President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that his government would explore military might in dealing with bandits in the Northwest.

Speaking in Maiduguri, Borno State, Buhari said Nigeria is currently taking deliveries of some military hardwares which will be used against bandits, stating   that his successor would try to secure the country

He spoke while addressing the people of Borno during his official working visit to the State.

According to Buhari, only a secured country can be managed.

Buhari said that he was aware of his failures and   successes especially in his geopolitical zone, the North West, where it is the same people, the same culture who were stealing each other’s properties and killing each other

Mr Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) disclosed this in an interview with the media on Friday in Abuja.

The decision which was made in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation is to ease the movement of citizens during the yuletide, as well as helping ease the cost of transportation and enable citizens to move easily enjoy the festive period.

He advised passengers to ensure they obtain their tickets from appropriate quarters at no cost, to enable them to gain access and enter the trains.

He also reiterated the federal government’s commitment to ensure the safety of passengers and trains during the period.

Yuletide: FG declares free train rides from Dec 24 to Jan 4

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday  said it had begun investigation into a trending audiotape containing claims, allegedly made by one of its prosecutors, Mr. Mohammed Idris, about the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

It said the recording of what may be a conversation between Idris and a relative of a crime suspect contained unsubstantiated claims regarding the minister’s influence on the commission.

The social media has been awash with the recording, which allegedly involves the lawyer discussing with the younger brother of a suspect facing corruption charges.

The conversation claims that the minister compromised cases of corruption in the country.

–

But responding the audio, EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said that the attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a trending audiotape, as it has begun investigation

Kaduna: Bandits kill six, abduct scores in fresh attack along Birnin-Gwari highway

Barely 24 hours after suspected bandits attacked a convoy along Birnin-Gwari highway in Kaduna State, abducted traders on their way to Kano, bandits, again on Thursday attacked motorcyclists on Birnin-Gwari highway, killed six and abducted several others

Six persons were killed in the attack while many travellers were abducted.

According to one of the motorcyclist, who spoke to journalists  in Kaduna on Thursday evening, Alhaji Musa Idris said he narrowly escaped being Kidnapped.

According to him, the incident happened at Unguwar Geda, few metres from Zankoro, a dreaded location along the highway.

Also, a resident of Udawa, Alhaji Musa, confirmed that his younger brother was also killed

Nigeria awards contracts to boost electricity transmission

Nigerian government on Thursday approved 16 contracts aimed at boosting the capacity to transmit and distribute electricity in Nigeria.

The award of contracts designed to alleviate the bottlenecks associated with evacuation and distribution of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry was confirmed at an extraordinary meeting of Nigeria’s federal cabinet on Thursday in Abuja

The Minister of Power, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, who briefed journalists  at the end of the meeting, said the approval was given for award of contract for of 2 by  60 MVA 132/33KV sub-station at Ikare-akoro and 2 by 132KV lines bay extension at Oke-agbe in Ondo State, with   dollar component of  nine point nine million dollars and Naira component  of two point four  billion.

He said another approval was for the construction of 132 KV double-circuit line at Ikere-Ijesa-Isu-Ilupeju towns in Ado-Ekiki, Ekiti State with a dollar component of thirty point eight million dollars and a Naira component of eight point three  billion among others

UAE Bans Travelers from Nigeria, Kenya, Others Over COVID-19 Concerns

The United Arab Emirates has banned entry to travelers from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Nigeria due to concerns related to the spread of the omicron COVID-19 variant.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced the suspension of all inbound flights for national and international carriers and transit passengers from the four countries from Saturday, December 25, effective 7.30 am,

This includes suspending the entry of travelers who were in the four countries 14 days before coming to the UAE, while flight operations will continue to transport passengers from the UAE to the same countries.

According to the statement by the agencies, the United Arab Emirates nationals, their first-degree relatives, diplomatic missions, official delegations between UAE and these countries and Golden residence holders are excluded from this decision.

It added that the two authorities have introduced new travel requirements for those coming on direct flights from Uganda and Ghana.

Actress, Sedater Saviour Slams Nollywood Actors Mourning Late Samuel Obiago

Nollywood actress, Sedater Saviour Jimmy has slammed her colleagues mourning the death of veteran actor Samuel Obiago, better known as Daddy Sam.

Recall that the actor passed away on Thursday, 23rd December at the age of 50, after months of illness.

In a post on her Instagram page, Sedater asked her colleagues to stop with fake love.

She also noted that “No one cares until you drop dead”

Napoli threaten legal action to stop Osimhen from AFCON

Italian side Napoli are preparing to take legal action against countries who hand call-ups to their players ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year

According to the club’s lawyer Mattia Grassani, Napoli will take legal action to protect their players, especially with the recent spike in COVID-19 cases across the world and in Cameroon.

Cameroon reportedly has  around five per cent of its population vaccinated, leaving clubs concerned over the health of any players from Europe who may travel there.

But Napoli lawyer Mattia Grassani has stated that action could be taken in regards to exempting European based players from the tournament, saying the club has invested a lot of money in the players and would not fold their hands and watch them being exposed to COVID-19 at the AFCON.