By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has commissioned a new fleet of armoured vehicles and security equipment in Sokoto State, describing the move as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s internal security.

At the commissioning ceremony on Wednesday, the Minister praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his proactive leadership and investment in security assets, noting that peace remains the foundation for sustainable development.

General Musa stated that the newly deployed combat assets would enhance force protection, mobility, and rapid response capabilities for security personnel in the region.

“While modern equipment is essential, it must be driven by professionalism, discipline, and seamless inter-agency coordination,” the Minister said, commending the state government for complementing military operations with community-based intelligence.

He urged frontline troops to utilise the equipment responsibly and in strict adherence to the rule of law, charging them to justify public investment through selfless service and decisive action against criminal elements.

The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to safeguarding lives and fostering an environment for economic prosperity.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presidency has dismissed claims by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi that he may not be alive to participate in the 2027 general election. It described the remarks as an attempt to gain public sympathy.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), made the statement during an interview with Chude Jideonwo. He alleged that the Federal Government was frustrating his means of livelihood and targeting opposition figures. He also claimed that his activities were being deliberately obstructed.

“The way they are going… not even as a candidate, I might not even be alive. I’m telling you,” Obi said.

Reacting in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, rejected the allegation. He described Obi’s remarks as false and politically motivated.

“His claim that he may not be alive for the January 2027 election and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events is nothing more than a fabricated narrative, a page from his book of lies and propaganda,” the statement reads.

Onanuga also argued that the claims were intended to shift public attention away from internal challenges facing Obi and his political platform.

“These claims lack substance and are designed to attract undue sympathy and deflect attention from his credibility deficit and the problems faced by his SPV and his adopted political association, the NDC.

“It is important to note that Mr Obi has a substantial interest in Fidelity Bank. The institution continues to thrive as a result of the current administration’s robust economic reforms.

“The government is certainly not targeting the bank. Rather than being “haunted” by the government, Mr Obi appears to be grappling with the consequences of his litany of unfounded statements.”

The presidential aide further stated that President Tinubu remains committed to implementing his administration’s reforms and is not distracted by what he described as Obi’s claims.

According to Onanuga, the President is “fully focused” on consolidating his reforms and does not have time for “Obi’s self-serving narratives and lies”.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least seven people have lost their lives, while 53 others sustained injuries after a powerful windstorm swept through 13 local government areas of Jigawa State, causing widespread destruction to homes and public facilities.

The Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hannafi Fagam, disclosed the figures on Wednesday during a briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Dutse. He said the disaster affected 5,403 households across 120 communities.

According to Fagam, the affected local government areas are Dutse, Miga, Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Ringim, Kiyawa, Babura, Kiri-Kasamma, Buji, Kaugama, Gumel, Gagarawa and Sule-Tankarkar. He added that four of the deaths occurred in Dutse Local Government Area, while Miga, Ringim and Sule-Tankarkar recorded one fatality each.

The windstorm also caused extensive damage to public infrastructure. More than 47 primary and secondary schools were destroyed. Three hospitals and two police stations also suffered damage. Many residential buildings and other public facilities were affected across the impacted communities.

Fagam said the Jigawa State Government has approved funds to provide emergency relief and support to victims. He noted that officials are still assessing the affected areas to determine the full extent of the destruction.

He described the incident as a natural disaster with serious humanitarian and socio-economic consequences. He said SEMA is working with relevant stakeholders to coordinate relief efforts for affected residents.

Fagam appealed to international development partners, humanitarian organisations, corporate institutions and well-meaning individuals to support the state’s response by providing relief materials and other forms of assistance to victims.

He also assured residents that the agency would continue its assessment of affected communities and ensure the timely distribution of relief materials to those impacted by the disaster.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A joint security operation in Delta State has led to the arrest of a suspected notorious bandit, Abubakar Usman, after a woman who was kidnapped by his gang was rescued safely.

The operation involved the SafeCity Security Service and officers of the Delta State Police Command. Authorities said the arrest followed the abduction of Mrs Blessing Chiedu, an indigene of Umunede Kingdom, who was kidnapped on July 2, 2026, along the Ani-Ifekide Farm Road in Ubulu-Uku. Her abductors reportedly demanded a ransom of N100 million from her family.

The spokesperson for the SafeCity Security Service, Harrison Gwamnishu, disclosed the development in a post on X on Wednesday. He said the case was immediately reported to the Delta State Police Command, whose Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Asaba, under the leadership of CSP Osakpolor, began an operation to locate the victim and her captors.

Gwamnishu explained that security operatives relied on the Hydra Tech Surveillance System during the rescue mission. The operation led to the successful rescue of Mrs Chiedu along the Ubulu-Unor/Ashama Road. Officials confirmed that she was found alive and without injuries.

Security operatives later tracked the fleeing suspects to their hideout in the Ogwashi-Uku/Adonta Forest during the early hours of Wednesday. The team confronted the gang after locating them through surveillance.

“A gun battle ensued, during which our combined team overpowered the criminals. One of the most wanted suspects, Abubakar Usman, was successfully captured, while other members of the gang escaped into the forest with their firearms.

“Investigations reveal that Abubakar Usman and his gang have been responsible for several kidnapping operations across Igbodo, Umunede, and surrounding communities, where they have extorted millions of naira in ransom from innocent families,” he said.

Authorities said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing members of the gang and bring them to justice.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Coordination Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has trained extension officers and other stakeholders on Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and referral pathways.

The workshop, organised under the World Bank-supported livestock development programme, was aimed at strengthening the capacity of project personnel, field extension officers and other stakeholders to promote inclusive and safe livestock development across the state.

Speaking at the event, the Kano State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Salisu Inuwa, said the training was organised to equip extension officers with the knowledge required to address gender-related challenges among livestock farmers and pastoral communities.

Represented by the project’s Extension Officer, Gambo Isa Garko, Dr. Inuwa said the project considers gender equity and social inclusion critical to its success because it works directly with livestock farmers and Fulani pastoralists whose livelihoods are shaped by household and community dynamics.

He said the knowledge acquired during the training would be cascaded to farmers and pastoralists across the state to help reduce gender imbalance, encourage mutual respect and foster greater inclusion in livestock production.

“We are saying everybody is important. Let us include women in activities of men, include men in activities of women and respect each other’s opinions in the household,” he said.

Dr. Inuwa said about 96 participants attended the workshop, including 60 extension officers, who are expected to replicate the sensitisation in communities across Kano’s 44 local government areas.

He expressed optimism that the extension officers would reach thousands of farmers directly and indirectly through community-based sensitisation sessions during the lifespan of the project.

The Gender and Gender-Based Violence Officer of Kano L-PRES, Hajiya Ummi Sarki Abubakar, said the workshop formed part of the project’s continuous sensitisation programme to ensure staff and field extension officers understand the World Bank’s safeguards on gender inclusion and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

She said participants were also sensitised on referral pathways and the “Do No Harm” Code of Conduct to ensure cases of gender-based violence are handled professionally, without exposing survivors to stigma or discrimination.

“It is the responsibility of every member, directly or indirectly, to uphold these policies to ensure dignity, safety, protection and equal opportunities for all beneficiaries,” she said.

Delivering a presentation on Gender Equity and Social Inclusion, the Director of the Centre for Gender Studies and Livelihood Enhancement at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Dr. Zahra’u Bamali Nouruddeen, said sustainable development can only be achieved when women, youths and other vulnerable groups are given equal access to opportunities and resources.

She said many women remain excluded not because they lack the ability to contribute, but because they are often denied access to information and training that would empower them economically.

“If you don’t call me, if you don’t show me the way, if you don’t train me, how will I know I am important?” she asked.

Also delivering a presentation, Zainab Baba, Social Livelihood Officer and Gender Desk Officer of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in Jigawa State, highlighted the importance of referral pathways and codes of conduct in addressing gender-based violence.

She said project personnel must understand where survivors should be referred for appropriate services while ensuring that workplaces and project communities remain safe, inclusive and free from all forms of abuse.

One of the participants, Hajiya Bilkisu Ado Zango, Chief Executive Officer of Media Advocacy for Inclusion and Development, described the workshop as timely, saying it brought issues affecting persons with disabilities into discussions on gender, livestock development and gender-based violence.

She said the awareness created through the training would encourage more persons with disabilities to speak up against gender-based violence and participate actively in development programmes.

By Anas Abbas

A High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has ruled against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a defamation case filed by former Minister of Power, Dr Olu Agunloye, orderingr the anti-graft agency to pay N10 million in damages.

Justice Peter Kekemeke delivered the judgment on Wednesday, holding that a post on EFCC’s website and X account, which stated that Agunloye had ybeen arraigned over a $6 billion fraud, was false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation.

Agunloye had approached the court seeking N1 billion in the damages, a retraction, and a public apology, arguing that the publication painted him as corrupt and fraudulent without basis. His lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, filed the suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/1199/2024.

In reaching his decision, Justice Kekemeke examined the three legal requirements for defamation, a permanent published statement, that it identifies the claimant, and that it damages reputation in the eyes of reasonable people, and finds all three satisfied. He noted that EFCC’s own witness, ACP Umar Hussain Babangida, initially denied knowledge of the publication before admitting it originated from the commission’s media unit.

The judge pointed out that the criminal charges against Agunloye before the Apo Division of thee FCT High Court contained no allegation of fraud, meaning the “$6 billion fraud” claim had no basis in the actual court filings. Her described the wording as a sensational headline unsupported by evidence, adding that EFCC, as an investigative body rather than a news outlet, ought to have known better than to publish such a claim.

Justice Kekemeke ruled that malice had been established and entered judgment for Agunloye. The court ordered EFCC to retract the publication,issue a public apology on its website and in twoy national newspapers, and refrain permanently from further defamatory statements against the former minister, alongside the N10 million damages award.

Reacting after the judgment, EFCC’s counsel, Dr Wahab Shittu, SAN, said the commission would appeal, arguing the suit was premature since the criminal case against Agunloye had not yet concluded.

By Uzair Adam


The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has claimed that persistent intimidation and alleged harassment by the Federal Government have made him uncertain about surviving to contest the next presidential election.

Obi made the remarks during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo, where he alleged that the government had consistently frustrated his activities and targeted opposition figures.

Speaking on his political future, the former Anambra State governor said the challenges confronting him had become so severe that he could not confidently say he would be alive by the 2027 election.

“Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so.

“Everything. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive,” Obi said.

He stressed that his remarks were not intended as a direct accusation against any individual but maintained that his experiences suggested deliberate efforts to obstruct his activities.

“It’s not an accusation. I know. I get frustration every day. Because you do things that you think would be normal—it is not normal anymore.

“They won’t come directly and say, ‘Oh, we’re doing this,’ but you can see their hand in virtually everything,” he added.

Responding to a question on whether he believed he was being personally targeted, Obi said the alleged intimidation extended beyond him to other opposition politicians.

“They are attacking everybody who is in opposition personally. I am being attacked personally. Everything.

“Even to provide me with necessary things that I should have been entitled to, not at all,” he said.

To support his claims, Obi recounted an incident at an airport where he alleged that officials locked his vehicle while leaving others untouched.

“I had a case recently at the airport, where people who work in the airport came and locked my car. And I said, ‘It’s me.’ The person in charge said he doesn’t care.

“But I said, ‘Look at the cars of other people.’ And you could see them talking to each other, as if, ‘Who is this one?’”

The former governor also alleged that some associates now avoid publicly interacting with him for fear of attracting attention from authorities.

“I see people I know at the airport; they will not greet me because they are scared of what might happen if they do,” he said.

He further claimed that some supporters had asked him not to attend family celebrations to avoid unwanted scrutiny.

“I have people send me invitations and say, ‘My son, my daughter is wedding, but please don’t come,’” Obi said.

The Federal Government has yet to respond to the allegations.

By Uzair Adam

The Senate has called on the Federal Government to discontinue the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members and other violent criminals, arguing that the policy has failed to curb insecurity across the country.

The resolution followed a motion on the rising cases of attacks, abductions and killings involving serving and retired military personnel, including the late former Director of Defence Information, retired Major General Rabe Abubakar.

The motion, sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina), received unanimous support during Tuesday’s plenary.

Lawmakers condemned the continued rehabilitation of former Boko Haram fighters, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements under the Federal Government’s deradicalisation programme. Several senators linked the persistent security crisis, particularly in northern Nigeria, to the release of individuals described as repentant criminals back into society.

The Senate expressed concern over what it described as the deteriorating security situation, warning that the growing attacks on serving and retired military officers represent a dangerous dimension to the country’s security challenges.

It cited the killing of retired Major General Richard Duru in Owerri after a reported ransom payment of $50,000, the murder of retired Brigadier General O.M. Harlord Udokwere in Abuja, the 56-day captivity of former NYSC Director-General, retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, and the death of retired Major Aja while in captivity in Kogi State.

According to the lawmakers, the attacks pose a significant threat to national security because many of the victims previously held sensitive operational, intelligence and command positions.

The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of Major General Rabe Abubakar and other Nigerians killed by terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

It also urged the Federal Government to ensure that perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.

The Red Chamber further called on security and intelligence agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, threat assessment and early warning mechanisms, while urging the government to accelerate the deployment of modern security technology to combat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

The resolution comes despite the existence of Operation Safe Corridor, a Federal Government initiative launched in 2016 to deradicalise, rehabilitate and reintegrate former Boko Haram combatants who voluntarily surrendered.

While officials have credited the programme with encouraging thousands of insurgents to abandon violence, concerns have persisted over reports of some beneficiaries allegedly returning to criminal activities.

Reacting to the Senate’s position, security analyst and Associate Professor at the University of Namibia, Dr. Babayo Sule, described the resolution as unfortunate and potentially counterproductive.

He argued that the deradicalisation programme was introduced only after military operations failed to bring lasting peace, stressing that rehabilitation and reconciliation remain recognised components of counter-insurgency strategies worldwide.

Rather than scrapping the initiative, Sule urged lawmakers to investigate its shortcomings and strengthen its implementation. He also called for greater oversight of Operation Safe Corridor and similar reconciliation programmes in states affected by insurgency.

According to him, abandoning the programme without addressing the underlying challenges could further worsen insecurity, as the country currently lacks sufficient capacity to defeat insurgents solely through military means.

By Ibrahim Happiness

I read with keen interest two articles published on June 2, 2026. One was the fact that Murtala Muhammed International Airport  is not insured, and another titled, “Teachers from Hell.” Though they address different issues, both expose a troubling reality in Nigeria: the persistent failure to enforce laws and regulations designed to protect citizens.

The article on the insurance status of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) raises serious questions about accountability in public institutions. If indeed Nigeria’s busiest airport operated without adequate insurance coverage despite clear regulatory requirements, then this represents not merely an administrative oversight but a failure of governance. The existence of regulations means little when compliance is not enforced.

What makes the situation particularly concerning is that the consequences of such lapses are often borne by the public. The approval of hundreds of billions of naira for airport rehabilitation highlights the enormous cost of neglecting basic risk management measures. Nigerians deserve to know how such a critical national asset was allowed to operate without the safeguards prescribed by law and who should be held responsible.

The article’s call for accountability is therefore timely and necessary. Beyond assurances and directives, there should be transparency regarding the circumstances that led to the lapse and concrete measures to prevent a recurrence. Public confidence can only be restored when accountability is visible and meaningful.

The second article, “Teachers from Hell,” addresses an equally disturbing issue: the violation of trust within educational institutions. Reports of teachers and school officials involved in kidnapping, sexual abuse, and other crimes against children are deeply troubling. Schools are meant to be safe spaces where children learn, grow, and develop. When those entrusted with their care become perpetrators of abuse, the consequences extend far beyond the immediate victims.

The cases highlighted in the article demonstrate the urgent need for stronger safeguarding measures in schools. Thorough background checks, effective monitoring systems, child protection policies, and accessible reporting channels must become standard practice across both public and private educational institutions.

Equally important is the need to educate children about personal safety and their rights. Awareness empowers children to recognise inappropriate behaviour and seek help when necessary. At the same time, swift prosecution of offenders remains essential to ensuring justice and deterring future abuse.

Although one article focuses on airport management and the other on child protection, both ultimately point to the same challenge: the gap between policy and implementation. Nigeria has laws, regulations, and institutional frameworks in place. What is often lacking is the commitment to enforce them consistently and effectively.

The fire incident at MMIA and the abuse cases in schools are reminders that regulations alone cannot guarantee safety. Without accountability, oversight, and enforcement, even the best policies become little more than words on paper.

Nigeria’s progress will not be measured by the number of laws it enacts but by how faithfully those laws are implemented. Citizens deserve institutions that uphold standards, protect lives, and act responsibly before crises occur, rather than after the damage is done.

Ibrahim Happiness is a 300-level student in Strategic Communication at the University of Abuja. She can be reached at: happinessibrahim11@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam 

The Senate has called on the Federal Government to discontinue the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members and other violent criminals, arguing that the policy has failed to curb insecurity across the country.

The resolution followed a motion on the rising cases of attacks, abductions and killings involving serving and retired military personnel, including the late former Director of Defence Information, retired Major General Rabe Abubakar.

The motion, sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina), received unanimous support during Tuesday’s plenary.

Lawmakers condemned the continued rehabilitation of former Boko Haram fighters, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements under the Federal Government’s deradicalisation programme. Several senators linked the persistent security crisis, particularly in northern Nigeria, to the release of individuals described as repentant criminals back into society.

The Senate expressed concern over what it described as the deteriorating security situation, warning that the growing attacks on serving and retired military officers represent a dangerous dimension to the country’s security challenges.

It cited the killing of retired Major General Richard Duru in Owerri after a reported ransom payment of $50,000, the murder of retired Brigadier General O.M. Harlord Udokwere in Abuja, the 56-day captivity of former NYSC Director-General, retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, and the death of retired Major Aja while in captivity in Kogi State.

According to the lawmakers, the attacks pose a significant threat to national security because many of the victims previously held sensitive operational, intelligence and command positions.

The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of Major General Rabe Abubakar and other Nigerians killed by terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes. 

It also urged the Federal Government to ensure that perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.

The Red Chamber further called on security and intelligence agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, threat assessment and early warning mechanisms, while urging the government to accelerate the deployment of modern security technology to combat terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

The resolution comes despite the existence of Operation Safe Corridor, a Federal Government initiative launched in 2016 to deradicalise, rehabilitate and reintegrate former Boko Haram combatants who voluntarily surrendered. 

While officials have credited the programme with encouraging thousands of insurgents to abandon violence, concerns have persisted over reports of some beneficiaries allegedly returning to criminal activities.

Reacting to the Senate’s position, security analyst and Associate Professor at the University of Namibia, Dr. Babayo Sule, described the resolution as unfortunate and potentially counterproductive.

He argued that the deradicalisation programme was introduced only after military operations failed to bring lasting peace, stressing that rehabilitation and reconciliation remain recognised components of counter-insurgency strategies worldwide.

Rather than scrapping the initiative, Sule urged lawmakers to investigate its shortcomings and strengthen its implementation. He also called for greater oversight of Operation Safe Corridor and similar reconciliation programmes in states affected by insurgency.

According to him, abandoning the programme without addressing the underlying challenges could further worsen insecurity, as the country currently lacks sufficient capacity to defeat insurgents solely through military means.