10 most read stories on PREMIUM TIMES in 2014

In 2014, PREMIUM TIMES published thousands of news reports, analyses, opinions and investigative reports, read by several millions of people around the world.

For a turbulent year that witnessed worsening Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast region, as highlighted by the abduction of over 200 Chibok schoolgirls and the group’s seizure of territories, Nigeria also recorded some relatively positive marks, for instance, becoming Africa’s biggest economy.

But in news, Boko Haram’s bloody campaign and the nation’s bumbling politics ahead of the 2015 election, more than other subjects, appealed more to our readers as shown by PREMIUM TIMES’ 10 most read stories of 2014 below:

1. APC Presidential Primary: Buhari in early lead

PREMIUM TIMES’ reportage of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s presidential primary, early December, emerged the most popular news item of the newspaper in 2014, with the associated live updates, news stories and analyses drawing unprecedented readership.

2. Local hunters kill over 70 Boko Haram insurgents, recapture Adamawa town

The story of local hunters ambushing the insurgents and killing at least 75 Boko Haram militants in Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State, drew the second largest readership.

3. ANALYSIS: APC Presidential Primary: How the candidates stand

This is part of the APC’s presidential primary coverage. A total of 8,000 delegates of the party gathered at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos to pick from the four aspirants the party’s flag-bearer for the February 14, 2015 presidential election. The popularity of this analysis surpassed our expectation.

4. Boko Haram leader, Shekau, releases new video; vows to attack Emir Sanusi of Kano

The story of how Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, threatened to attack the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, also topped the charts.

5. Ex-Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, in secret visit to arms-laden Chad-bound plane detained in Nigeria

The ex-Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, accused of being the major sponsor of Boko Haram, was caught making a discreet visit to the arms-laden Chad-bound plane detained in Nigeria. That report was widely read and culled by newspapers and broadcast stations within and outside Nigeria.

6. EXCLUSIVE: Inside Nigerian military’s renewed offensive against Boko Haram; terrorists now on the run

Nigerian military revved up its battle against the extremist Boko Haram sect, displacing the insurgents from key towns in Adamawa and Borno states overran and seized in the past months. Our reporter risked his life to venture into the recovered territory. Our readers rewarded us by reading and sharing the articles extensively.

7. Over 200 feared dead, as explosion rocks Nigerian capital, Abuja

A bomb explosion at the Nyanya motor park, an outskirt of Abuja, the Nigerian capital city, left about 200 people dead and many injured. We were the first newspaper to arrive the scene of the blast and our coverage of the tragedy was hugely popular.

8. Bomb blast rocks Kano Central Mosque; many feared dead

Many were feared dead after a bomb explosion rocked the Kano central mosque located a short distance from the Emir’s palace.

9. We have killed Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau — Nigerian Military

The claim by the Nigerian Military that they had killed the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, for the second time drew one of the largest readerships of the year on our platform.

10. Presidency caught showcasing Kwankwaso’s projects as Jonathan’s achievement in North-West

Nigerian Presidency was reported to have showcased some projects by the Kano State government as part of President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s achievements. The story was exclusive to PREMIUM TIMES and it did ruffled some feathers in high places. It was really well read.