News
Niger coup: ECOWAS deadline sparks anxiety in northern Nigeria
Last Sunday, West African leaders gave the coup leaders a week to comply with its demands or it would “take all measures… [which] may include the use of force”.
But in Niger’s neighbour, Nigeria – where the bulk of the troops are likely to come from – voices against the involvement of the military are growing louder.
The two countries also have close ethnic and historical ties.
On Saturday, Nigeria’s senate urged the government to look at “political and diplomatic options”.
And in the northern Nigerian city of Sokoto, bordering Niger, which is home to the army’s 8 Division, the anxiety is increasing.
It sits on a major junction on the road leading to Niger and is likely to be a mustering point for troops before any military action.
The serenity of Sokoto’s residential neighbourhoods belies the heightened tension in the city and the wider north-western state.
One aspect feeding this is that – according to locals – one in every five residents in Sokoto is from Niger or has connections with the country.
Sokoto city’s sprawling suburb of Sabon-Gari Girafshi is predominantly inhabited by people from Niger. They fear that military intervention by ECOWAS could greatly affect their family members and even jeopardise their own security here in Nigeria.
Fifty-one-year-old jewellery maker Sulaiman Ibrahim lives in one of the fenced and gated compounds.
One of his wives and some of his children are in Niger’s capital, Niamey, trapped there because of last month’s coup.
“Now I want to call my wife Fatima to hear from her, because since the day of that coup, I have not heard from her,” he tells the BBC, gripping his phone in his left hand.
He scrolls through his contacts and dials the wife’s number again.
Each call returns with the same message: “The number you are calling is not available at this time.”
“Every time I called, this is what they’re telling me, either no service or whatever, I don’t know,” he says in anguish, unable to hide his concern.
“If military action is going to be taken on Niger, this will bring more anxiety. I’m in terrible situation because my family is not with me and I don’t have any information about them.”
He opens the photo app on his phone to show his 18-year-old son and one of his siblings.
“Here is my son Mustapha, he’s currently in Niger. This is his younger brother, he’s six years old, they’re with their mother.”
Sulaiman is not alone.
Daily he meets with other neighbours from Niger to check if anyone has got news from home.
Mohamdu Ousman 43, echoed the sentiments of many here that the use of force to restore the ousted president in Niamey could be catastrophic.
“For ECOWAS to go to Niger with the intention to take back power from the military to civilians, we don’t wish for that, God forbid. It’s like erasing our history,” he told the BBC.
Zainab Saidu, 59, hails from the Nigerien city of Dosso, but has lived most of her life in Sokoto after getting married to a Nigerian man. Her youngest son is currently in Niger and she fears for his safety.
“I’m disturbed, I swear we’re in fear all of us, everyone who is from Niger. Everybody is terrified most especially when we heard that Nigeria [might] go to Niger for a war purpose,” she says.
On Friday, West African military chiefs said they had agreed a plan for possible military intervention, but Ecowas continues to push for a diplomatic solution.
In an effort to apply other pressure, the regional bloc has also imposed sanctions on the coup leaders and closed the borders into Niger. In addition, Nigeria has cut electricity supplies to its northern neighbour.
But this has meant that those on the Nigerian side of the border are also affected.
One border town that is feeling the impact is Illela, about 135km (85 miles) from Sokoto city.
It’s a commercial hub, but is currently wearing the look of a community under economic stress.
At its entrance, there are long lines of stranded vehicles, mainly large lorries with their loads covered with tarpaulin to shelter them from the rain and the sun.
Gathered in the shade of the lorries are drivers either sleeping or sitting with their phones or radios, waiting for news of the latest developments about the border.
One of the drivers, Abdullahi, dressed in a T-shirt and faded blue jeans, is holding a sachet of water.
“I have been stranded here for the past three days,” he says.
“I have exhausted myself financially. Now I don’t have any money. A friend bought food for me this morning. That’s why you see me holding the water. I have been calling my boss to explain my plight and to let me know that the border closure has affected me, but he’s not responding to my calls.”
His colleagues also look tired and resigned.
They could face a long wait and the goods that they are carrying could perish, costing the business owners huge sums of money.
Others whose businesses have been seriously hit include Ado Garba Dankwaseri.
The 42-year-old often travels into Niger to buy ice blocks to supply to traders in Illela selling water and soft drinks who need to keep things cool.
But Ado Garba’s business has been hit hard and he is unable to make the trips to Niger for his supplies.
“I make 100,000 naira ($130; £100) a day with my supplies. But right now, I cannot cross the border. There are soldiers, police and custom and immigration officers stationed everywhere. You cross the border at your own peril,” the ice trader says.
Customs officials met some of the business people in Illela on Friday to try to address their concerns and talk about why the closure was necessary.
“There’s no sacrifice too big as long as they are able to achieve peace and democracy within the sub-region. The community understands the reason behind the border closure,” says Bashir Adewale Adeniyi from the customs service.
But the patience of people in Illela and elsewhere in Sokoto is being tested – and so far, there has been little obvious sign that Niger’s coup leaders are willing to back down. (BBC)
The United States has designated a Nigerian national and three companies operating in the country as alleged financial facilitators of activities linked to the terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
They were designated in the latest action, which targeted a total of three individuals and six entities accused of facilitating the movement of funds for ISIS operations globally.
In a statement issued on Monday and sighted on Tuesday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, said designations cut across France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria.
He described the network as one that enables ISIS to move money across borders.
“Today’s designations target three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa who have enabled ISIS to move money across borders — exposing a network that spans from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria.
“Among those designated is a France-based facilitator who provided information concerning the use of explosives to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based operator who used cryptocurrency to transfer funds on behalf of ISIS associates in multiple countries, including the United States, and a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses served as conduits for ISIS financing,” the statement added.
In a further update released on Monday, the US released the identities of the three persons and six companies designated.
Apart from the Nigerian national, three of the six designated companies are also from Nigeria, two from Lagos State and one from Kano.
Full List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)
ABDELHAKIM, Boukich (a.k.a. “ALHOLANDI, Abu Sulayman”; “BABILI, Muhammad”); Syria; DOB 15 Dec 1993 (alt. 01 Jan 1991); POB The Hague, Netherlands (alt. Aleppo, Syria); nationality Netherlands; male; National ID No. 02040063438 (Syria) [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
ABDERRAHMANE, Miloud (a.k.a. “GHAZI, Ibrahim”); France; DOB Aug 1992; nationality/citizenship France; male; Digital Currency Addresses: TRX TBXMiRqUp1XH1zLazWu8cWitMAScv4HsYq; TRX TDFj8tYzfLDkwEMo4MJ2DfrbpMztuCCnan [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
MUHAMMAD, Mukhtar Adamu (a.k.a. ADAMU, Mukhtar; MUKHTAR, Muhammad); No. 45 Abimbola Street, off Capital Road, Morcas Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria; DOB 02 Aug 1990 (alt. 03 Aug 1990); nationality Nigeria; male; Passport Nos. A11904741; A07422697 [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS-WEST AFRICA).
ALKARAM DANISMANLIK GAYRIMENKUL IC VE DIS GENEL TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI (a.k.a. AL-KARAM COMPANY; AL-KARAM MONEY TRANSFER COMPANY; SPIDER COMPANY ISTANBUL EXCHANGE RATES); Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
BITCOIN EXCHANGE AGENT IDLIB’S NO.1 COIN EXCHANGE (a.k.a. IDLIB NO 1 BTC; NO.1 BITCOIN EXCHANGE AGENT; BITCOIN XCHANGE); Idlib, Salqin, Darkush, Sarmada, Syria; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
GENERATION CURRENCY BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; Lagos, Nigeria; RC 1555604; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
MANHATTAN BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; No. 59 Murtala Mohammed Way, Wapa, Kano, Nigeria; RC 1763824; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
NINE TO NINE EXCHANGE BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria; RC 1462752; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
SPIDER GAYRIMENKUL VE GENEL TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI (a.k.a. SPIDER MONEY TRANSFER COMPANY; SPIDER TICARET); Istanbul, Türkiye; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
The U.S. reaffirmed its “strong partnership with Nigeria,” which joined the United States in the May 16, 2026, operation that resulted in the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the number two official in ISIS.
Pigott said the United States would continue to apply diplomatic and legal measures against ISIS and its supporters worldwide.
“We will continue to use every diplomatic and legal tool available to hold ISIS and its supporters accountable — wherever they operate and however they move money. We remain fully committed to protecting American lives, defending religious minorities, and working with international partners to eliminate the threat that ISIS poses to global peace and security,” he said.
The action, according to the statement, was taken under Executive Order 13224, as amended.
It also noted that ISIS, formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation in 2004. (PUNCH)
Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse [Right], former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, died while in kidnappers’ den
Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse, the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, has tragically died while in captivity after being abducted by bandits earlier in June 2026.
He was held alongside another captive, identified as Yahya, in the notorious Birnin Gwari forest in North-West Nigeria—a region long plagued by banditry and violent criminal activity.
A disturbing video circulated widely on social media showed Besse and Yahya pleading desperately for help.
In the footage, Besse confirmed his past role as APC Chairman but clarified that he no longer held the position.
Both men appeared visibly frail and weak, lamenting their deteriorating health conditions.
They appealed to relatives, community leaders, and government authorities to intervene and secure their release.
The video sparked outrage and sympathy across Nigeria, drawing attention to the vulnerability of even prominent figures in the face of unchecked banditry.
On June 23, 2026, reports confirmed that both captives—Besse and Yahya—had died in the kidnappers’ den.
Their deaths have left families, political associates, and the wider community devastated.
The incident has reignited debates about the government’s handling of security in Kebbi State and across Nigeria’s North-West.
The tragedy underscores the deepening insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, where bandit groups continue to terrorize communities through abductions, extortion, and killings.
It highlights the failure of negotiation and ransom-driven approaches, which often embolden criminal gangs rather than deter them.
Analysts warn that the incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms, stronger intelligence gathering, and coordinated military action.
Community leaders have called for decisive government intervention.
They stressed that the persistence of such crimes erodes public trust in governance and threatens national stability.
A Kebbi State official expressed grief in a heartfelt statement:
“I have received the heartbreaking news that one of the victims abducted by bandits, a former APC Chairman of Koko/Besse Local Government, has sadly passed away while in the hands of his captors.
“I extend my deepest condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and all those affected by this painful loss.
“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, shower His infinite mercy upon him, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
“May Allah also comfort his family and grant them the strength to bear this difficult loss.”
The official further prayed for an end to the persistent insecurity troubling Kebbi State and Nigeria as a whole.
He urged for lasting peace, safety, and stability in affected communities.
The death of Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse and his associate Yahya in captivity has sparked outrage and renewed calls for urgent solutions to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Their passing is a grim reminder of the human toll of banditry, the fragility of life under such conditions, and the pressing need for decisive action to restore peace and stability in Kebbi State and across Nigeria.
…Rain Oil leads cuts with N18/litre reduction
…Diesel prices crash by up to N70/litre
Depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, eased across several terminals in Lagos yesterday as petroleum marketers adjusted prices amid shifting supply dynamics in Nigeria’s downstream oil market.
The latest market data showed a broad-based decline in Lagos, with most major depots reducing their ex-depot prices by between N1 and N18 per litre, while diesel prices recorded even steeper reductions in some locations.
The price movement comes as competition among petroleum product suppliers continues to influence market pricing, particularly with increased domestic refining capacity.
The Dangote Refinery remained relatively stable, with its Lagos PMS price inching up marginally from N1,175 per litre to N1,176 per litre, a difference of just N1.
However, several other terminals reduced prices. Rain Oil recorded the biggest cut among Lagos depots, lowering its petrol price by N18 from N1,180 to N1,162 per litre.
A.A Rano also reduced its price from N1,165 to N1,161 per litre, while AIPEC and Bono moved down from N1,165 to N1,160 per litre.
NIPCO cut its PMS price by N4 from N1,165 to N1,161 per litre, while AITEO adjusted slightly downward from N1,161 to N1,160 per litre.
Other terminals including Masters, Matrix, Sigmund and T.S.L also recorded declines, reinforcing the downward trend in the Lagos depot market.
Masters reduced petrol from N1,203 to N1,197 per litre, Matrix moved from N1,205 to N1,197 per litre, while Sigmund and T.S.L adjusted their prices from N1,200 to N1,195 per litre.
Despite the general decline in Lagos, some terminals in other regions recorded increases, reflecting regional supply and logistics differences. In Port Harcourt, Africanterminal raised its PMS price from N1,495 to N1,505 per litre, while Duport increased from N1,490 to N1,505 per litre.
Gulftreasure and T.Time were quoted at N1,505 per litre, while Dangote’s Port Harcourt terminal recorded a slight reduction from N1,501 to N1,500 per litre.
The diesel market recorded a more significant shift, particularly in Port Harcourt, where prices fell sharply at some depots. Matrix reduced automotive gas oil (AGO) from N1,630 to N1,560 per litre, representing a N70 drop, while Sigmund cut its diesel price by N68 from N1,628 to N1,560 per litre.
In Lagos, AGO prices also softened at some terminals, with Matrix reducing diesel from N1,630 to N1,560 per litre, while Sigmund moved from N1,628 to N1,560 per litre.
Meanwhile, Calabar recorded a slight upward movement in petrol prices. Mainland depot increased PMS from N1,187 to N1,190 per litre, while Northwest moved from N1,190 to N1,195 per litre.
The Chief Executive officer, Petroleumprice.com, Olatide Jeremiah, said the latest adjustments highlight the increasingly competitive nature of Nigeria’s petroleum products market, where local refining output, depot inventories and transportation costs continue to determine price movements.
He said: “With more domestic supply entering the market, especially from major refining facilities, marketers are expected to continue reviewing depot prices in response to changing supply conditions.
“The immediate impact on consumers will depend on how quickly the reductions at depot level translate into retail pump prices, as marketers factor in haulage expenses, operating costs and profit margins.” (Vanguard)
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