• Hot Source
• Hot News
• November 3, 2025
• 5 views

Police Vow Clampdown on Criminal Syndicates, Kidnappers in FCT

Police Vow Clampdown on Criminal Syndicates, Kidnappers in FCT

Linus Aleke in Abuja

Operatives of the  Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have vowed to clamp down on criminal syndicates, kidnappers, and other outlaws disturbing the peace and tranquility of the territory.

To achieve this, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Miller Dantawaye, has directed all tactical and surveillance teams under the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), including operatives of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), to join forces with the department of operations and all divisional police formations in an extensive cleanup operation across the FCT.

According to a statement released by the command yesterday, the operation forms part of a renewed and intensified effort to rid the territory of underworld elements and criminal syndicates, while sustaining the relative peace currently enjoyed by residents. 

The special operation, which commences this month, is scheduled to run through January 2026.

The command added that the exercise is aimed at identifying, dislodging, and apprehending criminal elements hiding in the nooks and crannies of the Territory. 

CP Dantawaye emphasised that the operation will be carried out with intensity and consistency, directing operatives to dominate identified black spots, criminal hideouts, and vulnerable communities to ensure the safety of residents at all times.

He warned all officers and men involved to take the assignment seriously and perform their duties professionally, stressing that no lapse, misconduct, or act of unprofessionalism will be tolerated. 

 He urged them to uphold the highest standards of discipline, integrity, and respect for human rights throughout the operation.

The commissioner also appealed to members of the public to cooperate fully with police personnel, noting that collaboration between security agencies and residents is vital to achieving lasting peace. 

He further advised residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements, activities, or unfamiliar individuals to the nearest police station promptly.

​  

Linus Aleke in Abuja Operatives of the  Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have vowed to clamp down on criminal syndicates, kidnappers, and other outlaws disturbing the peace and tranquility of the

• Hot Source
• Hot News
• November 3, 2025
• 7 views

Zenith Bank’s Gross Earnings Surged 16% to N3.4tn, as Pbt Hit N917.4bn in Q3 2025Nume Ekeghe

Zenith Bank’s Gross Earnings Surged 16% to N3.4tn, as Pbt Hit N917.4bn in Q3 2025Nume Ekeghe

Zenith Bank Plc has released its unaudited financial results for the nine months ended 30 September 2025, with a remarkable 16% year-on-year growth in gross earnings from N2.9 trillion recorded in Q3 2024 to N3.4 trillion in Q3 2025. The Group’s performance continues to demonstrate resilience, strong momentum, disciplined execution and an ability to deliver long-term shareholder value in spite of challenging macroeconomic environment.

According to the financial results presented to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), the growth in gross earnings was driven by a sustained growth in interest income which grew by 41% year-on-year to N2.7 trillion. The growth in interest income was supported by a high-yield rate environment and an expansion in the Bank’s investment portfolio. Despite the increase in interest expense by 22% to N814 billion on the back of a tightening monetary cycle and a growth in the Bank’s funding base, the Bank was able to achieve a healthy Net Interest Margin (NIM) of 12% as against 10% in September 2024. Non-interest income declined by 38% to N535 billion, underpinned by a 60% decline in trading gains.

Profitability remained strong, with profit before tax at N917 billion as against N1.00 trillion reported in September 2024. Profit after tax also declined by 8% to N764 billion and Earnings Per Share (EPS) came in at N18.60 as against N26.34 in September 2024, as the Bank took bold measures to improve the quality of its loan portfolio.

The Bank’s total assets grew by 4% from N30 trillion in December 2024 to N31 trillion as at September 2025. This was largely supported by customer deposits, which rose by 8% to N23.7 trillion within the same period. Gross loans declined by 9% to N10 trillion as at September 2025, while Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio improved to 3% due to the write-off of non-performing loans.

Return on Average Equity (ROAE) and Return on Average Assets (ROAA) stood at 23.3% and 3.3% respectively. Cost of funds increased to 4.5%, underscored by the broader elevated interest rate environment. The Group’s cost of risk stood at 10% while cost-to-income ratio rose to 45%.
Coverage ratio and liquidity ratio remain solid and well within regulatory limits at 211.1% and 53% respectively. This highlights the Bank’s strong capital position and liquidity profile as well as its ability to fund strategic growth opportunities. It also reflects its unwavering commitment to a prudent risk management, compliance and corporate governance culture.
Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, said: “the Bank’s robust performance is an attestation to the resilience of the Zenith brand, result-driven strategy, and the adaptability of our people in an evolving operating environment. We have fortified our capital base, reset our asset quality, and are well positioned for sustainable and profitable growth”.

Looking to Q4 2025, Dame Dr. Umeoji reinforced her optimistic outlook: “This result confirms the resilience of both our business model and our people. We’re on a solid growth path that we expect to maintain through the remainder of the year. Our focus on innovation, digital transformation, and developing solutions that address our clients’ changing needs positions us to capitalise on emerging opportunities whilst maintaining our disciplined approach to growth.” She assured shareholders that the robust performance, combined with improved asset quality and the Bank’s strong capital base, positions Zenith Bank to deliver exceptional returns with expectations of sustained value creation. “We’re well placed to sustain this momentum whilst maintaining responsible leadership in the Nigerian banking industry and delivering exceptional value to all our stakeholders.”

The Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker and “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025. The Bank was also awarded Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022, 2024 and 2025, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023; and was listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023.

Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025 in the World Finance Banking Awards and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards. Additionally, Zenith Bank has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for four consecutive years from 2022 to 2025 and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.

The Bank’s commitment to excellence led to Zenith being also being named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in The Banker’s Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year 2023 to 2025 at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and 2024 to 2025. The Bank also received the accolades of Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards, Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper; Bank of the Year 2024 by New Telegraph Newspaper; and Best in MSME Trade Finance, 2023 by Nairametrics. The Bank’s Hybrid Offer was also adjudged ‘Rights Issue/ Public Offer of the Year at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025.

Zenith Bank has also bagged several non-financial awards including, Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024.

​  

Zenith Bank Plc has released its unaudited financial results for the nine months ended 30 September 2025, with a remarkable 16% year-on-year growth in gross earnings from N2.9 trillion recorded

• Hot Source
• Hot News
• November 3, 2025
• 10 views

Group Urges FG to Connect  Ndokwa Nation to Electricity, Decries Neglect

Group Urges FG to Connect  Ndokwa Nation to Electricity, Decries Neglect

Sunday Ehigiator

The Ndokwa Association in America (NAIA) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Delta State Government to immediately step down electricity from the Okpai Independent Power Plant (IPP) to supply power to all communities across Ndokwa land.

The call was contained in a communique issued after the association’s 2025 Biennial National Convention held in Bloomington, Minnesota, and signed by its principal officers, including President Mr. Enefazu Otuya, immediate past President, Mr. Chibuzor Uwadione, and National Secretary, Professor Sunday Enubuzor, among others.

The association lamented what it described as the “continued neglect and marginalisation” of Ndokwa nation, which comprises Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East, and Ukwuani Local Government Areas of Delta State. 

According to the communique, the region remains plagued by inadequate social amenities, including lack of electricity, poor infrastructure, underfunded schools, near-zero public healthcare institutions, bad roads,
and widespread unem-ployment.

In the statement, the association noted that “the present state of underdevelopment in Ndokwa nation is characterized by a lack of basic social amenities such as electricity, a poor and underfunded school system, near-zero public health institutions, and endemic lack of clean portable water, youth unemployment, impassable  roads and general poverty plaguing Ndokwa communities.”

The group referenced the recent peaceful protest by Ndokwa youths in Kwale, who demanded that the government “Light Up Ndokwaland” by providing electricity to their communities. 

NAIA expressed disappointment over what it termed the “hostile response” by both the Delta State Government and local authorities to the peaceful demonstration, saying it underscored the long history of neglect suffered by Ndokwa people despite their immense contributions to Nigeria’s economic development.

“The Delta State Government and the Ndokwa Local Governments’ hostile response is the story of the long history of neglect and marginalisation of Ndokwaland by successive Nigerian governments, even though Ndokwa nation contributes a significant portion of Nigeria’s oil and gas wealth and about 450 megawatts of electricity to the national grid from the Okpai IPP,” the communique stated.

“It is ironic that the peace-loving Ndokwa people, who contribute to Nigeria’s oil production and power generation over the years, are left to wallow in darkness while their qualified sons and daughters are given no place of employment in Nigeria’s thriving oil and gas sectors.

“We continue to be good host communities to both local and multinational oil and gas facilities, but what do we get but environmental degradation, unemployment, poverty, and disease.”

The association urged the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to address the plight of the Ndokwa people by ensuring that electricity from the Okpai IPP is stepped down to serve local communities without further delay.

It also called on the Delta State Government to prioritise the provision of potable water and to immediately establish functional public healthcare facilities to address the region’s worsening health crisis, where most towns and villages reportedly have no hospitals or community health centers.

Furthermore, NAIA appealed to all Ndokwa sons and daughters, as well as organisations at home and abroad, to unite and work collectively toward achieving these developmental goals.

The association reiterated its readiness to collaborate with any government agency, group, or stakeholder committed to improving the living conditions of the Ndokwa people, emphasising that access to electricity, clean water, and healthcare are fundamental rights that must no longer be denied.

​  

Sunday Ehigiator The Ndokwa Association in America (NAIA) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Delta State Government to immediately step down electricity from the Okpai Independent