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Nigeria News (Standard)

Terrorists Kill 20 in Kebbi State Attack, Security Agencies Intensify Patrols

Incident occurred on Sunday in North-Western state as residents call for urgent government intervention to restore peace

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Incident occurred on Sunday in North-Western state as residents call for urgent government intervention to restore peace

At least 20 persons have been killed following an attack by suspected terrorists in Kebbi State on Sunday, authorities confirmed. The incident took place in one of the communities within the North-West geopolitical zone, intensifying fears over persistent insecurity in the area.

Eyewitnesses and local officials reported that armed men stormed the affected community in the early hours of Sunday, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents. Many villagers were forced to flee into nearby bushes, while security agencies responded by deploying additional personnel to the scene in a bid to forestall further violence.

Kebbi State has witnessed a spate of attacks in recent months, with communities grappling with killings, kidnappings and destruction of property. The latest incident underscores growing concerns about security across Nigeria’s North-West, where criminal gangs known locally as bandits have operated with increasing boldness despite ongoing military operations.

Security agencies said they are working round the clock to apprehend the perpetrators and restore calm to the area. “We are committed to tracking down those responsible for this heinous act,” a senior police official stated on Sunday evening. Community leaders and civil society groups have called on both state and federal governments to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve rapid response capabilities.

With displaced families seeking shelter and many injured receiving treatment at local health centres, stakeholders are urging authorities to provide relief materials and step up long-term solutions that address both immediate threats and underlying causes of rural insecurity.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/887604-terrorists-kill-20-in-kebbi-attack.html

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Nigeria News (Standard)

South African Women Protest Deportation of Foreign Workers, Warn of Factory Closures

Protesters urge President Ramaphosa to halt xenophobic policies, citing threat to jobs and textile industry survival

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Protesters urge President Ramaphosa to halt xenophobic policies, citing threat to jobs and textile industry survival

A group of South African women marched through major cities on Friday, protesting renewed efforts to deport foreign workers and warning that such actions could force many local factories to shut down. The demonstration comes as anti-immigration sentiments rise across South Africa, with calls for tighter deportation measures against undocumented migrants.

The protesters, most of whom work in the clothing and textile industry, carried banners reading ‘No to Xenophobia’ and ‘Foreigners Must Stay.’ Many insisted that factories depend heavily on skilled migrant workers—especially machinists—and that removing them would threaten the jobs of both South Africans and foreigners. One participant, who identified herself as a five-year factory worker, said: ‘When they are taking the foreigners away, that’s the foreigners who are giving us jobs. We won’t have jobs.’

This protest highlights growing anxiety among workers in sectors facing skills shortages. According to the demonstrators, employers have struggled for years to find and keep qualified local machinists for factory positions. They claimed many South Africans hired for these roles often quit soon after joining, while foreign workers tend to stay longer and help keep production lines operational. ‘Most of the foreigners are machinists. We don’t have local machinists,’ another protester stated.

The women appealed directly to President Cyril Ramaphosa, urging government to rethink any mass deportation policy targeting foreign nationals in the workforce. ‘Mr Ramaphosa, you can’t chase the foreigners. They are part of us, they are our people,’ one protester said during the rally. The group stressed their action was about safeguarding both migrant and local livelihoods in a challenging economic climate.

Their demonstration comes at a time when South Africa is considering charging other countries for the repatriation costs of undocumented immigrants—a move that could affect Nigeria and other nations with citizens working in South Africa’s industries. As debates continue over immigration laws and employment priorities, protesters argue that removing foreign workers without adequate replacements could result in widespread job losses and deepen economic hardship for ordinary families.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/if-foreigners-leave-we-are-finished-south-african-women-take-to-the-streets-to-protest-xenophobia-deportations-2026061417534726035

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Nigeria News (Standard)

NDLEA Seizes 1.12 Tonnes of Cannabis in Taraba’s Bali LGA, Arrests Warehouse Owner

Agency describes operation as major breakthrough as 45-year-old suspect apprehended in Maihula Town raid

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Agency describes operation as major breakthrough as 45-year-old suspect apprehended in Maihula Town raid

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confiscated over 1.12 tonnes of cannabis sativa during a targeted operation on June 13 in Maihula Town, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State. The NDLEA said its operatives recovered 70 bags of the illicit substance, weighing a total of 1,121.5 kilograms, from a warehouse where the drugs were allegedly stored.

The raid, which followed intelligence gathering, led to the arrest of a 45-year-old man identified as Ali Adamu. According to the agency, Adamu was apprehended at the scene and is believed to be connected to the storage and distribution of the seized cannabis. The NDLEA stated that the success of this operation is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks in Taraba and across Nigeria.

NDLEA Taraba State Commander Javanson Talayedi Kwalma confirmed the development, describing it as one of the most significant seizures since the command was established. Kwalma commended his officers for their swift response and reiterated the agency’s resolve to intensify anti-narcotics operations throughout the North-East geopolitical zone. He noted that drug abuse and trafficking continue to pose serious challenges to public safety and youth development in the state.

The NDLEA maintains that such large-scale interceptions are critical in reducing the flow of illegal drugs into communities and preventing associated criminal activities. Kwalma called on residents to support ongoing anti-drug campaigns by providing useful information and warned that anyone found complicit would be prosecuted according to Nigerian law.

With investigations ongoing, authorities say further arrests may follow as they work to uncover additional networks linked to the seized consignment. The agency also reiterated its commitment to regular patrols and intelligence-led raids aimed at safeguarding public health and security across Taraba State.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/ndlea-seizes-over-1-1-tonnes-of-cannabis-in-taraba-arrests-suspect/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Lagos Tech Entrepreneur Launches Newbanger Platform to Boost Affordable Music Promotion

Founder says direct artist-curator connections will cut costs for independent musicians struggling with high fees in Nigeria

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Founder says direct artist-curator connections will cut costs for independent musicians struggling with high fees in Nigeria

A Lagos-based tech entrepreneur has launched Newbanger, a digital platform designed to make music promotion more accessible and affordable for Nigerian and African artists. The unveiling took place in Lagos on Friday, with the founder highlighting the platform’s commitment to bridging the gap between emerging musicians and industry professionals.

According to the founder, Newbanger enables independent artists to connect directly with music curators and professionals without relying on expensive intermediaries. The platform aims to address longstanding complaints from Nigerian musicians who face high promotional costs and lack of transparency when seeking airplay or playlist placements.

Music industry stakeholders say that many up-and-coming artists in Nigeria struggle to break through due to prohibitive promotion fees charged by agents and promoters. Newbanger’s model, which allows direct engagement, is expected to reduce these barriers by providing cost-effective solutions for music distribution and audience reach.

The founder stated that Newbanger was developed in response to demands from artists for a fairer system. “We want musicians to have more control over their work and how it reaches listeners,” he said during the launch event. Some industry professionals welcomed the initiative, noting it could foster more diverse talent discovery. Others cautioned that sustained impact would depend on user adoption and partnerships with established curators.

The company said it will focus initial outreach on Afrobeat and hip-hop genres popular in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, before expanding its network across West Africa. The founder added that feedback from early users would guide further improvements. As at press time, no major record labels had officially endorsed the platform.

Source: https://guardian.ng/life/music/newbangers-founder-highlights-platforms-game-changing-impact-on-music-promotion-2/

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