TheCable

The Punch reports that residents of Adeyi Avenue in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo state capital, have blamed illegal miners from Mali for the explosion that occurred in the city on Tuesday night. The newspaper says the federal government has warned against the payment of ransom for abducted victims, saying it might worsen the security situation in the country.

The Guardian reports that the explosion that occurred in Ibadan has led to renewed calls for the review of activities of illegal miners in the country. The newspaper says Nigeria, struggling to raise funding for its 2024 budget, may borrow to finance electricity subsidy as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Company (NERC) released a new tariff template, showing a shortfall of over N1.6 trillion.

Daily Trust reports that Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau, has raised an alarm that security agencies in the country have been infiltrated by fifth columnists, including criminals. The newspaper says residents of 10 communities in Bungudu LGA of Zamfara state have fled their homes for fear of being attacked by Dan Nagala, a notorious bandits’ leader, who earlier sent attack threats to them.

THISDAY reports that Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), said payment of ransom to kidnappers and bandits must stop. The newspaper says the federal high court in Abuja has voided the regulation that empowers the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to fine broadcast media.