US Congress approves sanctions on Nigeria over Christian k!llings

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4 days ago

March 14, 2025

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The United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has given President Donald Trump the green light to impose stringent sanctions on Nigeria in response to the widespread k!lling of Christians in the country.

The decision followed a congressional hearing on Wednesday, March 12. during which lawmakers condemned the Nigerian government for failing to protect Christian communities from escalating violence.

The committee also cited a 2024 report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, which revealed that Nigerians accounted for 90 per cent of all Christians killed worldwide each year.

The report documented that between October 2019 and September 2023, a staggering 55,910 people were killed, while 21,000 others were abducted by terrorist groups operating in the region.

During the hearing, Committee Chairman Chris Smith, who highlighted the severity of the crisis, pointed to testimony from Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria, as a viable witness.

He said: “One of our distinguished witnesses today—Bishop Wilfred Anagbe—travelled a long distance to be with us, and his testimony is both compelling and disturbing.

disturbing.

“Militant Fulani herdsmen are terrorists. They steal and vandalise, they kill and boast about it, they kidnap and rape, and they enjoy total impunity from elected officials. None of them have been arrested or brought to justice.”

“Make no mistake – these attacks are religiously motivated,” the report stated, adding: “Denying this reality contradicts the overwhelming evidence we have seen with our own eyes. This ‘religious cleansing’ must stop, and those responsible must be held accountable.”

The congressional panel strongly criticised the Nigerian government for failing to address religiously motivated violence, despite constitutional protections for religious freedom.

Expressing concern that Nigeria’s judicial system had been weaponised to suppress Christian communities, the lawmakers cited cases where blasphemy laws have been used to target religious minorities.

Explosion rocks Trans Niger pipeline in Rivers

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24 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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An explosion has rocked the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The explosion occurred late Monday night near the Bodo-Bonny Road, which is currently under construction.

The affected section of the major pipeline is still on fire, though the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown.

It is unclear whether the incident resulted from human interference, especially amid recent threats by militant groups to attack oil installations.

These threats stem from the Federal Government’s withholding of Rivers State’s allocation due to the ongoing political crisis.

The TNP, a critical federal oil transport line, supplies crude oil to the Bonny export terminal in Rivers State.

The explosion has raised concerns about potential environmental damage and disruptions to oil supply in the region.

Government authorities have not yet issued any statements regarding the incident.

EFCC impounds trucks of illegal solid minerals in Benue

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20 hours ago

March 17, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has intercepted eight trucks suspected of carrying illegally mined solid minerals in Benue State.

The Benue State government has embarked on stiff measures to curb illegal mining activities prevalent in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement by the spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewole.

He said the seizure took place in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

“The minerals, suspected to be fluorite and iron stones, were allegedly extracted from unauthorized mining sites in Logo LGA.”

Oyewole confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and once completed, those responsible will face prosecution.

EFCC Arrests Kano TikTok Influencer, Murja Kunya for Alleged Naira Mutilation

Published

1 day ago

March 17, 2025

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Operatives of the Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC, have arrested popular TikTok influencer, Murja Ibrahim Kunya, for allegedly abusing and mutilating the Naira.

Specifically, Kunya was arrested for allegedly spraying Naira notes for fun during her stay in a hotel room at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano. The arrest followed her diligent pursuit by EFCC operatives after she jumped an administrative bail granted her by the Commission over one month ago.

She was initially arrested in January 2025 for violating the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Act which prohibits the abuse and mutilation of the Naira. She was granted an administrative bail by the Commission pending her arraignment before the Federal High Court in Kano. However, when it was time for her court appearance, Kunya absconded, evading the legal processes.

However, after weeks of intensive investigation and surveillance, EFCC operatives successfully re-arrested the TikTok Influencer on Sunday March 16, 2025. She was subsequently conveyed to the Kano Zonal Directorate of the Commission, where she is currently in custody awaiting her arraignment.

The EFCC reiterates its commitment to enforcing laws protecting the integrity of the Nigerian currency and warned against acts of abuse including spraying, stamping, or mutilating the currency during social events.

Visit efcc.gov.ng for more stories.