Author: Tahir Ahmed

The Nigerian government has announced plans to investigate the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) as a primary route for smuggling weapons into the country. This move comes as Nigeria struggles with the escalating proliferation of small arms and light weapons. While the decision is a step in the right direction, some critics argue it is too little, too late. Attayi Ajobe & Muhammad Mansur write that the government’s slow response to the growing threat of weapons smuggling has exacerbated the issue. The recent disclosure by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, that the federal government is probing GoG’s role in…

By Fidelis Mac-Leva PERSONS Living with Disability (PWDs) were among the estimated one million victims affected by the flood that hit Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and its environs on September 9. With over 10,000 members spread across the 27 LGAs of the state, findings indicate that no fewer than 5,000 were affected by the floodwaters that swept through the LGAs that were worst hit – Jere and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC). In this special report, the ICIR exclusively recounts tales of physically challenged persons caught up in the fury of the rampaging flood. A large-sized aluminium pot is standing…

* Warlords recruit natives for offensives, engage locals as farmhands TWO notorious warlords, representing separate terror groups, are spearheading deadly attacks on communities in Niger communities, investigations by NEXTER reveal. They are Dogo Gidae, a notorious bandit leader, whose name sent shivers down the spines of locals in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna States, and a Boko Haram commander, simply referred to as Malam Umar. The duo has established control over areas designated as ‘red zones’, cutting across Shiroro, Rafi and Munya local government areas of Niger State. These areas are close to Kamuku forest, stretching from Birini Gwari LGA of…

By NEXTER The Supreme Court, on Friday, sacked Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party (LP). A five-member panel of the Supreme Court set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which recognised Abure’s leadership. The apex court unanimously held that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to have affirmed Abure as chairman of the LP since the substance of the case was about the party’s leadership. It held that the issue of leadership was an internal affair of a party over which courts lacked jurisdiction. It upheld the appeal filed against the judgement…

By Abubakar Daya Politicians have a way of creating needless discontent in the polity for self-profiteering. They suddenly become human right crusaders, freedom fighters, and even ethnic bigots. We have seen them over many decades mounting rooftops shouting down messages laced with hates and divisions which often spur their foot soldiers on the path to anarchy with unbridled rage. As the 2027 political atmosphere approaches, we are likely to see more of these crusaders on the route to next general elections. They are likely to draw us into the fray by whipping up sentiment around marginalization, equity, fair play amongst…

By NEXTER The Dangote Packaging Limited(DPL) has commissioned some state-of-the-art machinery in a significant move to further enhance its production capabilities. Speaking during the commissioning of the machinery, the Managing Director/Chief Eexecutive Officer of DPL, Mr. Sai Prakash explained the salient features of the new machinery and described them as the latest “state of the art” technology. He added that the introduction of the machinery was a major accomplishment and would contribute to improved productivity and improved quality of the bags being produced from Obajana Plant. In the same vein, the Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr, Arvind Pathak,…

By NEXTER Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has approved the employment of 34 resident doctors for residency training for a fixed term of seven years. This was disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the minister, Lere Olayinka in a statement on Wednesday, in Abuja. According to him, the doctors are the first batch of the 60 medical residency trainees in eight specialities in the FCTA hospitals approved for employment. “This is the first time this is being done outside employees of the Health Management Board, thereby giving doctors…

By NEXTER The Edo state governorship tribunal has affirmed Monday Okpebholo, as the duly elected governor of the state. A three-member panel of the tribunal led by Wilfred Kpochi, on Wednesday, held that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, failed to prove the allegations against the respondents. The tribunal said that no competent witnesses were called by the petitioners to prove the averments in their petition.

By NEXTER The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal in Nigeria, signalling the end of Ramadan. The Sultan announced this shortly in a broadcast in Sokoto on Saturday. He said,”Today 29th day of March,2025 equivalent to 29th day of Ramadan 1446AH. Today 29th day of Ramadan, we received reports from various Muslims leaders and organisations, such as Shehu of Borno, Emir of Dutse, Emir of Argungun, Emir of Daura and also the leadership of JIBWIS in Jos of the sighting of the new moon 1446AH, therefore tomorrow, 30th March,…

Driven by a shared passion for truth-telling and a commitment to holding those in power accountable, a group of seasoned journalists, came together to establish NEXTER, an investigative newspaper. These journalists, united by a vision for a better future, believe that a free and independent press is essential to a healthy democracy, and that NEXTER can play a crucial role in shaping the narrative and promoting positive change. We are motivated by a burning desire to drop a pebble into the turbulent sea of investigative journalism, by providing in-depth, well-researched stories that expose corruption, abuse of power, and social injustices.…