Tax Reforms, Telecom Boycott, and Terror Strikes: Top 10 Headlines Shaping Nigeria This Thursday Morning
House of Representatives Advances Tax Reform Bills
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the consolidated tax reform bills for a second reading after an extensive debate. The bills, initially sent to the House by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last year, were merged into one before lawmakers deliberated on their general principles. The move signals a step forward in the administration’s efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system.
Policeman Remanded for Alleged Rape
Owolabi Akinlolu, a police officer attached to the Ogudu Police Station in Lagos, has been remanded in prison custody for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl. Akinlolu had lured the teenager to his office under the guise of helping her recover her stolen phone from ‘one chance’ robbers. The case has sparked outrage and renewed calls for police accountability
NDLEA Raises Alarm Over Drug Abuse
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) revealed on Wednesday that an estimated 14 million Nigerians are addicted to harmful drugs. Mrs. Yetunde Joyifous, Deputy Commander of the Ondo State NDLEA Command, disclosed this during a drug abuse awareness program, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to curb the growing epidemic.
PDP Confirms Udeh Okoye as National Secretary
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed Udeh Okoye as the party’s substantive National Secretary. The decision followed a review of legal judgments affirming Okoye’s position and a memo presented by the Acting National Chairman. The move aims to stabilize the party’s leadership ahead of future elections.
NLC Calls for Telecom Boycott Over Tariff Hike
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its members and the general public to boycott telecommunications services from Thursday, February 13, 2025, in protest of a 50% tariff increase. The boycott, scheduled between 11 am and 2 pm daily, will continue until the end of February. The NLC described the tariff hike as exploitative and unjust.
Naira Fluctuates in Forex Markets
The Naira experienced mixed fortunes in the foreign exchange markets on Wednesday. While it depreciated to N1,570 per dollar in the parallel market, it appreciated to N1,513 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM). The fluctuations highlight the ongoing volatility in Nigeria’s currency markets
Amotekun Rescues 16 Trafficked Women and Girls
The Ogun State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, rescued 16 women and girls allegedly forced into prostitution. The victims and their trafficker were paraded in Abeokuta on Wednesday. Amotekun Commander Alade Adedigba stated that the rescue operation was based on intelligence reports, underscoring the agency’s commitment to combating human trafficking.
APC Launches Digital Membership Registration
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has partnered with Tunmef Global Limited to conduct a nationwide digital membership registration exercise. The initiative aims to create a comprehensive and up-to-date database of party members ahead of the 2027 general elections. The agreement was finalized at the APC secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday night.
Military Strikes Decimate Terrorist Networks in North-West
Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have achieved a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism in the North-West, eliminating several notorious terrorist commanders and dismantling multiple hideouts in Zamfara and Sokoto states. The coordinated offensive, conducted between February 1 and 10, 2025, has restored a sense of security to affected communities.
Customs Destroys N100bn Worth of Illegal Pharmaceuticals
The Nigerian Customs Service, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, destroyed 60 containers of substandard and illegally imported pharmaceutical products worth over N100 billion. The destruction took place at the Rivers State Waste Management dump site along the Port Harcourt Airport Road on Wednesday, marking a major victory in the fight against counterfeit drugs.
Stay informed with these updates as Nigeria navigates critical developments in governance, security, and socio-economic issues.
