News
NAPTIP Shuts PH Brothel Over Underage Sex Workers
The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raided and closed down a popular bar called ‘24 Hours Bar’ which also operates a brothel in Rumukurushi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
This was after a couple discovered that their 16-year-old daughter was working as a prostitute at the brothel.
The bar is alleged to be notorious for harbouring underage sex workers.
Investigations show that most young girls who were taken from their parents by family relatives or friends in the pretence of going to learn a trade, were found working as sex workers for a price ranging from ¦ 1,000 to ¦ 2,000 per customer.
It was later discovered that the underage girls were bought over by matured prostitutes from the agents who supplied them.
On arrival, the underage girls were given a room in the brothel by their new owners who are mature and senior prostitutes.
The underage girls were also reportedly given a target to remit ¦ 15,000 daily to their “madams” who are the senior and mature prostitutes in the brothel.
At the end of one year of service to the madam, the underage girls were settled by their madams with items such as bag of rice, an Android phone, a carton of tomatoes, and cash of ¦ 100, 000 to take back home.
The brothel has now been closed by NAPTIP with a warning sign “Closed by NAPTIP. Keep Off” written on the fence and gate, although it was not clear at the time of filing the report if arrests were made.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson for NAPTIP in Rivers State could not yield any results.
Meanwhile, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has secured the conviction of over 500 traffickers and rescued over 18,000 victims across the country from 2004 till date.
The Uyo Zonal Commander of the agency, Mr. Nduka Nwawene, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen, yesterday in Calabar.
Nwawene spoke in commemoration of this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is celebrated annually on July 30, following a United Nations’ declaration on the need to raise awareness on the plight of trafficked victims across the world.
The theme of the 2020 commemoration is: “Committed to the Cause: Working on the Frontline to End Human Trafficking”, which focuses on the efforts of first responders to the issue of trafficking.
The zonal commander said that women and girls constituted over 70 per cent of trafficked victims in Nigeria and the world, hence the importance of the commemoration to raise awareness.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.