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By Uzair Adam

An army captain and a soldier have been killed following a fresh attack by Boko Haram insurgents in Izge community, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The terrorists reportedly stormed the community around 1 a.m. on Wednesday and engaged troops in a gun battle.

Confirming the incident, the Emir of Gwoza, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, said the attackers met strong resistance from the military and local security groups.

“It’s true that my people in Izge community came under Boko Haram attack around 1 a.m. Unfortunately, a captain and a soldier paid the supreme price,” he said.

He, however, noted that the joint efforts of the military, Civilian JTF, local hunters, vigilantes, and community members led to the killing of three insurgents.

He added that the attackers abandoned more than 10 motorcycles and weapons before fleeing into the bush, where security operatives are currently pursuing them.

While praying for the souls of the fallen soldiers, the monarch applauded their bravery and sacrifice in defending the area.

“May Allah (SWT) grant the departed souls Jannatul Firdaus. Our gallant men are still in the bush, sacrificing their lives to maintain peace,” he said.

He also appreciated the Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, for the consistent logistics support and urged the federal government to equip security operatives with advanced technological tools to fight terrorism.

The North East region has witnessed a spike in insurgent attacks. On Saturday, at least four soldiers were killed in an attack on the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA of Yobe State, where equipment was also destroyed.

That attack occurred less than a day after the North East Governors Forum met in Damaturu, adopting a multidimensional approach to address insecurity in the region.

Buni Yadi is about 65 kilometers from Damaturu and is the hometown of the state governor, Mai Mala Buni.

The latest assault comes two weeks after President Bola Tinubu charged service chiefs to end the persistent killings.

By Uzair Adam

In response to the escalating security challenges across the country, the Nigerian Senate has resolved to convene a two-day National Security Summit in Abuja, bringing together key stakeholders from all levels of government and traditional institutions to chart a path toward improved national safety.

The summit, according to the Senate, will serve as a platform for generating actionable recommendations aimed at reforming Nigeria’s security architecture.

It is expected to influence policy direction, with the Senate urging the Federal Government to consider and implement proposals emerging from the discussions.

The decision to organize the summit followed a motion titled “Urgent Need for a National Security Summit,” presented during plenary by Senator Ibrahim Jimoh, who represents Ondo South and chairs the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs.

The motion was co-sponsored by Senators Zam Titus (Benue North-West), Peter Onyeka Nwebonyl (Ebonyi North), and Ngwu Osita (Enugu West).

While presenting the motion, Senator Jimoh linked the country’s worsening security issues to global instability, referencing the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, strained North-South relations, and economic tensions like the U.S. tariff war.

He noted how these global developments have intensified food insecurity and disrupted efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Jimoh also expressed deep concern about the persistent violence within Nigeria, highlighting the spread of banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping across both urban and rural areas.

He urged a strategic shift in Nigeria’s approach to combating insecurity, calling for enhanced intelligence gathering, increased military funding, and non-military solutions.

Citing historical political unrest in Nigeria, including the 1953 Kano riots and electoral crises of the 1980s, Jimoh stressed the importance of proactive measures as the country approaches another election cycle.

He reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to national peace and encouraged alignment with the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The Senate emphasized that the upcoming summit would not be the first of its kind. Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan had also convened a similar initiative during the 9th Assembly, which laid groundwork for national security dialogue.

Lawan had pointed to the Senate’s role in guiding conversations toward sustainable solutions.

The new summit is anticipated to build on previous efforts and deliver comprehensive, practical strategies to restore peace and security across Nigeria.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government says it inherited multimillion-naira water facilities in a state of disrepair and vandalism from the previous administration led by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje—an issue it blames for the persistent water shortages across the state.

The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Haruna Doguwa, made this known while leading journalists on a tour of major water works.

He cited the Kano water works built in 1930 and the Challawa water works established in 2016 by former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso among the affected facilities, alleging they were abandoned and vandalized during Ganduje’s tenure.

Doguwa revealed that over 12 kilometers of water pipelines connecting the Kano River to these facilities were uprooted, while critical equipment such as control room devices and raw pumps were stolen.

He estimated the total cost of restoring the facilities at around \$10 million.

“The first water works had a 20-million-litre daily capacity before it was vandalized in 2016, resulting in severe water scarcity in the state. The damage there alone is worth about \$3.5 million,” he said.

He also noted that the Intel 6 water facility, with a 350-million-litre daily capacity and responsible for half of Kano’s water supply, was similarly vandalized, with pumps worth about N500 million each allegedly sold off.

Currently, the state only manages to produce 300 million cubic meters of water daily, far short of the 700 million required.

To address the shortfall, the government is working to rehabilitate the affected facilities and expand the Wudil and Joda water works.

Once completed, Doguwa said water production would increase to 500 million cubic meters per day.

The Managing Director of the Kano State Water Board, Garba Ahmed, also highlighted that key areas such as Dorayi, Kofar Pompo, Kabuga Rijiyar Zaki, Janguza, BUK, and Goron Dutse are among the worst hit by the ongoing crisis.

In a related move to control exploitation, Doguwa met with leaders of tanker drivers and water vendors to propose fixed rates for water sales.

He gave a seven-day deadline to reach an agreement on fair pricing for tank and jerrycan water supplies.

By Muhammad Abubakar

India has launched missile strikes on nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, targeting what it described as “terrorist infrastructure.” The strikes come amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month that claimed 26 lives.

Pakistan reported that at least eight people were killed and 35 injured in the strikes. Authorities in Islamabad condemned the assault as an “unprovoked, blatant act of war,” accusing India of deliberately targeting civilian areas.

In response, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets, though Indian officials have yet to confirm any such losses.

The incident marks a dangerous escalation in a region with a long and volatile history, raising fresh concerns about stability and the risk of broader conflict.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kano State Police Command has arrested an 18-year-old woman, Saudat Jibril, for allegedly killing her 30-year-old husband, Salisu Idris, by slitting his throat with a sharp knife.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, May 6, at their residence in Farawa Quarters.

Upon receiving a distress call, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, immediately dispatched detectives to the scene.

The victim was rushed to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Saudat Jibril is currently detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and will be charged with culpable homicide.

CP Bakori warned that the police will not tolerate violent crimes in the state, assuring the public of a thorough investigation and swift justice.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Over 1,000 lawyers under the Save Benue and Zamfara Coalition staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly on Tuesday, demanding the legislative body invoke constitutional powers to take over the functions of the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly.

The lawyers cited alleged interference by state governors and prolonged internal crises, which they claim have rendered the assemblies dysfunctional.

In Zamfara, 10 lawmakers have reportedly been suspended since February 2023 after raising concerns over insecurity, while in Benue, 13 legislators were suspended for allegedly defying Governor Hyacinth Alia’s directive to remove the state’s Chief Judge.

Led by Barr. Sambari Benjamin, the coalition urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to invoke Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to legislate for a state when its assembly is incapacitated.

The lawyers warned that failure to act could lead to a state of emergency in both states and potentially destabilize the National Assembly.

They called for immediate intervention to safeguard democracy.

By Maryam Ahmad

Nigerian musicians earned over ₦58 billion from Spotify in 2024, more than double the amount paid in 2023. This marks a significant rise in global interest in Nigerian music, particularly Afrobeats.

According to Spotify, over 1,900 Nigerian artists were added to editorial playlists in 2024, and Nigerian music was streamed globally for more than 1.1 million hours. Listeners also created around 250 million playlists featuring Nigerian artists.

Spotify’s Sub-Saharan Africa director, Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, said the platform remains committed to helping Nigerian artists grow and earn from their work.

By Muhammad Abubakar

In a controversial move, the Trump administration has announced a new policy offering $1,000 to undocumented migrants who voluntarily leave the United States. The initiative, branded as a “self-deportation incentive,” is part of broader efforts by the administration to reduce the number of migrants residing illegally in the country.

According to Department of Homeland Security officials, the program aims to ease pressure on immigration detention centres and reduce deportation costs. Eligible migrants must meet certain criteria, including passing background checks and agreeing to leave the country within a set timeframe.

Critics have called the policy coercive and dehumanising, arguing that it targets vulnerable populations who may feel forced to leave under economic pressure. Supporters, however, defend the measure as a cost-effective and voluntary alternative to formal deportation proceedings.

The offer has sparked fresh debate on immigration policy as the administration continues to advocate for tighter border controls and enforcement.

It remains unclear how many migrants will take up the offer or how the program will be monitored in practice.

By Oladoja M.O

In recent years, the word “Japa” has become an emblem of escape, a chant of hope, and sadly, a whistle of despair. Particularly in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the mass exodus of young, vibrant medical professionals has left our system gasping for air. What we face is not just a brain drain—it’s a heart drain. And in the middle of this haemorrhage lies a controversial bill, once proposed by Honourable Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson, now buried under the backlash of public outrage.

But was the bill completely out of line, or was it simply unfinished thinking?

It is no longer news that Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio falls miserably short of the World Health Organisation’s recommendation. Yet what may not be so widely understood is that the stressful, overburdening conditions often cited as a reason to “Japa” are partly the consequences of those who have already left. One person’s departure makes another’s stay unbearable. The domino effect deepens.

While the most effective and lasting solutions lie in long-term efforts—revamping the economy, tackling insecurity, and fixing systemic rot—we must also admit that time is of the essence. The house is on fire, and we need water now, even if the fire truck is on its way.

There’s this question of “can patriotism be stirred in a broken system?”

Critics often point to a profound lack of patriotism among the youth, and it’s not unfounded. But when young Nigerians have watched corruption erode public trust, when they are owed salaries, and when survival is a struggle, can we honestly ask for blind loyalty? Still, the bitter truth remains: if patriotism isn’t growing naturally in this climate, maybe it needs to be carefully engineered, not through coercion, but through incentivised responsibility. 

The original bill proposed tying Nigerian-trained doctors and dentists to a mandatory five-year practice before granting full licensure. It sparked nationwide uproar, accused of being coercive, discriminatory, and even unconstitutional. The medical council body argued that such a condition could only apply to those whose education was publicly funded. And frankly, they had a point.

However, what if the bill didn’t force, but inspired commitment instead? Clearly, the strategy to curb this heartbreaking issue lies between the government and the various governing councils of these professions. After an extensive and wide brainstorming, it is my opinion that the following recommendations should be weighed and given consideration;

Let the Medical and Dental Council adopt a digital licensing model that is highly secure and tamper-proof, implement a differential licensing fee, where those practising within Nigeria pay subsidised rates (e.g., ₦50,000).

In contrast, those seeking international practice pay a premium (e.g., ₦250,000). Substantial penalties for forgeries should be introduced, ranging from travel bans to long-term suspension from practice. Also, full international licensing should probably be accessible only after 5 – 8 years of verified practice in Nigeria, but with allowances for truly and genuinely exceptional circumstances.

Each Local Government Area (LGA) can be mandated to sponsor at least two candidates annually for critical medical professions, especially medicine and nursing. This would ensure that the selection is need-based and done after national admission lists are released to prevent misuse by those already financially capable. Aside from other ongoing state or philanthropic sponsorships, this alone could inject an extra 1,500–2,000 health professionals yearly into the system.

Beyond the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), the government can introduce provisions for payment of residency program fees, subsidies for first and second fellowship exams, partner with international and local equipment companies to provide cutting-edge residency exposure, and full sponsorship for mandatory travel during training with conditions of local practice attached. More importantly, it should be to the core interest of the government to streamline the bureaucracy around MRTF disbursements to reduce frustration and improve compliance.

For these health professionals committed to staying, the government can introduce affordable credit schemes for cars and home ownership. This strategy speaks not just of comfort but dignity and hope, ensuring these professionals see a future here. A doctor with a home loan and a dependable car is more likely to stay and build a life.

Relatively, in a bid to arrest some unnecessary uproar from various other professions, the government can broaden the application of similar strategies to other key professions facing mass emigration, like pharmacy, engineering, and IT. Let emphasis be on this is a quick-response initiative and not a substitute for long-term development, and also communicate clearly that staying doesn’t mean stagnation but service with reward.

No one can deny that Nigeria’s system is in a broken state, and no young professionals should be intentionally shackled to that broken system. It is also true that patriotism cannot be forced, but it can be nurtured. These professionals can, however, be valued, supported, and invited into a new contract of service, not as slaves to a nation, but as partners in rebuilding her.

Therefore, before we completely dismiss the Hon. Ganiyu Johnson Bill as modern slavery, perhaps we should ask: did it simply lack the right lens? With the right blend of compassion, policy, and investment, could it become a promise and not a prison?

Oladoja M.O writes from Abuja and can be reached at mayokunmark@gmail.com

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticized the Presidency for dismissing concerns raised by the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, about Nigeria’s worsening poverty levels.

In a statement on Monday, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, described the Presidency’s response as “childish” and “politically twisted,” accusing it of deflecting from the harsh realities faced by Nigerians.

Adesina, during a recent event in Lagos, stated that Nigeria’s per capita income had dropped from $1,847 in 1960 to $824 today, indicating that Nigerians were poorer now than at independence.

However, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disputed the figures, claiming Nigeria’s GDP per capita in 1960 was $93 and only improved in the 1970s due to oil revenue.

HURIWA urged President Bola Tinubu to acknowledge the alarming poverty rates instead of denying them.

The group cited a World Bank report revealing that over 75% of rural Nigerians live below the poverty line, with urban poverty at 41.3%.

Onwubiko argued that Nigeria in the 1960s had better infrastructure, education, and job opportunities compared to today’s economic struggles, worsened by corruption and poor governance.

He questioned why the Presidency was disputing Adesina’s assessment instead of addressing the crisis.

HURIWA called for urgent action to tackle poverty, inflation, and insecurity, warning that continued denial would only deepen the suffering of Nigerians.