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FCCPC Denies Tinubu’s Approval of Nine New Airtime Credit Operators in Lagos

Commission says regulatory framework for fintech firms remains suspended after court order halts enforcement till July hearing

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Commission says regulatory framework for fintech firms remains suspended after court order halts enforcement till July hearing

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Sunday refuted reports that President Bola Tinubu approved the entry of nine new operators into Nigeria’s airtime credit market, saying it was neither involved in nor aware of such plans. The commission made this clarification in a statement issued by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, in Lagos.

According to Ijagwu, recent media reports alleging that the FCCPC submitted names of local fintech companies to the Presidency for approval were inaccurate. He said, “The commission wishes to state clearly that it is not aware of, and was not involved in, the claims attributed to it in the report absolutely.”

On Friday and Saturday, several national newspapers had published stories claiming President Tinubu endorsed FCCPC proposals to restructure the airtime credit sector and approved nine Nigerian fintech firms—Technotrends Platforms Nigeria Limited, Total Tim Nigeria Limited, Fonyou Technologies Nigeria Limited, Rane Interactive Medien CLS Limited, MRS Innovation Nigeria Limited, Mode NG Applications Nigeria Limited, ERL Telecoms Service Limited, Cloud Interactive Associate Limited, and Coverage Broadband Limited—for participation. The FCCPC has now confirmed it had no involvement in any such approvals.

Ijagwu further explained that the regulatory framework under which these companies were reportedly approved remains suspended. He stated that implementation and enforcement of the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 was halted following an interim injunction granted by the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 15, 2026. The suit was filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria. “As a law-abiding public institution, FCCPC remains bound by the court order to suspend enforcement of the regulation pending determination of the substantive case by the court,” Ijagwu said.

The next hearing on the matter has been scheduled for July 20, 2026. The commission maintained its commitment to due process and urged stakeholders and members of the public to disregard unsubstantiated reports regarding approvals or reforms in the airtime credit sector until there is an official pronouncement.

Source: https://punchng.com/tinubu-did-not-approve-new-airtime-credit-operators-says-fccpc/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Army Arrests 46 Suspected Illegal Immigrants in Ogun State During Security Operation

Major Akari says suspects from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Senegal held without valid documents after six months’ stay

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June 15, 2026

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Major Akari says suspects from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Senegal held without valid documents after six months’ stay

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working with other security agencies, have arrested 46 suspected illegal immigrants during a targeted operation in Ogun State that began on June 11, 2026. The suspects—comprising nationals from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Senegal—were apprehended at various locations in Ijebu Imushin, Ijebu Ilese and surrounding communities.

Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Major Idereghi Samuel Akari, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Abeokuta. According to Akari, the group included 18 people from Burkina Faso, 23 from Côte d’Ivoire, four from Togo and one from Senegal. Among those detained are 36 males and 10 females.

Major Akari explained that the operation followed actionable intelligence regarding the presence of foreigners living in the state without proper immigration status. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals had been residing in the state for approximately six months without valid immigration documentation,” he stated.

The arrest highlights concerns over border management and internal security within Ogun State—a South-West zone that shares boundary with neighbouring countries. Security agencies have increased monitoring following reports of illegal entry points along Nigeria’s borders with Benin Republic and other West African nations.

Army officials say further investigation is ongoing to determine if any of the suspects are linked to wider security threats or criminal activities. The arrested individuals are expected to be handed over to appropriate immigration authorities for further screening and possible repatriation. As at press time, there was no immediate response from Nigeria Immigration Service on the development.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/soldiers-nab-46-suspected-illegal-immigrants-in-ogun/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Fire Outbreak Destroys Aka God Petrol Station in Umuahia North, Losses Run Into Millions

Abia State Fire Service deploys emergency response as residents struggle to contain blaze; adjoining properties suffer damage

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14 minutes ago

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June 15, 2026

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Abia State Fire Service deploys emergency response as residents struggle to contain blaze; adjoining properties suffer damage

A major fire outbreak gutted Aka God Petrol Station in Nkwoegwu, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on Sunday night, destroying goods and property worth millions of naira. The incident, which started around 6:30 p.m., followed an explosion involving a petrol tanker inside the station’s premises.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire rapidly spread across the facility, sending thick smoke and flames into the sky and causing panic among nearby residents and business owners. Efforts by members of the Nkwoegwu community, including local youths and sympathisers, to extinguish the blaze were unsuccessful as repeated explosions from the tanker overwhelmed their attempts with buckets of water and sand.

The Abia State Fire Service was alerted to the situation and arrived at the scene by 7:00 p.m., deploying firefighting equipment to tackle the inferno. While no lives were lost in the incident, several adjoining properties were partially affected before firefighters succeeded in containing the flames. The value of goods lost is estimated in millions of naira as shop owners and workers lamented extensive damage to merchandise and infrastructure.

Petrol station fires remain a significant concern for many Nigerian communities due to inadequate safety infrastructure and delayed emergency response times. Last year, similar incidents led to calls for stricter regulation of fuel storage and transportation within urban areas. Stakeholders have urged authorities to improve monitoring of petroleum depots and enforce compliance with safety standards.

Officials from Abia State Fire Service have advised residents and business operators around fuel stations to maintain heightened vigilance, especially during fuel deliveries. Investigations into the cause of Sunday’s explosion are ongoing, while local authorities assess the extent of damage for possible relief interventions.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/panic-in-umuahia-as-inferno-razes-petrol-station/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Plateau Confirms 5 Deaths, 11 Cholera Cases as State Deploys Emergency Teams

Health commissioner says rapid response teams and expanded treatment centres mobilised in Mangu LGA after outbreak

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14 minutes ago

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June 15, 2026

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Health commissioner says rapid response teams and expanded treatment centres mobilised in Mangu LGA after outbreak

Plateau State government has confirmed five deaths and 11 cases of cholera following an outbreak in Mangu Local Government Area, with officials moving to contain further spread through intensified emergency measures. Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, Plateau State Commissioner for Health, disclosed the figures on Sunday while addressing journalists in Jos.

According to Baamlong, the fatalities and confirmed cases were recorded alongside 53 suspected cases across Pushit, Mangu 1, and Mangu 2 communities in the affected LGA. The commissioner explained that the state Ministry of Health had scaled up its response by deploying additional Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to impacted wards, expanding treatment centres and isolation facilities, and commencing emergency procurement of diagnostic kits, intravenous fluids, and essential medicines.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease commonly linked to consumption of contaminated food or water. It tends to thrive in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to safe drinking water—conditions prevalent in some rural communities within Plateau’s North-Central zone.

Baamlong said the Incident Management System (IMS) had been activated to coordinate the outbreak response. “Government has intensified public health interventions in all affected areas,” he stated during the press briefing. He also appealed for community cooperation with health workers carrying out contact tracing and sensitisation campaigns.

The commissioner urged residents to prioritise proper hygiene practices and seek immediate medical attention if they notice symptoms such as frequent stooling or vomiting. As at Sunday, no official comment had been received from opposition parties regarding the government’s handling of the outbreak.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/cholera-claims-five-lives-in-plateau-11-cases-confirmed/

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