Colombia’s Vice-President, Francia Márquez, says discussions are underway with Nigerian aviation stakeholders on the possibility of starting direct flights between both countries as part of efforts to expand bilateral relations.

Márquez made this known on Monday during a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where she was received by President Bola Tinubu, according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The visit coincided with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on political consultations, formalised during the Nigeria–Colombia bilateral meeting and business forum in Abuja. The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and Colombia’s Deputy Minister for Multilateral Affairs, Mauricio Jaramillo Jassir.

Speaking at the forum, Márquez said aviation was one of several key areas identified for strengthening cooperation between the two nations, while noting that Nigeria and Colombia share significant cultural and historical similarities.

“We have had a meeting with the business leaders in aviation on the need to start direct flights to Colombia,” she said, adding that the partnership would also advance social justice, gender equality, and inclusivity in both countries.

President Tinubu, while addressing the Colombian delegation of senior officials and business leaders, pledged Nigeria’s commitment to deepening ties. He said agreements already reached with Brazil in aviation and consular matters could be replicated with Colombia to strengthen diplomatic and economic engagement.

“Our business opportunities with Colombia have already been enhanced. I support every aspect that you have agreed on,” Tinubu said. “Particularly for Colombia, the agreement we entered with Brazil can easily be replicated in aviation, and our diplomatic relations can be enhanced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will accelerate that.”

Among Nigerian officials present at the meeting were Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President; Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; and Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development.

As Nigeria continues to battle insecurity across various regions, particularly in rural and forested areas, poor infrastructure has remained a significant obstacle to timely and effective security responses. However, new federal road projects under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are being hailed as a transformative step toward strengthening national security and emergency response.

For years, ungoverned spaces, ranging from dense forests in the South to rugged terrains in the North, have provided safe havens for kidnappers, bandits, and terrorists. These criminals often exploit Nigeria’s inadequate road networks, making it difficult for security forces to reach affected communities or track down armed groups in remote locations.

Despite increased investment in security operations, operatives are frequently delayed by impassable roads, giving criminals the upper hand in launching attacks and escaping undetected.

“The key to defeating these threats lies in the physical presence of security personnel in these hard-to-reach areas,” said a senior security official. “But without proper roads, we are always one step behind.”

In response, the Federal Government has intensified efforts to revamp and expand Nigeria’s road infrastructure using durable concrete technology, which offers longer-lasting solutions to the country’s infrastructure deficit.

Among the flagship projects are:

• 1,068-km Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway (connecting North West to South West)
• 750-km Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway (linking the South West, South-South, and South East)
• 477-km Trans-Saharan Highway (Calabar–Ebonyi–Kogi–Benue–Nasarawa–FCT corridor)
• 422-km Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Expressway (North Central to North East)

According to the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, these road projects are not just about improving transportation—they are about national security. “Concrete roads will enhance access to communities previously cut off from government presence, reduce transportation costs, and most importantly, allow for faster emergency and security response,” he said.

Experts say the new roads will integrate advanced technologies, including AI-powered traffic cameras, GPS tracking systems, IoT sensors, and satellite imaging to support real-time monitoring and operational coordination.

Complementing Roads with Security Infrastructure

Alongside road development, the Ministry of Police Affairs, led by Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, is rolling out a complementary security architecture. This includes:

• National Criminal Data Fusion Centre (NCDFC): Now 90% complete, designed to promote inter-agency intelligence collaboration.
• National Crime and Incident Database Centres (NCIDB): Already operational and aggregating biometric data of suspects and witnesses across police divisions.

Some divisional police stations are now piloting biometric data collection to prevent criminals from evading justice by simply relocating.

States and Local Governments Urged to Act

While the Federal Government handles major trunk A roads, state and local governments are being urged to rehabilitate trunk B and C roads to ensure seamless movement of security personnel within local jurisdictions.

States like Lagos, Kano, Edo, and Oyo have already established Command and Control Centres, enabling real-time surveillance and faster incident response. In addition, the National Public Security Project, now under concession, has launched toll-free emergency lines and is rolling out smart divisional police stations in locations such as Mpape (Abuja), Akaeze (Ebonyi), and Ekinrin-Adde (Kogi).

A New Dawn for Security in Nigeria?

The convergence of improved road networks, smart policing technologies, and centralized criminal databases marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to national security. Analysts believe that criminals will find it increasingly difficult to hide or operate freely, as improved infrastructure tightens the security net.

More importantly, citizens in previously neglected regions can now look forward to greater government presence, quicker emergency response, and safer communities.

As Nigeria turns a corner in its battle against insecurity, concrete roads may very well be paving the way, both literally and strategically, towards a more secure and prosperous nation.

The Federal Government has admitted that Nigerian embassies and consulates around the world are facing serious financial difficulties, with staff salaries, allowances, and rents left unpaid.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, attributed the problems to years of budget shortfalls and the recent impact of foreign exchange policy changes.

According to the ministry, the financial strain has disrupted the effective running of several missions, leaving locally recruited staff unpaid, home-based officers without their allowances, and missions indebted to landlords and service providers.

“The ministry is aware of the challenges that limited funding has placed on the operations of our missions, ranging from delayed staff salaries to unpaid rents and unsettled obligations to service providers,” the statement explained.

It added that Nigerian diplomatic posts are not exempt from the country’s economic realities, noting that inadequate funding over time has undermined their ability to fully discharge their diplomatic responsibilities.

Despite this, the ministry assured Nigerians that the welfare of foreign service officers and their families remains a priority for President Bola Tinubu’s administration. It disclosed that special intervention funds had already been released to ease the situation, with over 80 per cent of available resources directed to settling staff salaries, claims, and service provider arrears.

To ensure accountability, the government has set up a verification committee to review the debt records of missions and confirm the legitimacy of payments.

The ministry also revealed ongoing collaboration with the Office of the Accountant-General to recover 2024 budget shortfalls linked to exchange rate fluctuations under recent monetary reforms. The first tranche of relief funds has already been disbursed, with some missions confirming receipt, while a second tranche is being processed with the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Looking forward, the ministry said efforts are underway to establish a more sustainable funding model for embassies and consulates, aligning with wider fiscal reforms to strengthen resource management and governance.

While acknowledging the patience of diplomatic staff, service providers, and host countries, the ministry expressed optimism that the financial setbacks are temporary.

“We are confident these challenges will be overcome through the ongoing reforms. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad and upholding the country’s diplomatic presence globally,” the statement concluded.

A shocking incident occurred in Niger State where a female food vendor, identified as Amaye, was attacked and burnt alive after being accused of making blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad. The tragedy unfolded on August 30 in Kasuwan-Garba, Mariga Local Government Area, following a verbal exchange that spiraled out of control.

According to eyewitnesses, the altercation began in Igwama community when a young man, said to be Amaye’s nephew, jokingly told her he intended to marry her to “fulfil the Sunnah.” Reports suggest Amaye responded with remarks that some locals deemed insulting to the Prophet.

The issue was subsequently taken before the District Head of Kasuwan-Garba. During questioning, the woman allegedly repeated the remarks, leading the traditional ruler to hand her over to security operatives for further action. However, tensions escalated rapidly.

As security officers attempted to escort her, a mob of enraged youths demanded her execution. Despite the intervention of security personnel, the crowd reportedly overpowered them, stoned the woman, and eventually set her ablaze. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and deeply disturbing.

The Niger State Police Command condemned the act, describing it as an unlawful resort to jungle justice. Police spokesman, Superintendent Wasi’u Abiodun, confirmed that officers had received reports of the alleged blasphemy around 2pm and rushed to the scene, but the mob carried out the attack before reinforcements could restore order.

He stressed that investigations are ongoing and promised that those behind the killing would be tracked down and prosecuted. The command also appealed for calm, urging residents to avoid taking laws into their own hands.

Niger State police command says it has intensified efforts and investigations to arrest the perpetrators of the recent alleged blasphemy that led to the gruesome death of food vendor, Amaye.

Through its spokesman, SP Wasi’u Abiodun, the police reiterated their stance against jungle justice and assured that every effort is being made to apprehend, investigate, and prosecute the culprits, while restoring peace and normalcy to the affected area.

The family of Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has been thrown into mourning following the death of her younger sister, Ruth Otabor.

Ruth passed away in the early hours of Sunday, August 31, 2025, at about 6:30 a.m., weeks after she was involved in a tragic accident in Auchi, Edo State. 

Her death was confirmed in a statement issued by Eko Solicitors & Advocates on behalf of the family and later shared by Phyna on her Instagram handle.

“With a heavy heart, the family regrets to announce the passing on to glory of their daughter, sister, and mother on this 31st Day of August, 2025, at about 06:30Hrs,” the statement read. The family also requested privacy while they grieve, adding that burial arrangements would be announced in due course.

Ruth’s death came just over two weeks after she was hit by a truck linked to the Dangote Group near Auchi Polytechnic, an incident that left her critically injured.

Ruth’s Condition Before Her Passing

Before her death, Phyna had repeatedly taken to Instagram Live to cry out about the worsening health of her sister and delays in her evacuation abroad for treatment.

She revealed that beyond her amputated leg, Ruth had suffered extensive internal injuries that left her in a fragile condition.

“Her lungs have fluid. Her reproductive organ is crushed. Her bladder is busted. We are praying every day for her to get to the next day. And you’re trying to outsmart me… I cannot use my sister’s life to gamble,” Phyna lamented.

In another video, she criticized the perceived delays in getting swift medical intervention for Ruth. 

 “If Dangote’s child is sick, do they wait for medical reports to say she cannot be treated in Nigeria before flying her out? Why then are they stressing me? My sister’s lungs have fluid, her bladder is busted, and her reproductive organ is crushed. We are praying for her to survive each day, and they are wasting precious time with paperwork. This is heartbreaking.”

Family’s Reaction to Her Death

Confirming the sad development, the family expressed heartbreak at the loss, describing Ruth as not just a daughter and sister but also a loving mother.

“The family is presently grieving and will appreciate being given a private moment to mourn the departed. The funeral arrangement will be communicated to the public in due course,” the family said in their statement.

Relatives also shared memories of Ruth, recalling her warmth and affectionate nature. A family source told reporters:

“We will miss her. We had thought she would survive after she started recuperating. She was very loving to be with. We used to call her Bobo, which was her nickname.”

Dangote Group’s Position

Following the accident, Dangote Group had taken responsibility for Ruth’s medical expenses, stating that it was committed to her care in line with its welfare policy.

After her passing, representatives of the company were contacted and reportedly evacuated her remains to the mortuary. A family source disclosed that they expect the company to also handle her burial expenses.

The group, in earlier statements, noted that its team engaged with law enforcement officials, visited the accident scene, and supported the family during her treatment. It pledged full medical assistance and compensation while investigations into the incident continue.

Ruth Otabor’s death closes a heartbreaking chapter for the Otabor family, who had held on to hope despite her critical condition. 

For many, her story also raises renewed conversations about emergency medical responses, corporate accountability, and the need for urgent reform in Nigeria’s  road safety systems.