An Abuja businessman has appealed for help after alleging that his business premises in the Federal Capital Territory were demolished without prior notice, leaving him with huge financial losses and hundreds of people without jobs.

The businessman made the claim in an emotional video shared on X, formerly Twitter, saying he borrowed £75,000 while living in the United Kingdom to return to Nigeria and invest in the country in response to government appeals to Nigerians in the diaspora.

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According to him, the property, which was completed barely a year ago, was suddenly demolished when bulldozers arrived at about midday without any official warning or notice.

“Around 12 or 1 in the afternoon, bulldozers just came. Nobody gave me notice. I took a loan from the UK, £75,000, to come and invest in Nigeria. You people said we should come back from the diaspora to invest in Nigeria.

“I’ve never done any government contract. I don’t know anybody in government. I came with my own money from the UK to invest here.”

The businessman said the demolition left him devastated, particularly because he is still repaying the loan used to finance the investment.

He disclosed that the facility directly employed 84 workers, while businesses operating within the premises provided livelihoods for about 300 others, all of whom have now been affected by the demolition.

Expressing frustration over the incident, he said he was considering leaving the country.

“As I’m talking right now, I’m thinking of counting my losses, packing my things, tearing my Nigerian passport and going back. I have friends who have destroyed their Nigerian passports because of things like this.”

He questioned the government’s commitment to job creation, insisting that the demolition had rendered hundreds of people unemployed.

“In this place alone, about 300 people have been rendered jobless. And you people say you’re creating jobs? Is this how you create jobs?”

The businessman, however, did not identify the government agency or authority responsible for demolishing the property in the video.

The video has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing sympathy for the businessman and calling for greater protection of investments, particularly those made by Nigerians returning from the diaspora.

Following a successful one-year internship, intensive training and evaluation programme, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has deployed over 1,000 young professionals into its workforce.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this in a post on its social media handles, describing the exercise as a major milestone for the national oil company.

According to Ojulari, the newly deployed employees emerged from a rigorous process that included internships, training and performance assessment.

“Today marked a huge milestone for us as we officially deployed over 1,000 young professionals into NNPC Ltd after one year of internship, intensive training, and evaluation,” he said.

Ojulari noted that the recruitment exercise reflected the company’s commitment to merit-based employment rather than personal connections or background.

“Different paths, but the same door. And we opened it. That’s what NNPC Limited stands for today: not who you know or where you’re from, but what you can do,” he stated.

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According to Ojulari, while offer letters secured entry into the organisation, the employees’ performance during the internship year earned them permanent deployment.

“Their offer letters got them in, but their work this past year kept them here. They proved themselves day after day, under real pressure, and that’s the standard we’re building. Talent. Hard work. Fairness,” he stated.

Ojulari encouraged the new employees to contribute ideas, speak up, and take responsibility for their professional growth within the company.

He also urged them to remember the process that led to their deployment and to create opportunities for others in the future.

Charging the news employees to strive to make their marks, he stated, “To the over 1,000 newly deployed: you are not just our future. You are our present. Our energy. Our proof. So don’t hesitate to lend your voice, share your opinions, and challenge the status quo. Own your development.

“But don’t forget the wait. Don’t forget the process. Because one day, when you’re sitting where I am, you’ll remember this moment, and you’ll open that same door for someone else.”

The deployment comes as the state oil major continues efforts to strengthen its workforce and build capacity across its operations following its transition into a commercially oriented national energy company under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The NNPC Ltd announced its decision to employ new workers in July 2024 under the immediate past GCEO, Mele Kyari.

At least 18 migrants have died while attempting to enter Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, following a large-scale rush by thousands of people trying to cross the border.

Ceuta, an autonomous Spanish city located on the northern coast of Africa, witnessed a surge in arrivals after migrants began making attempts to reach the territory, mainly by swimming from Morocco.

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A police source told AFP on Friday that authorities were unable to determine the exact number of people who successfully crossed into Ceuta after thousands gathered during the overnight attempt.

“There was a steady stream of people all night long,” the source said, adding that although the number of arrivals reduced compared with daytime movements, migrants “continued to arrive overnight and are still arriving” on Friday morning.

Reports of migrants heading towards Ceuta began emerging on Wednesday, with most of the attempts involving crossings by sea.

Footage from Thursday showed large crowds, mostly Moroccans, moving along the breakwaters at Tarajal Beach and into nearby roads. Among those attempting the crossing were young men, as well as families with women and children.

Rachid Sbihi, head of the local workers’ association representing Civil Guard officers, said most of the 18 fatalities were caused by drowning, while others died during a stampede as migrants attempted to force their way through the breakwater fence at Tarajal Beach.

The reason behind the sudden surge in attempted crossings remains unclear.

However, Spain’s Interior Ministry estimated that about 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within a 24-hour period as they moved by both sea and land routes from Morocco.

In response to the situation, the Spanish government announced plans to deploy the military to support the Civil Guard in maintaining security in Ceuta.

Images released after the announcement showed Spanish soldiers patrolling areas around the Spanish-Moroccan border in the enclave alongside armoured vehicles.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is also expected to visit Ceuta alongside Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to assess the situation.

Ceuta and another Spanish enclave, Melilla, have long been key entry points for migrants seeking access to Europe from Africa.