Two persons have been electrocuted during an attempt to steal solar streetlights at Ogobiri community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Speaking with our correspondent on Saturday, a community source said their bodies were discovered in the morning within an area bordering the New Site of the state-owned Niger Delta University and Ogobiri roundabout.

An eyewitness told Punch Metro that the thieves had already loosed four streetlight poles on the ground and were loosening the fifth one before they met their demise.

“They had already loosened five solar poles, and they were loosening the fifth pole when the pole fell on the nearby high-tension wires. Unfortunately, there was power and they got electrocuted,” the eyewitness said.

He said one of the thieves was severely burnt and died instantly, while the other one could not be recognised as he was burnt to ashes.

According to him, the ashes were still at the scene of the incident at about 11:30 am; it had the form of a human being.

The other body was taken away to the mortuary while the fallen streetlight poles were still lined up beside the road.

It was gathered that stealing of streetlights was rampant in the area and that the incident would help reduce the growing crime.

When contacted for comments, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Mr Musa Mohammed, said he was yet to receive the report.

“I have not received the report,” he told our correspondent.

As the world prepares to usher in the New Year, stakeholders across major sectors in Nigeria, including manufacturing academia, security, local government unions, and the Ijaw National Congress, have called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure a better economy in 2025.

They noted that 2024 had been “tough” and “difficult,” but expressed optimism that the coming year would make life better for Nigerians.

Reflecting on the underperformance of the manufacturing sector in 2024, the Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, noted that major changes are needed to stimulate growth.

According to him, the key to these changes is the full implementation of fiscal policy and tax reforms, which he hopes the National Assembly will pass in the coming year.

He also emphasised the need for the Central Bank of Nigeria to stabilise interest rates and redeem the N2.4bn forex forwards owed to manufacturers.

Ajayi-Kadir said, “We also look forward to the expansion of the credit facility of the government. The N75bn that has been disbursed is a start, but we are looking forward to the N1tn promised in the stabilisation plan, which should help cushion the impact of access to credit.”

He urged the government to adopt measures to tackle inflation, particularly by addressing logistics costs, and to ensure better synergy between fiscal and monetary policies to promote sustainable growth.

Additionally, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, urged the Federal Government to prioritise the creation of a conducive educational environment in 2025.

According to him, young Nigerians must have access to quality education, free from the burden of loans that are increasingly affecting students in universities.

He stated that while previous generations of leaders enjoyed free education and bursaries, current students are burdened by financial encumbrances.

“We should not close TETFUND, which supports tertiary education, and turn it into a loan scheme. They should cut down on their so-called high cost of governance and expenditures. Travelling abroad six times a year should be stopped.”

The Secretary-General of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Mohammed Abubakar, urged the president to ensure the commencement of local government autonomy in 2025.

“We continue to thank Mr President for approving financial autonomy for local government. The implementation has to commence as soon as possible so that people at the grassroots will continue to feel the impact of the government. When there is money at the grassroots level, the hardship that people are talking about will reduce,” he said.

Also, the National President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Akeem Ambali, said the only way Nigeria can experience true development is when Tinubu’s administration begins the implementation of local government autonomy in 2025.

“The long-awaited local government autonomy should be actualised in 2025, and crediting local government accounts should be implemented without further delay,” he stated.

On his part, security consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Consulting, Dr Kabir Adamu, called on the President to ensure the security of lives and property of Nigerians, as stated in Section 14, Subsection 2 of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary, Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, painted a bleak picture of Nigeria’s economy in 2024, describing it as a difficult year for Nigerians who had made many sacrifices.

“2024 was a tough year for Nigerians. Nigerians made a lot of sacrifices. It can be said to be a very bad year in terms of the economy,” he stated.

Oyakemeagbegha called on President Tinubu to address the high cost of fuel, urging a reduction in the pump price of petrol to “N416 per litre.”

“We have the crude and the raw materials here; we don’t see any reason for petrol to be this costly. We heard that the people doing bunkering get the crude and sell it at low rates,” he said.

Oyakemeagbegha also addressed the ongoing challenges with the naira’s exchange rate, stressing the need for the currency to be strengthened to compete favourably with the dollar.

He noted that a more stable power supply would benefit small businesses, enabling them to thrive without constant disruptions.

“The international oil companies should move their headquarters to the locations where they are getting their raw materials,” he added.

The Federal Government has spent about N1.4bn for the rehabilitation of repentant terrorists and the establishment of centres for terrorism trials in the last one year and six months, PUNCH reports.

The Federal Government established the National Counter-Terrorism Centre following former President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill on May 12, 2022.

In December 2022, the government announced its decision to establish two disarmament, deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and reintegration centres for repentant members of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the country.

The Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Rear Admiral Yem Musa (retd.), disclosed to the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence that the government would spend N2.4bn on the centres as part of the NCTC’s N3.8bn capital projects for 2023.

However, checks by one of our correspondents using GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses the Federal Government’s spending, revealed that between December 2022 and May 2024, the Ministry of Justice spent a total of N1.4bn on constructing rehabilitation centres for repentant terrorists and renovating an abandoned building for terrorism case trials.

On March 27, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Justice disbursed N612m to three firms for the renovation and furnishing of abandoned structures for terrorism case trials and the construction of dormitories for the rehabilitation of repentant terrorists under Operation Safe Corridor.

The first payment of N286.7m was transferred to a firm, El-haby Concept Limited, for the renovation and furnishing of abandoned building for terrorism case trials at Giwa Barracks, as approved by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on March 21, 2023.

The second payment of N21.5m was made to Interprise Limited as consultancy fees for designing and supervising the building of facilities for repentant terrorists at the OSC. The remaining N303.7m was released to Fosab Global Energy Service Limited as an additional 40% payment for constructing the rehabilitation centre.

In 2024, the ministry paid three firms a total of N179m for similar projects. The first payment of N11.5m was wired to Jayjaysen Integrated Links Ltd on March 22, 2024, for the supply of desktop computers and LaserJet printers/toners to facilitate terrorism case prosecutions, as approved by the SGF on December 1, 2023.

Another N16.4m was transferred to Estergel Ltd on April 8, 2024, for procuring computers and accessories for the same purpose, as approved by the SGF on December 18, 2023. Finally, N151.8m was paid to Fosab Global Energy Service Ltd on May 3, 2024, as part of payment for constructing the rehabilitation centre.

Secret trials of terrorists

Meanwhile, on December 15, the NCTC disclosed in a statement that it had secured the conviction of no fewer than 325 terrorists in its Phase 5 and Phase 6 trials at the Kainji Detention Facility.

The centre noted that the terrorists received various sentences ranging from the death penalty to life imprisonment and terms of 20 to 70 years, depending on the severity of the crimes committed by the suspects.

In the Phase 5 trial, conducted in July 2024, about 143 cases were heard, leading to 125 convictions. In Phase 6, 237 cases were heard, with 200 convictions secured at the same venue. However, the government has since remained silent on when the Phase 7 trials will commence.

When Sunday PUNCH reached out to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to ascertain why the trials were conducted secretly, our correspondent received no response.

Some security experts and civil society organisations expressed divergent opinions on the secretive nature of the terrorism trials.

A security expert, Lekan Jackson-Ojo, said secret trials lacked authenticity.

“When politicians, armed robbers, or the so-called Yahoo boys commit offences, the press is allowed to report on it, and the entire world knows about it. But why are we trying these enemies of humanity, enemies of God—the Satanists—in secrecy?

“For over 20 years, members of the Boko Haram terrorist group have been in Nigeria, killing thousands of people and rendering millions homeless. How many of these people have been sentenced to life imprisonment?” he queried.

Chidi Omeje, another security expert, also condemned the secret trials, saying, “Why would they conduct secret trials? Does it mean the military, for example, is trying to protect these terrorists who are also killing their personnel?”

“The terrorists have killed a lot of military officers. So, why would the military participate in any action to shield their prosecution? I think it has to do with procedural issues because they are dealing with so many arrested terrorists,” he added.

However, another security expert, Kabir Adamu, argued that the government’s decision to conduct secret trials was justified for security reasons.

He said, “It is very commendable that this administration has prioritised the trial of suspects, especially those facing terrorism-related charges and who have been in detention for a very long time, some for more than a decade. However, these trials must be conducted according to standard procedures to ensure transparency and compliance with the rule of law.”

Naomi Silekunola, the estranged queen of the Ooni of Ife, who is currently held at Agodi prison following the stampede that resulted in the deaths of 35 children in Ibadan, Oyo State, has reportedly gone on a hunger strike, according to her mother, Mrs. Funmilayo Ogunseyi.

Mrs Ogunseyi, who disclosed this in an interview with PUNCH, noted that when she visited her daughter on Thursday at the custodial centre, she wasn’t feeling fine.

"She wasn’t happy about the whole incident. She loves children. The queen loves and helps children, single mothers, old women, and widows. She is still in pain that those children lost their lives because her intention was pure."

Given some details of the matter, she said: "The queen is the brain behind the programme aimed at helping Nigerians. She has a foundation. With her foundation, she has helped women not only in need of material things or foodstuff but also those who needed guidance and support. Basically, my daughter runs a non-governmental organisation.

"She has been using this NGO to help the less privileged. She has organised this kind of funfair in different cities in the country, and she has been going from one town or city to another to celebrate the end of the year with children. She has done this in Akure, Ondo town, Ile Oluji, and many other places. So, this year, she decided to bring it down to Ibadan."

She added, "In all the events she had organised in the past, she always spoke to people on the ground in the town. These were the people who would tell her the necessary things to do. She could not do it alone and would approach people in the city or town to help in the organisation of the funfair. The same thing was applicable in the Ibadan funfair.

"As of the time she was planning for Ibadan funfair, some of her team members told her about Agidigbo FM. The queen was told about Mr Hamzat Oriyomi who would help to publicise the event. The reason was that she had not organised such an event in Ibadan before. They had never met before.

"We had earlier gotten a place in Moniya for the event, but Mr Oriyomi advised that the place was too small. That was how we got the venue we used at the Islamic High School, Basorun. It was a help that he rendered because he even paid for the place by himself.

"From our observation, the place was spacious enough to accommodate what we envisaged. We had held programmes in schools before; so, we agreed to use the venue Mr Oriyomi suggested. As I stated earlier, in all the events we had organised, including a teens’ crusade we had some years back, there was no casualty."

She further stated that on the eve of the event, when the queen came to Ibadan, she met with Mr Oriyomi for the first time. "She appreciated him for his effort in securing the venue of the event as well as the publicity. Unfortunately, on the day of the event, my phone was ringing with calls to make enquiries.

"They put my number on the flier of the event. People started calling me at around 4.30am. I was wondering why people called me at that time. They were asking if the event had been cancelled. I told them that the event would still be held.

"By 6.30am, I began to hear the news that the place was overcrowded. I was told that the premises had been filled up with the crowd. Some people were throwing their children over the fence. All of these led to the stampede which occurred.

"When we heard about this news, my daughter went to a police station to report the matter. We called the police, we called the army, and we called other security agents to inform them about the incident.

"Meanwhile, on the eve of the event, four security men came with us from Akure. We even asked the two of them to go to the field and sleep over there, because of the people who were decorating the venue. We also had two bouncers. It was at the station that my daughter was interrogated.

"We were thinking she would go back home but unfortunately, she was detained. Then, she was taken to the court. However, we were not informed the previous day that she would be taken to court the next day. Our lawyer wasn’t aware.

"So, that morning, we were told that they wanted to arraign her. She was taken to the magistrate’s court. At the magistrate’s court, the magistrate could not grant her bail because only the High Court would be able to grant her bail. The magistrate asked that the three of them: the queen, Mr Oriyomi, and the principal of the school be taken to the custodial facility."

The Nigeria Police Force, Plateau State Command has denied investigating the alleged stolen fund belonging to a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) owned by Martins Otse, the famous Nigerian social critic, who is popularly known as VeryDarkMan, VDM.

Recall that the social media critic had, in a video on Friday, claimed that about N180 million was stolen from the NGO’s account.

VDM, who claimed that a suspect was arrested in Jos Plateau State in connection to the alleged missing fund, said “somebody hacked into the NGO website” and went away with the money.

The video, which went viral on Friday, has continued to attract criticism from different quarters

President Bola Tinubu‘s significant steps in 2024 include signing several bills into law, each addressing critical gaps in the nation’s socio-economic framework.

In this article, Naija News highlights some of the major bills Tinubu signed in 2024, which span education, regional development and workers’ welfare.

1. Defence Corporation Bill: On Febuary 9, 2024, Tinubu signed the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, into law.

This was made known in a statement by the former Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

The Bill seeks to address the development and environmental concerns of host communities, and sets aside five percent of the actual annual operating expenditures of power generating companies (GENCOs) from the preceding year for the development of their respective host communities.

The Bill further provides that the funds set aside for the development of host communities will be received, managed, and administered for infrastructure development in the host communities by a reputable Trustee/Manager to be jointly appointed by the respective GENCO and their host community.

2. National Student Loan Bill: President Tinubu signed the National Student Loan Re-enactment bill into law in April.

The President signed the bill in a short ceremony at the State House on Wednesday in the presence of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The bill established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), designed to provide financial aid to students in tertiary institutions.

Initially introduced in 2023, the scheme’s implementation faced repeated delays before its relaunch in April.

3. ₦70,000 New Minimum Wage Bill: Tinubu signed the National Minimum Wage Amendment Bill 2024 into law in July.

The approval of the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, was a response to prolonged agitation from labour unions in the country. The legislation also mandates a review of wages every three years, ensuring that pay keeps pace with inflation.

Before the new minimum wage, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) went on strike and shut down the national grid to press the government to meet their demands.

4. Returning Old National Anthem Into Law: President Tinubu, on May 29, approved the National Anthem Bill 2024, reinstating the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

The bill sparked criticism at the time, with many Nigerians describing it as a distraction from the ongoing economic challenges facing the country.

5. Bill For Establishment Of Centre For Arms Control: On September 17, 2024, Tinubu signed the bill for the establishment of the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

According to the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, the bill was a show of commitment by the President to curbing the proliferation of illegal arms.

6. North-west, South-east Development Commission Bills: On July 24, Tinubu signed the south-east and north-west Development Commission bills into law.

The commissions are responsible for managing funds for critical projects, including erosion control and road rehabilitation in the south-east and tackling infrastructure deficits in the north-west.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 13 passengers have died in a road accident along Owo-Ikare highway in Ondo state.

A statement on Saturday by Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC sector commander in Ondo state, said the accident involved a fabric-laden vehicle and a bus conveying 14 passengers.

“A total of 14 people were involved out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries,” the statement reads.

“Eyewitness accounts indicated that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control and a resultant head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis. Immediately after the collision, the two buses went in flames.”

Ibitoye said FRSC personnel, police officers and firefighters “swiftly” arrived at the crash scene for rescue operations.

He said the injured victim was taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owo.

The sector commander advised drivers to “exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles while passengers are encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all”.

Nigerian award-winning singer, Tiwa Savage, has hinted at quitting the music industry after the release of her next album.

Naija News reports that the 44-year-old singer gave a hint via her Instagram story on Saturday.

Tiwa Savage said she now feels tired, noting she has done her best.

However, the ‘Koroba’ crooner did not reveal the title and release date of the next album.

She wrote: “This might be my last studio album. I am tired, I don try.” 

Recall that Tiwa Savage rose to prominence after releasing her breakout single ‘Kele Kele Love’ in 2010.

She has since established herself as one of the most prominent names in the Nigerian music landscape. She has also earned global awards recognition.

Meanwhile, Tiwa Savage has spoken about the effects of the divorce from her ex-husband, Tunji Balogun, popularly known as TeeBillz.

Naija News recalls that TeeBillz announced their divorce in 2018 on social media.

However, in an interview with ‘The Receipts’ Podcast, Tiwa Savage accused TeeBillz of being responsible for the divorce, stating that she did not break up with him.

She explained that TeeBillz announced the divorce while she was still struggling with postpartum depression after the birth of their son.

Tiwa Savage also stated that it was heartbreaking how the public blamed her for the marriage breakup, adding she became ‘African Bad Girl’ afterwards.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, has clarified Governor Chukwuma Soludo‘s recent declaration of war on native doctors, stating that the move targets only “fake” practitioners involved in criminal activities, not genuine traditional healers.

The clarification came on Saturday following reports of panic among native and traditional doctors in the state after Soludo’s pronouncement during a recent function.

The governor had condemned the role of some native doctors in aiding criminalities, such as preparing charms for kidnappers and gunmen.

In a press statement, Mefor said the governor’s stance aims to sanitize the practice and expose those using traditional medicine as a front for illegal activities.

He emphasized that genuine practitioners of traditional medicine have nothing to fear, as the government recognizes their contributions to society.

He said, “For the sake of the unsuspecting public, I want to address the recent disinformation generated in some desperate quarters over Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s stance on native doctors.

“To set the record straight, Soludo never declared war on all native doctors but rather on fake and devilish native doctors involved in criminal activities.

“Concerned individuals and organisations have been investigating native doctors in the South-East and uncovered shocking revelations that reflect what Soludo is saying.

“Some native doctors are involved in preparing charms for kidnappers and armed robbers and are believed to be involved in evil practices that may not exclude human sacrifices for money and protection.

“These diabolical rituals have given rise to ‘Ego Mbute’, ‘Oke-Ite’ and ‘Yahoo Plus’ as well as idolatry, making a speedy return to Igbo socio-cultural life, Soludo, out of a sense of responsibility and responsiveness, has moved to root such diabolical and evil practices out, which have nothing to do with genuine traditional medicine or native doctors who are truly serving God and humanity.”

The commissioner said the governor has, therefore, emphasised the need to expose and deal decisively with native doctors aiding criminality, those promoting some esoteric practices alien to the Igbo culture of integrity, hard work, morality, and fear of God.

He added, “His stance is not a blanket condemnation of traditional medicine or all native doctors, but a targeted effort to root out those using so-called spiritual powers for criminal activities. They are misleading the youths and will turn the state into a soulless society if not stopped.

“The way forward requires greater clarity and understanding. We must recognise that not all native doctors are involved in criminal activities and that traditional medicine has a rich cultural heritage.

“So those genuinely practising the trade have nothing to fear from Soludo’s declaration. However, as we also acknowledge that fake native doctors are involved in criminal activities, they must be exposed and brought to justice as a way of sanitising the practice, rooting our criminality and preserving the state.”

According to him, the governor implores Ndi Anambra to work together with the state government to root out criminality and promote and uphold the culture of respect for human life, integrity, morality, hard work, and fear of God for which Ndi Anambra in particular and Ndi Igbo, in general, are reputed.

“Security is everybody’s business and not that of government alone. So, if you see something, hear something, say something,” the statement added.

The National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) has released list of approved tour operators for the 2025 Hajj.

This was contained in a statement from the Commission’s Assistant Director Information and Publications Division, Fatima Sanda Usara, on Friday.

Usara advised all tour operators and members of the public to check the commission’s website. NAHCON spokesperson warned the general public against transacting business with unlicensed tour operators.

“Sequel to application and thorough screening of Tour Operator Companies that applied for the 2025 Hajj and Umrah Operations, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria is happy to announce the list of successful companies as approved by the Chairman Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman.

“After the screening, 118 Private Tour Operators qualified for the License. The 10 lead companies were selected along three zones namely four from Kano zone, three from FCT zone and three from Lagos. The ten lead companies are selected in compliance with Saudi Arabian directives,” the statement read.

The commission further advised Nigerians who will be traveling for the 2025 Hajj to observe all safety measures as directed.

“Always wear your identification, listen to announcements and obey the instructions of Police and security personnel to ensure safety.

“Follow designated pathways and time slots for rituals, particularly during the stoning of the Jamarat, to avoid stampedes, heatstrokes and dehydration.

“Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water and rest under shaded areas to avoid heat-related illnesses.

“Know the locations of medical facilities, carry your medications, practice good hygiene and wear comfortable footwears to avoid injuries and strain due to long standing and walks.

“Avoid purchasing from street vendors and unidentified sources.