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Customs gets FEC approval to acquire nine gunboats, 427 vehicles
The Federal Executive Council has approved a total of N20,114,002871 to purchase various operational equipment for the Nigerian Customs Service including vehicles and gunboats.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Wednesday after the week’s virtual FEC meeting presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
She said a total of 427 operational vehicles worth N14.55 billion and nine gunboats amounting to N5,564,002,871 were approved.
She said, “The ministry also presented, on behalf of the Nigerian Customs Service, a memo that was seeking for Council’s approval for the design, construction and supply of two NC36M patrol boats, in favour of Messrs of Boat Plus Limited, in the sum of N5,062,530,400, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a delivery period of 12 months and council approved our request.
“We also presented a memo, again on behalf of the Nigerian Customs Service, for the approval of Council for the design, construction and supply of seven fast assault patrol boats and seven regular patrol boats, in favour of Messrs Siwa West Africa Limited, in the sum of N501,472,471.08, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a delivery period of eight weeks.
“The purpose of the purchase of these two types of petrol boats is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations of the Nigerian Customs Service in its bid to control smuggling and also ensure enhanced efficiency in all customs duty operations in the Marine Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service.
“We also presented, again on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, a request for Council’s approval and council approved the procurement of 427 operational vehicles for the Nigerian Customs Service operations in favour of various contractors in the combined sum of N14.55 billion, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a delivery period of four weeks.”
The minister that the council also approved the sum of N539,277, 673 for construction of the Federal Inland Revenue Service building at the Ilupeju Medium and Small Taxpayers’ office.
Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, said Council approved a project for the extension of the University of Ibadan’s library at the sum of N532 million.
“The Minister of Education also presented a memo for the award of contract for the construction and furnishing of the extension of the library of the University of Ibadan. The memo, which was approved, is at the cost of N532,609,000 and with a completion period of 48 weeks.
“It was a memo that was very well received because of the need to actually extend the library facility in the University. For many years, the library of the University of Ibadan had needed real extension, given surge of the student population”, he said.
The Federal Executive Council has approved a total of N20,114,002871 to purchase various operational equipment for the Nigerian Customs Service including vehicles and gunboats.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Wednesday after the week’s virtual FEC meeting presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
She said a total of 427 operational vehicles worth N14.55 billion and nine gunboats amounting to N5,564,002,871 were approved.
She said, “The ministry also presented, on behalf of the Nigerian Customs Service, a memo that was seeking for Council’s approval for the design, construction and supply of two NC36M patrol boats, in favour of Messrs of Boat Plus Limited, in the sum of N5,062,530,400, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a delivery period of 12 months and council approved our request.
“We also presented a memo, again on behalf of the Nigerian Customs Service, for the approval of Council for the design, construction and supply of seven fast assault patrol boats and seven regular patrol boats, in favour of Messrs Siwa West Africa Limited, in the sum of N501,472,471.08, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a delivery period of eight weeks.
“The purpose of the purchase of these two types of petrol boats is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations of the Nigerian Customs Service in its bid to control smuggling and also ensure enhanced efficiency in all customs duty operations in the Marine Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service.
“We also presented, again on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, a request for Council’s approval and council approved the procurement of 427 operational vehicles for the Nigerian Customs Service operations in favour of various contractors in the combined sum of N14.55 billion, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a delivery period of four weeks.”
The minister that the council also approved the sum of N539,277, 673 for construction of the Federal Inland Revenue Service building at the Ilupeju Medium and Small Taxpayers’ office.
Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, said Council approved a project for the extension of the University of Ibadan’s library at the sum of N532 million.
“The Minister of Education also presented a memo for the award of contract for the construction and furnishing of the extension of the library of the University of Ibadan. The memo, which was approved, is at the cost of N532,609,000 and with a completion period of 48 weeks.
“It was a memo that was very well received because of the need to actually extend the library facility in the University. For many years, the library of the University of Ibadan had needed real extension, given surge of the student population”, he said.
News
Tinubu-Aregbesola Rift: ‘They Still Have Deep Affection for Each Other’ — Adeyeye
Tinubu-Aregbesola Rift: ‘They Still Have Deep Affection for Each Other’ — Adeyeye
ABUJA — A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Sola Adeyeye, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, have met about three times since their political relationship deteriorated.
Adeyeye, who is the Director of Electioneering Planning of the APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council in the South-West, said efforts were ongoing to reconcile the two former political allies, expressing optimism that their relationship could eventually be restored.
The former senator made the disclosure in an interview published by The Punch on Sunday, November 15, 2026.
According to him, Tinubu and Aregbesola had enjoyed a close personal and political relationship before their disagreement, making the breakdown of their relationship particularly painful.
“I know that they’ve met about three times since the rift between them started,” Adeyeye said.
He added that the two men must take responsibility for resolving their differences, although he remained hopeful that reconciliation was possible.
Adeyeye, however, declined to disclose further details about the meetings or the circumstances surrounding the former allies’ disagreements.
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He said he did not know exactly what went wrong between Tinubu and Aregbesola, but maintained that both men had previously shared a strong personal bond.
“Honestly, I don’t know. They both liked each other. I just pray that the time will come when they will be together again. That’s my prayer,” he said.
When asked about his efforts to reconcile them, the APC chieftain replied that he had done everything expected of him but would not reveal further details.
He also dismissed suggestions that a conspiracy might be frustrating the reconciliation process, saying the responsibility ultimately rested with Tinubu and Aregbesola.
According to Adeyeye, disagreements between close friends can produce deeper emotional wounds, but he believes time could help heal their differences.
The political disagreement between Tinubu and Aregbesola has attracted considerable attention within the APC, particularly in Osun State, where their political camps have remained divided.
Aregbesola, who served as Osun governor from 2010 to 2018 and later as Minister of Interior, was previously a key political ally of Tinubu. Their relationship subsequently deteriorated amid disagreements over the control and leadership of the APC in Osun.
Adeyeye’s disclosure of three meetings between the two politicians offers a fresh indication that communication has continued despite their publicly known political differences. However, he did not disclose when the meetings took place or whether they produced any concrete agreement.
The professor also discussed efforts to bring other influential South-West politicians into the APC’s 2027 re-election campaign.
He disclosed that he met former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Wednesday, November 4, and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi the following day.
Adeyeye described Fayemi as a brilliant politician and said personal disagreements should not overshadow the larger political contest ahead.
He expressed confidence that the APC would work towards securing victory in the January 16, 2027 election, stressing the importance of defending the party’s right to seek the people’s mandate through a free and fair electoral process.
The APC chieftain also defended Tinubu’s political strategy, including his adoption of a broad-based coalition involving politicians from different backgrounds, arguing that building alliances was necessary to win elections and form a government.
He maintained that political differences should not prevent politicians from working together when they share common objectives.
Tinubu-Aregbesola Rift: ‘They Still Have Deep Affection for Each Other’ — Adeyeye
News
Troops Rescue 119 Kidnap Victims, Eliminate Terrorists in Nationwide Crackdown – DHQ
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
News
Photo News: Kwara Security Strategy Committee Submits Report to Gov AbdulRazaq
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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