Africa News Connect

A suspected food poisoning outbreak has claimed the lives of five children, with eight others hospitalized, in Takum town, Taraba State. The Taraba State Police Command officially confirmed this devastating incident on Wednesday. The tragedy unfolded in Takum town, which serves as the headquarters of Takum Local Government Area. The police stated that five young lives were lost, and eight additional children were hospitalized, all suffering from what is believed to be food poisoning. ASP Victor Mshelizah, the Police Public Relations Officer , provided details surrounding the incident. He confirmed that the children fell ill and subsequently died after consuming suspected poisoned meat during a Ramadan lecture on Tuesday. This heartbreaking event impacts multiple families, as the victims were confirmed to have come from three separate households, extending the grief across the community. The timing of this incident, during the holy month of Ramadan, adds an extra layer of sorrow to an ...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and other key political leaders are rallying against the Electoral Act 2026, demanding urgent amendments ahead of the 2027 general elections. This significant gathering of opposition figures took place today, Thursday, in Abuja. Among those present were former Vice President  Atiku Abubakar   who was the Peoples Democratic Party's presidential candidate in 2023, along with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate  Peter Obi ,  and former Rivers State Governor  Rotimi Amaechi .  These leaders, alongside others, collectively demanded an immediate amendment of the recently signed Electoral Act 2026, issuing a stern warning that some of its provisions could severely undermine the credibility of the upcoming 2027 general elections. The leaders, primarily drawn from the  African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the  New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)   addressed a crowded press conference held at the L...

A United States court has sentenced a former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to over seven years in federal prison for accepting a $2.1 million bribe. The individual in question is Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo, 58, also known as ‘Pollie,’ of Rancho Cucamonga , who previously served as a General Manager in the upstream division of the then-Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. He was sentenced to 87 months in a US federal prison after being found guilty of receiving a substantial $2.1 million bribe during his tenure as an officer of Nigeria’s national oil company. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge, John Walter .  Beyond the prison term, Judge Walter also issued additional financial penalties. Okoronkwo has been ordered to pay $923,824 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) . Furthermore, the court ordered that Okoronkwo forfeit $1,039,997 , which represents the net proceeds from the sale of a home...

Jihadist militants are reportedly turning the coastal West African borderlands into strongholds, posing a severe threat to regional stability. This concerning development centers on the tri-border region encompassing Nigeria, Benin, and Niger . This area, characterized by its dense forests and extensive pastoral networks, is now being exploited by militants to establish bases for both recruitment and the planning of international attacks. This strategic shift represents a significant expansion of their operational scope beyond traditional strongholds. According to Héni Nsaibia West Africa analyst for ACLED (the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project) , militants in these countries are not merely transient threats; they are actively "digging in, growing deadlier and expanding a footprint that now threatens civilian populations across coastal West Africa." This assessment underscores the escalating danger posed by these groups to a region previously less affected by l...

Nigeria has successfully secured a fresh $100 million investment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to finance Project Bridge, a crucial nationwide connectivity initiative. This substantial financial injection marks a major step forward for Nigeria's ambition to significantly expand its digital infrastructure and ensure widespread internet access for its citizens. The confirmation of these investment grants came directly from the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani , in a statement released on Wednesday. Minister Tijani highlighted that these funds were secured following a n intensive diplomatic and investment outreach. He noted that the funds were acquired after the ‘Project BRIDGE’ Investment Tour to various European countries and subsequent positive engagements with EBRD stakeholders. This strategic tour clearly yielded significant results, culminating in this crucial financial commitment. In his statement, Mini...

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is set to supply an astounding 60 to 65 million liters of petrol daily, a landmark development poised to usher Nigeria into an era of sustained fuel self-sufficiency. This significant announcement marks a monumental shift in Nigeria's downstream petroleum sector. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals is now positioned to meet, and even exceed, the nation's entire daily demand for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) commonly known as petrol. This effectively positions Nigeria for sustained fuel self-sufficiency while simultaneously enabling the export of up to 20 million liters in surplus daily. To put this into perspective, Nigeria's average daily petrol consumption typically ranges between 50 and 60 million liters . The refinery’s projected output, therefore, clearly surpasses current domestic requirements. This achievement represents a decisive break from decades of crippling fuel import dependence and the recurrent scarcity that has p...

 The Lagos State Government has refunded N23.2 million to subscribers of the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Scheme. This significant financial action was undertaken by the Lagos State Ministry of Housing on Tuesday, as it disbursed a total of  N23.2 million in refunds to verified subscribers  of the Egan-Igando Mixed Housing scheme. This move addresses concerns stemming from delays in the project's timeline and provides restitution to affected individuals. The housing scheme, having been transferred to the Ministry of Housing, encountered an unexpected delay in its projected delivery. This unforeseen circumstance prompted some subscribers, who had previously made partial payments towards their housing units, to choose to withdraw from the scheme. These individuals subsequently  opted for a refund  of their initial investments. The government's decision to facilitate these refunds reflects its responsiveness to the subscribers' concerns and a commitment to fair dealin...