Headlines

At least 13 people have been killed in a reprisal attack by the Lakurawa terrorist group on Birnin Dede village in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The attack follows the recent killing of the group’s leader, Maigemu, by a joint security operation.

According to a survivor, Malam Umar, the assailants struck late at night, targeting multiple communities. He noted that only one village, which had a military presence, was spared.

Arewa Local Government Chairman, Sani Aliyu, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with journalists.

Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, CP Bello M. Sani, who visited the affected areas, reported that two individuals sustained gunshot wounds, while an unspecified number of people were also injured. Eight communities were set ablaze during the attack.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunny and hazy weather conditions across the country from Monday to Wednesday.

In its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, NiMet forecasted persistent sunny and hazy skies over the northern region throughout the period.

For the North Central region, the agency predicted mostly sunny skies with patches of clouds in the morning. However, isolated thunderstorms, with or without rainfall, are expected in the afternoon and evening over parts of Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kwara States.

In the southern region, cloudy skies with intermittent sunshine are anticipated in the morning, while localised thunderstorms may occur over parts of Lagos, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom. Later in the day, thunderstorms are expected in Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Delta, Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa States.

On Tuesday, NiMet forecasted continued sunny conditions in the northern region, with similar weather patterns expected in the North Central region.

For the southern region, cloudy skies with sunshine spells are anticipated in the morning, with morning thunderstorms likely over Cross River, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States. In the afternoon and evening, localised thunderstorms are expected over Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra, Imo, Delta, Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa States.

By Wednesday, NiMet projected that sunny skies would persist in the northern region. In the North Central region, morning conditions will remain sunny with scattered clouds, while localised thunderstorms are expected later in the day over Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, and Kwara States.

For the southern region, the forecast includes cloudy skies with sunshine spells in the morning, followed by afternoon and evening thunderstorms in Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Imo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa States.

NiMet advised the public to take necessary precautions, warning that strong winds could accompany thunderstorms in affected areas.

“Individuals with respiratory conditions, particularly in northern states, should take protective measures,” the agency stated.

It urged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports for effective flight planning and advised residents to stay updated on weather conditions through NiMet’s official website at

Chatham House, a UK-based international policy think tank, has advised the Nigerian government against artificially strengthening the naira, arguing that its depreciation has enhanced the country’s economic competitiveness.

In a report titled Nigeria’s Economy Needs the Naira to Stay Competitive, the think tank stressed that for sustainable long-term growth, authorities should resist the urge to fight inflation by propping up the naira against the dollar.

According to the report, while inflation has risen under President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, his reforms remain the most viable path to lasting economic progress.

“A key aspect of these reforms has been Tinubu’s decision to allow the naira to undergo a significant devaluation, dropping from N460 per dollar around the 2023 elections to nearly N1,500 today,” the report stated.

It described the naira’s devaluation as one of the most substantial currency adjustments globally in recent years, second only to Ethiopia’s birr.

“With the naira’s decline, Nigeria is arguably at its most competitive level in the past 25 years,” the report noted.

Chatham House warned that making the dollar artificially cheap would drive up imports, worsening the trade deficit and increasing financial vulnerability. It pointed out that global investors can quickly lose interest in riskier economies, making it harder to finance deficits and leading to financial instability.

“Keeping the dollar undervalued encourages businesses and individuals to move their money abroad, seeking safer investment destinations at a low cost. When capital flows out of a country, it becomes difficult to establish a foundation for economic growth,” the think tank stated.

Tertiary institutions owned by the Oyo State government commenced an indefinite strike on Monday over the non-payment of staff minimum wage and other outstanding arrears.

Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Oyo State Tertiary Institutions, Dr. Kola Lawal, confirmed the development in Ibadan, stating that the unions were also demanding the implementation of the approved 25 and 35 per cent salary increments.

JAC, which comprises 15 unions across five state-owned tertiary institutions, has been in discussions with management to resolve the issues, Lawal said.

“Since January 2024, our counterparts in other institutions have been benefiting from the approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increments.

“However, despite several meetings, notices, and ultimatums, our management has been unable to implement these increases and the new minimum wage.

“Notably, institutions such as Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education promptly implemented the increment,” he stated.

Lawal recalled that the unions had embarked on a two-day warning strike on February 6 and 7, 2025, to press for their demands, after which a final three-day ultimatum was issued, taking into account ongoing accreditation exercises.

“Regrettably, as of March 5, 2025, no substantial progress has been made,” he added.

As a result, JAC said it was left with no option but to declare an indefinite strike, demanding that all outstanding concerns be addressed.

“We are also demanding an increase in the subvention released to the institutions to enable them to meet their financial obligations, including the payment of the approved wage structure.

“We urge all members to stand united and participate fully in this strike action.

“We also appeal to His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, to intervene and ensure that the welfare of workers in our state-owned tertiary institutions is prioritised,” Lawal said.

A devastating accident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Sunday evening, resulting in the loss of four lives and leaving nine others injured.

According to Florence Okpe, spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun, the accident happened around 8:30 pm and involved a vehicle carrying 13 passengers.¹

Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver’s excessive speed and a tyre burst contributed to the tragic incident. The victims comprised five men and eight women, with two men and two women sadly losing their lives.

Three men and six women sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.

The FRSC has urged motorists to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines while driving. Akinwumi Fasakin, FRSC sector commander, emphasized the importance of regular vehicle checks, maintaining speed limits, and installing speed limit devices. Fasakin also called on fleet operators to prioritize safety above all else.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and responsible driving practices.