Crime

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu faces EFCC grilling today

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2024

186 Views

Suspended Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Dr. Betta Edu will today be grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N585 million fraud in her ministry.

Edu, who was suspended yesterday by President Bola Tinubu, is being accused of paying the Humanitarian Fund into a private account.

The N585 million was meant for payment of grants to vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Cross River and Ogun states.

Edu is the first minister to be suspended from office since member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) were sworn in in August last year.

Before her appointment as minister, she had served as Health commissioner in Cross River State and National Women Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Following her suspension, Edu was blocked from seeing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had directed the anti-graft agency to thoroughly investigate the financial activities of the ministry and some of its agencies.

A source said that her access tag was withdrawn by a security agent at the State House, Abuja.

The President also directed a panel, headed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, to investigate the financial structure and operations of the social investment programmes, with a view to restructuring relevant institutions and programmes.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume and Arewa Youth Consultative Forum hailed Edu’s suspension. They described it as upholding the anti-corruption disposition of the Administration.

The President’s directives on the probe were contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in Abuja.

Edu, who was directed to hand over the affairs of the ministry to the Permanent Secretary, was also advised to cooperate fully with the investigating bodies

The statement reads: “In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.

“The President further directs the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.

“The suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.

“Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes, with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.

“These directives of the President take immediate effect.”

Uzodimma: President’s action can’t be queried

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, (PGF) Uzodimma, said Edu’s suspension by the president cannot be queried. He told State House Reporters after visiting the President.

He said: “This is very clear. Whether progressive governor forum, or whether as governor of Imo State, we have only one president whose wisdom we cannot question. And what is more, if there are allegations and the President said I want to look into it, I think it’s consistent with the law and the oath of office he swore to.

“So, I don’t think it is something that we will begin to create a menu now for the media. So, et’s allow the sleeping dog to lie.”

Tinubu should dismantle ‘emerging political cartel’

Ndume, who represents Borno South District, commended Tinubu for suspending Edu over alleged diversion of funds.

The senator, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, also called on the President to as a matter of urgency, check the excesses of those he described as an ‘emerging political cartel,’ warning that it may be worse than a cabal.

The Senate Chief Whip, who spoke on phone, said: “What President Tinubu has done is very timely. The suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs is a welcome development. It will allow the relevant agencies to conduct a proper investigation.

”Some people in the same position Tinubu is today would not have acted. But, as a leader who is in charge, he acted swiftly and the minister has been suspended. We should commend the President. This is something Nigerians should commend.

“But the President should not stop there. There is an emerging political cartel within the corridors of power. The President must act swiftly and dismantle the cartel.”

“If they’re not stopped, they’ll be stronger and worse than a cabal. The President must not allow that to happen. I don’t think what the Minister did was an isolated case. I don’t think she acted alone.

“The President needs to look deep and flush out those involved in mismanaging the funds meant for humanitarian assistance. We are hopeful that the President will take more decisive actions in the future.”

Arewa youths: suspension okay

The AYCF hailed President Tinubu over the suspension, urging the EFCC to do a thorough job.

In a statement by its President General, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the AYCF said the suspension has clearly shown the direction of the administration.

It reads: “The suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is an indication that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has zero tolerance for any form of corruption.

“He has equally demonstrated capacity to run an administration that will not give room for anything that is capable of tarnishing his administration and this should be a signal to other Ministers to take redress.

“We as a youth body is hereby reiterate our support to the Tinubu administration and urge him to throw more search light on other of his cabinet members to ensure that they do not engage in any activities that will undermine his administration.

“With the present development, our eyes will be on all the serving ministers, with the view to exposing any of them with corrupt tendencies.”

Crime

BREAKING: Nigeria Secures Release of Last 130 Abducted Pupils in Niger State; None Remain in Bandit Captivity

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2025

Charles Flames

38 Views

All schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have been freed.

The final group of approximately 130 pupils was released on Sunday, bringing an end to a month-long ordeal that began with the kidnapping of over 300 students and staff on November 21, 2025.

Officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) confirmed the development to journalists, stating that no children remain in captivity. The release was attributed to sustained security operations and coordinated efforts by Nigerian forces.

The armed attack on the boarding school by gunmen—widely described as bandits—sparked nationwide outrage and heightened fears over the safety of educational institutions in northern Nigeria.

The incident was one of the largest mass abductions since the 2014 Chibok girls’ kidnapping.

Previous batches of pupils had been freed or escaped in the weeks following the abduction, with reports indicating phased releases amid ongoing rescue efforts.

Families in the remote Papiri community, who endured weeks of anguish, expressed profound relief at the news. Security agencies hailed the outcome as a significant victory, though calls continue for enhanced measures to protect schools from future attacks.

Authorities have not disclosed specifics on whether ransoms were involved or the exact circumstances of the final release.

More details to follow as they emerge.

Crime

Kogi Investigating Suspected Child Traffickers

Several suspects linked to the trafficking operation have been arrested, including individuals who claimed they were transporting the children to establish an informal “Islamic school” within Yagba East.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 8, 2025

OCHEFA

107 Views

Photo: 21 children trafficked/ Govt House

The Kogi State Government had foil a group of underaged children trafficked into the State, in what is suspected to be a covert recruitment attempt for banditry training.

In a statement by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, said that on December 5, 2025, eagle-eyed security operatives of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yagba Area Command in collaboration with other security agencies in Isanlu, acted on credible intelligence from community hunters, intercepted a truck conveying 21 children aged between 6 and 17 years into Kogi State.

Initial investigations revealed that the children had been moved from different northern states under suspicious circumstances by adults who could not provide legitimate justification for their movement.

Further arrests were made as security operatives intensified surveillance within the area, uncovering additional persons allegedly connected to the movement of the minors.

Some of the suspects were also found with items raising significant security concerns.

The rescued children have since been transferred to the State Command of the NSCDC in Lokoja for detailed investigation and proper profiling of all persons involved.

Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Executive Governor of Kogi State, has directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to take full custody of the underaged victims, ensure their wellbeing, and provide the necessary psychosocial support pending the conclusion of investigations.

Upon completion of profiling and verification, the children will be handed over to their respective State Governments for further investigation and eventual reintegration with their families.

Meanwhile, all individuals found culpable in this trafficking operation will be prosecuted in line with Kogi State’s Child Trafficking and Child Rights Protection Laws.

The Kogi State Government reiterates its uncompromising stance against child trafficking, criminal infiltration, and any form of security threat.

The administration of Governor Ododo will continue to work closely with security agencies and local communities to safeguard every part of the State.

Crime

Trump targets anti-Christian violence with new visa crackdown policy on Nigerians

Published

3 weeks ago

December 3, 2025

Charles Flames

119 Views

The Trump administration is rolling out a new visa-restriction policy in response to a wave of brutal anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria, targeting those accused of orchestrating religious violence against Christians in the West African nation and around the world.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that a new policy in the Immigration and Nationality Act will allow the State Department to deny visas to those “who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.” Immediate family members may also face visa restrictions in some cases.

“The United States is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond,” Rubio said in the statement.

The move follows a surge of attacks on Christians and Christian institutions in Nigeria. Last month, gunmen stormed the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, killing two people and kidnapping dozens. The 38 abducted worshipers were freed nearly a week later.

Days later, armed attackers raided St. Mary’s School in Niger State, abducting more than 300 students and staff. School officials said 50 students aged 10 to 18 escaped in the following days, but 253 students and 12 teachers remain captive.

The violence prompted President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” though the Nigerian government disputes the U.S. assessment.

“I’m really angry about it,” the president told Fox News Radio last month. “What’s happening in Nigeria is a disgrace.”

Rubio said the new visa restrictions will apply to Nigeria and to any other governments or individuals involved in violating religious freedom.

Echoing Trump’s warning, Rubio said: “As President Trump made clear, the ‘United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries.’”