News
Insecurity: National Assembly Has Overstayed Its Holiday – Women Activists
***Say Call Off Recess, Resume Plenary Immediately
A coalition of over 500 women organizations and activists under the aegis of Womanifesto on Sunday demanded that the National Assembly should call off its recess and resume plenary immediately to address the ongoing killings and insecurity in Nigeria.
The activists said they found it unimaginable that amidst the crisis, the National Assembly extended its holiday after a three-week Christmas and New Year recess, saying the action “reeks of nonchalance and lack of empathy by those elected to represent the interest of Nigerians.”
They also said, Women and children are particularly at risk, with reports of kidnappings and sexual violence on the rise. This continued holiday is unacceptable and must be addressed urgently.
Womanifesto raised the concerns in a statement jointly signed by a former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili; Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi; Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND); Women Aid Collective (WACOL);
Baobab for Women’s Human Rights; Amnesty International Nigeria; 100 Women Lobby Group (100WLG); Yiaga Africa and Women in Politics Forum (WiPF).
The activists cited Section 14(2b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which stipulated that the welfare and security of the citizens shall be the primary purpose of the government, even as the Constitution also guarantees the right to life, liberty, and personal security of every Nigerian citizen.
The statement said, “The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) reveals that over 380 people were kidnapped in Nigeria between December 1, 2023 and January 3, 2024. The number of reported kidnapped persons in Nigeria between June 2022 and July 2023 increased to 3,620, an analysis of data from SBM Intelligence reveals. Additionally, government statistics for Abuja show 40 kidnapping cases involving 236 victims between January 2021 and June 2023. We however believe that the exact number of people kidnapped in Nigeria in 2024 may be higher.
“In the midst of this crisis, Womanifesto finds it unimaginable that the National Assembly extended its holiday after a three-week Christmas and New Year recess. This action, we believe, reeks of nonchalance and lack of empathy by those elected to represent the interest of Nigerians. This action is grossly unacceptable to us. We demand that the National Assembly calls off this recess and resumes plenary immediately.
“The constant threat of violence and kidnapping has left many Nigerians feeling unsafe and vulnerable. Women and children are particularly at risk, with reports of kidnappings and sexual violence on the rise. This continued holiday is unacceptable and must be addressed urgently.
“While we applaud recent efforts by security agencies in rescuing some of the kidnapped victims, we demand that the government takes concrete steps to ensure the safety of its citizens. Our security forces must be anticipatory rather than reactionary. This includes increasing security measures, providing support to victims of violence, and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. We also call on the national lawmakers to prioritize this issue and take swift action to address it.
“The people of Nigeria deserve to live in peace and security, and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that this is the case. We urge the national lawmakers to take immediate action to address the insecurities and kidnappings in Nigeria.
“The safety and security of Nigerian citizens, especially women and children, which should be the top priority of the government, has been rigorously threatened for years and has now come to a climax where citizens are being kidnapped from their homes in broad daylight. Nigerians have felt the burnt of this crisis and have had to crowdfund ransoms payable to criminals. Despite this, victims of kidnappings are still being murdered by criminals, leaving the nation in a dire state of distress.”
Image: Barter trade
Akpabuyo Local Government Area in Cross River State has reopened its centuries-old barter market, a unique trade hub in West Africa, as part of activities marking the council’s 34th anniversary.
The celebration, held at the council headquarters, brought together residents, traditional leaders, and political figures who hailed the return of peace to the area.
They described it as the foundation for Akpabuyo’s renewed economic prospects.
Former Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Deputy Governorship candidate, Dr. Emana Duke Ambrose-Amawhe, said the reopening of the barter market was a landmark development, crediting Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu for restoring stability in the community.
Since His Excellency came into power, he put all measures in place to ensure calm and peace.
Today, people can sleep in their houses with their eyes closed, and that is why you see this turnout from far and near,” she said.
Dr. Ambrose-Amawhe highlighted Akpabuyo’s natural maritime position, bordered by rivers, Bakassi, and the Atlantic Ocean.
He emphasised that the government investment in dredging, deep-sea port projects, and marine preservation will reinforce its role in trade and agriculture.
“With the pace of growth, Akpabuyo will contribute even more to the economic advancement of Cross River State and Nigeria. More jobs will mean more stability for our people,” she added.
Council Chairman, Hon. Effiom Bassey Effiong, said hosting the first official anniversary of Akpabuyo’s creation was a privilege, noting that the event was made possible by improved security.
“The place is calm and safe. We have Marine Police, the Navy, the Army, the Airforce, and our local vigilantes. Investors from China and other countries are already showing interest; some have even acquired land to build a university and industries,” he said.
Hon. Effiong also revealed plans to remodel the barter market into a world-class commercial hub to attract more investors and cross-border traders from Cameroon and beyond.
News
INTERPOL arrests 1,209 cybercriminals, recovers $97.4m
Nigeria was one of 18 African countries, alongside the United Kingdom, that took part in the operations.
The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL)’s enforcement agencies across Africa arrested 1,209 major cybercriminals and recovered USD 97.4 million.
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, gave the statistics during the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
He explained that the operation, code-named Serengeti 2.0 and coordinated by INTERPOL between June and August 2025, targeted high-impact cybercrimes including ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and online investment scams. “
The report said that Nigeria was one of 18 African countries, alongside the United Kingdom, that took part in the operation.
The wider African operation dismantled 11,432 malicious infrastructures, ranging from command-and-control servers to fraudulent domains.
In Angola authorities shut down 25 illegal cryptocurrency mining centres operated by 60 Chinese nationals who were unlawfully validating blockchain transactions to generate digital currency.
The crackdown also led to the seizure of 45 unauthorised power stations and mining equipment valued at over USD 37 million.”
News
Nigerian Passport Now N100,000, N200,000 from Sept 1
Applicants abroad will continue to pay $150 for a 32-page, five-year passport and $230 for a 64-page, ten-year passport.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced that the fee for a 32-page passport with five-year validity will rise to N100,000, while a 64-page passport with ten-year validity will cost N200,00.
The new rates take effect from September 1, 2025.
NIS, in a a statement posted on its X handle yesterday, by the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, said that the adjustment is aimed at sustaining the quality and integrity of the Nigerian passport while ensuring efficient service delivery
The revised charges apply only to passport applications processed within Nigeria.
Before now, the 32-page Passport with five-year validity cost N50,000 after it was increased from N35,000.
Also, the 64-page passport with a 10-year, was N100,000 after being initially increased from N70, 000.
However, passport application fees for Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged.
Applicants abroad will continue to pay $150 for a 32-page, five-year passport and $230 for a 64-page, ten-year passport.
C’River’s community revives barter market
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