Crime
Exposed: How N81.2bn was used to plant trees in Nigeria
The lawmakers who spoke during the investigative hearing into the ‘Utilisation of ecological funds released to National Great Green Wall from 2015 to date’, expressed displeasure over the conflicting financial reports submitted by the Central Bank of Nigeria, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Agency, queried some of the expenditures carried out during the period under review.
According to the lawmakers who spoke after scrutinizing the documents submitted to the Ad-hoc Committee, the sum of N697.372m and an additional sum of N500m, as well as N480.657m, spent on renovation of office accommodation; N11.28bn on capital projects as well as claiming ownership of some projects carried out by lawmakers under Constituency Project as its project and exclusion of three States in the tree planting exercise.
The lawmakers also queried the rationale for Wareho using multi-billion naira in the Agency’s account for several years without returning such unutilized funds to the government’s coffer in line with extant financial regulations.
While lamenting that the Agency did not carry out any audit of its finance since inception, the lawmakers frowned at the humongous amount spent on capacity building and other subheads that are alien to the mandates of the Agency as encapsulated in the Act.
Worried by the inability of the Agency to substantiate most of the tree planting projects carried out so far, the lawmakers who spoke on their independent findings argued that 80 per cent of trees planted by the Agency did not survive.
Recall that the sum of N1bn belonging to the Agency was fraudulently laundered by some officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment in 2015 but was recovered by Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences.
The illicit transfers were carried out in collaboration with some financial banks and the Bureau de Change, according to the investigators.
According to the 6-page documents with Reference No: BKS/CSO/CON/NASS/005/082 dated 22nd August 2023 submitted by Central Bank of Nigeria, the total sum of N9,465,960,382.57 was domiciled in the Agency’s account from 2015 to date.
In his presentation, CBN Director, Mr. Samuel Okudere disclosed that out of the seven accounts opened by the Agency, only one was a mandated account.
Meanwhile, the documents submitted by the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein showed that a total sum of N19.378bn was released from the Derivation & Ecology Accounts to the Agency from February 2019 to date.
In addition, the Agency also received the sum of N11.02bn as capital expenditure through the AGF.
While responding to questions from the lawmakers, NAGGW Managing Director, Dr Yusuf Bukar, the Great Green Wall Act which was signed by Mr. President in 2015, enables the Agency to implement the Nigerian component of the programme as an initiative of the African Union being implemented in 11 Africa countries to coherently address the problem of land degradation, desertification, drought, climate change and livelihood of affected communities.
He disclosed that the Agency planted one million trees in Borno, Yobe and other states, the sum of N2.4bn was released in the first phase, and N7.3bn was released in the second phase, respectively.
He added that the Fund accruing into the Agency’s account include: 15 percent of the ecological fund for the Great Green Wall, contribution of fund from the natural resources development fund and gifts, loans and grants in aid from national bilateral, multilateral organisations and donors international and development agencies as well as individuals.
While affirming that the Agency gets funds from Donor Agencies, he couldn’t provide relevant documents on the amount received so far.
While responding to questions concerning various infractions in the implementation of its activities, he however affirmed that the Agency has deviated from its original mandate.
Speaking during the flag-off of the investigative hearing, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas explained that the Ad-hoc Committee was mandated to investigate:
All releases, all funds received from International organizations or Donor agencies from 2015 to date; All budgetary and other Federal allocations to the National Agency for the Great Green Wall from 2015 to date; the utilization of ecological funds released to the Great Green Wall by the international organisations; All contracts awarded to various contractors for the project from 2015 to date; and the total sum received through the policy and the level of compliance with the goals and objectives of the projects.
Abbas who was represented by Hon. Dickson Tarkir explained that the objectives of this investigative hearing are: to gather data to ensure the programme is optimally implemented, identify challenges affecting the execution of the project, expose corruption, and guide the new administration in the continued implementation of this policy which is crucial to both the well-being and the security of our nation.
Furthermore, expenditures of public funds and ensuring such expenditures are in line with this hearing fulfils the parliamentary responsibility to set down rules and of public interest and annual budgetary provisions, not forgetting donations from both domestic and international donor agencies.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Isma’ila Dabo observed that the persistence of these environmental challenges despite funds put into the programme from both the federal government and international partners necessitated this investigation to provide fair hearings to all parties and for all issues affecting successful implementation of the project to be brought on the table.
He noted that “after this hearing, we shall embark on, an on-the-spot assessment tour to all the projects executed under this scheme to ascertain the claims.
“The Ad-hoc committee is resolute in undertaking this assignment in the interest of all Nigerians. We are not here to scandalize any individual or organization but only to ensure that public funds are utilised for the purpose they are meant for. We will not shy away from pointing fingers where necessary, not out of personal animosity but simply in the national interest of our nation.”
Two police officers have been killed after suspected armed herders ambushed the convoy of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The latest attack occurred on Monday evening, barely four days after another deadly incident in the community reportedly left four policemen and seven residents dead.
Community sources said the DPO had travelled to Makurdi on official duty and was returning to Ayilamo when his entourage came under attack.
One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims were among newly deployed Mobile Police officers stationed in the area.
He said the officers were attacked at about 6pm while travelling from Ayilamo to escort the DPO back to the community from Makurdi.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said two officers attached to the DPO’s entourage were killed in the attack.
“The DPO came to Makurdi to collect some things, and while returning to Ayilamo, he was attacked and lost two of his men in the attack,” Aondongu said.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in Ayilamo, where repeated attacks have resulted in casualties among security personnel and residents.
The Nigeria Police Force has placed its formations nationwide on red alert following intelligence reports of planned terrorist attacks on worship centres, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other public places.
The alert followed fresh intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on vulnerable targets across the country.
Police authorities also reportedly received intelligence on the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
The operational order was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, with reference number CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, issued by the Department of Operations at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Marked “Security General” and tagged “Treat as Very Important,” the message was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1–17, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism and other specialised units, as well as Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The police directed formations to intensify vigilance and take proactive measures to prevent criminal and terrorist elements from carrying out attacks.
The warning specifically highlighted places of worship, educational institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable public locations as potential targets.
A 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been rescued in Onitsha, Anambra State, after his abductors reportedly abandoned him near a security checkpoint.
Ayogu was rescued on the evening of September 13, 2026, by a joint security patrol team operating along Oguta Road, Onitsha.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the teenager was found at Ekene Junction after unidentified persons reportedly pushed him out of a black Toyota Highlander SUV close to a security checkpoint.
The patrol team immediately intervened and rescued the victim, thereby preventing what the police described as further danger to his life.
Following the rescue, the Command said it had intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations to identify and apprehend members of the suspected criminal gang responsible for the abduction.
The police also appealed to residents of Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State who may have useful information about Ayogu or his family to contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command in Awka.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the security personnel involved in the rescue and directed officers to sustain strategic checkpoints, intelligence-led patrols and coordinated security operations across the state.
The Command assured residents and visitors that it would continue to intensify efforts to prevent criminal elements from using Anambra as a safe haven.
At least nine passengers have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 9:40 p.m. when the bus, which was travelling towards Jos, stopped at the junction to drop off some passengers.
Several other passengers were reportedly injured in the attack and rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and teacher of one of the victims, identified the driver as Ibrahim and said three of the victims were from his community in Bukuru.
“The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial,” Suleiman said.
The bus was reportedly riddled with bullets, with bloodstains visible inside the vehicle after the attack.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), also confirmed the incident, saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.
Tengwong said one of those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow.
“The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives,” he said.
He added that some passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospitals, while some of the injured reportedly later died.
The attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of commuters travelling along the route at night amid continuing security challenges in parts of Plateau State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The Enugu State Police Command has ordered an investigation into two separate incidents of alleged disruption of political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
The incidents reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ndiuno-Obuoffia community and St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to thoroughly investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
According to the statement, armed hoodlums allegedly disrupted a National Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia with sporadic gunshots, leaving two attendees injured.
In a separate incident at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani, hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs arranged for a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.
The police said operatives were promptly deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches of peace and track down the fleeing suspects.
The Command, however, noted that neither of the political gatherings had been formally brought to the attention of the police for security coverage.
CP Giwa reiterated his warning that all political activities in the state must be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
He stressed that electoral offences are punishable under the law and warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting public peace or the electoral process.
The Commissioner urged political parties and other stakeholders to notify the police ahead of campaigns, meetings, rallies and other political gatherings to enable the Command to make adequate security arrangements.
He assured residents that the police would continue to maintain a peaceful and secure environment for lawful political activities while dealing decisively with anyone found violating the law.
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