The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has kicked against a directive by the Central Bank of The Gambia ordering banks to sack non-Gambian employees.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NIDCOM, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the September 16 directive as deeply worrisome, saying it threatens the jobs of 57 Nigerian professionals.

Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement by NIDCOM spokesman Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) had given banks till December 31, 2026, to replace all non-Gambian staff with Gambians.

NIDCOM said the affected Nigerians work with four Nigerian-owned banks and hold valid residency and work permits.

The Commission noted that the four banks are major players in the Gambian economy, controlling 37.2 per cent of total deposits valued at GMD35.3 billion, 32.6 per cent of loans amounting to GMD7.67 billion and 37 per cent of industry assets worth GMD44.78 billion.

The banks, it added, also account for 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds and provided 90 per cent of funding for the National Water and Electricity Company, NAWEC.

While acknowledging The Gambia’s right to promote local employment, Dabiri-Erewa said such policy must respect existing contracts, valid work permits and ECOWAS protocols on free movement.

She said, “It is contradictory to encourage African investment and regional cooperation while displacing qualified African professionals.”

NIDCOM urged the apex bank to reverse the blanket directive and engage the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul and other stakeholders for an amicable resolution.

It also called on Gambian authorities to uphold the spirit of ECOWAS integration and the long-standing cordial relations between Nigeria and The Gambia.

The Chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Shindol Aaron, has cried out over the abduction of two visually impaired persons by suspected kidnappers along the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In a statement on Tuesday, Aaron said the victims were among nine persons selected to attend a training programme in Benue State.

He added that “They were selected to attend a training in Benue State and from what I gathered, they took off from Jos, and along the way, they got information that the event had been postponed to another day and they were asked to return to their station.”

He said it was on their way back to Jos that they encountered some kidnappers who abducted them.

“They were nine in the vehicle. Seven of them escaped, and two were abducted. So, right now, we have a male and a lady in their custody,” he disclosed.

According to him, the incident occurred around 8pm on Monday in Riyom Local Government Area.

He added, “This thing happened yesterday, Monday night around 8 pm around Riyom LGA.

“I have not spoken with the kidnappers, but I was told that they were asking for ransom from somebody who spoke with them.”

Aaron said the incident had been reported to security agencies and that efforts were being made to secure the victims’ release.

Another member of the association, who also confirmed the abduction, said the kidnappers had demanded a N50m ransom.

“The kidnappers have reached out, and they are demanding N50m before they could free the two persons in their custody.

“Where do they want us to get the money from?” the member asked.

A farmer, Samson Gabriel, has been allegedly hacked to death with a machete by his neighbour, Lekan Oyebamiji, following a disagreement over money in Akinlalu community, Osun State.

The incident, which occurred at the weekend , report says, sparked tension in the community, forcing some residents living close to the two men to flee their homes.

Residents said the disagreement between the neighbours escalated into a violent confrontation when Oyebamiji allegedly picked up a machete and attacked Gabriel, inflicting several injuries on him.

A community source said the suspect inflicted multiple cuts on the deceased, severing his wrist and leaving deep wounds on his head and other parts of his body.

“Oyebamiji macheted Gabriel to death. Gabriel was a farmer. They are neighbours. Many people living close to them have fled their homes to avoid being arrested by the police. During the argument, the suspect reached for his cutlass and inflicted several cuts on the deceased,” the source said.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Command said Oyebamiji had been arrested in connection with the killing.

The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said preliminary information indicated that the incident followed a disagreement over money between the two neighbours.

Ojelabi added that the police had commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.