Jos Electricity Distribution Plc has accused youths in Benue State of assaulting and abducting 10 of its personnel, raising concerns about the safety of electricity workers carrying out their duties.

The electricity distribution company reportedly condemned the incident in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, describing the alleged attack on its staff as a serious concern.

The development comes amid broader concerns about the security of electricity infrastructure and the safety of personnel responsible for maintaining power distribution networks.

Electricity workers regularly deal with service interruptions, technical faults and complaints from customers. However, disagreements over power supply should be resolved through lawful channels rather than violence or intimidation.

The reported incident also highlights the challenges distribution companies face in maintaining services when their personnel encounter hostility while performing their duties.

Jos Electricity Distribution Plc operates across parts of north-central Nigeria, including Benue State, where its staff are responsible for activities connected with electricity distribution and service delivery.

The company has previously raised concerns about attacks on its personnel in the state. In February 2026, its management condemned the alleged assault of a distribution system operator at the North Bank Injection Substation in Makurdi.

According to a report published by City Post on February 17, the company alleged that an officer and soldiers of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering had assaulted the operator following a dispute over a power outage. The company said the affected worker sustained injuries and required medical attention.

Following that incident, the electricity distributor reportedly withdrew its personnel from the facility as a precautionary measure and escalated the matter to relevant security authorities.

Although that earlier incident involved different allegations and individuals, it underscored the risks electricity workers may face while carrying out essential duties.

The latest allegation involving 10 personnel raises further questions about the circumstances surrounding the reported attack and the measures being taken to protect the company’s workers.

However, details independently confirming the identities of those allegedly involved, the precise circumstances of the incident and the status of the 10 personnel could not be established from the additional reporting available for verification.

Further clarification from the company and relevant security authorities would help establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether any arrests or rescue operations have taken place.

The safety of electricity workers remains important to the delivery of essential public services, while allegations of assault and abduction require prompt investigation by the appropriate authorities.

A behavioural change and public health communication consultant, Professor Ehiz Odigie-Okpataku, has warned that repeated exposure to pornography may weaken inhibitions and contribute to sexually predatory behaviour, stressing that child sexual abuse cannot be explained by high libido alone.

Odigie-Okpataku made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on the Nigerian Television Authority’s Good Morning Nigeria programme, where she discussed psychological factors associated with sexual abuse, including offences committed against children.

She argued that sexual violence is often misunderstood as an expression of excessive sexual desire, whereas the motivation behind such offences may also involve domination, control and the desire to exert power over victims.

According to the consultant, perpetrators may use sexual violence as a means of asserting control over another person, even when their behaviour appears inconsistent with ordinary sexual attraction.

She explained that understanding these underlying motivations is important in addressing sexual offences and developing effective strategies to protect vulnerable people.

Discussing child sexual abuse within families, Odigie-Okpataku highlighted the need to consider psychological factors associated with paedophilia and incest. She also raised concerns about the consumption of pornographic material involving children and sexualised family relationships.

The consultant argued that repeated exposure to certain forms of pornography could blur an individual’s perception of acceptable sexual behaviour and stimulate curiosity about acting out what they have watched.

She maintained that the type of material consumed matters, particularly when it depicts children or portrays abusive relationships as acceptable.

According to her, some individuals move beyond viewing explicit material to developing an interest in reproducing what they have seen, potentially putting children at risk.

However, the relationship between pornography consumption and sexual offending is complex, and exposure alone does not establish that an individual will commit sexual abuse. The expert’s comments highlight a potential risk factor rather than proof that pornography directly causes every instance of child sexual abuse.

Odigie-Okpataku also challenged the assumption that sexual offending is necessarily driven by a person’s physical capacity to engage in sexual intercourse.

She cited cases involving individuals with erectile dysfunction who had nevertheless been identified as sexual offenders, arguing that offending behaviour cannot be understood solely through physical sexual function.

The consultant said these cases reinforced the importance of examining psychological motivations and behavioural patterns when investigating sexual violence.

Her remarks followed a discussion about whether excessive sexual desire could explain why some men abuse children, including very young victims.

In response, she stressed that reducing sexual abuse to high libido risks overlooking other motivations and behavioural factors that may contribute to offending.

The issue of children’s exposure to pornography has also attracted wider concern from child protection organisations, particularly as internet access makes sexually explicit material increasingly accessible to young people.

UNICEF has warned that exposure to pornography at an early age can contribute to harmful attitudes towards sex, gender and relationships, especially when the material depicts coercion, degradation or sexual violence as normal behaviour.

Protecting children therefore requires attention not only to the prosecution of offenders but also to prevention, appropriate supervision and efforts to limit children’s exposure to harmful online content.

In Nigeria, child protection advocates have also raised concerns about the accessibility of sexually explicit material to minors and the challenges of enforcing existing protections in digital environments.

Parents and guardians can help reduce children’s exposure by using appropriate device restrictions, supervising online activity in an age-appropriate manner and maintaining open conversations that encourage children to report uncomfortable or inappropriate experiences.

Suspected sexual abuse should be taken seriously, with appropriate authorities and child protection professionals involved where necessary.

Odigie-Okpataku’s central argument was that understanding the psychological and behavioural dimensions of sexual offending is essential to preventing abuse. She maintained that effective responses must look beyond assumptions about sexual desire and address the factors that may contribute to predatory behaviour.

Her warning adds to ongoing discussions about pornography, online safety and the protection of children, reinforcing the need for evidence-based prevention strategies and stronger safeguards against sexual exploitation.

The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation has described President Bola Tinubu as a “modern-day Pharaoh”, accusing his administration of worsening economic hardship and failing to address the suffering of Nigerians.

The organisation made the remarks in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Ihediwa.

It was reacting to Tinubu’s recent reference to Egypt while ruling out a return to fuel subsidy, as well as his Independence Day remarks that Nigeria was approaching a “promised land”.

“Of course, Pharaoh cannot lead to a Promised Land,” the statement said.

The campaign group accused the President of failing to respond adequately to the difficulties facing citizens, alleging that his policies had increased the economic burden on households.

It also accused the administration of weakening democratic institutions, limiting accountability and failing to tackle insecurity.

According to the organisation, rising food prices, transport fares and rents, alongside declining purchasing power and unemployment, have made life increasingly difficult for many Nigerians.

The group further criticised the Federal Government’s education policies, particularly higher tuition costs in tertiary institutions and the reliance on student loans, which it argued could make education less accessible to low-income families.

On security, the organisation accused the government of failing to adequately protect communities, schools, places of worship and highways from attacks by bandits, terrorists and kidnappers.

It said Tinubu’s promised-land reference did not reflect the economic realities confronting Nigerians.

“Nigerians are too famished to gird their loins for a journey that lead to nowhere,” Ihediwa said. “They know that his ‘promise land’ is a wilderness of hunger, hardship, hopelessness and uncertainty.”

Campaign group presents Makinde as alternative

The organisation, which is promoting the presidential ambition of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Lawal Daura ahead of the 2027 general election, presented its proposed “Reset Nigeria” agenda as an alternative to the Tinubu administration.

It said the agenda would prioritise inclusive governance, transparency, accountability, improved security, economic productivity and a more efficient public service.

Makinde is seeking the presidency on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), according to the report, while Tinubu is expected to seek re-election under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The campaign organisation said its proposed agenda would address the country’s challenges and provide a path towards national renewal.

The allegations against Tinubu and his administration were made by the campaign organisation in its political statement.

The report did not include a response from the Presidency to the claims.

An awaiting-trial inmate, Osita Thomas, 28, has escaped from custody during a court appearance in Edo State, the Nigerian Correctional Service has announced.

The Edo State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service disclosed the incident in a statement dated October 21 and made available to journalists in Benin on Thursday.

According to the statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Aminu Suleman, Thomas escaped last week while appearing in court for trial over alleged conspiracy and stealing.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service, Edo State Command, hereby notifies the general public of the escape of an awaiting-trial inmate of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Auchi,” the statement read.

The command appealed to members of the public to assist in recapturing the fugitive.

It urged anyone with useful information about his whereabouts to contact the nearest custodial centre or police station, or call 08038075882 or 08039243704.

The Controller of Corrections in Edo State assured the public that efforts were being made to recapture Thomas. The command also said security measures for inmates in custody had been strengthened.

However, an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service blamed the incident on a shortage of personnel, explaining that the officer who escorted Thomas and other inmates to court could not pursue him without risking further escapes.

“The warden couldn’t leave other inmates to pursue Osita as he will risk losing others. The dearth of manpower should be addressed now so that this kind of incident does not happen again,” the official said.

The official further claimed that more than 1,000 correctional personnel were expected to retire this year, adding that there were no plans to recruit new personnel.

The reported manpower shortage has raised concerns about the challenges correctional officers face in securing inmates during court appearances.

Benjamin Nnayerugo, aka, Killaboi, on Wednesday, told a Lagos State High Court sitting at the Igbosere division that alleged Instagram messages suggesting his late girlfriend, Augusta Onuwaghagbe, was arranging a sexual encounter for money left him emotionally distressed and prompted a confrontation between them.

Nnayerugo, who is standing trial before Justice Ibironke Harrison over the alleged murder of Augusta, gave the account while testifying in his defence.

He described how he monitored her Instagram account, allegedly uncovered conversations about a proposed meeting for payment, and eventually confronted her during a video call.

According to him, the incident began in late June 2023, after he lost money on a sports bet and was in a bad mood.

He said Augusta had tried to console him by reminding him of previous betting wins and encouraging him, but her efforts did not improve his mood.

Nnayerugo said Augusta subsequently returned to school, adding that he had access to her Instagram account and monitored her conversations after her departure.

He told the court that he noticed she frequently exchanged messages with accounts belonging to people who were not her friends on the platform and later deleted the conversations.

He said he monitored the account for about a week, during which he saw messages involving invitations to clubs and enquiries about her well-being.

The defendant said he later agreed with Augusta that she could visit Lagos for the weekend.

He added that he planned to log out of her account before her arrival so she would not discover that he had been monitoring her conversations.

Nnayerugo told the court that, a day before her proposed visit, he saw a message from an account identified as “Yako”.

According to him, the sender addressed Augusta as “sweetheart”, explained that he had deactivated his Snapchat account and suggested that they continue their conversation on Instagram.

He said the sender asked when she would come to Lagos, and she allegedly replied that she could come whenever he wanted.

The conversation, he claimed, subsequently turned to a discussion about payment, with Augusta allegedly insisting that she would not reduce her price.

Nnayerugo said the sender then asked her to provide her WhatsApp number so they could continue the discussion on the messaging platform.

He told the court that he became suspicious and decided to investigate further using the phone number in the conversation.

According to him, he obtained a virtual SIM card, created a WhatsApp account using the name and profile picture associated with “Yako”, and continued the conversation with Augusta while pretending to be the sender.

He said he asked her to remind him of the amount she wanted, and she allegedly quoted N1.5 million.

The defendant told the court that he offered N800,000, but she allegedly rejected the amount, explaining that she was taking a significant risk.

He said he subsequently asked whether their proposed meeting would take place in a hotel or an apartment, and she allegedly replied that either option was acceptable, provided he sent the location.

Nnayerugo said he later offered N1 million, which she allegedly rejected, before he agreed to pay the N1.5 million she had demanded.

He further claimed that he proposed that they have sex without a condom, provided they underwent medical tests beforehand, and that she agreed.

The defendant said the exchange eventually convinced him that the discussion concerned a sexual encounter for payment, although he had initially been uncertain about the purpose of the money.

He told the court that he was shaking and experiencing an emotional breakdown as the conversation unfolded.

Nnayerugo said he considered sending the money through a friend and arranging a hotel meeting where he could confront Augusta, but later abandoned the plan.

He said he reasoned that he did not need to spend such an amount to establish that his girlfriend was allegedly cheating on him.

The defendant said he subsequently decided to end the relationship and confront Augusta with the messages he had discovered.

According to him, he initiated a video call, which Augusta accepted, but she screamed and dropped the phone when she saw him.

He said he confronted her over the alleged arrangement, told her he knew what she had been doing and declared that their relationship was over.

Nnayerugo also told the court that he threatened to inform Augusta’s mother about the discovery.

He said he had a close relationship with her mother, who had been supportive of their relationship, regularly prayed for him and attended a church he sometimes visited.

The defendant said he initially could not reach her for about 20 minutes but eventually explained the messages he had discovered and informed her that he had ended the relationship.

According to him, Augusta’s mother questioned his decision to access her daughter’s account, telling him that doing so was wrong and constituted a criminal offence.

He said he became upset with her response, explaining that he had called to inform her of the breakup rather than discuss how he accessed the account.

Nnayerugo said Augusta’s mother indicated that she would speak with her daughter, but he reiterated that this was not the reason for his call before ending the conversation.

Defence seeks privacy for video recording
During the proceedings, defence counsel, Marcel Oru, raised concerns about playing a proposed video recording in the presence of Augusta’s mother and brother.

He asked the court to allow the deceased’s family members to leave while the recording was played, leaving only counsel involved in the case in the courtroom, to avoid causing them further emotional distress.

The prosecution counsel, Adebayo Araba, did not oppose the proposal.

Oru, however, clarified that the recording had not yet been tendered in evidence and that his concern was to prevent additional emotional pain to the deceased’s family.

Justice Harrison subsequently adjourned the case to Thursday, October 22.

Nnayerugo is standing trial over Augusta’s death.

The allegations he made about the deceased’s private communications were presented as part of his testimony and have not, by themselves, been established as facts by the court.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has held a meeting with the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Peter Vowles.

While disclosing the meeting on Thursday, Mrs Odumegwu-Ojukwu said it provided an opportunity for our two nations to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship and consolidating the gains of the State Visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom in March 2026.

See pictures below:

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called on state governments to stop relying on the Federal Government to resolve their electricity challenges.

He urged them to establish functional power markets and attract private investment to improve supply.

Shettima said Nigeria’s ambition to build a competitive industrial economy would remain constrained unless electricity reforms delivered reliable power to businesses, households and public institutions.

He spoke on Wednesday while declaring open the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, the vice-president said the law gave states the opportunity to develop and regulate electricity markets within their jurisdictions, allowing them to design solutions suited to local needs and available resources.

He said: “Electricity supply must become a shared responsibility, pursued with innovation and accountability across the federation. Our States must shed the habit of waiting for Abuja to provide every answer.”

Shettima identified solar energy potential in Sokoto, Borno and Katsina, gas resources in Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa, and hydroelectric opportunities in Niger and Kebbi as resources states could exploit to expand electricity supply.

He urged state governments to turn these advantages into investments that would support agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and education.

The vice-president warned, however, that passing legislation alone would not improve electricity supply, urging states that had yet to establish regulatory institutions to begin the process without delay.

“Legislation cannot implement itself. States yet to act must begin their legislative and institutional preparations promptly,” he said.

He also proposed a National Electricity Reform Peer Review and Implementation Framework involving the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Federal Ministry of Power, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and state electricity regulators.

According to him, the voluntary framework would enable states to share experiences, strengthen regulatory capacity and assess progress in investment, consumer protection, electricity access and market development.

“No state needs to purchase with failure the knowledge another state has already acquired,” Shettima said.

He stressed that private investment was essential to meeting the country’s electricity infrastructure needs, noting that government funding alone could not finance the required transformation.

“Government cannot finance this transformation from the treasury alone; private capital must arrive with technology and expertise,” he said.

Shettima added that transparent licensing, predictable regulation, commercially viable markets and effective dispute resolution would help build investor confidence.

He also called for stronger consumer protection against arbitrary billing, poor service and unfair commercial practices, insisting that electricity operators must be held accountable for the quality of service they provide.

“The final verdict on this law will be delivered wherever a Nigerian reaches for a switch. Entrepreneurs need dependable power, young Nigerians need employment, and investors need transparent rules under which enterprise can prosper,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Abdulateef Shittu, said the forum was working to improve coordination between federal and state institutions in implementing the Electricity Act.

Shittu disclosed that efforts were under way to develop a standard tariff framework for states to protect consumers while supporting investment and commercial sustainability.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, said the success of the law would depend on states establishing credible regulatory institutions and commercially viable electricity markets.

Also speaking, NERC’s Deputy General Manager and Head of Compliance, Hauwa Yakubu, disclosed that the commission had transferred regulatory oversight to 17 states, with Akwa Ibom the latest to receive the transfer.

Yakubu said NERC was supporting emerging state regulators through technical engagement and peer-to-peer training to help them address electricity challenges within their jurisdictions.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has condemned the Tinubu administration’s failure to account for the ₦10 billion approved for Ebola preparedness.

He said the confirmed case in Abuja has exposed a dangerous breakdown in the government’s response.

He also warned against using the outbreak to suppress political activity and discourage Nigerians from voting.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said: “Ebola is a grave public health threat. Nigerians deserve urgent action, competent leadership and the truth. Instead, the first confirmed case in Abuja has exposed unanswered questions about preparedness, surveillance and the protection of health workers. Tinubu must account for the ₦10 billion he said would be released immediately in June.

“Where is the money? Publish the amount actually disbursed, the dates of payment, every contract awarded, every recipient and every item delivered. If the money was not released, Tinubu must explain why he announced emergency funding that never reached the people responsible for protecting Nigerians. A press statement cannot replace an audit.

“The timeline is damning. The patient arrived in Nigeria on October 5, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought care at a private hospital on October 11. The government did not confirm the case publicly until October 20, nine days after she sought care. During that critical period, 44 close contacts were left unmonitored, while private health workers faced the case without adequate protective equipment. This is a failure of preparedness with potentially grave consequences.

“The government must disclose what happened at every stage. What travel history and exposure screening were conducted? What follow-up began when the patient developed symptoms? When were the 44 contacts first reached and monitored? Why were frontline staff left without the protection they needed? Nigerians deserve answers, and those responsible for these failures must be held accountable.

“In June, Tinubu announced a Presidential Task Force chaired by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Today, Nigerians must ask whether political appointees have been allowed to overshadow the medical experts who should lead this response. The NCDC, epidemiologists, doctors and public health professionals must be in charge, with the authority and resources to act. Political titles cannot trace contacts, equip hospitals or save lives.

“Nigerians are already battling the economic hardship created by Tinubu’s policies. Now the government’s failure to prepare and respond threatens to deepen public anxiety and disrupt movement, livelihoods and economic activity. The people must not pay twice for the same failure: first through hardship, then through a bungled emergency response. Both caused by Bola.

“I am also alarmed by confirmed information that the Minister of Health’s press conference tomorrow is intended to discourage Nigerians from attending campaign rallies and, ultimately, from voting. It is ridiculous that the same Minister of Health, whose entire ministry was funded with N35 million disbursement in 2025 appropriation and was not involved in the Ebola prevention programme is now being promoted to make health emergency announcements.”

“The Tinubu administration must not weaponise Ebola to frighten the public, silence its opponents or suppress voter participation. Any public health measure must be backed by clear medical evidence, applied equally and never used as a pretext to interfere with Nigerians’ democratic rights.

“The ‘Bola-Ebola’ strategy will not fool Nigerians. You cannot fail to protect the people, conceal what happened to emergency funds, then use the crisis to restrict their freedom. Account for the ₦10 billion. Protect every health worker. Trace every contact. Tell Nigerians the truth. Fight Ebola, and keep your hands off their right to assemble and choose their leaders.”

Terror bandits have killed a newly recruited teacher in Sokoto State, Maniru Sa’adu Imam, after he reportedly attended a salary verification exercise in Sokoto metropolis.

The 30 year old and father of one, was killed alongside two other people on Wednesday when bandits ambushed vehicles travelling along the Gundumi-Isa road.

The other victims were identified as Abdurrahman Umar, the driver of the vehicle conveying them, and his five-year-old son, Abubakar Abdurrahman.

A witness, Malam Kabiru Isa, said that the victims were travelling behind a convoy of vehicles returning to Isa under heavy security escort when the incident occurred.

According to him, residents from Isa visit Sokoto metropolis only twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, due to the security situation in the area.

He said the convoy had departed at about 4pm on Wednesday when some vehicles, including the one conveying the victims, returned to their usual meeting point after the others had left.

“We wanted to wait for everyone who had travelled with us, but the security operatives insisted that we leave early, so we left them behind,” he said.

Isa explained that as the convoy approached Gundumi, the security operatives escorting them spotted a group of suspected bandits and opened fire, forcing the gunmen to flee.

But the assailants later laid an ambush for vehicles travelling behind the convoy and opened fire on their occupants.

“They killed three people, including Imam, the driver and his son. They also injured three others, while one passenger is still missing,” he said.

Isa added that the deceased were buried on Thursday morning.

He said Imam was among teachers recently recruited by the Sokoto State Government and posted to Government Day Secondary School, Maitandu.

According to him, the deceased had yet to receive his first salary and travelled to Sokoto on Wednesday for a verification exercise ahead of the commencement of payment.

“He had not started receiving his salary. In fact, he went to Sokoto for the verification exercise ahead of their payment,” Isa said.

Sokoto police command is yet to issue an official statement in respect to the development.

An Imam, Dahiru Abubakar, has been suspended from his position at a mosque in Madina Quarters, Bauchi metropolis, for allegedly campaigning for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election during religious activities.

Abubakar was said to have used his sermons after obligatory prayers to defend Tinubu’s administration and encourage worshippers to support the president’s bid for a second term in 2027.

He was suspended after he repeated the act following the early morning prayer (Subhi) on Sunday.

“He would tell the congregation after prayer that Tinubu did not cause insecurity and he deserved to be reelected.

“A committee was set up after he did the same thing last weekend and he was subsequently removed,” a source familiar with the development said.

While confirming the incident, chairman of the mosque committee, Imam Abubakar Jibrin, said: “Our major challenge with him was not only his campaign for Tinubu but the way and manner he gathered many people in front of the mosque and sometimes entered the mosque purposely to discuss politics.”

He added: “The mosque committee sat down with him and cautioned him against turning the mosque to a political platform because of the Quranic verse which says the Mosque is solemnly for worship of Allah alone. We vehemently rejected the use of the mosque for political meetings. We have warned him not once or twice but many times, but he didn’t heed our pleas.

“Even though we believe that politics is the process of producing leaders in the country, there are laid down procedures, which are political parties, and the activities should take place in their political party offices and not in the mosque.”

Jibrin also said that, apart from campaigning for the president, he was also insisting on changing the name of the mosque from Abdullahi Bin Zubbair mosque to Masjid Imam Bola Ahmed Tinubu mosque.

“All the committee members said ‘no’ because the mosque belongs to the community. This mosque has a committee of which I am one of the members, and when he insisted, we rejected the idea and resolved that the mosque name would remain Masjid Abdullahi Bin Zubbair.” Jibrin said the committee had removed Abubakar from the position and would not reinstate him.

“He should go and build his personal mosque, or politicians should go buy a mosque for him; that is not our business. Let me clarify that we, members of the committee of the mosque, are not against the candidate of any political party. Our prayer is to Allah to choose the best for the country, be it President Tinubu or any candidate among the presidential candidates that would become a blessing to the country,” Jibrin added.

The Director of Diaspora Mobilisation for the PBAT/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said that an increasing number of foreign nationals are seeking Nigerian passports and expressing interest in staying in the country.

Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, where she outlined the council’s plans to mobilise Nigerians in the diaspora in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

While speaking on the reported interest of foreigners in acquiring Nigerian citizenship, she said her office had received numerous appeals from non-Nigerians seeking assistance in obtaining Nigerian passports.

“On my table, you see a lot of people telling us to beg the President to be able to give them Nigerian passports. Ask the Minister of Interior. It’s too much,” she said.

She said the development reflects growing interest in Nigeria among some foreign nationals, including those seeking to invest in the country and establish closer ties.

Dabiri-Erewa cited the example of a woman who recently told her team on camera that she had come to Nigeria and did not intend to return to her previous country of residence.

She also highlighted the contributions of Nigerians living abroad, describing them as important stakeholders in the country’s development.

According to her, Nigerians in the diaspora include doctors, nurses, engineers, students, traders, innovators and community leaders who contribute to the economy through remittances, investments and other forms of engagement.

She said diaspora remittances exceed $20 billion annually, adding that Nigerians abroad are also investing in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture and information and communications technology.

On preparations for the 2027 presidential election, Dabiri-Erewa said the diaspora directorate would implement a five-point strategic plan to mobilise Nigerians living abroad in support of Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

The plan includes activating APC diaspora chapters across five continents, launching a digital campaign initiative tagged “Operation Tell Your Story,” encouraging diaspora fundraising through transparent and structured platforms, promoting voter registration awareness and strengthening efforts to counter misinformation about Nigeria and the Tinubu administration.

Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged that Nigerians living abroad are currently unable to vote in Nigerian elections from their countries of residence under the existing legal framework.

She, however, urged the National Assembly to amend the relevant laws to make diaspora voting possible.

She maintained that Nigerians abroad could still influence political conversations at home by engaging their families, communities and local government areas.

On the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, she defended the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange rate, describing the measures as difficult but necessary reforms aimed at addressing structural challenges and moving the country towards prosperity.

She also called for sustained collaboration between Nigerians at home and abroad, stressing that the country needs the contributions of its diaspora community.

“Nigeria needs you, and you also need Nigeria. It’s a symbiotic relationship,” she said.

Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians to remain engaged in the country’s development, adding that the diaspora directorate would intensify its outreach and mobilisation activities in the coming months.

A man has died while attempting to rescue a two-year-old child who fell into a well at Abule Egba, Lagos State.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) disclosed this in a statement issued by its permanent secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.

The incident occurred at Paul Street, inward Agbe Road, Abule Egba, where the toddler, whose mother worked as a cleaner in the compound, reportedly fell into the well accidentally.

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, a resident who attempted to save the child descended into the well but became trapped and was unable to climb out.

LASEMA said it received a distress call at 9.48 am and immediately mobilised its response team from the Igando base to the scene.

However, the man was recovered dead, while efforts to locate and retrieve the toddler proved unsuccessful.

“The gallant rescuer who attempted the rescue was recovered deceased,” the statement said.

The agency added that the deceased man’s remains were handed over to his relatives and members of the Hausa community for burial in accordance with their customs.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the rescue operation involved LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police Force.

He noted that despite efforts by the emergency responders, the toddler could not be recovered from the well.

He explained that the high volume of water and thick mud at the bottom of the well made the operation difficult.

He said dewatering efforts were also undertaken but encountered operational challenges, leading to the deployment of a specialist local diver for a final search.

The diver reportedly confirmed that the toddler’s body had sunk deep into the mud and could no longer be recovered.

Only one shoe belonging to the child was retrieved during the operation, it was revealed.

The agency said the search was called off following the specialist’s assessment and consultations with the affected family and community leaders.

LASEMA expressed condolences to the deceased man’s family and the Hausa community, describing his attempt to save the toddler as an act of uncommon bravery.

The agency urged residents to ensure that wells and other openings in residential compounds were properly covered, raised and secured, particularly in homes where young children live.

It also cautioned residents against undertaking dangerous rescue attempts without the necessary expertise, warning that such actions could lead to additional casualties.