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FG Plans 70,000 Investment in Telecom Towers

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Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has revealed that the Federal Government is preparing investments in 70,000 telecommunications towers of which over 80 per cent of them will be based in the northern part of the country.

 

The goal, according to him, is to close the existing connectivity gap and to make Nigeria the most inclusive digital economy in Africa where no community is left behind.

The Minister, who was speaking in Katsina State during the Arewa Tech Fest 2.0, hosted by the state government, further announced that the 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic network, aimed at connecting every corner of Nigeria, remains one of Federal Government’s biggest investments in the digital space.

“Under president Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, we have focus on foundational initiatives that can unlock national productivity,” Tijani said.

“One of our biggest investments in the digital space is the 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic network aimed at connecting every corner of the country.

“In addition to this, the government is preparing investments in 70,000 telecommunications towers of which over 80 percent of them will be based in the Northern part of Nigeria to close the existing connectivity gap. Our goal is to make Nigeria the most inclusive digital economy in Africa where no community is left behind.

He noted that, under President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, his Ministry has focused on foundational initiatives that can unlock national productivity.

“This tech festival today is not just an event, it has a strong signal from Katsina, the Arewa states and a signal that Arewa is ready.

“I therefore challenge participants, particularly the innovators in the room, that you don’t need to move to Lagos or Abuja to be successful, all you need is also not to wait for formation, because all you need is yourself and your formation.

“We are building a Nigeria that works for everyone in a nation where being born in Katsina or Kano is not at the disadvantage but a strategic advantage.

“The future of Nigeria and that of Africa is not being written in the silicon valley of Lagos or Abuja but being written right here today in Katsina,” he said.

Tijani advised young people to showcase their innovations for investors and philanthropists to see what they can do to assist them.

One of the participants, Jafar Alabi, advised colleagues to embrace artificial intelligence in their works in order to move forward and not be left behind.

Earlier in an interview, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Dr Muttaka Rabe Darma, said he expects a lot of positive changes at the end of the festival where participants are expected to develop solutions to lingering socioeconomic and security challenges facing Katsina State.

He believes that at the end of the day, Katsina State will be the greatest beneficiary and will transit from the analog economy to digital one.

About 10,000 technology investors and technology initiators attended the Arewa Tech Fest 2.0 which is the second version of its kind.

The first version of the festival tagged: “Innovating for Impact”: Technology as a Catalyst for Economic Transformation, took place last year in Kano State with a resounding success, with stakeholders poised to ensure that they triple the success of Kano in Katsina State.

The main objective of this festival is to transform Katsina from analog to digital state and to make it a technology driven economy which is obtainable in the developed countries around the world.

An open invitation was hitherto extended to entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, government institutions, academia, development partners, media, and the general public to take part in this historic festival.

Participants cut across from 19 Northern States including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja gathered not only to share success stories regarding the tech fest but also to share failures, challenges and setbacks faced in the course of their digital journey.

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VIDEO: Woman’s Assault on Teenage Daughter Sparks Reactions in La

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Public outrage has trailed a viral video showing a woman allegedly assaulting her 15-year-old daughter at 32 Tashoro Street, near Ipaja in Lagos State.

 

The disturbing footage, which surfaced in the early hours of Wednesday April 29, showed a woman in a yellow shirt straddling the teenager while holding a knife above her after reportedly beating her near the entrance of a residential compound.

Bystanders were seen intervening during the incident, though the condition of the girl remained unclear.

The video was shared by an X user identified as #Dir_Martinsz, who wrote,, “A 15 years old is mistreated and abused by her mother. And stab the 15 years old girl. 💔😢

“Please let nigeria come for her rescue and tag right authorities 🙏🏽 check quote for video The location is 32 tashoro street, opeki bus stop off ayobo road.”

The incident has sparked widespread reactions online, with many users calling on the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by the police or Lagos State authorities regarding the incident.

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Bola Ahmed Tinubu Meets Plateau Stakeholders Behind Closed Doors

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resident Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with a delegation of Plateau State stakeholders led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The delegation arrived at the Villa at about 1:00 p.m. for the meeting, which was scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.

The discussions lasted several hours, though details of the deliberations were not made public.

The meeting is understood to be a follow-up to the President’s recent visit to Plateau State in the aftermath of the deadly Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos.

The closed-door session comes approximately four weeks after the March 29 attack, when gunmen opened fire at a busy junction in Jos, killing at least 28 people, including university students and staff, and injuring 22 others.

The incident triggered widespread fear and heightened security concerns across the state, with sporadic violence reported in areas surrounding the University of Jos.

In response to the deteriorating security situation at the time, authorities ordered the evacuation and temporary closure of the university, while additional security personnel were deployed to restore order and prevent further escalation.

President Tinubu subsequently visited Jos on April 2, where he met with government officials, traditional rulers, and families of victims.

Governor Mutfwang, during the President’s visit, indicated that stakeholders would need sufficient time to adequately brief him on the situation—a request Tinubu granted on the spot.

During the visit, Tinubu expressed condolences and assured residents of the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in the state.

He also called for decisive action against those responsible for the attack, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.

As part of measures to strengthen security nationwide, the President announced plans for the deployment of about 5,000 surveillance cameras to enhance monitoring and support law enforcement operations. The Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, was tasked with overseeing the implementation of the initiative.

President Tinubu, Governor Mutfwang and the APC Chairman during the President’s visit to Jos

 

Governor Mutfwang had described the attack as a temporary setback, expressing optimism that Plateau State would recover and continue its trajectory towards peace, tourism, and stability.

He also commended security agencies for their response efforts.

Despite these assurances, residents have continued to call for sustained and comprehensive security measures to guarantee long-term safety across affected communities.

Tension remained high following a series of deadly attacks and rising casualties across several communities in March and early April.

In the aftermath, the death toll from the Angwan Rukuba attack in Jos North later rose to 33, as some victims died in the hospital. The Plateau State Government confirmed the updated figure and vowed to investigate the motive behind the killings while assuring residents that efforts were underway to restore peace.

Authorities also released three youths earlier arrested in connection with the incident, following protests that disrupted funeral proceedings. The demonstrations, led by residents and youths, reflected growing frustration over repeated attacks and alleged injustice in arrests.

 

The protesters accused the military of unlawfully arresting the three youths.

 

Violence continued in multiple areas, including Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Kanam, where fresh attacks in April left several more people dead, including entire families and a pastor’s household.

Security forces reported some operational successes, including the killing of 10 suspected terrorists and the recovery of weapons in coordinated operations.

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Gateway Polytechnic Students Regain Freedom After Police Rescue Operation

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The Ogun State Police Command says its operatives have rescued five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, who were abducted by armed criminals in the Saapade area of the state.

According to a press statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, the incident occurred on Monday, April 27, 2026, at about 10:55 p.m., when Ipara Division received a distress report of a suspected kidnapping.

“Acting promptly, a patrol team was deployed to the scene where an ash-coloured Toyota vehicle was discovered abandoned.

“The vehicle had visible bullet impacts and blood stains, while mobile phones and other personal belongings were recovered from it,” Babaseyi said.

He added that further examination of the scene revealed an identity card belonging to a student of the institution, confirming that the occupants of the vehicle were students.

This development necessitated the immediate escalation of the incident and activation of a full-scale rescue operation.

“In line with standard operational procedures, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, promptly ordered the deployment of tactical units and directed an intelligence-led rescue operation to safely locate and rescue the victims,” the statement read.

He added that acting on this directive, operatives of Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit, the Quick Response Squad, and OP MESA were swiftly mobilised.

The operative also conducted coordinated bush combing and tracking operations along suspected escape routes.

According to the police, sustained operational pressure led to the successful rescue of the five victims from the custody of the abductors on 28th April 2026.

“The victims were immediately evacuated, debriefed, and taken for medical attention due to conditions sustained while in captivity,” Babaseyi stated.

The PPRO also stated that during the rescue operation, the kidnappers engaged operatives in a gun duel but were overwhelmed by superior firepower and tactical response, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.

He disclosed that no casualty was recorded among security operatives.

 

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