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“Massive Crackdown!” – 327 Terror Suspects Arrested As Government Revokes 3,000 Illegal Mining Licenses.

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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has disclosed that foreign nationals arrested over illegal mining activities and suspected terrorism-related links have been transferred to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for further investigation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Alake made this known on Friday while addressing journalists during an event in Abuja, amid growing concerns over allegations by some United States lawmakers that illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria may be connected to the financing of terrorist activities.

Although the minister did not specify the exact number of foreign nationals handed over to the NSA, he stated that the Federal Government had significantly intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal mining.

According to him, more than 327 suspects, including foreign nationals, have so far been arrested for illegal mining-related offences.

He added that about 142 of those arrested are currently facing prosecution, while nearly 3,000 mining licences have been revoked as part of broader efforts to sanitise the sector and curb economic sabotage.

Alake said the sweeping enforcement actions demonstrate the Federal Government’s resolve to combat insecurity, illegal resource exploitation, and criminal activities linked to the mining industry.

The minister credited the progress made in the sector to reforms introduced under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he said have significantly improved regulatory oversight and revenue generation.

He revealed that revenue from the solid minerals sector rose from ₦6 billion in 2023 to over ₦70 billion by December 2025, describing the increase as evidence that current reforms are yielding positive economic results.

According to Alake, the administration’s policies are gradually repositioning the mining industry, restoring investor confidence, and addressing long-standing institutional weaknesses and corruption.

He also urged stakeholders in the solid minerals sector to adopt a stronger sense of social responsibility and the right mindset to unlock the industry’s full potential.

Addressing operators, the minister stressed the importance of discipline, accountability, and social conscience in moving the sector forward sustainably.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu had earlier expressed concerns over the increasing exploitation and illegal extraction of mineral resources across West Africa.

Represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the Annual General Meeting of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa, Tinubu warned that illegal mining and mineral theft pose serious threats to regional peace and stability.

The President called for stronger regional and global collaboration to classify resource theft and illegal mining as international crimes, stressing the need for coordinated action to prevent criminal networks from profiting from Africa’s mineral wealth.

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Police Break Silence On Ijebu Ode Gas Leakage, Assure Public Situation Is Under Control.

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The Ogun State Police Command has reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding lives and property while urging residents to remain calm after the gas leakage incident along Agoro/Okunowa Road in Ijebu-Ode.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Friday incident reportedly impacted more than 100 students and teachers across at least seven schools, including Our Ladies Grammar School, Epe Garage; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende; Titilayo Agbaje Comprehensive High School, Imosan; Ifesowapo Comprehensive High School, Imosan; St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School, Imosan; St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure; and Orphanage Primary School, Imosan.

The development comes just six weeks after a similar chemical odour incident at Our Lady of Apostles Primary and Secondary Schools (OLAS), where 30 students and two teachers were hospitalised.

In a statement released through the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, assured residents that the situation has been contained.

Ojajuni disclosed that the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit and other tactical teams were immediately deployed to secure the affected locations, assist emergency responders, and protect the public.

He stated that the situation is now under control, while monitoring and technical evaluations are ongoing.

According to him, the incident came to light when patrol officers in the area received reports of a suspected chemical emission affecting students and residents in parts of Ijebu-Ode.

He added that all affected victims were swiftly evacuated to the General Hospital and private medical facilities for urgent treatment, confirming that no deaths were recorded and that all victims are responding well to medical care.

Preliminary environmental checks from the state’s Air Quality Monitoring infrastructure reportedly detected elevated methane gas levels within the affected zone, while experts and emergency agencies continue investigations to identify the exact source and evaluate possible environmental dangers.

Meanwhile, the General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Kehinde Bello, described the incident as more of a security matter than a direct safety threat.

Bello dismissed claims that widespread air pollution caused the incident, stressing that the situation was limited to certain schools rather than the entire Ijebu-Ode community.

Speaking during visits to St. Anthony Grammar School, Esure, the State General Hospital, Esure, and a private hospital in the town, Bello urged parents, guardians, and residents to stay calm, assuring them that the government is actively working to resolve the situation.

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Inside Adekunle Gold’s Heartbreaking Struggle: The Pain That Made Him Wish For Death.

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Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold has spoken candidly about the stigma he has faced as someone living with sickle cell disease.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During a recent interview with media personality Angela Yee, the Orente singer shared that people often react with pity or assume he may not live long whenever he reveals his health condition.

Reflecting on one of the darkest moments of his life, Adekunle Gold recounted how, at the age of 20, he endured an intense sickle cell crisis that left him wishing for death because of the unbearable pain.

He explained that the episode was so severe that even his mother, who would usually caution him against such thoughts, was unable to do so that night because of the seriousness of his suffering.

Recalling the experience, he said at the time he felt overwhelmed by pain and believed death was the only relief.

Despite those painful struggles, the singer expressed deep gratitude to God for giving him the strength to keep fighting and survive while living with sickle cell disease.

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2027 Shock Twist: Ex-APC Governorship Hopeful Joins Labour Party, Backs Tinubu For President.

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Former Executive Director of Housing, Finance and Accounts at the Federal Housing Authority, Abuja, Mathias Byuan, has officially obtained the Labour Party’s expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the 2027 governorship election in Benue State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Despite his move to the Labour Party, Byuan has openly declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The governorship aspirant visited the Labour Party national secretariat on Friday alongside other hopefuls seeking tickets for Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly seats across Benue State’s three senatorial zones.

Speaking with journalists after obtaining the forms, Byuan said that although he would pursue his governorship ambition under the Labour Party platform, he remains committed to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stated that Tinubu’s administration has initiated significant developmental projects across the country, including in Benue State, and deserves another term to complete them.

Byuan urged his supporters to vote for Tinubu in the presidential election while also supporting him and other Labour Party candidates in Benue during the 2027 polls.

He explained that his decision to contest under the Labour Party was driven by his determination to address insecurity and what he described as poor governance in Benue State.

Byuan criticized the current state administration for allegedly failing in key responsibilities, including the payment of workers’ salaries, which he said has contributed to industrial actions by health and local government employees.

He promised that if elected governor, his administration would prioritize security, citizens’ welfare, healthcare, education, housing, road infrastructure, and rural development.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Akange Nyagba, party leaders and supporters at the Labour Party secretariat expressed confidence in his ambition and pledged their support.

Byuan had previously sought the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before later defecting to the Labour Party.

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