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SUBSIDY REMOVAL: NEC SETS UP AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO LIAISE WITH LABOUR UNION LEADERSHIP

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SUBSIDY REMOVAL: NEC SETS UP AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO LIAISE WITH LABOUR UNION LEADERSHIP

Urges State Governments to upscale distribution of palliatives
Mourns military personnel killed in Niger State

By: Our Reporter

In a bid to create a forum for dialogue towards resolving issues surrounding the petrol subsidy removal across the States, the National Economic Council (NEC) has constituted an Ad-hoc Committee to engage with the leadership of labour unions.

The decision was reached at the 135th meeting of NEC chaired by the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Thursday.

The committee comprises the Nigerian Governors Forum Chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Governor of Anambra State,Chukwuma Soludo; Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; PDP Governors Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

Vice President said the committee will liaise with the leadership of labour unions in the country to find a way forward on the emerging issues in the interest of the nation.

Council also received progress reports on the ongoing nationwide distribution of rice, grains, fertilizer, other items to States and N5 billion financial support, provided by the Federal Government and commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their interventions.

Council then noted various interventions by State governments and urged them to upscale the distribution of palliatives towards alleviating the suffering of citizens especially the vulnerable groups.

NEC also mourned the death of some military personnel in Niger State and observed a minute silence in honour of deceased, while commiserating with their families.

Below are other highlights of the meeting:

Excess Crude Account from 19th July to 14th August, 2023, $473,754.57

Stabilisation Account from 18th July to 14th August, N30,346,557,405.12

Natural Resources Account from 18th July to 14th August 2023, N115,175,616,159.65

PRESENTATION OF PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF FLOOD DISASTER ACROSS THE STATES IN NIGERIA BY GOVERNOR OF KOGI STATE

The Governor at the 128th NEC Meeting held on 20th October, 2022, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum and Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, drew attention of Council to the devastating effect of the 2022 flooding which affected about 31 States of the Federation that had resulted in the loss of over 600 lives, displacement of millions of people, destruction of hundreds of thousands of houses and submersion of thousands of hectares of farmlands and appealed for urgent intervention from the Federal Government to address the impact of the menace on the people and infrastructure.

Consequently, Council resolved to setup a 5-man Ad-hoc Committee on flooding comprising of Governors of Jigawa, Kogi, Anambra, Bayelsa, Lagos and Yobe State. The following were also coopted into the Committee:

Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning

Honourable Minister of Water Resources

Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management

Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria

Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

The Terms of Reference of the Committee was to “Review the current flooding situation in the country and design a template for compensation of victims”.

The Committee had its inaugural meeting on Thursday 10th November 2022 at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat. Highlight of the Meeting were as follows:

The Committee acknowledged the urgency of the assignment and hence the need to expedite action in order to table a draft report at the next NEC Meeting.

A sub-committee was constituted to propose modalities to address imminent food crisis due to the flooding and possible source of funding for palliatives to victims. The Sub-committee was to be Chaired by the Executive Governor of Kebbi State and the following as Members: Ministries of Agriculture, Humanitarian, Finance, NEMA and CBN.

NEC Secretariat to develop and forward a Template with accompanying letter to all the affected States to collect data on Preliminary Assessment of the impact of the flood in the affected Communities, harmonize the data and produce report of their findings to the Committee.

LIMITATIONS

The exercise would have been more successful and effective if all the affected States had responded as and when due and according to provisions made in the template. Some of the limitations include the following:
Delay or Non-submission of filled template by some States. Only 16 out of the total number of affected States forwarded their submissions to NEC Secretariat to date as expected. About 15 others were yet to do so. The submission from defaulting States are awaited to update the database.

Some of the States that submitted did not fully complied with requisitions of the template thereby making some of their submissions difficult to process by the automated system. There is the need for compliance with laid down processes to allow for higher degree of uniformity especially considering the huge volume of data involved.

Only few States reached out to the Council Secretariat’s Technical Team for possible guidance and assistance in the exercise. States are encouraged to take advantage of the Secretariat’s personnel to address important concerns where necessary.

Only few States indicated financial implication for the damages caused thereby making it difficult to proposed a required amount of intervention.

Some submissions were not done according to the template which makes difficult to ascertain the financial implications of such states.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The plight of victims of the unfortunate flood disaster across affected States of the Federation could be alleviated if the much needed intervention from the Federal Government materialized without further delay.

There is therefore the need to expedite release of fund to affected States as recommended by designated Committees constituted by the Federal Government to that effect. This would go a long way in addressing the needs of the victims as well as offset debt incurred by some States to assist their citizens.
COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

NEC Secretariat and officials of the Office of the Vice President to visit the affected states for on-the-spot assessment of the situation on ground. The exercise will authenticate the date submitted by state to determine needed intervention.

That Federal Government’s immediate intervention to be expeditiously carried out by NEMA, Ecological Fund Office and other relevant agencies. States to assure maximum cooperaton.

NEC resolves that all hands should be on deck to assure appropriate submission and data presentation. The quality of data collected should be enhanced to meet international standard. That the challenges of flooding deserves concerted and collective effort.

There is need to strengthen NEMA as a structure and sustainable adaptation measures for the citizens. In mobilizing resources to tem the tide of flooding, there is need to look beyond NEMA.

NEC Secretariat to come up with recommedations on the roadmap towards addressing the flood situtation.

PRESENTATION ON EXPLORING A NEC AGENDA FOR MACROECONOMICS STABILITY & SHARED PROSPERITY BY DG NESG

The Presentation was to inform the council on achieving low Inflation and stimulation Growth and Macroeconomic Objectives.

MACROECONOMIC STABILITY OBJECTIVES:

  • High and stable economy
  • Low Inflation Growth Price level
  • unemployment Account
  • Favourable Current low balance and stable exchange rate account balance

CURRENT MACROECONOMIC LANDSCAPE

  • Investment inflows have dwindled since 2019, likewise the country’s investment/GDP ratio; Crude Oil exports and refined petroleum products imports dominate Nigeria’s trade structure.
  • Nigeria’s Naira position against major trading currencies deteriorated
  • Weak FX supply and heightened demand for imports remains core drivers of exchange rate instability; market volatility persists despite recent FX alignment, driven by pressure on FX demand that widens the gap between official and parallel market rates due to inadequate supply and speculative tendencies; external reserves remain under pressure as external reserves fell by 8.3 percent from 37.1 billion in January 2023 to 33.9 billion in July 2023.
    KEY CONSIDERATION FOR IMPROVING THE OUTCOMES OF FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL
  • Inflationary impact: Fuel subsidy removal will increase inflation. So, there is a need for robust social programmes.
  • Efficiency in government spending: There has been a lack of clarity on how the government spends subsidy savings. This issue must be addressed.
  • Investment in the downstream and midstream segments of the industry: Achieving this will reduce huge dependence on petrol imports and strike out the need to pay subsidies on fuel.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The NEC must insist on pushing a national legislative reform agenda for national competitiveness. It is essential that nigeria resolves the legislative binding constraints to our national competitiveness, the nesg through nassber, our partnership with national assembly and nigerian bar association has identified over 115 legislations that hinder growth, in the last few years, 10 legislations have been passed (including the cama 2020 and the pia 2021.

COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS:

  • Council commended NESG for its presentation especially on pragmatic roadmaps for tackling current economic challenges.
  • It was noted that the recommendations contained in the NESG’s roadmap needs to be reviewed to align with existing economic agenda at the national and sub-national levels for pragmatic purposes.

SUBSIDY REMOVAL: NEC SETS UP AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO LIAISE WITH LABOUR UNION LEADERSHIP

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Police Conduct Raids Across Abuja, Arrest 62 Suspects for Criminal Activities

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April 18, 2025

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Police Conduct Raids Across Abuja, Arrest 62 Suspects for Criminal Activities

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 62 suspects during a series of coordinated raids on black spots and uncompleted buildings across various areas in Abuja.

Police sources confirmed that the raids took place on the night of April 17 at around 11:40 p.m. Police operatives from multiple divisions, including Kubwa, Nyanya, Kabusa, Lokogoma, Utako, Gwarinpa, and Bwari, participated in the operation targeting criminal hotspots in their areas of responsibility.

The police recovered a quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, as well as illicit drugs, from the locations raided.

“The arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing screening and interrogation at their respective divisional offices. Those found to be involved in criminal activities will be charged to court,” the sources stated.

Police Conduct Raids Across Abuja, Arrest 62 Suspects for Criminal Activities

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Joint Nigeria–Niger Airstrikes Target Terrorist Enclave in Lake Chad Region

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11 hours ago

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April 18, 2025

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Joint Nigeria–Niger Airstrikes Target Terrorist Enclave in Lake Chad Region

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Air Force, in a coordinated operation with its Nigerien counterpart, on Friday launched a series of precision airstrikes on suspected terrorist hideouts along the Nigeria–Niger border in the Lake Chad region.

The joint operation, which reportedly lasted for over four hours, was based on actionable intelligence gathered by Nigerien air surveillance units. The intelligence guided Nigerian fighter jets to specific locations believed to be used by terrorists for cross-border attacks.

According to initial field reports, the targeted area, described as a strategic terrorist enclave, was suspected of housing a mix of fighters, women, and children. The location had been under sustained observation for its alleged role in coordinating operations across the tri-border region of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad.

Following the bombardment, over 50 individuals were reportedly seen fleeing towards Fefewa, a remote village within the Lake Chad basin. Some of the escapees, according to unverified accounts, may have been attempting to regroup with a larger armed faction said to be fortified in nearby forested zones.

Although the casualty figures remain unclear, sources monitoring the operation, including Phantom Eye Hub, confirmed that investigations are underway to ascertain the impact and full extent of the strikes.

The joint air campaign underscores the increasing regional collaboration between Nigeria and Niger in countering insurgency threats.

Joint Nigeria–Niger Airstrikes Target Terrorist Enclave in Lake Chad Region

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Crime

NAPTIP Arrests Two Suspected Masterminds of Cote D’voire Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues Two Victims

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23 hours ago

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April 18, 2025

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NAPTIP Arrests Two Suspected Masterminds of Cote D’voire Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues Two Victims

By: Michael Mike

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has commenced a major onslaught against organized human traffcking criminal gang in the country as its operatives have arrested two Abuja based high profile figures suspected to be the arrowhead of a trans border human trafficking syndicate operating within the West African and Gulf of Guninea regions.

According to a press statement signed by the agency press officer, Vincent Adekoye on Thursday, the suspects Emmanuel Igwe (32 years old) and Ugochukwu Christian (30 Years old) were mentioned by some of the human trafficking victims who are presently stranded in Côte d’ d’Ivoire during their conversation with the popular human rights activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as the VeryDarkMan (VDM), thereby prompting his intervention and subsequent visit to the Headquarters of NAPTIP, Abuja.

Adekoye said the suspects were arrested inside their sprawling mansion, which is located in one of the popular estates in the Lugbe Area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, adding that the tastefully furnished mansion equiped with various devices also serves as the Command Base and Residence for the gang.

He said during the operation led by the head of operations of the agency, which lasted several hours due to the high-tech facilities of the smart house that hinder free access, two suspected victims of human trafficking were also rescued.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were recruited by the suspects, subjected to an oath of secrecy already, and were undergoing marathonic sexual orientation from the suspects as they were stalked naked and in sexual romp when operatives burst into their rooms

Speaking with the operatives after the rescue, one of the victims (name withheld) disclosed that they were recruited from one of the Eastern States and were promised a highly paid job in a flourishing mall in Ivory Coast.

The victim recalled: “They told me that the Mall will be paying me in foreign currencies and that I will pay them back a total of 2.2 Million Cfas. They already took us to take an oath in one of the shrines located outside Abuja. I did not know, and I cannot recollect the location of the place. But, I know that we travelled for about three hours away from Gwagwalada to the Shrine.”

Adekoye said the arrest of the suspects followed an escalation of conversation and report from the NAPTIP Social Media platforms and subsequent credible intelligence shared by one of the partnering sister security agencies, indicating the location of the suspects.

It would be recalled that VDM had last week, Thursday, visited the Headquarters of NAPTIP to express his concern over the plight of some victims of human trafficking in Côte D’ d’Ivoire and promised to join hands with the Agency to rescue them and also create the desired awareness on the dangers of human trafficking. He also uploaded additional information through a video post on his handles on the profile of the traffickers.

In reaction to the viral video that exposed their activities, the suspects had called their victims and threatened to unleash terror on them if they reneged on their promise to engage in prostitution and pay them the agreed sum of 2.2 million cefas.

Speaking on the arrest, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, said the agency is poised to dismantle all human trafficking syndicates that are recruiting, trafficking, and subjecting Nigerians to various forms of exploitation anywhere around the world.

She said: “The arrest of the two suspects is a component of our well-planned onslaught against human traffickers in the country. They are members of the trans border criminal gangs operating within the West African Region, and it is good that we can lay our hands on them.

“I recalled that during the visit of VDM to the agency last week, we assured him that NAPTIP shall do the needful. We stand by our words, and in line with our mandates, we shall make it difficult for them to operate in Nigeria.

“We have also activated the necessary apparatus and initiated discussions with Partners State and Non-State Actors within the neighbouring countries and specifically in Côte D’ d’Ivoire, towards rescuing the victims stranded there.

“I sincerely thank all our Partners and stakeholders with specific reference to the VDM, for their support to the agency. He visited the agency last week, and from the discussion with him, he has a deep passion for the country. He has also demonstrated this with his support towards the evacuation of the victims.

“I wish to state that the game is over for human traffickers in Nigeria as NAPTIP is ready to choke them unless they desist from recruiting and trafficking of our citizens.”

The Director General added that full investigation on the matter has commenced and the suspects and any other persons connected to the case shall be prosecuted if found cupable at the end.

NAPTIP Arrests Two Suspected Masterminds of Cote D’voire Human Trafficking Syndicate, Rescues Two Victims

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