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Buhari Rules out Amnesty for Boko Haram

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Major General Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, vowed yesterday to ensure that Boko Haram members face justice for their atrocities committed against Nigeria and its people, if he wins the March 28 presidential election.

Buhari said in London that rather than grant amnesty to the insurgents his administration would make those arrested answer for their crime by prosecuting them.

Speaking after delivering a paper titled: “Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition,” at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, popularly known as Chatham House, the former head of state said he would restore Nigeria’s lost glory if elected.

 “On amnesty for Boko Haram, I think I wouldn’t go to that office with such a promise. I mentioned in my address how thousands of Nigerians have been killed by Boko Haram, how millions of them have been displaced and are being camped in different places as internally displaced persons; schools are closed and there is so much disruptions to life. People are not able to farm, and where they farm, they couldn’t harvest.

So, for me, I think I will be unfair to the system if I say I am going to grant amnesty to Boko Haram. We want to secure Nigeria, so we must ensure through intelligence that those who are caught are given the chance to be properly prosecuted.” While debunking insinuations that he once referred to attack on Boko Haram as an attack on the North, he said those attributing such a statement to him were ill-informed.

He also dismissed claims that he is not fit to run Nigeria’s affairs on account of his age.

According to Buhari, at 72, he is as fit as a fiddle even after touring 35 out of 36 states for his campaign.

He stated further that his stance on graft has not changed, vowing not to engage any corrupt individual in his administration, if elected.

The one-hour interactive session, which was chaired by a former British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Gozney, was also attended by prominent APC leaders, Senator Bola Tinubu, Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, and former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, among other supporters of the party and Nigerians residing abroad. Justifying his no-amnesty- for-Boko Haram stance, Buhari said it would be unfair to thousands of people killed and maimed by the terror group for the Federal Government to pardon them as it did with Niger Delta militants.

He added that it would be erroneous to believe that a region with more than 12,000 of the about 13,000 casualties suffered by the country would regard an attack on the insurgents as an assault on them.

“I think this is an uninformed opinion. Out of those 13,000 casualties, I believe more than 12,000 are Northerners. So how can Northerners feel that an attack on Boko Haram is an attack on them? The schools that were vandalised, the children killed, and particularly the Chibok girls, more than 200 of them, and most of them are Northerners.

So I think one has to examine reasons for believing or disbelieving allegations against any part of the country. It is just like saying that the stealing of about 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day is by the people of Sokoto or Maiduguri, where most of them have never even see a sea. But I assure you that people in their own way are already fighting insurgency by passing relevant information to security agencies and that is to tell you that they are the biggest casualties,” he stated.

On his health status, the APC candidate said: “I am very happy that I have been able to go to 35 states out of 36 and I haven’t broken down. Somebody announced me dead yesterday. I had a call from Maiduguri yesterday (Wednesday) that somebody rushed to a friend’s house that Buhari has died in a hospital in London.

So, the person called me and I laughed my head off. Certainly, I will be expecting too much if I don’t expect that people are wishing me dead. But I am fit. Doctors have declared me fit and I am going back with a renewed onslaught.”

Buhari also warned against postponing the general elections, saying that he will go to court to challenge any fresh vote delay. Asked what his disposition would be to the ‘fat salaries’ of legislators, Buhari said: “I really won’t like to touch their salaries now and I don’t know if I will be constrained to touch it when I become the president.”

On his stance on Sharia, Buhari said: “Sharia is limited by our constitution. So, anybody who wants to change the Sharia will have to change the constitution.” Buhari, in his lecture, described the present administration as a wasteful government.

According to him, the two major problems of the Peoples Democratic Party – led government are corruption and waste.

“Let me assure you that if I am elected president, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently, that Nigeria will return to its stabilising role in West Africa, and that no inch of Nigerian territory will ever be lost to the enemy because we will pay special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service; we will give them adequate and modern arms and ammunition to work with.

We will improve intelligence gathering to choke Boko Haram’s financial and equipment channels; we will be tough on terrorism and tough on its root causes by initiating a comprehensive economic development plan promoting infrastructural development, job creation, agriculture and industry in the affected areas.

“We will always act on time and not allow problems to irresponsibly fester, and I, General Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the front and return Nigeria to its leadership role in regional and international efforts to combat terrorism.” On corruption, he said: “First and foremost, we will plug the holes in the budgetary process. Revenue producing entities such as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Customs and Excise will have one set of books only. Their revenues will be publicly disclosed and regularly audited.

The institutions of state dedicated to fighting corruption will be given independence and prosecutorial authority without political interference. But I must emphasise that any war waged on corruption should not be misconstrued as settling old scores or a witch-hunt.

I’m running for president to lead Nigeria to prosperity and not adversity.” Buhari also stated that he accepted responsibility for his actions as a military ruler, adding that dictatorship is sine qua non to military rule. He said: “I have heard and read references to me as a former dictator in many respected British newspapers including the well regarded The Economist. Let me say without sounding defensive that dictatorship goes with military rule, though some might be less dictatorial than others.

“I take responsibility for whatever happened under my watch. I cannot change the past. But I can change the present and the future. So before you is a former military ruler and a converted democrat who is ready to operate under democratic norms and is subjecting himself to the rigours of democratic elections for the fourth time.” The PDP, however, faulted Buhari’s lecture, saying his appearance at Chatham House will not stop his defeat on March 28. The party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation also queried Buhari’s decision to honour the Chatham House invitation while refusing to participate in presidential debate.


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Haleon Introduces New Corporate Identity in Nigeria

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Haleon, a global consumer health company with a purpose to deliver better everyday health, is introducing its corporate identity across Nigeria in a phased transition. Trusted brands such as Panadol, Sensodyne, Macleans, Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000 and Andrews Liver Salts remain unchanged in formulation, quality, and effectiveness.

Following the formal demerger from GSK, Haleon was launched on July 18, 2022, as an independent company 100% focused on consumer health. Haleon is the new home for brands like Sensodyne, Panadol, Centrum and others, trusted by millions worldwide for their proven effectiveness in improving everyday health.

From relieving tooth sensitivity or pain to providing essential vitamins and nutrients, our products are designed to fulfil Haleon’s purpose: to deliver better everyday health with humanity.

This revised corporate identity is a branding change only and does not affect the safety, quality, or efficacy of the products. Haleon is sharing this update as part of its commitment to transparency and consumer confidence, helping consumers continue to choose the brands they know and trust.

Haleon’s collaboration with Fidson Healthcare forms part of this approach, reinforcing the value of local production in supporting trusted everyday health brands in Nigeria.

Panadol Extra 100s and Panadol Pain & Fever 100s are currently being produced and supplied to the market under the Haleon identity. Sensodyne Rapid Action will bear the Haleon corporate identity from mid-June, followed by Andrews Liver Salts later this year.

In due course, additional brands—including Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000, Macleans, and the wider Sensodyne portfolio—will also transition to the Haleon identity.

Haleon remains committed to ensuring consumers can continue to access the same high-quality brands at pharmacies, supermarkets and other retail outlets across Nigeria.

“As Haleon introduces its identity in Nigeria, we want consumers to feel informed and reassured. The trusted products they rely on remain the same in quality, formulation and effectiveness.

“At the same time, our local production approach in partnership with Fidson Healthcare supports reliable access to high-quality everyday health products in Nigeria,” said Himanshu Raj, Haleon General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.

 


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Elon Musk Makes History as the World’s First Trillionaire

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Tech entrepreneur and SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, has become the world’s first trillionaire after the successful public listing of SpaceX pushed his net worth beyond the $1 trillion mark.

Elon Musk Makes History as the World’s First Trillionaire

Elon Musk

According to multiple financial reports, Musk’s fortune surged to approximately $1.1 trillion following SpaceX’s historic stock market debut on June 12, making him the first individual in history to achieve the milestone.

The sharp increase in wealth was driven primarily by SpaceX’s initial public offering (IPO), which valued the company at more than $1.7 trillion at listing before rising above $2 trillion during its first day of trading. Musk’s holdings in SpaceX, combined with his stakes in Tesla and other ventures, significantly boosted his net worth.

Musk, 54, is also the founder or co-founder of companies including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and The Boring Company. He acquired social media platform X, formerly Twitter, in a $44 billion deal and has remained one of the most influential figures in technology and business.

Financial analysts noted that Musk’s wealth now far exceeds that of any other billionaire.

Matt Durot, deputy editor at Forbes Wealth, said the gap between Musk and the world’s second-richest individual had widened significantly, with no other person currently close to the trillion-dollar threshold.

Despite the historic achievement, Musk’s vast wealth has reignited debates over global inequality and the responsibilities of ultra-wealthy individuals in addressing humanitarian challenges.

Advocacy groups have frequently pointed to issues such as hunger, disease eradication and access to education as areas where large-scale private philanthropy could make a significant impact.

In 2021, Musk publicly challenged the United Nations to provide a detailed plan showing how billions of dollars could help combat world hunger. Although a proposal was later presented, no donation followed.

Analysts note that much of Musk’s wealth remains tied to company shares rather than liquid cash, meaning his net worth can fluctuate significantly with market movements.

Nevertheless, the SpaceX IPO marks a historic moment in global finance, placing Musk in a wealth category previously considered unimaginable.

Commenting on Musk’s business achievements, Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase, described him as “the Edison of our time.”

Musk’s rise from co-founding internet startup Zip2 in the 1990s to becoming the world’s first trillionaire is regarded by many analysts as one of the most remarkable wealth creation stories in modern history.


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Kaspersky Warns of “Grey” Scam Websites Exploiting User Trust

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Recent research by Kaspersky has shown that the so-called “grey” websites repeatedly target all world regions, and this may be driving both financial loss and large-scale data harvesting.

Grey websites are deceptive online platforms that fall outside traditional phishing definitions but still manipulate users into voluntarily handing over money and personal data. Kaspersky’s new report provides detailed insights into the threats posed by the grey websites on global and regional levels.

Unlike classic phishing attacks, which aim to steal credentials outright, grey websites rely on persuasion, misleading interfaces, and hidden terms to exploit users. They often impersonate legitimate services such as e-commerce platforms, financial tools, AI services, or subscription-based content, making them significantly harder to detect.

Kaspersky analysis shows that the majority of suspicious resources globally fall into several recurring categories:

  • Fake browser extensions and “security tools” that actually harvest browsing data and track user activity.
  • Fraudulent financial platforms including crypto exchanges, trading tools, and investment schemes promising unrealistic returns.
  • Intermediary services (e.g., legal or real estate), charging for low-value or nonexistent services while harvesting sensitive personal data.
  • Subscription traps offering low-cost trials that convert into costly recurring payments hidden in fine print.
  • Fake online shops that either deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all.

Example of a grey website.

A notable trend is the emergence of tools disguised as AI services or image-processing platforms, reflecting attackers’ ability to adapt to current digital trends and target younger audiences.

There are proven security solutions that help users to detect grey websites across different types of devices – those running on Windows, Linux, Android and iOS. The detection model is based on many factors, including domain name and age, IP reputation, stability of the infrastructure used, DNS configurations, HTTP security headers, digital identity and popularity of the web resource and other criteria.

Regional specifics

Regional variations in grey websites demonstrate how threat actors localise scams based on user behaviour and trending technologies.

In Europe, the threat landscape is dominated by links to suspicious browser extensions and fake “privacy-enhancing” tools.

These resources often present themselves as security solutions, promising safer browsing or anonymous search capabilities. In reality, they function as browser hijackers – intercepting traffic, collecting cookies, tracking user behaviour, and injecting advertisements.

The popularity of these threats reflects a high level of user concern around privacy and security, which attackers actively exploit. Additionally, these regions show a steady presence of phishing intermediaries and crypto-related scams, indicating a blend of technical and financially motivated attacks.

Across African markets, financial scams are the most prominent category of suspicious resources. Fraudulent trading platforms, fake brokers, and investment schemes frequently mimic legitimate financial services, often accompanied by fabricated licenses or endorsements.

These platforms typically prevent users from withdrawing funds, instead introducing additional “fees” or taxes to prolong the scam. The concentration of these threats highlights how attackers leverage growing interest in online investing while exploiting gaps in regulatory enforcement and financial literacy.

In the Middle East and North Africa region, suspicious resources frequently mimic communication (Internet telephony) tools, financial platforms, or betting services. Additionally, Ponzi-style investment schemes and crypto scams are widespread, often presented through polished interfaces that mimic legitimate platforms.

Web browser-based threats also play a significant role, with malicious extensions targeting user data and browsing activity. The regional threat profile reflects a convergence of financial fraud and technical compromise, where users risk both data exposure and monetary loss.

“Suspicious websites don’t look harmful at first glance. But they exploit trust, urgency, and familiarity, and a single click on what looks like a harmless AI image tool, a “secure” browser extension, or a heavily discounted online shop could be all it takes to lose money or expose sensitive data.

Instead of direct credential theft, attackers turn to behavioural manipulation – whether that’s subscribing, investing, or installing software,” comments Anna Larkina, Web Content and Privacy Analysis Expert at Kaspersky.

 


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