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Five Arrested In Abuja For Illegal Mining And Impersonating Security Agencies.
According to Nivo News, Mining Marshals have apprehended five men in connection with illegal mining activities and impersonation in Kuje Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The arrests were made on December 27, 2025, at Kebi Mangoro, following credible intelligence reports about unlawful mining operations in the area.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The suspects, identified as Muhammed Aliyu, 39; Abdulrahman Hashimu, 32; Tahir Muhammed, 43; Awaje Abduljalal, 19; and Kabiru Adamu, 38, were reportedly operating multiple illegal mining sites across Abuja and parts of Nasarawa State.
Investigators allege that the group used a privately owned Toyota Hilux vehicle, branded with colours and insignia resembling those of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to bypass security checkpoints and intimidate local stakeholders.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted to the offences. One of them, who claimed to be a manager, stated that the operations were directed by Alhaji Mohammed Dahiru Salihu, also known as Mundasa of Mundasa Global Limited, who remains at large. The suspect indicated that only Salihu could account for the group’s lack of licences and statutory documents required for mining operations.
Mining Marshals disclosed that ongoing investigations revealed attempts by Salihu and other accomplices to influence the lawful mineral titleholder on whose concession the arrests were made, in an effort to compromise the investigation. These actions have been formally documented and will be included as part of the evidence in prosecution, alongside the suspects’ voluntarily obtained confessional statements.
Authorities raised concerns over the increasing security risks linked to illegal mining, particularly the impersonation of security agencies. They highlighted that the misuse of an NSCDC-branded vehicle posed a serious threat to public trust and national security.
Although the suspects were temporarily granted bail following a legal application by their counsel, Douglas Najime of Chatham Partners, the Mining Marshals confirmed that investigations remain ongoing. ACC John Onoja Attah, Commander of the Mining Marshals, reiterated the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining, assuring that the suspects would face prosecution in accordance with established procedures. He emphasized that the NSCDC remains committed to cleaning up the mining sector and dismantling illegal networks nationwide.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, has appealed to medical unions in Akwa Ibom State to return to their duty posts and resume healthcare services for the public.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This follows a disruption of services after a confrontation between hospital staff and officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and other health bodies had withdrawn their services in protest, alleging the unjust arrest and assault of a senior cardiologist, Prof. Eyo Ekpe.
Concerned about the impact of the industrial action on patients, the CMD, while addressing a press briefing at the hospital, urged the unions to suspend the strike. He also condemned the conduct of the EFCC, describing it as the action of overzealous officers that did not reflect the agency’s mandate.
He stressed that while the unions have the right to protest, they must also consider the condition of vulnerable patients, including those in intensive care, accident victims, and newborns requiring urgent attention.
In his words, “We are appealing to our colleagues and unions to consider the human lives involved. Patients are suffering. Newborn babies and critically ill persons are at risk. Whatever grievances we have, human life must come first.
“If not for anything, the Accident and Emergency unit should not be shut, the ICU, even the Special Care Unit for babies, too. My dear union leaders, I plead that you keep these doors open; the harm has already been done, but let us not forget our vulnerable and sick ones.”
Prof. Bassey added that hospital management, including Prof. Ekpe and other senior staff, had remained on ground since the incident to stabilise critical departments and ensure patients continued receiving care.
He also urged security agencies to exercise restraint in the discharge of their duties, assuring that efforts were underway with the intervention of the Minister of Health, the Akwa Ibom State Government, and other stakeholders to prevent a recurrence.
Meanwhile, the CMD disclosed that the disputed issue centred on the verification of a medical report allegedly issued on behalf of a suspect under investigation. He said investigations revealed that the document was fake and did not originate from UUTH.
According to him, “Some actors working in concert with lawyers or whoever for the suspect had opened a folder with no official footing and written a fake medical report on it. To check the authenticity of a medical report is a rigorous process, and after all was done, it was discovered that the document was fake.”
Local government workers in Benue State on Thursday commenced a two-week warning strike over unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and unresolved pension remittances, bringing activities in all 23 local government councils to a halt.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The industrial action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum and a subsequent seven-day extension issued to the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia by the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
In a notice dated May 13, 2026, and signed by State President Joshua Adah Adiniya and State Secretary Aseneshi Musa Yusuf, the union accused the government of failing to address long-standing welfare concerns affecting council staff.
Titled “Notification of Strike Action,” the statement said the union had exhausted all avenues of dialogue before resorting to industrial action.
“Unfortunately, the Benue State Government has remained adamant and ignored all the opportunities offered by the union to resolve these disputes and avert the consequences,” the union stated.
The workers are demanding immediate payment of March and April 2026 salary arrears, implementation of overdue promotions, resolution of BEPCON remittance issues, reinstatement of local government staff disengaged in 2011/2012, and settlement of outstanding salary obligations.
NULGE said its State Executive Council, during a meeting held on April 21, 2026, had resolved to intensify pressure on the government, but noted that no meaningful response had been received.
“The union has been pushed to the wall and is left with no option,” the statement added, directing all local government workers to begin a two-week stay-at-home warning strike effective Thursday, May 14, 2026.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has clarified its position on the reported approval of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal civil servants.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
It stated that it did not approve or formally communicate any such allowance to the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) or any labour union.
The office further explained that the authority responsible for issuing and circulating such official salary-related circulars lies solely with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Eno Olotu, the OHCSF noted that the circular in question was issued by the NSIWC on April 23, 2026.
It also clarified that a meeting convened by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on May 12, 2026, was purely an intervention and reconciliation session aimed at encouraging dialogue between organised labour and the NSIWC, with the goal of maintaining industrial harmony and preventing any disruption in labour relations within the federal civil service.
Recall that on April 24, 2026, the OHCSF had announced that the Federal Government approved a broad welfare package for civil servants. The package reportedly included full Duty Tour Allowance for approved training programmes, an upward review of peculiar allowance across salary structures such as CONPSS and CONRAISS, as well as increases in estacode, book allowance, and other entitlements.
The government also approved a ₦10 billion housing loan scheme designed to improve access to affordable home ownership for public servants.
The OHCSF reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peaceful labour relations and sustaining constructive engagement with all stakeholders to ensure continued industrial harmony in the federal civil service.
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