By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of Sector 7, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have intercepted a large cache of illegal weapons during a targeted operation at a checkpoint in Kaduna State, dealing a blow to a suspected arms trafficking network.

Acting on intelligence about weapons being moved from Jos to Niger State, soldiers stopped an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz at the Samaru Checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in the early hours of Monday. A search of the vehicle uncovered three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and four submachine guns (SMGs) carefully hidden inside.

One suspect attempted to flee the scene and was shot by troops during the escape attempt. He is currently receiving medical treatment at the Sector 7 Medical Centre in Kafanchan.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the weapons were supplied by two suspected dealers based in Jos and were destined for a recipient in Niger State.

The Nigerian Army described the seizure as a testament to its resolve to curb arms proliferation and dismantle criminal networks. Authorities have called on the public to continue providing timely information to security agencies to help track criminal activities.

By Anas Abbas

The Federal Government has withdrawn its recent increase in registration fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council’s (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), following widespread criticism from Nigerians.

The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, announced the suspension in a statement on Monday, confirming that the letter dated June 18, 2026, which had communicated the new fees, has been withdrawn pending further review.

According to the ministry, the initial proposal was driven by rising operational costs, covering logistics, security, printing, technology deployment and quality assurance, needed to maintain credible national examinations, noting that registration fees had stayed largely the same for years despite these growing expenses. 

However, Minister of Education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa has now directed that the plan be put on hold in the interest of a more inclusive and transparent policy process.

The ministry said it would consult more broadly with examination bodies, state education ministries, school administrators, parents’ groups, labour representatives and other stakeholders before any new fee structure is considered. 

It added that the review would not proceed until this consultation process concludes, and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting students’ welfare and equitable access to education.

The fee increase had drawn sharp criticism from prominent Nigerians, including African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who had described the hike as insensitive to the realities facing Nigerian families.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has introduced a whistleblower programme to curb the unauthorised use of its branded trucks across the country.

Under the initiative, the company will pay N500,000 to anyone who provides credible information that leads to the arrest of individuals involved in illegal haulage with Dangote trucks.

In a statement issued on Sunday, DIL said the programme forms part of its efforts to safeguard the integrity of its logistics operations. The company urged members of the public to report any case in which its trucks are used to transport unauthorised goods or passengers.

The company explained that each of its subsidiaries has designated products for transportation. It said Dangote Cement trucks are approved to convey only cement, limestone, high-grade gypsum, coal and clinker. Dangote Sugar Refinery trucks are restricted to sugar products, while NASCON Allied Industries vehicles are meant for Dangote Salt and DanQ Seasoning products.

“Dangote Packaging vehicles are to carry bags and packaging materials, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals trucks are approved for polypropylene products, while Dangote Fertiliser Limited vehicles are authorised to transport urea fertiliser,” the statement reads.

Dangote warned that any of its trucks found transporting goods outside the approved categories would be regarded as engaging in illegal haulage. It added that drivers and owners of such goods could face arrest, confiscation of the cargo and prosecution.

“Anyone with verifiable information that leads to the arrest of persons involved in illegal haulage activities or the recovery of unauthorized goods transported on Dangote trucks will receive a cash reward of Five Hundred Thousand Naira,” the statement further reads.

The company advised whistleblowers to provide relevant details, including the truck type, registration number, cab number, location, description of the goods, vehicle colour and photographs where available, to support investigations.

Dangote also disclosed that it has created dedicated hotlines for reports of illegal haulage activities. It added that security agencies, including the police, have the authority to arrest drivers who use the company’s trucks for unauthorised commercial haulage.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability in its logistics operations.

“Public cooperation remains critical in our efforts to eradicate illegal haulage activities,” the company said.

“We encourage anyone with credible information to come forward and help us maintain the integrity of our transportation system.”

According to DIL, the whistleblower programme will help protect the company’s assets, encourage lawful business practices and ensure that offenders face justice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have stopped a kidnap attempt by suspected terrorists in Surimi, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, a community close to the Sokoto State border.

The operation led to the rescue of four abducted persons, while no soldier was injured during the mission.

The Nigerian Army disclosed the development in a statement posted on its official X account. It explained that the operation followed credible intelligence that armed terrorists were carrying out kidnapping activities in the area.

The statement said troops at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Unashi responded immediately and moved to the location to block the suspects’ escape routes. The soldiers later confronted the terrorists and overpowered them with superior firepower.

“Faced with the troops’ overwhelming response, the terrorists abandoned the four kidnapped individuals and fled into the nearby bush,” the statement elaborated.

“The rescued individuals were later reunited with their families.”

Military authorities also confirmed that Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded no casualties during the operation. They described the successful rescue as another indication of the troops’ commitment to protecting lives and tackling insecurity across Nigeria’s North-West region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has called on members of his church to obtain their voter cards and participate actively in the electoral process.

Oyedepo made the appeal during Sunday’s service at the Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State. He said Christians have a civic duty to contribute to the choice of those who govern their countries.

“We have a civic responsibility as responsible citizens of our various nations. This church is today in 144 nations,” the cleric said.

“So, endeavour to secure your voter cards. You are men and women of the spirit. You should know on your own personal conviction where to cast your vote.”

He stressed that members of the church are full citizens of their respective countries and should not stay away from the democratic process.

“We are not passers-by in our nations. We are bona fide citizens of the nation. We have a right to participate in who governs us,” he said.

“So, please go ahead. It’s part of our policy; you will find it in our mandate. So, go ahead and ensure that you secure your voter’s right.”

Oyedepo also said the large population of Living Faith Church members gives the church a legitimate voice in national affairs.

“And this church, with the millions that we have, we have a say in it. So, be part of it,” he added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Portuguese top-flight side SC Braga have secured the services of Nigerian defender Adebisi Olamikun from Nigeria National League outfit Inter Lagos.

The 18-year-old centre-back completed a long-term move to the Primeira Liga club after attracting interest from several European teams.

Olamikun played an important role in Inter Lagos’ successful promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last season. His performances earned him recognition as one of the club’s standout young players.

The left-footed defender has built a reputation for his pace, composure in possession, and strength in aerial duels.

SC Braga are expected to integrate the youngster into their squad during the club’s pre-season preparations following the completion of his transfer.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully repelled an infiltration attempt by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Cross Kauwa, Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers, military authorities said Sunday.

The attack occurred at approximately 10:20 p.m. on Saturday when terrorists attempted to exploit darkness to breach the military location in Kukawa Local Government Area, according to a statement by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer for the Joint Task Force.

Alert troops detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon their mission and retreat in disarray, the military said.

According to intelligence reports, the terrorists had intended to loot cholera medical supplies from the area—a development that lends credence to recent intelligence indicating a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, including reports of executions of affected members by the group.

In a significant development, troops neutralized a terrorist cameraman during the engagement, recovering a Sony camcorder containing sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, operational footage, and propaganda materials.

Preliminary forensic analysis of the last recorded video has revealed that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators, the military said.

The identified foreign nationals include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer, and a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network. A third Arab operative remains unidentified.

The presence of these foreign nationals reinforces intelligence assessments that ISWAP continues to benefit from external support and transnational terrorist linkages, according to the statement.

Following the engagement, troops dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations, recovering the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62 mm ammunition, terrorist uniforms, and other combat enablers.

Post-engagement satellite imagery analysis revealed terrorists evacuating bodies of their neutralised fighters during withdrawal, which was corroborated by human intelligence sources confirming heavy casualties among the attackers.

Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care. Both remain in stable condition.

The failed infiltration represents another significant setback for ISWAP, capping a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations across the North East Theatre, the military said.

Operation HADIN KAI remains committed to sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities, and dismantling terrorist networks, Captain Goni added.

By Uzair Adam

Poor nutrition remains a major obstacle to national development as it weakens cognitive ability, undermines educational attainment, reduces productivity and compromises the quality of human capital, Professor Hassana Sani Darma has said.

Professor Darma stated this on Thursday, July 9, 2026, while delivering the 61st Professorial Inaugural Lecture of Bayero University, Kano, at the CBN Centre of Excellence.

Delivering a lecture titled, “Rejigging Cognitive, Behavioural and Coordination Functions: Nutrients Supplementation for Neurodivergent Disorders,” the renowned scholar described nutrition as more than a matter of physical wellbeing, stressing that it forms the foundation for brain development, learning, behaviour and human performance.

The former Vice Chancellor of Khadija University, Majia, Jigawa State, explained that nutrition is fundamental to neurodevelopment because it influences brain structure, neurological functions and overall human capacity from infancy to adulthood.

According to her, neurodivergent conditions are influenced by biological factors, with nutrition playing significant roles in their development and management.

Professor Darma expressed concern over the prevalence of poor nutrition in Nigeria, noting that many of its consequences continue to receive inadequate attention from families, schools and policymakers.

She observed that developmental disorders, learning difficulties and behavioural challenges are often blamed on poor parenting or ineffective schooling without adequate consideration of the biological and nutritional factors that may contribute to such conditions.

“Behaviour issues and learning struggles might actually come from biochemical imbalances caused by missing key nutrients,” she said.

The professor maintained that providing children with balanced and nutritious diets could significantly reduce several health challenges while improving classroom performance and learning outcomes.

She stressed the close relationship between nutrition and human functioning, warning that inadequate nutrition during the early stages of life could significantly limit children’s intellectual potential.

According to her, children deprived of adequate nutrition during critical periods of growth may develop weaker thinking skills, poor memory, reduced concentration and diminished learning capacity.

She added that rather than overcoming these disadvantages before beginning formal education, many affected children continue to fall behind throughout their academic journey, limiting their future opportunities and productivity.

Professor Darma cited scientific evidence indicating that poor nutrition does not merely accompany learning difficulties but could actively contribute to poor cognitive development, behavioural disorders and impaired intellectual performance over time.

The inaugural lecturer further explained that human functioning results from the coordinated interaction of the central nervous system, peripheral nerves and musculoskeletal system.

She said the biological systems operate as an integrated network responsible for thinking, behaviour, movement, coordination and adaptation to environmental demands.

“The efficiency of these interconnected systems is significantly influenced by nutritional status, particularly during periods of rapid growth and development,” she explained.

Professor Darma also drew attention to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), saying the condition is often misunderstood and wrongly attributed solely to poor parenting or ineffective schooling.

While hereditary factors could contribute to ADHD, she identified other possible influences as maternal smoking, alcohol or drug use during pregnancy, oxygen deprivation during childbirth, prenatal trauma, environmental pollution, allergies and inadequate nutrition.

She disclosed that many children diagnosed with ADHD have one or more nutritional deficiencies which, when properly identified and addressed, could lead to improvements in attention span, concentration, self-control and overall behaviour.

The professor also highlighted the importance of blood glucose regulation in cognitive performance, explaining that fluctuations in glucose levels could directly affect attention, memory and the speed at which the brain processes information.

According to her, low glucose levels may reduce concentration and slow cognitive processing, while excessive consumption of processed carbohydrates, highly processed foods and sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks could result in metabolic disturbances and brain inflammation capable of impairing cognitive functions.

Professor Darma expressed concern over the growing preference for processed foods, packaged snacks and soft drinks, which she said are often viewed as symbols of affluence, convenience or modern living.

She cautioned that such products are typically high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats and artificial additives while lacking essential nutrients required for healthy brain development, learning and behaviour.

“Replacing wholesome foods with processed meals and sugary beverages may gradually weaken cognitive performance, reduce attention span and impair memory,” she warned.

She added that the trend could also increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, particularly among children and adolescents.

Professor Darma therefore advocated healthy and balanced diets rich in essential nutrients as indispensable tools for improving educational achievement, mental health and human productivity.

She argued that educational reforms would achieve limited success if nutrition is neglected, urging governments and educational institutions to integrate nutritional support into learning programmes.

According to her, nutrition should be recognised as a strategic investment in human capital development, as healthier children are more likely to become productive adults capable of contributing meaningfully to national growth.

She also called on policymakers, healthcare professionals, educators and development partners to place nutrition at the centre of educational planning, clinical practice and public health interventions.

Professor Darma maintained that sustainable national development depends on raising a generation of physically healthy, mentally alert and intellectually productive citizens, stressing that improved nutrition is critical to achieving the goal.

Representing the Vice Chancellor, Professor Haruna Musa, fsi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Development, Professor Amina Mustapha, said Bayero University places a high premium on research, innovation and academic scholarship.

She noted that professorial inaugural lectures remain an important academic tradition of the University through which scholars share research findings capable of addressing contemporary societal challenges.

Professor Mustapha commended Professor Darma for delivering a lecture that highlighted the vital relationship between nutrition, education, health and national development.

She said the lecture demonstrated that improving nutrition is not merely a health intervention but a national development strategy capable of strengthening educational outcomes, enhancing workforce productivity and improving citizens’ quality of life.

Professor Mustapha expressed optimism that the recommendations from the lecture would stimulate further research, influence public policy and encourage governments, educational institutions and development partners to invest more deliberately in nutrition as a foundation for sustainable national development.

The lecture attracted principal officers of the University, members of the academic community, health professionals, researchers, students and other distinguished guests, who described the presentation as timely, enlightening and relevant to Nigeria’s quest for sustainable human capital development.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad 

President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election is both a political and strategic calculation. Rather than introducing uncertainty into an already established political partnership, the President has chosen continuity, a decision that reflects the realities of Nigeria’s electoral politics, geopolitical balancing, and coalition-building.

Politics, particularly presidential politics in Nigeria, is rarely driven by sentiment. It is fundamentally about numbers, alliances, regional interests, and electoral strategy. Every major decision is weighed against one overriding objective: securing the broadest possible coalition needed to win an election. Viewed from that perspective, retaining Shettima was arguably the most pragmatic option available to the President.

One of the most immediate advantages of the decision is that it effectively closes the chapter on the controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, the APC’s decision to field two Muslim candidates generated widespread debate, especially among many Christians who expressed concerns about religious inclusion and national balance.

However, after more than three years in office, that issue has largely lost its political intensity. While differing opinions remain, the fears that dominated public discourse during the 2023 campaign have, to a considerable extent, subsided. By retaining Shettima, President Tinubu has denied political opponents the opportunity to revive an issue whose electoral potency has significantly diminished.

Beyond the religious debate lies an even more delicate consideration: Nigeria’s geopolitical balance. Had President Tinubu replaced Shettima with another politician from the North-East, the North-West, the country’s largest voting bloc, could have interpreted the move as another instance in which its political aspirations were overlooked, potentially reigniting debates about equity and representation.

Conversely, choosing a replacement from the North-West would almost certainly have generated discontent in the North-East. Having produced the incumbent Vice President, the region would naturally expect to retain the position. Removing Shettima without any compelling political or governance justification could have alienated key stakeholders and weakened support in a region that remains strategically important to the APC.

Some time ago, a number of individuals campaigned for the selection of a northern Christian as the Vice President, arguing that a Muslim-Christian ticket would be more politically acceptable. While the proposal appealed to those seeking religious balancing, it overlooked the practical realities of Nigerian presidential elections.

For a southern Muslim presidential candidate seeking the presidency, pairing with a northern Christian is not necessarily the most pragmatic electoral formula if the objective is to maximise support across Northern Nigeria. Presidential elections are rarely won on symbolism alone. They are won through careful coalition-building, political structures, regional alliances, and voting strength. In Nigeria, electoral success is driven as much by geopolitical realities and numbers as it is by perception.

President Tinubu has built his political career on strategic calculation rather than emotional decision-making. Over several decades, he has demonstrated an ability to assemble winning political coalitions by focusing on electoral arithmetic, regional dynamics, and long-term political stability. His decision to retain Shettima is consistent with that political philosophy.

There is also the question of continuity. Since assuming office in 2023, Tinubu and Shettima have worked together to lead the administration, build relationships across government, and strengthen the APC’s political structures nationwide. Replacing a sitting Vice President without a compelling reason could have created unnecessary speculation about internal divisions and handed the opposition a fresh political narrative.

By retaining Shettima, President Tinubu has instead projected stability, confidence, and consistency. The decision preserves an established partnership, reassures party supporters, and allows the APC to approach the 2027 election with a united front.

Ultimately, successful presidential campaigns are built not on emotion but on careful political judgment. Difficult decisions are inevitable, but experienced politicians choose the option that minimises political risk while maximising electoral advantage.

Judged against Nigeria’s electoral realities, geopolitical sensitivities, and the imperative of preserving a broad national coalition, President Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima was not only the least controversial choice,it was the most politically strategic.

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

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the Federal Government’s reported approval of a uniform ₦50,000 examination fee for WAEC and NECO candidates from 2027, describing the policy as a barrier that would deny millions of Nigerian children access to education.

In a statement issued Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku also criticised the recent fee increases in Federal Unity Colleges, arguing that both measures are economically insensitive and inconsistent with the government’s constitutional obligation to make education accessible to every Nigerian child.

The former Vice President said the policies impose additional financial burdens on families already struggling with record inflation, rising food prices, high transportation costs, electricity tariff increases and widespread unemployment.

“It is unconscionable that at a time when Nigerian families are battling record inflation, soaring food prices, rising transportation costs, crippling electricity tariffs, stagnant incomes and widespread unemployment, the Tinubu administration has chosen to make education even more expensive,” Atiku said.

He argued that education remains the most effective instrument for breaking the cycle of poverty, warning that increasing the cost of schooling would further widen inequality.

“A government that genuinely believes in the future of its people does not erect financial barriers between children and education. It removes them. Education is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy; it is the birthright of every Nigerian child and the foundation upon which prosperous nations are built,” he stated.

The ADC chieftain noted that the proposed examination fee and higher Unity School charges come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with one of the world’s largest out-of-school children populations, estimated at between 10.5 million and 15 million.

“Nigeria already bears the painful distinction of having one of the largest populations of out-of-school children in the world. Any government confronted with such a national emergency should be investing aggressively to bring these children back into school. Instead, this administration is choosing policies that will inevitably swell those numbers,” he said.

Atiku warned that higher examination fees would disproportionately affect children from poor and middle-income households, many of whose parents are already forced to choose between meeting basic needs and paying school-related expenses.

“The consequences of these policies extend far beyond school gates. Every child priced out of education today becomes tomorrow’s victim of unemployment, poverty, child labour, criminal exploitation, drug abuse or insecurity. Nations do not become prosperous by making education more expensive; they prosper by making education more accessible,” he added.

The former Vice President also questioned the government’s emphasis on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), arguing that student loans cannot compensate for policies that make it difficult for children to complete secondary education or sit qualifying examinations.

“A university loan offers little comfort to a child who has already been priced out of secondary education or cannot afford the qualifying examination required to secure admission. A government cannot credibly claim to be expanding access to higher education while simultaneously erecting financial barriers that prevent millions of young Nigerians from ever reaching the university gates,” he noted.

Atiku called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the increase in Unity School fees and shelve the proposed ₦50,000 WAEC and NECO examination fee, while convening a stakeholders’ dialogue on sustainable financing of public education.

He also urged the Federal Government to invest more in public schools, recruit additional teachers, expand the capacity of tertiary institutions and ensure that no Nigerian child is denied education because of financial hardship.

“No nation has ever taxed its way into educational excellence. Countries that aspire to economic greatness invest more—not less—in education during difficult times because they understand that human capital is the engine of sustainable development,” he stressed.

The statement comes amid growing public debate over the affordability of education following recent increases in school-related charges and concerns about the rising cost of living.

While the Federal Government has introduced NELFUND to improve access to tertiary education, critics argue that affordability challenges begin much earlier in the education value chain, particularly at the secondary school level where students must complete qualifying examinations before seeking university admission.

The plan to introduce a uniform ₦50,000 examination fee for WAEC and NECO candidates from 2027 has sparked widespread public reactions, with stakeholders calling for clarity from the relevant authorities on the policy.