Tag: United States

MURIC slams proposed US sanctions on Nigerian Muslim leaders

Aminu Imam
MURIC on US sanctions

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly criticised a proposed United States Bill seeking sanctions against prominent Muslim figures and organisations in Nigeria, describing the move as discriminatory and biased. Five US lawmakers recently introduced legislation that would impose visa bans and asset freezes on former Kano State governor and NNPP leader, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti-Allah Kautal Hore. Reacting in a statement on Thursday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the sanctions unfairly target Muslims while…

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U.S. eyes North for drone-refueling hub to monitor Sahel insurgencies

Aminu Imam
US eyes North

On Monday, February 9, 2026, reports emerged that the United States is in advanced negotiations with the Nigerian government to establish a dedicated drone refueling and logistics outpost in Northern Nigeria.  This strategic move, which follows the arrival of a “small team” of U.S. military officers in Abuja last week, is designed to restore American Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities that were severely degraded following the 2024 withdrawal from Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger. Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, confirmed that the new…

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U.S. deploys ground troops to Nigeria, as terror attacks escalate

Aminu Imam
U.S. deploys ground troops

The United States (U.S) has deployed a small team of ground troops to Nigeria to support the fight against Islamic militants, marking the first confirmed presence of American forces on Nigerian soil since U.S. airstrikes carried out during the Christmas period. The deployment was confirmed on Tuesday by the Commander of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Dagvin R. M. Anderson, who said the move followed joint assessments by Washington and Abuja that more coordinated action was needed to counter the growing terrorist threat in West Africa. He, however, declined…

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Senate to hold briefing on US strikes in Nigeria

Aminu Imam
Senate to hold

…As Ningi queries alleged NASS exclusion  The 10th Senate has disclosed plans to hold an executive briefing over the December 25 United States air str!kes on terrorist targets in Sokoto State, following concerns raised by Senator Abdul Ningi on the alleged exclusion of the National Assembly from discussions preceding the operation. Raising the issue under Order 42 (Matters of Privilege) during plenary, Senator Ningi, an opposition lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, argued that the air strikes amounted to an infringement on Nigeria’s territorial integrity and should have involved legislative oversight. He…

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US earmarks $413m for Nigeria, Africa security operations

Aminu Imam
US earmarks for security operations

…As Army seeks stronger partnership  The United States has set aside $413.046 million (about ₦587 billion) for security and counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026, as insecurity worsens across West Africa. The allocation is contained in the US National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, approved under the operation and maintenance component of the US Africa Command, (AFRICOM). The funding comes amid persistent insurgency, banditry and violent extremism across the region, as well as renewed US-backed counter-terrorism efforts, including recent strikes on terrorist hideouts…

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Trump imposes tariffs on Nigeria, 59 others

Aminu Imam
Trump imposes

Sixty countries, including Nigeria, face increased tariffs after United States President Donald Trump launched a reciprocal-tariff programme targeting products and countries with different rates. According to the White House website figures, Nigeria will face a 15% tariff under the programme. It said the plan sets a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the US, with additional duties applying to particular products or countries. China would face a 30 percent tariff, with extra levies on some products, while Brazil is listed at 50 percent, with lower levels for specific sectors,…

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U.S. Court orders release of seized $6m arms funds to Nigeria

Aminu Imam
U.S. Court orders

Nigeria has successfully reclaimed over $6 million from the United States  (US) government, following a prolonged legal battle spanning nearly a decade. The funds were originally seized in 2014 after an arms broker, Dolarian Capital Inc. (DCI), attempted to supply military equipment to Nigeria without the necessary U.S. government license. The U.S. authorities cited a violation of the Arms Export Control Act, leading to the seizure. On December 23, 2024, the U.S. District Court for Eastern California ruled in favour of Nigeria, issuing a permanent order of forfeiture and confirming…

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“US expanding biological warfare activity across Africa” – Russia

Aminu Imam
Russian on US

Documents available to the Russian Ministry of Defense indicate that the United States is significantly increasing its biological warfare activities on the African continent, Deputy Chief of Russias Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops, Major General Aleksey Rtishchev, revealed yesterday. “The documents at our disposal confirm that the US biological warfare presence on the African continent is growing at a rapid pace. Research institutes of the US Department of Defense actively work in the region,” Rtishchev indicated during a briefing. He highlighted that branches of the US National Naval Medical…

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US govt. tells court ‘Tinubu is CIA asset’

Aminu Imam
US govt. tells court

Says Nigerians have no right to access Presidents past records In a recent ruling by the United States (US) District Court for the District of Columbia, American intelligence agencies asserted that Nigerians have no right to unfiltered access to information regarding President Bola Tinubus past, particularly concerning alleged drug trafficking investigations. The case, which has sparked controversy, centres around requests for full disclosure from the CIA, FBI, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on records tied to Tinubu. According to reports, this development stems from a motion filed by Nigerian journalist,…

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US places $25,000 bounty on fleeing Nigerian suspect on murdertrial

Aminu Imam
US places $25,000 bounty

The United States of America has announced a reward of $25,000 for anyone who could provide it with information that could lead to the arrest of Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, a Nigerian, who is reportedly facing trial for the alleged murder of his own son. According to a statement by Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Don Freeman, on the agencys website, Olawusi is now listed among the 15 ‘most wanted fugitives in the country. Freeman revealed that Olawusi, who previously resided in Rhode Island, was initially arraigned on two counts: first-degree murder…

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