Nigeria News (Standard)
Borno Government Reintegrates 720 Repentant Insurgents, 3,042 Family Members After Rehabilitation
State hands over ex-combatants, spouses, and children to local councils after completing deradicalisation and vocational training
State hands over ex-combatants, spouses, and children to local councils after completing deradicalisation and vocational training
The Borno State Government has reintegrated 720 repentant Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, together with 992 spouses and 2,050 children, into various communities across the state following completion of a structured rehabilitation programme. The handover ceremony took place at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri on Friday, marking the graduation of Batch 9 under the state’s deradicalisation initiative.
Special Adviser on Security to the Governor of Borno State, Brigadier General Ishaq Abdullahi (retd.), said at the event that the beneficiaries had undergone comprehensive profiling, mental health counselling, religious education, and vocational skills acquisition before their release. According to Abdullahi, each returnee was sworn in using the Holy Quran as a pledge of commitment to peaceful coexistence within their communities.
The initiative is part of Borno’s non-kinetic approach to addressing insurgency in the North-East. Since its launch in July 2021 under Governor Babagana Zulum (APC), the programme has facilitated the surrender of over 350,000 individuals linked to insurgency and has so far fully reintegrated 9,680 people. Authorities say the process includes rigorous screening by local leaders and security outfits such as hunters and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) before beneficiaries are accepted back home.
During rehabilitation, participants attended Islamic teachings and mental health sessions twice weekly while spending other days learning trades including carpentry, tailoring, solar installation, phone repair, metal works, and bricklaying. The government provided starter packs for graduates to enable sustainable livelihoods upon reintegration. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo—represented by Permanent Secretary Babagana Kadai—described the exercise as a symbol of reconciliation and ongoing peace-building efforts led by Governor Zulum.
With this latest batch reintegrated across LGAs including Bama, Konduga, MMC, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, and Gwoza, state officials emphasised that continued community engagement remains critical for long-term stability in Borno. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment.
Nigeria News (Standard)
IMF Urges Abuja to Impose Fuel and Telecom Taxes, Projects ₦14trn Revenue Gain
Fund warns hardship may worsen as it recommends higher VAT and stricter enforcement amid rising poverty levels
Fund warns hardship may worsen as it recommends higher VAT and stricter enforcement amid rising poverty levels
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised government in Abuja to introduce new taxes on fuel and telecommunications services as part of efforts to boost public revenue, according to its latest Article IV Consultation report released on Friday. The proposal, if adopted, could see higher fuel prices and increased costs for airtime and data across Nigeria.
The IMF’s recommendation comes as government faces mounting challenges in funding essential services, with the Fund projecting that a combination of new taxes and tighter enforcement could generate up to 4.6 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product—equivalent to nearly ₦14 trillion over three years at current GDP estimates. The report specifically mentioned raising the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate above the current 7.5 percent and closing loopholes that have allowed some sectors to underpay tax.
However, the IMF also cautioned that any move to increase levies should take into account Nigeria’s worsening poverty levels and widespread food insecurity. “Timing is critical; new taxes must not exacerbate hardship for vulnerable households,” the Fund noted in its assessment. It recommended that a functioning cash transfer system be established before any upward adjustment in fuel or telecom charges is implemented.
Past attempts by government to introduce similar taxes have been met with resistance. In 2022, stakeholders in the telecoms sector—including network operators and consumer groups—successfully opposed a planned five percent excise duty on call and data services. Labour unions have also pushed back against measures that would further raise pump prices after subsidy removal drove up transport and food costs nationwide.
The IMF said improved compliance with existing tax laws could be even more effective than introducing new levies, projecting an additional 3.1 percent of GDP from better enforcement alone. While Abuja has not yet signalled whether it will act on the latest advice, policy decisions in the coming months will likely face scrutiny from both economic experts and ordinary Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/imf-recommends-fuel-telecom-taxes-nigeria-2026061411260816689
Nigeria News (Standard)
NAFDAC Issues Alert in Lagos as US Recalls Children’s Ibuprofen over Safety Concerns
Agency urges parents, pharmacies to check imported stocks following US recall linked to potential contamination risk
Agency urges parents, pharmacies to check imported stocks following US recall linked to potential contamination risk
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert in Lagos on Sunday, advising Nigerians to exercise caution after United States authorities recalled a batch of children’s ibuprofen due to contamination concerns. The regulatory agency warned pharmacies and parents against administering or selling affected products imported from the US.
According to NAFDAC, the recall in the United States was prompted by fears that some batches of children’s ibuprofen could contain dangerous contaminants. The agency stated that while no incidents have yet been reported in Nigeria, it is taking precautionary measures to safeguard public health by monitoring pharmaceutical imports and urging the public to verify medication sources before use.
Children’s ibuprofen is commonly used in Nigeria for treating fever and pain among infants and young children. NAFDAC explained that contaminated medicines could pose serious health risks, especially for vulnerable groups like children who may react more severely to impurities. The agency called on health workers, importers, and the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious pharmaceutical products encountered in the market.
“We are working closely with local distributors and international partners to ensure that any potentially contaminated products are swiftly identified and withdrawn from circulation,” a senior NAFDAC official said on Sunday. The agency also encouraged pharmacies to review their current stock of imported children’s medicines as at June 2026, especially those sourced from the United States.
NAFDAC assured Nigerians that it will provide further updates as investigations continue. In the meantime, parents are advised not to panic but to consult healthcare professionals if they have concerns regarding ibuprofen or notice any unusual reactions in their children after administration.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Retired Major General Abubakar Rabe Dies in Katsina Bandit Captivity Despite Rescue Efforts
Katsina Government confirms ex-Army spokesman’s death, citing diabetes and hypertension complications after abduction with wife
Katsina Government confirms ex-Army spokesman’s death, citing diabetes and hypertension complications after abduction with wife
Retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, former spokesman of the Nigerian Army, has died while being held by armed bandits in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. The incident occurred after Rabe and his wife, Amina, were abducted on 30 May along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road, with their driver sustaining gunshot injuries during the ambush near Zakin Baure village.
Following the abduction, security agencies and the Katsina State Government launched operations to secure the couple’s release. According to officials, several coordinated attempts were made to locate their whereabouts and negotiate their safe return, but these efforts did not yield results before tragedy struck.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about rising insecurity across northern Nigeria and the persistent threat posed by armed groups targeting both civilians and high-profile figures. Many Nigerians have expressed alarm over the inability of authorities to curb kidnappings and guarantee safety on major highways.
Confirming the development, the Katsina State Government stated that Rabe died in captivity due to complications linked to diabetes and hypertension. In an official statement, government representatives extended condolences to his family and commended security agencies for their efforts. The statement also reaffirmed government’s commitment to intensify operations against armed banditry in Katsina and neighbouring states.
While search and rescue operations continue for other victims of similar attacks in the region, authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security operatives. The death of Major General Rabe is expected to increase calls for renewed strategies in tackling insecurity across the North-West.
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