NAIJAFEED

Monday, June 1, 2026

Police warn against reprisal attacks on South Africans in Nigeria

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has warned against reprisal attacks on South Africans residing in Nigeria over the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in the former apartheid country.

The police issued the warning on Sunday in a statement signed by spokesman, Anthony Placid, saying anyone who attacks South African nationals or businesses in Nigeria will face the full wrath of the law.

Placid said the NPF had received concerns about possible reprisal attacks on South African nationals, businesses, and interests in Nigeria in response to the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

“While concerns about attacks on Nigerians in South Africa are understandable, the public is strongly advised not to take the law into their own hands,” the statement read.

“Reprisal attacks, violence, intimidation, destruction of property, hate speech, or any conduct that threatens public peace and national security is unlawful and will not be tolerated.

“Nigeria remains a nation governed by the rule of law. All persons lawfully residing within the country, irrespective of nationality, are entitled to protection under the law.

“Consequently, any attempt to target South African nationals, diplomatic facilities, businesses, or other lawful interests within Nigeria will be treated as a criminal act and dealt with in accordance with extant laws.”

Placid also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified, inflammatory, or inciting information, especially on social media.

According to him, false or provocative content can escalate tensions, undermine public order, and hinder diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation.

He added that the police is collaborating with other security and intelligence agencies and has implemented security measures and increased surveillance around critical national assets, foreign missions, and other key locations.

“Adequate deployments have been made to prevent any breakdown of law and order,” Placid explained.

By Oluyemi Ogunseyin, The Guardian

Friday, May 29, 2026

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment To Supporting EV Industry

The Federal Government has restated its support for the growth of Nigeria’s electric vehicle industry through policies focused on local content and innovation.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, said this in Abuja at a meeting of electric vehicle manufacturers and assemblers.

He said government would work with agencies to strengthen local participation in clean transport, energy and technology sectors.

He said the aim was to place Nigerian talent and businesses at the centre of industrial development.

Representatives of the Electric Vehicle Assemblers and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria said the group had gained legal status and expanded its membership across the value chain.

They said Nigeria has the capacity to become a hub for electric mobility in Africa.

Officials of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council said reforms would continue to support investment in emerging industries.

They said electric mobility could create jobs and support growth in manufacturing, energy and logistics.

Industry stakeholders also pointed to challenges such as funding gaps and weak infrastructure.

The meeting ended with the election of new executives to lead the association.

By Michael Olugbode, Arise News

Nigeria firm unveils Africa's largest EV charging hub

Islamic State claims first attacks in North-west Nigeria

The Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) has claimed what appears to be its first reported attacks in North-west Nigeria, in which 18 soldiers and a police officer were killed in Kebbi and Sokoto states.

The claims were published in Al-Naba, an Islamic States’ weekly propaganda magazine published on Thursday.

The claims came about six months after United States President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against those he described as Islamic State elements in the North-west, following his claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria.

However, analysts and security observers remain divided over the footprint of Islamic State in the North-west region.
The claims

According to Al-Naba, ISSP fighters ambushed a patrol team of the Nigerian Army on 28th of Dhul Qadah (15 May) near Runji village in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Islamic State claimed that the attack led to a gun battle involving machine guns, during which seven soldiers were killed while others sustained injuries and fled the area.

The terror group added that its fighters burnt a military vehicle and seized eight rifles as well as three machine guns during the encounter.

In Kebbi State, the group said ISSP fighters carried out another ambush earlier in May near Giro Masa village, killing 11 soldiers and a police officer, while injuring others.

According to the Al-Naba publication, the troops were allegedly attacked while attempting to track the fighters in the area.

It also claimed that two military vehicles were destroyed and weapons carted away during the attack.

The claims by the extremist group could not be independently verified as of press time, while Nigerian military authorities are yet to officially comment on the allegations.

However, similar attacks were recorded mid-May in Illela LGA, Sokoto, and Shanga LGA, Kebbi. Both attacks were blamed on Lakurawa, a terror group that has been operating in the region for years.

The latest claims are expected to renew the debate around Lakurawa’s affiliation.

Analysts hold differing opinions regarding the group’s ideological and operational affiliation. While some believe Lakurawa is aligned with an al-Qaeda franchise operating across the Sahel, others argue that the group may instead be operating as a local affiliate of the Islamic State.

The uncertainty surrounding the group’s allegiance has continued to complicate efforts to clearly define the evolving militant landscape in Nigeria’s North-west, where armed banditry, cross-border insurgency and extremist infiltration increasingly overlap.

By Yakubu Mohammed, Premium Times

President Tinubu says reforms stabilising economy despite hardship

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said on Friday his economic reforms stabilised the country and revived investor confidence, despite a steep cost-of-living squeeze on households three years into his presidency.

Tinubu, ‌who is seeking re-election in January, cited a near fivefold surge in the stock market to a record 250,000 points, rising market capitalisation and increased infrastructure spending, including more than 2,700 km (1,678 miles) of roads under construction or rehabilitation, and ongoing rail upgrades.

Since 2023, Tinubu's reforms — scrapping ⁠a costly petrol subsidy, cutting electricity subsidies and devaluing the naira currency — have triggered the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

In an anniversary statement on Friday, Tinubu said that painful reforms were beginning to yield macroeconomic gains — stronger public finances, rising market confidence and fresh investment.
"Today, I can say with confidence that Nigeria has stabilised and is moving forward again. Across the country, visible progress is taking shape," he said.

He also said reforms had drawn new oil ‌and ⁠gas investment and lifted domestic refining, cutting fuel imports and easing foreign exchange pressure, adding that efforts to clear 4 trillion naira ($2.92 billion) in power sector debts, expand transmission and increase output were ongoing, with better electricity supply key to growth.

Security operations ⁠against armed groups and criminal gangs have intensified, he said, with some gains despite ongoing challenges.

Nigeria has battled banditry in the northwest, communal violence in central states, a ⁠separatist movement in the southeast and a 17-year Islamist insurgency in the northeast, with militants this year stepping up attacks on military bases.

Tinubu urged ⁠Nigerians to stay the course, saying the "foundation for recovery has been laid" and that the benefits of reform would become more visible over time.

By Camillus Eboh, Reuters

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Video - Nigeria turns to global partnerships to boost food security

Nigeria is increasingly relying on international partnerships to modernize agriculture and strengthen food production. One key collaboration is with Chinese firm CGCOC Agriculture, which is introducing modern farming technologies and training local farmers to improve productivity and sustainability. CGTN looks at how the initiative is transforming farming communities and what it could mean for Nigeria’s long-term food security goals.

CGTN Africa