Naija breaking news 2015
Here are some of the major breaking news stories in Nigeria in 2015:
- Chibok Girls Abduction: On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram militants kidnapped over 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State. The incident sparked widespread outrage and international attention. In 2015, some of the girls were released, while others remained in captivity.
- Boko Haram Insurgency: The terrorist group continued to wreak havoc in Nigeria, carrying out attacks on civilians, military personnel, and government installations. The insurgency led to the displacement of millions of people and widespread human rights abuses.
- General Sani Abacha Loot Recovery: In 2015, the Nigerian government recovered a significant portion of the loot stolen by former military dictator General Sani Abacha, estimated to be around $500 million. The recovered funds were used to finance infrastructure projects and social programs.
- Nigerian Economy Enters Recession: In the second quarter of 2015, Nigeria's economy officially entered a recession, triggered by a decline in oil prices and production. The recession had a significant impact on the country's economy, leading to high inflation, unemployment, and poverty.
- Elections and Political Crisis: Nigeria held presidential and parliamentary elections in March 2015, which were marred by violence, rigging allegations, and a political crisis. The elections were eventually declared free and fair, with Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
- Boko Haram Leader Abubakar Shekau Killed: In June 2015, Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, was reportedly killed in a battle with Nigerian troops. However, the authenticity of his death was later disputed, and some believed he was still alive.
- Nigerian Military Operations in Sambisa Forest: In 2015, the Nigerian military launched a series of operations to flush out Boko Haram insurgents from their stronghold in the Sambisa Forest. The operations led to the liberation of several towns and the capture of key Boko Haram leaders.
- Ebola Outbreak: In 2015, Nigeria experienced a small outbreak of Ebola, which was quickly contained by health authorities. The outbreak was linked to a Liberian-American man who traveled to Nigeria and contracted the virus.
- Nigerian Air Force Plane Crash: In December 2015, a Nigerian Air Force plane crashed in Abuja, killing all 11 people on board. The crash was attributed to a technical fault.
- Nigerian Government's Anti-Corruption Drive: In 2015, the Nigerian government launched a high-profile anti-corruption drive, led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The drive led to the arrest and prosecution of several high-profile politicians and business leaders accused of corruption.
These are just a few of the major breaking news stories in Nigeria in 2015. The year was marked by significant challenges, including the Boko Haram insurgency, economic recession, and political crisis.