₦airaland Forum

Germany has headed to the polls this Sunday for snap federal elections in a vote that will shape the course of the EU's largest member state and its biggest economy for the next four years.

The incoming government will inherit an economy that has shrunk for two years in a row for the first time in decades, burdened by bureaucracy, rising energy costs and a once-crucial car industry struggling to keep up with demand for electric vehicles.

Germany's conservative parties and far-right AfD lead in the polls, with the centre-right CDU’s Friedrich Merz likely to become chancellor, replacing Olaf Scholz from the centre-left SPD.

Merz's party is pushing for tax cuts, reform of the country's ailing military and a radical overhaul of its immigration and asylum rules.

Meanwhile, AfD leader Alice Weidel has made headlines for her unexpected bond with South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk. The AfD has long been critical of the European Union and has said Germany should exit the bloc.

Euronews' TV show is live from 5:30 pm, in which a number of notable guests analyse the political meaning of the results and the impact on Europe. We will also follow the first reactions from the German leaders. Tune in and watch our live coverage in the player above.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 5 am to 5 pm on Saturday as the state holds the local government election.

A statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Friday, subsequently directed the security agencies to enforce the restriction.

The governor also said they should allow only voters and accredited media and civil society organisations to move around for the continued peace and security of the state.

The statement read, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5 am to 5 pm on Saturday 22nd February 2022 across Osun state.

“The directive of the State Governor was sequel to the statewide local government elections that are scheduled to be held tomorrow across the state.

“Governor Adeleke who reiterated his commitment to peace and security said the movement restriction is necessary to prevent importation of hoodlums into the state amidst local elections.


“He therefore directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and only allow voters and accredited media and civil society organisations for the continued peace and security of Osun State.”

A dispute between the APC and PDP in the state erupted following the Court of Appeal’s judgment on the dismissal of APC local government chairmen and councillors.

While the PDP argued that the February 10 ruling by the Court of Appeal in Akure did not reinstate the sacked APC officials elected in 2022, the APC maintained that they had the right to resume office.

Tensions escalated on Monday as both parties attempted to take control of local government secretariats across Osun State.

The police confirmed that six people were killed and several others injured in the ensuing violence.

The US government is set to investigate how past aid allocated to Nigeria and other countries has been utilised.

This follows US President Donald Trump’s January 20, 2025, decision to suspend all foreign aid for 90 days, citing concerns about global destabilisation and misalignment with American interests.

The move responds to growing calls for a comprehensive review of US Agency for International Development (USAID) health funds.

US Congressman, Scott Perry, had claimed that USAID funded terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram.

Perry, a Republican representing Pennsylvania, made the claim during the inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency last Thursday.

Boko Haram, officially known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, is a self-proclaimed jihadist terrorist organisation based in northeastern Nigeria and also active in Chad, Niger, northern Cameroon, and Mali.

The group has been causing havoc in Northeast Nigeria for over 15 years, killing tens of thousands of people, in frequent attacks against the police, armed forces and civilians.

“Who gets some of that money? Does that name ring a bell to anybody in the room? Because your money, your money, $697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash funds in Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding,” Perry said.

In a post via X on Tuesday, the US Mission to Nigeria confirmed that monitoring systems are in place to track past assistance provided by the US government

The U.S. Mission also strongly condemned the ongoing violence and loss of life caused by Boko Haram in Nigeria.

“Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to help verify that U.S. assistance reaches intended recipients. The United States condemns the violence and blatant disregard for human life perpetrated by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria and the region.

“The Secretary of State designated Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organization on November 14, 2013 to block the organization’s assets and fundraising efforts, prosecute individual members, and restrict their travel to the United States.

“The United States continues to work with Nigeria and regional partners to counter terrorism,” the post read.

Nigeria’s headline inflation has dropped to 24.48 per cent year on year in January 2025.

This is a sharp decline from the 34.80 per cent headline inflation recorded in December 2024.

This is according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The Statistician-General of the Federation Adeyemi Adeniran announced this on Tuesday.

He said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) – which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and commodities – has declined to 24.48 per cent year on year in January.

Adeniran who was speaking during a briefing in Abuja, explained that urban inflation stood at 26.09 per cent while rural inflation came to 22.15 per cent.


He said that the general prices of goods and services in the country declined, compared to the 34.80 per cent in December, which used the old template.

CPI rebasing means updating the reference year used to gauge price levels in the country by essentially changing the basket of goods and services used to measure inflation, to better reflect current consumer spending patterns and ensure the inflation data accurately reflects the economy’s current.

According to the CPI figures for the period under review, the rebased food inflation stood at 26.08 per cent year-on-year in January, representing a decline in the food index when compared with 39.84 per cent year-on-year recorded in the preceding month.

A team of police officers attached to the Area F of the Lagos State Police Command have been detained for allegedly extorting a Chinese expatriate along the Sheraton-Opebi link Road area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred when the officers numbering three were conducting a stop and search at the location on Wednesday.

The police officers were said to have flagged down the foreigner and requested his documents, including a green card.

Although the expatriate presented the documents through his phone gallery, the officers insisted on seeing the original copies.

A rights activist, Lameed Adekunle, who was privy to the development told our correspondent on Sunday that after a series of discussions and pleas from the expatriate, the officers forced him to pay N100,000 into a Point Of Sale account.

He said, “The expatriate was on his way for an urgent meeting when the police officers stopped him and demanded his documents including his green card which was shown to the officers through a phone gallery but the officers insisted on seeing the original. Because he was unable to provide it, the officers requested N100,000 and since they did not want to get late to the meeting, they had to make the payment into the account provided to them.”

Speaking on how it became public knowledge, Adewale Ojo of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights said the expatriate, who works with a popular construction company, narrated his experience to his Nigerian co-workers who later escalated the matter.


He said, “The man just moved to Nigeria and he felt so disappointed in the way he was treated. He had to tell some of his workers who later informed us. We took it up, informed the police authorities and the officers were identified. This also led to their arrest and detention.”

He further stated that the policemen were summoned to the provost’s office in the Ikeja area of the state, adding that they had since been detained.

Ojo added the police officers were instructed to refund the money to the foreigner.

“The money is expected to be refunded tomorrow, Monday. We are doing this to make sure that the bad eggs in the police are fished out and we also want to follow this particular case to the end like we have always done,” he added.

In a picture sent to our correspondent, one of the officers was seen conversing with the expatriate in his vehicle.

A receipt of the transfer bearing the name of the expatriate and the recipient was also seen by our correspondent.

The command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached for a reaction as calls made to his telephone line were not answered. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as this report was filed.


PUNCH Metro reported in October 2024 that officers from Area C Police Command in Surulere allegedly extorted the sum of N1m from three members of the National Youth Service Corps members.

It was gathered that the corps members were stopped along the Surulere expressway before a group of officers surrounded their vehicle and started searching.

An argument ensued between the corps members and the officers before the vehicle was driven to the Area C Police Station where the extortion was said to have taken place.

The Lagos State Government has issued a 24-hour quit notice to illegal traders and occupants under the Idumota, Ebute Ero Police Police overhead, and environs in Lagos Island to vacate due to violations of environmental laws and degradation.

Meanwhile, the state government also ordered the immediate unsealing of the Oke Arin/Gorodom Market, following a mutual agreement reached.


The market was shut down over environmental degradation and encroachment on drainage alignments.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the directives on Sunday during an on-the-spot assessment of the compliance level in the affected markets.

Wahab, therefore, warned that failure of the affected occupants to vacate the area within the stipulated period of grace would attract severe consequences.

The Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji; Permanent Secretary, Office Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite; Managing Director Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, as well as some ministry management staff, were also part of the inspection team.


According to Wahab, “We have come to inspect the level of compliance with respect to the directive given to keep off our drainage alignments and remove every impediment around the alignment.

“We came here about three weeks ago; we could see the high level of encroachment where people were selling on the drainage itself. It was a very unpalatable sight to behold.

“This led to serving the traders notices to vacate, and we had to re-establish that drainage and the right of way. All the connecting tertiary drainages were also opened up.

“We also engaged with the traders upon which they gave their written undertaking and agreed to maintain what we have opened up, which led to the immediate unsealing of the market.

“From there, we inspected the Idumota and environs.We could see the level of environmental degradation and it’s not something we want to keep unaddressed.


“We had to serve them quit notice to remove them and after then we shall do the needful.”

He stressed the need for residents, including traders at all markets, to prioritize environmental cleanliness to prevent the spread of diseases.

“It is necessary for everyone to take care of the environment; the traders caused the closure of the market; the government will not let down its guards. Going forward, we are determined to go around nooks and crannies of Lagos State to re-establish our drainage alignments in order to avoid flooding because whenever there is a flood in the state, you people will accuse the government of being irresponsible,” he said.

Wahab explained the illegal process in which shop owners/ traders had converted the setback of the drainage channels in the markets to stalls had impeded the free flow of stormwater and could lead to serious disease breakouts of Cholera, Diarrhea, typhoid fever, amongst others, saying if each and everyone make good sanitation practices a daily affair in their shops and environs, it would save the citizenry from continuous visit to the hospitals.

“With these illegal stalls and shops, if proper care is not taken, we can have a major disease outbreak, and these outbreaks can have negative impacts on our health care system, such that we would start undertaking various tests which we can avoid by doing the needful in every corner of our stalls” he said.

He recalled that the State Government had banned styrofoam over a year ago due to its adverse effects on human health and drainage channels. He observed that some traders are still using and littering the market environment with the banned item and urged them to stop.

“I would like to appeal to our traders who still engage in selling styrofoams packs that we don’t want to see styrofoams in our markets; it is obvious that some of you are still storing these styrofoams in your stores; It is high time you collaborate with the government as traders to help protect the environment and all the drainage alignments” he stressed.

Wahab emphasized that Global warming and climate change is real as such everyone must become responsible in order to push back the climate challenges and effects as much as possible.

“Let us make our choices now; markets are not meant to be sleeping places. If You people have been collecting money from those sleeping in the markets in the past, such people should stop giving you money. The government is not asking for your money; just fix the little necessary things in your corners; stop connecting your sewage system to the drainage alignment; stop discharging your waste into the drainage alignment. Stop building on the drainage alignment so that the drainages can remain clean always; the rains are coming, and we must be prepared,” he added.

During the tour, the Commissioner also ordered the immediate sealing of Kabaran Global Nigeria—Apogbon Truck Park on Adeniji Adele Road after the expiration of several abatement notices served, stressing that the contractor that would repair the major road is expected to move to the site and that the space had been allocated for the contractor’s use.

The Commissioner sounded a note of warning again to developers and residents who are fond of dumping building materials on the roads and drainage channels, thereby causing serious blockage to the natural flow of water, to desist from such acts while ordering the immediate sealing of a shopping complex under construction along Adeniji Adele Road.

In an appreciation response, Alhaja Basirat Owolewa, who spoke on behalf of the Iyaloja of Gorodom Market, expressed appreciation to the government for opening up all blocked drainage channels in the market.

She promised that traders in the market and around the re-established channel would be compelled to promote good sanitation practices and make it a priority from now on.

Boko Haram Terrorists Attack Nigerian Army Base, Kill Three Soldiers, Steal Gun Trucks In Borno

Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have killed three Nigerian Army personnel following an attack on a military base in Borno State.

SaharaReporters gathered that the terrorists for several hours last Sunday attacked the military facility in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.

A source said that the terror group razed many buildings and took away two gun trucks during the attack.

SaharaReporters is withholding names of the army personnel killed as their families are yet to be informed.

“There was an attack recently in Borno, one Staff Sergeant with two private soldiers were killed. However, the army authorities are silent over the attack which happened at a base in Isige Town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

“They burnt one military vehicle while they went away with two gun trucks, later reforcement came from nearby unit but then the Boko Haram fighters have left.”

This is coming a few weeks after the terror group launched a brutal attack on the military's Forward Operating Base in the Damboa Local Government Area of same Borno State, killing a yet-to-be confirmed number of soldiers, with many still missing.

“25 Taskforce Bde was attacked during the weekend with so many casualties, so far we have recovered over seven bodies,” a source had told SaharaReporters.

“The terror group invaded the camp FOB Sabon Gari around 4am on Saturday, using various weapons.”

ISWAP subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.

Also attached to the statement were pictures of members shooting sporadically towards the military facility.

Since the death of JAS leader, Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP has been consolidating its grip in locations around Lake Chad.

The sect’s membership has swollen with the defection of hundreds of Boko Haram fighters under Shekau.

The Nigerian Army has repeatedly claimed that insurgency had been largely defeated and frequently underplays any losses.

The terror group has caused over 100,000 deaths and displaced millions of people mainly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on Friday, said President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of the Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, to a university.

He disclosed the news to the management, staff, and students of the college during a working visit to the institution.

“The rector said some minutes ago that the staff, students, and management of the college have been praying and fasting that it be converted to a university. Somehow, you have kind of ambushed me, but I must let you know that when I discussed the issue with President Bola Tinubu, he did not waste time in approving. I am just waiting for the memo and other necessary protocols from the appropriate quarters.

“This school is a legacy, and with over 200 staff members holding doctorate degrees in various fields, it is more than ready and fit to become a university. All the credit about this should go to the president, who loves education and is concerned about giving the best to the youths who are our future leaders,” he stated.

Alausa, who went around the college to inaugurate and inspect some projects, expressed satisfaction with the maintenance culture of the management that has kept most of the facilities in good shape despite their age.


“I commend you for pursuing excellence, and we need innovation and investments in technology for development, and I can assure you that the federal government would back you up,” he added.

He stressed further that one of the reasons the Tinubu administration is focusing on technical and vocational education and adding entrepreneurship to it is to stem the Japa Syndrome.

“We are not taking the issue of artificial intelligence, robotics, coding, and others with levity. We know that if our youths are good at those things, they can be in Nigeria and be working for firms in many parts of the world, and they will be earning foreign exchange. That will help stem this Japa of a thing, where people would travel abroad to do menial jobs,” he stated.

He noted that for over three decades, Nigeria abandoned technical and vocational education and focused on producing graduates who are always after white-collar jobs, but that the focus has now changed.


“In Europe and other places, the focus has been on incorporating TVET to become a core aspect of their education system, and that is what we are doing now. We need education that would aid manufacturing and technological innovations and that would also lead to a robust private sector, which will drive societal growth and development,” he opined.

Earlier, the rector, Dr Ibrahim Abdul, said with over 200 PhD holders in its services, YABATECH was more than qualified to become a university.

“While we are praying that we become a university, we don’t want to become just one of those universities. We want to be a university of technical and vocational education that would bring innovation and also solve societal problems and challenges and contribute greatly to the advancement of our dear country. We have the manpower, and we just need the support of the government in this regard,” he stated.

Abdul reeled out the various achievements of his administration and said the management would not relent in raising the stakes higher.

The Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Funso Afolabi, thanked the minister for the visit and solicited his support in getting their demands met.


The bill that would state the change in status of the college and the new name it would bear is expected to the sent to the National Assembly for passage and presidential assent.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, has announced an 18 percent increase in fares for its Bus Reform Initiative, BRI, scheme. The upward review will take effect from February 17.

LAMATA said the decision to hike the fares was due to the rising cost of diesel and the high number of buses that were out of operation due to the lack of spare parts.

“The fare rise is because of the increase in the cost of operations and the need to ensure that buses keep running and guarantee your movement around Lagos.

“We seek your understanding and cooperation,” LAMATA said in a statement.

Recall that in 2020, Primero Transport Services Ltd., operator of the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, said it secured approval to increase its fares across all routes with effect to keep serving the people.

The firm had withdrawn its services over losses occasioned by COVID-19 new transport guidelines that mandated it to commute only 20 passengers per trip instead of 70.

Again, in 2022, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved a flat rate increase by N100 in bus fares for all Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, and standard routes as part of measures to sustain operations.

The increase, which commenced on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, was aimed at ensuring sustainability of the BRT and standard route schemes.

Further reviews of BRT fares occurred during the Naira redesign crisis, and when the removal of subsidy caused inflation.

The Lagos State government considered the downward review of fares then as “palliatives”.

Amotekun Operatives Clash With Policemen Guarding Illegal Miners In Osun, Leaving Officers Injured

Tensions escalated in Osun State on February 2, 2025, when members of the Southwest Security Outfit, Amotekun, attacked and injured police officers stationed to protect illegal miners.

Sources informed SaharaReporters that the police officers, led by ASP Ako Abiodun, formed a task force at the illegal mining site along Ibadan Road, Osogbo, after reportedly accepting bribes.

The deployment order was allegedly issued by ACP Ige Adekunle, Commander of MOPOL 39 Osogbo.

A deployed officer who spoke to SaharaReporters said that ASP Ako Abiodun departed the scene without notifying his subordinates, leaving them exposed to the attack.

“When Amotekun came, they attacked everyone on the site and the police officers too. They injured Inspectors Taofiq Adebayo, Falani Banji and others illegally deployed to the site by the commander,” a police source told SaharaReporters.

The source disclosed that since the incident, ACP Ige Adekunle, the Commander of MOPOL 39 Osogbo, has been making efforts to cover up the event.

Additionally, it was reported that Commander Adekunle urged Mr. Omoyele, the Chairman of Amotekun, to prevent the incident from reaching the media.

One of the sources said, “The officer who led the men on the task force is ASP Ako Abiodun, along with six other men. According to the Amotekun personnel, they said they called ASP to leave the location before they got there because they knew him.

“He left for an unknown destination without informing his subordinates of the danger ahead. The Amotekun personnel attacked Inspectors Taofiq Adebayo and Falani Banji because they were the only agile ones who stood their ground while others ran away.

“The Commander ACP Ige Adekunle pleaded with Chairman of Amotekun Mr Omoyele who happens to be a retired police officer that everything that transpired on that day should not get to the media.”

The State Police Command Spokesman, Opalola Yemisi, said she would investigate the matter when contacted by SaharaReporters.

“I will find out,” she said.

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has cautioned the federal government against intimidating former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

The Founder/Executive Director of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, in a statement yesterday said intimidating El-Rufai would stain the good name of President Bola Ahned Tinubu administration as a democratic government.

El-Rufai had hinted of an alleged plan to arrest him following his recent criticisms of the APC led government and alleged romance with some opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

But MURIC in the statement said, “Considering the immense contribution of former Governor El-Rufai to the victory of the ruling party at the 2023 general elections as well as the big role played by him in the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the indisputable occupant of Aso Rock today in spite of all odds, we will like to advise the federal government against intimidating the former governor if the rumour is true.

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“Doing so will stain the good name of the Tinubu administration as a democratic government and portray it as one willing to crack down on dissent.

“On the contrary, with the realisation that we now live in a global village, allowing El-Rufai to move freely in and out of the country will continue to earn FG humongous modicum of respect from the rest of the world.”

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a stern warning to officers of the Nigeria Police Force against carrying rifles while dressed in civilian attire (mufti) and engaging in human rights violations.

According to a statement released on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IG gave the directive during a virtual meeting with senior strategic managers at the Force Headquarters.

Egbetokun noted that the Force had received numerous complaints regarding human rights abuses through its official complaint channels, making it necessary to caution officers against such misconduct.

He stressed that any further violations of human rights would attract severe consequences, urging officers to desist from abusing their authority and to maintain proper dressing standards.

“No operative should be seen carrying assault rifles while dressed in civilian attire (mufti). All tactical squads must adhere to the standard operating procedures and ensure they are properly attired in the designated uniforms for their respective units.”

Adejobi further stated that the IGP condemned the indiscriminate transfer of cases without his written approval, describing the practice as “highly prohibited” and warning that it would no longer be tolerated.

“Such actions impose unnecessary burdens on the parties involved and lead to delays in justice,” he added.

The statement concluded with the IGP directing all officers, regardless of rank, to work collaboratively to prevent any misconduct that could tarnish the reputation of the Force.

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed circulating rumors about the return of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) under a reformed set of rules.

In a statement titled “Disclaimer: SARS Remains Dissolved,” issued in Abuja on Monday, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi emphasized that SARS, disbanded on October 11, 2020, remains permanently dissolved.

He clarified: “The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is not back in operation. The recent information regarding SARS reformation and rules of engagement should be treated with caution.”

ACP Adejobi urged Nigerians to verify information from credible sources: “To ensure receiving accurate and reliable updates, citizens are advised to follow the official handles of the Nigeria Police Force on social media: @PoliceNG on X, @ngpolice on Facebook, and @nigeriapoliceforce on Instagram.”

He concluded by stressing the importance of public awareness: “Your safety and awareness are paramount; stay informed and vigilant.”