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24th February 2026 10:55 AM 
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, in partnership with the British High Commission, has warned Nigerians against deceptive overseas job offers used to traffic unsuspecting victims.
The warning was issued in Abuja at a survivor-centred event.
According to NAPTIP and its partners, traffickers lure victims abroad with promises of lucrative employment but then transport them to countries such as Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand to carry out sophisticated cyber-fraud operations.
They therefore advised the public to be wary of such offers, noting that legitimate employers neither recruit through social media, demand upfront payments, nor require travel on tourist visas for employment.
Recall that the event follows a recent trafficking incident involving Nigerian victims in Thailand.
A coordinated rescue operation by NAPTIP, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok, and the British NGO EDEN led to the safe return of 23 victims.
The operation included on-the-ground coordination at the Thai–Myanmar border and welfare visits at Bangkok’s Immigration Detention Centre.
Speaking at the event, British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Gill Lever, said the UK is working closely with Nigerian authorities to ensure survivors receive trauma-informed care and safe repatriation.
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FG-2025 ASUU AGREEMENT DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN UNIVERSITY AUTONOMY, STABILISE SYSTEM
The Federal Government of Nigeria says the 2025 agreement signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, is specifically designed to strengthen autonomy safeguards and ensure long-term stability in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dasuki Arabi, made the disclosure during a working visit to the Yakubu Gowon University in Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Arabi noted that the agreement, which is set to take effect from January 2026, introduces a 40 per cent pay rise, enhanced research funding, and improved severance entitlements for academic staff.
He said that the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement seeks to strengthen autonomy safeguards, adding that successive administrations have remained committed to addressing structural issues such as funding gaps and governance concerns.
According to him, the government has consistently increased university funding over the years, bolstered by infrastructural interventions from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, and other federal initiatives.
On the issue of educational access, the Director-General highlighted the Student Loan Scheme as a pivotal intervention to remove financial barriers for indigent students.
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MINISTER OF AVIATION KEYAMO VISITS LAGOS AIRPORT OVER FIRE OUTBREAK, ORDERS VIGILANCE
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has undertaken an emergency visit to Lagos State following a fire outbreak at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
According to a post via his X handle on Tuesday morning, Keyamo said he arrived at the airport around midnight and immediately joined the Managing Director and management team of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, who were coordinating efforts to contain the incident.
The minister commended FAAN personnel and other first responders for their swift intervention, noting that their actions helped to minimise the impact of the fire.
Keyamo further disclosed that he had directed the FAAN Fire Department and the Lagos State Fire Service to maintain vigilance at the airport overnight.
The minister also said he would conduct an inspection of the facility later on Tuesday to assess the extent of the damage and issue necessary directives.
Recall that a fire outbreak engulfed the old terminal of the Lagos Airport.
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NAHCON ORDERS STATES TO REFUND UNREGISTERED PILGRIMS
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has directed State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to immediately refund intending pilgrims who could not be registered for the 2026 Hajj, as Saudi Arabia’s visa deadline approaches.
The directive was issued during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held at the Commission’s headquarters, Hajj House, Abuja, where NAHCON reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, professionalism and strict regulatory oversight in the conduct of the 2026 pilgrimage.
The meeting was attended by commissioners, board members, executive secretaries and chairmen of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, members of the Forum of State Executive Secretaries, the Medical Mission team and management staff.
In a statement issued on Monday, NAHCON said the newly appointed Chairman, Ismail Yusuf, clarified that the reduction in Nigeria’s Hajj quota for 2026 was part of a global adjustment affecting several participating countries and not a decision targeted at Nigeria.
He further disclosed that Saudi authorities have fixed a firm visa deadline of 1st Shawwal, with no indication of an extension, warning that failure to meet the deadline could result in qualified pilgrims missing the pilgrimage.
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COURT STRIKES OUT FORGERY SUIT AGAINST OZEKHOME
Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has struck out a suit filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome.
Recall that ICPC had filed a three-count charge of alleged forgery against Ozekhome on January 16, 2026. The Attorney-General of the Federation later took over the case on January 26.
At the last hearing, counsel to the Attorney-General, Rotimi Oyedepo, stated that the case would be prosecuted with the highest standard of efficiency, diligence and due process.
However, during Tuesday’s proceedings scheduled for Ozekhome’s arraignment, Oyedepo moved an application to withdraw the case.
He explained that the office of the Attorney-General required time to review and consolidate issues arising from multiple investigating agencies in order to strengthen the prosecution.
Justice Kekemeke granted the application and struck out the case.
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CROSS RIVER MAGISTRATES SUSPEND STRIKE, GIVES SEPTEMBER DEADLINE
Magistrates in Cross River State have suspended their strike following the intervention of the Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme.
The Chairman of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Cross River chapter, Godwin Onah, disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Calabar.
Recall that the magistrates in Cross River resumed their strike on February 8, 2026, over alleged welfare issues and the state government’s non-fulfilment of promises made in 2023.
Onah said the strike was only suspended and not called off, stating that top on the list of the magistrates’ demands is the provision of official vehicles and accommodation for magistrates in the state.
He added that the association was also pressing for the payment of wardrobe allowance.
Onah noted that although no formal Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the government, it is hoped that the intervention of the Chief Judge would yield positive results.
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EQUITIES MARKET RISES 42% YEAR-ON-YEAR IN JANUARY
Nigeria’s equities market recorded a 42 per cent increase in trading activity in January on a year-on-year basis.
This is in spite of a sharp decline in transactions compared to the previous month.
Data from Nigerian Exchange Ltd, NGX, showed that total transactions rose to N862 billion in January against N607.1 billion recorded within the same period in 2025.
However, on a month-on-month basis, trading activity dropped significantly by 37.55 per cent from N1.38 trillion posted in December 2025.
This reflected reduced participation across both domestic and foreign segments of the market.
The report indicated that domestic investors continued to dominate market activities, accounting for about 86.8 per cent of total transactions, while foreign investors contributed 13.2 per cent.
Domestic transactions stood at N747.8 billion, compared to N114.1 billion recorded by foreign investors during the review period.
Further analysis revealed that domestic transactions declined by 18.92 per cent from N922 billion in December 2025 to N747.8 billion in January.
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FOUR PEOPLE DIE AS IRANIAN ARMY HELICOPTER CRASHES IN ISFAHAN
A helicopter belonging to the Iranian army’s Air Force crashed on Tuesday into a fruit market in the central province of Isfahan, killing four people, state media reported.
Official IRNA news agency said the pilot, co-pilot and two fruit vendors on the ground were killed, attributing the crash to a technical malfunction.
Local reports also revealed that the tragedy took place in the city of Khomeynishahr in Isfahan province.
Recall that sanctions-hit Iran has suffered several air disasters in recent years, with officials complaining of difficulties acquiring spare parts to keep its ageing fleets in the air.
Iran’s state broadcaster said an Iranian fighter jet crashed, killing one of two pilots onboard during a late-night training exercise in the western Hamedan province.
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COACH FLICK OF BARCELONA INTRODUCES €40,000 MATCHDAY FINE FOR LATE PLAYERS
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has laid down a strict new rule to reinforce discipline within the squad, and it comes with a €40,000 warning.
The German coach has introduced a strict punctuality policy for matchdays, noting that any player who arrives late will be fined €40,000.
The measure underlines Flick’s uncompromising approach to professionalism and preparation.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X on Tuesday, Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, speaking with reporters said Coach Hansi Flick has changed the rules on arriving late.
The revelation from Ferran Torres confirmed the change and made it clear there are no exceptions when it comes to matchday standards.
Barcelona are currently on top of the La Liga table, a point above their rivals Real Madrid, after beating Levante 3-0 on Sunday.
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