Top 5 Stories of The Day | NCC Approves MTN’s Disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Over Debt Issue

• NCC Approves MTN’s Disconnection of Exchange Telecommunication Over Debt Issue
• Governor Bala Mohammed Criticizes Tinubu’s Tax Reforms
• Falana Urges Compensation for Stampede Victims
• Air Peace Refutes Plane Crash Reports
• Nigerian Military Admits to Civilian Casualties in Airstrike

 Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the five top Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.

NCC Approves MTN’s Disconnection of Exchange Telecommunications Over Debt Issue

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted MTN Nigeria approval to disconnect Exchange Telecommunications Limited from its network.

This decision was made in response to Exchange Telecoms’ failure to settle interconnect debts owed to MTN. The move aligns with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and the 2012 guidelines for disconnecting telecommunications operators in cases of unpaid debts.

The NCC emphasized that this action is essential for maintaining financial discipline within the telecommunications sector. Customers of Exchange Telecoms have been advised to seek alternative service providers to minimize disruptions.

Falana Urges Compensation for Stampede Victims

Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on the Federal Government to take responsibility for the tragic stampedes that occurred during food distribution events in Anambra, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory. These incidents resulted in the deaths of at least 65 individuals over three days.

Falana pointed out that these tragedies are indicative of the mass hunger sweeping across Nigeria, a condition exacerbated by the harsh economic realities facing many citizens.

He criticized law enforcement agencies for their failure to provide adequate protection during these distributions. Falana emphasized that compensating the families of the victims is not only a humanitarian obligation but also a moral responsibility of the government.

Governor Bala Mohammed Criticizes Tinubu’s Tax Reforms

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed strong opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms, which aim to centralize taxation and increase federal revenue.

Mohammed described the reforms as being skewed against the North, warning that they could lead to widespread discontent and anarchy. He argued that the changes would disproportionately deprive northern states of funds needed to pay workers and carry out infrastructure projects.

Highlighting the already significant disparities between the North and South in terms of development, Mohammed stressed that the reforms would only deepen these inequalities, urging the government to adopt a more equitable approach.

Air Peace Refutes Plane Crash Reports

Air Peace, one of Nigeria’s leading airlines, has dismissed claims of a plane crash involving its fleet in Western Sahara.

Viral images and videos alleging the incident were confirmed by the airline to be AI-generated fabrications. In an official statement, Air Peace denounced these rumors as malicious and aimed at tarnishing its reputation.

The airline reassured the public of its unwavering commitment to passenger safety and urged them to disregard the misleading reports. This incident has sparked broader discussions about the growing dangers of misinformation, particularly the misuse of AI in generating false narratives.

Nigerian Military Admits to Civilian Casualties in Airstrike

The Nigerian military has acknowledged that an airstrike targeting insurgents in Sokoto State on December 25, 2024, unintentionally resulted in the deaths of at least 10 civilians. The operation was aimed at destroying a logistics base operated by the Lakurawa insurgent group.

However, secondary explosions from the airstrike caused unintended harm to civilians in the vicinity. This marks yet another instance of collateral damage in the military’s anti-insurgency campaigns, with over 400 civilian casualties reportedly resulting from similar incidents since 2017.

The military expressed regret over the loss of innocent lives and pledged to investigate the circumstances to prevent future occurrences. However, critics and human rights groups have called for a thorough review of engagement rules to prioritize civilian safety in conflict zones.

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