Donald Trump says he will deal decisively and put an end to what calls a “migrant invasion” if he is elected the US presidential elections in November.

Trump vowed to halt the influx of migrants into the country and abrogate all president Joe Biden and Kamala Harris administration immigration policies.

 

Trump, who made this known in a post he shared on X on Sunday, said he would protect cities and towns in states grappling with the scourge of unchecked migration.

“As President, I will immediately end the migrant invasion of America,” the former US president wrote.

“We will stop all migrant flights, end all illegal entries, terminate the Kamala phone app for smuggling illegals (CBP One App), revoke deportation immunity, suspend refugee resettlement, and return Kamala’s illegal migrants to their home countries (also known as immigration). 

“I will save our cities and towns in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and all across America.”

Trump’s stiff stance comes a day after saying he would execute large-scale deportations of migrants, beginning in Ohio and Colorado.

He said it would be the “largest deportation in the history of our country”.

“And we’re going to start with Springfield and Aurora,” he said.

In a debate with Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, Trump claimed that migrants in Springfield were eating American pets.

Trump has frequently criticised influx of migrants and has announced border restrictions as the top of his priorities if he returns to the White House.

In June, the Republican nominee said he would ensure foreign students get automatic green cards after graduation from universities in the country if elected.

Hours after Trump’s comments, Karoline Leavitt, his campaign’s press secretary, issued a statement saying there would be an “aggressive vetting process” that would “exclude all communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters, and public charges

 
 
 

The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has decried hardship Nigerians are going through as a result of economic policies of the federal government.


In his Eid-el Maulud message on Monday, Peter Obi called on Nigerians to show empathy to one another.

He enjoined Nigerians to embrace the message of Prophet Mohammed which is centered on love, compassion and kindness.

On his X handle, the former governor of Anambra State wrote, “I am most delighted to join the Islamic Community In Nigeria and globally in celebrating the Eid-El Maulud!

“This year’s celebration comes at a time when many of our fellow citizens are enduring severe hardships.

“Across the country, millions are grappling with the pain of economic challenges, lack of access to basic healthcare, and the distressing reality of countless children being out of school.

“These challenges weigh heavily on our collective conscience, reminding us of the Herculean work that remains to be done to uplift our people.

“The teachings of the Prophet—centered on love, compassion, and kindness—offer us the hope and guidance we need in these difficult times.

“His message calls us to be our brother’s keeper, to show empathy to those in need, and to work together in the spirit of unity. It is through this lens that we must address the inequalities that persist in our society, ensuring that no child is left without an education and no family suffers without access to healthcare.

“Let us use this occasion to reflect deeply on the values that bind us and renew our commitment to building a Nigeria where every individual, regardless of background or belief, has the opportunity to thrive.

“Together, we can overcome these trying times and create a more just, equitable, and prosperous nation for all.

“Eid al-Maulud Mubarak! Wishing Muslim families peace, joy, and prosperity.

“May your prayers bring lasting peace and security to our troubled nation.”

Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded another success in the fight against terrorism by killing a notorious bandit kingpin, Baleri Fakai.

Reports obtained by Naija News on Monday revealed that Baleri Fakai was among thirty (30) bandits who were neutralized recently in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Baleri Fakai is said to be a close associate and superior to Bello Turji, another infamous bandit leader.

Multiple sources, including security analysts, have confirmed that Fakai has indeed met his waterloo days after appearing invincible in a video shared on TikTok.

Former Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmed, also shared the news of his killing on his X handle on Monday.

Ahmed wrote, “WONDERFUL: It has been confirmed that the joint security forces have eliminated the notorious bandit leader Baleri Fakai, along with 30 other terrorists, in Maru, Zamfara state. Baleri Fakai was a close ally to murderer Bello Turji, who will be joining him soon, in Sha Allah.”

Naija News reports that the latest development brings the record to about five bandit leaders eliminated in a 72 hour span.

Earlier, troops from Operation Hadarin Daji announced the killing of four notorious bandit leaders in Zamfara State.

It was gathered that the criminals, identified as Ibrahim Nagure, Lawali Dodo, Kadiri, and Jambaleri, were killed during a military operation that also neutralized Halilu Sububu, a key figure behind numerous terrorist activities in the North West.

Meanwhile, military forces apprehended another wanted terrorist kingpin, Hosseini Osman, in Plateau State.

He was captured in Ganawuri village, Riyom local government area, where he confessed to organizing several deadly attacks, including a recent assault on Ganawuri village that claimed the lives of innocent civilians.

Osman also revealed his involvement in a local kidnapping syndicate responsible for a series of abductions.

Using information obtained from Osman, troops swiftly mobilized to Kyaram village in Kanam local government area, where they successfully rescued several kidnapped victims.

In a separate operation, PRNigeria sources confirmed that troops launched a strategic ambush on fleeing terrorists from the Sambisa Forest heading towards the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza local government area.

This led to significant casualties among Boko Haram fighters and the seizure of a large cache of weapons and ammunition.

The Lagos-headquartered church was founded by Lazarus Muoka on December 24, 2002, with the aim of “preaching the undiluted word of God”.

But in the past years, the Lord’s Chosen has been at the center of controversy due to its unconventional miracles.

Recently, some social media users posted old clips showing church members sharing their testimonies, sparking questions and concerns about the authenticity of the miracles. 

In one of the footage, an elderly woman revealed she was attacked by four armed robbers. She said she “miraculously gained control of their guns and ensured the arrest of three of the robbers”.

Similarly, a man revealed that he survived kidnapping, machete attacks, and gunshot wounds “without injury”.

Another man alleged that a lion rescued him from kidnappers by lifting him into the air and guiding him to safety.

“Before you know it something entered my back, lifted me and carried me from there to the express. When it reached there, it dropped me and I turned to look at what carried me, it was a Lion,” he added. 

“So where the lion dropped me was very tight and narrow, he now raised his one of his hands and said I should go like this. When I left, he told me bye bye.”

 

See video clips and reactions below:

 

Media

— Oghenerie (@Oghenerie_jnr) September 15, 2024

Last modified on Monday, 16 September 2024 16:38

A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Kanu Agabi, has said that politicians who rigged elections have no moral justification to call on God for help when they run into roadblocks.

Agabi stated this during an appearance on Channels Television on Sunday.

 

He asserted that those who nurse suspicion against elections in Nigeria have justifiable grounds to seek redress in court.

Agabi noted that the problem with Nigeria is not the 1999 constitution but those who are enforcing the laws.

So, the problem is not with the laws but with “good people to enforce them. We need to reform ourselves as a nation,” he said.

Speaking further, the ex-justice minister said the courts are burdened with electoral cases because Nigeria’s elections come under “justifiable suspicions”.

He said, “We keep talking of reforming the judiciary. We keep attacking the judges, we stigmatise them, we abuse them, we insult but the truth is this: we have very good judges.

“The judiciary is not perfect but it is the best arm of government. The problem is this: On the judges’ lists, there may be 30, or 40 cases a day. How can he cope? As long as they go on struggling with that system, they cannot cope.

“The problem of the judiciary arises from the fact that the judges are overworked.

“Take the elections for instance. Do you know how many percentages of elections are challenged? Why? Because the elections come under justifiable suspicions. Those who suspect the elections are justified but if we reach a point where the elections are not opened to the kind of criticisms and suspicions that they have been suspected, then they can free up the courts.

“Primaries are rigged at the party levels. Giving a spiritual dimension, when you have stolen the office that you are holding, do you expect God to partner with you? Can you pray over that office? Can you use it to do any good? That’s the problem.

“St Paul said I am an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the grace of God. Whatever office you hold, you must be able to say the same thing. You must be able to say, ‘I am a governor by the grace of God’, ‘I am a senator by the grace of God’. If you can’t say that, your prayer in calling upon the name of the Lord in that office is an abomination.”

[NaijaNews]

Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) unification policy, implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in June 2023, aimed to simplify the country’s multiple exchange rate system by consolidating it into a single market-driven rate.

The policy was designed to boost investor confidence, eliminate arbitrage opportunities, and address chronic FX shortages that plagued the economy.

However, one year after the policy’s implementation, the impact on tax revenues reveals an unexpected consequence.

 

While foreign companies have seen their tax contributions skyrocket, local firms have struggled to keep pace, revealing the deeper challenges facing Nigeria’s domestic economy.

Growth in Foreign CIT 

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the one-year period following FX unification (Q3 2023 to Q2 2024) saw a rise in foreign Corporate Income Tax (CIT) contributions.

Foreign CIT increased by 140.5%, rising from N1.42 trillion in the pre-unification year (Q3 2022 to Q2 2023) to N3.41 trillion in the year post-unification.

In contrast, local CIT only grew by 35.1%, moving from N2.16 trillion to N2.92 trillion over the same period.

This disparity in growth suggests that naira devaluation has contributed significantly to taxes the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) gets from foreign firms.

The total CIT collected in the year following FX unification reached N6.33 trillion, a significant increase from the N3.58 trillion collected in the year before the policy change.

However, foreign CIT accounted for 53.8% of this total, up from 39.6% in the pre-unification period.

This indicates that foreign firms are increasingly driving Nigeria’s tax revenue, masking the sluggish growth in local firm contributions.

Local firms struggle under FX Pressures 

While foreign companies have benefited from FX unification, local businesses have faced more challenges.

In February, Nairametrics reported that the naira had lost about 68% of its value, marking a profound downturn since the implementation of the foreign exchange unification policy.

In the first six months of this year, Nigerians and businesses faced prolonged periods of exchange rate volatility, as the naira crashed by 40% between the end of December 2023 and June-ending.

  • The devaluation of the naira by as much as 70% following the unification policy resulted in higher costs for local firms, particularly those reliant on imports for raw materials and goods.
  • These rising costs have eroded profit margins, making it difficult for domestic businesses to match the growth seen by their foreign counterparts.
  • Nairametrics earlier reported some of Nigeria’s leading companies incurred a combined forex loss of N1.7 trillion in the financial year 2023. The size and magnitude of the loss were so significant that it effectively wiped out the shareholder funds of some companies, forcing mega restructuring for others.
  • Also, the NBS data shows that local CIT collections, while growing, have been inconsistent.
  • After hitting N1.02 trillion in Q2 2023, local CIT dropped to N651.63 billion in Q3 2023 and further to N533.93 billion in Q4 2023.
  • By Q1 2024, local CIT had fallen to N386.49 billion, before rebounding to N1.35 trillion in Q2 2024.

This volatility emphasizes the uncertain economic conditions facing local firms, who continue to grapple with inflation, supply chain disruptions, and the increased cost of doing business post-unification.

The Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, recently noted that the challenges facing the manufacturing sector, particularly due to the current macroeconomic conditions, are exacerbated by the ongoing foreign exchange volatility and high electricity tariffs.

Also, speaking to Nairametrics on the challenges of firms operating in Nigeria face, Olufemi Oyinsan, General Partner at The Continent Venture Partners (TCVP), said: “Companies in Nigeria struggle with dropping consumer purchasing power and the high cost of doing business, especially with energy and logistics. On top of that, they face challenges in repatriating profits due to currency devaluation. This makes it unsustainable for them to operate.” 

He further stressed the need for businesses to be creative and more capital-efficient, cutting unnecessary costs and focusing on optimizing resources.

Ike Ibeabuchi, Chief Executive Officer, MD Services, earlier told Nairametrics that foreign exchange stability could steer firms’ rebound and boost their capacity to create value.

More Insights 

The standard CIT rate in Nigeria is 30% of a company’s taxable profits for large companies (those with annual gross turnover of more than N100 million).

  • Medium-sized companies (with turnover between N25 million and N100 million) are charged a CIT rate of 20%. Small companies (those with an annual turnover of less than N25 million) are exempt from CIT.
  • The growing disparity between foreign and local CIT contributions raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s tax base.
  • While foreign firms have become the dominant source of CIT revenue, the slower growth of local firms highlights the vulnerabilities within the domestic economy.
  • If local businesses continue to struggle under the weight of rising costs and inflation, their ability to contribute meaningfully to tax revenue may be further weakened, placing more pressure on foreign firms to sustain government revenues.
  • Also, the reliance on foreign CIT could make Nigeria’s tax base more vulnerable to external shocks.
  • Should global economic conditions deteriorate, or should foreign firms reduce their operations in Nigeria, the country’s tax revenues could take a significant hit.
  • This highlights the need for policies that support local business growth and enhance the competitiveness of domestic firms in the post-unification economy.

[Nairametrics]

Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, has decried the influx of unaffected persons to the camps of the real victims of the last Tuesday’s flood that devastated the state.

The Governor stated this on Monday while flagging off the distribution of relief materials to victims of the Maiduguri flooding who are taking refuge in about 36 internally displaced persons camps.

The flood which shattered Maiduguri following the overflowing of the Alau Dam, displaced nearly 2 million people within Maiduguri metropolis and environs.

The flag-off ceremony took place on Monday at Bakasi Camp along Damboa Road in Maiduguri.

Relief materials distributed to each victim include a bag of 25kg of rice, a carton of pasta and N10,000 cash.

Speaking to journalists, Governor Zulum decried the influx of people who were not affected by the flood to the IDP camps, thereby making it difficult for smooth operations.

 

He said, “We observed that it is no more sustainable to continue receiving people in the camps because many people that were not affected are tripping to the camps.”

In addition to distributing relief materials, the governor also announced plans to comprehensively assess the affected areas, which will inform future interventions.

He stated, “So we decided to mobilise the resources and ensure that each affected victim had the relief items.”

“We have also concluded arrangements that we shall do the assessment at the communities to verify the actual number of those that were affected.”

The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, highlighted her agency’s interventions for victims of the flood disaster.

She noted that the agency has been providing shelters and mobile water purifiers to provide clean drinking water to those affected since the flooding began.

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has acknowledged receiving food donation from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, NEMA, and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to support the victims of the disaster.

[Leadership]

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has released an updated breakdown of the estimated price of petrol purchased from the Dangote Refinery.

On Monday morning, the NNPC provided a chart detailing the refined petrol it acquired from the refinery on Sunday.

Payments for the September 2024 petrol supply, according to NNPC, are being made to Dangote Refinery in US dollars, with Naira transactions scheduled to begin on October 1, 2024.

“NNPC Ltd. has released the estimated prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, sourced from the Dangote Refinery, for distribution at its retail outlets nationwide.

 

“These prices are based on negotiated terms between NNPC Ltd. and Dangote Refinery, taking into account current international gasoline prices and the prevailing foreign exchange rate, in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

“NNPC Ltd. confirms that it is making payments in USD for the September 2024 PMS supply, with Naira payments starting on October 1, 2024.

 

“We assure Nigerians that any discounts received from Dangote Refinery will be fully passed on to the public,” the statement from NNPC reads.

While the data of the estimated price to be sold around the country remains the same, the analysis of the transaction it had with Dangote Refinery was modified.

In the initial statement released on Monday, a Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority fee of N8.99 was listed, while the revised version showed a fee of N4.495.

The first breakdown included an inspection fee of N0.97, a margin fee of N26.48, and a distribution fee of N15.

However, in the updated release, the inspection and margin fees were removed, and the distribution fee was adjusted to N42.45.

 

In addition, the second statement introduced a Midstream and Gas Infrastructure Fund fee of N4.495.

[DailyTrust]

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not yield to the call of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to redeploy the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Anugbum Onuoha.

DAILY POST recalls that Onuoha has been a subject of controversy over his relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Wike have not been in good terms after Wike supported his second term bid when he defected to the PDP.

The governor and the national leadership of the PDP have expressed fears that Onuoha would influence the election to favour the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The PDP chairman in Edo State, Anthony Aziegbemhin, had submitted a formal protest letter to INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, demanding Onuoha’s immediate redeployment.

The letter read in part, “The ties between these two are too close to ignore as they share familiarities and are also close associates.

“The said Edo REC is a cousin to the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Wike. He also served as a former Commissioner and Special Adviser for Lands, Survey, and Housing to Mr Wike during his tenure as Rivers governor.”

Responding, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, emphatically said that the REC would not be redeployed, urging the PDP to focus on the process of the election rather than Onuoha.

“The REC for Edo State will not be redeployed. The governorship election will be conducted on September 21, 2024 in 4,519 polling units, not in the REC’s office.

“In the same manner, polling unit results will be declared by the respective Presiding Officers after the voting, ballot sorting and counting processes, in the presence of accredited party agents and other stakeholders.”

[DailyPost]

Gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have bombed one of the police stations, killing three policemen in the process in Anambra state.

The Nation reports that the incident occurred around 10 a.m. on Monday, September 16, in the Orumba South Local Government Area.

Following the attack, Joint Security Forces—including the Military, Police, Navy, Civil Defence, and Vigilance groups—recovered five unexploded bombs at the scene. 

Reports indicated that the assailants were attempting to enforce the Monday sit-at-home order when they clashed with security personnel.

While eyewitnesses reported three fatalities and additional injuries, Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the state police command, confirmed that two policemen were killed in the attack.

He said: “The Joint Security Forces comprising of the Police, Army, Navy, Civil defence and other Security Agencies recovered five unexploded improvised explosives and are on the trail of arsonist and armed successionist group members, who in the early hours of today 16/9/2024 attacked the Umunze Police Station. 

“The suspected Armed Proscribed Group invaded the Police Facility with improvised explosives, shooting sporadically and fire caught part of the Station. 

“Unfortunately, two of the Police Operatives on duty during the gun battle in a bid to resist the assailants from causing more havoc paid the supreme price. Their bodies have been recovered and taken to the morgue”. 

Meanwhile, he said the Commissioner of Police Nnaghe Itam visited the scene, on a spot assessment to reinforce and reassess security deployment.

[TheNation]