By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed fresh terrorism charges against five convicted members of the Ansaru terrorist group over the attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The defendants appeared before Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, where they pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge.

The accused are Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, whom the DSS identified as the leader of Ansaru; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam, Mahmud al-Nigeri or Malam Mamuda, described as the group’s deputy leader and chief of staff; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Yunusa bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar.

Court documents showed that the new case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, was filed on July 29 by M.E. Ernest, counsel to the DSS. It contains six terrorism-related counts.

The latest prosecution comes only days after the five men were convicted in separate cases linked to the same attack.

On July 20, Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced Muhammad and Abbas to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to a 32-count terrorism charge.

Three days later, the same judge sentenced Umar, Musa and Sani to life imprisonment after they admitted their roles in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Calistus Eze, counsel to the DSS, informed the court that the charge had been amended to include all five defendants and requested that it be read to them. The defence did not object, and each of the defendants entered a not guilty plea.

The prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and requested that the defendants remain in DSS custody until the case is concluded.

Although the defence opposed the request, Justice Ibrahim overruled the objection. He ordered that the five defendants remain in DSS custody. The judge also directed that they should have unrestricted access to their lawyer and two family members.

The case was adjourned until September 25 for the commencement of trial.

According to the charge, the alleged offences are punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The DSS alleged that the defendants participated in the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire LGA, where seven teachers and 39 pupils were abducted.

One of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded while in captivity. His attackers circulated a video of the killing.

Authorities also confirmed that another teacher, John Olaleye, died in captivity. The remaining five teachers and the 39 pupils were eventually rescued after spending 56 days in captivity.

The DSS further alleged that before the hostages were rescued, the kidnappers demanded the release of Muhammad and Abbas as part of negotiations for the victims’ freedom.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army has announced a significant expansion of its operational structure with the establishment of four additional divisions, following presidential approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has appointed seasoned senior officers as General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the new formations, which form part of a comprehensive reorganisation aimed at addressing the nation’s evolving security challenges.

The newly established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will oversee security operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while 9 Division in Ilorin will cover Kwara and Niger States. The 10 Division, based in Jalingo, will handle border areas of Taraba and Adamawa States, and 83 Division in Benin City will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States when activated later this year.

Under the new structure, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Operation WHIRL STROKE to command 5 Division, while Major General Yakubu Yahaya takes charge of 9 Division in Ilorin. Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife moves from 2 Division in Ibadan to command 10 Division in Jalingo.

The reorganisation also affects existing divisions, with Major General Auwalu Mahmuda appointed as GOC of 2 Division in Ibadan. The army has simultaneously activated three new brigades in Gboko, Kainji and Lafia to strengthen the new divisions.

The COAS stated that the expansion would enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security and enable faster troop deployment across the country. The new divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), with measures underway to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).

Lieutenant General Shaibu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for what he described as a “historic milestone” in the transformation of the Nigerian Army, emphasising that the expanded force structure would significantly bolster national security.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has begun implementing the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The new framework seeks to strengthen the country’s fiscal and trade policies, improve economic competitiveness, and increase government revenue.

In a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS said the revised measures align Nigeria’s tariff structure with regional and international obligations. The Service added that the policy also supports local industrial growth and facilitates legitimate trade.

According to the statement, the amendments introduce major changes to the Customs and Excise Tariff framework. They include the Revised Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) List for the implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (2022–2027), the Revised National List under the same tariff regime, the Revised Import Prohibition List (Trade), the Revised List of Goods Liable to Excise Duty, the Green Tax Surcharge on motor vehicles with engine capacities of 2,000cc and above, and the Revised Export Prohibition List.

The Service advised importers, exporters, manufacturers, licensed customs agents, and other stakeholders to study the revised tariff schedules and comply with all applicable fiscal and regulatory requirements.

The NCS also announced that the complete 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments have been published on its official website to ensure transparency and ease of access. It urged stakeholders to review the provisions carefully and comply with the approved measures.

The Service reaffirmed its commitment to implementing government policies through its statutory responsibilities of trade facilitation, revenue collection, and border security.

It further noted that effective implementation of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments will depend on the cooperation of stakeholders across the trade sector. The NCS said such collaboration will help build a more competitive, transparent, and sustainable economy.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Nearly half of Americans believe the United States should arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters the country, according to a new Economist/YouGov poll.

The survey found that 49 per cent of respondents support enforcing the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Netanyahu, while 27 per cent oppose such action and 23 per cent remain undecided.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu in November 2024 over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Netanyahu and the Israeli government reject the allegations, describing them as politically motivated.

The poll reflects growing public criticism of Netanyahu in the United States. Recent surveys have also shown declining support for his leadership and increasing concern among Americans over U.S. policy toward Israel, particularly among Democratic voters and younger Americans.

Despite the poll results, legal experts note that the United States is not a member of the ICC, making the enforcement of the court’s arrest warrant highly unlikely under current U.S. law.

By Mohammed Mohammed Haruna

There are friendships that begin with long histories, family connections or carefully cultivated associations. Others begin in a single moment of character. The friendship between Mansur Shehu and the writer belongs to the latter.

Their paths first crossed during the induction programme of a financial regulatory institution in Lagos in 2009/2010. They had known each other for only a few days when Mansur was nominated to serve as class governor. He had every reason to accept. Many of the inductees already knew him from earlier chapters of his life, and he possessed the familiarity, confidence and goodwill to prevail.

Yet, in a gesture that revealed something profound about his nature, he declined the nomination and explained that he had intended to nominate the writer instead.

It was a simple act, but character is often revealed in simple moments. Long before political aspirations, public appointments, consultations and campaign platforms, Mansur demonstrated an uncommon willingness to step aside so that another person might step forward. In a society where advancement is frequently measured only by personal elevation, that instinctive generosity was neither ordinary nor insignificant.

From those early days, their relationship grew beyond professional acquaintance into brotherhood. They became founding members and leading lights of S2010, a social group of colleagues united by the values of self-help, mutual loyalty and community. It was not merely a platform for social interaction, but a fellowship through which members supported one another in moments of celebration, transition, difficulty and need.

Mansur brought to that collective the same qualities that have continued to define him: loyalty, discipline, industry, responsibility and an uncommon readiness to serve. When he chaired the planning committee for the group’s tenth anniversary, he approached the responsibility with seriousness and diligence. The work was exacting, but he mobilised others, attended to details and demonstrated that leadership, for him, was never a ceremonial title. It was a call to labour.

Those who have worked closely with Mansur understand that he is not one of those who seek recognition without responsibility. He believes in the dignity of effort. He understands that communities are not transformed by slogans alone, but by patient organisation, credible ideas, sacrifice, competence and a genuine concern for people.

That same philosophy has driven his repeated efforts to represent the people of the Ringim/Taura Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Three times, he has stepped forward, animated by a clear desire to contribute to the transformation of the area through education, employment, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and community development.

Political contests are rarely gentle. They test conviction, expose the fragility of alliances and often subject sincere aspirations to forces beyond the immediate control of the aspirant. His most recent effort did not progress beyond his party’s screening process.

Yet he did not abandon his vision, withdraw from his people or allow disappointment to extinguish his commitment. He simply continued the work.

That response is itself instructive. There are those whose presence in the community is loudest during election seasons and faintest when the contests are over. Mansur’s engagement has not been defined solely by ballots, party structures or campaign calendars. His humanitarian gestures, interventions of goodwill and support for individuals and communities are known to many who live and work among the people he seeks to serve.

His ambition is therefore best understood not merely as a desire to occupy office, but as an extension of a longer philosophy of service. He believes that leadership should improve lives, expand opportunities and bring institutions closer to ordinary people.

Today, as Senior Special Assistant on MSMEs and Financial Inclusion to the Governor of Jigawa State, Mansur channels that same energy into practical economic empowerment. His portfolio speaks directly to the daily realities of households, young people, women, farmers and small entrepreneurs. It concerns access to finance, support for micro, small and medium enterprises, grassroots participation in the formal economy and the widening of opportunities for those frequently excluded from conventional financial systems.

The alignment between his official responsibility and his constituency aspiration is not accidental. It reflects a consistent policy orientation. He understands that development begins when people are empowered to produce, trade, save, invest and build sustainable livelihoods. He appreciates that a constituency cannot depend indefinitely on patronage, temporary relief or political charity. It must be supported to create enterprise, nurture skills and expand economic participation.

This is especially important in a state such as Jigawa, where the promise of agriculture, commerce, youth enterprise, digital inclusion and small-scale production remains considerable. The transformation of communities such as Ringim and Taura requires leaders who can connect local realities with the instruments of modern development. It requires individuals who understand both the grammar of public institutions and the lived language of the people.

Mansur possesses that combination. His exposure to institutional systems gives him an appreciation of policy, process and administration. His roots in the community ensure that development does not remain abstract. He understands that financial inclusion is not merely a technical expression. It is the market woman gaining access to affordable credit. It is the young graduate receiving support to start an enterprise. It is the farmer accessing finance, insurance and payment systems. It is the artisan moving from subsistence to growth.

The people and leadership of Jigawa State, particularly those of Ringim and Taura, should therefore recognise the potential that resides in this son of the soil. Communities progress when they identify capable men and women, nurture their development and create opportunities for their talents to find meaningful expression.

Conversely, societies lose valuable possibilities when internal rivalry, narrow political calculations or temporary interests prevent competent and public-spirited individuals from contributing at the highest level of their capacity.

A man who declines personal elevation so that another may rise, who labours for community without fanfare, who continues to serve after political disappointment and who repeatedly returns to the aspirations of his people is rare. Such a temperament, combined with administrative experience, organisational ability and a visible passion for development, is an asset that the constituency and the state should nurture rather than overlook.

This is not an argument that political support should be granted without scrutiny. Leadership must always be subjected to questions of competence, credibility, vision and performance. It is, however, an appeal that the people of Ringim, Taura and Jigawa State look beyond the noise of political competition and examine the deeper qualities Mansur brings to public life: discipline, loyalty, humility, compassion, institutional experience, organisational capacity and a sustained commitment to economic empowerment.

For Mansur himself, the message is simple: he must remain steadfast.

The road of public service is rarely smooth. Setbacks are part of the terrain. Rejection, delay and disappointment are among the sternest teachers in political life. Yet history often favours those who persist with integrity, learn from adversity and refuse to allow temporary outcomes to distort their character.

His value is greater than a single contest. His capacity is larger than one political season. His record of friendship, goodwill, public service and community engagement already speaks to a man who understands that leadership begins before office and should continue whether or not office is attained.

He should continue to build bridges, deepen his understanding of the needs of the people, and promote enterprise, education, employment and financial inclusion. Every setback should refine his strategy without corrupting his values. Every disappointment should expand his wisdom without diminishing his humanity.

The true test of a servant-leader is whether he remains accessible when the applause has faded. He must not permit the conduct of others to tempt him into abandoning the principles that have brought him this far.

His future remains bright, at both state and federal levels, because it is being built on something more enduring than temporary advantage. His abilities may find expression through elective office, public appointment, development advocacy, enterprise promotion or a responsibility not yet visible. What matters is that he remains prepared, principled and faithful.

His faith in God is particularly admirable. Faith is most authentic not when the road is smooth, but when a person can stand before disappointment and still believe that divine wisdom is greater than human calculation.

The Qur’an reminds humanity that it may dislike a thing while it is good, and love a thing while it may be harmful. Allah knows, while human beings do not know. That assurance should provide him with both comfort and courage.

What is destined for a person will not pass him by, and what passes him by was never destined for him. No committee, screening arrangement or political calculation can prevent what God has decreed. Yet faith does not demand passivity. It requires continued effort, patience, self-examination and trust.

Philosophically, the measure of a man is not simply how often he is elevated, but how steadily he walks when the path becomes uncertain. Leadership is tested not only by the possession of power, but also by the discipline shown in its absence.

He must keep walking. The harvest belongs to those who do not abandon the field.

Mansur’s previous attempts have not been wasted. They have strengthened his name recognition, expanded his relationships, deepened his understanding of the political terrain and exposed him to the complex architecture of constituency politics. Every experience has added to the reservoir of knowledge he will require for future responsibility.

His supporters should not despair. His community should not underestimate him. His state should not overlook him. Most importantly, he must not surrender to the temporary verdict of circumstance.

For some people, leadership arrives quickly. For others, it comes after life has tested their motives, sharpened their judgment and prepared them for responsibilities greater than those they initially sought.

In an age that frequently rewards noise over substance, Mansur Shehu stands as a reminder that excellence can still be quiet, ambition can still be rooted in service, and loyalty to people and principle remains the surest foundation for lasting impact.

The writer remains proud of the friend he met in Lagos many years ago, the colleague who placed another person’s opportunity before his own, the brother who helped build a community of mutual support, and the public servant who continues to believe in the possibilities of his people.

May Allah strengthen Mansur’s resolve, purify his intentions, enlarge his opportunities and guide him towards the responsibility in which his abilities will produce their greatest benefit. May every present disappointment become preparation for future distinction.

Mansur Shehu’s road remains open. His story remains unfinished. And, by the grace of God, the finest chapter may yet lie ahead.

Mohammed Mohammed Haruna, PhD, mnipr, writes from Abuja.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A senior Nigerian Army officer, Col. Abdussalam A. Ude, has been killed after suspected kidnappers attacked his residence in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The attack occurred on Monday night in the border community near the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Initial reports had incorrectly suggested that the incident took place in Abuja.

According to sources in the community, the gunmen stormed the officer’s residence during a heavy downpour and attempted to abduct him. The officer reportedly resisted the attackers before they shot him several times.

A resident, who is a journalist, and a community leader confirmed the incident.

“They came during the rain. They wanted to kidnap him, but he resisted. He was shot multiple times,” one of the sources said.

The source added that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Kurudu visited the scene on Tuesday and evacuated the deceased’s body to a morgue.

“The DPO of Kurudu was there earlier today. He took the corpse to a morgue,” the source added.

Earlier, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said the incident did not occur within the command’s jurisdiction.

“This didn’t happen under our jurisdiction. It happened in Nasarawa. Contact the Nasarawa command,” she said.

The spokesperson for the Nasarawa State Police Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, also said he was unaware of the incident when contacted.

However, the FCT Police Command later released a statement confirming that its investigation established that the attack took place in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and not within the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the command, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, ordered an investigation immediately after reports of the attack circulated online.

“Investigations revealed that the incident occurred in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, and not within the jurisdiction of the FCT Police Command as falsely portrayed in the circulating publications,” the statement read.

The command criticised reports that placed the incident in Abuja. It said the inaccurate reports created unnecessary panic among residents of the nation’s capital.

“The command is concerned that some blogs and media outlets, in an attempt to gain traction, have deliberately attributed the incident to the FCT, thereby creating unnecessary panic, heightening public anxiety, and misinforming residents of the nation’s capital,” it stated.

The police also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police had directed the deployment of operational and intelligence assets to communities bordering Nasarawa State to prevent criminal elements from entering the FCT.

“The CP FCT command has proactively ordered the immediate deployment of operational and intelligence assets to border communities adjoining the FCT with Nasarawa State, to prevent any attempt by criminal elements to infiltrate the Federal Capital Territory or perpetrate any criminal activity within the nation’s capital,” the statement added.

The command urged media organisations and members of the public to verify security-related information before publication. It warned that inaccurate reports could erode public confidence and create unnecessary fear.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said a statement on the incident was being prepared.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The University of Jos Alumni Association has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged mob killing of one of its members, Ibrahim Mbaya, and urged security agencies to ensure that everyone connected with the incident is brought to justice.

Mbaya, a Jos-based model and alumnus of the University of Jos, reportedly lost his life on Sunday after he was allegedly attacked by a group of youths at an off-campus apartment behind the City of David area along Ring Road in Jos, Plateau State.

The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident and announced the arrest of three suspects identified as Rinji Daniel Fwanji, Emmanuel Newyear and Nensemka Fwanji over the alleged culpable homicide.

According to available reports, Mbaya attended a social event before deciding to spend the night at a friend’s apartment because it was too late for him to return home. He was also said to have been working to resolve an outstanding academic matter at the University of Jos.

The following morning, his friend allegedly informed him that an iPhone was missing and accused him of stealing it because both of them were the only occupants of the apartment. Although Mbaya initially left the premises, he reportedly returned after his friend asked him to come back and explain himself.

Police said he was confronted by his friend and a group of youths after his return. The group allegedly accused him of stealing the phone before assaulting him with sticks and other objects for several hours in an attempt to force a confession. He eventually lost consciousness, while a nurse who examined him later reportedly confirmed that he had died.

The command also disclosed that one of the suspects appeared in a viral video allegedly hitting the deceased with a large wooden plank.

Reacting to the incident, the University of Jos Alumni Association condemned the killing in a statement issued on Tuesday. The association described the attack as “barbaric, unjustifiable, and a gross violation of the right to life.”

“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the gruesome killing of our colleague and brother, Ibrahim Mbaya,” the statement read.

“No Nigerian deserves to die in such a manner, irrespective of any allegation against them.”

The association urged the relevant authorities to speed up investigations, arrest every person involved in the incident and ensure that those responsible face justice.

“We demand justice for Ibrahim Mbaya. The rule of law must prevail and not mob action,” the association stated, urging the police to make public the findings of their investigation.

The alumni body also appealed to governments at all levels to intensify public awareness campaigns against jungle justice and strengthen measures aimed at protecting lives and property.

“This incident should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. We must collectively reject mob killings and allow due process to take its course,” the statement added.

The association also expressed sympathy to Mbaya’s family and pledged its support in their pursuit of justice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A court in the United Kingdom has sentenced a 19-year-old Nigerian student, Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola, to seven years in prison after convicting him of robbery, blackmail and assault linked to a violent attack on partygoers in Leicestershire.

According to the BBC, Leicester Crown Court also sentenced Richile Vangu, 20, to 11 years’ imprisonment over the same offences. The sentences were handed down on Monday by trial judge Steven Evans.

The court heard that the incident occurred during a house party in North Kilworth, Leicestershire, on November 21, 2025. Evans said Vangu masterminded a plan to intimidate guests with a knife and force them to perform dances that would later appear on social media. He added that Akinrinola was among those recruited to execute the scheme.

The judge said the pair forced at least eight men into a bedroom, threatened them with a large knife and stole designer clothing and an iPhone.

The BBC reported that Vangu demanded £1,000 from each victim. He allegedly threatened to stab anyone who refused to pay before ordering them to perform TikTok dances.

The report stated that some victims who could not transfer the money immediately were instructed to report later that day to student accommodation on Bath Lane.

When they arrived, Akinrinola allegedly forced some of the men to perform star jumps and high knees before punching them several times.

The court also heard that Vangu whipped some of the victims with a belt, fired a BB gun at their heads and threatened to cut off their dreadlocks if they failed to make the requested payments. He later uploaded videos from both locations to TikTok.

While delivering judgment, Evans said Akinrinola had acted under Vangu’s influence. However, he concluded that the Nigerian student played a significant role in the crimes.

The judge held that although Akinrinola was “subservient” to Vangu, he played “an essential part” in the offences.

Vangu was convicted on four counts of robbery, 10 counts of blackmail and one count of actual bodily harm.

Akinrinola was found guilty of nine counts of blackmail, four counts of robbery and two counts of actual bodily harm. The court, however, acquitted him on one count of blackmail.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a National Housing Finance Authority (NHFA) as part of efforts to improve access to affordable housing finance across Nigeria.

The proposal was unveiled by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, during a stakeholders’ validation workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Darma said the proposed authority would be created under a new national mortgage industry policy. He explained that the initiative would strengthen mortgage financing, reposition the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and widen participation in the National Housing Fund (NHF).

He said the planned reforms would allow traders, artisans and other workers in the informal sector to participate in the NHF. The minister added that contributors would be able to join the scheme with monthly payments starting from ₦5,000.

According to him, the initiative is expected to promote financial inclusion and create more opportunities for Nigerians to own affordable homes.

The minister also highlighted the growing importance of the real estate sector to the country’s economy. He said the sector now contributes about 13.4 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with an estimated value of about ₦41 trillion. He noted that it has become the country’s third-largest sector following the rebasing of the national accounts.

He further stated that the combined value of the real estate and construction sectors exceeded ₦77 trillion in 2025.

“After the rebasing of our accounts, real estate services alone account for about 13.4 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, roughly N41 trillion,” the minister said.

“It is our third-largest sector, ahead of telecommunications and crude oil. With construction added, the two crossed N77 trillion in 2025.

“Dubai is smaller than Kano. The difference is not money. The difference is trust, and trust is manufactured by regulation.”

Darma said improved regulation and stronger housing finance would increase investor confidence and encourage greater private sector investment in the housing industry.

He added that the government is proposing the establishment of a National Housing Industry Regulatory Commission to improve oversight of property developers and mortgage operators.

According to the minister, the planned reforms form part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reduce the country’s housing deficit, improve affordability and support sustainable urban development.

Earlier, on January 19, the Federal Government announced a new national housing strategy that focuses on land reforms, urban renewal and public-private partnerships (PPPs) as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s housing shortage.

By Zainab Yusuf

The chair is still there. But the chair remains empty.

If you have ever lost someone you loved, you know this feeling. Grief is strange that way. It doesn’t only announce itself at funerals or cemeteries. It hides in familiar voices you no longer hear, in old photographs, and in phone numbers that are impossible to delete.

Grief is one of the few experiences that spares no one. It crosses every boundary—age, religion, wealth, education and nationality. Yet despite being universal, it remains one of the least understood human experiences. Society expects mourners to “move on,” even when their hearts are still learning how to beat around an empty space.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that millions of people each year experience bereavement following the death of loved ones, while humanitarian crises, conflicts and disease outbreaks continue to expose even more families to profound loss. Researchers estimate that around 7–10% of bereaved adults develop prolonged grief disorder, a condition where intense grief persists far beyond what is culturally expected and significantly interferes with daily functioning.

In 2022, the American Psychiatric Association officially recognized Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Similarly, the World Health Organization included Prolonged Grief Disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), acknowledging that grief can sometimes become a serious mental health condition requiring professional support.

Swiss-American psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross introduced the famous five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance—in 1969. Yet decades later, researchers caution against treating those stages as a checklist.

Psychologist George Bonanno, one of the world’s leading grief researchers, found that human beings grieve in remarkably different ways. Some cry every day. Others rarely cry at all. Some recover relatively quickly. Others carry grief for years.

Grief Has No Timeline

Faith Does Not Cancel Tears

Across cultures and religions, grief is treated not as failure but as part of being human.

When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lost his infant son Ibrahim, tears flowed from his eyes. He said: “The eyes shed tears, the heart grieves, but we say only what pleases our Lord.”

His response has comforted grieving Muslims for centuries. Likewise, the Bible records perhaps its most famous expression of sorrow in just two words: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

Neither Islam nor Christianity teaches believers to suppress grief. Instead, both remind humanity that faith and sorrow can exist together.

Sociologists like Tony Walter argue against older, psychoanalytic models that suggest the goal of grief is to “let go” or detach from the deceased. Instead, they highlight that individuals often maintain an ongoing, internal, or virtual relationship with the deceased, keeping their memory alive in daily life and collective storytelling.

Grief wears many faces.

Like the university student who lost his mum.

“Some days, I just want to hear her say, ‘I’m proud of you.’ My mum meant everything to me. Losing her felt like everything in my life would fall apart,” he said.

Although his mother is gone, he says her influence remains alive in the relationships she built during her lifetime.

“I keep her memory alive by maintaining the relationships she had while she was alive. In that way, a part of her continues to live through the people she loved.”

The Last Word

There is a Hausa proverb:

“Mutuwa ba ta da rana.”

Death has no appointed day. It arrives without invitation. Without negotiation.

Call your parents, visit your grandparents, forgive your sibling, tell your friend you love them.

Because one ordinary day will become the day you remember forever.

And when grief finally comes knocking, as it eventually does for every human being, may it find you with as few regrets as possible.

In the end, we are remembered not by the years we lived…

…but by the love we left behind.

Zainab Yusuf writes from Kogi State, Nigeria and can be reached via yusufzainab808@gmail.com.