Nigeria

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A former commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Dr. Isma’il Tanko Wudilawa, has raised concerns over what he described as the growing involvement of women in terrorist operations across northern Nigeria. He said insurgent groups now rely on women for logistics, intelligence gathering, and other forms of support.

Wudilawa said sustained military operations have pushed many terrorists into remote hideouts. As a result, he explained, the groups now depend heavily on civilian networks, particularly women, to maintain communication channels and transport supplies.

According to him, some women convey food, clothing, medicines, weapons, and, in certain cases, other women to terrorists hiding in forested areas.

His remarks followed recent arrests of women allegedly linked to terrorist logistics in Borno State.

One of the suspects, Hauwa Abulazeez, 65, was reportedly arrested in Askira Uba Local Government Area with 14 compressed blocks of cannabis allegedly destined for terrorists.

In another case, security operatives arrested Kellu Abba, 50, in Kukawa Local Government Area. She was allegedly transporting food items and personal belongings to her son, who has been identified as a suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Commenting on the trend, Wudilawa said women have long played different roles within terrorist networks, especially in intelligence gathering.

> “All these atrocities are committed with the support of women from the very beginning.

“All the things we do, we do with women. They know our routines.

“Till today, women are used as informants. They provide information about the movements of targeted individuals within and outside communities.”



He said terrorist groups exploit the trust communities place in women. He noted that the groups often use them as couriers and intelligence sources.

The security expert attributed the involvement of some women to poverty, illiteracy, greed, and the pursuit of financial gain. However, he stressed that not all of them participate willingly.

According to him, some women are threatened or compelled to assist terrorist groups. He said he witnessed such situations during his years of fighting the Boko Haram insurgency.

Wudilawa also expressed concern that some members of the public interfere with security operations. He said some people confront or even attack security personnel while they carry out lawful arrests and investigations.

He urged Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes.

The former JTF commander also called on the government to improve economic opportunities and address the social conditions that make criminal activities attractive. He said better livelihoods would help reduce recruitment into banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army is set for its largest peacetime expansion in decades, with President Bola Tinubu approving the creation of four additional divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 personnel, according to a presidential statement issued Thursday.

The restructuring, which will take the army’s divisional strength from eight to twelve, is designed to deepen military presence across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and shorten response times to security emergencies. The new divisions will be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, bringing the total number of command headquarters to twelve.

The phased implementation, which runs until December 2026, reflects what officials describe as a calculated approach to force modernisation. Phase one, due by September 2026, will activate the 5th Division in Makurdi, 9th Division in Ilorin, and 10th Division in Jalingo, alongside the reorganisation of existing formations. Phase two will see the establishment of the 83rd Division in Benin City by December 2026.

Each division will cover between two and five states, with the 82nd Division in Enugu responsible for five South-Eastern states—the largest territorial coverage. The 7th Division in Maiduguri will continue to anchor counter-insurgency operations in Borno and Yobe, while the new 10th Division in Jalingo will oversee Taraba and Adamawa, strengthening the military’s grip on the North-East corridor.

Beyond troop numbers, the President has also approved the acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, alongside enhanced welfare packages for service members. Officials say these investments are intended to address long-standing gaps in operational readiness and morale.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga emphasised that the expansion would “significantly improve command and control” and “decentralise operational decision-making,” allowing field commanders greater autonomy to respond to local threats. The move is also expected to bolster border security and protect critical national infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities in the South-South, which will now fall under the newly established 83rd Division in Benin City.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, has been lauded by the President for the army’s professionalism, with Tinubu pledging continued support to ensure the force remains “fully capable of protecting the nation.”

Security analysts view the expansion as a clear signal of the administration’s intent to adopt a more proactive, geographically distributed approach to national defence, moving away from the over-centralised command structure that has historically hampered rapid response to crises.

The announcement comes amid ongoing operations against insurgents, bandits, and separatist agitators, with the new divisions expected to ease the burden on overstretched units and improve intelligence gathering at the grassroots level.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the ongoing voter registration exercise until the latest possible date before the 2027 general elections.

Obi made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday. He argued that an extension would give more eligible Nigerians the opportunity to register and participate in the electoral process.

According to him, the request is necessary because “every day, more young Nigerians attain the age of 18 and become constitutionally eligible to vote.”

“They are not just our future; they are stakeholders in our present. It would be unfortunate if many of them were denied the opportunity to exercise their civic responsibility simply because the registration process closed long before the elections,” he said.

Obi also cited a Federal High Court judgment delivered on November 22, 2022, in Anaja Salmat & 3 Others v. INEC (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1342/2022). He said the ruling held that voter registration should continue until 90 days before a general election “to protect the constitutional voting rights of eligible Nigerians.”

The former Anambra State governor acknowledged the challenges involved in organising elections. He recognised INEC’s responsibility to conduct free, fair and credible polls. He also noted the need for enough time to clean the voter register and complete logistical arrangements.

He, however, urged the electoral commission to ensure that the registration process encourages wider participation.

“As we continue to encourage Nigerians to participate actively in our democracy, I respectfully appeal to INEC to consider extending the voter registration window to the latest practical date that still allows adequate time for the preparation of a credible voters’ register before the 2027 general elections,” Obi said.

“However, our electoral process should, as much as possible, maximise participation rather than limit it. A democracy is strengthened when every eligible citizen has the opportunity to be heard,” he added.

Obi further called on INEC to “adopt a registration timeline that protects the integrity of the process while ensuring that no eligible Nigerian, especially our young people, is unnecessarily disenfranchised.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Billionaire businessman and Chairman of First HoldCo, Femi Otedola, has increased his ownership in the financial institution to 21.96 percent after purchasing additional shares worth N77.58 billion.

A share dealing disclosure by an insider, which was filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), showed that Otedola acquired 706.13 million shares through his investment company, Calvados Global Services Limited.

The latest purchase increased his stake in First HoldCo from 20.42 percent to 21.96 percent. It also raised the number of shares under his control from 9.28 billion to 9.99 billion.

Based on the company’s closing share price on Wednesday, the value of Otedola’s total investment in First HoldCo has risen to about N1.04 trillion.

The latest valuation marks a sharp increase from June 18, when his holdings in the company were estimated at N566.43 billion.

The acquisition follows another major investment made by Otedola last month. He bought 680 million shares in First HoldCo through a private placement at a cost of N29.6 billion, further strengthening his position as the company’s largest shareholder.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on the National Assembly to invite the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) to explain what he described as conflicting accounts over the bank accounts of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).

Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. He argued that the contradictory positions taken by the CBN and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) have raised serious concerns about the credibility of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to the former vice-president, the testimony presented by the CBN before the House of Representatives differs sharply from the earlier position of the OAGF regarding the opening of the PFIPC accounts.

He alleged that the conflicting explanations point to an effort to conceal the circumstances surrounding the accounts.

“This is where the cover-up appears to begin. One institution denied authorising the opening of the PFIPC accounts and alleged forgery,” he said.


“Another, before the representatives of the Nigerian people, stated that the accounts were opened on the directive of the Accountant-General after due process was followed. Both accounts cannot be true.”



Atiku also said the inconsistencies have left the administration caught in what he described as a “web of deception.”

“When two of your most sensitive financial and monetary authorities publicly contradict each other on the same transaction, no serious leader needs a clairvoyant to know that his administration is trapped in a web of deception and a profound crisis of credibility,” he stated.



“The President cannot continue to watch from the sidelines while his government tears itself apart with conflicting narratives.”



The ADC presidential candidate challenged President Tinubu to state which account of events he accepts.

“President Tinubu must answer a simple question: Which version does he believe—the Accountant-General’s or the Central Bank’s? If he believes neither, why has he not acted?” he said.



“Every day he delays ordering a truly independent investigation, he deepens public suspicion that preserving his administration’s image has taken precedence over establishing the truth.”



Atiku further argued that the silence of the Attorney-General of the Federation has worsened the controversy.

“The continued silence of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the nation’s chief law officer, only compounds this credibility crisis and reinforces the perception that this administration is more interested in containing the political fallout than uncovering the truth,” he stated.



He urged the National Assembly to invite both the CBN governor and the Accountant-General to appear together before its investigative committee under oath.

“If a single individual could allegedly orchestrate a scheme that has thrown two of Nigeria’s most critical financial and monetary authorities into public contradiction, Nigerians are entitled to ask how many other abuses may have escaped detection because of weak oversight and institutional failure,” he said.



Atiku also called on President Tinubu to order an independent investigation into the matter.

By Uzair Adam

The Jigawa State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the death of a 60-year-old man who reportedly suffered a medical emergency at a hotel in Dutse, the state capital.

Police said the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 12:50 p.m. after the man, who had checked into the hotel with a 20-year-old woman, developed breathing difficulties shortly after ordering a meal.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, said officers from the Yalwawa Police Division responded to a distress call and immediately rushed the victim to the General Hospital, Dutse, where doctors confirmed him dead.

Shiisu said detectives secured the scene and conducted a preliminary investigation, during which they recovered food items, beverages, a suspected sexual enhancement substance and other personal belongings for forensic analysis.

He noted that all exhibits were properly preserved as part of efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to the police spokesman, the deceased’s body was released to his family for burial after medical certification of death and completion of the necessary procedures.

He added that the 20-year-old woman who accompanied the deceased is cooperating with investigators by providing information to help establish the sequence of events leading to the man’s death.

The Commissioner of Police in Jigawa State assured residents that the investigation would be carried out professionally, thoroughly and impartially.

He also urged members of the public to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information that could hamper the investigation or cause unnecessary panic.

Shiisu said the police would provide further updates as the investigation progresses.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a ₦2 billion donation for the revitalisation of the Akwete weaving industry during her maiden visit to the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Village in Abia State on Tuesday.

Mrs Tinubu, who described the visit as a personal engagement rather than a formal event, said she would personally wear an Akwete wrapper if her husband, President Bola Tinubu, secures a second term in office.

“If God brings my husband in a second time, I’ll be wearing a buba and wrapper made from Akwete. I am going to be wearing that because it is very soft breathable cotton,” she stated.

The First Lady commended the women of the cooperative for their passion and resilience in preserving the craft across generations. She noted that young people in the community were continuing the family tradition, describing it as “a craft transferred from generation to generation.”

Mrs Tinubu explained that she had approached the visit informally, opting to spend time with the women rather than follow a scripted programme. She came without a prepared speech because the trip was intended as personal engagement.

She thanked Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, describing him as a good man. The First Lady recalled reaching out to his wife in the past specifically to enquire about the weaving tradition and expressed gratitude that the visit had finally materialised despite the delay.

“I just wanted to meet with these women, which I will tell the story. But we went on, and my husband said something. He said I was getting frustrated. I said, Otti is a good man. He’s a very good man. I see that, and I want to thank you,” she said.

The First Lady urged Nigerians to patronise locally made textiles as a way of preserving indigenous craftsmanship and boosting the livelihoods of rural weavers, while also encouraging citizens to embrace Igbo traditional attire made from Akwete fabric as a means of supporting local artisans.

By Salmanu Isah


The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has once again demonstrated its preference for caution and stability, opting to retain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 26.5 per cent despite a gradual easing of inflationary pressures across the country.


At the end of its 306th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the apex bank resisted calls for an immediate adjustment to interest rates, choosing instead to hold all major monetary policy parameters steady. The decision reflects the CBN’s determination to protect the progress made in stabilising the economy while remaining vigilant against fresh threats emerging from the global environment.


For the CBN, the modest decline in inflation is encouraging but not yet sufficient to justify a policy shift. Although headline inflation eased slightly in June and core inflation recorded a more noticeable drop, policymakers remain concerned that renewed tensions in the Middle East could trigger another wave of global price increases, particularly in energy and food markets. Such developments would inevitably have consequences for Nigeria, where imported inflation continues to influence domestic prices.


The Bank’s decision signals confidence in the effectiveness of its previous policy actions. Over the past two years, the CBN has maintained a firm anti-inflation stance, tightening monetary conditions and implementing reforms aimed at restoring confidence in the foreign exchange market. The latest economic indicators suggest that some of these measures are beginning to deliver results.


Exchange rate stability has improved considerably compared to previous periods, helping to reduce pressure on prices. External reserves have also strengthened, rising above $52 billion, providing a significant buffer against external shocks and reinforcing investor confidence in the economy. These developments have given the CBN greater room to maintain its current course while carefully monitoring future trends.


Beyond inflation, the MPC’s statement highlights the growing importance of collaboration between the CBN and the Federal Government. The Committee acknowledged that recent coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities has helped cushion the domestic economy from global disruptions. This recognition reflects a broader understanding that sustainable economic stability cannot be achieved through monetary policy alone.


While the CBN continues to focus on price and financial system stability, the government is expected to complement these efforts through reforms that boost productivity, improve infrastructure, increase oil production and diversify revenue sources. The Committee’s endorsement of ongoing reforms in the oil and solid minerals sectors underscores the need for broader economic transformation beyond monetary interventions.


The banking sector also emerged as a bright spot in the MPC’s assessment. The Committee expressed satisfaction with the progress of the banking recapitalisation exercise, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening the resilience of financial institutions. A stronger banking system not only enhances financial stability but also positions banks to support economic growth through increased lending and investment.


Despite a slight slowdown in economic growth during the first quarter of 2026, signs of resilience remain visible. The non-oil sector continues to drive economic activity, supported by telecommunications, financial services, transportation and trade. The return of the Purchasing Managers’ Index to expansion territory further suggests that business confidence may be gradually improving.


Looking ahead, the CBN appears cautiously optimistic. Inflation is expected to moderate further as the effects of previous monetary tightening continue to filter through the economy and food supplies improve during the harvest season. However, policymakers are clearly unwilling to declare victory too early. The possibility of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East remains a major concern, with the potential to disrupt global markets and reignite inflationary pressures.


Ultimately, the CBN’s latest decision reflects a central bank focused on protecting hard-earned gains rather than pursuing quick wins. By holding rates steady, the Bank is sending a message that economic stability remains its overriding objective. For businesses, investors and households alike, the decision provides a measure of predictability at a time when uncertainty continues to dominate the global economic landscape.


As Nigeria navigates both domestic challenges and external risks, the CBN’s cautious approach suggests that maintaining stability will remain more important than pursuing aggressive policy changes in the months ahead.


Salmanu Isah Darazo is a publisher and policy analyst. He can be reached via Salmanudrz@gmail.com

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said an NDC government would engage terrorists and other criminal groups in dialogue as part of efforts to end insecurity in Nigeria.

Kwankwaso made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He argued that residents of communities affected by violence often possess valuable information about those responsible for attacks.

“You see, all these things that are happening today, if you go to the localities, those places where these insecurities are happening, I can tell you people know almost everything,” he said.

“They know their locations, they know the names of all those involved, and so on and so forth.”

He, however, said many residents are reluctant to provide such information to security agencies because they have lost confidence in the system.

“But what is happening now is that many of the communities are even afraid to go forward and tell the security agencies or agents what is actually happening because many of them have done that in the past, and of course, they did not enjoy it,” he said.

Kwankwaso said his administration would restore public confidence and adopt an inclusive approach to addressing insecurity.

“We will give people confidence. We will work with the people, even the terrorists, and of course, the criminals themselves to see what can be done to discourage their action. We will talk with everybody.”

“And of course, if there is any issue that will require the services of the military or other security agencies, I can tell you, we will be very happy to do it,” he added.

Nigeria has faced an insurgency in the North-East since 2009, when Boko Haram launched its violent campaign.

Kwankwaso’s comments come weeks after Peter Obi said he would negotiate with bandits and other armed groups if they showed a genuine commitment to peace. Obi also stated that his administration would promote national unity and engage all groups willing to renounce violence and participate in rebuilding the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected foreign terrorist fighter and an alleged illegal immigrant during a security operation in Lassa, Dille General Area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The arrests took place at about 11:48 a.m. on July 19, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation conducted by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion, according to a statement issued by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai.

The military identified one of the suspects as 32-year-old Musa Fashir, a Sudanese national. It said he is suspected to be a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator. Preliminary intelligence, according to the statement, indicates that the suspect has established links with terrorist elements, a development the military said points to attempts by foreign actors to support insurgent activities in the North-East.

The troops also arrested Mary Florence, 36, who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana. The military said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding her presence in the area as well as the authenticity of her claims.

According to the statement, both suspects remain in military custody, where they are undergoing profiling and interrogation. The process is expected to establish their identities, determine the extent of their activities and ascertain any possible links to terrorist groups or transnational criminal networks.

The military said the arrests reflect the effectiveness of its intelligence-driven operations and the vigilance of troops in preventing terrorists and their collaborators from operating freely.

It added that Operation Hadin Kai remains committed to disrupting terrorist logistics, financing and support networks. The military also reaffirmed its determination to prevent the infiltration of foreign fighters and protect communities across the North-East.

The statement urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, noting that public cooperation remains essential to restoring lasting peace, security and stability in the region.