President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his regime is very concerned about the rising cost of foodstuff in the country.

Expressing concerns while appearing before the Senate on Friday, Mr Buhari said his regime was implementing various measures towards addressing structural factors responsible for the food crisis.

“Government is very concerned about the high food prices in the country. Various measures are being implemented to address structural factors underlying the issue. We’ll also step-up current efforts aimed at boosting food production and distribution in the country,” Mr Buhari said.

His remarks come as Nigerians continue to feel the burning effects of rising food prices brought on by the impact of inflation.

The average cost of five kilograms of cooking gas increased from N4,397.68 in July to N4,456.56 in August according to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics.(NBS)

The price of turkey, a popular protein diet in Nigerian dishes increased to N3,200 per kilo in stores as food scarcity occasioned by the pluming economy. However, the price has since continued to rise as inflation continues to increase.

According to NBS, food inflation in September increased to 23.12 per cent, its highest level in nearly 17 years, while core inflation increased to 17.2 per cent.

The Minister of Transportation, Mua’zu Jaji Sambo, has said no ransom was paid for the release of the remaining 23 victims of the Kaduna train attack.

The Minister disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday.

He said although diplomacy was involved in their release, no kobo was paid.

Recall that on March 28, 2022, terrorists planted explosive devices on the rail track, forcing the train headed for Kaduna to derail.

At least nine persons lost their lives while releases were secured at various intervals till 5th October, 2022, when the last batch of 23 victims were released.

Commenting on the development, the minister said, “On 11th August, the President Federal Republic of Nigeria received at the Presidential Villa relatives of the victims and further assurances was given to the fact that Government was working assiduously to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

“Before this visit, I have also in my capacity as the Minister of Transportation, having just resumed duty a few weeks, met and addressed the relatives of the kidnapped victims where I asked them to cooperate with security operatives if the need arises and assured them that their loved ones that has been kidnapped will be released as it is paramount to Government,” he said.

He said with their release, “this day will therefore remain memorable in the annals of the country and every person who contributed in any way to the release of the victims has every reason to be happy for contributing to the Nation’s glory.”

He noted that the FG suspended Commercial train services on that route since March.

“It is now six months and 7 days that the commercial train service on the route had been suspended and it is imperative to also let you know that the reconstruction and repairs of the damaged rail line was carried out by indigenous Engineers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation” he noted.

The Minister said with the entire victims now released, the ministry will begin the process of opening the Abuja-Kaduna train service.

He however noted that before the train service will resume, appropriate security measures will be out in place for the security of train service users.

He said in the next three months, a sustainable security architecture would have been put in place for the trains to resume.

The minister also indicated that the victims are receiving treatment and rehabilitation.

He pledged government support to enable them heal.

Attempts by the tramadol drug cartel to smuggle into Nigeria over two million four hundred and sixty-five thousand (2, 465, 000) tablets of the pharmaceutical opioid in 225mg and 250mg, weighing 2,356kgs, with an estimated street value of one billion, forty million naira (N1, 040, 000, 000) through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos have been foiled by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The seizure of the drug on Friday 7th October came barely a week after about 13.5million pills of the same opioid worth over N8.8billion were recovered by NDLEA operatives from one of the mansions of a billionaire drug baron in the highbrow residential estate, Victoria Garden City, VGC, Lekki Lagos.

Following credible intelligence, the Agency had shown interest in the consignment of 52 cartons that came into Nigeria from Karachi, Pakistan with six different airway bills via Ethiopian Airline flight, comprising seven cartons of 250mg of a brand called tamral and 45 cartons of 225mg, branded as tramaking.

Soon after its arrival at the Lagos airport, the NDLEA called for a joint examination of the consignment with other stakeholders and after its information was confirmed by all, the 52 cartons of the seized substance which are above the recommended threshold for medical use and banned in the country, were moved to the Agency’s facility.

In the same vein, another bid to export through the airport 15 parcels of cannabis and 600grams of tramadol 225mg concealed in a sack of crayfish to Dubai, UAE was equally thwarted by operatives who seized the consignment and subsequently arrested a freight agent, Osahor Alex Ekwueme, who presented it for export.

Weeks after NDLEA operatives intercepted 5.20kgs of cannabis concealed in kegs of palm oil going to Dubai at the NAHCO export shed of the airport, the brain behind the consignment, Ifeanyi Egbuwaohia, has been arrested in Igando area of Lagos.

Though Ifeanyi works as a technician at Computer Village, Ikeja but beneath his known business he also works with a drug network in Dubai, where he sends illicit drugs for distributions.

Few hours after his arrest, another consignment of 2.60kgs of the same substance sent by him for export to Dubai was also intercepted by operatives at the airport.

Another consignment of 1.30kgs of cannabis concealed in reconstructed engine blocks going to Dubai have also been seized at the SAHCO export shed while two persons: Olatunji Kehinde Temiola and Osemojoye Femi Sunday have been arrested in connection to the bid.

It is a miracle that Nigeria is still one till date, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said.

He spoke on Friday night at the 2022 International Youth Convention of the church.

His words: “I will tell you the truth: That Nigeria is still one up till this moment is a sign of a miracle, it shows God still answers prayers.

“But if you want something and you haven’t got it yet, you will pray more. After all, He (God) said “pray till your joy be full, whether you believe it or not, one day, and I believe it won’t be long, our joy will be full.”

The cleric went on to declare seven days of fasting and prayer, saying “there is a God on His throne and he still answers prayers.

“From November 26 to December 2, as many of you as possible are invited to fast and pray with me. It’s only for seven days. We want to pray surprisingly for ourselves. I will tell you more details later but whatever is going on in Nigeria today is the fault of us Christians.

“Why? Because God said if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, He said He will hear from heaven and heal our land. Who are the people to pray? My people.

“The church is the only organisation in the world that is bold enough to say we are children of God. So, we are the people called by His name that is why they call us Christians. We are the ones to pray if we want our land to be healed.”