News
Outrage as Borno Govt Spends N2.6 Billion on ‘Repentant’ Boko Haram Members
Fresh controversy has erupted in Borno State after revelations that the government spent N2.6 billion on the welfare of so-called “repentant” Boko Haram members within just nine months of 2025.
Diaspora Digital Media gathered that analysis of the Borno State budget performance document for the third quarter of 2025 showed that the payments were made under the category “livelihood support for repentant Boko Haram members.”
The report revealed that N758.1 million of the total was spent between July and September alone.
This comes at a time when critical public services in the state, including healthcare, remain severely underfunded.
According to the same document, the Borno Primary Healthcare Development Board spent only N2.076 billion out of its N8.7 billion capital expenditure allocation for the year.
Similarly, the Hospitals Management Board received a budget of N10.5 billion, yet only N1.2 billion was utilized as of the third quarter.
The figures have triggered public anger over what many see as misplaced priorities in a state still battling devastating attacks from Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
Earlier, Sahara Reporters had published an exclusive detailing how frontline soldiers in Borno and Yobe accused some “repentant” insurgents of betraying military operations.
The soldiers claimed these individuals leak sensitive operational details including troop movement and weapon storage to active terrorist cells.
One soldier alleged that the leaks often precede major Boko Haram attacks, leaving troops exposed.
“They tell them where our armoury is, our daily routine, and even when we stand guard,” he said.
Despite these alarming claims, the Borno State Government continues to invest billions in rehabilitation and reintegration programs for repentant fighters.
Governor Babagana Zulum has repeatedly defended the initiative, stating that over 300,000 repentant insurgents have surrendered in the last three years.
He has also acknowledged that not all of them were fighters, adding that some were farmers caught in the conflict.
However, Zulum has also warned that Boko Haram and ISWAP remain heavily supported by international networks, exploiting porous borders in the Sahel.
He stressed the need for the Nigerian military to acquire advanced air power, including attack drones and anti-drone systems, to counter the insurgents’ growing sophistication.
He said, “If the Sahel is not secured, Nigeria will never be secured. We need air support and modern weapons to end this crisis.”
Yet, critics argue that pouring billions into welfare for former fighters while hospitals, schools, and rural communities suffer defeats the purpose of rebuilding the state.
Many citizens are now questioning whether the “repentance program” has become a drain on public resources rather than a path to peace.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a severe crisis, with a faction loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike expelling several high-ranking members, including Governors Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed, and Dauda Lawal, as well as former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Senator Adolphus Wabara and recently elected National Chairman Kabiru Turaki.
This move follows the controversial PDP national convention in Ibadan, where Wike and his loyalists were expelled from the party.
The expelled members are accused of anti-party activities, disobedience to court orders, and conduct bringing the party into disrepute.
The factional National Executive Committee also dissolved state executive councils in Oyo, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, and Ekiti States, directing caretaker committees and fresh congresses.
This crisis has sparked concerns about the party’s future, with some analysts describing it as “heading to Golgotha”.
The PDP’s internal conflicts have led to defections, weakened its opposition stance, and raised questions about its viability in future elections.
The Peoples Democratic Party faction loyal to FCT minister Nyesom Wike has taken over the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
The takeover of the party’s secretariat was reportedly ahead of a parallel meeting scheduled for the same venue by the faction that held its national convention in Ibadan over the weekend.
Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the pro-Wike faction, arrived at the secretariat with some members of his group.
Shortly after, members of the Taminu Turaki-led faction also arrived but were blocked from entering.
Reports indicate that two governors from the Turaki faction forced their way into the building.
Security operatives responded by firing gunshots and releasing teargas to disperse remaining members, triggering panic and confusion as attendees scrambled for safety.
While speaking to newsmen before the arrival of the Turaki faction, Anyanwu described the security presence as routine, aimed at maintaining order during Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings. He confirmed that his faction was prepared to hold the meetings as scheduled
US Senator Ted Cruz is taking further action regarding the alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria.
This follows President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to widespread violence and mass murder of Christians.
Trump also warned that the US military might intervene to eliminate Islamic extremists responsible for the killings.
Cruz plans to impose targeted sanctions on Nigerian government officials aiding terrorism.
He stated, “The next step is putting targeted sanctions on particular government officials; government officials who are complicit in what is happening.”
Cruz highlighted that 12 Nigerian states have Sharia and blasphemy laws, which are used to persecute Christians.
Cruz’s Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act aims to hold accountable Nigerian officials facilitating Islamist jihadist violence and enforcing blasphemy laws.
The bill would impose sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on these officials.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has denied allegations of Christian persecution, attributing violence to complex security issues and criminality.
Cruz, however, claimed the government is aware of policies fueling persecution but chooses media manipulation over accountability.
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