Nigeria

By Uzair Adam

The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mrs Rachael Alamu, has narrated how kidnappers killed two teachers and assaulted pupils during their 56 days in captivity.

Alamu was among the 46 pupils and teachers abducted on May 15 after terrorists attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The victims, who were taken from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School, regained their freedom last Friday.

Speaking to journalists in Ibadan on Monday during the handover of the rescued victims to Governor Seyi Makinde by the Nigerian Army, Alamu said the abductors killed two teachers in an attempt to pressure the government into meeting their demands.

She identified the deceased as Mr Michael and a teacher known as Deacon, saying they were killed at different times during the captivity.

“Mr Michael was killed on the second day, while Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June. They killed them purposely because they felt that would force the government to give them whatever they wanted,” she said.

The principal explained that the captives spent much of their time in the open forest, enduring harsh weather and constant movement from one location to another.

According to her, faith and the belief that Nigerians were praying for their safe return gave them strength throughout the ordeal.

“We were in the forest, in the open most of the time, under the sun, under the rain. We knew it was God that could really help us,” Alamu said.

She added that several children were assaulted by the kidnappers, particularly the younger ones, whose cries often angered their captors.

Alamu said although she was not physically assaulted, some pupils suffered repeated beatings, while the male captives faced harsher treatment.

“The men, they had it worse than us because they were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained on the leg,” she said.

She further disclosed that the kidnappers frequently relocated the victims whenever they suspected that security operatives were closing in on their hideouts.

While the youngest children were sometimes carried, most of the captives, including schoolgirls, were forced to trek through difficult terrain.

Alamu said it was only after their rescue that the victims realised the extent of public concern and prayers for their safe return.

Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde has called on the United Nations and international human rights organisations to investigate the May 15 abduction.

Makinde said Nigerians deserved a transparent account of the incident, including the identity of those responsible and whether negligence, institutional failure or collusion contributed to the attack.

“This is not about politics. It is about justice for the victims, reassurance for our people, and restoring public confidence that every Nigerian child can go to school without fear,” the governor said.

In a related development, the Oyo State Police Command has launched a joint security operation to rescue Mathew Owoade, the 60-year-old headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, who was abducted on Saturday.

Owoade was reportedly kidnapped along the Igbojaye–Budo Aare Farm Road, barely 24 hours after the rescue of the 46 pupils and teachers.

His son, Abiola Owoade, said the abductors used his father’s phone to demand a N30 million ransom.

The police spokesperson in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed that an investigation and rescue operation were underway.

Also reacting, the Nigeria Union of Teachers called on the Federal Government to strengthen security around schools and intensify efforts to rescue teachers and pupils still in captivity.

The NUT National President, Comrade Audu Amba, said the rescue of the Oyo victims should not overshadow the worsening security threats facing Nigeria’s education sector.

He urged the authorities to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative and deploy adequate security personnel and modern surveillance systems to vulnerable schools across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Sector 7 of the Nigerian Army have intercepted suspected arms traffickers and recovered seven illegal firearms during an operation in Kaduna State.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on Monday. He said the operation took place at the Samaru checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.

According to him, the troops carried out a targeted stop-and-search operation at about 9:40 a.m. after receiving intelligence that illegal weapons were being transported from Jos in Plateau State to Niger State.

Makama said security personnel were informed that suspected arms traffickers were conveying the weapons in an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

He added that the troops identified the vehicle based on the intelligence, tracked its movement and intercepted it at the Samaru checkpoint.

The operation led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of seven illegal firearms, which were allegedly destined for bandits.

Security authorities have yet to release the identities of the suspects or provide further details about the ongoing investigation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika has defended the economic record of former President Muhammadu Buhari, dismissing claims that his administration left Nigeria in economic hardship.

Sirika spoke during an interview on Arise Television, where he argued that the country was in a stable economic and social condition under Buhari’s leadership.

He said, “I don’t want to get dragged into that debate, but the truth of the matter is that President Buhari has done extremely very well on the economy.

“And I’m not an economist, but I do know so because I’ve been in the country, I’ve been in the government, I know so.

”And I’ve seen that the country at the time was in good state both economically and the social issues within the country.”

When asked to assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Sirika declined to criticise the current government. He said it would be unfair to judge decisions taken by an administration in which he has no role.

He maintained that each government should be assessed according to the circumstances it faces. He also said he would not publicly question policies that he is not responsible for implementing.

According to him, “I do believe that he led the country that is flourishing. Because I am not President Muhammadu Buhari, and neither am I President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to really comment on the policies that they have made… I don’t think it’s been fair for me to sit down and make a critique of why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did this or not.”

Sirika also argued that there is no conflict between the policy direction of the Buhari and Tinubu administrations because both governments operate under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said, “But I want to say categorically that the policies by President Muhammadu Buhari are policies of our party and the policies that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is pursuing are policies of our party.

“So as an APC person, I do believe that they are not doing things, just off the top of their head, you know, to inflict injury on the country. No, I don’t think so.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has ended naira-denominated sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, and introduced a dollar-based pricing system for its refined petroleum products.

The new pricing structure, which took effect on Monday, fixes the ex-depot price of petrol at $0.779 per litre. Diesel will now sell at $1.087 per litre, while Aviation Turbine Kerosene is priced at $0.942 per litre. Coastal deliveries of petrol have also been fixed at $1,044.62 per metric tonne.

The refinery announced the changes in a notice sent to marketers and customers. It also declared that all naira-denominated Proforma Invoices and Deal Recaps issued earlier for gantry and coastal transactions were no longer valid.

The notice stated: “Following our email on the 9th of July, 2026, regarding the transition from Naira to United States Dollars, please note that all issued Naira Coastal and Gantry PFIs/Deal Recaps are now invalid, and no payments should be made against them.

“The applicable USD prices for each product, effective today, July 13, 2026, are provided below.”

The refinery, however, clarified that the new arrangement does not apply to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). It said, “Also note that this transition to USD does not apply to LPG transactions.”

The latest development marks the end of the naira payment system introduced after the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude initiative began on October 1, 2024. That policy allowed local refiners to purchase crude oil in naira to support domestic refining and reduce pressure on foreign exchange.

Industry sources said the refinery adopted the new framework because of the growing gap between the currency used to purchase crude oil and the currency used to sell refined products. According to them, a larger share of crude supplies from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is now obtained through dollar-denominated arrangements.

One source said the change became necessary because the refinery faced increased exposure to foreign exchange risks.

Another source explained, “Dangote refinery is receiving fewer naira-denominated crude cargoes from NNPCL compared with dollar-denominated cargoes, while a larger volume of its petroleum products has been sold in naira. The resulting currency mismatch, combined with volatility in international crude oil prices and continued exchange-rate uncertainty, made it necessary to migrate product sales to dollars.”

The decision is expected to affect petroleum marketers that buy products directly from the refinery. Analysts also believe it could influence retail fuel prices, depending on exchange rates, logistics costs, transportation expenses and other market factors.

By Rabi Ummi Umar

The Nigerian healthcare system is often dismissed because of the unenviable reputation it has built over decades of systemic failure. It is a common refrain across the country that citizens simply do not trust the medical institutions meant to save them.

For those who can afford it, the immediate solution to a serious diagnosis is to board a flight out of the country, seeking medical treatment abroad where systems are functional.

And for the rest of the population, walking into a local hospital is less an exercise in hope and more an act of desperate survival, frequently marred by anxiety about what might happen inside.

Personal encounters with our healthcare infrastructure often leave deep scars. I often find myself silently whispering, ‘I pray nobody has to experience this.’ Sadly, too many Nigerians have stories of facing decaying infrastructure, enduring the dismissive or outright rude attitudes of overworked nurses, or being left unattended in crowded corridors.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking reality is the ubiquitous ‘payment before service’ policy. In moments when a patient is actively battling for their life, a life that is irreplaceable, the administrative unit, or hospital policy, prioritises financial clearance over immediate clinical intervention.

This, in my opinion, is an ethical failure that leaves families helpless and hollows out the core purpose of medicine. It undermines the very principles of the Hippocratic Oath and the Nightingale Pledge that doctors and nurses take before practising.

This crisis of confidence in our healthcare system was perfectly articulated at a recent book unveiling I attended at the Yar’Adua Centre in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The book, Trust Renewal: The Integrity Call for Better Health for All, authored by Dr Abdullahi Jubril Mohammed, offers a resonant critique of our current trajectory. During the launch, he stated an earnest truth too often overlooked: health systems do not succeed merely because of advanced technology or concrete infrastructure. Instead, they succeed or fail along the patient’s path based on a single, invisible metric — trust.

When trust is absent, the entire system fractures. Even when medical facilities receive structural upgrades or well-funded international aid, these interventions fail to achieve their potential because the human connection between provider and patient has been broken.

Patients seek treatment abroad not just for better machines, but because they believe unsafe practices thrive in an environment devoid of accountability, and that the workers within that environment have grown numb to human suffering. To change this narrative, the Nigerian healthcare system must be consciously rebuilt on a foundation of ethical, accountable behaviour.

Renewing this trust requires a collaborative effort from policymakers, healthcare providers, civil society, and patients themselves. Medical institutions must actively promote transparency, especially concerning service delays, and prioritise patient feedback as a tool for institutional growth rather than dismissing it as mere complaining.

Practitioners need to understand that listening to a patient’s experience is just as vital as reading their clinical charts.

Building a better health system requires moving beyond physical structures and investing heavily in the integrity of the care provided. Only when patients feel safe, valued, and heard can we begin to heal the system itself.

Rabi Ummi Umar is a writer in Abuja, and she can be reached via rabiumar058@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of Sector 7, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have intercepted a large cache of illegal weapons during a targeted operation at a checkpoint in Kaduna State, dealing a blow to a suspected arms trafficking network.

Acting on intelligence about weapons being moved from Jos to Niger State, soldiers stopped an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz at the Samaru Checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in the early hours of Monday. A search of the vehicle uncovered three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and four submachine guns (SMGs) carefully hidden inside.

One suspect attempted to flee the scene and was shot by troops during the escape attempt. He is currently receiving medical treatment at the Sector 7 Medical Centre in Kafanchan.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the weapons were supplied by two suspected dealers based in Jos and were destined for a recipient in Niger State.

The Nigerian Army described the seizure as a testament to its resolve to curb arms proliferation and dismantle criminal networks. Authorities have called on the public to continue providing timely information to security agencies to help track criminal activities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has introduced a whistleblower programme to curb the unauthorised use of its branded trucks across the country.

Under the initiative, the company will pay N500,000 to anyone who provides credible information that leads to the arrest of individuals involved in illegal haulage with Dangote trucks.

In a statement issued on Sunday, DIL said the programme forms part of its efforts to safeguard the integrity of its logistics operations. The company urged members of the public to report any case in which its trucks are used to transport unauthorised goods or passengers.

The company explained that each of its subsidiaries has designated products for transportation. It said Dangote Cement trucks are approved to convey only cement, limestone, high-grade gypsum, coal and clinker. Dangote Sugar Refinery trucks are restricted to sugar products, while NASCON Allied Industries vehicles are meant for Dangote Salt and DanQ Seasoning products.

“Dangote Packaging vehicles are to carry bags and packaging materials, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals trucks are approved for polypropylene products, while Dangote Fertiliser Limited vehicles are authorised to transport urea fertiliser,” the statement reads.

Dangote warned that any of its trucks found transporting goods outside the approved categories would be regarded as engaging in illegal haulage. It added that drivers and owners of such goods could face arrest, confiscation of the cargo and prosecution.

“Anyone with verifiable information that leads to the arrest of persons involved in illegal haulage activities or the recovery of unauthorized goods transported on Dangote trucks will receive a cash reward of Five Hundred Thousand Naira,” the statement further reads.

The company advised whistleblowers to provide relevant details, including the truck type, registration number, cab number, location, description of the goods, vehicle colour and photographs where available, to support investigations.

Dangote also disclosed that it has created dedicated hotlines for reports of illegal haulage activities. It added that security agencies, including the police, have the authority to arrest drivers who use the company’s trucks for unauthorised commercial haulage.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability in its logistics operations.

“Public cooperation remains critical in our efforts to eradicate illegal haulage activities,” the company said.

“We encourage anyone with credible information to come forward and help us maintain the integrity of our transportation system.”

According to DIL, the whistleblower programme will help protect the company’s assets, encourage lawful business practices and ensure that offenders face justice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has called on members of his church to obtain their voter cards and participate actively in the electoral process.

Oyedepo made the appeal during Sunday’s service at the Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State. He said Christians have a civic duty to contribute to the choice of those who govern their countries.

“We have a civic responsibility as responsible citizens of our various nations. This church is today in 144 nations,” the cleric said.

“So, endeavour to secure your voter cards. You are men and women of the spirit. You should know on your own personal conviction where to cast your vote.”

He stressed that members of the church are full citizens of their respective countries and should not stay away from the democratic process.

“We are not passers-by in our nations. We are bona fide citizens of the nation. We have a right to participate in who governs us,” he said.

“So, please go ahead. It’s part of our policy; you will find it in our mandate. So, go ahead and ensure that you secure your voter’s right.”

Oyedepo also said the large population of Living Faith Church members gives the church a legitimate voice in national affairs.

“And this church, with the millions that we have, we have a say in it. So, be part of it,” he added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Portuguese top-flight side SC Braga have secured the services of Nigerian defender Adebisi Olamikun from Nigeria National League outfit Inter Lagos.

The 18-year-old centre-back completed a long-term move to the Primeira Liga club after attracting interest from several European teams.

Olamikun played an important role in Inter Lagos’ successful promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) last season. His performances earned him recognition as one of the club’s standout young players.

The left-footed defender has built a reputation for his pace, composure in possession, and strength in aerial duels.

SC Braga are expected to integrate the youngster into their squad during the club’s pre-season preparations following the completion of his transfer.

By Uzair Adam

Poor nutrition remains a major obstacle to national development as it weakens cognitive ability, undermines educational attainment, reduces productivity and compromises the quality of human capital, Professor Hassana Sani Darma has said.

Professor Darma stated this on Thursday, July 9, 2026, while delivering the 61st Professorial Inaugural Lecture of Bayero University, Kano, at the CBN Centre of Excellence.

Delivering a lecture titled, “Rejigging Cognitive, Behavioural and Coordination Functions: Nutrients Supplementation for Neurodivergent Disorders,” the renowned scholar described nutrition as more than a matter of physical wellbeing, stressing that it forms the foundation for brain development, learning, behaviour and human performance.

The former Vice Chancellor of Khadija University, Majia, Jigawa State, explained that nutrition is fundamental to neurodevelopment because it influences brain structure, neurological functions and overall human capacity from infancy to adulthood.

According to her, neurodivergent conditions are influenced by biological factors, with nutrition playing significant roles in their development and management.

Professor Darma expressed concern over the prevalence of poor nutrition in Nigeria, noting that many of its consequences continue to receive inadequate attention from families, schools and policymakers.

She observed that developmental disorders, learning difficulties and behavioural challenges are often blamed on poor parenting or ineffective schooling without adequate consideration of the biological and nutritional factors that may contribute to such conditions.

“Behaviour issues and learning struggles might actually come from biochemical imbalances caused by missing key nutrients,” she said.

The professor maintained that providing children with balanced and nutritious diets could significantly reduce several health challenges while improving classroom performance and learning outcomes.

She stressed the close relationship between nutrition and human functioning, warning that inadequate nutrition during the early stages of life could significantly limit children’s intellectual potential.

According to her, children deprived of adequate nutrition during critical periods of growth may develop weaker thinking skills, poor memory, reduced concentration and diminished learning capacity.

She added that rather than overcoming these disadvantages before beginning formal education, many affected children continue to fall behind throughout their academic journey, limiting their future opportunities and productivity.

Professor Darma cited scientific evidence indicating that poor nutrition does not merely accompany learning difficulties but could actively contribute to poor cognitive development, behavioural disorders and impaired intellectual performance over time.

The inaugural lecturer further explained that human functioning results from the coordinated interaction of the central nervous system, peripheral nerves and musculoskeletal system.

She said the biological systems operate as an integrated network responsible for thinking, behaviour, movement, coordination and adaptation to environmental demands.

“The efficiency of these interconnected systems is significantly influenced by nutritional status, particularly during periods of rapid growth and development,” she explained.

Professor Darma also drew attention to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), saying the condition is often misunderstood and wrongly attributed solely to poor parenting or ineffective schooling.

While hereditary factors could contribute to ADHD, she identified other possible influences as maternal smoking, alcohol or drug use during pregnancy, oxygen deprivation during childbirth, prenatal trauma, environmental pollution, allergies and inadequate nutrition.

She disclosed that many children diagnosed with ADHD have one or more nutritional deficiencies which, when properly identified and addressed, could lead to improvements in attention span, concentration, self-control and overall behaviour.

The professor also highlighted the importance of blood glucose regulation in cognitive performance, explaining that fluctuations in glucose levels could directly affect attention, memory and the speed at which the brain processes information.

According to her, low glucose levels may reduce concentration and slow cognitive processing, while excessive consumption of processed carbohydrates, highly processed foods and sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks could result in metabolic disturbances and brain inflammation capable of impairing cognitive functions.

Professor Darma expressed concern over the growing preference for processed foods, packaged snacks and soft drinks, which she said are often viewed as symbols of affluence, convenience or modern living.

She cautioned that such products are typically high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats and artificial additives while lacking essential nutrients required for healthy brain development, learning and behaviour.

“Replacing wholesome foods with processed meals and sugary beverages may gradually weaken cognitive performance, reduce attention span and impair memory,” she warned.

She added that the trend could also increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, particularly among children and adolescents.

Professor Darma therefore advocated healthy and balanced diets rich in essential nutrients as indispensable tools for improving educational achievement, mental health and human productivity.

She argued that educational reforms would achieve limited success if nutrition is neglected, urging governments and educational institutions to integrate nutritional support into learning programmes.

According to her, nutrition should be recognised as a strategic investment in human capital development, as healthier children are more likely to become productive adults capable of contributing meaningfully to national growth.

She also called on policymakers, healthcare professionals, educators and development partners to place nutrition at the centre of educational planning, clinical practice and public health interventions.

Professor Darma maintained that sustainable national development depends on raising a generation of physically healthy, mentally alert and intellectually productive citizens, stressing that improved nutrition is critical to achieving the goal.

Representing the Vice Chancellor, Professor Haruna Musa, fsi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Development, Professor Amina Mustapha, said Bayero University places a high premium on research, innovation and academic scholarship.

She noted that professorial inaugural lectures remain an important academic tradition of the University through which scholars share research findings capable of addressing contemporary societal challenges.

Professor Mustapha commended Professor Darma for delivering a lecture that highlighted the vital relationship between nutrition, education, health and national development.

She said the lecture demonstrated that improving nutrition is not merely a health intervention but a national development strategy capable of strengthening educational outcomes, enhancing workforce productivity and improving citizens’ quality of life.

Professor Mustapha expressed optimism that the recommendations from the lecture would stimulate further research, influence public policy and encourage governments, educational institutions and development partners to invest more deliberately in nutrition as a foundation for sustainable national development.

The lecture attracted principal officers of the University, members of the academic community, health professionals, researchers, students and other distinguished guests, who described the presentation as timely, enlightening and relevant to Nigeria’s quest for sustainable human capital development.