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SSB Tax: Should Private Profits Supersede Public Health?

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By Robert Egbe Nigeria’s shift toward a pro-health review of the tax payable by manufacturers of non-alcoholic, sweetened, and carbonated drinks, commonly known as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), has reached a critical moment. Last November, the Senate Joint Committee on Finance, Customs and Excise convened a public hearing in Abuja to consider a bill seeking to amend the existing excise duty framework for SSBs. The bill before the National Assembly, formally titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend Section 21(3) of the Customs, Excise Tariffs, Etc. (Consolidation) Act to Replace the Fixed Ten Naira (N10) Per Litre Excise Duty on Non-Alcoholic, Carbonated Sugar-Sweetened Beverages with a Percentage Levy Based on Retail Price, and to Provide for the Earmarking of a Portion of the Revenue for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programmes”, marks a significant policy turning point. Sponsored by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the bill is grounded in growing medical and public health eviden...
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Makoko: Groups Condemn Lagos Demolitions, Demand Compensation and Resettlement for Affected Communities

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A coalition of human rights, environmental and social justice organisations has condemned the Lagos State Government over what it described as systemic and illegal forced evictions in several communities across the state. In a joint statement, the groups accused the government of carrying out demolitions and displacements in communities including Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode Onirin, Otumara and Baba-Ijora, without adequate notice, consultation, compensation or resettlement plans. The statement was jointly signed by Israel Idowu, Student Coordinator of the Makoko Waterfront Community; Comrade Abiodun Ahmed, Chairman of Owode Motor Spare Parts Market; Comrade Tunde Yusuf, Secretary of the Ajegunle Peoples Movement (APM); Olanrewaju Olusegun, Secretary of the Coalition of Oworonshoki Demolition Victims; Betty Abah, Founder of the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE); Comrade Alex Omotehinse, President of the Center for Human and Social Economic Right...
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Police Arrest Three Suspects Over Murder of Housewife, Six Children in Kano

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Commissioner of Police, Kano State, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori The Kano State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the killing of a housewife and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters, Kano, on January 17, 2026. According to a statement issued by the command's Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the arrest followed an intelligence-led operation carried out on the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun. Kiyawa said the suspects, Umar Auwalu, 23, of Sabuwar Gandu Quarters; Isyaku Yakubu, also known as Chebe, 40, of Sagagi Quarters; and Yakubu Abdulaziz, also known as Wawo, 21, of Sabon Gida Sharada Quarters, were apprehended during a sting operation conducted between 10:00 p.m. on January 17 and 4:00 a.m. on January 18, 2026. According to him, Umar Auwalu, identified as the leader of the group and a nephew of the deceased woman, confessed to the crime during interrogation.  He also allegedly a...
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Police Arrest Suspected Kidnap Kingpin, Recover AK-47 in Rivers

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The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin and recovered a prohibited firearm and ammunition during an operation in the state. According to a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, on January 14, 2026, the suspect, Mohammed Ibrahim, aged 30 and a native of Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was apprehended on January 10, 2026, at about 7:46 p.m., by operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annex, following credible intelligence. Iringe-Koko said Ibrahim is suspected to be involved in several kidnapping operations for ransom, particularly along the Port Harcourt International Airport Road, Omagwa, where he allegedly terrorised residents and commuters. She said the suspect was arrested while reportedly planning to relocate his operational camp and weapons to the Agbonchia-Oyigbo Road area in Eleme Local Government Area ...
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Makoko Demolitions: CEE-HOPE, HOMEF, CAPPA Condemn Lagos Govt Over Deaths, Forced Evictions, Youth Leader’s Arrest

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Part of the demolished Makoko Community   Human rights and environmental groups, Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) Nigeria, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), have condemned the Lagos State Government over the ongoing demolition of homes in the Makoko waterfront community, which they say has led to deaths, mass displacement, and the arrest of a youth leader. In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the organisations described the demolitions as a “brutal and unconstitutional assault” on marginalised residents, alleging that the exercise has resulted in the deaths of two babies and an adult, widespread homelessness, and human rights abuses. Late Albertine Ojadikluno and deceased babies They also raised concern over the arrest of Mr. Oluwatobi Aide, popularly known as Woli, a youth leader in Makoko.  According to the groups, Aide was arrested on Monday, Januar...
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Lagos APC Says E-Registration Is Mandatory, Key to Party Reform

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The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that the ongoing electronic membership registration exercise is mandatory, describing it as a critical reform aimed at strengthening party discipline, internal democracy and electoral competitiveness. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party said the e-registration exercise, which began this week and will run until the end of January, provides an opportunity for both existing and new members to be captured in a comprehensive digital membership register. The Lagos APC said the initiative reflects the party’s resolve to embrace modern political organisation, improve data integrity and eliminate practices that undermine cohesion, including duplication, impersonation and unverified membership. According to the party, the digital registration will ensure that all members are properly identified and accounted for, creating a credible and transparent database necessary for effective party administration.  It ad...
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Delta Police Arraign 33 suspects Over New Year’s Eve Disturbances in Asaba

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The Delta State Police Command has arraigned 33 suspects before a Magistrate Court in Asaba over offences linked to violent disturbances, public nuisance and other breaches of public peace recorded during New Year’s Eve security operations in the state capital. A statement by the command's spokesman, SP Edafe Bright said the arrests were made at different locations within Asaba during intensified patrols mounted to maintain law and order as residents ushered in the New Year.  SP Bright explained that the suspects were arrested for offences ranging from violent conduct and public nuisance to drug-related activities. After preliminary investigations, the Police said 33 suspects were found to have prima facie cases against them and were charged to court.  They were arraigned before Magistrate Court 1, Asaba, where three of the suspects were remanded in custody, while the remaining accused persons were granted bail pending the continuation of prosecution. The Command also dismisse...
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