More than 20,000 people were killed or injured in violent incidents across Nigeria between 2020 and 2024, according to a new report highlighting the country’s worsening security crisis.

The report, published by Nextier, a non-governmental organisation, revealed that Nigeria recorded 5,291 violent incidents during the period, with 43 terrorist attacks and 1,306 bandit assaults in 2024 alone.

At a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, Nextier Managing Partner Dr Ndubuisi Nwokolo said the findings were based on data from the organisation’s Violent Conflicts Database.

Titled “Mutations of Terror and Conflict,” the report identified several external factors likely to shape Nigeria’s security landscape in 2025.

These include the war in Sudan, the expansion of terrorist groups across the Sahel, Nigeria’s strengthening ties with France, electoral outcomes in neighbouring countries, and Russia’s growing influence in Africa.

The report warned that illegal mining in the North West region was fueling armed banditry, making the area increasingly lawless and vulnerable to exploitation.

It also highlighted a surge in kidnappings, with 11,002 abductions recorded between June 2020 and December 2024, making the North West the most affected region.

Conflicts between farmers and herders have remained a major security challenge, particularly in the North Central and North West regions.

The report recorded 2,347 deaths from 359 violent incidents involving farmers and herders between 2020 and 2024.

In 2024 alone, 467 people died in 61 such clashes, with North Central accounting for nearly 90% of the casualties.

Other forms of violence identified in the report include cult clashes, communal conflicts, gunmen attacks, extrajudicial killings, and violent protests. Between 2020 and 2024, 2,988 cult-related clashes resulted in 695 deaths, with incidents peaking in 2022 before declining in 2023 and 2024.

The report urged the Nigerian government to strengthen both military and non-military approaches to tackling terrorism and banditry.

It called for better equipping of security forces and ensuring that increased defence spending translates into improved security outcomes.

It also warned that a newly emerging terrorist group, Lakurawa, could further escalate violence in 2025 and advised the government to enhance its regulatory and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

On the issue of secessionist tensions, the report suggested that the Nigerian government’s handling of the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), could shape the trajectory of separatist agitation. It urged the government to consider his release to distinguish Biafra activists from armed criminals.

According to Nextier, the levels of kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes, and political conflicts in 2025 will depend on several factors, including how well the government implements livestock reforms, manages ethnic tensions, and oversees upcoming elections.

It pointed to ongoing friction between Nigeria’s Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups, political rivalry in Rivers State, and the spread of hate speech as potential sources of instability.

Nigeria’s most prestigious music award, The Headies, has unveiled the nominations list for its 17th edition, with hip-hop artist Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as Odumodublvck, leading the pack.

The highly anticipated announcement, made on Wednesday via the award show’s official X handle, featured a mix of local and international artists who have made significant contributions to the music industry over the past year.

Odumodublvck secured the highest number of nominations with five nods, cementing his dominance in the Nigerian music scene. Following closely behind are Afropop sensation Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, a.k.a Ayra Starr, and street-hop star Crown Uzama, a.k.a Shallipopi, who both earned three nominations each.

Odumodublvck also stands out in the Best Collaboration category, where he competes with two songs alongside industry heavyweights such as Chike, Wizkid, Zlatan, Asa, and Tiwa Savage.

A poignant moment in this year’s nominations is the recognition of the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. Despite his tragic passing on September 12, 2023, Mohbad posthumously secured three nominations, reflecting the lasting impact of his music.

The nominations included categories such as Producer of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Best R&B Single, Rookie of the Year, Best Rap Single, Best Vocal Performance (Female), Music Video of the Year, and Best Collaboration.

Hereunder is the full list of the nominees:

Music Video of the Year
Charm – Rema, Oerlinks and Folarin Oludare
Metaverse – Jyde Ajala
Like Ice Spice – Perlinks and Emeka Shine Shine
Ojapiano – Mattmax
Egwu – Director Pink
Showa – TG Omori
Na Money – Dammy Twitch

Best Vocal Performance (Female)
Ayra Star – Last Heartbreak Song
Niniola – Level
Simi – Stranger
Liya – I’m Done
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow

Best Rap Single
Cast – Odumodu Blvck and Shallipopi
Blood on the dance floor – Bloody Civilian, Wale and Odumodu Blvck
Hallelujah – Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morello
Canada – Magnito
Ije Nwoke – Jeriq

Rookie of the year
Zerry DL
Taves
Kaestyles
Llona

Best R&B single
Qing Madi – Vision
Jonny Drille – For You
Simi – Stranger
Tems – Burning
Ayra Star – Last Heartbreak Song ft Giveon

Songwriter of the Year
Simisola Kosoko – Stranger (Simi)
Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – Vision (Qing Madi)
Michael Ajuma Attah – Can’t Breathe (Llona)
Emoseh Khamofu – Family Meeting (Bloody Civilian)
Fuayefika Maxwell – Stages of Life (Wizard Chan)

Producer of the year
Sarz – Happiness
London – Ozeba
Magicsticks – Basquiat
Rema/Producer X/Cubeats/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
Dibs – Different Pattern

Best Recording of the Year
Tems – Burning
Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
Burna Boy – Higher
Ayra Star and Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
Sarz and Lojay – Billions

Best Collaboration
Emotions – Tiwa Savage ft Asa
Blood on the dance floor – Odumodu Blvck, Bloody Civilian and Wale
Cast – Shallipopi ft Odumodu Blvck
Egwu – Chike ft Mohbad
Ole – Qing Madi ft Bnxn
Twe Twe remix – Kizz Daniel ft Davido
IDK – Wizkid ft Zlatan

Best Street-hop artiste
Seyi Vibez – Different Patterns
Ayo Maff – Dealer ft (Fire Boy)
Shallipopi – Cast ft (Odumodu Blvck)
Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
Mohbad – Ask About me

Afrobeats Single of the Year
Big Big Things – Young John ft Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez
Twe Twe remix – Kizz Daniel ft Davido
Egwu – Chike ft Mohbad
Remember – Asake
Ogechi remix – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel ft Davido
Big Baller – Flavour

The Headies remains a benchmark for excellence in Nigerian music, celebrating the creativity and influence of artists both within and beyond the country’s borders. As the awards ceremony approaches, fans and industry stakeholders eagerly anticipate who will take home the coveted trophies.

A lecturer with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka, Anambra State, Dr Chukwudi Michael Okoye, has broken his silence over the incident leading to his assault by a female student, Precious Mbakwe, following an altercation over a TikTok video.

LEADERSHIP reports that viral videos online featured show the student sbiting, slapping and harassing Okoye, who is a lecturer with the Department of Theater and Film Studies at the Faculty of Arts of the University, after he asked her to give way for his passage while she was making a TikTok video.

The video shows Mbakwe, a third-year History and International Studies student, performing in front of a phone camera when Okoye walked past in the video, tapping her and saying “Excuse me”.

However, the student reacted, gave him a look of disdain and told someone to stop her video angrily. “Can you imagine, he just hit me,” the student said.

However, Okoye, in a brief interview with reporters on Wednesday, recounted that he had only asked the student to delete the video which featured him while passing when all hell was let loose.

“I was leaving a classroom to my office when I saw the lady along the corridor, she was making a TikTok video and I needed to pass. So I just tapped and said ‘excuse me’ and walked off and when she made that insulting comment I had to come back to first ascertain if she was my student in the department.

“And then I needed her to delete the TikTok video. I actually asked her to delete it right in front of me and when she refused I stretched my hand to confiscate the phone.

“I did that to make her say ‘she was from so so department’. And that was when all hell was let loose and the rest like they say is history.”

The lecturer, who refrained from revealing more details, stated that he would not take laws into his hands, instead he has left everything to the University management.

“So that’s all I can say for now, any other action or whatever, I leave that to the committee to sort out,” Okoye concluded.

Meanwhile, the University management has ordered a “full-scale” investigation into the incident.

LEADERSHIP reports that the university stated via a statement signed by its spokesperson that it was taking the incident seriously, urging all concerned parties and members of the public to remain calm.

“In line with our core values of discipline, self-reliance, and excellence, and in adherence to the principles of fair hearing, equity, and justice, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Joseph I. Ikechebelu, has ordered a full-scale, transparent, and unbiased investigation into the matter,” the statement reads in part.

“Nnamdi Azikiwe University remains an institution of learning that upholds high moral and ethical standards. There is no place for indiscipline, misconduct, or any form of unacceptable behaviour within our community,” it added.

After initial delay, the House of Representatives on Wednesday passed for the second reading, the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu on October 3, 2024.

The bills — Nigeria Tax; Nigeria Tax Administration; Nigeria Revenue Service and Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bills, 2024 have been referred to the Committee on Finance for further legislative works after extensive debate on their general principles.

The House had fixed December 3, 2024 for the debate on the general principles (second reading) of the bills, but that was postponed indefinitely.

The bills had been a subject of controversy, with Northern Governors’ Forum rejecting the new derivation-based model for Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution proposed in one of the bills when they insisted that the provision did not align with the interests of the North and other sub-national entities.

Article 77 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024 provides that: “Notwithstanding any formula that may be prescribed by any other law, the net revenue accruing by virtue of the operation of chapter six of the Nigeria Tax Act (VAT) shall be distributed as follows – (a) 10% to the Federal Government; (b) 55% to the State Governments and the Federal Capital Territory; and (c) 35% to the Local Governments.

“Provided that 60% of the amount standing to the credit of states and local governments shall be distributed among them on the basis of derivation.”

However, there was a twist in the event when the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) threw its weight behind the tax reform bills, but insisted that the revised VAT sharing formula must ensure equitable distribution of resources of 50% based on equality, 30% based on derivation, and 20% based on population.

Barely 24 hours after Speaker Abbas Tajudeen told the leadership of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) which paid him a courtesy call on Tuesday that the “House is a pro-business legislature, and that is why we are at the centre of supporting Mr. President on the tax reforms,” the bills were listed for second reading on Wednesday.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bills which were main business of the day after their consolidation, the House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), hailed President Tinubu for summoning the courage to address the issue of reforming the tax sector hampered by multiple collections, taxations and other problems.

Ihonvbere said bills seek to essentially ensure a total overhaul and modernisation of the tax system which was chronically outdated and one of the most backwards on earth, thereby driving the economic transformation to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

“The focus of the tax reform bills essentially is to ensure a total overhaul and modernisation of the tax system which is chronically outdated and one of the most backwards on earth. Second, to drive the economic transformation that we will all be part, trying to refocus, redirect the principles of production and accumulation and exchange in order to improve the lives of the ordinary person empower our citizens and support households.

“Enhance revenue mobilisation and ensure a conducive and competitive environment for investment. Many can complain that investors have being paying taxes to almost 10 and sometimes 15 different agencies without receipts sometimes.

“The Nigerian Tax administration bill provides the legal basis for tax management. The Nigerian Revenue Establishment bill replaced the FIRS to perform the role of revenue administration and finally the joint revenue board establishment bill to transform the Joint Tax Board into the Joint Revenue Board with expanded mandate and responsibilities. These are the taxes we are putting into one because they’re dealing with the same matter,” he argued.

Emphasising the benefits of the proposed legislations, the House Leader said there will be a complete exemption of low income workers earning up to N1 million from the Pay As You Earned tax (PAYEE), and VAT removed on food, healthcare, education, electricity generation and transmission, while vulnerable tax payers will be protected against arbitrary tax assessment.

“Having studied the bills myself and taking the time to compare with other Africa countries notably, Egypt, Morroco, South Africa, Ethiopia and Namibia, I could see the benefits that have been enunciated for Nigeria and Nigerians in these tax bills.

“Suffice to say, ordinary Nigerians, the youths, families will benefit extensively because for the first time, there will be a complete exemption of low income workers earning up to N1million from PAYEE. The minimum wage that is about N83,000 a month which is above the minimum wage, so anybody with minimum wage whether in the public or private sector will not need to pay that tax. It reduces the PAYEE tax for those earning a monthly salary of N1.7 million or less.

“Remove VAT on food, healthcare, education, electricity generation and transmission. If you are involved in these activities it is 0 percent VAT. There’s tax incentives for employers to hire more workers. There are many products that are now exempted from the VAT; dairy products, renewable energy and so on and so forth. Our small businesses also have a lot of incentives in this new tax regime.

“There is also the introduction of the Office of the Tax Ombuds to protect vulnerable tax payers against arbitrary tax assessment. The bill also requires that all tax disputes must be resolved by the Ombuds in 14 days, not the current situation where in a year you will be going to tax office everyday and they’ll be turning you up and down with no solution,” he added.

For his part, the House Minority Leader, Hon. Kinsley Chinda (PDP) who supported and moved for the second reading of bill while debate was yet over, said the issues in the proposed legislation will be addressed at the appropriate stage of lawmaking.

Chinda said while lawmakers, especially his colleagues in the minority caucus opposed some of the letters of the law, they supported its spirit.

“I will not want to repeat, save to say or emphasise on a few areas. We have incremental tax contained in the tax administration law. Rather than have tax increase, it is impossible that we can have incremental VAT in this bill.

“Aside, all the other issues or the issues of conflict with the constitution and other laws, and then the issues of ambiguity, I believe that we can tidy them up.

“One good thing is that, innovation is coming, it would be difficult, but it is desirable. So, while we oppose some of the letters of the law, we support the spirit of the law in toto.

“As parliamentarians we know the stage at which we can attack those letters and correct them, and we want to assure Nigerians that, as we stand as members of this parliament that these letters we will monitor them as watchdogs and ensure that those letters are collected as we have promised.

“Generally, we support these bills. Mr Speaker, my dear colleagues since we all agree with the spirit and intent of the bill, I will pray that we support the second reading of the bill,” the opposition leader said.

In his contribution, the Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. George Ozodinobi (LP, Anambra) viewed the bills as a subtle restructuring of the country and lauded the courage of President Tinubu in introducing these reforms.

“I wouldn’t want to go into the general principles of the four bills because the Leader of the House, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has touched on basic principles of it. But basically, I saw these bills, I’m constrained from where I’m coming from for the first time, to salute the courage of Mr President for his presentation of these bills as it were.

“I also saw it from where I came from as a subtle restructuring of this great nation by these bills and by the same time, as a kind of a handshake across the Niger to our people.

“With the consultations I had with our constituents, they pleaded with us that these bills are good to go – pass the second reading. My leader, Mr Peter Obi in some of his principles, he believes in consumption to production,” he added.

However, Hon Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) said while the bills will ensure efficiency and harmoinsed taxation, amongst other advantages, there were issues inherent in the proposed legislations as some of their sections which contradicted the constitution.

He also pointed out the issues of overlap with “existing laws – PAYEE, company income tax, preponderance of ambiguity due to inadequate interpretation; concerns for equity, technology, burdening tax payers,” amongst others.

In their separate submissions, Minority Whip, Hon. Ali Isah (PDP, Gombe); Hon. Abubakar Fulata (APC, Jigawa), amongst others, said some sections of the bills must be amended to accommodate the interests and welfare of Nigerians as well as protect institutions such as TETFUND and NITDA.

Four out of the 36 suspected Lassa fever cases in Benue State from 3 Local Government areas of Ukum, Okpokwu and Makurdi died of complications.

The State Epidemiologist, Dr Asema Msuega, who disclosed this to our correspondent, said the three deaths were from suspected cases, while one of the deaths was from a confirmed case of Lassa fever

According to him, all the  36 suspected cases were supposed to be at the isolation units at the  Benue State University Teaching Hospital ( BSUTH)l  until their blood sample were out but were  turned back to their homes because of a lack of money to get a bed space at the isolation unit

When asked whether those suspected cases were supposed to pay money for their treatment, including bed space, the State epidemiologists said no government is supposed to take care of everything concerning their treatment. They wondered why the Chief Medical Director of BSUTH, Stephen Hwande, would insist that patients suspected of Lassa fever and referred to an isolation unit pay N50,000 before admission.

When contacted through a telephone conversation, the head of the communication unit at BSUTH, Moses Tsedzughul, who spoke on behalf of the CMD, alleged that the State Ministry of Health and Human Services received over N200,000 million  for the treatment of Lassa fever and did not remit the percentage they supposed to give to BSUTH to facilitate the treatment of Lassa fever patients that is why the CMD is insisting on the N50,000 payment before admission into the isolation unit.

In another development, our correspondent gathered that from November 2024 to date, which is the peak of the Lassa fever outbreak, there has been an epileptic diagnosis of Lassa fever because the State Molecular Laboratory, which was optimised by the National Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) is only functioning when the management of FMC on its generator for use as the Solar light which was installed to give 24 hours power supply for diagnosis of viral diseases like Lassa fever which usually takes 6 to 7 hours is not functioning again.

Our correspondent also gathered that the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi CMD had asked the management not to use the hospital generator to diagnose Lassa Fever because the project was not bringing any revenue to the hospital.

But in a swift reaction, the CMD of FMC, Prof Joseph Kortor, debunked the insinuation, saying that since he came on board, the hospital generator has always been on to ensure that all diagnoses, especially those for viral diseases, which usually take a longer time, are done.

Prof Kortor, who spoke through his assistant, Philip Tarkumbur, said that the information about refusing to use the generator for diagnosis might be from the previous administrations, not his time.

When asked what the ministry is doing with the monies sent to the State by NCDC to help manage viral disease outbreaks, Dr Asema, who did not mention the amount, said they got support from the World Bank, but it was not meant to be shared with BSUT.

According to him “The money we received was to support the activities of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)”

The investigation also revealed that the NCDC rejected blood samples from Benue throughout the peak of Lassa fever despite having invested enough in the State to stand on it and even serve the North Central States and beyond.

It was also gathered that most NCDC staff sent into the state are withdrawn alongside the uncharged persons from blood sample collection.

When contacted through a telephone conversation, the commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Yanmar Ortese, who confirmed the withdrawal of NCDC from Benue, including the rejection of blood samples, said yes, the NCDC have withdrawn their services because they have invested enough in the State through the optimising of the Molecular lab at the FMC and if this is done there is no basis for the State to take blood samples to them because the distance alone

The commissioner said he is working to ensure that another Molecular Lab is also optimised at BSUTH so that all the diagnoses will be made within the State to avoid the death of patients while waiting for confirmation from Abuja.

Our correspondent spoke to some of the citizens, including Isaac Mhen, Liambee Ortese, and Ocheme Ogbe, on the dangers of sending home patients suspected of having Lassa fever and called on the Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to wade in and save the State on this alarming danger of disease outbreak.

The United States government has denied reports, which claimed that US dropbox visa renewals were no longer available for Nigerian applicants, stressing that “qualified applicants in Nigeria are able to make Interview Waiver appointments online.”

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the US State Department Press Office, following inquiries by LEADERSHIP amid growing concerns about how this decision may affect Nigerian applicants.

The Dropbox system allowed applicants, especially those with a recent US travel history, to submit passports without interviews, making the visa renewal process faster.

However, there was a recent report that the Dropbox visa processing option has been discontinued for United States visa applicants in Nigeria, marking a significant change in the US visa renewal procedures.

The report quoted sources which confirmed that the service, which previously allowed eligible applicants to renew their visas without an in-person interview, has been quietly removed from the appointment booking system.

“Applicants attempting to schedule visa renewals have reported that the Dropbox feature was no longer an option on the appointment booking platform, suggesting that it may be due to a slew of executive orders from President Donald Trump.

“The development came amid a backlog of visa applications, with many applicants waiting for months to secure Dropbox appointments before the removal,” the report said.

According to the report, applicants have expressed frustration over the lengthy wait for physical appointments, which has reportedly taken nearly a year.

“With the Dropbox option removed and unavailable slots in Lagos since January, applicants may now be required to travel to Abuja for in-person interviews, reverting to the pre-2020 process,” the report said.

Following the viral report, chairman of the Nigeria’s House Of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Oluwole Oke, assured that the federal government will take diplomatic action and engage with US relevant authorities to address the suspension of the Dropbox service for Nigerians renewing their US visas.

The lawmaker, who spoke to a National Television platform on Tuesday, stated, “I don’t think this is a serious issue. The United States has the right to cancel the Dropbox procedure for Nigerians renewing their visas. In diplomacy, there is the principle of reciprocity.

“As for visa renewal, that’s not a service we offer Americans in the United States. When Americans or Nigerians born in America want to renew their visas, we don’t provide them with a drop box. The fact that they gave us the option was entirely their choice.”

The national grid witnessed another system collapse at 11:am on Wednesday, plunging many Nigerians into darkness.

Most power plants were affected at 11 a.m. when power generation stood at 4,064 megawatts, but by 12 p.m., it plummeted to 1,203MW before completely collapsing to 0.00MW by 1 p.m.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed the collapse on its X (formerly Twitter) handle.

“Dear Valued Customer, We regret to inform you that a system disturbance occurred on the national grid at 11:34 am today causing a power outage across our franchise areas.

“While gradual restoration of power supply has commenced, please be assured that we are working closely with relevant stakeholders to fully restore electricity as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to serve you better.”

The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IEDC) also reported the incident on X.

“Please be informed that we experienced a system outage today 12th February, 2025 at 11:34hrs affecting all our feeders.

“Restoration of supply is ongoing in collaboration with our critical stakeholders.”

This marks the first grid collapse in 2025 after 12 grid collapses in 2024.

The immediate-past Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Barr. Ifeanyi Nworie, alongside his supporters has dumped the PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.

Welcoming Barr. Nworie to the party during a civic reception organised in his honour by the people of Ezza South local government area, the State Chairman of the APC, Chief Stanley Emegha called for continued support for the state governor to achieve his dreams and agenda for the people of Ebonyi State.

He said crisis and bitterness does no man any good, adding that he has also approached the governorship candidate of the opposition PDP in the 2023 general election, Mr. Ifeanyichukwuma Odii to join hands with Governor Francis Nwifuru to move the state forward.

Emegha urged the Ezza South local government party chairman and other stakeholders of the party to ensure that those who joined the party are all accommodated and carried along in the activities of the party.

He maintained that the APC is a disciplined party, and urged the defectors to be mindful of their action while warning against acts that would bring crisis within the party.

Chairman of Ezza South local government area, Mrs. Euphemia Nwali said that the development stride of Governor Nwifuru since the inception of his administration has continued to attract people from the opposition parties to the APC.

She maintained that the people have witnessed the transformation and the laudable achievements of the Governor, assuring that Nwifuru will continue to ensure an open-door policy.

In his response, Barr. Nworie who spoke on behalf of other defectors said he did not join the APC because of the crisis in PDP, he however promised to join hands with the state government to move the state forward.

Nworie assured that he will not be a party to fractionalization of the party, noting that his dream is to see the party win all elective positions in the 2027 general election.

Nigerian singer, Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, has confirmed his exit from YBNL Nation.

There were speculations that Asake had parted ways with Olamide’s YBNL in a controversial manner.

Asake confirmed his exit from YBNL by releasing his latest song, ‘Why Love’ under his own imprint, Giran Republic on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. See screenshot below:

The singer previously paid homage to Olamide in his first single of the year, ‘Military,’ silencing rumours of a rift between them.

Asake got signed to YBNL Nation in February 2022.
In July 2022, Asake signed a distribution deal with Empire.
Despite his exit from YBNL, Asake still maintains his deal with Empire.

A week ago, Asake acknowledged YBNL boss, Olamide Adedeji, mononymously known as Olamide in his newly released track, Military, putting to rest speculations of a feud.

The serial-chart topper dropped the new song where he paid tribute to his rumoured ex record label boss, Olamide. In the audio shared online, Asake on getting to the second verse of the song gave the top rapper a shout-out.

Sing-rapping in Yoruba, Asake told his detractors to keep saying whatever they wish while also stating that he just doesn’t feel great when speaking English.

He boasted that he had more money than other stars in his generation and could simply decide to drop a surprise album, emphasizing his desire to do as he wishes.

The part where Asake praised Olamide, drew the attention of several Nigerians online. Many of them compared the Grammy-nominated musician to Portable, whose career was also positively impacted by Olamide.

Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has run to church for prayers amid his ongoing legal battle with the Ogun State government.

The controversial artist was recently declared wanted for allegedly assaulting town planning officials who visited his business premises.

Reports indicate that while some of his associates have been arrested, Portable has continued to evade arrest. Instead, he has been pleading with the government for leniency.

In a now-viral video, the singer was seen in a church, dressed in a white garment, fervently praying for divine intervention.

His unexpected religious turn has sparked widespread reactions on social media. While some believe he is genuinely seeking help, others dismiss his actions as another of his publicity stunts.

This is not the first time Portable has been involved in legal troubles. The singer, known for his erratic behavior and controversial statements, has had multiple run-ins with the authorities in the past. Despite this, he continues to maintain a strong fan base that often rallies behind him.

As the case unfolds, it remains unclear whether the singer will turn himself in or continue to evade arrest. The Ogun State government, however, has insisted that the law must take its course.