, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA) made this known while briefing newsmen on the activities of the Multi-Agency Anti-kidnap Fusion Cell, on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that kidnapping for ransom posed a significant security challenge in 2024, with non-state actors such as bandits, terrorists, cultists, militants and secessionist groups exploiting the crime for pecuniary gains and funding of illicit activities.

    Laka promised to produce the details subsequently.

    He said that in spite of some improvements, the menace had remained a serious threat to national security, socioeconomic activities and food production across the country.

    “As a result of efforts by the current administration under the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in 2024 Nigeria recorded 16.3 per cent decrease in incidents compared to 2023.

    “The number of incidents increased slightly by 0.27 per cent, with Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara  in the North-West accounted for the highest prevalence, with 13.8 per cent of total incidents and 61.1 per cent victims of the total recorded cases.

    “Trends and Impact of kidnapping incidents in 2024 occurred in rural and urban communities, targeting villages, schools, highways, and residential areas,” he said.

    Laka said that in spite of measures taken towards reducing incidents, mass abductions persisted, leaving agrarian communities deserted, disrupting food production, and driving food prices higher.

    He added that the sustained payment of ransom had also continue to fuel the crime, adding that perpetrators exploit families’ fears to demand exorbitant sums.

    He said that the federal government had implemented both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to combat the menace and had achieved significant results, such as rescue of hostages, neutralising and arresting kidnapping kingpins.

    According to him, the criminals have continued to adapt and strengthen their capacity using proceeds from ransom payments.

    The coordinator disclosed that the government had projected that kidnapping for ransom would persist in 2025 due to its financial incentives but had strengthened counter-kidnapping initiatives.

    According to him, efforts have been expanded to the six geo-political regions; improved collaborations with the 36 state governments and reinforced public confidence in government protection to discourage ransom payments.

    Other measures according to him, include engagement of state governments to address unemployment and economic vulnerabilities that drive individuals to crime.

    He added that communities affected by mass abductions must be supported to restore livelihoods and food production, preventing further socioeconomic disruptions.

    “The Nigerian Communication Commission has facilitated an emergency response number 112.

    “The NCTC calls on all Nigerians to report suspicious activities, crimes, kidnapping, among others, by calling the toll-free number 112, including the Multi-Agency Anti-kidnap Fusion Cell designated numbers that will be provided to members of the public.

    “Kidnapping for ransom remains a critical challenge requiring collective and intensified efforts by all stakeholders.

    “While significant progress was achieved in 2024, sustained commitment and innovative approaches are imperative to mitigate the menace in 2025,” he said.

  • Trump’s Deportation: Mauritania, Nigeria top list in Africa with over 7500 deportees(List)

    Trump’s Deportation: Mauritania, Nigeria top list in Africa with over 7500 deportees(List)

     

    The U.S. Immigration office has published a list of countries and their citizens ready for deportation.

    Mauritania tops the list in Africa with 3,822 deportees, followed by Nigeria with 3,690. Here is the list of 12 African countries with the most deportees:

    1.Mauritania – 3,822 2.Nigeria – 3,690 3.Ghana – 3,228 4.Cameroon – 1,736 5.Ethiopia – 1,713 6.Liberia – 1,563 7.Guinea – 1,897 8.Egypt – 1,461 9.Ivory Coast – 1,224 10 Kenya – 1,282 11.DRC Congo – 1,098 12.Gambia – 1,035

  • ECOWAS Court dismisses human rights violation claim against Nigeria

    ECOWAS Court dismisses human rights violation claim against Nigeria

    The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed an alleged human rights violation suit filed by one Patrick Eholor, on behalf of Makia Media Limited, against the Federal Government.

    NAN reports that the applicant had in suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/43/21, alleged that Nigeria’s broadcasting laws violated social media rights, human rights defenders, activists, bloggers, and journalists.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Sengu Koroma, Judge Rapporteur, with Justices Ricardo Gonçalves (presiding) and Dupe Atoki (member), dismissed all the applicant’s claims and upheld the preliminary objection raised by Nigeria.

    The court held that the applicant lacked the legal capacity to bring the matter before it as ‘actio popularis’ (public interest) suit.

    According to the Community Court, the applicant also failed to present evidence mandating him to act in a representational capacity on behalf of Makia Media Limited.

    It, therefore, declared the entire suit inadmissible “both as an actio popularis suit and a representational suit.”

    “The reliefs sought must be exclusively for the benefit of the public to the exclusion of the personal interest of the Applicant,” Justice Koroma held.

    The court noted that it only had jurisdiction to entertain the case because it bordered on alleged human rights violations but pointed out that the case was inadmissible.

    The court further held that although the applicant had jurisdiction to bring a claim for human rights violation as a corporate body, the suit neither met the requirement of ‘actio popularis’ principle.

    According to the Community Court, the action was not for the benefit of the public, and the applicant did not demonstrate that the victims cannot be envisioned by the Court.

    Eholor had in his submission argued that various Nigerian Broadcasting Code provisions were inconsistent with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and International Treaties and Conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.

    The applicant had further claimed that in July 2020, the Respondent through the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) began implementation of repressive Sections of the Code, particularly Sections 5, 4 (1), (f) and 5 (4), (3).

    He argued that NBC considered all coverage on security issues as a threat to governance and engaged in arbitrary arrest and detention of media practitioners.

    He further claimed that the Respondent also failed to release public information sought by practitioners, which violated their rights to freedom of expression and information.

    Responding, Nigeria had denied the claims of the applicant, arguing that no court had declared any section of the NBC Code as ambiguous or illegal and the applicant had not been prevented from exercising its rights within the limits of the law.

    It added that the applicant was not at any time arrested or detained, and as a corporate body, lacked the capacity to sue for the violation of human rights.

    The court, however, ordered Nigeria to pay an interlocutory cost of 250,000 Naira to the applicant due to the respondent’s  “tardiness” in the course of the matter.

  • Nigeria rated world capital of ‘skin bleaching ‘ as FG laments

    Nigeria rated world capital of ‘skin bleaching ‘ as FG laments

    The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, on Wednesday decried the increasing use of skin-lightening products among Nigerians and Africans.

    Salako said despite the well-documented harmful effects, the use of skin-bleaching products like creams, ointments, soap, pills and injections is common among non-white populations throughout the world.

    Speaking at the high-level segment of the regional awareness-raising workshop on the elimination of lightening cosmetics products in Gabon, he stated that bleaching products is particularly widespread in Africa, especially among women.

    In his speech made available to journalists in Abuja, Salako, however, stated that Nigeria is in the process of developing a National Policy on Cosmetics to provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and quality of cosmetic products.

    “I must say that not only are men using SLPs, men also tend to put pressure on women directly or indirectly to lighten their skin, and therefore our campaigns must not exclude the menfolk.

    “Nigeria may have been called ‘the world capital of skin bleaching’, or ‘the skin-lightening hothouse of the world,’ potentially due to its recognition as having the highest usage rates of SLPs across the globe put at 77 per cent among Nigerian women by WHO.

    This rate is the highest in the world, reinforcing the prevalence of a cultural and societal preference for lighter skin tones in the country.

    “Skin-whitening products include skin-lightening or whiteners that are widely used among a wide range of demographic groups regardless of age, socio-economic status, or education level,” he said.

    He highlighted that other studies and surveys confirm the high prevalence of skin bleaching culture in Nigeria.

    “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (through the Cosmetics Safety Management Programme) sampled the opinion of manufacturers and regulatory agents on skin lightening agent usage and found that 52 per cent of manufacturers use skin lightening agents in their formulation

    “Nigeria Opinion Institute, a leading public opinion polling organisation in Nigeria, providing insights into public opinion and consumer markets found that 64 per cent of Nigerians believe skin bleaching is highly prevalent, with 97 per cent believing it is common among Nigerian women.

    “Studies among university students found a prevalence of between 62.4 and 64.9 per cent.

    The awareness of skin bleaching is high at over 76 per cent with close to 40 per cent believing that it makes one look beautiful and fashionable. High prevalence was influenced by peer pressure and societal perceptions of beauty. There is also a prevalent practice of using toning ( as a replacement) for bleaching and believing wrongly that toning is not harmful or less harmful,” he emphasised.

    The expert decried that many of the bleaching products contain harmful substances, such as mercury, hydroquinone, steroids and other heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium which pose risks of skin damage, organ toxicity and cancer.

    He said the high prevalence of skin-whitening product usage in many parts of Africa, including Nigeria highlights the urgent need for targeted public health campaigns, stricter regulatory enforcement, and community-based advocacy to address the practice.

    He noted that the Federal Government has been working to promote the use of safe cosmetic products free from hazardous substances.

    “Recognising the pervasive use of unsafe cosmetics and the health risks they pose, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has taken proactive steps to educate the populace.

  • UK reaffirms strong defence ties with Nigeria

    UK reaffirms strong defence ties with Nigeria

    The UK Minister of State for Defence, Lord Vernon Coaker has reaffirmed the longstanding defence partnership between his country and Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and counter insurgency opration in the North-East.

    Coaker, who is on a working visit to Nigeria, stated this at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

    The minister accompanied by other senior officials of the UK government, highlited the importance of the bilateral relationship between the two nations to address security challenges.

    “The presence of the Honour Guard was a moving experience, symbolising the respect and partnership between the Nigerian and British militaries.

    “His Majesty’s Government recognises Nigeria as a key ally and a leader in West Africa. Together, we stand for democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” Coaker said.

    The minister reiterated the UK government commitment to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and shared impact of global security challenges.

    “Your conflict is our conflict and your security is our security. The work you are doing to combat terrorism, particularly through initiatives like Operation Hadin Kai, is commendable.

    “We are proud to provide training, expertise and equipment to support your efforts,” he said.

    Lord Coaker listed the UK’s contributions to Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations to include counter improvised explosive devices training, provision of equipment, and mentorship for the establishment of the Counter-IED Coordination Cell in the North-East.

    Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, the Theatre Commander of the OPHK, commended the UK  for its sustained support in combating insurgency in the region.

    He described the visit as a testament to the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and the UK.

    “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Lord Vernon Coaker and his distinguished entourage to Maiduguri, the ‘Home of Peace,’ which also hosts the Headquarters of JTF (NE) OPHK.

    “This visit validates the strong partnership between our nations” .

    Shaibu said the mandate of the task force was to restore normalcy to the region, provide enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive, as well as resettlement of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.

    He noted that the fulfilment of the task force mandate required not only material resources but also regular training and retraining of troops to keep them updated on evolving security challenges.

    The commander lauded the establishment of the Counter-IED Coordination Cell, supported by the UK, which  became a hub for intelligence gathering and dismantling insurgent IED networks.

    “This hub, equipped with detection tools, laptops, tactical intelligence kits, and other resources, has been vital in detecting, neutralising, and disarming IEDs effectively,” he said.

    Shaibu also commended the Instructor Development Programme being implemented in collaboration with BDS-WA, to fast track training of personnel from Nigeria and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

    “The programme fosters synergy and camaraderie among troops from the Lake Chad Basin countries, strengthening regional cooperation,” he said, adding that the UK government’s timely and relevant support were imperative towards achieving the task force mandate.

  • Nigeria accepts invitation to join BRICS

    Nigeria accepts invitation to join BRICS

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that Nigeria has accepted the invitation to join BRICS as a partner country.

    The ministry disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    According to the statement, the partnership will help align Nigeria’s aspirations for inclusive growth and regional integration, in line with the best practices of strategic autonomy.

    The statement reads, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has accepted the invitation to join BRICS as a partner country.”

    It further emphasised that this formal acceptance highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international collaboration, leveraging economic opportunities, and advancing strategic partnerships that aligned with the nation’s development objectives.

    “BRICS, as a collective of major emerging economies, presents a unique platform for Nigeria to enhance trade, investment, and socio-economic cooperation with member countries,” the statement added.

    “Nigeria aims to use this partnership to advance shared goals in areas such as trade and investment, energy security, infrastructure development, technology, and climate change.”

    The statement also stressed that the partnership aligned with Nigeria’s national aspirations for inclusive growth, regional integration, and active participation in shaping a fair and equitable global economic order, consistent with the country’s ethos of strategic autonomy.

    The ministry expressed hope to engage constructively with BRICS members to drive innovation and foster people-to-people exchanges, in alignment with national interests and strategic priorities.

  • Foreign insurgents behind recent spike in terrorist attacks in Nigeria, DHQ insists

    Foreign insurgents behind recent spike in terrorist attacks in Nigeria, DHQ insists

    The Defence Headquarters has revealed that the recent spike in terrorist activities across the North East and North West regions of Nigeria is due to the influx of foreign fighters serving as reinforcements for the terrorists.

    In the past few weeks, the country has witnessed deadly attacks on military bases and civilian populations, raising concerns about the escalating security situation.

    Speaking during the first military briefing of the year, which also served as a farewell address by the outgoing Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, on Thursday, the military attributed the resurgence to fighters from the Sahelian region working in collaboration with local accomplices.

    He said, “The resurgence in terror attacks can be attributable to the influx of foreign fighters who came in as reinforcements for these terrorists. These foreign fighters are from the Sahelian Region. The other contributing factor is the support from local collaborators who serve as informants, reporting on troops’ movements.”

    Despite these challenges, he assured Nigerians of the military’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism.

    He said the military, apart from destroying their will to fight, was also applying international pressure

    Buba said, “In spite of the situation, troops are profoundly conscious of their role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation. Though we might record occasional tactical setbacks.

    Our strategic objective remains unhindered and it is to break the terrorist will to fight. In essence, defeating an enemy means destroying or breaking his will to fight. And we are achieving this by the cumulative effort of killing their operatives, Commanders and senior leadership.

    “We are taking away their most important assets, such as their logistics, administrative and fighting capabilities. And of course, we are applying regional and international pressure, as well as engaging the media. All these combine to destroy the terrorists’ will to fight.”

    Emphasising the long-term nature of the counterterrorism efforts, Buba noted, “Wars are fought and won all over the world by destroying the enemies’ will to fight. And we are bent on achieving just that.

    “We understand that this war is not a quick fix but a long and enduring military operation at the end of which these terrorists will be destroyed, and we will have a better world.”

    Reiterating the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring security using the slang for 2025, Buba stated that, “The military dey for you, dey for us.”

    Buba said, “Sadly, we are not there yet, but inching closer every passing day. On the whole, security is everybody’s business. We must not compromise on security, otherwise, we compromise everyone’s security.

    “Significantly, as you ‘dey for, who dey for you” this year. Know that “the military dey for you, dey for us’.”

  • UAE president to visit Nigeria

    UAE president to visit Nigeria

    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accepted President Bola Tinubu’s invitation to visit Nigeria this year.

    Tinibu invited him on Wednesday during their bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement.

    President Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday as a guest of the UAE President to participate in the Sustainability Week.

    He delivered Nigeria’s position on climate and other challenges earlier on Wednesday and congratulated the UAE leader for the successful event.

    During the discussions, the Sheikh thanked Tinubu for accepting his invitation and expressed the UAE’s determination to strengthen economic cooperation between Nigeria and his country.

    The two leaders also explored attracting investment into Nigeria.

    President Tinubu said his government’s economic reforms were yielding fruits and called on the UAE to partner with Nigeria to develop the economy.

    He said the reforms had stabilised and grown the economy, encouraging foreign investors, including international oil companies, to announce billion-dollar investments, signalling renewed confidence in doing business with Africa’s most populous nation.

    President Tinubu thanked Al Nahyan for the warm reception he and his aides received since their arrival over the weekend.

  • CONNOTATIVE WAR! APC declares Peter Obi as Nigeria’s prophet of doom

    CONNOTATIVE WAR! APC declares Peter Obi as Nigeria’s prophet of doom

    All is definitely not too well between the ruling party and LP’s 2023 flag bearer, Peter Obi in the last one week.

    To this end the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared the LP’s leader Nigeria’s prophet of doom
    over his comment on the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

    Recall that Peter Obi, during a media chat on Thursday, asserted that the country’s political, economic and security situation is worsening daily, contrary to the positions of Tinubu’s government.

    According to him, Nigeria has fallen from being the largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $574 billion and a per capita income of over $3,500 in 2014, to now ranking fourth on the continent.

    In response, the ruling party, in a statement on Thursday through its Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said Peter Obi’s claim is misleading, especially when all indicators show that the country is rebounding in significant measures which casts the former Governor of Anambra State squarely, as Nigeria’s leading doomsayer.

    Morka also criticized Peter Obi for projecting himself as omniscient and a philosopher’s stone when addressing national challenges, stating that he left no significant achievements or transformations in his eight years at the Government House in Awka, Anambra State.

    According to him, while Nigerians celebrated the new year with hope for a glorious 2025, Obi was seemingly stuck in a replay of his jangling, gloom-ridden wishlist for the country.

    Morka added that, like his co-travellers in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi’s obsessive pessimism and endless but futile efforts to incite public outrage against Tinubu’s administration are borne out of their realization that the President is unwittingly cementing their ultimate political irrelevance through his visionary, full-throttle reform and transformation of the nation’s fundamental pillars.

    The statement read, “Obi’s New Year message, in which he claimed that the political, economic and security situation of our dear country is worsening daily, is misleading and appears intended to score cheap political points. This claim, at a time when all indicators show that our country is rebounding in significant measure across all sectors, casts Obi, squarely, as Nigeria’s leading doomsayer.

    “Despite these and other initial beneficial outcomes of ongoing unprecedented reforms, the administration is doubling its effort to ensuring that the reforms deliver their fullest benefits for the sustainable growth and transformation of our country.

    “In his New Year message, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged that the “cost of food and essential drugs remained a significant concern for many Nigerian households.” To reverse this trend, Mr. President assured that his administration was committed to lowering food prices by boosting food production and promoting local production of drugs.

    “It is a thing of irony that Peter Obi, who now arrogates to himself to be omniscient and philosopher’s stone, when it comes to our nation’s challenges, left no record of significant achievement, let alone transformation of any kind, in his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra State.

     

    “Like his co-travellers in the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Obi’s obsessive pessimism and endless but futile effort to incite public outrage against the administration is borne out of their realization that President Tinubu is unwittingly cementing their ultimate political irrelevance by his visionary and full-throttle reform and transformation of the fundamental pillars of our national life.”

  • Diplomatic palaver as Nigeria issues statement to counter Australia’s travel advisory, asks Nigerians to stay away

    Diplomatic palaver as Nigeria issues statement to counter Australia’s travel advisory, asks Nigerians to stay away

    Apparently disappointed over Australia’s travel advisory to its citizens to avoid Nigeria over insecurity, Nig’eria’s ministry of Foreign Affairs in a counter statement has advised Nigerians to avoid the country.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar issued a travel advisory for Nigerian nationals planning to visit or reside in Australia, citing an increase in hate crimes, including antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents, in certain cities.

    In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Ministry urged Nigerians to exercise caution and be mindful of the evolving security situation.

    The statement reads: “While Australia is widely recognized for its multiculturalism and tolerance, recent incidents have highlighted the need for vigilance”.

    Providing context, the Ministry referenced a concerning event that occurred in early December 2024.

    “In the Sydney suburb of Woollahra, a car was set ablaze, and anti-Israel graffiti was sprayed on nearby buildings. This incident reflects a broader pattern of increasing antisemitic and Islamophobic activities,” the statement added.

    Nigerian nationals were urged to take extra precautions when navigating cultural and social dynamics in Australia. “It is essential for Nigerians to remain vigilant and proactive to ensure their safety and comfort,” the advisory emphasized.

    The Ministry reassured Nigerians that support is available for those who encounter discrimination or harassment. “We strongly encourage any Nigerian who experiences or witnesses racist attacks or harassment to contact the Nigerian High Commission in Canberra immediately. The High Commission is prepared to provide necessary assistance,” the statement concluded.

    The contact details for the High Commission are as follows:

    Address: 26 Guilfoyle St, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Canberra, Australia
    Phone: +61262158500
    Email: chancery@nigeria-can.org.au
    The Ministry reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Nigerians abroad while fostering international cooperation and understanding.

    TNG recalls, the Australian advisory note had equally cited some security issues advising it’s citizens to avoid Nigeria.