The Federal Government will get rid of bandits, terrorists and other criminal gangs terrorising the Northwest. The Minister of State Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, made this known while speaking to newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday. Matawalle said he was in Sokoto to lead another onslaught against bandits, terrorists and other criminals in Northwest states. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative was part of President Bola Tinubu’s directives on the minister alongside military chiefs to relocate to Sokoto and ensure flushing all the culprits that terrorize the areas.

The Federal Government, on Monday, described as alarming, the statistics on violence against children in the country. It decried that recent studies established that approximately six out of 10 children experience one or more forms of physical, sexual, or emotional violence before the age of 18. The Solicitor General of the Federation, SGF, and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba made this disclosure at the opening session of a two-day stakeholder’s forum on ending violence against children in Nigeria on Monday.

President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Nigeria Police Force to bolster security at local government secretariats in Rivers State, responding to recent incidents of arson and vandalism following the contentious local government elections on Saturday.

The staff of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has commenced an indefinite nationwide strike today, after the 14-day ultimatum expiration issued to management. This development to down tools was confirmed following a congress of NAFDAC staff convened on 4th October 2024 over unresolved issues. Under the directive of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies SSASCGOC, the striking workers have been instructed to withdraw all services and vacate offices. They were also ordered to remove personal belongings as the strike began.

Benue State member representing Apa/Agatu federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Ojotu Ojeme has called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army to help in ensuring peace in communities at Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. Rep Ojema disclosed this over the weekend during a chat with journalists in Makurdi, noting that the armed herders have displaced the native of the communities and presently occupying about 20 communities in the area. He urged the Nigerian Military to step up capacity and proactive approach to curtail the situation as Apa/Agatu axis remains the most abandoned and maltreated Local Government Area in Nigeria.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that many Nigerian nationals currently in Lebanon are hesitant to return home, despite the federal government’s evacuation plans due to the escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict.