Introduction: Unfolding a National Scandal The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an extensive fraud tied to the turnaround maintenance contracts of Nigeria’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri. Over ₦5 billion and $10 million have been recovered from implicated contractors and government officials. Marking one of the most significant anti-corruption successes in recent years. A Grim Reality Behind Dormant Refineries Despite decades of massive public spending, Nigeria’s four refineries have remained largely non-functional. Continuing to cripple the country’s fuel self-sufficiency. While billions of dollars have been allocated for maintenance and upgrades, these facilities remain idle. Forcing…
Author: wahalaupdate
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) commence the deportation exercise involving 42 convicted Chinese and Philippine nationals as First Batch of Foreign Cybercriminals Set for Repatriation begins August 18, 2025. These individuals were found guilty of cyber terrorism and Ponzi scheme-related offences. The deportees represent the initial group in a wider purge targeting 192 convicted foreign nationals linked to extensive cyber fraud activities. Scheduled to depart from Lagos this afternoon, they signal Nigeria’s zero tolerance for financial crimes orchestrated beyond its borders. Major Raid Shattered Syndicate The crackdown followed a landmark operation on December 10, 2024. Authorities raided an illicit cyber…
On the morning of August 11, 2025, a devastating tanker explosion rocked the Dan Magaji area of Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. According to report, the tragic incident that happened just before 8:30 A.M, left many dead and several injured. Exposing persistent safety failures on Nigeria’s highways and raising critical questions about government responsibility and emergency response. The Catastrophic Crash: What Happened? Two fuel-laden tankers collided near Rochas Foundation School on the Kaduna–Kano expressway bypass, involving two passenger-filled Golf cars as well. Eyewitnesses reported that the collision triggered no less than five powerful explosions, setting off a massive blaze. The fire…
Five men accused of orchestrating the June 5, 2022, terrorist attack on Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, have pleaded not guilty to nine terrorism charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja. This shocking development comes nearly three years after one of Nigeria’s deadliest church attacks, which left over 40 worshippers dead and scores wounded. The Arraignment: Denial in the Dock The accused—Idris Omeiza, Al-Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdul Malik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Abubakar were formally arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite. All five men denied the nine terrorism counts leveled against them by the Federal Government.…
In a chilling reminder of Nigeria’s insecurity crisis, unknown armed men abducted Saadu Dauda, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), along the Katsina-Ala–Takum road in Benue State over the weekend. This latest attack exposes alarming vulnerabilities on a critical transport corridor and raises urgent questions about government action and protection for youth serving the nation. A Violent Roadblock and a Fateful Target Dauda was traveling in a Toyota Carina II, registration number KLD 108 AA, with six other passengers from Takum in Taraba State heading towards Katsina-Ala, Benue State. The vehicle was stopped abruptly at a…
Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has unequivocally rejected interest from Premier League side Arsenal, declaring his sole ambition is to join Serie A giants Inter Milan. This steadfast stance has intensified the ongoing transfer saga, generating frustration and legal tensions involving his current club Atalanta. The Transfer Stalemate: Lookman’s Unwavering Demand The 27-year-old winger is currently embroiled in a bitter dispute with Atalanta. The club has refused to sanction his move to Inter Milan, holding out for a hefty €50 million transfer fee. Despite two rejected Inter bids, Lookman has shown no willingness to entertain alternatives, including Arsenal’s advances. Lookman’s…
An unsettling scene erupted on August 10, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos when a female passenger arriving on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo violently confronted flight attendants and airport security. This disturbing episode has once again highlighted deep-seated challenges in airline passenger management and airport security in Nigeria. Incident at Lagos Airport: What Went Wrong? The passenger, identified as Comfort Emmanson, appeared visibly agitated as she clashed with airline staff on the airport tarmac. Videos circulated on social media showed her yelling aggressively at officials who attempted to calm her. Eyewitnesses reported that she physically assaulted…
The father of Ukpo Nwamini David, the young man at the center of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu’s notorious kidney transplant controversy, has reportedly died. According to Boniface Nwamini Ukpo, a son of the deceased, his father passed away on Sunday bereft from heartbreak linked to the saga that unfolded in 2022. A Family Shattered: Death Attributed to Saga Stress Boniface Nwamini Ukpo confirmed the death, lamenting the estrangement within the family since the scandal broke. “We have not spoken with my brother David since this ordeal started,” he revealed to Newsmax. He added, “My father has been sick…
The political tension within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State intensified as Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the sole PDP member in the National Assembly from the state, issued a dramatic warning about the party’s fate. Speaking at a press conference in Owerri, Ugochinyere claimed that the PDP in Imo would collapse rapidly if he withdrew his support and structure. Ugochinyere’s Political Clout and Party Crisis Ugochinyere asserted, “I have a structure that has a member in every family in Ideato Federal Constituency. I won my election while in exile. If there is anyone that should be begged, it…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a fierce warning to its members caught endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 presidential election. In a definitive statement released by the National Working Committee (NWC), the party declared that anyone engaging in such “anti-party activities” stands to face rigorous disciplinary sanctions. Rising Tensions within PDP Ranks The controversy comes as some prominent PDP members have publicly declared support for Tinubu, intensifying internal party conflicts. These endorsements, openly favoring the APC, directly contravene the PDP Constitution. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba,…