Niger Republic, a poor West African country, has repatriated 2,429 citizens of Nigeria, a supposed big brother neighbour.

According to data from the Mixed Migration Centre, the repatriation took place in May this year.

Niger is a major route for young African desperate to embark on dangerous journey to Europe through Libya and Algeria.

The figures are contained in the Quarterly Mixed Migration Update for West Africa, Quarter 2 2026.

The latest data come as Nigeria continues to grapple with a wider japa wave, driven largely by economic hardship that has also pushed hundreds of thousands of citizens toward the UK, the United States, Canada, and other destinations through both regular and irregular channels in recent years.

The Nigeria Immigration Service had in May this year, confirmed the arrival of at least 1,100 Nigerians who travelled by road from Niger Republic on May 22, 2026.

Two days later, the National Emergency Management Agency received an additional 329 returnees from Agadez, Niger’s main desert transit hub, bringing the total to more than 1,400.

The Mixed Migration Centre, a Geneva-headquartered research body affiliated with the Danish Refugee Council, stated that the mass return “highlight the continued presence of stranded migrants in Niger, many of whom face prolonged stays in IOM (International Organization for Migration) centres or urban areas with limited resources.”

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress, ADC, has hit back at former president Olusegun Obasanjo, saying 2027 politics is behind Obasanjo’s lies against him

Obasanjo had recently that Atiku who served as vice president while Obasanjo was president, sponsored impeachment plot to take him out of power.

Obasanjo alleged that Atiku bribed Ghali Na’Abba, then Speaker of House of Representatives, to impeach him.

But reacting to the allegation, Atiku said Obasanjo came out with the accusations this time, to tarnish his image and give advantage to political opponents ahead of 2027 presidential election.

Atiku expressed shock that Obasanjo would reignite such serious allegation at a time Ghali Na’Abba is not alive to defend himself and urged Obasanjo to be bold enough to openly declare support to his preferred candidate rather than telling lies to tarnish his image.

Atiku’s response was made Friday through a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

“If former President Obasanjo has chosen to take a political position ahead of 2027, he should simply declare it and allow Nigerians to judge it on its merits”, Atiku said, insisting that political differences should not be fought through what he described as unsubstantiated claims.

He further maintained that if there had been credible evidence of any wrongdoing at the time, Obasanjo’s administration possessed the Constitutional power to investigate and prosecute the matter.

Atiku stated: “If there was indeed evidence of any criminal conduct as alleged, Nigerians are entitled to ask why no action was taken at the time, by a government that wielded the full powers of the Nigerian State.”

The ADC Presidential Candidate further suggested that the former President’s criticism of him, stems from the political fallout surrounding his opposition to Obasanjo’s controversial third-term agenda, while serving as Vice President.

According to Atiku, his decision to resist any attempt to alter Nigeria’s Constitutional order, remains one of the defining moments of the country’s democratic history.

While dismissing the renewed allegations, Atiku said that Nigerians are more concerned about the nation’s pressing economic and security challenges, than political disputes from the past.

He therefore, pledged that his focus would remain on offering solutions to the country’s economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and governance challenges, rather than engaging in historical political battles.

A Nigerian soldier, Private Mohammed Yusuf Damu, has been declared wanted by the Army headquarters over “his alleged involvement in the illegal sale and supply of military uniforms to terrorists and other criminal elements.”

The Corps announced this in a statement on Thursday signed by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Maj. Oluwatope Aluko, saying preliminary investigations linked the soldier to the alleged illegal activities after he absconded from his unit.

According to the statement, Amutu, who was serving at the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, “absconded from his unit on 3 June 2026.”

“Consequently, he has been declared wanted by the appropriate military authorities, while intensive efforts are underway to locate and apprehend him to face a full investigation and appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with extant military laws,” the statement added.

The Corps stressed that it had “zero tolerance for misconduct, indiscipline, or any act capable of compromising the operational effectiveness, integrity and reputation of the Nigerian Army or threatening national security.”

It warned that “any personnel found to have aided terrorists, criminals or other non-state actors through the unauthorized sale, diversion or distribution of military uniforms, accoutrements or other controlled items will be subjected to the full weight of military and civil laws.”

The Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could lead to the arrest of the wanted soldier, urging anyone with useful information to report to the nearest military formation or any security agency.

It also reassured Nigerians of its “unwavering commitment to accountability, professionalism and the protection of military assets,” adding that it would continue to strengthen internal control measures and ensure that every allegation of misconduct is thoroughly investigated while those found culpable are “held fully accountable.”