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Boko Haram Loses Grip as Two Minors Escape After Half a Decade in Captivity

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Boko Haram Loses Grip as Two Minors Escape After Half a Decade in Captivity

Two boys who escaped from Boko Haram’s captivity have been reunited with their families after four years in the jihadists’ custody, according to the Borno state police command.

Nahum Daso, the state’s police spokesperson, said in a statement on Tuesday that the boys, Ayuba Ishaku and Yakubu Haruna, both of whom were around 13 years old, showed up at the divisional police headquarters in Maiduguri on July 12.

According to Daso, the children were kidnapped in 2019 along with other women and children during an attack on Mandaragrau village in Biu LGA, Borno state.

He mentioned that they were abducted and held captive in the Baga neighborhoods of Mangari and Tumbun Mota in Kukawa LGA.

According to the police spokeswoman, the boys described how they were trained to service firearms and made to work as domestic helpers.

Using the fact that many terrorists had gone on operations, he said they were able to make their getaway on the evening of July 8 after months of preparation.

Read Also: Lagos LG Polls Rejected by LP, YPP, PDP, and Others – Demand Cancellation

The statement states that “they made their way through the bush to neighboring villages and communities before they finally found themselves in Maiduguri on the 12th of July, 2025.”

According to Daso, the commissioner of police ordered the boys to be placed in protective custody at the ITE division and cared for until attempts were made to find their family.

According to the police spokeswoman, one of the boys’ fathers, Ishaku Gaji, verified that they were among the many people kidnapped on December 29, 2019.

In accordance with the “Borno Model,” a government initiative that aids in the rehabilitation and reintegration of terrorism survivors, he stated that the children have been referred to the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs for a thorough debriefing.

The command is still dedicated to safeguarding civilians and collaborating with stakeholders to address the state’s security issues, said Naziru Abdulmajid, the commissioner of police in Borno, who praised the youngsters for their bravery.

Daso said, “The command encourages the public to be on guard and to notify security agencies right away of any suspicious activity.”

Lagos LG Polls Rejected by LP, YPP, PDP, and Others – Demand Cancellation

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Lagos LG Polls Rejected by LP, YPP, PDP, and Others – Demand Cancellation

The local government elections on Saturday should be canceled, according to a number of opposition groups in Lagos, who have termed the process rigged and dishonest.
Lagos opposition parties, including the African Action Congress (AAC), the Labour Party (LP), the Young Progressives Party (YPP), the Action People’s Congress (APP), and the Accord Party, have called for the immediate cancellation of last Saturday’s local government elections, denouncing the process as rigged and fraudulent.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) is accused of subverting democracy and denying opposition candidates the right to vote by the Forum of Lagos PDP Local Government Chairmen, who also declared preparations to contest the results in court during a joint news briefing.
LP Chairman Pastor Dayo Ekong, speaking at the conference through her deputy Mr. Olasupo Ajayi, stated: “The recently concluded Local Government elections were a carefully planned, well-executed charade intended only to impose the ruling party’s will upon the people of Lagos. They were not an exercise in democratic choice. Widespread anomalies planned by LASIEC were observed and recorded by us.
With the following statement, she challenged the results: “We categorically reject the fraudulent results declared by LASIEC in the affected LGAs.” We hold Justice Bola Ighile directly accountable for this absurdity and the total breakdown of LASIEC’s reputation while she was in charge.
We are unrelenting in our resolve. Extensive evidence of these atrocities is being gathered. We will pursue every constitutional and legal option to stop this electoral fraud. Until justice is done and the will of the Lagos people is honored, we won’t stop. “The Labour Party will not permit this daylight robbery to go unpunished,” Ekong declared, vowing to take legal action.
The procedure was also questioned by Mr. Olusegun Mobolaji of the YPP.
The timeline was contradictory, tiresome, choppy, and intolerable for opposing parties. The entire procedure that resulted in this election was riddled with abnormalities and irregularities. How can we provide credibility to an election where certain parties received nomination forms from LASIEC just two days prior to the poll due to certain problems?
After protesting that the APP’s emblem had been removed from the voting papers, Mrs. Abiola Adeyemi, the State Chairperson of APP, narrowly avoided being attacked by suspected APC thugs in Badagry.

Read Also: UK Afenifere Calls for Constitutional Overhaul to Reflect Real Federalism

Additionally, “LASIEC acted as election players, not as umpires,” stated Mr. Dele Oladeji, Chairman of the Accord Party. We ran against the LASIEC. Prior to election day, there was a systematic rigging operation.
Chief Adegboyega Adegbesan, the Forum Chairman and PDP leader in Oshodi-Isolo, rejected the election results as invalid on behalf of the PDP.
“There was no election on Saturday. It was an act of deception and a criminal conspiracy that went against the will of the people. There was widespread vote box stuffing in PDP strongholds throughout the state. Bags containing pre-thumbprinted votes were delivered.
Additionally, he charged that LASIEC had intentionally made logistical mistakes.
He said that in several places, election materials were either delivered late or not at all, and that paperwork was purposefully lacking in order to irritate PDP supporters and lower turnout.
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UK Afenifere Calls for Constitutional Overhaul to Reflect Real Federalism

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UK Afenifere Calls for Constitutional Overhaul to Reflect Real Federalism

Nigerians have been urged to insist on a new constitution that reflects true federalism throughout the nation by the Afenifere Group in the United Kingdom and Europe, often known as UK Afenifere, as the Nigerian constitutional review approaches its scheduled December 2025 deadline.

The National Assembly had declared that a constitutional review was required because of the numerous laws that were brought before it for assessment. State creation, judicial overhaul, local government autonomy, electoral reforms, and security restructuring—most notably, the creation of a State Security Council and State Police—are among the legislation.

The lawmakers asserted that the process of constitutional revision is about influencing Nigeria’s destiny rather than merely revising a document.

Nigeria has not achieved significant development or had an impact on its inhabitants since the 1999 Constitution was adopted, despite the introduction of new technology, according to a press statement released on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, by UK Afenifere Secretary Engr. Anthony Ajayi. As the nation is already in a condition of quagmire, the organization contended, a new constitution is necessary for its population rather than ongoing amendments that do not directly benefit them.

The group claims that since the 1999 Constitution was ratified, Nigerian politicians have been using it as a cover to carry out evil deeds against the Nigerian people without consequence. It also claims that corruption and insecurity have made it impossible for the Nigerian people to enjoy good governance.

Read Also: Food Prices Fall Marginally in Abuja Markets

Like others, we have been pushing for Nigeria’s restructuring over the years and have called for a national conference or referendum to resolve our concerns. Nigeria, however, needs a constitution that would represent the interests of the people rather than just politicians, given the current state of affairs.

Practices that hinder our growth, diminish our potential, and make fun of our shared sensibility cannot be tolerated any longer.

In the absence of oil revenue, the Western region, led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, constructed a number of roads, farm settlements, industrial estates, the first TV station in Africa, and the tallest building in Nigeria at the time. It also used capitation tax and revenue from mining and agriculture to fund free education for over 800,000 students, while still donating half of its mining and mineral earnings to the federal government and other communities.

Nigeria needs a new constitution that empowers Nigerians, strengthens institutions, promotes electoral justice, protects minority rights, and permits broad-based development at all levels, according to Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Prof. Woke Soyinka, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and other notable leaders. According to these leaders, Nigeria’s problems stem from the 1999 Constitution, which is characterized as unitary and incompatible with federalism.

We concurred with Olawale Okunniyi when he stated that the 1999 Constitution, which was passed during the final years of military rule without much public input, has long been criticized for solidifying a unitary system that stifles federalism, discredits local government, and ignores Nigeria’s multiethnic, pluralistic reality.

Constitutional dysfunction is the core cause of many of Nigeria’s ongoing problems, which range from systemic insecurity, widespread young unemployment, and subpar public service delivery to weak institutions, unequal resource management, and economic centralization.

Since real federalism is frequently seen as the best form of administration for nations with significant ethno-cultural diversity, we urged all Nigerians to demand a new constitution that will guarantee it. In order to develop their region, our heroes from the past, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, and many more, employed the same idea, according to the UK Afenifere.

 

Food Prices Fall Marginally in Abuja Markets

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Food Prices Fall Marginally in Abuja Markets

The cost of staple foods, particularly rice, is starting to go down a little in a number of markets for residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The cost of cooking necessities like oil, tomatoes, fish, and meat is still very high, despite the fact that grain prices, especially those of rice, have decreased when compared to early-year figures, according to reports from a variety of markets.
The marginal decline, according to many, is insufficient to alleviate the financial burden that the majority of households are currently experiencing.

Depending on the brand, a 50kg bag of rice at Kubwa Market can now be purchased for as little as ₦75,000, compared to January’s prices of ₦88,000 to ₦90,000.

In a similar vein, a 25kg bag that used to cost about ₦43,000 is now sold for ₦37,500 and less.

A Daily Sun report claims that prices are even more favorable in another satellite town, Nyanya Market. Once selling for between ₦90,000 and ₦93,000, a 50kg bag of rice now costs between ₦70,000 and ₦72,000, depending on the brand.

In the meantime, rice prices continue to be comparatively higher in Wuse Market and other city center locations. A 50kg bag now costs between ₦78,000 and ₦80,000, which is less than the ₦92,000 it cost in January. The 25kg bag costs between ₦39,000 and ₦40,000.

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Residents claim the cost of cooking ingredients is still too high, even with the decline in grain prices.

Read Also: Who Will Win Over Buhari’s 12 Million Supporters Now That He’s Gone?

“It is a relief even though the reduction is not substantial. According to Jabi civil servant Oluchi Benson, “people are suffering.”

“Because of their better prices and measurements, I travel all the way to Mandala to buy food.”

Christy Okoye, a Kubwa resident, said that while grains might be less expensive, other things have turned into luxury goods.

“The real problems are fish, oil, and tomatoes.” Iced fish, which was once considered the “protein of the poor,” is now considered a luxury. Purchasing beef is less expensive than purchasing fish. According to Okoye, “you won’t find any fish below ₦1,500, and a kilogram of beef is over ₦7,000 in some areas,” the Daily Sun reported.

A vendor at Utako Market named Mama B admitted that although rice prices have decreased, families are now having difficulty finding a variety of basic foods.

Will we only eat rice? What about snacks, oil, or protein for our kids? The majority of families have forgotten items like biscuits and noodles. I can now afford to make pancakes and zobo (hibiscus drink) for my kids,” she said.

Maria Ayo of Dutse Alhaji, a mother of four, described her coping mechanism. “I stopped purchasing foodstuffs in small quantities,” she said. My family is managing better now that I’m using the contribution method. But the cost of fish, yams, meat, and eggs is still too high. The government must intervene to raise the standard of living for the typical Nigerian.

Slower Sales Are Linked by Traders to Rice Contributions
Mallam Aliyu, a trader in Wuse Market, blamed the widespread practice of rice contribution groups, in which families pool money to purchase large quantities of rice at the end of the year, for the decline in demand for the grain since the Christmas season.

“Many families are still eating from what they got during last year’s contribution,” Aliyu said. Because of this, sales have decreased.

Abuja residents assert that the high cost of cooking necessities and protein sources still makes daily survival difficult, despite the slow decline in rice prices providing some hope.

Regardless of what the statistics indicate, it was stated that the general consensus is still that most families will still find it difficult to feed themselves adequately until there is a more widespread decrease in the cost of all necessary food items.

Who Will Win Over Buhari’s 12 Million Supporters Now That He’s Gone?

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Who Will Win Over Buhari’s 12 Million Supporters Now That He’s Gone?

Nigeria is not only dealing with the death of a former president in the wake of Muhammadu Buhari’s demise. A devoted group of more than 12 million Nigerians who viewed Buhari as more than just a politician but also as a moral role model and a messianic figure are quietly disbanding, or possibly reforming, a powerful political cult.

It was a stable basis of support for two election cycles. Rain or shine, national insecurity or economic hardship, they cast their ballots. They put up a defense. They thought. Buhari’s austere, orderly, and religiously based persona struck a profound chord in the northern heartland. Many saw him as Baba, a man of sacrifice, a mirror of their anguish, and a keeper of their dreams, rather than just Mai Gaskiya, or “the honest one.”

Now, the straightforward but important question is: Who gets this loyalty?

To presume that these 12 million Nigerians will merely switch to the ruling APC or mindlessly follow the next candidate from the north is to undervalue Buhari’s emotional and symbolic appeal. It was never simply the party that made him popular. Persona was the topic. No other northern politician in recent history, including Kwankwaso, Atiku, and any present governor, has been able to garner such admiration.

The vacuum is important.

The focus of Nigerian politics, particularly since 1999, has frequently been “structures.” However, Buhari’s foundation went beyond just structure. It was identity, memory, and sentiment. It created a powerful mystique by combining his religious respectability, his military experience, and his apparent thrift. The legend persisted even after his rule deteriorated. To vote for that myth, people waited in line for hours.

And now, who enters that area?

Bola. Ahmed Tinubu does not have the same emotional clout as Buhari in the north, even if he currently controls Aso Rock. His political power is found in machinery rather than mythology. Despite his many years of desire, Atiku Abubakar has consistently fallen short of Buhari’s ability to unify the trust of the northern populace. The Kwankwasiyya is a Kwankwaso movement, but it is still regional in nature and more of a Kano cult than a northern one.

Is it possible for Peter Obi, the 2023 surprise force, to get traction here? Perhaps. Early Buhari storylines are echoed by his emphasis on caution, anti-corruption rhetoric, and outsider status. However, it is also unclear if Obi can emotionally and culturally relate to Buhari’s supporters, who frequently associate political trust with shared symbols, geography, and religion. Perhaps a few viral videos in the Arewa dialect won’t cut it.

Instead of a transfer, Buhari’s passing might instead signal the start of a political dispersal. His supporters might go their separate ways; some might become indifferent, some might form new coalitions, and some might become conservatives driven by nostalgia as they wait for the next “pure” leader to come along.

Read Also: Breaking: Court Clears Fayose of Money Laundering Charges

This disarray has the potential to change 2027 politics. Northern voters may no longer cast their votes in unison if Buhari is not a unifying figure. Those in positions of authority who previously depended on Buhari’s reputation might now find the situation less stable.

This presents both risk and opportunity for Nigeria.

Risk, as opportunism, discord, and manipulation are frequently encouraged by power vacuums. But also the chance to create a new politics based on principles, norms, and responsibility rather than personality cults.

The importance of emotional politics in Nigeria, however, should not be minimized. It’s possible that Buhari’s legend may endure beyond his time in office. Similar to Zik in the east or Awolowo in the southwest, Buhari’s legacy in the north may serve as a benchmark for many years to come. Any successor’s task is not only to carry on his legacy, but also to earn the same level of confidence.

His 12 million supporters remain politically orphaned for the time being. In Nigerian politics today, one of the most crucial concerns is whether they find a new home or become the swing force that determines the outcome of the next election.

Olu Allen, a Kano resident, is a writer and teacher. He provides insight on Nigerian politics, society, and culture.

Breaking: Court Clears Fayose of Money Laundering Charges

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Breaking: Court Clears Fayose of Money Laundering Charges

Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti State, was released and cleared of all charges in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) protracted money laundering case against him.
According to reports, a Federal High Court in Lagos ruled on Tuesday, July 16, 2025, that the EFCC’s evidence was not strong enough to support the charges.

By upholding Fayose’s no-case submission, the court essentially decided that the prosecution had not proven a sufficient case against him to support a defense.

Recall that during his time as governor, Fayose was facing charges of fraud and money laundering that were pending trial.

More information will be provided soon.

Sanusi’s Absence at Buhari’s Burial Sparks Reactions – Insider Speak

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Sanusi’s Absence at Buhari’s Burial Sparks Reactions – Insider Speak

A close friend of Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Dallatu, revealed why the monarch was unable to attend the funeral of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Recall that Buhari passed away on Sunday at the age of 82 in a hospital in London. He was buried on Tuesday at his Daura, Katsina State, estate.
According to Dallatu, who spoke to Punch, the emir is now on an official assignment in the United Kingdom and is anticipated to return to Nigeria on Wednesday.

“The Emir won’t be there,” he said. He is not in the nation at all. He is anticipated to return on Wednesday from an official engagement in London.

Read Also: Seun Kuti: ‘Buhari Persecuted My Family, Fela Will Deal With Him In After Life’

Emir Sanusi participated in the 2025 Access Bank Polo Tournament on Saturday in Surrey, England, where he was spotted with notable international individuals, such as Thomas Tuchel, the manager of England’s national football team, according to further research conducted by the aforementioned magazine.

On the other hand, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, was present at the state funeral of the deceased former president in Daura on Tuesday morning.

The development was confirmed by Bayero’s spokesperson, Abubakar Naisa, who stated that Jigawa State traditional leaders accompanied the Emir.

According to Kofar Naisa, “His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero left Kano this (Tuesday) morning for Daura to pay his last respects.” “He is with the Emirs of Kazaure and Dutse at the burial.”

After the overthrow of Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was Emir from 2014 until March 2020 under the rule of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, the Kano Emirate has been embroiled in a power struggle.

Seun Kuti: ‘Buhari Persecuted My Family, Fela Will Deal With Him In After Life’

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Seun Kuti: ‘Buhari Persecuted My Family, Fela Will Deal With Him In After Life’

Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s passing has prompted a response from Afrobeats musician Seun Kuti.
According to Kuti, his family was the only one in Nigeria to be as severely harmed by the late leader.
In a video posted to his Instagram page, Seun—the youngest son of Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti—disclosed this.

He recounted how, during his tenure as military Head of State, Buhari reportedly mistreated his father and his uncles, Beko and Koye.

Read Also: Actor Ugezu Condemns Akpabio’s Move to Appeal Natasha’s Senate Return

He bemoaned the fact that the guys he admired passed away so long before Buhari and said he did not consider the previous president’s passing to be a just outcome.

The singer continued by saying that even though he cannot bring his loved ones back, he takes some solace in the idea that they might band together to oppose Buhari in the hereafter.

“My family is the only group that Buhari has hurt and disrespected. My family dealt with Buhari, but his passing does not represent any kind of justice or triumph for us.

“My only sorrow is that my father, Fela, passed away before him; my uncles, Koye and Beko, were all finer men than him. The singer stated, “The only comfort I can derive from his passing is that, if there is such a thing, the three of them will band together against him in the afterlife.”

Actor Ugezu Condemns Akpabio’s Move to Appeal Natasha’s Senate Return

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Actor Ugezu Condemns Akpabio’s Move to Appeal Natasha’s Senate Return

Nollywood star Ugezu J. Ugezu has criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio for contesting the court ruling that reinstated Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
According to reports, Ugezu posted his opinion on Instagram.
The filmmaker questioned why Akpabio would contest the decision of a qualified court that ruled that Natasha’s suspension was illegal and ordered her to return to the Senate.

He reminded Akpabio that neither he nor Natasha were chosen by the voters, and that no senator has the authority to permanently remove another from office.

Instead of dragging out a colleague’s reinstatement through drawn-out legal fights, Ugezu urged the Senate President to put aside distractions and concentrate on important legislative work.

“You were elected to represent YOUR people in the same manner that SHE was elected to represent her people,” he wrote. You now suspended her. An elected senator can’t be suspended indefinitely, according to a competent court, which ordered her reinstated. AND YOU’RE APPEALING THE DECISION? Senator President Sir, are you able to put aside your frivolities and take on your actual legislative responsibilities?

Senate President Godswill Akpabio reportedly filed a notice of appeal against the Federal High Court’s ruling in Abuja that ordered Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to be recalled to the upper house of parliament after she was suspended.

Registered as CA/A//2025, the appeal was filed in the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on July 14, 2025.

It relates to suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, which was previously filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to challenge her Senate suspension of six months.

Amaechi’s Cultural Tribute: Wears Turban in Daura for Buhari

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Amaechi’s Cultural Tribute: Wears Turban in Daura for Buhari

At the funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina state, Rotimi Amaechi, the former minister of transportation, was seen donning a turban.

Buhari, the former president and head of state of Nigeria, died on July 13, causing a funeral in his hometown of Daura as well as nationwide grief.

Amaechi wore the traditional headdress during the previous president’s funeral.

Buhari’s remains, meanwhile, were transported by air on the presidential plane from London to Nigeria on Tuesday morning.

WHY IS AMAECHI DOnning a TURBAN?

In appreciation of his leadership and accomplishments in the transportation industry, Amaechi was given the title of Dan Amanar of Daura on February 5, 2022, which translates to “trusted son of Daura.”

Read Also: Ex-Senator Tunde Ogbeha Dumps PDP, Citing Public Disgrace

The former deputy majority leader of the Senate, Silas Zwingina, had denied allegations of political motivation at the time, characterizing the turbaning as a Daura Emirate cultural show of gratitude.

According to Zwingina, the Daura Emirate has a tradition of rewarding people who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the community.

He asserted that the projects Amaechi has carried out in Daura and throughout Nigeria are self-sufficient and that “it is totally out of politics and nobody should read any extraordinary meaning to it.”

Previously, Amaechi’s headwear has drawn criticism, most notably in 2022 when Musa Saidu, the southern Arewa leader, advised the minister to cease donning the turban while running for office.

Saidu urged against using the turban as a political accessory, arguing that it is a powerful Islamic symbol.

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