Belemaoil Group President Tein Jack-Rich joined Roger Stone, longtime strategist and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies, for talks at Mar-a-Lago this week, with both men emphasizing trade expansion between the United States and Nigeria.

Jack-Rich described the trip as “an absolutely wonderful flight from D.C. to Mar-a-Lago with a visionary strategist, master bridge-builder, and one of President Trump’s closest allies.” The visit marks his third to the Florida estate since 2024, and he said “each experience has been even more memorable than the last.”

According to Jack-Rich, discussions focused on commercial ties and investment opportunities that would benefit both nations. “Speaking positively about Nigeria and advancing trade opportunities between the United States and Nigeria remains a vital call to action for the benefit of both our peoples,” he said.

He characterized the atmosphere at Mar-a-Lago as one of “warmth, hospitality, and love … truly beyond measure,” adding that the meeting featured “graciousness, meaningful conversations, and an atmosphere of genuine friendship and respect.”

Stone, a central figure in Trump’s political orbit for decades, and Jack-Rich aligned on what the Belemaoil president called the core objective: “love of country and push for real, big opportunity for national good.”

Jack-Rich leads Belemaoil, one of Nigeria’s prominent indigenous energy firms. He has repeatedly advocated for deeper U.S.–Africa economic engagement, particularly in energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Neither Stone nor representatives for Trump have publicly commented on the meeting. The visit comes as both Washington and Abuja signal renewed interest in bilateral trade frameworks ahead of 2027.

A civil society coalition, the Northern Peace and Security Accountability Network (NPSAN), has commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for his firm and uncompromising directive to troops engaged in counter-banditry operations across the North-West, particularly under Operation Fansan Yamma.

The northern group said the CDS’s charge to troops to sustain aggressive operations and “go after criminal elements until they are eliminated” reflects the level of urgency required to confront the persistent security challenges in the region.

Speaking at a press conference in Kano on Wednesday, the Zonal Coordinator of the coalition, Alhaji Ibrahim Mahmood Sani, said the renewed operational posture of the Armed Forces signals a decisive shift in Nigeria’s counter-banditry strategy.

Sani noted that for several years, communities across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and parts of Kaduna have endured repeated attacks, kidnappings and forced displacement, adding that stronger military action was necessary to restore public confidence and rebuild livelihoods.

He said the CDS’s visit to the theatre command in Gusau, Zamfara State, and his direct engagement with troops demonstrated leadership commitment to frontline realities rather than distant command.

“The Chief of Defence Staff has shown that leadership is not exercised from afar. His presence in Zamfara, his interaction with troops, and his clear directive that Nigeria must be made safe at all costs, send a strong message that the era of hesitation is over,” Sani said.

The coalition praised ongoing operations under the Armed Forces of Nigeria, noting that increased coordination, improved air-ground synergy, and sustained pressure on criminal enclaves have begun to yield results in some affected areas.

He described Operation Fansan Yamma as a “critical national response framework” that must be fully supported by all stakeholders, including state governments, local communities, and civil society organisations.

Sani further said the CDS’s emphasis on discipline, professionalism and improved welfare for troops is essential to maintaining morale in a theatre that demands prolonged engagement and high operational endurance.

“The fight against banditry is not a short-term assignment. It requires sustained commitment, and it is encouraging to see that the leadership of the Armed Forces is prioritising both operational effectiveness and troop welfare,” he added.

The coalition also urged residents of the North-West to deepen cooperation with security agencies by providing credible intelligence and resisting any form of collaboration with criminal groups.

It warned that insecurity thrives where communities remain silent or disconnected from security structures, stressing that local engagement is key to dismantling bandit networks.

NPSAN called on security agencies to maintain professionalism in the conduct of operations and ensure that civilian protection remains central to all interventions.

“The success of this mission depends not only on firepower but also on trust. Communities must feel protected, and security forces must continue to act with discipline and respect for human rights,” the group said.

Sani also commended state governments in the North-West for supporting military operations through logistics and intelligence sharing, describing such collaboration as vital to sustaining recent gains.

The coalition expressed cautious optimism that with sustained military pressure, stronger inter-agency coordination, and active citizen participation, the North-West could gradually move towards lasting stability.

NPSAN concluded by reaffirming its support for the CDS and the ongoing operations, describing Oluyede’s leadership as “decisive, focused, and necessary for this critical moment in Nigeria’s security history”.

A civil society group, Concerned Citizens for Change, has called for the immediate removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, alleging gross incompetence and abuse of office over the enforcement of a ban on sachet alcohol and small PET bottle alcoholic products.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the group’s Executive Director, Stephen Eriba, criticised what he described as the “arbitrary and illegal” enforcement of the restriction, insisting that it contravenes existing national policy frameworks.

Eriba argued that the ban violates provisions of the National Alcohol Policy approved by the Federal Ministry of Health, and also disregards a presidential directive halting enforcement actions pending the outcome of a joint committee review.

According to him, the decision further contradicts resolutions of the House of Representatives, which had, after stakeholder consultations and a public hearing, advised against such a ban and described it as anti-people.

The group warned that the policy could negatively impact businesses, jobs, and government revenue, while also risking increased circulation of illicit and unregulated alcohol products in the market.

It also rejected claims that sachet alcohol encourages abuse, maintaining that smaller packaging could help moderate consumption among users.

The group added that locally produced sachet alcohol products are certified by regulatory authorities and manufactured under hygienic conditions.

Eriba noted that industry players had already invested significant resources in campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption and discouraging underage drinking.

While expressing support for efforts to eliminate unsafe products, the group stressed that regulatory decisions should be based on empirical evidence rather than what it termed “emotional persuasion.”

The group, therefore, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action by removing the NAFDAC Director-General, stating that her continued stay in office was no longer in the public interest.

NAFDAC has yet to officially respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.