Echotitbits – Nigeria News

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  • Strategic Deployment of Military Retirees to Secure Nigeria’s Ungoverned Spaces

    Strategic Deployment of Military Retirees to Secure Nigeria’s Ungoverned Spaces

    According to Daily Post, the Federal Government has unveiled a national security strategy involving the re-engagement of military veterans to help secure “ungoverned spaces” across the country. The initiative aims to leverage the experience of retired personnel to provide an added layer of security in rural and conflict-affected zones currently underserved by regular armed forces.

    The veterans are expected to act as a bridge between local communities and the formal military structure—supporting intelligence gathering and coordinating grassroots defense efforts. Officials argue this could be more cost-effective and culturally integrated than deploying active-duty troops to every remote area, though analysts are raising questions about chain of command and long-term sustainability.

    The Nation confirmed the plan and Vanguard highlighted the economic angle, with officials linking improved security to farmer protection and food security.

    Echotitbits take: Re-engaging veterans can scale security presence quickly without the lag time of training fresh recruits. The policy’s success will hinge on funding, clear command structures, and whether these units have defined legal powers—especially around arrest, detention, and rules of engagement.

    Source: The Punch –  https://punchng.com/military-retirees-to-secure-ungoverned-areas-fg/ 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Nigerian Naira Maintains Resilience as Official Exchange Rate Dips Below 1,400

    Nigerian Naira Maintains Resilience as Official Exchange Rate Dips Below 1,400

    Figures cited by Vanguard show the Naira holding below the 1,400-per-dollar threshold in the official market. On Thursday morning, the currency opened around 1,395.09/$ in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), supported by liquidity improvements and the Central Bank’s Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS).

    While the parallel market remained higher, the narrowing premium suggests speculative pressure may be easing. Analysts attribute the resilience to efforts to clear FX backlogs and to a rise in external reserves, giving the central bank more room to intervene and smooth volatility.

    The Punch noted the currency’s benefit from improved price discovery, while ThisDay quoted market analysts pointing to reduced panic buying and improving investor confidence.

    Echotitbits take: Staying below the 1,400 psychological level is a notable win for the CBN narrative on stability. The next key signal is the MPC decision: holding rates could protect the FX gains, while easing could support growth but risk renewed pressure if liquidity tightens.

    Source: Facebook/TheCable – https://web.facebook.com/thecableng/posts/naira-appreciates-to-n1400-at-official-market-strongest-performance-since-may-20/1213502280966076/?_rdc=1&_rdr# 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: Facebook/TheCable

  • Alleged N7.7 Billion Telecom Fraud Leads to Arrest of Six Suspects

    Alleged N7.7 Billion Telecom Fraud Leads to Arrest of Six Suspects

    Reporting by The Punch indicates that Nigerian police uncovered a telecommunications fraud scheme involving the illegal diversion of airtime and data valued at N7.7 billion. Six suspects were arrested after an investigation into alleged compromise of a company’s internal systems to reroute digital assets, which were then liquidated through underground channels.

    The scale of the alleged theft has renewed calls for stronger cybersecurity controls in the telecom sector and tighter internal governance to reduce insider and vendor risks. Police said investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional collaborators exist within the industry.

    Daily Post also covered the arrests and Channels TV framed the incident as one of the largest digital-asset related thefts in recent memory—amplifying calls for stronger data protection and enforcement.

    Echotitbits take: As Nigeria digitizes payments and services, insider-enabled cybercrime is becoming a systemic risk. Expect regulators (including the NCC) to push tougher baseline security requirements—especially around privileged access, audit logging, and incident response disclosures.

    Source: Premium Times – https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/852943-police-uncover-n7-7-billion-telecom-fraud-arrest-six-suspects.html 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: Premium Times

  • Former Benue Electoral Chief Arraigned Over Alleged N1.1 Billion Fraud

    Former Benue Electoral Chief Arraigned Over Alleged N1.1 Billion Fraud

    Reporting by Tribune Online indicates that the EFCC arraigned Tersoo Loko, former chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), alongside 10 others, on a 30-count charge involving alleged misappropriation and money laundering totaling about N1.1 billion. Prosecutors allege that funds meant for the 2020 and 2022 local government elections were diverted through front companies and false records.

    The court heard that out of an alleged N1.6 billion allocation, only about N565 million could be accounted for. The case has been adjourned as the court considers bail applications, with the defendants reportedly remaining in custody pending decisions.

    Daily Post verified the proceedings in Makurdi, and Vanguard quoted prosecutors describing the allegations as a brazen diversion of resources intended for grassroots democracy.

    Echotitbits take: State-level electoral corruption is a major reason local government polls are widely viewed as pre-determined. If the EFCC secures a strong conviction, it could become a deterrent ahead of the 2027 cycle—especially for officials managing electoral logistics and procurement.

    Source: Facebook — https://web.facebook.com/officialefcc/posts/efcc-arraigns-dr-tersoo-joseph-loko-ex-benue-state-independent-electoral-commiss/1440941081402424/?_rdc=1&_rdr#2026-01-29

    Photo Credit:Facebook

  • Air Force Launches Investigation into Civilian Casualties in Niger State

    Air Force Launches Investigation into Civilian Casualties in Niger State

    In an update published by ThisDay, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) activated a Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation (CHAI) team to probe reports of civilian deaths during a recent air interdiction in Niger State. The operation in Kurigi Village targeted suspected bandit leadership, but local accounts allege non-combatants were also affected.

    NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the service is committed to transparency and will conduct a comprehensive field assessment. The probe follows mounting pressure from communities and rights groups for improved precision in strikes near populated areas.

    The Punch corroborated the launch of the investigation, while Daily Post quoted local leaders describing the losses as devastating and calling for accountability.

    Echotitbits take: Creating a formal civilian-harm investigation mechanism is reputationally important for the NAF. But unless targeting is consistently supported by stronger ground intelligence and deconfliction processes, recurring incidents will continue to undermine legitimacy and fuel local resentment.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/naf-probes-alleged-civilian-casualties-in-niger-air-raid/ 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Vice President Shettima Declares Peace as Precondition for Nigeria’s Greatness

    Vice President Shettima Declares Peace as Precondition for Nigeria’s Greatness

    According to the Nigerian Observer, Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigeria can become one of the world’s leading nations if citizens embrace tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Speaking during a state visit where he formally received Governor Caleb Mutfwang into the APC, Shettima argued that Nigerians share more in common than what divides them.

    He urged traditional rulers and community leaders to help sustain stability, describing them as a moral anchor for society. The moment also carried political significance, signaling continued consolidation of ruling-party influence across different zones.

    Leadership reported Shettima’s emphasis that development is impossible without peace, while The Nation highlighted his call for national reconciliation as part of the economic agenda.

    Echotitbits take: It’s familiar unity rhetoric, but timely amid rising ethnic and religious friction. The real test is whether this messaging is followed by concrete policy adjustments—especially around conflict resolution, justice delivery, and how regional grievances are addressed.

    Source : State House — https://statehouse.gov.ng/vp-shettima-visits-gbong-gwom-jos-preaches-tolerance-peaceful-coexistence/ 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: State House

  • Federal High Court Halts BPP’s Certification Convocation Following Legal Challenge

    Federal High Court Halts BPP’s Certification Convocation Following Legal Challenge

    Reporting by The Punch indicates that the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to suspend its planned certification convocation and policy dialogue. Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted an interim injunction following an application by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN), which is challenging the BPP’s authority to issue practice licenses to procurement trainers.

    The dispute reflects a jurisdictional battle over who regulates professional standards in public procurement. The court’s order pauses BPP’s planned session until the substantive suit is heard, and the Attorney-General of the Federation is joined as a defendant.

    ThisDay corroborated the restraining order, while Vanguard quoted the CIPSMN President asserting that licensing powers are vested in the institute by its 2007 Establishment Act.

    Echotitbits take: This is a classic turf war between a regulator and a professional body. The judgment will influence who “gatekeeps” procurement credentials—and could affect how procurement capacity-building is structured across MDAs that manage billions of naira in contracts.

    Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/court-orders-bpp-to-halt-certification-programme/ 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Lawmakers Summon Firm Over Alleged Illegal Logging in Cross River Forest

    Lawmakers Summon Firm Over Alleged Illegal Logging in Cross River Forest

    Reporting by Daily Post indicates that the Cross River State House of Assembly summoned Ezemac International Ltd over allegations of unauthorized entry and logging in the Ekuri community forest. Community residents allege the firm used heavy machinery under security protection to destroy ancestral forests without proper consent and on terms lawmakers described as exploitative.

    Lawmakers demanded the firm halt operations pending a fair negotiation, emphasizing that documentation presented allegedly covered government reserves—not protected community lands. The hearing also raised concerns about intimidation and misuse of security agencies in environmental disputes.

    The Guardian noted the Ekuri forest as one of the region’s last remaining primary rainforests, while Leadership reported community demands for immediate exit to prevent further ecological damage.

    Echotitbits take: Community-led environmental resistance is gaining traction in Nigeria. This case will test whether state institutions prioritize short-term logging revenue over ecological stewardship, community consent, and ancestral land claims—especially in biodiversity-rich Cross River.

    Source: Daily Post — https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/29/lawmakers-fault-firm-over-alleged-unauthorised-logging-in-criver-forest/ 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: Daily Post

  • Senator Ndume Criticizes President Tinubu’s Inner Circle over “Lagos Elitism”

    Senator Ndume Criticizes President Tinubu’s Inner Circle over “Lagos Elitism”

    In an update published by Daily Post, Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) criticized President Bola Tinubu’s advisory circle, alleging it is disconnected from everyday realities. Speaking on Arise Television, Ndume said the President is surrounded by people who “only know Ikoyi and Victoria Island” and frequently travel abroad, while grassroots political voices are sidelined.

    He argued that Tinubu’s Lagos-era political strength was built on loyalists who have now been replaced by a newer technocratic clique—fueling internal party debate over influence and coalition management ahead of 2027. The Presidency has not issued a formal response.

    The Punch quoted Ndume’s complaint that some advisers “don’t know politics” and are often abroad, while The Nation framed the comments as reflecting unease within sections of the APC hierarchy.

    Echotitbits take: Ndume is functioning as a warning signal inside the APC. If the “Lagos-centric” perception hardens, the presidency may need visible rebalancing moves—appointments, engagement, and policy concessions—to keep Northern support consolidated for 2027.

    Source: Facebook — https://web.facebook.com/100064638796212/posts/senator-ali-ndume-apcborno-south-has-again-criticised-president-bola-ahmed-tinub/1262561532575128/?_rdc=1&_rdr# 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: Facebook

  • Funke Akindele Honored by Federal Government for N2 Billion Box Office Feat

    Funke Akindele Honored by Federal Government for N2 Billion Box Office Feat

    Reporting by Channels TV indicates that the Federal Government has lauded Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele for a record-breaking box office performance reportedly surpassing N2 billion. The Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy described the feat as a benchmark for the creative economy and a signal of Nollywood’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to GDP.

    Officials said the recognition reflects growing interest in positioning the creative sector as a serious economic pillar. Plans were also referenced around institutional support through a Creative Economy Fund, aimed at enabling larger-scale productions and industry financing.

    Vanguard corroborated the commendation and quoted the minister praising Nigerian stories as commercially powerful, while The Punch amplified the milestone as a historic Nollywood commercial height in a single theatrical run.

    Echotitbits take: Funke Akindele has evolved from superstar to commercial institution. This N2bn signal is exactly what investors look for—expect more private equity-style financing structures, distribution partnerships, and higher-stakes marketing plays across Nollywood.

    Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/fg-hails-funke-akindele-on-box-office-record/ 2026-01-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch