The House of Representatives announced plans to donate ₦704.91 million to President Bola Tinubu on December 31, 2024, aimed at supporting vulnerable Nigerians facing economic hardships due to the recent fuel subsidy removal.

Naija News recalls that back in July, the House resolved to donate 50% of their salaries for six months to alleviate the challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians. This decision followed a motion moved during a plenary session.

During Thursday’s plenary, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, addressed his colleagues, saying, “If you recall, about five months ago, we decided to contribute half of our salaries to address the critical needs of the Nigerian people. I am happy to inform you that so far, we have contributed ₦704,907,578.82.

“On December 31, I will lead a delegation of leadership to hand over the money to the president for the exclusive use of the vulnerable Nigerians who really need it.

“The contributions you made highlight the steadfastness and dedication of members to addressing the critical needs of Nigerians.”

This initiative came after a motion led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu in July, where the House pledged to donate part of their salaries to help ease hunger and prevent further protests related to governance issues.

Kalu explained at the time, “This government is doing its best, but one year is not enough to address the challenges of this country. I want to plead with our colleagues to sacrifice 50 per cent for a period of six months.

“Our salary is ₦600,000 a month. I want to plead that we let go of 50 per cent of our salary for a period of six months.”

Troops of Operation Udoka have made significant arrests in the South-East, including a suspected founding member of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), as announced by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba.

The arrests occurred in strategic operations across Orsu in Imo State and Amaruku and Arochukwu in Abia State.

During a bi-weekly briefing in Abuja, Major Gen Buba provided details of the military’s recent successes.

He highlighted a sting operation in Orsu, where troops apprehended Mr. Pius Iguh, described as a terrorist leader and a founding father of IPOB responsible for activities in the Orsu area.

In a separate raid in Amaruku, Abia State, security forces successfully detained another key figure, Emmanuel Onwugu, an IPOB commander operating in the Mbano Local Government Area.

This operation further demonstrates the military’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the operational capabilities of IPOB and its affiliated Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Additionally, the troops collaborated with other security agencies to arrest Ifeanyi Rock, a notorious cult leader, along with ten of his associates in Arochukwu Local Government Area.

This arrest underscores the security forces’ commitment to restoring peace and order by targeting not only separatist elements but also other groups contributing to regional instability.

These operations are part of a broader security initiative under Operation Udoka aimed at curtailing the activities of insurgent and criminal groups in the southeast to ensure the safety and security of the local populace.