Breaking News
FG Explains Why Tracking Terrorists Remains Difficult Despite NIN Registration

The Federal Government has admitted that security agencies face significant technical challenges in tracking SIM cards allegedly used by kidnappers and other criminal networks, despite years of mandatory SIM registration and National Identification Number (NIN) linkage.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Friday while outlining government efforts to tackle insecurity through the telecommunications sector.
Speaking in an interview, Tijani said the challenge is “far more technical” than many Nigerians realise, explaining that criminal groups have adapted to existing surveillance systems by adopting sophisticated communication methods, particularly in areas with poor network coverage.
The telecommunications sector has remained under close scrutiny since 2020, when the Federal Government enforced compulsory NIN–SIM linkage to curb fraud, anonymous communication and crimes linked to unregistered phone lines.
However, Tijani acknowledged public concerns over persistent cases of kidnapping and ransom negotiations reportedly carried out using unregistered or difficult-to-trace SIM cards.
He said telecom operators had previously conducted an exercise to eliminate unregistered SIMs, adding that the government later discovered criminals were using specialised technology to evade detection.
“There was an exercise conducted by the telcos to clean out all SIMs. The reason the President pushed us to invest in towers in those areas was because we realised there was a special type of technology criminals were using to make calls,” he said.
According to the minister, many criminal groups no longer rely on conventional telecom towers but instead route calls through multiple towers, a strategy that is more effective in remote, underserved and poorly connected locations.
“They were not using the normal towers; they bounce calls off multiple towers. That’s why they enjoy living in areas that are unconnected,” Tijani said.
To address what he described as connectivity gaps aiding criminal activities, Tijani said the government is implementing a multi-layered approach that includes satellite upgrades, fibre-optic expansion and the large-scale deployment of telecom infrastructure in rural areas.
He noted that Nigeria is currently the only country in West Africa operating its own communications satellites, a capacity the government plans to strengthen.
“This is why we are upgrading our two satellites, so that if our towers are not working, our satellites will work,” he said.
The minister also confirmed that the Federal Government has approved the deployment of 4,000 new telecom towers across underserved rural communities, areas often exploited by kidnappers and illegal SIM operators.
He said the project, approved by the Federal Executive Council last Wednesday, will be implemented in partnership with Chinese technology firm Huawei.
“It is why we are investing in fibre. It is why next year this project will start. We are doing it with Huawei, 4,000 towers in rural areas,” Tijani said.
According to him, the initiative will reduce network blind spots, boost rural economic activity and strengthen security surveillance in areas currently lacking reliable connectivity.
While fibre expansion and tower deployment are already in progress, Tijani said satellite upgrades would take longer, describing them as the third phase of the government’s broader connectivity strategy.
“That one will take longer than the other two. The other two are well in progress,” he said.
👉 Are You A WhatsApp User? Do You Want To Get Our News As Fast As Possible On Daily Basis? 👉 Click This Link To Join WhatsApp Channel Now.
Breaking News
Police arrest Bayelsa sender of gun that led to killing of Mene Ogidi

Reports say Police have arrested two persons including the Bayelsa State sender of the barretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition that led to the killing of Oghenemine Ogidi by ASP Nuhu Usman in Effurun, Delta state.
A source said two suspects were moved into the Effurun Area Command under the Delta State Police Command Wednesday night, as investigations continues towards apprehending all persons connected with movement of the gun and bullets, and the death of 28 year old Mine.
While the Police authorities keep mum on the development, a source told Vanguard, “It’s confirmed. They just brought in two suspects Wednesday night.
“It’s not been announced who is who yet, but I can tell you for free that one of them is the person who sent the gun through a transport line from Yenagoa to Effurun, from where Mine picked it to send to a Sapele owner at the Effurun Motor Park where he was caught and extrajudicially killed by ASP Nuhu and accomplices.
“Like I sad, it’s not clear if the other person among the two could be the driver who brought the parcel from Yenagoa. But it’s clear that the sender is among the duo just apprehended. And the trail continues for the other suspects.”
👉 Are You A WhatsApp User? Do You Want To Get Our News As Fast As Possible On Daily Basis? 👉 Click This Link To Join WhatsApp Channel Now.
Breaking News
National Assembly makes U-turn on eight-year eligibility for presidency contest

The Senate has made a U-turn on its Tuesday’s decision as it has rescinded a controversial amendment that barred first-time senators from contesting presiding offices, reopening the 2027 race for Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
On Tuesday, the Senate amended its Standing Orders after a marathon executive session with the introduction of stricter eligibility criteria for the emergence of presiding officers in the 11th Senate, effectively limiting the contest for Senate President and other top leadership offices to returning ranking lawmakers of the current Assembly.
With the amendment on Tuesday, Senate leadership positions will follow a hierarchy beginning with former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, former Principal Officers, senators who have completed at least one full term, lawmakers transitioning from the House of Representatives, and finally, first-time senators where no higher-ranking candidates emerge.
The amendment also stipulates that only Senators returning from the current 10th Assembly after re-election can contest for Senate President and other key leadership offices.
The reversal was adopted on Thursday through a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central and presided over by Deputy Senate President Jubril Barau.
On why the reversal matters, Bamidele said that with the rule gone, the leadership contest for the 11th National Assembly is now open to all elected senators regardless of tenure.
The backtrack also signals a shift within the ruling party towards a more competitive and inclusive process for selecting the next Senate leadership, rather than pre-determining it through tenure restrictions.
The motion is titled, Recession and Re-Committal of Order 2 (2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended.
Presenting the motion, Bamidele said, “the Senate recalls that the Senate Standing Orders were considered and amended on Tuesday, 5th May, 2026;
“Observes that upon further legislative and constitutional review, certain provisions introduced under Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 52 thereof;
“Notes that it is necessary to ensure that the Standing Orders of the Senate remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions, established parliamentary conventions, and legislative practice;
“Further notes that the Senate possesses the inherent parliamentary authority to revisit, rescind, and recommit any matter previously decided upon in order to preserve the integrity of its proceedings and legislative framework;
“Accordingly resolves to: rescind its earlier decisions relating to the amendments made to Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026.
” Rescission and Re-Committal of the National Identity Management Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2026 to the Committee of the Whole.
👉 Are You A WhatsApp User? Do You Want To Get Our News As Fast As Possible On Daily Basis? 👉 Click This Link To Join WhatsApp Channel Now.
Breaking News
Gunmen Abduct Eight Students in Midnight Raid Near Nasarawa State University

Suspected gunmen have abducted no fewer than eight students during a midnight attack on off-campus hostels near the Engineering Campus of Nasarawa State University in Gudi.
The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, with armed attackers storming several student lodges and whisking victims away to an unknown location.
A source said students hid in fear throughout the operation, complaining about the absence of immediate security intervention. The attack has heightened tension as students are currently writing examinations. Calls have been made for security agencies to intensify rescue efforts.
Key Points:
Eight students were abducted from off-campus hostels near the university.
The attack happened around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday while students were writing exams.
No visible security response was present during the operation.
Students and residents are calling for urgent rescue and improved security.
Fear has spread across the university community.
Sources: PM News
👉 Are You A WhatsApp User? Do You Want To Get Our News As Fast As Possible On Daily Basis? 👉 Click This Link To Join WhatsApp Channel Now.
Breaking News8 months agoWorld’s Youngest Undergraduate is Nigerian JOSHUA BECKFORD, gained admission in Oxford University at the age of Six years
Breaking News6 months agoJUST IN: Finally United States President Donald Trump Revokes 80,000 Visas of Nigerians, Other Foreign Nationals
Breaking News8 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Woman in Trouble For Burning 7-year-old Girl’s Private Parts With Hot Knife
Breaking News8 months agoBREAKING NEWS: FULL DETAILS! Top Secret Leaked Why SIM Fubara Fails to Return to Government House After Reinstatement
Breaking News6 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Nigerian Billionaire Lawmaker Ned Nwoko, Orders Arrest of His Mother In Law Regina Daniels’ Mother, Rita
Breaking News8 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Federal Government Releases Proof of N25,000 Cash Transfers to 71 Million Nigerians in 8.1 Million Households
Breaking News8 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Another Rivers Saga: Just Reinstated Fubara Told to Sack All Sole Administrators Appointees, Seek Tinubu’s Assurance Over Impeachment
Breaking News8 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Finally Department of State Services (DSS) summons Sowore over post on Tinubu
