Nnamdi Kanu’s Arrest, TB Joshua’s Death And Other Major Events That Rocked 2021

Damilola Adeniyi and Justina Otio

The year 2021 has been filled with numerous happenings best described as the good, the bad and the ugly, which captured the attention of Nigerians and the international community.

Happenings in the political scene were a major feature, as security issues across the country also stirred reactions and calls for a better security structure in the country.

The security challenges across the country all saw some prominent persons in the country call for the removal of  President Muhammadu Buhari, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

Health-related issues, disasters and other news were not left out in the incidents that happened in 2021.

Naija News has deemed it fit to review the major happenings this year in no particular order.

See the list below:

Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau Killed

The Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) on the 5th of  June, 2021 confirmed the death of the dreaded former leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau.

Naija News reported that ISWAP confirmed Shekau’s death in a message from Abu Mus’ab Habeeb Bin Muhammad Bin Yusuf al-Barnawi, born Habib Yusuf, leader of the terrorists.

ISWAP disclosed that Shekau blew himself up after refusing to surrender following the invasion of his hideout on May 19, 2021.

Boko Haram Founder’s Son And Notorious ISWAP Leader Al-Barnawi Killed

The vicious leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abu Musab Al-Barnawi was killed in Borno State.

It was gathered from multiple sources that the dreaded ISWAP leader was killed in the last week of August, this year.

He was killed by Nigerian soldiers while the second version claimed that his death was due to internal rivalry in ISWAP.

IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu Arrested

The federal government of Nigeria on the 29th of June, 2021 confirmed the arrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

According to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), Kanu was arrested and brought back to Nigeria.

The AGF during a media briefing stated that the IPOB leader was arrested based on a collaborative effort between security agencies in Nigeria and Interpol.

Yoruba Nation Agitator, Sunday Igboho’s Residence Invaded

The Department of State Services on 1st of July, 2021 confirmed the attack on the residence of Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, in Soka, Oyo State.

The secret police also disclosed that two allies of the Yoruba Nation agitator were killed during an operation at his Ibadan residence.

The spokesman of the secret police, Peter Afunanya, while speaking on the operation said the residence of Igboho was invaded based on intelligence that he had stockpiled arms in the place. 

Sunday Igboho Arrested In Benin Republic

Following the invasion of his residence in Soka, Oyo State, the Yoruba Nation agitator tried to escape from the country, he was, however, arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Igboho was apprehended at the Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport by the security forces in the Benin Republic about three weeks after the Department of State Services declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms, an allegation he has since denied.

SCOAN Founder, Prophet Temitope Balogun Died

A frontline Nigerian televangelist and founder of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, also known as TB Joshua died on the 6th of June, 2021.

It was gathered that TB Joshua, 57, died in Lagos after concluding a programme at his church in Ikotun.

Buhari Govt Bow To Pressure Finally Declares Bandits As Terrorists

Bandit terrorists operating in the North-west and North-central regions of the country have been declared as insurgent groups by a Nigerian court.

Naija News reports that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Ministry of Justice had filed a motion ex-parte on behalf of the Federal Government to the effect.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mohammed Abubakar, said the order to tag bandits as terrorists were given by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ojodu Berger Accident: Safety Measures To Keep Children Safe

A truck had reportedly killed and caused various injuries to 12 students in the Ojodu area of Lagos.

Naija News had reported that the children were students of Ojodu grammar school.

Two of the students Adedoyin Adebayo and Akpolebi Israel were later confirmed dead while seven females and five males sustained various degrees of injuries.

The driver identified as Bolaji Kabiru was apprehended by the police and taken into custody.

However, the students of the school angrily set the drivers vehicle ablaze, vandalizing Ojodu Police Station, operational vehicles of the men of Nigeria Police Force, the Vehicle Inspection Service and some other private vehicles.

Sylvester Oromoni: Parenting A Bully

In November 2021, a young boy died after he was allegedly beaten up by seniors in his boarding school in Dowen college and given a harmful substance to consume.

The deceased’s cousin, Perrie Oromoni had revealed the circumstances surrounding the death of the 12-year-old on Twitter.

The incident had sparked a nationwide cry with so many celebrities seeking justice for Sylvester.

However, Dowen college had released a statement maintaining that Sylvester died from injuries sustained during a football match that had made him hurt his hip.

Bercy Ogah Bitten By Snake In Rest Room

Bercy Jane Oga was bitten by a huge snake in her restroom in her flat at the NAF Base on Bill Clinton Drive in Abuja while urinating.

Naija News reported that after the incident the deceased took her child and a relative staying with her to a neighbour’s house before driving herself to the Nigerian Air force Hospital where she gave up the ghost.

On arriving at the hospital, the anti-venom was not given to her immediately. The person in charge of the anti-venom vaccine was also not seated. All these factors consequently led to the death of Bercy.

Sanwo-Olu Receives Lagos #EndSARS Panel Reports

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on the 15th of November, 2021 received the reports on police brutality cases and the Lekki shooting investigation from the state judicial panel.

Naija News reports that the governor received the two reports from the Chairperson of the panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi (rtd). at the State Secretariat in Ikeja.

Speaking after receiving the report, Sanwo-Olu stated that the report will be submitted to the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

21-Storey Building Collapses In Lagos

The 21-storey building which collapsed along Gerald Road, Ikoyi on the 1st of November, 2021, led to the death of more than forty people.

Naija News reported that the owner of the 21-storey building which collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos State, Femi Osibona died in the incident.

Osibona who was the Managing Director of Fourscore Homes Limited was trapped inside the 21-storey building under construction alongside one of his friends, Bob Oseni.

Tinubu Hospitalised In US, Undergoes Surgery

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu a few months ago underwent knee surgery at the John Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland, the United States.

It was gathered that the former Lagos State Governor returned to the United Kingdom on crutches after undergoing the successful surgery.

Tinubu who has not expressed his intention to contest in the 2023 general elections, received numerous politicians in London, including President Muhammadu Buhari, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and several others.

Pandora Papers: Investigations Exposes Top Secret Of Nigeria Politicians, Pastor, Others

The offshore hideaways of some Nigerian and the world most powerful and influential individuals were exposed after an investigation by investigative journalists from across the world.

The investigation, which took about two years is the tagged project ‘Pandora Papers’, facilitated by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, ICIJ, which obtained a trove of 11.9 million confidential files.

600 journalists from 150 news organisations around the world spent two years studying and sorting files, contextualising information, tracking down sources, and analysing public records and other documents.