Nsukka

By Emy Okpara

Across the length and breadth of Nigeria, there’s a foreboding that pervades. It is palpable and tense. Instigated by a new culture of intimidation that reminds one of the Gestapo. The average Nigerian citizen has been chiselled into silence in a way never before seen!. What’s even more worrisome is the fact that this has become the norm across the board. Since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, the average Nigerian citizen has never faced this level of intimidation from both the government and fellow citizens. 

Interestingly, this new wave of intimidation of citizens has continued to gain traction in recent times. Not only are citizens locked up for demanding accountability from the government; individual citizens have formed the habit of intimidating fellow citizens! The case of Mrs Love Dooshima, who was recently arrested and detained by the police on the orders of the CEO of Bon Bread, comes to mind. For reviewing a storybook for primary school children, a young mother of two was also arrested by the author. With state institutions now willing to be abused by the highest bidders, citizens live in constant fear and trepidation. 

In the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a visually impaired student who complained about the deplorable state of the hostel facilities attracted the ire of the school management. They swiftly swung into action, not to address his concerns but to eject him from the hostel facility! Sadly, all this happened while fellow students looked on, a testament to the fact that Nigerians are gradually losing their ability to fight back. In the past, such actions against a student would have been met with stiff resistance. 

On March 26, 2026, Winnie Miller was allegedly assaulted by the local government chairman of the Ahoada West local government area of Rivers State for posting the dilapidated state of a school in her community. Examples like this have become commonplace in Nigeria, and we cannot list them all. 

The times are perilous in Nigeria, and as a concerned citizen, it has become expedient to ask: for how long will this suppression of the people’s rights to freedom of speech continue? More often than not, government institutions like the police and the army have become willing tools in the hands of the oppressors. By all indications, these institutions now pledge loyalty to individual officeholders rather than serving the public interest. 

In April 2026, Nigerians witnessed two disturbing incidents: the first was the gruesome murder of Oghenemine Ogidi in broad daylight by men of the Nigerian police force in Delta State. Human rights activist Justice Mark Chidibiere (Justicecrack) was abducted for daring to amplify the voices of men of the Nigerian army who cried out for better welfare. It took the timely intervention of well-meaning Nigerians and civil society for the Nigerian military to release him after 48 hours! 

There is a well-calculated attempt to beat the average Nigerian into submission. Unfortunately, this new trend is being enabled by the judiciary’s tacit permission. It is now common practice to hear frivolous judgments without justice from the very institution meant to uphold justice! Our legal practitioners have sold their conscience for a morsel of porridge! Judges now scramble to run errands for politicians, all in exchange for choice houses.

Nigeria, a supposed democratic nation, now operates without the tenets of the rule of law. Hundreds of Nigerian citizens are languishing in Nigerian prisons owing to the filibustering antics of the judiciary. Justice is no longer the hope of the commoner but the exclusive preserve of the high and mighty. The constitution, which is supposed to be the grundnorm, no longer holds supremacy. 

It is indeed sad that we are gradually building a society where feedback is no longer tolerated. Why should diversity of opinion become a crime? How did we get here? More worrisome is the fact that while law-abiding citizens are constantly being harassed and intimidated, criminal elements are left to roam freely. 

A situation where institutions of the state funded by the taxpayers become an instrument of oppression against the citizens they are supposed to protect is a recipe for disaster. Nigeria is sitting on the precipice if this is allowed to continue. On no account should citizens be subjected to torture for seeing things differently. In a democracy, freedom of expression is a fundamental human right which every citizen must enjoy. The fact that most Nigerians are now made to live in fear violates that constitutional right.

Nigerians must understand what the goal of the political class is: silence opposing voices through fear and intimidation to establish their dynasties! It is not by accident that most of their wards are now contesting for political offices. Only our silence can enthrone their dominance, and after serving the fathers, we will serve their children! It is in our collective best interest to keep raising our voices against oppressive tendencies. We cannot afford to be silent at moments like this because we will have an eternity of silence when we pass on. 

On the other hand, those in positions of authority must realise that power is transient and that they hold these offices in trust for the people. This tradition of intimidation will not persist for long because the power of the people is far greater than the power of those in office. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, and it is still well within the rights of individual citizens to speak against unfavourable government policies without fear or favour. 

As citizens, we must remain resolute and steadfast; refuse to be silenced! We must use our voices and numbers to continue demanding accountability from those whom we have placed in positions of authority. Our strength lies in our numbers. No government can be more powerful than the people it is meant to serve. Therefore, we must continue to stand together as one in demanding a Nigeria that works for all.

Emy Okpara wrote via emyokparaoo1@gmail.com.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has emerged as the overall winner of the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) Faculty Capstone Project Competition, defeating six other federal universities in a keenly contested event held in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The competition, which brought together faculty teams from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; the University of Ibadan; the University of Lagos; the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and the University of Port Harcourt, saw BUK’s delegation distinguish itself through exceptional innovation, collaborative synergy, and academic rigour.

The victorious BUK team was represented by Dr. Shukrah Bello, Dr. Adamu Abubakar Rasheed, Dr. Halima Abdulkadir Idris, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Dauda, and Dr. Adenekan Lanre Qasim. Their outstanding performance not only secured the top prize but also brought national acclaim to the Kano-based institution.

In a statement following the victory, the team expressed deep gratitude to the university’s management, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Haruna Musa, FSI, praising his administration’s unwavering commitment to staff development and institutional support, which they credited as instrumental to their success.

The latest feat adds to BUK’s growing stature as a beacon of academic excellence and leadership within Nigeria’s higher education landscape, reaffirming its position among the country’s foremost centres of learning and innovation.

By Anas Abbas

A student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has died in tragic circumstances following an alleged assault by fellow students who accused him of involvement in a phone theft incident.

The incident occurred at the Eni Njoku Hall of Residence, where the undergraduate was reportedly confronted by other students over suspicions that he was connected to the disappearance of a mobile phone.

Sources say that the confrontation quickly escalated into a physical attack, with several students and hostel residents reportedly administering a severe beating.

The victim was said to have suffered critical injuries during the altercation and was later taken to a medical facility, where he was pronounced dead.

Details about the identity of the deceased, including his name and level of study, have not yet been officially released by the university or law enforcement, but various posts on social platforms refer to him as a UNN student who was allegedly beaten to death on suspicion alone.

The Enugu State Police Command has reportedly initiated an investigation into the matter to ascertain the exact sequence of events and whether criminal charges are warranted. Authorities are reviewing eyewitness testimony and security footage as part of the probe.

UNN management has not yet issued an official statement confirming the student’s death, but the incident has sparked concern among students and advocacy groups over rising cases of campus vigilante justice and the dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands.

Further updates are expected as police continue their investigation and as the university responds to queries from the press and the public.