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Activists Urge FG To Invest N500bn Palliatives In Infrastructure

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I’m Working Tirelessly To Solve Nigeria’s Problems, Says Tinubu

As there is no reliable data system to carry out a transparent, effective process, civil rights activists have criticized the National Assembly’s approval of President Bola Tinubu’s request for N500 billion to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidies on the poor. They note that the money would be better invested in infrastructure.

The responses followed Tinubu’s request on Thursday for “approval of an additional $800m for the funding of the National Safety Programme,” under which the Federal Government will distribute N8,000 per month to 12,000,000 low-income and destitute households for a period of six months. Direct digital transfers of the money will be made to the recipients’ bank accounts and mobile wallets.

Meanwhile, the policy has been greeted with several reactions from opposition parties, the Nigerian Labour Congress and other stakeholders.

In a telephone conversation with Saturday PUNCH, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Rafsanjani, said the need of Nigerians was not N8,000 monthly, but relief through infrastructure in the transportation, electricity, food production, and health care sectors,

He added that sharing of money would result to having funds that would not be accounted for.

He argued that there were no frameworks on how the indigent individuals would be identified, hence, the mechanism for sharing the fund had not been put in place.

“I think what Nigerians are looking for is relief in the area of transportation facilities. Nigerians are looking for relief in the area where potential services like electricity are stable, places where they can invest in food productions, areas where they can get relief in terms of healthcare.

“There are no frameworks on how to identify the vulnerable. Also, the mechanism for sharing the money is also not in place. There is some guide for community leaders, religious leaders, labour leaders, civil society groups, and even the NBA and FIDA.

“If you want to do a transparent something and to ensure that the money goes to the right set of persons, you must have this category of persons in every community, and what they should do is to ensure that any money that will be given should go to the entire local government such that the money is not in the hands of one agency,” he noted.

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Salvation for All Souls Global Outreach Provides Free Medicals at Osun

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The Salvation for All Souls Global Outreach, SAFAS, a leading evangelical ministry with a focus on delivering free humanitarian and robust healthcare for the less privileged in the society has concluded its one-day free medical outreach in Ifewara, Osun State, where hundreds of residents benefitted from various healthcare services.

The outreach, which was held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Akinyemi Memorial Grammar School, offered free medical consultations, health screenings, surgeries, dental care, medications, eye care services including free glasses, as well as health education.

The ministry also provided financial support to widows and widowers in the community.

The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Christian Medical and Dental Association, Osun State chapter, forms part of SAFAS’ established model of combining medical intervention with a follow-up crusade, a structure the organisation has previously implemented in Lagos, Abeokuta and Ibadan before extending to Ifewara.

Speaking on the development, the President of SAFAS, Apostle BOT Adeyemi, said the outreach reflects the organisation’s commitment to meeting the holistic needs of communities, noting that the model has consistently delivered impact across different locations as it addresses both physical and spiritual concerns.

ALSO READ: Dangote Leads East Africa’s Industrial Revolution

Also, the Media Director of SAFAS, Ayomikun Bamgboye, explained that the approach goes beyond immediate relief, adding that the integration of medical outreach with a crusade ensures sustained engagement and deeper transformation within host communities, as seen in previous outreaches across the country.

One of the participating medical practitioners, who spoke on the exercise, described the outreach as timely and impactful, noting that many beneficiaries accessed quality healthcare services they would otherwise not have been able to afford.

Following the medical outreach, the organisation is set to commence a crusade in Ifewara from April 27 to May 1, 2026, aimed at providing spiritual support and reinforcing the gains recorded during the medical intervention.

SAFAS has continued to expand its outreach footprint across Nigeria through integrated programmes that combine healthcare delivery with social and spiritual support for underserved communities.

Photo Caption
Health officials offering free medicals at the event

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Horror in Kogi: Gunmen Abduct 24 Pupils in Orphanage Raid, 15 Rescued

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Tragedy struck in Kogi State as armed men invaded an orphanage facility and abducted 24 persons, including 23 pupils and the wife of the school proprietor, in a violent night attack that has thrown the community into panic.

The Kogi State Government confirmed the incident on Monday, revealing that security operatives have so far rescued 15 of the victims, while efforts are ongoing to free the remaining abductees.

ALSO READ: Kogi Chamber Honours Dangote Cement over Impactful Social Performance

According to the State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, the attack occurred on Sunday, April 26, 2026, when gunmen stormed the premises of the Dahallukitab Group of Schools, a facility located in a remote and bushy area of the state.

Fanwo explained that the orphanage was not registered with the state government, describing its operation as illegal and noting that it had no formal approval or security clearance from relevant authorities.

He said the attackers whisked away 23 pupils alongside the wife of the proprietor before security agencies swiftly responded to the distress call.

“The swift intervention of security agencies led to the rescue of 15 of the abductees, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims,” the commissioner stated.

Security operatives, led by the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State and supported by other agencies, have intensified search-and-rescue operations in surrounding forests and suspected escape routes.

Fanwo commended the professionalism of the security forces, noting that their rapid response helped prevent a worse outcome.

He also raised concerns over the operation of unregistered schools and orphanages in isolated locations, warning that such establishments expose children and staff to serious security risks.

According to him, the government has reiterated its warning to operators of educational and care facilities to ensure proper registration and compliance with safety regulations.

He added that investigations are ongoing, while assuring residents that the government remains committed to rescuing the remaining victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Security has since been reinforced in the affected area as search operations continue.

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Midnight Massacre: Gunmen Wipe Out Pastor, Entire Family in Plateau

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Plateau set to clear backlog of N18bn gratuities of retired civil servants

Residents of Gako Village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State were thrown into mourning following a deadly midnight attack that claimed the lives of a pastor and his entire family.

The victims, identified as Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife Chundung Ayuba, and their two children, Cyril and Endurance Ayuba, were reportedly killed when suspected gunmen stormed the community at about 11 p.m. on Sunday.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants opened fire indiscriminately, forcing residents to flee for safety.

SEE ALSOGunmen Kill Two, One Missing as Fresh Attack Hits Plateau Community

A community member, Martha Dalyop, described the attack as terrifying, noting that the gunmen invaded the village under the cover of darkness and shot sporadically.

She lamented that repeated attacks in the area have left villagers living in constant fear, with many unable to sleep in their homes or access their farms.

Confirming the incident, the publicity secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, Rwang Tengwong, said the latest assault reflects a troubling pattern in the operations of the attackers.

According to him, the gunmen often split into groups during attacks, with some targeting residents, others destroying farmlands, and another group blocking roads to prevent escape or intervention.

Tengwong further revealed that within the past 48 hours, large portions of farmland in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, were destroyed by gunmen.

Crops such as cabbage, hot pepper, and maize were affected, compounding the hardship faced by farmers in the region.

The latest killings have heightened tension across Riyom and neighbouring Barkin Ladi communities, with residents calling on security agencies and government authorities to urgently step up efforts to curb the persistent violence and protect lives and livelihoods.

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