By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has promised to return the payment of subsidies for premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, if he is elected President in 2027.

Mr Atiku is seeking to become Nigeria’s President next year. He is contesting for the position under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The presidential election is slated for January 16, 2027.

Answering questions in a trending interview on social media, the former second citizen of the country said the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 has not done Nigerians any good.

According to him, the economy has been in shambles, noting that the subsidy removal is responsible for high living costs in Nigeria.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Finance, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed that the nation saved about N15.8 trillion between June 2023 and December 2025 from the policy, noting that over N10 trillion was made available to the 36 state governments and the 774 local government areas from the savings.

But the ADC presidential candidate was not impressed with this explanation, stressing that there is nothing to show for the purported gains of the policy.

“I initially did not oppose the removal of the fuel subsidy. But now that it has been removed, where is the money? Where has the subsidy money gone? Has it been used to improve healthcare, education or security?” he queried.

“If I win the presidential election, I will restore the subsidy. And anyone who stole Nigeria’s subsidy funds must return the money,” he declared.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Army has arrested 18 suspected illegal miners at a mining site in Izom, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, recovering equipment and N2.47 million in cash from the operation.

The suspects were arrested by troops of the 102 Guard Battalion during a routine operation in the area, where the soldiers reportedly discovered unauthorised mining activities.

Following the arrests, the army handed over the suspects and recovered items to the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals in Sauka, Abuja, in line with established inter-agency procedures.

The operation is part of intensified efforts by security and regulatory agencies to curb illegal mining, which has been linked to revenue losses, environmental degradation and the unlawful exploitation of Nigeria’s mineral resources.

Reacting to the development, the Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah, commended the Nigerian Army for what he described as a strong demonstration of professionalism and commitment to protecting the country’s mineral wealth.

“The Nigerian Army has once again distinguished itself through professionalism, discipline and patriotism. The swift arrest of the suspects and their prompt handover to the Mining Marshals reflect a commendable commitment to the rule of law and the protection of Nigeria’s solid mineral resources,” he said.

Preliminary investigations by the Mining Marshals indicated that the suspects allegedly operated without licences, permits or any affiliation with a registered mining company. Investigators also said they could not produce evidence of valid mineral titles or authorisation from the relevant regulatory authorities.

Items recovered from the mining site included motorcycles, pumping machines, crusher engines, communication devices and cash totalling N2,468,750.

Mr Attah said the Mining Marshals would continue to pursue individuals involved in illegal mining and strengthen intelligence-led operations against activities that undermine the formal mining industry and deprive government of legitimate revenue.

He added that the Corps, under its Commandant-General, Mr Ahmed Audi, remained committed to enforcing the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act and protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources from unlawful exploitation.

The Mining Marshals said the investigation had been concluded and that the 18 suspects were being processed for prosecution under the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sealed a suspected illegal maternity facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and arrested three people over an alleged N13.5 million baby sale involving a Liberian national residing in Belgium.

The agency said the suspects included the owner of the facility, an alleged facilitator of the baby sale and a member of staff.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations Unit, Mr Vincent Adekoye, the facility, located in the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt, was allegedly operating from a residential apartment.

The operation was carried out jointly by NAPTIP operatives from Abuja and Rivers State, in collaboration with officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, following intelligence about a suspected child-trafficking syndicate involved in the procurement, sale and unlawful transfer of children.

NAPTIP said preliminary investigations indicated that the Liberian national arrived in Nigeria without evidence of pregnancy but allegedly took custody of three children within about one month.

The agency said intelligence available to it suggested that approximately ₦13.5 million changed hands in connection with the transfer of the three children.

Investigators are now working to establish the identities, whereabouts and welfare of the children, as well as determine their biological and legal parentage.

The investigation will also trace the financial transactions linked to the alleged transfers and establish the roles played by medical personnel and other individuals who may have facilitated the suspected criminal activity.

NAPTIP said the facility was sealed to preserve potential evidence while investigations continue.

The agency said the operation formed part of its nationwide crackdown on fraudulent maternity and healthcare facilities allegedly operating as so-called baby factories.

NAPTIP Director-General, Mrs Binta Bello, expressed concern over the alleged activities of some maternity and health facilities, particularly their suspected involvement in illegal adoption, child sales and trafficking.

She said, “I am particularly disturbed that foreign nationals now come to Nigeria to patronise these suspected criminal elements and procure children like a common object of trade across the border. This is sad and totally unacceptable.

“We have spread our dragnet to fish out all those involved in this case, and they shall be made to face the full wrath of the law,” she said.

She further said the investigation remained active and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“I wish to reaffirm that the matter remains under active investigation and that all persons found connected to it will be subjected to due process under the law. The Agency will ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice, while the safety and welfare of the affected children remain its foremost priority,” she added.

The NAPTIP chief urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of child trafficking, illegal adoption, baby-selling and other forms of exploitation to the agency through its nearest zonal or state command.

NAPTIP said the latest operation followed an earlier directive by Bello to intensify surveillance of suspected maternity facilities across the country after intelligence suggested that some had become centres for fertility scams, child sales and trafficking.