Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army have apprehended three suspects including a couple for allegedly collaborating with terrorists in Taraba State. The spokeperson of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Oni Olubo, said the suspects were arrested at Lande Jessy village in Lau Local Government Area of the state. He stated that an operation carried out by the troops following an intelligence report led to the arrest of the three suspects. According to the Army spokeperson, the three suspected collaborators are Ahijo Sulaiman, Abdulrahman Isah and Aisha Mohammed. Captain Oni revealed that during the investigation, Mohammed who is married to Sulaiman confessed that the latter’s residence was used for hiding weapons after operations by bandits. “The Nigerian Army remains committed to the protection of lives and property, as well as the preservation of the nation’s territorial integrity. “We urge the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies as we work together to rid the country of terrorism and other forms of insecurity.” Captain Oni said.

The World Bank has released the Nigeria Development Update report, stating that over 129 million Nigerians are currently trapped in poverty. It released the report on Thursday in Abuja as headline inflation rises, forcing millions of Nigerians into hunger. According to the global financial body, the over 129 million Nigerians represented a sharp rise from 40.1 per cent in 2018 to 56 per cent in 2024. The World Bank report read, “With growth proving too slow to outpace inflation, poverty has risen sharply. Since 2018, the share of Nigerians living below the national poverty line16 is estimated to have risen sharply from 40.1 per cent to 56.0 per cent. “Combined with population growth, this means that some 129 million Nigerians are living in poverty. This stark increase partly reflects Nigeria’s beleaguered growth record. Real GDP per capita has not recovered to the level it was at prior to the oil price-induced recession in 2016. “The COVID-19 pandemic compounded this drop in economic activity. Moreover, growth is failing to outpace inflation: large increases in prices across almost all goods have diminished purchasing power.” It added, “Multiple shocks in a context of high economic insecurity have deepened and broadened poverty, with over 115 million Nigerians estimated to have been poor in 2023. Since 2018/19, an additional nearly 35 million people have fallen into poverty, so that more than half of Nigerians (51.1 per cent of the population in 2023) are now estimated to live in poverty.” Tiger nuts are sold at the market in Jibia on February 18, 2024. – Nigeria, which shares 1,600 km of border with its neighbor, was until now one of Niger’s main trading partners with $193 million in exports in 2022 according to the United Nations (electricity, tobacco, cement, etc). Since the border closure, it has even been a double whammy for the local population, who have seen food prices explode under the combined effect of new movement restrictions and galloping inflation after the Nigerian president , Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in office since May, implemented economic reforms which plunged the country into crisis. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP) According to the report, there was an increase from 115 million in 2023 to 129 million in 2024, which means that 14 million Nigerians have become poorer this year. The Washington-based bank attributed this surge to inflation, poor economic management, and external shocks. A file photo of a food trader at a market in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Sodiq Adelakun/Channels Television “Several shocks have contributed to this major increase and changing profile of the poor: the COVID-19 recession, natural disasters such as flooding, growing insecurity, the high cost of the demonetization policy in Q1 2023, high inflation, and low economic growth. “Previous domestic policy missteps compounded the effects of the shocks, particularly rising inflation, eroding the purchasing power, especially of urban households, pushing many into poverty. The government is ramping up the cash transfer programs to support economically insecure households to help weather the crisis,” the report noted. It further revealed that while poverty remained a rural phenomenon, urban poverty had grown significantly, with 31.3 per cent of urban dwellers now living in poverty, up from 18 per cent in 2018. The new World Bank report also noted, “Being employed, however, is no guarantee of being able to escape poverty. Many jobs are not productive and therefore remunerative enough to afford a life beyond poverty.” It added, “Jobs hold the key to sharing the proceeds of growth. Since Nigeria has a young and growing population, the jobs that can harness the country’s potential ‘demographic dividend’ are needed now.” Sienaert also dismissed claims that the institution seeks to keep Nigeria economically dependent. “I’m in this position of having been the lead economist at the World Bank here in Nigeria on economic policy issues for two years now, and I just want to tell you that I’ve not seen any conspiracy within the World Bank or otherwise to keep Nigeria down,” Sienaert said. He pointed out that Nigeria’s fiscal deficit had shrunk from 6.2 per cent of GDP in 2022 to 4.4 per cent in the first half of 2023, thanks to reforms such as the removal of FX and fuel subsidies. Meanwhile, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr Ndiame Diop, urged the Federal Government to sustain its reforms, warning that reversing them would be disastrous. Diop cautioned that “reversing these reforms would be detrimental and would spell doom for Nigeria.” He acknowledged that the reforms are difficult but essential to stabilise the economy. Diop also noted that the World Bank is willing to offer Nigeria more loans as well as technical assistance in support of ongoing reforms. Answering a question about whether the World Bank will keep providing loans to Nigeria, Diop said “Yes, we do have in the pipeline for this fiscal year several projects financed by the World Bank. These are government projects, implemented mostly by the states.” A file photo of a resident at a market in Akure, Ondo State. Photo: Sodiq AdelakunA file photo of a resident at a market in Akure, Ondo State. Photo: Sodiq Adelakun He added, “Nigeria is a very important partner for the World Bank. We have been providing technical support, but also financing. But what is really important is that our financing comes with technical support and implementation support, and really making sure things go according to plan.” The average price of commodities in Nigeria has increased by 45.92 per cent to 32.70 per cent as the headline inflation rate in September 2024 since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. This rate is from 22.41 per cent recorded in May 2023, indicating a 10 percentage point increase. The Inflation rate escalated for 13 consecutive months due to various factors, including the removal of fuel subsidy, which led to increased transportation and production costs, and the depreciation of the naira against major currencies. A file photo taken at a food market. A large percentage of poor Nigerians

The Labour Party presidential flagbearer during the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has faulted the foreign trips embarked upon by both President Bola Tinubu and his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima. He said the trips, coming when the country is grappling with domestic challenges, were concerning. The PUNCH reports that Tinubu departed for the United Kingdom on October 2, 2024, for a two-week working leave. He later left the UK for France on Friday, October 11, for “another important engagement,” his Senior Special Assistant on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, tweeted. Meanwhile, Shettima left Abuja on Wednesday for Sweden on a two-day visit to represent Nigeria in bilateral engagements with the Scandinavian nation. Justifying both trips, the Presidency on Wednesday said the absence of Tinubu and his deputy does not pose any vacuum in Nigeria’s leadership. It said the two principal officers are “fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while away.” But reacting to the Presidency’s justification on Friday in a post on his X, Obi, who is also a former Anambra State governor, maintained that it was disturbing that Tinubu and his deputy weren’t in the country at a time when citizens need them most. He wrote, “While it is arguable that with the President and Vice President absent from the Villa, there is no vacancy in the Presidency, in a situation where both the President and Vice President are out of the country, as reported in the media yesterday, it’s concerning for a country with such myriads of domestic problems. The President had told us he would only be gone for 14 days. The 14 days have passed now, and we are waiting to see him in the country. One would have expected him to return earlier than expected, considering the volume of work that needs to be done in a troubled nation like ours. “The untold hardship that has been unleashed on our people as a result of some of his administration’s policies is unimaginable and we need his urgent attention to pilot the nation out of this present situation.” According to him, since the President is reportedly in Paris, France, which is just about 833 nautical miles from Stockholm, Sweden, one wonders why he did not just attend the 2-day working visit to Sweden.’ Obi added, “He could simply have done it on his way back from France with his new powerful jet, which would have taken him a little over 2 hours. This would have saved time and the very scarce national resources we need critically at this time. “Instead, he delegated the Vice President, who needed to travel 3055 nautical miles, over nine hours, and (about 4 times the travel time from Paris) Abuja, Nigeria, to Stockholm, Sweden, to represent him at the event. “It would take about 4 times the time and distance it takes to travel from Paris to Stockholm to travel from Abuja to Stockholm. This does not represent the kind of fiscal responsibility and common sense that is expected of leaders whose people are facing severe hunger and poverty. “This is the time to show true and committed leadership to the people by making decisions that prioritize the well-being of the people and effective management of the nation’s scarce resources in alleviating the sufferings of the people.” Meanwhile, the trips mark the second time both officers have been concurrently absent from the country since assuming office 17 months ago. Between late April and early May 2024, while Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Shettima left Nigeria, first to Nairobi to attend the International Development Association Heads of State Summit. After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. However, the VP cancelled his trip midway and returned to the country. Tinubu returned to Abuja on 8 May.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the immediate investigation and recovery of a second batch of 612 vehicles flagged as stolen on the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) platform. He also ordered the investigation of over 1,610 vehicles with conflicting registration information on the platform. The e-CMR is an advanced, real-time online repository of motor vehicle data, designed to support police investigations, operational activities, and combat vehicle-related crimes, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery. It was introduced by the police in July 2024. According to a statement from the Force Headquarters on Friday, the police explained that one of the cars stolen from Abuja was recovered after the buyer applied for a CMR certificate, triggering an alert that flagged the vehicle as stolen. The police added that subsequent investigations revealed the vehicle had been re-registered twice in an attempt to conceal its stolen status.The police also noted that a member of the vehicle theft syndicate had been arrested and would face charges soon. The statement partly read: “Two weeks ago, the IGP directed an immediate investigation to recover a second batch of 612 vehicles reported/flagged as stolen on the e-CMR platform. “In the same vein, 1,610 vehicles with conflicting information have been referred for investigation. “The first batch of seven vehicles reported/flagged as stolen on the e-CMR platform were referred for investigation, out of which three have been detected/recovered. The one stolen from Abuja was recovered in Ilorin, Kwara State, and brought back to Abuja over the weekend to be handed back to the rightful owner. “The owner had reported the vehicle as stolen on the Stolen Vehicle Portal and provided the details of the vehicle. The innocent buyer applied to obtain the CMR certificate, but the system triggered an alert that the vehicle had been reported/flagged as stolen. This prompted a police investigation that led to the recovery. “It is interesting to observe that the stolen vehicle was re-registered twice after it was stolen by the criminals. This was meant to completely eliminate any trace whatsoever of the vehicle… it is similar to money laundering. “The syndicate specialising in vehicle theft has been busted, and one of the gang members has been arrested and will be charged to court as soon as all investigation activities have been duly completed.” The police said it was collaborating with other agencies to ensure the security and safety of citizens’ vehicular assets across the federation.

The Presidential CNG Initiative has reacted to the incident that involved a vehicle at a NIPCO CNG Station at the Aduwawa in Benin City on Wednesday. In a statement on Friday, the Presidential CNG Initiative said the vehicle was illegally modified and not approved. A CNG-powered vehicle at the NIPCO filling station in Aduwawa, Benin, was said to have exploded on Wednesday, leaving three persons severely injured, including a motorist who suffered eye injuries. According to reports, two others—a woman whose stomach was ripped open and another person whose foot was amputated due to the blast—are currently receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ugbowo. The explosion was traced to a cylinder that had been fabricated by a welder without proper approval. The welder has reportedly turned himself in to the police. “The Presidential CNG Initiative notes the unfortunate incident that involved an illegally modified vehicle at a NIPCO CNG Station at Aduwawa in Benin City on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. “The PCNGI commiserates with those injured in this avoidable incident and is thankful that no lives were lost. The PCNGI also note that the safe handling of all hydrocarbons is critical to their safe use. “A close examination of the cylinder in question in Benin City shows it was welded and modified and not approved for use for CNG. “The police, regulatory authorities and management of NIPCO are undertaking a painstaking investigation of the incident and we are coordinating with them. “This incident reiterates the impetus of the PCNGI and our partners on the soon-to-be-launched Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System at SON, NMDPRA, NADDC and FRSC to tackle any bad actors in the ecosystem that seeks to make this safer, cheaper, cleaner and more reliable source of fueling risky for all. “We also call on all stakeholders to cooperate with the new system of regulation and ensure full compliance. Only accredited conversion centres must be patronized and safe handling of CNG just like petrol ensures the safety of all.” “Unfortunately, the cylinder installed in the vehicle — later identified as a fake and fabricated, substandard unit not designed for CNG — exploded after filling with just around 4 SCM of gas. “The driver fled the scene immediately after the incident. “While no fatalities were recorded, two individuals sustained injuries. One person suffered a leg injury, and another sustained an eye injury. Both victims were promptly rushed to the hospital for medical attention.” The Federal Government then warned motorists to avoid patronising unaccredited centres to convert their vehicles from fuel to gas.

More than one billion people are living in acute poverty across the globe, a UN Development Programme report said yesterday, with children accounting for over half of those affected. The paper, published with Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, OPHI, noted that poverty rates were three times higher in countries at war, as 2023 saw the most conflicts around the world since the Second World War. The UNDP and OPHI have published their Multidimensional Poverty Index annually since 2010, harvesting data from 112 countries with a combined population of 6.3 billion people. It uses indicators such as a lack of adequate housing, sanitation, electricity, cooking fuel, nutrition and school attendance. “The 2024 MPI paints a sobering picture: 1.1 billion people endure multidimensional poverty, of which 455 million live in the shadow of conflict,” said Yanchun Zhang, chief statistician at the UNDP. “For the poor in conflict-affected countries, the struggle for basic needs is a far harsher and more desperate battle,” Zhang told AFP. The report echoed last year’s findings that 1.1 billion out of 6.1 billion people across 110 countries were facing extreme multidimensional poverty. Thursday’s paper showed that some 584 million people under 18 were experiencing extreme poverty, accounting for 27.9 percent of children worldwide, compared with 13.5 percent of adults. It also showed that 83.2 per cent of the world’s poorest people live in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Sabina Alkire, director of the OPHI, told AFP that conflicts were hindering efforts for poverty reduction. “At some level, these findings are intuitive. But what shocked us was the sheer magnitude of people who are struggling to live a decent life and at the same time fearing for their safety –- 455 million,” she said. “This points to a stark but unavoidable challenge to the international community to both zero in on poverty reduction and foster peace, so that any ensuing peace actually endures,” Alkire added. India was the country with the largest number of people in extreme poverty, which impacts 234 million of its 1.4 billion population. It was followed by Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The five countries accounted for nearly half of the 1.1 billion poor people.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, is full of criticism for policemen and soldiers stealing and selling arms and ammunition from their formation to criminal elements. Ribadu stated this in Abuja on Friday during the destruction of arms by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms And Light Weapons. According to the National Security Adviser, security agents involved in the act are “worse human beings”, adding that efforts must be put in place to check those people. He added, “We have to find a way of putting a stop to this if we want to recover our country and live in peace and stability”. “The worst human being is a policeman or a soldier who will take arms from his own formations and sell them or hide them out for the bad people to come and kill his own colleagues,” he said. Ribadu also rained curses on the security personnel who facilitate the movement of weapons to terrorists, bandits, and other non-state actors as he disclosed that a sizable number of illicit arms being used to commit crimes in the country originally belonged to the government. Nigeria is facing a myriad of security issues across most parts of the country. Boko Haram and other jihadist groups have waged a 15-year insurgency in North-East Nigeria that has killed more than 40,000 people. Central and North-West Nigeria have been plagued for years by gangs of criminals known as “bandits”, who raid villages, kill and abduct residents, and burn homes after looting them. By working alongside these gangs jihadist groups have increasingly established a presence in central Niger State, officials and analysts say, having previously seized villages and made camps in the area near where the attack took place. In April, Boko Haram fighters killed two soldiers as well as vigilantes protecting nearby Allawa village. Troops were then withdrawn from the village, forcing residents to flee in fear of attack. Bandits have no ideological leaning and are motivated by financial gain. However, analysts and officials have expressed concern over their increasing alliance with the jihadists.