IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

President Donald Trump has threatened the BRICS countries with 100% tariffs if they move away from using the US dollar for international transactions.

Trump issued the warning via his Truth Social platform, stating, “The idea that BRICS nations are trying to abandon the Dollar, while we stand by and watch, is over. We will demand a commitment from these countries to not create a new BRICS currency or back any alternative to the US dollar. If they refuse, they will face 100% tariffs and lose access to the US economy.”

BRICS, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in early 2024 with the addition of Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the UAE, and Indonesia joined in January 2025. The group seeks to counterbalance the influence of the G7, the leading Western economic powers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized the US dollar’s dominance and is pushing for a new payment system within BRICS to lessen Russia’s dependence on the dollar, especially in light of Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

Trump, known for imposing tariffs during his first term from 2017 to 2021, emphasized that the US would not tolerate challenges to the dollar’s supremacy. 

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called on Nigerians to report loan apps and businesses that engage in harassment over unpaid loans. The commission emphasized that no consumer should live in fear due to aggressive debt recovery tactics.  

This follows ongoing complaints about unethical practices by some digital lenders, including threats, blackmail, and unauthorized access to customers’ contacts. The FCCPC has been working to regulate online lending platforms and has previously sanctioned several operators for violating consumer protection laws.  

Nigerians facing harassment from loan apps are encouraged to report such cases to the FCCPC through official channels to ensure appropriate action is taken. 

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has intercepted 21 minors suspected to be victims of human trafficking at a checkpoint in Yobe State.  

The children, aged between 7 and 15, were found in a Toyota Hiace bus (registration number 10B-87GM) at the Geidam control point in Dunari, near the border with Niger Republic.  

According to an official NIS statement, the minors were being transported from Labule and Ibeto towns in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State to Maine Soroa in Niger Republic without valid travel documents or identification.  

Yobe State Comptroller, Mr. S.S. Jega, stated that the children had no knowledge of their destination, raising suspicions of human trafficking. He assured that they would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.  

Meanwhile, their guardian, Abubakar Saidu, a 28-year-old Islamic school teacher from Anaba, Magama Local Government Area, Niger State, was taken into custody.

The Nigeria Police have apprehended a 27-year-old dispatch rider in Abuja for allegedly transporting canisters of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.  

Authorities suspect the substance was being distributed for recreational use, despite growing concerns over its abuse. The arrest comes as law enforcement intensifies efforts to curb the illegal circulation of psychoactive substances in the country.  

Further investigations are ongoing to determine the source and intended destination of the laughing gas. 

A heated dispute over eviction took a violent turn in Enugu as a female tenant allegedly attacked her landlord with a pestle, leaving him with severe head injuries.  

The altercation reportedly began after the landlord asked her to vacate the property. Witnesses say the disagreement escalated, leading the tenant to strike him with the heavy kitchen tool.  

The landlord has been rushed to the hospital for treatment, while authorities have taken the suspect into custody for further investigation.

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has said that a driver of a private vehicle “recklessly ran into troops” during its Bi-Annual Route March near Myhoung Barracks in Yaba, Lagos State, on Friday.

This resulted in the death of a soldier, with others sustaining various degrees of injuries, according to a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni. He said that the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary while the injured are currently receiving medical care at 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba, Lagos.

Lieutenant Colonel Ayeni said that the 81 Division Military Police and other relevant security agencies are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this incident. He added that the General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased soldier while praying for the speedy recovery of the wounded.

The GOC also called for calm among the public as investigation into the sad occurrence has commenced. “The Division remains steadfast in its commitment to training and readiness to discharge its duties despite this devastating event.

“Furthermore, this tragic loss will not deter the Division’s dedication to safeguarding the lives and properties within its Area of Operations in accordance with the NA’s constitutional mandate,” the statement added.

Popular retail chain SPAR has announced a ban on the use of nylon bags in its stores as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability.  

The move aims to reduce plastic waste and promote eco-friendly alternatives. Customers are encouraged to bring reusable bags or opt for available biodegradable packaging options.  

Further details on implementation and customer guidelines are expected soon.

...as NDDC Clocks 25, Niger Delta Sports Commissioners Brainstorm In PH

Gov. Hope Uzodinma Of Imo State, Has Assured The Management Of The Niger Delta Developments Commission, NDDC, And The Organizers Of The Maiden Edition Of The Niger Delta Sports Festival, Of The Full Supports Of His Administration, And The Participation Of Imo Contingents To The Festival.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival Has Been Slated For 1st Through 8th Of April, 2025 In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State As The Host State.

Speaking Through His Commissioner For Sports, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, Uzodinma Lauded The Pilot Initiative Of The Sports Festival In The Region, Thanked The Organizers And The NDDC For The Initiative, Adding That The Festival Would Help The Development Of Sports In The Region, As Well As Discover More Sporting Talents.

This Is Even As Commissioners Of Sports From The Nine (9) States Of The Niger Delta, Friday, Gathered At The NDDC Headquarters In Port Harcourt To Brainstorm On Modalities For The Hosting Of The Festival.

This Maiden Edition Of The Niger Delta Sports Festival Is A Sports Development Initiative Of The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Coming As Part Of Its Events For The 25 Years Anniversary Of The Existence Of The Commission.

Addressing The Participating  Commissioners At The Meeting, Dunamis Icons; The Consultant Said The Event Is Aimed At Re-awakening And Reviving The Region's Sporting Potentials And Dominance In The Country. 

The Consultant Also Unveiled The 'Dolphin' As The Mascot For The Festival, Which Is Also Chosen To Be Addressed As "Bros".

"The Niger Delta Is Largely Influenced By The Sea, And One Of The Biggest Characters In The Sea Is The Dolphin, Which Itself, Has Human Semblances. 

"Dolphin Is A Friend To Human Beings, And Are Always Available To Defend Man When Under  Attack By Sharks As Well As Entertain Us. 

"So, We As Niger Deltans, We Are The Defenders Of This Country. We Are The Oil That Runs The Engine Of Nigeria", Also Explained Mr. Fred Edorah, The Director Of Organization,  And A Partner To Dunamis Icons.

Earlier In His Address, The Chairman Of The Meeting, Hon. Boma Iyaye; The Execuve Director, Finance And Administration (EDFA), NDDC Hinted That The NDDC Is Taking Up A 95% Sponsorship Of The Festival For All The States Participating In The Festival, While The States Take Care Of The Remaining 5%. 

He Directed The Commissioners To Set Up Their State Organizing Committees To Help Work In Synch With The Consultant For The Success Of The Festival.

He Charged Them To Commence Immediate Actions At The State Levels, Using The Next Two Months For The Preparations Of Athletes For The Festival.

The verbal crossfire between former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and presidential media aide Daniel Bwala continued on Thursday when the ex-governor said he would have still excoriate the All Progressives Congress (APC) if were in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu as a minister.

On Monday, El-Rufai spoke at a national conference in Abuja, saying he no longer recognise the APC and that the party has tended toward a one-man show. “You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today,” he had said, criticising the leadership of the party. Bwala responded on X and said El-Rufai would not have expressed such a position if he were in the cabinet of the President.

He said, “My Senior brother, if you were to be in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position? History is replete with examples. It is a government you participated in its formation, that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam.”

Replying to the presidential aide on X, El-Rufai said, “I was cabinet minister 22 years ago, and was clear to Asiwaju that I was not interested in any position in his future government. The pathetic manner all of you latter-day converts to the Tinubu government make an issue of something that I never wanted in the first place is perhaps a reflection of the level of your moral flexibility.

“If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I will say or do the same on the tragedy within a party I was a founder, and the government that emerged from it – first in private sessions with those concerned, and then go public if no remedial actions are taken. Go and check my public service record from 1998.”

Tinubu nominated El-Rufai as minister in August 2023 but the ex-governor’s nomination was rejected by the Senate. Since the incident, El-Rufai has not been seen in a gathering of APC chieftains. The former governor has also not been seen around the Aso Villa, the seat of power, or near the president whom he vigorously campaigned for in the last poll.

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a committee to resolve the current crisis over the position of the National Secretary of the Party. Both Samuel Anyanwu and Udeh Okoye are laying claim to the position of the national secretary and the case is currently before the courts.

The crisis took another dimension when supporters of both men clashed at the PDP secretariat on Wednesday during the party’s BoT meeting. The PDP BoT chairman, Adulphus Wabara, in a communique after the meeting, announced that the committee will be led by Barr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.

According to Wabara, the committee is to interface with the parties, study the situation and report to the Board for further action. He noted that the Acting Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, assured the BoT that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will hold as scheduled in scheduled in February 2025 “to address all pertinent issues and reaffirm our shared commitment to the unity, discipline, and ideals that bind us together as members of the PDP.”

The BoT meeting was presided over by the chairman, Adolphus Wabara, and it was attended by other prominent members including the acting national chairman of the party, Umar Damagun; ex-Niger governor, Babangida Aliyu; ex-Kaduna governor, Ahmed Markafi; and ex-Jigawa governor, Sule Lamido.

Interpol announced on Thursday that 45 individuals have been arrested across West Africa in the past three months in operations targeting drug trafficking and terrorism financing.

Among those apprehended was a suspected Islamic State member near the Mali-Niger-Burkina Faso border and a North African individual allegedly attempting to travel through Europe to join ISIS in Syria.

Authorities also seized over $50 million worth of cocaine in Cabo Verde and 10 tonnes of amphetamines in Burkina Faso.

“This operation marks a crucial step in dismantling transnational crime networks that threaten regional stability and hinder efforts toward peace and development in West Africa,” Interpol stated.

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of two construction workers from the rubble of a collapsed three-story building along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Awka.

The structure, located near the CBN building and adjacent to Diamond Pizza, was at the roofing stage when it suddenly collapsed late Wednesday while workers were still on-site. Eyewitnesses reported that the building caved in without warning, prompting bystanders and passersby to initiate rescue efforts before emergency responders arrived.

State police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga stated on Thursday that the rescued workers were rushed to the hospital and are responding to treatment. No fatalities have been recorded.

Authorities have since cordoned off the site, and investigations are ongoing. The site engineer and the building owner have been invited for questioning, while the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority has set up a panel of inquiry to determine the cause of the collapse.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to pay former U.S. President Donald Trump $25 million to settle a lawsuit over the suspension of his social media accounts.

Trump filed the lawsuit in 2021 after Meta suspended his accounts following the January 6 Capitol riot. The settlement represents a major concession from the tech giant and a win for Trump, who has long criticized social media platforms for alleged censorship.

During Meta’s quarterly earnings call on Wednesday, CEO Mark Zuckerberg praised the Trump administration’s support for American tech companies and emphasized the importance of redefining relationships with governments.

According to The Wall Street Journal, approximately $22 million from the settlement will go toward funding Trump’s presidential library, while the remaining $3 million will cover legal fees and compensation for other plaintiffs involved in the case.

Meta, however, has not admitted to any wrongdoing as part of the agreement.

A joint security operation has successfully dismantled a kidnapper’s hideout in Enugwu Agidi, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, resulting in the arrest of a key suspect and the seizure of a large cache of weapons.

The operation, which took place at 12:15 am on Thursday, January 30, 2025, involved coordinated efforts from the newly launched ‘Udo Ga Chi’ and ‘Agunechemba’ security initiatives.

Acting on reliable intelligence, security forces apprehended Mr. Chukwudi Tansi, who is suspected to be a member of a kidnapping syndicate.

During the raid, authorities recovered a significant haul of weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, eight pump-action shotguns, and four locally-made pistols.

Other seized items included three packets of cartridges with 101 rounds, four empty AK-47 magazines, three machetes, a Baofeng radio, a motorcycle, and various charms.

This operation is part of ongoing efforts to bolster security in Anambra State, with authorities remaining committed to intensifying their fight against criminal activity.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has admitted to technical issues in its recent public auction of forfeited vehicles and pledged to review complaints from affected participants.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale acknowledged concerns such as website accessibility problems, participants being locked out after submitting bids, and reports of inflated prices. He attributed the challenges to overwhelming participation—exceeding four million bidders—and unstable internet services.

The commission clarified that while it monitored the auction, it could not directly intervene as it was handled by accredited auctioneers in line with legal provisions. EFCC assured the public that it is awaiting reports from the auctioneers and will review legitimate complaints to ensure fairness.

Despite the glitches, successful bidders without issues will receive their vehicles as scheduled. The EFCC reiterated its commitment to transparency and ensuring the nation gets full value for the forfeited assets.

Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has pledged a decisive military response to reclaim control of eastern DR Congo from M23 rebels, whom he accused of being backed by Rwanda.

In a televised address on Wednesday night, Tshisekedi condemned the rebel group’s capture of Goma and its continued push southward. He announced a “vigorous and coordinated response” to counter the insurgents and criticized the international community’s inaction amid the escalating crisis.

Calling on all Congolese citizens to support the army, Tshisekedi vowed that the nation would not bow to “humiliation” and would ultimately defeat the rebels. The conflict has already displaced over 500,000 people, worsening humanitarian conditions, with Goma facing severe shortages of electricity, water, and food.

Despite a virtual summit of East African leaders urging dialogue with all armed groups, Tshisekedi rejected direct talks with M23, insisting on discussions only with Rwanda. He also expressed gratitude to the South African Development Community (SADC) and UN peacekeepers who lost their lives in the conflict, including 13 South African troops killed in Goma.

Tensions between South Africa and Rwanda have escalated, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accusing Rwanda of involvement in the deaths, a claim rejected by President Paul Kagame. Meanwhile, reports suggest M23 is advancing toward Bukavu, DR Congo’s second-largest city, as the Congolese army attempts to establish defensive positions.

Angola has called for urgent peace talks, while international pressure on Rwanda has intensified. The U.S., EU, and China have urged Rwanda to withdraw from DR Congo, and both the UK and Germany have threatened to cut aid in response to the violence. The UK has placed £32 million in bilateral aid under review, while Germany has canceled planned aid discussions with Rwanda.

As the 2027 general elections draw closer, hundreds of former Social Democratic Party (SDP) members have officially joined the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State.

The defectors were warmly received by John Ogunsola, a PDP chieftain and aspirant for the House of Representatives, who attributed their decision to Governor Seyi Makinde’s transformational leadership and progressive policies.

Ogunsola assured the new members of full integration into the party, urging unity among both old and new members as the PDP prepares for the upcoming elections.

“Let us welcome them wholeheartedly and work together to drive progress in our state,” he said.

At the reception, Mukaila Adegbola, PDP chairman for Oluyole Local Government, applauded the defectors for their bold move, describing the PDP as a party committed to growth, development, and the true dividends of democracy.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Dauda Hamsat Awayewaserere cited Governor Makinde’s impactful governance as the key reason for their switch, assuring the PDP leadership of their loyalty and commitment. He also hinted that more SDP members were likely to follow suit in the coming weeks.

The new members pledged to strengthen the PDP’s grassroots presence across the state, vowing to play an active role in the party’s success.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited on Thursday launched five Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) mini-plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

The five LNG mini-plants are PRIME LNG, NGML/Gasnexus LNG, BUA LNG, Highland LNG, and LNG Arete. These plants will take their feedstock, which is natural gas, from natural gas pipes that are already traveling up to the Ajaokuta location.

The main source pipeline for the mini-plants are the AKK pipeline, which is the Ajaokuta-Kano-Kaduna gas pipeline being built by the Federal Government.

These plants would serve gas to parts of the country that are currently without any form of gas infrastructure.

A 50-year-old panel beater, Kazeem Tunde, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a catalytic converter worth N950,000 from a customer’s Toyota Hiace bus.

The defendant, who resides in the Obawole area of Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos, is facing charges of theft, conspiracy, and breach of peace.

According to the prosecutor, ASP Matthew Akhaluode, the alleged crime took place on January 12 at Adeyeri Street, Ogba, Lagos. Tunde, along with an accomplice who is currently at large, reportedly removed the catalytic converter while repairing the vehicle and failed to account for its whereabouts.

The prosecution stated that the offences violate Sections 168, 287, and 411 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

Tunde pleaded not guilty, and Magistrate M. F. Onamusi granted him bail of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned to February 17 for further hearing.

Activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has pleaded not guilty to cybercrime charges brought against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The charges were filed by Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, following Sowore’s remarks on his verified X handle, where he referred to Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP.”

Sowore appeared before Justice Liman of the FCT High Court and was arraigned around 10:00 a.m. when the charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Meanwhile, several of his supporters staged a protest outside the court in response to his arraignment.