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NSCDC Raises Alarm Over Surge In Illegal Mining, Issues Strong Warning To Offenders

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The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has expressed concern over the increasing incidence of illegal mining across the country, warning those involved to stop activities that could lead to serious consequences.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking through the Commander of the Mining Marshals Corps, Attah Onoja, during a visit by officials of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Canadian donor partners to the NSCDC headquarters on Friday, the Commandant-General said illegal mining has evolved from a mere economic crime into a major national security threat.

He stressed that the situation now requires coordinated and intelligence-led enforcement to effectively address the growing challenge.

According to him, “Illegal mining is no longer just an economic crime. It has grown into a major national security threat that requires intelligence-driven and coordinated enforcement.”

Onoja commended the UNODC and the Government of Canada for their support under the project titled “Strengthening Nigeria’s Response to Criminal and Terrorist Finance Related to Minerals.”

He said the collaboration has enhanced the operational and investigative capacity of officers working to combat mineral-related crimes nationwide.

He explained that the Mining Marshals Corps was created to safeguard Nigeria’s mineral resources and enforce mining regulations through specialised units focused on intelligence gathering, field operations, legal processes, enforcement, and community engagement.

“Our mandate includes protecting the nation’s mineral resources, preventing illegal mining and prosecuting offenders involved in illegal mineral exploitation,” he said.

Onoja noted that the partnership with UNODC began in 2025, involving training programmes and technical consultations supported by Global Affairs Canada.

He added that 21 officers participated in a specialised training on terrorism financing investigations in November 2025, aimed at improving capacity to handle cases involving organised crime and illegal mining.

He further revealed that specialised units have been deployed to illegal mining hotspots in the North-West and North-Central regions, where joint operations with other security agencies have led to the dismantling of several illegal mining camps and the arrest of suspects.

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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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