Nelson Ugwuagbo

A fire outbreak on Friday morning devastated the Lafia Modern Market in Nasarawa State, destroying properties valued at millions of naira.

The inferno, which started around 9:45 a.m., was reportedly triggered by a nearby dumpsite, according to sources.

Firefighters from the Nasarawa State Fire Service responded promptly, preventing the blaze from spreading to other parts of the market and ensuring no lives were lost. Their swift intervention also salvaged some properties, limiting the extent of the damage.

Efforts to contact the state’s Director of Fire Service, Joshua Ombugu, for further details were unsuccessful, as he was unavailable to take calls at the time of reporting.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the Nigerian military to take decisive action against the Lakurawa terror group, which has been terrorizing residents in Sokoto and Kebbi states.

In a statement issued by the Forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF described the rise of the new terror group as dangerous and alarming, warning that it signals a worsening of insecurity in the North-West, now regarded as the epicenter of terrorism in Nigeria.

The Forum emphasized the need for urgent intervention, cautioning against underestimating or tolerating the group, citing the initial mishandling of Boko Haram as a cautionary tale.

“The emergence of the Lakurawa terror gang raises serious concerns and must not be toyed with in any form. It should be addressed swiftly and decisively,” the statement said.

The ACF called for a comprehensive review of security strategies to eliminate any doubts about the government’s resolve to tackle terrorism in all forms. It also highlighted the importance of reinvigorating the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MJTF) arrangement, urging Niger Republic to resume active participation in the joint counter-terrorism efforts.

Referencing the visit of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to Niger Republic earlier this year, the Forum suggested that the visit be leveraged to foster renewed international cooperation in addressing cross-border security threats.

The ACF further urged the Federal Government, state, and local authorities to utilize Nigeria’s historic socio-cultural and economic ties with neighboring countries to strengthen collaborative efforts in combating terrorism.

“The mutual existential security threats posed by terror groups require a united approach between Nigeria and its neighbors,” the statement concluded.

The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, has imposed a statewide ban on the use and sale of fireworks, commonly known as “Knockout” or “Banga,” due to security concerns.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, the Commissioner announced the directive during a briefing with the Command Management Team at the Police Headquarters in Lokoja.

The Commissioner noted that some criminal elements exploit fireworks to facilitate criminal activities, adding that the Command is committed to preventing such acts in the state.

He also urged parents and guardians to discourage their children and wards from using fireworks, warning that violators would face arrest and prosecution. Additionally, shop owners caught selling or supplying fireworks would be prosecuted.

“The Commissioner of Police has directed officers to arrest anyone violating this order and warned shop owners against selling or distributing fireworks in the state,” the statement read.

The police further appealed to residents to report shops selling fireworks or any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency. The Commissioner assured the public that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, remain committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kogi State.

Residents were urged to cooperate with law enforcement by providing timely information to enhance security efforts.

Heavily armed policemen and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) have taken over the Emir Palace at Kofar Kudu in Kano, restricting movement in and out of the premises.

The deployment of security personnel is linked to plans by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to formally install Munir Sanusi as the newly appointed Wamban Kano and District Head of Bichi. Sources indicate that the Emir is scheduled to accompany the Wamban Kano to his official district posting in Bichi.

Meanwhile, the Bichi Emir’s Palace is also under tight security, with armed policemen deployed to the area.

This development comes two weeks after the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, during a visit to Bichi, affirmed the validity of the Bichi Emirate Council and reiterated that Emir Nasiru Ado Bayero remains the recognized emir.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, citing the newly passed Kano Emirate Council Law, had earlier dissolved the five emirates and removed their emirs. Days later, the state government reappointed three second-class emirs, excluding Bichi, leaving its status uncertain and raising further tension in the region.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier submitted his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, following his defeat in a parliamentary vote of no confidence. The development plunges France into deeper political and financial uncertainty.

Barnier, poised to become France’s shortest-serving prime minister in modern history, arrived at the Elysee Palace at 9:00 a.m. GMT to formally step down, as required by the constitution after a parliamentary defeat.

The no-confidence motion, tabled by the hard-left opposition and supported by Marine Le Pen’s far-right party, secured a majority in parliament on Wednesday.

Barnier’s ouster follows snap parliamentary elections earlier this year, which produced a hung parliament with no party holding a clear majority. The far right emerged as a key player in determining the government’s survival.

The immediate trigger for the no-confidence vote was Barnier’s proposed 2025 budget, which included unpopular austerity measures aimed at stabilizing France’s finances. A majority of lawmakers rejected the plan, deeming it unacceptable.

The outgoing premier had further fueled tensions on Monday by forcing through a social security financing bill without parliamentary approval, a move that sparked widespread criticism.

The collapse of Barnier’s government has left France without an approved budget for 2025. Under the current circumstances, the previous year’s budget will automatically roll over into next year unless a new administration manages to pass a new budget before Christmas — a prospect considered highly unlikely.

President Macron is now tasked with urgently appointing a new prime minister to stabilize the political and financial chaos engulfing the country.

The Coalition of Military Pensioners on Thursday sealed off the Federal Ministry of Finance building in Abuja to protest the non-payment of their entitlements.

The retired military officers, who traveled from various states, accused the federal government of failing to pay their 20–28 percent salary raise for the period spanning January to November 2024.

Their demands include the payment of palliatives for October 2023 to November 2024, the disbursement of a N32,000 allowance, payment of the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA), and the refund of deductions from the pensions of medically discharged soldiers.

Innocent Azubuike, one of the protesters, decried the hardship caused by the delay.

“We were told that approval has been secured for the payment of our entitlements. The only thing left is cash backing,” he said.

“They assured us that our long-overdue entitlements would be paid in November, but November is gone, and there is no indication of when this will happen. This matter is with the Ministry of Finance, not the Ministry of Defence.”

In January 2023, the Military Pensions Board (MPB) attributed the delay in paying the SDA to challenges involving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks.

This is not the first time retired military officers have staged protests over unpaid benefits. In 2022, retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces (REMENAF) and the Coalition of Concerned Military Veterans (CCV) picketed the Ministry of Defence in Abuja over similar issues.

Bitcoin, the world’s leading cryptocurrency by market capitalization, crossed the $100,000 mark on Thursday, marking a historic milestone in its 15-year history.

Launched in January 2009, Bitcoin reached an all-time high of $103,587 at 5:05 a.m. on Thursday, after closing at $98,318.24 the previous day, according to CoinMarketCap. As of 9:14 a.m., it had settled at $102,635.02.

The cryptocurrency market capitalization soared to $3.81 trillion, adding $477 billion in just 24 hours. Bitcoin accounted for 52.8% of the market share, with Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency trading at $3,860, holding 12.1%. Other cryptocurrencies shared the remaining 35.1%.

Bitcoin’s meteoric rise began on November 5, following Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election. On the same day, the digital asset surged to $75,000. It crossed $80,000 on November 10, reached $89,000 two days later, and surpassed $92,000 on November 13.

The rally has been attributed to optimism over a potential crypto-friendly regulatory environment under Trump’s administration. Reports suggest that Trump’s nomination of Paul Atkins as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has fueled positive sentiment in the market. Atkins, a co-chair of the Token Alliance under the Chamber of Digital Commerce, is known for advocating for the crypto industry.

Charles Hoskinson, founder of the cryptocurrency Cardano, projected that Bitcoin’s price could rise to $250,000 within two years. He described this as the lowest target, suggesting the potential for the price to reach as high as $500,000.

Erhriatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Her defection was announced in a letter read on the floor of the House of Representatives on Thursday. Ibori-Suenu represents Ethiope Federal Constituency in the House.

James Ibori, who governed Delta State from 1999 to 2007, is widely regarded as a significant influence within the PDP’s political structure in the state.

This move comes amid a wave of defections within the minority caucus in the National Assembly. Earlier, four Labour Party lawmakers also defected to the ruling APC.

Paradigm Initiative, a digital rights and inclusion advocacy group, has filed a lawsuit against the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), accusing the agency of failing to protect Nigerians’ personal data.

The group’s Executive Director, Gbenga Sesan, announced this during a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, stating that the case was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja in October. The hearing is scheduled for January 22, 2025.

“We filed the case in October. They now have the opportunity to prove to Nigerians whether a data breach occurred or not,” Sesan said.

The lawsuit follows reports earlier this year that sensitive data belonging to millions of Nigerians was available for sale online. Although NIMC publicly denied the allegations, Sesan claimed that Paradigm Initiative’s investigations uncovered vulnerabilities in the commission’s systems months after the initial reports.

“There were claims that data belonging to millions of Nigerians was being sold on the dark web. This raised concerns because the figures exceeded Nigeria’s population, suggesting massive duplication or unauthorised access to sensitive information across multiple platforms,” Sesan explained.

While NIMC assured the public in April that the breach had been resolved, Paradigm Initiative discovered in June that a new platform was being used to sell Nigerians’ data.

“This discovery highlights a failure to address the root cause of the digital rights issue,” Sesan added.

To demonstrate the ongoing nature of the breaches, the organisation purchased personal data belonging to senior government officials, including the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and NIMC’s Director General.

“This wasn’t an easy decision, but it was necessary to get the attention of authorities who have failed to act on previous reports. If they won’t protect the data of ordinary Nigerians, maybe they’ll care when it’s their own data being sold,” Sesan stated.

The group has called for greater accountability and stronger measures to secure citizens’ data.

The Kogi State Government has directed the immediate closure of Zango Market in Osara and banned roadside truck parking in the area, citing rising security threats.

Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday, explaining that intelligence reports revealed criminal elements had been using the market as a hideout, often in collaboration with truck drivers parked along the roadside.

“This situation poses a significant security threat to the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, and the broader Osara community,” the statement said.

To ensure compliance, market operators and truck drivers have been given a one-week grace period, effective immediately. After this, the government will enforce the directives fully.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has instructed the Secretary to the State Government to notify all relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the Office of the State Security Adviser has been tasked with overseeing security operations in the affected areas.

The government reassured residents of its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, promising to take proactive measures to eliminate criminal activities in the state.

Kogi State has been grappling with a wave of kidnappings in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area. The newly elected councilor representing Odo-Ape Ward, Alaba Ope, and eight others were abducted in separate incidents overnight.

Eyewitnesses reported that the kidnappers struck around 1 a.m., firing sporadically to intimidate residents before abducting their victims. An 18-passenger bus was also ambushed in the area, with all occupants reportedly kidnapped.

The community of Odo-Ape remains on edge, fearing further attacks. Residents confirmed additional kidnappings overnight, including five Gwari, two Bassa, and one individual from Agbadu.

Local sources also highlighted ongoing abductions, noting that two brothers kidnapped on their family land in Aluju and another two individuals from Odo-Ape have remained in captivity for over nine days.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer for comments were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of this report.

Residents have called on security agencies and the state government to take swift action to secure the release of those kidnapped and protect lives and property in the area.