A Helicopter, A Masterstroke, And The Unraveling Of Corrupt Plots

What do you get when powerful men plot against a woman with courage, intelligence, and strategy? You get failure. You get panic. You get the kind of public disgrace that echoes far beyond their little enclaves of power.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s helicopter landing in Ihima was not just a tactical maneuver; it was a bold declaration that left Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, former Governor Yahaya Bello, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and their eager enforcer Hon. Amoka Eneji fumbling in confusion.

These men, accustomed to wielding power with impunity, found themselves outmaneuvered by the very person they sought to crush. They planned, plotted, and schemed from their positions of comfort, confident that their influence could intimidate Natasha into submission.

But their arrogance blinded them to the fact that true power lies not in titles or wealth but in the ability to inspire, persevere, and stand firm against oppression. What followed was not just a failure of their plans but a public unraveling of their incompetence and corruption.

The Roadblocks of Futility: A Display of Desperation

The entire roadblock operation was a comedy show staged by politicians too blinded by arrogance to recognize their own incompetence. Governor Ododo and his loyal pawn Hon. Amoka Eneji must have imagined themselves as grand strategists, orchestrating a flawless operation.

They mobilized police officers as if preparing for war. Roadblocks were erected with a sense of urgency that suggested something monumental was being defended. But the truth? They were only defending their fragile egos.

The roads leading to Ihima were flooded with officers who looked more confused than prepared. Their posture was stiff, their eyes scanning the horizon for a convoy that never came. They thought Natasha would be driven in like a regular politician, expected her to crawl through their traps like an insect caught in a web.

But Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan soared above their traps like an eagle circling over petty creatures scurrying below.

How did these men react to being so easily outmaneuvered? With panic, confusion, and a desperate attempt to save face. The entire roadblock strategy was built on an assumption of control. But Natasha’s helicopter landing shattered that illusion.

Eneji’s Curfew: A Pathetic Attempt at Control

Hon. Amoka Eneji, desperate to prove his loyalty to his superiors, declared an “emergency curfew” with all the gravity of a child playing soldier. He imagined that by issuing such an order, he would come off as powerful, authoritative, a man to be feared.

Instead, his curfew became a joke. The people ignored it as though it were a whisper against the howling wind. They gathered in numbers that dwarfed the efforts of Eneji’s curfew declaration. They came out in support of Natasha, laughing in the face of a command they knew was built on fear, not authority.

Eneji’s attempt to wield power was the equivalent of throwing stones at the sky. His curfew did nothing but expose his desperation and insecurity. The only people who paid any attention to his curfew were those laughing at it.

Akpabio’s Imploding Concern: The Price of Desperation

If anyone felt the sting of Natasha’s brilliant maneuver, it was Godswill Akpabio. A man who has spent his political life wielding power like a sledgehammer, only to find that the same power now works against him.

Imagine Akpabio, seated comfortably in his office or residence, waiting for news of Natasha’s humiliation. Waiting for reports of roadblocks stopping her progress, of police officers turning her away, of her supporters cowering in defeat.

But instead, he receives a call informing him that Natasha has arrived safely. By helicopter.

That was the moment his arrogance transformed into deep unease. The moment he realized that Natasha had outsmarted him once again. His supposed fortress of power was nothing more than a crumbling illusion.

What does a man like Akpabio do when faced with failure? He blames everyone but himself.

Calls must have gone out to Bello and Ododo. Furious accusations, desperate demands for explanations. But deep down, Akpabio knew the truth: his power was failing. And Natasha’s success was a sign of things to come.

Bello’s Alliance of Failure: Desperation Meets Desperation

Yahaya Bello, a man already tarnished by ongoing EFCC cases, hoped to shield himself by aligning with Akpabio. He thought that Akpabio’s influence could provide cover from his own legal troubles.

But what does desperation mixed with incompetence produce? Failure.

Bello’s alliance with Akpabio was never about strength. It was about weakness. It was about clinging to power through whatever means necessary. But the moment Natasha’s helicopter appeared over Ihima, Bello’s partnership with Akpabio was exposed as nothing but a desperate attempt to hide from the inevitable.

Every alliance made out of fear is bound to collapse. Bello’s dependence on Akpabio is now a burden, a weight dragging him down as he struggles to maintain relevance.

Akpabio, Turn Yourself In Before It’s Too Late

Akpabio, your desperation is becoming impossible to hide. The facade you have worked so hard to maintain is crumbling before the world’s eyes. And now, with every passing day, your sins grow more public, more undeniable, and more damning.

For years, you have walked through the corridors of power with arrogance and entitlement, believing that your title of Senate President rendered you immune from consequence. You thrived on intimidation, manipulation, and coercion. But now, your methods have turned against you.

The truth is simple, Akpabio. Your political career is falling apart. Your allies are faltering. Your apparent misconducts are now common knowledge. You can feel the weight of your mistakes pressing down upon you, squeezing the air from your lungs, leaving you gasping for control.

Imagine the conversation you’ve likely rehearsed in your mind, the words you’ve been too proud and too afraid to utter:

“Sir, I cannot continue like this. The scandals are too much. The accusations are not going away. I tried to stop the Senate investigation, but now there is talk of murder plots. Natasha has humiliated me. My international reputation is ruined. I may even be stopped at foreign airports. Sir, maybe I should step down… at least temporarily.” As you speak these worlds to President Bola Tinubu, conceivably. Tinubu on his part, is running from all these rising, mounting and soaring issues or wahalas, and he is off to France to cool off and re-focus.

But you haven’t said those words, have you, Akpabio? Because the pride that once made you feel untouchable is the very thing destroying you.

Conclusion: A New Democratic Dawn for Nigeria

The failures of Akpabio, Bello, Ododo, and Eneji are not just personal defeats. They are symbols of a corrupt establishment crumbling under the weight of its own hypocrisy.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s helicopter flight was not just a maneuver—it was a message. It was a declaration of defiance, a demonstration that true power comes from resilience, intelligence, and courage.

Nigeria deserves leaders who understand that the people are not enemies to be conquered but voices to be heard. Those who plot against the truth only succeed in destroying themselves.

Akpabio, Bello, Ododo, Eneji—you’ve been outsmarted. Your schemes are crumbling. And the people are watching.

Growing impatience over the fragile security situation in the Sahel region and collective anxiety to lift up and strengthen their Confederation of Sahel States (AES), some prefer the Alliance des États du Sahel (translates in English as the Alliance of Sahel States), the three Foreign Ministers of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger embarked on a fresh trip to Moscow. Meetings, held in early April 2025, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov undoubtedly gave a strong boost to the AES relations, marking the latest new chapter in building sustainable security ties and economic cooperation.

Ahead of the meeting, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the Sahel foreign ministers prioritized perspectives on regulating their political crisis as well as focusing on economic spheres. According to Russia’s MFA, the three African countries’ foreign ministries indicated in a joint statement that the joint visit as the first session of “AES-Russia consultations” which aims at finding appropriate pathways in fighting jihadist insurgencies that has spread across the region south of the Sahara.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger currently run by military governments that have taken power in coups between 2021 an 2022, have formed an alliance known as the Confederation of Sahel States (AES). By creating their own bloc, it exposes Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) weaknesses and its long-term inability and incompetency to deal with regional problems, particularly rising security through mediation. The French grouping later kicked out French and other Western forces and conveniently turned towards Russia for military support. Their foreign ministers will visit Moscow on April 3 and 4 and hold meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at his invitation, the statement said.

Basic research and review show that besides instability, these countries are engulfed with various socio-economic problems primarily due to the system of governance and poor policies toward sustainable development. And Russia’s renewed and full-fledged interest is primarily focused on uprooting French domination, and support the development goals of these French-speaking West African countries in the Sahel region.

For fear and concerns about the new rise of terrorism and for the sake of deeper cooperation and integration, the three Sahelian countries have turned to Russia, and as expected Russia has since offered tremendous assistance. As a follow up, the early April meetings in Moscow, several critical issues are on the agenda: military assistance to fight growing terrorism, and efforts to strengthen political dialogue and promote concrete partnerships relating to trade and the economy in the region.

The AES has multitude of obstacles, the main problems emerged after exiting out of ECOWAS, the regional organization consisting 16 West African states. Finance is another hurdle among others. Nevertheless, Russian Foreign Ministry explained in a statement posted on its website, that Russia’s military-technical cooperation with African countries is primarily directed at settling regional conflicts and preventing the spread of terrorist threats and fighting the growing terrorism in the continent.

Russia’s MFA has earlier assured: “we will continue supporting it with the supply of arms and hardware and personnel training, including peacekeepers, as it is very important to help put an end to this evil and other challenges and threats, including drug trafficking and other forms of organized crime.”

With regards to financing AES, the bloc on March 31st introduced 0.5% levy on imported goods to finance their newly formed three-state union, following their withdrawal from ECOWAS. The agreed levy took immediate effect and applies to all imported goods except humanitarian aid. It also implied that the move officially ended free trade with West Africa’s ECOWAS bloc, deepening the rift between the three and regional democracies like Nigeria and Ghana. Worth noting that ECOWAS sanctions imposed to force a return to civilian rule have had little impact, as the Sahel alliance continues to strengthen economic and security cooperation.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are among many African countries bartering natural resources. There have been cases, where huge natural-resource projects were given away without cabinet discussions and parliament’s approval. Apparently, these agreements on resources extraction hardly deliver broad-based development dividends. Nevertheless, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have bilateral agreements with Russia. The three have offered complete access to exploiting their natural resources in exchange for military equipment and weaponry as well as military training. Burkina Faso signed a Memorandum of Understanding on nuclear energy with the State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) during the Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg in July 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned security issue and economic cooperation during his opening and closing speeches at the summit and even previously, indicating its importance on Russia’s agenda with Africa. In fact, there were five key summit documents and one of them focuses on ‘Strengthening Cooperation to Combat Terrorism’ which neatly relates to this article theme here under discussion.

Although Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have abundant human and natural resources, offering tremendous potential for rapid growth, there are existing deep-rooted challenges – environmental, political and security – that may affect the prosperity and peace of the region. Therefore, external support is badly required and which is why Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have to look up to Russia as their economic and security saviour, particularly this changing geopolitical situation in the world.

According to various narratives, Russia has embarked on fighting “neo-colonialism” which it considers as a stumbling stone on its way to regain a part of its Soviet-era influence in Africa. Russia has sought to convince Africans over the past years of the likely dangers of neocolonial tendencies perpetrated by the former colonial countries and the scramble for resources on the continent. In pursuit of its geopolitical interest, Russia has ultimately begun making inroads into the Sahel region, an elongated landlocked territory located between North Africa (Maghreb) and West Africa, and also stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea.

With human and natural resources, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger China are undertaking giant economic and social transformation. Quite essentially, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, within the geopolitical reconfiguration in West Africa, are desirous to ensure their political sovereignty, engage in development which Russia has expressed interest to support.

Certainly, the three have pledged to work together to find common solutions, and are oriented towards multipolarity. In this way, they could consolidate its integration to become a center of influence, diversify the economy to become prosperous in the region. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are expected to continue to advance their collective interests for the purposes of their development, prosperity and stability.

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Bitcoin (BTC) has experienced a significant drop, falling to the $82,000 mark on Thursday morning and registering a 4% loss following United States President Donald Trump’s announcement of widespread tariffs on global trading partners.

This action has rattled both traditional and digital asset markets, sparking a sell-off in risky assets, including major cryptocurrencies.

The market downturn mirrors broader crypto trends, with Ethereum (ETH) losing 2.96% to trade at $1,823.34, and XRP dropping 2.21% to settle at $2.05. Solana (SOL) experienced even steeper losses, shedding over 9% of its value at one point.

BTC was trading around $85,000 before the latest dip.

Impact of Trump’s Tariffs on Global Trade and Cryptocurrency Markets 

Trump’s tariffs, described as one of the most extensive deployments in U.S. history, include:

• A 10% baseline tax on all imports.
• A 25% levy on foreign-made cars.
• Reciprocal duties set at 50% of the rates imposed on American exports by other nations.

The proposal spans 185 countries, including Nigeria, whose exports to the U.S. will now face a 14% tariff, compared to the 27% tariff claimed by the U.S. on its imports from Nigeria.

Between 2015 and 2024, Nigeria’s trade with the U.S. reached a combined N31.1 trillion, according to data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Within this period, imports totaled N16.4 trillion, accounting for 8.7% of Nigeria’s global exports.

Bitcoin’s downturn further highlights the ripple effects of global economic uncertainty. After hitting a trading low of $82,141—down from a recent peak of $89,042—BTC/USD remains close to its 100-hour Simple Moving Average at $83,500, illustrating heightened market volatility.

What you should know 

On-chain data from Glassnode reveals that Bitcoin’s current market differs from past cycles. Investors who purchased BTC between 2020 and 2022—with cost bases ranging from $3,600 to $69,000, have mostly held their positions despite price fluctuations.

• The share of wealth held by these investors dropped by 3% from its peak in November 2024, but still reflects historically high levels. This contrasts with previous cycles, where short-term holders (STHs) controlled 70–90% of network wealth at market tops.

• Today, STHs hold around 40%, signaling less speculative activity.

 Technical Analysis and Price Outlook 

Technical indicators suggest Bitcoin may be at a pivotal turning point. Relative Strength Index (RSI), below the 50 level, indicates sellers retain minor influence, while Hourly MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) lost momentum in bearish territory.

Immediate resistance is observed near $84,000, with a critical obstacle at $85,000. Breaking through the $85,550 level (representing a 50% Fibonacci retracement) could push Bitcoin toward $86,800 or even $88,500.

Conversely, failure to surpass $85,000 might trigger fresh selling pressure, driving BTC toward support levels of $82,200, $81,350, and the psychologically significant $80,000 mark.

[Nairametrics]

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has declined an appointment to serve as a judge for the upcoming Miss World Nigeria Beauty Pageant scheduled for April 4, 2025, at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos.

The news of Sani’s appointment was initially shared by the event organiser, Senator Ben Bruce, who is also a former colleague of Sani in the 8th National Assembly.

Bruce took to his official social media handle on Wednesday to announce Sani’s role, offering congratulations to his friend on the prestigious position.

In his post, Bruce wrote: “Hearty congratulations to my good friend, Shehu Sani, on his appointment as a judge for the Miss World Nigeria Beauty Pageant, taking place on April 4, at the Federal Palace Hotel. Kindly ensure you arrive on time, 6:00 PM sharp, and come dressed in your finest attire.”

However, Sani responded to the announcement on social media platform ?, on Thursday, where he politely declined the invitation.

He thanked Bruce for the honour but provided personal and practical reasons for his decision.

“My wives will not be happy if I serve as a judge,” Sani humorously explained. “I have not been able to pass judgment on the most beautiful between my wives, let alone those I don’t know.”

Sani further stated that he lacked the expertise and experience required for such events, adding, “I don’t have the knowledge or experience in such events.”

The former senator also mentioned that the timing of the event coincided with the Sallah period, a time when he prefers to spend time with family and friends.

“This is the Sallah period when we spend time with family members and friends. Thank you for the honour and wish them well,” he concluded.

Sani, recognizing the potential inconvenience his decision may cause, offered an apology to Ben Bruce and the organisers of the pageant.

“I apologise for any inconvenience my rejection may have caused,” he wrote, adding a polite note of goodwill for the success of the event.

[NaijaNews]

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said the 2025 UTME Mock Notification Slip is now available for printing by candidates who registered to participate in the optional UTME Mock exercise.

The UTME-Mock Examination is scheduled to hold on Thursday, April 10, while the main UTME Examination start sate is Friday, April 25, 2025

JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin, on Thursday, said the Notification Slip includes crucial information such as the examination date, venue (centre), time, and other essential details needed to successfully sit for the examination.

“Candidates are encouraged to print their Notification Slip starting from Thursday, April 3, 2025. This will allow ample time to make necessary logistical arrangements to access their assigned centres within the chosen examination towns,” he said.

He advised candidates to print their slips and familiarise themselves with their examination centres at least one or two days prior to the examination date.

Fabian said the preparation would ensure a smooth experience on the day of the examination

To print the notification slip, candidates were asked to visit www.jamb.gov.ng, Click on ‘2025 Mock Slip Printing’ and enter registration number and click on ‘Print Examination Slip’.

[Leadership]

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal.

The Vice President is expected to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Senegal’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.

Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960. The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades and cultural events.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media and Communications, Office of The Vice President in a statement said Shettima’s attendance at the annual event is in honour of an invitation extended to President Tinubu by the Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, following the strong mutual relationship between Nigeria and Senegal.

The independence Day celebrations will be held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Faye playing host to Vice President Shettima and other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond.

The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria after the one-day event.

[DailyTrust]

Real Madrid fear that at least one of their key players will be banned by the UEFA, as they await verdicts on Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius, Antonio Rudiger, and Dani Ceballos.

UEFA are investigating the players’ conduct during and after their dramatic penalty shootout victory against Atletico Madrid on March 12.

The main focus of the investigation revolves around certain gestures made by the players, with Rudiger and Mbappe at the center of the controversy.

Among the allegations, Rudiger is believed to be facing the most serious accusation.

The German defender appeared to make a throat-slitting gesture, believed to be directed at Atletico supporters.

Such an action has been interpreted as threatening, which could lead to a harsher punishment compared to his teammates.

Mbappe also finds himself under the spotlight, with video footage circulating online allegedly showing him making a crotch-grabbing gesture while celebrating.

Years ago, I had an unforgettable experience of nearly witnessing a lynching at Iwo Road in Ibadan. It was a typical day, and while standing at a bus stop, a woman two paces away suddenly shouted that her purse had been snatched. She held the clothes of the man standing beside her. Before you knew it, the place had transformed. A crowd quickly gathered around, many of them young men who seemed to have magically sprouted from thin air. From ordinary guys going about their lives, they instantly transmuted into the judiciary and were ready to execute a self-designated mandate. They stripped the accused, kicked him, beat him, and demanded he return the purse.

Perhaps the most amazing transformation for me was a man who had stood beside me at the bus stop. While I was still puzzled at the events unfolding around me, this guy had found a huge stone and was yelling at the crowd to clear a path for him—he was going to smash the skull of the accused! Fortunately, the accused man managed to escape while those who had arrested him were still deciding on how to lynch him. I do not know if he was guilty of stealing the purse or not, but I am thankful that he did not die that day.

Every time I have told this story to friends, I have also wondered how and when that man transmuted from just another person at the bus stop to a potential killer. Was that even a real human man or a gnarled monster walking around at noonday like some mythological fables report? Imagine a man ready to commit murder, maybe just an hour after leaving his home in the morning. If he had managed to participate in killing that man, would he still have proceeded through the rest of his day like nothing had happened? Would he have gone back home to his family at night (if he had one) and continued life like he had not just killed a man?

Since the news emerged about how a vigilante group in Uromi, Edo State, lynched 16 hunters after tagging them kidnappers, I have returned to that incident to once again ask how men become the monsters who set up bonfires to burn their fellow humans. What (and when) is the moment of their transfiguration? It is when a situation like the Uromi incident occurs that we realise that there are many subhuman mongrels among us, some of them able to transfigure into monsters who can lynch a person in an instant. They lynched not one, not two, not three, not even four humans!

One must wonder about the kind of people who would keep throwing one person after the other into the fire (while some equally depraved people thought it was worth recording the pain and agony of the victims on their camera for later distribution). If there was no moment at which any internally controlling ethical code restrained them, then it is also probably not the first time they have lynched people. Those vigilantes must have played at being the law for so long that they started imagining themselves to be truly one. This unfortunate incident is one of the many fallouts of the state recession in the public sphere. When you have a country where security can no longer be guaranteed by the state, all sorts of maniacs will step in to fill the void.

This distressing incident has also thrown up the fault lines of ethnicity and religion between the northern and southern regions of the country. One only needs to read Nigerians from the two divided halves of the country as they bicker over the deaths to see how they are gauging their respective regional civilisation from the responses to the distressing event. It seems to me that northerners see the Uromi incident as an opportunity to take down the smug superiority of snobbish southerners who have typically imagined themselves to be socially superior. Now that the so-called civilised South has displayed a similar primitive behaviour that, if it had happened in the North, would have been filed as one more example of their cultural backwardness, they are practically celebrating their vindication along with mourning the demise of the victims.

For the southern commenters, the incident is not only distressing but also embarrassing as they must justify themselves before people who never apologise for the lynching that happened in their territory. And they are right because the Uromi incident is similar to that of Deborah Samuel, the Christian student who was lynched in 2023 by some religious fundamentalists who admitted their crime on video. Unlike this ongoing case, where the southerners are condemning the lynching and calling for justice, I do not remember the northerners doing the same. Many northerners, including their prominent clerics, justified the killing of Samuel. A presidential candidate who dared to condemn the murder had to withdraw his statement when they threatened his presidential ambition! The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, is running all over the place and promising the family of the victims compensation, something that is unlikely to happen if the situation were reversed.

The court freed Samuel’s killers, and that woman did not get justice. Nobody in the government dared to touch them because of politics. In the wake of the Uromi incident, some of them are still doubling down on their justification for lynching that woman. If they cannot see her humanity, then on what moral grounds do they stand to demand justice for the Uromi victims? Yet, not wanting to be outdone, they bring up the case of Adamawa woman Harira Jubril, the pregnant woman who was killed along with her children in Anambra State by some unidentified gunmen. It is bad enough that she, too, never got justice; it is also horrible that her story is cheaply weaponised by those who merely want to score political points against a rival group.

Still convinced they are the bigger victims, the southerners start to reel out the many cases of Fulani herdsmen attacks on villages, farmlands, and their communities. They list the deaths and the destruction caused by Fulani herdsmen who have been rampaging through communities in Nigeria, mostly unchecked. This self-justification by matching northern stories of injustice with southern stories of injustice eventually spirals into an endless loop of barbarism, bloodletting, and unleashed monstrosity.

In trading stories of injustice for injustice, these people also catalogue the injustice the nation has committed against our collective humanity. Notwithstanding their motivations, their exchanges are an indictment of a nation that cheaply discounts our lives, and—by failing to pursue the outstanding debts owed to our murdered compatriots—serially indicates that we are simply not worth the trouble of the pursuit of justice. In fact, one can say the reason the Federal Government swooped into action in the case of Uromi is the fear of reprisals by irate northerners, and not because they deemed the lives of those 16 hunters worthy enough to merit justice.

What is saddest about these fiery exchanges is that the compiled evidence is being misdirected and misused by people wanting to balance out tribal wrongs rather than indict the real culprit: Nigeria, a country that has failed to establish a standard of righteousness, of justice, of truth, of integrity, and the ascriptions of full value to our lives. Consequently, we have too many among us who have been driven over the edge, deeply traumatised by the harassments of our Nigerian lives, but have not yet found the mouth with which to tell the story. They think they are normal because they can still type coherent sentences on social media, but the truth is that they are bleeding internally from the wounds of our national existence.