Nigeria Sees Inflation Drop to 23.18% in February…Power Outage Sparks Military Attack on Nigerian Electricity Workers…Nigerian Court Holds 3 in Custody for Possessing Illegal Firearms…Civilian Guards in Nigeria Intercept Motorbikes Bound for ISWAP
- Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 23.18%, Lowest in Months
Nigeria’s annual inflation rate fell to 23.18 percent in February 2025, down from 24.48 percent in January, according to the country’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which functions like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This marks the second straight month of decline after the NBS updated its method for tracking inflation. The agency revised its Consumer Price Index (CPI) by using a more recent base year (2024 instead of 2009) and expanding the number of goods and services it monitors from 740 to 960.
Food prices, a major factor in Nigeria’s inflation, also eased, with food inflation dropping to 23.51 percent from 26.08 percent in January.
After inflation fell in January, Nigeria’s central bank kept its key interest rate at 27.5 percent after raising it six times last year to curb inflation. The bank’s governor, Olayemi Cardoso, expressed optimism that inflation will continue to decline, aiming for a single-digit rate in the future.
- Electricity Workers in Nigeria Face Military Attacks Over Power Outage
The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has accused Nigerian soldiers of attacking its facility in Badagry, Lagos, over a power outage.
EKEDC, one of Nigeria’s power distribution companies (DisCos), said soldiers stormed its office at 1:00 a.m. local time on Friday, abducting two staff members, later releasing them. The video has gone viral on social media. The soldiers reportedly returned in daylight, threatening workers and demanding power restoration to their barracks.
EKEDC’s spokesperson, Babatunde Lasaki, linked the incident to a growing pattern of military assaults on power workers, citing a recent attack on Ikeja Electric (IKEDC), another DisCo. In that case, Nigerian Air Force personnel allegedly stormed IKEDC’s headquarters after their base was disconnected over a $3.4 million unpaid electricity bill.
The Nigerian Army has, however, denied the EKEDC attack, calling it a “misunderstanding.” Yet, EKEDC plans to petition top officials, demanding accountability.
- Teen, Two Men Jailed Pending Trial Over Unlawful Gun Possession
A Nigerian court has ordered the detention of a teenager and two men for allegedly possessing illegal firearms. The suspects—19-year-old Adebowale Bashiru, 47-year-old Nureni Olalere, and 32-year-old Ibrahim Ojo—were charged with conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Authorities say the trio was arrested on March 5 in Iseyin, Oyo State, with two sawed-off shotguns and live cartridges. However, their pleas were not taken, as Magistrate Gladys Oladele lacks jurisdiction over the case.
The court directed prosecutors to refer the case to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal review. Until then, the defendants will remain in custody, with their next court appearance scheduled for April 4.
The charges fall under Nigeria’s Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act of 2004, which imposes strict penalties for illegal gun possession. The case highlights ongoing efforts to curb illegal arms circulation in the country.
- Civilian Guards Capture Suppliers Smuggling Motorbikes to ISWAP Terrorists
Local civilian community guards in Northeastern Nigeria have captured seven men accused of smuggling logistics to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a violent extremist group.
The suspects were stopped in Gujba, a town in Yobe State, while transporting three motorbikes to ISWAP fighters hiding in the Timbuktu Triangle, a well-known terrorist stronghold, reports Zagazola Makama.
According to authorities, ISWAP relies on smuggled goods: motorcycles, fuel, food, and weapons to sustain its operations. The insurgents often receive help from informants within local communities who provide intelligence, assist their movements, and secure fresh supplies. Despite military efforts to weaken ISWAP, the group has managed to regroup repeatedly due to these supply networks.
The captured suppliers are now in custody as authorities investigate their level of involvement.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
