Militancy: Govt, Avengers Dialogue Amidst Protest, Threat From Other Groups

Stock photo: militants wielding heavy guns

Since the resurgence of militancy in the Niger-Delta region, several allegations have been made against the new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), its motives and implications of its actions.

UPDATED Nigerian Soldiers, Police In Fight For Ramadan Rice, Semovita; Exchange Gunfire

Borno State govt has since Monday distributed large amounts of rice and Semovita to poor residents.

At least one person was injured Thursday at the Borno State government house when soldiers and police exchanged fire as they fought over food items distributed by the government to mark the Ramadan fast.

Shootout In Government House, Maiduguri Over Rice Distribution

Bags of rice were distributed to IDPs not living in camps by Gov Kashim Shetima

There was shootout between policemen and soldiers in Borno State Government House, Maiduguri on Thursday afternoon when soldiers in a truck attempted to forcefully get a share of the rice being distributed to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) not living in camps.

Nigerian Army To Probe Coup Rumours

Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai

The Nigeria Army has said it will investigate and track down those behind the recent speculation that some of its officers had approached the Niger Delta militants for support to carry out a coup against the government.

Aisha Buhari Writes Fayose, Spits Fire As PDP Chieftain Named In Jefferson Scandal Opens Up

Aisha Buhari, wife of the President Buhari

The Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari on Wednesday demanded a full retraction of a widely-circulated material distributed by Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, in which he claimed to have uncovered how Mrs. Buhari was allegedly mentioned as having transferred funds to a convicted former U.S. lawmaker, Williams Jefferson.

Polls Open In Britain's Historic EU Referendum

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, foreground, addresses Vote Remain supporters with former Prime Minister John Major, right, during a rally in Bristol, England Wednesday June 22, 2016. On Thursday Britain goes to the polls in a referendum on whether to remain or leave the EU. (Geoff Caddick/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM 

Polls opened in Britain Thursday for a referendum on whether the country should quit the European Union bloc of which it has been a member for 43 years.

It’s Disgraceful States Can’t Pay Salaries, Says Buhari

President Buhari addressing State House staff 

President Muhammadu Buhari  yesterday described as disgraceful that two-thirds of state governments can’t pay workers’ salaries.

FOR THE RECORD: Nigeria’s ‘Most Wanted Notorious Job Scammer’ Arrested

Abubakar Rilwan

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has arrested one of Nigeria’s most wanted notorious fraudsters involved in online advertising scams on non-existing vacancies in government agencies, PRNigeria is reporting.

Africa-Focused Funds Fuse US$3.3 Billion Electric Power Assets

A gas turbine powered IPP in Nigeria

Two Africa-focused funds have created a new energy joint venture capable of generating 1,575 megawatts (MW) of electricity in at least 10 countries by merging assets totalling US$3.3 billion.

Real Reason Governor Fayose’s Account Was Frozen

Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose

On Monday the governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, a relentless critic of President Muhammadu Buhari, stirred yet another controversy.

Resident Doctors Agree To Suspend Strike

Resident Doctors declared a nationwide warning strike, urging its members across public hospitals in the country to suspend services from May 11, 2016, as a move to press home its demands.

The leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has agreed to suspend its strike at a meeting with other health officials on Tuesday.

New FIFA Number Two Samoura Starts Work

New FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura smiles on May 14, 2016 in Abuja ©Pius Utomi Ekpei (AFP)

FIFA's new general secretary Fatma Samoura has officially started work, becoming the first woman and non-European to hold the powerful post at the scandal-tainted organization.

Nigerian Govt Orders Sack Of Striking Doctors

Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, has directed the chief medical directors and medical director of federal tertiary hospitals to fill the vacancies created by resident doctors who have “abandoned” their training programme by refusing to report for work.

Buhari Appoints New Acting Police IG

President Muhammadu Buhari (L) in a handshake with the new Acting IGP, Ibrahim Idris, during a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday (21/6/16) 4523/21/6/2016/ICE/HB/NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, as the Acting Inspector-General of Police.

IGP Arase, The Only ‘One’, Who Survived Buhari’s Storm, Bows Out On His 60th Birthday

Solomon Ehigiator Arase, outgoing Inspector General of Police

The last man standing is currently on his way out, but unlike his counterparts who were eased out of the way, encomiums have been pouring in for Solomon Ehigiator Arase, the 18th inspector-general in the history of Nigeria police force.

FOR THE RECORD: We Only Approved Field Trials, Not Planting, For GMOs — Nigerian Govt.

“Nigerians should be rest assured of the protection of their health and environment by the National Biosafety Management Agency.”

The federal government has stated that there is no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) being “officially” grown in the country.

South Africa Unrest Over ANC's Tshwane Candidate

Local media are showing pictures of burning barricades blocking main roads Image credit: Reuters

Police are battling to quell violence that has broken out in several areas near South Africa's capital, Pretoria.

Buhari Ends Eight-Year Tenure For Perm Secs, Directors

Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita

As part of steps to ensure stability in the nation’s civil service, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday suspended the eight year tenure policy for Permanent Secretaries and directors in the Federal Civil Service with immediate effect.

EFCC Arrests Seven Health Officials Over US$4m HIV Fund

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested seven officials in the Federal Ministry of Health for their alleged role in the diversion of over US$4m.

Flexible Forex Regime Takes Off, Faces US$4 Billion Demand

Nigerian foreign exchange operators will operate under new regulations from June 20, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Afolabi Sotunde

*Treasurers want ₦1tr mop-up for stability *Policy raises concern over write-offs, bad loans

As the flexible exchange rate policy takes off today, there is no less than US$4 billion worth of unmet demand, which has raised a new concern over its clearance within the targeted four weeks.

Global Migrant Tide Swells To Record 65 Million

Sri Lankan migrants sleep in a tent in Lhoknga, Aceh on June 19, 2016 after being allowed to get off their stranded boat after it broke down nearly one week ago ©Chaideer Mahyuddin (AFP)

The number of refugees and others fleeing their homes worldwide has hit a new record, spiking to 65.3 million people by the end of 2015, the United Nations said Monday.

Displaced families, fleeing from Boko Haram attacks, are seen at a camp near Diffa in Niger, on June 19, 2016 ©Issouf Sanogo (AFP)

Buhari Returns, Says He Is Okay

President Muhammadu Buhari (left); Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Bello Danbazau (right); Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe; Minister of Budget and Planning, Udo Udo-Udoma and others during the arrival of the President at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja after a 13-day medical trip to the United Kingdom… yesterday. Photo: Philip Ojisua

‘Come wrestle with me if you want’

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday returned to the country after 13 days of medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

University Of Port Harcourt Reopens Sunday

University of Port Harcourt INSET institution logo

… Students begin exams Monday

The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Rivers State, that was shut by the management in the evening of April 11 this year, after students’ violent protest earlier in the day, will be reopening on Sunday, with first semester examinations to start the next day.

Cult Killings: States In Grip Of Deadly Rise — An Investigation

Image source: Daily Trust

Once skirmishes for supremacy on campuses, cult-related violence has now eaten deep into the larger society, leading to rivalries that spawn brutal killings. Just how bad is the worrisome trend across the country? Daily Trust reports.