News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Award-winning Nigerian journalist Zainab Bala, a former presenter of GIST Nigeria, has recounted the difficulties she said she faced after wearing her hijab while presenting the current affairs programme jointly produced by BBC Africa and Channels Television.

Bala, who spent about nine months with the BBC, spoke about her experience during an appearance on the second episode of The HSM Tribe, a YouTube platform focused on Muslim women. The episode was aired on August 28, 2026.

According to Premium Times newspaper, she said the issue began after she was recruited in 2023. She said she wore her hijab during the recruitment interview and was asked whether she would continue to cover her head if she got the job.

“I said yes because this is how I dress,” she said.

Bala later moved from Abuja to Lagos after receiving an offer from the BBC. She underwent training and subsequently recorded her first episode at the Channels Television headquarters in Lagos.

She said the programme was not broadcast for several weeks, while episodes presented by another member of the team continued to air.

According to Bala, her editor later informed her that discussions had taken place with Channels Television over her appearance.

“The reason why my programme was not aired was that they had been having a back-and-forth with Channels, and that’s because Channels said they do not project a hijab-wearing person on their screens,” she said.

She said the situation made her feel “stereotyped” and demoralised.

Bala said she had expected the matter to have been resolved before her recruitment because she had already made her position clear during the interview.

“I don’t think this is something to debate about,” she said.

She said the BBC later sought an arrangement with Channels Television that would enable her to remain on the programme while wearing a head covering, although she alleged that certain restrictions were attached to her appearance.

Bala said she initially considered leaving the programme. She eventually decided to stay because she believed her continued presence could create opportunities for other Muslim women.

“I stayed because I realised that this was deeply rooted, and there hasn’t been any conversation around this,” she said.

During her time on the programme, she presented several editions and said her background as a Muslim woman from northern Nigeria influenced some of the subjects she brought to the show. She particularly highlighted stories involving women who challenged stereotypes associated with northern Nigeria.

Bala Cites Other Reasons For Leaving

The journalist said the disagreement over her hijab was not the only factor behind her departure from the BBC.

She alleged that she experienced what she described as “mental and emotional bullying” from her editor. Bala said the experience contributed to her decision to leave, despite her earlier intention to move between BBC teams and continue her career with the organisation.

“I just left for my peace of mind. It was the most depressing nine months of my life,” she said.

She also alleged that other members of the team had raised complaints about the editor’s conduct.

Channels Television Denies Discrimination Claim

Channels Television rejected the allegations through its Assistant General Manager, Operations, Kingsley Uranta.

“For clarity, Channels Television does not discriminate based on religion. We respect Nigeria’s religious diversity and are committed to the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and equality that underpin our journalism and organisational culture,” Mr Uranta noted

Uranta also disputed Bala’s account that Channels Television told the BBC it did not allow people who wore hijabs to appear on its screens.

He further rejected the allegation that Bala was asked to change her appearance so that she would not look “too Muslim”.

BBC Says Hijab-Wearing Presenters Appear On Its Programmes

The BBC also responded to questions about Bala’s account of her recruitment, the delay in airing her first programme and whether restrictions existed on presenters wearing hijabs.

Robin Miller, Head of Communications, BBC News, responded on behalf of the organisation.

Miller initially questioned the premise of the enquiry, pointing out that the BBC had evidence that Bala had appeared on GIST Nigeria wearing her hijab.

“This contradicts much of what you have put to us in your questions below,” he said.

The publication subsequently clarified that its questions concerned the form of hijab Bala wore, including the discussions surrounding her appearance and allegations that she was asked not to “look too Muslim”.

The BBC was also asked about Bala’s allegation of mental and emotional bullying by her editor.

On September 10, Miller provided a photograph of Bala wearing a hijab while presenting a report, alongside the BBC’s response.

“The BBC strives to be an inclusive workplace where every colleague feels respected, supported and able to do their best work.”

He said BBC presenters and correspondents regularly appear on television in hijabs, “and this includes whilst presenting GIST Nigeria.”

“We do not comment on individual HR matters; however, as a general principle, we take complaints about bullying very seriously, and where allegations are made, they are fully investigated,” he added.

Bala Disputes BBC’s Evidence

After receiving the photograph from the BBC, Bala told Premium Times that the image did not show her presenting GIST Nigeria.

“This is a report, not a presentation of the show,” she said.

She also said she did not believe footage existed that showed her presenting the programme in the full hijab she normally wore.

Bala acknowledged that other Muslim women had presented BBC programmes while wearing hijabs. She suggested, however, that her circumstances may have been different because GIST Nigeria was jointly produced with Channels Television.

“I am hoping other Muslim women who come to these platforms are allowed to present shows without making compromises,” she said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presidency has challenged the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, to honour his pledge to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if claims that he left Anambra State with outstanding financial liabilities are established.

The challenge was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, in a post on X on Wednesday. It followed a fresh exchange between Obi and the Anambra State Government over the financial position of the state when he left office as governor in 2014.

Onanuga said Obi had previously claimed that he handed over Anambra without debt and had also pledged to stop his presidential campaign if evidence emerged to the contrary.

“Peter Obi claimed he left Anambra with a clean slate of debt and even threatened to quit the presidential race if his claims were proven otherwise.”

He said the Anambra State Government had now presented what it described as records of liabilities linked to Obi’s tenure.

“Now, the Anambra government has confronted him with facts and figures showing he owed Water Corporation workers, teachers, and pension and gratuities, and had also borrowed for frivolous things,” Onanuga said.

“The ball is back in his court. Will he follow through on his threat by quitting the race?” he asked.

The latest development came after the Anambra Government disputed Obi’s response to allegations that his administration left behind debts and other financial obligations.

Obi had maintained that his administration cleared more than ₦35bn in historical gratuities and arrears before leaving office. He also rejected claims that the state owed salaries, pensions, gratuities or contractors for duly completed and certified projects.

One of the major points of disagreement concerns an alleged ₦2.13bn ecological fund. Obi said the money was left untouched in a First Bank account for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis.

The Anambra Government, however, disputed the description of the account and the amount claimed. Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Law Mefor, said a certified statement obtained by the government showed that the account was an Internally Generated Revenue Consolidated Revenue Account rather than an ecological fund account.

Mefor said, “We have obtained a certified printout of the account from inception to date. The account is an Internally Generated Revenue Consolidated Revenue Account, not an ecological fund account.”

He further stated, “From 2011 when the account was opened until date, there has never been any such amount—whether as inflow or balance—in the account.”

The state government also disputed Obi’s account of outstanding loans and arrears. According to Mefor, eight external loans remained after Obi left office, with their combined balance put at ₦127.4bn as of June 30, 2026, at the official exchange rate.

The loans listed by the government relate to projects in areas such as healthcare, education, erosion control, agriculture and community development.

The government also said it had addressed inherited gratuity arrears and alleged outstanding salary obligations involving some workers, including retired teachers and former Water Corporation employees.

On the Water Corporation workers, Mefor said, “salary arrears lingered through the Obi administration and were eventually settled under the Soludo administration, with the first two of three instalments already paid.”

He also said, “The Obi administration verified/certified 16 months of salary arrears for primary school teachers but paid only five months.”

The state government further questioned Obi’s claim that his administration left more than ₦75bn in savings.

Mefor said, “We will not engage in nebulous creative accounting. If there were ₦75 billion in savings, as claimed, where are the records?”

Obi, however, has challenged anyone who can establish that his account of Anambra’s finances was incorrect.

“If anybody can establish anything to the contrary, I will stop campaigning,” Obi said.

The dispute has therefore shifted from competing statements about Anambra’s finances to a demand for supporting records, with Obi and the state government maintaining different accounts of the state’s financial position at the end of his administration.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigerian actor and social commentator, Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has explained his decision to reduce his public criticism of the government, citing exhaustion from repeating the same concerns, attacks from Nigerians and threats to his life.

Mr Macaroni made the clarification after Wazobia FM shared a video on Tuesday in which he discussed threats he received during the #EndSARS protests.

In a series of posts on X on Wednesday, the actor noted that the interview was conducted more than two years ago. He, however, maintained that the issues he raised during the interview remained relevant.

“Forget about the threats. My issue with us as Nigerians is how we move on quickly. We complain and move on. There is nothing I will say now that I haven’t already said hundred times over. Until we as a people are ready to fight for what is ours, saying the same thing over and over again is just TIRING,” he wrote.

He also referred to a statement he made in March 2026, in which he described President Bola Tinubu’s administration as “the Most Useless Government in the history of Useless Governments.” He said that period marked the point at which he decided to step back from political commentary.

According to him, a limited number of politicians continue to affect the lives of more than 200 million Nigerians “so brazenly without any resistance.”

He further argued that Nigerians must move beyond a “survival mentality” and demand conditions that allow citizens to thrive.

“then we are truly not ready,” he added.

Addressing the perception that he had become less vocal, Mr Macaroni said his reduced commentary should not be interpreted as a withdrawal from the issues he previously raised.

“I have been persecuted and vilified since I started speaking up against Government. Threats are a usual occurrence. Please don’t mix things up. I am only tired of saying the same thing over and over again. When Nigerians are finally ready, I will be ready too! But till then, please let me continue enjoying my break by redefining myself and Art, which I love as dearly as I love Nigeria.”

In the earlier Wazobia FM interview, the actor spoke about the personal consequences of his activism and the criticism he received from some members of the public.

He said his outspoken position often made him appear to be the source of trouble, even when he believed he was speaking on behalf of Nigerians.

“Nigeria is a very funny country. Nigerians are also very funny. And I say this with all seriousness, because I’m not so happy about how things have been. And you keep talking, and it seems like you are the troublesome person. It seems like na you be the—the same Nigerians that you speak for turn against you. They start to fight you,” he said.

Mr Macaroni also said he had no interest in becoming a politician. He expressed disappointment over the political careers of some individuals he once admired.

He recalled people he looked up to during his secondary school and university years who later entered politics and, in his view, harmed the reputations they had previously established.

On his activities after the #EndSARS protests, the actor said he continued to speak publicly despite receiving threats and facing pressure from his family.

“So, you know, End SARS came at risk to my life, threats here and there, serious threats. My family, no time, they were every time calling me, crying, ‘Debo, please. Debo, please.’ Every—every blessed time, my mother. Every blessed time. It was so bad they wanted to fly me out of the country. I said, ‘For what? I’m not running anywhere,’” he said.

He also recalled his involvement in the 2023 general election, when he urged Nigerians to vote wisely while publicly stating the candidate he intended to support.

“And I didn’t—I didn’t go silent after End SARS. I still came out. I said, ‘We must vote wisely.’ I did series of videos, series of tweets, series of—and not only me, a lot of other people too did, saying, ‘Vote wisely. Do this, do that wisely.’ And I said, ‘Okay, this is the person me I will vote for.’ I did not say vote—everybody should go and vote for this person,” he said.

According to him, his decision to identify his preferred candidate drew insults and verbal attacks from some Nigerians.

“See curse, see insult. ‘You are a omo ale, you are this one, you are that one.’ Now, everybody—people vote. Whether, uh, rig, I no know, there no rig, e—e no concern me, but president dey, yes or no? E dey,” he said.

Mr Macaroni said the experience surrounding the election also affected his willingness to continue making repeated political statements.

“Now, everything don dey as e be. Is affecting me too. But what—okay, okay, oya, what should I come and say again now?” he said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A fresh disagreement has emerged between Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress over the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The dispute centres on Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election while he remains associated with the Peoples Democratic Party and continues to back PDP candidates in other electoral contests.

The APC Governors’ Forum, led by its chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, said its members would not support any political arrangement that could weaken the APC or affect its candidates.

Uzodimma made the position known after the governors met in Abuja on Monday night. He said the forum had not entered into any agreement with an individual or opposition party ahead of the elections.

He stated, “The APC Governors Forum unanimously resolved that its members will not participate in, support or endorse any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining the re-election of Mr President, weakening the APC or adversely affecting any candidate of the party at all levels.

“In other words, the forum has no intention to support any candidate at any level that is not an APC candidate because our candidates who are contesting the election are being sponsored by our party.

“The governors’ campaign commitment is exclusively to all APC candidates. All levels of the party campaign architecture will align with the expectations of Mr President and the strategic objectives of the party.”

Wike, however, has maintained that his support is specifically for Tinubu’s presidential bid and does not amount to support for APC candidates in state and legislative elections.

Through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister said the Rainbow Coalition was not an APC structure. He described it as a platform for politicians from different parties who support Tinubu’s re-election.

The minister noted that “politics is local and those having problems in their states should resolve them instead of using the reelection of the President to whip up sentiments.”

Wike also said he never promised that the PDP would refrain from fielding candidates for governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections.

“What I said and stand for is that I will mobilise support for the reelection of the President. I never promised anyone that PDP will not field candidates to contest governorship, National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly elections.

“Most importantly,  the Rainbow Coalition has nothing to do with the APC. Rather, it is our own way of mobilising support accross political parties for Mr President, who has done well to deserve a second term,” he said.

In an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Tuesday night, Wike also dismissed the concerns raised by the APC governors and defended his continued political activities within the PDP.

“They (APC governors) are politically lazy. When you have your local problems, don’t use Mr President as your excuse,” Wike said.

He said the disagreements surrounding his political activities were not new and recalled similar opposition during his time as Rivers State governor and later as FCT minister.

“This thing did not start today. It started at ministerial position. They were not happy that I was Minister of FCT. Also, they were unhappy when I was governor,” he said.

Wike added, “If they know what I know, they would not come out to shout.”

He also questioned why his support for Tinubu should affect his relationship with the PDP.

“I have said I will support the President and I am still supporting him. What has that got to do with my party?” Wike asked.

The FCT minister cited the political situations involving Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Abia State Governor Alex Otti to argue that backing a presidential candidate does not necessarily prevent political parties from contesting other positions.

“Take Soludo, Adeleke and Otti. Does it mean that their parties will not present other candidates? This thing they are saying does not have any basis,” he said.

Wike also criticised Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over the political disagreement.

“The governor of Kwara, so unforunate. Anytime he sees a snake, it’s Wike. Any day he doesn’t eat, it’s Wike. I never see people who will give time to gossip more than the work they have been given. He has three serving senators, he changed all of them. He has House Reps, he changeed all of them.”

The disagreement has also drawn reactions from different factions of the PDP.

The PDP Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, said Wike’s decision to support Tinubu should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the APC. He maintained that the PDP would continue to field candidates for the 2027 elections.

Mohammed stated, “I think the issue, or rather the position of the minister to support Tinubu, has been mistaken to mean absolute support for the APC. The minister never said he was going to support the APC. Rather, he said his support is for Tinubu as his President and the person who appointed him to the present position he occupies. So, the feeling that the minister’s gesture of support will be extended to all of them across their states was where they got it wrong. It is important for the APC governors to know that Wike is a force to reckon with, not a force to be rejected.

“It is a complete political misnomer and miscalculation for these governors to assume that the PDP, and indeed the minister, will not field candidates, will not contest against the APC, and will not be able to win against the APC.

“The issue is not even about Wike as a person. It is about how comfortable Nigerians are, particularly with the governors. I am not trying to speak for the President, neither am I trying to speak for the minister. But, in all honesty, the President has given these governors all that is required for them to provide infrastructure and human capital development for the good of the people in their respective states.

“There has been an increase in federal allocations and the issue of financial autonomy for local governments. Yet these governors have muzzled the local government chairmen and refused to allocate or account for the billions of naira accruing to them in their respective states. They have failed to provide good governance and failed to deliver the dividends of democracy.”

Mohammed further alleged that the APC governors were concerned about the PDP’s participation in the 2027 elections.

“Now that it is time for elections, they are afraid. The PDP has fielded credible and popular candidates with the capacity and credibility to defeat these APC governors. That is why they are crying wolf where there is none. That is why they are jittery.

“But I can tell you, if truly they are lovers of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and are concerned about the success and victory of their presidential candidate, then I do not see any reason why they would be pushing away a strong political phenomenon like Minister Wike.

“For us, if there is a way we can make the minister rescind his decision not to support our presidential candidate, we would be glad to do that. But we are only respecting his constitutional right to choose whoever he wants to support as a citizen of this country, particularly as an appointee of the President.

“When you compare the records of the minister when he was governor and now that he is a minister, his record is something that cannot be matched by any of these governors. So why are they scared? I will call on them to go back to their respective states, deliver the dividends of democracy, keep the people and account for their stewardship. That is when they can begin to say Wike is not going with us or not.”

Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Interim National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki, Ini Ememobong, criticised the political arrangement that has seen Wike serve in the APC-led Federal Government while retaining his PDP identity.

Ememobong stated, “They created a monster, that monster ended up in their belly. And so, the APC governors and the President, who were enjoying the anomaly that Wike constituted, working for an APC government while claiming to be PDP and, obviously, working against the interests of the PDP.

“At some point, they were excited about it, and today it is their turn to play in the belly of the monster. If the President does not intervene and bring this to a stop, he will also end up in the belly of the monster. It is only a matter of time.

“Politics is not just a practice; it is also a field of study. Therefore, practice must follow theory, and there is no theory that can support what is being presented as political practice in Nigeria.”

The dispute has also prompted speculation from unnamed APC sources about the political interests behind the disagreement.

One source alleged that Wike and Uzodimma were positioning themselves and their allies ahead of the 2031 political cycle.

He stated, “Wike, Uzodimma and some of them are strategising for the vice-presidential position. People have very tall ambitions. We are trying to go into the 2027 election, but people are positioning themselves for 2031 in 2026.

“The first problem was with regard to the position of each of them in relation to the President. Wike and Uzodimma have been at daggers drawn over their closeness to President Tinubu. Initially, all of them were angling for the position of Director-General of the campaign. At the end, none of them got it.

“Both men are seriously competing, and they are recruiting the President’s friends, supporters and party chieftains into their respective camps. You will recall what played out in Rivers State, where Uzodimma was supporting (Sim) Fubara and others working against Wike’s interests. In Imo State, Wike is supporting the likes of (Samuel) Anyanwu and others against Uzodimma’s interests.

“At the national level, the rivalry has also played out several times. For instance, Uzodimma and some other governors approached the President with proposals on how to raise funds for his re-election campaign. Wike subsequently went to the President and alleged that the governors were not to be trusted and could divert the funds, urging him to be cautious.”

Another source said the disagreement also involved control of the National Assembly and political influence across various states.

The source stated, “Ultimately, it is about political ambition. It is about 2031 and, of course, control of the next National Assembly. They are all trying to expand their influence beyond their respective states to their geopolitical zones and even beyond.

“You also have to understand that the APC governors have candidates to protect. Some of them are also senatorial candidates, while their parties have governorship candidates and other candidates contesting elective positions in their respective states. But Wike’s faction of the PDP is also fielding candidates, many of whom are perceived political opponents of these APC governors. Some of these politicians moved to Wike’s faction of the PDP, and the governors feel aggrieved by it.

“If you look at what is happening in Kwara State, for instance, the Saraki political dynasty is being emboldened and empowered, which could make the Kwara State governor feel threatened. The same situation is playing out in Imo, Gombe and several other states. The APC governors, under the leadership of Uzodimma, are therefore unhappy about the development.

“So, the dirty dealings are many. One person is hitting another, and the other is hitting back. Now, they are going to team up against Hope through Wike’s Rainbow Alliance. Yesterday, Hope met with the governors and they opposed the Rainbow Alliance because the alliance is principally aimed at tthwarting their interests. The whole thing is actually a fight for political positions. Hope wants to be Vice-President in 2031, and Wike also wants to be Vice-President in 2031. That is what is driving much of this rivalry.

“This infighting is also considered a threat to President Tinubu’s re-election unless he does something urgently to resolve it. If allowed to continue into the campaign period, it may affect the party and some of its candidates.”

A second APC source said the disagreement was also connected to Wike’s continued political activities despite his membership of the PDP.

The source stated, “Of course, the infighting is about their political interests. Most APC governors are unhappy that Wike, a PDP member serving in an APC-led Federal Government, has been empowered by the President and is using the influence and resources available to him to mobilise politicians to contest for the State Houses of Assembly, Senate, House of Representatives and governorship positions in their respective states, mostly under the PDP, against the governors’ political interests.

“This is visible in many states, with Wike’s faction of the PDP accommodating APC members seeking to challenge serving governors. All these are part of the problem.

“Again, it is also about 2027 and 2031. Politicians plan early, and both Tinubu and Wike are positioning themselves strategically ahead of these elections so that discussions about the presidency will involve them and they can play a major role in key political decisions. It is also about the National Assembly leadership and who gets what in the next cabinet. That is probably the source of the problem.

“But we hope the President quickly swings into action and uses his influence to resolve the differences and bring them together in the interest of himself and his party. If not, it may affect everyone, including the party.”

The disagreement between Wike and the APC Governors’ Forum has thus centred on whether support for Tinubu at the presidential level should extend to APC candidates in other elections. Wike says his support is limited to the President, while the APC governors have declared that their campaign commitment covers APC candidates at all levels.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over their opposition to the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike described the APC governors as “politically lazy” during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday.

The former Rivers State governor was responding to the governors’ position against his political activities and their opposition to alliances that could affect President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

Wike maintained that his support for Tinubu did not amount to abandoning his political party or preventing other political parties from presenting candidates for elections.

The APC governors, led by their chairman, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, had stated that they would neither participate in, support nor endorse any alliance that could undermine Tinubu’s re-election or affect APC candidates at any level.

Reacting to the position, Wike said, “They are politically lazy. When you have your local problems, don’t use Mr President as your excuse.”

The FCT minister also argued that disagreements over his political activities predated his decision to support Tinubu. He recalled that he faced opposition during his tenure as governor of Rivers State and later after his appointment as FCT minister.

“This thing did not start today. It started at a ministerial position. They were not happy that I was Minister of FCT. Also, they were unhappy when I was governor,” he added.

Wike further said those criticising his political activities might have a different understanding of his decisions if they had access to the information available to him.

He maintained that his understanding of the political situation was based on information that his critics did not have access to.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Twelve people have died in a road crash along the Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kaduna State, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed.

The crash, which occurred at Doka Village in Southern Kaduna, involved two Volkswagen Golf cars. Two other occupants sustained serious injuries in the incident.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Kaduna, Mr Andrew Paul Longkam, said 14 people were travelling in the two vehicles when the crash occurred.

According to him, the victims comprised eight males and six females. All eight males and four of the females died, while the remaining two females survived with injuries.

The vehicles involved were a blue Volkswagen Golf with registration number APP 394 FN and a red Volkswagen Golf bearing registration number ACN 205 HK.

Longkam identified a tyre burst as the possible cause of the crash. He also said none of the occupants, including the two drivers, was wearing a seat belt or using any protective device when the accident occurred.

The two injured victims were evacuated to Rapha Hospital for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at Idon General Hospital pending contact with their relatives.

By Anwar Usman

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has planned to fully decentralise registration of prospective corps members (PCMs) starting in 2027, to enable eligible graduates to complete the process remotely from their homes.

Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, revealed this on Monday in Abuja, at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Workshop.

The DG said the proposed arrangement would solve the challenges of prospective corps members queuing at cybercafés for registration and make the process easier and more seamless.

Foreign-trained graduates are also expected to benefit significantly, as some currently have to travel to Nigeria for registration, return abroad and make another trip for their national service.

“In the coming year, the management is considering completely decentralising the registration process to enable prospective corps members to register from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the challenges of queuing at cybercafés to register.

“It will equally make registration easier and seamless for our foreign-trained PCMs, some of whom have to travel into the country to do registration and sometimes travel back before returning to the country to serve their fatherland. We feel that it is a needless journey and a relief for parents,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government appreciate security personnel for the rescue of 15 kidnapped corps members and renewed its warning against night journeys.

Nafiu further stated that, the Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Workshop would enable the NYSC management, partners and stakeholders to review previous orientation exercises, examine emerging challenges and develop strategies to improve the scheme.

He identified new technologies, socio-economic uncertainties, misinformation and insecurity among challenges requiring the NYSC to continually review its operations.

The Director General reiterated the need for sustained collaboration among federal and state governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to assess risks, take preventive measures and ensure the safety of corps members throughout the service year.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Police Force has warned of possible coordinated terrorist attacks on schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations across the country.

The warning follows intelligence reports indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements and surveillance of potential targets, particularly ahead of the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.

In a security alert circulated to police formations nationwide, the Force said intelligence available to its Department of Operations had revealed an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” on vulnerable locations.

The alert was sent to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1 to 17, Commissioners of Police across the states, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism units and other specialised formations.

The police also reported the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.

“There is an increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on places of worship, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations,” it stated.

The Force further disclosed that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province operatives and their local collaborators were carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.

The police described the threat to educational institutions as a major concern because of the possibility that attacks could coincide with the reopening of schools.

As a result, affected commands and formations were directed to strengthen security around schools, religious centres, NYSC camps and other locations considered vulnerable to attacks.

“All personnel should maintain heightened vigilance and report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects through established channels,” it added.

Commanders were also instructed to intensify intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements around identified targets.

Police commissioners were directed to strengthen security at state borders, entry and exit routes and other strategic approaches to restrict the movement and infiltration of armed groups.

The Defence Headquarters said it was also monitoring the situation.

“We are monitoring the situation,” the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, meanwhile, said it had expanded its intelligence network across its state commands to protect schools and other educational institutions.

The NSCDC spokesperson, Babafemi Afolabi, said intelligence-based operations conducted by federal and tactical teams had prevented more than 100 attempted attacks on schools.

He said the Commandant-General had briefed state commandants and directed personnel to remain alert as schools reopened.

“All tactical squads, officers, and men of the Corps in different state commands — the Commandant General has already briefed them through their commandants. So, now that schools have resumed, they’ve doubled their intelligence network, and I’m very sure that nothing of such will happen,” he said.

Afolabi appealed to parents to allow their children to return to school, while urging communities to cooperate with security agencies.

“I would advise parents and their wards to just let them free to go to school. Nothing of such will happen. That’s why we’ve been able to work in collaboration with other stakeholders, even the community leaders,” he said.

“This is the time we have to work and we have to do it all together because security is a collective responsibility. When they notice anything going on in their area, they should quickly alert us and let us know.”

He said the NSCDC was also working with private security personnel across the country to strengthen intelligence gathering.

“Not only Civil Defence are doing this; we work together with other sister agencies, and also the private guards. We have millions of them all over the federation,” he said.

“So, part of the training we are giving to them is to put their ear on the ground and to furnish us with any information—whatever that is going on in their area—that they should furnish us and let us know.”

Ex-Security Chiefs Urge Vigilance

Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ali Amodu, described the security alert as part of the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence, warn citizens and prevent attacks.

He urged Nigerians to take the warning seriously and remain alert to suspicious activities.

He said, “Whichever department must have actually ignited or sent the alert is going to serve one and the same purpose. And it is a good thing; it’s a responsibility of the law enforcement, not only to enforce law but to gather intelligence and send alerts so that citizens can always be alert.

“Citizens can always be ready. They cannot take things for granted. When such an alert is given, from experience, you discover that everybody will sit up.

“Security is everybody’s business. I must be very frank with you, over the years, we Nigerians have taken things for granted. It is now dawning on us that there is a need for us to be very cautious in what we do and to be alert.”

Amodu advised residents to report suspicious persons, unfamiliar movements and questionable vehicles, especially around places of worship.

He said the police, Department of State Services and military have intelligence-gathering responsibilities and should act on information received through security alerts.

“Now that election is by the corner, there’s need for everybody to be more of that alertness. The security agents are doing what they are supposed to do,” Amodu said.

Former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, also urged Nigerians and security agencies to treat the warning seriously and take preventive action.

He said, “If you get such an advisory, we should take it seriously so that people are not caught unawares.”

Ejiofor stressed that preventing terrorist attacks required cooperation among security agencies, governments and members of the public.

“Now that we have preventive information, we should be sitting up. All of us—the military, the police, the state government, the Federal Government—everybody must be involved. But most importantly, the people must be security conscious,” he said.

He also urged residents to share useful intelligence with security agencies.

“The people must be security conscious, and they must also report back to the security agencies. That’s what this ‘see something, say something’ is important for,” Ejiofor said.

Parents Fear Return To School

The security warning has also raised concern among some parents, according to the National Secretary of the Uche Onyia-led faction of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Nabayi.

Nabayi described the situation as “an unfortunate” development and called on governments at all levels to improve security around schools.

“Parents are worried now, parents are scared of sending children back to school,” he said.

He said the government had the resources to address the security situation and should deploy them to protect schools and students.

Nabayi also called for the deployment of technology capable of detecting threats approaching schools.

“I want to implore the Federal Government as well to develop, to deploy technology whereby from about five kilometres in the radius of a school, any weapon, any danger that is approaching towards the head of the school, government should be able to watch it from a distance and contain it and avoid this situation,” he said.

According to him, many schools remain vulnerable because the security personnel assigned to them may lack the capacity to confront heavily armed attackers.

“All our schools are porous. The kind of ammunition these guys move around with is more that what the security guards in the schools have. They cannot contain them until there’s intervention of a superpower,” he said.

Nabayi recalled the Safe School Initiative introduced when Christopher Musa was Chief of Defence Staff, saying it involved mapping schools for improved surveillance, coordination and rapid response.

“When the present Minister of Defence was the Chief of Defence Staff, he rolled out a military kind of system, what he called Safe School Initiative, whereby schools were mapped out for proper coordination, for swift response and surveillance,” Nabayi said.

He said the association raised the matter with the Defence Minister during a courtesy visit about three months ago, adding that Musa promised that the Federal Government would strengthen the initiative.

“So, this is the climax of where we need him and the ministry and all paraphernalia of government to contain this situation,” he said.

Nabayi also called for stronger cooperation between security agencies, communities and parent-teacher associations.

“We want synergy between the government and the communities where schools are located. Security is not the responsibility of the government alone. The communities where schools reside should be proactive. They should say something when they see foreign objects around them,” he said.

On whether schools in areas considered highly vulnerable should be temporarily closed, Nabayi said, “Of course, that’s the best way.”

He, however, proposed moving students from high-risk areas to safer schools rather than shutting down their education completely.

“I think instead of closing down schools, they transfer to the nearby schools that are safer and more reliable in terms of security. It’s a dynamic approach,” he said.

He warned that prolonged school closures could worsen educational inequality, especially for children who lack access to online learning.

Nabayi further urged the Federal Government to involve parent-teacher associations in school security and community sensitisation programmes.

“And we implore the Federal Government to involve critical stakeholders like PTA. We can sensitise people on how to mitigate such ugly incidents,” Nabayi said.

He said NAPTAN had previously conducted sensitisation programmes for school administrators, students and other stakeholders but stopped the initiative because of funding challenges.

Nabayi expressed concern over what he described as inconsistency in government policies on school security and called for renewed attention to the Safe School Initiative.

“The most unfortunate thing in this country is the somersault in policy decision-making. And the issue of the Safe School Initiative—we have been clamoring for the Safe School Initiative right from the attack on the Chibok girls,” Nabayi said.

He again advocated the use of technology to monitor activities around schools and detect possible threats before attackers reach their targets.

“We are saying that the government should be more proactive. We should evolve another strategy using technology in our schools,” he said.

On parents’ concerns, Nabayi said their fears were understandable and that government had a responsibility to provide safe learning environments.

“For parents who are apprehensive, it is a genuine fear, and I respect that. I cannot send my child where he is not safe,” he said.

He called for the Safe School Initiative to be “dusted off and implemented properly” and challenged journalists to investigate its current state in schools.

“As a journalist, go around and investigate. Conduct an independent investigation. In the schools in your community, is there any Safe School Initiative active? Who is the anchor person in that school? Who do you report to directly as the first point of contact?” he asked.

Nabayi maintained that education could not thrive without adequate security.

“Once the government can create a safe environment, education thrives. When there is fear, nothing can be learned,” Nabayi said.

The latest warning follows previous attacks on educational institutions and other public facilities across the country.

In May 2026, several students and teachers were abducted in separate attacks on schools. On May 15, armed men reportedly attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 49 pupils, teachers and a toddler. A mathematics teacher was also killed while in captivity.

The Department of State Services had also warned Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State about an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres ahead of the 2027 general elections.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Government says it has regained control of more than 500,000 hectares of land previously occupied by bandits across the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed this on Sunday at a gala night hosted by his ministry for members of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

The journalists were in Kaduna for their 2026 Retreat, which focused on “2027 General Elections: Navigating Legal, Security and Ethical Challenges in the Media.”

Maiyaki said the recovery of the affected areas had improved the security situation and allowed farmers who were previously prevented from accessing their farms to return to agricultural activities.

He said, “I’m happy to tell you that the present administration under the able leadership of Governor Uba Sani has, within the past three years, recovered over 500,000 hectares of land from bandits.

“As you know, without security you cannot achieve anything. Before now, farmers in such areas were unable to go to their farms due to the activities of the bandits.”

According to the commissioner, insecurity had previously disrupted movement between Kaduna and Abuja, with some travellers avoiding the route because of attacks by bandits.

“I’m happy to say that that has now become a thing of the past because the security situation in Kaduna State has greatly improved,” the commissioner said.

Maiyaki maintained that security remained central to the state government’s development agenda, describing it as a foundation for economic and social progress.

He also highlighted the government’s interventions in agriculture, saying 500 trucks of fertiliser were distributed free of charge to more than 150,000 farmers during the 2026 farming season.

“In 2024, the government distributed 400 trucks of fertiliser to farmers free of charge. Similarly, 500 trucks of the commodity were distributed in 2025 in addition to the 500 trucks distributed to over 150,000 farmers in 2026,” he said.

On education, Maiyaki said the number of out-of-school children in the state had dropped from 550,000 to 187,000.

He added that the state government purchased 100 compressed natural gas buses in July 2025 to provide cheaper transportation for students and civil servants.

“From July 2025, no fewer than 3.5 million people have been transported with the vehicles, and nothing less than N3.8m has been saved for people.

“Even the Nigeria Labour Congress has confirmed that workers have saved 40 per cent of their income since the introduction of the CNG buses,” he added.

The Chairman of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel, Murtala Adewale, commended the Kaduna State Government for hosting the gala night.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested six suspected kidnappers in Adamawa State, while a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist surrendered to the military in Borno State.

The six suspects were arrested around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State after troops received intelligence on the activities of a suspected kidnapping syndicate operating in the area.

The acting Military Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

According to Goni, troops from Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai, working with local hunters, raided the suspected hideout after receiving credible intelligence about the group.

The statement read, “Following credible human intelligence on the activities of a suspected kidnapping syndicate operating around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State, troops of Sector 4 OPHK, in conjunction with local hunters, swiftly mobilised and raided the identified hideout.

The operation, he said, “led to the arrest of three suspected members of the syndicate and the recovery of one Dane gun.

“Further investigation and subsequent covert operations led to the arrest of three additional members of the syndicate, bringing the total number of suspects arrested to six.”

Goni said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had been active across the Soktu, Dumne and Maigero areas of Song LGA.

He added that the suspects reportedly confessed to taking part in several abductions for ransom as well as other violent crimes in the area.

“They remain in military custody for further investigation and appropriate legal action,” he stated.

In Borno State, Goni said troops had also received a repentant Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist who surrendered at Borgozo in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area.

He said the development occurred on September 13, 2026, when troops of 29 Task Force Brigade under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, alongside Forest Guards, received the terrorist.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the terrorist escaped from an enclave with the intention of abandoning terrorism,” he said.

According to the military, the surrendered fighter was found with an AK-47 rifle, 14 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, four magazines, an Improvised Explosive Device, a magazine pouch and a bicycle.

“The surrendered terrorist is currently in military custody undergoing further investigation and profiling in accordance with extant procedures,” he stated.

Goni described the arrests and surrender as evidence of continued military pressure against terrorists and other criminal groups within the Operation Hadin Kai Joint Operations Area.

“The Theatre Command remains committed to sustaining offensive operations, denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action, creating a safer environment for law-abiding citizens and enabling an environment for socioeconomic activities to thrive,” he assured.