The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has allocated ₦1.969 trillion to the Federal Government, states, and local government councils as Federation Account revenue for December 2025.

The committee announced this in a communiqué signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, following the FAAC meeting held in Abuja in January 2026.

According to the communiqué, the total distributable revenue included ₦1.084 trillion in statutory revenue, ₦846.507 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT), and ₦38.110 billion from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL).

FAAC stated that the total gross revenue available in December 2025 amounted to ₦2.585 trillion.

From this total, ₦104.697 billion was deducted as the cost of collection, while ₦511.585 billion was set aside for transfers, refunds, and savings.

The committee revealed that gross statutory revenue for the month was ₦1.631 trillion, marking a decrease of ₦105.202 billion compared to the ₦1.736 trillion recorded in November 2025.

In contrast, gross VAT revenue surged to ₦913.957 billion in December 2025, rising by ₦350.915 billion from the ₦563.042 billion collected the previous month.

From the total distributable revenue of ₦1.969 trillion, the Federal Government received ₦653.500 billion, state governments ₦706.469 billion, and local government councils ₦513.272 billion.

An additional ₦96.083 billion, representing 13 percent of mineral revenue, was allocated to oil-producing states as derivation revenue.

Out of the ₦1.084 trillion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received ₦520.807 billion, states ₦264.160 billion, and local governments ₦203.656 billion, while ₦96.083 billion was assigned to benefiting states as derivation revenue.

From the ₦846.507 billion distributable VAT revenue, the Federal Government received ₦126.976 billion, states ₦423.254 billion, and local government councils ₦296.277 billion.

The committee also reported that from the ₦38.110 billion EMTL revenue, the Federal Government received ₦5.717 billion, state governments ₦19.055 billion, and local government councils ₦13.338 billion.

FAAC noted that Companies Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Stamp Duties, import duties, and VAT recorded significant increases in December 2025, while oil and gas royalties, CET levies, and fees rose modestly.

However, Excise Duty, Petroleum Profit Tax, Hydrocarbon Tax, and EMTL recorded notable declines during the period.

The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, is spearheading the prosecution of nine suspects linked to the Yelwata killings in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The suspects are facing a 57-count charge of terrorism, accused of planning and executing attacks in Yelwata that resulted in the alleged killing of 150 people and the destruction of properties.

They are also alleged to have provided resources and sought support to facilitate the attacks.

The suspects were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where they are currently entering their plea.

All nine defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them by the Federal Government.

During proceedings, counsel for the defendants sought to make an oral application for bail.

However, the court refused, insisting that a formal bail application be filed.

The hearing for the bail application has been scheduled for February 26, 2026. Meanwhile, the suspects are to remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of the bail application.

The prosecution of the defendants is being led by AGF Lateef Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, highlighting the federal government’s commitment to bringing those responsible for the tragic incident to justice.

Eighty worshippers who escaped being kidnapped during a bandit attack on Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have returned to their homes.

Several others are still in captivity, as security agencies continue operations aimed at rescuing the abducted victims.

The village head, Ishaku Danazumi, confirmed the development, stating that the worshippers fled after gunmen invaded the community during a church service on January 18, 2026, abducting many people while others escaped to safety.

He said the returnees came back almost two weeks after the incident and were found to be in good condition.

According to Danazumi, although 80 worshippers avoided abduction, 86 others are still being held by the bandits.

Security sources said the return of the displaced residents followed intensified military offensives against bandit camps in Kajuru and adjoining forest areas.

The Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer in Kajuru visited the community, met the victims, and carried out profiling and debriefing.

Last month, more than 100 people were abducted when gunmen attacked three churches in the area.

The incident was initially denied by authorities after the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the state first reported it.

Days later, the Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the incident “did happen”.

Governor Uba Sani later visited Kurmin Wali community and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of those abducted.

“The people of Kurmin Wali, just like other communities in Kaduna State, have absolute trust and belief in our government. Because they know we are running an inclusive government.

“We protect the lives of everyone, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation. We are one in Kaduna State. And I’m happy the people of Kurmin Wali have understood that clearly.

“That is the reason why when we came in here, you can see how they received us warmly, even those that are mourning, even those that are grieving, they are with the government.”

United States authorities and several advocacy groups have also appealed to the government and security agencies to ensure the safe return of the remaining abductees.

Normal business activities resumed at the Onitsha Main Market on Monday as traders reopened their shops after a one-week closure ordered by the Anambra State Government.

The market was shut last week on the directive of Governor Chukwuma Soludo after some traders allegedly failed to comply with the state government’s instruction to ignore the Monday sit-at-home order.

The governor gave the order during an on-the-spot visit to the market, warning that the closure could be extended if traders continued to observe the sit-at-home directive. Security agencies were deployed to seal the market during the shutdown.

By Monday morning, activities had picked up significantly within the market. As early as 8:45 a.m., traders were seen opening shops across major sections including Lagos Line, Ado Line, Mandela Line, White House Line, Marine, Emeka Offor Plaza, Sokoto Road, Egerton area, Ose Foodstuff Market, and The Young Park. Observers noted that more than 70 percent of shops were open by 9:30 a.m., with buying and selling going on smoothly.

“It is clear that the traders are complying with government directives to ignore the sit-at-home order,” a Channels Television report observed during a visit to the market.

Security presence remained heavy as personnel patrolled different parts of the market to ensure safety as traders returned to business.

A trader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “We are here because the government has assured us of security. We cannot continue to lose our daily income.”

Despite the activity inside the market, the situation was different on major roads in Onitsha. Areas such as the Onitsha-Owerri Road, Upper Iweka, and Mkpikpa Road were largely deserted, with minimal vehicular movement. Major motor parks also remained closed.

The reopening followed warnings from the state government and security agencies against compliance with directives from non-state actors.

The Indigenous People of Biafra had earlier called for a sit-at-home across the South-East in solidarity with Onitsha traders. However, IPOB’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, dismissed the lockdown call as fake, describing it as “a calculated falsehood” and urging the public to ignore it.

The Anambra State Police Command also warned residents against misinformation spread on social media. “The Police Command has identified a deliberate pattern of coordinated social media posts aimed at spreading fear and panic among the public,” the statement said.

The police added that such actions were intended “to undermine public confidence and disrupt the peace currently enjoyed in the state,” while urging residents to rely on verified information and report suspicious activities.

“Members of the public are advised to disregard unverified social media content being propagated by non-state actors and to report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police formation,” the statement said.

Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and public safety in the state, as the Anambra State Government assured traders of full security coverage with the gradual return of economic activities.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has instituted a lawsuit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited over its alleged failure to properly account for N22.3bn, $49.7m, £14.3m and €5.2m in oil revenue.

The development was disclosed in a statement released on Sunday by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

The lawsuit follows allegations contained in the 2022 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which was published on September 9, 2025, and detailed several cases of unaccounted payments, abandoned projects, and questionable financial dealings by the national oil company.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/195/2026 and filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing the NNPCL to explain how the funds were spent or to recover them.

SERAP urged the court to “direct and compel the NNPCL to account for the alleged missing or diverted N22.3bn, $49.7m, £14.3m and €5.2m oil money.”

The organisation also asked the court to compel the company to “disclose the specific financial transactions carried out in respect of the alleged missing or diverted funds, including details of disbursement, the contractors involved and other individuals who collected the money.”

According to SERAP, the allegations point to longstanding accountability lapses within the NNPCL.

“The diverted or misappropriated oil revenues reflect a failure of NNPCL accountability more generally and are directly linked to the institution’s continuing failure to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability,” the organisation stated.

SERAP further noted that the alleged disappearance of the funds has had serious implications for Nigerians.

“The allegations have also undermined the economic development of the country, trapped the majority of Nigerians in poverty and deprived them of opportunities,” it said.

The organisation argued that granting the reliefs sought would help check impunity and rebuild public confidence in the management of Nigeria’s oil resources.

“Granting the reliefs sought would strike a blow against the impunity of those responsible for the missing or diverted oil money and ensure that the money is returned for the sake of NNPCL’s victims, Nigerians,” SERAP said.

In its court filings, SERAP pointed out that the Auditor-General had consistently raised alarm over missing oil revenues over the years.

“The Auditor-General has for many years documented reports of disappearance of oil money from the NNPCL. Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of these missing oil funds meant to provide essential public services,” the organisation stated.

SERAP also maintained that tackling corruption in the oil sector would significantly reduce poverty levels.

“Combating the corruption epidemic in the oil sector would alleviate poverty, improve access to basic public goods and services, and enhance the ability of the government to meet its human rights and anti-corruption obligations,” it said.

The suit, filed by SERAP’s legal team, Oluwakemi Agunbiade and Valentina Adegoke, cited several examples from the Auditor-General’s report, including payments for contracts allegedly abandoned, inflated, or carried out without proper documentation.

“The diverted or misappropriated oil revenues have further damaged the already precarious economy and contributed to very high levels of deficit spending and borrowing by the government,” the lawyers stated.

They added, “Despite the country’s enormous oil wealth, ordinary Nigerians have derived very little benefit from oil money primarily because of widespread grand corruption, including in the NNPCL, and the entrenched culture of impunity of perpetrators.”

SERAP concluded that the allegations amount to “a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, national anti-corruption laws, and Nigeria’s international obligations.”

No hearing date has been scheduled for the case.