Month: March 2026

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has initiated fresh reconciliation efforts following advice from the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, urging warring factions to resolve internal disputes ahead of upcoming elections. The party’s Board of Trustees, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, constituted a high-powered committee to engage aggrieved members and address lingering issues threatening party unity.


As part of confidence-building measures, the National Working Committee (NWC) postponed key meetings, including the National Executive Committee and National Caucus sessions, and toned down confrontational communications.

However, the party expressed concern over continued hostile rhetoric from opposing factions, calling for restraint in the interest of members seeking to contest under the party’s platform within the timelines set by the Electoral Act.


Despite the tensions, the PDP leadership confirmed that dialogue has commenced, with both sides exploring pathways toward lasting peace.

The party urged supporters nationwide to avoid actions or statements that could derail ongoing reconciliation efforts.

It also reassured aspirants of its commitment to field candidates for all elective positions in line with its constitution.


Reaffirming its role in Nigeria’s democratic landscape, the PDP expressed gratitude to its supporters and maintained that it remains a viable opposition force.

The party also passed a vote of confidence on Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde for their leadership, while assuring Nigerians that it will actively participate in the forthcoming elections and continue to provide a credible platform for democratic choice.

By Anas Abbas

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has ordered all political appointees aspiring to contest in the 2026 general elections to resign from their positions in compliance with electoral laws.

The directive announced, was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

According to the statement, the order was formally communicated through a circular signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim. The circular stressed the importance of adhering strictly to regulations guiding the conduct of public office holders.

It explained that the decision aligns with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which governs the involvement of public officials in partisan political activities.

The government noted that the move is intended to promote neutrality, accountability, and integrity within the public service, while also ensuring a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the polls.

The circular further directed that all affected appointees must resign or retire, where applicable, on or before March 31, 2026.

Meanwhile, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the state have been instructed to widely disseminate the directive and ensure strict compliance.

A former Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political Matters, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said Nigeria is facing more serious challenges now than when the current administration began in 2023.

Baba-Ahmed spoke on Tuesday during an interview on aTV show. He assessed the country’s situation in areas such as the economy and security. He argued that the present conditions show that the government has not met the expectations it set when it assumed office.

According to him, the level of insecurity and violence has worsened since the start of the administration.

“We are in deeper trouble than when you came. Violence are becoming a lot more serious than we anticipated. Three years into President Tinubu’s presidency, we’re seeing an escalation in the pattern of violence and its magnitude and impact on our people that we’ve never seen before.

“This is a president who came to power promising to put an end to this insecurity and to create a new path for Nigeria, create new living conditions for Nigerians, make life safer and more abundant.

“The president himself would admit that he has failed to do this, to live up to the promises he has made and to make Nigerians safe.”

Baba-Ahmed also referred to the recent state visit by President Tinubu to the United Kingdom. He noted that the trip involved many government officials and ministers.

“A few days ago, the President and the huge entourage of ministers and government officials traveled to the United Kingdom on state visit. It was a very festive event, from the media reports, very happy event.

“It occurred at a moment when, in just a few days earlier, there were one of the most horrendous attacks in Borno state, a few days before the departure of this huge contingent that the President led,” he lamented.

His remarks add to the ongoing debate about the country’s economic and security conditions under the current administration.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has intensified efforts to combat tuberculosis as activities marking World TB Day 2026 are held, reaffirming its commitment to controlling and eliminating the disease.

Nabilusi Abubakar K/Na’isa, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Health, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the state is emerging as one of the leading in Nigeria’s fight against tuberculosis.

According to the statement, the government has continued to scale up interventions aimed at preventing the spread of the disease, which remains a major public health concern.

Speaking during the commemoration, the Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, said the state is taking deliberate steps to address the burden of tuberculosis through sustained health programmes and policies.

He noted that TB is still a serious health challenge but added that the government is intensifying efforts to curb its spread across communities.

The commissioner explained that symptoms of the disease include persistent cough, excessive sweating and significant weight loss, warning that tuberculosis is airborne and can easily be transmitted if not properly managed.

“The symptoms should not be ignored, as early detection remains critical in controlling the disease,” he said.

He further stated that the government is committed to eradicating TB through various initiatives, including the renovation of Yada Kunya General Hospital to improve treatment and patient care.

Yusuf also commended the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his continued support in strengthening the health sector.

The statement revealed that 913 people were diagnosed with tuberculosis in Kano State in the past year, with 720 successfully treated, indicating progress in managing the disease.

It added that development partners have supported the state with mobile healthcare vehicles to expand access to medical services, particularly in underserved communities.

Health officials urged residents to seek medical attention promptly if they experience symptoms, stressing that early diagnosis and treatment remain key to stopping the spread of tuberculosis.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command says it has recorded a notable reduction in crime across the state in the first quarter of 2026, crediting the progress to improved policing strategies, intelligence-driven operations, and closer collaboration with key stakeholders.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, made this known on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Bompai, Kano, where he outlined the current security situation.

Bakori explained that recent restructuring within the Command has boosted operational effectiveness and strengthened responses to emerging threats, noting that the reforms are already delivering encouraging outcomes in maintaining public safety.

He stressed that the police remain determined to build on the gains to ensure Kano continues to be secure for both residents and businesses.

Speaking on the Command’s 2026 roadmap, the commissioner said initiatives such as community policing, intelligence-led operations, capacity development, and collaboration with other security agencies have reinforced the state’s security framework.

He highlighted the impact of Operation Kukan Kura, which he said has played a key role in curbing thuggery, popularly known as Fadan Daba.

“Our roadmap for 2026 is already producing strong results, and we are focused on sustaining and improving this momentum,” he said.

Bakori further noted that coordinated efforts involving the Kano State Government and other security agencies have helped prevent bandit infiltration, while long-standing farmer-herder disputes have been addressed through dialogue and community engagement.

On the fight against drug-related crimes, he revealed that the Command has utilised open-source intelligence to identify suspected dealers, with over 2,000 names submitted by members of the public.

According to him, many of the entries appeared repeatedly, suggesting credible information.

“We are profiling and verifying these individuals with a view to taking decisive action,” he said, emphasizing the importance of technology and community support in tackling crime.

The commissioner added that suspects linked to offences including armed robbery, kidnapping, cybercrime, and drug trafficking have been arrested and prosecuted, with several stolen items recovered during operations.

While admitting that security challenges persist, Bakori reassured residents of the Command’s resolve to address them through sustained collaboration with relevant authorities.

He also acknowledged the support of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, alongside the cooperation of the public.

The police chief urged citizens to continue providing timely and useful information, assuring that the Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has urged the international community to step into the ongoing Middle East crisis. He warned that the situation could push many countries back to conditions similar to the COVID-19 period.

Dangote made the remarks on Monday after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his residence in Lagos.

He raised concerns about the instability in global oil prices and its wider economic impact. He noted that Nigeria and other African nations may have no choice but to adopt remote working arrangements if the situation worsens.

Dangote also appealed for prayers and global intervention to bring the conflict to an end, as it continues to influence fuel prices and other energy costs.

He said, “In some countries today, what they’ve done is ask everybody to work from home because they cannot afford it.

“I think in Indonesia, they only go to work four days a week. And they will look at the situation. If it doesn’t improve, they will ask everybody not to go to work anymore. We will do like that time of COVID, where people will now go and work from home,” Dangote said.

He further explained that the crisis could encourage opportunistic pricing, which would worsen the burden on citizens.

“It’s not only energy. Some people will try to take a chance and say, ‘Ah, this is an opportunity. So, let me make money. So, if this thing doesn’t de-escalate, it is going to keep going up and governments cannot really now go and add salaries also. So, people will really feel the pinch,” he said.

Dangote stressed that small-scale operators would be among the most affected, especially those who depend on fuel-powered equipment.

“People who are barbers, people who are doing bread, people who have industries who have to pay their own generator, I mean, you can see what is happening,” he said.

On a different note, Dangote commended President Tinubu for his recent visit to the United Kingdom. He pointed to the £746 million infrastructure agreement signed during the trip as a major achievement.

“It has not been easy dealing with the British, getting this kind of money out of them. They, too, are struggling on their own. But I think this is to show confidence—it’s not about the money. It’s about the confidence in Nigeria,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the agreement would attract more international partnerships. Dangote added that Nigerian investors can now access funding support from the UK Export Finance agency, which has remained underutilised for years.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) under Operation Hadin Kai, working with civilian hunters and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), have arrested a suspected informant linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The suspect, identified as Abdullahi Umar, 25, a native of Gwoza in neighboring Borno State, was apprehended on March 23 after security operatives received credible intelligence about suspected ISWAP elements within the 232 Battalion’s Tactical Area of Responsibility.

SaharaReporters gathered that Umar was arrested during a coordinated operation involving troops and local security volunteers in the area.

A security expert and counter-insurgency analyst, Zagazola Makama, confirmed the arrest and revealed that preliminary investigations showed the suspect had been assigned by insurgents to carry out reconnaissance around military formations.

According to the findings, Umar was allegedly tasked with surveying routes leading to the 232 Battalion and other military structures to identify potential entry points for future attacks by insurgents.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to participating in a recent attack on troops in Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Military authorities are conducting further investigations while Umar remains in custody for possible prosecution and additional intelligence gathering.

At least 34 people have died after a Colombian Air Force plane crashed shortly after takeoff in the country’s southern region, authorities said.

The incident occurred on Monday in Putumayo department. The aircraft was carrying 125 people at the time of the crash.

The governor of Putumayo confirmed the casualty figure and said the plane went down moments after leaving the runway.

Emergency responders and military personnel were deployed to the crash site as rescue efforts continued. The full details surrounding the cause of the accident are yet to be made public.

Officials have not released further information about survivors or the identities of those on board.

The crash has raised concerns about aviation safety, as investigations are expected to begin to determine what led to the incident.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Tensions are mounting in Borno State following the alleged killing of Abdulrahman Mustapha, widely known as “Abchin,” by soldiers of the Nigerian Army on March 22, 2026. Witnesses report the victim was shot dead near the Federal High Court along the Polo Axis in the Karshen Kolta area of Maiduguri while returning from a Sallah visit to his siblings.

According to multiple eyewitness accounts, Mr. Mustapha was unarmed and posed no threat to the military personnel at the time of the incident. The shooting occurred during the festive period when residents were moving between family gatherings.

In a development that has further fueled public outrage, sources indicate that military personnel conveyed the deceased’s lifeless body along with his vehicle to the GRA Police Station. From there, his remains were transported to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, where he was formally confirmed dead.

Civil society groups and residents have condemned the act, describing it as a grim example of the military’s alleged disregard for the sanctity of human life and the rule of law. Critics argue that such incidents undermine public trust in security institutions and foster a climate of impunity.

Human rights advocates are now calling on the Nigerian government to intervene. They insist that the authorities must uphold constitutional and international human rights obligations by launching an immediate investigation and ensuring that any soldiers found culpable face a prompt and fair trial.

As of press time, the Nigerian Army has not issued an official statement regarding the incident, and calls for accountability continue to mount from local communities demanding justice for Abdulrahman Mustapha.

By Anwar Usman

The President of the United States on Monday held “very good” talks with an unidentified Iranian official after abruptly shelving plans for fresh attacks, even as Washington’s ally Israel vowed to keep up strikes on the Islamic republic.

The surprise disclosure  denied by Tehran, which accused Trump of manipulating energy markets came ahead of a Monday night deadline imposed by Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane or see the US “obliterate” its power plants.

Ghalibaf said on X that “no negotiations” were underway, insisting Trump was seeking “to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”

Oil prices fell and stock markets jumped as observers scrambled to interpret Trump’s statements despite the Iranian denial.

AFP reports that, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said messages were received from “some friendly countries indicating a US request for negotiations aimed at ending the war”, but denied any such talks had taken place, Iran’s official IRNA agency reported.

In response, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken to Trump and acknowledged the US thought a deal was possible, but vowed to continue striking Iran and Lebanon to protect Israel.

“Trump believes there is a chance to leverage the tremendous achievements of the IDF and the US military in order to realize the war’s objectives in an agreement — an agreement that will safeguard our vital interests,” he said.

“At the same time, we continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon.”

Although Oman mediated indirect US-Iran talks prior to the US and Israel launching the war, Egypt, Qatar and Pakistan have been suggested as alternative go-betweens.

On a day of whiplash developments, Iran’s neighbors breathed a sigh of relief after Trump stepped back from his threat to target Iranian power infrastructure.

Tehran had vowed to deploy naval mines and target power and water infrastructure across the region in retaliation, threatening to escalate an energy crisis of already historic proportions.

“Trump blinked first — out of a clear understanding that striking Iran’s energy infrastructure would trigger a direct and significant retaliation,” Danny Citrinowicz, a security analyst and former Israeli intelligence Iran expert, wrote on X.

Trump said his administration was holding talks with an unidentified “top person,” but not the country’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is believed to be injured.

“We’ve wiped out the leadership phase one, phase two, and largely phase three. But we’re dealing with the man who I believe is the most respected and the leader,” Trump said.

He described the individual as “very reasonable,” while warning if talks failed in the next five days, “we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”

Thousands of US Marines are headed to the Middle East, reinforcing America’s presence amid weekend speculation Trump was mulling ground operations either to seize Iranian oil assets or to forcibly reopen the Strait of Hormuz.