Union Bank has commenced the implementation of a daily withdrawal limit on point-of-sale (PoS) terminals.

The implementation followed a directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on December 17, 2024, limiting the daily withdrawal limit on PoS to N100,000 per customer.

According to CBN, the intervention is aimed at addressing identified challenges, combating fraud and establishing uniform operational standards across the industry.

Six weeks later, Union Bank, in an email to customers seen by TheCable, said implementation of the daily withdrawal limit has commenced and customers are limited to a weekly withdrawal of N500,000 on PoS.

“In line with CBN directives, please note that effective immediately, the daily withdrawal limit on POS is now N100,000, while the weekly limits are now fixed at N500,000,” the email reads.

“Our ATMs are also available for your cash withdrawals. We encourage you to use our alternative channels (UnionMobile, *826#, UnionOnline) for all your transactions.”

The bank’s announcement comes a week after CBN sanctioned nine banks for failing to ensure cash availability via automated teller machines (ATM) during the festive season.

Union Bank was one of the affected banks.

The nine banks were fined N150 million following spot checks that revealed noncompliance with the apex bank’s cash distribution guidelines.

Controversial social media personality Bobrisky has revealed plans for his wedding, sharing details about the event’s location, Aso Ebi pricing, and more in a recent Instagram post.

In the post, Bobrisky confirmed that the wedding will feature multiple events across various locations.

According to the influencer, the female Aso Ebi will be priced at a staggering ₦2 million, while the men’s cap will cost ₦1 million.

The wedding will include the following:

Introduction – Nigeria

Engagement – London

White Wedding – USA

Honeymoon – Greece

Bobrisky also made it clear that the celebration will be exclusive, stating, “Broke asses are not invited, please.”

The announcement quickly went viral, with many online users expressing mixed reactions.

Netizens Reactions…

@apostlekingjohn: “Well.. I wish him a happy married life in advance… God will really be busy on judgement day.. unless he will use automated means to dispatch people to their destinations.”

@OmoniyiMrbaby: “Everybody for 9ja don forget about this one..no forget say na two genders dey US now.. hand go soon touch you for where you dey as yankee don change pattern for una.”

@Rae_Bryan112: “LOL Which usa is he think of doing the wedding lol cos i Believed they only Recognize 2 gender now lol make she dey deceive him self.”

@iSam_son: “White wedding for which USA. United States of Abia Abi.”

@ChuksClassie: “So SHIM wants to wed in the US. Donald trump’s number 1 scapegoat.”

@kene_Valentine: “Y’all are continuously blowing his trumpet for him. The internet is really a wild place, for real.”

A retired police inspector identified as Linus Monday has been reportedly caught carrying out a stop and search operation.

A viral photo shows the former officer in a police uniform with ID card number 6257.

The suspect was paraded in one of the police divisions in the country, according to DailyTrust.

As the photo of the police officer went viral, it sparked an online conversation about the retirement benefits for police officers and others who served Nigeria in their prime.

An accident claimed the life of a female prospective corps member who was going to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp at Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The deceased was among a group of 12 prospective corps members in a 14-seater bus involved in the accident.

The female corps member, whose name could not be ascertained at the time of filling this report, was said to have died from injuries sustained while her colleagues and other passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.

Source said the corps members boarded the bus in Enugu heading to the NYSC orientation camp located in Afikpo town for their three weeks oriental course when the bus lost control and rammed into a parked truck in the road.

They are believed to be prospective members of the 2024 Batch C Stream II set of corps members.

They were rescued by residents and security agencies from the mangled bus and rushed to the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) for treatment.

Ebonyi state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Igwe Henry, confirmed the accident.

He, however, said he has no details of casualties as the victims were rescued before his officers got to the scene.

He said: ” At the time our men from Amasiri Unit Command got the information and got to the scene, the victims had been rescued.

“However, the crash occurred at about 14.00 hours. The route was Amasiri-Okiigwe which they call Amenu village in Okposi.

“Two vehicles were involved, one was a Toyota commercial bus, grey colour and the other was a Mercedes-Benz tipper (truck), a commercial Mercedes-Benz tipper, the regular Tipper that you see around,” he stated.

Ebonyi State Coordinator of NYSC, Foluke Oladeinde, said she was in a state of shock.

“I am not in the right frame of mind to talk now. I am in the hospital now. Yes the accident occurred but I can’t talk right now,” she said.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, on Thursday, destroyed fake, adulterated, and unregistered foods, drugs, and cosmetic products worth approximately N1,367,000,000 seized in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The products were destroyed at the Kuje dumpsite in the territory.

In a brief remark during the exercise, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said the destruction exercise is a crucial and routine operation that the agency conducts across all zones of the federation.

Prof Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director in her office, Dr Festus Ukadike, stated: “We carry out these exercises at least once a year in each zone, depending on the volume of seizures made by the agency. The goal is to eliminate substandard, falsified, and expired NAFDAC-regulated products from the supply chain.

“In 2024, NAFDAC achieved remarkable progress, making substantial seizures that underscore our commitment to safeguarding public health. We carried out several destruction exercises across the zones, including Lagos, where products worth over N120bn of falsified, substandard, and unwholesome food products were destroyed.

“Our relentless pursuit of justice against health trafficking cartels has resulted in the seizure of over 6,000 bags of rebagged rice in the FCT alone. These deceitful cartels aim to exploit and harm the unsuspecting Nigerian populace for economic gain. NAFDAC has zero tolerance for such activities and has initiated a thorough investigation to ensure that all involved face appropriate sanctions.”

The DG noted that the products destroyed were seized during the agency’s operations in the FCT and surrounding areas, alongside items handed over by compliant companies and organisations.

The products included drugs such as psychoactive and controlled substances, antibiotics, antihypertensives, antimalarials, herbal snuff, and herbal remedies, including drugs seized from hawkers.

Others were food products, including cookies, vegetable oil, non-alcoholic beverages, and items from supermarkets with labels in foreign languages lacking English translations.

The cosmetics destroyed included creams, lotions, pomades, and skin-lightening products confiscated from spas and beauty centres. Other items included fake Izal, Jik, and medical devices.

Expired and unwholesome products voluntarily submitted for destruction by Non-Governmental Organisations and the Association of Community Pharmacy of Nigeria were also destroyed.

“The estimated street value of the products slated for destruction today is N1,367,000,000. NAFDAC has significantly ramped up its post-marketing surveillance and enforcement activities to counter the threats posed by counterfeit medicines and foods to national security.

“The agency is proactively engaging political, traditional, and faith-based leaders, as well as journalists and the general public, to galvanise support and commitment in the fight against substandard and falsified products,” she added.

The Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, commended NAFDAC for the destruction of the products and warned manufacturers, importers, and related parties that non-compliance with regulations would not be tolerated under the renewed hope agenda.

Okeke, represented by the FCT Coordinator of SON, Gamagira Mohammed, said: “The rules are there, the guidelines are there. If you are not sure, NAFDAC and SON are there to guide you on standards.

“I believe we will continue to strengthen our collaboration so that Nigeria can grow, and everybody will be healthy in the interest of the country.”

The Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Salamatu Orakwelu, noted: “I commend NAFDAC for this step that you’ve been taking annually, and I assure you that as pharmacists, all measures will be taken to ensure compliance and to support your efforts.”

The Rivers State Police Command has paraded two pastors, Prophet Bassey Umoren (60) and Prophet Elijah Anietie (50), who were caught with fetish items, including caskets, monkey skulls, carved skeletons, and other spiritual materials, in their respective churches.

The duo, who were apprehended by youths of Rumunduru community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, are the founders of God’s Deliverance Apostolic Church and Power House of Glory International Gospel Church, both located along Eneka Road in Rumunduru.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this on Thursday while parading the suspects at the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Iringe-Koko said, “This case, which has been trending on social media, involves two pastors reported by youths of Rumunduru community, led by their youth leader, Henry Worlu, on January 20, 2025, at about 9 am.

“The youths brought the suspects, Prophet Umoren Bassey and Prophet Elijah Anietie, both of Akwa Ibom State origin and handed them over to the police for discreet investigation.”

She listed the items recovered from their churches including several photographs—some of which were of children—small caskets, spiritual books, carved images, wooden skulls, crosses, and other ritual items.

The police spokesperson noted that investigations into the matter were ongoing to ascertain the full extent of their activities and possible victims.

Meanwhile, the youths of the Rumunduru community have been lauded for their vigilance in exposing the alleged activities of the suspects, which they claimed posed a spiritual and social threat to the community.

The Federal Government has approved N4bn for conditional cash transfers to vulnerable households in Nigeria.

During the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan at the United Nations House in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwada, announced the interventions aimed at addressing the country’s deepening humanitarian crisis.

This initiative is expected to support at least 10 million displaced households, primarily targeting the most vulnerable members of society.

The cash transfer programme is set to commence in February and continue through April, focusing on alleviating the immediate needs of families affected by displacement, particularly in the Northeast.

Additionally, the government has approved N2bn in interest-free loans for farmers, specifically those in rural communities, to boost food production and self-sufficiency.

Professor Yilwada stated: “We are prioritising women, especially widows, pregnant women, and those with disabilities. The experiences of displaced women, particularly those facing pregnancy or disability, are especially challenging. We understand these vulnerabilities and will continue to support those who are most in need.

“The President has approved the Ministry’s plan to begin paying conditional cash transfers to 10 million displaced households between February and April. This initiative aims to support those most in need, particularly vulnerable families affected by displacement.”

He added: “Additionally, the government has allocated N2bn to provide interest-free loans to farmers in rural communities. These loans will range from N300,000 to N400,000 per household, helping farmers access necessary resources and linking them to market opportunities.

“Furthermore, a N4bn provision has been approved to support vulnerable groups through cash transfers, targeting families affected by natural disasters and other crises. These interventions are part of the government’s broader strategy to alleviate poverty and provide relief to those in urgent need.”

The Minister further emphasised the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of internally displaced persons, returnees, and affected communities across Nigeria.

The HNRP, Yilwada noted, was developed through extensive consultations and is designed to address the humanitarian challenges in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and other conflict-affected regions.

“We are combining the efforts of humanitarian, developmental, and peacebuilding platforms to ensure long-term resilience and sustainable solutions for these communities,” he added.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has expressed support for the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike, urging telecommunications companies to enhance service delivery in line with the price increase.

This first hike in over a decade, aimed at reviving the telecom sector, was announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission on Monday and has continued to spark debates and controversies across the country.

Speaking to Arise TV on Thursday at the ongoing 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Edun described the tariff adjustment as essential for sustaining the sector amid rising operational costs and inflation.

“Inflation has increased, and it must be reflected in the business operations of telcos. While their prices are regulated, they cannot implement arbitrary tariffs. The rising cost of living must be considered, and I believe the 50 per cent tariff adjustment is just the starting point. It’s about compromise, timing, and sequencing these necessary changes.

“Tariff rates have remained unchanged despite mounting pressures from inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and the significant investments needed to meet rising consumer demand.

“These financial challenges have placed substantial strain on operators, threatening the long-term sustainability of the telecom sector, which is a vital contributor to Nigeria’s digital economy,” he said.

Edun further emphasised the critical role of the telecommunications sector in Nigeria’s economy, calling it essential to the country’s infrastructure and business environment.

He added, “The government expects the tariff adjustment to result in better call termination, fewer dropped calls, and overall improved service quality.

“We want telcos operating efficiently, terminating calls seamlessly, and delivering high-quality services. At the same time, we want them to foster innovation, create jobs, and contribute to GDP.”

The finance minister assured Nigerians that the tariff adjustment would be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains balanced and fair for both consumers and operators.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a thriving telecommunications sector that supports innovation, economic growth, and job creation.

Police operatives attached to the Ogun State Command have neutralised the kidnappers of Mrs. Odumosu, wife of retired Assistant-Inspector General, AIG Hakeem Odumosu, and rescued her unharmed.

Recall that on January 16, 2025, at approximately 9:45 pm, four masked gunmen forcibly abducted Mrs. Odumosu from her Lexus Jeep outside her residence in Arepo, Ogun State.

The abduction sparked an immediate response from the anti-kidnapping unit of the Ogun State Police Command, who commenced a thorough investigation and targeted pursuit of the kidnappers.

Meanwhile, a statement by Force headquarters said, ‘With the support of the Force Headquarters technical intelligence platforms, the Ogun State police operatives engaged in extensive surveillance of the creeks surrounding Arepo, gathering crucial information to track down the assailants.

“Their efforts culminated in a raid on January 23, 2025, at around 06:45 am.

“The intelligence-led operation took the police to a creek in the swampy area of Ikorodu where the kidnappers were reportedly planning their next attack.

“Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the kidnappers, who opened fire. In the ensuing confrontation, two of the gunmen were neutralized, while four others fled the scene, abandoning their operational weapons.

“The victim, Mrs Odumosu was rescued within the swampy creeks during the operation, unharmed.

“She is currently undergoing medical evaluation as a precautionary measure and has since been reunited with her family.

“The police also recovered 4 Ak-47 rifles, 3 locally made single barrel rifles, ammunition of various calibers, and the sum of N10,000,000 ransom previously demanded by the kidnappers, further ensuring that justice is served.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has commended the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, and his operatives for their displayed gallantry in this successful operation.

“This operation exemplifies the dedication and resilience of our Police officers.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mission to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes, providing safety and security to all citizens.”