By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Nigeria’s solid minerals sector presents a bittersweet story for the country and its people, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

Mining has created wealth, jobs and economic opportunities for individuals and communities. In mineral-rich areas, it has provided livelihoods and opened new sources of income. At the same time,  illegal mining activities have contributed to insecurity, environmental degradation, exploitation and social disorder in some communities.

Since 2023, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has undergone significant reforms to modernise the industry, strengthen regulation and enforcement, attract investment, and shift the country away from exporting raw minerals toward local processing and value addition.

There has also been growing interest in critical minerals, particularly lithium, alongside efforts to formalise artisanal mining and improve government revenue from the sector.

Some reports say revenue from the solid minerals sector rose from about ₦16 billion in 2023 to ₦38 billion in 2024, and from approximately ₦68.1 billion to over ₦70 billion in 2025.

The niger state tragedy in which  37 young lives were lost is being linked to illegal mining, official negligence and unprofessionalism by some Civil Defence officers 

Illegal mining is the exploration, extraction, processing or trading of mineral resources without the licences, permits or regulatory approvals required by law, or in violation of the conditions governing such activities.

Nigeria has an established legal and regulatory framework for mining, primarily under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, along with subsequent legislation affecting the sector. The Nigeria Tax Act 2025, which took effect on January 1, 2026, also introduced changes affecting mining taxation and mineral royalties.

Therefore, not every person found around a mining site is necessarily an illegal miner. The important questions include: Who holds the mining title? Is the operation properly licensed? Are the miners operating within the approved area and under the approved conditions? Are the required royalties, taxes and fees being paid? And are environmental and safety requirements being observed?

Despite improvements in regulation, modernisation and enforcement, illegal mining, insecurity and environmental degradation remain interconnected challenges in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

The problem is not simply the absence of laws. Nigeria already has extensive mining legislation and regulatory institutions. Rather, poverty, unemployment, weak enforcement capacity, informal economic activity, insecurity and limited government presence in some remote areas can create conditions in which illegal mining thrives.

This is particularly important in rural communities where artisanal mining may provide livelihoods for families with few alternative sources of income.

Nigeria’s challenge, therefore, is not merely to stop illegal mining, but to bring legitimate artisanal miners into the formal economy, enforce the law against criminal mining operations, protect host communities and the environment, improve security around mining areas, and ensure that Nigeria’s mineral wealth translates into sustainable development.

Nigeria is richly endowed with solid minerals. The ultimate objective should be to ensure that the wealth beneath the ground becomes prosperity above the ground, legally, safely and sustainably.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has received 105 Nigerians rescued from cybercrime syndicates in Ghana during a coordinated security operation.

According to a statement issued on Monday by NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, the operation was coordinated by Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser following a report from Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority.

The Ghanaian authorities said 119 Nigerians were rescued during the operation, with 105 repatriated to Nigeria while the remaining 14 were undergoing processing.

Receiving the returnees on behalf of the Nigerian government, NAPTIP Director-General Binta Lami Adamu Bello assured them of their safety and said they would undergo profiling and reintegration processes to determine their individual needs.

The operation involved several Nigerian security and law enforcement agencies, alongside Ghanaian authorities and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.

NAPTIP commended the agencies and international partners for their collaboration, reaffirming its commitment to combating human trafficking and related exploitation.

The agency also urged Nigerians to exercise caution when considering overseas employment, scholarships and other opportunities, particularly offers involving unrealistic promises, unclear job descriptions or suspicious recruitment arrangements.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities over alleged criminal offences as the country continues its deportation operations.

According to the department, the individuals were arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in different locations across the country.

The allegations listed against them include wire and mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related offences, identity theft, assault, forgery, weapons violations and cruelty towards a child.

According to TheCable newspaper, DHS said the publication was intended to highlight non-US citizens with criminal records who had been arrested by immigration enforcement officers.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the statement reads.

“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations – starting with the worst of the worst – including the illegal aliens you see here.”

The department listed the following Nigerian nationals, the alleged offences associated with their cases and the locations of their arrests:

1. Emmanuel Omowaiye — mail fraud, Richmond, Texas.
2. Laurene Onwuka — fraud and impersonation, Chantilly, Virginia.
3. Olusegun Shonekan — wire fraud, Newark, New Jersey.
4. Olusegun Olaseni — amphetamine sale, Greencastle, Indiana.
5. Peter Ude — wire fraud, Atlanta, Georgia.
6. Newton Jemide — wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud, Fort Dix, New Jersey.
7. Shedrack Umukoro — money laundering, Yazoo City, Mississippi.
8. Olasoji Akinbode — fraud and impersonation, Kearny, New Jersey.
9. Oluwatosin Afolabi — fraud, Conroe, Texas.
10. Alameen Adetunji Tokosi — drug possession, Chicago, Illinois.
11. Joshua Ipoade — wire fraud, Atlanta, Georgia.
12. Michael Orji — weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering, Oxford, Wisconsin.
13. Ahmadu Apooyin — drug-related offence, Baltimore, Maryland.
14. Teslim Kiriji — money laundering, Yazoo City, Mississippi.
15. Onomen Uduebor — identity theft, Seattle, Washington.
16. Charles Ochi — money laundering, White Deer, Pennsylvania.
17. Daniel Eta — wire fraud, White Deer, Pennsylvania.
18. Ifeanyi Ibennah — cruelty towards a child, Tampa, Florida.
19. Kazeem Runsewe — wire fraud, Thomson, Illinois.
20. Fatiu Lawal — wire fraud, Lompoc, California.
21. Justin Akubueze — money laundering, Orem, Utah.
22. Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo — larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property, Orlando, Florida.
23. Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi — assault, Alden, New York.
24. Bright Eigbedion — money laundering, Lompoc, California.

The announcement comes amid the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement and deportation efforts.

However, the DHS announcement does not establish that all the individuals have been convicted of the offences listed against them. The allegations and the circumstances of each case would need to be assessed individually.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has re-arrested an 83-year-old woman, Uloma Sunday, over the alleged possession of methamphetamine and Colorado in Abia State, about 17 months after her first arrest.

Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, said in a statement on Sunday that operatives arrested Sunday at her residence in Ite-Uzo, Umuaguma, Obingwa Local Government Area, on October 7. The substances were allegedly concealed around her waist with a wrapper.

Babafemi said intelligence reports indicated that the woman operated a drug joint where criminal elements who terrorised the community gathered.

The agency had first arrested Sunday and her 32-year-old daughter, Chisom Uchechi, at the same residence on May 17, 2025. The operation reportedly yielded 50 grammes of methamphetamine, 522 grammes of skunk, 260 grammes of fresh cannabis leaves and 12 grammes of tramadol.

According to the statement, both women pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 each. They paid the fines and were released.

South African Woman Arrested With 32.74kg Of Cannabis

In another operation, NDLEA operatives, working with the Nigeria Customs Service, arrested a South African national, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, at Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, Rivers State.

The 30-year-old woman was allegedly found with 32.74 kilogrammes of Thai Loud, a strain of cannabis, concealed in two travelling bags. She had reportedly arrived from Thailand through Doha aboard Qatar Airways flight QR1431.

Babafemi said the suspect confessed to previously trafficking drugs through other African countries before attempting to expand her route to Port Harcourt.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, operatives intercepted 354,000 tablets of tapentadol weighing 307.20 kilogrammes in nine cartons shipped from Pakistan aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight.

The consignment arrived on September 29 and was placed under surveillance before a joint examination on October 6 uncovered the tablets.

The agency also intercepted 70 parcels of Colorado weighing 75.90 kilogrammes in six Ghana-Must-Go bags within a consolidated cargo shipment from the United Kingdom.

The operation led to the arrest of several suspects, including a clearing agent, John Edrah, 54; Uber driver Taofiq Ajibola, 54; and clothing trader Kazeem Damola Dosunmu, 48. Adetunji Adebayo was also arrested.

Babafemi said Ajibola identified a UK-based associate, Lukman Sa’idu, as the person who sent the drugs, while Dosunmu said his consignments came from another UK-based man identified as Yusuf.

Major Cannabis Seizures In Several States

The NDLEA reported substantial cannabis seizures and arrests across Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Kaduna and Lagos states.

In Cross River, operatives arrested 46-year-old Adama Inuwa during a raid on Iyala Nkun village in Ikom Local Government Area on October 4. They recovered 181 bags of cannabis weighing 1,100 kilogrammes, alongside 17.15 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds.

In Edo State, officers intercepted a black Toyota Camry conveying 1,049 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 702.83 kilogrammes at Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area, on October 5. Monday Orji, 52, Monday Lawal, 40, and Precious Uduegele, 20, were arrested in connection with the seizure.

Another suspect, Ojugo Mercy, 26, was arrested at Asoro, off Sakponba Road in Benin City, with 989 grammes of Loud, 13 grammes of Colorado and 83 grammes of methamphetamine.

In Ondo State, operatives arrested Happy Endurance, 21, at her hideout in the Shasha area of Akure on October 5, recovering 29 bags of cannabis weighing 290 kilogrammes.

A separate raid on an apartment in Oba-Ile, Akure, on the same day led to the arrest of Tunde Adebayo, 42, with 35 bags of cannabis weighing 351 kilogrammes.

In Kaduna State, officers arrested Mohammed Musa, 29, during a patrol along the Zaria-Kaduna Expressway. They recovered 31 jumbo bags of skunk and 775 blocks of the substance, with a combined weight of 1,027 kilogrammes.

The agency also arrested Musbau Balogun Adekunle in Orile, Lagos, on October 6, allegedly recovering 32.51 kilogrammes of skunk and 52.65 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds.

Tramadol, Other Drugs Seized Along Highways

In Taraba State, NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, arrested Abdulrasheed Mohamed, 31, and Abubakar Saidu, 37, at Chanchanji village in Wukari Local Government Area on October 9. The operation yielded 166,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg weighing 107 kilogrammes.

On the same day, a stop-and-search operation along the Kano-Maiduguri Road led to the arrest of Yahaya Musa, 32. Officers reportedly recovered 24,990 capsules of tramadol, 50,000 tablets of diazepam and 22,000 tablets of Exol-5.

NDLEA Recovers Firearms, Ammunition In Jos

In Plateau State, operatives arrested Christian Chukwudi Uju, 45, at his residence on Rukuba Road in Jos on October 8.

The agency said the operation yielded 47 grammes of methamphetamine, two pump-action rifles, a locally made gun, 199 live cartridges, five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one round of 9mm ammunition.

Marwa Commends Officers

Babafemi said NDLEA commands across the country also carried out public awareness activities under the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign during the week.

The activities included sensitisation lectures in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities. Schools visited included Progressive Grammar School in Tede, Oyo State; Ehugbo Technical College in Afikpo, Ebonyi State; Baptist High School in Lambata, Niger State; and other schools in Kano, Lagos and Ogun states.

According to Babafemi, NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa commended the officers involved in the operations and urged personnel nationwide to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Pope Leo XIV has announced plans to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule discovered in his lung during recent medical examinations.

The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed this on Sunday during his weekly Angelus address to worshippers at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

He said the growth was detected at an early stage and was well localised. According to him, his doctors recommended surgery to remove it.

“The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it. The operation is already scheduled to take place in the coming days,” the pope said in a statement published by Vatican News, the official news service of the Holy See.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office, said the procedure was expected to take place early in the week. He added that the pope was likely to spend about one week recovering after the operation.

A lung nodule is a small mass of tissue that can appear as a spot on chest X-rays or CT scans. The report did not indicate whether the growth was cancerous.

Pope Leo thanked worshippers for their support and prayers ahead of the surgery.

The planned operation comes weeks before his scheduled pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. It remains unclear whether the procedure will affect the trip.

Leo XIV was elected pope in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis. He is the first American to lead the Catholic Church.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is engaging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resolve the exclusion of some of its candidates from the final lists for the 2027 elections.

Jungudo Mohammed, spokesperson for the PDP faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

The development followed INEC’s publication of its final governorship candidate lists on Saturday, which reportedly excluded some PDP candidates, including Isa Pantami of Gombe State and Ladi Adebutu of Ogun State.

Mohammed said the party was concerned about the omissions and had opened discussions with the electoral commission to address the issues in line with the law and established electoral guidelines.

“The PDP therefore assures all concerned that it is treating this development with the utmost seriousness it deserves and will communicate further developments as appropriate. The Party is committed to ensuring that all legitimate concerns are properly addressed with the Commission,” the statement reads.

He urged affected candidates, party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid statements or actions that could jeopardise the ongoing discussions with INEC.

The dispute comes amid the legal implications of a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24 concerning provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.

INEC had earlier said it would determine how the judgment would affect the nomination process.

A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court upheld an appeal filed by INEC, restoring Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, the court held that the provisions, which the Court of Appeal had voided in July, were not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.

Section 77(5) requires political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention. Only members whose names appear on the submitted register may participate in the exercise.

Section 77(6) prohibits parties from using a membership register other than the one submitted to INEC for their primaries, congresses and conventions.

Section 77(7) further provides that a political party that fails to submit its membership register within the stipulated period cannot field a candidate in the election.

The PDP said it would communicate further developments as its engagement with INEC continues.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested two men over the alleged vandalism of a streetlight cable in Gwaram Local Government Area and an electrical transformer in Auyo Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Shi’isu Adam, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Dutse on Sunday.

According to Adam, the first suspect, identified as Aminu Musa, 38, of New Gwaram Town, was arrested on September 25, 2026, for allegedly cutting the armoured cable of a streetlight.

He said Musa, who operated a generator used to power streetlights in the area, was caught by police officers while allegedly committing the offence.

“The suspect, who is an operator of a streetlight generator in the area, was arrested by police operatives while committing the act.”

Adam said the suspect was taken to the police station, while officers visited the scene and recovered relevant exhibits.

He added that preliminary investigations were conducted before the case was forwarded to court for prosecution.

In a separate incident, police received information on September 29 that residents of Ayan village in Auyo Local Government Area had apprehended another suspect over the alleged vandalism of a transformer.

The suspect, identified as Laminu Sha’aibu, 26, from Gumusuwa village in Kafin Hausa Local Government Area, was reportedly arrested at Maskangayu village in Auyo with dismantled transformer coils.

According to the police spokesperson, the suspect was at risk of being lynched by an angry mob when officers arrived at the scene.

Adam said the officers rescued him and took him to the nearest primary healthcare centre for medical attention. He was treated and later discharged, while the vandalised transformer was recovered.

“During the investigation, the suspect stated that he had spent three nights dismantling the transformer without being detected,” Adam said.

The police said investigations were conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offences and determine whether other individuals were involved.

Adam confirmed that both cases had been charged before the appropriate court for prosecution.

He also quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijjani Murtala, as commending members of the public whose information helped the police apprehend the suspects.

The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, particularly attempts to damage electricity installations, streetlights and other public infrastructure.

He assured residents that the command would continue to work with communities and relevant stakeholders to protect public property and ensure that those responsible for offences were brought to justice.

By Isyaka Laminu Badamasi

In Nigeria, the legislative arm of government makes laws, performs oversight functions, and serves as a watchdog over the executive and judicial arms. To ensure it carries out its constitutional responsibilities smoothly, the legislature also establishes various committees. This is standard practice in both state and national assemblies.

In some instances, leaders and members of these committees, through the agencies they oversee, gain the privilege of bringing developmental initiatives to their constituents. These initiatives cover areas such as healthcare, education, water projects, access roads, and occasionally, empowerment and empowerment opportunities. This welcome development has contributed significantly to addressing some of the people’s broader needs.

In Bauchi State, from 1999 to date, numerous constituency projects have been initiated across the 31 state constituencies, 12 federal constituencies, and 3 senatorial districts. While some of these projects have been put to use, others remain under construction, a few under lock and key, and some have even fallen into disrepair before being officially commissioned. Some legislators influence the establishment of government zonal agencies and institutions, health facilities, and educational institutions, among others.

Notable projects I have come across include two major facilities in Misau and Kafin Madaki, brought by the distinguished Senators Isah Hamma Misau and Halliru Dauda Jika (Dokajin Bauchi). Others include a school in Gamawa and a cattle market in Soro, influenced by Senator Sulaiman Nazeef Gamawa and Hon. Mansur Manu Soro, among others not mentioned.

This post is not to discuss who did what, when, where, and how, but to bring to our attention the silent neglect these interventions face. Furthermore, it aims to suggest possible solutions to this ugly situation and chart a way forward to put these facilities to use, thereby achieving the main objectives of bringing them to these locations.

On this, I hope the office of the Special Adviser to His Excellency, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Kauran Bauchi) or the Liaison Officer to the National Assembly will look into this issue and chart a course to ensure these facilities achieve their intended purpose. It is also imperative that legislators, when bringing such impactful interventions, contact the state government for strategic and equitable distribution. 

This will ensure they align with the state’s wider development plan, avoiding project duplication or siting projects in communities that do not need them or cannot put them to use. This is where our voices as observers, CSOs, and opposition political parties matter. This cannot be achieved in isolation; we need to come together and act to ensure the equitable distribution and utilisation of such investments for the development of our communities and the state in general.

Those who are privileged to work closely with the legislators should, as a matter of public interest, assist us with information regarding idle projects or facilities. This will enable us to look into them and explore ways to draw the attention of all stakeholders to do the needful.

Isyaka Laminu Badamasi writes from no 555 Ajiya Adamu Road, Bauchi, Bauchi State.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

Kano State Polytechnic gets Malam Magaji Rabi’u Garun-Danga as its new Registrar, following the approval of his appointment by Kano state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf. The appointment takes effect from September 16, 2026.

The appointment was conveyed in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim. Garun-Danga, who previously served as Deputy Registrar in charge of Human Resources at the Polytechnic, succeeds Alhaji Mukhtar Ibrahim Bello, whose tenure has ended.

The new Registrar brings administrative experience and professional expertise to the position, having served in various capacities within the institution. His appointment is expected to support the effective administration and continued development of the Polytechnic.

In a congratulatory message, the Rector, Dr. Abubakar Umar Farouk, FCA, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, staff and students, congratulated Garun-Danga on his appointment. He also commended the outgoing Registrar for his contributions to the institution and wished him success in his future endeavours.

The Polytechnic community also expressed appreciation to Governor Yusuf for appointing a successor from within the institution, describing the decision as recognition of the experience and professional capacity of its existing workforce.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A University of Ilorin lecturer, Chief Elijah Olorunsuwa, has alleged that he feared for his life while in police custody after officers arrested him over a WhatsApp post about a road project in Kogi State.

Olorunsuwa, who teaches in the Department of Political Science, said he signed a retraction of the post under pressure because he feared remaining in custody after learning about the deaths of miners in a Civil Defence cell in Minna.

In an interview with PUNCH, the lecturer recounted how 8 policemen arrived at his residence at about 5 am and said they had come to arrest him.

According to him, the officers initially claimed they would take him to the Kwara State Police Command, but later diverted towards Kogi State.

He said a female officer first knocked on his gate and asked to see his wife before telling them that her superior wanted to see him.

Olorunsuwa said one of the officers identified himself as a policeman from the Kogi State Command and informed him that he was under arrest. When he asked about the alleged offence, the officer reportedly told him that he would receive the explanation at the command.

The lecturer said he initially followed the officers in his car after they assured him that they were taking him to the police command. They stopped at an office in Eyenkorin, where nobody was present.

He said he insisted on seeing the arrest warrant and contacted his lawyer, who advised him not to proceed without seeing the document.

Olorunsuwa said the officers later persuaded him to join their vehicle after promising that the warrant would be shown to him at the state headquarters.

However, he alleged that they changed direction and headed towards Kogi State instead.

“I told them, “This is not what you said.” They said they had decided to take me to Kogi. At that point, I knew I had been taken away under false pretences. I felt I had been kidnapped.”

He said the uncertainty over his destination prompted him to contact close associates and ask them to publicise his arrest, which he attributed to Commander Jerry Omodara.

The lecturer eventually arrived in Lokoja, where he was served with a copy of the petition against him.

The petition, according to Olorunsuwa, concerned a WhatsApp message he posted on a community platform about the poor condition of the Kabba-Okehi-Oleluke road, which he said had remained in a deplorable state for more than 10 years.

He explained that he had shared information attributed to the managing director of a Federal Government agency, who allegedly told him that the World Bank had approved funding for the road project. He also said the information identified James Faleke as the person who facilitated the project, with the Kogi State Government expected to provide counterpart funding.

Olorunsuwa said Omodara, the Kogi State Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, subsequently asked him to remove the post and warned that he could face legal action if he refused.

The lecturer said he responded that Omodara could approach the court if he believed an offence had been committed.

He alleged that the petition accused him of cybercrime for sharing what it described as misleading information about the road project’s funding and asked the police to arrest and prosecute him.

Olorunsuwa said he was surprised by the complaint because he believed he had shared information from a source that had also appeared on blogs.

Although he eventually withdrew the post, the lecturer said the decision was not voluntary.

He alleged that police officers made the retraction a condition for his release on bail. He initially resisted but changed his mind after hearing reports about the deaths of miners in a Civil Defence cell in Minna.

The incident, he said, heightened his fears about his safety while detained outside his home state.

Olorunsuwa maintained that the retraction was obtained under duress and that he signed it because he wanted to leave custody.

He also described the arrest as traumatic for his family, particularly his wife, who first encountered the officers when they arrived at the residence before dawn.

The lecturer said the most troubling aspect of the incident was the alleged difference between what the officers told him about his destination and where they eventually took him.