News

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the state’s total and unwavering support for the National Emergency on Security recently declared by the Federal Government.

This assurance was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

Speaking during the 34th Kano State Executive Council Meeting at Government House, Kano, the governor commended President Tinubu for taking bold and decisive steps to confront the escalating security challenges facing the country, particularly in the Northern region.

“I therefore reiterate the full cooperation of the Government of Kano State at this moment, and assure all security agencies operating in the state of our unwavering support and collaboration to ensure the success of this declaration,” he said.

Governor Yusuf also addressed internal security concerns within Kano State, restating his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of residents.

He expressed concern over reports of bandits infiltrating some Local Government Areas, especially within the Northern Senatorial District, but assured citizens that the state government, in synergy with security agencies, is taking proactive measures to neutralize the threats.

“Despite isolated challenges, citizens should remain calm and be reassured that the government is fully alert, proactive, and more determined than ever to counter all emerging threats,” he added.

The governor further appreciated the people of Kano for their continuous support and confidence in the administration.

He revealed that the 2026 budget would significantly improve the living standards of ordinary citizens, with strong emphasis on infrastructural development and human capital growth.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar

Bandits have reportedly kidnapped six young girls and a 16-year-old boy from the Gidan-Bijimi settlement in Abuja’s Bwari Area Council.

The assault, which occurred around 9:47 pm on Wednesday, has intensified fears over the capital’s worsening security situation.

Armed with AK-47 rifles, the assailants targeted two homes, firing repeatedly into the air before escaping with their captives into the night.

The victims, young women aged 17 to 23 and the teenage boy, are yet to be contacted by their abductors.

A local resident confirmed that community vigilantes attempted to intervene but were overpowered by the bandits’ superior firepower.

The area, which borders Kaduna State and is near forests known as criminal hideouts, has seen a spike in such attacks.

This incident follows a similar raid in the nearby Guto community just one week prior, where a police officer was killed.

In response to the escalating crisis, the FCT Administration has announced the full activation of “Operation Sweep,” a multi-agency security initiative.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned the recent military coup in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, labeling it a blatant violation of regional democratic principles and a threat to West African stability.

In a press release issued on Thursday, the Nigerian government expressed “profound dismay” over the military insurrection that led to an unconstitutional change of government.

It described the coup as an action that undermines democratic progress and constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau and the wider sub-region.

The statement called for the “immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order,” and demanded the safety and security of all detained persons.

It also urged respect for the country’s democratic institutions.

Nigeria specifically called on the new authorities in Guinea-Bissau to guarantee the safety of all election observers still in the country.

It advised all actors to exercise restraint, prioritize peaceful dialogue, and respect the will of the people as expressed through their votes and the official election results.

The warning was clear: those responsible for the coup “will be held accountable for their actions, which threaten to plunge the nation into chaos.”

As a key member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, Nigeria pledged to work with regional and international partners to “take all necessary measures” to ensure a swift return to constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the death of the revered Islamic leader, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 101.

In a statement released on Thursday, the President described the late leader of the Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood as a “moral compass” who dedicated his life to teaching and preaching.

President Tinubu stated that Sheikh Bauchi’s loss is monumental not only to his family and followers but also to the entire nation. He recalled the blessings and moral support he received from the cleric during the 2023 presidential election campaign.

“Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was a teacher, a father and a voice of moderation and reason. As both a preacher and a notable exegete of the Holy Quran, he was an advocate of peace and piety. His death has created a huge void,” the President was quoted as saying.

The President extended his condolences to the Sheikh’s multitude of followers across Nigeria and beyond, urging them to immortalise the late cleric by holding on to his teachings of peaceful coexistence, strengthening their relationship with God, and being kind to humanity.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Hisbah Board has successfully intercepted a suspected human trafficking operation involving three underaged girls and two alleged traffickers.

Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah, Dr. Mujahiddin Aminuddin, confirmed the incident in a statement he personally shared with journalists on Thursday.

one of the victims

According to Dr. Aminuddin, the suspects—Habibu Idris, 45, from Roni Local Government Area of Jigawa State, and Basirat Tijjani, 58, a Christian from Oyo State—were apprehended under the Fagge flyover following a dispute that attracted the attention of residents.

Eyewitnesses alerted Hisbah officers, who quickly moved to arrest the suspects.The rescued victims, all from Kazaure in Jigawa State, are three girls aged between 14 and 17 years: Kubariyya Amadu, 14; Rukayya Umar, 17; and Rashida Usaini, 14.

Dr. Aminuddin explained that Habibu had been transporting children from Kano to Basirat for financial gain, previously charging N10,000 per child but recently increasing the fee to N15,000.

Basirat’s refusal to pay the higher amount reportedly triggered the dispute that exposed the operation.

“Neither the woman nor her agent knew the exact destination of the children. Their only concern was the money,” Dr. Aminuddin said, adding that the children themselves were unaware of where they were being taken.

The Hisbah chief also voiced concern over rising parental negligence, noting that some parents fail to prioritize their children’s education, health, and general wellbeing.

“Parents now see their own children as a burden, which is why some willingly hand them over without questioning their safety or future,” he lamented.

The suspects and victims have since been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation.

By Uzair Adam

A prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, has died.

A family source confirmed the scholar’s passing to journalists on Thursday morning.

More details to follow.

By Uzair Adam

The Senate has mandated its joint committee on security to investigate the sudden withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, shortly before bandits attacked the school.

The committee is expected to report its findings within two weeks.

The upper chamber also tasked the joint committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the killing of Brig.-Gen. Musa Uba.

In addition, the Senate resolved to dissolve its standing committees on National Security and Intelligence, as well as the Air Force, with a view to reconstituting them.

The Senate leadership is also set to meet with President Bola Tinubu to brief him on the critical resolutions and views of the upper chamber.

These decisions followed a motion by Senate Deputy Leader Lola Ashiru titled, “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger, Call for Immediate and Comprehensive Federal Intervention,” during Wednesday’s plenary.

Other resolutions included commending President Tinubu and security agencies for their rapid interventions and rescue of some kidnapped victims.

The Senate urged sustained coordinated operations until all abducted persons nationwide are rescued and perpetrators apprehended.

It also advised the federal government to strengthen local vigilance groups for swift responses to similar attacks and recommended a review of Nigeria’s firearm law to reflect current security challenges, similar to more than 175 countries where responsible citizens are permitted to own guns.

The Senate further resolved to pursue diplomatic engagement with the United States and other allied nations’ parliaments to strengthen intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism training to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

Members observed a one-minute silence in memory of the victims of recent attacks.In his contribution, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau highlighted the rise in insecurity across the country, linking it to international perceptions and the increased activities of terrorists.

“These heinous crimes show that those involved do not love our country. They move in convoys to commit atrocities. We should deploy technology to counter this menace,” he said.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele noted that many kidnapped persons from Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger have regained their freedom, emphasizing that government did not pay ransom but achieved successful rescues, a positive development amid ongoing security challenges.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and authorised the immediate recruitment of thousands of new personnel into the military and police force.

In a major address from the Statehouse on Tuesday, the President announced that the Nigeria Police Force is to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, a move that will bring the total number of new recruits to 50,000.

To accommodate the surge in trainees, the President has authorised the police to use various National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training depots. He also directed that officers recently withdrawn from VIP guard duties undergo “crash training” before being redeployed to areas with high security challenges.

The announcement comes amid a wave of attacks and kidnappings across several states.

President Tinubu commended the security agencies for the recent release of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi and worshippers in Kwara, but pledged to sustain efforts to rescue the remaining students of a Catholic school in Niger State and other hostages.

Outlining a multi-pronged strategy, the President also ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy all trained forest guards to “flush out terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests.”

He declared, “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”

In a significant political move, President Tinubu called on the National Assembly to review the nation’s laws to allow states to establish their own police forces.

He also advised state governments to reconsider the establishment of boarding schools in remote, insecure areas.

Addressing the farmer-herder crisis, the President urged herders to end open grazing, surrender illegal weapons, and embrace ranching, which he described as “the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony.”

He paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, and issued a stern warning to adversaries: “Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness.”

The President concluded by urging citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and to cooperate with security agencies, stating, “We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has put forward the names of three non-career ambassadorial nominees for crucial postings in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

According to an announcement, the nominees are Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are, and Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu. Their specific country assignments will be finalized after they undergo a screening and confirmation process by the Nigerian Senate.

The nominees bring a wealth of experience in diplomacy and security to the roles.Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu is a familiar face in foreign service, having previously served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea.

He was first appointed to that position in 2016 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ambassador Ayodele Oke, a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, is a former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

He also has prior diplomatic experience from serving as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations in London.

Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are has a distinguished background in security and intelligence. He was the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007 and later served as the National Security Adviser in 2010.

His career also includes serving as an officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence.

A highly educated officer, he graduated with First Class Honours in Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 1980.

The Senate is expected to schedule a screening date for the nominees in the coming weeks.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has announced the appointment of new top officials and approved special promotions for deserving officers.

The decisions were ratified during the board’s 64th Regular Meeting, held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, and chaired by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun.

The board confirmed the appointment of five new Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs) and eight Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACGs).

The new DCGs are Baba Imam (North-East), Isah Umar (North-West), Tijjani Abe (North-West), Timi Bomodi (South-South), and Oluyomi Adebakin (South-West).

The newly appointed ACGs are C.G. Ogbonna (South-East), I. Abba-Aji (North-East), G.M. Haruna (South-South), E.J. Edelduok (South-South), G. Gaura (North-West), I. Isyaku (North-West), M.S. Shuaibu (North-Central), and M.D. Malah (North-East).

According to the board, the appointments are intended to fill vacancies created by retirements and to strengthen strategic leadership across the service.

In a separate category, ten officers were granted special promotions for demonstrating “exceptional professionalism, leadership and outstanding service performance.”

Among those promoted are A.C. Fanyam and G.M. Shidali to Comptroller of Customs.

The board stated that these moves are part of ongoing efforts to boost morale, ensure leadership succession, and keep the service effective in tackling emerging trade and security challenges.