2021 has been a period of recovery all over the world, the year wherein many nations and economies including Nigeria made concerted efforts to rebound from the widespread shocks and losses suffered in 2020 due to the virulent covid-19 pandemic. Even as more variants of the virus continues to emerge, global solutions keep coming through with the availability of vaccines and other measures geared at building resilience and minimising the impact of the pandemic on personal, economic and national life.
This special report from The Journal will be in 3 parts; highlighting the major events, issues and occurrences that helped shape 2021 in Nigeria on the political, economic, sporting, entertainment and overall national front. It is a mix of the highs and the lows, a blend of the sweet and the bitter, a combination of the triumphs and the losses.
It starts with this Part 1 which will provide key events that occurred in the first four months of 2021.
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JANUARY 2021
Intel and Atiku Parted Ways
On Monday 4 January, Intels Nigeria Limited, an integrated logistics company disclosed that it had severed ties with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who was one of its major shareholders. The company said it severed ties with Abubakar and his family after the former Vice President sold off his shares and exited the company. In a statement, Intels spokesman Tommaso Ruffinoni, said the ex-vice president through his trust named Guernsey Trust International, sold shares of Orlean-Invest Group, Intels parent company between December 2018 and January 2019, for approximately $60 million. The former Vice President however cited political interference by the Buhari administration as the reason behind his decision.
Igbo Leaders urged major Political Parties to cede Presidential Ticket to the Southeast
Notable Igbo leaders on Wednesday January 6 rose from a cross-party meeting of the Southeast leaders in Igbere, Abia State, calling on all the major political parties in the country to cede their presidential tickets to south east geopolitical zone in 2023 in the interest of justice, equity, and national unity.
Present at the meeting were Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Sen. Ike Ekwerenmadu, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Hon Toby Okechukwu. Others were Sen. Michael Nnachi from Ebonyi, one-time Minister of State for Environment, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Chuka Odom, former Speakers of Abia House of Assembly, Chief Stanley Ohajuruka and Mr Chikwendu Kalu, and National Chairman of the United Progressives Party, Chief Chekwas Okorie, amongst others.
The demand came on the heel of the agitations for a Southeast presidency come 2023 premised on the argument that of the six geopolitical zones, only the southeast is yet to hold the office of the president. However, till date; no major political party has pledged to adopt that position.
Human Rights Activist, Esther Uzoma Passed On
Tuesday January 7 saw the civil society community waking up to the sudden and unpleasant news of the demise of renowned female lawyer and civil rights activist, Esther Uzoma, who was also the convener of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room and the National Coordinator of Proactive Gender Initiatives (PGI). She died on Wednesday 6th January following a surgery at a hospital in Abuja. The legal Practitioner had been on the forefront in the fight for gender rights and a tireless campaigner for credible elections in Nigeria. She was subsequently buried at her home town in Idem Anara, Isiala Mbano local government area of Imo State.
George Obiozor Elected New President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo
On Wednesday 10 January, 2021, former Nigerian ambassador to the United States, Israel and Cyprus, Professor George Obiozor was elected as the new President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation in Nigeria taking over from Chief John Nnia Nwodo who has been the leader of the group since January 2017. Obiozor polled 304 votes to defeat his closest rival, Valentine Oparaocha, who polled 15 votes in the election that took place at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, Imo State.
Since taking over the office, the organization has been vocal on major national issues affecting the country particularly as it relates to the Southeast geopolitical zone viz-a-viz agitations for secession, the 2023 Igbo presidency agenda and other matters with regards to the proscribed Indigenous People’s Organization of Biafra (IPOB).
Akeredolu Gives Herdsmen 7 Days Ultimatum to Vacate Ondo Forests
On Monday 18 January, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State gave Fulani herdsmen in the State a seven-day ultimatum to vacate all forest reserves within its territory. He accused them of being responsible for the rampant kidnappings. His position set him on a collision course with Garba Shehu; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity and was also denounced by the Northern Elders Forum, he was however was backed by some governors of the Southern states, and socio-political groups in the region such as Afenifere and the Yoruba Council of Elders. The order would later be relaxed by the Governor who couldn’t pursue it the way he intended upon the initial announcement.
Zulum Advocates For 2023 Presidency to Go South
On January 16, Governor of Borno State Babagana Zulum said the South-south and South-east regions of Nigeria should negotiate for the Presidency ahead of the 2023 elections. Speaking at the 17th Chief Gani Fawehinmi annual lecture in Lagos, Zulum said though only God gives power, negotiation is easier when you make friends “across the divide”. Other bigwigs from the Northern region have echoed these sentiments including Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna and Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nassarawa. It is believed that there is a gentleman agreement at the formation of the APC in 2013 for the presidency to rotate between the North and the South, with the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu seemingly positioning as the frontline candidate from the south in the ruling party amid the growing clamour Igbo presidency from South East stakeholders.
Marwa Takes Charge of NDLEA
On Monday January 18, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa took office as the Head of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), officially resuming duty at the agency’s headquarters. Immediately after his assumption, Marwa warned that Nigeria could no longer fold its hands and watch the rising cases of drug use in the country and that the NDLEA will be overhauled and expanded in line with the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA)
Since taking over, the war against drugs have experienced renewed vigour with frequent arrest of drug syndicates and the confiscation of illicit drugs worth billions of naira by operatives of the NDLEA who got accolades from across board. In October, he was quoted as saying, the problem of drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria is “on its way to being under control”.
Buhari appoints new Service Chiefs
On January 26, President Muhamadu Buhari for the first time since taking over power in 2015; replaced the country’s service chiefs.
Buhari appointed Maj Gen Leo Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff, Maj Gen Ibrahim Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshal I.O Alao as Chief of Air Force Staff.
Irabor replaced Abayomi Olonisakin, while Attahiru replaced Tukur Buratai. Gambo replaced Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas and Alao took over from Sadique Abubakar.
FEBRUARY 2021
Facebook Bans Nnamdi Kanu for Hate Speech
On 4 February, Facebook revealed that it removed the page of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu for violating its rules on harm and hate speech. Kanu’s page was removed for repeated violation of its community rules, the social networking site said in a statement.
Buhari Nominates Ex – Service Chiefs for Non-Career Ambassadors
On 4 February, President Muhammadu Buhari forwarded the names of the immediate past Service Chiefs and the Chief of Defence Intelligence to the Senate for confirmation as non-career ambassadors-designate.
They are former Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, and the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas. Others are former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, and the former Chief of Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman.
The Senate subsequently began their nomination screening on February 18 and confirmed them on the February 24.
On June 4, the federal government announced the deployment of ex-service chiefs as ambassadors to neighbouring countries. Saddique Abubakar, former chief of air staff, was deployed to Chad, Ibok-Ete Ibas, ex-chief of naval staff, was deployed to Ghana; Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff, was deployed to Benin Republic while Abayomi Olonisakin, former chief of defence staff, was deployed to Cameroon. Sani Usman, a former defence chief, was deployed to Niger Republic.
They have since assumed their postings, with ex-COAS Buratai recently engaged in the negotiation to repatriate Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho back to Nigeria from Benin Republic.
Imo State By-election: Ararume Loses at Supreme Court
On Friday 5 February the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal Senator Ifeanyi Araraume filed to set-aside a Court of Appeal judgement that sacked him as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Imo North Senatorial by-election that held on December 5, 2020. The apex court, in two separate unanimous decisions by a five-man panel of Justices led by Justice Amina Augie, said it found no reason to dislodge the verdict of the Court of Appeal in Owerri, which declared Frank Ibezim as candidate of the APC for the poll.
Central Bank of Nigeria Bans Cryptocurrencies
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on February 5, prohibited commercial banks and all non-banking financial institutions from transactions involving cryptocurrencies claiming they were being used for illegal and illicit financial flows. The CBN gave the order as seen in a statement issued, stressing that all the institutions are to close the accounts of customers with cryptocurrency transactions immediately. According to the apex bank, breaches of the directive will attract severe regulatory sanctions. The development was not welcomed by many Nigerians who took to social media to express their displeasure. Months down the line; while the ban on crypto has not been lifted the federal government has however launched its own digital currency.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala secures top WTO position
On 5 February, Nigeria’s Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala secured the support of the United States for Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Okonjo-Iweala later assumed office on 1 March 2021, and became both the first woman and the first African to hold the position. Ngozi served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister for 2 Presidents and worked for 25 years as a specialist in development economics at the World Bank. In September this year she was listed in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People for 2021.
Lateef Jakande Dies
Former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande was reported dead on February 11 at the age of 91. Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed the passage of the elder statesman in a statement. He wrote, “With gratitude to God for a worthy life well spent in the service of Lagos State, Nigeria and humanity, I announce the death of a venerable statesman, outstanding politician, public administrator and the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.
Jakande was governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983, and later was Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime between 1993–1998.
Bauchi, Benue Governors Trade Tackle Over Herdsmen Crisis
On February 12, Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom dismissed as shocking and disappointing a claim that he promoted negative perception of Fulani herdsmen in the country.
The Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, had condemned the handling of the herdsmen crisis by Ortom and the South-West governors. The governor, who spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2021 Press Week of the state’s branch of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) a day earlier said the quit notice issued to herdsmen in Ondo and other states in the South-West was wrong. Ortom in response said it was a shame that a colleague who took the oath to protect and preserve the country’s Constitution took the lead in violating provisions of the same.
Gbenga Daniel Decamps To APC
On Tuesday February 16, former Governor of Ogun, Gbenga Daniel who was the Director-General of Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2019 presidential elections, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He had in March 2019 officially resigned from the PDP, saying he was pulling out from partisan politics. He was received into APC at his Asoludero residence in Sagamu, by Governor Abiodun of the state, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello.
Abdulrasheed Bawa Appointed New EFCC Boss
On February 16, President Muhammadu Buhari in a letter to the Senate President asked the senate to confirm Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He took from Mohammed Umar who has been in acting capacity since July 2020 after the suspension of Ibrahim Magu over allegations of corruption. Bawa, who is 40 years old, was an EFCC cadet officer from 2005 and rose to becoming the Lagos zonal head of the anti-graft agency until his appointment. He was subsequently confirmed on February 24, 2021, by the Nigerian senate.
Gunmen Abducts Secondary School Children in Niger
On 17 February, a school pupil was killed and 27 others were abducted by armed men at around 3am from their school in Kagara, Niger State. Three members of the school’s staff and 12 of their relatives were also abducted. They were subsequently released on February 27 after 10 days in captivity with none of them dying in the process. They were received by Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello who disclosed that the release of the abductees was made through the joint efforts of security personnel, traditional leaders and stakeholders. He promised that the State Government would look into the cause of the dastardly act toward finding a lasting solution to the problem. Despite this promise of security; there have been similar subsequent attacks in the state.
Obinwanne ‘Invictus Obi’ Okeke gets 10-year jail term for fraud
On 17 February, Nigerian entrepreneur and a Forbes Africa Under 30 honoree Obinwanne Okeke was sentenced to a 10-year jail term for computer and wire fraud by an American court.
Popularly known as Invictus Obi, Okeke was found guilty of causing approximately $11 million in known losses to his victims between 2015 and 2019. He had earlier pleaded guilty to the crimes in June 2020.
Ex – CBN Governor Declares for Anambra Election
On Thursday February 18, former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, officially declared his intention to participate in the November 6, 2021 governorship election in Anambra State on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Soludo expressed optimism that he would win in a free and fair contest. The former CBN governor later survived an assassination attempt when gunmen attacked him during a town hall meeting at the Isuofia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State killing three policemen attached to him. He subsequently went on to win the November 6 polls, defeating Andy Uba of the APC, Valentine Ozigbo of the PDP, and Ifeanyi Ubah of the YPP.
Rochas Okorocha Arrested by Police for Destroying Imo Government Properties
On Sunday February 21, the police in Imo State arrested the senator representing Imo West Senatorial District and former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha. Okorocha was arrested for allegedly destroying government and security vehicles and also breaking into a property the government had seized from his wife, Nkechi.
Okorocha was subsequently released the next day February 22, from the police headquarters, Owerri, where he was detained and asked to respond to a complaint filed against him by the Imo State Government. The Southeast Governors Forum later waded into the matter between the governor and his predecessor.
The wrangling between the former allies turned foes has shown no sign of abetting even through the APC re-registration exercise and the congresses as supporters of both the governor and the former governor battle for control of the party structure.
7 die as Military Plane Crashes in Abuja
Seven people were killed after a military aircraft crashed a few yards off the runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola stated that the Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. Vice Marshal Daramola further stated that all seven personnel on board died in the crash.
Maiduguri rocket attacks
During the evening of 23 February, Boko Haram militants fired a series of rocket-propelled grenades in Maiduguri, Borno State. The attacks killed at least 10 people; many others were injured.
Blockade of Food Supplies to South
On February 26, foodstuffs and cattle dealers across the Northern part of the country begun blocking trade routes to the South by stopping food item-laden trucks from going south. They also started diverting their goods and all consumables to the neigbouring countries of Niger Republic and Cameroon. The development was connected to an ultimatum given by the national leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to the Federal Government which demanded compensation for the losses suffered by Northern traders in the mayhem at Shasha market in Ibadan, Oyo State, and during the EndSARS protest.
The association commenced its strike on Thursday, February 25, 2021, asking for N475 billion in compensation from the federal government for the destruction of their businesses and property in Ondo and Oyo States in January and February. While the strike lasted, the prices of foodstuff, including beef and vegetables, soared in Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous city and economic capital among other parts in the South.
On March 3, the northern food dealers finally agreed to lift the ban on supply to South after the leadership of the northern cattle and foodstuff dealers under the aegis of Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN), agree to end the blockade after an extensive dialogue and deliberation with the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello and other stakeholders.
Bandits Abducts over 300 School Girls in Zamfara
Gunmen suspected to be bandits on 26 February abducted over 300 schoolgirls at the Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in the Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The bandits arrived in the school around 1am with Hilux vehicles and motorcycles to forcefully kidnap the students. The abduction occurred about two weeks after dozens of students and staff members were abducted by armed bandits from a school in Kagara, Niger State. President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the kidnapping as “inhumane and totally unacceptable”. The girls were subsequently freed from captivity on Tuesday March 2 and were received at the government house from where they were reunited with their parents. Despite that incident there seems to have been no decrease in the activities of bandits in Zamfara with the daily orgies of violence and wanton bloodletting.
MARCH 2021
Sadiq Daba Dies
On March 4, Veteran broadcaster and Nollywood actor Sadiq Daba was reported dead at a Lagos hospital. Daba had an illustrious career in broadcasting with the Nigerian Television Authority. He died at the age of 69 and was buried at a cemetery in Agege, Lagos State.
Buhari, Osinbajo receive COVID-19 vaccines in Aso Villa
On March 6, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo were vaccinated against COVID-19.
Buhari was vaccinated by his personal physician, Dr. Suhayb Sanusi at a brief ceremony witnessed by top government officials at the New Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa
Shortly after the President, Osinbajo was also vaccinated by his personal physician, Dr. Nicholas Audifferen.
The President and his deputy were the first among the nation’s strategic leaders to take the vaccine after some frontline health workers at the treatment centre of the National Hospital, Abuja, were vaccinated a day before.
Rivers APC Crisis: Supreme Court Declares Amaechi Factional Leadership Authentic
On March 6, the leadership crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state and the consequent litigations was finally rested with the Supreme Court judgement affirming the Isaac Ogbobula-led Caretaker Executive Committee as the Executive Committee of the party in the state. The leadership crisis that rocked the Rivers State chapter of the APC and the litigation that followed dates back to 2018 when the supremacy battle between the former governor of the state and the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe started.
Goodluck Jonathan Debunks Presidential Ambition Rumors
On Friday 6th of March, former President Goodluck Jonathan said his intention to contest 2023 presidential election was speculative. Jonathan stated this when he led a delegation of politicians from Bayelsa on a condolence visit to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at Government House, Asaba, over the recent demise of his father, Sir Okorie Okowa. The former president has been rumoured to be planning to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), when on Friday, November 20, 2020, he met governors on the platform of the APC behind closed doors in Abuja. The reason for the meeting was not disclosed, but many speculated it may not be unconnected with the 2023 presidential election.
Niger State Shutdown Public Secondary Schools
On Thursday, 11 March, the Niger state Governor Abdullahi Bello shut down all public secondary schools’ weeks after the Kagara school abduction. According to the state’s Commissioner for Education, Hannatu Jibrin Salihu, the schools will be shut down for two weeks. She announced that the closure was necessary to give relevant security agencies the time and opportunity to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of all public secondary schools.
39 students abducted from forestry college in Kaduna
Gunmen in Kaduna on March 12 kidnapped around 30 students overnight from a forestry college near a military academy. Kaduna state’s security commissioner, Samuel Aruwan confirmed the students were abducted from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Mando, in Kaduna. On April 5, the Kaduna State government announced the rescue of five of the 39 students kidnapped.
Wizkid and Burna Boy Wins Grammy Awards
On March 14 Nigeria Afrobeats stars Burna Boy and Wizkid both won awards at the 2021 Grammy Awards. Burna Boy won the Best Global Music Album category while Wizkid won the Best Music Video for his song with Beyoncé; Brown Skin Girl, from Lion King: The Gift album.
Gunmen Kidnap Bus Load of RCCG Church Members
On Friday March 26, no fewer than eight members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) were kidnapped by bandits in Kaduna State. The gunmen abducted the church members while on transit along the Kachia Road in the southern part of the state. The gunmen stopped the bus conveying the persons and immediately transferred the eight passengers to their vehicle, and zoomed off to an unknown destination. The church bus was later abandoned on the road. The kidnappers later got in touch with the church and family members and they were freed.
Super Eagles Qualify For 2021 AFCON
On March 27, Nigeria qualified for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for Cameroon, ahead of their Match Day 5 fixture, after Sierra Leone’s goalless draw with Lesotho confirmed their place in the continental showpiece. Nigeria later ended the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a 3-0 victory over Lesotho at Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Former Reps Speaker, Bankole Joins APC
On March 12 former speaker of the House of Assembly, Oladimeji Bankole, was reported to be getting set to dump his party, Action Democratic Party (ADP) for All Progressives Congress (APC). In 2019, Bankole was the gubernatorial election candidate under the platform of Action Democratic Party in Ogun State. And subsequently, on March 30, the House of Representatives, formalised his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as he registered in his home state, Ogun.
APRIL 2021
Afenifere loses spokesman Yinka Odumakin
On Saturday 3, April, Afenifere spokesperson, Yinka Odumakin passed on at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). He was mourned by all sides of the political divide and was buried on April 24. His wife, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin later delivered twins, a boy and a girl at a U.S hospital on Wednesday, October 27, 2021.
Close to 2000 inmates freed by hoodlums in Owerri jailbreak
On Monday 5, April gunmen attacked the Imo Police Command Headquarters and the Correctional Centre with explosives and freed many inmates. The gunmen operated with no fewer than 10 vehicles at about 2am, overpowering the security guards at the police command.
No fewer than 150 suspects were released from the command and no fewer than 1, 500 inmates of the correctional centre were freed in the attack.
Imo state has been in the center of the unknown gunmen attacks targeting security building and infrastructure.
Buhari removes Adamu, appoints new acting IGP
On Tuesday 6, April, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect. Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, confirmed the appointment when he addressed State House correspondents in Abuja. Baba replaced Mohammed Adamu who was appointed on Jan. 15, 2019 to replace Mr. Ibrahim Idris.
Nigerian Army confirms killing of 11 personnel in Benue
On April 9, The Nigerian Army confirmed the killing of one officer and 10 soldiers who were on stabilisation operation in Benue State by unidentified criminals.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Mohammed Yerima, disclosed the information in a statement. Yerima, a brigadier general, said the Nigerian army personnel were initially declared missing which led to the deployment of a joint search and rescue team comprising army troops and personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke. He said the search and rescue team unfortunately found all the missing troops dead in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state. The Nigerian army appealed to the public to volunteer useful information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastard act.
Southeast governors establish joint security outfit
On Sunday 11 April, the southeast governors’ forum launched its own joint security outfit for the region codenamed ‘Ebube Agu.’ The decision was after governors and stakeholders of the region held a security meeting in Imo state on Sunday, April 11. All governors in the region were present at the meeting which also had in attendance Army, Navy, and Air Force commanders, the Inspector-General of Police, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and other key stakeholders.
However, the security outfit failed to take off immediately and in June, the chairman of Ebube Agu, Major General Obi Abel Umahi (rtd) resigned his position. In his resignation letter dated June 4, 2021 and titled “Resignation as Chairman Southeast Security Committee – Ebubeagu”. Governor Umahi of Ebonyi later lamented the outfit’s dismal performance; saying since the formation of the security outfit, the southeast governors had stifled it of funds and failed to provide it with an office space
#PantamiResign: Communications minister under fire over alleged link with terrorists
On April 16, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, came under fire on popular social media platform, Twitter, over his alleged link with terrorist groups, Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The Nigerian Twitter community also said the minister cannot be trusted with the data of Nigerians, especially with the National Identification Number and Subscriber Identity Module integration exercise under his watch.
In a viral video recorded many years ago which was later confirmed by his lawyer, Michael Numa, the minister was seen engaging the late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, in a public debate. Pantami, an Islamic scholar, according to an online media, also once declared that he was always satisfied when infidels were massacred. The hashtag #PantamiResign began trending online having over 18,000 retweets.
However, few days later President Muhammadu Buhari through his SSA Media, Garba Shehu declared that no action will be taken against the Minister, saying the allegations were part of a “campaign of calumny by telecoms companies” adding that Pantami had since “rightly changed and apologized for what he said in the early 2000s.” Buhari stressed that his “administration stands behind Pantami and all Nigerian citizens to ensure they receive fair treatment, fair prices, and fair protection in ICT services.”
Gunmen attack, kidnap students from private university in Kaduna
On the evening of Tuesday 20 April, gunmen suspected to be bandits abducted 20 students and two staff of Greenfield University, Kaduna state located in Chikun Local Government Area, along the Kaduna–Abuja Highway. The assailants reportedly killed a security officer attached to the institution. Five of the abducted students were later killed by the bandits and they threatened to kill the others if a ransom of N100 million and 10 motorcycles are not delivered to them.
On 1 May 2021 one of the abducted students was released by the bandits, the release was said to have been made after his parents paid an undisclosed ransom and on 29 May 2021, after 40 days in captivity the remaining 14 students and two staff were freed. Their parents also said they paid a ransom of One hundred and fifty million Naira (N150 million) and eight brand new motorcycles to the bandits.
Buhari’s Loan Spree Starts
On Wednesday 21 April, the Senate approved $1.5billion and €995million external loan requests from President Mohammadu Buhari. The approval was sequel to the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts presented by its Chairman, Sen. Clifford Ordia (PDP-Edo) during plenary. The president had in May 2020 sent a letter to the senate seeking its approval for another batch of external loans to enable the administration finance the 2020 budget deficit, critical projects and support some states of the federation. The Federal Government said the loans would be used to execute priority projects and support state governments in stimulating their economy adversely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Similarly in May, president Buhari also asked the Senate to approve an additional $6.1 billion loan request, which is equivalent to about N2.343 trillion. According to the president, the loan will be raised from multilateral and bilateral tenders as well as the international capital market.
The loan was subsequently approved on July 7. After the approval, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the National Assembly must make sure that there are no frivolous expenditures by the executive.
Months later on Wednesaday 16, December, the Senate also approved the president’s request on fresh $5.8bn borrowing and a grant component of $10m under the 2018-2020 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan of the Federal Government.
The approval followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
The Chairman of the committee, Senator Clifford Ordia, said $2.30bn would be sourced from the World Bank, another $2.30bn from the German Consortium, $90,000,000 from the Islamic Development, $786,382,967 from the China Exim Bank, $276,981,586.50 from the Bank of China, and $50m from the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
There has been public outcry to the Debt request, which many in the opposition see as unsustainable. According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria’s Public Debt was N38.005 trillion or USD92.626 billion at the end of Q3 2021.
Nollywood actor, Baba Ijesha arrested for defiling minor
On April 23, Popular Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha was arrested by men of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly defiling a minor. A closed-circuit television installed in the victim’s home captured Omiyinka allegedly molesting the victim while her mother was not at home. In July he was arraigned at the Ikeja Special Offense Court and the case was adjourned till September. In November he denied his confessional statement. And on December 15, the Lagos State government closed its case against the actor after the cross-examination of the sixth prosecution witness by the defence. Following the DPP’s statement, the defence counsel, Mr Kayode Olabiran, announced to the court that the defence intended to file a no-case submission.
Gunmen raze Uzodinma’s country home
In the early hours of Saturday 24 April, unknown gunmen attacked the country home of the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma. The gunmen, who invaded the governor’s house in Omuma in the Oru East Local Government Area of the state, also killed two security men on duty before torching the house. The security men on duty reportedly engaged the attackers, leading to the death of the two cops. The attack was subsequently denounced by the Presidency, the Nigerian Governors Forum and apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Ohanaeze President General, George Obiozor, warned youths in the South-East against being used by outsiders and detractors to destabilise the region.
Makurdi Kidnapping
On 24 April 2021, gunmen kidnapped students from the Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi, in Benue State. Two students were confirmed kidnapped. This was Nigeria’s fifth kidnapping from an academic institution in 2021. It came just four days after the Greenfield University kidnapping. On 28 April, the university released a statement confirming the return of the abducted students. According to the university’s spokesperson, the two students came back on 27 April 2021 unhurt
Mainok Attacks
On 25 April, a large group of ISWAP insurgents killed 33 soldiers in Mainok, a town 36 miles (58 kilometres) west of Maiduguri in Borno State.Wearing military camouflage, the militants arrived in four mine-resistant trucks, a scorpion armored personnel carrier, and several gun trucks. They split into three groups before attacking the army base. At the base, ISWAP destroyed a T-55 battle tank, a BTR-4EN, and stole several military grade weapons The attackers fled as the air force carried out airstrikes against them. When soldiers arrived from Damaturu in response, ISWAP ambushed the reinforcements, killing three, injuring nine, and stealing weapons. An air force drone accidentally bombed a vehicle belonging to the army, killing 20 officers
Reps ask Buhari to declare state of emergency on security
On Tuesday April 27, the House of Representatives asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on security in order to fast track all measures aimed at restoring peace in the country. The Lawmakers said this in reaction to worsening insecurity across the country. The House also summoned all Service Chiefs, Paramilitary Chiefs, Controller General of the Nigerian Customs Service and the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT to brief the House on the security situation in the country.