Author: bibncollar

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has revealed that foreign nationals arrested for illegal mining and suspected terrorism-related activities have been transferred to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for further investigation. Alake disclosed this on Friday while speaking to Channels Television during an event in Abuja. He was responding to concerns raised by some United States lawmakers alleging that illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria may be linked to the funding of terrorist activities. Although the minister did not state the exact number of foreign suspects handed over to the NSA, he said security agencies…

The World Health Organization has warned about the rapid global rise of nicotine pouch products, accusing tobacco companies of aggressively targeting young people with deceptive marketing strategies. In a new report, the WHO explained that nicotine pouches — small sachets placed between the gum and lip that release nicotine into the body — are quickly transforming the global nicotine market. According to the agency, the products are increasingly popular among teenagers and young adults. Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Health Promotion, said the products are being promoted in ways designed to attract youths and encourage addiction. He…

Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, billionaire businessman and founder of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, urged African leaders to accelerate reforms that promote regional integration, free trade, and easier movement across the continent. Rabiu shared a personal experience from February 2025 when he was denied entry into South Africa after arriving in Cape Town for the Mining Indaba because his visa had expired a day earlier. He explained that although he accepted responsibility for the oversight, he was disturbed by the fact that European travellers arriving on other international flights were granted entry without visas while…

The Katsina State Government has released more than ₦328 million to support 650 medical students enrolled in accredited universities across Nigeria and abroad under the first phase of its 2026 Medical Students’ Allowance Scheme. The General Manager of the Katsina State Hospital Services Management Board, Muhammad Nazir Shehu, made this known in a statement issued by the Board Secretary, Abu Usman. According to the statement, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda approved the disbursement of ₦328,123,392.35 as part of the administration’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare sector through human capital development. Shehu explained that the scheme benefits medical students studying in…

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed five inspectors and initiated legal proceedings against them over allegations of armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, theft, and other misconduct in Rivers State. The police also revealed that three inspectors and a corporal attached to the Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, who are linked to similar crimes, are currently at large. According to the Force, the action reflects the zero-tolerance policy of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, against corruption and criminal behaviour within the police system. In a statement issued on Friday, Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, said the Force remains…

The National Human Rights Commission has called on the Nigerian Air Force to explain the recurring civilian casualties caused by military airstrikes in different parts of the country, describing the situation as alarming and unacceptable. Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, expressed concern over repeated bombings affecting communities, markets and vulnerable civilians during counter-insurgency operations. He stressed that while the government has a duty to fight terrorism, banditry and insurgency, all military actions must comply with constitutional provisions, international humanitarian law and human rights standards. Ojukwu noted that the continued deaths and injuries of innocent civilians, including women and…

The National Judicial Council (NJC), at its 111th Meeting held on Tuesday, 13 May 2026, under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, has recommended twelve (12) new Justices for appointment to the Court of Appeal. The Council also recommended one candidate for appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Benue State and two candidates as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina State. These recommendations are aimed at filling existing vacancies created by elevations and retirements, thereby strengthening the capacity of the courts for timely and effective…

The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has convicted and sentenced Prophet Ajiboye Olayinka, General Overseer of a church in Ilorin, to life imprisonment for the rape of three underage female congregants. The court also sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment for carrying out illegal abortions on several pregnancies resulting from the sexual abuse of his victims. Prophet Olayinka faced an eight-count charge that included criminal conspiracy, unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, illegal abortion, and unlawful possession of firearms. The charges were brought under the Penal Code, the Robbery and Firearms Act, and the Kwara State Child Rights Law.…

Experts from the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) and Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) have revealed that African countries lose an estimated $89 billion annually through illicit financial flows (IFFs), largely driven by harmful tax practices. The disclosure was made on Thursday during an interactive session with ECOWAS parliamentarians at the ongoing 2026 First Ordinary Session in Abuja. Discussions focused on strategies for operationalising ECOWAS tax directives to improve domestic resource mobilisation and regional tax harmonisation. According to the experts, Africa’s annual domestic resource mobilisation deficit stands at about $194 billion, with tax evasion, tax avoidance, tax misinvoicing, and…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted 4,173.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, valued at more than ₦10.4 billion at the Tin Can Island Port in one of its largest drug busts of 2026. According to the agency, the operation followed several weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated surveillance involving security agencies from Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said the shipment departed Toronto, Canada, on March 28, 2026, before being transported by rail to Montreal and shipped to Morocco. The cargo was later transferred to another…