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Akpabio Vows to Unmask Government Officials Sponsoring Terrorism

Published

2 months ago

June 8, 2026

Abductions, Killings Are Sponsored to Undermine Tinubu’s Administration - Akpabio

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio

Akpabio Vows to Unmask Government Officials Sponsoring Terrorism

Abuja, Nigeria – The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has declared that individuals sponsoring terrorism and violent crimes in Nigeria will eventually be exposed, regardless of their status or position in society – including if they are within the government.

The Senate President made the declaration on Sunday during an Inter-Denominational Church Service held at the National Christian Centre in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration. The service, themed “God of Hope, Actualise Our Dreams,” brought together senior government officials, church leaders, and worshippers to reflect on Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.

Akpabio, who reflected on Nigeria’s security challenges, urged citizens not to lose hope despite the wave of kidnappings, killings, and insurgent attacks across different parts of the country. He stressed that prayers and national unity remain important in the fight against insecurity.

Drawing from his experience as a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio revealed that he introduced a monthly prayer programme nearly two decades ago to confront rising cases of militancy, kidnapping, and violent crimes in the state. He recalled that he often asked himself how much worse the situation could have been without sustained prayers.

“When I had the opportunity to serve as governor about 19 years ago, I started monthly prayer. I used to ask myself a question whenever there was militancy, kidnapping and killing. I would say, what if we were not praying?” Akpabio said.

Drawing parallels with the nation’s present security situation, the Senate President called on Nigerians to continue praying for the country and for those behind acts of violence to be exposed.

“Today I want you to ask the same question, the things happening around us, what if we were not praying. We must continue praying so that the evil doers and their sponsors shall be exposed in Jesus Name,” he stated.

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In a direct and uncompromising declaration, Akpabio vowed that no sponsor of terrorism would be spared, regardless of their political connections or official position.

“If they are in government, they shall be exposed. If they are outside government, they shall be exposed in Jesus Name. Those sponsoring it, whether it is politically motivated or not, may they never have peace until they are defeated,” the Senate President declared.

The Senate President acknowledged the pain caused by insecurity across the country, particularly kidnappings and violent attacks, while calling for national resilience. He admitted that insecurity remains one of the country’s biggest concerns, noting that many communities have suffered attacks while farmers and travellers continue to live in fear. He, however, expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome the current challenges just as it survived previous periods of political instability, economic hardship, and health emergencies.

Akpabio also spoke emotionally about the suffering of families whose loved ones have been abducted, saying the pain of not knowing the fate of a child or relative is one of the greatest tragedies any family can face. The former Akwa Ibom governor recalled his own experience during the Nigerian civil war and said the ordeal of children held in captivity across the country should trouble the conscience of every Nigerian. He assured citizens that the current security crisis would not last forever, expressing optimism that the nation would witness a more peaceful future. Akpabio further maintained that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to restoring security and ensuring that victims of abduction regain their freedom.

In a broader reflection on Nigeria’s democratic journey, Akpabio attributed the country’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance to divine providence, prayer, and the resilience of its people. He declared that Nigeria’s return to democracy was “providence,” recalling how the Nigeria Prays Movement, led by General Yakubu Gowon, preceded the end of military rule.

“There was a time when uncertainty clouded our future, and hope seemed distant. While politics has its place, some battles require prayer. Three years later, democracy returned. Some call it a coincidence. We know it was providence,” he stated.

The Senate President paid tribute to the Church in Nigeria for its contributions to the nation’s democratic development, describing it as a moral force that stood firmly in defence of justice and democratic governance.

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“I pay tribute to the Church in Nigeria for standing in the gap then and for continuing to do so today. In that critical hour, the Church was at its finest. It remains the salt of the earth and a light upon a hill, reminding us that governments may govern and institutions may serve, but it is God who preserves nations,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of faith in nation-building, Akpabio declared that prayer played a crucial role in securing democracy and remains essential for preserving it.

“The healing of a nation begins when its people return to God. Prayer helped secure democracy. Prayer will help preserve it. What faith obtained, only faithfulness can sustain,” he said.

Akpabio noted that President Tinubu directed a low-key Democracy Day this year out of “empathy for the burdens many Nigerians bear,” acknowledging that “the pains of reform weigh heavily on families.”

“We have survived political upheavals, economic turbulence. We will survive insurgencies. We have survived pandemics like Ebola and COVID-19 and seasons of despotism. Yet here we stand. Twenty-seven years of democratic governance. Twenty-seven years of constitutional order and hope renewed,” Akpabio said.

As part of the Democracy Day observance, Akpabio called on Nigerians to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, the judiciary, the Armed Forces, security agencies, and all public servants entrusted with leadership responsibilities.

Also speaking at the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, said the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to address insecurity and reduce the economic burden facing Nigerians. Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, Akume assured that authorities would continue to strengthen measures aimed at defeating terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups while working towards the safe return of all abducted persons.

Akume acknowledged the economic hardship, insecurity, kidnappings, and displacement affecting many communities, stating that the government was fully aware of the challenges and remained committed to addressing them.

“Government is sensitive to all these pains, shares in these pains and has heard your cries,” Akume said, adding that President Tinubu was leading efforts to address the challenges with compassion and a strong sense of responsibility.

On security, the SGF stressed that the safety of Nigerians remains a top priority of the Federal Government, describing recent attacks and abductions as painful reminders that more work remains to be done.

“The government of Nigeria shall never succumb to terror, banditry or any form of criminal intimidation,” he declared.

With political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gradually gathering momentum, the SGF urged Nigerians to reject violence, hate campaigns and divisive rhetoric, warning that democracy must never be reduced to a battleground. He particularly appealed to young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used for thuggery, political violence, misinformation campaigns, ethnic abuse or religious intolerance.

“Do not rent out your conscience for money, drugs, political patronage or online applause. Your future is worth more than any politician’s temporary convenience,” he said.

Dignitaries at the service included Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack.

The church service formed part of the activities lined up for the country’s 27th Democracy Day anniversary, which the Federal Government said would be observed on a modest scale. Other scheduled activities included a World Press Conference on June 4, Special Juma’at Prayers on June 5, a Democracy Day Public Lecture on June 9, Youth and Women-Oriented Programmes on June 10, and a Presidential Broadcast and Democracy Day Gala Night on June 12, 2026.

The Democracy Day celebration, held annually on June 12, was instituted in honour of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s freest and fairest polls and won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.

Akpabio Vows to Unmask Government Officials Sponsoring Terrorism

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Nigeria Customs debunks fake recruitment update, warns job seekers

Published

30 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria Customs debunks fake recruitment update, warns job seekers

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has warned Nigerians to disregard a fake recruitment update circulating on social media, stating that the publication did not originate from the Service and should not be trusted.

In a statement released on Thursday, the NCS described the recruitment notice as false and advised prospective applicants to rely only on information released through its official communication channels.

According to the Service, the fake publication is part of a growing trend of recruitment scams in which fraudsters exploit the desire of Nigerians seeking government jobs by circulating false employment notices and demanding money or sensitive personal information from unsuspecting victims.

“The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) wishes to inform the public that the purported recruitment update currently circulating on some social media platforms is fake and did not originate from the Service,” the statement said.

The Service urged Nigerians to verify every recruitment-related announcement before acting on or sharing it, warning that misinformation could expose job seekers to fraud and identity theft.

It stressed that all official information regarding Nigeria Customs recruitment, promotions, screening exercises and other activities is published only through its verified communication platforms.

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The NCS advised members of the public to follow its verified Facebook page (Nigeria Customs Service) and its official Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Threads and TikTok accounts under the handle @customsng for authentic updates.

“Members of the public are advised to disregard the publication and rely only on information disseminated through the official communication channels of the Nigeria Customs Service,” the statement added.

The Service also reminded applicants that it does not charge any fee at any stage of its recruitment process, warning that anyone requesting payment in exchange for employment should be regarded as a fraudster.

The latest advisory comes amid a resurgence of fake recruitment notices targeting applicants following increased public interest in employment opportunities within government agencies.

In recent months, the NCS has repeatedly disowned forged recruitment documents, fake screening schedules and fabricated Computer-Based Test (CBT) notifications circulated online by scammers attempting to deceive job seekers.

The Service reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness and merit in its recruitment process, assuring Nigerians that whenever recruitment begins, the public will be informed through its official website and verified social media platforms.

It further urged citizens to remain vigilant by avoiding unofficial recruitment websites, refusing to make payments for employment offers and reporting suspected recruitment scams to relevant security agencies.

The NCS concluded its advisory with a reminder to Nigerians: “Stay vigilant. Verify information before sharing.”

As recruitment scams continue to evolve, the Service encouraged applicants to confirm any employment-related information through official sources before submitting applications or personal details.

Nigeria Customs debunks fake recruitment update, warns job seekers

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ICPC uncovers 908 suspected ghost workers in Police, other federal agencies, recovers ₦942m

Published

1 hour ago

July 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu

ICPC uncovers 908 suspected ghost workers in Police, other federal agencies, recovers ₦942m

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered 908 suspected ghost workers across at least 50 federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) accounting for the highest number of suspected fraudulent payroll entries.

The anti-corruption agency disclosed that the nationwide payroll verification exercise also led to the recovery of about ₦942 million in salaries allegedly paid to fictitious employees, describing the discovery as a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to eliminate payroll fraud and improve accountability in the public sector.

Speaking on the findings, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), said the investigation exposed widespread manipulation of government payroll systems through the insertion of fictitious names, ineligible beneficiaries and non-existent employees into salary records.

According to the commission, ghost workers are individuals whose names are fraudulently inserted into government payrolls to illegally receive salaries despite not being legitimate employees. In some cases, public officials allegedly add the names of relatives, friends or associates to the payroll and divert the salaries for personal gain.

Aliyu revealed that investigators uncovered one case involving a suspect who allegedly placed the names of his wife, son and mother-in-law on the payroll while simultaneously collecting salaries meant for 12 other fictitious workers.

The Nigeria Police Force recorded the highest number of suspected ghost workers, with 570 names flagged during the verification exercise.

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The National Water Resources Authority followed with 80 suspected ghost workers, while the Federal Ministry of Works recorded 56.

Other agencies affected include the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had 24 suspected ghost workers, the Federal Ministry of Defence with 19, and both the Federal Ministry of Power and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, each with 17 suspected ghost workers.

The Federal Ministry of Health recorded 15 suspected ghost workers, while the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had 12.

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Interior were also identified as agencies affected by payroll fraud, although the ICPC did not disclose the number of suspected ghost workers linked to the two institutions because investigations are still ongoing.

The commission explained that the payroll audit forms part of its broader strategy to support the Federal Government’s drive to eliminate financial leakages from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and strengthen transparency in public financial management.

As part of the anti-graft campaign, the ICPC recently secured a final forfeiture order from the Federal High Court in Abuja for approximately ₦942 million traced to accounts linked to the payroll fraud scheme. The recovered funds have been forfeited to the Federal Government.

The commission disclosed that an earlier phase of the investigation initially identified 587 suspected ghost workers during a joint payroll audit conducted with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. Following further verification, 120 individuals were confirmed to be legitimate employees, while investigations into the remaining suspicious accounts continue.

Aliyu said the ICPC would continue to deploy technology, data analytics and collaboration with relevant government agencies to detect payroll fraud, recover stolen public funds and prosecute anyone found culpable.

He also urged heads of ministries, departments and agencies to strengthen internal control systems, conduct regular personnel audits and ensure strict compliance with payroll verification procedures to prevent future abuses.

The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to sanitising the Federal Government payroll system, blocking revenue leakages and promoting transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.

ICPC uncovers 908 suspected ghost workers in Police, other federal agencies, recovers ₦942m

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How to apply for FG’s YouthCred loan and qualify for up to ₦2 million

Published

2 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Trends Admin

How to apply for FG’s YouthCred loan and qualify for up to ₦2 million

The Federal Government has launched YouthCred for Entrepreneurs, a new financing initiative designed to provide collateral-free business loans of between ₦200,000 and ₦2 million to young Nigerians running micro and small businesses.

The programme, unveiled in Abuja, is part of the government’s broader effort to improve access to affordable credit, reduce barriers to entrepreneurship and support the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.

According to the government, the initiative will initially support 500,000 young entrepreneurs, with plans to expand the programme to one million beneficiaries before the end of the year.

Unlike conventional bank loans that often require collateral and guarantors, YouthCred uses an alternative credit assessment model that evaluates applicants based on their business cash flow, repayment capacity and credit behaviour.

Who is eligible to apply?

To qualify for the YouthCred loan, applicants must:

Be between 18 and 35 years old
Own or operate a business
Demonstrate responsible credit behaviour
Show evidence of business cash flow and ability to repay the loan
Complete the required verification process

How much can applicants borrow?

Eligible entrepreneurs can access loans ranging from:

Minimum: ₦200,000
Maximum: ₦2 million

The amount approved will depend on the applicant’s business performance, repayment capacity and credit assessment.

Who can benefit?

The programme targets young Nigerians operating small businesses and providing essential services, including:

Caterers
Fashion designers and tailors
Make-up artists
Hairdressers and barbers
Content creators
Ride-hailing drivers
Mechanics
Young farmers
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members
ICT professionals
Other eligible micro and small business owners

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How to apply for the FG’s YouthCred loan

Applicants can complete their application online by following these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official YouthCred application portal.

Step 2: Create an account using your email address and personal details.

Step 3: Select the Youth Entrepreneur category.

Step 4: Fill in the online application form with accurate personal and business information.

Step 5: Upload the required identification and verification documents.

Step 6: Submit the application for verification and credit assessment.

Step 7: If successful, the application will be processed through participating regulated financial institutions before the loan is disbursed.

Is collateral required?

No.

One of the major advantages of the YouthCred programme is that applicants are not required to provide collateral or guarantors.

Instead, loan approval is based on:

Business cash flow
Credit history
Repayment capacity
Overall financial assessment

Flexible repayment options

Successful applicants can repay the loan over a period of one to 12 months, depending on the repayment plan that best suits their business and financial situation.

The flexible repayment structure is intended to make borrowing more accessible while encouraging responsible financial management.

How to increase your loan limit

Borrowers who perform well under the programme can qualify for larger loans in future by:

Repaying previous loans on time
Building a positive credit history
Completing the platform’s financial literacy and business training modules

Government explains purpose of the scheme

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy said the initiative was created to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of young Nigerians by giving them access to affordable financing.

According to the minister, more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s MSMEs are microenterprises operated by individuals such as caterers, mechanics, fashion designers, ride-hailing drivers, content creators and young farmers.

He said improving access to credit would help these entrepreneurs expand their businesses, create jobs and contribute more to national economic growth.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), Uzoma Nwagba, said the government intends to reach 500,000 beneficiaries in the first phase and one million young Nigerians before the end of the year.

He encouraged beneficiaries to repay their loans promptly, noting that responsible borrowing would strengthen their credit profiles and allow more Nigerians to benefit from the programme.

The Federal Government said the initiative forms part of its broader strategy to promote financial inclusion, stimulate entrepreneurship and empower young Nigerians with affordable access to business financing.