By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The number of regions in the Republic of Niger has increased from 8 to 19 following the creation of 11 new regions, a senior official announced before the National Council on Tuesday.

A director representing the Minister of Interior, General Mohamed Toumba, made the announcement while presenting a draft decree on the creation of the new regions to the Council.

According to the draft, each of the country’s original 8 regions has been split into two or three parts, while other new regions were created by extracting certain departments from existing regions and merging them into a single region.

Minister Toumba explained that the original Maradi region has been divided into three, resulting in the creation of the Katsina, Gobir, and Tazar regions. Similarly, the Damagaram/Zinder region has been split into three, giving rise to the Daura, Damagaram, and Damergou regions.

A novel aspect of the reform is the renaming of most regions, with the exception of the capital, Niamey, which will retain its name as the seat of the national government.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Nigerian entertainment industry is in deep mourning following the news that beloved Nollywood actor and model, Alexx Ekubo, has passed away at the age of 40.

Reports emerged late Tuesday, May 12, indicating that the star died at a private medical facility in Lagos. While his family has yet to release an official statement regarding the cause of death, sources close to the actor suggest he had been quietly battling a long-term illness.

Ekubo’s passing comes after a prolonged and mysterious absence from the spotlight. Once a fixture of the Lagos social scene and a prolific presence on social media, the actor had not been seen publicly or posted online since late 2024, leading to months of mounting concern from his global fanbase.

Rising to fame as the first runner-up in the 2010 Mr. Nigeria contest, Ekubo transitioned into a powerhouse acting career. Known for his wit and charm, he became a household name through blockbuster hits like Weekend Getaway, Lagos Cougars, and Sugar Rush. Over his decade-long career, he earned numerous accolades, including the Best Supporting Actor trophy at the 2013 Best of Nollywood Awards.

Beyond the screen, Ekubo was a trained lawyer and a traditional chief, holding the title of Ikuku of Amumara Town.

Tributes have already begun pouring in from colleagues and fans, who remember him not just as a talented performer, but as a vibrant “breath of fresh air” in the African film industry.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Three pilgrims from Jigawa State taking part in the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia have reportedly fallen victim to theft in separate incidents involving cash and personal belongings.

One of the affected pilgrims, an elderly Fulani man identified as Baba Katanga from Katanga village in Kiyawa Local Government Area, said he lost 400 US dollars after boarding a taxi from Masjidil Haram to Mahabbat Al Akhawin Hotel in Makkah.

The pilgrim alleged that the taxi driver stole the money while he was checking his Nusuk card during the journey.

“I was surprised when I later checked and discovered that my 400 dollars had disappeared. I became confused because that was the money I intended to use throughout my stay,” he said.

In another incident, a Fulani pilgrim from Jahun Local Government Area reportedly lost all his dollar notes to a suspected taxi driver. His identity was not made public.

A female pilgrim popularly called Hajiya also reportedly lost a handbag that contained two mobile phones and cash meant for her upkeep during the pilgrimage.

The incident happened at Miqat in Madinah, where pilgrims usually prepare for Umrah by performing ablution, wearing Ihram and making Niyyah before travelling to Makkah.

Sources said the woman left the bag unattended briefly before she discovered that it had disappeared.

The incidents have reportedly generated sympathy among other pilgrims from Jigawa State, with some of them contributing money to assist the victims while awaiting possible intervention from relevant authorities.

The Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ahmad Umar Labbo, expressed concern over the incidents and assured the affected pilgrims of support from the board.

He said the board had earlier warned pilgrims before their departure from Nigeria to remain alert and protect their money and valuables from criminals who target crowded places.

Labbo also advised pilgrims not to hand over their belongings to strangers or leave valuables unattended, especially around holy sites and transport locations.

He further prayed for the safety and protection of all pilgrims throughout the Hajj exercise.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the death of former House of Representatives member, Hon. Abba Anas Adamu, who reportedly died while in the custody of bandits after his abduction along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Reports indicated that the former lawmaker was kidnapped on May 3, 2026, and died nine days later despite efforts by his family to secure his freedom.

Reacting to the incident, Atiku described the development as another sign of the growing security challenges facing the country under the current administration.

“His death is yet another grim reminder of the worsening collapse of security under the Tinubu administration,” he said.

The former vice-president spoke through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

According to Atiku, the death of a former federal lawmaker in the hands of kidnappers reflects what he described as the government’s inability to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“Let us be brutally honest: Nigeria is under siege, and the Tinubu administration appears either overwhelmed, indifferent, or dangerously incompetent in the face of this national emergency.

“When a former member of the National Assembly can be abducted on one of the country’s most strategic highways and die in captivity, what hope remains for the ordinary Nigerian who lacks visibility, influence, or protection?

“This is no longer about isolated incidents. It is now a horrifying pattern. Nigerians are being kidnapped from highways, farms, communities, and even their homes, while the government continues to issue sterile statements and recycled assurances that bear no resemblance to the lived reality of our people.

“Under this administration, insecurity has evolved from a crisis into a cruel national routine. Citizens now travel with prayers instead of protection. Families sleep with one eye open. Businesses are shutting down, farmers are abandoning their land, and entire communities are being surrendered to criminals.

“A government that cannot secure its highways cannot claim to govern. A government that watches citizens get hunted like prey has failed the most elementary test of leadership.

“It is particularly tragic that the Abuja-Kaduna corridor and surrounding routes have remained notorious theatres of terror despite repeated promises, security budgets running into trillions, and endless propaganda about progress.

“Nigerians deserve answers. What exactly is the security strategy of this administration? Where is the urgency? Where is the accountability? How many more deaths must be recorded before this government realises that press releases do not defeat bandits?

“No amount of political spin can deodorise this failure. A nation where former lawmakers die in captivity while criminals operate with audacity is a nation in distress.

“At this point, what Nigerians need is not another hollow condolence message. They need decisive leadership, coherent action, and measurable results.”

Atiku also sympathised with the family of the deceased, the people of Jigawa State and Nigerians affected by insecurity across the country.

He urged the Federal Government to address the worsening security situation with urgency and take stronger measures to protect citizens.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A fire outbreak has destroyed several shops and goods worth millions of naira at the popular Mandate Market in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday and caused panic among traders and residents in the busy market.

Residents and traders reportedly tried to control the fire before firefighters arrived at the scene.

Eyewitnesses said many shops were affected, while traders lost large quantities of goods to the inferno.

The Babalola of Mandate Market, Alhaji Murtala Tambaruku, said the destruction left many traders devastated.

“Several properties were destroyed running into several millions of naira. Some of the traders fainted and we are talking about those selling rice, vegetable oil, drinks, drugs and gadgets. One of the rice sellers just got over five million naira supply yesterday and everything is gone.

“The walls and the shops were completely razed without the affected traders salvaging anything”, he said.

The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the incident and said it received a distress call around 4:44am before firefighters were deployed to the market.

According to the agency, the affected section belongs to a market that contains more than 200 shops, while 24 shops were destroyed by the fire.

The Fire Service blamed the scale of the destruction on the late reporting of the incident, stating that the fire had already spread before emergency officials arrived.

“Nevertheless, the gallant firefighters of the Kwara State Fire Service displayed exceptional courage and professionalism in combating the inferno and successfully averted further destruction across the market,” the agency’s spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, said.

Adekunle disclosed that preliminary findings showed that the fire started as a result of a power surge.

“The fire was said to have started from a shop dealing in phone accessories and phone charging services before spreading to adjoining shops where foodstuffs and other goods were stored,” he said.

He added that the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, later visited the market to assess the level of damage and sympathise with the affected traders.

“During the visit, he met with leaders of the market associations and reassured them of the agency’s support.

“He also urged traders and market operators to prioritise fire safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, fire alarms and electrical protection devices,” he noted.

Adekunle also said the agency reminded market leaders about its yearly fire safety awareness campaigns across markets in the state and urged traders to follow safety guidelines to avoid future incidents.

By Aremu Haroon Abiodun

Let me begin with clarity and sincerity. I write this not as a partisan actor, not as a loyalist of any political party, and certainly not as a hired megaphone for any candidate. I write from the standpoint of an analyst, a student of democratic behaviour, and a public relations strategist who understands that politics is not only about power; it is also about perception, timing, trust, and structure.

This piece is not designed to insult President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, attack the ruling APC, mock the opposition, or discredit any politician. Rather, it is an honest attempt to interrogate one of the most defining questions of Nigeria’s approaching democratic race: Is the new coalition a movement of salvation or merely a market of ambition?

In every democracy, coalitions can either rescue nations or ruin trust. In Africa, where democracy is still battling poverty, elite capture, and personality politics, the answer matters deeply. Across the continent, from Kenya to South Africa, Senegal to Zimbabwe, fragmented opposition groups often unite to challenge incumbents. Sometimes they succeed; sometimes they collapse under the weight of ego and suspicion.

Coalitions are usually built on five promises: to rescue the nation, restore democracy, defeat bad governance, unite the opposition vote, and provide a better alternative. But behind these promises often lie hidden motives: personal ambition, ticket negotiation, political survival, revenge against former allies, and access to state power. This is why many coalitions look holy in public but bleed distrust in private.

Nigeria may now be entering that exact season. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), once a relatively minor platform, is suddenly being discussed as a possible shelter for heavyweight politicians dissatisfied with their former homes. But before Nigerians clap, they must ask a dangerous question: Do the coalition members even trust themselves? 

Parties are not built by logos; they are built by loyalty, and loyalty cannot be photocopied overnight.

Nigeria’s politics has become a railway station where leaders keep changing platforms while asking voters to stay loyal.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not emerge by accident. His journey moved through the AD, AC, ACN, and finally the APC. He mastered a core truth that many others underestimated: structure beats noise.

While others chased headlines, Tinubu built networks, state influence, and grassroots machinery. Whether loved or criticised, he represents a masterclass in long-term political engineering.

Atiku’s route has been equally dramatic, moving from the PDP to the APC, back to the PDP, and now toward discussions with ADC. No politician in modern Nigeria has contested the presidency with as much persistence. 

Supporters call it resilience; critics call it endless ambition. But as time moves on, the ADC coalition may represent strategic urgency rather than just ideology, a final gamble in a house where the inheritance is uncertain.

Peter Obi’s path from APGA to the PDP, the Labour Party, and now ADC tells the story of a reformer searching for a machine. Obi proved in 2023 that popularity can shake systems, but popularity without nationwide structure has limits. 

If Obi brings credibility and a coalition brings machinery, the equation is powerful. However, can a reformist brand coexist with old political warlords? Movements are powered by hope, but coalitions are powered by compromise.

Moving from the PDP to the APC, the NNPP, and now the ADC, Kwankwaso commands a loyal bloc in the North. He has what every coalition needs—a dedicated voter base—but he also has what coalitions fear: independent ambition. The success of any merger will depend on whether arithmetic can overcome ego.

The urgency for a coalition is often driven by the stark reality of election data. In Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, the opposition’s fragmentation was clear. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu won with 8,794,726 votes (36.6%), while the combined votes of the three main opposition candidates, Atiku Abubakar (6,984,520), Peter Obi (6,101,533), and Rabiu Kwankwaso (1,496,687), totalled 14,582,740.

Mathematically, the opposition held over 60% of the total vote, but their inability to unite resulted in a win for the incumbent’s structure. This “voter math” is the primary engine behind the current migration toward the ADC; politicians realise that without a unified front, sentiment rarely defeats a settled structure.

Having that in mind, can Atiku trust Obi? Can Obi trust establishment figures? Can Kwankwaso trust a ticket arrangement? Coalitions often fail not because they lack votes, but because they lack trust.

Sooner or later, the “Ticket War” arrives. If Atiku wants one last shot, Obi believes his momentum was stolen, and Kwankwaso believes northern arithmetic favours him, the smiles will disappear. A coalition before a primary is romance; a coalition after a primary is war.

Furthermore, many underestimate the “Tinubu Factor.” Hatred of an incumbent is not a development plan. Tinubu remains a formidable strategist because he controls incumbency power and understands coalition management better than many of his rivals. To defeat a strategist, anger is insufficient, but superior organisation could be the way out.

From a strategic communication perspective, the narratives are already forming. APC’s narrative centres on stability, continuity, and ongoing reforms. ADC represents a force for “Rescue Nigeria,” unites the opposition, and restores hope.

Both parties face a risk. The ADC risks being seen as a shelter for serial defectors, while the APC risks seeming disconnected from economic pain.

Lastline 

Nigeria does not merely need a coalition of politicians; it needs a coalition of ideas, competence, and national healing. If the ADC becomes a real reform movement, it can change history. If it becomes only a marketplace of ambition, it will prove that parties change names faster than systems change realities.

The real contest of 2027 may not be APC vs. ADC. It will be structure vs sentiment, trust vs suspicion, and nationhood vs ambition. On that day, Nigerians, not politicians, will deliver the final verdict on who rules in the next four years.

Haroon Aremu is a public relations strategist and wrote in via exponentumera@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned opposition parties against zoning their 2027 presidential ticket to the South, warning that such a decision could undermine their chances of unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olusola Sanni, Atiku described the push for a southern candidate as “self-defeating and intellectually dishonest.” He argued that political strategy and “hard electoral arithmetic” should guide the opposition, not “emotional talking points.”

“The first and most obvious question is this: how does a Southern opposition candidate realistically unseat a sitting Southern president?” the statement queried, noting that no incumbent president has ever lost to an opponent from the same region.

Atiku’s camp further pointed out that by 2027, the South would have spent approximately 18 years in power since the return of democracy in 1999, compared to about 10 years for the North. This, they argued, makes the zoning argument difficult to justify “under the guise of equity.”

The former vice president also accused some politicians of hypocrisy, recalling that they supported Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency in 2011 following the death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, yet now defend zoning as a sacred principle.

However, Atiku maintained that the Southeast region deserves “a sustainable and credible pathway to national leadership,” not “symbolic tokenism.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Military forces operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA have recorded multiple successes across five local government areas in Katsina State, neutralizing three terrorists, recovering stolen livestock, and dismantling a drug ring, authorities said on Sunday.

According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force (North West), troops of the 171 Battalion laid an ambush along the Matazu–Dutsin-Ma axis on Saturday, May 9, 2026, following intelligence that terrorists were fleeing recent military operations in Dikawa.

During the ensuing firefight, troops killed three terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines, one motorcycle, three cutlasses, and assorted charms.

In a separate clearance operation across Matazu, Musawa, and Kankia LGAs, troops supported by the Katsina State Community Watch Corps cleared terrorist enclaves in Torcachi, Giginya, and Tashar Ganji villages. The terrorists abandoned their camps under sustained pressure, and troops recovered 175 rustled livestock. The animals are now in military custody awaiting handover to local authorities in Matazu LGA.

Additionally, troops from Forward Operating Base Malumfashi, working with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), raided Kauyan Dawo in Malumfashi LGA, arresting six suspected drug peddlers: Sani Rabiu (25), Umar Nasiru (22), Abulkubus Aminu (35), Abdullahi Halilu (27), Abubakar Rabiu (22), and Abubakar Dahiru (33).

Seized narcotics included 82.5 grams of suspected Cannabis Sativa, 15.7 grams of Exol-5, and 1.8 grams of D5. The suspects and drugs have been transferred to the NDLEA Malumfashi Area Command for prosecution.

The Theatre Command called on the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

By Ibrahim Happiness

‎Every year from April 24 to 30, the world marks World Immunisation Week, a global campaign coordinated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to highlight one of the most effective public health tools ever developed: vaccines. In 2026, the campaign comes with renewed urgency as countries work to close immunity gaps, restore routine vaccination disrupted in recent years, and protect millions of children and adults from preventable diseases.

‎‎This year’s theme, “For every generation, vaccines work,” underscores a simple but powerful reality: immunisation is not only for infants. Vaccines protect people throughout life, from newborn babies receiving their first doses, to adolescents, pregnant women, healthcare workers, and older adults needing booster or age-specific protection. It is a reminder that vaccines have served families for generations and remain central to a healthier future.

‎Globally, vaccines have transformed human survival. WHO estimates that immunisation has saved more than 150 million lives over the last 50 years, with most of those lives saved being those of infants. Vaccination has reduced deaths from diseases such as measles, polio, tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, while preventing lifelong disabilities and severe complications that once devastated communities. Public health experts note that vaccines are among the most cost-effective investments any nation can make because they prevent illness before it starts, reduce pressure on hospitals, and strengthen productivity.

‎Yet despite this progress, millions of children worldwide still miss out on essential vaccines each year. The reasons vary by country: poverty, insecurity, displacement, weak health systems, long travel times to clinics, shortages of trained health workers, and the spread of misinformation. When vaccination rates decline, diseases quickly return. Recent outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable illnesses in several parts of the world have shown how fragile progress can be.

‎In Nigeria, World Immunisation Week is particularly significant. Africa’s most populous country has made progress in expanding routine immunisation through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), state governments, donor partners, and frontline health workers. Vaccines for children are provided free through public health facilities, and campaigns against polio, measles, yellow fever and meningitis have helped protect millions.

‎However, challenges remain substantial. Many rural and hard-to-reach communities still struggle with access to health centres. Insecurity in parts of the country continues to disrupt outreach services. Urban slums also face low coverage due to population movement and poor health infrastructure. In some communities, false claims about vaccine safety continue to create hesitation among parents.

‎Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, has repeatedly stressed in 2026 that strengthening primary healthcare and expanding routine immunisation are key pillars of the federal government’s health reform agenda. He has called for stronger state-level accountability, improved cold-chain systems, and deeper community engagement to ensure that no child is left behind. According to the minister, immunisation is not merely a health intervention but an investment in national development, because healthy children are more likely to learn, grow, and contribute productively to society.

‎The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Muyi Aina, has also emphasised the importance of reaching zero-dose children, those who have never received a single routine vaccine. He noted that Nigeria’s progress will depend on better data systems, mobile outreach teams, local partnerships, and trust-building with communities.

‎International partners have echoed similar concerns. UNICEF and World Health Organisation officials in Nigeria have warned that preventable diseases can spread rapidly when immunisation services are missed, especially among vulnerable children. They continue to urge governments and families to prioritise vaccination and routine health checks.

‎‎World Immunisation Week, therefore, is more than a symbolic observance. It is a timely reminder that progress in health must be protected. Vaccines only work when they reach people. A child in a remote village deserves the same protection as a child in a city hospital. A mother deserves accurate information, not fear-driven rumours. Health workers deserve the support and tools needed to save lives.

‎For Nigeria, the path forward is clear: sustained political commitment, increased domestic funding, stronger local healthcare systems, and public trust. Communities, religious leaders, schools, media organisations and civil society all have a role to play in promoting accurate information and encouraging uptake.

‎As the world marks World Immunisation Week 2026, the message remains straightforward and timeless: vaccines work, they save lives, and they must reach every generation.

‎Ibrahim Happiness is a 300-level Strategic Communication student at the University of Abuja and an intern with IMPR. She can be reached at: happinessibrahim11@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command says it has arrested a suspected armed robber in connection with an attack on a residence in Bara Village, Kirfi Local Government Area of the state.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib.

According to the statement, the incident occurred in the early hours of May 9, 2026, when a group of five armed men reportedly stormed the home of a resident identified as Ibrahim.

The police said the attackers, who allegedly carried sticks and cutlasses, assaulted the victim before taking away several valuables from the house.

Items reportedly stolen during the operation included a bow and arrow, five mobile phones, two solar panels and cash amounting to ₦422,000.

The statement noted that the victim later reported the matter to the Bara Police Out Station at about 6:00 a.m. on the same day.

Following the complaint, police operatives attached to the outpost and Kirfi Division launched an investigation that led to the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect, Naziru Alhaji Usman, from Tudun Sullubawa Hamlet through Bara Village in Kirfi LGA.

Police said officers recovered some exhibits believed to be connected to the robbery, including a bow and arrow, a cutlass and one solar panel.

“The suspect is currently in custody at the Out Station and is providing useful information to aid investigations,” the statement said.

The command added that efforts were ongoing to track down other suspects linked to the crime and recover the remaining stolen property.

It also stated that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for further investigation before prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, praised the operatives for their swift response and restated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

He also appealed to residents to continue assisting security agencies with credible information, which he described as important in tackling crime across the state.