News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A landmark judgment by the National Industrial Court in Abuja on Tuesday nullified a controversial military rule that compelled officers to serve for a minimum of 15 years before being allowed to resign.

The court declared the provision, contained in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers (HTACOS), as “oppressive” and a “gross violation” of fundamental rights protected by the 1999 Constitution.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Subilim in a suit filed by Flight Lieutenant J. A. Akerele against the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Akerele had accused the force of “systematic persecution and victimisation” after he applied to resign.Commissioned as a pilot officer in 2013, Akerele stated that after submitting his resignation, the then-Chief of Air Staff not only rejected his letter but also declared him Absent Without Leave (AWOL) and issued a signal for his arrest.

In his affidavit, Akerele detailed a series of professional setbacks, including an abruptly terminated flight training in the U.S., prolonged stagnation in rank, and cancelled training opportunities, which he said caused him “severe emotional distress” and left him “traumatised.”

He argued that the 15-year service requirement violated his constitutional right to resign, as guaranteed by Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution.

In his judgment, Justice Subilim agreed, likening the rule to “modern-day slavery under the guise of national service.” The court struck down the compulsory service requirement and issued a perpetual injunction restraining the NAF from arresting or detaining Akerele.

The court also dismissed the NAF’s technical argument that Akerele had used the term “voluntary retirement” instead of “resignation,” ruling that the substance of his request was clear and valid.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has authorized a major security overhaul for Katsina State, promising a fierce military blitz involving drone technology and tactical troop redeployments to crush banditry.

The decisive move comes after a high-powered Katsina delegation, fearing the state was under siege, stormed the State House to demand urgent action.

The delegation, a who’s who of Katsina’s political, traditional, and religious leadership, was led by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.

It included the Emir of Daura, former Governor Aminu Masari, all three state senators, and two federal ministers.Confronted with the grave situation, President Tinubu issued immediate orders to security chiefs.

“I have directed all the security agencies to energize further… Additional deployment of air drones, and if they have to shift movement between Katsina and other boundary areas, they should do so,” the President declared.

He promised that ground forces would intensify operations to “smoke them out.”

The President also backed the growing call for sub-national policing, revealing plans are underway to establish state police as a critical part of a holistic security strategy.

Governor Radda expressed profound relief, thanking the President for his unwavering support and labeling him “a true son of Katsina.”

During the meeting, the Emir of Katsina’s representative, Senator Ibrahim Ida, disclosed the state’s massive financial commitment to the crisis, having already invested over N40 billion in security logistics.

He pleaded for federal reimbursement and the establishment of a permanent military presence in the vulnerable southern part of the state.

The meeting signifies a significant escalation in the federal government’s response to the security crisis plaguing the Northwest.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a sharp attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of failing to secure the North-Central region of Nigeria. 

Abubakar’s statement claims that the government has abandoned the area, resulting in a “monumental failure” in protecting its citizens.

Abubakar highlighted a dramatic rise in violence, citing Kwara State’s new status as a hotspot for kidnappings and bandit attacks. He also noted continued bloodshed in Niger, Plateau, and Benue states, where thousands have been killed in just two years.

The former Vice President went on to accuse the ruling APC of using thugs to disrupt opposition meetings, with security forces allegedly failing to act.

He warned that violence “is a vicious circle” that will harm those who use it, and called on the Nigeria Police Force to remain neutral and fair, reminding them that taxpayers, not the APC, fund them.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Burkina Faso’s military junta has unanimously passed a law criminalising homosexuality, imposing prison terms of up to five years in what rights groups describe as a major setback for civil liberties.

The legislation, part of sweeping reforms to family and citizenship laws, overturns decades of legal tolerance for same-sex relations. Until the junta seized power following two coups in 2022, homosexuality was not a crime in the West African nation.

The move places Burkina Faso among more than 30 African countries that outlaw same-sex relations. Neighbouring Mali enacted a comparable law in 2024, while Ghana and Uganda have also tightened restrictions in recent years, drawing sharp criticism from global human rights organisations.

Advocates warn the law risks fueling stigma and violence against LGBTQ+ communities already facing marginalisation. Critics say the measure reflects the junta’s growing authoritarianism and its willingness to curtail individual freedoms under the guise of traditional values.

By The Citizen Reports

The British government has begun sending direct messages to tens of thousands of foreign students, cautioning them to depart the country once their visas run out or risk deportation, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the Home Office introduced a new initiative in response to what it called an “alarming” surge in student visa holders attempting to prolong their stay by applying for asylum.

For the first time, officials are reaching out to students via email and text to outline the consequences of overstaying.

The government expressed worry that more students are turning to the asylum process as a way to remain in the UK after completing their studies.

One of the messages being circulated states, “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.”

Official data shows that roughly 15 per cent of asylum requests last year—about 16,000—came from individuals who originally entered on student visas. Although it is unclear how many applied after their visas had expired, authorities believe the trend is significant enough to require urgent measures.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that some students are “claiming asylum even when things have not changed in their home country.”

She added, “We obviously will do our bit to support genuine refugees, but if nothing has changed in their country, people should not be claiming asylum at the end of a student course.”

Cooper also highlighted the strain that the rising number of asylum claims from students places on the UK’s housing system, particularly accommodation and hotels for asylum seekers.So far, around 10,000 students with visas close to expiration have received these warnings.

The Home Office expects to contact another 130,000 students and their dependents in the coming months, in line with the busy autumn academic intake, the BBC reported.

The message being sent further reads, “If you submit an asylum claim that lacks merit, it will be swiftly and robustly refused.

Any request for asylum support will be assessed against destitution criteria. If you do not meet the criteria, you will not receive support. If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.”The move forms part of broader immigration reforms introduced by the Labour government.

In May, the Home Office announced stricter requirements for universities, linking their ability to sponsor international students to higher standards on visa refusals and course completion rates.

While much of the immigration debate in Britain has focused on Channel crossings, officials say they are also increasingly troubled by those who entered legally but later shifted to the asylum system.

Figures show that of the 108,000 asylum applications lodged last year, about 40,000 came from people who arrived through legal routes, compared with 35,000 from small boat arrivals.

Students accounted for the largest share of these legal entrants seeking asylum, with numbers nearly six times higher than in 2020.

Although applications from students have since dropped by 10 per cent, the Home Office insists further reductions are necessary. Cooper noted that student visa holders represent just over one-tenth of all asylum claims but maintained that “to fix the system, we must tackle every single bit of it.”

The government has also reduced the time foreign graduates can remain in the UK after completing their degrees, cutting it from two years to 18 months. Recent figures show that successful asylum claims from skilled worker visa holders have also decreased.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, as a loyal partner and a pillar of his administration, on the occasion of Shettima’s 59th birthday.

In birthday message released on Tuesday, President Tinubu commended the Vice President for his unwavering “courage, sense of duty, tenacity, determination, and belief in Nigeria’s greatness.”

Reflecting on their political journey, the President stated that his choice of Shettima as a running mate was based on “competence and other qualities that Nigeria could depend on,” adding that the Vice President has justified that choice every day by strengthening the administration’s work and bringing fresh perspectives.

The message highlighted Shettima’s past service as a two-term Governor of Borno State and a Senator, noting that he demonstrated that “leadership is service, not privilege, even in the face of immense challenges.”

President Tinubu credited their partnership as integral to the early successes of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’ specifically mentioning advancements in securing global partnerships, food security, and investment reforms.

Looking ahead, the President expressed confidence that their collaboration would continue to yield visible results for Nigerians, including new trade corridors, schools, hospitals, and jobs.

He concluded by describing their relationship as a bridge across Nigeria’s regions and traditions, united in purpose. He wished the Vice President “renewed vitality, wisdom and more years of impact.”

The Vice President marks his 59th birthday on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has rolled out a fresh security initiative tagged “Operation Kukan Kura” to strengthen community policing and intensify the fight against crime using both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed this during a press briefing on Monday, noting that the operation aligns with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to entrench community-centered policing.

He explained that the initiative is designed to boost public participation and encourage collaboration with security agencies, stressing the crucial role of residents as the “eyes and ears of the Police” across the state.

He recalled that similar strategies had earlier produced positive outcomes, particularly in tackling thuggery, locally called Fadan Daba.

Bakori also highlighted the Command’s recent breakthroughs, revealing that 107 suspects were apprehended in August for offences such as armed robbery, kidnapping, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and theft.

Items recovered during the operations include an AK-47 rifle, seven fabricated guns, 11 live rounds of ammunition, motor vehicles, motorcycles, cows, cutlasses, knives, and large quantities of illicit drugs.

He added that in 2025 alone, the Command had recovered hundreds of weapons and significant quantities of narcotics.

While commending officers for their resilience, he pointed out that the adoption of digital tools and technological innovations had further enhanced police operations.

The Commissioner assured that the Command would continue to adopt fresh strategies to outpace criminal elements and sustain peace in the state.

He expressed appreciation to residents and the media for their vigilance and support.

“The willingness of our people to share information has greatly enhanced our operations and strengthened our capacity to safeguard the state,” he said.

Bakori urged the public to promptly report crimes or suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency hotlines.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The world’s foremost body of genocide experts has declared that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide.

In a resolution issued this week, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) urged Israel to “immediately cease all acts that constitute genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza.”

The association cited starvation, the blocking of humanitarian aid, and forced displacement among the practices that, in its view, fulfill the criteria set out under international law.

The resolution adds to growing international pressure as civilian casualties and a deepening humanitarian crisis continue to draw condemnation from human rights groups and global leaders.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has issued a stern rebuke to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, dismissing his claims that the government pays ransoms to bandits as “baseless” and “false.”

The statement, released on Monday, comes in response to an interview El-Rufai gave on Sunday where he alleged that ONSA coordinates a policy of payments and incentives for criminals.

“The attention of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has been drawn to comments made by the former Governor… he alleged, falsely, that the ONSA coordinates a policy of payments and offers incentives to bandits. This claim is baseless,” the statement read.

ONSA firmly stated that at no time has it or any government arm under the current administration engaged in such practices, adding that it has consistently warned citizens against paying ransoms.

The security office outlined the government’s dual strategy of “decisive kinetic operations alongside community engagements,” crediting this approach for the improved security and “relative peace” now experienced in previously terrorized parts of Kaduna like Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa.

The statement highlighted the elimination of notorious bandit kingpins such as Boderi, Baleri, and others in Kaduna, as well as the recent apprehension of leaders from the terrorist group, Ansaru.

In a strongly worded conclusion, ONSA described El-Rufai’s denial of these security gains as “unfair and deeply insulting” to the memories of fallen security personnel.

It urged the former governor and all political actors to “desist from dragging national security institutions into partisan battles,” emphasizing that the fight against banditry is a “collective struggle, not a platform for political point-scoring.”

By Muhammad Abubakar

A new survey published by The New York Post has revealed that more than 60 per cent of Generation Z in the United States sympathise with Hamas over Israel in the ongoing conflict.

The findings highlight a significant generational divide in perspectives on the Middle East, with younger Americans expressing stronger support for Palestinians compared to older demographics who largely align with Israel.

Analysts suggest that Gen Z’s views may be shaped by social media narratives, human rights advocacy, and growing criticism of U.S. foreign policy in the region. The data underscores shifting attitudes that could have long-term implications for American politics and international relations.

The survey has sparked debate across the political spectrum, with some commentators arguing that the results reflect rising awareness of Palestinian suffering, while others warn of increasing radicalisation among youth.