₦airaland Forum

No fewer than 20 gun-wielding bandits attacked Chikakore community in Kubwa in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Sunday evening, kidnapping five residents including an entire family.

SaharaReporters learnt on Monday from police sources that the attackers invaded the Health Centre extension axis of Chikakore, around 11pm, forcing themselves into the houses of their victims, including a Southwesterner, Adesiyan Akinropo.

"They kidnapped the man (Akinropo), his wife and his son, their visitor. The bandits then took away another neighbour to make five persons.

"The bandits also injured a woman on the head, with the butt of the gun. She bled profusely and had to be rushed to the hospital. The police operatives from the Byzahin division later came to the area but the assailants had escaped," the source disclosed to SaharaReporters.

SaharaReporters learnt that the police operatives and the community leaders had scheduled a meeting for Monday to discuss the incident.

One of the residents told SaharaReporters that the police operatives came an hour and a half after the incident had occurred.

"The bandits have resumed attacks in Chikakore. We need a police division here in this community. We have land and a five-bedroom apartment already built to accommodate the police but there is no deployment yet.

"In the Sunday incident, the policemen came one and a half hours after the bandits had escaped with their victims," she lamented.

Efforts to reach the FCT police command for comment failed as its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, did not answer calls from our reporter.

The Chikakore community, located just five kilometers from Kuchibuyi, experienced an incident in early January when bandits who had fled from Kankara Local Government Area in Katsina State detonated explosives in the area.

The tragic explosion at an Islamic school in Kuchibuyi in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja claimed at least two lives, according to the police.

The Federal Government has approved N4bn for conditional cash transfers to vulnerable households in Nigeria.

During the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan at the United Nations House in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwada, announced the interventions aimed at addressing the country’s deepening humanitarian crisis.

This initiative is expected to support at least 10 million displaced households, primarily targeting the most vulnerable members of society.

The cash transfer programme is set to commence in February and continue through April, focusing on alleviating the immediate needs of families affected by displacement, particularly in the Northeast.

Additionally, the government has approved N2bn in interest-free loans for farmers, specifically those in rural communities, to boost food production and self-sufficiency.

Professor Yilwada stated: “We are prioritising women, especially widows, pregnant women, and those with disabilities. The experiences of displaced women, particularly those facing pregnancy or disability, are especially challenging. We understand these vulnerabilities and will continue to support those who are most in need.

“The President has approved the Ministry’s plan to begin paying conditional cash transfers to 10 million displaced households between February and April. This initiative aims to support those most in need, particularly vulnerable families affected by displacement.”

He added: “Additionally, the government has allocated N2bn to provide interest-free loans to farmers in rural communities. These loans will range from N300,000 to N400,000 per household, helping farmers access necessary resources and linking them to market opportunities.

“Furthermore, a N4bn provision has been approved to support vulnerable groups through cash transfers, targeting families affected by natural disasters and other crises. These interventions are part of the government’s broader strategy to alleviate poverty and provide relief to those in urgent need.”

The Minister further emphasised the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of internally displaced persons, returnees, and affected communities across Nigeria.

The HNRP, Yilwada noted, was developed through extensive consultations and is designed to address the humanitarian challenges in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and other conflict-affected regions.

“We are combining the efforts of humanitarian, developmental, and peacebuilding platforms to ensure long-term resilience and sustainable solutions for these communities,” he added.

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 menfolks.

“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.

“Through its Cosmetics Safety Management Programme, the ministry has carried out sensitisation, training, and advocacy campaigns in the country including at the grassroots level. The approach is being designed to influence behavioural changes by addressing the root causes of skin-lightening product usage and promoting a healthier and more inclusive attitude.

“We have developed the Cosmetic Products (Prohibition of Bleaching Agents) Regulations 2019, which prohibit the use of harmful skin-bleaching agents like mercury and restrict the allowable concentration of hydroquinone to two per cent. The government through the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control ensures that all cosmetic products sold in Nigeria are registered, tested, and certified to meet safety standards.

“Unregistered and counterfeit products are actively seized and destroyed. Routine inspections and market surveillance activities are conducted to identify and remove hazardous products from circulation, as well as monitoring of online platforms to search for the presence of mercury-containing products.

“Community outreach programmes and media campaigns to educate the public on the risks of using unsafe cosmetics and the importance of verifying product authenticity before purchase are conducted. The introduction of the MedSafety app is being used to ease the reporting of all forms of adverse reaction including adverse cosmetics events,” he said.

He added that a guideline on the safety assessment of cosmetic products is being developed to strengthen regulatory oversight and ensure that all products meet international safety standards.

Residents Rush To Scoop Groundnut Oil As Another Tanker Overturns In Niger, Three Days After 98 Killed In Explosion

Videos obtained by SaharaReporters show dozens of residents in Bida town, Niger State, collecting groundnut oil after a tanker overturned near Shafa filling station in the Esso area.

According to multiple community sources who spoke to SaharaReporters, the incident occurred on Tuesday morning, just three days after the deadly tanker explosion on Dikko-Maje Road, near Badeggi filling station in Suleja Local Government Area, which resulted in the loss of 98 lives.

Reports indicate that those gathered to collect the spilling fuel were caught in an explosion, which also impacted those trying to assist the victims.

The fire spread across a large area, leaving behind charred remains and widespread destruction.

The explosion is said to have occurred around 9:00 am while efforts were underway to transfer PMS from the overturned tanker to another vehicle.

Despite the recent tragic incident in Suleja Local Government Area, new videos from Tuesday morning show residents in Bida approaching the fallen truck with jerry cans and buckets to collect the spilled groundnut oil near a filling station in the town.

“The oil is not fuel as people earlier claimed. It is groundnut oil. Maybe people first mistook it for fuel because the place is close to a filling station. But the tanker indeed fell,” a community source said.

“The tanker in Bida was not carrying petrol but groundnut oil,” the source added.

SaharaReporters was unable to reach the Niger Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, for a comment on the incident.

Despite several attempts to contact him on Tuesday morning, his phone remained unreachable.

SaharaReporters has previously reported numerous incidents where hundreds of Nigerians have lost their lives while attempting to collect fuel from overturned tankers.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the request of telecommunications companies to raise tariff.

According to Reuben Mouka, spokeman of the commission, the approval was granted In pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.

He said said telcos made the request as a result of prevailing market conditions.

“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.

“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.

“Tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators. The approved adjustment is aimed at addressing the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring that the delivery of services to consumers is not compromised.

“These adjustments will support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage.

“Recognising the concerns of the public, this decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.”

Mouka added that Tlthe NCC prioritised striking a balance between protecting telecom consumers and ensuring the sustainability of the industry, including the thousands of indigenous vendors and suppliers who form a critical part of the telecommunications ecosystem.

“The NCC recognises the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses and remains deeply empathetic to the impact of tariff adjustments. To this end, the Commission has mandated that operators implement these adjustments transparently and in a manner that is fair to consumers. Operators are also required to educate and inform the public about the new rates while demonstrating measurable improvements in service delivery.

“Additionally, the NCC reaffirms its dedication to fostering a resilient, innovative, and inclusive telecommunications sector. Beyond protecting consumers, the Commission’s actions are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry, support indigenous vendors and suppliers, and promote the overall growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“As a regulator, the NCC will continue to engage with stakeholders to create a telecommunications environment that works for everyone—one that protects consumers, supports operators, and sustains the ecosystem that drives connectivity across the nation.”

Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Minister of Petroleum Resources, has distanced herself from the $52. 8m recently repatriated to Nigeria from the United States of America (USA).


Contrary to reports, the ex-minister, who has been in the United Kingdom (UK) since she left Nigeria, said the money does not belong to her.

In a statement titled “There is no such thing as Diezani Loot, Alison-Madueke claimed the money that was reportedly linked to her belongs to a Nigeria’s oil magnate, Kola Aluko.

In the statement released through her counsel, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the ex-minister insisted there was nothing like “Diezani Loot.”

Explaining how the looted money came by, Alison-Madueke said the $52. 8m dollars came from a vessel seized by the American government from Aluko.

According to her, the vessel was later sold and its proceeds was returned to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Describing reports that linked her to the repatriated money as false, the ex-minister the purveyors of the information were hellbent on tarnishing her image, adding that she has nothing to do with the purchase, use and sale of the seize vessel.

The statement reads in part: “We note with concern the recent deliberate attempt to link her with what has been described as a civil forfeiture of a yacht Galactica, the sale of which was said to have yielded $52.8m to the US government; which sum has since been repatriated to Nigeria.


‘This is a clear example of the mischievous and cruel sport of tarnishing the image of the lady through a bouquet of consistent, persistent and unrelenting cocktail of falsehoods and misinformation.


“The purveyors of this line of misinformation term it “name-and-shame”. To sell the storyline, the architects ensured they attached Diezani’s name to a recovered yacht which is not in any way linked to her.


“They now falsely termed it “Diezani loot”. Nothing of the sort ever happened. She was never involved in the purchase, use and sale of the said yacht.


“The yacht Galactica, from information readily available in the public domain and in open sources, was purchased by Mr Kola Aluko who had used the vessel until he agreed to its forfeiture to the United States of America.”

She, therefore, advised those peddling unfounded, defamatory information and indefensible narratives about her to find better use of their time and leave her alone.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has raised the alarm after recent drug seizures in Lagos and Kano exposed the troubling abuse of hazardous substances by youths, disguised under disturbing street names.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, shared a video of the confiscated contraband on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

Among the substances are New Psychoactive Substances and others with alarming names such as “Suck & Die,” “Rubber Solution,” “Dead Man,” and “Gelato.”

Babafemi urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and curbing these trends within their spheres of influence.


He said, “Narco-trend update: Parents, shine your eyes 👀! Latest seizures by @ndlea_nigeria officers in Lagos and Kano reveal scary names of some substances, including NPS, we should all watch out for in our homes and communities: Suck & die, Rubber solution, Dead man, Gelato.”

I don’t want Britain to be like ‘poor’ Nigeria where ‘terrible government destroys lives’: Kemi Badenoch

UK Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch says she does not want Britain to be like Nigeria, a poor country where terrible government destroy lives.

In her first speech of the year on Thursday, Ms Badenoch explained her push for “real conservatism” that guarantees a “better, richer and safer” tomorrow for the younger generation of Brits.

“Why this matters so much to me is because I know what it is like to have something and lose it. I don’t want Britain to lose what it has,” said Ms Badenoch.

“I grew up in a poor country, and I watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer and poorer despite working harder as their money disappeared with inflation,” Ms Badenoch said.

The Tory leader narrated how she migrated to the UK at age 16 with her father’s last £100 and would never want the UK to become a country like Nigeria where terrible governments destroy lives.

“I came back to the UK at 16 with my father’s last £100 and a hope of a better life. So, I’ve lived with the consequences of a terrible government that destroys lives, and I never ever want that to happen here,” Ms Badenoch said.

This comes as another episode of Ms Badenoch criticising her home country Nigeria, exposing how prolonged misgovernment is ruining the country.

Before now, she had berated Nigerian police as “armed robbers” who intimidate the citizens they are employed to protect with their guns.

Angered by Ms Badenoch’s intermittent criticisms of Nigeria at every opportunity, Vice President Kashim Shettima responded, telling her to change her name if she does not want any association with the “greatest black nation on earth, Nigeria.”

“I don’t want to help this government. They’re my friends, if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend… They don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I’m not going to help!”

Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi reveals why… pic.twitter.com/cWPxLA0jWg

— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) January 15, 2025