Crime
Banning Okada, Artisanal Miners will deepen poverty & insecurity in Nigeria- AAN
Banning Okada, Artisanal Miners will deepen poverty & insecurity in Nigeria- AAN
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has warned the federal government against planned ban of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, as well as illegal mining activities in a bid to stem the rising insecurity across the country, insisting that he would further aggravate poverty in the country,
A statement by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) on Monday lamented that the planned nationwide ban on commercial motorcycles, as well as illegal mining activities by the federal government in a bid to stem the rising insecurity across the country, as hinted by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami last week, will undoubtedly further deepen the national multi-dimensional poverty index if measures are not taken to address the population involved.
ActionAid while agreeing that placing a ban on the use of motorcycles and mining activities may cut the supply of logistics and source of funds for the purchase of arms to the terrorists, said while this is being contemplated in the national interest to combat insecurity, there must be well thought-out alternatives to lessen the effects of the attendant loss of livelihoods on the people that will be affected.
The NGO said: “Regardless of the means being considered for the proposed ban on Okada riders, artisanal and small-scale miners, it must be implemented in a way that will not further worsen the country’s dire economic situation, adding that: “A World Bank report has already noted that the number of poor persons in Nigeria will rise to 95.1 million in 2022. The number of poor people was 89.0 million in 2020. This means that over 6.1 million more persons would have fallen into the poverty bracket between 2020 and 2022, a 6.7% increase. With the projected 2022 figures, the number of poor persons in Nigeria has had a four-year increase of 14.7% from the 2018/19 figure of 82.1 million to the projected 95.1 million in 2022.”
ActionAid, in the statement, lamented that in Nigeria, the poverty rate has been aided by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the growing population, the high level of inflation, which stood at 18.6% as of June 2022 and the harsh effects of the Ukraine-Russia warfare.
It said: “This development is coming after the Nigerian government said it lifted 10.5 million Nigerians out of poverty between 2019 and 2021. Though the President has repeatedly said that the Bank of Industry has created nine million jobs in the country since 2015, and different schemes to create jobs and tackle poverty in the country have been launched. These have failed to stem the tide of poverty in the country.”
The statement said the claim of the Attorney General that, “If you are talking of banning motorcycles, for example, I think the number of people using these motorcycles is not up to 20 per cent of the Nigerian population,” is not tenable against the backdrop that this represents a significant segment of the population whose condition will be worsened because Nigeria continues to battle issues such as food inflation, rising unemployment, the rising cost of living among other economic challenges, and these issues are responsible for why more people are falling into the poverty net.
AAN said: “Simply put, it means that one out of every five Nigerians will be directly affected by this ban, and this will further increase if you consider their family members, relatives and friends that may depend on them.”
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It therefore recommended, among other things, that Nigeria must put a robust social safety net in place to buffer the impact of the planned ban, insisting that: “In addition, the country must invest in agriculture value-chain, especially girl child education, prioritise the health and well-being of its citizenry and enhance economic opportunities while embracing technology to improve economic productivity and opportunities for the citizens. In essence, the government must encourage investments and job creation to engage those that will lose their livelihoods.”
AAN expressed its availability as well as other development partners to work with the government at all levels to create a sustainable alternative for this population, decrying that Nigeria may find it hard to contain crime and criminality and tackle poverty if adequate alternatives are not implemented before the planned ban.
The statement said: “While it is vital for us to do everything possible to deal with threats to national security or the country’s corporate existence, we urge the FG to give the options being considered human face as the well-being of Nigerians should be prioritised. This will help to reduce livelihood and monetary poverty that will stem from the planned ban on Okada riders and miners.”
Banning Okada, Artisanal Miners will deepen poverty & insecurity in Nigeria- AAN
Nigeria Secures $62.8m Kuwait Loan to Boost Climate-Resilient Schools, Inclusive Education
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria’s partnership with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has yielded a $62.8 million concessional loan aimed at transforming the country’s education sector through climate-resilient infrastructure, improved teacher training and expanded access for vulnerable children.
The Federal Government disclosed this in Abuja during celebrations marking Kuwait’s 65th National Day and 35th Liberation Day.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, represented by Ambassador Bukar Buni Hamman, Director of the Regions Department, said the financing agreement signed in 2025 reflects the growing depth of Nigeria–Kuwait relations and their shared commitment to human capital development.
He explained that the loan is being deployed to upgrade school facilities to withstand climate-related challenges, strengthen teacher capacity and ensure that girls and children with disabilities have improved access to quality learning.
According to him, the collaboration demonstrates how bilateral diplomacy is translating into measurable social impact.
“Kuwait has remained a trusted development partner. Our cooperation has moved beyond formal ties to practical interventions that directly address Nigeria’s social and economic priorities,” he said.
Ahmed added that both countries are broadening engagement in key sectors including agriculture, food security, renewable energy, infrastructure development and digital connectivity. He noted that subnational governments in Nigeria are also positioning themselves to attract Kuwaiti investment.
Kuwait’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Salim Almuzayen, described the occasion as a celebration not only of Kuwait’s national milestones but also of enduring partnerships built on mutual respect and sustainable development goals.
He cited the “Reaching Out-of-School Children” initiative in Kaduna State — funded by the Kuwait Fund in collaboration with UNICEF — as a leading example of cooperation between both nations. The project is designed to reintegrate more than 200,000 out-of-school children into formal education.
Almuzayen said Kuwait’s global development engagement is guided by a moderate foreign policy and a long-term vision focused on shared prosperity. Since its establishment in 1961, the Kuwait Fund has financed development projects in over 100 countries across critical sectors such as education, health and infrastructure.
The $62.8 million facility marks a significant boost for Nigeria’s education reform drive, particularly at a time when climate adaptation and inclusive access remain central to national policy objectives.
With both governments signaling deeper collaboration, stakeholders say the agreement underscores a maturing bilateral relationship anchored on practical development outcomes rather than symbolic diplomacy.
Nigeria Secures $62.8m Kuwait Loan to Boost Climate-Resilient Schools, Inclusive Education
Farmer killed, another injured in herder attack in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
A Fulani farmer has been killed while another sustained injuries following an attack by unknown herders in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred on Feb. 11, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m. in Azbak Village. The victims, Abdulrahaman Audu, 30, and Ya’u Umaru, were reportedly tending to their tomato farms when two unidentified herders with grazing sheep trespassed onto their farmland.
According to sources, when the farmers cautioned the herders, the assailants allegedly attacked them with cutlasses, inflicting severe injuries.
The victims were rushed to Specialist Hospital Gashua for treatment. Abdulrahaman Audu, however, died on admission, while Ya’u Umaru remains under medical care and is reportedly responding to treatment.
The body of the deceased was released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites.
Police in Yobe confirmed that investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend the fleeing culprits.
This incident draw attention to the ongoing tensions between farmers and herders in Yobe State, with clashes over farmland and livestock management increasingly resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Farmer killed, another injured in herder attack in Yobe
Troops, police repel bandits attack in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army and the police have successfully repelled armed bandits who attacked Ankpali Village in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State early Wednesday.
According to sources, at about 2:45 a.m., the security forces received distress call indicating that the village was under attack.
Reinforcements from the Nigerian Army and 80 PMF arrived to support the operation. In the ensuing crossfire, the bandits were forced to retreat, and one assailant was shot dead. His body was removed and deposited at the local mortuary.
Security sources said efforts are ongoing to track the fleeing suspects and apprehend those involved in the attack.
Residents commended the swift response of the security forces, noting that their intervention prevented further loss of lives and property.
Troops, police repel bandits attack in Benue
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