General News
House commences probe of non-functional $460m FCT CCTV
The House of Representatives Thursday inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to investigate the rising insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) despite the installation of a $460 million CCTV system funded through a Chinese loan.
While inaugurating the committee, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas described the growing wave of kidnappings, armed robbery and killings in the FCT as “unacceptable and intolerable,”
He lamented that Abuja, once seen as one of West Africa’s most peaceful capitals is now grappling with frequent violent crimes.
Abbas questioned why the multimillion dollar CCTV project, designed to enhance surveillance and security operations has failed to curb the worsening security situation, saying Nigerians deserve answers on whether the massive investment was properly deployed, abandoned or crippled by mismanagement.
He said the committee’s mandate includes a forensic investigation into the project’s status, operational capacity, level of integration with security agencies and reasons for its failure to deliver results.
Abbas, represented by a lawmaker, Julius Pondi said the committee is also expected to identify any acts of negligence or sabotage and recommend steps for activating or overhauling the system.
The speaker urged the Ministers of FCT, Finance, and Interior, alongside the Inspector General of Police, council chairmen and heads of security agencies, to offer full cooperation, appealing to traditional rulers to strengthen intelligence sharing with security operatives.
Abbas said the House “will not stand idly by” while Abuja residents live in fear, stressing that every legislative tool will be deployed to ensure accountability and improved security.
Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ojogo Donald said the worsening security challenges in Abuja had turned the city into a “theatre of fear.” adding the committee’s task was a national responsibility owed to grieving families and anxious residents.
Ojogo described the failed CCTV project as a “scandal of monumental proportions,” noting that despite the huge investment, the system has not provided the expected security shield for the FCT.
He outlined the committee’s work, including auditing the $460 million expenditure, evaluating the project’s technical integrity, establishing its functionality and uncovering the causes of the persistent security breaches.
“We are not on a witch hunt but a truth hunt,” he said, adding that the committee would pursue its assignment with diligence, integrity, and a commitment to restoring public confidence.
“What elevates this crisis from tragedy to scandal of monumental proportions is the stark paradox at its core: this relentless wave of terror crashes upon us despite a massive investment—a Chinese loan of four hundred and sixty million United States dollars ($460,000,000)secured for the singular purpose of creating an impregnable security shield for the FCT.
“This was no ordinary initiative. It was a flagship project, a critical layer in our national security architecture, promised to be the ever-watchful eye over our capital—a digital sentinel designed to deter crime, empower our security forces, and ensure that perpetrators face the justice they deserve.
“Conduct a forensic audit of the $460 million CCTV project, tracing every dollar, scrutinizing every contract, and evaluating its technical integrity from conception to current status.
“Determine the precise operational status of the project—its functionality, coverage, and efficacy—and expose the specific reasons for any failure.
” Investigate the direct correlation between this project’s failure and the escalating security breaches within the FCT.
” Identify all individuals, agencies, and contractors responsible for any failures and establish a clear chain of accountability.
“Provide actionable recommendations to salvage this vital project, secure value for the Nigerian people, and propose concrete measures to restore security and public confidence” he said
By Nick Ibe, Abuja
To cushion the harsh impact of rising living costs, the Federal Government has approved a N70,000 monthly transport intervention for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, .
This was one of the outcomes of the conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Abuja on Tuesday, following renewed pressure from organised labour over the rising cost of living, workers’ welfare and outstanding agreements.
The government also approved the payment of peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.
The parties did not agree on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage, but agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
The resolutions were contained in a memorandum of understanding signed at the end of the meeting by the Director-General of Budget, Timi Yakubu; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
The document made public after the meeting was tagged: ‘Resolutions Reached at a Conciliation Meeting Held at Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Between the Federal Government and the Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday, 27th October, 2026’, outlined agreements on minimum wage negotiations, transport support, outstanding allowances, health workers’ remuneration, tax relief and hazard allowances for agricultural officers.
The meeting followed an earlier conciliation session held on October 22, 2026, convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to address disagreements between the government and organised labour.
On the transport intervention, the document stated, “That transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) commencing from November 2026 would be paid across all levels for a period of six months.”
The agreement trails high transportation costs and the prices of other essential goods following the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Organised labour has repeatedly demanded measures to ease the economic pressure on workers, including reductions in petrol prices, improved wages and the implementation of outstanding welfare agreements.
The memorandum also noted the NLC leadership’s concerns about the government’s handling of its demands.
Addressing the disagreement, it stated that the NLC leadership “expressed concern over the Federal Government’s attitude towards the above issues.”
It added that the Federal Government, in response, “stated that it fully respects the right of the Congress to advocate for improved working conditions for Nigerian workers, and is genuinely trying to address every aspect of it through a structured intervention.”
On the national minimum wage, the parties agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
However, the effective date of implementation remained unresolved.
The document stated, “It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. It should however be noted that there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.”
The disagreement leaves a key issue outstanding despite the commitment to begin negotiations without delay.
The national minimum wage became a major issue in 2024 when the Federal Government and organised labour negotiated an increase in the statutory minimum monthly wage from N30,000 to N70,000. The new rate was subsequently enacted into law through the National Minimum Wage Act.
The latest agreement refers to further discussions and the implementation date of the national minimum wage but does not provide details of the specific proposal under consideration or when the parties expect to conclude the negotiations.
The agreement indicates that while the government has approved some financial interventions, other workers’ demands remain subject to further negotiations, administrative verification or decisions by relevant government bodies.
“Trump… Please bring my son back to me. I am begging you for mercy.” And what Trump did when he heard those words… may bring tears to your eyes.
Her name was Malphine. She was 95 years old. A mother who had spent years waiting. Hoping. Praying. And one day… she finally got the chance to meet Trump. And stood before him. With all the strength she had left. And spoke the only words in her heart. Please. Bring my son home.
And Trump looked at this 95-year-old mother. Held her hands. And gave her a promise. I will bring your son home.
And Malphine held on to that promise. The way only a mother of 95 can hold on to something. When hope is all she has left.
Days went by. Weeks went by. And then one morning… the news finally arrived. Her son Marc was coming home. After years away. After years inside a foreign prison. After years of a mother waking up every single day, wondering whether she would ever get to hold her child again.
He stepped off that plane. And returned home. And when Marc’s feet finally touched American soil… Trump was there. In person. To welcome him. To embrace him. To look him in the eyes and say… welcome home. America has not forgotten you.
And in that single embrace…
Trump showed the world something that no speech and no rally could ever truly express: That America cares about its people. Wholeheartedly. Unconditionally. And never gives up fighting for them.
And today… I sat thinking about that story. And remembered every harsh word I had ever spoken about this man. Every judgment. Every doubt. Every moment I chose to look away. And I felt something I can hardly describe. Deep shame.
Because Malphine trusted Trump at 95 years old. With all the hope she had left. And he helped bring her son home.
Today… this is the side of Trump that so many people may never take the time to see.
Not the Trump in the headlines. Not the Trump on the rally stage. Just a man. Who listened to a 95-year-old mother pleading for her son. Worked to help answer her prayers. And personally showed up to welcome him home.
If this story touched your heart today… let God and every American reading this feel your .
And tell me honestly, in your own words — after reading this… can you still speak badly about President Trump? Because I truly find it difficult to do so. Not anymore. Not after hearing this story.
Sons of Liberty. Maga Movement
–Calls for NSCDC reforms, compensation for victims
By Son Tertsea, Abuja
Dehydration was cause of the death of the detained miners, the panel constituted to investigate the deaths of alleged illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, has stated.
The chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, while presenting the report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday, , said the miners suffered acute respiratory failure.
He also corrected the earlier reports that 37 miners died in custódy, saying 33 miners were confirmed dead.
He said the miners collapsed after calling for water and were ignored by the personnel of the NSCDC.
He added that the detention room was overcrowded and poorly ventilated.
He said the miners were illegally arrested and detained, stressing that they were all detained beyond the legally allowed period.
Part of the panel’s report called for a total reform of the NSCDC as well as solicited compensation for the victims.
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