NIGERIA NEWS
Troops rescue abducted Biu councillor, Islamic cleric in Borno
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have rescued a serving councillor from Biu Local Government Area and an Islamic cleric who were abducted by suspected terrorists in Borno State.
The development was contained in a post shared on X on Thursday by security analyst, Zagazola Makama.
According to the post, the victims were kidnapped along the Buni Gari–Buratai road on Tuesday evening when armed men abducted seven civilians travelling on the route.
Makama reported that troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade, working with the 135 Special Forces Battalion and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), launched a search-and-rescue operation early Wednesday morning after receiving information about the abduction.
During the operation, the troops discovered two of the kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the terrorists near Mangari village after the assailants noticed the movement of security forces towards their location.
The rescued victims were identified as Alhaji Mohammed Ali Maiakachi, a councillor representing Zera/Wuyep Ward in Biu Local Government Area, and Mallam Aliyu Yusuf, an Islamic scholar and Chairman of Shuaaraul Islam in Borno State.
The troops were said to have pursued the fleeing terrorists for several kilometres, but no contact was made.
According to information provided by the rescued victims, five other civilians are still being held captive.
“Those still in captivity reportedly include the immediate past and current Vice Chairmen of Biu Local Government Area, as well as three women,” Makama wrote.
The rescued victims were taken to a medical facility for treatment before being moved to Biu, where they were reunited with their families.
Makama added that efforts by the military and other security operatives to rescue the remaining abducted persons are ongoing.
The House of Representatives has approved a significant increase in campaign spending limits for candidates contesting elective offices. The lawmakers also made other amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 aimed at strengthening the credibility, transparency and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The resolutions were adopted on Thursday during a clause-by-clause consideration of the report of the House Committee on Electoral Matters.
The session was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, at plenary.
Under the approved amendments, the ceiling on campaign expenditure for presidential candidates was raised from ₦5 billion to ₦10 billion.
Governorship candidates will now be allowed to spend up to ₦3 billion, compared to the previous ₦1 billion limit.
For senatorial contests, the spending cap was increased from ₦100 million to ₦500 million, while candidates for the House of Representatives can now spend up to ₦250 million, up from ₦70 million.
The House also raised the campaign spending limits for state House of Assembly candidates from ₦30 million to ₦100 million.
For local government chairmanship elections, the ceiling was similarly increased from ₦30 million to ₦100 million, while councillorship candidates will now be permitted to spend up to ₦10 million, compared to the earlier ₦5 million limit.
In addition, lawmakers approved a provision that restricts individual or corporate donations to candidates to a maximum of ₦500 million, in a bid to curb undue influence and excessive monetisation of the electoral process.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the House commenced deliberations on the proposed electoral reforms on Wednesday, reviewing several provisions of the existing law and proposing amendments intended to address gaps exposed during recent elections.
Beyond campaign finance, the House endorsed major reforms to the Electoral Act 2022, including provisions that formally recognise the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as the primary tool for accrediting voters and mandate the real-time electronic transmission of election results.
BVAS
At Thursday’s sitting, lawmakers approved a clause requiring presiding officers at polling units to use BVAS or any other technological device prescribed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to verify and authenticate voters’ details. The provision further states that where the accreditation technology fails and a replacement device is not deployed, voting at the affected polling unit must be cancelled.
Under the amendment, INEC will be required to conduct a fresh election within 24 hours in such circumstances, provided the commission determines that the failure would substantially affect the final outcome of the election in the constituency concerned.
The House also approved a provision making electronic transmission of election results compulsory. The amendment mandates presiding officers to electronically transmit results from each polling unit to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after the conclusion of voting and counting.
READ ALSO: Reps probe discrepancies in gazetted tax laws, set up seven-member committee
The clause specifically provides that the presiding officer “shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the IReV portal in real time, and such transmission shall be done after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and, where available, countersigned by candidates or polling unit agents.”
To further strengthen transparency, lawmakers amended Section 60(3) of the Act to compel INEC to transmit polling unit results to the IReV portal in real time alongside the physical collation of results. The amendment introduces stiffer penalties for electoral officers who deliberately violate procedures relating to the counting, announcement or transmission of results.
Under the revised provision, any presiding officer found guilty of such offences faces a minimum fine of ₦500,000, a jail term of at least six months, or both.
The House also adopted several other reforms designed to address long-standing weaknesses in Nigeria’s electoral system. One of the amendments requires that funds for the conduct of general elections be released to INEC at least one year before polling day, a move lawmakers said would significantly improve planning and logistics.
Penalties for multiple voter registration were also increased, with offenders now liable to a minimum fine of ₦100,000 or a one-year jail term, or both. In addition, the House approved an extension of the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their candidates to INEC, shifting it from 180 days to 210 days before an election.
Another notable amendment allows the use of electronically generated voter identification for accreditation and voting. This includes downloadable voter cards embedded with unique QR codes, which lawmakers said would modernise the accreditation process and reduce dependence on physical voter cards.
Following extensive deliberations, the House adopted the amendments as a working tool to guide future elections, describing the reforms as part of a broader effort to curb electoral malpractice, strengthen the legal framework and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Emperor Baywood Ibe inspecting the largesse before they were shared to Awgu communities.
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
As part of activities to mark the funeral ceremonies of late lady Ezinne Eunice Ibe, the Ibe Royal family of Isu-Awaa community in Awgu local government area of Enugu state, on Thursday, December 18th fete the very poor and less privileged families in each of the 21 communities that makes up Awgu local government area, with bags of rice, vegetable oil and other condiments.
Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe, who doled out the largesse on behalf of the family, said they are targeting the needy and poor, wi fifty (50) each from the 21 communities that makes up Awgu local government area, to benefit from the gesture.
He said the largesse is part of the family’s initiative to accommodate the poor in the celebration of life and times of their mother,Lady Ezinne Eunice Ibe, who throughout her life time cared for the poor.
Emperor Baywood Ibe said the gesture are the legacies of their late mother
“it’s part of the legacy of our mother. She loves to give to the poor. I can liken her to Mother Theresa My mother and father were exceptional when it comes to giving.
“In her honour, We want to touch lives who are not likely to come for the celebration of her transition with us. That is her legacy.
” We have directed for a compilation of the very poor families, 50 each from the 21 Communities in Awgu local government area.
“What is spread here is a total of 1,050 bags of rice. Each of the selected poor family will get one bag of the rice and other condiments”, Emperor Baywood explained to the crowd.
Answering questions thereafter from newsmen, Emperor Baywood Ibe said to avoid stampede, they adopted the strategy that each of the community should carry their own allocation to their village square and share peacefully to their own poor.
Lady Ezinne Eunice Ibe passed on at the ripe age of 90 years.She was born in 1935.
The series of events to honour her with a befitting burial which started on Thursday, December 18th, will be rounded up on Sunday, December 21st.
She lived a virtuous life. Amidst her poor background, She overcame all odds in giving her children a desired upbringing through hard work. As a payback, God Almighty granted her long life and she enjoyed the fruit of her labour.
Thus, It is not surprising that the Ibe royal family of Isu-Awaa community in Awgu local government area of Enugu state,simply themed her transition as,” Black Ndigo Goes Home”.
NIGERIA NEWS
Lady Reacts As Doris Ogala Sues Pastor Chris Okafor For Emotional Damage, Demands Hefty Compensation
- A young lady shared her thoughts after reading the suit filed against popular pastor Chris Okafor by actress Doris Ogala
- The actress sued the pastor for emotional damage, accusing him of failing to honor his promises to her
- Her suit got many people talking online after she demanded a large sum as compensation from the pastor
A Nigerian lady shared her opinion on a matter involving a popular pastor, Chris Okafor, and a Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala.
She took to social media to speak her mind after Doris Ogala sued the pastor and demanded a large sum from him.
Lady reacts to suit filed by Doris Ogala against pastor. Photo Source: Twitter/Jade_Mois
Source: Getty Images
Lady comments on actress’s billion-naira demand
In the said suit, it was reported that Doris claimed she gave the pastor access to her account, which contained a large sum of money, and also accused the pastor of causing her emotional damage, for which she is demanding heavy compensation.
Read also
Nigerians react as fresh video from Pastor Chris Okafor’s wedding trends: “The bride is so beautiful”
The post shared by @TrendingEx, which contains a copy of the suit, reported that Doris Ogala is demanding the sum of one billion naira as compensation from the pastor for emotional damage and other claims.
Nigerian lady reacts to Doris Ogala suing Pastor Chris. Middle photo for illustration purposes only. Photo Credit: Getty Images/RODWORKS, Twitter/Jade_Mois
Source: Twitter
Reacting to this, a social media user, @Jade_Mois, lamented over the amount the Nollywood actress is demanding and suggested that she should ask for something payable rather than the huge sum she requested.
The lady wrote:
“She should ask for what’s feasible. If he has one billion, will he be marrying anyone?”
Reactions as Doris Ogala Sues Pastor Chris
@theoriccy noted:
“Her case would have been a good case. Had she not use her mouth d3stroy her case on SM. I know Chris Okafor will hire a good lawyer dat will d3stroy this case.”
@OjCadre said:
“She even put account number for d later. She dey expect 1bn. Na 1 trillion she go see. Make she get faith.”
Read also
Doris Ogala breaks silence over Pastor Chris Okafor’s marriage, shares what she knows about new wife
@aloziekelsawom wrote:
“Shey this one gent sense? You left your marriage cause of another man, now the man no gree marry you, you dey sue am, him force you leave your marriage ni?”
@TNwaiku said:
“Maybe the husband should also sue her and demand N1 billion for leaving their marriage.”
@AkinOluTayo wrote:
“Pastor Chris should just play the video where she said her marriage was toxic which is why she left.”
@KennyBroszo added:
“Omo just get data on your phone, for this country 😂, everyday na different episodes of Craze Matters dey this X app.”
@dtch007 stressed:
“The only bright side I see to this story is that it will reformat some people’s brains from making same stupid decision.”
@glitch_8200 noted:
“This is nothing but a case of an old woman trapped in the mind of a 10 year old girl….Pathetic human being.”
@AdedireEmmanue5 said:
“Shey this woman no get shame? I don’t understand, what you did is even against the law both morally and socially. You have lost both ways.”
Read also
Pastor Chris Okafor weds wife Pearl amid Doris Ogala’s outburst, popular clerics spotted at wedding
Read the post below:
In a similar story, Legit.ng recently reported that Doris Ogala spoke in an interview about how she said she met Pastor Chris Okafor. In the video, she shared details about places they allegedly met in the village and in Lagos, which surprised many fans and made people talk online.
Man reacts to Doris Ogala controversy
Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that trouble started online after actress Doris Ogala accused Pastor Chris Okafor of promising to marry her. She also claimed that he treated her badly.
The story quickly spread on social media and made many Nigerians talk, especially after an old video of the pastor appeared online again.
Source: Legit.ng
A young Nigerian lady has sparked a stir on social media after boldly stating that the baddies are the ones thriving in life, while the “good girls” are falling behind contrary to what parents have preached since childhood.
In a viral video shared by @Teniola on X (formerly Twitter), she highlighted that girls who “opened their eyes early” have not only survived challenges but are excelling.
In her words, she said:
“It’s high time we tell ourselves the truth, the baddies are winning. Look at those girls who were sharp and ambitious from a young age; their lives didn’t get destroyed. They’re thriving, traveling to different countries, and truly making moves.”
Reflecting on the saying, “good girls don’t get paid,” she expressed surprise that it isn’t emphasized enough.
She added that when comparing ambitious women with those who play it safe, the difference becomes obvious.
The baddies are now leading, traveling abroad, and achieving success even during festive seasons like Christmas when they continue to shine.
Her words quickly sparked reactions online. A commentator wrote, “Gone are those days when good girls pay; now it’s a different ball game.”
Another said, “Thank God I no follow una do good girl; I can’t count my achievements.” Others praised her honesty, noting that her statement resonates with the realities of modern life.
Watch video below…
Let’s tell ourselves the truth, the baddies are wining, you see those girls that open their eyes when they’re small, their life no later sp0il ooo, that good girl no dey pay is real” — Lady pic.twitter.com/YnDeojrHDY
— TENIOLA (@Teeniiola) December 18, 2025
The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum has thanked Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for “heeding” its call to defect to the party from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Muftwang’s defection was officially confirmed on Thursday night by APC national chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda at the party’s 14th national caucus meeting, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
Reacting to the development on Friday in a statement by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the North-Central APC Forum, which has for more than one year – since April 2024 – been campaigning for Muftwang to join the APC, welcomed the Plateau governor to the party and assured him of all needed support.
The Forum, in the statement, noted that Muftwang has instructed all his aides to move with him to the APC.
Describing the governor’s defection as “historic” and “strategic”, the Forum observed that the North-Central is now the only zone in the country that has six APC governors.
“We, the North-Central APC Forum, are happy to announce the successful culmination of our agitation and campaign for Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State to join the APC. We thank Governor Muftwang for heeding our call, which was prompted by our commitment to the interests of Plateau State and the entire North-Central.
“Our campaign for Muftwang to join APC was informed by his good works and achievements in office, and because we believe he has the capacity to even do more if he is in a stable political platform such as the one provided by the APC. We also believe that joining the APC will give Governor Mutfwang the opportunity to join hands with President Bola Tinubu to, more effectively, deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Plateau State.
“With this development, the North-Central is now the only zone with six APC governors as all the six states in the region are now APC. This is a historic development which has actualized our vision of delivering the entire North-Central to our great party.
“We are certain that this strategic move by Governor Muftwang will benefit the entire North-Central, not only the people of Plateau State. We assure Governor Muftwang of our full support and call on all stakeholders to rally round him as he contributes to move the party forward,” the statement said.
The APC Forum restated its pledge to deliver six million votes from the North-Central for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. The Forum had initially promised four million votes towards the President’s re-election but in April 2025, raised the figure to six million votes, while also announcing a goal to win all elective positions in the zone in 2027 “to show that in truth, the North-Central is for APC”.
“Our pledge to deliver six million votes for Mr President is on course, especially now that all the states in the zone are with APC. Mr President can rest assured concerning the votes of the North-Central when it is time for his re-election in 2027,” the statement said.
In the same vein, the Forum thanked Tinubu for providing the leadership that made it possible for Mutfwang to join the APC.
It would be recalled that the North-Central APC Forum had in April 2024 sent a letter to Mutfwang, formally inviting him to join the APC, shortly after the Supreme Court affirmed his election as governor of Plateau State.
The APC Forum also sent a letter to the party’s national secretariat notifying it of the decision to invite Mutfwang to join the party. As part of the push to draft Mutfwang into the APC, the North-Central APC Forum, in March 2024, held a meeting in Abuja with leaders and chieftains of the party in Plateau State, to strategize on the plan to poach Mutfwang from the PDP.
In December 2024, there were rumours that Mutfwang has defected to the APC. The rumours followed the circulation of Mutfwang’s photograph among those of APC governors during the September 2024 governorship election in Edo State.
Mutfwang, however, distanced himself from the rumours, and reaffirmed his membership of the PDP, in a statement released by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.
However, the North-Central APC Forum continued to call on the governor to join the APC and take up the leadership of the party in Plateau State. And with the PDP continuously rocked by crisis, the Forum intensified the campaign to recruit Muftwang, advising the governor to join the party to avoid “drowning with the PDP”.
Muftwang’s defection to the APC was opposed by some leaders of the party in Plateau State, who at a stakeholders meeting in Jos on October 17, 2025, endorsed a motion, moved by former Deputy National Secretary, Barrister Festus Fuanter, which opposed Mutfwang’s possible defection to the APC.
“I move the motion against accepting Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang joining the APC,” Fuanter had said. The motion was also unanimously accepted by the stakeholders
But reacting to the position of the Plateau APC leaders, the North-Central APC Forum said those opposed to Mutfwang’s defection to the APC are doing so for selfish reasons, and not for the interest of the party.
Following protests and rallies against Muftwang’s defection, staged by some APC members, including the women chapter, in Jos, the Forum accused party national chairman, Yilwatda, of sponsoring moves to block the Plateau governor from joining the party, describing his alleged action as undemocratic.
Yilwatda was the APC governorship candidate in Plateau in the 2023 election but lost to Muftwang, then of the APC. The North-Central APC Forum said Yilwatda intends to contest the governorship election again in 2027, hence his opposition to Mutfwang’s coming.
The North-Central Forum APC went ahead to declare that the national chairman has no role to play in Muftwang’s defection, and cannot stop the Plateau governor from joining any time he makes up his mind to join the APC. It noted that only the APC executives at the governor’s ward in Mangu have the authority to admit him into the party. The Forum equally urged the Mangu Ward executives to openly invite Muftwang to join the APC.
In the same vein, the North-Central APC Forum called on President Bola Tinubu and APC governors, under the umbrella of the Progressive Governors Forum, to intervene and pave the way for Muftwang’s defection.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has openly restated his commitment to the creation of state police, as pressure mounts over worsening insecurity across the country.
The President said the reform remains a top priority of his administration and is central to tackling crimes such as banditry, kidnapping and insurgency.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday night during the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
The closed-door meeting was attended by APC governors and top party leaders from across the country.
While addressing party stakeholders, the President disclosed that he had already discussed the state police plan with foreign partners and expressed strong confidence in its success.
He revealed that Nigeria’s governing structure and political alignment give the ruling party the advantage needed to push through the reform.
“I had a very long discussion with the US and European leaders. I was bragging to them that definitely we will pass a state police to improve security,” Tinubu said.
“They asked me if I’m confident, and I said, ‘Yes, I have a party to depend on.’”
The President pointed to the APC’s numerical strength in the National Assembly and its control of 28 states as a major factor that would ease the constitutional amendment process required to establish state police.
He urged party leaders to remain united and flexible, stressing that leadership requires constant engagement and accommodation at all levels.
Tinubu also charged governors to take governance beyond state capitals by paying closer attention to local councils.
He insisted that security reforms would be incomplete without strong and functional local governments.
On local government autonomy, the President demanded full compliance with the recent Supreme Court judgment. He made it clear that councils must receive their allocations directly to function effectively.
“To me, the local government autonomy is and must be effective. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate. We give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court.”
The meeting was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and several state governors, including those who recently defected from opposition parties. The gathering was also used to strengthen party unity ahead of the National Executive Committee meeting.
Vice President Shettima, in his remarks, said the APC is steadily expanding its influence across the country.
He expressed confidence that the party’s growing dominance across geopolitical zones positions it strongly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
APC Chairman Yilwatda praised the wave of defections and ongoing membership mobilisation, describing them as signs of public trust in the ruling party.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, who spoke on behalf of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, said Tinubu’s economic and political reforms are already improving investor confidence.
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed his administration’s commitment to uphold accountable, data-based governance to spread development to every nook and cranny of the state.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 second bi-annual meeting of the National Consultative Committee on Statistics with the theme: ‘Harnessing the Power of Statistics for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development and Economic Transformation’, in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Governor Fubara, represented by the state Head of Service, Inyingi S.I. Brown, noted that statistics are critical for the inclusive socio-economic growth of a country like Nigeria with a vast population and diverse ethnicities.
The governor explained that statistics provide the empirical foundation upon which sound policies are built, stressing that they enable governments to identify development gaps, allocate resources efficiently, measure progress, and assess impact.
“For a country like Nigeria, with its vast population and diverse socio-economic realities, the effective use of statistics is critical to achieving inclusive growth, reducing poverty, and fostering economic transformation.
“I am encouraged by the deliberate and purposeful efforts being made by the federal government under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to reposition statistics as a critical driver of national development.
“The present administration has continued to emphasise the importance of credible data in policy formulation, fiscal planning, economic management, and the effective implementation of social and economic reform programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
The state governor pledged his administration’s readiness to key into the data-based governance revolution sparked by the federal government for sustainable development.
“At the sub-national level, we in Rivers State fully align with this national vision. Our administration is firmly committed to evidence-based governance. We believe that policies must be guided by facts, not assumptions, and by data, not conjecture.
Consequently, we continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening statistical capacity, improving data collection systems, and promoting inter-agency collaboration for data harmonisation and utilisation,” he said.
The nation’s Statistician-General, Adeyemi Adeniran, in his keynote address, said the bi-annual meeting was a necessary ingredient for the realisation of the vision for a well-coordinated statistical system capable of sharpening analytical tools for development planning.
“We just launched the power of data high-impact initiative as well as the national strategy for the development of statistics (NSDS) in the country. The NSDS is the framework that will guide the way and manner in which data will be produced in the country’s data systems in the next four to five years.
“In that framework, we have put together all the impetus that is required to produce data in a modernised way, to encourage synergy within the system,” he said.
Adeniran called on all stakeholders within the data development ecosystem to work towards strengthening the nation’s data system for sustainable development.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Imaoyani George, said hosting the bi-annual meeting in the state attests to the high premium that Governor Fubara places on statistics and data-based governance, adding that: “No statistics, no development.”
Gov. Dauda Lawal, has signed into law, ₦871.3 billion, 2026 appropriation, following approval of the Bill by the Zamfara legislature.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lawal signed the 2026 bill on Thursday, shortly after it was approved by the State House of Assembly.
NAN recalls that on December 4, the governor presented a proposed budget of ₦861.3 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Zamfara house of assembly for approval.
Earlier, the Zamfara House of Assembly had passed the 2026 appropriation bill into law following the presentation of a report by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
The committee had presented the report of the bill with a total estimate of ₦871.337 billion for the 2026 fiscal year before the house plenary.
Presenting the committee’s report, its Chairman, Rilwanu Na-Gambo, explained that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state appeared before the committee and defended their proposals.
Na-Gambo noted that there was a significant improvement in the revenue profile of most MDAs.
He said the committee recommended an additional N8 billion for capital expenditure in the Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, and N2 billion for recurrent expenditure for the Zamfara house of assembly.
While passing the bill, the Speaker, Bilyaminu Isma’il said that the legislators considered the strategic priorities of Lawal’s administration, including security, agriculture, health, education, and infrastructure.
The speaker said the budget was designed to reflect the needs and aspirations of the people at the local government level and across other sectors, while ensuring balanced budgeting with a strong focus on equity and inclusion.
NAN reports that the state Deputy Governor, Mani Malam Mumini and the Speaker of the Zamfara House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Isma’il were among top government officials present when Gov. Lawal signed the bill into law. (NAN)
China will impose a 13% value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives from January 1, ending an exemption in place since the nationwide VAT system was introduced in 1993.
The change, included in a VAT law passed in 2024 to modernise the tax regime, comes as Beijing intensifies efforts to raise its declining birthrate. VAT accounts for nearly 40% of China’s total tax revenue.
The move follows years of policy “carrots” after China abandoned its one-child policy, including allowing up to three children per couple, IVF discounts, cash subsidies, and extra paid leave for newlyweds. Still, the prospect of pricier contraceptives has drawn online ridicule. “What is wrong with modern society? They are truly going to extreme lengths just to make us have children,” one Weibo user wrote.
The new law also offers tax breaks for childcare and “marriage introduction services.” This year, the government earmarked 90bn yuan ($12.7bn) for its first nationwide childcare subsidy—3,600 yuan annually for each child under three—and announced plans to expand national health insurance to cover all childbirth-related expenses.
Despite incentives, demographic pressures persist. The birthrate in 2024 edged up to 6.77 per 1,000 people but remains far below historical levels, while an ageing population has driven overall population decline for at least three years. Reports of officials contacting women about menstrual cycles have heightened concerns that authorities may be shifting from incentives to “sticks.”
Experts say the tax is largely symbolic. “Now that China’s birth policy has shifted to encouraging births and no longer promotes contraception, it is reasonable to resume taxing contraceptives,” said He Yafu, an independent demographer in Guangdong. “However, this measure is unlikely to have a significant effect on increasing the fertility rate.”
Yun Zhou, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan, said the tax signals “what desirable family behaviour should be,” warning that if access to contraception became harder, “the brunt of the negative effects will be borne by women, particularly by disadvantaged women.”
Revenue gains are expected to be modest. Lee Ding of Dezan Shira & Associates estimates the measure will raise about 5bn yuan annually—tiny against China’s 22tn yuan public budget. “We do not believe revenue generation is the primary motivation behind extending VAT to contraceptives,” Ding said.
Vanguard News
The post China to increase tax on condoms in attempt to boost birth rate appeared first on Vanguard News.
The operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad of the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at about 1 p.m., arrested five suspects in connection with a fake and stage-managed kidnapping in the state.
The incident involved a schoolboy pleading for mercy in the fake kidnappers’ den.
The suspects are 20-year-old Anyabike Kingsley; 17-year-old Kosiko Patrick; 15-year-old Victor Aligwo; 19-year-old David Odudu; and 19-year-old Umeh Victor. The suspects, who faked the kidnapping incident, were arrested and are now in police custody.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident, which initially generated widespread public concern, was first reported as a case of a missing person at Ago Palace Division on November 26, 2025. Subsequent to the investigation, it was established that the alleged kidnap was deliberately orchestrated by the victim himself, one Victor Aligwo, in collaboration with four of his friends, using the room of his cohort, Umeh Victor, to carry out the fake kidnapping act.
Following diligent, intelligence-led and discreet investigation, the suspects were apprehended on the 17th and 18th of December, 2025, at Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace area, respectively.
Further investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired to stage the fake kidnapping with the intent of extorting money from the mother of the suspected victim, Victor Aligwo, who had recently received the sum of N4 million from a contribution.
To actualise and make the fake kidnapping real, the suspects recorded and circulated a distress video showing Victor Aligwo pleading for help, thereby creating fear and panic in the mind of his mother and his family to pay ransom to the alleged kidnappers.
A ransom of N1.7 million was paid and later transferred to the account of one of the fake kidnappers by the mother to get him freed. The money was later shared amongst them. Following the payment, the police operatives traced the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal used for the ransom transaction, leading to the arrest of all suspects involved.
Spokesperson for the Command, Abimbola Adebisi, said that investigation into the matter is ongoing, and all the suspects will be charged to court for their prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, has warned all criminal elements to desist from any form of crime and to curtail any form of criminal activities within the state, assuring that the Command will not relent in ensuring the safety of lives and property.
The Command reassured residents that this incident was not a case of kidnapping and that there is no cause for panic. Members of the public are encouraged to continue their lawful activities and promptly report any suspicious acts or movements to the Police through the Command’s emergency numbers: 0706 101 9374, 0806 515 4338, 0806 329 9264, 0803 934 4870.