National
Arewa Youths Seek Probe of ₦32m Zone 7 Case
The Arewa Youths for Peace and Security has called for a reinvestigation into the controversial arrest of ₦32 million in new currency notes by operatives of the Police Zone 7 Headquarters.
The group alleges the case involves illegal diversion of minted cash from the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Saturdays.
Zainab Usman, the group’s head of investigations, stated that their findings suggest a broader scheme of economic sabotage, criticizing the initial trial conducted under the Inspector General of Police as a “kangaroo process.”
Usman claimed the case was mishandled to shield high-ranking police officials while targeting a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) for dismissal without cause.
“We call on the National Security Adviser, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, the Minister of Police Affairs, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to reopen this case and conduct a fresh, inter-agency investigation,” Usman said.
“Rather than commending vigilant officers, the police authorities have taken punitive actions that undermine efforts to safeguard our economy.”
The group alleges that suspects arrested in connection with the ₦32 million had confessed to stealing the cash from the CBN and NSPMC during initial interrogations.
However, the Arewa Youths expressed concerns about discrepancies in the disciplinary actions taken. They questioned why the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) involved in the case received a mere warning, while the DSP, an Igbo officer, faces dismissal.
“There are also allegations of intimidation by a commissioner of the Police Service Commission, who reportedly threatened one of the officers for arresting members of the cartel,” Usman added.
The group highlighted the suspicious nature of the case, noting that the cash exceeded the permissible ₦15 million transport limit through airports.
Additionally, the suspects reportedly failed to provide transaction receipts for the money.
The Arewa Youths for Peace and Security described the incident as a grave economic threat at a time when cash scarcity is affecting the nation’s banking system.
Group urged the authorities to commend officers who act against economic sabotage, rather than dismissing them under questionable circumstances.
“Nigeria is greater than any individual,” the group said, calling for accountability and transparency in resolving the matter.
National
Nigeria Advocates for Collaborative Border Control Efforts with Sahel and West African Nations
Nigeria is seeking enhanced collaboration with Sahelian and West African nations to facilitate effective information and data sharing for improved border control measures.
During a press briefing on Tuesday at the Border Security Summit in London, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emphasized the necessity for regional cooperation.
“There is a critical need for countries within the Sahel and West African subregions to collaborate more effectively for better international partnerships and information dissemination,” he stated.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo highlighted the importance of proactive strategies to not only address ongoing issues but to prevent future occurrences. “The major takeaway from this summit is the emphasis on proactivity rather than mere reaction, as nations increasingly aim to criminalize irregular migration.”
He described the summit as a significant opportunity for border control ministers to collaborate in safeguarding their nations’ borders.
The minister pointed out that organized immigration crimes are not confined to individual countries but are a collective issue requiring shared solutions. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to combating border-related crimes through the implementation of effective strategies.
“Nigeria has developed a comprehensive border control solution, recognizing that we are not just a transit point. Our systems have been automated with numerous measures introduced to secure our borders and eradicate irregular migration,” he affirmed.
“We cannot afford to lose the battle before it begins, and we are confident that, through this summit, we can present a united front to effectively tackle this challenge,” Tunji-Ojo assured.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing its immigration policies and collaborating with global partners to combat transnational crimes, including human trafficking, smuggling, and document fraud.
According to NAN, the summit convened over 30 world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, to address significant issues related to border control and organized immigration crime (OIC). The event served as a platform for international cooperation on migration policies, security threats, and strategies to counter illegal immigration activities. (NAN)
The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).
Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.
Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.
This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.
On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.
The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.
According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.
The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising junta-led Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso have imposed a 0.5 percent import duty on goods from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations.
The move further strains relations between the three junta-led nations and the ECOWAS, which they withdrew from earlier this year following a series of military coups and economic sanctions.
The AES, which began as a security pact between the military rulers of the three countries in 2023, has now metamorphosed into an aspiring economic union with plans for biometric passports and closer economic and military ties.
In a joint statement last week, the AES said the levy aims to generate revenue to fund the alliance’s activities.
The tax, which came into effect on Friday, applies to all imports from ECOWAS countries, except humanitarian aid.
The taxes also disrupt the free trade once enjoyed by all countries in the West African region.
The economic implications could be severe, leading to higher consumer prices, supply chain disruptions, and strained regional economic stability.
While it may provide short-term revenue for the junta-led governments, it risks other long-term consequences, including weakened regional integration.
ECOWAS has maintained that it will keep diplomatic channels open with the junta-led states until July, despite announcing their permanent expulsion from the bloc earlier this year.