News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has disclosed plans by the Nigerian military to initiate legal action against Reuters over a report alleging the forced termination of 10,000 pregnancies during counter-insurgency operations in the North East.

The controversial report, published in late 2022, accused the Nigerian military of running a secret abortion program targeting women impregnated by insurgents.

However, a 2024 investigation by the National Human Rights Commission cleared the military of any wrongdoing.

Expressing his displeasure, General Musa criticized Reuters for failing to retract the report or issue an apology, noting that it had unfairly tarnished the reputation of Nigeria and its armed forces.

“After one and a half years of investigation, it was found that it was a complete lie. I was expecting Reuters to come in and apologize for it, but they did nothing. They did not even respond. After maligning the whole country, they have shown no accountability. I think it’s very important that Nigeria takes up this issue,” he said.

Musa revealed that discussions had been held with the Attorney General of the Federation regarding legal proceedings.

“I’ve discussed with the Attorney General, and I think it’s important that Nigeria addresses this. We will not allow anyone to demoralize our troops or malign the country,” he said.

He also suggested that such allegations often surface as part of a broader effort to undermine the military’s achievements in combating terrorism.

By Abdullahi Ibrahim

To enhance concentration and minimize disruptions in Brazilian classrooms, the use of mobile phones by elementary and secondary school students has been officially prohibited during school hours.

The new policy aims to enhance academic performance and encourage healthier social interactions among students.

Brazil joins a growing list of countries, including the Netherlands, France, and Italy, which have implemented similar measures to address concerns about the negative impact of mobile phone use on education.

Proponents of the ban argue that limiting phone use fosters a more engaging learning environment, while critics highlight potential challenges in enforcing the policy and addressing emergencies.

Education officials in Brazil have expressed optimism about the initiative, emphasizing its role in creating a more focused and collaborative atmosphere in classrooms.

The global trend reflects a broader debate on balancing technology’s benefits with its potential drawbacks in education.

By Uzair Adam

The national electricity grid in Nigeria remains vulnerable to frequent collapses due to the government’s inability to repair a critical transmission line in the northern region, hindered by persistent insecurity.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this during the 2025 budget defense session with the Senate Joint Committee on Power.

Adelabu emphasized the consequences of the damaged Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando transmission line, which has been out of service since it was vandalized in October 2024.

“The Kaduna-Shiroro-Mando line was one of two major lines transmitting power to the north. The other line, Ugwuaji-Makurdi, was also vandalized but has since been repaired.

“However, the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna line remains down due to security challenges,” Adelabu stated.

He highlighted that the reliance on a single transmission line has left the grid fragile and prone to collapse under strain.

Adelabu further noted that while the government cannot entirely prevent grid collapses, efforts are focused on minimizing their frequency and ensuring rapid restoration.

He acknowledged the collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), led by Nuhu Ribadu, as crucial in combating vandalism, one of the sector’s most significant challenges.

The minister announced a proposed N2 trillion budget for the ministry and its agencies in 2025, with N229 billion allocated to the ministry itself.

He also unveiled a N700 billion allocation for the Power Metering Initiative (PMI), targeting the reduction of the metering gap by next month to enhance billing transparency and curb fraud.

“We are committed to reducing the restoration time after full or partial grid collapses and are working closely with security agencies to address the underlying issues,” Adelabu said.

In addition, the ministry plans to invest N36 billion in distributing transformers across the six geopolitical zones and has proposed the installation of solar lights and CCTV cameras on highways to monitor and deter vandals.

The security-focused proposal falls under a N200 billion sub-head in the 2025 budget.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s determination to secure critical infrastructure and improve power supply across the country.

By Anwar Usman

The Nigerian Immigration Service, Sokoto State Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening border security as part of its efforts to tackle the security problems posed by the emergence of the Lakurawa sect.

On Monday in Sokoto, the state Comptroller of the NIS, Mr Yusuf Bage, announced this during a courtesy visit from the leadership of the state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

Bage said the security problem posed by the Lakurawa sect is a new and evolving threat, especially in the state.

According to him, the Lakurawa sect members often enter the country through illegal routes.

”However, I want to assure the public that security agencies are ahead of them, and their activities will soon be curbed.”

He explained that one of the significant constitutional mandates of the NIS was to ensure effective border management, including oversight at airports and seaports.

To achieve this mandate, the NIS ensures proper identification of foreigners entering the country and closely monitors their movements and activities within communities.

He explains that the NIS had expanded its offices across the 23 local government areas to maintain visibility in all the state’s nooks and crannies.

He also highlighted the collaboration between the NIS, the Army, and other state security agencies to ensure the safety of citizens.

The comptroller also emphasized the importance of the media in supporting security efforts and pledged a mutual relationship between the NIS and journalists in the state.

The NUJ state Chairman, Mr Usman Binji, said the visit was to formally introduce the new leadership of the state council.

Binji reiterated the role of journalists in fostering collaboration with security agencies, stressing that the visit would reinvigorate the collaboration between the NIS and the NUJ to make Sokoto State safer.

He further stated that, “Our members are fully committed to supporting the security agencies in ensuring the safety of Nigeria’s territory.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar AlgasgainiThe chief of defencce staff general, Christopher Musa, stated that currently, the bandits, who no longer have any town under their control, have devised a new strategy for recruiting fighters.

He explained that in the past, they would raid villages to force men, whether willing or not, to take up arms and join them, threatening to kill them if they refused.

However, during an interview on Arise Television, he said they no longer have that option.

He further explained that the new tactic the bandits are using involves getting women pregnant repeatedly, using the children born as fighters.

According to him, once a woman gets pregnant and gives birth, within four months, the bandits would return to the woman to impregnate her again.

Some bandits, he added, who surrendered and handed over over 120,000 weapons, mostly small arms, had recruited children as fighters.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A soldier identified as Nathaniel Jeremiah, has been arrested by personnel of the 7 Division at the Borno Express Terminal Park in Maiduguri for illegal possession of ammunition.

According to intelligence sources, told that Jeremiah, who was on welfare pass and en route to Adamawa State, was apprehended while attempting to board a vehicle at the terminal.

During the routine search, security operatives discovered 89 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in his personal bag.

The soldier was immediately taken into custody for interrogation, and the recovered ammunition has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, held a virtual conference on January 13, 2025, with key strategic managers of the Nigeria Police Force, including tactical commanders, Commissioners of Police (CPs), and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs).

During the meeting, the IGP commended officers for their efforts in combating crime throughout 2024 but urged them to enhance their anti-crime strategies in 2025.

Egbetokun underscored the importance of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in policing and stressed the need for specialized training for Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigators to improve their ability to handle complex cases.

He ordered immediate reorientation programs for all police personnel, focusing on human rights, community policing, ethical conduct, and appropriate use of force.

In addition, the IGP directed the introduction of weekly lectures across all police divisions, area commands, and state levels.

These sessions will focus on continuous professional development, legal updates, and technological advancements in law enforcement.

The IGP emphasized that these initiatives are aimed at fostering a culture of learning and accountability within the Force.

The IGP further tasked strategic managers with ensuring professionalism within their commands, holding supervisors accountable for any misconduct.

He reiterated his commitment to strengthening the police force and improving its relationship with the Nigerian public.

By Uzair Adam  

Fifteen individuals, identified as members of local vigilante groups, lost their lives on Saturday due to an accidental military airstrike in Tungar Kara and surrounding villages in Maradun and Zurmi Local Government Areas of Zamfara State. 

The Daily Reality reports that over 30 others sustained injuries in the incident.  

Residents disclosed that the tragedy occurred after successfully repelling bandits in two separate attacks. 

According to Musa, a resident of Jan-Bako, bandits had invaded the villages on Friday but were driven away by armed locals. 

“On Saturday, the bandits regrouped and returned, but we fought back and chased them out again,” Musa explained.  

While villagers stationed themselves on nearby hills to monitor any potential return of the bandits, a military jet reportedly mistook them for criminals. It launched an attack, resulting in civilian casualties.  

Muhammad Aminu, another local, lamented the tragedy, saying, “After chasing away the bandits, a military fighter jet bombed our people. It is devastating and deeply regrettable.”  

A police officer in Maradun LGA confirmed that most victims were vigilantes and members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG) who had been pursuing the fleeing bandits. 

“Their outfits might have led to the mistaken identification as bandits,” the officer added.  

The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, extended his condolences to the victims’ families in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris. 

While commending the military’s efforts against banditry, the governor described the incident as an unfortunate error. 

“We pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased and will support their families,” the statement read.  

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) confirmed it had carried out airstrikes targeting bandits in the area. 

In a separate statement, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, said top bandit commanders were neutralized during the operation. 

However, the statement did not directly address the civilian casualties, noting that precision targeting and real-time intelligence were used during the strikes.  

Despite successes reported by the NAF in degrading bandit networks, locals expressed frustration over recurring civilian deaths in military operations. 

This incident brings the total number of deaths from accidental military airstrikes in Nigeria over the past 11 years to 465, according to data compiled by Daily Trust.  

Residents have called for enhanced intelligence-gathering to prevent further loss of civilian lives in the fight against banditry.

By Uzair Adam 

The Lagos State Police Command has exposed a new kidnapping tactic referred to as “Constructive Kidnapping,” where unsuspecting women are deceived by individuals posing as online friends or lovers.  

The Daily Reality gathered that this disturbing trend has led to the rescue of 16 women across the state. 

Additionally, the command intervened in a separate incident involving a 15-year-old girl who allegedly conspired with her boyfriend to fake her own abduction to extort ransom from her parents.  

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olawale Ishola, provided insights into these cases during a briefing on the command’s operations between September 2024 and January 2025. 

He highlighted the cunning nature of the perpetrators, who establish trust online before luring their victims to Lagos with offers of money and luxury accommodations.  

The command reiterated its commitment to combating such crimes and advised the public to exercise caution when interacting with strangers online.

By Uzair Adam

The Jigawa State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken disciplinary action against several judicial staff for misconduct, including the dismissal of three officers, advising three Shari’a Court judges to resign, and reprimanding two others for dereliction of duty.

This was disclosed in a statement by Abbas Wangara, Director of Protocol and Publicity, Jigawa State Judiciary, on Sunday in Dutse.

According to the statement, the disciplinary measures were approved during the commission’s 178th meeting, held on January 7, following investigations into violations of judicial procedures and rules.

“In the outcome of the meeting signed by Auwalu Dan’Azumi, Secretary of the JSC, the commission received the report of an investigation committee from the High Court department in respect of two officers,” the statement said.

The affected officers, Iyal Ibrahim, a Higher Registrar on Grade Level 08, and Baffa Alhaji, a Principal Registrar on Grade Level 14, were found guilty of the illegal sale of two vehicles, exhibits of the Federal High Court, Dutse.

The commission terminated their appointments in line with Rule 5 (4) & (6) of the Jigawa State Judiciary Scheme of Service 2006 and Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. 20 Laws of Jigawa State 2012.

Additionally, the commission dismissed Abdu Aujara, a Chief Clerical Officer, for suppressing N965,000, a litigant’s deposit in a case of recovery filed by Ja’iz Bank before the Chief Magistrates Court Jahun. His dismissal was also in accordance with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law.

The commission further acted on reports from the Judiciary Public Complaint Committee (JPCC) against several Shari’a Court judges. One of them, Adamu Farin-Dutse, was accused of abusing judicial powers and misapplying the law.

Despite previous warnings, he was found liable for misconduct and advised to resign within two weeks.

Similarly, Muhammad Usman, another Shari’a Court judge, was accused of issuing a writ of possession before delivering judgment, thereby violating due process. He was also advised to resign within two weeks.

In another case, Judge Usman Zubair was found guilty of judicial irregularities, including mishandling inheritance cases and allowing unauthorized individuals to benefit from rulings.

He was similarly advised to resign. Two magistrates were reprimanded. Magistrate Munnir Abdullahi received a warning for improperly converting a civil matter to a criminal case and acting in a partisan manner.

Magistrate Yakubu Ibrahim was warned for abusing power and making derogatory remarks toward a litigant at Chief Magistrate Court Maigatari.

Wangara emphasized that these disciplinary actions reflect the commission’s commitment to ensuring a corruption-free judiciary and upholding professionalism and discipline among judicial staff.

He assured that the JSC would continue to take necessary measures to maintain standards and foster a fair working environment.

The commission reiterated its dedication to promoting a transparent and efficient judiciary in the state.