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FCTA Defends Salary Payments as NLC Plans Nationwide Protest

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Tinubu Approves SUVs for FCT Traditional Rulers, Four Buses for Youths, says Wike
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike

FCTA Defends Salary Payments as NLC Plans Nationwide Protest

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has defended its payment of workers’ salaries and wage arrears, following plans by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to stage a nationwide protest.

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, confirmed that FCTA workers had begun receiving their payments, including part of the outstanding Wage Award arrears.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday evening, Olayinka said, “FCTA workers received their January salary last week Friday, with one month payment of the five months arrears of the Wage Award.”

He explained that the administration had so far paid two months out of the five months owed, with plans to settle the balance in the coming months. “Two months out of the five months arrears of Wage Award paid already; remaining three months to be paid with February, March, and April salary,” Olayinka said.

The media aide questioned the decision of the NLC to mobilise workers in other sectors for the planned protest, noting that many of them were expected to be at their duty posts. “But NLC is mobilising workers in other sectors, who should be at their duty posts for a protest on Tuesday,” he said.

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Olayinka also highlighted that FCTA workers, on whose behalf the protest was being organised, had continued to work despite unresolved arrears. “Meanwhile, the FCTA workers on whose behalf NLC is organising a protest were at work last week Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. They will be at work tomorrow,” he added.

He criticised the labour union for what he described as selective action, arguing that similar wage issues remain unresolved in several states without intervention from the NLC. “More than 20 states have stopped paying the Wage Award or have not implemented it at all. NLC has not done anything. It is the FCT that is paying and has paid two months out of the five months of arrears—that is the problem of NLC,” Olayinka stated.

The wage dispute comes amid ongoing legal proceedings following an indefinite strike embarked upon by FCTA workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration Workers’ Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) on January 19, 2026, over unresolved welfare concerns.

Following a motion filed by the FCT Minister, the National Industrial Court ordered the workers to suspend the strike, adjourning the case to March 25, 2026, for further hearing.

In response, JUAC leaders Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Saleh approached the Court of Appeal, seeking leave to challenge the ruling and requesting a stay of execution pending determination of the appeal. The application, signed by senior lawyers including Femi Falana, SAN, argued that enforcing the lower court’s order could render the appeal nugatory.

Meanwhile, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have accused the FCT Minister of intimidating workers and reaffirmed their support for the striking staff. In a joint statement, the unions described the National Industrial Court ruling as “one-sided” and urged workers to remain resolute in their demands.

FCTA Defends Salary Payments as NLC Plans Nationwide Protest

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Troops Rescue 119 Kidnap Victims, Eliminate Terrorists in Nationwide Crackdown – DHQ

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Troops Rescue 119 Kidnap Victims, Eliminate Terrorists in Nationwide Crackdown – DHQ

ABUJA — Nigerian troops have rescued 119 abducted civilians and neutralised several terrorists during a week-long series of military operations across the country, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced.

The operations, conducted between November 6 and November 12, reportedly dealt significant blows to insurgents, kidnappers and other criminal groups operating in different parts of the country.

The latest military breakthrough comes amid growing concerns over insecurity, particularly attacks on motorists, abductions and terrorist activities along major highways and communities.

According to updates from the military high command, troops recorded significant successes across several operational theatres, with Borno State emerging as one of the major areas where security forces disrupted terrorist activities.

In one of the operations, soldiers reportedly intercepted insurgents attempting to ambush motorists and abduct travellers along major transportation routes in the state.

The intervention prevented the planned abductions and further demonstrated the military’s efforts to secure vulnerable highways and protect commuters.

The DHQ disclosed that 119 kidnapped civilians, including women and children, were rescued during the period under review.

The military also reported the elimination of several terrorists during offensive engagements targeting criminal hideouts, operational bases and suspected supply networks.

Beyond the rescue operations and neutralisation of insurgents, troops recovered eight operational vehicles allegedly seized by terrorists, alongside assorted weapons, ammunition and other logistical equipment.

Security operations were also intensified outside the North-East, with troops and other security agencies carrying out intelligence-led raids, disrupting kidnapping attempts and confronting criminal elements in the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau and Kwara states.

Watch: Nigerian Military Operations Against Terrorists and Rescue of Kidnap Victims

For additional context on the military’s ongoing anti-terrorism campaign and rescue operations, watch the video below:

The military’s nationwide operations were aimed at dismantling criminal networks, preventing further attacks and restoring confidence among residents and travellers using vulnerable routes.

The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed its determination to sustain pressure on terrorist groups and other criminal elements until lasting peace and security are restored across the country.

The latest operational figures represent another major effort by the Nigerian military in its ongoing campaign against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

 

Troops Rescue 119 Kidnap Victims, Eliminate Terrorists in Nationwide Crackdown – DHQ

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‎Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq

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‎Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq

 

L-R: AIG Aderemi Opadokun (Rtd); Air Commodore Asa Buhari (Rtd); Major General Abidoye Olayemi (rtd); Team Lead Kwara State Security Strategy Committee, Major General Garba Abdulwahab (rtd); Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON); Rear Admiral A.B Lawal (rtd); Col. A.A Lawal (rtd); Alhaji M.A Jimba; Director of Special Services Governor’s Office, Mrs. Folorunsho Idayat Adeola; and Permanent Secretary General Service, Alhaji Shuaib Yitta, during a visit by members of the committee to the state governor (to submit their report)  at the Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, on Wednesday.

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Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle

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Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle
Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle

PORT HARCOURT – The Rivers State Police Command has paraded two young men arrested over the alleged murder of a commercial motorcycle operator, whose motorcycle they reportedly stole after luring him into a remote forest in the state.

The suspects, identified as 24-year-old Abubakar Sani and 20-year-old Yusuf Magaji, were arrested following an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Emohua.

The police said Sani allegedly confessed to participating in the killing of the victim, identified as Sani Musa, before the suspects escaped with his motorcycle.

Musa, a native of Zago Town in Kafin Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was reportedly operating as a commercial motorcycle rider in Rivers State before his death.

According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly lured the rider to a remote forest in Mbiama, Ahoada West Local Government Area, where they attacked and stabbed him to death.

His body was subsequently dumped in thick bushes, while the suspects allegedly fled with his motorcycle.

The police further disclosed that the suspects planned to transport the stolen motorcycle to Kano State through a waybill arrangement, allegedly hoping to evade security checks and conceal the motorcycle’s origin.

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The alleged criminal operation was uncovered at about 1pm on October 22, when police operatives received intelligence that some individuals were dismantling a suspected stolen motorcycle at Choba Motor Park.

Acting on the information, operatives of the VCRU moved to the location and arrested Sani and Magaji, who were both said to be from Kano State.

During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the murder and subsequently led investigators to the Mbiama forest, where the decomposing remains of the deceased were recovered.

The recovery of the body provided investigators with further evidence in the ongoing investigation into the killing.

The command said arrangements were being made to release the deceased’s remains to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, following a request by his relatives.

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the murder, identify possible accomplices and ensure that everyone connected to the crime is brought to justice.

The police command reiterated its commitment to combating murder, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across Rivers State.

It also urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to help prevent criminal activities and improve public safety.

The two suspects are expected to face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.

 

Rivers Police Parade Two Suspects Over Murder of Okada Rider, Theft of Motorcycle

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