Aeesha's Blog

Category: Breaking News

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Troops Recover Ammunition, Others From Borno Drainage

    Troops of the Nigerian Army have recovered assorted ammunition and other dangerous items from a drainage channel in Borno State, following credible intelligence and sustained clearance operations in the area.

    A statement issued on Friday in Maiduguri by the Army said the recovery was made during a routine search and cordon-and-sweep operation conducted by troops in collaboration with other security agencies.

    According to the statement, the items were discovered concealed inside a drainage system suspected to have been used by terrorists and other criminal elements to hide weapons and logistics.

    Items recovered include assorted rounds of ammunition, locally fabricated devices, metal fragments, and other materials believed to be used in the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

    The Army said preliminary findings indicated that the recovered items were likely intended for use in planned attacks on security personnel and civilians within Maiduguri metropolis and its environs.

    It noted that the successful operation was part of ongoing efforts under Operation Hadin Kai to deny insurgents freedom of movement, degrade their logistics networks, and ensure the safety of residents.

    “The troops acted on actionable intelligence and conducted a thorough search of the drainage, leading to the recovery of the dangerous items without any casualties,” the statement said.

    The Army added that the recovered ammunition and materials had been safely evacuated and handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and disposal.

    It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations, and cooperation with local communities to flush out remnants of terrorist elements in the North-East.

    The military also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements or objects to security agencies, assuring them of confidentiality and prompt response.

    Borno has remained the epicentre of counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, with security forces intensifying clearance operations to prevent a resurgence of terrorist activities and restore lasting peace to the region.

  • JUST IN: Nigerian Army Arrests Key Coordinator Of Bomb Attacks In Borno, 13 Others

    Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a key coordinator of recent bomb attacks in Borno State along with 13 other suspects, the military announced on Saturday.

    The principal suspect, Shariff Umar, also known as “Yusuf”, was identified as the main coordinator of a suicide bombing network responsible for several attacks and attempted attacks in the North-East, including the deadly blast at Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri on December 24, 2025.

    In a statement issued by Lieutenant-Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East (Operation HADIN KAI), the development followed intelligence-led cordon-and-search operations conducted in the Kalmari area of Maiduguri on December 31, 2025.

    The operation resulted in the arrest of 14 suspects linked to suicide bombing activities, with subsequent investigations establishing the structure, roles and operational linkages of the terror cell.

    According to the Army, a suspected suicide bomber currently in custody, Ibrahim Muhammad, provided detailed information during interrogation, unequivocally identifying Umar as the mastermind behind the attacks.

    Umar is said to have been responsible for recruiting, preparing and dispatching suicide bombers, as well as coordinating logistics and the delivery of improvised explosive device (IED) components to operatives.

    The military further disclosed that Umar directly coordinated the bombing of the Gamboru Market Mosque, in which his accomplice, identified as Adamu, detonated a suicide vest killing himself and injuring worshippers.

    Umar was also linked to a foiled bombing attempt in Damaturu, Yobe State, where he is alleged to have personally handed over IED parts to a would-be attacker.

    In addition to Umar, the investigation reportedly uncovered involvement by members of his immediate household.

    The Army noted that Umar’s wife, Yagana Modu, and his step-daughter, Amina, provided corroborated testimonies that strengthened the evidential trail used to dismantle the terror cell.

    All suspects remain in military custody and are undergoing intensive multi-layered investigations aimed at fully dismantling the terror network, identifying additional collaborators, and recovering any remaining explosives or logistical assets, the statement added.

    The Army emphasised that the breakthrough underscored the importance of intelligence-driven operations and cooperation with local communities.

    Citizens were urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements or activities to security agencies to help prevent future attacks and protect innocent lives.

    This development comes amid heightened military efforts by the Nigerian Army to degrade terrorist networks in the North-East, following a series of suicide bombings and other violent incidents that have claimed numerous lives and heightened insecurity in the region.

  • JUST IN: Bandits Kill Seven In Plateau, Abduct Passengers And Burn Vehicles In Zamfara

    No fewer than seven persons have been killed in separate bandit attacks in Plateau State, while several passengers were abducted and vehicles set ablaze along major highways in Zamfara State.

    In Plateau, residents said the attack occurred in the early hours of Friday when suspected armed bandits invaded affected communities, shooting sporadically and causing residents to flee for safety.

    Eyewitnesses told sources that the assailants moved from house to house, killing seven persons on the spot, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

    A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims included women and youths, adding that several houses were also destroyed during the attack.

    “We woke up to gunshots and people shouting. Before help could come, seven people had already been killed. Many residents have fled the community out of fear,” the source said.

    Meanwhile, in Zamfara State, bandits reportedly blocked a major highway linking some communities, abducted passengers from commercial vehicles and set several vehicles on fire.

    Sources gathered that the attackers operated for several hours without resistance, forcing motorists to abandon their vehicles while passengers were marched into the bush.

    A resident of the area said the bandits later burned some of the vehicles after abducting the passengers, leaving travellers stranded.

    “The road has become very dangerous. They stopped vehicles, took passengers away and burned the remaining vehicles,” the resident said.

    Security operatives are yet to issue official statements on both incidents as of the time of filing this report.

    However, efforts by source to reach police and security authorities in Plateau and Zamfara states were ongoing.

    The latest attacks come amid renewed concerns over rising insecurity in parts of the North-Central and North-West regions, despite ongoing military and security operations to curb banditry and other criminal activities.

  • Inec Denies Releasing Timetable For 2027 General Election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has categorically refuted reports circulating in some quarters claiming that the Commission has released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election.

    Independent Newspaper Nigeria+1 In a statement issued on Friday, January 2, 2026, and signed by Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, the electoral body described the information that has been widely shared online and in parts of the media as false and misleading.

    Independent Newspaper Nigeria
    INEC reiterated that it has not published any timetable or schedule of activities for the 2027 general polls, dismissing as unauthorised any material that purports to be an election calendar released by the Commission.

    The Commission emphasised that it operates strictly within the legal framework governing elections in Nigeria, particularly Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates that a Notice of Election be published not later than 360 days before the appointed date for a general election.

    “It is important to stress that *any timetable or schedule issued outside this statutory framework cannot emanate from INEC,” the statement read in part.

    Independent Newspaper Nigeria
    INEC assured Nigerians that the official timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election will be released in due course in full compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.

    Once ready, the Commission said the information will be communicated through its established and verified channels.

    The Commission also urged the public and the media to disregard the fake reports and to rely solely on information from INEC’s official platforms for accurate and authoritative updates regarding electoral processes.

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