By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigerians residing in South Africa have urged the Federal Government to take firm measures to safeguard their lives and businesses amid rising xenophobic tensions in the country.

The call was made by the President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), Rev. Frank Onyekwelu, in a statement issued on Sunday. His appeal comes as anti-foreigner protests intensify across several South African cities, with demonstrators reportedly targeting businesses owned by foreign nationals and demanding their expulsion.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) had earlier advised citizens in South Africa to temporarily shut down their businesses and remain indoors for safety. The commission’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the directive followed a notice from the Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg.

NiDCOM disclosed that protests in areas such as East London, Cape Town, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal have turned violent. Incidents of looting, property damage, and injuries have been reported. The commission also warned of planned demonstrations in Gauteng province between April 27 and 29. It noted that foreign-owned businesses are often the main targets during such unrest. Nigerians were therefore advised to close their shops on April 27, which marks South Africa’s Freedom Day, and possibly remain closed until April 29.

According to Daily Trust, despite the advisory, many Nigerians have criticised the Federal Government on social media. They argued that asking citizens to stay indoors does not address the root of the problem or guarantee their safety.

Meanwhile, Ghana has taken diplomatic steps over a related incident involving one of its citizens. Authorities in Accra summoned South Africa’s acting High Commissioner, Thando Dalamba, after a viral video showed a Ghanaian being harassed. Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the victim was a legal resident and condemned the act. The country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Ablakwa, also announced plans to relocate the victim, Emmanuel Asamoa, at government expense. The move followed direct engagement with South African authorities, which led to official apologies and diplomatic discussions.

In its statement, NICASA expressed strong concern over what it described as a growing pattern of hostility against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

Onyekwelu said, “We are alarmed by the increasing normalisation of hostility, manifested through inflammatory rhetoric by certain political actors, unlawful intimidation, and discriminatory enforcement practices by some law enforcement personnel.

“These actions not only undermine human dignity but also threaten the long-standing bonds of African solidarity.”

The association called for immediate high-level diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and South Africa. It also demanded a clear system for reporting and addressing cases of harassment, abuse, and xenophobic attacks. NICASA further requested accountability for security personnel found guilty of misconduct and urged the Nigerian government to reassure its citizens of their protection abroad.

The group warned that xenophobia contradicts the vision of African unity and called for a coordinated response through the African Union and regional bodies.

Reacting to the situation, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the government is awaiting updates from its missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg. He stated, “[We are] waiting for updates from our Missions in Pretoria and Johannesburg”.

Diplomatic experts have also weighed in on the development. A former President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Ambassador Martin Ihoeghian Uhomoibhi, condemned the attacks and urged Nigeria to respond decisively.

He said, “The Federal Government should take strict action.

“You cannot go to sleep when you are being publicly attacked. Nigeria should act and act very simply and promptly.”

Uhomoibhi dismissed suggestions that Nigerians should leave South Africa, adding, “That is not the solution. You [Nigeria] should take diplomatic action.”

“The game of diplomacy is reciprocity. You slap me, I slap you back. In diplomacy. If you keep quiet, you portray yourself as a sleepy dog or something or a nobody.”

On his part, former Nigerian ambassador to Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Angola, Suleiman Dahiru, said Nigeria’s options are largely limited to diplomatic engagement.

He explained that while the attacks are “totally misplaced,” addressing them remains the responsibility of South African authorities.

“Nigeria has engaged South Africa on so many occasions. This is a diplomatic issue, and it is being handled diplomatically,” he said.

Dahiru also rejected claims that Nigerians are responsible for job losses in South Africa, describing such arguments as baseless.

“They are not working for any state government in South Africa. They are not working for any local government. So, to blame them for taking away jobs that should normally go to them is totally wrong,” he said.

He added that most African migrants operate private businesses and should not be blamed unfairly. “Nobody has stopped South African blacks from doing what other Africans are doing. Let them set up their own businesses and get their own people to patronise them,” he said.

However, Dahiru advised migrants to be mindful of how they are perceived. He noted that displays of unexplained wealth could create suspicion among locals.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Islamic cleric, Dr. Ahmad Mahmood Gumi, has called on relevant authorities to review the Nigeria Police Force dress code to accommodate Muslim women.

In a Facebook post shared on Sunday, Gumi directed his appeal to the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the Police Service Commission (PSC), and the National Assembly.

He stressed the need for individuals of strong moral standing to be part of the police, which he described as a key institution responsible for internal security. He, however, argued that the current dress code excludes Muslim women because it does not provide for religiously compliant attire.

“It is important that people of character and chastity should join the police as a very vital institution of internal security. The present dress code is exclusive of Muslim women since it has no provision for the Hijab and long trousers to cover her body as stipulated by the Quran and Sunnah.”

Gumi also drew comparisons with practices in other countries, noting that Muslim women are permitted to wear the hijab in official roles.

“Even in the UK and many countries, Muslim women enjoy the privilege of the HIJAB, Nigeria should not be different.”

He urged the Police Service Commission and the National Assembly to take immediate steps to address the issue.

“Please act through the Police Service Commission and the National Assembly to rectify this anomaly immediately.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Military operations in the Niger Delta have dealt a major blow to economic saboteurs, with troops arresting nine suspected oil thieves and confiscating products worth over ₦250 million between April 1 and 26, 2026.

The crackdown, led by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in coordination with other security agencies, resulted in the deactivation of ten illegal refining sites. Security forces seized more than 130,000 litres of stolen crude oil and over 26,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) across the region.

In Rivers State, troops acting on intelligence intercepted an abandoned truck loaded with 45,000 litres of stolen products at Ukpeye Community along the East-West Road. At Orashi National Forest, a massive reservoir containing over 35,000 litres of stolen crude was uncovered, while another reservoir yielded 26,000 litres of illegally refined AGO.

Additional discoveries in Rivers included 266 sacks with 17,760 litres of stolen products at Ebocha, Omoku, and four drum ovens with 50 sacks holding over 3,000 litres of crude at Abessa Forest.

In Delta State, troops found a tapping point with a dugout storage pit containing over 2,700 litres of stolen products near Obazogbe Community. In Akwa Ibom State, 45 bags holding 1,350 litres of illegally refined AGO were uncovered at Ikot Ekpene LGA, though suspects fled the scene.

Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, praised troops for their resilience and urged them to maintain the operational tempo against economic saboteurs across the Niger Delta Region.

By Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu

Politics often produces strange moments, but every now and then a controversy emerges that says more about a society than it first appears. The recent uproar in Kano over viral images of women displaying red underwear allegedly linked to supporters of the state government is one such moment. What began as social media comedy quickly evolved into a serious conversation about political culture, digital misinformation, public dignity and the growing danger of supporter excesses in Nigeria’s democracy.

At the centre of the controversy are competing narratives. One version claims the act was staged by enthusiastic supporters seeking to mock the red symbolism associated with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya movement. Another insists no government official procured or distributed such items, and that the women involved purchased them independently as a form of protest. A third line of argument points to manipulated or AI-generated images, especially those showing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s photograph printed on the underwear.

Whichever version one believes, the broader lesson lies elsewhere. In the age of instant virality, perception often outruns fact. Once provocative visuals hit the internet, they begin to live independent lives. By the time clarifications arrive, opinions are already formed, jokes already shared, and reputations already bruised. That is the brutal logic of modern information warfare.

This is why the Kano episode should not be dismissed as mere comedy. It highlights how politics in Nigeria is increasingly shifting from policy contests to symbolic warfare. Rather than debates over education, healthcare, water supply, youth unemployment or urban planning, public attention is hijacked by spectacles designed to humiliate opponents and energise online loyalists. The result is a shrinking space for serious governance discourse.

Kano is especially vulnerable to this kind of politics because of its unique political history. The state is one of Nigeria’s most politically conscious arenas, where colours, slogans, movements and personalities carry deep emotional weight. The red cap is not merely fashion; it represents a political identity. Any attempt to ridicule that identity will naturally provoke backlash. Supporters may consider such mockery clever mobilisation, but politics rooted in humiliation often boomerangs.

There is also an uncomfortable gender dimension to the saga. Across Nigeria, women are too often reduced to props in political performances—assembled for rallies, tokenised for optics, or used to dramatise partisan messages. Whether voluntary or orchestrated, any political theatre that places women at the centre of ridicule or sensationalism raises ethical questions. Political communication should elevate citizens, not use them as instruments of mockery.

For the Kano State Government, the greater challenge may not be the incident itself but how it is managed. Governments today do not only govern roads and budgets; they govern narratives. Silence can sometimes be wise, but in a digital environment, prolonged silence can also create a vacuum into which falsehood rushes. A vacuum of credible information often becomes fertile ground for stereotypes.

That is why communication experts increasingly advise a strategy of rapid clarification and narrative replacement. Rather than angrily chasing every rumour, a government can calmly provide facts, support independent fact-checking, and then redirect public attention to measurable achievements. If the public conversation is trapped on underwear for days, then governance has already lost valuable oxygen.

There is wisdom in the suggestion that the state should flood the public space with verifiable stories of schools rehabilitated, hospitals improved, roads completed, youth programmes launched, and social interventions delivered. This is not propaganda when the facts are genuine. It is simply the discipline of agenda-setting: ensuring governance performance is louder than viral nonsense.

Equally important is internal message control among supporters. Many governments underestimate the damage their unofficial defenders can cause. Overzealous loyalists often believe they are helping, while in reality, they create liabilities. Mockery, coded insults and reckless satire may thrill partisan circles, but they alienate undecided citizens and embarrass the leaders they claim to defend.

This is not a Kano problem alone. Across Nigeria, politicians increasingly face a paradox: their strongest online supporters can also become their biggest reputational risk. In a hyperconnected society, one foolish stunt can overshadow months of policy work. That reality demands more disciplined political engagement from parties and movements nationwide.

The final lesson is simple. Leadership should be measured by competence, compassion and delivery—not by who wins the latest viral skirmish. Kano deserves national attention for industrial revival, educational progress, urban reform and social development, not for underwear controversies. If this episode prompts a rethink of political conduct, media literacy and supporter behaviour, then an embarrassing moment may yet produce a useful correction.

Democracy is serious business. When politics becomes a permanent performance, everyone eventually loses.

Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu is a journalist and syndicate writer based in Abuja.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with other stakeholders, has sustained discussions on food security, policy communication, and stakeholder engagement during the 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week (NPRW) in Kaduna.

The programme, which carried the theme “Policy making to Public plate”, began on April 19, 2026, at the Brigadier General Abba Kyari Banquet Hall. It drew the presence of Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima and Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sanni. Communication experts, policymakers, and media professionals from across Nigeria also attended to examine issues linked to food inflation and food security.

Customs maintained a notable presence throughout the event. More than 29 Public Relations Officers from the Service took part in the week-long activities. Their participation reflects efforts by the agency to improve communication systems, deepen engagement with stakeholders, and uphold high standards in public relations practice.

One of the key moments at the event was a panel discussion that examined how strategic communication can help address food inflation and improve public awareness of government actions on food security.

During the session, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, stressed the importance of communication in both policy design and execution, especially in areas such as trade facilitation and border control.

Maiwada asserted that “Even at the implementation stage of any policy, communication is critical,” he said. “Without clearly communicating these policies to the public, they may not achieve the desired impact. When people understand how policies affect them, they are more likely to align with them.”

He added that clear communication helps to build trust, shape public opinion, and secure support for government initiatives, particularly when dealing with challenges like food inflation and supply chain disruptions.

Other speakers at the session, including Pan-African Parliament Ambassador for Food Security, Ambassador Bryiyne Chitsunge, and communication specialist Agnes Bassey, pointed to climate change and insecurity as key factors driving food inflation. They warned that poor communication around these issues often leads to misunderstanding and the spread of false information.

Participants also called for responsible, data-driven reporting by the media and urged stronger cooperation between government agencies and journalists to ensure balanced coverage of food security and national development matters.

As part of activities lined up for the event, the National Public Relations Officer hosted a dinner for Public Relations Officers at the B.A. Adeniyi Officers’ Mess in Kaduna. The gathering offered an informal setting for officers to interact and strengthen professional ties.

The dinner had in attendance the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Zone B, Nsika Umoh, and the Comptroller of Kaduna Area Command, Sa’ad Hassan, along with other officers present at the conference.

Speaking at the event, ACG Umoh praised the strong sense of unity among officers in the Public Relations Unit, noting that the environment reflected a spirit of teamwork and mutual support.

By Nasir Yakub

As time races toward May 29, 2027, when Bala Mohammed exits office, uncertainty has become the loudest voice in his political camp.

Those around him who harbour ambitions for governorship, National Assembly seats, state assembly positions, or other elective offices may be heading into avoidable doom — not because they lack aspiration, capacity or relevance — but because they remain tied to a leader who now appears politically unattached, operating like a freelance politician with no clear party destination.

The questions are no longer minor. They are urgent.

Will they remain in an “alive but dead” Peoples Democratic Party, a platform steadily losing strength, structure and national momentum?

Will they gamble on the emerging African Democratic Congress and hope it grows fast enough into a serious electoral vehicle before the race fully begins?

Or will they attempt the near-impossible route into the ruling All Progressives Congress, where tickets are neither cheap, automatic, nor freely handed to late arrivals?

These are not ordinary questions. They are questions of political survival.

As for Bala himself, the road ahead appears just as uncertain.

Does he remain in PDP and risk sinking with a weakened structure?

Does he seek refuge in APC, where political realignment may offer renewed relevance, stronger federal connections, and breathing space against looming anti-corruption scrutiny?

Or does he move into ADC, positioning himself as a heavyweight opposition figure ready for a fresh national bargaining table?

Every option carries gain. Every option carries danger. But delay now carries the highest danger of all.

Politics rewards movement, not hesitation.

While some are still waiting for signals, others are already building structures. While some remain loyal in silence, rivals are already negotiating alliances. While some hope for last-minute direction, others are quietly securing delegates, mobilising resources, and planting their flags ward by ward.

That is how elections are won long before voting day.

Those waiting endlessly around Bala should understand one hard truth: loyalty without direction can become political self-sabotage.

Aspirants need time. Structures need nurturing. Supporters need certainty. Defections need timing. Campaigns need preparation. None of these things flourish in confusion.

The tragedy ahead may not be that Bala loses influence. The real tragedy may be that many around him lose opportunities simply because they waited too long for one man to decide.

Time waits for no one.

And the earlier Bala chooses a road, the better for those whose futures still hang on his next move.

Because when the final whistle sounds, excuses will not be on the ballot.

Nasir Yakub writes from Bauchi State Nigeria and can be reached via nasiryakub990@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State, Most Rev. Dr Matthew Kukah, has called on Nigerians to stop describing him as a Hausa man.

Kukah clarified that although he is often labelled that way, his identity does not align with such a description. He made the statement during the 16th convocation ceremony of the university, held at its auditorium on Saturday.

He urged graduating students to maintain good character in their dealings with their parents, the university community, Anambra State, the South-East, and Nigeria at large.

He also commended the Anambra State Government for its investment in education, noting that the state continues to perform strongly in the sector when compared with other parts of the country.

Kukah said:

“I am a typical Nigerian from Anchuna, Ikulu Chiefdom in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, but not a Hausa man by origin. Nigerians should stop addressing me as a Hausa person.

“As the new Chancellor of this institution, we will not only strive to achieve the university’s goals, but surpass them.”

He expressed appreciation to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his appointment as Chancellor of the institution. The governor formally installed him during the ceremony.

Governor Soludo, in his remarks, expressed satisfaction while decorating Kukah as Chancellor. He said he believed the cleric’s experience and moral standing would strengthen the university.

Soludo said:

“It was a great honour to be present at the 16th Convocation Ceremony of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University as a visitor to this great institution.

“The ceremony was a celebration of excellence, hard work, and the power of quality education. It was also a reminder of the critical role universities play in training skilled manpower, shaping character, advancing knowledge, and preparing young people to contribute meaningfully to society.

“I was particularly delighted to decorate the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, as the new Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

“I am confident that his wisdom, experience, and moral leadership will further strengthen the vision and standing of the university.

“In recognition of exceptional academic achievement, I announced a ₦4 million cash gift to Somtochukwu Augustus Ume of the Economics Department, who emerged as the overall best graduating student at COOU’s 16th Convocation with an outstanding CGPA of 4.85 out of 5.0.

“I also offered scholarships to 37 first-class graduates of the university’s 16th Convocation to support their postgraduate studies up to the highest level at any public university of their choice.”

He further charged the institution to focus on producing solution-driven graduates rather than mere certificate holders.

“Our institutions of higher learning must go beyond awarding certificates; they must raise innovative, solution-driven, and globally competitive graduates who can respond to the challenges of our time.

“To the graduands, I urged them to seize the moment and emerge as beacons of hope, disruptive thinkers, and agents of change in society. The future belongs to those who are prepared to lead with courage, creativity, and purpose,” he added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were quickly escorted out of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after gunshots were heard outside the venue.

Authorities confirmed that both leaders were unharmed. President Trump later stated that the situation had been brought under control, adding that the suspect had been apprehended. He also disclosed that the attacker was “armed with multiple weapons.”

Security personnel moved swiftly to shield the president during the incident. Footage aired by CNN showed officers surrounding Mr Trump on stage before leading him out. He reportedly stumbled briefly during the evacuation.

Officials later identified the suspect as Cole Allen, a 31-year-old resident of Los Angeles who worked as a teacher and video game developer.

Law enforcement authorities said the suspect was present at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the event was held. The motive behind the shooting has not yet been established.

“Preliminary information. We do believe he was a guest here at the hotel,” CNN quotes the Interim Chief at the Metropolitan Police Department, Jeffery Carroll, as saying at a news conference late Saturday (US time).

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A legal practitioner, Abdurrahman Muhammad Jariri, has accused personnel of the Nigerian Army of reckless conduct and intimidation, following an incident he said occurred in Sokoto.

Jariri made the allegation in a Facebook post, where he claimed that soldiers in a convoy acted aggressively while he was driving with a friend in the city.

According to him, the incident happened amid heavy traffic, when the military convoy approached from behind. He alleged that the soldiers shouted and applied pressure on road users to clear the way, despite the congestion.

Jariri stated that he could not immediately move his vehicle due to the traffic situation. He further alleged that the soldiers then rammed into his car.

He said, “Today in Sokoto, while I was driving my car with a friend, a convoy of soldiers suddenly approached us from behind, shouting, applying pressure, and wielding sticks, insisting that we must give way despite the heavy traffic and congestion on the road.”

He added, “Our inability to immediately clear the way due to the traffic situation did not deter them; instead, they deliberately rammed into my vehicle while continuing to shout aggressively.”

The lawyer described the action as reckless and inhumane. He claimed that such behaviour reflects a pattern of alleged abuse against civilians.

Jariri also announced his intention to seek legal redress against the Nigerian Army and its leadership.

“I will certainly take legal action against the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff, and the respective military authorities in Sokoto and Kebbi States, in order to hold them accountable and teach them a lesson for the reckless and inhumane actions of their personnel,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army has not issued an official response to the allegations.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division, working alongside other security agencies, have dismantled a major hideout of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The operation, which took place on April 24, 2026, along the Ubaha Orsu axis, was part of a clearance mission aimed at rooting out criminal elements in the South East. According to a statement released by the Army, troops acted on credible intelligence and came under heavy fire from armed criminals while approaching the suspected stronghold. The ensuing gunfight saw troops repel multiple ambushes, forcing the terrorists to flee.

Following the clearance, a search of the camp led to the discovery of shallow graves, suspected to contain the remains of two military personnel—Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew—who were abducted and killed by IPOB/ESN in May 2022 while traveling for their traditional wedding.

The exhumed remains have been secured for forensic analysis, including DNA testing, to confirm their identities. The Army said it is liaising with the families of the deceased for proper identification and a dignified burial.

The military described the find as further proof of the group’s atrocities and disregard for human life, reaffirming its commitment to eradicating criminal networks in the region. Citizens have been urged to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies.