Category: Happenings

In a significant move, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a directive for all banks to implement a 0.5% cybersecurity levy on all electronic transactions to bolster cyber defenses. However, in a bid to mitigate the impact on essential services and operations, the CBN has also outlined specific exemptions to this levy.


The directive, revealed in a circular signed by Chibuzo Efobi, Director of the Payments System Management Department, and Haruna Mustafa, Director of Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN, specifies that the new levy will be deducted at the source of electronic transfers. This amount will be visible in customer accounts under the ‘Cybersecurity Levy’ narration.

This new levy, set to commence two weeks from Monday, May 6, 2024, applies to all commercial, merchant, non-interest, and payment service banks, among others. Yet, it carefully excludes certain critical transactions to avoid undue burden on the consumer and essential banking activities.


Here’s a breakdown of the 16 exempted transactions:


1. Loan Disbursements and Repayments – Facilitating smoother financial assistance and debt servicing without additional costs.

2. Salary Payments – Ensuring that employees receive their earnings in full, without deductions for cybersecurity.

3. Intra-account Transfers – Both within the same bank and across banks for the same customer are not subject to the levy.

4. Intra-bank Customer Transfers – Movements between customers of the same bank remain unaffected.


5. Instructions from Other Financial Institutions – Related to correspondent banking activities.

6. Interbank Placements – Critical for maintaining liquidity among banks.

7. Transfers between Banks and CBN – Essential for regulatory and operational activities.


8. Inter-branch Transfers within a Bank – Essential for internal bank operations.

9. Cheque Clearing and Settlements – Central to banking operations, exempt from the levy.

10. Letters of Credit – Crucial for international trade financing.

11. Banks’ Recapitalisation-related Funding – Specific to bulk fund movements from collection accounts.

12. Deposits and Savings Transactions – Includes investments like Treasury Bills, Bonds, and Commercial Papers.

13. Government Social Welfare Programmes – Including pension payments to support societal welfare.

14. Non-profit and Charitable Transactions – Encouraging donations by exempting them from the levy.

15. Educational Institutions’ Transactions – Including tuition and other school-related payments.

16. Transactions Involving Bank’s Internal Accounts – Covers a range of internal bank financial movements.

Amid the prevailing challenges in Nigeria, deposit money banks across the country will now implement a 0.5% cybersecurity levy on transactions, as announced in a circular issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) dated May 6, 2024.

According to the circular addressed to all commercial, merchant, non-interest, and payment service banks, as well as mobile money operators and payment service providers, the levy is in line with the provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (amendment) Act 2024.

“Following the enactment of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (amendment) Act 2024 and pursuant to the provision of Section 44 (2) (a) of the Act, ‘a levy of 0.5% (0.005) equivalent to a half percent of all electronic transactions value by the business specified in the Second Schedule of the Act’, is to be remitted to the National Cybersecurity Fund (NCF), which shall be administered by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA),” the circular partly read.

The apex bank said that the implementation of the levy would start two weeks from the date of the circular.

“The levy shall be applied at the point of electronic transfer origination, then deducted and remitted by the financial institution. The deducted amount shall be reflected in the customer’s account with the narration, ‘Cybersecurity Levy’.”

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has taken a detour and returned to Nigeria, thereby aborting his planned trip to the USA to attend the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications in a statement on Monday said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, will now represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Summit in Dallas, Texas.

The presidential Aide disclosed that Vice President Kashim Shettima who was originally scheduled to represent the President was unable to make the trip “following a technical fault with his aircraft, forcing him to make a detour on the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet.”

He also added that the Vice President will carry on with other national duties.
Part of the statement also said: “The high-profile summit, taking place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, will bring together political and business leaders from across Africa, the United States, and other regions.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Monday, described as “false” reports in certain quarters that the Nigerian government is considering siting such military base in the country.

“The Federal Government is aware of false alarms being raised in some quarters alleging discussions between the Federal Government of Nigeria and some foreign countries on the siting of foreign military bases in the country.

“We urge the general public to totally disregard this falsehood,” the minister said

In his statement, the information minister said:

“The Federal Government is not in any such discussion with any foreign country. We have neither received nor are we considering any proposals from any country on the establishment of any foreign military bases in Nigeria.

“The Nigerian government already enjoys foreign cooperation in tackling ongoing security challenges, and the President remains committed to deepening these partnerships, with the goal of achieving the national security objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Nigerian man deported after being caught on CCTV assaulting his physically-challenged partner in Kenya

John Nwankwo Noko, a Nigerian man caught on CCTV camera assaulting a Kenyan woman has been deported.

According to a statement signed by State Department of Gender Principal Secretary Anne Wang’ombe,  the suspect was deported on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

He is accused of physically assaulting his partner, Pauline, a Kenyan woman confined to a wheelchair, raising concerns about cases of Gender-Based Vi3lence (GBV).

The case was first brought to the attention of the police by Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba on Wednesday, May 1. Orwoba, acting on the video that first went viral on social media on April 29, visited the woman at her home, who confirmed that her life was in d+nger.

She claimed that her Nigerian partner “had been threatening to k+ll her and her two domestic workers if they outed him.”

Police operatives in Edo State have rearrested a 58-year-old prisoner, Jacob Alonge, who escaped from the Benin Correctional Centre during the 2020 protest in the state.

Alonge was sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by Edo High Court, after being convicted of raping his own daughter Gift Alonge.

Parading him before newsmen in Benin City, the State Police Commissioner, Funsho Adegboye, said: “While the case is ongoing in court, he thr£aten that the case would have no end and true to his thr£at, his daughter and others who were coming to testify in court died mysteriously but he was convicted.”

He said the convict, who was serving a jail term, escaped during the jailbreak in the two custodial centers in Benin. According to him, the police got credible intelligence that the convict, a serial rapist, was sighted at Ososo community in Akoko-Edo local government of the state.

Two housewives were among those arrested as operatives of the NDLEA, smashed an international drug syndicate with networks in parts of Nigeria, South Africa, and Thailand.

NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, May 2, said no fewer than five members of the cartel were arrested in a two-week intelligence-led operation in Lagos, Abia, and Anambra states following the seizure of their illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.

“The unraveling of the drug cartel started on Sunday 20th April when their cargo of four big suitcases arrived at the NAHCO shed on an Airpeace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa.

After days of close monitoring and investigation, the first suspect, Umeh Chisom Peter was arrested on Wednesday 24th April after he showed up to pick up two of the suitcases containing Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis owned by a Thailand-based member of the syndicate, Obum Michael.

The Nigerian Army has reportedly dismissed a soldier, Abdullahi Ismail after he was found guilty of sleeping with his colleague’s wife.

The Lance Corporal was dismissed during the week at 231 Battalion in Biu, Borno State.

“The soldier was fired from the Nigerian Army for sleeping with his colleague’s housewife. We’re happy as this will serve as an example to others involved in this act now common in our barracks,” one of the sources said.

Another source added, “Our colleague, Abdullahi has been dismissed at 231 BN Biu. He slept with his regular wife. So sad.” The source added that the dismissed soldier had a notorious history of sexual indiscipline before he was reported to the army authorities.

His offense – indecent professional misconduct and having sex with a fellow soldier’s wife – contravenes Sections 79 and 93 of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a 40-ft gas tanker with 511 jumbo sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 4,752kg concealed in its gas tank compartment.

NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, May 5, said operatives intercepted the tanker marked RBC 77XG while on stop and search operation along the Abuja-Abaji highway on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

“The consignment was loaded into the tanker in Ondo state and meant to be delivered in Abuja for further distribution.

Four suspects: Efe Abel Mikel, 39; Ebigide Cyril, 29; Ejechi Monday, 41; and Friday Benson Chukwudi, 39, have been arrested in connection with the seizure,” the statement reads.

The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has said it will block loan apps that harass customers

Speaking in a recent interview, the acting Chairman of FCCPC, Adamu Abdullahi, said: “It would soon be history in the country that online platforms that many people know as loan sharks, where some Nigerians access money quickly to solve urgent issues

However, if they don’t pay back on time, some of these loan companies send unpleasant messages with their picture to all their contacts. This harassment has caused many problems in Nigeria, as some people even lose their jobs because of embarrassment & disgrace

We do not agree with that kind of practice because customers are being harassed, even though it’s not directly our problem. We have involved CBN, NITDA, EFCC, & the Human Rights Commission to form a committee to address the issue

Since we found out that they operate online & have no physical offices or managing directors, we approached Google & Apple stores to take down all their Apps

Residents are protesting the demise of a young boy who passed away after 2 soldiers allegedly tortured him in Kano State.

The deceased, Yusuf Shuaibu Adamu passed away on Friday, May 3, a day after he was attacked by two soldiers at the 465 Nigeria Air Force Hospital medical center, where he worked.

A source who spoke with Instablog9ja said, “He was a cleaner in Airforce Hospital Kano. On Thursday, after finishing his shift, a soldier gave him more work to do, which he did. But after he was done, the soldier gave him yet another work which he refused. This infuriated the soldier, who proceeded to b£at him mercilessly.”

It was gathered that after the attack around 10: 37pm on Thursday night, Yusuf started vomiting thick red blood. He later became unconscious & was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff has directed an investigation into his death.

Police operatives in Adamawa State have arrested a 30-year-old man, Idi Adamu, for allegedly sexually a§§aulting his one-year-old stepdaughter.

The command’s spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, May 3, 2024.

According to the statement, the suspect was arrested on Wednesday, May 1, at his residence in Wuro Ardo, Mubi North Local Government area of the state.

The Katsina State governor, Dikko Radda, has revealed why banditry hasn’t been nipped in the bud. Speaking with Channels Television on Friday, May 3, the governor accused some security personnel and government officials of aiding banditry which he says has now turned into a “business venture”.

“Now it has turned out to be a business venture. A business venture for the criminals, some people who are in government; some people who are in security outfits, and some people who are responsible for the day-to-day activities of their people.

These are so many reasons why we are not unable to bring banditry to an end,” he said. According to him, many youths in the north are recruited into banditry with a mere N500.

Tinuade Sanda, the former managing director & CEO of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) was sacked by both Eko Disco and West Power and Gas (WPG) Limited for falsely claiming degrees from Edinburgh and Harvard universities, TheCable reports.

Sandra, who was appointed the managing director of Eko Disco in March 2022, was dismissed in April 2024 following an internal investigation at the company.

On March 25, Dere Otubu, chairman of the board of directors at Eko Disco, announced the recall of Sanda based on a directive from the Nigerian Electricity Distribution Commission (NERC). She was recalled to the parent company alongside other WPG staff.

Backing the decision of the board of directors at EKEDC, West Power and Gas (WPG), the parent company of Eko Disco, announced that it had also fired Sanda.

“We hereby advise you that your services are no longer required and accordingly your employment with WPG Ltd is hereby terminated effective April 17, 2024, by clause 10.2 of the Contract.

NSA orders law enforcement agencies to implement cybercrime law.

In a bid to prevent terrorists from using social media, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu has directed all law enforcement agencies, regulators, businesses & stakeholders to put in place mechanisms for the full enforcement of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act.

This was disclosed by the Head of Strategic Communications, Office of the National Security Adviser in a statement on Thursday.

“In view of the need to secure Nigeria’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), counter terrorism and violent extremism, strengthen national security and protect economic interests, this notice calls for the full implementation of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act 2024, including the operationalisation of the National Cybersecurity Fund by all regulators and businesses specified in the second schedule of the Act,” he said.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, says certain individuals don’t want the power sector to work because of their selfish gains.

Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, May 2, the minister said despite the numerous ministers who have served in the sector, the power industry still encounters obstacles.

“We have had over 40 ministers in the past and we are still here. We know there will be resistance and distractions but Nigerians will start seeing our overwhelming impact the moment we complete the TCN projects.

Nigerians should not be cheated and that is why I don’t call this new tariff cost-reflective but service-reflective,” he said.

Vice President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu’s administration will not blame his predecessor, President Buhari for the challenges encountered after taking over.

Speaking at an event in Abuja on May 2, Shettima said this is the most difficult time to occupy political leadership in Nigeria due to the challenges facing the country.

“The president chose the option that will save the lives of the people instead of the ones that will lead to the prolong the economic d£ath. We will not resort to put the blame on previous administration as leadership is about courage, continuity.

Before we took charge, the biggest elephant in the room was about fuel subsidy removal. It was an albatross round the neck of the nation for the past 20 to 30 years.

We understood why our predecessor decided to remove the subsidy because there were no sufficient budget for it in the fiscal year. A year before we took office, Nigeria’s debt service to revenue ratio had grown to 111.18 %. It was an economic death sentence.

Police operatives in Ekiti State have arrested a law enforcement agent, identified as Dare Onipede, for allegedly stabbing his wife to death over alleged infidelity.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at Christ Avenue, in the Adebayo area of Ado-Ekiti, the state’s capital, on Saturday morning, April 27.

A source said before attacking each other, the couple, had sent the older of their two children on an errand and locked up the door to their apart before they started fighting on the issue.

“They locked themselves up inside their apartment with their younger child of about five years.

The man confronted the deceased over allegations that she was cheating on him, and a fight ensued leading him to stab his wife to death.

The deceased and her husband were met with injuries all over their bodies. The woman, Kumapayi Arinola was said to have been unconscious and was immediately rushed to the hospital but she gave up the ghost before they got to the hospital,” the source said.

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that one of its officers shot and killed a young man at a filling station belonging to the NNPC Limited at Obalende area of the state on Wednesday evening, May 1.

The deceased, identified as Toheeb Eniasa, was shot dead for trying to stop the officer & his colleague from jumping the queue at the filling station.

An eyewitness Idowu, trouble  started when two police officers drove into the station to buy petrol while many others were on the queue to buy the scarce product.

Explaining further, Idowu said: “The actions of the armed officers were met with stiff resistance from people who had been waiting in the queue for over five hours. The deceased Toheeb Eniasa was one of the people who spoke loudly against the officers asking them to join the queue like everyone else.

Quickly the verbal confrontation degenerated into a fisticuff. One of the men shot the young man and immediately fled the incident scene leaving the area in disarray.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying he is steering the ship of state through the economic turbulence and storm he met on ground on assumption of office.

The VP said this at an event in Abuja on Thursday, May 2, 2024. “Soon, Nigeria’s economy will experience significant growth once we’ve overcome these sacrifices.

Positive changes will soon be evident across all economic indicators – inflation, per capita income, GDP numbers, poverty reduction, food security, and all aspects close to the hearts of our people,” he said.

Police operatives in Ogun State have arrested a 30-year-old actor, identified simply as Praise, for allegedly abducting & defiling a 14-year-old girl in the Mowe area of the State. The command’s PRO, Omolola Odutola, in a statement on Thursday, May 2, said the suspect was arrested following a report by the grandparents of the teenager, who reported that their granddaughter had been missing since the 27th of April 2024.

“The arrest came following a report on the 1st of May at about 1405 hours from the grandparents of the teenager that their granddaughter had been missing since the 27th of April 2024.

The grandparents of the abducted teenager also alleged the suspect of having unlawful carnal knowledge of their granddaughter, who, under careful observation was discovered to have been bl££ding profusely.

Medical forms have been issued for examination and treatment in a government hospital for more credible evidence,” the statement reads.