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A surviving miner has alleged that an unidentified substance was sprayed inside a detention cell shortly before several suspected illegal miners began collapsing while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

The survivor made the allegation while recounting his experience in detention during a visit to the state by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the miner, detainees were locked inside a cell before an unidentified substance was sprayed into the facility.

He alleged that shortly after the substance was released, some of the detainees began experiencing difficulties before collapsing.

«“They sprayed something inside the cell after locking us in, and people began collapsing,” the survivor reportedly said.»

The allegation comes amid growing scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of suspected illegal miners who were detained by security authorities in Niger State.

The survivor did not identify the substance allegedly sprayed inside the cell, nor did he state who allegedly authorised or carried out the action.

He also did not provide details on the number of detainees who were affected or establish whether the alleged spraying directly caused any of the reported deaths.

The NSCDC and other relevant authorities have yet to publicly respond to the specific allegation.

The account is likely to intensify calls for a thorough investigation into the treatment of the detainees and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Establishing what happened inside the cell would require further investigation, including determining the identity of the substance allegedly used, who introduced it into the facility and whether there was any link between the incident and the subsequent collapse or deaths of detainees.

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By Gloria Ikibah.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has reaffirmed the welfare and interests of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora as the central focus of the country’s foreign policy.

Enikanolaiye said the policy direction was an integral part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that Nigeria’s diplomacy must have a direct impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.

The Minister stated this when women from Yagba South East District in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, led by their National President, Chief Ms Ojo Iyabode, paid him a solidarity visit in his office.

Enikanolaiye, who is Patron of the grassroots women’s group, Chairman of the Yagba South East Development Association and Agba Akin of Yagba South East, commended the women for their contributions to medical outreach, women and youth empowerment and community development.

He also pledged his continued support for the group.

He said: “It’s an honour to be visited by you. It’s a rare thing to be recognised and celebrated at home, especially by women. I do not take this visit for granted. Anyone who plays with the role of women is playing with fire.

“I’m impressed by your level of organisation. I thank you for your love, discipline, and integrity. I’m aware of your impacts in the areas of medical outreach, which has saved many lives, and your cooperative society. You have been remarkably successful in community development and especially in the empowerment of women and children. We can only continue to support you and inspire the younger ones.”
Focus on the 4Ds
The Minister explained the Federal Government’s 4Ds foreign policy thrust — Demography, Development, Diaspora and Democracy — describing the four components as critical to the country’s current diplomatic direction.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was working to align Nigeria’s foreign policy with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, while ensuring that diplomacy delivered tangible benefits to citizens.

Enikanolaiye said the Ministry was also working to ensure that foreign policy promoted Nigeria’s national interest, welfare, prosperity and economic wellbeing.

“Demography is about the people. About you and I, everyone of us. That is the view that foreign policy must impact in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Otherwise, foreign policy remains just foreign, with the Ministry dealing more with foreigners. We are trying to change that orientation. We are trying to see that what we do here focuses on the lives of an average Nigerian”, he added.

“That is why the President goes around to promote Direct Foreign Investment, DFI. That is why we carry our people in the diaspora along as critical assets for national development,” he said.

On the development component of the policy, the Minister said the Ministry was seeking to harness Nigeria’s resources and international partnerships to promote human security, education, infrastructure and other areas that affect citizens.

“We are trying to show that foreign policy promotes the lives and wellbeing of ordinary Nigerians. We are trying to encourage small and medium enterprises to do better. We encourage better packaging of our product so that they receive immediate international acceptance. There are immense opportunities such as low interest loans through OIC for example and ECOWAS out there that Nigerians don’t know much about or how to maximise. Our job is to raise awareness and we encourage you to key into them,” the Minister said.

He cited his recent engagements in Maiduguri and Bauchi as examples of the Ministry’s efforts to connect Nigeria’s foreign policy with economic and security opportunities.

Enikanolaiye said he travelled to Maiduguri about four weeks earlier to discuss security along the Lake Chad Basin and was in Bauchi the previous week for discussions on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.

He encouraged Nigerians, particularly small and medium-scale businesses, to take advantage of available regional and international opportunities.

The Minister pledged to remain committed to his responsibilities and the interests of his constituents, while appealing to the women to continue supporting and praying for the Federal Government.

He noted that the prayers of mothers remained important to those entrusted with public responsibilities.

Earlier, the National President of the group expressed the women’s delight over the appointment of Enikanolaiye and his recognition at the national level.

She congratulated him on his appointment and wished him a successful tenure in service to the country.

“Your new office comes with significant responsibilities, as you are representing Nigeria and contributing to the advancement of our nation’s diplomatic relations and international interests. We are confident that your wisdom, experience, integrity, and commitment to service will make a meaningful difference in this important role”, Iyabode said.

She said the group was proud of the Minister’s achievements and thanked President Bola Tinubu for considering their son worthy of the appointment.

The women’s leader also prayed for wisdom, strength, good health and courage for Enikanolaiye as he carries out his responsibilities in the service of the nation.

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By Gloria Ikibah.

Foreign diplomatic missions in Nigeria have been cautioned against making unguarded comments, disparaging remarks or unsolicited lectures on democracy as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, issued the warning on Thursday during her first formal briefing with members of the Diplomatic Corps since assuming office, on Thursday in Abuja.

The Minister said Nigeria recognised the regional and international implications of developments in the country but expected foreign missions to respect its sovereignty and established diplomatic channels.

She said: “As the 2027 General Elections draw near, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would request that Mission remain guided, recognizing that as the largest democracy in Africa that developments in Nigeria have regional and international implications, we would not accept unguarded comments, disparaging remarks, or unsolicited lectures on democracy from any country or international organization, the Government of President Tinubu is committed to democracy and delivering an election that would be peaceful, free, fair and credible in all ramifications.”

The warning formed part of a broader call for stronger relations between Nigeria and the diplomatic community, with Odumegwu-Ojukwu urging foreign missions to engage the government through established diplomatic channels and on the basis of mutual respect.

She said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained the official channel between diplomatic missions and the Nigerian Government, including the Presidency, ministries, departments and agencies.

The Minister explained that the arrangement was intended to ensure proper coordination and avoid conflicting information, duplication and misunderstandings.

“The Ministry is not an obstacle between you and the Nigerian Government; we are your bridge to the Nigerian Government”, she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also called for greater attention to economic diplomacy, saying Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Tinubu was anchored on the Four Ds — Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.

She said the policy was designed to place Nigerians and their interests at the centre of the country’s international engagements, while maintaining Nigeria’s commitment to Africa and constructive relations with the wider world.

The Minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s pursuit of strategic autonomy in its international relations, stressing that the approach did not amount to isolation.

“Strategic autonomy does not mean isolation; it means preserving Nigeria’s sovereign right to determine the relationships and positions that best serve our people”, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
Nigeria seeks more tangible diplomatic gains
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Ministry will pay renewed attention to dormant Joint Commissions and Bi-national Commissions, some of which, she said, had remained inactive because of administrative and logistical challenges.

According to her, the mechanisms will be revitalised to advance cooperation in trade, investment, security, education, technology, health, agriculture and other areas of mutual interest.

“Ultimately, the strength of our diplomatic relationships should be measured not only by the warmth of our engagements, but by the tangible benefits they produce for our respective peoples”, the Minister said.

She therefore urged diplomatic missions to work with Nigeria to deepen trade and investment, strengthen cooperation on peace and security, advance education, health and technological innovation, and create greater opportunities for citizens.

On consular matters, the Minister urged foreign missions to review visa procedures for Nigerian applicants, particularly where processing delays affect legitimate travellers, students, business people and families.

“While we fully respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its visa policy, excessively long waiting periods can create considerable difficulties for legitimate travelers, students, businesspersons and families. We therefore encourage greater efficiency, transparency and responsiveness wherever possible”, she stated.

She also assured members of the Diplomatic Corps that the safety and welfare of foreign diplomats remained a priority for the Nigerian Government.

Nigeria, she said, remained conscious of its obligations under the Vienna Conventions, including the protection of diplomatic and consular personnel, their families, premises and property.

“We want you to feel safe, enjoy your assignments and ultimately leave Nigeria with positive memories of our country and our people”, she stated.
Nigeria backs dialogue, multilateralism
The Minister said Nigeria will continue to promote dialogue, multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes while remaining active in ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other international institutions.

“Nigeria will therefore continue to champion dialogue, multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes, while remaining active within ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other international institutions. We will continue to advocate an international system in which Africa’s voice is heard and the continent participates meaningfully in shaping global decisions”, the Minister said.

She said Nigeria was open to trade, investment, tourism, technology, knowledge transfer and other meaningful partnerships, but stressed that such relationships should be based on reciprocity, sovereign equality and mutual respect.

“At a time of increasing geopolitical complexity, conflicts, terrorism, climate change, cyber insecurity, irregular migration and economic uncertainty remind us that no country can confront today’s challenges alone”, she noted.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the Ministry will also continue efforts to facilitate the accreditation of foreign diplomats and improve the processing of agréments for Nigerian ambassadors.

She acknowledged the cooperation of foreign governments in processing Nigeria’s ambassadorial nominees and said Abuja was taking steps to facilitate the commencement of duties by ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to Nigeria.

The Minister described the diplomatic briefing as the beginning of closer engagement between the Ministry and foreign missions, calling for frank discussions, constructive dialogue and mutual respect.

“I want us to speak frankly, engage constructively and resolve issues through dialogue, established diplomatic channels and mutual respect.

“The true measure of our relationships will not be the number of meetings we hold or communiqués we issue. It will be the progress we achieve for our peoples, the investments we facilitate, the opportunities we create, the challenges we resolve and the friendships we strengthen.

“Let us move forward together in a spirit of constructive dialogue, reciprocal respect, mutual confidence and shared prosperity”, she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu assured that Nigeria remained ready to work with the international community while keeping its national interests at the centre of its foreign policy.