Security

By Ibrahym El-Caleel

Jeffery Epstein, despite being a MOSSAD agent who successfully lured high profile individuals and world leaders into his web to obtain their dirty secrets, was afraid of Nigerians scamming him in oil deal.

Epstein is afraid of Nigerians. Hehe.

Ladies and gentlemen, I want to officially tell you that I am also afraid of Nigerians from now going forward.

But jokes aside, Nigerians are a special breed. If a Nigerian decides to settle for anything, he ensures that he masters it to the best of his or her ability.

In the wake of the US’s disregard for Nigeria’s sovereignty in December last year, I read a post on X made by a security analyst. The handle is @GallantDaletian, and he opined that yes, the US military might have the tech, air power, and naval dominance, but when it comes to guerrilla and asymmetric warfare, the Nigerian military is a force to be reckoned with!

He said, the US may have advanced technology, drones, and aircraft carriers, but Nigeria’s military has mastered the art of unconventional warfare, leveraging local knowledge and intelligence to outmaneuver adversaries.

It’s not about comparing strengths, but acknowledging different areas of expertise. Nigeria’s focus on regional security, counter terrorism, and peacekeeping has earned it respect, while the US excels in global reach and high tech warfare.

Clearly Jeffery Epstein, despite his notoriety, believes that the fear of Nigerians is the beginning of wisdom. Sharp guy.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Residents of Doma community in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have been thrown into renewed fear after armed bandits carried out a fresh attack on the area, despite a peace and surrender agreement earlier reached between local authorities and armed groups operating there.

It was gathered on Tuesday that the attackers arrived in Doma in large numbers, opened fire on residents, and set several houses and vehicles on fire.

According to a report by an online Nigerian newspaper, SaharaReporters, the incident has unsettled the community, especially as it came after a reported peace agreement between stakeholders in Faskari Local Government Area and bandit leaders. The deal was expected to end hostilities and encourage displaced residents to return to their homes.

A Katsina-based security expert, Bakatsine, confirmed the development and warned that the attack was still ongoing in Doma and nearby communities within Faskari LGA.

Bakatsine raised concerns over the safety of civilians and appealed for immediate security intervention in the area.

“Urgent deployment of security forces is needed to Doma and surrounding communities in Faskari LGA to protect civilians, stop the ongoing violence, and prevent further loss of lives and property,” the alert stated. “Immediate action could save lives.”

At the time of filing this report, there were concerns that casualties may have been recorded. However, the exact number of those killed or injured could not be independently verified.

Faskari Local Government Area remains one of the areas most affected by insecurity in Katsina State, with years of persistent bandit attacks, kidnappings, cattle rustling, and large-scale displacement of residents.

On September 17, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that a known bandit commander, Isya Akwashi Garwa, who was armed with an AK-47 and ammunition, released 28 abducted persons in the local government area after a peace arrangement.

Those released were mostly residents of Mairua, Kanen-haki, and Yar Dabaru communities, who had spent weeks in captivity.

Local authorities later confirmed that the release followed reconciliation efforts aimed at restoring peace and reducing violence in the area.

A security source, Zagazola Makama, also revealed on X that community leaders in Faskari welcomed the development and described it as a positive step. They urged all parties involved to sustain the “peace process.”

The leaders also appealed to the bandit commander to persuade other armed groups still carrying out attacks in the area to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested suspected informants and financiers linked to bandit activities during a security operation in parts of the state, with several rustled cattle recovered.

Details of the arrests were made public in a post shared on X on Tuesday by security analyst Zagazola Makama. According to the post, the operation took place in the early hours of Monday at about 1:00 a.m. in Sarma Village, Tangaza Local Government Area.

Makama said operatives of the Sokoto State Police Command, in collaboration with members of the community guard, carried out the intelligence-led raid, which led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Nura Dan Haruna, 20, and Buhari Salah, 18.

The suspects were found with seven cows suspected to have been stolen, as well as a motorcycle without a registration number.

Makama reported that preliminary findings showed the suspects were acting on instructions from two other individuals who remain at large.

“The suspects confessed they were sent by two individuals, Abdullahi Gulum and Dan Iko, who are currently on the run, to deliver the cows to Hamza Ibrahim, 56, of the Kara area in Illela,” Makama wrote.

He added that police later arrested Hamza Ibrahim in connection with the case.

“Hamza was later arrested by the police,” Makama wrote.

Further inquiries by the police also uncovered that Hamza Ibrahim admitted to selling two of the cows last month to Abubakar Muhammad, 31, from Gwadabawa Local Government Area. Police confirmed that Abubakar Muhammad has also been arrested.

Authorities said investigations into the case are continuing, while efforts have been stepped up to track down and arrest the remaining suspects linked to the alleged bandit network.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Sector 7 under Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have dismantled a kidnappers’ hideout in Badurum Kasa Forest, located in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and rescued eight abducted persons.

This is contained in a statement released by the Nigerian Army today via their official Facebook handle.

The operation took place on January 28, 2026, after the troops received credible intelligence on the activities of the criminal group.

Acting swiftly, the soldiers moved into the forest in a coordinated mission alongside operatives of the Zango Kataf Police Area Command, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, Forest Guards, and local hunters.

According to military sources, the joint team advanced deep into the forest and made contact with the kidnappers at about 5:59 p.m. The criminals reportedly became overwhelmed by the firepower and tactical advance of the security forces. They abandoned their captives and escaped into nearby bushes.

As a result of the operation, eight victims were rescued without injuries and later reunited with their families. Those freed are Mrs Rashida Musa (19), Mrs Hafsat Nuhu (18), Mr Zakari Saleh (52), Miss Hasiya Yahaya (13), Mr Ahmed Yahaya (14), Mr Ibrahim Saiba (11), Miss Salma Yahaya (14), and Mr Sophan Idris (18).

The operation highlights the Nigerian Army’s continued cooperation with other security agencies and local support groups. It also reflects ongoing efforts to safeguard lives, secure key areas, and limit the activities of criminal groups within Kaduna State and beyond.

By Uzair Adam

At least 23 suspected bandits were neutralised in a coordinated military operation after armed groups launched attacks on Shanono and Tsanyawa local government areas of Kano State between the night of January 1 and the early hours of January 2, 2026, according to the Nigerian Army.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Major Babatunde Zubairu, who said the operation involved joint task force troops on the ground and the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

According to the statement, troops successfully contained the attacks in Kano. They inflicted heavy casualties on the assailants before tracking the fleeing bandits to Karaduwa village in Matazu Local Government Area of neighbouring Katsina State. 

Acting on credible intelligence, the Air Component pursued the group as they attempted to regroup after escaping Kano.

The Army said intelligence reports revealed that the bandits were in the process of burying some of their members killed during the initial clashes when they were located at Dan Marke in Matazu LGA. 

Air Component Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA reportedly trailed their movement until several motorcycles converged after crossing a dry riverbed.

“A precision airstrike was immediately launched,” the statement said, noting that the operation was supported by aerial Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions. 

The strike, according to the Army, resulted in the neutralisation of at least 23 terrorists, while several others were believed to have sustained injuries. 

It also damaged the group’s weapons and other equipment.

Reacting to the operation’s outcome, the Commander of 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, commended both the air and ground troops for their exceptional courage. 

“Their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity are commendable,” he said.

The Army added that the security situation in Kano State remains calm, with troops sustaining robust patrols and close monitoring of flashpoints. 

It stated that troop morale and operational efficiency remain “very satisfactory.”

The Nigerian Army also appealed to the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information.

Such cooperation, it said, would further aid efforts to disrupt banditry and other terrorist activities.

Major Zubairu stressed that troops, working alongside other security agencies, remain committed to safeguarding lives and property nationwide and will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure national security.

By Aminu Babayo Shehu

Nigeria is facing one of its toughest internal security battles in decades. From the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states to the killing of senior military officers, including a Brigadier General, criminal groups continue to operate with increasing boldness. Bandits, kidnappers and terror cells now openly upload videos on platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp, displaying weapons, hostages and propaganda with little fear of consequences.

This is no longer an era where outdated tactics can secure the nation. Criminal groups are becoming more technologically aware, while the state still relies heavily on manual intelligence and slow-response systems. Countries facing similar threats have adopted advanced tools and strategies. Nigeria must follow the same path.

The United States and Israel use drones, satellite intelligence and geolocation trackers to disrupt hostile organisations long before they strike. Rwanda has established a modern drone command system to enhance surveillance and national security. India employs mobile tracing, SIM mapping and digital pattern analysis to dismantle kidnapping networks. These examples show that even in challenging environments, technology can expose criminal movements, reduce their operational freedom and strengthen national response.

Nigeria can apply the same approach effectively.

Real-time aerial surveillance remains one of the most critical gaps in Nigeria’s security architecture. High-altitude drones equipped with night-vision cameras and thermal sensors can monitor large forest areas where bandits hide. Such drones transmit live data to command centres, enabling tracking of movements and coordination of precision strikes. In many cases, soldiers need not be deployed on foot into ambush-prone areas; operations can be guided or executed remotely.

Mobile intelligence is another powerful asset. Every phone, even when switched off, leaves digital traces. With firm collaboration between telecom operators and security agencies, criminals can be located through cell-site analysis, call patterns and movement anomalies. India has successfully used these tools to reduce large-scale kidnapping syndicates.

Satellite imaging, when paired with artificial intelligence, can detect camps, vehicles, and human movement in remote areas. Modern software can analyse thousands of images within minutes and flag suspicious activity such as heat signatures, makeshift shelters, or recently cleared land. This drastically improves early detection and reduces operational delays.

State governments can also invest in early-warning technologies. Community CCTV networks, automated alarm systems and remote-sensor alerts can shorten response times. Local initiatives that once existed in a few states need consistent funding and national integration.

At the federal level, the Presidency should coordinate a national security technology blueprint. This would bring together drones, cyber-intelligence tools, biometric systems, satellite monitoring, and geospatial-analysis platforms into a single central command. Strategic partnerships with technologically advanced nations can reduce costs and strengthen capacity.

Nigeria’s security forces have courage and dedication, but courage alone cannot defeat modern criminals who rely on speed, shock and terrain mastery. Technology is the equaliser. It exposes hideouts, cuts communication lines and allows the state to strike before criminals mobilise.

The tools exist. They are affordable. They have worked in other nations. What Nigeria needs now is clear political will, long-term investment and an understanding that 21st-century threats demand 21st-century solutions.

If embraced, technology can save lives, disrupt kidnappers and terrorists, and restore the confidence of millions of Nigerians who deserve safety.

Aminu Babayo Shehu is a Software Engineer and Mobile Developer with experience building technology-driven solutions, including systems for logistics, telecommunications, e-commerce, and security-focused applications. He writes on technology, national development and digital transformation.

By Anas Abbas

The launch of Kano State Security and Neighbourhood Watch Guard on December 23 by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is a timely and reassuring response to growing concerns about insecurity across the state.

At a moment when residents were increasingly raising alarm over safety in their communities, the governor chose action over silence.

In recent months, reports of petty crimes and organised disturbances have unsettled many neighbourhoods, threatening Kano’s long-held reputation as one of the more peaceful states in the North.

These concerns were not distant headlines but daily experiences discussed in markets and almost everywhere in Kano state. Acknowledging this reality, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration moved swiftly to confront the challenge.

Central to the initiative is the deployment of 2,000 security personnel, carefully drawn from all local government areas of the state. This structure ensures broad representation, local knowledge, and community trust key elements in effective crime prevention. By embedding security personnel within familiar environments, the government strengthens early detection and rapid response.

The neighbourhood watch guard complements existing security agencies rather than replacing them. It is designed to close the gaps where formal policing alone may struggle, particularly at the grassroots. This layered approach reflects a practical understanding that modern security requires cooperation, intelligence sharing, and community participation.

Beyond physical protection, the initiative delivers psychological reassurance. Visible security presence restores confidence, discourages criminal behaviour, and reassures residents that the government is attentive to their fears. Insecurity thrives where people feel abandoned; decisive leadership reverses that narrative.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf deserves commendation for the timing of this intervention. Launched during a period of heightened social and economic activity, it demonstrates foresight and sensitivity to public safety risks. It also reinforces the principle that governance must be proactive, not reactive.

However,as implementation unfolds, sustained training, accountability, and respect for human rights will be essential to long-term success. If properly managed, the neighbourhood watch guard can become a durable pillar of community safety.

In taking immediate steps to safeguard lives and property, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has sent a clear message: the security of Kano’s people is paramount. This initiative stands as a strong example of responsive leadership in challenging times.

By Uzair Adam

Kidnappers operating across Nigeria collected at least N2.57 billion in ransom payments between July 2024 and June 2025, according to a new report released by SBM Intelligence.

The report, titled “The Year Ahead at an Inflection Point” and published on December 19, 2025, examined key political and economic trends shaping Africa in 2025. It revealed that while kidnappers demanded an estimated N48 billion within the 12-month period, only a small fraction of that amount was eventually paid by victims and their families.

SBM Intelligence noted that kidnapping in Nigeria has increasingly become a well-organised, profit-oriented enterprise, flourishing amid weak governance structures, expansive ungoverned rural areas and deteriorating security conditions in several regions of the country.

According to the findings, at least 4,722 people were abducted in 997 kidnapping incidents during the period under review, while no fewer than 762 people lost their lives in attacks linked to banditry and related criminal violence.

Although ransom demands rose sharply in naira terms, the report observed that the actual earnings of kidnappers remained relatively modest when converted to dollars due to the depreciation of the naira. The N2.57 billion paid translates to approximately $1.66 million, only slightly higher than the $1.13 million equivalent of N653.7 million collected in 2022.

The Northwest emerged as the epicentre of kidnapping activities, accounting for 425 incidents, representing 42.6 per cent of cases nationwide. The region also recorded 2,938 victims, amounting to 62.2 per cent of all abducted persons across the country.

Zamfara State recorded the highest number of victims at 1,203, followed by Kaduna and Katsina States. SBM Intelligence attributed the prevalence of kidnappings in the region to vast, poorly governed rural communities and the presence of entrenched bandit networks capable of carrying out large-scale operations with minimal resistance.

In contrast, the Southwest recorded the lowest level of kidnapping activity, accounting for just 5.3 per cent of incidents and 3 per cent of victims during the same period.

The report further highlighted a rise in mass abductions, defined as incidents involving more than five victims, which accounted for about 23 per cent of all recorded cases and were largely concentrated in northern states. It noted that entire communities were sometimes targeted, with abducted persons reportedly forced to work on farms and mining sites controlled by criminal groups.

Beyond kidnapping, SBM Intelligence drew attention to escalating violence across several parts of the country in 2025. In the Northcentral region, attacks linked to armed herders persisted through March, with Benue State particularly affected. A single attack in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on March 7 reportedly claimed 15 lives.

Zamfara State also experienced repeated deadly incidents, including an attack in Tsafe Local Government Area on March 13 that left 40 people dead, alongside mass abductions in Maru Local Government Area on the same day.

April and May were identified as some of the deadliest months of the year, with attacks in Plateau and Benue States killing more than 100 people combined, while mass abductions involving up to 100 victims were recorded in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto States.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Mahmud Abubakar Gumi, has publicly endorsed the appointment of former Zamfara State governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence, arguing that his approach to insecurity prioritises dialogue and community engagement over purely military solutions.

In a post shared on his Facebook page, Gumi said security experts have long maintained that communal conflicts cannot be resolved through force alone, noting that military action accounts for “only about 25 per cent” of effective conflict resolution. He described Matawalle as one of the few political leaders who recognised this reality during his tenure as Zamfara governor.

According to Gumi, Matawalle’s outreach to aggrieved groups significantly reduced banditry in the state at the time, reopening major roads and markets that had been shut for years due to insecurity. He cited personal travel experiences along routes such as Gusau–Anka–Gummi and Wurno–Isa–Shinkafi–Gusau, which he said had become safe during that period.

“Cattle markets were opened, and life was returning to normal,” Gumi wrote, adding that the gains were later reversed following what he described as “military non-cooperation,” which led to renewed hostilities.

The cleric argued that Matawalle’s current role at the Ministry of Defence places “round pegs into round holes,” urging Nigerians to set aside “petty local politics” in support of what he called a new federal government paradigm shift in addressing insecurity. He concluded by praying for unity, peace, and progress for the country.

Gumi’s intervention has once again sparked debate, given his controversial role in public discussions on banditry and insecurity in northern Nigeria. While some supporters credit him with advocating dialogue as a pathway to peace, critics have accused him of being sympathetic to armed bandits—allegations he has repeatedly denied.

Security analysts remain divided on the effectiveness of non-kinetic strategies, with many arguing that dialogue must be carefully balanced with law enforcement and accountability. The federal government has yet to officially respond to Gumi’s remarks, but officials have consistently maintained that Nigeria’s security challenges require a mix of military action, intelligence-led policing, and community-based initiatives.

As the administration continues to recalibrate its security strategy, Gumi’s comments contribute to the ongoing national conversation on how best to end violence and restore stability across conflict-affected regions.

By Isah Kamisu Madachi

On Thursday, 4th December 2025, my cousin Tajuddeen bade us farewell on his way to Lafia, Nasarawa State. They left early in the morning in a Hummer bus. Around 10 a.m., they had a terrible accident in a town near Bauchi metropolis. All the passengers in the vehicle were badly injured. Tajuddeen, along with the bus driver and two others, instantly slipped into coma.

Other passengers were either with more than one fracture or several wounds. On the evening of 6 December, the driver’s suffering came to an end as he passed away. The following day, another one of the passengers in the coma also died. On 8 December, the third victim in coma breathed his last, leaving my cousin still in the ICU section of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.

The cause of the accident was tyre failure. While they were on the road hoping to reach Jos in the afternoon, their back tyre burst and the bus somersaulted several times. The primary cause of the tyre failure was actually overload. Coincidentally, as I was on a phone call with a friend, he narrated how another terrible accident occurred close to my hometown as a result of tyre issue which instantly claimed two lives and left others badly injured.

I was really shocked and worried because not long ago, on a trip to Lagos, our own bus was carrying two commercial vehicles in addition to overloaded luggage of passengers and waybills. Even before the vehicles were brought, one had to ask whether humans would still get a seat after such loads were mounted. Lo and behold, the vehicles were arranged in a way that you couldn’t even see them inside the boot.

Last month, on our way back home from Kano, we witnessed another accident around Shuwarin town in Jigawa State. It was a jam-packed hummer bus obviously heading to either Damaturu or Maiduguri. They also had a tyre failure which resulted in several deaths. By the time we arrived at the accident scene, out of more than 20 passengers including the driver, only two people were still alive. The rest appeared lifeless.

If I were to narrate all the road accidents I have witnessed, most of them caused by tyre failure, I would have to write a book of a hundred pages. Road accidents are too many across Nigeria. Less than one week ago, I saw a picture on social media that stirred wide reactions. A commercial bus was overloaded to the extent that if one wanted to go out at a transit point, they had to pass through the boot as the doorway was blocked by bags. Even in the case of an emergency, no one could use the door because luggage completely covered the entrance. Many people commented that this is common in Nigerian motor parks.

When we talk about things that claim the lives of Nigerians, I believe road accidents is of course one of the biggest culprits, even more than insecurity in some cases. Anyone who travels widely by road knows this fact. And most of these accidents are avoidable if only we take transport safety seriously.

To bring to an end or at least reduce the intensity of the problem, we need a comprehensive transport policy that tackles overload and the abuse of luggage space. Parks should be mandated to use dedicated cargo buses. If a passenger’s luggage is above 10kg, it should automatically be transferred to a cargo vehicle, not stuffed into a bus carrying humans. For waybills, there should be separate buses whose only function is to transport goods from one state to another; especially the popular routes between Northern and Southern Nigeria or even within the North along routes like Kano-Borno, Taraba-Kaduna, Abuja-Adamawa and others.

Another important solution is the deployment of safety personnel to every major park. Their only job should be to inspect buses and car tyres to ensure they are in good condition before departure. Once there is no compliance, the driver must not be allowed to go. Of course in Nigeria some people may try to offer bribes to bypass checkpoints. To address that, these safety officers should not be local staff. They should report directly to an independent transport safety unit with strict oversight, rotating officers frequently to reduce compromise.

Still, digital systems can be introduced. Each bus should be scanned and cleared through an electronic checklist linked to a central database. If a bus fails safety checks, it should not receive the clearance code required to leave the park. With this kind of structure, even bribery becomes difficult to offer because safety approval will depend on digital authentication, not an individual officer’s discretion.

Nigeria needs to take road safety as seriously as other deadliest national issues. The number of lives cut short on our roads is heartbreaking. Families are losing loved ones every day due to accidents that could be prevented if we enforce discipline, regulate overload, inspect tyres, and treat transport safety as a matter of policy, not luck. 

Isah Kamisu Madachi is a policy analyst and development practitioner. He wrote from Abuja, and can be reached via: isahkamisumadachi@gmail.com