Onitsha Market: Sit-at-Home Excuse Is Delusional — Soludo

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed claims by some traders at the Onitsha Main Market that insecurity prevents them from opening their shops on Mondays, describing the excuse as “delusional.”

Soludo stressed that the sit-at-home order ended in Anambra in 2023 and insisted that the continued closure of shops on Mondays amounts to economic sabotage. He argued that traders who freely visit stadiums, exercise on the roads, or engage in street trading on Mondays have no justification for keeping their shops shut.

According to the governor, Onitsha Main Market is one of the most secured areas in the state, with over 150 security personnel deployed. He questioned why markets in areas facing greater security challenges remain open, while traders in Onitsha still cite insecurity as a reason for closure.

“Anyone claiming they didn’t open their shop because of insecurity is simply delusional,” Soludo said, adding that such behavior harms the state’s economy and must stop.

#Anambra #OnitshaMarket #Soludo #SitAtHome

Protests erupt in Onitsha as traders and residents block the Head Bridge over the shutdown of Main Market, halting movement in and out of Anambra State.

JUST IN Billionaire Igbo businessman Blord shuts down Onitsha Main Market today not by force, but by influence.

When traders pause business just to honor you, it speaks volumes. Power can command, but respect is earned. This moment reflects true impact, deep connection, and the trust of the people. Congratulations this level of loyalty is not easy to achieve.

#Blord #OnitshaMainMarket #TrueInfluence

No Joy, Just Dust: Minna Traders Battle Falling Sales Amid Prolonged Road Construction

Traders in Minna, Niger State, are struggling as slow road construction disrupts business, raises health concerns, and limits customer access. From markets like Tunga and City Gate to Kpakungu, merchants report declining sales, mounting debt, and unbearable dust, leaving many praying for relief as projects lag behind schedule.

#MinnaMarkets #RoadConstructionCrisis #SmallBusinessStruggle

Midnight Fire Guts Adamawa Grains Market, Traders Count Heavy Losses As Foodstuffs Burn to Ashes

A devastating midnight fire has razed Dumne’s popular grains market, Kasuwan Dadi, in Adamawa State, destroying large quantities of foodstuffs and traders’ goods. The inferno reportedly started around 1:22am, catching traders off guard as flames swept through key sections of the market. Though no lives were lost, many families suffered huge economic losses. Youths, mothers and elderly women bravely battled the fire to prevent further spread. Residents are urging government authorities to assess the damage and provide urgent relief, warning the incident could worsen food and economic hardship.

#AdamawaFire #NigeriaNews #MarketInferno

Massive Crowd in Katsina as Over 3 Million Tijaniyya Faithful Attend 40th National Maulud

Millions of Tijaniyya followers from Nigeria and other African countries converged on Katsina State for the 40th National Maulud in honour of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass. Held at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, the event filled the venue to capacity, spilling onto surrounding roads as worshippers arrived early. Religious leaders and government officials offered prayers for peace, unity and stability in Katsina and Nigeria. The gathering also boosted local businesses, with traders recording high sales as visitors flooded the city.

#KatsinaMaulud #Tijaniyya #NigeriaNews

Dem Don Finish Us!’ Bauchi Traders Cry After Katagum Council Demolishes Shops for ‘Gas Station’ Project

Traders for Azare, Bauchi State don dey lament as dozens of shops for Old Trailer Park along Maiduguri Road were demolished, leaving business owners with heavy losses estimated at ₦100 million.

The Katagum LG Chairman, Yusuf Babayo Zaki, allegedly led the exercise, with police, to clear land for a CNG/gas station, possibly linked to Dangote Group. Residents dey fear safety risks as the site dey near universities, student hostels, and dense communities, warning that any fire go scatter people and property.

Shop owners tried resist, but security dey heavy. People dey call am government failure and conflict of interest, especially as the chairman is said to be related to Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed.

Bauchi Traders Protest as Katagum Council Demolishes Dozens of Shops for Alleged Gas Station Project – “They Left Us With Nothing”

Traders in Bauchi State’s Katagum Local Government Area have expressed deep frustration and financial ruin after council authorities demolished dozens of market shops to make way for an alleged gas station project. Business owners, many of whom have operated in the market for years, say the demolition was carried out with little or no notice, leaving them with lost goods, destroyed property, and shattered livelihoods. “They left us with nothing,” said one displaced trader, lamenting the absence of compensation or alternative business space. The Katagum Council claims the demolition is part of a planned development initiative, asserting the need to improve infrastructure and attract investment. However, affected traders and civil society groups argue that the lack of engagement and the sudden enforcement have thrown families into hardship. Many have called on state government officials to intervene, provide fair compensation, and offer resettlement plans to help them restart their businesses. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between development projects and informal market economies in northern Nigeria.

Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Group Rejects Tinubu’s Tax Reform, Describes It as IMF–World Bank Agenda to Deepen Poverty in Nigeria

The Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organization (GAFAMORG) has strongly rejected the proposed tax reform law being advanced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, describing it as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank–inspired agenda aimed at deepening poverty and further exploiting Nigerians. The group warned that the country’s worsening economic crisis is the result of deliberate policy choices by a corrupt ruling elite aligned with failed foreign economic orthodoxies.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Babatunde Agunbiade, and Public Relations Officer, Adeoye Ade-Adewumi, GAFAMORG argued that Nigeria’s challenges are not caused by insufficient taxation but by criminal mismanagement, massive corruption, nepotism, and elite capture of state resources. The organisation said the proposed tax law would impose additional burdens on already over-taxed workers, small traders, and struggling households, while leaving the wealthy and powerful untouched.

The group accused the Tinubu administration of ignoring large-scale tax evasion by elites, excessive tax waivers for multinational corporations, and widespread looting through inflated contracts and opaque concessions. It also criticised the operation of Free Trade Zones, describing them as tax havens for the rich where corporations enjoy sweeping exemptions and weak oversight, while ordinary Nigerians face aggressive and sometimes extortionate tax enforcement.

GAFAMORG further described Nigeria’s tax administration system as broken, citing overlapping taxes, harassment by revenue agents, lack of transparency, and weak accountability. It warned that introducing new taxes without fixing these structural problems amounts to “economic violence against the poor.”

Reflecting on Nigeria’s past experiences with IMF- and World Bank-backed reforms such as Structural Adjustment, privatisation, and subsidy removal, the organisation said these policies have consistently shrunk the middle class, expanded poverty, enriched a tiny elite, and weakened the country’s productive capacity.

Invoking the legacy of late human rights lawyer Chief Gani Fawehinmi, GAFAMORG called on Nigerians to completely reject the proposed tax law, mobilise civic, legal, media, and popular resistance, and demand its immediate withdrawal. The group insisted that Nigeria does not need IMF-approved hardship but justice, accountability, equity, and people-centred governance.

Peter Obi: The Man Who Taxed Poverty in Anambra

Dear Peter Obi,

Thank you for your thoughts on the Tax Reform Act, which came into force yesterday, which was New Year's Day. However, it seems you have forgotten the following historical facts.

While you were the Governor of Anambra, poverty increased in the state, yet you imposed new and heavy taxes on the people of Anambra.

Please fact-check me: The poverty rate in Anambra was 41.4% in 2003, before you, Obi took office, and rose to 53.7% by 2009, during your governorship, a 29.7% increase.

Yet, despite the rise in poverty under your watch as Governor, on Tuesday, June 11, 2013, you imposed new and heavy taxes on Anambra markets, prompting traders in the state to protest.

And again, please fact-check me.

When 600 traders from Eke Awka Market protested and filed an appeal against you, you insisted that they must pay your new, heavy taxes.

At that, they led another protest to the Anambra State House of Assembly, barricaded it, and prevented legislative business from proceeding.

And all this was happening while you, Peter, dishonestly hid your own money in tax havens, as shown in the Pandora Papers of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

Therefore, I find it strange that you, who increased poverty in Anambra and also simultaneously increased taxes, are now accusing the Tinubu administration, which has added $57 billion to our economy, of taxing the poor.

And just so you know, your allegations show that you haven't read the new tax laws, because in those legislations, Nigerians earning less than ₦800,000 will not be taxed.

Meaning that under President Tinubu, those petty traders in Anambra that you taxed to near death would have a tax holiday.

So, please, Peter, reread your post, and direct it at yourself, because it is all about you, the man who taxed poverty in Anambra!

You were taxing poverty as Anambra Governor, but President Tinubu is tackling poverty as Nigeria's President.

~ Reno Omokri

Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. #1Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Hodophile. Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year, 2019. Business Insider Influencer of the Year 2022. 21st Most Talked About Person in Africa, 2024.

Heartbreaking Last Words of Businessman Trapped in Lagos Great Nigeria Building Fire Emerge as Victim Dies Under Rubble

Tragedy struck Lagos Island’s Balogun Market after a devastating fire engulfed the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House plaza, leading to a partial collapse that trapped several traders inside. One of the victims, Nze Obum, a China-based cloth merchant, was later confirmed dead after being buried under the rubble.

Audio recordings of Obum’s final phone calls have since surfaced online, revealing his desperate pleas for rescue as he lay trapped beneath the debris. According to reports, Obum had returned to Nigeria for the Christmas holidays to support his wife, who had just given birth, and to sell goods at the market. He was reportedly retrieving remaining stock from his shop when the building collapsed.

A fellow trader, Zacheaus Afolayan, confirmed Obum’s death, stating that his body was recovered by emergency responders and released to his family for burial in Anambra State. In one of the calls made around 2 a.m., Obum begged not to be abandoned, referencing his young children. A second, weaker call reportedly followed later the same day.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage and grief on social media, with many Nigerians questioning emergency response times and lamenting the state of safety infrastructure in the country. Netizens described the audio as deeply traumatic, urging authorities to place greater value on human life and improve disaster response systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

“We Buried Ashes”: Family Alleges Lagos Govt Cover-Up After Three Relatives Died In Collapsed 25-Storey GNI Building Fire At Balogun Market

A Nigerian family has accused the Lagos State Government and emergency agencies of downplaying casualties following the devastating fire and partial collapse of the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building at Balogun Market, Lagos Island. The blaze, which started on December 24, spread rapidly through several floors and caused part of the structure to collapse, trapping traders inside.

According to a relative, Mr. Emmanuel Anumba, three siblings from the Omatu family were killed, but their bodies were burnt beyond recognition, forcing the family to bury ashes recovered from the debris. He alleged that rescue efforts lacked urgency, adequate equipment, and proper evacuation, despite repeated pleas to authorities. Traders and eyewitnesses also claimed that firefighting efforts were delayed and that many victims remain unaccounted for, with unofficial estimates suggesting dozens may have died.

While the Lagos State Government maintains that no casualty was officially recorded, it has ordered the immediate evacuation of buildings within a 100-metre radius of the site after experts warned of structural dangers. The incident has intensified public concern over safety standards, emergency response failures, and alleged attempts to suppress the true human toll of the tragedy.

Fire Guts Popular Army Arena Market in Oshodi, Lagos, as Traders Panic and Emergency Responders Battle Inferno

A fire outbreak has gutted sections of the popular Army Arena Market along Agege Motor Road in Oshodi, Lagos, throwing traders into panic on Tuesday evening, December 30, 2025. The incident was confirmed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), which stated that emergency responders were swiftly deployed to the scene to contain the inferno. Although the cause of the fire and the extent of damage were yet to be officially disclosed, the incident disrupted commercial activities in the busy area. The outbreak comes days after a similar fire incident at the Great Nigeria Insurance House on Lagos Island, where emergency agencies battled a major blaze that affected a high-rise building used for storing clothing materials. Authorities have continued to urge market operators and building occupants to observe strict fire safety measures to prevent future disasters.

LPG Marketers Accuse Dangote Refinery of Blocking Gas Loading for Over One Month After Full Payment, Allege Product Diversion, Preferential Pricing and Financial Losses

Some Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) marketers have accused the Dangote Refinery of deliberately frustrating their operations by preventing them from loading LPG products more than a month after full payment was made. The aggrieved marketers told SaharaReporters that despite settling proforma invoices and meeting all financial obligations, access to the Dangote gantry has remained blocked, leaving many traders in severe financial distress. Several marketers said they borrowed heavily from banks to fund their allocations and are now burdened with high interest costs due to prolonged delays.

The marketers further alleged that LPG already paid for is being diverted by the refinery for the production of polypropylene, while independent traders are sidelined. They also criticised what they described as an inefficient and opaque loading system, claiming FAN tickets take weeks to process and that traders are restricted to loading only one truck every two weeks, often requiring insider connections. Additional complaints include alleged preferential pricing for consortium members, uncompetitive margins for independent marketers, the sale of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) in US dollars, and pricing structures that make profitability nearly impossible for traders relying on bank loans.

Responding to the allegations, Dangote Group’s Chief Communications Officer, Tony Chiejina, dismissed the criticisms, stating that the refinery’s impact would become clearer over time and highlighting Nigeria’s improved fuel availability during festive periods. He also hinted at what he described as an impending “big revolution” in LPG, urging critics to be patient as the refinery’s long-term benefits unfold.

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Ohanaeze Ndigbo Declares Annual Thanksgiving Day To Commemorate Igbo Survival Of Nigeria-Biafra Civil War

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has officially designated the last Sunday of every January as an annual thanksgiving day to commemorate the survival of the Igbo people during the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War of 1967–1970. The resolution was unanimously adopted during the group’s Imeobi meeting held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Enugu.

Announcing the decision, Ohanaeze’s Deputy President General, Prince Okechukwu Nwadinobi, explained that the thanksgiving day is meant to acknowledge what the organisation describes as divine intervention that spared the Igbo from total annihilation during the war. He stated that all Igbo people are encouraged to attend church services on the chosen day to express gratitude to God for preservation and survival amid the horrors of the conflict.

Nwadinobi noted that the leadership of Ohanaeze, under Senator Azuta Mbata, considered it necessary to institutionalise the annual thanksgiving, stressing that without God, the support of a few Nigerians, and intervention from the international community, the Biafran cause and the Igbo people might not have survived. He recalled that the war was marked by deliberate attempts to wipe out Biafra, making survival itself a profound historical milestone worthy of remembrance.

Beyond the thanksgiving initiative, Nwadinobi outlined several interventions undertaken by the current Ohanaeze leadership to safeguard Igbo interests nationwide. These include a high-level delegation to Lagos over the demolition of Igbo-owned businesses in Festac Town and the Trade Fair Complex, engagement with affected traders after the Mandilas Plaza fire incident, and the formation of professional teams to guide Igbo entrepreneurs on best business practices.

He also disclosed a new partnership between Ohanaeze and Otu Oka Iwu, a body of legal experts, aimed at providing free legal services to Ndigbo on issues affecting their welfare and rights.

In a goodwill message, former Archbishop of the Enugu Anglican Communion, Dr. Emmanuel Olisa Chukwu, welcomed the resolution, describing it as spiritually significant. Recounting his near-death experience during the war, including the Asaba genocide, the cleric said the decision resonated deeply with the Igbo people, whom he described as deeply religious and sustained by faith through decades of hardship.

UN Condemns Maiduguri Mosque Suicide Bombing, Urges Enhanced Security As Insecurity Persists In Borno

The United Nations has strongly condemned a suicide bomb attack on a mosque at Gamboru Market in Maiduguri, Borno State, which occurred on Wednesday evening during prayers and resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. The attack has intensified fears over the persistent insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s North-East region, particularly during the festive season.

In a statement issued on Christmas Day, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, described the incident as a grave assault on civilians and a direct violation of freedom of worship. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the victims, the Borno State Government, and residents of the state, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Fall joined Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, in condemning the “heinous attack” and echoed the governor’s call for heightened vigilance and stronger security measures during the festive period and beyond. He warned that the bombing was part of a disturbing pattern of violent attacks recorded in Borno State in 2025, with civilians continuing to bear the brunt of the conflict.

Recalling previous deadly incidents, including the September 5 attack on Darajamal in Bama Local Government Area where over 50 civilians were killed, the UN official highlighted the continued use of suicide bombings, improvised explosive devices, and targeted assaults against communities, displaced persons, farmers, traders, and travellers.

Reaffirming the UN’s stance, Fall urged all parties involved in the conflict to prioritise the protection of civilians and respect international humanitarian and human rights laws. He assured that the United Nations would continue to support government efforts and provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the ongoing conflict in north-east Nigeria.

Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu Condoles Victims Of Great Nigeria House Fire, Visits Balogun As Emergency Agencies Battle Inferno

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed deep sorrow over the devastating fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria House located in the Balogun area of Lagos Island, describing the incident as painful and distressing for victims and business owners affected by the disaster. The governor conveyed his condolences in a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, December 25, 2025.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that he personally visited the Balogun axis to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the inferno, stressing that the magnitude of loss suffered by traders and occupants could not be fully conveyed through written reports alone. According to him, witnessing the aftermath firsthand provided a clearer understanding of the pain, destruction, and economic setback faced by those impacted.

The governor commended firefighters, emergency responders, and relevant agencies for their swift and coordinated response, noting that their courage and dedication helped contain the blaze and prevented it from spreading to nearby buildings. He acknowledged that their timely intervention saved lives and reduced what could have been an even more catastrophic incident in the densely populated commercial hub.

Sanwo-Olu assured affected individuals that the Lagos State Government would continue to assess the situation and provide necessary support to victims as recovery efforts progress. Reaffirming the resilience of Lagos residents, he stated that the state has always demonstrated strength in moments of adversity and expressed confidence that the affected community would recover.

The fire outbreak, which reportedly started on the upper floors of the multi-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House, disrupted commercial activities around Martins Street and raised concerns over the safety of goods stored in the building, which is widely used for warehousing clothing materials. Officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that several floors were affected, though no casualties had been recorded as of the latest update.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, as emergency teams remain on ground to ensure safety and prevent further incidents. Business owners and workers in the area continue to await a clearer assessment of losses amid fears of significant material damage.

Pandemonium In Anambra Market As Hoodlums Invade Emordi Shoe Dealers’ Market In Onitsha, Brutally Attack Traders And Leave Many Hospitalised

Chaos erupted at the Emordi Shoe Dealers’ Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, after suspected hoodlums stormed the market in broad daylight and launched a violent attack on traders, leaving several people seriously injured. Eyewitnesses described the invasion as coordinated and terrifying, with traders beaten indiscriminately and phones allegedly seized and destroyed to prevent documentation. Victims accused a former market chairman, Nwabueze Umeh, of masterminding the assault amid a prolonged leadership dispute and alleged land corruption. Several injured traders, including the incumbent chairman, Okwudili Anigbogu, are currently receiving medical treatment, as frightened traders appeal to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for urgent intervention to restore peace and safety.

#AnambraState
#OnitshaMarket
#MarketViolence

NSCDC Operative Allegedly Shoots Five Traders At Jos Market As Rights Groups Petition IGP Egbetokun, Attorney-General For Justice

An operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has allegedly shot and injured five unarmed traders at the Bukuru Filin Sarki Market in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, sparking outrage from civil society groups and community leaders. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, December 21, 2025, with the victims sustaining gunshot injuries while conducting lawful business activities. In response, human rights organisations and peace advocates have petitioned the NSCDC Commandant-General, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the National Human Rights Commission, demanding the arrest and prosecution of the officer involved. The petition describes the shooting as a gross abuse of power and a violation of constitutional and international human rights laws, calling for an independent investigation, compensation for victims, and institutional reforms to prevent future abuses.