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US, Nigerian security forces reportedly raid Abuja Estate

Published

4 years ago

October 27, 2022

Few hours after the United States Department of State, granted authorised departure status to the Embassy of the United States, Abuja, residents of the Trademore Estate in Abuja, were on Tuesday night thrown into confusion as security forces reportedly raided the premises following a tip off on the presence of a terrorist.

The sting operation in the Phase 4 section of the estate had led to a complete shutdown of the area, as armed intelligence personnel and others suspected to be American special forces, swooped on a building where a middle aged man was picked up.

A resident confirmed the raid to Daily Sun. He said a message was dispatched to residents by the leadership of the estate to keep them abreast on the latest development.

He told Daily Sun that residents have been warned by security agents not to divulge further information to the media, warning that there would be repercussions and possible arrest.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, has, however, dismissed the rumoured sting operation as fake.

Its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, spoke on the command’s WhatsApp platform while reacting to questions from journalists.

However, the message to residents read: “It’s no longer news that there was a High Powered Sting Operation in Phase 3 this afternoon, culminating in a complete shutdown of our estate. A combination of American Army and our DSS team were responsible.

“We are unable to give full details of the reason(s) behind the operation, however, we can confirm that there was an allegation of terrorist activities.

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“It is therefore desperately incumbent on every resident to remain vigilant, KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS and report any suspicious movement, person or activities to the Exco, Street Reps and/the Police.

“We will continue to do our utmost best to keep the estate safe for all of us. Everyone is responsible for security and there should no iota of abdication of this responsibility.

“Finally, let’s remain calm and continue to carry out our daily activities within the parameters of the Law. God bless and protect us all.”

According to a resident, the suspect who was picked up, has claimed innocence, alleging that he was set up by a governor in the North Central zone based on political differences.

“Yes, there was a raid. Boxes of grenades and other explosives were recovered. Two pistols were also allegedly recovered, from what we heard.

“Although, it was learnt that the suspect had plans to attack three churches in the area, I cannot immediately confirm that,” he stated.

The development at Trademore came a day after men dressed in Nigerian Navy woodland camouflage trousers and “Special Forces” shirt picked up one Shafiu, a native of Kogi State in the Lugbe area of Abuja.

Shafiu, a death row inmate at the Suleja Custodial Centre was, however, released in controversial circumstances just weeks to the 2019 general election.

He was picked up by a squad led by a certain Lt. Charles, just few days after declaring support for one of the opposition parties.

Meanwhile, he US authorisation which was granted on October 25, according to the Embassy of the United States, Abuja, permits the voluntary departure of family members and certain employees due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks.

“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Nigeria.

“The U.S. Consulate in Lagos continues to provide routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria,” the emergency information for American citizens read.

The United States Government further directed its nationals to have a personal emergency action plan that does not rely on government assistance, and to take advantage of commercial transportation options, if they wish to depart Nigeria.

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“Monitor local media for breaking news on the security situation. Be aware of your surroundings.

“Keep a low profile,” the United States instructed its citizens.

•Nigeria safe

The Federal Government has stated that it cannot be stampeded by what any government instructs its citizens to do in response to the most recent travel advisory from the United State Department urging their citizens to reconsider traveling to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said despite the attempts by terrorists to embarrass government, security agencies have in the last few months taken firm control of the situation.

Asked if he was still standing by his previous assurances that citizens and non-citizens alike are safe in Nigeria, he replied: “Now, of course, this so-called travel advisory as far as we’re concerned, as a government we have in the last few months, taken a firm handle of security.

“What I said is that click baiting, which is, you find a story which is not verified and you immediately share it, always causes panic.

“But I want to reassure both citizens, non-Nigerians, Nigerians living in this country, that security agencies are on top of this matter.

“Of course, the terrorists would not stop to try to embarrass or intimidate government but what I’m saying is that this country is safe. And there’s no cause for alarm. No cause to panic. Unfortunately, because of that travel advisory on Sunday many schools were closed, shops were closed, travel plans were disrupted, we don’t need it. The security – our soldiers, our police are working round the clock to contain any terrorist attack. This is where we stand.”

Reminded that the travel advisory specifically mentioned vulnerable states that Americans must not travel to, Mohammed affirmed that it was not strange as even Nigeria Mission in the US can advise Nigerians on their movement in the country.

On whether government is worried by the perception the advisory can create with investors and steps that might be taken to prevent it, the minister advised citizens to desist from spreading unverified news.

He added: “The concrete step is that people should stop spreading unverified news that is what saying. You see, look how many school shootings happen in the US? how many senseless killings happened in the US?

“So have they been able to predict what’s going to happen next which school is going to be a victim next? Do Nigerians in the US also feel safe?

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Nigeria Customs debunks fake recruitment update, warns job seekers

Published

29 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.