News
Panic in Bauchi over ‘strange’ hovering aircraft
Residents of communities in Bauchi state are currently in panic mode because of a strange aircraft hovering over the sky.
A resident who spoke to Nationwide Reports in confidence said the panic was triggered by the fear that the aircraft may be monitoring team for bandits or illegal miners.
He said the people are worried even after the state government had recently bought motorcycles and other equipment for vigilantes to fight terrorists and bandits.
Reacting to the development, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, operating under the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MinDiver) Project, a World Bank-assisted initiative said there was no need for people to panic as the aircraft was on a national assessment.
A statement by Ishaku KIGBU, the Media/Communication Officer of the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver) at the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja, was released to journalists in Bauchi on Sunday.
The statement explained that the Ministry is currently conducting an airborne geophysical survey to determine precise mineral locations and geological data.
He said that the initiative aims to enhance economic diversification by providing accurate geological information and data to attract investments in the solid minerals sector, aligning with the present administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
The activity is supported by the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver) and is carried out by an international consultant named Excalibur.
It involves the use of yellow-coloured small aircraft fitted with aeromagnetic lenses to conduct aeromagnetic surveys in selected states of the Federation, including Bauchi State.
After conducting thorough sensitisation in the state earlier, the Ministry emphasised that the activity is ongoing and that the state will witness the flying of these special aircraft at very low altitudes in a repeated pattern to capture magnetic anomalies.
The survey in Bauchi State will cover Alkaleri, Bauchi, Bogoro, Dass, Kirfi, Tafawa Balewa, and Toro Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development assures the affected LGAs and the public not to panic or entertain fears, as the activity is safe.
Given the prevailing security situation in the country, this reassurance is crucial to ensuring that misinformation or disinformation does not cause unnecessary concerns among the populace.
15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, have left the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Amaewhule disclosed the lawmakers’ decision during Friday’s plenary, attributing their defection to what he called a “clear division” within the PDP.
“Distinguished colleagues, very happily, let me announce that your Speaker has decided, and has indeed written to my ward chairman of my decision, to leave the PDP. APC is my new party,” Amaewhule said.
Amaewhule’s Deputy, Dumle Maol, is one of the 16 lawmakers that joined APC as well.
All the lawmakers, who have jumped ship, are core loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The Central Bank of Nigeria,has rolled out a new framework ito expedite handling of fraud accusations and refund victims.
Customers must report suspected fraudulent transactions within 72 hours under this draft guideline, and financial institutions have 16 working days to look into the matter and repay money.
The action comes in the wake of a dramatic increase in banking sector fraud.
According to data from the Financial Institutions Training Center, losses in the first quarter of 2025 increased to ₦3.29 billion, a startling 603 percent increase over the previous year. In the same time frame, reported cases also increased to 12,347.
The November 26, 2025, proposed regulations seek to improve bank accountability, expedite reimbursements, and boost prevention.
Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department Rita Sike signed the circular, which describes stricter regulations intended to prevent fraud before it occurs.
The apex bank’s ongoing fight against financial fraud has advanced with the adoption of this guidance. To enhance cooperation between operators, it established the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum in 2011.
It directed banks to establish specialized fraud bureaus four years later. By requiring BVN or NIN for account opening, it reinforced Know Your Customer checks in 2023.
Operatives of the Department of State Service have arrested a medical doctor treating wounded kidnappers inside the forest in different parts of Kwara State.
The suspect, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, was also involved in supplying drugs to kidnapping gangs operating in Kwara.
The DSS intercepted the medical doctor in the Jebba area after intelligence reports revealed that some couriers had been moving medical supplies from Sokoto to treat wounded bandits hiding in forests across the state.
A security official said many of the criminal groups have sustained gunshot injuries in recent encounters with forces.
The source said, “So, we are advising improved security measures in health facilities in thickly forested areas which the kidnappers may target.”
Confirming the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the arrest was another significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to combat banditry.
Ajakaye noted that the state government will continue to strengthen collaboration with security agencies to shut down all channels aiding kidnapping activities.
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