Author: TheScrutinyNG

Nigeria are on the brink of booking a place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), but winger Moses Simon is refusing to consider the prospect of the Super Eagles failing to reach the 2026 Fifa World Cup despite a poor start to qualifying. The West Africans are languishing in fifth place in their six-team group with just three points from their opening four matches. Simon missed June’s fixtures, a draw with South Africa and loss to Benin, through injury but is “not worried” about Nigeria’s hopes when the campaign resumes next year – even though only the group…

Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 arrested 21 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations in Benin City. The suspects were arrested based on actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet related fraud. Items recovered from them include 10 exotic cars, laptops and phones  The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The Malaysian Government has announced plans to phase out Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles and discontinue the sale of natural gas vehicles (NGV) nationwide. Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook discussed the transition at a recent press conference, as reported by local media outlet Free Malaysia Today (FMT). In Malaysia, CNG is commonly referred to as NGV. Fook stated that beginning July 1, 2025, “CNG-powered vehicles can no longer be registered or used in Malaysia.” Additionally, government-owned oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) will begin a staged halt in CNG sales at its stations on the same date.…

At least 22 miners are feared dead following the collapse of a mining pit at an illegal mining site located within a national game reserve spanning Gashaka Local Government Area in Taraba State and Toungo Local Government Area in Adamawa State. Adamu Jamtare, a miner from Gashaka, explained that many of the deceased were from Jamtare town in Gashaka LGA. “They were mining gold in an area known as the Buffa zone within the Gashaka-Gumti National Park, covering parts of both Gashaka and Toungo. All 22 miners trapped in the pit are presumed dead,” he said. Daily Trust reports that…

The government of Equatorial Guinea has dismissed its Director General of National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIA), Baltasar Ebang Engonga, after over 400 sex tapes involving him and wives of prominent men in the country surfaced online. Baltasar was featured in a series of tapes making the rounds online having romantic affairs with his brother’s wife, the wife of the vice president, wife of the inspector general of police, amongst others. The government said in a statement that, “According to Real Equatorial Guinea, the dismissal of Mr. Engonga, the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo (current president of the Economic and Monetary…

The Australian government has pledged to introduce what it described as “world-leading” legislation to ban children under the age of 16 from social media. Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, confirmed the age limit at a press conference on Thursday. Albanese said the legislation will be introduced in the country’s parliament during its final two weeks in session this year, beginning on November 18. The prime minister lamented that social media “was doing harm to our kids, and I’m calling time on it”. He said the ban would take effect 12 months after the law passes. Albanese said there would be no penalties for users,…

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has declared nine more terrorists wanted without bounty. The wanted terrorists include Abu Khadijah, Abdurrahman, Dadi Gumba a.k.a Abu Muhammed, Usman Kanin Shehu, Abu Yusuf, Musa Wa’a, Ibrahim Suyeka, BA Sulhu and Idris Taklakse. This is just as the military high command confirmed the emergence of a new terrorist group known as ‘Lukarawas,’ exacerbating insecurity in the North Western part of Nigeria. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military on Thursday in Abuja. Buba said that the new terror group emerged from the…

Three major oil marketers in the country, yesterday, asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop what they described as plot by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, to monopolise the energy sector of the economy. VANGUARD reports that the marketers, including AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, maintained that allowing Dangote Refinery to takeover the oil sector would spell doom for the country. ‘However, efforts made to reach the Group Head, Communications, Dangote Group, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, last night, were unsucces-sful as several calls made to his known mobile phone were unanswered,…

Nigeria has huge and untapped marine resources to lead Africa in Blue economy, according to the African Union (AU). The continental body noted that the country has the untapped rich marine resources in strategic location to be a leader in Africa’s blue economy. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the  broad-based national stakeholders’ consultation, validation workshop and development of national blue economy strategy for the Federal Republic Of Nigeria In Abuja, the head of division, Blue economy, Africa Union, Georges Asseko said , “Nigeria, with its vast coastline, rich marine resources, and strategic location, is well-positioned to be a leader…

Former U.S. president, Barack Obama, has congratulated Republican Donald Trump on his victory in the U.S. presidential election, even as he admitted that the election outcome wasn’t the one they had expected. “This is obviously not the outcome we had hoped for, given our profound disagreements with the Republican ticket on a whole host of issues,” Obama said in a joint statement with wife Michelle. “But living in a democracy is about recognising that our point of view won’t always win out, and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power.” The United States had been “through a lot”…