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Senate urges FG to halt scrapping of video censors board

The Senate has asked the Federal Government to follow due process in the scrapping and merging of many ministries, parastatals, agencies, commissions and boards to cut the cost of governance.

Earlier, the government said it would implement the Steve Oronsaye committee report, which recommended scrapping ministries, including the National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB), to save costs.

But the lawmakers feel the National Assembly should be consulted before such a move is made.

They stated this on Tuesday during a debate on a motion on the “Urgent Need to Halt the Violation of the National Film and Video Censors Board.”

The motion, which was moved by Senator Ogoshi Onawo, indicated that a presidential committee chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, had started implementing the Oronsaye report without recourse to the Legislature.

According to him, a cabinet memo signed by Akume has directed that the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, mandate the immediate dissolution of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFCVB), which will now be integrated as a department within the ministry instead of operating as a separate federal agency.

The motion further stated that the Senate is concerned that the directive violates the National Film and Video Censors Board Act, Cap 40, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as amended.

According to him, the government’s move would amount to “illegality” insofar as it was not referred to the National Assembly for the necessary legislative input.

In its resolution, the Senate advised the SGF and the minister to suspend the winding down of the National Film and Video Censors Board forthwith, if it’s true that the government had indeed commenced the scrapping of the NFVCB.

Meanwhile, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, told his colleagues to tread with caution, especially as there was no evidence linking Akume’s memo to the Oronsaye committee report.

“If they are implementing it, all the Acts will be brought before parliament for repeal in line with the due process,” Akpabio said.

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NAFDAC seals Abuja supermarket over sale and distribution of banned, unregistered, and counterfeit products

The National Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has sealed up a supermarket located in Maitama, Abuja, for the sale and distribution of banned, unregistered, and counterfeit regulated products.

A statement from the agency says the supermarket also obstructed NAFDAC officers during the enforcement of regulatory actions.

During an initial visit, NAFDAC stated that its inspectors discovered several banned and unregistered items.

“Despite being invited to the Agency for further investigation, the supermarket’s management refused to comply.

“This prompted a follow-up operation by an enforcement team, during which the team also faced obstruction.”the statement read

The agency added that items seized from the premises include unregistered pet food, banned imported soaps, and counterfeit or re-bagged rice, among others.

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Lagos sales manager remanded, accused of stealing N32.2m from boss

A 25-year-old sales manager, Olatunbosun Olarewaju, has been remanded in Ikoyi Prison after being accused of masterminding a shocking N32.2 million theft from his employer, just months after securing the job.

The police at Adeniji Adele Division, Lagos Island, said Olarewaju allegedly abused the trust of his boss, Mr Victor Ibe, by selling goods worth N32.2 million and diverting the proceeds into multiple personal accounts before disappearing.

According to police investigators, the lid was blown off the alleged scheme when Ibe conducted an audit and discovered a massive shortfall in stock value.

Acting swiftly, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, launched an intelligence-driven manhunt that led to Olarewaju’s arrest at a hideout in Lagos.

Following the investigation led by Sergeant Abraham Friday, Olarewaju was arraigned before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

Prosecuting counsel, Inspector Ishola Samuel, told the court that the offences took place between August 2024 and April 14, 2025, at 23 Princess Street, Lagos Island.

He said Olarewaju, entrusted with managing and selling his employer’s goods, instead chose to divert millions of naira into his private coffers.

The offences, Samuel said, contravened Sections 411 and 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Olarewaju, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Presiding Magistrate A.A. Paul granted him bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum, but ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until he meets the conditions.

The case has been adjourned until May 27, 2025, for further mention.

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Military kills over 100 terrorists, rescue 21 hostages — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has announced major successes in its ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-oil theft operations across Nigeria, with over 100 terrorists killed, 100 suspects arrested, and 21 kidnapped victims rescued between April 17 and 25, 2025.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed the achievements in a statement on Friday.

Kangye noted that coordinated offensives across the North East, North West, North Central, South South, and South East regions yielded substantial results.

“In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched aggressive offensives leading to the surrender of ISWAP/JAS elements and the elimination of dozens of terrorists,” Kangye said.

In the North West, troops under Operation Fagge Yamma neutralized several insurgents, arrested suspects, and rescued victims in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina States.

In the North Central zone, Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke also recorded significant success. Between April 18–22, troops acting on credible intelligence arrested over 37 criminal suspects in Plateau and Kaduna States.

In the South East, troops under Operation Udoka carried out successful raids in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi States, killing terrorists, arresting suspects, and recovering arms and explosives. Notably, four kidnapped victims were rescued during these missions.

In the South South, troops of Operation Delta Safe targeted illegal refining sites and oil theft networks, destroying equipment and seizing crude oil and petroleum products worth over ₦94 million.

“Between April 18 and 22, troops made contact with terrorists in several communities, seizing weapons, mobile phones, motorcycles, and IEDs,” Kangye added

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