COVER
As Naira Swap Crisis Recedes, Bandits Scale – up Activities, Kill 183, Kidnap 97 Nationwide-Investigation
By Orkula Shaagee, Nicolas Dekera, Dan Amasingha and Alfred Babs
At least 183 people have been killed and 97 abducted by bandits and kidnappers in the last 41 days since the crisis over the Naira redesigned ended on March 13, 2023.
The apex bank (CBN), had on October 26, 2022 announced the redesign on the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes, the result of which was a prolonged crisis characterised by shortage of Naira notes in circulation.
DAILY ASSET investigation revealed that within the period of the Naira redesign crisis, bandits and kidnappers went on leave, bringing reprieve to the public, as no individual was kidnapped or killed by the marauders.
Investigations across some states of the Federation revealed however, that as soon as the CBN reintroduced the old naira notes into circulation and shored up currency availability in the country, the kidnappers resumed their activities.
NIGER
Bandits Kill 11, Suffer Losses in Niger
On March 18, five the Naria redesign crisis ended, bandits launched attack on some communities in Niger State, killing 11 people, including a Major in the Nigerian Army and three other soldiers.
Also, six local vigilante members in the affected communities were killed by the bandits.
The blood-letting gunmen had killed the deceased within two days and also abducted no fewer than 60 villagers during the invasion.
The latest onslaught occurred in an ambush, during which the Major and four members of the local vigilante were killed at Igu village on the Sarkin Pawa-Kaduna Road, in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State, Wednesday evening.
The vigilante members were part of the joint security operatives patrolling the area.
The soldiers, it was gathered, had successfully repelled the gunmen during a fierce gun battle in the same area, on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the soldiers and the vigilante members were on their way to recover the corpses of the slain vigilante members when the bandits, who were in the forest rained bullets on them.
The bandits were said to be in the forest to bury some of their fighters killed during a fierce battle with Military on Tuesday and were trying to find an escape route with their injured members.
The casualties would have been more if not for the gallantry exhibited by the security operatives in neutralizing the gunmen.
The gunmen were said to be no fewer than 70, hence it was easy for them to overpower the few security men who were merely going to evacuate the dead bodies of their colleagues.
Recall that on Tuesday evening, bandits believed to be the same group had invaded Paikoro and Munya Local Government Areas of Niger State, during which a Village Head and a medical practitioner were killed and over 60 people mostly women and children abducted.
The communities invaded are Beni in Munya LGA and Adunu in Paikoro LGA of the state.
At Beni, the gunmen killed the Village Head, Alhaji Salihu Ahmed, who was said to be on his way from the farm and abducted about 20 people, mostly women and children.
Also at Adunu community, a medical practitioner, Joshua Bitrus was killed as he was attempting to escape from the “war zone” into the bush on hearing gunshots.
A retired police officer, Moses Tanko, including over 40 others were abducted from the community.
Those who were lucky to have cash of between N10,000 to 20,000 to pay as ransom to the bandits were released while others were whisked away.
The whereabouts of over 60 abducted were yet to be located as there is no link yet with the bandits.
Barely 24 hours after gunmen killed a major and four soldiers in an ambush attacks in Igu village, Munya Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, the Nigerian Air Force, on March 18 carried out a major offensive against bandits, killing “scores” of them in multiple airstrikes on their hideout.
The airstrikes were carried out on the bandits’ hideout in Camace in Kazai Ward, Tsohon Kabula village, all in Munya LGA of the state on Friday afternoon when the bandits were said to be regrouping after the killing of the major and other four soldiers.
Also killed during the ambush by the bandits were four local vigilantes while several others including some soldiers were injured and are said to be receiving treatment at a government health facility in Minna, the state capital.
A source close to Kamace village told our correspondent on the phone that about 20 out of those kidnapped from Adunu and Beni communities earlier escaped to freedom during the military onslaught on the bandits.
Although according to our source, the number of the bandits killed in the airstrikes could not be ascertained as they were bombed in two different locations, he said out of the 35 motorcycles of the bandits sighted in the bush and carrying three people each, only seven escaped.
He said the first group of the bandits that were hit by the airstrike were trying to take cover at Kamace Primary School before they were struck, leaving over 30 of them and their motorcycles destroyed.
He disclosed further that the second group that were killed by the airstrike had actually come to evacuate the bodies of their colleague, unknown to them that the fighter jet had not left the vicinity when an unspecified number of them were neutralised.
Our source further added that following the heavy causalities suffered from the bombardment, the bandits are now in disarray, scrambling for safety, adding that “some of them were running towards pole wires, Kudami in Kafin Koro, Paikoro local government area and Rijana forest in Kaduna State”.
When contacted, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umar, confirmed the air raid but declined to comment further.
KADUNA: Bandits Kill 22 in Renewed Terror Attack
From Nicolas Dekera (Kaduna), Alfred Babs (Ilorin),
No fewer than 22 persons so far have been killed in Kaduna as bandits renew hostility in Kaduna.
Bandits killed six vigilante members on the 30th of March at Awaro checkpoint in the western part of Birnin-Gwari, Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
It was gathered that the incident took place at about 4.00pm on Wednesday.
On the 13th of March 2023 16 were killed in U/Wakili Zango Kataf.
In another instance, at least eight members of the Atak’Njei community in Zangon Kataf Local Area of Kaduna State were killed by suspected bandits on April 13. The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan confirmed the development, in a statement to newsmen.
Also, no fewer than 29 people were killed in attack by bandits on Runji Village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack which occurred at about 10 pm on Saturday night, April 15, came barely three days after bandits killed eight people at the Atak’Njei community also in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan who confirmed the latest incident in a statement, said that several houses in the community were burnt down while some residents were injured by the attackers.
Kaduna State Governor Nasir e-Rufai has condemned the killings, describing them as unacceptable and unjustifiable.
KWARA: Kidnappers Abduct Three
Gunmen, in two separate instances have abducted three persons in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State.
It was gathered that the incident happened around Aboto and Ajelanwa road between 2:00 – 6:00pm on Sunday, March 24, 2023.
Our Correspondent gathered that the first incident occurred when one Abdulfatai, a dealer in Aluminum scrap of Alagogo compound, was returning from the farm with his three children inside a vehicle when they were waylaid.
“Abdulfatai escaped leaving the three children in the vehicle. The kidnappers freed the two younger siblings after they said they could find their way back home and abducted Abdulbasit who is about 5yrs old.
“The second incident occurred around 6: pm when one Saheed popularly known as Bakayoko was conveying Ramat who is an apprentice at a chemist store and her colleague (both teenagers of about 18 years) on a motorcycle when they were accosted.
“But Bakayoko pretended that he wanted to get his shoes that fell off and escaped leaving the girls who were in their apprentice uniforms,” a source in the community said.
It was reliably gathered that the kidnappers have reached out to Abdultafai demanding for a N10m ransom to free his child.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Kwara State command, Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the incident in a telephone chat adding that one of the suspects has been arrested.
“Yes, it’s true and we have arrested one of the kidnappers. But the investigation is still ongoing,” he said.
TARABA: 15 Killed as Bandits Sack Taraba Village
Gunmen numbering about 60 invaded Garin Baka village in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State on March 31, killing at least 15 people.
It was gathered that the gunmen came into the village from at about 7.30pm on Friday and fire gunshots into different directions.
It was also gathered that they set houses on fire, rustled cows and looted shops and warehouses.
A resident, Yakubu Garba, said when the attackers came, many of the villagers were praying inside a mosque.
He stated further that the prayer was halted and there was pandemonium in the village as residents ran for dear life.
Garba said some of the residents escaped into a nearby forest, but two of his family members were among those killed during the attack.
He said the number of the deceased could be “more than 15” because many people escaped into the forest with gun wounds.
He said so far, more than 10 bodies had been recovered while several people, including women and children, were missing.
Garba added that soldiers and policemen were drafted to the community.
The spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, SP Usman Abdullahi, confirmed the attack but could not give the actual figure of those killed.
According to him, the official report of the incident was being awaited from Sunkani Police Division.
FCT: Gunmen Kill Abuja Cattle Dealer, Abduct Daughter
Gunmen in the early hours of Saturday, April 18 killed a cattle dealer, Isiaka Dogara, and abducted his 14-year-old daughter, Fatima, during an attack on their residence in Chitumu, Gwagwalada area council of the Federal Capital Territory.
The secretary to the community village head, Muhammad Liman, said about 15 armed men struck a few minutes past 12am, as they went straight to the house of the cattle dealer.
“They came in some minutes past 12am and went into the cattle dealer’s compound. They swiftly abducted him alongside one of his daughters, Fatima, who’s about 14-year-old. Unfortunately, they killed Dogara, while his wives raised the alarm.
“Three other residents who attempted to intervene were injured, and one Adamu Musa was shot in the abdomen, and was referred to the Abuja University Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada.”
The FCT Police Command could not confirm the incident as phone calls and text messages to the Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, were not replied to as of press time.
BENUE: Gunmen Kill 93 in IDPs Camp, Community
Several persons killed in a deadly attack launched on the Umogidi community of Entekpa Adoka district in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected killer herdsmen.
It was gathered learnt that the ugly incident which occurred on Wednesday, April 4, led to the death of 46 persons, including a son of the Otukpo Local Government Chairman, Hon. Bako Eje.
Lt Col. Paul Hemba (retd.), Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom on Security confirmed the development to newsmen.
He said, though the 46 corpses have been recovered, casualty figures may likely rise due to life-threatening injuries sustained by scores of residents during the attack.
“I can confirm to you that there was an attack in Umogidi and as of this morning, the casualty figure, from those who were seen physically from what I was told, was 46. But the figure may be higher because some people are still reported missing,” he said.
Similarly, no fewer than 43 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were killed in a late-night attack on LGEA Primary School, Mgban, Nyiev Council Ward, Guma Local Government Area of Benue state by suspected armed herdsmen.
Though details of the incident indicated that the primary school, which houses IDPs, was attacked at about 10p.m. on Good Friday, April 7 by the marauders.
The source hinted that among the 43 corpses so far recovered from the scene of the attack were those of pregnant women and children, while scores sustained severe injuries and many were still missing.
The attack came a few days after a similar attack in Umogidi village, Enetekpa Adoka district of Otukpo LGA claimed 52 lives.
ZAMFARA: Bandits Kidnapped 85 People in Zamfara
Bandits operating in Zamfara and Katsina States on April 7 abducted 85 women and children in Wanzamai community of Tsafe local government area in Zamfara State.
They have, also agreed to collect N20,000 from each of the victims amounting to N1.7 million.
The bandits also demanded that military operatives deployed to Wanzamai village should be relocated to another axis, vowing that they would continue to kidnap if the military personnel were not removed.
NASARAWA: Gunmen Kidnap Ex- Deputy Governor
A former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Prof. Onje Gye-Wado was whisked away on Friday morning, April 7 when gunmen broke into his residence in Gwagi village in the Wamba Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, who confirmed the abduction, said the former Deputy Governor was released on Sunday.
Former deputy governor of Nasarawa State Onje Gye-Wado has been released, following his abduction last Friday.
Nansel said the former deputy governor spent two days in captivity before his release on Sunday night, following sustained pressure from a search and rescue team.
PLATEAU: Kidnappers Kill Ex-Customs Officer, Abduct Son
Some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on March 28, killed a retired Customs officer, Micah Gochin, in Plateau State.
It was learnt that after killing the man, the gunmen abducted his son and fled the scene.
The incident, it was further gathered, occurred on Sunday night, March 28, 2023 at the Bauchi Ring Road Community, opposite the University of Jos Senior Staff Quarters in the Jos North Local Government Area.
A resident of the community, Madaki Joseph, told our correspondent, “It was around 11pm on Sunday night that the gunmen came to the community. They went straight to the retired officer’s residence and shot him dead while trying to kidnap him. But they did not kill his son as they went away with him.
Also, several people were on Sunday night, April 16, 2023 killed, when armed men invaded a community in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
A source from the community said that several persons were killed when the gunmen stormed the community at about midnight and opened fire on the people causing pandemonium.
He added that several other persons were injured as they scampered for safety.
Confirming the sad incident, the Director, Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Joseph Lengmang, expressed sadness, describing it as a disturbing trend of deteriorating security situation in some parts of the state.
In a press statement, he lamented that the current attack was coming on the heels of pockets of attacks recorded in some parts of Barkin Ladi and Jos North LGA in the last few days.Borno:
Troops Kill ‘35 Terrorists’, Destroy Camps in Sambisa Forest
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai and 199 Special Forces battalion in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) have reportedly killed 35 Boko Haram insurgents in Sambisa Forest.
The Sambisa Forest in Borno state has been the target of major security operations, as it is said to provide a major cover for terrorists.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region as published by The Cable, an online medium that the troops made the unprecedented incursions into Boko Haram hideouts, in line with efforts to completely eliminate the insurgents operating along the fringes of the forest.
According to Zagazola Makama, the sources said the “clearance operation” began from Awulari on April 17 and progressed further into other identified insurgents’ camps around Garno and Alafa.
The sources added that the troops overwhelmed the insurgents with superior firepower and killed 18 of them.
However, a member of CJTF was said to have died during the gun duel.
The troops further “stormed and cleared Izzah and Farisu on April 19”, where they “ferociously engaged dozens of the resisting terrorists in a heavy gun battle”.
“The troops overpowered the terrorists after about 30 minutes of gun battle, killing 18 of them and recovered several motorcycles, AK 47 rifles and an anti-aircraft gun.”
Zagazola said the troops further moved to Farisu where they eliminated an additional eight terrorists.
The publication further said three terrorists were killed by the troops in Alafa including one commander simply identified as “Salafi”, while two motorcycles were recovered.
“On April 20, in Ukuba, the ground troops made contact with another set of the insurgents, killing seven, while others escaped with bullet wounds. The troops recovered one truck and two 122 artillery guns.
“The gallant troops moved further to clear Garin Glucose where they neutralised additional two terrorists while other terrorists hastily withdrew and avoided making contact with the approaching troops.”
The sources told the publication that the troops “successfully” cleared terrorists’ hideouts in Garno, Alafa, Alafa D, Garin Doctor, Njumia, Izzah, Farisu, Somalia, Ukuba, Garin Glucose, Garin Ba’aba, and Bula Abu Amir communities in Bama LGA in Borno state.
Some women that were held captive by the insurgents were said to have been rescued.
By Tony Obiechina Abuja
The Debt Management Office (DMO) has opened the subscription window for the June 2025 issuance of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Savings Bonds, offering attractive annual interest rates of 16.121 per cent and 17.121 per cent for two- and three-year tenors, respectively.
This offering presents a fresh opportunity for retail investors, including individuals and institutions, to earn competitive fixed returns on low-risk government-backed securities. The DMO which announced this through its official communication channels, noted that the subscription period will run from Monday, June 2, to Friday, June 6, 2025.The bonds will be issued and settled on Tuesday, June 11, 2025, and will mature on June 11, 2027, for the two-year bond and June 11, 2028, for the three-year bond.The two-year savings bond is priced at an annual interest rate of 16.121 per cent, while the three-year savings bond offers a slightly higher return of 17.121 per cent per annum. These interest payments will be made quarterly to bondholders, specifically on March 11, June 11, September 11, and December 11 of each year, beginning from the settlement date.Although the interest rates represent a marginal decrease from the rates offered in May, when the DMO offered 16.173 per cent and 17.173 per cent for the two-year and three-year bonds, respectively, the yields remain attractive in a high-interest-rate environment.The adjustment is seen as a reflection of evolving macroeconomic dynamics, particularly the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) monetary policy stance.The CBN has maintained its benchmark Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27.5 per cent for several months in a bid to control inflationary pressures and stabilise the foreign exchange market.This policy environment has contributed to sustained interest in fixed-income securities, especially from conservative investors and foreign portfolio investors seeking stable, high-yield opportunities.The FGN Savings Bond is designed to promote financial inclusion by making it easier for everyday Nigerians to invest in secure government securities.Each bond unit is priced at ₦1,000, with a minimum subscription amount of ₦5,000. Investors can increase their stake in multiples of ₦1,000, up to a maximum of ₦50m. This accessible structure makes the bonds suitable for small savers, institutional investors, and high-net-worth individuals alike. The demand for savings bonds has remained strong in recent months. In May 2025, the Federal Government raised a total of ₦4.28bn through its monthly FGN Savings Bond auction.The amount was only slightly lower than the ₦4.34bn raised in April. Of the May total, ₦840.43m was allotted to investors in the two-year bond across 994 successful subscriptions, while ₦3.45bn was raised through the three-year bond, with 1,537 subscriptions. The FGN Savings Bond programme, launched in 2017, is part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to deepen the domestic bond market, diversify its funding sources, and promote a savings culture among Nigerians. It also helps to reduce reliance on external borrowing by mobilising funds locally.The DMO has therefore advised interested investors to approach any of the accredited stockbroking firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) to subscribe before the closing date of June 6.With quarterly interest payments and guaranteed principal repayment at maturity, the FGN Savings Bond continues to be viewed as a reliable investment option in Nigeria’s evolving financial landscape.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The death toll from a coordinated attacks by suspected herdsmen on Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State, has risen to 58 as at Monday, June 2nd, 2025.The residents of Tse-Antswam in Naka town, the headquarters of Gwer West LGA and Edikwu Ankpali in Apa local government area of the state came under severe attack by marauding herdsmen, leaving many people dead, as others fled for their dear lives while some sustained various degree of injuries.
In the latest figure released by the executive chairman of Gwer West LGC, Mr. Victor Ormin as corroborated by the chairman of the local government traditional council, Chief Daniel Abomtse, 21 corpses had been recovered so far from the Sunday night attacks while a search is ongoing for missing persons.Chief Abomtse who is the Ter Nagi, said the attackers came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.According to him, “As am talking to you now, (Monday) morning, 21 corpses have been recovered and many people sustained varied degree of injuries.”In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive; search is still on because many ran into the bushes with gunshot wounds and some also entered the well to escape the herdsmen,” the monarch said.Chief Abomtse revealed that the community attacked was directly opposite the military check point along Naka/ Makurdi road.At Edikwu Ankpali in Apa Local Government Area, the causality figures as at Monday afternoon, hit 37.The Chairman of Apa Local Government Area, Adam Ogwola, who confirmed the development, said that the figures of dead victims might be more than that as search operations was ongoing and more dead bodies were being recovered.His words,”I was not at the local government area when the attack took place yesterday but from the information I got, the attack is devastating. I am on my way to Apa local government and to visit the affected areas.”I will keep you updated as we continue with the search operation. Those injured are already at general hospital undertaking medical attention”.A community leader, John Ikwu who also confirmed that 25 corpses were recovered yesterday(Sunday) in Edikwu Ankpali, lamented that Benue was not experiencing any peace anywhere, urging individuals to rise to confront what he described as barbaric and unwarranted killings by heartless killers attacking their communities on a daily basis without restrictions.He said: ” If we don’t do something now not tomorrow, there will be nowhere to be called Benue. Their agenda is to take over the land and occupy as new owner.”If you are an appointee of the Government, critical stakeholder, prominent Benue indigene and a patriotic Nigerian and you are quiet over these killings in our communities without speaking out, it is rather unfortunate. Enough is enough”. The new Police Public Relations’ Officer, PPRO for Benue State command, DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the attack in two local government areas.”This is to confirm that there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa.”And to let you know that tactical teams have been deployed and already on ground and are on top of the situation..”I will get back to you after getting further and accurate information please.
By Mike Odiakose And Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday described Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President; Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna state and Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers State as displaced rent-seekers who are desperate to grab power purely for their self aggrandizement.
This is coming as the ruling party also blamed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the free-fall of the Naira, more than 10 years after the party lost the presidential election. Reacting to issues that came up at the 60 birthday celebration in Abuja at the weekend, the APC Spokesman, Felix Morka said the allegation that the APC government of President Bola Tinubu was “weaponizing” poverty by not eradicating the scourge in two years is baseless.The APC said poverty eradication was a feat the trio of Atiku, El-Rufai and Amaechi “failed to achieve during a quarter of a century in power.”The APC Spokesman lamented that Amaechi’s birthday “celebration quickly dissolved into an occasion for Amaechi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna state and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory – leading displaced rent-seekers – to showcase their frenzied desperation to grab power purely for their self aggrandizement.”These three individuals have occupied Nigeria’s highest political offices between 1999 and 2023, either as Vice President, Governors, or Ministers, among other important positions. “In all 24 years, the trio, individually or collectively, could not and did not eradicate poverty in their states or the country. They did not even attempt to address, let alone tackle, the structural challenges and distortions that stifled the economy and worsened poverty over the years.”Rather, they reveled in mindless rent-seeking behavior, sold national assets to their cronies for mere pittance, engaged in corrupt and wasteful expenditures in their states, and relentlessly sponsored state violence against their own people. “Take the case of Amaechi, the celebrant, who served for an unbroken total of 24 years – eight years as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, eight years as Governor of Rivers State, and eight years as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”That’s about a quarter of a century of freeloading by Amaechi on state resources, with absolutely no record of attempting to combat poverty in his Rivers State or the country.”When Amaechi declared, ‘I am hungry,’ he must mean, and must be understood to mean, that he is hungry and desperate to return to his felt entitled dependency on state resources and patronage.”That he is hungry barely two years out of office simply underscores the depth of the self-serving motivations of Amaechi and his coalition partners in their quest for power for selfish exploitation, and not for the interest of the people.”Nigerians see right through their disruptive politicking. Amaechi and his cohorts are losing their grip on the economy.”Accustomed to fleecing the economy, they are now compelled by Tinubu’s unprecedented reforms to adapt to a new reality where hard work, productivity, and innovation are rewarded.”Their criticisms of President Tinubu’s reforms are decidedly self-serving, driven by a desperate quest for power to satiate their voracious rent-seeking appetite, which has long stifled and denied progress to the economy.“On contrary, it was the failure of previous administrations, particularly 16 years of PDP administrations, to allow the Naira to find its real value that created the economic conditions of poverty that the present administration is now addressing.”The erstwhile artificially overvalued Naira stifled local production, encouraged import dependency, and exacerbated poverty. Ironically, Atiku and Peter Obi, who are now vociferously criticizing President Tinubu’s policies, amassed their wealth from the very import-dependent system they are desperately trying to preserve.”Atiku, a former Custom Officer, and Obi, a successful importer, reaped enormous benefits from the old system. Their criticisms reek of special interest masqueraded as concern for the people. “By allowing market forces to determine the Naira’s value, the administration is taking necessary bold steps to catalyze economic growth, incentivize investment, boost competitiveness, and alleviate poverty.”Indubitably, in two years, President Tinubu has demonstrated political will to tackle structural barriers to the country’s economic growth and development far more than any other President in Nigeria’s modern history.”By his bold economic reforms, President Tinubu is systematically building the most potent bulwark against poverty and positioning the economy to deliver sustained and sustainable growth and prosperity for all Nigerians.”The criticisms variously leveled by Amaechi, Atiku, El-Rufai and Peter Obi mask a shameless attempt to perpetuate and cling to the old rent-seeking economy that enriched them at the expense of the Nigerian people.”As beneficiaries of the corrupt and inefficient economic system, they are discomforted that Tinubu’s reforms are dismantling the insidious and permissive system that enabled and sustained their reckless plunder and exploitation of the economy.”Meanwhile, Nigerians in productive sectors are reaping the benefits of reforms that have increased opportunities and income.”Entrepreneurs, farmers, and service providers are thriving, while rent-seekers like Amaechi and his coalition partners are left seething with rage at the disruption of their ability to milk the system for personal gain as before.”The removal of fuel subsidy has been a game-changer. It ended massive corruption that plagued the fuel subsidy enterprise, eliminated perennial shortages and queues at petrol stations, and has sparked a surge in investments in the oil and gas and other sectors of the economy, further expanding opportunities for businesses and individuals.”The harmonization of multiple exchange rates has further bolstered Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market for goods and capital.”With increased revenue, the federal, state, and local governments are now investing more in critical infrastructure, education, health, security, and social welfare.”Importantly, states that previously struggled to pay N30,000 minimum wage are now paying a significantly higher minimum wage of N70,000 per month. This is a testament to the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians.”The President’s reforms are dawning a new day for Nigeria, now witnessing economic transformation never before seen in our country’s history, driven by proper pricing of the Naira and fuel, and steadily transitioning the country from a consumption-laden to a production-oriented economic powerhouse.”Our trade balances are seeing a drastic improvement, with a sharp decline in imports and a steep rise in exports, reporting impressive trade surpluses and economic growth rate of 4.6 percent in the last quarter of 2024, representing the highest growth rate in a decade, amid significant decline in global price of crude oil.”This turnaround is a direct testament to the government’s steadfast efforts to promote local production, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification, ultimately paving the way for a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous economy.”Indications of a steadily rebounding economy are now manifesting in all sectors of the economy. Local industries are booming, and our reliance on imports is plummeting.”The Dangote refinery is revolutionizing the market with its products in Nigeria, while manufacturers in the South East are producing top-notch products in unprecedented quantities, generating thousands of jobs and stimulating economic growth.”This progress is a monumental step towards achieving food security, industrialization, and sustainable economic growth.”President Tinubu has genuinely prioritized the best interest of Nigerians over any political electoral calculation. The administration’s reforms may have transient higher cost of living implications challenges, but they are indispensable to securing a more sustainable economy that rewards hard work, innovation, and entrepreneurship.”Mr President is on course, and will not be distracted by the selfish partisan rambling of some hardened political opportunists and economic exploiters only bent on preserving the old inefficient and permissive economic system that fed them at the expense of the common good of all.”The best strategic interest of our economy and the good people of Nigeria must continue to trump any and all political or electoral calculations.”The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday, said he is an asset in ensuring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, wins his second term in office, 2027 election.The FCT Minister who stated this in a media chat in Abuja also took a swipe at former Transportation minister Rotimi Amaechi describing him as one hungry for power. Wike said, the former Governor is a liar, after being a former Speaker, former Governor, former Minister, he was definitely not hungry.He maintained that the former Rivers state assembly speaker is insulting Nigerians and he is actually hungry for ‘power’.
According to FCT Minister, “Hold on. You are talking about Rotimi Amaechi? Then you have to be specific. I don’t know how a man will choose his 60th birthday to tell lies. It’s unfortunate, of all time it’s your 60th birthday that people are celebrating you, you use it to tell lies to Nigerians. You are hungry.”Let us tell ourselves this. He was Speaker 1999 to 2007 and if anybody knows he was the most pompous speaker, then he was reading law in London as a speaker. 1999 to 2007. He became a governor 2007 to 2015 he was still reading law in London. Eight years as speaker, Rivers State Assembly, eight years as governor he never talked about hunger.”He became a minister for 2015, to 2023, eight years, super Minister of Transport, where you are borrowing money for Afroximbank, he didn’t talk about hunger. Two years, you have left office, I am in coalition because I’m hungry.”You’re only hungry of power. And that shows failure on his part, how do you look this, how do you insult Nigerians? How do you trivialize the issue of hunger or poverty? Why do you do that? You’re insulting Nigerians. You join Atiku, you join El-Rufai because you are hungry. Have you not insulted Nigerians? Is just that you can’t stay out of power. That’s the hunger.”You can’t stay out of power. How would a man who served 1999 to 2023 will stand before Nigerians, who presided over billions of naira”.Wike said Amaechi after completing his tenure as Governor of Rivers State, in 2015, couldn’t produce a successor. And he couldn’t give his candidate, Muhammadu Buhari common 25% as a sitting minister in 2019, no president had ever moved with soldiers the way he came with soldiers.On 2027 election, the FCT Minister said, it is not hidden that he will support President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, and also lead the campaign in Rivers state, “I came out. You have seen me here. I said, I will support Asiwaju. The way we won other elections that is the way we will win. I’m not a liability. I’m an asset. Whether you agree, you don’t agree, I’m an asset. Whether you want to die, you don’t want to die, I’m an asset. No matter what, you may not like me; your likeness has nothing to do with what am going to do. I’m an asset to making sure that Tinubu wins second tenure.”Are not aware that I will lead the campaign in Rivers State?” , he said.
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