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Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former president and military leader, died on Sunday. He left an indelible mark through his anti-corruption stance, controversial policies, and transformative initiatives.

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Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former president and military leader, died on Sunday. He left an indelible mark through his anti-corruption stance, controversial policies, and transformative initiatives.

Here are 50 astonishing facts about his remarkable life and legacy.

1. Born in Daura: Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Nigeria, to a Muslim Fulani family.

2. Twenty-Third Child: He was the 23rd child of Mallam Hardo Adamu, a Fulani chieftain, and his mother, Zulaihat.

3. Named After a Scholar: His name honours Muhammad al-Bukhari, a renowned 9th-century Islamic scholar.

4. Orphaned Early: Buhari’s father died when he was four, leaving him under the guardianship of Waziri Alhassan.

5. Cattle Rearing: As a child, Buhari helped rear cattle while attending Qur’anic school in Daura.

6. Scholarship to UK: In 1960, he won a scholarship from Elder Dempster Lines for a summer visit to the United Kingdom.

7. Headboy in School: He served as house captain and headboy during his secondary education at Katsina Provincial Secondary School.

8. Military Ambition: Inspired by junior officer Hassan Katsina, Buhari joined the Nigerian military instead of pursuing a medical degree.

9. Young Cadet: At 19, he was among 70 boys selected for the Nigerian Military Training College in 1962.

10. Trained in England: Buhari underwent officer cadet training at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England, in 1962–1963.

11. Commissioned Young: He was commissioned as a second lieutenant at age 20 in January 1963.

12. Nigerian Civil War: Buhari served in the 1st Division during the Nigerian Civil War, participating in key battles in Ogoja and Nsukka.

13. Heavy Casualties: His unit suffered significant losses protecting food supply routes during the war’s Awka sector operations.

14. 1975 Coup: Buhari was part of the coup that brought General Murtala Mohammed to power in 1975.

15. Governor at 32: He became the first Governor of Borno State in 1976 at age 32 after the North-Eastern State split.

16. Petroleum Commissioner: Appointed Federal Commissioner for Petroleum in 1976, he oversaw major infrastructure investments.

17. NNPC Chairman: Buhari was the first chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation from 1977 to 1978.

18. US Army War College: He earned a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1980.

19. 1983 Coup Leader: Buhari led the military coup that overthrew the Second Nigerian Republic in December 1983.

20. Head of State: He served as Nigeria’s military head of state from December 1983 to August 1985.

21. War Against Indiscipline: Launched in 1984, his War Against Indiscipline (WAI) aimed to enforce public morality and civic responsibility.

22. Harsh Decrees: His regime’s Decree Number 2 allowed detention without charges for up to three months.

23. Press Crackdown: Decree Number 4 in 1984 targeted journalists with fines and jail for publishing “false” reports.

24. Fela Kuti’s Arrest: Buhari’s government jailed musician Fela Kuti for 18 months on charges Amnesty International called “spurious.”

25. Mass Retrenchment: About 200,000 civil servants were retrenched under his administration by October 1984.

26. Anti-Corruption Purge: Over 500 politicians, officials, and businessmen were jailed for corruption during his 20-month rule.

27. Economic Reforms: His Buharism policy promoted import substitution and self-employment but led to industrial slowdowns.

28. IMF Rejection: Buhari refused IMF demands to devalue the naira by 60%, opting for stricter domestic reforms.

29. Expulsion of Migrants: In 1985, his regime expelled 700,000 illegal foreigners, sparking a crisis named “El Buhari” in Niger.

30. 1985 Coup: Overthrown by Ibrahim Babangida in August 1985, Buhari was detained in Benin City until 1988.

31. Detention Conditions: He spent three years in a guarded bungalow with access to a two-channel television.

32. Katsina Foundation: Post-detention, Buhari became the pioneer chairman of the Katsina Foundation to promote development.

33. PTF Chairman: As Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund in the 1990s, he oversaw transparent developmental projects.

34. Multiple Presidential Runs: Buhari contested for president in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before winning in 2015.

35. Historic Victory: His 2015 win marked the first time an incumbent Nigerian president (Goodluck Jonathan) lost re-election.

36. 2019 Re-election: Buhari defeated Atiku Abubakar by over 3 million votes in the 2019 presidential election.

37. Health Challenges: He sought medical treatment in the UK multiple times, including a 104-day stay in 2017.

38. Boko Haram Fight: His administration secured the release of 103 Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2016–2017.

39. Anti-Corruption War: Over 600 figures, including judges and military officers, were convicted for corruption from 2015 to 2020.

40. Social Welfare Program: Launched the National Social Investment Program in 2016 to support vulnerable populations.

41. N-Power Initiative: His N-Power program provided job training and stipends to young Nigerians to boost employment.

42. Ruga Controversy: His administration’s Ruga policy to settle Fulani herders was suspended due to opposition from southern states.

43. Twitter Ban: In 2021, his government banned Twitter after it deleted his post threatening violence against Biafra insurgents.

44. Signature Forgery: A 2023 lawsuit revealed a $6.2 million theft from the Central Bank using Buhari’s forged signature.

45. First Lady Office: He vowed to abolish the First Lady office in 2014 but allowed Aisha Buhari to operate it.

46. Controversial Remark: In 2016, Buhari said his wife “belongs to my kitchen” while standing next to Angela Merkel.

47. Plagiarism Scandal: His 2016 speech for the “Change Begins With Me” campaign was found to be plagiarized from Obama’s 2009 speech.

48. Chadian Incursion: In 1983, he pursued Chadian forces into their territory against President Shagari’s orders.

49. Umaru Dikko Affair: His regime attempted to kidnap Umaru Dikko from London in 1984, foiled by British authorities.

50. Peaceful Handover: In 2023, Buhari handed over power to Bola Tinubu, retiring to his farm in Daura.

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Constituency projects fund should go to security – Ex-Defense spokesman, Enenche

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A former Defense spokesman, Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) has said that the money given to lawmakers for constituency projects should go to security instead.

General Enenche made this statement in an interview on ‘Sunday Politics’, a program on Channels Television monitored by Ekwutosblog

He was reacting to the wave of insecurity bedeviling the country where people are being kidnapped, including women and schoolchildren.

 

“I want to suggest that money given to lawmakers for constituency projects should go to security instead. If you don’t save the constituency, what project will you do there?

“Let’s adopt indigenous homeland security and recruit our youths even someone living with HIV or hepatitis can join the force.

“What I would suggest is that you don’t need special recruitment. You don’t need special screening. Somebody carrying HIV can be part of that force. Somebody carry hepatitis can be part of that force, but they will not even go into the Army. No, they want to live where God has put them,” he said.

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VIDEO: IT’S ALL FALSE , THERE IS NO SUSPECT IN ANTI-KIDNAPPING UNIT [TIGER BASE] OWERRI THAT HAS STAYED IN CUSTODY FOR MORE THAN 48- HOURS WITHOUT COURT ORDER. — IMO POLICE PPRO RESPONDS TO DETENTION ACCUSATIONS DURING FACILITY INSPECTION BY PRESS MEN.

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By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke

7- DEC- 2025

 

The Imo State Police Command on Friday, December 5, 2025, opened the doors of its Anti-Kidnapping Unit—widely known as Tiger Base—to an independent inspection team made up of journalists, civil society groups, and human rights advocates, following viral allegations of organ trafficking, torture, unlawful detentions, and the existence of a “slaughterhouse” within the facility.

Acting on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, and the Commander of the Unit, ACP Odeyeyiwa Oladimeji, led the fact-finding delegation through all sections of the premises in Owerri. The visit was designed to ensure transparency and address public concerns generated by several sensational online reports.

Throughout the tour, the delegation inspected operational areas, observed procedures, and engaged directly with officers. In one corner of the compound, the team sighted carved wooden images previously misrepresented on social media as ritual objects or a shrine. Police authorities explained that these carvings—made of wood, iron, and cement—were exhibits recovered from hideouts linked to suspected IPOB/ESN operatives and kidnapping gangs across Imo State. According to ACP Oladimeji, the criminals believed the objects held mystical powers, and the police retained them as evidence for ongoing investigations.

The visitors also interacted with several detainees, including individuals suspected of involvement in kidnapping and other violent crimes. Many of them openly admitted to the offences for which they were arrested and confirmed that they were being fed properly while awaiting their scheduled court processes.

Another item inspected was an ash-coloured Highlander Jeep with plate number LSD 413 JJ. The vehicle, stained with blood, belonged to a woman recently shot dead by masked gunmen at Umuekerekpu Ndegwu in Owerri West LGA. A surviving occupant of the vehicle narrated to reporters how their employer was fatally shot in the head, while both he and another passenger sustained gunshot injuries and were currently receiving medical treatment in Owerri.

At the end of the assessment, members of the visiting delegation unanimously stated that none of the frightening claims circulating online—ranging from organ harvesting to the existence of an abattoir—were visible or supported by what they witnessed.

DSP Okoye emphasized that Tiger Base is a legitimate tactical formation of the Nigeria Police Force tasked with confronting kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, terror-related activities, and other serious crimes. He disclosed that the facility is fitted with CCTV cameras linked directly to the office of the Commissioner of Police, enabling round-the-clock monitoring for accountability.

He reiterated that the allegations trending on social media were malicious distortions aimed at misleading the public. The human skulls displayed earlier in 2025, he clarified, were exhibits recovered from criminal hideouts—not evidence of ritual practices, as some had falsely claimed.

ACP Oladimeji further noted that the unit handles only high-profile criminal cases and operates newly commissioned charge rooms and tactical units dedicated to strengthening security across Imo State. The team also observed dozens of seized motorcycles, which the police said were confiscated in compliance with the Imo State Government’s ban on motorcycle operations within the Owerri metropolis under the Shared Prosperity Administration.

The inspection team applauded the Police Command for permitting unrestricted access to Tiger Base and underscored the importance of ongoing cooperation between security institutions, the media, and civic groups to maintain public trust and enhance safety across the state.

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TENSION IN ABIA COMMUNITY AS POLICE PROBE MURDER OF MISSING 25-YEAR OLD YOUTH WHO’S BODY WAS FOUND HEADLESS, SIX ARRESTED.

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By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
7- DEC- 2025

A cloud of sorrow and outrage has settled over Amangwo Umuigu in Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, after the decomposing, headless remains of 25-year-old Solomon Ikoku were discovered weeks after his disappearance. Ikoku, who went missing on September 27, 2025, was reportedly abducted during the community’s New Yam Festival in a violent early-morning raid.

Residents recounted that armed men—believed to be members of a controversial vigilante outfit—stormed the family home at about 5 a.m., assaulting the young man before dragging him away. After weeks of unanswered questions and failed searches, community youths launched a coordinated hunt on October 27, which led to the tragic discovery of Solomon’s remains in a shallow waterway on the outskirts of the village. His leg and other body parts were later found scattered in nearby bushes, deepening the community’s grief.

Members of the search team described the scene as horrifying. One volunteer, who spoke anonymously, said the discovery of Ikoku’s bones and the clothes he wore on the morning of his disappearance left them heartbroken.

The incident has triggered widespread anger, with many residents pointing accusations at the village’s disbanded vigilante group, allegedly loyal to the community’s traditional ruler, Eze Larry Agwu. Critics claim the group operated with impunity and may have been responsible for the abduction and brutal killing.

However, Eze Agwu has firmly rejected the allegations, calling them politically motivated falsehoods linked to an ongoing kingship dispute within the community. According to him, the vigilante group acted independently and had been inaugurated years earlier by village authorities and security agencies. He insisted he neither ordered nor endorsed any attack on the late Ikoku.

The monarch further explained that he was informed by the group that the victim’s sister had allegedly sought their help after the young man threatened their mother—an account strongly disputed by Ikoku’s family. The deceased’s brother, Victor, accused the vigilantes of premeditated violence, alleging that his brother’s body was burnt and mutilated, and insisting that no family member invited the group on the night of the incident.

Adding to the controversy, the community chairman, Munachi Onwuchekwa, accused the king of enabling the vigilante group even after the wider community had dissolved it four years earlier due to misconduct. He stated that the group continued to operate under the monarch’s patronage, despite repeated complaints.

As tensions rise, the Abia State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of six suspects linked to the vigilante group, while others remain at large. Among those implicated are Alozie Eluwa, Stanley Okutuo, Godwin Kanu, Maduabuchi Enyinnaya, Godwin Sampson, Emeka Nwagboso, Ikechi Hope, and several others still being sought by authorities.

Police spokesperson Maureen Chinaka called for calm and urged residents to allow the investigative process to proceed without interference. She emphasized that a meticulous probe was necessary given the gravity of the crime, assuring the community that justice would be pursued diligently.

The investigation continues as the community grapples with shock, fear, and calls for accountability following the gruesome killing.

 

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