News
CSJ Calls on FG to Ensure Proposed Strike is Averted
CSJ Calls on FG to Ensure Proposed Strike is Averted
By: Michael Mike
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has advised the Federal Government to ensure that the proposed indefinite industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) is averted in public interest.
The non-governmental organisation (NGO) gave the advice on Wednesday in a statement signed by its Lead Director, Eze Onyekpere
He stated that the strike slated for October 2 by the workers unions could have been averted through more considerate and humane engagement by the Federal Government in the post petrol subsidy removal and floating of the Naira negotiations, but noted that: “It is still not too late for the Federal Government to act in the public interest.”
The CSJ acknowledged the importance of President Bola Tinubu’s policy reforms, notably the removal of fuel subsidies and the floatation of the Naira, but nevertheless, the Lead Director of CSJ, Eze Onyekpere, insisted that: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu missed an opportunity to gain widespread support for his two main policy reforms – the fuel subsidy removal and the floatation of the Naira – by not adequately addressing the hardships that followed these policy pronouncements. The expectation was that President Tinubu would announce corresponding relief programmes alongside these policies, and these programmes should have been implemented either simultaneously or immediately after making the policy and reform declarations. Unfortunately, this has not been the case.”
He added that: “For instance, the proposed salary increase for workers, which has been pending for three months now, remains unresolved in a country where the minimum wage is Thirty Thousand Naira ($30) per month. This starkly contrasts with fellow African nations like Algeria, South Africa, and Morocco, where minimum wages are $170, $242, and $360, respectively.”
He noted that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed concerns that the government-appointed committee responsible for negotiating cushioning measures for workers has either intentionally delayed or neglected to commence negotiations, a situation deeply troubling to CSJ.
CSJ argued that the deployment of the Minister of Labour as the chief negotiator with the organised labour is misplaced, considering the financial nature of the negotiations. High-level discussions involving significant political and financial decisions should be chaired by the President, Vice President or in their absence, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), insisting that the team must include the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Labour, etc.
The NGO said in such situations, the Minister of Finance is in the best position to present the government’s financial standing to labour representatives and to recommend decisions including wage increase based on affordability.
The CSJ firmly placed responsibility on the government for the current developments, asserting that the decision to announce the removal of fuel subsidies without proper consideration of the consequences reflects an unacceptable level of arrogance towards the Nigerian people,
while acknowledging that these policy reforms were intended to address issues like fuel subsidy corruption, petroleum smuggling, foreign exchange market manipulation, and fiscal constraints, but stressed that such reforms cannot exist in isolation. “They should be accompanied by strategic interventions across various economic sectors to alleviate hardship, boost productivity, and curb fiscal leaks.”
CSJ also contended that the Federal Government should have taken swift action to combat rampant oil theft and prosecute those responsible for subsidy fraud, as revealed in recent reports by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and previous reports of the Auditor General for the Federation.
Meanwhile, it called upon the Federal Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with the NLC/TUC to resolve the proposed industrial action and implement measures to mitigate the impact of recent policy reforms on the Nigerian populace.
Onyekpere said: “CSJ remains unwavering in its commitment to advocating for social justice and equitable policies that prioritize the well-being of all Nigerians.”
CSJ Calls on FG to Ensure Proposed Strike is Averted
Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have foiled an attempted kidnapping by a notorious bandit gang and recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during a midnight operation in the outskirts of the territory.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation followed credible intelligence from the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Force Headquarters about a planned attack led by a gang leader identified as Idrisa, also known as Mai Duna.
Acting swiftly, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit laid an ambush between 9 p.m. on Oct. 10 and 1 a.m. on Oct. 11 along the rail track near Grow Home Estate, a location bordering the FCT and Niger State.
The armed gang, divided into two groups targeting Grow Home Estate and Royal Champion Church in Chikakore, Byazhin District, was intercepted by the police team.
A fierce gun duel ensued, lasting about 20 minutes, after which the bandits were subdued, forcing many to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.
During the search of the area, police recovered an AK-47 rifle with a defaced breech number, one magazine, and a live round of 7.62mm ammunition.
Reinforcement from the military, DSS, and local hunters was deployed to the area to secure the communities and block escape routes.
Sources said that the Commissioner of Police assured residents of continued security presence and renewed commitment to maintaining peace and safety in the FCT.
The Anti-Kidnapping Unit has commenced further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja
Police arrest mentally unstable woman for killing IDP in Monguno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Borno State Police Command has arrested a mentally unstable woman for allegedly killing a fellow internally displaced person (IDP) in Monguno Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said that on Oct. 10, 2025, at about 4:35 p.m., one Modu Kolomi of RRR IDPs Camp reported that a woman identified as Yagana Zara, aged 40, of the Water Board IDPs Camp, attacked his wife, Yagana Abba Butu, aged 30, with a wooden stirrer.
The suspect, said to be mentally challenged, allegedly beat the victim severely, resulting in fatal internal injuries.
Security forces Monguno promptly visited the scene, rescued the suspect from mob action, and evacuated the victim to the General Hospital, Monguno, where she was confirmed dead on arrival.
The body was deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy and later released to the family for burial according to Islamic rites.
According to sources, the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Maiduguri, has commenced investigation, while the suspect has been taken to a state psychiatric facility for mental evaluation.
End
Troops rescue three kidnapped victims, sustain offensive against bandits in Kwara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 2 Division/Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued three kidnapped victims during sustained operations against bandits in parts of Kwara State.
The operation, conducted on Saturday, Oct. 11, followed credible intelligence that led troops deployed at the Patrol Base Babanla to a suspected bandit hideout within the Babanla Forest.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops rescued Mrs. Oluwabusayo Taiwo, 25, and her three-year-old son, Taiwo Irayomide, who were abducted at Oke-Ode on Sept. 28.
The victims, who were found in stable condition, are receiving first aid treatment at the Patrol Base sick bay and are expected to be reunited with their family members soon.
In a separate operation, troops on routine patrol along a suspected bandit route also rescued a local tea seller, Mr. Mohammadu Sani, popularly known as Mai Shayi, aged 40, from Garkarima community.
According to the sources l, the bandits fled upon sighting the patrol team, abandoning the victim, who was found in a pool of blood. Troops recovered one dane gun and a cutlass from the scene.
Sani is currently receiving medical attention at the Patrol Base sick bay.
The Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Ezra Barkins, commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the safety and security of citizens, pledging that troops would continue to intensify operations aimed at restoring peace and stability across Kwara State and its environs.
Troops rescue three kidnapped victims, sustain offensive against bandits in Kwara
GIZ Launches Peacecore Project in Taraba,Trains Thirty Journalists on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting
Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja
Bandits abduct five passengers in Zamfara
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
News6 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
