• NLC rejects 50% telecoms tariff hike, proposes 5%, and insists on protest
• 21 children rescued from suspected human traffickers
• South Africa and Rwanda in a gridlock as Rwanda faces DR Congo
• Bento CEO resigns amid investigation from LIRS and EFCC
• NiDCOM says it is ready to accept deported illegal Nigerians from the US

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

NLC rejects 50% telecoms tariff hike, proposes 5%, and insists on protest

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the NCC and telecoms tariff hike, stating that a 50% increase in this current economy would cripple the people; therefore, it has proposed a 5% increase.

The labor Union has refused to accept anything beyond its proposal, and to prove its commitment; it has stated that it will go further with its protest scheduled for February 4.

“They keep on emasculating us through stupid taxes. It will come to a point when people can pay, but they won’t pay. This really is to halt this mindless tariff increase. And if by any chance there has to be an increase at all, 5%, given our situation that there have been increases across the board,” an NLC spokesman, Benson Upah, said.

21 children rescued from suspected human traffickers

Approximately 21 children aged between seven and 15 years have been rescued from the hands of suspected traffickers en route to Niger State from Yobe.

The Yobe State Command had busted the illegal operation at the Geidam Control Post, Dunari, Yobe State, and released a statement saying, “The Yobe State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service has intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number 10B-87GM, Gombe State, carrying 21 minors from Labule and Ibeto towns in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State to Maine Soroa in the Niger Republic.”

South Africa and Rwanda in a gridlock as Rwanda faces DR Congo

South Africa and Rwanda’s relationship has worsened in the past few days due to SA’s President Cyril Ramaphosa’s accusation of Rwandan-backed M23 rebel force massacring South African troops in DR Congo.

As the rebels gained the upper hand on the battlefield by seizing control of most of Goma, the largest city in the east, South Africa issued a diplomatic warning, stating that any further attacks on its troops would be seen as a “declaration of war.”

Since last week, a total of 13 South African soldiers have lost their lives as the rebels swiftly advanced toward Goma, a significant trading center near the Rwandan border.

According to the BBC, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame responded strongly, accusing South Africa of being part of a “belligerent force” engaged in “offensive combat operations” to assist the Congolese government in its fight against its citizens.

Bento CEO resigns amid investigation from LIRS and EFCC

Ebun Okubanjo, the CEO of Bento Africa, a payroll and human resource management platform based in Nigeria, has resigned amid allegations of not remitting taxes and pension contributions for its clients.

In a message to the board of directors, Okubanjo declared his resignation, indicating a complete separation by forfeiting his equity and debt stakes in the company.

His departure comes at a difficult time for Bento Africa, with accusations of financial mismanagement, particularly related to withholding employee taxes and pension funds.

NiDCOM says it is ready to accept deported illegal Nigerians from the US

The Director of Media and Corporate Affairs of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has revealed that the Nigerian government is ready to accept deported Nigerians from the United States of America.

According to reports, the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump is allegedly set to deport 3,690 illegal Nigerian immigrants as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a report stating that it would be deporting about 1,445,549 illegal immigrants in the US.

Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Director of Media and Corporate Affairs at NiDCOM, clarified that the country was prepared to receive its people should they be returned.