MOSCOW and Beijing are unleashing a new kind of warfare on the West – and it’s waged not with bullets, but with bedsheets.
US intelligence insiders say Russian and Chinese operatives are flooding America’s tech heartlands with a wave of seductive spies to steal state secrets and high-tech innovations through lust and lies.
Experts say this “sex war” is about more than secrets. It’s psychological warfare — exploiting human weakness to penetrate the West’s defences.
Jeff Stoff, a former US national security analyst, warns that America’s rivals are operating in plain sight: “The Chinese understand our system and they know how to work within it with virtual impunity.
“China is targeting our startups, our academic institutions, our innovators, our DoD-funded research projects.
“It’s all intertwined as part of China’s economic warfare strategy — and we’ve not even entered the battlefield.”
James Mulvenon, chief intelligence officer at Pamir Consulting, told The Times: “It’s the Wild West out there.”
He said he’s been bombarded with LinkedIn requests from “the same type of attractive young Chinese woman” – all too eager to connect.
When two “glamorous” Chinese women tried to crash his Virginia conference on investment risks, he said: “We didn’t let them in… It is a phenomenon. And I will tell you: it is weird.”
Counterintelligence experts added that Beijing‘s “sex warfare” is exploding – and it’s proving devastatingly effective.
America’s moral scruples mean the US doesn’t play this game.
“They have an asymmetric advantage when it comes to sex warfare,” Mulvenon admitted.
It’s not just flirty spies, but full-blown operations.
One former official told of a “beautiful” Russian woman who married an American aerospace worker after graduating from a “Russian soft-power school”.
She now moves in crypto and defence-tech circles, while her husband remains “totally oblivious”.
The official said: “Showing up, marrying a target, having kids with a target — and conducting a lifelong collection operation.
“It’s very uncomfortable to think about but it’s so prevalent.”
China’s whole-of-society espionage
US investigators say Beijing has turned its entire population into potential operatives.
Investors, students, businesspeople — all can be used to extract secrets from Western tech.
“We’re not chasing a KGB agent in a smoky guesthouse anymore,” said one senior counterintelligence official.
“Our adversaries — particularly the Chinese — are using a whole-of-society approach.”
And the stakes are huge.
The theft of American trade secrets costs US taxpayers up to $600 billion a year, with China leading the charge.
In one case, Klaus Pflugbeil tried to sell Tesla’s stolen tech blueprints for $15 million to undercover agents in Las Vegas.
Prosecutors said the stolen data could have boosted China’s dominance in electric vehicles.
US Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said: “Pflugbeil’s actions stood to benefit the PRC in a critical industry with national security implications.”
Beijing’s honeytraps aren’t only romantic. They’re economic.
US officials warn that Chinese “pitch competitions” lure startups into revealing their business plans — or worse, their intellectual property.
Some contests even record participants and demand access to personal data.
“It’s a counterintelligence risk,” said one official.
“They may simply take your idea, exploit it and patent it, stealing your financial future.”
The China (Shenzhen) Innovation and Entrepreneurship International Competition, held this year in cities from Boston to Tokyo, raised red flags after participants were shadowed by officials and wired with microphones.
One biotech CEO said: “They would record everything I would say, do and then ask questions like a reporter would.”
When his firm won $50,000, the organisers wired the prize straight to his personal bank account.
Weeks later, federal funding for his firm was frozen.
Moscow, meanwhile, is doubling down on its old-school seduction operations.
Russia’s “red-haired temptress” Anna Chapman — once the face of Putin’s 2010 spy ring — is reportedly back under a new alias, Anna Romanova, fronting a Kremlin-linked intelligence museum in Moscow.
Her return to the espionage stage comes after years of boasting that her “sex appeal worked like magic” on male targets.
Another infamous “sex spy”, Aliia Roza, once claimed she was taught “sex techniques” and “how to make men fall in love” at a Russian military academy.
"Sex is a very important part of the relationship,” she said.
“It’s probably 80 per cent where the person only feels like trusting you according to that sex experience.”
In London, two Bulgarian women — Cvetelina Gencheva and Tsvetanka Doncheva — were recently exposed as part of a Russian “honeytrap” ring that spied on Putin’s opponents.
They worked inside a “highly sophisticated” espionage cell run by Orlin Roussev, a former tech worker, who allegedly deployed seduction and surveillance to infiltrate Western networks.
One target, journalist Roman Dobrokhotov, was followed onto a plane, where spies watched him type in his phone PIN.
Police say the group’s honeytrap missions put lives at risk.
China’s espionage tactics also have a familiar face.
Fang Fang, the “honeytrap” who infiltrated US politics between 2011 and 2015, seducing two mayors and cultivating links to rising Democrats, including Rep. Eric Swalwell.
FBI surveillance caught her in sexual encounters with U.S. officials before she fled to China.
Her mission was to charm her way into political circles, raise campaign cash, and funnel influence back to Beijing.
Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will supply the German army with Spike anti-tank missiles in a deal worth approximately €2 billion, one of the largest agreements signed by Israeli defense industries in Europe in recent years. The contract is especially notable given the arms embargo imposed on Israel earlier this year by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, following the Israeli cabinet’s controversial decision to extend the war in Gaza.
The deal will be executed through EuroSpike GmbH, a joint venture owned by Rafael (20%) and German defense firms Rheinmetall (40%) and Diehl Defense (40%), which markets the Spike missile family across Europe. Production will take place at Eurospike’s facilities in Germany.
The Spike missile is Rafael’s best-selling weapon system globally, known for its operational simplicity and compatibility with a wide range of launch platforms. To date, Rafael has sold Spike missiles to more than 40 countries, about half of which are NATO members.
In contrast to Germany’s approval, other European countries have moved in the opposite direction. Citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Spain recently canceled a planned purchase of 1,700 Spike missiles and 170 launchers from Rafael, valued at roughly ₪1 billion (about €250 million).
Industry sources suggest that the European ownership structure of EuroSpike helped make the German deal possible, allowing Berlin to move forward despite the diplomatic fallout surrounding Israel.
"We must stay ahead of the enemy. The IDF has to know how to respond, and the last war showed that it can"
Germany remains Israel’s second-largest defense partner after the United States and a longstanding customer of its military industries.
Just before the October 7 war, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) finalized the €3.3 billion Arrow 3 missile defense deal with Germany, the largest defense export contract in Israel’s history. IAI is expected to deliver the first Arrow 3 interceptors by the end of this year, and Berlin is reportedly considering a future purchase of the Arrow 4, which is still under development.
While Germany has previously acquired Rafael’s Spike missiles, this new agreement through EuroSpike represents its largest procurement of the system to date. Rafael declined to comment on the deal.
Meanwhile, Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael’s domestic rival, is intensifying competition in the anti-tank missile market. The company has unveiled a new version of its long-running Lahat missile, originally developed over three decades ago. The upgraded model, dubbed “Lahat Alpha,” can reportedly strike targets at ranges of more than 20 kilometers, twice the reach of earlier versions.
According to IAI, the missile is guided by laser rather than GPS, enabling accurate engagement even in environments where electronic jamming is prevalent. The new system is designed to offer long-range precision without requiring a direct line of sight between the operator and the target.
If he's paying back as he's borrowing, why is the debt still rising rapidly?
loffyloffy: Even without looking deep, you can see how senseless Rufai Oseni is.
If Nigeria's total debt is 152 Trillion, is it reasonable to ask that has it not all been borrowed under Tinubu?
The mumu also knows that fx adjustment means our debt in Naira terms went up, while in Dollar terms it has been stable or even going down.
Lastly the fool knows that govt generaly borrows to meet up with budget and payback as revenue flows in. Tinubu has the biggest budget ever and will continue to borrow to execute. He also have the buggest revenue ever, meaning he is paying back as he is borrowing.
This shirt term borrowing keeps the economy rolling
Then why didn't 2 rakat of fajr make the money for him? And the beggars lining the streets, why isn't 2 rakat of fajr helping them out of their poverty?
seyicodes: As a Muslim , just 2 rakat of Fajr is far greater than that
Imagine committing a criminal offence on October 7th 2023 and crying because you were made to face the consequences of your offence.
What a world we live in where honesty and intelligence no longer matter
Idaytesj29: What you said is true 💯. But you are also culpable. Didn't you rejoice, happy and defend the murder of innocent women and children in Palestine under the Israeli Occupying Army led by Lucifer Satanyahu himself? Believing it's God will or prophecy or some sort of Christian Jihad?
The Bible warned us that in the end times, we would praise sin as holy and celebrate evil. Today it is unfolding before our eyes
Emmy000seun: If not for some religion extremist, and politician trying to break us through religious line, interreligious relationship has been so good in Nigeria except the northerners.. imagine alfa dancing with his Quran..but let his other extremist brother saw the video now, dey will claim it's Aram..
You have a rich sense of humour. You'd make a better comedian than a historian because you are hopelessly out of your intellectual depth when it comes to history.
Toruibestate: The Rise of Ijaw Identity Under My Leadership
By General Ditari (Ditari Ijaw)
Under my leadership that is fast taking over in everything Ijaw, our culture must be honored and restored to its rightful place of pride. The Ijaw nation is vast, ancient, and powerful — a people whose influence stretches far beyond what many imagine.
Tompolo, Asari, Ateke, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ), Omoyele Sowore, even Governor Fubara of Rivers and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa — they all know me. The name General Ditari or Ditari Ijaw has become a symbol of awakening among our people.
Many think the Igbos are larger than the Ijaw, but that is a misconception. The Ijaw nation spreads uninterrupted from Ore on the way to Lagos, all the way to Calabar — from Furupagha in Odigbo-Ore to Ibaka in Obolo-Oro, Calabar.
These are the Ijaws many do not know, yet they exist in their millions, carrying our heritage across regions.
Notable Ijaws You May Not Know
Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zikiowei): Born to an Agbere father from present-day Sagbama LGA Bayelsa and an Onitsha mother. His father never lawfully married the mother, who took him to her place and added the name Nnamdi. Despite the popularity of Nnamdi Azikiwe in Nigeria, Have you ever wondered why the name Azikiwe isn’t as common among the Igbos as Emeka or Okoro?
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy): His father hails from Ogbogolo Kingdom in Ahoada West, Rivers State — true Ijaw blood. His mother is Yoruba.
Late Majekodunmi Fasheki (Majek Fashek): A proud son of Odoni in Bayelsa State.
Omoyele Sowore: From Apoi West Kingdom in Ondo State. The Apoi Kingdom is historically and culturally Ijaw. There is also Apoi Kingdom in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa. We call that one Apoi East to differentiate it from the other half in Ondo same Apoi.
Arogbo in Ondo is also in Bayelsa. Same Gbaran. Same sets of Communities. Most Ijaw Kingdoms of Ondo, Edo, Delta have same names with the ones in Bayelsa. Sowore himself knows his Ijaw roots well.
Dandizzy: Darius Tuwotamuno Isaiah from Opobo, same Community with Rivers State Governor is being mistaken for Igbo many at times.
The Ijaw story is deep and far-reaching. We are everywhere — in culture, politics, art, and leadership. Under my leadership, the Ijaw identity will no longer be hidden. It will be celebrated, honored, and recognized for what it truly is — the foundation of greatness in the Niger Delta and beyond.
General Ditari (Ditari Ijaw) Movement for Cultural Reawakening.
It would do you a world of good if you went back to school and asked for a refund of whatever your parents wasted on your education because it clearly hasn't done you any good.
I didn't even say anything that controversial or difficult to comprehend.
FreeStuffsNG: If you devote the time you use to insult people to getting real education, you will benefit greatly. You are completely ignorant about national debt in relation to deficit/surplus.
Below is the history of their national debt and surplus. Obama who came right in the middle of crash and ruled for 8 years added $9 trillion while Trump who ruled for 4 years added almost same amount of a whopping $7 trillion! On deficit, USA, reached its worst deficit under same Trump. For 4 years, he was practically borrowing and adding almost zilch to their economy!
And in just few months and less than 1 year, he has added $2 trillion to the debt he inherited.
You're either ignorant or dishonest. I'm trying to figure out which is which.
The Democrats have currently shut down the government because Trump won't allow them to pad the Federal budget with all kinds of wasteful benefits for undocumented immigrants who they want to fast track into citizenship so they can benefit from the votes of these undocumented immigrants.
All the massive and reckless social benefit spending under the Biden and Obama regimes is responsible for America's current debt deficit and they want it to continue for purely selfish reasons
FreeStuffsNG: The move followed similar downgrades by rating agencies Fitch and Standard & Poor’s in 2011 and 2023, respectively.
In less than 1 year in office, Trump raised it by a whopping $2 trillion and Biden, as pitiable as his time in office was, inherited trillions of debt ballooned by same Trump during his first term in office.
There's something fundamentally wrong and it probably predates even Trump’s first term.
Yet in the midst of this, Trump still keep sending weapons to its middle east proxy Israel to continue the genocide in Gaza. Smh
Most of the debt was acquired under Biden and the Democrat controlled Congress when a lot of money was printed needlessly.
FreeStuffsNG: It's obvious that you are confused with those economic terms.
This is why education is good and it's not a scam. USA has been minting dollars and selling debts at a pace that human history has never recorded and you cannot decipher it.
I wasn't aware that "Lamidi" has now become an insulting name to call someone you don't like😂
DomPerignon: In response to Lamidi Kanu ranting at Justice Omotosho that his court had no jurisdiction to carry on with the trial, Justice Omotosho replied thus:
The presiding judge, justice James Omotosho ruled that the defendant should open his defence as jurisdictional issues and all others can be challenged at the court of appeal or included in his final written address.
From the statement above, I am sure the Judge has already reached both a verdict and his patience .
The response by Omotosho states clearly that Lamidi should include jurisprudence or lack of in preparing his appeal.
Lamidi madness suddenly disappear.
He thought he could intimidate Justice Omotosho in his own court.
Last minute firing of his legal team who I am sure had advised him to look into entering a plea bargain after Justice Omotosho overruled the ''No case submission '' entered by the defense.
Lamidi thought he will turn the court room to a podium to air his political ideology based on hate and lies .
He thought his monologue sessions on Radio Biafra were he gets instant validation from his extremist semi illiterate followers through SM likes and accolades can be replicated in a court of law .
See as he humble for the very first time.[url][/url]
DANGOTE PRESS STATEMENT DANGOTE GROUP REFUTES OWNERSHIP OF TRUCK IN AKUNGBA-AKOKO ACCIDENT
Dangote Group has refuted reports circulating on social media and in some online platforms linking it to a truck involved in a road accident in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The company wishes to make it categorically clear that the truck involved in the unfortunate incident does not belong to Dangote Group or any of its subsidiaries.
Verified vehicle registration details confirm that the truck with Plate No. JJJ 365 XB, is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group. For the avoidance of doubt, the truck was not conveying any Dangote products but was transporting crushed stones in reused sacks bearing various brand names.
Dangote Industries maintains a strict policy on fleet management and vehicle identification, ensuring that all its trucks are properly branded, tracked, and operated by trained personnel under rigorous safety and compliance standards.
For clarity, all genuine Dangote trucks carry distinct company markings and fleet numbers, making them easily identifiable.
While the company deeply sympathises with all those affected by the incident, it urges members of the public and the media to verify information before attributing ownership or involvement to Dangote Group.
The company also advises media organisations to refrain from using images of Dangote-branded trucks in connection with accidents or incidents unrelated to its operations.
Dangote Industries remains steadfast in its commitment to road safety, regulatory compliance, and responsible corporate citizenship across all its operations in Nigeria and beyond.
Dangote group has refuted claims linking it to the truck involved in the recent Akungba-Akoko accident.
According to the company, verified records show the vehicle (Plate No. JJJ 365 XB) belongs to an independent logistics operator, not Dangote or any of its subsidiaries.
The Group emphasized that all its trucks are branded, tracked, and operated under strict safety and compliance protocols.
Paddy Adenuga, son of billionaire Mike Adenuga, has taken to social media to announce his engagement.
The Instagram post on Wednesday featured a photo of his hand clasped with his partner’s and her finger adorned with a sparkling ring.
While the identity of his fiancée remains a mystery, Adenuga’s caption overflowed with gratitude and joy.
“My faith in God never waivered… and in return He blessed me with YOU. My forever love ️,” the 41-year-old wrote.
The announcement arrives over five years after Adenuga opened up about his past romantic disappointments.
He revealed that he had been engaged twice before— in 2010 and 2012 — but neither engagement culminated in marriage.
At the time, he reflected that those experiences, while painful, were “filled with valuable lessons”.
“I have been engaged twice (2010, 2012) but didn’t get married on either occasion… painful both times but a lot of lessons learned,” he wrote via X.
“I cant force God’s time and God’s will… in the meantime i am just taking it one day at a time.”
In 2013, he recalled how he was introduced to a 20-year-old lady for a possible relationship. He hinted that he turned down the opportunity of dating the lady because he felt she “was a little too young for me”.
Paddy was born on June 21, 1984, in London, United Kingdom. He graduated in 2002 with a bachelor degree in business management.
From 2002 to 2006, he worked at Mike Adenuga Group as the executive director of global communications limited.
He was also the executive director of ConOil Producing. In 2009, he became the co-CEO of GLO and ConOil Producing.
In 2016, Paddy founded Pegasus Capital Investments Limited – a company with a specific focus on food and beverage investments in the UK and Netherlands.
The billionaire’s son has also been a screenwriter since the age of fifteen.
After mooting a significant shift in Nigeria’s electoral calendar to reduce post-election disputes by conducting the next presidential and governorship elections in November 2026, six months before the incumbent’s tenure, the Senate was silent yesterday on the draft proposal when it passed for second reading the bill seeking to repeal the Electoral Act 2022 and enact a new Electoral Bill 2025.
The proposed Electoral Act 2025 introduces reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral governance, enhancing the independence of INEC, and promoting greater transparency and accountability across political and electoral processes.
The new provisions address key areas, including funding, candidate qualifications, voter registration, political party operations, campaign financing, and electoral offences.
Some major amendments include Section 3(3), which mandates the early release of INEC funds to ensure the timely preparation and execution of electoral activities.
Section 5 requires INEC to submit audited financial statements within six months after the end of each financial year; Section 10(2)(c): adds the National Identification Number (NIN) as part of the requirements for voter registration; Sections 12(1)(d) and 12(2) seek to recognise the voting rights of inmates, provided that the INEC makes the necessary arrangements for their registration and participation in elections.
Section 27(5–7) prescribes clear notice and timetables for elections, mandating that presidential and gubernatorial elections be held no later than 185 days before the expiration of the incumbent’s tenure; Section 44 introduces provisions for mandatory early voting, while Section 60(5) makes electronic transmission of results compulsory to enhance transparency and reduce electoral malpractice.
It also passed a bill seeking to amend the National Health Act, 2014, to raise the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, stated that the President Bola Tinubu administration’s target of a $1 trillion economy will be unattainable without fundamental reforms, particularly the adoption of a new Constitution.
The Senate proposal, contained in deliberations on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, represents a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence.
Sen Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) described the process in which aggrieved candidates must prove irregularities as “unfair and illogical,” arguing that the Commission, as the custodian of election materials and data, should bear the evidential burden.
“If our electoral system fails, democracy will exist only in name,” Dickson warned. “INEC conducts elections, appoints ad hoc officials, collates and announces results. It must therefore show that its conduct was lawful.”
Dickson urged the Senate to seize the moment to modernise the electoral system by authorising wider use of technology, reforming party primaries, and guaranteeing adequate funding and autonomy for INEC.
“Political parties have become the greatest threat to democracy,” he said. “We must regulate their conduct to entrench internal democracy.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio endorsed the proposal, describing it as a necessary correction to an “imbalanced” system that unduly burdens citizens seeking justice.
“INEC should be held responsible because it conducts the elections, controls the materials, and manages the logistics,” Akpabio said. “It should carry the burden of proving that its actions reflected the will of the people.”
While acknowledging that the 2022 Electoral Act improved transparency through electronic result transmission, Akpabio stressed that the law “must evolve towards a near-perfect framework for 2027.”
In his closing remarks, Akpabio summed up the chamber’s mood: “Our democracy must move from electoral legality to electoral legitimacy.” The proposed health amendment, sponsored by the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Ipalibo Harry, aims to ensure sustainable financing for frontline health services and protect Nigerians from the effects of dwindling donor support.
If passed, the measure is expected to improve access to quality, affordable healthcare, reduce catastrophic out-of-pocket spending, enhance epidemic preparedness, and safeguard essential services, such as immunisation and maternal healthcare.
Leading the debate on the bill, Harry said the proposed amendment was both a “legal and moral imperative” to ensure that the government fulfils its constitutional duty to guarantee the welfare of citizens.
Harry explained that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), established under Section 11 of the National Health Act, was Nigeria’s first statutory mechanism for sustainable health financing, designed to ensure a minimum package of care for citizens, particularly those in underserved communities.
She noted that the present one per cent allocation had become grossly inadequate amid rising health costs, stagnating donor aid, and Nigeria’s transition away from major global funding platforms.
Nigeria’s gradual exit from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the reduction in U.S. government support for health programmes, she warned, could soon leave the country with the full financial burden of immunisation, maternal health and epidemic control services.
AKPABIO announced the second reading passage at yesterday’s plenary after a majority of senators supported it through a voice vote.
The bill was, thereafter, referred to the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters for further deliberation and a public hearing, after which the committee was directed to report back within two weeks.
Sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), the bill seeks to strengthen the legal framework governing elections in Nigeria.
Initially presented for second reading last Thursday, the bill was, however, stepped down to allow for wider consultation. It resurfaced during yesterday’s session, where lawmakers extensively debated its general principles.
During debate on the bill, lawmakers argued that the law’s position, which placed the burden of proof on the petitioner, was unfair and undermined electoral justice. They proposed that INEC, as the body responsible for conducting elections, should bear the responsibility of proving that the elections were credible.
Senators also raised concerns over the growing threat posed by political actors to democratic institutions and called for greater support and funding for INEC to enable it to deploy more technology in future elections.
Akpabio applauded the improvements in Nigeria’s electoral system, stating that “elections have improved in the country since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) left power, we have had improvements, but we are not yet there.”
SPEAKING at a briefing in Lagos yesterday, tagged ‘Devolution is the Solution: Foundational Reform Agenda for Nigeria’s Transformation’, Agbakoba lamented that discussions about constitutional reform had been ongoing for 25 years without any tangible progress.
He expressed disappointment that the onus of constitutional amendments or the creation of a new constitution has been shifted to the National Assembly, describing this as a dereliction of duty on the part of the President.
The SAN emphasised devolution of power as crucial to Nigeria’s development, noting that the present structure was hindering progress. He also expressed concern that despite the emphasis on restructuring by presidential candidates in the last election, there had been a deafening silence from the current administration on the issue.
“History will judge this generation by one criterion: Did we have the courage to restructure Nigeria when we had the chance, or did we squander the opportunity and leave our children to inherit the whirlwind? The answer must be written in the ballot box of 2027 and inscribed in a new constitution by 2030.”
As women water vegetables and uproot weeds in a rural corner of north-eastern Nigeria, men in uniform stand guard nearby holding huge rifles.
They are Agro Rangers - a special security unit set up by the government to defend farmers from militants from jihadist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap), who can strike farms in Borno state at any time.
"There is fear - we fear for our souls," Aisha Isa, 50, tells the BBC as she tends to her crops.
Because it is no longer safe for her family to live in the home they fled 11 years ago, she and many others like her are bussed into Dalwa village from a pick-up point in the state capital, Maiduguri, early in the morning. It is less than an hour's drive away.
She now lives in temporary housing, and growing beans and maize remains the only way for her to feed her family, she says.
"We will take the risk and come even if the rangers are not coming."
Here, the military has marked out a stretch of land, surrounded by clearly defined trenches, where people can plant their crops. If they venture beyond that border, the threat of Boko Haram looms large.
"We have been hearing people are being kidnapped," says 42-year-old Mustapha Musa. "Some are killed. That is why I'm scared and don't want to come without security protection."
The father of 10 says he left his village, Konduga, 13 years ago and will not resettle there until the government brings about lasting security.
In the 15 years since the Islamist insurgency began in north-eastern Nigeria, thousands of people have died and millions have been forced from their homes.
The number of people killed in targeted attacks on farmers this year has more than doubled since 2024, according to research by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (Acled) monitoring group.
Yet the governor of Borno state is speeding up the reintegration of displaced people from camps back onto the land - as part of his stabilisation agenda, and to counter disruptions in food production.
Nigeria's government says it plans to expand the Agro Rangers scheme Almost four million people face food insecurity across conflict zones in Nigeria's north-east, the UN warns. But some aid agencies say move to relocate farmers to boost agriculture has moved too fast.
International Crisis Group, a non-profit organisation focused on resolving deadly conflict, says the policy is putting internally displaced people in danger -highlighting that militant groups extort farmers in areas that it controls to raise funds for its violent extremism.
Kidnapped along with nine other farmers and still terrified long after the ordeal, Abba Mustapha Muhammed has seen first-hand what happens when victims do not pay up.
"There was one that got killed because he couldn't pay the ransom. His family could not meet the time given," says Mr Muhammed. "He was killed and thrown away. They asked the family to come and take the dead body."
Being held captive in dense forest for three days was "unbearable", he says. "The small meals they prepared often left us feeling hungry and gave us diarrhoea. There was no clean drinking water."
The father-of-three tells the BBC he is too afraid to return to subsistence farming because "the insurgents are still lurking. Just yesterday, they abducted over 10 people".
Despite stories like these, Mohammed Hassan Agalama, the commander who leads the Agro Rangers scheme in Borno, insists that the guards deter militants from staging violent assaults.
"We have not encountered more terrorists coming to attack the farmers because they know that we are fully on ground at the time of farming season," says Cdt Agalama, who operates under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
James Bulus, a spokesperson for the NSCDC, argues that the government is making gains in its fight against the insurgents, telling the BBC: "The harvest alone is there to tell you that normalcy has returned, and farmers are doing their normal businesses in the farm."
However, he admits that resources are inadequate.
Agro Rangers is a small-scale project and not a long-term solution for widespread regional insecurity.
"We cannot be everywhere. We are not spirits. Can 600 armed Agro Rangers cover the whole of farms in Maiduguri? No."
For this reason, Nigeria's federal government says it plans to expand the Agro Rangers scheme.
Acled's senior Africa analyst Ladd Serwat says this year has seen a surge in the number of reported civilian fatalities due to targeted attacks on farmers by armed groups.
Furthermore, during the first half of 2025 reported killings by Boko Haram and Iswap reached their highest level in five years.
Over in Maiduguri's city centre, a group of farmers gather in the home of Adam Goni, the chair of the Borno branch of the National Association of Sorghum Producers, Processors and Marketers.
The men sit on rugs beneath the wide boughs of a tree, while two women sit on mats in the shade of a nearby veranda, as goats and chickens roam the compound.
The entire group has had their lives irrevocably changed by violence.
Among them is Baba Modu, whose 30-year-old nephew was gunned down on his farm by Boko Haram.
"It pains me so much," he says. "They killed humans like an ant, without remorse. The killings we've experienced have been devastating, but this year is the worst. When I go out to farm, there's a constant threat of being killed. I don't have peace of mind even at home - I often sleep with my eyes open, feeling like we might be attacked."
Mr Modu sinks into his chair at times, pausing in deep contemplation. He says the constant insecurity weighs heavily on him and the community.
"Even if you are starving and food is scarce, you can't go to the farm. When we try, they chase us away or even kill us. At first, they would demand a ransom when they abducted someone, but now they collect the money and still kill the person they have kidnapped."
Many farmers, like Mr Modu, say the militants can outnumber and overpower the Nigerian army when they attack.
"Sometimes even the security operatives run away when they see the insurgents," he adds.
On one side of the compound, Mr Goni tends to a potato patch.
He tells the BBC that he has 10 hectares (24 acres) of land ready to be harvested 8km (5 miles) away, but he is terrified to gather his crops.
The owner of the neighbouring farm was killed on his land only weeks ago.
"There's no safety. We are just taking risks to go there, because when you go to farm these Boko Haram people are there," he says. "If you are not lucky, they will kill you."
Mr Goni believes the military could do more to end the conflict.
"We are very angry. We are unhappy with what is happening. If the government is serious, within a month, Boko Haram will end in Nigeria."
Meanwhile, the NSCDC's Mr Bulus says the military is addressing the wider conflict.
"Peace is gradual. You cannot do it in one day. It has to undergo so many processes."
But the process has taken too long for these farmers. More than 15 years on, insecurity continues to plague every aspect of people's lives.
The BBC asked the Nigerian military about the farming community's claims that it has not done enough to protect them, but it has not yet responded.
She dressed the way she wanted to dress. Given her background, she could have chosen the Islamic dress code, but she very publicly rejected it without suffering any consequences. That should give you room for sober reflection
Iranian leader who led hijab crackdown slammed after daughter’s 'strapless' wedding dress goes viral: 'Display of hypocrisy'
A video showing the daughter of a senior aide to Iran's Supreme Leader wearing a strapless dress at a wedding in Tehran has stirred a major row. Critics are accusing the regime of hypocrisy over its strict hijab laws.
The footage was reportedly leaked on X on October 17, according to Daily Mail. The video shows Ali Shamkhani, a top ranking advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and former secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, escorting his daughter Fatemeh into the Espinas Palace Hotel. Guests can be seen cheering as the bride walks in wearing a white strapless gown with a low neckline
The Western-style ceremony has been condemned on Iranian social media as a contrast to the modesty and hijab rules that ordinary women are forced to follow. Shamkhani, who once led the government’s harsh crackdown on anti-hijab protests, is now being accused of hypocrisy.
'Lavish wedding in a strapless dress'
“The daughter of Ali Shamkhani, one of the Islamic Republic’s top enforcers, had a lavish wedding in a strapless dress. Meanwhile, women in Iran are beaten for showing their hair and young people can’t afford to marry,” wrote exiled activist Masih Alinejad on X.
“They preach ‘modesty’ while their own daughters parade in designer dresses. The message couldn’t be clearer: the rules are for you, not for them," they added.
'She is free because her father has power'
Swedish-Iranian MP Alireza Akhondi also criticised the display, calling it “a display of hypocrisy, corruption, and fear.” He added, “The daughter of one of the most corrupt and repressive officials of the Islamic Republic is getting married in a lavish celebration, dressed freely. She is free because her father has power. This is no longer religion.”
New hijab rules?
Reports by Iran International claimed the wedding took place in April 2024, with several members of Iran’s political elite in attendance. The backlash comes as authorities prepare to deploy 80,000 new morality police officers in Tehran to enforce hijab rules.
Who is Ali Shamkhani?
Shamkhani, 70, is a long-time ally of Khamenei and served as defence minister and senior military commander before leading the Supreme National Security Council from 2013 to 2023. During his tenure, the regime launched a violent crackdown on protests that erupted following the 2022 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after being detained for allegedly violating hijab rules.
According to Human Rights Watch, more than 500 people, including 68 children, were killed during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, with over 20,000 arrested. A UN fact-finding mission later found that the Iranian government had committed “extensive, sustained and continuing” human rights violations against women and girls.
Shamkhani had previously survived an Israeli air strike on his Tehran residence in June.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) is searching for a suspect who was caught on camera before allegedly abandoning a baby girl who was found alive at Penn Station in Manhattan Monday morning.
"The baby is in a stable condition and remains at Bellevue Hospital. The investigation is ongoing as officers look for video footage," the NYPD confirmed to Fox News Digital.
According to police reports, the infant was discovered around 9:30 a.m. local time on the stairway leading to the southbound No. 1, 2, and 3 trains at the 34th Street–Penn Station stop.
Officials were alerted after an anonymous caller reported seeing the baby left unattended on the steps at West 34th Street and 7th Avenue.
When first responders from the FDNY and NYPD arrived, they found the baby wrapped in a blanket, conscious and alert. The baby was then taken to Bellevue Hospital.
According to FOX 5, the baby was found with her umbilical cord still attached and wrapped only in a sheet, but was alert and conscious.
Investigators are now reviewing surveillance footage from Penn Station in hopes of identifying who left the baby there.
As of Tuesday morning afternoon, no arrests had been made, but police released an image of the suspect. The identity of the infant’s parents remains unknown.
Per New York’s Safe Haven Law, parents are allowed to legally and safely surrender newborns at hospitals, police precincts, or fire stations without facing criminal charges as long as the child is left in the care of responsible personnel.
The baby was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, the NYPD said.
Africa’s military might has evolved over the years, with several nations strengthening their defence capabilities and widening their military power.
According to the Global Firepower Index, they evaluate the military strength of over 140 countries based on manpower and equipment and also highlight how nations are positioning themselves on the global stage.
The 2025 rankings unveiled the growth, advancement and regional balance, with African powerhouses putting investments in technology and training for a goal of maintaining security and stability.
Here are the top African military forces by their global rankings:
1. Egypt (Global rank: 19)
Egypt has been Africa’s strongest military power and one of the most capable globally. They have built a well-trained army, a solid air force, and an expanding naval zone.
2. Algeria (Global rank: 26)
Algeria ranks second in Africa due to its large defence budget and good ties with global military suppliers. The country’s modern air fleet and well-equipped ground forces ensure readiness across its vast territory.
3. Nigeria (Global rank: 31)
Nigeria’s military has grown in strength through modernisation efforts and local defence production. The nation’s pumping into the military is for countering terrorism within its states.
4. South Africa (Global rank: 40)
South Africa combines advanced technology with a professional army, backed by a strong domestic defence industry. Its air force and naval forces make it a principal security player in Southern Africa.
5. Ethiopia (Global rank: 52)
Ethiopia’s large troop numbers and continued investment in equipment give it a solid ranking. Despite internal challenges, the country maintains a strong regional military presence.
6. Angola (Global rank: 56)
Angola’s steady economic recovery has allowed it to rebuild its military strength. The country has invested in new aircraft and armoured vehicles, making it a reliable force in Central Africa.
7. Morocco (Global rank: 59)
Morocco continues to bolster its armed forces with a mix of Western and homemade equipment. Its strong air and ground forces contribute to regional stability and deterrence.
8. Democratic Republic of the Congo (Global rank: 66)
The DRC’s large manpower and growing focus on modernisation have helped it climb the ranks. Efforts to improve logistics and coordination are strengthening its national defence.
9. Sudan (Global rank: 73)
Despite political transitions, Sudan maintains a structured and experienced army. Continued cooperation with allies has kept its defence capabilities active and functional.
10. Libya (Global rank: 76)
Libya rounds out the top ten as it rebuilds its military infrastructure. Ongoing efforts to unify the armed forces are gradually restoring stability and readiness.
ChatGPT users in Nigeria will pay more for their subscriptions from November 1, 2025, as OpenAI begins implementing a 7.5% value-added tax (VAT) on all its paid services in line with Nigerian tax laws.
The new charge will apply to all billable OpenAI offerings, including ChatGPT Plus, increasing the monthly subscription fee from N31,500 ($20) to about N33,862.50 ($22.43).
OpenAI disclosed the change in an email to users, noting that it complies with Section 10 of the Value Added Tax Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Information Circular 2021/19.
TIN now required for subscription The company advised users to include their Tax Identification Number (TIN) in their payment settings to ensure proper tax documentation.
The move aligns OpenAI with other global tech giants such as Google, Netflix, Amazon, and Meta, which have already begun charging Nigerian users VAT on digital services. Recent reports indicate that Nigeria has generated billions in VAT from these foreign service providers.
By complying with Nigeria’s VAT rules, OpenAI becomes part of the country’s expanding digital tax ecosystem.
However, while the policy supports government revenue generation, it also means higher costs for Nigerian subscribers and startups that rely on OpenAI’s tools, potentially increasing operational expenses across the local AI and tech landscape.
Under Nigeria’s updated VAT framework, non-resident digital companies offering services to local users must collect VAT and remit it directly to the FIRS.
Government officials have maintained that this policy does not introduce new taxes but rather strengthens compliance and broadens the tax base.
What you should know
Last December, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) revealed that foreign digital companies operating in the country, including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok, among others, paid a total of N2.55 trillion in taxes in the first half of 2024.
Similarly, in September this year, the Special Adviser on Tax Policy to the Chairman of the Tax Reforms Committee, Mr Mathew Osanekwu, revealed that Nigeria had successfully collected over N600 billion in Value Added Tax from global digital service providers such as Facebook, Amazon, and Netflix.
He explained that amendments to the VAT Act had empowered the Federal Inland Revenue Service to bring non-resident companies offering services in Nigeria into the tax net.
“These are not Nigerian entities, but they are now paying VAT under Section 10 of the VAT Act. They are registered in Nigeria and are also appointed as agents of collection,” Osanekwu stated during a workshop for media practitioners in Abuja.
He stressed that the move aligns with global best practices and ensures Nigeria benefits from taxes on services consumed locally but delivered by foreign companies.
Mabuggi88: Egypt Iraq and Jordan kuku know they can't beat Israel and hands. Today Egypt acts as mediator in any conflict involving Israel, sense is good.
Op you were biased though, I support Israel but you craftfully eluded the one we just witnessed this year where Israel was the Attacker for the first time, so I add it for you
Israel-Iran war (13th-25th June 2025) Countries involved: Israel(USA) , Iran Who started it: Israel Who won: Cease fire agreement
Foreign Affairs › US Intelligence Says Russia & China Using Female Spies To Seduce US Tech Gurus by BlackViper(op): 8:09am On Oct 27, 2025
