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JUST IN: Tinubu seeks NASS approval to borrow fresh $21.5m, other external borrowing plans

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the National Assembly’s approval to secure external loans of $21.5 million and ¥15 billion as part of the federal government’s proposed 2025–2026 external borrowing plan.

Also, the request consists of a grant of €65 million to be included in the federal government’s external borrowing plan.

The president’s request was contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the plenary on Tuesday.

In the letter, Mr Tinubu said that the funds will be used to create employment, promote skill acquisition, enhance entrepreneurship, reduce poverty, and boost food security.

He emphasised that the proposed projects and programmes are designed to have a nationwide impact, spanning all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This fresh loan comes as Nigeria’s total public debt stood at N144.7 trillion (approximately $94.2 billion), according to Debt Management Office December 2024 data.

A breakdown of the existing public debt showed that about 51.4 percent of the total (N74.4 trillion) is domestic debt, while 48.6 percent (N70.3 trillion) is external debt

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US military strikes in Nigeria killed 155 Lakurawa terrorists -Report

Dando Sibu, a key Lakurawa commander, is reported to have survived the attack because he left the location less than five minutes before the second missile was fired.

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Military strikes conducted by the US in December 2025 killed 155 Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoro, a report by The New Humanitarian has claimed.

The US focus was Lakurawa though the strikes didn’t touch other jihadist groups including Boko Haram, as well as the al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru.

The publication also claimed that the attacks left 200 additional Lakurawa fighters missing in the week following the operation.

The strikes, carried out in collaboration with Nigerian authorities, were believed to have involved Tomahawk missiles launched from a US destroyer positioned in the Gulf of Guinea.

The missiles targeted three districts in Sokoto State: Isa, Tangaza, and Tambuwal, though only Tangaza is widely recognised as a core area of Lakurawa.

It is believed that Tambuwal is not generally associated with organised armed violence; while Isa is a bandit stronghold largely controlled by Bello Turji.

Although details of the strike on Isa remain unclear, Turji is widely believed to have survived the attack.

A Lakurawa camp in Tangaza, however, reportedly suffered significant losses.

The New Humanitarian reports that there were two missile hits.

The first reportedly killed around 30 fighters. As surviving members converged to assess the damage and assist the wounded, a second missile struck, killing those who had gathered.

In total, an estimated 155 Lakurawa were killed, including 19 who were initially injured but later succumbed to their wounds.

Dando Sibu, a key Lakurawa commander, is reported to have survived the attack because he left the location less than five minutes before the second missile was fired.

However, in the week following the strikes, about 200 Lakurawa fighters were reported missing. The group was also said to have lost nearly half of its cattle, which is a major source of its revenue.

(The Sun)

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Curfew, restriction for Akran of Badagry’s burial rites

Residents said the rites would affect social and commercial activities around the palace and may force many residents especially those working outside Badagry to return home early.

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Following the death of the 89-year-old monarch, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, the Akran of Badagry., restrictions have been imposed on vehicular movements around the palace vicinity with some sections of the road leading to the place barricaded.

Commuters were said to be directed to take alternative routes.

Sources said the traditional worshippers have started observing rites necessitated by the demise of the monarch.

Security and palace officials were seen restricting movement in the immediate vicinity.

Residents said the rites would affect social and commercial activities around the palace and may force many residents especially those working outside Badagry to return home early.

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Akran of Badagry is dead, aged 89

The demise of the monarch marks the end of his 48-year reign on the throne, making him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Lagos State.

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Photo: Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi

The traditional ruler of the Badagry local government area in Lagos State, the Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi, is dead, aged 89.

The demise of the monarch marks the end of his 48-year reign on the throne, making him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Lagos State.

According to the palace, the Akran was pronounced dead by medical experts, after a brief illness, and the traditional rites for his burial have gradually commenced.

Residents of Badagry, who are currently mourning the loss of their revered monarch, described his death as a heavy blow, noting that the town has lost not just a king but a father figure whose wisdom, counsel and presence brought reassurance in moments of uncertainty.

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