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Minister defends cash transfer, says N5,000 means a lot to many Nigerians
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk, has risen in defence of the Federal Government’s N5,000 monthly conditional cash transfer to the poor and vulnerable, saying it means a lot to many Nigerians.
According to her, the government has discovered through direct contact with the beneficiaries that the money has helped the poor and vulnerable of the society to escape from their dire situation even as some have been able to save from the amount.
The minister spoke on Thursday in Abuja to State House correspondents during the weekly ministerial media briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team.
She said, “If you look at the people that you are taking this intervention to, N5,000 means a lot to them, because these are poor and vulnerable households, and it changes their status; but for you and me, N5,000 is not even enough for us to buy recharge card; that’s the difference.
“But for these poor people in the communities, they were able to save out of that N5,000; if it’s not making any impact, if it’s not changing their economic status, I don’t think anybody will force them to contribute that N1,000 to provide that vehicle for their use. So, N5,000 goes a long way.
“When people say N5,000 does not save people, that is an elitist statement, because we’ve had causes to go to the field and we have seen these people that when you give them this N5,000, they cried and shed tears, because they’ve never seen N5,000 in their lives. So, it goes a long way, it changes their status, and by that, it lifts them from one stage to another.”
She also spoke on the problem of out-of-school children, declaring that it was not peculiar to the North.
The minister confirmed that there were over 10 million out-of-school children strewn across the country, who were earlier believed to be domiciled in the North.
Farouk cited a recent survey in Makoko in Lagos, Enugu and Jos, stressing the situation of out-of-school children was widespread as there were about 7,000 such children in Makoko alone.
Answering questions about the impact of the government’s school feeding programme on the number of out-of-school children, the minister said while the initiative increased school enrolment, the sheer number of out-of-school kids was a national problem.
Giving specifics on behalf of the minister, the Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme, Umar Bindir, said, “Some people here, if you talk about out-of-school children, they think you are talking about Almajiri in the North. Some people think it’s actually religious or a Muslim thing. But I can tell you that we have established it as a national issue in this programme.
“We sent a team to Lagos. They went to Mokoko; they met 7,000 out-of-school children picking things from the dirt. The guys returned shaking. We sent another chap to Jos; he returned shaking also. We sent another guy to Enugu, and for the first time, everybody realised that the out-of-school children issue is a national problem.”
Explaining the controversial exit programme of the N-Power, Farouk affirmed the Federal Government’s plan to enrol about 300,000 applicants into a training programme, while the Central Bank of Nigeria would give them loans.
She stated, “On the N-Power, thank you for bringing that up, and you asked another question if anybody really benefited from the programme. We have 500,000 on the programme, with the batches ‘A’ and ‘B’ being on the programme for four years and two years, respectively. Batch ‘A’ was on the programme for about four years, and we were giving them N30,000 stipend monthly. And Batch ‘B’ benefited for two years.
“So, yes, the N-power beneficiaries have benefited, because these are people who were not employed, who had nothing to do, but were engaged and were being paid stipends to earn a decent living.
On the humanitarian effects of the 13-year-old insurgency in the North-East, Farouk maintained that there had been heightened humanitarian assistance from her ministry.
However, she warned against letting international donor agencies lead the charge, noting that the Federal Government had devised a framework to ensure local resource control
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Vandalised Festac-Alakija Bridge Structurally Sound, Safe for Use — Sanwo-Olu Assures Lagosians
Vandalised Festac-Alakija Bridge Structurally Sound, Safe for Use — Sanwo-Olu Assures Lagosians
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has allayed fears over the safety of the newly constructed Festac-Alakija Bridge following a recent vandalism attempt, assuring residents and motorists that the structural integrity of the facility remains intact and it is safe for use .
The governor carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the affected bridge pillar at Vin-Niger along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway on Saturday . He was accompanied on the inspection by contractors handling the facility, members of the State Executive Council, and local government chairmen, who joined him in evaluating the extent of the damage to the bridge . The inspection followed viral videos showing the vandalised portion of the bridge, which had sparked widespread concern and condemnation on social media, with calls for the government to take immediate action to prevent further damage and ensure public safety . Addressing concerns raised by the incident, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated emphatically that preliminary assessments had confirmed the bridge remained fit for use. Officials from the Office of Infrastructure had inspected the damaged bridge and confirmed that its structural integrity remained intact despite the vandalism . Sanwo-Olu clarified that while the main structure of the bridge remained intact, vandals had excavated portions of the structure and removed fittings used to secure the facility . He said the bridge leads into Festac Town, while the land and abutment are under the control of the Federal Housing Authority . The governor also added that immediate remedial works would be carried out to protect the bridge’s columns and prevent further deterioration .
The governor condemned the vandalism as “barbaric, criminal and unacceptable”, warning that Lagos State would not tolerate attacks on critical public infrastructure . In a joint midnight enforcement operation, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force arrested 27 suspected hoodlums in connection with the vandalism . The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that investigations revealed the suspects had deliberately vandalised critical structural components of the bridge, removing iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other supporting materials essential to the integrity of the infrastructure . The commissioner said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State .
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The governor vowed that the government would pursue those responsible for the vandalism, including individuals involved in receiving, buying or selling materials stolen from public facilities, regardless of their social status or background . He stressed that attacks on public infrastructure undermine government investments and pose risks to the safety and wellbeing of residents . The governor expressed concern over the persistent vandalism of public infrastructure in Festac Town, citing the destruction of drainage slabs and theft of iron rods along Second and Seventh Avenues .
Governor Sanwo-Olu urged residents to take greater responsibility for protecting public assets by reporting suspicious activities to security agencies and relevant authorities . He commended security personnel involved in securing the area, including the Lagos State Police Command, RRS, Lagos State Task Force, Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch, and KAI, for their prompt intervention .
The governor explained that the inspection formed part of his administration’s broader efforts to clean up the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor, restore order and protect critical public infrastructure . He noted that considerable progress had been recorded in clearing the corridor of illegal activities and obstructions, and that he would continue the inspection towards the Alaba Rago axis . Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting public assets, ensuring the safety of road users and maintaining law and order across the state, while continuing to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard Lagos and create an environment where law-abiding residents and businesses could thrive .
Vandalised Festac-Alakija Bridge Structurally Sound, Safe for Use — Sanwo-Olu Assures Lagosians
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Kano Woman Pleads Guilty to Severing Boyfriend’s Manhood Over Marriage Dispute
Kano Woman Pleads Guilty to Severing Boyfriend’s Manhood Over Marriage Dispute
A Kano Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of 25-year-old Maimuna Idris in a correctional centre after she pleaded guilty to allegedly cutting off her boyfriend’s manhood with a knife. The prosecution told the court that the attack occurred after she discovered his intention to marry another woman .
The Kano State Police Command arrested Idris, a resident of Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State, following a report from the management of Durbar Hotel in Badawa Quarters, Kano, who alerted authorities to the shocking incident . The incident occurred on July 27, 2026, at about 11:00 a.m., when Idris allegedly attacked her boyfriend, Ashiru Sani, with a sharp knife after learning of his plan to marry another woman, a revelation that sparked a violent reaction with life-altering consequences . According to the prosecution, the attack was so severe that she completely severed Sani’s manhood during the altercation, leaving him with catastrophic injuries that required immediate emergency medical attention . The hotel management alerted security operatives at approximately 12:50 p.m., prompting the Badawa Divisional Police Officer to lead a team of detectives to the scene, where the suspect was arrested and the weapon—a sharp knife—was recovered as an exhibit that will be presented as evidence during the trial .
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Idris was arraigned before Magistrate Sadiya Usman on a two-count charge of attempted culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt, offences that contravene Sections 229 and 248 of the Penal Code, which carry severe penalties upon conviction . In a dramatic development that surprised the courtroom, she pleaded guilty to both charges when they were read to her in court, potentially paving the way for a swift resolution of the case . Magistrate Usman ordered that Idris be remanded in a correctional centre and adjourned the case until September 9, 2026, for further mention, giving the prosecution time to prepare and present their case fully .
Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has strongly condemned the attack, describing violence as an unacceptable response to personal disagreements and warning that such acts would not be tolerated in the state . The police assured residents that a diligent, transparent, and thorough investigation would be conducted, and that the suspect would be prosecuted following the completion of the probe to ensure that justice is served for the victim . The victim was rushed to Abubakar Imam Urology Hospital, Kano, where he is currently receiving medical treatment, with doctors working to address the extent of his injuries and provide the necessary care for his recovery . Police said the investigation is ongoing, and further details about the case are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings continue.
Kano Woman Pleads Guilty to Severing Boyfriend’s Manhood Over Marriage Dispute
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Edo Spiritualist Arrested for $1,100 Sextortion of Indian Woman – EFCC
Edo Spiritualist Arrested for $1,100 Sextortion of Indian Woman – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a self-acclaimed spiritualist, Odigie Moses, in Ekpoma, Edo State, for allegedly tricking an Indian woman into taking a naked spiritual bath, recording the session without her consent, and then blackmailing her for $1,100 .
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a self-acclaimed spiritualist, Odigie Moses, over his alleged involvement in a $1,100 sextortion scheme targeting an Indian woman . The anti-graft agency disclosed in a statement on Friday, August 7, 2026, that the suspect was apprehended in Ekpoma, Edo State, following an investigation into the alleged crime. The arrest forms part of the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat the growing menace of cybercrime and online blackmail, which have become increasingly sophisticated and transnational in nature, exploiting victims across borders through digital platforms.
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According to the EFCC, Moses allegedly misrepresented himself on the social media payment platform Zelle as possessing spiritual healing powers capable of solving life-threatening challenges, a claim designed to attract vulnerable individuals seeking quick solutions to personal problems. The victim, an Indian woman seeking spiritual intervention for personal problems, contacted him believing he could help her overcome the difficulties she was facing, unaware that she was being lured into a carefully orchestrated scheme. The suspect subsequently deceived her into taking a naked spiritual bath, a ritual he presented as necessary for the healing process, which he recorded live without her permission, betraying the trust she had placed in him. Following the recording, the suspect allegedly threatened to release the explicit video publicly unless the victim paid him money, using the threat of public humiliation to extort funds from her. Under duress and to prevent the circulation of her nude footage, the woman transferred **$1,100** to the suspect, hoping the payment would put an end to the ordeal. “Investigation by the EFCC revealed that the victim had to pay the sum of $1,100 to the suspect in order to prevail on him not to release her nudity to the public,” the anti-graft agency stated, confirming the extent of the blackmail.
The EFCC described the act as sextortion, a form of image-based abuse involving threats to share nude or sexual images to coerce victims into complying with financial demands, a crime that has become increasingly common in the digital age as perpetrators exploit the anonymity and reach of the internet. The commission confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that Moses will be charged to court upon their conclusion, ensuring that the suspect faces the full weight of the law for his alleged crimes. The EFCC’s swift action in this case sends a strong message to cybercriminals that law enforcement agencies are committed to protecting victims and prosecuting offenders, regardless of where they operate from.
Edo Spiritualist Arrested for $1,100 Sextortion of Indian Woman – EFCC
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