Economy
FG Mobilises Officers For Rescue Operations, Investigation: Zamfara Mine Collapse
FG Mobilises Officers For Rescue Operations, Investigation: Zamfara Mine Collapse
FG mobilises officers for rescue operations, investigation: Zamfara Mine Collapse. Mr Alake bemoaned the tragedy, describing the loss of lives as both avoidable and unfortunate.
The Federal Government has mobilised rescue operations to Kadauri Community in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State where a mining pit collapsed and killed many miners.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, made the disclosure in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.
The incident which occurred on Thursday night trapped several artisanal miners, with 10 confirmed deaths by the Zamfara State Government.
The incident, which followed hours of rainfall, was linked to the influx of illegal miners in the state and irregularities in their operations.
Mr Alake said first responders in collaboration with state officials had begun rescue operations, adding that the site would be sealed off afterward.
He said federal mines officers in the state would lead the rescue operations, investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, and present a comprehensive report.
“The collapse, triggered by heavy rainfall and aggravated by the unlawful activities of illegal miners, trapped at least 15 itinerant mine workers. Thirteen of them have been recovered, tragically with no survivors.Efforts are on course to recover the remaining two, still trapped in the rubble,” he said.
Mr Alake bemoaned the tragedy, describing the loss of lives as both avoidable and unfortunate.
He described the collapse area as characterised by loose sand and traces of gold, suitable for alluvial mining.
According to him, once gold traces were discovered, illegal miners mobilised itinerant workers who rushed to the site with rudimentary tools, disregarding the environmental and safety risks inherent to the terrain.
He said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was tackling illegal mining in Zamfara State through military clearance operations coordinated by the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The minister stated that Zamfara State poses a unique challenge to tackling illegal mining because of its history of banditry before the current administration.
He pointed out that following improved security in the state, the ministry in December 2024 announced the lifting of the ban on exploration mining activities in Zamfara State.
According to the minister, since then, the Federal Government has intensified security operations in the state and in the North-West to ensure that full mining operations resume in earnest.
He said to further strengthen oversight and monitoring of mining sites nationwide, the ministry had commenced the process of installing satellite surveillance systems.
He added that the move would enable real-time monitoring and proactive responses to incidents such as the Zamfara State mine collapse while deterring illegal activities.

Zamfara Mine Collapse
Mr Alake reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to enforce zero tolerance for illegal mining, warning those involved to desist or face the full weight of the law.
He stated, “We will not relent until we rid this country of the nefarious activities of illegal miners. Despite our vast landmass, we remain undaunted.
With satellite surveillance and other enforcement measures underway, we aim to drastically reduce mine collapses across the country and tighten the noose around sponsors of illegal mining.”
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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