AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Matchday Two Results and Teams with Maximum Points

The second round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers has concluded, with eleven teams claiming victories in their respective fixtures. The Super Eagles of Nigeria faced Rwanda in Kigali, with the match ending in a goalless draw.

Meanwhile, the Pharaohs of Egypt delivered a dominant performance, securing a 4-0 away victory against Botswana, and reigning African champions, Côte d’Ivoire, comfortably defeated Chad 2-0 away.

Full Matchday Two Results:

  • Botswana 0-4 Egypt
  • Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria
  • Mozambique 2-1 Guinea-Bissau
  • Eswatini 0-1 Mali
  • South Sudan 2-3 South Africa
  • Gabon 2-0 Central African Republic
  • Liberia 0-3 Algeria
  • Guinea 1-2 Tanzania
  • Namibia 1-2 Kenya
  • Zimbabwe 0-0 Cameroon
  • Cabo Verde 2-0 Mauritania
  • Benin 2-1 Libya
  • Zambia 3-2 Sierra Leone
  • Chad 0-2 Côte d’Ivoire
  • Burkina Faso 3-1 Malawi

Teams with Maximum Six Points:

Several teams have maintained a perfect record after two matchdays, securing six points:

  • DR Congo
  • Ivory Coast
  • Egypt
  • Angola
  • Algeria
  • Morocco
  • Tunisia

Teams with Four Points:

Other teams, including Nigeria, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and Burkina Faso, have accumulated four points from their two matches.

The third round of qualifiers is scheduled for October 2024.

125,517 Terrorists and Family Members Surrender to Nigerian Military – DHQ

Maj Gen Emeka Onumajuru, Chief of Training and Operations at Defence Headquarters, revealed that 125,517 terrorists and their family members have surrendered to the Nigerian military. This was announced during a press briefing by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, in Abuja.

Onumajuru also highlighted the relocation of over 60,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in collaboration with the Borno State Government, helping to decongest IDP camps. The security situation in the North Central and South East was reported as stable, with key operations neutralizing threats, including those from IPOB and militias in Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa States.

General Musa also promised intensified efforts to apprehend bandit leader Bello Turji in Zamfara State, stressing that military operations would soon put an end to terrorist activities and extortion in the North West. A new operation, Kasar Yamma, has been launched to address insecurity in the region.

Key Moments from Trump and Harris Debate: Tight Race and Fierce Exchanges

In their first head-to-head debate, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris clashed on key issues, reflecting a tight presidential race. Harris holds a narrow lead over Trump in recent polls, with both candidates addressing topics ranging from immigration to the economy, abortion, and foreign policy.

Harris focused on defending democracy and criticized Trump’s criminal record, while Trump made unverified claims about immigration and the 2020 election. The debate also highlighted stark differences on the economy, abortion rights, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with both candidates laying out contrasting visions for America’s future.

Governor Zulum: One Million People Impacted by Maiduguri Flooding

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, announced that one million people were affected by the recent devastating flood in Maiduguri. The flood, which hit on Tuesday, submerged large parts of the city and its surroundings.

While distributing relief materials, including cash and food, to displaced persons at Bukassi camp, Zulum expressed concern over the potential spread of waterborne diseases due to contaminated sewage systems. He stated that a Health Emergency Committee had been set up to prevent a flood-related epidemic.

Zulum revealed that search and rescue operations were underway, and data on the extent of the damage was being collected. He also confirmed receiving a N3 billion flood intervention fund from the Federal Government, which will be used to support the victims and address the challenges caused by the flood.

The governor attributed the flooding to climate change and heavy rainfall, which caused the Alau Dam to overflow. He promised that the dam would be reconstructed and that illegal structures along waterways would be demolished to prevent future disasters.

Flood Disaster in Maiduguri: Over 200,000 Displaced, Children Still Missing

In the early hours of yesterday, a massive flood struck Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, displacing over 200,000 residents and leaving numerous people, including children, missing. The flood followed the collapse of the Alau Dam, which overflowed into the city, submerging houses, businesses, and vital infrastructure, including the Palace of the Shehu of Borno and the popular Monday Market.

Authorities confirmed that many residents were trapped, while corpses from the washed-out Gwange Cemetery floated through the streets, raising concerns of waterborne diseases. The Borno State Government has reopened IDP camps to accommodate victims, while aid agencies work to provide emergency relief.

Wildlife from the local zoo was also affected, with 80% of the animals reported dead, and dangerous species, including crocodiles, washed into communities. Meanwhile, sources confirmed that the flood had devastated a Boko Haram enclave in Sambisa Forest, killing numerous insurgents and their families.

Nigeria Police Force to Deploy 10,000 Recruits in February 2025

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced that 10,000 newly recruited constables and specialists will be deployed in February 2025. This deployment aligns with the Federal Government’s community policing initiative.

Training and Deployment

  • Training Commencement: The training for the General Duty cadre began on August 10, 2024, and will last for six months. Specialist cadre training is set to start on September 28, 2024.
  • Training Locations: Recruits are undergoing training in 16 police training institutions across the country. The training is designed to include three learning phases: Basic Training Course, Intermediate Training Course, and Practical Police Duty Course.
  • Curriculum: The new Training Plan and Curriculum cover practical beat duty policing, professional studies, suspects’ handling, criminal law, public relations, community policing, and more. It also includes legal knowledge relevant to policing, such as the Nigerian Constitution, Police Act, and Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Background

The recruitment process faced delays due to disputes between the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force regarding the list of successful applicants. The list was eventually accepted in July 2024 after a stand-off, leading to the current training program.

The recruits will be deployed to their states of origin, in line with the community policing initiative aimed at strengthening local law enforcement.

Nigeria’s Oil Production Hits 1.35mbpd in August, OPEC Reports

Nigeria’s crude oil production rose to 1.35 million barrels per day (mbpd) in August, according to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) September Monthly Oil Market Report. This increase marks a slight rise from July’s production level of 1.31 mbpd, reflecting an additional 45,000 barrels per day.

This report presents a different picture from the Federal Government’s statements. President Bola Tinubu had announced in August that oil production had surged to 1.6 mbpd in July, attributing this rise to reforms in the Petroleum Industry Act. Similarly, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, had reported a July production level of 1.61 mbpd during a House of Representatives hearing.

However, OPEC’s data indicates that July’s production was 1.30 mbpd, and the earlier claims of 1.6 mbpd were not corroborated by the international organization. In May, Nigeria’s oil production had fallen to 1.25 mbpd, despite claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of nearly 1.7 mbpd.

OPEC’s figures align with those from the NUPRC, showing that production levels have fluctuated throughout the year. The organization also reported a slight increase in April, from 1.23 mbpd in March to 1.28 mbpd.

NAFDAC Orders Recall of Dove Beauty Cream Bar Soap Over Health Concerns

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a recall for Dove Beauty Cream Bar Soap (100g), batch number 81832M 08, produced in Germany, due to the detection of a harmful chemical impurity.

The agency revealed that the soap contains Butylphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA), also known as Lilial, a substance prohibited in cosmetics due to its potential risks to reproductive health and possible adverse effects on unborn children. BMHCA is also linked to skin sensitization and allergic reactions.

NAFDAC’s statement emphasized that BMHCA is banned by several regulatory authorities in the European Union. The recall affects various Dove products containing this chemical, including different creams and lotions.

The agency has urged the public to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the affected products, noting that they are not listed in NAFDAC’s database. It advised consumers in possession of the recalled soap to discontinue use and return the product to the nearest NAFDAC office.

Healthcare professionals and consumers are also encouraged to report any adverse reactions from using regulated products through NAFDAC’s reporting channels.

Pressure From Unions, International Bodies Forced Ajaero’s Release

The recent release of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero came after intense pressure from local and international bodies. Ajaero was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday, while on his way to the UK to attend a Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference.

Labour unions in Nigeria, civil society organizations (CSOs), and international trade unions rallied in response, threatening nationwide strikes and protests. Organizations such as the Public Service International (PSI), International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and IndustriALL Global Union (IGU) applied external pressure, urging their respective governments to act against Nigeria for alleged human rights abuses.

The NLC had already planned for a nationwide strike, awaiting approval from the National Executive Council (NEC) before Ajaero’s release. The strike was set to protest his detention and the broader issue of union repression in the country.

Ajaero, recounting his experience with the DSS, said he was interrogated by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the DSS about his connections with various individuals and groups, including the Labour Party and #EndBadGovernance protesters. He expressed frustration at what he described as continued efforts by security agencies to intimidate and persecute union leaders in Nigeria.

The coordinated pressure from both local and international bodies led to Ajaero’s release just before the nationwide strike was due to begin.

Aare Ona Kakanfo Gani Adams Criticizes President Tinubu’s Administration

Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that it offers no hope for Nigerians. In an open letter titled “State of the Nation,” Adams criticized Tinubu’s economic and security policies, claiming they have only worsened the lives of Nigerians.

He noted that while many initially believed Tinubu would be an improvement over former President Muhammadu Buhari, the current administration has led to skyrocketing fuel prices and a steep decline in the value of the naira.

Adams further criticized Tinubu for mishandling protests, including the August 1 hunger protest, and charging demonstrators with treason. He expressed concern over the worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and increasing poverty rates across the country.

In his letter, Adams lamented that many Nigerians are suffering under Tinubu’s leadership, with unemployment and inflation rates continuing to rise, leading to the collapse of businesses and households.