Author: Naija Daily News

As Nigerians gear up for the year-end season, the Body of Bank chief executives has assured customers of a steady cash supply across all branches and restated that the nation’s banking system remains safe.Group chairman of United Bank for Africa, Oliver Alawuba, who also chairs the Body of Bank CEOs, gave the assurance, noting that, for the banking industry to continue supporting sectors that can grow the economy, loan assets must be treated with discipline. Alawuba, while observing that the festive season is fast approaching, assured Nigerians on behalf of bank CEOs that “We are fully mobilised, in partnership with…

By Deborah Nnamdi Suspected bandits have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents in a fresh attack on Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The assault occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday when armed men invaded the community, whisking away the bride, her close friend, and several other residents. All the victims are women except one man. One person sustained injuries during the attack and is receiving treatment. Residents told newsmen that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later in the day when the gunmen struck. A community member, who asked…

By Deborah Nnamdi Gunmen on Sunday attacked a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the pastor, his wife, and several worshippers during a morning service. The incident occurred at the newly established branch of the church, throwing the community into panic as armed men stormed the premises and opened fire. Worshippers reportedly fled in different directions as gunshots rang through the area. The pastor, identified locally as Orlando, was taken away alongside his wife. Residents said the attackers struck without warning, leaving many traumatised. The exact number of abducted persons remained…

By Deborah Nnamdi The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a social media–based drug syndicate that allegedly distributed illicit substances disguised as imported Christmas cookies and snacks in the Lekki area of Lagos. The agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, announced in a statement on Sunday that operatives arrested two suspected masterminds of the network during a raid in Ikate, Lekki. The suspects, identified as Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi, were found with a large quantity of designer packaging sachets and five kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, which they allegedly repackaged and sold through a WhatsApp…

By Deborah Nnamdi Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have neutralised four armed militia members and recovered weapons in a swift operation to quell renewed communal violence in Usmanu Village, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State. The intervention followed credible intelligence indicating a resurgence of a long-standing land dispute between the Shomo and Wurkun communities, which recently escalated into armed clashes and the burning of houses. The 6 Brigade deployed personnel immediately to prevent further bloodshed and restore calm. In a statement on Sunday, the Brigade’s spokesperson, Lieutenant Umar Mohammed, said troops came under attack upon arriving…

By Deborah Nnamdi Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 12 teenage girls abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters in Mussa District, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. The Nigerian Army announced the development on Sunday in a statement posted on its official X handle, saying the victims were freed on Saturday, November 29, following a swift, intelligence-led operation in the southern Borno axis. According to the army, the girls—aged between 15 and 20—were abducted on November 23 while harvesting crops on their family farmlands. They have since been moved to a secure military facility where they are receiving medical…

By Deborah Nnamdi Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked Yankamaye village in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State, killing an elderly woman and abducting three residents during a late-night raid on Saturday. The assailants reportedly arrived on motorcycles and parked at the outskirts of the quiet farming community before advancing on foot to avoid detection. Many residents were asleep when the attackers struck, throwing the village into panic. Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said security operatives had been deployed to track down the perpetrators. “We are doing everything possible…

Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, has denied allegations that the state government diverted local government funds, saying the claims were politically motivated and not supported by the state’s financial records. Fanwo, speaking at a news conference in Abuja, said recent accusations by the Igala Youth Council (IYC) and some civil society organisations were “untrue, baseless and deliberately orchestrated to mislead the public.” The IYC had on Nov. 20 led a protest in Abuja alleging persistent interference in local government finances, despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local councils. Fanwo said the state government does not…

..Index Falls 0.14% Amid Cautious Investor Sentiment Nigeria’s equities market closed the week lower as cautious sentiment and broad profit-taking pressured the benchmark index, even as trading activity increased significantly. The NGX All-Share Index slipped 0.14 per cent to 143,520.53 points, compared with 143,722.62 in the previous week. Total market capitalisation declined to ₦91.286 trillion, down from ₦91.415 trillion, according to data released by the Nigerian Exchange. The softening performance came as investors “lost about ₦129 billion this week,” the News Agency of Nigeria reported, reflecting waning risk appetite after a period of strong gains. Despite the overall decline, several…

Photo: Abubakar Malami SAN By Douglas Maha, Abuja Nigeria’s former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, is facing intensified scrutiny after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confiscated his international passport as part of a widening investigation into the whereabouts of $490 million in recovered Abacha funds. Malami, who served as the country’s chief law officer for eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was detained for several hours and released around 1am on Saturday under strict bail conditions. He is required to report to EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month, effectively restricting him from…