Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was created out of anger, malice, and bitterness.
He noted that APC was never a serious political party.
The former governor stated this in chapter 16, page 421 of his autobiography: “Being True To Myself”, which was unveiled to the public on May 13th.
Recall that that the ex-Jigawa governor, one of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said he was shocked when he got word that his PDP colleagues had ed the opposition ahead of the 2015 elections.
He added that he did not hesitate to distance himself from their decision.
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“I once had cause to explain to some of the public after the APC was formed, that it was created out of anger, malice and hatred. It was not and has never been a serious political party; its proponents were only parochial scavengers, who see politics as a huge enterprise.
“In 1999, we had the PDP, AD and APP as the three major national parties and the AD and APP tly fielded Olu Falae against PDP’s candidate, Obasanjo, who won the election.
“The AD/APP alliance later dissolved into the ANPP, but they lost the elections; it was these losers that later came together to establish the APC.
“What the APC did was to turn history upside down and promote a so-called ‘Mr. Integrity’ and hoodwinked Nigerians with false tags,” he stated.
A serving police officer identified as Police Constable Idris Oloyede, arrested in Ogun State for alleged involvement in conspiracy, cybercrime, and other related offences has escaped from the police custody.
According to the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force in a signal obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday, Oloyede who was arrested on May 21, 2025, at approximately 6:10 PM, escaped from the custody of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at about 11:30 PM, a few hours after his arrest.
The Command said the criminal officer escaped from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit team while on enquiry at Odeda Township.
“The Police Constable Idris Oloyede, a.k.a Abuja, attached to Odeda Police Divisional headquarters who is under investigation by operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit of Ogun State for offences of conspiracy, robbery and stealing has escaped from the team while on enquiry at Odeda Township at about 2330hrs of May 21, 2025,” the police signal read.
“He has been declared wanted by the COMPOL Ogun State Command. If seen, be arrested and hand over to Supol Odeda for necessary action.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Oloyede with Force Number 537972 and attached to Patrol Teak Mine, was arrested following his alleged collusion with known cybercriminals to perpetrate fraudulent online activities.
The operation which led to the arrest of the erring officer followed a confession by a male suspect already in custody, who claimed that Oloyede had provided him with two Facebook s and an MTN SIM card.
The items were allegedly used to lure unsuspecting victims and carry out various cyber-related crimes.
Upon receiving the report, Oloyede was arrested and was then confronted with the allegations in the presence of the suspect.
The Command said that a follow-up search was carried out at the constable’s privately rented accommodation located behind the Police Barracks in Odeda.
The search yielded several items, including iPhones and multiple SIM cards, which were seized as potential evidence.
Following preliminary questioning, Oloyede was handed over to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further interrogation and investigation.
Oloyede’s case adds to a troubling pattern of law enforcement personnel being implicated in criminal activities, particularly cybercrime.
Former Senate President and the Chairman Board of Trustees, BoT, of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has said that the Nigerian electorate, and not few governors, will decide the fate of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Senator Wabara was reacting to the adoption of Tinubu by APC governors as their sole candidate for the 2027 presidential race.
However, he commended the governors for giving the President the right of first refusal, which he acknowledged “is a global practice and tradition”. But he added that being the flag bearer of the ruling party does not translate to automatic victory at the pool.
Senator Wabara recalled that in 2015, PDP’s presidential flag bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, was a sitting President but lost to the then opposition APC’s candidate.
The former Senate President told the APC governors to allow President Tinubu’s work to speak for him.
He said that the Nigerian masses “who on daily basis, feel the impact of the APC-led Federal Government, are the only ones to decide the President’s fate in 2027”.
The PDP BoT Chairman argued that “it’s too early to overheat the polity with 2027 elections when INEC has not lifted ban on campaigns.
He “advised APC governors to rather concentrate on how to make life affordable for Nigerians, who are battling to survive the hardship inflicted on them by APC’s malistration".
He said: “I thank APC governors for respecting the age-long tradition of giving a first time President or governor the right of first refusal. I didn’t expect less.
“But I would like to remind them that governors do not have the mandate to decide who becomes President in 2027. Such right resides with the electorate.
“I think the APC should rather be preoccupied with how to make life better for millions of Nigerians, who have been forced into poverty due to APC’s misrule and bad economic policies.”
The former Senate President accused the APC of foisting one party system on Nigeria. He warned of the grave danger such drifting poses to the country’s democracy.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said that a stable and secure business environment will not only attract investments but also lead to economic growth.
Atiku stated this while speaking at the Taraba International Investment Summit, tagged ‘Taravest,’ in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, on Wednesday.
He said that Taraba’s economy holds significant investment potential and could be optimised to reap the benefits with the provision of a stable and secure investment climate.
He identified agriculture, solid minerals and tourism are strategic to the development of the state, and urged the government to implement measures that will address investment risks and eliminate bottlenecks.
“The government is urged to implement measures that will address investment risks and implement interventions, and eliminate bottlenecks.
“Peace, security, and stability in host communities are critical determinants of investment flows,” he said.
He identified efforts that should direct the government’s efforts in attracting investment to include an investment generation that is well-designed with clear goals, objectives, and strategies, as well as clear, coherent, and consistent policy measures.
Atiku explained that efficient institutions would make all the difference, improve the supply and quality of infrastructure, and hence, are the backbone of sustainable development.
Public, Private Partnerships
According to him, no Nigerian state has the necessary physical and financial space to independently drive growth and achieve sustainable development.
He, therefore, said that building strategic partnerships between the state, private investors, local businesses, and communities was critical in addressing resource gaps and unlocking the potential of the state to facilitate investments.
The former vice president further stated that private investments would help bridge the resource gaps through additional external resource flows in increased internally generated revenue.
He said, “Indeed, if Taraba aspires to realise its potential and grow its economy sustainably, it must endeavor to leverage private sector resources, including, as Aliko Dangote said, finance, skills, and technology.
“As a private businessman, I recognise that investment, foreign and domestic, drives economic growth and development.
“Private investments will assist the state in leveraging and maximising the economic potential of its agricultural, industrial, and solid mineral sectors, which Taraba is very well known for. This initiative aims to establish a foundation for a diversified economy and ensure inclusive growth.
Atiku emphasised the importance of skill and technology transfers, which he said could lead to higher productivity and improved competitiveness in local enterprises.
“Taraba will be able to upgrade social and economic infrastructure to economic growth and human capital development.
“Investment in education and healthcare services will help develop the capacity and competencies of the state’s human resources.
“With additional resources, Taraba will better the poor and vulnerable by empowering them, improving their access to basic services, and ensuring equitable distribution of resources to minimise poverty,” he added.
The former vice president, however, commended the governor for his efforts towards promoting economic growth, prosperity, and improving living standards were clearly evident.
“This initiative to gather investors, both domestic and international, along with development partners under one roof aligns with your vision ‘to build a prosperous, united and secure Taraba State that serves as a model for growth, economic diversification and sustainable development,’ he added.
The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has alleged that some Nigerian politicians and of the armed forces are acting as informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents.
Zulum made the revelation on Wednesday during an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central, where he vowed that the state would strengthen its intelligence network and deal with saboteurs “ruthlessly.”
“We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, within the politicians, and within the communities. What we shall do is to strengthen our intelligence and to deal with them ruthlessly.
“Let’s remove contractocracy. In six months, we can put an end to this madness. We need not politicise insecurity,” he said.
Addressing the issue of surrendered insurgents, Zulum stated that while not all who surrendered have reformed fully, the overwhelming majority are contributing positively.
“I cannot completely say that 100% of those people who have surrendered are doing the right thing, but I want to assure you that over 99% are doing well and are not participating in the ongoing terrorism,” Zulum said
The governor reaffirmed the need for Nigeria to embrace both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in tackling insurgency, noting that over 99% of repentant insurgents are no longer involved in terrorism.
He stressed that military force alone would never bring about a total end to insurgency.
He stated, “Insurgency will never be ended by kinetic measures alone. We must ensure that the non-kinetic measures are also properly put in place.
“What I mean by non-kinetic measures is social, political, and economic dimensions of the crisis. Our ongoing non-kinetic measures have yielded positive results with the of the Nigerian military.”
He acknowledged that not all 500,000-plus repentant fighters may stay reformed, but believes the system is largely working.
“Yes, I believe among the 500,000 or more that have repented, I cannot rule out the possibility of fewer of them going back to the bush,” he said.
He criticised the lack of equipment for the military and accused insurgents of having a superior technological advantage, saying “The army doesn’t have the necessary equipment on ground to fight the insurgency.”
The governor, however, commended the Nigerian military’s role in ing peace-building efforts
“I want to commend the Nigerian armed forces for the that they have been rendering to our non-kinetic measures,” Zulum said.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to pay attention to ground-level intelligence and professional advice from the military.
“The forest guard shall be provided immediately. The President of Nigeria needs to listen to those who can differentiate their left from their right.
“We should not politicise insecurity. The President needs to listen to the people who can tell him the right thing. The President should listen to the army,” he stated.
Operatives Arrest Wife, Mother Of Nigerian Bandits Leader, Ado Aliero In Saudi Arabia
The wife and mother of Nigeria’s most wanted bandits leader, Ado Aliero, have reportedly been arrested by the Saudi Arabian authorities.Travel guides.
It was gathered that the two women were apprehended in an intelligence-driven operation believed to be linked to a network of fugitives associated with the deadly insurgency in Nigeria’s Northwest.
The arrest reportedly occurred in Medina, a holy city where the women had been residing under false identities.
Ado Aliero, infamous for masterminding mass kidnappings and brutal attacks in Zamfara and nearby states, remains one of Nigeria’s most wanted criminals.
His rise in the underworld is said to be ed by both local and international networks, raising fresh concerns about the extent and funding of armed bandit groups.
Nigerian security agencies are reportedly working closely with their Saudi counterparts as the investigation continues.
Although the identities and specific roles of the women have not been officially confirmed, sources indicate they may possess critical information about Aliero’s whereabouts and financial operations.
This development could represent a significant step forward in efforts to dismantle the leadership structure of terror groups destabilising northern Nigeria.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this on his X handle.
He stated that the Chairman of the Lekki Estate Residents Association (LERA) had alerted LAWMA in the early hours of Saturday, May 18, 2025, about illegal dumping of waste along Durosimi-Etti Street in Lekki Phase 1.
According to Gbadegesin, “A white Ford van with Abuja registration plates GWA 136E was caught in the act of indiscriminately discharging waste.”
The vehicle was traced back to DONALD Restaurant, a nightlife establishment situated on Road 14 within the estate.
The suspects were apprehended on the scene by LERA’s Chief Security Officer and taken into custody at the LERA Secretariat.
Reports indicated that the individuals attempted to bribe the security team with ₦100,000, an offer that was firmly rejected.
LAWMA’s Monitoring and Compliance Team was immediately deployed to the location, where they took custody of the suspects and sealed the premises for gross environmental violations in breach of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017.
Gbadegesin added that the suspects would be prosecuted in line with the law.
“LAWMA remains resolute in its commitment to enforcing environmental regulations across Lagos and urges all residents and businesses to adhere strictly to proper waste management practices. A clean and livable city is everyone’s responsibility,” Gbadegesin stressed.
Security operatives have reportedly arrested a wanted kidnapper at the hajj camp in Abuja.
A security source at the camp confirmed the arrest to our correspondent, on Sunday.
He said the suspect was nabbed during screening of pilgrims who were preparing to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia.
He disclosed that the suspect identified as Yahaya Zango resided at Paikon -Kore in Gwagwalada area council of the FCT.
The source said security agencies had declared him wanted, following his alleged involvement in some kidnappings.
He said the suspect presented his port alongside other Muslim contingent from Abuja who were on their way to observe this year’s hajj.
“It was this afternoon during the screening at the hajj camp in airport when the DSS operatives apprehended him and whisked him away,” he said.
A senior official at the Muslim pilgrims welfare board, who didn’t want his name mentioned, also confirmed the arrest of the suspect.
Our correspondent gathered that the suspect had been on the run after security launched manhunt for him.
When ed via text message, spokeswoman of the FCT police command, SP Josephine Adeh, said, “You said DSS, but me I am the Spokesperson for FCT Police Command.”
The DSS is yet to officially react to the development as of the time of filing this report.
Nigeria is currently battling one of its worse forms of insecurity with efforts made to curtail the development not yielding desired result.
Nelson Adepoyigi, the abducted chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ose Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State, has been killed by his captors.
Clement Kolapo Ojo, Chairman of Ose LGA, confirmed the death of Adepoyigi in a statement issued on Sunday morning.
Ojo, in the statement signed by his spokesman Oluwaseun Ogunniyi, said the APC Chairman was killed by the gunmen while the two ransom bearers initially tied down by the bandits had been released.
“While we are grateful that the two volunteers have now regained their freedom, it is deeply saddening and utterly painful that the life of Mr. Nelson Adepoyigi was brutally cut short by his captors.
”The entire leadership and people of Ose Local Government mourn this tragic loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and political associates of the deceased,” the statement read in part.
Wilfred Afolabi, police commissioner in the state, could not be reached for comments on Sunday.
However, a senior police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity told our reporter that a crack team of security agencies in the state are currently in the bush searching for Adepoyigi’s corpse.
“Yes, it’s true that the man has been killed, but our men are in the forest. They are working to locate his corpse,” he said.
Recall that Mr Adepoyigi, who is the chairman of the APC at ward 5, in Ifon, was kidnapped on Monday evening at the entrance of his house on the Ifon/Owo road.
His abductors had initially demanded a ransom of N100 million to release him before it was negotiated by his family to N5 million.
But in a dramatic twist of events, two ransom bearers -Bayode Loco and Isimeri – were detained by the bandits on Wednesday midnight.
The gunmen, however, made a fresh demand of N30 million to release the three captives, including Adepoyigi.
In 2023, suspected gunmen also killed Bola Adelegbe, the younger brother of Hon. Timileyin Adelegbe, a federal lawmaker representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.
Adelegbe, who was abducted in Ose, was killed in the kidnappers’ den after ransom was paid.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, and the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, have called for the urgent end to abject poverty across Africa.
Obasanjo insisted that if China could lift 700 million people out of poverty, Nigeria ought to have something to do with abject poverty.
Speaking during Dele Momodu’s leadership lecture, ‘How to end hunger and poverty in Africa,’ Chief Obasanjo, in his keynote address, posited that “before we talk about food, security is key.”
While proffering a lasting solution to hunger across Africa, Obasanjo insisted that “education is one of the tools we can use to banish poverty. Where there’s no education, invariably, there will be poverty.
He posited that leadership is removed from banishing abject poverty: “In all works of life, we must have leaders whose characters display ‘communality’.
“Leadership is the greatest ingredient for ending poverty. There’s no human endeavour that does not thrive on leadership.
“To get it right, we must ensure no child is uneducated.
“Nigeria can eliminate hunger and poverty with integrity, discipline and good governance.
We can do it if China can lift 700 million people out of poverty.
“Nigeria should have no business with abject poverty. If we don’t take responsibility, we all sit on a gunpowder keg.
Until we banish poverty in Africa, international communities will not recognize us as a serious continent.” He said
While congratulating President Obasanjo on his submission, the Ooni of Ife urged everyone to be patriotic by collaborating with the government.
He said, “If we want to break poverty in this country, we have to be patriotic in all ramifications. From the food we eat to the clothes we wear. We may not get it right at first, but in a short time we would be the envy of the world.”
For his part, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, while congratulating Chief Momodu for his leadership centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, maintained that most political officeholders are too big to reach out to guardians.
“The problem we have is that people don’t have the fear of God. I invited President Obasanjo twice to Osun State to inspect the rapid development I am bringing there.
I am trying to build the Atlanta standard of spaghetti junction.” He said.
Energy major Shell Plc paid $5.34 billion to the Nigerian government in 2024, the largest amount it remitted to any country, even as it continues to divest from its onshore oil operations in Africa’s largest crude producer.
According to data released in Shell’s annual “Payments to Governments” report, a regulatory disclosure required under UK law, Nigeria topped the company’s global list of government recipients last year, ahead of countries such as Oman, Brazil and Norway.
The figure represents a sharp increase from the $3.8 billion Shell paid to Nigeria in 2023.
Breakdown of Shell’s 2024 payments to Nigeria
Shell’s total remittance of $5.34 billion to Nigeria in 2024 was disbursed across multiple federal institutions and agencies involved in petroleum revenue istration and regional development.
The largest share of over 71% went to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), amounting to $3.8 billion.
A breakdown of the payments is as follows:
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC): $3,804,949,166 Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS): $648,734,398
Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC): $781,963,813
Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC): $97,260,899
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI): $3,931,917
The payments form part of the $28.1 billion Shell disbursed globally in 2024 to governments for extractive activities, a 5% year-on-year decline in total payouts that mirrored a broader drop in profitability.
According to the company’s 2024 report, $3.8 billion of the $5.34 billion remitted to Nigeria came from production entitlements — the government’s share of crude oil output under t venture and production sharing contracts.
An additional $648.7 million was paid in taxes, while royalties ed for $770.2 million. Fees and other statutory charges totalled approximately $102 million.
Project-level data show that the East Asset, one of Shell’s key production hubs, attracted the largest share of entitlements, with $1.3 billion in payments. Oil Mining Lease (OML) 133 ed for $136.6 million, predominantly in taxes.
Meanwhile, a cluster of licences — OML 212, OML 118, OML 135, and Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 219 — together attracted $1.4 billion in payments across production entitlements, taxes, royalties, and fees, underlining the fiscal weight of Shell’s upstream footprint in Nigeria.
Comparative global payments
Beyond Nigeria, Shell also paid a total of $28 billion to Government where it operates
Oman received the next largest share after Nigeria, with about $4.3 billion,n while Brazil, Qatar and Norway received $4.5 billion, $3.33 billion and $3.38 billion, respectively
African Countries on the list received smaller amounts of with Egypt, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania and Tunisia getting $43 million, $1.3 million, $140k and $29.3 million only.
In contrast, Shell received a $32 million refund from the UK government, tied to decommissioning costs at the Brent field and other North Sea assets.
That figure was down from the $43 million refund received in 2023.
Revenue implications for Nigeria Shell has operated in Nigeria for more than eight decades but is now exiting its onshore oil business following years of operational setbacks, community disputes, oil spills, and rising environmental liabilities in the Niger Delta.
The company has described its divestment strategy as a move to “simplify the portfolio” and its long-term ambition to become a net-zero emissions energy company by 2050.
However, it has committed to retaining its deepwater oil and gas operations in Nigeria, which it considers more aligned with lower-carbon energy goals.
What you should know
In March 2025, the House of Representatives summoned 48 oil companies operating in Nigeria to appear before its Committee on Public s, in a series of investigative hearings probing a combined debt of N9.4 trillion.
Companies summoned include major industry players such as Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Chevron Nigeria Ltd, Total E&P Nigeria, Seplat Energy, Oando Oil Ltd, and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, among others.
The committee’s probe follows findings in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report on the Consolidated Financial Statement for the year ending December 31, 2021.
Also in March this year, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) announced a review of divestments involving 26 oil blocks worth $6.03 billion by five International Oil Companies (IOCs), citing the need for transparency and due process in these transactions.
The transactions include significant deals such as Shell’s $2.4 billion sale to Renaissance, ExxonMobil’s $1.28 billion transfer to Seplat, and TotalEnergies’ $860 million sale to Chappal.
NEITI explained that these divestments were reshaping Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, making it crucial to ensure they are conducted transparently and in line with regulatory standards.
Senators Now Pocket At Least N2Billion, Reps N1Billion In ‘Constituency Projects’ Since Tinubu Removed Fuel Subsidy—Lawmaker Exposes Budget Padding
A federal lawmaker has revealed the staggering amounts of public funds Nigerian lawmakers now receive for so-called "constituency projects.”
The lawmaker revealed that significantly more funds have been allocated to so-called ‘constituency projects’—often used to pad budgets—since President Bola Tinubu’s istration removed the fuel subsidy.
He claimed that no Senator in the country currently gets less than N2 billion, while House of Representatives now pocket a minimum of N1 billion each.
The lawmaker, whose name SaharaReporters has yet to ascertain, disclosed this at a recent public gathering in Osun State while addressing of his constituency.
His statement has ignited fresh outrage over the deepening culture of corruption, impunity, and opaque spending in Nigeria’s legislative arm.
He said, “I understand the functions of National Assembly , and I want people to know that there is no honourable member—quote me anywhere; I am saying it publicly. We have nine honourable from Osun State. There has been no honourable member since Tinubu’s inauguration who is getting constituency projects less than N1 billion. Before, it was not up to that. The increment started last year."
According to him, the budget hike followed the removal of fuel subsidy under President Bola Tinubu’s istration. This move has plunged millions of Nigerians into unprecedented hardship while simultaneously padding the pockets of political elites.
“Immediately they removed subsidy and our governor started getting more funds, the same thing became applicable to Senators and honourable ,” he said. “If a House of Representatives member is doing some projects, don't think he is using his personal fund.”
The lawmaker went on to stress that: “Now, there is no Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with constituency projects less than N2 billion.”
This revelation directly contradicts the public image often portrayed by lawmakers who claim to be struggling for their people, while in reality, they preside over bloated budgets shrouded in secrecy and execute largely untraceable or abandoned projects under the guise of constituency development.
SaharaReporters has previously documented how constituency projects have become one of the most abused avenues for looting public funds, with contracts often awarded to cronies, inflated, or left uncompleted.
Projects are sometimes either ghost initiatives or shoddily executed without any tangible impact.
Despite receiving trillions of naira since the return of democracy in 1999 for such projects, many communities across Nigeria remain in dire poverty, lacking basic infrastructure such as water, schools, and health centres.
While ordinary Nigerians continue to struggle with the soaring cost of living, crippling inflation, and poor service delivery, lawmakers are enjoying fat allocations with zero transparency.
The naira yesterday depreciated to N1, 635 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,625 per dollar on Tuesday.
The Naira has recorded a 1.8 percent or N29 depreciation in the parallel market from the beginning of this month till date.
However, the Naira appreciated to N1,596 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM),
Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN showed that the exchange rate for the naira fell to N1,596 per dollar from N1,599.8 per dollar on Tuesday, indicating a N3.8 appreciation for the naira.
Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate widened to N39 per dollar from N25.2 per dollar on Tuesday.
ABUJA—RESEARCH experts from Nextier SPD have reported that over 100 military personnel and 200 civilians were killed by Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria within five weeks.
The experts also said between November 2024 and April 2025, more than 252 attacks were recorded, with January 2025 recording the highest number of attacks by terrorist groups.
The Nextier SPD Policy Weekly report entitled: “Re-thinking Nigeria’s Counterinsurgency Strategy: The Aftermath of the Boko Haram Resurgence,” was authored by Dr. Ndu Nwokolo, Managing Partner at Nextier and Honorary Fellow at the School of Government, University of Birmingham, UK and Visiting Research Fellow at the Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime and Security, York University Canada and Dr. Chibuike Njoku, an Associate Consultant at Nextier, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Advance Studies, Ile-Ife, and Senior Research Fellow, Institute Francais De Recherche en Afrique (IFRA-Nigeria).
The report examined the current counter-insurgency strategy, analyzes the evolving dynamics of the insurgency, and proposes a comprehensive framework that integrates military efforts with governance reforms, inclusive dialogue, and socioeconomic revitalisation.
According to the report, Nigeria is witnessing a resurgence of Boko Haram activity, particularly in the North East and along its border regions, adding that the group has executed coordinated assaults that resulted in the seizure of three local government areas in Borno State, challenging state authority and obstructing humanitarian efforts.
It said: “Between November 2024 and April 2025, no fewer than 252 attacks were recorded, resulting in the deaths of over 100 military personnel and more than 200 civilians, highlighting not only the human toll but also the deteriorating security environment.
“The resurgence is further characterised by tactical diversification: Boko Haram’s factional groups of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, JAS, and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, have increased the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), launched ambushes on military convoys, and executed raids on internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and farming communities.
“Despite ongoing military operations and regional cooperation, JAS and ISWAP continue to pose a grave threat to national and regional stability in Nigeria and the Lake Chad region. The recent resurgence of attacks in hard-hit areas like Borno, Yobe, and parts of Adamawa underscores the limited success of current approaches that have prioritised mainly kinetic military actions over holistic, community-driven solutions.
“Reports from humanitarian organisations and conflict monitors have flagged growing fatigue within the military ranks, deteriorating civil-military relations, and increasingly sophisticated insurgent tactics.
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“The re-emergence of targeted attacks on soft targets, ambushes on military convoys, and the abduction of civilians, including aid workers and schoolchildren signals a dangerous escalation that current policy frameworks have failed to preempt.”
Nextier-SPD report further explained that recent data from November 2024 to April 2025 provides critical insights into the evolving dynamics of insurgent violence in Nigeria, highlighting the limitations of the current counterinsurgency strategy and underscoring the need for a more holistic, people-centred approach.
It said: “The number of recorded incidents fluctuated modestly, peaking in January 2025 (eight incidents) and March 2025 (seven incidents). However, the disparity between incident frequency and severity, especially concerning casualties, is striking.
“January 2025 alone recorded 92 deaths despite a relatively average number of incidents. This suggests an escalation in the lethality of attacks, raising questions about the effectiveness of deterrence and intelligence operations.
“Moreover, kidnap victims, an increasingly visible metric of insecurity, were recorded in February, March, and April 2025, with the highest in April (eight victims). This trend points to a diversification of tactics by insurgents and criminal elements, reflecting operational adaptation and exploiting gaps in state response capabilities.
“A glaring policy gap is the failure to integrate socio-economic interventions meaningfully. Data patterns from the reporting period reveal that military victories do not necessarily translate to improved community security and stabilisation.”
“The persistence of violence is compounded by poverty, youth unemployment, and poor access to education and services, which continue to create fertile ground for radicalisation.
“Additionally, the weak coordination among security agencies, reports of human rights abuses, and community resistance to the reintegration of former fighters have eroded trust and undercut intelligence gathering, key pillars of sustainable security. Given these trends, it is evident that the current strategy is reactive rather than preventative.”
A military source who spoke to SaharaReporters under condition of anonymity confirmed that the terrorists launched a series of coordinated attacks that eventually forced the Nigerian Army to abandon its position in the area by 3am on Sunday, May 12, 2025.Travel guides
Suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have taken full control of Marte Local Government Area of Borno State after overpowering Nigerian troops in a brazen attack that happened over the last weekend, SaharaReporters has learnt.
A military source who spoke to SaharaReporters under condition of anonymity confirmed that the terrorists launched a series of coordinated attacks that eventually forced the Nigerian Army to abandon its position in the area by 3am on Sunday, May 12, 2025.
Confirmed information received from the inner source indicated that Marte had been dislodged, after intermittent attacks, and the military personnel were finally dislodged at 3am of 12th May 2025.
“Many soldiers (unspecified numbers) were captured and many has deserted, the ones that runs twords Dikwa are currently at the 24 task force brigade. ISWAP has taken over Marte.
“All gunshots were heard in Dikwa and the Nigeria Air Force were seen hovering the general area. Numbers of casualty: unspecified yet,” the source said.
The fall of Marte, a strategic local government in the Lake Chad axis, marks another major setback for the Nigerian military, which has long struggled to contain the decade-long insurgency in the North-East.
The town has changed hands multiple times in recent years, becoming a symbolic and tactical prize for both ISWAP and government forces.
SaharaReporters had also reported how scores of Nigerian soldiers were killed after the base of the Nigerian Army in Borno State came under Boko Haram attack.
The terrorists invaded the base of the 153 Task Force Battalion in Marte Local Government Council of the state on Saturday night, dislodging the troops.
During the attack, the gunmen reportedly burnt armoured tanks and made away with ammunition, sources said.
“There was another Boko Haram dislodgement in Marte 153 TF Battalion on Saturday night, so many of our men are feared dead as we already lost communication with the base since the attack,” one of the sources, a Major in the Army, had told SaharaReporters.
The 153rd Task Force Battalion (153 TF Battalion) in Borno State, Nigeria, has been involved in several incidents with Boko Haram, including ambushes and recaptures of strategic locations like Marte.
This comes a few weeks after 22 soldiers, including a commander, were killed in an attack at a military base in Malam-Fatori at Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
For over a decade, Nigeria has been locked in a brutal conflict with insurgent groups operating primarily in the country’s North East region.
The most prominent among them is Boko Haram, which emerged in the early 2000s but became violently active around 2009, launching a campaign of terror marked by bombings, mass abductions, and attacks on civilian and military targets.
The apex financial institution emphasised that for the country to survive, it must grow in a way that generates jobs and s the poorest and least prosperous in society.
The World Bank has warned Nigeria about the lack of jobs for its growing labour force, which largely consists of youths.Travel guides
The apex financial institution emphasised that for the country to survive, it must grow in a way that generates jobs and s the poorest and least prosperous in society.
This position was stated in the latest Nigeria Development Update released by the World Bank on Monday.Travel guides
"Nigeria is poised to seize a powerful potential demographic dividend, provided it makes investments in human capital in tandem with creating jobs and growth."
"Accumulation of human capital determines whether people work and, if they do, how productive they are, increasing disposable incomes."
"Today’s youth jobs challenge can be found at least in part in the shortcomings of delivery systems a generation ago. Future growth prospects hinge on urgently closing access and quality gaps for families in healthcare, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, and social protection."
The publication further noted that, at present, "the labour force is growing faster than the economy’s ability to create more and better jobs, and human capital investments are lagging."
It warned that "without jobs and human capital development, too many young people will lack opportunities, creating risks of fragility and loss of social cohesion."
The World Bank recommended inclusive growth as essential for achieving job creation in the country.
"To succeed, the economy has to grow at a faster pace, but also in a more inclusive way."
"Not only must the economy grow faster, but it also needs to grow in such a way as to generate jobs and opportunities for the Nigerians who need it most: the poorest and least prosperous," the statement read in part.
This development comes amid ongoing concerns over the state of the country's economy.
Inflation has also been a major issue, with many small businesses — which make up a significant part of the country's labour force — shutting down due to harsh economic conditions.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed the gantry price Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol to ₦825 per litre from N835 per litre as competition continues in the domestic market.
Last month, the 650,000 barrels per day refinery reduced the gantry price of petrol to N835 per litre from N865 per litre.
Checks by Vanguard indicated that the latest adjustment is targeted at giving customers more value as well as consolidate its leadership position in the domestic market.
Last week, the IMF confirmed to SaharaReporters that Nigeria had completed repayment of the emergency loan secured under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), despite lingering concerns about the management and utilisation of the funds.Travel guides
The Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) has called for an immediate criminal investigation into the alleged diversion of Nigeria’s $3.4 billion COVID-19 emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), originally intended to mitigate the devastating impact of the pandemic in 2020.
Last week, the IMF confirmed to SaharaReporters that Nigeria had completed repayment of the emergency loan secured under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), despite lingering concerns about the management and utilisation of the funds.
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While Nigeria’s principal balance is said to have been cleared, charges totalling about $30 million annually, said to amount to SDR 125.99 million, approximately N275.28 billion, remain outstanding.
ASCAB in a statement issued on Sunday by its Chairman, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), demanded that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (IC) launch a thorough investigation into what it described as the "criminal diversion" of the loan.
The group also urged the IMF Board to probe its management’s failure to enforce governance protocols around the loan’s use.
In April 2020, at the height of the global pandemic, Nigeria obtained emergency funding of $3.4 billion from the IMF, an amount equivalent to the country's full quota at the institution.
The funds were meant to stabilise Nigeria’s fragile economy, strengthen healthcare responses, protect jobs, and mitigate the effects of collapsing oil revenues.
At the time of the loan’s approval, IMF Deputy Managing Director Mitsuhiro Furusawa, emphasised the need for strong governance and transparency.
Furusawa stressed, "The publication and independent audit of crisis-mitigating spending and procurement processes is crucial to ensure emergency funds are used for their intended purposes.”
However, a 2020 audit report by Nigeria’s Office of the Auditor-General, released in January 2024, uncovered significant irregularities.
The report revealed that $2.4 billion of the IMF loan was transferred to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) s in the U.S. and China, and was quickly moved into short-term investment vehicles without appropriate documentation or approvals.
The report further revealed that the funds were reclassified as part of the CBN’s external reserves, not the federal government’s holdings, undermining their original purpose.
Also, that $700 million was later monetised at an exchange rate higher than the official rate, with a 2% commission controversially deducted, and that by the end of 2020, $2.7 billion, approximately N1.02 trillion, remained unmonetised and uned for.
The Auditor-General recommended sanctions and the recovery of the funds, urging referral of suspects to the EFCC and IC.
Despite the gravity of the findings, the National Assembly has yet to deliberate on the report or act on its recommendations.
ASCAB accused the lawmakers of attempting to cover up the scandal, in violation of Section 85(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates that relevant committees consider audit reports in a timely manner.
“Even though the Auditor-General of the Federation submitted the 2020 Annual Report to each House of the National Assembly, both Houses have failed to cause the report to be considered by the committees responsible for public s, in order to cover up the criminal diversion of the $3.4 IMF and several trillions of Naira set out in the Auditor-General's report, in utter contravention of section 85(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended,” ASCAB lamented.
ASCAB, therefore, demanded that the EFCC and IC immediately investigate and prosecute those responsible.
The group also demanded that the IMF suspend the collection of all remaining charges until a full probe is concluded, and that the interest earned on the diverted funds be recovered and remitted to the national treasury.
Falana stated, “In view of the foregoing, the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) hereby calls on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the criminal diversion of the $3.4 billion loan obtained by Nigeria to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We also call on the IMF Board to probe the deliberate refusal of its management to ensure that the emergency funds were used for their intended purposes.
“Meanwhile, the IMF should suspend the collection of the scheduled charges, including net charges, basic interest and istrative fees, amounting to SDR 125.99 million (N275.28 billion) pending the conclusion of its investigation.”
In a wider consultation on how to address the wave of defections and the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, governors elected on the platform have invited former governors and other stakeholders of the party to a meeting today (Sunday) in Abuja.
Our correspondent gathered from an insider that the governors also summoned of the Board of Trustees and former presiding officers of the National Assembly.
It was also learnt that the PDP leaders would address key issues, including the National Executive Committee meeting and the National Elective Convention, at the expanded meeting.
The insider told Sunday PUNCH exclusively that the meeting was expected to be highly tense, as it was meant to prepare party leaders for the NEC and other pressing matters.
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Since the 2023 elections, the PDP has been battling internal crises.
The situation worsened with the conflict between Governor Sim Fubara and Nyesom Wike in Rivers State, along with disagreements over the South-South zonal leadership and the unresolved National Secretary position since December 2024.
Attempts by the party’s leadership bodies, the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee, and the PDP Governors’ Forum, to mediate have only deepened divisions.
These efforts have led to further splits within the state and zonal chapters of the party.
As the crisis drags on, many party leaders have grown disillusioned, with some defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress and blaming the PDP’s unresolved internal issues.
On April 23, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other officials from the state ed the APC.
National Assembly have also been leaving the party.
Three Kebbi lawmakers, Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) ed the ruling party after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, who has been accused by the opposition of plotting to turn the country into a one-party state.
The departure of the PDP leaders dealt a major blow to the party’s image and weakened its chances ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP governors had been meeting to address party matters, but today’s meeting was expanded because of the importance of the agenda, according to the insider.
The source confirmed that the meeting, set to hold at night, would focus on addressing the party’s internal crisis and defections of its key , among other issues.
He stated, “Yes, the meeting will hold on Sunday. It is no longer just a governors and stakeholders’ meeting, as other key stakeholders, including some former governors, former presiding officers of the National Assembly, and other party leaders, will also participate.
“It is scheduled to take place in Abuja. They are expected to deliberate on a range of critical issues, including defections, the forthcoming NEC meeting, the national convention, and several other pressing matters affecting the party’s unity and direction.
“The meeting will set the tone for future engagements and strategy sessions. It promises to be an important, insightful gathering and a moment of truth for the party’s leadership and direction.”
Confirming the development, the Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, Emmanuel Agbo, stated that the meeting was to discuss key party matters.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, Agbo explained that the meeting was to secure for the implementation of decisions made by the governors at their previous gathering in Ibadan.
He stated, “The meeting is going to hold in Abuja tomorrow (Sunday). The invitees are former governors and others. The governors want to meet with the ex-governors that are still in the party to deliberate on party issues.
“The meeting is to get their for the implementation of all decisions taken during the last PDP Governors’ meeting in Ibadan. They want to get their buy-in as everybody prepares for the National Convention in August. All elders of the party should own the process.”
Also, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated that starting with today’s meeting, Nigerians could look forward to a stronger and more effective opposition party.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, the PDP chieftain said such meetings were part of the party’s established internal processes for resolving internal disputes.
He stated, “What the party leaders are doing, in line with the PDP structures and constitution, gives us confidence that the party will emerge stronger and better from these meetings.
“The Nigerian people will once again be proud to associate with the PDP. We have a proven track record, and we are confident that all these meetings and processes are geared towards building a formidable PDP capable of unseating Tinubu in 2027.
“We call on all PDP nationwide not to be discouraged by the actions of the APC-led Federal Government. Despite the challenges, it is important that our remain focused, determined, and committed to the party.”
Meanwhile, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, has said prominent leaders who recently left the party had only shown their true character.
Damagum stated this in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH in Abuja.
Speaking on the recent defection of Senators Aliero, Abdullahi and Maidoki, Damagum said in no distant time, the defectors would soon abandon the APC as well.
He said, “Those who are defecting have no conscience. They have forgotten so easily the power of God to change things within a short period. Does it even make sense? You were elected on the platform of one political party, and you shamelessly left for another party with that mandate. This goes to show the character of these people.
“As for Adamu Aliero and his co-travellers, I can only say this: what pursued them out of the PDP will again take them out of the APC. We know these people and what they stand for. They are people with a history of defection in their political careers.”
He called on party faithful to remain truthful to the party ideals, noting that the 2027 election would offer Nigerians the opportunity to choose between slavery and freedom.
The PDP chieftain further cautioned party leaders making unguarded utterances about the fortune of the party to close ranks for the task ahead.
“The PDP will surely bounce back because it is the party of the people. APC is anti-Nigerians,” he added.
A member of the National Working Committee, Umar Bature, echoed a similar sentiment, urging Nigerians to watch out for the defection of APC to the PDP.
In a brief interview with Sunday PUNCH, Bature, who is the PDP’s National Organising Secretary, said, “The defections are nothing. Others will us too. Just wait and see.”
Also speaking, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Kingsley Chinda, attributed the defection to the ruling party as a pointer to the lack of ideology in the nation’s polity.
While itting that the exit of chieftains from the PDP was worrisome, Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, Rivers State, expressed confidence in the ability of the party to resolve its challenges in its forthcoming National Executive Council meeting.
The NEC is scheduled for May 27.
He said, “The continued defection is not just weakening the opposition but the political structure in the country. Can the APC be confident of its hip (both old and new) today? The PDP has scheduled an emergency NEC meeting. That will be an issue for consideration.
“I think that the defections point to one issue — that, as a nation, we need political reorientation. Party ideology is zero, and a constitutional amendment is also necessary. It is now obvious that in Nigeria, every politics is local and more of personal interest.”
PDP puts hope on NEC
In a related development, a former PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, and the Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, expressed optimism that the party would emerge stronger after the NEC scheduled for May 27.
They noted that the gathering offered a crucial opportunity for party leaders to address and settle outstanding issues.
Odeyemi, describing the meeting as the party’s highest decision-making body, called on all to be present.
He stated, “The NEC is the party’s top decision-making body. We are optimistic and believe this will be the beginning of resolving the internal crisis within the party.”
Commenting, Osadolor noted that the NEC was attracting significant attention due to unresolved issues within the party leadership.
He stated, “Why this one (NEC meeting) is generating a lot of attention is because of some underlying issues that need resolution. I know people want to know about the status of the National Secretary. People want to know the position of the party on major issues. People want to know the status, preparedness, and level of the party’s choice in the general elections.
“And then, the congresses that we’ve had in the past few months are awaiting ratification. So, it’s going to be quite influential, but not out of the ordinary.
“If there’s any way to describe being optimistic, I think I should be more than optimistic. Why shouldn’t I be? Though the party at a time seemed cracked, superior wisdom and advice have prevailed, and the leadership is now acting and speaking as it should. Therefore, I am very optimistic that the party will survive.
“That’s why I think the important thing is that the power and leadership of the party are on course. It’s the responsibility of the leadership to take it upon themselves to play leading roles, as they should, being the leaders of the party.
“So, I believe that good things will come from the PDP. At the end of the day, it will serve the best interest of all Nigerians, having a strong force capable of rescuing the country from the hardship this current government has placed on everyone living in Nigeria, and even those yet to be born
treesun: 9:20pm On May 24