Man Stabbed to Death Over Bathroom Dispute in Abuja

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Police Force(NPF) FCT Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Kassim Jibrin, for allegedly stabbing his neighbor, Collins Onyemaobi, 45, to death during a dispute over the use of a bathroom in Zauda Village, Gwagwa.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that three incident occurred on March 15, 2025, at about 9:30 a.m. when an argument ensued between the two men, which escalated into a fight.

In the heat of the altercation, Jibrin allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Onyemaobi in the chest.

The victim was immediately rushed to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. His body has since been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

The suspect, Jibrin, was arrested at the scene and is currently in police custody undergoing interrogation.

Man Stabbed to Death Over Bathroom Dispute in Abuja

Security: Borno Gives 110 Vehicles, 280 Houses to Police, Others

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has distributed 110 brand new operational vehicles, 500 motorcycles and 280 houses to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to assist in the ongoing war against crime in the state.

The distribution was flagged off by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who commended the initiative and describedu the governor as a “performing governor” in the fight against insecurity in the North East.

The ceremony, held at the Government House in Maiduguri, was attended by top security officials, including the theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Waidi Shuaibu; Deputy and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and others.

According to the distribution formula, 60 vehicles will be allocated to the Nigerian Police and 50 vehicles and 500 motorcycles to the Nigerian military.

Similarly, the police will be allocated 220 houses at Mai Mala Buni Estate, 20 at Kashim Shertima Estate and another 40 at Wulari, all in Maiduguri.

In his address, Governor Zulum emphasised the importance of supporting security forces with the necessary tools which, he said, would enhance their efficiency and dedication to duty.

He said: “Today marks a significant step in our unwavering commitment to strengthening the security architecture of Borno State; we are gathered here to present 100 operational vehicles, 500 motorcycles and housing quarters to members of the Nigerian Police Force and military, as the case may be, who tirelessly serve and sacrifice to safeguard our communities.

“This modest gesture continues our government’s commitment to the security agencies, which are the cornerstones for achieving peace, progress, and development in our state.

“These vehicles will enhance their mobility, improve their response times, and bolster their operational capabilities in the fight against insecurity and social vices”

The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his leadership in supporting the security agencies.

Zulum also expressed his commitment to rendering his services to the security organisations.

He said: “We are grateful to the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the distinguished leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for providing strategic leadership and unalloyed support to our security agencies as they work assiduously to safeguard the life and property of our citizens.

“Under my watch, the Borno State Government has maintained a cordial relationship with our security forces. We realised that without security, the recovery of our state from insecurity, Insurgency and decadence would not yield the desired result.

“By supporting our security forces, we are investing in force multiplier, speed of action and timely response of the armed forces and security agencies to our daunting security challenges. We are committed to working together to address the insecurity issues and build a safer and more prosperous future for our people.”

In his remarks, the IGP expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for what he described as massive support.

Egbetokun said: “These operational assets, including 110 vehicles and 500 motorcycles, will, no doubt, enhance our operational capacity. They will enable us to respond more effectively to emergencies in the state. They will also enable us to patrol our communities more efficiently, ultimately improving the delivery of services to the people of Borno State.

“I thank you, your Excellency, once again, for this gesture; I also want to assure you, Your Excellency, that these operational assets are going to be put to immediate operational use to enhance the security of the people of Borno State.”

Security: Borno Gives 110 Vehicles, 280 Houses to Police, Others

With Nowhere Else to Turn, Niger Begs Nigeria for Fuel Amid Severe Shortages

By: Zagazola Makama

For nearly two weeks, Niger Republic has been crippled by a severe fuel crisis, bringing vehicular movement and economic activity to a grinding halt. Long queues stretched across cities, with desperate motorists and businesses struggling to obtain a few liters of petrol. The situation was so dire that the military junta, which once prided itself on rejecting external influence, had no choice but to swallow its pride and turn to Nigeria for help.

Despite months of hostile rhetoric and diplomatic friction, Niger’s rulers quietly dispatched their Minister of Petroleum and Renewable Energy, along with top officials from the Niger Petroleum Company (SONIDEP), to beg Abuja for urgent fuel supplies. Nigeria, ever the regional big brother, obliged, approving the immediate delivery of 300 fuel trucks across the border to Niamey.

Niger’s fuel crisis didn’t happen overnight. It was the direct consequence of a disastrous confrontation between the ruling junta and Chinese oil companies, which have long dominated Niger’s petroleum sector. The trouble began in March 2024, when China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) granted the Nigerien government a $400 million advance, using future crude oil deliveries as collateral. This deal was meant to help Niger cope with the crippling economic sanctions imposed by ECOWAS following the July 2023 coup. However, when it came time to repay the debt, the junta found itself strapped for cash.

Rather than negotiating, the military rulers decided to strong-arm China. In a move that stunned industry insiders, they slapped an $80 billion tax demand on SORAZ (Zinder Refinery Company) despite the state-owned Sonidep already owing SORAZ a staggering $250 billion. When China refused to provide additional loans, the junta retaliated by expelling Chinese oil executives from the country and seizing SORAZ’s bank accounts.

A Self-Inflicted Crisis

This reckless decision backfired almost immediately. Niger’s entire petroleum sector which is heavily reliant on Chinese expertise and investment began to collapse. The SORAZ refinery, the lifeline of Niger’s fuel supply, ground to a halt, and fuel shortages spread like wildfire.
This crisis could not have come at a worse time. The Niger-Benin oil pipeline, a project designed to boost Niger’s crude exports to 100,000 barrels per day by 2025, was also at risk. With Chinese engineers gone and no viable alternative in place, the junta’s decision plunged the country into economic uncertainty.

Turning to Nigeria for Help

For weeks, the military leadership refused to acknowledge the crisis publicly. State-controlled media was ordered to stay silent about the fuel shortage and the growing unrest among Nigeriens, who were forced to buy petrol at sky-high black-market prices.

But as the situation worsened, the junta had no choice but to seek external help even if it meant approaching Nigeria, the very country they had repeatedly criticized since the coup.
Without any public announcement, Niger quietly sent a delegation to Abuja, appealing for an emergency fuel supply. The irony was lost on no one this was the same junta that had openly defied ECOWAS sanctions, severed ties with France and the West, and aligned itself with Russia. Yet when faced with economic collapse, it was Nigeria that they turned to for salvation.

Nigeria Plays the Good Neighbor Again

Despite months of insults, false accusations, name calling, diplomatic snubs, and hostility, Nigeria once again stepped in to help. It was gathered that the Nigerian Government approved the release of 300 fuel trucks, which immediately began crossing into Niger to ease the crisis.

The junta, however, remains too proud to admit its dependency. While fuel shipments from Nigeria have already started alleviating the crisis, Niger’s state media has deliberately avoided reporting where the fuel is coming from. Instead, the government has attempted to portray the fuel availability as a result of its own internal measures a claim that many Nigeriens are beginning to question.

Will Nigeria Gain Diplomatic Leverage?

While Nigeria’s generosity is commendable, the real question remains: What does Nigeria get in return? Will this act of goodwill translate into improved diplomatic relations? Will Niger’s military rulers rethink their hostility toward ECOWAS? Or will they simply take the fuel and continue their defiance once the crisis subsides?

Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: when Niger was on the brink of disaster, it was Nigeria not Russia, not China, not any of its new allies that stepped up to provide relief.

For now, Niger has been forced to acknowledge an uncomfortable truth: no matter how much they try to distance themselves from Nigeria, they remain dependent on their bigger neighbor.

And whether the junta admits it or not, Nigeria remains the lifeline Niger cannot afford to sever.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

With Nowhere Else to Turn, Niger Begs Nigeria for Fuel Amid Severe Shortages