FG is *obsessed* with billing us
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In this edition
Billings, billings everywhere
The police is stealing (or hiding, or selling) guns
Bring-your-own-petrol policy in multiple hospitals. Isn’t that wild?
A play-by-play of what FG did to Tigran Gambaryan
This edition is 1,680 words (approx. 4 min read)
FG is *obsessed* with billing us
Prices keep skyrocketing
Nigerian telecommunications operators (MTN and co) have started implementing their promised threat of increasing tariffs by 50%.
This increase was approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission in January, but lawmakers have asked telcos to pause on the rollout because Nigerians are going through it financially.
MTN has already implemented the hike while Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile have not yet implemented it. I don’t understand why 9mobile would increase anything when the network doesn't even work
Meanwhile, Lawmakers have told the Minister of communications to halt the implementation until the telcos improve their service.
Yet, CBN is increasing cost of withdrawals
The Central Bank of Nigeria has decided that Nigerians will now pay N100 for every N20,000 withdrawn from an ATM of another bank, as opposed to the previous allowance of three free withdrawals per month - NairaMetrics
This decision is set to take effect on the 1st of March, 2025.
The CBN said this is due to the rising maintenance costs, and the need to enhance ATM efficiency.
And Lagos State has upped the price of transportation
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has increased the fare for BRTs by 18%. This increase is set to take effect from next week - Channels
Power crisis in Nigerian hospitals
Ogun Hospital’s bring-your-own-fuel policy
An Investigation by PUNCH HealthWise found that several Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) across Ogun State are asking pregnant women to bring 5 litres of fuel or its monetary equivalent before they deliver their baby.
This is happening in 3 out of 4 PHCs visited in the Obafemi Owode Local Government area in the state
They found that this requirement is only revealed when the woman is about to give birth. The facilities even ask that pregnant women bring candles and matches for emergency lighting.
In response to these findings, Ogun State Health Commissioner Dr. Tomi Coker said there is no reason for these hospitals to be asking for petrol money, that they have been equipped with solar panels by the state. Punch found that while some hospitals in the state have solar panels and other equipment, others do not
Still no light in UCH, Ibadan
The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, continues to face severe power challenges after more than 100 days of blackouts.
Despite recent intervention from the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who promised full power restoration within 48 hours, most of the hospital remains in darkness (though commercial areas now have light).
UCH has been disconnected from power for over 100 days due to a N495 million debt it owes Ibadan Electric.
The hospital has tried to manage it by getting generators, inverters, and solar power, but these alternatives have proven insufficient to maintain full operations.
The situation has become so dire that patient relatives have started bringing their own generators, while doctors and nurses contribute personal funds to purchase fuel for essential medical services.
In August 2024, the Federal Government approved a motion to provide a 50% petrol subsidy for hospitals but it does not seem to be in motion yet. Only god knows what's taking so long.
Meanwhile, the FG also allocated ₦100bn in the 2025 Budget awaiting passage in the National Assembly to provide solar mini-grids in selected government institutions, federal universities and their teaching hospitals.
Speaking of electricity,
After more than 200 days without power, communities in Jibia town, Katsina State, have been reconnected to the national grid following intervention by Local Government Chairman Bishir Maitan with Katsina Electric. The local government now pays electricity bills for many communities whose residents struggle with payments due to bandit attacks and economic challenges, with the area receiving its own dedicated power line separate from neighbouring councils - Guardian
Crimes
What the government did to Tigran Gambaryan
Last week, we shared that the Binance exec, Tigran Gambaryan who was recently released from Nigerian prison is suing the government. Tigran has released a tell-all with WIRED and reader, we might be living in the most embarrassing country in the world. Here’s an outline:
Nigerian officials invited Binance representatives, including Gambaryan, to Abuja under the guise of resolving compliance issues and investigating corruption claims. Instead, they were detained.
Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were held in a government-owned compound in Abuja, passports taken and under military guard.
Anjarwalla managed to escape using a hidden second passport, leaving Gambaryan alone in captivity (Gambaryan believes Anjarwalla paid some sort of bribe but says he doesn’t have proof)
After Anjarwalla’s escape, Nigerian officials moved Gambaryan out of the guest house and placed him in solitary confinement under inhumane conditions— a reason was not provided, and eventually transferred to Kuje Prison. Overcrowded, no beds, barely any food Kuje.
Nigerian officials charged Gambaryan with money laundering and tax evasion, using him as leverage against Binance in a multi-billion-dollar extortion scheme.
Gambaryan says he knows he was held as an extortion pawn because before his detention, Nigerian officials demanded a $150 million bribe from Binance to settle regulatory issues, which the company refused to pay - “bribe” because it was all under the table and expected to be paid into a cryptic crypto wallet. 🤦
He was denied access to legal representation, medical care, and direct communication with the U.S. embassy for days. In protest of his illegal detention, he went on a hunger strike for five days before authorities allowed him limited access to legal counsel
Gambaryan malaria and a severe bacterial lung infection but was denied proper medical care several times
U.S. lawmakers, FBI officials, and Binance began lobbying for his release, calling his detention politically motivated (not sure why they didn’t do this sooner since he is a US citizen)
Following diplomatic pressure, Nigeria dropped charges against Gambaryan on “humanitarian grounds,” citing his failing health
Now he is suing the FG. As he should. You can read the article here (it's behind a paywall)
More Police Corruption
We reported in January about Tomiwa Oni, a woman who police in Ogun had shot over a bribe. This week, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Lanre Ogunlowo, has “summoned” the officers involved in the shooting. Though there are no reports on if they have been dismissed or anything.
An Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos State has sentenced police officer, Owolabi Akinlolu, to Maximum Correctional Centre Kirikiri for allegedly raping a girl in his office. Owolabi Akinlolu is a deputy superintendent of Police at the Ogudu Police Station. The girl came to his office to report a stolen phone. He lured her into his office by telling her he had found the thief.
Terrorism
Nigeria’s security agents ❤️ Terrorists
According to the Defence Headquarters, 800 former Boko Haram fighters are presently undergoing deradicalisation for reintegration into society. According to Maj.-Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, this process, part of Operation Safe Corridor, takes about a year and involves “careful selection” after legal scrutiny.
Call back: last year, 13 “repentant” Boko Haram terrorists under the same program, escaped with rifles and motorcycles given to them by the Borno State government.
Has the “rehabilitation” tactic been successful? Not really but the DHQ keeps doing it. They must see something in the terrorists that we don’t.
In Rivers, at least 10 people died in a cult clash in Obelle Community, Emohua on Sunday. The violence erupted between the Deybam and Icelanders cult groups – the second violent clash of the week. The attacks have been linked to disputes over levies from an unnamed oil company. Investigations are ongoing.
Missing guns
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, could not account for 178,459 missing firearms from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) inventory during his appearance before the Senate Public Accounts Committee.
This all started when a 2019 Auditor General report found that, as of December 2018, 178,459 firearms were unaccounted for, including 88,078 AK-47 rifles and 3,907 assorted rifles and pistols.
The IGP's representative, Assistant IGP Abdul Sulaiman, claimed that some firearms were lost during robberies or seized by criminals who attacked police officers. However, the audit showed that only 15 missing weapons were related to officers who died or got injured and lost their weapons.
Lawmakers, including Adams Oshiomhole and Victor Umeh, expressed concern over the missing firearms, highlighting the security risks and the possibility of police officers selling weapons to criminals.
They urged the police to track the lost firearms and hold those responsible accountable.
Sulaiman appealed to the committee for more time to submit a comprehensive report. — since 2020??
Additional Nigeria’s security agencies ❤️ terrorists?
Health
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says we’re still deep in the diphtheria outbreak. The center has so far recorded 25,000 confirmed cases across all states in the country, of which 1,262 infected people (5.1%) have died - This Day
Dr Maxwell Kolawole, Director of West and Central Africa Programmes, Malaria Consortium, has said that more than one million children in Plateau received free seasonal malaria chemoprevention drugs in 2024 - Guardian Ng
Other news
Oil-producing states battle N1.3tn despite N2.8tn derivation allocation. The oil-producing states are Abia, Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo, and Imo. Despite an increase in oil revenue these states still battle with a humongous debt burden - Punch
The Kano State Government has awarded N20 billion to construct two township roads – N13.3 billion for Rogo-Bari-Falgore-Mahangi Roads, in Rogo and N6.9 billion for Panda-Hamdullahi-Albasu-Salkwayan Dutse Roads in Albasu. The Commissioner for Works and Housing, Alhaji Marwan Ahmed said that the government was expending on the construction to enhance transportation and boosting. Guardian Ng
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has dropped the cost of diesel to ₦1,020 per litre, from ₦1,075 per litre - Punch
The British High Commission in Nigeria has issued a warning urging Nigerians to be cautious of scams related to UK work and study opportunities - Guardian NG
This edition was written by Adetomiwa and Victor Unwuchola.
That New News is an independent self-funded project by me (Adetomiwa). Thank you for reading, sharing and donating. I love you like I birthed you 😘
this update is much needed! thanks for always bringing me up to date on Nigeria and her several unending wahala