₦airaland Forum

helinues:
Things are cheap in Nigeria, not just the oil. I read online yesterday that barbing in Ghana now is around 20GHC. Convert that amount to naira

Police: Officers filmed aiding politician with cash distribution in Kano under probe

The Kano police command says disciplinary measures are being taken against officers caught on video aiding a politician in sharing cash.

A viral video showed a red-capped politician in a flowing robe distributing cash to some youths, while five police officers helped organise them into a queue.

In a statement on Tuesday, Abdullahi Haruna-Kiyawa, the command’s spokesperson, said the incident took place on July 10 at the Coronation Hall of the Kano government house.

The police spokesperson said the incident “had nothing to do” with the rerun and by-elections held in the state on August 16.

Haruna-Kiyawa said the officers, who were deployed to provide security at the ceremony, were seen behaving in an “unprofessional” manner.

“The Kano state police command wishes to address the viral video circulating on social media showing five uniformed police officers assisting a politician in organising members of the public to receive cash,” the statement reads.

“Following a thorough investigation, the command confirms the incident occurred after a ceremony at the Coronation Hall of the Kano State Government House on Thursday, 10 July 2025, and is unrelated to the rerun and by-elections held on 16 August 2025.

“The investigation revealed the officers were deployed for security at the event, during which they were regrettably seen engaging in unprofessional conduct.

“The command assures the public that appropriate disciplinary actions are being taken against the erring officers to maintain the integrity and professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force.

“We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and ethics while ensuring the trust and confidence of the public.”

Kano Islamic Police Hisbah Arrests 27 Men, 35 Women For ‘Taking Advantage Of Rain To Enjoy Themselves, Engaging In Immoral Acts’

The Kano State Hisbah Board has apprehended 62 individuals accused of engaging in immoral activities after a raid at the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) annex in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area.

This was confirmed by Deputy Commandant of the Board, Mujahid Aminudeen, in a telephone interview with Daily Trust on Monday.

According to him, the suspects were comprised of 27 men and 35 women, and they were taken into custody on Sunday during a joint operation carried out in collaboration with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

“On Sunday, our personnel, in a joint operation with NDLEA personnel, apprehended 62 persons at a training centre called NITT in Dawakin Kudu following an intelligence report from some good Samaritans,” Mujahid was quoted by Daily Trust.

He continued: “The 62 suspects took advantage of the persistent rain being experienced in the area to enjoy themselves.

“The board will not fold its arms and allow people to continue to violate the Shari’a and therefore call on the public to continue to report those who engage in any act that goes against the Shari’a in the state,” he said.

According to him, the board has also carried out a similar operation at Tamburawa Bridge, where its personnel apprehended some people over similar offences.

The deputy commander said all the suspects would be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

Two weeks ago, the board also arrested 26 women at a hotel in the Kano metropolis over alleged immoral activities.

The arrest followed complaints from members of the public concerning suspected illegal acts at the location.

Confirming the arrest, the Deputy Commander General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Dr Mujahid Aminuddeen, told The PUNCH that the operation was carried out with the support of military authorities.

“We want to use this opportunity to appreciate the military authorities and their commanders for the cooperation they gave us to conduct the operation successfully,” he said.

He added that many of the suspects were found drunk during the raid, and several cartons of assorted wine were recovered from the premises.

“We want to seize this opportunity to appeal to members of the public to continue to report to our office for such immoral activities, be it in hotels or residential houses, for prompt action,” he added.

Aminuddeen said the operation would be sustained as part of efforts to rid the state of immoral conduct.

The police command in Borno says operatives have uncovered unexploded ordnance on farmland in the Dikwa LGA of the state.

In a statement on Monday, Nahum Daso, the police spokesperson in Borno, said operatives recovered the bomb after one Babagana Kachalla discovered the suspicious object on his farmland.

Daso said Naziru Abdulmajid, the police commissioner in Borno, deployed the explosive ordnance disposal team to the location.

“The recovery followed a report from one Babagana Kachalla, who sighted a suspicious object on his farmland,” the statement reads.

“Upon receipt of the information, the commissioner of police, Borno State Command, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, promptly deployed the commander of the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) Base 13, Maiduguri, alongside his team, to the location.

“In line with standard EOD-CBRN protocols, the area was professionally cordoned off.

“The UXO, identified as a cluster bomb unit (CBU) measuring approximately 2.2 meters in length and 30 centimeters in width, was found partially buried.

“The EOD-CBRN operatives conducted IN-SITU demolition before the extraction of the cluster munitions plates.

“The operation was carried out successfully without incident.

“Members of the community were sensitized on explosive ordnance risk awareness (EORA) to enhance their knowledge on safety precautions when such dangerous objects are discovered.”

Softmirror:
The United States for decades listed the late Nelson Mandela a terrorist and his party the ANC a terrorist organization. This same 'terrorist' became and idol of worship by them eventually.

Donald Trump has been bullying Canada around like a little kid lately lol . 😁

Israel wants to send Gazans to South Sudan

South Sudan ‘approves’ Israeli plan to send Gazans to country

Scheme to clear Palestinians from the Strip prompts allegations of ethnic cleansing

South Sudan’s cabinet has agreed to receive Palestinians from the Gaza Strip following a request from Israel, The Telegraph has learnt.

A foreign ministry official in Juba said the government had approved the request as part of a deal which also involved the US and United Arab Emirates.

The move comes as Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, is attempting to revive the controversial idea of “voluntary” resettlement of civilians from the enclave.

On Wednesday, South Sudan described claims of a deal as “baseless” and not reflective of official government policy.

However, it has been claimed that the government has in fact agreed to work with Israel, raising the potential of a serious row from countries who oppose any suggestion of resettlement of Gazans.

The UAE would provide accompanying funding, which would be an economic lifeline for one of the poorest countries on Earth, the foreign ministry official said.

Meanwhile, America would lift sanctions on South Sudan, and Israel would invest in health and education.

“The South Sudanese land is enough to host more people from different nations, and also it’s good for the South Sudanese to open wide the window for external business to grow the economy,” the official said.

He added that the deal had been agreed by the cabinet but faced stiff opposition elsewhere, meaning the government was unwilling to acknowledge it.

“This kind of deal is not easy for South Sudanese to understand right now and also we have a very complex political situation in South Sudan,” he said.

On Tuesday evening, South Sudanese politicians voiced their unease over the plan.

One MP told The Telegraph that the matter had been discussed in Parliament but rejected by a majority of parliamentarians.

He said: “I myself reject it because South Sudan is a very young country. We are not able to feed ourselves, how can we get more people to live with us?

“In the next meeting we are going to reject it again from the Parliament. This idea is unacceptable to us.”
People fleeing the Sudanese war disembark a truck which has brought them to Renk from the Joda border crossing in South Sudan

The debate came as Sharren Haskel, Israel’s deputy foreign minister, arrived in Juba to sign a “memorandum of understanding on bilateral consultations”.

It followed a visit by the South Sudanese deputy foreign minister to Israel last week, and a report by Associated Press, citing six sources, claiming that talks on the resettlement of Gazans to the African state were progressing.

Israel has repeatedly come under fire for raising the possibility of relocating Gazans from their homeland, prompting allegations of ethnic cleansing.

Moving them from one land already ravaged by war and famine to another would only amplify that concern.

"Voluntary’ relocation

News of the possible South Sudan deal broke after Mr Netanyahu appeared on Israeli television to revive discussion about relocating civilians from the Strip.

The idea was first proposed by Donald Trump, the US president, in February. He said the population should be removed and Gaza completely redeveloped to become part of what he envisaged as a “riviera” in the Middle East.

The Israeli government has floated the idea of relocation, but always said that it should be voluntary.

“Give them the opportunity to leave, first of all, combat zones, and generally to leave the territory, if they want,” said Mr Netanyahu on Tuesday, in comments that did not mention South Sudan.

“We will allow this, first of all within Gaza during the fighting, and we will certainly allow them to leave Gaza as well.”

He likened the situation to Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan, all of which had seen large exoduses as a result of war.

Numerous foreign capitals and international bodies have previously warned against the plan, with some questioning if resettlement from Gaza could be considered genuinely voluntary, given the catastrophic damage to infrastructure and the dire humanitarian situation.

They have also voiced fears that voluntarily displaced Palestinians would not be allowed to return, citing comments made by Mr Netanyahu’s ultra-nationalist coalition partners calling for the re-establishment of Jewish settlements in Gaza.

A feature of the recent Operation Gideon’s Chariots, Israel’s new ground offensive, has been the wide-scale demolition of residential buildings. It is likely the same tactic will be used in the upcoming assault on Gaza City, confirmed last week.

Forcibly displacing a population could be considered a war crime.

Investigating feasibility

The Associated Press reported multiple sources as confirming the current talks between Israel and South Sudan.

Joe Szlavik, founder of a US lobbying company working for South Sudan, also said that he had been briefed by officials on the talks.

He said an Israeli delegation planned to visit the country to investigate the feasibility of setting up camps.

Ms Haskel’s trip is the first official visit to South Sudan by an Israeli government representative.

In a statement, she said: “While the international community is focused solely on Gaza, South Sudan is facing a real humanitarian crisis and the threat of genuine famine.”

Obvious destinations

As neighbours with formal relations with Israel, Egypt and Jordan would be the most obvious destinations for any departing Palestinians.

However, both have staunchly opposed any such scheme, despite significant pressure from Mr Trump.

Israel is said to have held talks with Indonesia, Libya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Somaliland about the possibility of accepting Gazans, but it was reported that these had not borne fruit.

South Sudan is in desperate need of foreign cash to help itself rebuild after years of instability and war with Sudan, its Arab-dominated neighbour.

It has been reported that they accepted help from Israel’s Mossad spy agency during their civil war with Khartoum.

Emigration inevitable

South Sudan also wants Mr Trump to lift the US travel ban on the country.

But Egypt has reportedly lobbied South Sudan not to co-operate with Israel on the scheme.

In recent months, Mr Trump has sounded sanguine about the chances of his riviera scheme coming off, with all current indications being that his administration now favours an Arab-led temporary administration for Gaza, once the war has ended.

Shany Mor, a former director for foreign policy on Israel’s national security council and now a lecturer at Reichman University, said that a certain amount of emigration was inevitable.

“When this war ends, Gaza will be in such a terrible state that it is impossible to see how it even begins to recover without some large, even temporary migration,” he said.

“It won’t be the agreed policy of the Arab administration, but it will definitely happen to a limited but significant extent.”

The Jewish state’s international reputation has taken a battering in recent weeks over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Britain, France and a number of other prominent allies of Israel have promised to recognise Palestine, in moves branded a reward for terrorism.

Christopher Luxon, the prime minister of New Zealand, said on Wednesday that Mr Netanyahu had “lost the plot”, describing the planned occupation of Gaza City as “utterly unacceptable”.

Meanwhile, the UN has put Israel and Russia “on notice” over conflict-related sexual violence accusations.

Kaliningrad:
I don't trust US deals.

They're like the devil, the give you something in exchange for your life.

We should buy from Russia instead.

2025 UTME: JAMB to screen over 500 underage tertiary admission candidates in Lagos, Abuja, and Owerri


The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to screen more than 500 exceptional candidates below the age of 16 seeking admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The exercise will be conducted from September 22 to 26 across three centres — Lagos, Abuja, and Owerri.

Speaking during a virtual meeting on Wednesday, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed that Lagos will host 397 candidates, Owerri 136, and Abuja 66.

Out of 41,027 underage candidates who sat for the 2025 UTME, only a small number met the initial qualification criteria.

Oloyede explained that the screening was aimed at selecting only well-prepared and truly exceptional candidates.

“People have been doing it in other parts of the world. We are not reinventing the wheel,” he said.

This development follows concerns over the 599 candidates who scored above 300 in the 2025 UTME but fell below the official minimum admission age of 16.

Assessment process 

According to Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, a subcommittee member, the evaluation will involve subject-specific tests followed by a brief oral interview.

He added that WAEC result verification will be carried out for shortlisted candidates.

The board stated that the initiative seeks to balance academic excellence with cognitive maturity, discourage age falsification, and protect children from excessive parental pressure.

Qualification criteria 

Only candidates who meet all the following criteria will be considered:

A minimum UTME score of 320At least 80 per cent in post-UTME80% (24/30 points) in a single WAEC or NECO sittingWhat you should know 

JAMB announced a new set of strict screening procedures for exceptionally high-performing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates who are under 16 years of age to curb academic abuse and prevent emotionally and psychologically unready children from entering universities.

The new screening process follows a federal policy setting the minimum age for tertiary admission at 16, with exceptions granted only to a small group who meet strict academic and psychological requirements.

Underage candidates must score at least 320 in UTME, 80 per cent in post-UTME, and 80 per cent in a single WAEC or NECO sitting without combining results.Mathematics is mandatory for science candidates, while English is required for arts candidates.A dedicated post-UTME screening will still apply even in universities that have suspended the process.A 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, chaired by Oloyede, will oversee screenings in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri, assessing academic records alongside emotional and psychological readiness.

The process will also include affective and psychomotor evaluations, with a subcommittee led by Professor Taoheed Adedoja tasked with designing the assessment framework.

Georgina Rodriguez has taken to Instagram to show off a gigantic engagement ring - weeks after Cristiano Ronaldo revealed the savage reason he is yet to propose.

Ronaldo's partner, 31, shared an image of the rectangular, translucent stone and added the words: 'And keep evil away from us, Amen,' in Arabic.

She also has the words tattooed on her hand but in this instance, she could be referring to the ramped up protection around her and her family in Saudi Arabia.

Despite the ring being flaunted by Rodriguez, the pair are understood not to be engaged. In fact, only last month, Ronaldo, 40, shared the brutal reason behind why they aren't married.

He said on Netflix: 'I always tell her, "when we get that click." Like everything with our life, and she knows what I'm talking about.

'It could be in a year or it could be in six months or it could be in a month. I'm 1000% sure that it'll happen.'

The couple have been in a relationship since 2016 and have daughters Alana, seven, and two-year-old Bella together. She is also the stepmother of his other three children.

And Rodriguez, on her reality show I Am Georgina, told how she has been teased by friends over when she will get married.

She said: 'They're always joking about the wedding. "When is the wedding?"

'Since Jennifer Lopez's song "The Ring Or When" came out, they started singing it to me. And well, this is not up to me.'

Even though they aren't married, Ronaldo has frequently referred to Rodriguez as his 'wife in the past'.

In December, at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, he said: 'It’s a big pleasure to win this trophy. My oldest son is here, my wife [Georgina] is here.'

And in a game of Mr. and Mrs. on his YouTube channel back in late August, he gave her the same title.

With Ronaldo plying his trade in Saudi with Al-Nassr, the couple reside in the capital Riyadh.

Malaysian outlet NST recently reported that the couple had hired a new chief bodyguard and sacked previous members of his security team amid concerns over their safety.

An increase of threats on social media required police intervention and are understood to be the primary reason behind Ronaldo beefing up protection for his family.

Security expert Claudio Miguel Vaz was hired as his new chief bodyguard, according to Marca.

He has previously worked for fellow Portuguese stars Rafael Leao and Gelson Martins in addition to high profile musicians.

Marca also claim that Ronaldo's decision to hire Vaz and dismiss previous security personnel has not been well received by many of Ronaldo's inner circle.

It is alleged there are concerns over the bodyguard's 'intimidating and aggressive' style, which differs hugely to Ronaldo's previous security team.

He recently joined Rodriguez for Paris fashion week and came under fire for his rough treatment of moving photographers.

Vaz shone a bright light as she exited a vehicle to prevent them taking pictures.

Dozens of soldiers have been arrested in Mali accused of plotting to topple the country's military leaders, sources say.

The wave of arrests, which reportedly went on overnight and are expected to continue, reflect increased tensions within the military government, with reports that a jihadist insurgency in the north is gaining ground. The authorities have not commented on the arrests.

Initial reports indicated that Gen Abass Dembele, the former governor of the Mopti region and Gen Nema Sagara, one of the few women at the highest levels of the Malian army, were among those detained.

However, a source close to Gen Dembele told the BBC that neither of them had been arrested.

The source, who confirmed the ongoing arrests, told a BBC reporter in Bamako that he had just left Gen Dembele's house and he was "doing well".

The AFP news agency reported that the detained soldiers were allegedly planning to overthrow the government, citing multiple sources within the military and junta-backed transitional council.

"All are soldiers. Their objective was to overthrow the junta," it quoted an unnamed lawmaker in the National Transition Council as saying.

He said there had been about "50 arrests", while a security source said there were at least 20 arrests, linked to "attempts to destabilise the institutions," AFP reports.

The arrests have reportedly been going on over a number of days.

They come amid political tension heightened by the junta's crackdown on former Prime Ministers Moussa Mara and Choguel Maiga over accusations of harming the reputation of the state and embezzlement.

Mara, a recent outspoken critic of the military government, has been in detention since 1 August, while Maiga is facing judicial sanctions.

In May, the junta dissolved all political parties following rare anti-government protests, which Mara described as a severe blow to reconciliation efforts initiated by the military leaders last year.

The junta leader Gen Asimi Goïta, who seized power through two coups in 2020 and 2021, had promised elections last year, but these have never been held.

In July, the transition period was extended by five years, clearing him to continue leading the country until at least 2030.

Mali has been fighting an Islamist insurgency since 2012 - one of the reasons given for the military takeover but attacks by jihadist groups have continued and even increased.

Alongside its neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, it has enlisted the help of Russian allies to contain the jihadist attacks in the region after breaking ties with France - but there has been no significant improvements in security.

SadiqBabaSani:
Wrong headline, it wasn't EFCC but NDLEA,
GOOD FOR HIM,

Never USE The NAME OF THE LORD yoUR GOD IN VAIN

"Waited Throughout Sunday Service" — NDLEA Arrests Prophet Adefolusho For Masterminding Drug Shipments From Ghana

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, also known as Abbas Ajakaiye, founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, for masterminding multiple shipments of illicit drugs into Nigeria.

According to NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Prophet Adefolusho was apprehended on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at his church in Okun Ajah, Lekki, Lagos. NDLEA officers waited throughout the day, concluding the Sunday service before arresting him as he stepped out of the premises.

The arrest follows months of evasion, during which the suspect fled abroad to Ghana after NDLEA linked him to large seizures of cannabis. Two major shipments were seized earlier in Lagos — 200kg of “Ghana Loud” cannabis at Okun Ajah beach on June 4, 2025, and 700kg recovered from his delivery van on July 6, 2025. The suspect admitted to transporting the drugs via waterways from Ghana to Nigeria.

Further operations by NDLEA between August 6 and 9 resulted in significant drug seizures in multiple states:

In Lagos, 32 pouches (15.63kg) of Canadian Loud cannabis were seized at an Ikoyi apartment, with suspect Benjamin Udo Ukoh arrested.
In Nasarawa, 3,093kg of skunk cannabis were recovered from three suspects in New Karu.

In Kano, three suspects were arrested with 359kg of skunk, 9kg of Colorado cannabis, and a large quantity of tramadol and diazepam pills.
In Gombe, over 550,000 opioid pills (mainly tramadol) were seized in two separate raids, leading to two arrests.

In Edo State, authorities intercepted a bus from Onitsha to Kogi, recovering nearly 24,000 tramadol capsules, 1,100 tablets, and 400 pentazocine ampoules, resulting in one arrest.

The NDLEA continues to intensify efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks across Nigeria, affirming its commitment to safeguarding the nation from illicit substances.

helinues:
No sad news about Nigeria. What else would you expect from the so called opposition who keep on repeating obsolete methods and be expecting different results

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery says there has been no shutdown or suspension of truck loading activities at its facility.

On Friday, media reports announced the resumption of petrol loading at the refinery after maintenance work, with its ex-gantry petrol price increasing to N850 per litre.

Two days ago, reports circulated that Dangote refinery is planning a 15-day maintenance shutdown of its petrol-making residue fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) unit, from on August 10.

In a statement on Friday by Anthony Chiejina, the group chief branding and communications officer, Dangote Group, the refinery’s management said routine maintenance activities at the refinery are standard and do not impact the overall fuel supply.


The refinery also confirmed that its ex-gantry petrol price is “N850 per litre”.

“The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is fully operational. There has been no shutdown, nor has there been any suspension of truck loading activities” the statement reads.

The refinery explained that the occasional sale of residual catalytic oil (RCO) is routine and typically involves large parcel sales, which accounts for the recent fuel oil tender.

According to the statement, Dangote refinery supplies more than 40 million litres of petrol daily, along with consistent volumes of diesel, and the deliveries “continue unabated, despite speculation suggesting otherwise”.

“As the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery, the facility employs advanced predictive and preventive maintenance protocols to ensure uninterrupted operations. Routine maintenance activities are standard and do not impact the overall fuel supply” the statement reads.

In response to speculation regarding potential shortages and price hikes, the refinery “challenged those sponsoring the rumour to place orders for daily deliveries of up to 40 million litres of PMS and 15 million litres of diesel for the next 90 days”.

“To those who believe this misinformation and anticipate a bullish market, we extend a challenge: We invite interested buyers to place immediate orders for up to 40 million litres of PMS daily and 15 million litres of AGO daily, for the next 90 days,” Dangote refinery said.

The refinery said it remains committed to transparency and safeguarding Nigeria’s energy security.

On July 2, MTN Nigeria announced a three-year national roaming agreement to allow 9mobile subscribers to access MTN’s extensive network infrastructure across the country.

The deal was signed with the Emerging Markets Telecommunications (EMT) Services Limited — operators of 9mobile — following the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

In a corporate filing on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), MTN had said the agreement would enable 9mobile customers to roam seamlessly on its network, promoting industry collaboration and improving operational efficiency.

Both telcos believe the roaming arrangement will contribute to a more effective use of telecommunications resources and accelerate efforts to expand connectivity across the country.

Officially confirming the partnership at a press briefing on July 4, Obafemi Banigbe, the chief executive officer (CEO) of 9mobile, said the service was being tested to ensure seamless connectivity for subscribers.

“We expect that all our tests will be completed over the weekend. So, we expect that within the month of July, we will be able to have a rollout across the country based on the outcome of the tests that we have done,” Banigbe said.

WHAT IS ROAMING?

A popular term, roaming is an aspect of infrastructure sharing in the telecoms industry. According to the NCC, the service enables a mobile subscriber to automatically make and receive voice calls, send and receive data, or access other services when travelling outside a particular network geographical area by utilising the network coverage of other networks.

The service is facilitated through agreements between different network operators, allowing users of one network to use the services of another network – a crucial framework for maintaining seamless connectivity for mobile users who are on the move.

WHY WAS IT NECESSARY?

The recent outburst of 9mobile subscribers over the telco’s poor service is the result of the quiet struggles of the company, which has led to the dumping of the network. 9mobile’s customer base has shrunk from 3.63 million in December 2023 to 2.6 million as at May, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The company’s network reliability has steadily declined, marked by outages, poor coverage, and slow internet speed. According to reports, limited investment under new owners, LightHouse Capital, has worsened the situation. The roaming deal with MTN is seen as a critical lifeline for 9mobile — an operator struggling to serve its 1.55 percent market share.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF ROAMING SERVICES IN TELECOMS SECTOR?

The two main types are national and international roaming services.

International roaming occurs when a user travels to a different country and connects to a local network operator in that country, allowing the user to maintain mobile services while abroad. The downside is that it is more expensive as it attracts higher costs.

National roaming, on the other hand, happens when a mobile user connects to a different network operator within the same country. This is adopted in areas where the user’s home network may have limited or no coverage, allowing access to services via another domestic network. The MTN-9mobile deal is a national roaming arrangement.

HOW DOES IT WORK?


According to Javna, a communications technology provider, roaming functions through a coordinated process between the home network (the original service provider of the user) and the visited network (the local network in the area where the user is travelling). The process includes identification and authentication, agreement check, service provision, and data transfer.

Javna said when a mobile user travels to a different area, their device sends a signal which is picked up by the local (or visited) network. The visited network identifies the user’s home network through their SIM card information and requests authentication, which also involves checking if there is a roaming agreement with the user’s home network. If such an agreement exists, it allows the device to access its services: voice, SMS, and data services.

The usage details are recorded by the visited network and sent to the home network, which then calculates the charges based on predetermined roaming fees and includes them in the user’s bill.

WHAT IS THE STATE OF 9MOBILE’S NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE UNDER THE ROAMING DEAL?

At the aforementioned press conference, Banigbe informed journalists that the deal with MTN will only apply to areas where 9mobile currently lacks coverage, stressing that the company still has its own network infrastructure.

But industry stakeholders disagree with his position.

TheCable understands that 9mobile “has no network at the moment”, since the roaming deal is active. A source said the company’s base stations are shut down, indicating that their spectrum is not in use. More so, the roaming agreement reportedly grants MTN access to 9mobile’s 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz frequency bands.

WHO PAYS FOR IT?

Typically, roaming attracts additional costs when a mobile user accesses services outside their home network’s coverage area, especially during international roaming.

The MTN-9mobile deal is a commercial arrangement based on a framework that is “profitable to MTN and affordable to 9mobile”.

Under the agreement, billing for subscribers and other services will remain unchanged, further suggesting that 9mobile – described as MTN’s number one customer – will bear all costs attached to the deal.

“If your number is active, meaning you have recharged within the last 90 days, you don’t need to re-register. If you haven’t recharged, you simply recharge, and you will be able to latch onto the 9mobile network just like before,” Banigbe had said.

IS THIS THE FIRST ROAMING AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOTH TELCOS?

The latest agreement is not the first. In 2020, the NCC granted approval for the telcos to conduct a three-month trial of the national roaming service. The trial approval covered a few local government areas in Ondo state.

Umar Garba Danbatta, the former executive vice-chairman (EVC) of NCC, said the primary objective of the national roaming service trial was to encourage network resource sharing among operators.

Apart from the previous and current MTN-9mobile agreements, TheCable understands that there have been roaming and infrastructure sharing discussions among several operators, but not all have progressed to full commercial implementation.

“Some have taken the form of passive infrastructure sharing, while others have explored active network sharing models,” said Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON).

However, the MTN-9mobile deal remains the most prominent public example of active roaming between two mobile network operators in Nigeria.

Elsewhere, MTN South Africa struck a national roaming deal with Cell C, a telecom firm in the region, in 2018.

WHAT ARE INDUSTRY EXPERTS SAYING ABOUT THE AGREEMENT?

Speaking in the organisation’s half-year financial statement, Karl Toriola, MTN’s CEO, said the agreement aligns with the telco’s 2025 strategy and underscores “our commitment to industry collaboration and sustainability, in support of the NCC’s vision of a fully connected Nigeria and deepening market inclusion”.

Emoekpere described the deal as a positive development for the industry that represents a practical step toward improving service quality, expanding coverage, and optimising existing infrastructure.

He said the development also demonstrates how collaboration — rather than isolated competition — can support universal service goals and address persistent gaps in underserved areas.

Emoekpere said ATCON commends both parties for taking the step, and fully supports infrastructure sharing and collaborative partnerships that enhance service delivery while ensuring fair market dynamics.

Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has launched a real-time transaction monitoring portal aimed at tightening oversight of Value Added Tax (VAT) collections across the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

The new system, dubbed the Transaction Monitoring System, mandates integration from banks, fintechs, and payment service providers, granting the tax agency visibility into VAT-eligible electronic payments. While the portal does not directly collect taxes, it enables FIRS to assess taxpayer thresholds, reconcile invoices, and audit declarations against bank records.

“This system represents a transformative leap in transaction visibility,” said FIRS Executive Chairman Zacch Adedeji. “By monitoring VAT-eligible activities in real time, we are fostering a fair and transparent digital marketplace for all stakeholders.”

The rollout follows recent legislation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration that empowers FIRS to automate tax processes. Although the new laws take effect in January 2026, the agency is leveraging existing provisions to begin implementation with a 30-day notice to taxpayers.

Financial institutions are required to register on the portal and integrate via APIs. Payment service providers must submit VAT data for each transaction, whether collected at checkout or calculated post-payment. Transactions above ₦5 million ($3,265) are prioritised, with encryption and AI-driven validation ensuring data integrity.

The move underscores Nigeria’s push to modernise tax administration and plug revenue leakages in a digital-first economy that has outpaced traditional compliance mechanisms.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has reduced petrol price at its retail outlets to N875 per litre in Lagos and N900 in Abuja.

The development comes just two days after the national oil company increased the product’s price to N915 per litre in Lagos and N955 per litre in Abuja.

On Wednesday, TheCable observed that the NNPC retail outlets reduced petrol price by N40 per litre in both cities.

In Lagos, the price dropped to N875 per litre at the company’s Fadeyi branch on Western Avenue.

At a retail outlet located at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) in Kubwa, Abuja, petrol was sold for N900 per litre.

However, Dangote refinery partners — Mobil and AP — maintained their pump prices at N915 per litre.

On July 31, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the average retail price of a litre of petrol increased by 38.32 percent to N1,037.66 in June 2025 — up from N750.17 in June 2024.

The report said residents of Jigawa, Ondo, and Lagos paid the highest average retail prices for the product in June.

In contrast, Yobe, Kogi, and Imo states recorded the lowest average prices at N950.60, N986.67, and N987.86, respectively, according to the bureau.

robosky02:
These guys should allow Osimhen rest


They've done all to silence his career

He went to Turkey to prove them wrong

They say he should be bought for peanut

Now another club came broke the bank for him

And they are still trying to justify Thier failures

We will meet at champions league

Iran has executed a nuclear scientist it claims was spying for Israel, as Tehran continues to crack down on suspected foreign interference.

Roozbeh Vadi was sentenced to death for passing information about another scientist who was then killed during Israel’s strikes on Tehran in June, said Mizan, the judiciary’s online website.

The execution was carried out by hanging, it added.

Mr Vadi reportedly worked as a nuclear expert at the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, according to Iran Human Rights, a local non-profit, and was held in Evin Prison in Tehran since his arrest in February 2024.

Mizan said Mr Vadi transferred “classified information” after he was recruited online by Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service.

He is then alleged to have met with Mossad agents in Vienna on five

In mid-June, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign on Iran called Operation Rising Lion – with over 900 strikes targeting “the heart” of Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The 12-day Israeli onslaught decimated the upper echelons of the Iranian security forces, killing scores of senior commanders from the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), at least 12 senior nuclear scientists, and hundreds of others.

Mossad infiltrated Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes through years of covert intelligence-gathering, providing key information on target locations and smuggling in drone components and explosives before the initial attack in June.

Tehran has since waged an extensive crackdown as it grapples to regain power and legitimacy after the devastation.

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence claims it is engaged in a “relentless battle” against what it calls Western and Israeli intelligence networks – including the CIA, Mossad, and MI6.

Authorities have carried out a wave of arrests and multiple executions of people suspected of spying for Israel. In the last fortnight, three people have been hanged for bringing “assassination equipment” into Iran on behalf of Israel.

Human rights groups and activists have expressed fears over the latest developments, citing Iran’s longstanding practice of extracting forced confessions and conducting sham trials with no due process.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), a non-profit, said the executions at the hands of Iran’s Revolutionary Court are“only to intimidate society and cover up the corruption and inefficiencies of the system.”

Those accused of espionage are sentenced to death “without access to their chosen lawyer, in an unfair, non-transparent process,” he added.

Iran is the world’s second-most prolific executioner after China, according to human rights groups, including Amnesty International.

A joint security operation involving troops of Operation Fansan Yanma has led to the arrest of a female suspect allegedly in possession of military gear and three loaded magazines in Malumfashi town.

It was gathered that the woman was intercepted at a routine checkpoint around 1am while attempting to leave the town under suspicious circumstances.

A thorough search of her belongings reportedly uncovered a military uniform, camouflage trousers, a tactical jacket, multiple mobile phones, and other security-related items, including the loaded ammunition magazines.

  Authorities say the items were carefully concealed in her travel bag.

A security source on his X handle on Monday evening stated that the woman is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation, as investigations continue to uncover her network and motives.

While authorities have yet to release the suspect’s identity or any confirmed affiliations, sources involved in the operation suggest she may be connected to a broader syndicate responsible for supplying weapons and military gear to terrorist groups in the region.

The ministry of education and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have agreed to introduce compulsory drug testing for students in tertiary institutions across the country.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA director of media and advocacy, announced the development in a communique dated July 30.

The statement said the plan follows a meeting between Tunji Alausa, minister of education, and Buba Marwa, chairman of the NDLEA.

In the meeting, both parties agreed on the need to tackle the rising threat of substance abuse among undergraduates.

The initiative, the NDLEA said, will integrate drug education into the revised secondary school curriculum and the rollout of standalone drug prevention programmes in schools.

Marwa, who led the NDLEA management team to the meeting in Abuja, described drug abuse as a national security threat, linking it to terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes.

“The drug scourge, as we all know, is very high in Nigeria. So, we’re fighting for the souls of our children. We also know that the drug use is exacerbating criminal activities,” Marwa said.

“We want to adopt a drug testing policy in tertiary institutions because we want a policy to keep our campuses clean.

“What we are suggesting now is drug tests for new students, for students returning from vacations, and random tests.

“This will make the children avoid taking drugs, knowing fully well that if they do and they are found out, there will be consequences. And the consequences do not necessarily mean rustication.”

Alausa, in his response, commended the NDLEA’s efforts and expressed concern over the long-term impact of drug abuse on young people.

“When the youths get into drugs, their level of critical thinking is lower. Their ability to make informed decisions in the later part of their life becomes significantly reduced,” the minister said.

“So, they become unemployable. They’re not functional. They’re not useful to themselves. All they do is resort to criminality.”

To fast-track implementation, Alausa proposed the establishment of a technical working group comprising the NDLEA and the education ministry.

He also announced the creation of a new substance use prevention unit within the ministry.

The minister directed that drug education be integrated into the ongoing review of the secondary school curriculum.

‘DRUG TESTS FOR STUDENTS ARE MISPLACED, UNSUSTAINABLE’

The proposal has been met with criticism from education stakeholders, who argue that compulsory drug testing is misplaced, unsustainable, and lacks scientific backing.

Punch reports that Chris Piwuna, national president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), said the policy would not significantly reduce substance use.

Piwuna warned that mandatory drug testing could drive drug use underground, making it harder to detect and address.

“This decision is not supported by scientific evidence. The students are not the enemy. Let’s reach out with science, not suspicion,” he said.

“If you screen and find the person is using drugs, what’s next? Are you sending them to rehab? Are you expelling them?”

Rather than testing, he called for investment in preventive programmes and student support services such as counselling centres and peer clubs.

Similarly, Andrew Haruna, secretary of the committee of vice-chancellors, said the plan is impractical in the face of Nigeria’s underfunded university system.

“Some hostels meant for two students now house 10. That’s a ghetto. Fix the environment first. Let us not politicise or oversimplify a serious public health issue,” Haruna said.

He questioned the feasibility of testing thousands of students without adequate medical staff, especially when health workers in universities are already on strike.

“If you do the test today, and schools go on strike tomorrow, students go back home and do what they want. Will you test them again when they return? What’s the continuity plan?”

Haruna called for inclusive policymaking and deeper investment in infrastructure, welfare, and learning environments.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Monday released the results of the 2025 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Lagos.

This school-based examination, conducted over eight weeks and one day, was mired in controversy as many Nigerians called for the cancellation of the English Language paper, in particular, after numerous candidates were forced to write the exam at night due to delays.

A total of 1,969,313 candidates sat for the examination, but only 754,545 (representing 38.32%) obtained credits and above in at least five mandatory subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. This represents a sharp drop of 33.8% from last year’s pass rate of 72.12%, making it the worst performance in recent history for this WAEC-conducted school exam.

Of the total candidates, 976,787 (49.60%) were male, while 992,526 (50.40%) were female—indicating that more females participated in the exam.

WAEC also announced that candidates sponsored by state governments whose examination fees remain unpaid will not have their results released until the outstanding fees are fully settled by their sponsors.=

Meanwhile, candidates can begin checking their results online within the next 12 hours and download digital copies of their certificates via the council’s website. Physical copies of the certificates will also be sent to the respective schools at a later date.

The Head of the National Office of WAEC Nigeria, Dr Amos Dangut, made this announcement and provided key statistics at a press briefing held at the council’s national office in Yaba, Lagos.

In addition, WAEC disclosed that the results of 192,089 candidates (representing 9.75% of the total) are being withheld due to various cases of exam malpractice. These cases are currently under investigation to determine whether the affected results will be released or cancelled. This malpractice rate is 2.17% lower than last year’s 11.92%, a decline largely attributed to the introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) in some subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Economics.

Dr Dangut also noted that the cost of conducting both school-based and private candidate exams has risen significantly, primarily due to inflation, high fuel prices, and increased cost of materials.

While expressing concern over the decline in candidate performance, Dangut highlighted the growing incidence of exam malpractice, which he attributed to multiple factors. According to him, many students now fail to adequately prepare, relying instead on so-called “expo,” which often does not exist, and on the actions of rogue website operators and social media platform owners who leak question papers online shortly after the commencement of exams. He also decried the use of mobile phones in exam halls, despite a strict ban on such devices.

He assured that WAEC would continue to sanction all cases of malpractice, including those involving schools, administrators, invigilators, and supervisors, to rid the system of sharp practices.

On a positive note, Dr Dangut confirmed that the results of all 12,178 candidates with special needs—including 112 visually impaired, 615 hearing impaired, 37 physically challenged, and 52 others—have been released alongside the general results.

He reiterated that candidates could check their results by visiting www.waecdirect.org and access their digital certificates on www.waec.org using the Smart Identity Cards they used during the exams. He explained that candidates can also share their digital certificates online with institutions and have them verified by any organization using the same platform.

Dr Dangut expressed appreciation to all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, security agencies, and examination officials, for their support during the conduct of the exams.