₦airaland Forum

TossTos:
None of them is getting sacked as PBAT is concern , those protesting for Amupitan's sack were just ranting..

National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is fending off criticism after controversial defenses of his negotiations with terrorist gangs ravaging Nigeria.

Paying Ransom to Boko Haram

The fire storm erupted February 23, 2026, when AFP (Agence France Presse) reported that the Federal Government had paid off ISIS insurgents to release 260 pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic Girls School in Papiri, Agwara for $7 million dollars.

The local Nigerian media and international news outlets were flooded with an exclusive report by AFP, revealing that the terrorists who kidnapped over 260 pupils of a Catholic school in a Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, central Nigeria, on November 21, 2025, were paid either $7 million dollars or N2 billion Naira ($1.4 million) for the release of the girls through the office of the NSA, a claim that the Nigerian government denied.

Vanguard, which also published the report, points to Nuhu Ribadu as the major negotiator in the deal. Ribadu has never on his own denied the accusation, outside the denial by the Minister of Information.

The allegation stirred condemnation in the social media.

Following the AFP investigation a wave of criticism emerged in Nigerian political and media circles, with some suggesting that National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu should step aside pending investigation, as aired by Arise TV.

Opposition parties, including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), demanded a full explanation of the negotiations reportedly led by Ribadu and warned that paying ransom to terrorists would contradict Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.

Bandits Are ‘Our Brothers’

With the hue and cry over the allegation, a video emerged early in March, showing Ribadu fielding questions in Hausa language to Hausa reporters. In the now viral video, Ribadu was soft on terrorists calling them “our brothers.”

“If you live in the same home with your brother (terrorist) and something bad happens to him, will you say that he is no longer your brother? If one of your arms gets infected, would you cut it off?

“There’s nothing you can do about it. “They are our brothers,” he said.

This again has elicited protest from Nigerians, dismissing Ribadu as too sympathetic to the terrorists, especially the Fulani Ethnic Militia (often referred to by mainstream Nigerian media as “bandits” but not by TruthNigeria) being a Fulani himself.

The remark triggered backlash from commentators, activists and sections of the public who accused him of appearing sympathetic to bandits or downplaying their crimes.

A widely circulated discussion noted that the comment “ignited a firestorm across the nation,” with critics arguing that referring to terrorists and bandits as brothers was insensitive to victims of killings and kidnappings in northern Nigeria. Some analysts said the language could weaken the government’s counter-terrorism message and demoralize communities that have suffered repeated attacks.

Arming MACBAN-linked Terrorists?

In December, 2025 Sahara Reporters reported that the Kwara State Government had confirmed arresting Fulani armed men linked to NSA Security Operation.

According to the report, soldiers intercepted armed men carrying AK-47 rifles while using a security patrol vehicle linked to Ifelodun LGA in Kwara State.

Kwara officials later said the men were members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) involved in a federal security arrangement coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The revelation triggered public anger and fear about arming non-state actors in the region, especially being members of the dreaded MACBAN.

According to a source quoted in the report, the suspect confessed the firearm was issued to members through the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Kwara State Government.

The suspect allegedly wore a Miyetti Allah vigilante vest issued under the security arrangement.

The office of the NSA, according to Sahara reports, confirmed arming the MACBAN members, saying they were part of an auxiliary security body.

Amnesty for Bandits.

The NSA has also been linked to the controversial granting of pardons to notorious terrorist bandits operating in some states of Northern Nigeria.

Vanguard reported in December 2024 that the NSA was part of the deal that allowed “repentant” bandits to walk free and even enjoy some government incentives.

https://truthnigeria.com/2026/03/too-close-to-the-enemy-ribadu-confronts-rising-criticism-over-terror-talks/

ottersberger:
Wise man!.

If you are wise, you would know that there's no chance that the measures you propose would be attainable under this president.

Tinubu would not allow the courts to make pronunciation against him, nor would a meaningful reform occur under an Akpabio led senate.

What is feasible however, is a mass action in the democratic space, which makes clear that he lacks the people's mandate to continue in office, and if necessary, by brute force.

Proposing anything short of the foregoing exposes you as supporting the continuation of this corrupt and failed government.

untoldtruth:
But your Messiah said he knew law na, he said the lawyer and the judge didn't know law, he defended himself straight to prison, what do you want again?
Look, personally, I know that votes do not work in Nigeria, if they did, they wouldn't let us do it, it's just a formality gan, so boycotting isn't going to help your man, restrategize, otherwise, the rest of Nigeria will call you enemy of progress tomorrow and you'll still use outrage to spread your umbrella of victimhood and duck under it again.
Whatever happens to you tomorrow, remember that be it in the past or the future, you did it to yaselves, y'all started it first.
Never start a war you can't finish.
God bless every single one of us.

Sangoamadioha1:
There are two types of propaganda driven by Tinubu supporters.

1> The ones that support Tinubu with their full chest.
2> The ones that claim to be neutral but try to convince us that Tinubu's reelection is a foregone conclusion, so no need to fight against his 'victory' in the next election.


The OP is in the second category. But you lie because we will continue fighting against his reelection whether you believe it is a waste of time or not.

bigpicture001:
Op, tell tinubu this strategy will not work , igbo's want to vote and vote him out

Justnation:
Igbos will not boycott the election, unless there is a national decision to boycott the election.

Igbos will massively vote for ADC and PETER OBI

givedemwotowoto:
It’s possible that someone working for Cubana CP and City Boys is behind this account.

We’re used to this legacy format.

What we're focusing on now is 99% voter turnout. Ignore OP

Forkthiefnubu:
Is that the task given to you by APC to whittle down the opposition? We will vote out Tinubu even if he likes let him release MNK a 10000x

LagosOrigin:
The OP is an enemy of the Igbos . No igbo will boycott the election . We will participate fully s d vote for the right person , definitely not tinubu but he's a monumental failure.

aswani:
truthera, BATists, Obidients and neutrals like me are joining hands to obliterate your nonsense post, what does that tell you?

I suggest you find another way to bring up Ohamdike in another long, rambling post, this attempt has not only failed, but done so woefully.

ottersberger:
Mumu
For your mind now, you get sense?.
Igbo will vote like never before, and they will vote against Tinubu.

budaatum:
Tinubu won't lose as long as 2027 election is concerned because too many people like you continue to promote the ignorant stupid ideology of "don't bother voting"!

Or do you think Tinubu is stupidly telling his own people not to vote? Then when he gets the most votes due to your non-participation, you'll come and be telling us Tinubu rigged election, like we should stupidly believe that your vote you bothered not to cast should be counted!

All you he quoted, and others, I salute! Your wiseness is like light that dark quenches not.

RealityKings1:
That won't be a wise decision.
Look at it, you have senators and governors from the south east.
So you think they will just sit at home and not vote themselves in because someone is justly held in prison?

yarimo:
They should boycott it immediately, it will be an advantage to peter obi

budaatum:
Some Igbos boycotted the last election then moaned when they were not considered for posts in the government that won. Hopefully, most learnt from their refusal to vote.

Streetinvestor2:
The greatest thing the igbos can do for Kanu is to come out all over nigeria and vote against SW president. We should vote anyone adc produces as the way for Kanu freedom. The greatest enemy of SE is SW president

Speaking during Ohanaeze Imeobi and General Assembly at the Ohanaeze National Secretariat in Enugu, the President General, Chief Senator John Azuta-Mbata said the government should not be deceived by those going around promising Igbo votes, stressing that Nnamdi Kanu should be freed first before anyone would talk about votes.

“I have told the government that Nnamdi Kanu that is in jail, it is the entire igboland that is there. There’s no igbo man that is happy that Kanu is in incarceration.

“Let our people stop deceiving the federal government.

“We’re calling on the government of Tinubu to release Kanu. This is the minimal demand of ndi Igbo."

BATified2023:
dey play

If u vex go join am for sakwato

budaatum:
Because everything you say, including your cherry that I pick, is as absurd and pointless as any cheery of yours that I may decide to pick. Just that I want you to specifically focus on your cherry that I've picked.

As for my true intentions, which you seem to be missing despite the many times I've shoved it in your face is, vote!

budaatum:
No truthera, I am not yet "rooting for a free and fair 2027 election", because I am currently rooting for you to vote at all.

"Free and fair", we can only make after we have considered voting, by watching over our vote we've casted and ensuring it is properly counted.

budaatum:
Yep. The truthera Way Forward. A leaderless Revolt.

But I'm going to ignore you and address my fellow Nigerians.


Does the below describe who you are?



Please let truthera know if that is you please, because it is not hopeful faith in us Nigerian me.

For the purpose of this thread, at least.

The judgments, delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, stem from separate cases prosecuted by the Federal Government, with the court imposing sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment alongside orders for rehabilitation and de-radicalisation.

Multiple individuals have been convicted and handed varying prison terms by the Federal High Court in Abuja over offences linked to terrorism, following proceedings that highlighted their roles in supporting the Boko Haram insurgent group.

The judgments, delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, stem from separate cases prosecuted by the Federal Government, with the court imposing sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment alongside orders for rehabilitation and de-radicalisation.

In the first case, Hamatu Modu was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on membership of Boko Haram, provision of material support, and dealing in funds linked to the proscribed organisation. The prosecution team, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that the charges were brought under provisions of the Terrorism (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022.

The defence counsel, Aliu Abubakar, did not oppose the arraignment, and the defendant pleaded guilty to all counts.

Count one alleged that the defendant belonged to Boko Haram, contrary to Section 25 of the Act. Count two accused him of providing food and other items to the group, while count three involved receiving and handling funds amounting to N20,000

Following the guilty plea, the prosecution tendered the defendant’s extrajudicial statement and investigation report, both of which were admitted as exhibits without objection.

Justice Nyako subsequently convicted Modu and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently. The court ordered that the sentence be served at a facility designated by the Ministry of Interior and directed that the convict undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalization.

In a related case, Isa Ali was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after admitting to providing support to Boko Haram.

Ali had been arraigned on a two-count charge, which included professing membership of the terrorist group and rendering support through the provision of clothes and logistics. He pleaded not guilty to the first count but admitted guilt on the second.

Upon his plea, the prosecution applied to strike out the first count, a request the court granted. The defendant’s statement and investigation report were then tendered and admitted in evidence, forming the basis for his conviction on the second count.

During sentencing, the defence urged the court to take into account that the convict had already spent three years in custody and described the offence as one of association. Justice Nyako thereafter sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment from the date of arrest and ordered that he undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation.

In another proceeding, the court convicted Auwal Bello for facilitating terrorism financing and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of two counts, to run concurrently.

Bello was accused of facilitating the exchange of about N750,000 during the naira swap policy for Boko Haram and paying N20,000 as tax to the group. He pleaded guilty to both counts.

The prosecution tendered his extrajudicial statement and investigation report, which were admitted in evidence. Although the defence pleaded for leniency, describing him as a family man with children, the court proceeded to convict and sentence him, while also ordering rehabilitation and de-radicalisation.

In the final case, Shehu Bukar faced a five-count charge, including alleged membership of Boko Haram, participation in a terrorist attack, providing support, undergoing weapons training, and withholding information.

He pleaded not guilty to four of the counts but admitted to one count of providing support by engaging in cattle rustling and selling goats to the group.

Following his plea, the prosecution applied to withdraw the remaining counts and proceed on the admitted charge, a request granted by the court. The defendant’s statement and investigation report were subsequently admitted as exhibits.

After reviewing the evidence, the court found him guilty. While the defence pleaded for leniency on the grounds that he was a first-time offender, Justice Nyako described the offence as “so gruesome” and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment from the date of his arrest.

The court also ordered that he undergo rehabilitation and de-radicalisation, in line with measures aimed at addressing extremist conduct.

https://saharareporters.com/2026/04/07/abuja-court-convicts-multiple-boko-haram-supporters-hands-down-10-20-years-prison-terms#google_vignette

FLASHBACK: Wike's 2016 Threat To INEC Official, 'Kill Anyone' Comment To Fayose Resurface After His Threat To Shoot Channels TV’s Okinbaloye

In December 2016, SaharaReporters reported how Wike, then as Rivers State Governor, was caught on tape as he held telephone conversations with INEC officials, political thugs, youth groups, and community representatives handpicked by him.

In the telephone conversations, exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, Wike was arranging payments to the officials in exchange for their help in rigging legislative elections in the state.

The telephone conversations revealed Wike arranging with INEC officials, particularly those sent from Anambra and Plateau states, who were paid in batches to rig the election for candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Etche, Khana, Ikwerre, and other key local government areas in the state, where Wike and his supporters boasted they would overwhelm opponents with violence.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs4b_hC90PM

One of Wike’s phone calls went to a female INEC official who was complaining that the money offered by Wike was not sufficient for the rigging task.

An infuriated Wike told the woman that he had already paid the electoral coordinator in Plateau State.

At one point in the conversation, when Wike was told that one of the electoral officers was reluctant to sign one of the result sheets, Wike threatened to demand his money back from the recalcitrant official.

Then, as if not satisfied with his threat to collect back his money, Wike voiced his intent to kill the official, stating that the man would not leave Rivers State alive.

In the audio, Wike was informed that an Electoral Officer posted from Plateau State refused to counter-sign the electoral materials in order to collect the bribe he was disbursing.

In response, he said, "Don't worry, I will call the Plateau man now. I will tell him, if he does not return my this thing, I will deal with you."

When the person on the call with him said, "No, let him just sign, that is all," Wike said, "No, if it is that one, he should return whatever... I'm going to make sure that I kill him in this state. Just don't worry."

Wike then called one of his thugs identified as Owoh, and said, "Call that coordinator of Plateau, the man in Etche (Local Government Area), that I said he should warn his man in Khana (Local Government Area), that if he does rubbish, he should refund what we gave. That if he tries it, I will make sure that he never leaves this state.

"Tell him that he should warn him, if he is playing with people he thinks that he will collect that and begin to do rubbish, tell him that I said that they will see what I will do to him, if that is how they do.”

"In fact, call the three coordinators, that I said they should tell their people. If they want to joke with me, disturb me, I will kill them in this place before they leave, or they should return what I gave or I will kill them," he added.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVFsgkzxizI

On December 19, 2016, The PUNCH reported how Wike told the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, how he used his office to influence the election rerun in his state (Rivers).

In the leaked audio, he told Fayose to kill anybody he could.

In what appeared to be a brazen display of disregard for state institutions, both politicians were heard ridiculing the Nigerian Army in crude terms during the exchange.

The two men, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were elected on the party’s platform.

The election in question was reportedly marred by widespread violence and irregularities, with at least three people confirmed dead.

In one of the leaked audio recordings, Wike was heard boasting about his role during the rerun, while Fayose praised him for confronting what he described as military intimidation.

The conversation included the following exchange:

Wike: “Ayodele, my son!”

Fayose: “You think I’m a Nigerian Army member?”

Wike: “Nigerian Army does not exist again now!”

Fayose: “Ah, Wike, you tried!”

Wike: (Laughter)

Fayose: “Everybody has been calling me! Wike, you are the man! You faced the whole country’s military threat…”

Wike: (Laughter)

Fayose: “They were shooting when you went o..!”

Wike: “My brother, you have to fight to the last o…! Kill everybody you can kill… Everybody you can kill!”

Fayose: “Ah! You’re the man of the year! This one is too much for one person! Everyone couldn’t know the way forward!”

Wike: (Laughter)

Fayose: “You went to the collation centre!”

Wike: “Yes, I had to stop there!”

Fayose: “Eh! The video is all over now! See the way they’re shooting!”

Wike: (Laughter)

Fayose: “All over! Aaaargh! Congrats!”

Wike: “My brother, thank God for everything. It is God.”

Fayose: “I’m sure we are still going to go to court against them for the other one.”

Wike: “Of course. Of course! We’ll fight it out!”

Fayose: “You’ve done well for all of us!”

Wike: “We thank God, my brother!”

Fayose: “I’ll call you later.”

Wike: “Okay.”