Here is a summary of the latest news headlines from Nigeria as of early Tuesday, April 15, 2025:
Security:
Plateau State: Security remains a major concern with reports of a fresh attack killing 51 people. President Tinubu has condemned the violence, stating “Enough is Enough,” and directed Governor Mutfwang to take decisive action. The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also condemned the killings, and Peter Obi visited victims, donating N7.5 million.
The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern States and Abuja have strongly condemned the recent brutal killings in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State
Zamfara State: Bandits reportedly killed one person and abducted over 50 others in a recent community attack.
Benue State: There is growing anxiety over ongoing killings and potential flooding, threatening the state’s agricultural output.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi expressed frustration after the Benue State Government blocked his planned visit to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Obi criticized the state’s actions, stating that he has endured worse situations in his political career.
Niger Delta: Military troops report foiling attempts to re-establish illegal oil bunkering sites and arresting 28 suspects. This follows recent attacks on Oando pipelines in Bayelsa.
Crime: Police in Osun arrested members of a motorcycle theft syndicate, while EFCC arraigned a Chinese national for allegedly providing false information. A suspected cable thief was reportedly electrocuted in Lagos.
Politics & Governance:
PDP: Following a meeting in Oyo (which Governor Fubara of Rivers did not attend), PDP governors declared they would not participate in any merger or coalition talks ahead of 2027. Separately, PDP chieftain Bode George stated the party is “finished” if Atiku Abubakar receives the 2027 presidential ticket again.
Rivers State: Political tensions continue, with a Chief Magistrate resigning due to the emergency rule situation. Women rallied in support of the emergency rule. The state government is demanding a N300m refund from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over a relocated conference, which the NBA claims was initially a gift.
Local Government: The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) is calling out the Attorney General over the stalemate regarding local government autonomy.
National: Dele Momodu, a prominent figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has raised concerns over the refusal of some PDP governors to support a coalition with other opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections. He warned that this stance could signal a covert alliance with President Bola Tinubu.
Economy:
Power Sector: Electricity Generating Companies (GenCos) are reportedly threatening a shutdown over an alleged N4 trillion debt owed to them, prompting government efforts to avert the crisis.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has lamented the excessive estimated billing by electricity distribution companies, revealing that Eko Disco issued a N29 million bill to his residence at the State House this month.
Finance & Markets: Fitch Ratings agency projects Nigeria’s external debt servicing could hit $5.2 billion in 2025. The Central Bank (CBN) has warned commercial banks against accepting illicit funds during the ongoing recapitalization process. The Naira reportedly saw some appreciation against the dollar on the black market recently. Investors in the CBEX trading platform are reporting distress following an alleged crash.
Oil Production: Nigeria’s crude oil output dipped slightly to 1.4 million barrels per day in March, though it remained the top producer in Africa.
Health:
The meningitis outbreak continues to be a major health challenge, with 151 deaths reported so far, mostly in northern states.
Concerns are being raised about the impact of USAID funding cuts potentially affecting health clinics in Nigeria and other African nations.
Social:
Singer Portable has reportedly been remanded in prison custody after failing to meet bail conditions related to recent charges.
Peter Okoye of P-Square testified against his brother, Jude Okoye, in court regarding an alleged N1.38 billion fraud case.
Tensions boiled over in Ibadan on Monday night as furious investors stormed and looted the office of CBEX, a once-popular cryptocurrency and forex trading platform, amid allegations of a large-scale investment fraud.
Several Nigerian women have been seen breaking down in tears after reportedly losing millions of naira to CBEX, a digital trading platform that recently crashed.
Nigerians on several social media platforms have begun to count their losses as a digital asset trading platform popularly known as CBEX reportedly swept over N1.3 trillion from their investors’ accounts.
Eighteen-year-old Osariemen Unuigbe, daughter of Nigerian immigrants, has secured admission offers from six Ivy League schools, including Harvard and Yale. The Egg Harbor Township High School senior, whose parents are Dr. Augustine and Dr. Florence Unuigbe, attributed her success to hard work and faith.
