Month: May 2025

Nigerians may soon lose access to Facebook and Instagram, as Meta—the parent company of both platforms—has warned it may shut down services in Nigeria due to mounting regulatory pressure and hefty fines imposed by local authorities. In court documents submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja, Meta stated that it could be “forced to effectively shut down” Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria to avoid the risk of enforcement actions tied to fines exceeding $290 million. The warning follows the company’s failed legal bid to overturn the sanctions. Breakdown of Fines Against Meta: Meta has until end of June 2025 to pay the fines. Core Dispute: Data Privacy Enforcement Meta said its biggest concern lies with the NDPC, which allegedly misinterpreted Nigeria’s data privacy laws. Key demands from the commission include: Meta called these requirements “unrealistic” and “unfeasible”, arguing that they go far beyond international norms and would severely impair the company’s operations. Implications for Nigerians The potential ban would affect tens of millions of users, especially small businesses that rely on Facebook and Instagram for marketing, communication, and sales. WhatsApp, also owned by Meta, was notably not mentioned in the shutdown threat. Government Position While the FCCPC and NDPC claim their actions are based on protecting consumers and data subjects, they have yet to clarify specific violations. The NDPC insists that Meta must protect Nigerians from “manipulative and unfair data processing” that could lead to health and financial risks. This standoff underscores growing tensions between global tech giants and African regulators, particularly around data sovereignty, content control, and market dominance. Would you like a summary of how similar disputes have played out in other countries?

At least 27 political aides to Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State have been sacked after attending the inauguration of a grassroots political movement, The NEW Associates, and participating in a mega rally in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, News360 Nigeria reports. The affected individuals were relieved of their duties via a formal letter titled “Termination of Appointment” dated April 23, 2025, and signed by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo. The letter stated that the termination was with immediate effect and referenced official communication records detailing their appointments. PDP Reacts: ‘A Disturbing Show of Intolerance’ The Bayelsa State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) swiftly condemned the action, labeling it an “alarming demonstration of intolerance and high-handedness.” In a statement signed by Derri Alasuote Wright, Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, the party expressed deep disappointment over the dismissals. “The sacking of these political appointees from the Prosperity Administration is particularly unfortunate,” the statement read. “They are all party members who believed in our vision and laboured for our collective success.” The PDP emphasized that the dismissed aides played significant roles in securing Governor Diri’s re-election, and accused the governor of misusing his office to punish perceived dissenters. A Call for Political Tolerance The PDP warned that Governor Diri’s move could discourage political engagement and suppress internal diversity within the party. Describing the action as a “severe breach of trust and an affront to democratic participation,” the party urged the governor to reconsider his decision in favor of inclusivity and tolerance. The statement concluded with a broader appeal: “Together, let us stand firm in our commitment to democracy, solidarity, and the right to associate freely.” The sackings highlight growing tensions within the PDP and raise questions about freedom of political association in the state’s ruling administration.

INTERPOL has uncovered a major transnational vehicle trafficking operation linking stolen cars from Canada to Nigeria, following a sweeping crackdown across West Africa. Codenamed Operation Safe Wheels, the two-week enforcement effort took place from March 17 to 30, 2025, spanning 12 West African nations, including Nigeria. The initiative, aimed at curbing vehicle smuggling, led to the detection of around 150 stolen vehicles and the seizure of over 75, many of which were traced back to Canada, as well as France, Germany, and the Netherlands. In Nigeria, operatives from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recovered six high-end stolen vehicles, mostly Toyota and Lexus models, concealed in shipping containers believed to have arrived from Canada. Four vehicles bore signs of forced entry, and all were verified as stolen in 2024 using INTERPOL’s Stolen Motor Vehicle (SMV) database — a global tool that flagged more than 270,000 stolen vehicles last year alone. According to INTERPOL’s Director of Organized and Emerging Crime, David Caunter, these thefts are often the first step in broader criminal operations. “The theft is only the beginning. Stolen vehicles are used to fund and facilitate organised crime and, in some cases, even terrorism,” he stated. The international sting operation is part of Project Drive Out, a joint initiative between INTERPOL and the Government of Canada, focused on tackling cross-border vehicle theft and the illegal trade in spare parts. The project deployed SMV task force experts, including Canadian investigators, to countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Benin for on-ground support and forensic verifications. So far, two major trafficking networks have been identified, and 18 new investigations have been launched as INTERPOL deepens its probe. The discovery of Canadian stolen vehicles in Lagos is expected to bolster cooperation between Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies and Canada’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau as authorities intensify their crackdown on international car smuggling.

U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed his National Security Adviser, Michael Waltz, after Waltz mistakenly added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a secure Signal group chat discussing classified military plans against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The blunder, which quickly escalated into a political scandal dubbed “Signalgate,” led to the publication of sensitive internal communications by The Atlantic, sparking widespread outrage and media scrutiny. According to The Daily Mail, Waltz’s firing marks the first cabinet-level dismissal of Trump’s second term. A source confirmed that the president is expected to formally announce the decision soon. Goldberg was inadvertently added to a chat with 17 senior officials, which he later exposed in full, raising questions about the competence and discretion of the national security team. Steve Witkoff, the president’s special envoy who has previously met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, is reportedly being considered as Waltz’s replacement. “This has to do with competence, not ideology,” said journalist Mark Halperin on his 2Way YouTube show, adding that dissatisfaction with Waltz and his deputy, Alex Wong, had been growing within the national security establishment. Despite the controversy, Waltz had remained in his role for several weeks, appearing on Fox & Friends and attending Cabinet meetings. However, his credibility suffered significantly, especially after a widely mocked explanation on The Ingraham Angle about how Goldberg was added to the chat. Trump had initially resisted firing Waltz, reportedly to avoid appearing reactive to Goldberg’s reporting. In a recent interview with The Atlantic, the president gave a lukewarm defense: “Waltz is fine. I mean, he’s here. He just left this office. He’s fine. He was beat up also.”