More than 10,000 people have been killed and hundreds of communities destroyed in Nigeria since President Bola Tinubu assumed office two years ago, Amnesty International said on Thursday, warning of a “looming humanitarian crisis” and escalating insecurity across several northern states. In a damning new report released to mark the second anniversary of Tinubu’s presidency, the global human rights watchdog revealed that at least 10,217 people have been killed in armed attacks across Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara states since May 29, 2023. Benue State recorded the highest number of deaths, with 6,896 people killed, followed by Plateau with 2,630 fatalities. Amnesty also reported that 672 villages were sacked by gunmen and bandits across these states, worsening mass displacement and threatening food security. “Today marks exactly two years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to enhance security. Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty, and security of tens of thousands of people across the country,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria. The report highlighted the emergence of new armed groups—including Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi states, and Mamuda in Kwara—while hundreds of villages in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau, and Zamfara have been overrun by gunmen. In Zamfara alone, over 481 villages have been sacked, with 529 others reportedly under bandit control across 13 local government areas. The report documented daily attacks, including the massacre of over 20 miners in Gobirawar Chali, Zamfara, on April 24, 2025. It also detailed the destruction of entire communities, with boreholes, clinics, schools, grain reserves, and places of worship razed in Plateau and Benue. “These attacks deprive people of their right to life, while the survivors are deprived of their livelihoods,” Sanusi said. According to Amnesty, over 450,000 people in Benue and 65,000 in Plateau have been displaced, with many forced into begging, unable to farm or return to their communities. Amnesty concluded that the government’s failure to act decisively has fueled a “cycle of impunity” that emboldens armed groups and leaves millions of Nigerians at risk. “President Tinubu must fulfill his promises to Nigerians and urgently address the resurgence of the nation’s endemic security crisis. The recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups shows that the security measures implemented by President Tinubu’s government are simply not working,” Sanusi added.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has affirmed Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected Governor of Edo State, upholding the validity of the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a judgment delivered on Thursday, the appellate court ruled that Okpebholo was lawfully declared winner of the governorship election held on September 24, 2024. Justice Mohammed Danjuma, delivering the lead judgment, dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, describing it as lacking merit. The court found that both the PDP and Ighodalo failed to establish any miscarriage of justice in the earlier decision of the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal, which had also dismissed their petition. The ruling was a unanimous decision of the three-man panel of justices at the Court of Appeal.

Chelsea meet Real Betis in the Conference League final on Wednesday, with Enzo Maresca coming up against mentor Manuel Pellegrini; Maresca spent two years playing under Pellegrini at Malaga before becoming his assistant at West Ham; the two coaches have been linked this season… Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca opened up about his relationship with his former manager Manuel Pellegrini before the pair face each other in the Conference League finalWhen Chelsea take on Manuel Pellegrini and his Real Betis side on Wednesday night, they will be facing a manager with a bigger influence on the Blues than some may think. Around 15 years ago, Pellegrini was managing in Malaga when he spotted one of his players, in his 30s, with an eye for the game – and told him to pursue a career in coaching. What now for Enzo Maresca and Chelsea after Champions League qualification? “You can often tell which players might go on to be good coaches – from the impression they have on others, how they absorb concepts in training,” said Pellegrini recently. “With both Enzo and Willy [Caballero, Chelsea assistant coach], I was sure they’d go on to become influential coaches on a global level.” Not only did Maresca become a coach, but Pellegrini took the Italian under his wing as an assistant at West Ham – and still mentors him to this day.

The Senate has approved the 2024 budget of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), amounting to ₦124.2 billion. The approval was granted on Wednesday during plenary, following the presentation and adoption of the report by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs. Presenting the report, the Vice-Chairman of the committee, Senator Yunus Akintunde (APC-Oyo), noted that the budget had been thoroughly reviewed, with personnel costs pegged at ₦1.2 billion and capital expenditure at ₦98.6 billion. Akintunde stated that the funds would support the training of police officers, rehabilitation and construction of police stations, barracks, and clinics across the country. Additionally, the budget covers the procurement of compressed natural gas (CNG) and related interventions aimed at enhancing police operations. In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, expressed optimism that the expenditures would strengthen national security. He also urged the committee to conduct strict oversight to ensure proper utilization of the allocated funds. Read Full Details Here: https://news360ng.com/senate-approves-n124-2b-budget-for-nigeria-police-trust-fund/

Launches New Asset Recovery System, Pledges Transparency in Recovered Funds Use President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fighting corruption, declaring that there will be no safe haven for looters in Nigeria. Speaking at the Ministry of Justice Asset Recovery Summit in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu, represented by Madugu Gagare, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, described asset recovery as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s anti-corruption strategy. “Asset recovery sends a clear and unwavering message: there will be no safe haven for corruption in Nigeria. It is about restoring the people’s trust and ensuring that every kobo of our national wealth works for the common good,” Tinubu said. The president lamented the impact of corruption on vital sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure, stressing the need to reinvest recovered funds into projects that directly benefit Nigerians, such as the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, and rural electrification schemes. Tinubu Unveils New Anti-Corruption Tools Tinubu also launched two major reforms aimed at improving transparency in asset management: “These reforms are designed to foster transparency, public oversight, and accountability in the use of recovered assets,” Tinubu stated, adding that no one will be spared in the fight against corruption. EFCC, ICPC Recover Billions in 2024 Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), revealed that in 2024 alone: Fagbemi also disclosed that international collaboration has resulted in the recovery of over $763 million and £6.4 million since 2017, including $102.8 million and £2.06 million recovered between January and May 2024. Notable recoveries include $52.8 million from Galactica Assets, $50 million in fines from Glencore, and £2.06 million from Useni/Miner. The recovered funds, he noted, have been reinvested into conditional cash transfers, healthcare centres, rural electrification, and key infrastructure projects. Fagbemi further announced that agencies listed under the Proceeds of Crime Act must now update the National Central Database monthly with details of assets in their custody. Challenges Remain While acknowledging progress, Fagbemi highlighted ongoing challenges, including cross-border complexities, the need for deeper international cooperation, and the imperative of transparency. “This summit offers a platform for dialogue and innovation. Let us ensure that recovered assets are not only reclaimed but also reinvested in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to directly benefit Nigerians,” Fagbemi urged. President Tinubu also commended international partners such as the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Bailiwick of Jersey, and Ireland for their support in asset recovery efforts, calling for continued collaboration to fast-track the return of funds still awaiting repatriation.