The Federal Government has approved the establishment of anti-corruption unit in all ministries and parastatals in the federal public service. This was the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting held in Abuja yesterday.

More than 200 victims of traffickers of women and children have been sent back to Nigeria from various countries within one month, according to reports received by a presidential committee set up to fight the trafficking of human beings.

Indications of an impending Senate probe into the activities of the Ministry of Defence emerged yesterday following allegations of corruption levelled against one of its ministers in the execution of the 2001 budget.

Environmentalists have warned that many African states are failing to manage their environmental resources properly. Nigeria`s environment is costing Africa`s most populous country over US$5-billion a year in ruined land and lost forests, much of the damage from oil and gas extraction in the Niger Delta region.

At least 50 people have been killed and several thousands forced from their homes in three days of clashes between Hausa-Fulani Muslims and indigenous Christians in Jos, central Nigeria, residents said on Monday.