Aeesha's Blog

Author: Aeesha Zannah

  • Fence Collapse Kills Five Children In Borno

    No fewer than five children have lost their lives following the collapse of a perimeter fence in a residential area of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    The tragic incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon, was said to have happened after a section of an ageing concrete fence gave way and fell on the children while they were playing nearby.

    An eyewitness, who spoke to the Sources, said the fence collapsed suddenly, trapping the children under heavy concrete blocks and rubble.

    “The children were playing close to the fence when it collapsed. Neighbours rushed to the scene and tried to rescue them, but it was already too late for some of them,” the eyewitness said.

    Emergency responders and residents reportedly worked together to remove the debris, while the injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

    A resident of the area, Malam Abubakar Musa, described the incident as heartbreaking, noting that the fence had shown visible signs of weakness before the collapse.

    “The fence was old and cracked. People had complained about it, especially now that the dry season heat weakens structures,” he said.

    Confirming the incident, the Borno State Police Command said five children were confirmed dead, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Nahum Daso, told NAN that an investigation had commenced to determine the exact cause of the collapse and possible negligence.

    “The command has received a report of the incident. Our officers visited the scene, and five children were confirmed dead. Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the fence collapse,” he said.

    He added that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at a morgue, while efforts were ongoing to support the affected families.

    Meanwhile, residents have called on authorities and property owners to regularly inspect old and weak structures to prevent similar occurrences.

    Some community leaders also urged the state government to enforce building safety regulations, particularly in densely populated areas, to avert avoidable loss of lives.

    The Borno State Government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as at the time of filing this report.

  • Bangladesh Says At Least 287 Killed During Hasina-Era Abductions

    A government-appointed commission in Bangladesh has revealed that at least 287 people are presumed to have been killed in enforced abductions during the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to its final report submitted to the interim government on Sunday.

    The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, established after a nationwide uprising toppled Hasina’s administration in August 2024, investigated 1,569 cases of abductions.

    After verification, the panel concluded that 287 victims are likely dead, while many others were unlawfully detained or remain missing.

    The commission said evidence indicates some corpses were dumped in rivers, including the Buriganga in the capital Dhaka, or buried in unmarked mass graves.

    Commission member Nur Khan Liton told AFP that officials identified several locations where bodies were presumably buried, and recommended that authorities engage forensic experts to identify remains and preserve DNA samples for families.

    According to the final report, security forces operated under the command of Hasina and senior government officials during the 15-year period of her rule.

    A significant number of the abducted were linked to political opposition, including members of the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

    In December 2025, police began exhuming a mass grave in Dhaka connected to the uprising against Hasina, uncovering at least eight bodies with bullet wounds, the Criminal Investigation Department chief said.

    The United Nations has estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed in crackdowns during Hasina’s attempts to retain power amid mass protests in 2024.

    In November 2025, Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity related to the violent suppression of dissent.

    Reactions and Aftermath
    The inquiry’s findings have intensified calls for accountability and justice in a nation still grappling with the legacy of political violence.

    Families of victims have welcomed the report as a step toward truth, but also urged swift trials of security personnel and political figures implicated in abuses.

    The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, has pledged to pursue investigation and reforms to prevent future abuses.

    Some human rights analysts note that the total number of disappearances could be far higher than documented, due to underreporting and fear among victims’ families.

  • INEC Resumes Second Phase Of Nationwide Voter Registration

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resumed the second phase of its nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, as part of efforts to expand the country’s voter database ahead of future elections.

    The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Sam Olumekun.

    According to him, the second phase of the exercise, which commenced nationwide on Monday, is designed to capture eligible Nigerians who were unable to register during the earlier phase, as well as those who have attained voting age or require transfer, correction or replacement of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    Olumekun explained that the registration exercise would take place at INEC local government area offices across the 774 LGAs in the country, as well as designated registration centres approved by the commission.

    He said the exercise would run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily, excluding weekends and public holidays.

    “The resumption of the second phase of the CVR underscores the commission’s commitment to inclusivity and the consolidation of Nigeria’s democratic process.

    “All eligible Nigerians who have attained the age of 18, as well as those seeking to update their voter information, are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity,” Olumekun said.

    The INEC spokesperson noted that the commission had deployed additional registration machines and trained personnel nationwide to ensure a smooth and hitch-free exercise.

    He also assured that adequate security arrangements had been put in place in collaboration with security agencies to safeguard INEC officials, equipment and prospective registrants.

    Olumekun urged citizens to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid multiple registrations, warning that such acts were offences punishable under the Electoral Act.

    He further advised applicants to verify the details captured during registration to avoid errors that could affect the issuance of PVCs.

    Meanwhile, some prospective registrants who spoke with the
    According to the reports at various registration centres in Abuja expressed satisfaction with the process, describing it as orderly and faster compared to previous exercises.

    One of them, Mr Sadiq Mohammed, said the process was seamless and commended INEC for improving logistics and manpower deployment.

    “I arrived early and the registration was completed within a short time. The officials were professional and helpful,” he said.

    Another registrant, Miss Blessing Okafor, urged INEC to sustain the exercise and ensure that PVCs were issued promptly to registrants.

    INEC reiterated that the commission would continue to sensitise Nigerians on the importance of voter registration and participation in the electoral process, adding that updates on the exercise would be communicated through its official channels.

  • NDLEA Arrests 22 Indian Sailors, Uncovers Drugs Hidden In Coffee

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 22 Indian sailors and uncovered a large consignment of illicit drugs concealed in coffee packages aboard a foreign vessel berthed at a Nigerian seaport.

    The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said the suspects were arrested during a coordinated intelligence-led operation carried out by NDLEA operatives at the port following credible information on suspected drug trafficking activities involving the vessel.

    According to him, a thorough search of the ship led to the discovery of multiple parcels of suspected hard drugs ingeniously concealed inside sacks and packs of coffee to evade detection by security agencies.

    He said preliminary tests conducted on the recovered substances confirmed that they were illicit drugs, while further laboratory analysis would determine the exact weight and composition.

    “The 22 sailors, all of Indian nationality, were taken into custody after NDLEA officers uncovered the drugs hidden in coffee consignments aboard the vessel.

    “The suspects are currently undergoing investigation to establish their level of involvement, the origin of the drugs and the intended destination,” Babafemi said.

    He added that the arrest was part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to dismantle international drug trafficking networks using Nigerian ports as transit routes.

    The NDLEA spokesman noted that the agency had intensified surveillance at seaports, airports and land borders to prevent criminal syndicates from exploiting Nigeria’s maritime corridors.

    Babafemi reiterated the commitment of the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, to sustaining the offensive against drug trafficking and ensuring that those involved are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

    He warned traffickers and their collaborators that the agency would continue to deploy modern intelligence, technology and inter-agency collaboration to frustrate their operations.

    The NDLEA urged members of the public to provide timely and useful information that could aid the fight against drug abuse and trafficking across the country.

  • Dollar-To-Naira Exchange Rate For Monday

    The Nigerian foreign exchange market opened the first full trading week of 2026 with modest movements in the value of the United States dollar against the Nigerian naira, as traders and financial markets continued to adjust to early-year dynamics in global and domestic currency flows.

    Data compiled from multiple currency tracking sources show that at the official interbank window, where rates are generally quoted by banks and financial institutions, one United States dollar (USD) was trading at approximately ₦1,468 to ₦1,470 on Monday.

    This mid-market rate reflects little change from weekend pricing and indicates relative stability in the official exchange segment.

    Market observers noted that the official naira exchange rate has remained around the N1,440–N1,470 band over recent sessions, as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) ongoing liquidity and transparency reforms continue to shape pricing in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

    Analysts say these reforms are designed to reduce volatility and support smoother price discovery following previous periods of sharp swings.

    Meanwhile, in the parallel foreign exchange market (commonly referred to as the black market), Bureau De Change operators in Lagos reported a significantly weaker naira valuation.

    Traders quoted the dollar at around ₦1,480 for selling and ₦1,476 for buying on Sunday, rates that are markedly higher than official figures and reflect ongoing divergence between formal and informal segments of the FX market.

    The spread between the official and parallel rates underscores persistent market segmentation and liquidity pressures, with informal exchange venues often responding more quickly to supply–demand imbalances than their bank-regulated counterparts.

    Analysts say such disparities may also influence remittance flows and pricing strategies among importers and exporters. Market sources caution that black market rates are volatile and can change during the trading day.

    Economists suggest that the naira’s relative resilience at the official window partly reflects improved foreign exchange supply, including gains in external reserves and increased dollar inflows from trade earnings and financial inflows.

    However, they note that sustaining stability will require continued policy consistency and deeper liquidity across all market segments.

    Investors and forex market participants will be closely watching developments in both the domestic and global economic arena—including movements in the U.S. dollar against major currencies—which may further inform expectations for the naira’s trajectory in the coming weeks.

    Summary of USD–NGN Rates as of January 5, 2026

    • Official/Interbank (mid-market): ~₦1,468–₦1,470 per USD
    Wise

    • Parallel Market (BDC/Aboki): ~₦1,476–₦1,480 per USD

    Market analysts say that while the naira’s performance shows elements of stability on the official window, the persistent gap with the parallel market highlights structural challenges that continue to shape Nigeria’s foreign exchange landscape.

  • NAF Strikes Terrorist Hideouts Across North East, North West

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has carried out coordinated air strikes on terrorist hideouts across parts of the North East and North West, as part of sustained efforts to degrade the operational capacity of insurgents and bandits.

    The strikes, conducted under ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-banditry operations, targeted identified enclaves, logistics bases and assembly points of terrorists operating in affected areas, military authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

    In a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, the air operations followed credible intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) that revealed increased terrorist activities, including movements and planned attacks against civilian communities and security forces.

    According to the statement, several terrorist camps were successfully destroyed, while a number of fighters were neutralised during the precision strikes.

    “The Nigerian Air Force executed a series of well-coordinated air strikes against terrorist hideouts in the North East and North West.

    The operations led to the destruction of key infrastructure and significantly degraded the terrorists’ ability to carry out attacks,” the statement said.

    In the North East, NAF aircraft engaged locations linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements, disrupting their regrouping efforts and supply routes.

    In the North West, air strikes were directed at bandit strongholds suspected to be behind recent attacks on communities, highways and markets, as well as mass abductions in parts of the region.

    Military sources said the strikes forced fleeing terrorists to abandon weapons, motorcycles and other logistics, while ground troops were mobilised to exploit the success of the air operations.

    The NAF reiterated its commitment to conducting operations with strict adherence to rules of engagement, stressing that measures were taken to minimise civilian casualties.

    “The protection of innocent civilians remains paramount in all NAF operations. These missions were carefully planned and executed with precision,” the statement added.

    The latest air strikes form part of a broader strategy by the Armed Forces of Nigeria to deny terrorists safe havens, support ground troops and restore peace to troubled communities.

    The Federal Government has consistently reaffirmed its resolve to strengthen military operations and intelligence coordination to end insurgency and banditry across the country.

  • 30 Killed, Many Abducted In Bandit Attack On Niger Market

    No fewer than 30 persons have been confirmed dead, while many others were abducted, following a brutal attack by suspected bandits on a popular rural market in Niger State.

    The incident occurred on Monday at a weekly market located in a remote part of the state, leaving traders, farmers and residents traumatised.

    Eyewitnesses told the Sources that the attackers, who arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, invaded the market in the early hours, firing gunshots indiscriminately and causing panic.

    According to residents, the bandits looted food items, cash and other valuables, before abducting several traders and villagers whose exact number could not be immediately ascertained.

    A community leader, who requested anonymity, said that the victims included traders, women and youths who had come from neighbouring communities to transact business.

    “We have so far recovered 30 bodies. Many people are still missing, and we fear they have been taken into the bush by the attackers,” he said.

    He added that several market stalls were destroyed during the attack, while survivors fled into nearby bushes to escape being killed or abducted.

    Security sources confirmed the attack and said that joint teams of security operatives had been deployed to the area to restore order and track the perpetrators.

    A senior security officer told Sources that operations were ongoing to rescue the abducted persons and prevent further attacks in the area.

    “Our operatives are on ground, working with local vigilante groups to pursue the bandits and secure the communities,” the source said.

    Reacting to the incident, the Niger State Government condemned the attack, describing it as senseless and barbaric.

    In a statement issued in Minna, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs expressed sympathy with the families of the victims and assured residents that the government would intensify efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.

    “The government will not relent in its resolve to flush out criminal elements threatening the peace and safety of our people,” the statement said.

    The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents linked to banditry in Niger State, where markets, highways and rural communities have increasingly become targets.

    Residents have called on both the Federal and State Governments to strengthen security presence and intelligence gathering to curb the activities of armed groups in the area.

  • New Tax Act Expected To Curb Oil Revenue Leakages

    An oil and gas expert, Ken Ife, has said Nigeria’s newly effective Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) 2025—part of a broader tax overhaul that took effect on January 1, 2026—is expected to help plug significant revenue leakages in the oil and gas sector.

    Ife explained that the reform consolidates fragmented petroleum tax laws (including the old Petroleum Profits Tax Act) into a streamlined framework designed to improve transparency, efficiency, and compliance.

    One major change is the introduction of a minimum effective tax rate of 15 % for large oil companies, which helps prevent profit-shifting and ensures multinationals pay their fair share even after incentives.

    The new Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) now has exclusive responsibility for collecting petroleum taxes and royalties, reducing battles between multiple agencies and simplifying revenue collection.

    How reform helps with leakages (analyst perspectives)
    According to broader commentary from fiscal policy specialists:

    • The Act tightens compliance and reporting standards for oil companies, with stricter requirements on data disclosure and monitoring than previous laws.

    • Penalties for non-compliance have been strengthened, making it more costly for firms to under-report production or evade taxes.

    • Experts note that weak enforcement and outdated systems previously encouraged leakages through under-reporting and contract opacity—issues the new law aims to reverse.

    Context and government position 

    •President Bola Tinubu has insisted the new tax laws go ahead despite calls for delay and controversy over legislative handling. The reforms are part of a once-in-a-generation fiscal reset intended to broaden Nigeria’s revenue base and reduce dependence on volatile oil prices.

    •Stakeholders, including the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, have endorsed the reforms and stressed that they are about enhancing efficiency and transparency—not just raising taxes.

    Key takeaway

    Experts believe that by unifying tax administration, tightening compliance requirements, and strengthening enforcement and penalties, the New Tax Act will significantly reduce the instances of under-reported output, tax evasion, and other leakages in the oil and gas sector—provided the implementation is robust and sustained.

  • Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate — Sunday, Jan 4th 2026

    The Nigerian naira maintained relative stability against the United States dollar across key market segments on Sunday, reflecting continued cautious trading activity in both official and parallel foreign exchange markets.

    According to data gathered from market sources this morning, the official (Central Bank of Nigeria) exchange rate for the United States dollar (USD) stood at approximately ₦1,430–₦1,436 per $1, as quoted on the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

    This official figure represents the benchmark rate used by banks and formal forex dealers for daily transactions.

    On the parallel (black) market, where Bureau de Change (BDC) operators and informal traders conduct most retail forex transactions, the USD was trading around ₦1,475 to ₦1,490 per $1.

    Dealers were reported to be buying dollars at about ₦1,475 and selling at roughly ₦1,490, indicating a slight uptick in the street rate compared with recent sessions.

    Market watchers say the spread between official and black market rates continues to reflect underlying forex scarcity and demand pressures, even as policy efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria aim to narrow the gap and improve liquidity.

    Analysts noted that while the mid-market or interbank reference rate has hovered near ₦1,435–₦1,446 per dollar in early January, actual transactional rates at banks may differ slightly based on supply conditions and institutional pricing strategies.

    Investors, traders and ordinary Nigerians are advised to exercise caution when transacting forex, especially on the parallel market where rates can vary by location and operator.

    Licensed BDCs and authorized channels remain recommended for currency exchange to mitigate risks associated with informal trading.

  • Nigeria, Others Owe $8.9tn Historic Debt — World Bank

    The World Bank has disclosed that Nigeria and other developing countries are collectively burdened with an estimated $8.9 trillion historic debt, raising fresh concerns over debt sustainability and fiscal stability across low- and middle-income economies.

    The World Bank made this known in a recent report assessing global public debt trends, noting that the rising debt profile of developing countries had reached unprecedented levels due to a combination of economic shocks, weak revenue growth, high borrowing costs and currency depreciation.

    According to the report, the debt stock represents the highest level ever recorded for developing economies, with many countries spending more on debt servicing than on critical sectors such as health, education and social protection.

    The Bretton Woods institution noted that Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, alongside several other emerging and developing nations, had been significantly affected by global economic disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions and tightening global financial conditions.

    It explained that higher interest rates in advanced economies had increased the cost of external borrowing, while reduced access to concessional financing had forced many countries to rely on expensive commercial loans.

    “Developing economies are facing a historic debt challenge, with total public debt reaching about $8.9 trillion. This situation limits fiscal space and constrains governments’ ability to invest in growth-enhancing and poverty-reducing programmes,” the World Bank said.

    The report warned that without urgent reforms, many countries could face heightened risks of debt distress, macroeconomic instability and slower economic growth.

    In the case of Nigeria, the World Bank noted that while the country had undertaken several fiscal and structural reforms aimed at boosting revenue and improving public finance management, debt servicing costs remained high relative to government revenues.

    It urged Nigeria and other affected countries to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, improve expenditure efficiency and prioritise concessional borrowing to reduce vulnerability to external shocks.

    The World Bank also called on creditors, development partners and multilateral institutions to support debt relief initiatives, promote transparency in lending, and expand access to affordable financing for vulnerable economies.

    It stressed that coordinated global action was necessary to prevent a debt crisis that could reverse development gains and worsen poverty levels in many parts of the world.

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