₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian Navy has rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against suspected sea robbers and kidnappers in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State.

The operation was carried out on September 30 by the Maritime Quick Response Team of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) JUBILEE in Ibeno, following intelligence reports about criminal activities targeting fishermen in the area.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the development in a statement, explaining that the suspected criminals had been attacking fishermen, taking away their boats and stealing their outboard engines.

Suspects Flee as Navy Launches Pursuit

According to the Navy, its personnel encountered two boats believed to have been operated by the suspected criminals during the operation.

The occupants reportedly fled into nearby creeks after sighting the naval team, prompting the personnel to pursue them.

During the chase, the suspects abandoned one of their boats, which contained several stolen outboard engines and the two kidnapped victims.

The naval team subsequently rescued the victims and escorted them to safety, while the recovered engines were secured for verification and further necessary action.

Navy Intensifies Efforts to Track Suspects

The Navy said efforts were ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects, adding that the operation reflected its commitment to protecting lives and securing legitimate maritime activities across the country's waterways.

Folorunsho also emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing and cooperation with coastal communities in tackling maritime crimes.

He urged fishermen, residents of coastal communities and other maritime stakeholders to report suspicious activities and provide timely information that could help security agencies respond to threats.

The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustained patrols, search-and-rescue operations and intelligence-driven interventions to protect lives and property along Nigeria's waterways.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government, accusing the administration of worsening poverty and economic hardship across Nigeria.

Atiku made the remarks in a statement published on Thursday, October 1, 2026, where he questioned the economic direction of the country under the APC government.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain argued that the administration's economic policies had placed additional pressure on households and businesses, making it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to meet their basic needs.

He maintained that government claims of economic progress should be measured against the living conditions of ordinary citizens rather than financial and economic statistics alone.

Atiku Questions Government's Economic Performance

The former vice president has repeatedly criticised the Federal Government's handling of the economy, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange reforms.

In previous remarks, Atiku argued that rising petrol prices had increased transportation, production and food costs, leaving households with reduced purchasing power. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to consider measures that would ease the cost-of-living burden. (Channels Television)

He has also challenged the administration's reliance on macroeconomic indicators to demonstrate progress, insisting that economic reforms should translate into improved living standards for Nigerians. (The Guardian)

Atiku's latest criticism comes as political parties and their candidates continue preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the economy expected to remain a major issue in political discussions.

Nigerian dancer Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, popularly known as Ben Dancer, has completed a seven-day dance marathon in Lagos as he seeks to set a new Guinness World Records title for the longest dance marathon by an individual.

Daniel concluded the physically demanding challenge at about noon on Tuesday at Freedom Park, Lagos, after dancing for more than seven days. His team said the final time recorded was seven days, eight hours, 32 minutes and 59 seconds.

The 33-year-old had initially set a target of 168 hours, hoping to surpass the existing Guinness World Records mark of 127 hours, achieved by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023.

However, Guinness World Records has not yet officially declared Daniel the new record holder.

A spokesperson for Guinness told the BBC that Daniel's application remains active and that evidence from the attempt must be submitted and reviewed through the organisation's verification process before any new record can be confirmed.

Nigerian culture takes centre stage

Throughout the marathon, Ben Dancer incorporated different Nigerian dance styles and musical genres into his performance.

Afrobeats featured prominently, alongside fuji, jazz and zouk. He also appeared at various points in traditional Nigerian outfits, including agbada and dashiki.

According to his team, the performance was designed not only to test his endurance but also to showcase Nigeria's cultural diversity and different dance traditions.

The challenge attracted large crowds to Freedom Park, with supporters gathering throughout the seven-day performance to encourage the dancer. Videos from the event also circulated widely on social media.

How he managed the challenge

Daniel had reportedly undergone physical training and adjusted his diet ahead of the attempt in preparation for the demands of the marathon.

During the challenge, he was allowed five minutes of rest for every continuous hour of activity. He also maintained hydration and ate lightly, while medical personnel remained available at the venue.

Following the completion of the marathon, Daniel was taken to hospital for a medical check-up.

His evidence will now be submitted to Guinness World Records for assessment. Until the organisation completes its review, the 127-hour mark remains the officially recognised record.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 32 suspects in connection with alleged armed robbery, cultism and other criminal activities across the state.

The command also recovered 43 vehicles, 10 firearms and other items during various operations conducted by its operatives, The Nation reports.

According to the police, the arrests and recoveries were recorded as part of intensified efforts to tackle criminal activities and improve security across Lagos.

The command said the suspects are being investigated over their alleged involvement in different offences, while the recovered vehicles and firearms have been secured as exhibits.

The police also disclosed that a 20-year-old suspect was arrested in connection with the alleged killing of a police sergeant.

The command said investigations were ongoing into the various cases, with efforts being made to establish the roles of the suspects and identify other individuals who may be connected to the alleged crimes.

The latest arrests come amid broader police operations across the country. In a separate nationwide update covering September 12 to 18, the Nigeria Police Force said 177 high-profile criminal suspects were arrested and 52 stolen vehicles recovered during operations across different states.

Nigeria’s foreign exchange supply increased by 20.5 per cent to $8.94 billion in 2025, up from $7.43 billion recorded in 2024, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The figures were contained in the apex bank’s 2025 Statistical Bulletin and represent an increase of about $1.51 billion in annual foreign exchange supply.

Monthly figures showed that supply remained relatively low at the beginning of 2025 before rising significantly in March and April.

FX supply stood at $590.64 million in January and $607.63 million in February. It then climbed to $1.04 billion in March before reaching its highest monthly level of $1.65 billion in April.

However, supply declined in the following months, falling to $838.93 million in May and $676.31 million in June. It recovered slightly to $759.02 million in July before dropping to $677.84 million in August and $399.80 million in September.

October recorded the lowest monthly figure for the year at $150.10 million. Supply later recovered to $638.38 million in November and $910.73 million in December.

The CBN also reported that total foreign exchange inflows into Nigeria rose from $96.53 billion in 2024 to $109.86 billion in 2025, representing a 13.81 per cent increase.

However, foreign exchange outflows also increased during the period, rising by 27.83 per cent from $38.37 billion to $49.05 billion.

As a result, Nigeria recorded a net foreign exchange inflow of $60.81 billion in 2025, compared with $58.16 billion in 2024.

The CBN data, however, do not provide a detailed breakdown of the sources of the $8.94 billion supplied during the year.

The increase in FX supply comes amid continued efforts to improve liquidity and stability in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market, although the market remained volatile in 2026.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Republic of Benin Customs have launched a technology-driven system aimed at making cross-border trade between both countries faster, more transparent and easier for traders.

The initiative, known as the Customs Declaration Exchange System (CDES), is designed to connect the operations of the two customs administrations while improving coordinated enforcement and harmonising border procedures.

New Digital System Targets Border Delays

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced the initiative during the Joint Nigeria-Benin Customs meeting on the assessment of the One Stop Border Post at the Seme-Krake border in Lagos State.

The meeting was themed “Leveraging the Nigeria Customs Service Trade Modernisation Project to Advance Seamless Cross-Border Trade and Shared Responsibility.”

Adeniyi said the system is expected to improve interconnectivity between the two customs administrations and establish a framework for more accountable joint governance.

Focus on Women Traders

The Customs chief said the digital system would particularly benefit women who participate in informal cross-border trade.

According to Adeniyi, women account for more than 70 per cent of informal cross-border traders along the corridor. He said many women traders face challenges including harassment, extortion and delays while moving goods across the border.

The CDES is therefore expected to simplify procedures for small consignments and make information about customs requirements available in languages traders can understand.

A dedicated complaint channel is also expected to provide women traders with a way to report cases of poor treatment at the border.

System Could Reduce Repeated Customs Checks

Adeniyi said one of the major measures of the system's success would be whether traders and transporters could avoid unnecessary duplication of customs procedures.

He gave the example of a truck carrying goods from Cotonou to Lagos, saying the objective was for it to clear the border once rather than undergo repeated processes on both sides.

He also said the system should eventually allow traders to cross the border within an hour rather than spending an entire day dealing with border procedures.

Nigeria, Benin Customs Plan System Interconnectivity

The technical team working on the project has presented processes for deploying the CDES across both countries.

The two administrations are also considering co-locating their customs administrations and systems at the border, which would allow officers on either side to access relevant information and coordinate decisions more effectively.

Adeniyi said connectivity between the systems would be critical to the success of the project.

He added that within about three months, the systems should begin working once the necessary technical connections and administrative cooperation are established.

Benin Customs Expresses Readiness

The Director-General of Customs in Benin Republic, Colonel Raouf Aboudou, expressed confidence in the initiative and pledged his administration's cooperation.

Aboudou said the system was developed jointly by the two customs administrations and expressed optimism that it would improve trade between Nigeria and Benin.

He stressed that the success of the project would depend on joint commitment rather than policy declarations alone.

Potential Boost for Regional Trade

The initiative could also serve as a model for digital customs cooperation beyond the Nigeria-Benin corridor.

Adeniyi said that once the two countries achieve full interoperability, they would have created a possible template for online border crossings across ECOWAS and the wider African continent.

The move also aligns with broader efforts by West African customs administrations to harmonise procedures, strengthen digital interoperability and improve coordinated risk management.

For traders and transporters operating along the busy Nigeria-Benin corridor, the expected benefits include fewer delays, clearer customs requirements and more predictable border procedures.

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has approached Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for assistance in investigating the alleged mismanagement and diversion of funds released for US-backed health programmes in the country.

The investigation is expected to focus on organisations that received funding under programmes supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), particularly projects targeting HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis interventions.

FBI Seeks EFCC’s Assistance

The request was reportedly made during a meeting between officials of the FBI and EFCC in Lagos as both countries seek to strengthen cooperation on financial crimes involving international funds.

According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the request was presented by Macus Maccain, Assistant Law Enforcement Attaché of the FBI, during a visit to the office of Bawa Kaltungo, the EFCC Acting Zonal Director in Lagos.

Maccain said the engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two agencies and supporting investigations into financial irregularities linked to organisations that implemented US-funded programmes in Nigeria.

Probe Focuses on Funds Left After Programme Terminations

The investigation is particularly concerned with funds that remained with implementing organisations after some USAID-supported programmes were discontinued.

According to the FBI official, investigators want to establish how such funds were managed and whether any financial misconduct occurred following the termination of the programmes.

The development follows major changes to US foreign assistance programmes under the Donald Trump administration, which resulted in the cancellation, suspension or termination of several USAID activities.

Nigeria was among the countries where USAID had supported major health interventions over the years, including HIV testing, treatment and care, as well as tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

US Audits Raise Further Questions

The investigation comes amid continuing financial scrutiny of organisations that managed USAID resources in Nigeria.

Recent audits listed by the USAID Office of Inspector General included programmes managed by the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria and Georgetown Global Health Nigeria.

These reviews have added to questions surrounding the administration and accounting of donor-funded programmes after money was released to implementing partners.

US Officials Raise Concerns Over Budgets

During the meeting with EFCC officials, Jeremy Kennon, a Special Agent with the Office of Inspector General of the US Department of State, said the United States and Nigeria had previously entered into agreements to fund HIV and tuberculosis interventions.

He explained that several organisations were involved in delivering healthcare services under the programmes, including the establishment of one-stop centres where people living with HIV could access treatment and related services.

Kennon said reviews of some programmes had raised concerns about inflated budgets and other financial irregularities in Kano State and other parts of Nigeria.

He added that the concerns were not limited to Nigeria but stressed that US authorities were interested in tracing how funds were handled by organisations connected to the affected programmes.

EFCC to Trace Movement of Funds

The EFCC has assured the US delegation that it will give the matter the necessary attention.

Kaltungo, who received the delegation on behalf of EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, said the commission would investigate the allegations across the states where the affected organisations operated.

Investigators are expected to trace the movement of the funds and identify their ultimate beneficiaries where necessary. The agencies also expressed interest in developing a longer-term relationship focused on information sharing and access to financial records.

The investigation could therefore involve examining transactions from organisations that received USAID funds to other beneficiaries or accounts where investigators consider such tracing necessary.

No Finding of Diversion Yet

The investigation does not, at this stage, establish that USAID funds were unlawfully diverted.

Rather, US and Nigerian authorities are examining allegations and financial concerns surrounding how funds were administered, particularly after some programmes were terminated.

The outcome of the investigation will determine whether any individuals or organisations should face further action over suspected financial misconduct.

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has travelled to Germany and the United Kingdom for a series of high-level engagements as political activities intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Obi disclosed his latest movement in a social media post on Thursday, September 10, following his return to Abuja from visits to Benue and Plateau states.

Obi Begins European Engagements

According to the former Anambra State governor, his engagements in Germany and the UK are focused on issues he considers critical to Nigeria’s future.

He listed democracy, electoral integrity, poverty, education, corruption and healthcare among the issues discussed during the engagements.

Obi said the meetings also explored practical measures that could improve the living conditions of Nigerians and protect their dignity.

The NDC candidate said he returned to Abuja on September 8 after his visits to Benue and Plateau before travelling to Europe, beginning with Germany and subsequently moving to the United Kingdom.

Education Takes Centre Stage

Obi said he was encouraged by the willingness of international partners to support Nigeria, particularly in the education sector.

He described education as the most important investment Nigeria can make in its citizens, arguing that sustainable development would remain difficult without building the knowledge, skills and capabilities of the population.

His emphasis on education comes as he continues to make human capital development a central part of his political messaging ahead of the 2027 election.

Obi Restates Economic Vision

The former Anambra governor also used the occasion to reiterate his call for a fundamental change in Nigeria’s economic direction.

He advocated a transition from consumption to production, dependence to productivity and wasteful practices to responsible resource management.

Obi said his broader objective was to build a country where children have access to quality education, democracy reflects the will of voters, healthcare is accessible and public resources are managed responsibly.

2027 Political Activities Gather Momentum

Obi’s European engagements come at a time when political activities surrounding the 2027 presidential election are intensifying.

The former Anambra governor has continued to position himself as a major opposition contender. On September 8, he described Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as qualified to become president while calling on opposition politicians to put their differences aside and focus on challenges including poverty, hunger and insecurity.

Obi has also recently made electoral integrity a major part of his campaign message, saying his primary concern is whether Nigerians will be able to protect their votes during the 2027 election rather than simply whether he personally wins.

Other Politicians Begin International Engagements

Obi is not the only presidential contender undertaking international engagements ahead of the election.

Politics Nigeria reported that African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore recently travelled to the United States and Canada as part of a North American tour involving engagements with Nigerians in the diaspora, supporters, activists and other stakeholders.

The movements come as the 2027 electoral calendar advances. According to the report, INEC's official campaign period began on August 19, 2026, while the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has rejected calls for a return to petrol subsidy, proposing instead that crude oil supplied to Nigerian refineries should be priced more affordably.

Makinde said the approach would reduce the cost of petrol for Nigerians without returning to what he described as the old subsidy system.

He made the remarks on Monday while speaking at the commissioning of the APM presidential campaign office in Abuja, where he outlined elements of his “Reset Nigeria” agenda.

Makinde: Domestic Crude Should Reflect Nigeria’s Oil-Producing Status

Makinde questioned why crude oil supplied to refineries in Nigeria should be priced as though it had been imported from abroad.

According to him, Nigeria’s status as an oil-producing country should be reflected in the price at which crude is supplied for domestic refining.

He argued that any benefit from Nigeria’s crude resources should be built into the petroleum pricing system from the beginning rather than introduced through interventions at the petrol pump after other costs and inefficiencies have accumulated.

‘I Am Not Calling for Fuel Subsidy’

The governor stressed that his proposal should not be interpreted as an attempt to restore the former petrol subsidy regime.

Instead, he advocated a pricing framework in which locally produced crude supplied to domestic refineries is made available at a price that can help lower the final cost of refined petroleum products.

He also called for greater transparency throughout the petroleum value chain, from crude production and domestic allocation to refining, transportation, distribution, taxes and retail margins.

Makinde Rejects Atiku’s Subsidy Proposal

Makinde’s position comes after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is also seeking the presidency in 2027, pledged to restore fuel subsidy if elected.

Atiku has argued that reinstating the subsidy would help reduce the financial burden created by the removal of the policy in 2023.

President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, a move that resulted in a sharp increase in petrol prices and contributed to higher transportation and living costs.

Makinde, however, said the focus should instead be on addressing the pricing structure that determines the cost of petrol.

Governor Calls for Transparency in Petroleum Sector

The APM presidential candidate said Nigerians should be able to understand how the final price of petrol is determined.

He argued that citizens should know what they are paying for, who receives payments across the value chain and where inefficiencies are increasing the eventual pump price.

Makinde said his proposed Reset Nigeria agenda would seek to make government decisions and the use of public resources more transparent and accountable.

Makinde Defends 2027 Presidential Bid

Addressing concerns about the strength of his presidential campaign, Makinde said he had previously faced doubts when he contested the Oyo State governorship.

He argued that political observers who underestimate his campaign are also underestimating millions of Nigerians who want changes in the way the country is governed.

The governor called on Nigerians to participate in his proposed “Reset Nigeria” conversation by contributing ideas and challenging policy proposals ahead of the 2027 election.

What Makinde’s Proposal Could Mean

Makinde’s proposal represents a different approach to reducing petrol prices from a conventional fuel subsidy.

Rather than having government compensate suppliers or consumers for part of the cost after the pricing process, his proposal focuses on the upstream cost of crude supplied to domestic refineries.

If implemented, such a framework would require clear rules on domestic crude pricing, refinery costs, transportation, taxes, margins and other components that determine the final pump price.

For now, the proposal remains a campaign policy position, not an existing federal government policy.