General
Anti-terrorism Group Lauds Buhari, Military Counter Insurgency Efforts
By Olufemi Lawson Akindele
As the Federal government intensifies its efforts towards finding a lasting solution to the insurgencies and violent clashes in some part of the country, an amalgamation of 42 Civil Society anti-terrorism campaign groups under the auspices of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups against Terrorism in Nigeria, has lauded the effort of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in achieving noticeable landmarks in the war against terrorism and other violent activities across the country.
The group stated this in Lagos today, while releasing its quarterly report for the first quarter of year 2018, which reviewed the progress of the war against Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast and incidents of farmers/herders clashes in the North central part of the country.
Speaking at the presentation of the reports to the general public, Convener of the Coalition, Comrade Odeyemi Oladimeji, commended President Buhari for the untiring commitment towards ensuring the security of lives and properties of Nigerians, and the commitment of his administration towards promoting peace and national cohesion.
Commenting on the report, on the performance of the Nigerian Military, the Coalition lauded the neutrality of the military in the conduct of its operations, while specially appreciating officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their patriotism and professionalism, in the line of discharge of their duties.
The report took a swipe at those it described at political ‘Boko Haram’, whom it accused of emboldening the activities of the remnants of the now decimated Boko Haram terrorist group, through their utterances, mostly politically motivated statements, aimed at destabilizing the incumbent administration.
The report also frowned at situations where some states chief executives have failed to take appropriate actions to promote peace among ethnic nationalities in their states. The group also condemn the activities of some state governments arming militias who are culpable in most of these heinous crimes.
The group said it carried out independent assessment of the security situation in selected states of the Northeast and the north central, where it assessed issues of clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
It said its investigation revealed that many of those clashes have become escalated due to the inability of some governors, particularly of Benue and Taraba States, to separate the sanctity of lives of their citizens from politics, thereby rather than cooperating with the security agencies resorted to sponsoring and recruiting armed militias in their states.
The report also noted that some desperate politicians have been exploiting the security situation in those areas as a cash cow to further exploit their people rather than take steps to mitigate the crisis in order to derive both political and financial benefits.
The group further stated that against the erroneous impression being created by certain persons in the country, it discovered that the federal government has ensured a consistent deployment of the military and other security agencies in the crisis areas across the states assessed.
These deployments, it said, have yielded commendable gains of restoring peace and orderliness with the arrest and neutralization of several criminal elements responsible for the violent clashes being witnessed in the affected areas.
“We want to specially acknowledge the impact of the various intervention activities of the Nigerian Army, which include but not limited to the Operations Python Dance, Ayam Akpatuma, Lafiya Dole in the troubled parts of the country, which has led to great improvement in the security and stability for the development in those areas.”
On the alleged connivance between suspected herdsmen militias and the Nigerian soldiers in some states where there have been violent attacks on communities, the group said its finding showed that only criminal elements and their agents in power who nurse the ambition of using the military for personal duties and were rebuffed, nurse such conspiracy theories in their reasoning.
It advised Nigerians to disregard such beliefs, as it only existed in the imaginations of the accusers of the Nigerian Military.
The report demanded thorough action from the federal government in ensuring that the armed militias operating across several parts of the country are immediately disarmed and arms thoroughly mopped up, since all indications have shown that some highly placed individuals have continued to thwart efforts by the Nigerian military to mop up these criminal elements.
It also condemned some politicians, who have consistently linked the Nigerian military with inability of the government to arrest the ugly situations.
In conclusion, the group urged the military to increase its presence and sustain its various special military exercises in the troubled parts of the country, especially those areas where ‘ethnic champions’ and criminal elements have continued to create tensions.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The South African Consulate General in Lagos, in partnership with Brand South Africa and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), is hosting the 4th edition of the South Africa Focus Week in Lagos, Nigeria, from April 22 – 26, 2026.
The annual platform continues to grow as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering social cohesion between South Africans and Nigerians while positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for business, tourism, and education. Since its inception in 2023, South Africa Focus Week has attracted over 1,500 participants, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors, including trade and investment, arts and culture, tourism, aviation, and the culinary industry.
The 2026 edition holds particular significance as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic Constitution, enacted in 1996, as well as 32 years of unbroken diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria, established in February 1994. These milestones underscore the enduring partnership between the two nations, rooted in shared history and strengthened through formal agreements and ongoing collaboration.
The 2025 economic relationship between South Africa and Nigeria reflects a strategically significant, multi-dimensional partnership anchored in trade, energy security, investment flows, and strong institutional cooperation. While bilateral trade remains structurally imbalanced – with South Africa exporting US$468.48 million and importing $1.69 billion, resulting in a $1.22 billion deficit – this dynamic is largely driven by South Africa’s reliance on Nigerian crude oil, positioning the relationship as one of strategic interdependence rather than imbalance alone.
This partnership is further elevated by the relative economic weight of both countries. According to IMF projections, South Africa’s economy is valued at approximately $443.6 billion, while Nigeria’s stands at around $334.3 billion in nominal terms for 2026. As two of the largest economies on the continent, their bilateral engagement constitutes a central axis of African economic activity, with disproportionate influence on the success of continental integration efforts.
Beyond trade, the relationship is reinforced by deep two-way investment linkages. South African firms -including MTN Group, Shoprite, and Standard Bank – maintain a strong presence in Nigeria, while Nigerian companies such as Access Bank and Paystack have established a growing footprint in South Africa. Although investment flows are asymmetrical and some Nigerian firms have faced operational challenges, these exchanges reflect an emerging bi-directional economic corridor that extends beyond goods trade into services, finance, and digital innovation.
Aligned with Brand South Africa’s mandate to build the country’s global reputation and competitiveness, the week-long programme will convene leaders from government, business, civil society, academia, and the media. Discussions will focus on leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a tool for market access and global positioning, with Nigeria serving as a key focal point.
The South Africa Focus Week has features a series of high-level engagements and cultural activities designed to deepen economic ties and promote collaboration: South Africa–Nigeria Infrastructure Investment Conference (April 22, 2026) which was held under the theme South Africa–Nigeria Partnership: Unlocking Infrastructure Opportunities,” the conference will bring together key stakeholders in infrastructure development to explore collaborative projects in road, rail, and transportation systems.
The forum also examined the role of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and facilitated discussions on project financing and implementation with institutions such as the DBSA and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
This was followed by the 2nd Economic Diplomacy Roundtable (Thursday, April 23, 2026), which was hosted in partnership with MTN Nigeria under the theme Role of Technology in Infrastructure Development, the roundtable will convene senior government officials, private sector leaders, and industry experts to identify investment opportunities and strengthen strategic partnerships.
Friday, April 24, was for Arts and Culture Experience, which is a dedicated cultural day will showcase Lagos’ creative spaces and features a panel discussion on South Africa’s arts, film, music, and culture. The programme includes a South African film screening, engagements with filmmakers, and a networking reception aimed at fostering collaboration between the creative industries of both countries.
The event continues on Thursday, April 25, with Freedom Day Celebration and Closing Ceremony. This commemorative event will celebrate 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, 32 years of freedom and democracy, and the enduring diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria. The ceremony will also provide an opportunity to reflect on outcomes from the week and outline future areas of cooperation.
The celebration forms part of Brand South Africa’s Global South Africans Programme, which recognises and connects South Africans in the diaspora as ambassadors of the nation’s values and identity.
The week climaxes with the 4th edition of the South Africa Golf Tournament at Ikoyi Golf Club on Saturday, April 26, 2026, which will be done in partnership with Crossflex International.
According to a statement, the event aims to strengthen people-to-people relations through sports diplomacy, bringing together South African and Nigerian golfers in a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Ayeni, has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Spokesperson of the anti-money laundering agency, Mr Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of the businessman on Friday but declined to provide further details, according to TheCable.
Mr Ayeni was accused of diverting the N36.5 billion and $30 million loans from Polaris Bank Limited to companies with which he has links.
He was alleged to have obtained the credit facilities for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects, but moved them to telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
After the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the operating licence of Skye Bank in 2018, it nationalised it to Polaris Bank.
The EFCC has been looking into the alleged diversion of funds by Mr Ayeni, resulting in his arrest in Abuja on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
He is being grilled over the matter and would be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded.
This is not the first time Mr Ayeni has been nabbed and probed by the EFCC, as this happened a few months after his bank lost its licence.
The then acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, said Mr Ayeni was quizzed by detectives over issues related to fraud and embezzlement allegedly committed by him when he was Chairman of the bank a few years ago.
By Adedapo Adesanya
“We are fully committed to working with the new Commissioner of Police and giving all necessary support towards the successful discharge of his responsibilities.”
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