Nigerian news roundup: Terrorist financing, 2027 presidential debates, US military training, Awujale succession, and road reconstruction protests

Foreign-based facilitators reportedly solicit donations via social media under humanitarian claims, fragmenting and transferring funds through various channels to Nigerian money mules, including students and small-business owners. Meanwhile, 2027 presidential contenders Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Donald Duke, and Omoyele Sowore presented differing views on insecurity, policing, and fuel subsidy at an NBA conference in Port Harcourt. Obi advocated for a security overhaul linked to poverty and unemployment, while Amaechi emphasized intelligence and economic empowerment.

Duke questioned the existence of fuel subsidy, contrasting with Sowore's stance to retain it for the benefit of the poor. In security cooperation, US forces have trained Nigerian troops in Bauchi on unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care, weapons familiarization, and explosive ordnance disposal, among other skills, as part of efforts to strengthen partner capacity. Separately, the selection process for a new Awujale has been stalled by a lawsuit from the Fusengbuwa Ruling House against the Ogun State Government and kingmakers, seeking to compel the completion of the process.

The ruling house alleges police prevented kingmakers from meeting after nominees were submitted, despite government claims of security concer