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Reps Open Fresh Probe into N1.12tn Farm Scheme, Summon Insurers Over Gaps
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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has intensified its investigation into the troubled Anchor Borrowers Programme, turning its spotlight on insurance providers linked to the scheme amid concerns over weak coverage and alleged fund mismanagement.
At a hearing convened by the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, lawmakers began scrutinising the role of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation alongside private insurers in a programme valued at over N1.12 trillion.
The session forms part of a broader inquiry into how funds earmarked for agricultural support were handled, including allegations of diversion by government agencies and questions surrounding disbursement by participating financial institutions.
Representing the Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Dayo Babaronti told the committee that the agency insured just over 200,000 farmers, covering about N109 billion under the scheme.
He revealed that the Central Bank deviated from the original framework, which designated the corporation as the sole insurer, by bringing in additional firms, including Veritas Kapital Insurance and Leadway Insurance. Neither company was present at the hearing.
According to him, the corporation’s involvement amounted to only a small fraction of the overall programme, leaving significant gaps in coverage.
He also outlined the corporation’s limited role in other agricultural financing initiatives, including support for smallholder farmers and specific crop programmes, where insurance backing fell far short of funding allocations. In some cases, he noted, the corporation was excluded entirely despite policy provisions.
Tge Committee Chairman, Rep. Chike Okafor, signalled that further hearings would follow, noting that the panel had received numerous complaints from farmers and industry groups regarding inadequate insurance protection.
He explained that the committee will recall the agency for additional questioning, particularly as its submission arrived late, leaving little time for proper review.
Rep. Okafor maintained that the investigation is aimed at uncovering the root causes behind the programme’s shortcomings and ensuring accountability across all institutions involved.
He pointed to early findings suggesting that key stakeholders, especially farmers and commodity associations, were largely excluded from the design and implementation of the intervention, a factor believed to have contributed to its underperformance.
He stressed the committee’s determination to get to the bottom of the issues, stating, “The reason why we are here is because the programmes did not succeed 100%. If they had succeeded 100%, we will not be here.”
The Defence Headquarters has clarified the recent public discussions surrounding the neutralisation of a prominent terrorist commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki.
A collaborative operation with the United States Africa Command on May 16, 2026, led to the killing of Bilal Al-Minuki.
Following the development, certain media outlets referenced a similar operation from 2024, which involved the elimination of a terrorist commander with the same name.
This has understandably raised questions regarding the identity of the individual who was recently neutralised.
In a statement signed by Somalia Uba, Director of Defence Information, the DHQ said: “It is crucial to note that in the North East region and throughout the Lake Chad Basin, the use of similar or identical names, aliases and nom de guerres is prevalent among ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists.
“This practice is a deliberate part of their indoctrination strategy, aimed at obscuring identities. This fact has been corroborated over the years during counter-terrorism operations in Northeast Nigeria.
“The Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki who was eliminated on May 16, 2026, has been positively identified through human intelligence and technical surveillance as a senior global operative within the Islamic State network, possessing direct connections to international terrorist coordination, funding and operations across the Sahel. Thus, there is no ambiguity regarding his identity.”
The statement added that the strike represents a significant achievement in the country’s counter-terrorism initiatives.
It said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with the United States, remain dedicated to dismantling terrorist networks and will continue to disseminate verified information through official channels.
It called on the general public and the media to rely solely on authorised sources to prevent confusion arising from coincidental name similarities.
Three aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who were anointed as consensus candidates by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State for House of Representatives seats have been disqualified by the party.
The three aspirants endorsed by Aiyedatiwa, who have been screened out, were identified as Tajudeen Adefisoye (Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency), Victor Ategbole (Akoko South-East/South-West federal constituency) and Samuel Arowele (Owo/Ose federal constituency).
Others not cleared along with the governor’s preferred aspirants are Seun Ajongbolo (Akoko South-East/South-West federal constituency), Morufu Ibrahim, Oyeniyi Oseni ((Akoko North-East/North-West) and Olaleye Adedipe (Akoko North-East/North-West).
With the reasons for the disqualification of the aspirants not revealed in a statement issued on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, some aspirants in the state have kicked and condemned the endorsement of the anointed aspirants.
Meanwhile, there was large turnout of APC members on Saturday during the direct primaries conducted across the 203 wards of the state.
In Akur metropolis, party members arrived at the designated wards in their numbers around 8:00 am with the officials of the party doing a headcount of everyone.
At Wards 4, 5, and 8, members of the party were seen queuing behind the poster of the aspirants they are supporting.
Meanwhile, there was an uproar in some of the wards as party faithful lamented that electoral officials were not on the ground to take record of the exercise.
Six suspected Islamic State West Africa Province members, including a bomb expert, were killed early Friday when an improvised explosive device detonated prematurely in Marte Local Government Area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the blast occurred around 7:00 a.m. on May 16, 2026, at Jubilaram while the group was assembling the device. The team was led by Abu Umar, identified as a bomb expert, who died in the explosion along with five other militants. Three others were reportedly injured.
Intelligence assessments say the deceased were part of ISWAP’s IED cell operating along the Marte–Kerenoa–Wulgo axis in the Lake Chad Basin. The explosion destroyed the site, located between Arinna Maimasallaci and Arinna Ciki, and is expected to temporarily disrupt the group’s bomb-making operations in the area.
Military sources said the incident could weaken ISWAP’s capability along key routes in the Marte axis. Authorities are considering follow-up air and ground operations to exploit the disruption.
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