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Dark thighs are caused by melanin, a pigment that gives colour to the skin. It is rather called ‘hyperpigmentation.’ You may not bother to treat them because the darkness is not harmful to the thighs. However, you can still decide to clear off the dark areas or reduce it. You can reach out to a dermatologist on what to do. He or she would diagnose you and advise you on what to do.

Below are the causes of dark thighs and treatments:

1. Constant friction

Constant friction of your thigh can make it go dark. That is, your inner thighs rubbing on each other can lead to inflammation, causing skin pigmentation.

2. Genetics

This is actually the main reason inner thighs appear dark. It is because the skin cells produce more melanin. If you have a dark skin tone, you’re more likely to develop darker areas in your thighs, even on your knees and elbows.

3. Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance (which is too much or too little of certain hormones) during puberty can cause your thighs to discolour, including pregnancy, lactation, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

4. Skin disorders

Various skin disorders often come with hyperpigmentation. Acanthosis nigricans is one of such conditions that causes skin discolouration, which also affects the neck and armpits. A fungal infection around the groin area can cause darker thighs.

5. Contraceptive pills

Contraceptive pills and other hormonal medications can change the complexion of your inner thighs or make it darker.

Treatments

There are various ways you can eliminate discolouration of your inner thighs. You can opt for home remedies, medications, or creams.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera can help you reduce dark areas on the skin. All you need to do is rub it directly, but you don’t necessarily rinse off after application.

2. Retinoids

You can use retinoid-based products to suppress your hyperpigmentation. The result might not be quick; it could take several months before any difference.

3. OTC products

Over-the-counter products in rubs, ointments, and creams can help reduce the appearance of dark inner thighs. You can look out for moisturizers that contain vitamin B-3, ellagic acid, and any natural substance ingredients.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike has reassured residents of the nation’s capital, Abuja, that the territory is a safe and secure city.

Wike stated this during a routine inspection of the FCT Administration’s ongoing infrastructure projects under his watch on Saturday, including the Wuye District infrastructure and the Federal Highway 105 from the Umar Musa Yar’Adua Expressway to Kuje township.

Wike, who was responding to a question from newsmen about recent security concerns in the nation’s capital, emphasised that there is improved security in the FCT compared to what obtained in the past, stressing that isolated incidents of insecurity do not define the city’s overall safety.

He said: ‘If there is one safe city in this country, I think Abuja is that city,’ noting that the ‘Light Up Abuja’ programme, which involves installing solar streetlights across districts and expressways, is also a strategic initiative to further enhance security.

‘The problem we have here is that when one incident happens, we forget that three months ago, nothing happened. You should give us and the security agencies credit that we are doing quite a lot to make Abuja safe, and Abuja has been safe.

‘We do agree that something may happen, but that does not mean that Abuja is not safe. I don’t want us to take that to mean that the city is not safe. If there is one safe city in this country, I think Abuja is that city.’

Speaking on the projects inspected, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and progress of work, noting that Arab Contractors, the firm handling the Wuye District infrastructure, has assured that the project is nearing completion, with the road expected to be finished within 10 days.

The Minister also praised the work on the Airport Road to Kuje dual carriageway, which he had visited multiple times.

Wike noted that the eight-lane road will significantly reduce travel time, allowing Kuje residents to reach the city centre in just 15 to 20 minutes. He expressed confidence that the road will be inaugurated during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third anniversary celebration.

He said, ‘For a regular passerby who knows this area very well, if you come here now, you will give it to them; Arab Contractors have done a good job. You can see how beautiful the landscape is. We believe that, God willing, just as they have promised, with our support – and we will continue to support – latest, during the third anniversary of Mr President, we believe that this road will be one of the roads that will be inaugurated to the delight of residents of Kuje and the entire people of Abuja, and of course to the happiness of all Nigerians.’

‘The level of infrastructure is such that we have not seen before, and everybody will attest to the fact that if you are living in Kuje, you don’t need to go and find a house in the city to live. By the time this road is commissioned, which is not less than an eight-lane dual carriageway, in about 15 or 20 minutes, you are already in the city centre – and that’s what development is all about. That’s what the Renewed Hope Agenda is all about. So, we are happy,’ the Minister stated.

Addressing sanitation challenges, Barr. Wike also confirmed that the FCT Administration is actively removing indiscriminately dumped refuse, particularly along Airport Road and in the Nyanya/Karshi area. He revealed plans to award new contracts for refuse disposal within the next two weeks, promising to select only competent contractors with the capacity to ensure that the city remains clean.

‘We believe that in the next two weeks, the contract will be formally awarded for refuse disposal. That, I can tell you, will help us quite a lot,’ he said.

Garba Shehu, former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has dismissed claims by former President Goodluck Jonathan that Buhari was once nominated by Boko Haram to mediate peace talks with the Federal Government.

In a statement titled ‘Boko Haram Did Not Nominate Buhari As Their Mediator’ issued on Friday, Shehu described Jonathan’s comment as ‘a false start’ ahead of a possible 2027 presidential bid.

Jonathan had made the remarks at the public presentation of ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,’ a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.), where he said Boko Haram insurgents once named Buhari as their preferred negotiator.

According to Jonathan, ‘One of the committees we set up then, the Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government.

‘So I was feeling that, oh, if they nominated Buhari to represent them and have a discussion with the government committee, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them, and they would have handed over their guns. But it was still there till today.’

Reacting to the comment, Shehu accused Jonathan of attempting to distort facts for political gain, urging him to ‘look for another story to tell Nigerians.’

Shehu said, ‘Muhammed Yusuf or Abubakar Shekau, the deceased leaders of the Boko Haram terrorist group, never nominated Muhammadu Buhari for any such role. In fact, Shekau routinely denounced and threatened Buhari, and their ideologies were in direct opposition.’

He recalled that in 2014, Buhari narrowly escaped a bomb attack allegedly orchestrated by Boko Haram in Kaduna, which left some of his personal staff injured.

‘In 2014, Muhammadu Buhari escaped a bomb attack on his life by Boko Haram in Kaduna, in which his personal staff suffered various degrees of injury.

‘Buhari’s campaigns focused on fighting Boko Haram and restoring security to Nigeria whenever he became president, putting him in direct opposition to the terrorist group’s leader.’

Shehu further explained that reports of Buhari’s alleged nomination were based on misinformation spread by a faction of the terrorist group, possibly sponsored by political opponents, who held a press conference in Maiduguri claiming Buhari and other northern leaders had been chosen to mediate with the Federal Government.

‘What led to the misleading information was that a faction of the terrorist group, possibly sponsored by Buhari’s opponents, staged a press conference in Maiduguri, Borno State, through a certain Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, who claimed to be the Boko Haram commander in charge of Southern and Northern Borno, saying that the sect would prefer the former military leader, General Muhammadu Buhari, ex-Yobe State governor and the then Senator, now late Bukar Abba Ibrahim, first Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Shettima Ali Monguno, also late, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Insecurity in the North-East, Ambassador Gaji Gatimari, and other prominent members of the Borno Emirate to mediate between them and the federal government.

‘Abdulaziz was roundly condemned by the leaders of Boko Haram, who claimed that he had ‘no mandate of their leader, Imam Abubakar Shekau.’

He also cited the response of the then Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which immediately denied the claim, quoting the party’s National Secretary, Engr. Buba Galadima, who said Buhari ‘has not even heard about it’ and described the report as mere speculation.

Shehu urged Jonathan to seek a more credible campaign narrative ahead of 2027, stating, ‘To win in 2027, Dr. Jonathan should look for a better story to tell Nigerians.’

Two persons were confirmed dead while six others sustained injuries in a road traffic crash at Police Commissioner Junction in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday.

The crash involved a Howo truck, a Toyota Corolla and two tricycles.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributed the cause of the accident to brake failure on the truck.

A total of eight people, all male adults, were involved. Two died on the spot, while six others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Borno State, Corps Commander Usman A. Muhammad, said emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene.

The injured were taken to the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

Commander Muhammad extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

He also urged motorists to exercise caution, obey traffic regulations and carry out regular vehicle maintenance to prevent such incidents.

The Military High Command on Saturday confirmed the arrest of 16 of its officers over alleged misconduct related to issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.

This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the Director of Defence Information, DDI, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau.

The statement explained that investigations revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.

While explaining that the action was being taken as part of routine efforts to maintain order, discipline, and loyalty within the ranks, it warned that It would not tolerate behaviour that undermines the integrity of the institution or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority, saying that that ‘ the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains fully committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will remain professional at all times.

‘The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations. Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.

‘Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting or undergoing trial. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service.

‘Upon completion of the investigation, indicted officers will face the full military disciplinary process in accordance with established procedures to ensure accountability and preserve professionalism within the Armed Forces.

‘The Armed Forces wishes to assure the general public that these actions are strictly disciplinary in nature and part of routine efforts to maintain order, discipline, and loyalty within the ranks.

‘The Armed Forces will not tolerate behaviour that undermines the integrity of the institution or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority.

‘The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will remain professional at all times.’

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a suit instituted against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, challenging the legality of the six-month suspension handed to Senator Natasha Uduaghan-Apoti, representing Kogi Central over alleged misconduct.

The suit, which was instituted by one Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others, was thrown out by the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi (legal right) to file the matter before the court.

Marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, the suit challenged the validity of Natasha Uduaghan-Apoti’s suspension for various reasons.

Among other reliefs, the plaintiffs urged the court to void the suspension of Senator Natasha on the ground that their senatorial district would be shortchanged and called for her immediate recall.

They advanced several arguments to support their request for invalidation of the suspension, including the claim that the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District would be deprived of adequate representation in the Senate.

In his judgment on Friday, Justice Omotosho held that the ten plaintiffs had no locus standi to institute the action and subsequently dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.

A renowned cultural advocate and Ifa Priest, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, has charged the government at various levels to ensure the preservation of culture and traditions for the sake of national identity.

Speaking with newsmen at the maiden Ifayemi Elebuibon Annual Symposium, held at Ogbeyonu Hall, Osogbo, the traditionalist said venerating ancestors is a critical part of culture which must not be allowed to go into extinction.

He noted that one of the ways of preserving people’s identity is to ensure that culture and traditions survive colonialism, stressing that the government should allow free practice of traditional religion.

‘One of the reasons we are at this symposium is to elicit the importance of veneration and worship of ancestors. We all agreed that our ancestors must always be remembered if we are to progress as a people.

‘Yoruba language and traditions are subsumed in our culture, hence, whatever religion one practices, Yoruba culture should always reflect in our ways, such as the clothes we wear, food we eat and our ways of life.

‘The government can influence the growth of culture through education and if that happens, the people will benefit more through economic growth and development,’ he said.

Also speaking, Komolafe Wande, who delivered a paper at the symposium, stressed the importance of tradition and culture to the survival of the Yoruba race.

‘We can preserve our culture by making sure that our language continue to thrive, our traditional names are not abandoned and our mode of dressing should be sustained. Government should ensure that our language and tradition is taken as a subject in schools,’ he said.

A participant, Ogundeji Elebuibon, said the symposium was not just to honour Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon but also to provide a platform to discuss issues relevant to the growth of traditional religion in Yorubaland.

The Secretary of Isese Assembly, the group that organised the event, Ifagbenusola Popoola, said the symposium was put together to celebrate the contributions of Elebuibon to the growth of traditional religion and Yoruba culture.

The Rivers State chapter of Police Campaign Against Cultism and other Vices (POCACOV) on Friday sensitised students and teachers on the consequences of joining unlawful secret cult and also engaging in drugs and substance abuse.

The sensitisation programme was carried out in Community Secondary School, Rumuolumeni in Obio Akpor Local Government Area, following rising complaints on hard drug and alcohol consumption in schools and its environs.

At the programme involving students from other schools, with the theme: ‘Cultism Drug Abuse and My Academics’, the state coordinator for POCACOV, ASP Captain Ogbuewe stood in for the Rivers State Police Command and the National Coordinator, ACP Olabisi Okuwobi.

While POCACOV ambassador, Patrick Akatakpo, and Engr. Chris Odorgbo highlighted the POCACOV’s mandates to the students and their teachers, the state chairman of the initiative, Ambassador Eke Onwuka, advised the management of the school to always alert POCACOV whenever cultism and drug-related issues are observed.

The students were told that smoking marijuana and sniffing chemicals, as well as taking drugs not prescribed, are all acts of drug abuse which is regarded as crime.

Noting that drug abuse could affect their academic performances, the POCACOV ambassadors urged the students to shun the vice and make their parents and the society proud.

The students were advised to avoid friends indulging in hard drugs taking and report such to teachers and those relevant in curbing the menace among youths.

In response, the school principal and teachers thanked the POCACOV for visiting them, while students promised to shun illicit drug taking and other vices.

They also pledged to be advocates against many ills destroying Nigerian youths.

Soya beans offer an excellent source of plant-based protein and contain an array of vitamins, minerals and plant compounds including isoflavones. Regular consumption of soya beans may help manage cholesterol levels, and for some women, help with the symptoms of the peri-menopause. It is also good for the bone. Ingredients

1. Soya beans

2. Cray fish

3. Ponmo

4. Dried fish and smoked fish

5. Meat

6 Fresh pepper

7 Vegetable/butter leaf/uziza leaf

8. Palm oil

Preparation

?You can grind or blend your soya beans into powder form with any of the followingdry mill, dry blender, hand grinding machine or you pound it.

?Blend pepper and onion together and pour through a sieve to remove any excess water.

.This is done when you want to fry the soyabean.

?Mix with spoon, onion, ground crayfish, ground pepper, and ground/blended soya bean with little warm water, to form paste (thick consistency) and set aside.

?Cut and wash vegetable.

?Clean dried fish, and smoked fish with lukewarm water

.Wash ponmo, season and cook for five minutes

.Clean meat, season and cook till tender.

Method

.Put pot on fire, pour in palm oil and heat

.Pour in chopped onion and ogiri/locust beans and fry until onion becomes translucent.

.Add soya bean paste mixture bit by bit like balls into the cooking pot and let it fry for about 5 – 8 minutes on low heat.

Note: The soya bean will suck all the palm oil.

.Add meat/fish stock bit by bit and stir, so that the soya bean does not burn

.Cover and leave to boil for 10 minutes on medium heat.

.You can add hot water if soup is thick.

.Add meat, smoked fish and other protein ingredients.

.If your choice of vegetable is bitter leaf, add at this point and cover for 5 minutes.

.Do not stir.

.Pour in ground crayfish and pepper, and stir

.Taste for salt and other spices.

Note: Soya bean soup is done when the red oil settles on the surface of the soup.

.You can add vegetable (optional)

.Cover pot and allow to simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.

.Turn off the heat and your delicious soyabean soup is ready to be served with any swallow of your choice.

A Sharia Court in Kaduna, Kaduna State, has dissolved a two-year-old marriage between a couple, Harira Sanusi and Aliyu Yunusa.

The judge, Malam Salisu Abubakar-Tureta dissolved their marriage following a petition for divorce filed by Harira.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Harira accused Aliyu of calling her parents names and humiliating her.

‘He will often throw out my suitcases and other belongings.

‘He seized my wedding gifts and humiliates me,’ she said.

She prayed the court to order Aliyu to allow her access to her belongings.

On his part, Aliyu who did not deny the allegations apologized to her in court.

Aliyu granted the request of Sanusi and made one pronouncement of divorce to her.