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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has announced the repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian girls from Ghana, bringing the total number of victims rescued and returned home since July 2024 to 163.

NiDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. He revealed that the latest rescue operation was conducted in collaboration with the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Rescue Live Foundation International, and NIDO Ghana, with support from NiDCOM.

“The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission alongside other stakeholders have rescued another set of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana, thus bringing the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163,” the statement read.

The rescued girls, aged between 19 and 30 years, were reportedly lured to Ghana under false promises of employment but were instead subjected to exploitative conditions.

NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the coordinated efforts that facilitated the operation and expressed gratitude to stakeholders who played critical roles. She specifically acknowledged the contributions of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru in supporting the repatriation process.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff, effective immediately.

The announcement was made on Friday in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, who noted that Audu’s appointment is aimed at advancing meaningful reforms across the state.

“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the appointment of Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect,” the statement read.

Born on August 18, 1969, Audu holds an HND from Auchi Polytechnic (1994), a PGD in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University (2011), and an M.Sc. in Intelligence and Global Security from Baze University, Abuja (2024).

Audu has an extensive political career, serving as Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council from 2004 to 2010 and as a member of the Edo State House of Assembly representing Etsako West Constituency 1 from 2015 to 2023. He was also the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2020 Edo State Governorship election.

The Lagos State Government has demolished 138 shanties along the Ajao Estate Canal bank, where illegal occupants reportedly paid between N60,000 to N100,000 annually in rent.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement shared on X.com on Friday. Wahab stated that the demolition was part of ongoing efforts by the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI, to curb environmental violations and remove unauthorized structures from public spaces.

“In continuation of concerted measures to reduce the scourge of environmental infractions and illegal encampment in public spaces, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps on Thursday demolished 138 shanties around the canal bank in Ajao Estate Canal where illegal occupants pay between N60,000 to N100,000 rent,” Wahab wrote.

In May, Wahab had reported the discovery of an apartment under the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, where tenants paid N250,000 annually for one of 86 partitioned rooms measuring approximately “10×10 and 12×10.”

The Wives of Nigeria Governors Forum has reaffirmed its commitment to combating sexual and gender-based violence towards women across states, according to a report issued after a closed-door meeting at the Centenary City, New Government House, Abakaliki, on Thursday.

The communiqué, read by the forum’s Chairperson and First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, highlighted the forum’s resolve to address sexual and gender-based violence as part of its efforts to foster development in service to their states and the nation.

“The forum affirms yet again its unwavering resolve to keep up the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in their various states,” the statement read.

Additionally, the First Ladies expressed support for the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI) Initiative, pledging to advocate for increased HPV vaccine uptake to protect the health of young girls. They announced plans for targeted sensitization efforts aimed at wives of local government chairmen to raise awareness of HPV vaccination and cancer prevention.

The First Ladies also committed to promoting six months of paid maternity leave and pledged to work with governors and state legislators to push for the policy’s adoption across all states, aimed at enhancing maternity and child welfare.

The meeting observed a one-minute silence in memory of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State. A total of 23 First Ladies attended the gathering.

The Nigerian Military has announced plans to deploy troops to Ondo State for the upcoming governorship election scheduled for November 16, in a bid to enhance security and support the Nigeria Police Force in maintaining peace and order.

In a statement on Thursday, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Operations, said military personnel would collaborate with the police, who are leading security efforts, to ensure a smooth and disruption-free electoral process.

General Buba added that the Nigerian Air Force has begun providing logistical support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), transporting sensitive electoral materials to ensure their secure and timely delivery across the state.

“Troops have been deployed in substantial numbers to support the police in maintaining a safe and orderly environment during the Ondo governorship election on November 16, 2024,” he said, emphasizing that the military’s presence aims to create a secure environment for voters to participate without fear of harassment or intimidation.

The deployment, which includes both ground and air support, reflects the military’s commitment to upholding democratic processes and ensuring citizens exercise their voting rights safely.