By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has been tasked to ensure that an alleged missing N2.9 billion of public funds from the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) is accounted for.

In a statement on Sunday, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said the President must ask the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, to explain what happened to the money, as the two agencies are under his supervision.

The group said the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), should investigate the missing funds or any other diverted funds from the agencies documented in the previous annual reports by the Auditor-General.

According to the statement, the allegations were documented in the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General on September 9, 2025.

SERAP argued that these allegations, involving critical public institutions, represent a grave violation of the public trust and a fundamental breach of Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws and international obligations.

“We’ve urged President Bola Tinubu to direct @bosuntijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the Management of both the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) to account for and explain the whereabouts of the alleged missing or diverted N2.9 billion of public funds from NIGCOMSAT and NNRA.

“We also urged him to direct Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and anti-corruption agencies to investigate the alleged missing or diverted funds, and any other diverted public funds from the two agencies documented in previous annual reports by the Auditor-General,” the organisation said.

The rights group stressed that anyone found responsible should be prosecuted where sufficient admissible evidence exists, adding that any missing or diverted public funds must be fully recovered and returned to the treasury.

“Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing or diverted public funds should be fully recovered and remitted to the treasury,” the statement added.

“Accountability in NIGCOMSAT and NNRA is critical given their strategic roles in Nigeria’s digital economy and national safety systems. Mismanagement in these agencies not only wastes scarce public resources but also threatens national development, technological progress, and public safety,” it concluded.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Kebbi State Police Command says 44 people were killed following a coordinated attack on eight communities in Shanga Local Government Area of the North-Western state.

The affected villages include Gebe, Kalkami, Kawara, Kasoshi, Awaye, Tungar Rini, Binuwa, and Dabe.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Kebbi Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr Bashir Usman, said it launched a statewide clearance operation.

Mr Usman said the operation followed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, aimed at preventing further banditry and violent crimes across the state.

The police stated that massive deployments of police personnel and other security agencies have been made to the affected communities, leading to the return of relative calm.

The command added that discreet investigations have commenced into the attack.

The ongoing clearance operation, according to the police, is targeting high-risk areas such as farmlands, forests, border communities, and remote settlements.

It also includes coordinated patrols, intelligence-led stop-and-search operations, and joint actions with other security agencies.

As part of the operation, the police said two AK-47 rifles were recovered along the Illo-Kamba axis, describing it as evidence of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Umar Hadejia, called on residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information.

Mr Hadejia also urged traditional rulers, community leaders, religious bodies, and youth groups to support ongoing efforts to restore peace and strengthen security across the state.

Residents had reportedly appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris to take decisive action to restore security in the area and enable displaced residents to safely return to their homes.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria has proposed that the federal government deploy at least 60 per cent of excess crude oil revenue above the budget benchmark to subsidise feedstock for local refineries, including the Dangote Refinery.

The President of the group, Mr Festus Osifo, made the proposal in Abuja yesterday, warning that the rising cost of petrol has placed unbearable pressure on households and businesses and that such urgent measures remain necessary to ease economic hardship on Nigerian workers.

Mr Osifo explained that crude oil prices above the budget benchmark of $64.85 per barrel currently generate excess revenue shared among the three tiers of government.

He argued that redirecting a significant portion of this surplus into subsidising crude supply for domestic refining would reduce production costs and translate quickly into lower pump prices for petrol, diesel and aviation fuel.

The labour leader noted that the sharp increase in fuel prices, exacerbated by global supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions, has worsened transportation costs and manufacturing expenses, ultimately driving up the prices of goods and services.

According to him, the situation risks reversing the modest decline in inflation recorded in recent months.

He said, “We are seeing that the cost of petroleum is edging towards N2,000 per litre, and Nigerian workers are facing excruciating pain as we speak. What we are saying is that if crude oil prices exceed the budget benchmark, let the government take at least 60 per cent of that excess and use it to subsidise crude supplied to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries.

“When you subsidise production directly, it reduces the cost of feedstock, and that will translate immediately to a reduction in the pump price of petroleum products. When this is done, I can assure you that within one to two weeks, the prices of PMS, AGO, and jet fuel will go down, and Nigerians will begin to feel relief.”

Mr Osifo also stressed the need for immediate relief measures, alongside long-term investments in alternative energy such as compressed natural gas (CNG). While acknowledging government efforts to introduce CNG-powered buses, he said inadequate infrastructure remains a major challenge limiting their impact.

He also expressed concerns over the persistent insecurity across the country, urging the government to prioritise investment in modern security equipment and technology while commending security agencies for their ongoing efforts.