Nigeria to Acquire 24 Italian Fighter Jets in €1.2 Billion Deal, Largest in West Africa

Nigeria has signed a €1.2 billion agreement with Italian aerospace giant Leonardo S.p.A. to purchase 24 M-346FA light fighter aircraft, marking the largest military jet procurement in West Africa. The deal includes aircraft delivery, maintenance, logistics, and long-term technical support, as part of Nigeria’s ongoing military modernisation program. Analysts say the acquisition aims to strengthen aerial surveillance, precision strike capabilities, and overall combat readiness amid escalating insurgency, banditry, and communal violence across the country. This strategic shift toward Italian defence suppliers also signals Nigeria’s intention to diversify arms procurement while addressing regional security challenges.

The Basest of Men”: Understanding God’s Sovereignty in Leadership and National Governance

In this reflective opinion piece, Leonard Karshima Shilgba explores the tension between divine sovereignty and human governance through the lens of Daniel 4:13–17. The article examines the biblical phrase “the basest of men,” explaining its Aramaic roots and how it describes leaders of low character or unlikely backgrounds whom God allows or appoints for His purposes. Shilgba highlights biblical and historical examples of such rulers and argues that even when unworthy leaders rise to power, Christians are still called to pray, advocate for righteousness, and engage governance responsibly. He encourages believers not to lose heart, emphasizing that God’s sovereignty does not excuse apathy but empowers courage, accountability, and moral witness. The author concludes that burdens for good governance are divine callings, and that God both raises leaders and strengthens the righteous to shine even under flawed rule.

The Tragedy of Nigeria’s Mind-State: Shilgba Warns on Discipline, Leadership and National Renewal

Leonard Karshima Shilgba argues that Nigeria’s biggest crisis is a “troubled national mind-state” reflected in indiscipline, chaotic cities, poor work ethic, weak leadership, corruption, and social decay. Using Benue State as a case study, he highlights how societal neglect, insecurity and failed institutions stem from a deeper psychological decline. Shilgba draws lessons from China’s transformation—discipline, long-term planning, meritocracy, value-based education, and decisive anti-corruption—and urges Nigerians to rebuild national character from the heart, where lasting change begins.

“No Face, No Case” Rapper Faces Life Sentence After Brutal London Murder

Two 27-year-old men, Lekan Akinsoji and Sundjata Keita, have been found guilty of murdering a rival gang member, Ahmed Deen-Jah (21), in a planned and cold-blooded attack in Custom House, London.

The shocking incident, which occurred in April 2017, saw the duo dressed in all black and balaclavas as they ambushed Deen-Jah outside a convenience store. CCTV footage captured the horrifying chase and stabbing that ended the young man’s life just 130 metres from his home.

Akinsoji — known in the drill music scene by his alias “CB” or “Cracky Blacks” — had earlier bragged in a rap video titled Armed and Ready, saying:

“No face, no case, no evvy (evidence).”


Prosecutors revealed the murder was a retaliatory “ride-out” attack amid ongoing turf wars between East London gangs — the Woodgrange gang and the Custom House gang.

Akinsoji was identified as the stabber, while Keita acted as his accomplice. The court also heard that Akinsoji was already serving a 20-year sentence for a separate gang-related shooting in 2018.

The judge, Anthony Leonard KC, remanded both men in custody, with sentencing scheduled for October 24.

This conviction shines a light on how drill music, street culture, and violent rivalry continue to fuel bloodshed on London’s streets.

Court Jails Man Three Months for Internet Fraud in Lagos

Justice D.I.Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, convicted and sentenced one Innocent Owie Ochuko to three months imprisonment for internet fraud.

He was arraigned on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 on a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime.

The charge reads: “That you, INNOCENT OWIE OCHUKO, on or about the 20th June, 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and with intent to gain advantage, held out yourself as "Hibrave Thugger" with an email: hibravethugger@gmail.com, through Google Account profile to unsuspecting victims, wherein you gained financial benefit to yourself through Bitcoin Investment Scam, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2015.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, I.G. Akhanolu called on Leonard Ayokor, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case .

In his review, Ayokor stated that “the defendant confessed his involvement in a Bitcoin investment scam. He also confessed that he assumed the fictitious name, Exxes, from the United States of America and that he benefited the sum of $1,000 AUD( One Thousand Australian Dollars). During investigations, an iPhone 15 and a Samsung S9 were recovered from him. He has restituted the sum of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) through Zenith Bank manager’s cheque.”

Justice Dipeolu, , in view of the defendant’s plea and evidence tendered by the prosecution, found him guilty and also convicted him. He also sentenced him to three months imprisonment ,with an option of a N700,000 fine.

He equally ordered that the mobile devices recovered from him as well as the N300,000 manager’s cheque issued as restitution be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The convict’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested on June 20, 2025 at County Estate, Lekki, Lagos in a sting operation by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for being involved in internet fraud. He was charged to court and jailed.

NDLEA Arrests Saudi-Bound Pilgrims, Seizes ₦9.3bn Worth of Drugs in Rivers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two intending hajj pilgrims and dismantled a major drug trafficking syndicate smuggling cocaine to Saudi Arabia. The agency also intercepted drugs valued at over ₦9.3 billion during a sweeping operation in Rivers State.

In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi revealed that two pilgrims—Ibrahim Umar Mustapha and Muhammad Siraj Shifado—were arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah on May 26. Both suspects were found to have ingested 45 wraps of cocaine each, totaling 90 pellets weighing 1.04 kilograms.

“The interdiction at the NDLEA final screening point followed credible intelligence,” Babafemi said. “After body scans confirmed drug ingestion, both individuals were placed under excretion observation.”

Syndicate Dismantled
A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of three alleged kingpins—Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Muhammed Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba—on May 27 and 28 in Kano. The group is suspected of sponsoring hajj pilgrims as drug couriers to Saudi Arabia.

“This network has been identified as a major player in trafficking drugs during pilgrimage seasons,” Babafemi added.

Businessman Arrested En Route to Iran
In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives at the Kano airport arrested Chinedu Leonard Okigbo, a 60-year-old businessman, while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight to Iran. A body scan revealed he had ingested 65 wraps of cocaine, weighing 1.41 kilograms.

Massive Seizures in Rivers
Between May 28 and 30, seven watch-listed containers were jointly inspected by NDLEA officers, Customs officials, and other security agencies at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne. The operation yielded:

825,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup and trodol, worth ₦5.77 billion

5,100,000 pills of opioids, including tapentadol 225mg, valued at ₦3.57 billion

The combined street value of the seized drugs was put at ₦9.346 billion.

Other Major Operations
In Kano, two men—Abubakar Hussein (42) and Sahabi Adamu (53)—were caught along the Kano-Maiduguri road on May 30 with $900,000 in suspected counterfeit cash.

In Adamawa, operatives recovered 390 blocks of skunk (cannabis) weighing 275.3kg from an abandoned Toyota Sienna vehicle on May 27.

In Kwara State, on May 31, notorious drug dealer Alhaja Mutiat Abdul-Fatai was arrested at Oja Oba, Ilorin. Various opioids including tramadol, flunitrazepam, and codeine syrup were recovered.

Public Sensitization and Commendation
NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy continued with sensitization sessions in schools across Katsina, Enugu, Anambra, Kano, and Cross River.

The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), praised the efforts of the agency's commands in Kano, Rivers, Kwara, and Adamawa, and urged continued commitment to drug supply and demand reduction.

“These successes reflect the agency’s unwavering resolve in combating the drug menace across Nigeria,” Marwa said.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday, June 1, 2025