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Bandits abduct five foreign nationals in Zamfara

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Five foreign nationals from Burkina Faso have been abducted by suspected armed bandits while working at a gold mining site near Arafa village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The abduction reportedly occurred around 11:15 a.m. on March 14 when a large group of bandits, believed to have been hiding between Arafa and Gidan Dankande villages, invaded the mining site and forcefully took the workers to an unknown destination.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the heavily armed assailants fled into the surrounding bush shortly after carrying out the attack. By the time security operatives from a nearby Operation FANSAN YAMMA base arrived at the scene, the attackers had already escaped.

According to the sources, efforts are ongoing to locate the bandits and secure the safe release of the abducted foreigners, with security personnel currently combing the area for intelligence that could lead to their rescue.
The incident once again highlights the dangerous link between illegal mining activities and armed banditry in Zamfara State. Over the years, the North West’s rich deposits of minerals such as gold, copper and lithium have attracted both legitimate investors and criminal networks that exploit the resources for illicit gains.

Local sources say many bandit leaders in the region collect weekly royalties from miners, a system that has strengthened their control over several mining sites. Mining operations allegedly linked to influential or politically connected individuals are often left undisturbed, while ordinary miners face extortion, intimidation and repeated attacks.
These payments serve as more than protection fees; they provide crucial funding for criminal operations, including the purchase of weapons, logistics for kidnappings and the recruitment of more fighters.

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The latest abduction of the five foreign nationals is seen as another reflection of this criminal economy.

In 2019, the federal government banned gold mining in Zamfara in an effort to curb illegal mining and rising insecurity. Two years later, authorities also introduced a no-fly zone to stop the smuggling of minerals and weapons. However, the measures failed to reduce violence, as deaths linked to insecurity in the state reportedly increased by 183 percent in the four years following the ban.

The ban also had unintended consequences. Thousands of miners who had already been displaced from their farmlands due to insecurity were forced to operate under the control of armed groups. Profits from these illegal mining activities further financed attacks, kidnappings and cross-border recruitment of bandits.

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BALLOT BOX NIGERIA TV REALITY SHOW: Nigeria’s Biggest Democratic Reality Television

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

72 HOUSEMATES. 100 LIVE CAMERAS. 62 DAYS. ₦150 MILLION CASH PRIZE. ONE NATION. ONE DEMOCRATIC STAGE.

ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nigeria is set for what organisers describe as an unprecedented fusion of reality television, civic participation, democratic education and national entertainment as the BALLOT BOX NIGERIA TV REALITY SHOW prepares to open its doors to Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 45.

Powered by BTV TELEVISION NETWORK, the ambitious television project is designed to create a unique national platform where young and middle-aged Nigerians can experience, debate and demonstrate the principles of democratic leadership in a live reality-show environment.

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The project is expected to bring 72 housemates together for 62 days of nonstop television, supported by 100 live cameras, with organisers projecting the potential to reach an audience of up to 100 million viewers across Nigeria.

At the centre of the attraction is a headline ₦150 million cash prize, alongside the opportunity to win a house and a Jeep, making the project one of the most ambitious proposed prize-driven television productions in Nigeria.

THE BALLOT BOX HOUSE GOES LIVE OCTOBER 1

According to the organisers, the BALLOT BOX NIGERIA TV REALITY SHOW HOUSE is scheduled to commence live broadcasting from 7:00 PM GMT on October 1, 2026, through dedicated channels planned for DStv, GOtv and StarTimes platforms.

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The organisers also plan daily highlights and major programme content through leading Nigerian television and news platforms, including AIT, NTA, Arise News, TVC News and News Central, subject to broadcast and commercial arrangements.

The concept is designed to transform the traditional reality-TV experience by putting democracy, leadership, public opinion, accountability, competition and civic participation at the heart of the entertainment.

REGISTRATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 1

Prospective housemates are expected to register between September 1 and September 14, 2026.

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Applicants must be:

– Nigerian citizens;
– Between 18 and 45 years old;
– Prepared to participate in a highly competitive national reality television environment;
– Ready to demonstrate leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and democratic values.

The organisers say registration and public engagement will be promoted through Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and WhatsApp, alongside the project’s online platforms.

A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR CORPORATE NIGERIA

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Beyond the housemates and viewers, the BALLOT BOX NIGERIA TV REALITY SHOW is positioning itself as a major potential commercial and institutional platform for organisations seeking meaningful engagement with Nigeria’s enormous youth, entertainment, media and consumer markets.

The organisers are calling on government democratic institutions, financial institutions, commercial banks, development-finance institutions, telecommunications companies, technology companies, television networks, media organisations, brand owners and private-sector investors to explore sponsorship and strategic partnership opportunities.

Potential partners could participate through headline sponsorship, financial partnerships, technology partnerships, broadcast partnerships, telecommunications partnerships, consumer-product integration, financial literacy initiatives, civic education programmes, advertising, branded entertainment, housemate challenges and national audience engagement campaigns.

The project offers sponsors an opportunity to associate their brands with a large-scale national television platform combining entertainment with democratic and civic themes.

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A PLATFORM FOR DEMOCRACY, LEADERSHIP AND ENTERTAINMENT

Organisers insist that the show is intended to go beyond conventional reality television.

The BALLOT BOX NIGERIA TV REALITY SHOW is conceived as a platform where participants can debate ideas, compete in leadership-oriented tasks, engage in public-policy discussions and experience simulated democratic processes while millions of Nigerians watch and participate.

Its central message is simple:

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LET THE PEOPLE WATCH. LET THE PEOPLE DEBATE. LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.

With 100 live cameras documenting the activities of the housemates, the show promises an unprecedented level of continuous access to the BALLOT BOX HOUSE.

The organisers believe the combination of reality television, democratic participation, celebrity entertainment, social media interaction and national audience voting could create a powerful new media property.

A CALL TO HOUSEMATES AND SPONSORS

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For prospective housemates, the message is clear: this is an opportunity to enter a national stage where your personality, ideas, leadership qualities and ability to connect with Nigerians can be tested before a massive audience.

For sponsors and strategic partners, the proposition is equally significant: this is an opportunity to become part of a potentially transformational Nigerian television project at its foundation.

The organisers are therefore inviting interested government democratic institutions, banks, financial-support institutions, telecommunications companies, television stations, technology companies, private-sector investors and major Nigerian and international brands to discuss sponsorship and strategic partnership opportunities.

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN

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Registration: September 1–14, 2026
Number of Housemates: 72
Duration: 62 Days
Live Cameras: 100
Headline Cash Prize: ₦150 Million
Additional Prizes: House + Jeep
Projected Reach: Up to 100 Million Viewers
Live Broadcast: From October 1, 2026 — 7:00 PM GMT
Platforms: DStv, GOtv & StarTimes, subject to final broadcast arrangements
Powered by: BTV TELEVISION NETWORK

SPONSORSHIP & PARTNERSHIP ENQUIRIES

09020033004
09050503077

OFFICIAL ONLINE PLATFORMS

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“BALLOT BOX NIGERIA TV REALITY SHOW Website” (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/0)

“BALLOT BOX NIGERIA TV REALITY SHOW Blog” (https://reference-url-citation.invalid/1)

BALLOT BOX NIGERIA TV REALITY SHOW

100 LIVE CAMERAS. 72 HOUSEMATES. 62 DAYS. ₦150 MILLION. ONE NATION WATCHING.

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Unleashing unusual loyalty: Edo APC chairman, Tenebe, reportedly threatens to ‘kpai’ critics over FB post on Gov Okpebholo

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The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has displayed an unusual loyalty by threatening to kill a critic following a social media report alleging that Governor Monday Okpebholo travelled to Abuja to protest his exclusion from the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

The controversy started with a Facebook post by Samuel Iyobosa, who claimed that Okpebholo had travelled to Abuja to protest his alleged exclusion from the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Tenebe reacted to Iyobosa’s post by threatening him, stating, “Bastard stop lying and if you continue you die.”

The threat subsequently triggered further exchanges between Tenebe and other social media users who commented on the development.

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One of the users, Baron Mike, wrote, “Nehizena Ogunrobo see as party chairman dey react. Brainless man.”

In response, Tenebe allegedly wrote, “Baron Mike talk nonsense you die because you are talking rubbish.”

Tenebe also directed another comment at Baron Mike, stating, “Baron Mike Baron Mike come to Nigeria and talk.”

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CCTV Captures Armed Robbery Suspects at Benin City Hair Shop, Luxury Wigs Worth Millions Stolen

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CCTV has captured the moment a hair vendor in Benin City, Edo State, was allegedly robbed by armed individuals who made away with luxury wigs reportedly worth millions of naira.

The incident occurred on Saturday at a hair shop located on Tony Anenih Road, off Ebenezer School Road, Ihama, GRA, Benin City.

According to the shop owner, who operates the Instagram account @official.pricelessstrands, the suspects had visited the shop a day earlier pretending to make enquiries about getting a customer’s hair done.

She said they returned a few hours later and carried out the robbery after another man, allegedly armed with a gun, arrived at the premises.

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Sharing clearer CCTV footage of the incident on Instagram, the vendor alleged that the suspects initially sat in the waiting area, pretending they were waiting for a third person to make payment for a braiding session.

She wrote that as soon as the man arrived with a gun, the group began the operation.

According to her account, the robbers forced the two staff members on duty into an inner office where the shop’s more expensive luxury hair products were stored. They then packed several bags containing wigs and other hair products before locking the employees inside the office and fleeing the scene.

The business owner said one of the suspects was captured clearly on the CCTV footage, while another suspect, described as a woman wearing a black top with a noticeable facial scar, had also visited the shop the previous day under the guise of making enquiries.

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She appealed to members of the public to help identify the suspects by sharing the CCTV footage widely on social media.

«”This is the face of one of the armed robbers who just robbed my office. Himself and the scar-faced lady on black top came yesterday in the guise of making enquiries about making her hair, only for them to return today to rob the office and loot hairs worth millions in several bags,” she said.»

The hair vendor called on security agencies and residents of Benin City to assist in identifying and apprehending those responsible for the robbery.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Edo State Police Command regarding the incident or whether any arrests had been made.

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The CCTV footage has since been circulated online as the shop owner seeks public assistance in bringing the suspects to justice.

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