By Sabiu Abdullahi

Some commercial ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz and nearby Gulf waters have begun identifying themselves as linked to China in an apparent effort to avoid attacks since the start of the Iran war.

Marine traffic data shows that several vessels in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman altered their destination signals to short messages such as “CHINA OWNER” or “CHINA OWNER&CREW”. The Associated Press reviewed the data from the ship-tracking platform MarineTraffic.

At least eight vessels adopted the practice. Some of them later continued their journey through the strait toward their destinations. Others remained within the surrounding waters.

Security analysts say the move appears intended to lower the chances of being targeted. Ana Subasic, a trade risk analyst at data and analytics firm Kpler, which owns MarineTraffic, explained the reason behind the signals.

“The main goal of vessels publicly identifying themselves as ‘Chinese’ while transiting the Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz is primarily to reduce the risk of being attacked rather than to facilitate passage through the strait itself,” she said.

According to analysts, Iran and groups allied with it have generally avoided striking vessels connected to China. Observers attribute this to Beijing’s relatively neutral position and its strong economic ties with Tehran.

Kun Cao, client director at consulting firm Reddal, said the message carried by such signals is clear. “The message is more like ‘do not mistake me for the kind of ship you said you would hit,’” he said.

Attacks on ships in the Gulf and surrounding waters have raised alarm among global shipping companies. Reports indicate that at least 19 commercial vessels in the region have sustained damage since the conflict began.

MarineTraffic data also shows that most of the ships using the China identification messages do not sail under the Chinese flag. Several of them are registered in countries such as Panama and the Marshall Islands.

Cao explained that the nationality of a ship’s flag often does not reflect the origin of its owner in international shipping.

Experts say the effectiveness of the tactic remains uncertain. Rico Luman, a senior economist at Dutch bank ING who specialises in transport and logistics, said many cargo ships have strong business links with China through ownership, operations or cargo.

Destination signals are short messages that ship crews manually enter into their vessel’s tracking system. The information is broadcast publicly and usually indicates the ship’s next port.

Subasic said the messages help improve navigation safety and allow ports to prepare for arriving vessels. However, the information is not always verified immediately.

Because of that, she said, “some vessels occasionally use it to display additional information or signals, such as references to ownership or nationality.”

A similar tactic appeared earlier during attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group in the Red Sea. At that time, some ships also declared links to China in an attempt to reduce the risk of being targeted.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has warned members of the State Executive Council against acts of disloyalty and the leaking of government information.

The governor issued the warning on Thursday during the 38th State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Kano.

Governor Yusuf disclosed that some commissioners had resigned following recent political realignments within the state.

He said five commissioners had already stepped down from their positions and that he had accepted their resignations.

“I just want to inform members of the council that, following the political alignments, some commissioners have decided to resign,” the governor said.

“Of the total number, five of them have resigned, and I accepted their resignation. I therefore also wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours.”

The governor also urged the remaining members of the council to reaffirm their commitment to the administration and the ideals of their political party.

“To those that have decided to remain with us and align with the principles and philosophies of our party, I want to appeal to you to rededicate yourselves to the service of the present administration,” he said.

He stressed the need for unity among members of the government, noting that collective effort was necessary to deliver on the administration’s mandate to the people.

“I want you to know that we are still one party and we have to work together for the betterment of our people,” Yusuf added.

The governor further warned that the era of internal divisions, disloyalty and information leaks within the administration must come to an end.

“The era of rancour, the era of disloyalty, the era of leakage of information, and the era of coming in between one another is over,” he said.

He urged council members to remain focused and committed to their responsibilities, warning that anyone who goes against the principles of the administration would be removed.

“However, that does not mean that whoever goes contrary to the dictates and the principles of this administration will not be voted out,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, the state Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, was absent from the meeting.

Gwarzo has reportedly declined to join the All Progressives Congress alongside the governor and has also not resigned from his position.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

An Iranian drone strike on a United States military facility in Kuwait during the early stage of the war between Washington and Tehran has killed six American service members and left dozens of others seriously injured.

The attack targeted a tactical operations centre at Shuaiba port near Kuwait City on March 1, according to multiple sources cited by CBS News.

The strike occurred in the early hours of the conflict. It triggered a difficult rescue operation after thick smoke filled the building and trapped several personnel inside.

Sources said the situation at the scene was severe. Rescuers struggled to reach the wounded soldiers due to heavy smoke and scattered debris.

More than 30 American military personnel remained hospitalised as of Tuesday night after the attack.

One injured service member is receiving treatment at Brooke Army Medical Centre in San Antonio. Twelve others are being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre near Washington, D.C. About 25 additional troops are undergoing treatment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre in Germany.

Sources said about 20 wounded soldiers were transported to Germany on Tuesday aboard a C-17 military aircraft after their conditions were classified as urgent. Many of them reportedly suffered traumatic brain injuries, memory loss and severe concussions.

Military authorities also deployed over 100 additional medical personnel to the Landstuhl facility to support treatment for the wounded.

Two service members who were initially listed as missing after the strike were later discovered trapped under rubble, according to the sources.

The Pentagon earlier played down the scale of the casualties. On March 1, it stated that five troops had suffered serious injuries while several others sustained minor wounds such as shrapnel injuries and concussions.

Under United States military classification, a serious injury refers to a condition that requires medical attention where doctors believe death is possible but unlikely within 72 hours.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged the strike last week while speaking at the Pentagon. He said American air defence systems intercepted most of the incoming projectiles, although one drone managed to penetrate the defences.

“You have air defences, and a lot’s coming in, and you hit most of it. Every once in a while, you might have one, unfortunately, we call it a squirter, that makes its way through. And in that particular case, it happened to hit a tactical operations center that was fortified, but these are powerful weapons,” he said.

Hegseth noted that the drone struck a fortified tactical operations centre and emphasised the destructive power of the weapons used in the attack.

The Kuwait incident formed part of several Iranian strikes on American positions across the region after hostilities began.

At least one US service member was also killed in a separate attack in Saudi Arabia on the same day, although officials have not confirmed how many others were injured in that incident.

On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said around 140 American troops had sustained injuries since the start of the conflict. He did not specify the locations where the injuries occurred.

Parnell said most of the casualties were minor and confirmed that 108 service members had already returned to duty.

However, the Pentagon reported that eight troops remain severely injured and are currently receiving intensive medical care.

The United States military said its bases across the region are protected by extensive air defence systems designed to intercept Iranian missiles and drones. The March 1 attack, however, showed that some projectiles can still evade those defences and cause significant casualties.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States military is examining reports that outdated intelligence may have led to a missile strike that hit a girls’ school in southern Iran, an attack that reportedly killed about 170 children and 14 teachers.

Iranian state media said the strike occurred on Feb. 28 in the city of Minab. The school is located close to an Iranian naval base. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from several countries and international observers.

According to a report, investigators found fragments of an American-made Tomahawk missile at the scene. Officials familiar with the inquiry told the New York Times that the US Central Command generated the strike coordinates using old information obtained from the Defence Intelligence Agency.

The sources explained that the data used for the operation had not been updated before the strike took place. They added that investigators are still trying to determine why the information was not verified again before the missile was launched. They also noted that the inquiry is still at an early stage.

US President Donald Trump initially suggested that Iran might have been responsible for the attack. Speaking on Saturday, he said he believed Iran carried out the strike “based on what I’ve seen”.

However, two days later he appeared less certain. He said the attack could have been carried out by “Iran or somebody else”. He also described the Tomahawk missile as “very generic” and “sold to other countries”. He added: “I just don’t know enough about it.”

Iran is not believed to possess Tomahawk missiles. Apart from the United States, the weapon is also used by Britain, Australia and the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Republican Senator John Kennedy, a close ally of Mr Trump, apologised for the incident on Monday. He described the strike as a serious mistake.

He said: “Other countries do that sort of thing intentionally, like Russia. We would never do that intentionally.

“I think the department is investigating it now, and I’m sorry. I’m just so sorry it happened.”

The development came amid reports that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had recently dismissed staff members responsible for reducing civilian casualties before the strike occurred.

Reports said Mr Hegseth significantly reduced the workforce of the Civilian Protection Centre of Excellence. The agency was created under former defence secretary Lloyd Austin to prevent and investigate harm to civilians during military operations.

Although the centre cannot be abolished because it was established by an act of Congress, about 90 per cent of its staff have been removed, according to Politico.

The unit responsible for monitoring civilian casualties at the US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, has also been reduced. Its staff dropped from ten personnel to just one.

Mr Hegseth has also introduced major changes to policies inside the Pentagon. He argues that several existing rules weaken the military’s effectiveness.

In a speech last September, he said: “We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralise, hunt and kill the enemies of our country.

“No more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement, just common sense, maximum lethality and authority for warfighters.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a military base in Goniri, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists.

The attack, which unfolded from the night of March 9 into the early hours of March 10, saw ISWAP fighters attempt to overrun the location of the 120 Task Force Battalion. Military sources stated that the terrorists launched the assault from multiple directions, specifically from Goniri village and the Ngamdu junction, in an attempt to encircle the base.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the media information officer for the Joint Task Force, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the troops’ surveillance assets detected the advancing threat early, allowing for a coordinated defensive response.

“The gallant troops responded with exceptional manoeuvre and firepower, coordinating their defensive actions while reinforcements and the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI provided timely and decisive air support,” Lt. Col. Uba said.

The combination of ground firepower and aerial bombardment proved decisive, forcing the militants to retreat in disarray. At least 20 terrorists were confirmed killed during the firefight, including a senior commander identified as Abu Yusu, who served as the Munzir (commander) of the Dursula area.

“Several terrorist bodies were left behind, while troops recovered weapons and equipment abandoned during the retreat, including machine guns, AK-47 rifles, bombs and assorted ammunition of various calibre,” the statement read.

A follow-up patrol conducted in the Gwaigomari area, within the notorious Timbuktu Triangle, led to the recovery of additional bodies of the fighters early on March 11.

While confirming that the troops successfully defended the base, Lt. Col. Uba noted that the intensity of the attack caused damage to some structures and vehicles within the camp. He also confirmed that some troops were injured in the battle. They have since been evacuated and are reportedly in stable condition receiving medical treatment.

The military spokesman emphasized that the location remains firmly under the control of Operation HADIN KAI. Ground forces, still supported by air assets, are currently conducting follow-up operations and search missions in neighbouring communities where some wounded terrorists are believed to be hiding. The military reaffirmed its commitment to the total defeat of terrorist groups operating in the North-East region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that no oil shipments will pass through the Strait of Hormuz as the conflict involving the United States and Israel continues to shake global energy markets.

A spokesperson for the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said on Wednesday that the waterway would remain effectively closed. The official warned that vessels linked to the United States, Israel or their allies could face attack.

“You will not be able to artificially lower the price of oil. Expect oil at $200 per barrel,” the spokesperson said. “The price of oil depends on regional security, and you are the main source of insecurity in the region.”

The warning came as the war, which began on February 28, entered its second week with no sign of easing. The conflict has already caused major fluctuations in global oil prices.

Iran has launched missiles and drones at targets across the Middle East in response to continued attacks by the United States and Israel. The situation has raised fears of deeper disruption to global energy supplies.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime route for global energy trade. About one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the narrow waterway. The closure has already slowed oil shipments and affected production in some Gulf countries.

Maritime security firms also reported fresh attacks in the area on Wednesday. Three vessels were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz. One of them was a Thai-flagged cargo ship that came under attack about 11 nautical miles north of Oman.

Despite the security concerns, U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged commercial vessels to continue using the route.

“I think they should,” Trump said when asked whether ships should keep passing through the strait.

“I think you’re going to see great safety, and it’s going to be very, very quickly,” he added.

Meanwhile, the United Nations warned that the disruption is also affecting humanitarian operations. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher called for special arrangements to allow relief supplies to pass through the strait.

“We’re appealing to all the parties to try and secure those routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, for our humanitarian traffic … so we can reach anyone, anywhere, on the basis of greatest need,” Fletcher said.

“We’re living through a moment right now of grave peril,” he added.

The ongoing disruption has pushed world leaders to consider emergency measures. Members of the Group of Seven and the European Union are reviewing steps to reduce the economic impact of the war.

On Wednesday, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that its 32 member countries had agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to stabilise the market.

“This is a major action aiming to alleviate the immediate impacts of the disruption in markets,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said.

“But to be clear, the most important thing for a return to stable flows of oil and gas is the resumption of transit through the Strait of Hormuz,” he added.

Energy analysts warn that if shipping through the strait does not resume soon, the global economy could face a serious supply crisis.

Christian Bueger, a professor of international relations at the University of Copenhagen, said the shipping sector is already struggling to operate in the area.

“For the shipping industry right now, it’s impossible to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

“And if there are not stronger signals in the near future that they can at least try to go through the strait, then we are looking at a major shipping crisis, which can last weeks if not months.”

Several countries have already begun preparing for the disruption. Japan announced plans to release about 80 million barrels of oil from its national and private reserves. Germany and Austria also signalled that they would make part of their emergency reserves available.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the country would begin releasing the oil from Monday, noting that about 70 percent of Japan’s oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has criticised the United States and Israel over their military campaign against Iran. She said their actions fall outside international law and insisted that Italy will not join the conflict.

Meloni made the remarks on Wednesday during an address to the Italian Senate. Her comments marked her strongest criticism of the war so far.

She said the military campaign launched by Washington and Israel violated international legal norms. The Italian leader also called for a full investigation into the missile strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran.

The attack occurred on February 28, the first day of the war. More than 160 people died in the strike. Most of the victims were children.

Meloni described the incident as a “massacre”. She told lawmakers that responsibility for the strike must be determined.

“Responsibility must be ascertained for the massacre of girls in southern Iran. The safety of civilians and children must be protected,” she said.

Her position could create tension with U.S. President Donald Trump. Both leaders have previously appeared to maintain a close relationship.

Despite the criticism, Meloni stressed that Italy has no intention of joining the war. She told the Senate that the conflict was “an intervention that Italy is not part of and does not intend to take part in”.

The prime minister also addressed speculation that the United States might seek access to Italian military facilities. She said Washington has not asked to use Italian air bases for military operations. However, she explained that any such request would require approval from the Italian parliament.

Meloni warned that the conflict reflects a deeper crisis in the global order.

She said the war must be viewed within the context of a “structural crisis in the international system”. According to her, threats around the world are becoming more dangerous. She also warned that unilateral military actions are increasing.

At the same time, Meloni emphasised that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons. She said such a development would pose a serious threat to Europe.

“We cannot afford a regime of ayatollahs in possession of nuclear weapons, combined with a missile capability that could soon be able to directly strike Italy and Europe,” she said.

Questions have also emerged over the missile strike on the school in Minab. President Trump said earlier that the incident was under investigation. He also suggested that Iran might have fired the missile.

However, analysis by several experts indicates the school may have been struck by a U.S. Tomahawk missile. Neither Iran nor Israel is known to possess such weapons.

Preliminary findings from a military inquiry suggest the strike may have resulted from outdated targeting information. Officials said the investigation remains at an early stage.

If U.S. forces are confirmed to be responsible, the attack could rank among the most serious incidents involving American troops killing civilians in the Middle East in recent decades.

Meloni said the United States must establish who carried out the strike.

Meanwhile, the Italian government has taken steps to protect its citizens in the Gulf region. Meloni told parliament that Italy is providing air defence assets to allied Gulf countries facing missile and drone attacks from Iran.

She explained that thousands of Italians live and work in the region. Italy also maintains a military presence there.

“This is not only because these ⁠are friendly ⁠nations and strategic partners of Italy, but also because there are tens of thousands of Italian citizens in that area whom we must protect, not to mention the fact that there are about 2,000 Italian soldiers stationed in the Gulf,” she said.

Meloni delivered her remarks as an Italian naval frigate arrived in Cyprus. The vessel, Federico Martinengo, joined German, French and Greek warships already deployed near the island.

European countries have increased their military presence in the area after an Iranian-made drone struck RAF Akrotiri, a British air base in Cyprus, last week.

Britain has also sent a warship to the eastern Mediterranean. HMS Dragon left Portsmouth on Tuesday, although British authorities have faced criticism over the time it took to deploy the vessel.

In a separate development, Spain has formally withdrawn its ambassador to Israel, Ana María Salomón Pérez. She had earlier been recalled from Tel Aviv by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Sánchez took the step after banning the United States from sending weapons to Israel. He said the move was intended to stop what he described as “genocide” in Gaza.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The House of Representatives has approved an amendment to the Electoral Act 2026 that criminalises holding membership in more than one political party.

Under the newly passed provision, any individual found to belong to multiple political parties simultaneously will face a fine of N10 million or a prison term of up to two years.

The lower legislative chamber passed the amendment during Wednesday’s plenary session. It adds three new subsections to section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which governs political party membership.

The amendment specifies that anyone registered with more than one party will have such membership nullified.

“A person shall not be registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time,” the provision states.

“Where it is established that a person is registered as a member of more than one political party at the same time, such dual membership shall be void, and the person shall cease to be recognised as a valid member of any political party pending regularisation in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the constitution of the political party concerned.

“A person who knowingly registers or maintains membership in more than one political party at the same time commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N10,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of two years, or both.”

If the amendment is signed into law, it is expected to reinforce the rules governing party affiliation and reduce instances of multiple party memberships.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Spanish government has withdrawn its ambassador to Israel amid growing diplomatic tension linked to the war in Gaza and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

An announcement published in Spain’s official state gazette confirmed that the decision took effect on Wednesday. The move reflects Madrid’s strong criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza as well as the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

Spain has emerged as one of the European Union countries that openly condemn Israel’s conduct in Gaza. The government has also opposed the military campaign launched by Washington and Tel Aviv against Iran.

The gazette explained the decision regarding Spain’s diplomatic representation in Israel. It stated: “At the proposal of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, and following deliberation by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on 10 March 2026, I hereby order the termination of Ms Ana María Sálomon Pérez’s appointment as Ambassador of Spain to the State of Israel.”

Following the ambassador’s removal, Spain’s embassy in Tel Aviv will now operate under a charge d’affaires, according to a source from the country’s Foreign Ministry cited by Reuters.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been among the few left-wing European leaders who openly criticize the attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran. He described the assault as “unjustifiable” and stressed that Madrid’s position remains “no to the war”.

The Spanish government has also maintained a strong stance against Israel’s operations in Gaza. In October, Spain’s parliament approved legislation that imposed a complete arms embargo on Israel. The law permanently blocks the sale of weapons, military equipment and dual-use technology to the country in response to the genocide.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Bayero University Kano (BUK) has begun an investigation into claims that one of its students engaged in online impersonation and financial fraud.

The case centres on Ismail Sani after several people publicly said they were deceived and lost money.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Lamara Garba, confirmed that the institution is aware of reports circulating on social media that link the student to alleged fraudulent activities.

The university explained that the conduct of any individual does not reflect its values. It also said disciplinary steps will follow if the accusations are proven.

“Any conduct capable of bringing the name and reputation of the university into disrepute is treated seriously,” Lamara Garba said.

The issue attracted wide attention after Nigerian academic based in the United States, Professor Farooq Kperogi, shared his experience online. He said someone posing as “Halima Tahir,” who claimed to be a 300-level microbiology student at BUK, repeatedly obtained money from him.

Kperogi later said he discovered that the identity belonged to Ismail Sani, who studies veterinary medicine at the university.

According to him, the student first contacted him in 2024 and claimed he had just gained admission and needed help with school fees.

“I helped him without asking for verification. He later made more requests, including money for an old woman’s medicine. Then he reappeared as ‘Halima Tahir’ to scam me again,” Kperogi wrote.

He added that several digital records linked the alleged scam to the student. These materials included email addresses, payment receipts and JAMB registration documents. Kperogi said the student denied any wrongdoing when confronted.

“He is clearly a dangerous, well-practiced scammer. Or perhaps mentally unwell. Whatever the case, he does not belong in polite society. He belongs in prison, or somewhere he cannot harm people,” Kperogi said.

Following the revelation, other individuals, including social media influencers, said they had similar encounters. They explained that the person behind the messages often used emotional appeals, religious language and fabricated stories to gain sympathy and financial assistance.

BUK said a preliminary inquiry is already underway. The university added that relevant authorities are examining the matter through its disciplinary procedures.

The institution also commended people such as Kperogi who provide financial support to students. However, it urged the public to avoid speculation and allow the investigation to run its course.