Tag: Federal Government

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FG seals Plateau mine after gas leak kills 37

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of a mining site in Plateau State after about 37 villagers reportedly died from inhaling toxic gases during artisanal mining activities.

PUNCH Metro gathered from a post by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X on Wednesday that 25 other persons were hospitalised after exposure to suspected carbon monoxide at the mining site in Zurak, located in Wase Local Government Area.

According to the report, the victims—mostly young men aged between 20 and 35—were carrying out routine underground mining operations when they inhaled toxic gases believed to have accumulated in poorly ventilated tunnels.

Following the incident, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, directed that all activities within Mining Licence 11810, operated by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, be suspended after the tragedy in the Zurak community of Wase LGA.

The licence, owned by Abdullahi Dan-China, lies between longitudes 10.34.45 and 10.35.50 and latitudes 9.13.45 and 9.14.40.

The minister gave the directives in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Assistant on Media to the minister, Segun Tomori, in Abuja.

Tomori said the minister was on a condolence call to the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, where he expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and described the victims as “innocent citizens trying to earn a living.”

Alake urged the governor to convey his solidarity to the affected community.

“The minister sympathised with the governor over the loss of the innocent citizens who died while trying to earn a living and urged him to convey his deep sorrow and solidarity with the people of Wase over the irreparable loss,” the statement read.

The minister has also dispatched a high-level investigative team led by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Yusuf Yabo, to determine both the immediate and remote causes of the incident and recommend sanctions.

The team, according to the statement, includes experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives.

“The minister has dispatched a team of officials and investigators to probe the remote and immediate causes of the incident and recommend appropriate sanctions,” the statement noted.

“The team also includes experts in mining, environmental compliance and artisanal cooperatives. The minister is coordinating the team and support services to ensure effective management of the situation.”

Officials said the Federal Government would make further disclosures as investigations progress. (Punch)

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Gov Yusuf seeks FG’s intervention in Singer Market fire

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State has visited the scene of a fire at the Singer Market, calling for the Federal Government’s intervention to provide modern firefighting equipment.

This is contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, in Kano on Sunday.

The Governor visited the Gidan Gilas section of the market where the fire was still raging, causing damage to shops and property.

Yusuf commended the efforts of the Kano State Fire Service and the security agencies battling the inferno, urging traders and residents to remain calm and to cooperate with emergency responders.

He appealed for air support and essential tools to contain the fire and prevent recurrences, strengthening the capacity of fire services to respond effectively to emergencies in major commercial centres. (Vanguard)

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Mbah reaffirms support to members, families of armed forces

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continue to partner with the Federal Government to support the Nigerian Armed Forces, fallen heroes, and their families.

Mbah also stressed the need to learn from the scars of division and internal conflicts inherent in the nation’s history in order to build a more united and secure society, saying that “peace and safety must be protected by restraint, dialogue, and shared responsibility.”

Laying Ceremony at Okpara Square, Enugu, describing January 15 of every year as a solemn day when Nigerians must pause, reflect deeply, and acknowledge the price paid by the nation’s heroes so that other citizens may live in safety.

“As a state government, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces and their families. This support goes beyond ceremony. It is reflected in practical care, in advocacy, and in partnership with the Federal Government to ensure that those who serve, and those who have served, are treated with respect and care.

“On this day of remembrance, we honour those families who continue to carry their memory. And we recommit ourselves to the values for which they served: unity, discipline, service, and respect for human life.

“The wreaths we lay today remind us of the responsibility to live as citizens worthy of the sacrifices our heroes made for us,” he said.

He, however, emphasised that the sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces transcended an annual ceremony and should always be borne in the hearts of all Nigerians.

“When a soldier falls, the loss does not end at the battlefield. It enters homes. It settles into families. It is borne in the human heart and becomes part of daily life for those left behind.

“Grief does not announce itself outwardly; it is carried for a lifetime by spouses, parents, brothers, sisters, and by children who grow up holding memories instead of hands.

“We recognise the weight you carry. We recognise the lives that were disrupted, the futures altered, the memories that require loving guardianship. Your loss is now ours to help you carry.

“As a society, we must not look away from that responsibility. To remember the fallen is also to care for the living. To honour the cost of human life is to ensure that families are supported with consistency and compassion,” Mbah stated.

Mbah stressed that “above all, peace and security are sustained by a mindset that understands the value of prevention.”

“Our history carries the scars of division. From the Civil War of the late 1960s to later internal conflicts, we have learned, at great human cost, what happens when unity fractures and lives become casualties of discord.

“That history reminds us that progress is never guaranteed, and that peace and safety must be protected by restraint, dialogue, and shared responsibility,” he concluded. (Vanguard)

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Gov Bago receives 100 abducted Niger State schoolchildren after release

Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has received the 100 abducted pupils of the St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, whose release was secured by the Federal Government.

Conveyed in separate buses, the children arrived at the Niger State Government House at about 5:20 pm and were received by Governor Bago and other government officials.

The students were formally handed over to the state government today, Monday 8 of December 2025, by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was represented at the event by Wing Commander Abdullahi Dare.

While handing over the children, Hong disclosed that security agencies had worked tirelessly since the abduction to ensure the safe rescue and return of the students.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and safety of every Nigerian child, stressing that security agencies remain resolute in implementing measures to safeguard lives and property across the country.

Receiving the rescued students, the governor thanked President Bola Tinubu and Ribadu for their swift and coordinated response that led to the successful recovery of the children.

Bago assured parents and the general public that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining students still in captivity, expressing optimism that they would be reunited with their families in due course.

He called for sustained prayers to ensure their safe return and to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the state.

According to the governor, the moment marks a significant milestone in the history of Niger State, noting that he was deeply moved by the tender ages and number of the rescued children.

He added that medical personnel have been directed to conduct comprehensive health assessments on the students to ensure their physical and psychological well-being.

He further disclosed that the state government was collaborating with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), UNICEF, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen child protection mechanisms and guarantee the safe return of all abducted students.

The Federal Government secured the release of the children on Sunday. (Channels)

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Tinubu hails Soludo’s re-election, pledges FG support, lauds INEC

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday congratulated Governor Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election, calling the result “an affirmation of visionary leadership” and promising closer federal–state collaboration with Anambra.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Soludo the winner of Saturday’s off-cycle poll after he swept all 21 Local Government areas.

In a statement he signed and released on Sunday, Tinubu praised voters, security agencies and INEC for a peaceful exercise and urged the governor to be “magnanimous in victory.”

He also commended the new INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan and charged the commission to sustain higher standards in future polls.

The overwhelming victory he recorded in Saturday’s poll has now made him the third governor in the state’s political history to win a second term.

He wrote, “I must also congratulate the people of Anambra State, the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission on the peaceful and successful conduct of the governorship election.

“Professor Soludo’s re-election is a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance.

“Governor Soludo, the Solution, has demonstrated that indeed knowledge is power and that academic principles can be applied in serving the people, undergirding accountability, transparency and prudent management of people and resources.”

Tinubu reminisced on his visit to Anambra State in May, where he inaugurated some projects executed by the Soludo administration.

During the visit, he highlighted the good thinking behind the landmark projects being embarked upon by the governor, whom he called “Mr Solution.”

“That experience is indeed remarkable and will remain indelible in my mind,” he stated.

The President commended Soludo for bringing discipline, grace, brilliance, and a fresh perspective to governance in Anambra, saying, “Under him, Anambra is living up to its motto as the Light of the Nation.”

Assuring Soludo of his support, the President urged the former Central Bank Chief to be magnanimous in victory and to seek the cooperation of his opponents in the just-concluded elections.

He stated, “I assure Governor Soludo of my unwavering support, and I look forward to continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government.

“The victory of the opposition All Grand Progressives Alliance in the election again demonstrates the vitality of our political system and the fact that victory for any progressive and hardworking leader can hardly be encumbered or denied.

Tinubu also thanked the new INEC Chairman, Amupitan, and his team for conducting what, according to him, observers have described as a credible election, “based on the reports I have received thus far.”

“I charge the commission with maintaining the standards and further improving its performance, so we can continue to strengthen and deepen our electoral system,” said Tinubu.

Soludo’s victory extends APGA’s two-decade dominance of Anambra politics and makes him the third governor in the state’s history—after Peter Obi and Willie Obiano—to win a second term.   Channels TV and other outlets reported that the governor won by a landslide, with some tallies showing a haul of more than 420,000 votes against his closest rival of the APC.

Ahead of the vote, analysts had framed the contest as a test of APGA’s entrenched base and of opposition strength in the South-East.

With INEC’s declaration, APGA tightened its grip while Soludo’s tenure—due to run to March 2026—gained new momentum.

Tinubu said he looks forward to “continued collaboration between Anambra and the Federal Government,” adding that Soludo has brought “discipline, grace and a fresh perspective” to governance in the state. (Punch)

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FG sympathises with Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti over hurricane Melissa devastation

The Federal Government on Sunday expressed deep sympathy and solidarity with Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti following the catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean.

In a statement signed by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kimiebi Ebienfa, FG said it received “with profound sorrow and deep sympathy the news of the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa on our sister nations, the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica.”

The ministry described the scenes of devastation as “truly heart-wrenching,” noting that reports from the affected nations showed widespread destruction, severe flooding, and tragic loss of lives and livelihoods.

“Nigeria stands in solidarity with the governments and the resilient peoples of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica during this period of immense adversity and destruction,” the statement read.

The government also commended the efforts of emergency responders in the affected countries, praising their courage and commitment under dire conditions.

“We commend the swift and courageous efforts of the national emergency response teams in both countries, who are working tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to provide relief and save lives,” it said.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to global solidarity and South-South cooperation, the Federal Government extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a full recovery.

“In the spirit of South-South cooperation and the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity that Nigeria shares with the nations of the Caribbean, the Federal Government of Nigeria extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a full and speedy recovery to the injured,” the statement added.

FG also called on the global community to support recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Caribbean nations.

“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria calls upon the international community and our partner organisations to rally in support of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica, and to provide all necessary assistance to help these nations in their urgent recovery and rebuilding efforts.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Government and people of the Republic of Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica,” the ministry concluded.

According to reports, Hurricane Melissa has left nearly 50 people dead across the Caribbean after unleashing catastrophic winds, flooding, and destruction on multiple islands. The storm—one of the most powerful on record—has devastated Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, while Bermuda remains under a hurricane warning.

It was reported that in Jamaica, at least 19 deaths have been confirmed, mainly in the western parishes of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth, with widespread power and communication outages complicating rescue efforts. Haiti has reported 30 deaths, over 1,000 homes flooded, and 16,000 people displaced, while Cuba is reeling from major infrastructure damage amid its economic crisis. Around 735,000 Cubans were evacuated as homes collapsed and power lines were torn down.

The United States and the United Kingdom mobilised aid, with US disaster response teams deployed across the region. (Punch)

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FG cancels Independence Day parade

The Federal Government has announced the cancellation of the parade earlier scheduled to celebrate the country’s 65th independence anniversary on October 1.

This was announced in a statement on Monday by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen.

According to the statement, the Federal Government apologised for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation.

“The cancellation is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary, and the government remains committed to celebrating Nigeria’s 65th year of independence with dignity and enthusiasm,” the statement reads.

“Accordingly, all other programmes slated for the Independence Anniversary will remain in effect.

“The Federal Government appreciates the understanding, support and cooperation of all Nigerians, members of the diplomatic community, and invited guests, and urges Nigerians to support the reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in making Nigeria a greater nation.”

Independence Anniversary parade is one of the activities lined up for the celebration tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation.”

This comes after the government declared Wednesday as public holiday to mark the nation’s 65th independence anniversary. (Channels)

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US, UK hail Nigeria over arrest of Ansaru terrorist kingpins

The United States and the United Kingdom on Monday commended the Federal Government and its security agencies for the successful arrest of two senior leaders of the terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, also known as Ansaru.

The arrests were confirmed by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who described the development as the result of a “high-risk, intelligence-led, counter-terrorism operation” carried out between May and July 2025.

The individuals apprehended include Mahmud Usman, identified as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru.

According to the NSA, Usman served as the coordinator of numerous terrorist sleeper cells across the country and was behind several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies used to fund the group’s activities.

His deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, led the group’s “Mahmudawa” cell, which was said to be active around the Kainji National Park area, spanning Niger and Kwara states and extending into neighboring Benin Republic.

Following the arrests, the US Embassy in Nigeria issued a statement via its official X handle, describing the operation as a major step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.

The embassy praised the Nigerian security forces and described the arrests as a significant achievement.

The post read, “We commend the Nigerian government and security forces on the successful arrest of wanted #Ansaru leaders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a) and Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda).

“This is a significant forward in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and extremism.”

Similarly, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, also took to X to describe the operation as an extraordinary and very significant success, commending the security agencies and their leadership under the NSA.

“An extraordinary & very significant success. A major step forward in the fight against terrorism. Congratulations to the security agencies & officers involved under the leadership of NSA Ribadu,” Montgomery noted.

According to the Federal Government, the arrested terrorist leaders, who were internationally wanted, are now in custody.

Ansaru, formed in January 2012 as a splinter group from Boko Haram, presented itself as a more “humane” alternative but quickly turned to violent attacks on civilians, security forces, and infrastructure. The group aligned ideologically with global jihadist movements, particularly Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and established a presence in urban cells and forest enclaves, especially around Kainji National Park.

Two key figures from Ansaru, long on Nigeria’s most-wanted list, led several major attacks, including the 2022 Kuje prison break, a uranium facility attack, and high-profile kidnappings such as that of French engineer Francis Collomp and traditional leader Alhaji Musa Uba. They also had strong ties with terrorist groups across the Maghreb. (Punch)

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FG backs Elias for election to ICJ

The Federal Government has nominated Dr Taoheed Elias as the country’s candidate for election to the International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, through a statement posted on the social media platform X.

“On behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am honoured to announce the nomination of Dr. Taoheed Elias as Nigeria’s candidate for election to the International Court of Justice @CIJ_ICJ,” Tuggar stated.

The minister praised Elias as one of the most respected figures in international law, citing his “distinguished record of legal scholarship, decades of service to the global community, and dedication to the principles of justice, equity, and the rule of law.”

“His contributions embody the ideals upon which the ICJ was founded and the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,” Tuggar added.

“This nomination reflects Nigeria’s steadfast belief in a rules-based international order, one in which justice is impartial, peace is safeguarded, and all nations, regardless of size or power, have an equal voice in shaping a fairer and more secure future for humanity,” the statement continued.

The government urged the international community to support the nomination, stating confidence that Elias’s election would “strengthen the cause of global justice and advance the peaceful settlement of disputes among nations.”

If successful, Elias would become the fourth Nigerian to serve on the ICJ, following in the footsteps of Charles Onyeama, Bola Ajibola, and his father, Taslim Elias.

He is a member of the Institut de Droit International and has served as legal adviser and director at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague.

He is also the current president of the administrative tribunal of the OPEC Fund for International Development, chairman of the Islamic Development Bank administrative tribunal, and a former president and member of the OPEC appeals committee.

The ICJ, commonly regarded as the highest court for resolving disputes between sovereign states, was established in 1945.

It serves as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and is based in The Hague, Netherlands. (Punch)

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FG sets July date for petrol pricing summit

The Federal Government has fixed July 23 and 24, 2025, for a national stakeholder forum to address mounting concerns over petrol pricing and supply dynamics in the downstream sector, amid growing agitation by independent marketers for price regulation.

The planned summit, organised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, is expected to bring together industry operators, marketers, refiners, and government officials to deliberate on petroleum pricing standards, feedstock adequacy, and strategies to stabilise the deregulated market.

The Executive Director of Hydrocarbon Processing Plants, Installation and Transportation Infrastructure at the NMDPRA, Francis Ogaree, confirmed the date and summit at the just concluded 24th Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week held in Abuja.

The director further stressed the need for dialogue to build a resilient pricing system in the post-subsidy era. Recall that there has been agitation and concerns expressed by petroleum marketers over sudden changes in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, without prior notice by the Dangote refinery.

The President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, has repeatedly emphasised the need for a stable market and consistent energy security, advocating for mechanisms to analyse price fluctuations and ensure they don’t negatively impact the industry.

Gillis-Harry called for transparency in pricing, particularly in relation to the impact of Dangote’s price reductions on retailers who may have purchased fuel at higher prices. They have also called for fair pricing practices and the avoidance of untoward practices in the industry.

Similarly, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria last month questioned the petroleum pricing regime, stressing that petroleum marketers are exploiting Nigerians through inflated petrol prices and insisted that the current pump price of PMS should range between N700 and N750 per litre.

Responding to these concerns, Ogaree said the NMDPRA was aware of the operational uncertainties confronting players in the sector, and has taken concrete steps to standardise pricing while encouraging more investment in local refining.

Speaking during the panel session titled, “Building a resilient and competitive refining sector”, he said, “We are engaging stakeholders at our forum, where we address the issues and proffer solutions. I would like to remind you that the NMDPRA has only been in existence for three and a half years. And in that period, we have achieved giant strides in the number of licenses we have given and in addressing the issues.

“Even on the issue of petroleum pricing, which is another one that we are facing now and relates to standardisation. It is a work in progress, and that is why at the latter part of this month, exactly on July 23 to 24, a two-day event, we will be talking about petrol pricing. Again, that is to allay some fears and put in some standards. The issue of pricing, everyone knows that it is a sensitive one and peculiar from one country to another, and the authority is working.”

On the outlook for refining capacity and supply security, Ogaree revealed that Nigeria now has a total of 10 operational and near-operational refineries, including the three NNPC refineries, the 650,000bpd Dangote refinery, and six modular refineries.

He added that some of the upcoming refineries would require between 1,000 and 200,000 barrels per day and are expected to commence operations by 2026.

“We have about 10 refineries right now. The three Nigerian National Petroleum Company refineries. We have Dangote refinery and six modular refineries. When I look at the combined capacity for those refineries, we need about 1,124,000 barrels per day.”

He noted, however, that the success of the downstream market hinged on the availability of crude oil feedstock to serve the growing number of licensed refiners.

“We know our current production capacity. These are just operating refineries. When I think about new refineries coming up very soon. Some of them need 200,000 barrels to 1,000 barrels, and I compute them together. Some of them would be on onstream by 2026.

“You know that this number of barrels has to grow, and there has to be more production if we are to meet up. The apparent fear, and I must be sincere, is on the feedstock. We have given out 47 licenses, all of which are to do establishments, construction, and they all go into operation. We must be able to meet their demands when they all go on stream.” (Punch)