The United States Coast Guard, working alongside the U.S. Navy, has intercepted the Nigerian-owned supertanker Skipper over allegations of crude oil theft, piracy, and other international crimes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The 20-year-old Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), registered under IMO Number 9304667, is reportedly managed by Nigeria-based Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd., while its official owner is Triton Navigation Corp., a company registered in the Marshall Islands.

Authorities stated that the vessel was detained for flying the flag of Guyana without authorization. The Guyanese Maritime Administration Department confirmed that the Skipper is not registered under its national registry, indicating the flag was used illegally.

U.S. security sources revealed that the seizure was conducted under American law enforcement jurisdiction. Former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the action on December 10, 2025, noting it is part of a broader initiative targeting global criminal networks.

In addition to allegations of oil theft, the tanker is reportedly under investigation for carrying a substantial quantity of illicit drugs. Officials suggest the vessel may be involved in operations connected to Iranian-linked entities and Islamist-backed money laundering schemes.

Corporate records indicate that Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd., the Nigerian company managing the vessel, is currently listed as inactive.

Nigerian senators have urged the Federal Government to immediately halt the recently announced increase in domestic airfares, as ticket prices have surged to between N460,000 and N700,000 for a one-way trip depending on the route. According t o Nivo News, the lawmakers made the demand during Tuesday’s plenary, where they also moved a motion summoning the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo (SAN), to provide explanations for the sudden hike.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During the debate, Senator Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central raised concerns that a flight from Abuja to Kebbi now costs nearly N700,000, describing the situation as unacceptable and unjustifiable. He argued that there had been no corresponding rise in aviation fuel prices or airport charges to warrant such an increase, insisting that airline operators must be questioned over the development.

Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North also expressed shock, revealing that a one-way ticket from Abuja to Enugu now sells for between N460,000 and N500,000. He recounted how his personal assistant attempted to book a flight for December 13, only to discover that Air Peace charged N500,000 while Ibom Air priced its ticket at N460,000, a situation he described as unprecedented.

Similarly, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari from Oyo lamented that air travel has become “practically unaffordable” for many Nigerians, especially ahead of the festive season. He stressed that ticket prices ranging from N400,000 to N650,000 for routes such as Abuja-Lagos, Abuja-Enugu, and Abuja-Ilorin have made local travel extremely difficult. Buhari noted that initial findings by the Senate committee revealed that ordinary citizens, particularly those preparing to travel for the holidays, can no longer cope with the rising costs.

He urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to intervene urgently, warning that with the poor state of many highways, Nigerians have limited travel options. According t o Nivo News, the Senate had earlier resolved to summon the aviation minister over the soaring ticket prices, which have sparked public outrage at a time when millions are preparing for Christmas and New Year journeys.

According to Nivo News, the Naira held steady against the United States Dollar on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent sweeping reforms within the Bureau de Change (BDC) sector. Latest figures from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) revealed that the local currency traded at ₦1,452.16 to the Dollar at the official market window, slightly weakening from the opening rate of ₦1,451.30—a marginal change of less than 0.1%.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Analysts noted that the relative consistency witnessed in recent days suggests improving liquidity and reduced volatility across the foreign exchange landscape. The official trading window, supervised by the CBN, recorded movements between ₦1,450.25 and ₦1,457.00 this week, with Monday closing at ₦1,454.00, underscoring the calmer market environment compared to previous quarters.

At the parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market, the currency exchanged between ₦1,460 and ₦1,478 per Dollar, depending on transaction size and location. The gap between official and unofficial market rates has now narrowed to less than ₦30, a trend many experts link to the apex bank’s aggressive restructuring measures.

The CBN recently completed what it described as a comprehensive market reset, giving final approvals to only 82 BDC operators under a tightened regulatory system. More than 4,000 operators lost their licenses for failing to meet new compliance standards. Under the revised structure, BDCs are now classified into Tier 1—with a minimum capital requirement of ₦2 billion—and Tier 2, which requires at least ₦500 million. The central bank said the reform aims to sanitise the sector and phase out previously dominant briefcase operators who contributed to rate distortions.

According to Nivo News, market observers believe that although the Naira has not seen significant appreciation, the reduced fluctuations provide relief for importers and businesses planning for 2026. Traders predict the currency may remain between ₦1,450 and ₦1,480 throughout the week, barring unexpected developments from global oil prices or shifts in Nigeria’s external reserves.

With the new year approaching, stakeholders are closely monitoring how the market will adjust to the full effects of the CBN’s BDC overhaul and the broader economic pressures shaping Nigeria’s financial outlook.