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Insecurity: US Approves $1bn Attack Helicopters, Others For Nigeria, Buhari Meets Service Chiefs
Published
3 years agoon
By
Editor
The United States State Department has cleared the sale of 12 AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria worth nearly $1bn, apparently after US lawmakers lifted objections over human rights concerns.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Thursday announced the sale of the helicopters and related defence systems to the Nigerian military.
The package includes $25m for human rights-related training, according to YahooNews.
The sale includes the Bell-made Cobras; 28 General Electric-made T700-401C engines; 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems used to convert unguided missiles into precision-guided missiles; and night vision, targeting and navigation systems.
The case highlights the Biden administration’s attempts to balance human rights concerns in the arms sale process.
Foreign Policy had reported in July that the top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed the sale amid concerns Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was drifting toward authoritarianism. The country is facing multiple security challenges, including terrorism.
“Nigeria requires a fundamental rethink of the framework of our overall engagement,” committee Chairman Bob Menendez, D-N.J., told Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the diplomat’s testimony before the panel last year.
Menendez also tweeted that “the Nigerian government must get serious about security” after the militant group Boko Haram kidnapped more than 300 schoolboys in December 2020. The Nigerian government also ran afoul of the New Jersey Democrat in 2019 after arresting one of his constituents, Nigerian-American journalist Omoyele Sowore.
READ ALSO: Insecurity: Why Northern Elders Are Angry With Buhari – Femi Adesina
According to the announcement, $25m in the package will be dedicated to “institutional and technical assistance” to Nigeria’s military to continue its Air-to-Ground Integration program, which concerns targeting processes that are consistent with international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict.
“The proposed sale will better equip Nigeria to contribute to shared security objectives, promote regional stability and build interoperability with the U.S. and other Western partners,” the announcement read.
“This sale will be a major contribution to US and Nigerian security goals,” it added
The development appears to open a new chapter in US-Nigeria relations.
The United States had last May said there was no plan to relocate its Africa Command from its current base in Germany to Nigeria or any other part of Africa despite the worsening state of insecurity in the region.
The US gave the response barely two weeks after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), appealed to the US government to consider relocating AFRICOM to Africa to assist Nigeria and other adjoining countries to combat worsening terrorism, banditry and other security crises.
The President made the plea in a virtual meeting with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on April 27, 2021
Germany-based Africa Command (AFRICOM) is the US military headquarters that oversees its operations in Africa.
Buhari’s request followed a series of recent military casualties in Nigeria’s decade-long fight against Boko Haram terrorists, fresh expansion of the insurgents’ bases to Niger and Nasarawa States, and heavy waves of abductions and killings by bandits in the North.
Buhari had said, “In this connection, and considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider relocating AFRICOM headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany to Africa and near the Theatre of Operation.”
READ ALSO: Lawan constitutes 13-member adhoc panel to investigate crude oil theft
However, the US government later ruled out any plan to relocate AFRICOM from its current base in Germany to Nigeria or any part of Africa.
According to the United States Department of Defence’ Pentagon, previous studies have shown that the cost of relocating AFRICOM from Germany to Africa is very huge.
Meanwhile, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will on Tuesday meet the service chiefs over the rising spate of insecurity in the country.
The Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru, disclosed this on Thursday, while briefing journalists after the Council of State meeting in Abuja.
According to the governor, the proposed meeting is sequel to the recommendations by the council over the security challenge in the country.
But the Peoples Democratic Party described the All Progressives Congress as a failure over its inability to tackle the insecurity rocking the nation, stressing that Nigerians are waiting eagerly for 2023 to vote them out of power.
The party accused the government of always passing the buck, describing it as incompetent.
Recall that the House of Representatives had also condemned the rising insecurity in the country, especially the recent killings in Benue, Taraba and Plateau states.
The lawmakers, who stated this at the plenary on Wednesday, demanded the removal of the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.) and the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.).
The legislators also alleged that security agents were aiding bandits and other criminals, adding that huge security funds were not being justified.
The Northern Elders’ Forum had also on Tuesday called for the resignation of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for the killings as well as the attack on a train in Kaduna State last month.
The Presidency, however, ruled out the resignation of the President, blaming past administrations for the insecurity in the country.
The National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in his reaction on Thursday, knocked the Federal Government for lacking a solution to the killings, kidnapping and violence in parts of the country.
READ ALSO: Insecurity: Reps Knock Buhari, Demand NSA, Defence Minister’s Removal
According to him, Nigerians were tired of excuses and apologies from the Buhari regime for its inability to contain the bloody attacks on the citizens.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Insecurity: ‘I Won’t Resign, Saboteurs After My Govt,’ Buhari Replies Northern Elders
He said, “This government would be coming every day to apologise to Nigerians to say ‘we’re sorry for what we’ve done.’ But this is a government that is arrogant in failure. They’ve failed and they are still arrogant about it. They should bury their head in shame.
“So, because insecurity predates the APC government, does it mean because they are incompetent and rudderless and completely clueless about the issues, we should accept it? I mean, these are lame excuses, which we’re used to.
“But Nigerians know better now. Nigerians are wiser, no lies, no stunts that are being dished out by the APC government can avail it any attention from the Nigerian people.”
Speaking in the same vein, some Northern groups, including the Middle Belt Forum, the Christian Association of Nigeria in 19 Northern States and Abuja, advised the Federal Government to stop blaming past administrations for the rising insecurity in the country.
The organisations, in different interviews with The PUNCH, said the Buhari regime had failed in all areas.
The National President of the MBF, Dr Bitrus Pogu, lashed out at the Presidency for kicking against the call for Buhari’s resignation.
Pogu said, “Usually, people who seek power do so by promising to solve identified social ills and make life better for the people which they seek to govern. Buhari did so while campaigning in 2015 but can he point to any campaign promise he has fulfilled that has made the life of Nigerians better after seven years as president
“But before this government led by Buhari leaves, it is time that the record be put straight: They don’t deserve to be in government; they have failed and they should be responsible for their failure.”
The Vice President of CAN in the 19 Northern States and Abuja and Chairman of CAN in Kaduna state, Rev. Joseph Hayab, noted that the Presidency was back to its blame game.
He said, “If the President’s spokesmen had been quick to respond to bandits and terrorists the way they are always in a haste to reply to citizens that are complaining because of the painful experience the country is going through, we may have defeated the bandits and corrected many wrongs that are happening in the land.”
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Veteran Nigerian Highlife Musician Is Dead
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News
NAFDAC Raises The Alarm Over Fake Milk In Circulation
Published
9 hours agoon
August 22, 2025By
Editor
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control on Friday raised the alarm over the presence of counterfeit Cowbell “Our Milk” 12g sachet milk circulating in Nigeria.
The alert posted on the agency’s website stated that Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, which is the marketing authorisation jolder and manufacturer of Cowbell “Our Milk” informed the agency about the existence of a product bearing a close resemblance to the genuine Cowbell “Our Milk” 12g sachet Milk.
“This includes unauthorised use of the brand name, packaging design, NAFDAC registration number, and trademark.
“The MAH has confirmed that these products are neither manufactured or distributed by them as the counterfeit packaging design was last used for production by the company in September 2023,” NAFDAC noted.
READ ALSO:NAFDAC Warns Against Use Of Excess Hydroquinone In Cosmetics
Differentiating, it said the genuine cowbell milk is creamy, the packaging material used is the revised PNG artwork “Our Creamy Goodness”, the printing of the batch details is done with laser printing, the coding is done on the coding area on the sachet, and the sealing and cutting on the vertical sides are automated.
It said the content of the counterfeit Cowbell 12g sachet milk does not seem like milk, the packaging material used is the old PNG artwork “Our Milk”, the printing of the batch details was done with ink instead of laser printing, the coding was not done on the coding area but on a different part of the sachet, and the sealing and cutting on the vertical sides were manually done.
It added, “The use or consumption of counterfeit Cowbell ‘Our Milk’ Milk presents serious health and safety risks.
READ ALSO:Beware Of Fake Oxycontin In Circulation, NAFDAC Warns Public
“Such products may contain harmful substances, including toxic chemicals, unapproved additives, or diluted ingredients that do not meet food safety standards.
“Consumption of counterfeit milk can result in foodborne illnesses, allergic reactions, organ damage, or even death in severe cases. Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.”
The agency urged all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators to conduct surveillance and mop up the counterfeit Cowbell 12g sachet Milk products within their zones and states.
“Distributors, retailers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to prevent the distribution, sale, and use of the counterfeit milk product.
READ ALSO:NAFDAC Warns Against Chemical Ripening Of Fruits
“All food products must be obtained from authorised/licensed manufacturers/suppliers. The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
“Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of sale of substandard and counterfeit food products to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng
“Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of counterfeited food products to the nearest NAFDAC office, or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng,” it said.
News
Orphaned Nigerian TikToker ‘Geh Geh’ Goes Viral, Rakes In $30,000 From One Live Session
Published
10 hours agoon
August 22, 2025By
Editor
A young Nigerian known as “Geh Geh” has captured the hearts of thousands online after his TikTok live session on Thursday drew an astonishing 177,000 viewers and reportedly earned him gifts worth over $30,000.
The social media personality, who refers to his online platform as the “University of Wisdom and Understanding,” has been making waves with his unconventional approach to advising men on relationships and finances.
In a video he posted after the live session, Geh Geh said, “More than 177,000 people watch my lectures today.
“Jesus! University of wisdom and understanding, the only university where once you graduate, woman go fear to ask you for money.”
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Describing himself as the “first illiterate to find a university in the history of Nigeria,” Geh Geh reflected on his unlikely rise to fame, saying, “I no be graduate too, but by the grace of God, I don find school. I be orphan, but now Nigerians don show me love.”
According to him, the gifts received during the live were worth approximately $30,000, a feat he described as life-changing.
“See gift I made over… more gift when they give me today is worth about $30,000. I no go take this love for granted, because I no really do anything for am,” he said in a follow-up video after the live became a hit.
The viral moment has been hailed by many as a form of digital empowerment, proof that even those without formal education can leverage social media to build influence, create entertainment, and earn a living.
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While his controversial teachings on money and women have sparked debates online, his story is now being seen as an inspiration to underprivileged youths.
Reflecting on the overwhelming support, he added, “If Nigeria be country wey value great people, by now them suppose dey compare people like me with Aristotle, Wole Soyinka, Einstein… but I thank God say people dey see my head and my own difference.”
His followers, now calling themselves “students” of the Geh Geh University, continue to grow, raising questions about how social platforms are redefining fame and success in Nigeria.
News
Daredevil Boko Haram Leader, Bakura Neutralized In Niger
Published
14 hours agoon
August 22, 2025By
Editor
A notorious leader of the Boko Haram insurgents, Ibrahim Mahamadu, popularly known as Bakura, has been killed in the Lake Chad Basin, the Niger Army said on Thursday.
The Army, in a statement, tagged the terrorist a “feared leader” of the group, stating that he was targeted by a fighter jet early on August 15.
“Very early in the morning of August 15, an Air Force fighter aircraft launched three targeted and successive strikes on the positions Bakura used to occupy in Shilawa,” it added.
READ ALSO:Boko Haram, ISWAP Conflict Intensifies In Lake Chad Region, Leading To Many Casualties
The statement also revealed that the Boko Haram leader, who was said to be about 40 years old, was originally from Nigeria.
He reportedly joined the terrorist group more than 13 years ago and took over leadership after Abubakar Shekau.
DAILY POST reports that Shekau, a former leader of Boko Haram, died during jihadist infighting in May 2021
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