Nigeria on the Brink: Terrorists Advance as Military Struggles to Hold the Line

Nigeria is staring down the barrel of failure. Over two million citizens have been displaced by unrelenting terror attacks, many now languishing in insecure and overcrowded IDP camps.

The country’s military, already stretched thin, is locked in simultaneous battles across multiple fronts—fighting Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits, militias, and deadly Fulani herdsmen. Adding to the crisis, porous northern borders allow for a steady flow of illegal arms from the conflict-ridden Sahel, enabling insurgents to wreak havoc with impunity.

The military high command has acknowledged the role of these smuggled weapons in the growing tide of violence aimed at carving out ungoverned spaces for terrorism, kidnapping, and other illicit trade.

Compounding the security disaster is a deepening socio-economic crisis. Harsh government policies—chief among them the abrupt removal of petrol subsidies and naira flotation by President Bola Tinubu in 2023—have plunged millions into poverty and despair.

Perhaps most alarming is the relentless assault on the Nigerian military itself. Since January, terrorists have intensified attacks on military bases, seizing weapons and overrun positions with growing confidence. The battlefield reality suggests a nation steadily losing control of its territorial integrity.

Infamous bandit warlord Bello Turji demonstrated the depth of state failure during Ramadan when he roamed freely between Zamfara and Sokoto, slaughtering over 10 people during his journey. Shockingly, security agencies could not agree on who had the authority to apprehend him, while Defence Headquarters weakly insisted he was “on the run.”

Zamfara lawmaker Aminu Jaji recently shared a chilling testimony in the House of Representatives: a pregnant woman kidnapped by terrorists gave birth to twins in captivity—only to have the newborns fed to dogs by her captors. “Our people are no longer safe,” Jaji lamented. “They cannot farm, they cannot trade, and many are internally displaced, unrecognised by both state and federal authorities.”

In some rural communities, bandits now collect taxes, adjudicate disputes, and enforce their own rules—clear signs of a weakening state losing its monopoly on violence.

Soldiers themselves are paying a heavy price. Several military formations in Borno and Yobe States have fallen to insurgents since the beginning of the year. In one viral video, a soldier could be seen comforting a grieving comrade after a brutal attack on their base. “Stop crying, please,” he repeated helplessly.

In early May, Boko Haram fighters attacked a military base in Marte, Borno, killing five soldiers and torching the facility. Within hours, coordinated attacks followed in Rann, Gajiram, and Dikwa. Four soldiers were killed and six injured in Rann, while the other bases narrowly avoided being overrun.

Lawmakers like Yusuf Gagdi have warned that the value of weapons seized by insurgents over time runs into trillions of naira—turning taxpayers into unwilling suppliers of terrorist arsenals.

Despite military reassurances that thousands of terrorists have been neutralised, frontline troops continue to operate under-resourced and under pressure, often facing insurgents equipped with drones and advanced technology.

The defence sector has been allocated a record ₦4.91 trillion in 2024—more than double last year’s budget—but without a radical shift in strategy and stronger international support, Nigeria risks spiraling further into insecurity and chaos.

The time for denial is over. The government must face the stark reality: unless it retools its military strategy and acknowledges the severity of the crisis, Nigeria may slip beyond the point of rescue.

Suit Challenging President Tinubu’s Release of Rivers’ funds to Military Administrator Abruptly Transferred from Port Harcourt to Federal High Court Abuja

By Al Humphrey Onyanabo

A relatively obscure legal battle filed by an equally low-profile NGO has suddenly gained traction following the unexpected transfer of the case from Port Harcourt to Abuja.

The Incorporated Trustees of the Rivers Bridge Peace Initiative, a Rivers State-based organization led by Rufus Oba, is challenging the legality of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to release state funds to the military-appointed sole administrator of Rivers State. Their counsel, Clifford N. Chuku Esq.—a known and reputable Port Harcourt-based lawyer—is leading the charge.

Until recently, the matter—Suit No. FHC/PHC/43/2025—was being heard at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, in Court 5 presided over by Hon. Justice A.T. Mohammed. But claimants were surprised when they arrived in court to find the case had been abruptly transferred to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

“No reasons were given. We haven’t received any official communication, which is the standard procedure,” Oba told our reporter.

“No Abuja court has even been assigned the matter yet. We were only informed by the clerk.”

The next hearing which was fixed for Port Harcourt has now been move to Abuja, it is not known if the matter would be heard in Abuja on Monday, May 26, 2025 as no hearing notice has been issued to that effect.

At the heart of the suit is a challenge to what the claimants describe as an unconstitutional release of Rivers State funds to the military administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd). They argue this violates a Supreme Court ruling stating that only a duly elected governor, with a passed and approved state budget by the Rivers State House of Assembly, can receive state allocations.

The defendants include President Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Accountant General, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Vice Admiral Ibas. Court documents show that Ibas is represented by a formidable team of 21 lawyers—all based outside Rivers State—including several Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) such as Chief Akin Olujinmi, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, Tijani Gazali, and Babatunde Ogala.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has also assembled its own high-powered legal team, led by Sam T. Ologunorisa, SAN, and Moses A. Ebute, SAN, among others.

The scene is set for what is shaping up to be a classic David-versus-Goliath courtroom showdown, now playing out on a much larger stage in Abuja.

3rd years Remembrance: Agbado Communities Appreciate Prince Akintoye Akinrinade Free medical care

The entire people of Agbado community in Ifo local Government, Ogun state, were full of appreciation to the family of late Oba Anthony Adetunji Akinriande, they specially showed their unreserved appreciation to Prince Akintoye Akinriande for given them the rare opportunity to have access to free medical courtesy of three days free medical care that was sponsored to by the late Kabiyeesi family.

While speaking with the journalists, the community emphasized on the importance of the three days free medical care given to them, ‘ We are very greatful to the family of our late Kabiyeesi for organizing a well coordinated free medical care for the people, this virtuous act has really brought lot of succour to us in the community. What they did was not a surprise to us, the children inherited the good heart from late Kabiyeesi whom we all know to be a good man during his life and times’.

One of the beneficiaries. Alhaji Sulaiman Afọlabi Oyedeji, who is also the secretary to the Muslim community stated that the late Oba Anthony Akinriande always wants good health for his subject when he was alive, and what we are seeing today is the legacy of Kabiyeesi.

However, he also commended Prince Akintoye Akinriande for sponsoring such a gigantic medical care for the people, he also noted that since the demise of Kabiyeesi, Prince Akintoye Akinriande has been of tremendous assistance to the community, he always brings one or other social amenities to the community, such electricity, he however prays that God should continue prosper all his efforts for him to do more for his people.

Another beneficiary, Mama Ramota Adekunle, showered praise on the family of late Oba Anthony for the kind gesture, she said the free medical care has really helped her to know her health status.

Pa Sanyaolu who also benefited from the free medical care thanks the family of Oba Anthony Akinriande for the huge benefits brought to the community.

While speaking at the final day of the free medical care, Prince Akintoye Akinrnade said

‘Tody marked the successful conclusion of our 3-day medical outreach in Agbado and its environs, and it was nothing short of impactful. Over 100 eyeglasses were distributed, along with essential medications for eye correction and general wellness. Friday, we had over 200 individual that benefit from the free medical screening and treatments likewise we had the multiple attendance for yesterday.

We give all glory to God for the success of this initiative and for the grace to see it through to the end. This outreach was born out of a desire to touch lives and honor a legacy, and I’m truly grateful we were able to do just that.

Thank you to everyone who contributed, participated, and supported in one way or another. The journey continues, and so does the mission to serve. He noted.