News
FG: Over 9m Nigerians Benefit from HoPE Cash Transfer Programme
FG: Over 9m Nigerians Benefit from HoPE Cash Transfer Programme
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government on Monday disclosed that more than nine million Nigerians have so far benefited from the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HoPE-CT) Programme, a social protection initiative aimed at easing the impact of rising living costs on vulnerable households across the country.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Benard Doro, revealed this during a ministerial briefing and press conference in Abuja, noting that the programme has made significant progress since it was launched in December 2023.
According to the minister, a total of 9,178,837 beneficiaries have received the first tranche of the intervention, while 7,203,579 have been paid the second tranche and 6,497,089 have already accessed the third tranche.
He said the figures reflect the growing reach of the initiative and its role in supporting millions of Nigerian households struggling with economic pressures.
“Each eligible household receives seventy-five thousand naira paid in three instalments. The support enables families to meet basic needs such as food, healthcare and education,” he explained.
Doro noted that the intervention, implemented under the National Social Safety Nets Project – Scale Up, represents a strategic shift from short-term humanitarian responses to a more structured and transparent national social protection system.
“We are no longer responding to poverty episodically. We are building systems to end it sustainably,” he said.
He further explained that beneficiaries are selected from the National Social Register, with identities verified through the National Identity Management Commission using the National Identification Number and Bank Verification Number to ensure transparency and prevent duplication.
The minister also highlighted the programme’s gender balance, revealing that women account for 58.7 per cent of beneficiaries while men make up 41.3 per cent.
He warned members of the public against paying money to access the scheme, stressing that the programme is completely free.
“Let me be unequivocal; this programme is entirely free. No Nigerian should pay to be registered, enrolled or benefit. Anyone demanding payment is engaging in criminal activity,” he said.
To strengthen accountability and address complaints, the government has established a multi-layer grievance redress mechanism, including a toll-free line for enquiries and reporting of irregularities.
In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the integration of digital identity into the programme has significantly improved transparency and efficiency.
She disclosed that more than 13.2 million beneficiary records were submitted for verification, out of which about 11.8 million were successfully authenticated.
“Through the NIN-based verification system, we are eliminating duplication, reducing leakages and strengthening public trust in government interventions,” she said.
Coker-Odusote added that an additional 3.1 million records are currently undergoing verification as part of efforts to expand coverage.
Earlier in his welcome address, the National Programme Manager of the National Cash Transfer Office, Abdullahi Alhassan Imam, said the programme was designed to provide immediate relief for poor households while also creating pathways for long-term economic stability.
He revealed that the initiative is supported by an eight hundred million United States dollar facility from the World Bank’s International Development Association and initially targeted 10.4 million households nationwide.
Imam noted that the Federal Government has since expanded the target to fifteen million households, underlining its commitment to strengthening social protection for vulnerable citizens.
The HoPE-CT Programme is being implemented across the thirty-six states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory as part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at reducing poverty and promoting inclusive economic growth.
FG: Over 9m Nigerians Benefit from HoPE Cash Transfer Programme
News
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Gallant troops of the Nigerian Army’s 33 Artillery Brigade have launched a major offensive against terrorist and bandit hideouts in Dajin Madam Forest, straddling Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas of Plateau State, destroying several camps and neutralising two armed criminals during successive encounters.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation commenced at about 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2026, with troops advancing into the forest in a coordinated offensive against criminal elements operating within the area.
During the operation, the troops successfully cleared several terrorist camps across five identified locations within the forest, denying the criminals access to their established hideouts and support infrastructure.
The troops subsequently destroyed and burnt the terrorists’ life-support structures, including facilities believed to have sustained their presence and operations in the forest.
The offensive gathered momentum at about 3:41 p.m. when troops made contact with the armed bandits at another location within the forest.
The soldiers engaged the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
Evidence of the effectiveness of the engagement was indicated by bloodstains observed along the bandits’ withdrawal routes, suggesting that some of the fleeing criminals might have sustained gunshot injuries.
Undeterred, the troops continued exploiting the general area, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of ammunition, communication equipment, mobility assets and other logistics.
Items recovered included 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, PKT ammunition links, two motorcycles, two drums of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), two communication radios and four mobile phones.
The troops also recovered three woodland and desert camouflage uniforms, two Keystone camouflage uniforms and other sundry items believed to be associated with the activities of the criminal group.
In a further demonstration of sustained combat pressure, the troops made another contact with the fleeing bandits at about 6:30 p.m. during a pursuit operation.
The soldiers engaged the criminals, neutralising two bandits close to Kukawa village in Kanam Local Government Area.
Two additional motorcycles were also recovered during the encounter.
Following the successful engagements, the troops moved to a harbour position at Kukawa, where they continued to maintain their operational presence in the area.
The operation represents a significant offensive against armed criminal networks using the Dajin Madam Forest corridor as a hideout, with the destruction of their camps, recovery of ammunition and logistics, and the neutralisation of two bandits further disrupting their operational capabilities.
The sustained advance by the troops also illustrated the Nigerian Army’s determination to deny terrorists and bandits safe havens in the forests linking Kanam and Wase, while maintaining pressure on fleeing elements.
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
By: Zagazola Makama
An inspection team from the ECOWAS Force Headquarters and Army Headquarters has assessed the operational readiness of Nigeria’s ECOWAS standby force at Naquora Barracks in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the team, led by Brig.-Gen. Sheikh Sulaiman Massaquoi, visited the barracks on Nov. 7, 2026, to evaluate the troops’ preparedness for possible deployment.
The team received briefings on troop readiness, training and administrative matters, and witnessed demonstrations on roadblock operations and crowd dispersal.
Massaquoi commended the troops for their performance and urged them to sustain high standards of professionalism, discipline and physical fitness.
The inspection visit ended without any incident.
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have foiled a suspected kidnapping attempt and rescued a gunshot-wounded victim along the Rafin Sanyi axis in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sector 6 OPEP, deployed at Sopp, responded to a distress report at about 9:40 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2026, after suspected kidnappers blocked the road in the area.
The swift intervention of the troops reportedly forced the criminals to flee before they could carry out their operation.
The troops subsequently combed the area and rescued one occupant of a Sharon vehicle who had sustained a gunshot wound.
The victim was evacuated to the Nigerian Army Medical Outpost at Tigi, where he received first aid treatment.
Troops have continued to dominate the general area through fighting patrols to prevent the criminals from regrouping and forestall further attacks.
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Gunshot-Wounded Victim in Plateau
Gallant Troops Overrun Terrorist Camps in Dajin Madam Forest, Neutralise Two Bandits in Plateau
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Discover Suspected Bandit’s Corpse in Old Oyo National Park
ECOWAS Inspection Team Assesses Readiness of Nigerian Standby Force in Ondo
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