₦airaland Forum

A foreign policy expert, Walid Phares, has called on the United States President, Donald Trump, to establish an emergency base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In a post on X, the American expert hailed the United States president for endorsing a possible invasion of Nigeria to States Department of War in quelling alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.

He suggested that America’s intervention could be conducted “in the south, from Biafra to Plateau, to push back the jihadists and Boko Haram.”

He added that a lesser approach would be to use what he termed “air assets” against terrorists and other extremist groups.

Describing the Port Harcourt as “the main port city of the Biafra region,” Mr Phares stated that the creation of a military base in the city would discourage operation of the Boko Haram terrorist group, as well as other jihadist groups, from perpetrating both threats and killings of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.

Mr Phares said, “Such a move would enable the rapid deployment of international humanitarian aid, particularly assistance from American churches” to Nigeria.

He stated, “President @realDonaldTrump has issued two strong statements condemning the jihadist attacks on Nigerian Christian communities and has directed the Secretary of War to prepare contingency plans for the ‘protection of communities’ in Nigeria.

“Should the federal government fail to stop the jihadists—as has been the case for years in northern and central Nigeria. In the meantime, targeted strikes against jihadist forces could also be considered.”

A Catholic Priest, Fada Angelo Chidi Unegbu, has backed President Donald Trump’s decision to tackle the alleged massacre of Christians in Nigeria.

Trump had after designating Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern, vowed military intervention to end what he called the persecution of Christians in the country.

The US decision had triggered mixed reactions across the country.

While some citizens, particularly Christians, are celebrating the move, others believe the security crisis in Nigeria has nothing to do with religion.

However, Fada Angelo in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday claimed that himself and others “have been appealing to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu all this while to stop the killings”.

The Catholic priest said they have been reminding Tinubu that he has “all it takes to stop insecurity and injustice in Nigeria, but he paid deaf ears to our pleas”, stressing that “humans are slaughtered daily like cows”.

He argued that terrorists in Nigeria are “walking freely”, while “harmless agitators and protesters have either been killed by the same government or are in jail”.

In another post, the clergy said “if the US comes to our aid, the chances are 50/50, but if not, our doom is sealed”.

“And if the US doesn’t come, who will help us? What are the plans to stop the killings? Donald J. Trump, please come quickly”, he added.

A Polish politician who serves as a member of the European Parliament, Dominik Tarcziñsky, has said Nigerian Christians will be rescued very soon.

Tarcziñsky expressed the view in a post on his X handle on Sunday.

“Nigerian Christians will be rescued very soon,” Tarcziñsky wrote on X, expressing support to US President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern.

DAILY POST reported that the US President had cited what he described as ongoing violence against Christians and the failure of the government to protect religious minorities.

But the Nigerian government denied persecution of any religious groups in Nigeria.

On Saturday, Trump went ahead to threaten military action against Nigeria if nothing is done about the matter quickly.

The people of Faruruwa and nearby communities in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State say they are living in fear as bandits intensify attacks in the area.

Armed men have been invading towns and villages like Faruruwa, Tsaure, Dan Shado, Gwauron Dutse, Furaku, Yanganau, and Unguwar Tsamiya — killing residents, kidnapping others, and stealing cattle.

The Chairman of the Security Committee for the affected communities, Alhaji Yahaya Umar Bagobiri, raised the alarm in Kano on Saturday.

He said despite the presence of security personnel in the area, “bandits are still attacking, killing, and abducting people and carting away their valuables.”

Speaking through Prof. M. D. Mukhtar, Bagobiri explained that the bandits enter from neighbouring Katsina State through a border route in Tsanyawa Local Government Area. He said they shifted their operations into Kano after signing a peace accord with the Katsina State Government.

“We appreciate the deployment of security personnel by the Federal Government, but the exercise has not stopped the security breach, as the bandits are still terrorizing our communities,” he said.

Bagobiri noted that many people had fled their homes to Kano city and other safer areas.

“We are afraid that unless the banditry is addressed, the terrorists will escalate their attacks to other Local Government Areas, including Bichi, and from there, they may reach Kano, the State Capital,” he warned.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to work with the new Service Chiefs to “re-strategize and defeat the bandits” so that peace and order can return.

Bagobiri also called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to cooperate with President Tinubu and support security agencies tackling the crisis.

He further urged the Kano and Katsina State Governments to jointly secure the border areas where the bandits are sneaking into Kano.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced plans to invade Nigeria to kill off rampaging bandits and terrorists over the massacre of Christians.

Mr Hegseth made the announcement on Saturday, responding to President Donald Trump’s order for U.S. soldiers to prepare for a potential offensive invasion of northern Nigeria.

“Yes, sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria anywhere—must end and immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action,” Mr Hegseth said. “Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”

On Friday, Mr Trump declared Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern’, citing the killing of Christians by Islamic jihadists.

Mr Trump’s declaration followed weeks of a massive online campaign by top U.S. lawmakers, including Ted Cruz, Riley Moore, and Nancy Mace, among others.

The Christian Association of Nigeria also seconded the campaign against “Christian genocide”, calling for international intervention.

Responding to Mr Trump’s declaration, President Bola Tinubu, who had repeatedly denied the genocide in Nigeria, said, “Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.”

Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God.

No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.

Numerous countries all around the world are being affected by this horror & it’s dangerous to pretend we don’t notice.

Thank you to The President & his team for taking this seriously.
God bless every persecuted Christian.
Let’s remember to lift them up in prayer.

A former Mayor of Blanco City in Texas, United States, Mike Arnold, has called on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, to provide evidence clearing himself of alleged complicity in what he described as “jihad genocide” and widespread killings across northern Nigeria.

However, the Sultanate Council of Sokoto dismissed Arnold’s statement as baseless and undeserving of a response, saying the Sultan would not dignify the accusations with a reply.

The controversy followed a series of social media posts by Arnold, founder of Africa Arise International, accusing the Sultan of being complicit in mass killings and resource looting in parts of the North.

The Sultan had earlier rejected claims that Christians were being subjected to genocide in the region, describing such allegations as false, divisive, and based on unverified social media reports.

In a statement on Saturday, Arnold insisted that available data and incidents across northern Nigeria suggested the Sultan could not be entirely detached from the violence occurring “under his nose.”

“The evidence points to there being an intelligent designer of this whole diabolical machine of jihad, genocide, conquest, displacement, and resource extraction. There are many provable data points, and I believe they paint a picture that demands the Sultan be investigated.

“I’m not declaring him guilty, only a prime suspect based on all available evidence. The facts demand investigation and answers to either determine his guilt or clear him of it,” he told PUNCH.

Arnold further questioned what he described as the Sultan’s “silence and inaction” amid the wave of violent attacks targeting Christian communities.

“The Nigerian government estimates that at least $9bn a year in minerals are looted from his hereditary lands. Why hasn’t he tried to stop this? He has powerful armed militias under his authority, does he not? So why aren’t the illicit miners being stopped? Who is getting that money?” he asked.

The ex-mayor also accused the Sultan of failing to act against militant Fulani groups, noting that while the monarch once issued a fatwa against Boko Haram after the sect challenged his authority, “no similar action has been taken against Fulani militants.”

“There have been more than 7,000 Christians massacred this year in his territory. If his own statement that no killing happens without traditional rulers knowing about it is true, then he knows more than anybody else,” Arnold added.

But in a reaction, the Secretary of the Sultanate Council, Alhaji Saidu Maccido, said the Sultan would not dignify the accusations with a response, adding that both the Federal Government and the Nigerian Senate had previously addressed the issue.

“The Sultan will not bring himself down to respond to such allegations again. The Federal Government has responded, and the Senate also passed a resolution on it. Responding again will only make them feel important,” Maccido stated.

He reaffirmed the Sultanate Council’s commitment to peace, unity, and national stability, urging Nigerians to ignore divisive and inflammatory narratives.

“The Sultanate Council remains focused on promoting peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and truth. We will not be distracted by baseless accusations,” he said.

Terrorists locally dubbed as bandits have attacked a southern community in Kaduna State resulting in the killing of several locals.

A source confirmed the attacks to SaharaReporters, stating several other locals survived with grave injuries and are in critical condition.

The coordinated attacks occurred in Damakasuwa, in the Kauru Local Government Area.

"As of now, five locals have been killed and we have recovered their corpses including minors," a source said.

The bandits cycled the community shooting sporadically before hacking to death those found on sight.

SaharaReporters had on Friday reported that terrorists kidnapped several traders on Friday morning in the Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State.

A source in Birnin Gwari, the local government headquarters, had confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters.

According to the source, the traders were travelling in a golf car to the weekly Layin Danauta market in Birnin Gwari when the attack occurred.

The exact number of victims remains unconfirmed, as such vehicles are often overloaded beyond their official capacity.

"The bandits intercepted the car at Kwanan Danwandara in Tabani Ward, Birnin Gwari, and abducted all the occupants, including the driver," the source stated.

"In the same vicinity, they also kidnapped two individuals on a motorcycle, taking all the captives into the forest."

The incident took place around 8am.

The traders in the vehicle were reportedly coming from the Dandume area of Katsina State, while the two individuals on the motorcycle are from Kuyello Ward in Birnin Gwari local government.

Bandits in Kaduna State continue to strike with seeming impunity, as another attack occurred on Wednesday night in the state.

SaharaReporters had learnt that in the incident, gunmen abducted nine locals in the Kajuru Local Government Area.

A source from Kasuwan Magani confirmed the tragic incident in a message to SaharaReporters.

According to the source, the bandits attacked Rafin Roro village, shooting sporadically.

The traditional ruler of the village, Mallam Adamu Auta, escaped, but nine members of his immediate and extended family were kidnapped.

The source added that the bandits had been consistently kidnapping residents and rustling cattle, incidents that have largely gone unreported.

SaharaReporters on Wednesday reported that bandits struck in Bukkah community in the Chikun local government area of Kaduna State, resulting in the abduction of at least seven individuals.

A local government staff member had confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters on Wednesday evening, noting that the bandits attacked Bukkah village earlier in the day, kidnapping at least seven villagers.

The source reported that the assault began with intense gunfire, jolting the entire village awake.

Many residents fled into the surrounding forest for safety upon realising they were under attack.

According to the source, the difficult terrain and the fear of a potential ambush prevented security forces from mounting a swift response.

Those kidnapped from the Bukkah village have been identified as Mohammed Rufai, Sagiru Musa, Bala Usman, Aisha’atu Usman, Bilkisu Isiya, Sa’adiya Usman, and Wasila Usman.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that some bandits invaded Nissi community in the Chikun local government area of Kaduna State, kidnapping an Anglican priest and his wife.

A member of the Anglican Church of Nigeria confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters, expressing frustration that the incident occurred on Tuesday morning and other media organisations had not reported the attack.

According to the source, the bandits abducted the priest, identified as Edwin Achi, and his wife, Sarah Achi, from their residence in Nissi village, located in the Chikun LGA.

SaharaReporters has been reporting the rising insecurity in the state in recent times.

Guinea-Bissau Foils Alleged Coup Plot, Arrests Army Officers Including Military Court Ex-President

Guinea-Bissau’s military says it has foiled an alleged coup attempt aimed at disrupting the country’s forthcoming general elections.

In an official statement, the military declared that it had "successfully thwarted an attempt to 'subvert the constitutional order,'" confirming the detention of several senior army officers accused of plotting to derail the democratic process.

According to the statement, "the arrests took place on October 30, mere hours before the official start of campaigning for the legislative and presidential votes slated for November 23, 2025."

Among those arrested is Brigadier General Daba Nawalna, also known as Dahaba Na Walna, who serves as the director of the Cuméré Military Training Centre and is a former president of the Military High Court.

"He was apprehended at his residence in Bissau," authorities said, adding that investigations into the alleged plot are ongoing.

In August, the president of Guinea-Bissau sacked the West African country's prime minister and appointed his successor, the latest move to position President Umaro Sissoco Embalo for a likely second term in elections due in November.

According to African News, quoting a presidential decree, Rui Duarte de Barros, who served as prime minister since December 2023, was replaced by Braima Camara, a former coordinator of the Madem G15 opposition party.

The country has endured multiple coups since gaining independence from Portugal more than 50 years ago.

Guinea-Bissau’s constitution sets the presidential term at five years, with maximum two terms. The opposition says Embalo’s term should have ended on Feb. 27 but the nation's Supreme Court has ruled that it should run until Sept. 4.

However, Embalo earlier this year set the election date for November 30 and said that his first term will run until then, further heightening tensions.

Fresh facts have emerged in the sudden illness of Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, who reportedly took ill suddenly on the eve of his scheduled trip to Washington, D.C., for the World Bank Fall Meetings.

According to multiple sources familiar with the development, Edun’s collapse was not due to a medical condition alone but allegedly linked to a shocking security revelation that left him terrified.

A top source told SaharaReporters: “Minister of Finance Edun collapsed when told he was number 4 on the kill list of alleged coup plotters.”

The source explained that the “kill list” was allegedly drawn up by a group of military officers accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration in what was described as a “violent takeover plan.”

“The new revelation that led to the abrupt illness of the Minister of Finance of Nigeria, Wale Edun, who was suddenly ill on the eve of his trip to Washington, DC, was that he saw his name on the kill list,” one insider said.

The minister, after the government initially denying reports that he had been flown abroad for medical attention, was later sighted in London.

“Edun collapsed upon being shown a kill list purportedly prepared by a group of military officers who reportedly were planning to overthrow President Tinubu’s regime in a violent manner.

"After initially denying that he was flown to London, Edun was sighted in London where he was walking wobbly to an Art Show as a proof of life,” the top insider said.

Two weeks ago, Wale Edun confirmed his travel to the United Kingdom for medical attention after an exclusive report by SaharaReporters stated that he had been flown abroad for urgent treatment following a serious illness.

The minister’s State of health had been described by a top government source as “very serious.”

SaharaReporters on Thursday reported that an officer of the Nigerian Navy, Lieutenant Commander B Abdullahi, was identified as one of the senior military officers detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for allegedly planning a coup d’etat to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

SaharaReporters had exclusively reported the arrest and subsequent detention of the senior military officers led by an Army Brigadier General for planning a coup on October 1st Independent Day celebrations.

While the Nigerian military in a statement claimed the detention of the officers was linked to "repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived career stagnation", top sources had revealed that they were actually arrested over a coup plot.

A top source from the Nigerian military authorities told SaharaReporters on Thursday that a Naval officer and two Air Force personnel are among the detained officers, while the others are from the Nigerian Army.

The authoritative source identified the Navy personnel as Lt Commander B Abdullahi.

Sources in the Defence Headquarters had confirmed that the officers, drawn from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, were picked up in coordinated operations by military intelligence after weeks of secret surveillance.

Below are the profiles of the detained officers as compiled by Premium Times:

1. Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (N/10321) Brigadier General Sadiq is believed to be the suspected leader of the alleged coup plot.

This is not his first brush with controversy. In October 2024, he was reportedly detained for “alleged diversion of rice palliatives and selling of military equipment, including generator sets and operational vehicles to scrap yards.”

2. Colonel M.A. Ma’aji (N/10668)

Colonel Ma’aji, born on March 1, 1976, is a Nupe native from Niger State.

3. Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah (N/13036)

Lt. Col. Bappah, from Bauchi State is a member of the 56 Regular Course.

4. Lieutenant Colonel A.A. Hayatu (N/13038)

A native of Kaduna State.

5. Lieutenant Colonel P. Dangnap (N/13025) from Plateau State, Dangnap. He was court-martialed in 2015 alongside 29 others for offences linked to the Boko Haram war.

6. Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura (N/12983)

Lt. Col. Almakura, also from Nasarawa State, was born on March 18, 1983.

7. Major A.J. Ibrahim (N/13065)

From Gombe State, Major Ibrahim was born on June 12, 1987.

8. Major M.M. Jiddah (N/13003)

Born on July 9, 1985, Major Jiddah hails from Katsina State.

He is an Infantry officer and member of the 56 Regular Course (2004–2008).

9. Major M.A. Usman (N/15404)

Major Usman, from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

10. Major D. Yusuf (N/14753)

Born on May 26, 1988, Major Yusuf hails from Gombe State.

He serves in the Ordnance Corps.

11. Major I. Dauda (N/13625)

From Jigawa State, Major Dauda joined the Army through the Direct Short Service Commission (Course 38).

12. Captain Ibrahim Bello (N/16266)

Born on July 28, 1987, Captain Bello is a member of the Direct Short Service Commission Course 43.

13. Captain A.A. Yusuf (N/16724)

Captain Yusuf is a Nigerian Army officer with limited public records available.

14. Lieutenant S.S. Felix (N/18105)

Lt. Felix is among the junior officers in detention. Details about his role remain unclear.

15. Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi (NN/3289)

Lt. Commander Abdullahi serves in the Nigerian Navy and is one of two non-Army officers detained in connection with the alleged coup plot.

16. Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (NAF/3481)

Squadron Leader Adamu serves in the Nigerian Air Force. His alleged involvement remains under investigation.

The United States under President Donald Trump has revoked the visa of globally renowned scholar, Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

The scholar announced this at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, on Tuesday.

He said he was unaware of any wrongdoing that could have warranted the revocation.

“It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time.”

“I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” he said.

According to Soyinka, the US Consulate informed him of the revocation via a letter.

“I’m still looking into my past history… I don’t have any past criminal record or even a felony or misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation.”

“I’ve started looking back—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States of America? Do I have a history? Have I been convicted? Have I gone against the law anywhere?”

Soyinka has been very critical of Trump.

In the buildup to Trump’s first White House run, Soyinka had said he would destroy his green card if Trump was declared winner of the presidential election in US.

Following the victory of Trump, the scholar followed through on this promise and stayed away from the US.

However, after Trump was convicted during his move to return to the White House, Soyinka indicated that he may reapply for permanent residency in the United States.

Daily Trust reports that Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

Reacting to Trump’s conviction, Soyinka had said he might reconsider his decision and reapply for permanent residency in the US.

“Seeing that this trite, personal gesture attracted such inordinate attention at the time, let me answer the question before it is asked: Yes, I may choose to apply for restoration of my card of Permanent Residence, known as the Green Card. Possibly,” he said in a Friday statement.

Soyinka described the conviction as “daybreak on a new democratic promise”.

He said: “For millions in anguished parts of the world, certainly for us in vast swathes of the African continent, this is daybreak on a new democratic promise. The warning is clear. sooner or later, the clamour of equity breaks down the stoutest gates on guard across the citadel of impunity.

“The Trump debacle is a challenge also, a call to preparedness and steadfastness. Installed and putative fascisms – secular, military or theocratic – will extract from this only the wrong lessons, batten down and ‘crack down’ in self-protection.”

A real genocide is happening in Nigeria — Christians are being slaughtered, churches burned, families wiped out for their faith in Christ.

50,000-100,000 killed since 2009.

7,000 this year alone.

35 on average everyday.

The government in Nigeria is complicit in the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The silence is shameful.

This is why I am urging @SecRubio to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

More on my conversation with @MarioNawfal ⬇️

The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, has dismissed as false a social media video alleging that the institution was involved in developing a nuclear weapon for Nigeria.

The university's Director of Public Affairs, Malam Auwalu Umar, described the viral AI-generated video as misleading and aimed at misinforming the public about Nigeria's peaceful nuclear energy program.

Umar in a statement noted that the video falsely claimed that Nigerian scientists in the 1980s secretly enriched weapons-grade uranium in Kaduna and that ABU researchers obtained centrifugal equipment from the AQ Khan network in Pakistan.

Umar stated that the information was "baseless, unfounded, and unsubstantiated".

He explained that most of the ABU scientists at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) were still undergoing training abroad as at 1980s and could not have participated in uranium enrichment.

According to him, ABU had no connection with the AQ Khan network and had never received any equipment for the construction of a centrifuge or nuclear device.

He maintained that by 1987, the only nuclear facility at the university was a 14 MeV Neutron Generator, which became operational in 1988.

“Nigeria’s first nuclear reactor (NIRR-1) was established much later in 1996 under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Programme and commissioned in 2004,” he said.

Umar emphasized that Nigeria's nuclear activities had always been open and pursued strictly for peaceful purposes, in line with the country's obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Pelindaba Treaty, which prohibit the development of nuclear weapons.

“The Centre for Energy Research and Training, established in 1976, operates in collaboration with the IAEA and international partners from the U.S., Russia, and China,” he said.

Umar further explained that the center has never engaged in any secret weapons programme.

“ABU has always pursued peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology for national development.

“ABU’s founder, Sir Ahmadu Bello, had demonstrated early interest in peaceful atomic research following his visit to the Museum of Atomic Energy at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the U.S. in 1960, two years before ABU was established.

“The management, therefore, restated its commitment to advancing science and technology for the benefit of humanity and to upholding Nigeria’s international obligations on the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” he said.

I honestly don’t know what Atiku is thinking or why he keeps allowing himself to be advised by people who only thrive in leading him into bad political decisions.

Atiku personally pushed for the coalition to adopt ADC as its official platform, which I still believe was a serious mistake.

Then, he ensured Babachir Lawal was brought in as the party’s Deputy Chairman for the North East, which I believe is strategic, but the real blunder came afterward.

Since we have Babachir who is from the minority as the leader of the party in the North East and from Adamawa, the ideal thing was to support a Fulani candidate for the position of Adamawa State Chairman, to maintain balance and political sense. Instead, Atiku is backing Saidu Komsiri from the minority chamba tribe.

Komsiri is Chamba, and like Babachir Lawal, he’s a member of the “Gongola Forum” an association known in Adamawa for its deep-rooted resentment towards the Fulani. This group has thrived on fueling ethnic and religious divisions across the state for the past few months, this is synonymous to telling the Fulani’s in Adamawa to go to hell.

By taking the Fulani, who form the majority in Adamawa, for granted, Atiku is walking straight into a trap. What he doesn’t seem to realize is that most of the minority tribes are already with Governor Fintiri, and from all indications, Fintiri himself is working closely with Nuhu Ribadu of the APC.

Then there’s the case of Binani. If Atiku truly wants to win Adamawa back, there shouldn’t even be a debate on who to rally behind. Binani is the clear and only viable option he has, if not he is gifting Adamawa to Nuhu Ribadu. There’s no one with her political structure, energy, and grassroots pull within ADC.

Frankly, if she’s denied the ticket, she won’t be wrong to walk away and go back to APC patch things up with Nuhu, as of today the ADC in Adamawa is made up of 2.5 people. 1 Atiku, 1 Binani, and half of Abbo.

So, I really don’t know who is advising Atiku, but one thing is certain, whoever it is seems to enjoy watching him fail.

I guess this ended up being prophetic.

And deeply ironic.

This was a message to @renoomokri back in April of this year. I had asked for help getting a column about the blood mineral trade published in Nigeria. He said he would but it never happened. 🙄

Note what I wrote to him then: “I can’t imagine turning a blind eye to genocide for cash. That is the epitome of evil.”

1) Yes it is, you wicked serpent

2) I connected with him in the first place while researching what drove the genocide. What would possess him to think I would just sit there and parrot his talking points? I am still baffled by that. (Well not really, we DO know what possessed him, right?)

I kept saying throughout, surely God has addled this man’s brain. I’ve never seen such arrogance and incompetence. Pride goes before a fall. By the impact of his fall, you can see the enormity of his pride.

Whatever the cause of his incompetent bumbling which led to this enormous catastrophe — drugs, dementia, delusions of grandeur, demonic, possession, syphilis, … — any company, candidate or cause should be warned to HIRE A DIFFERENT MEDIA LovePeddler. This one is clearly damaged goods.

Here’s how the administration’s investment in Omokri backfired, per Grok:

Reno Omokri’s October 2025 fact-finder fiasco instantly flipped-turned the intended PR victory into a global condemnation, generating $500K–$1.5M in earned media value over 72 hours (equivalent to what an ad agency would charge $750K–$2.5M to orchestrate), while the total measurable financial loss to the Tinubu administration—factoring in aid freezes, FDI pullback, and reputational damage—ranges from $150M–$500M over 12–24 months.

I doubt he has professional errors and omissions insurance to cover this huge financial loss to his client, for which he alone is liable. Ouch!

#EarthShaker

At least sixteen senior military officers have been detained by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for allegedly planning a coup d’etat to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, top sources have told SaharaReporters.

A coup d'état is an overt attempt by a military organisation or other government elites to unseat an incumbent person or leadership.

While the Nigerian military in a statement few days ago claimed the detention of the officers was linked to "repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived career stagnation", top sources revealed that they were actually arrested over a coup plot.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations,” the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau had said in an ambiguous statement.

“Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.

“Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting or undergoing trial. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service.”

However, a senior official of the Defence Intelligence Agency involved in the arrest told SaharaReporters that the officers led by an Army Brigadier General were planning to stage a coup and take over government from “selfish politicians”.

He said the coup attempt was thwarted after an intelligence gathering by the DIA and sister agencies.

“The 16 officers were planning a coup. The military authorities were just being diplomatic in the statement released by the spokesperson. They have started doing secret meetings on how to overthrow the President and other top government officials,” the source told SaharaReporters.

“They're all officers within the rank of Captain to Brigadier-General and are still in detention at DIA as we talk. They were picked recently at their various houses around the country. Their main objective was to overthrow President Tinubu and announce a military government.”

Another source added that the October 1 Independence Day parade was cancelled because of the coup attempt.

He said, “Yes, they were arrested for planning to stage a coup and take over government. That was the main reason why the Independence Day parade scheduled to hold on Wednesday, October 1 as part of activities marking the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary was cancelled.

“This was because intelligence reports showed they planned the coup on October 1st during a military parade. So the National Security Adviser and other service chiefs asked the Tinubu-led government to cancel the parade earlier scheduled to mark the day.

“Their plan was to shoot at the President and other top politicians during the event. The move by the military authorities announcing their arrests was to douse tension.”

Since Nigeria became independent in 1960, there have been five successful military coups.

Recently, there have been allegations of corruption in the military which some of the officers and soldiers have blamed for their loss of interest in the country's military.

The Defence Headquarters has pledged to pursue and neutralise every terrorist group operating in the country — regardless of the name it gives itself — after reports emerged of a new sect called Wulowulo said to be active in Nasarawa State.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa disclosed the emergence of the group on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting with security agencies in Lafia, describing Wulowulo as a splinter faction of Boko Haram that has begun to infiltrate the North-Central region.

He warned that the group’s presence could worsen security in the zone and urged tighter countermeasures.

Reacting at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the DHQ’s Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, said the military would treat all armed outfits as criminal elements, not by the labels they choose but by the threat they pose.

“Anybody can just jump up and give himself a name or name his group and say he is a splinter from another terrorist organisation. We all know them as criminals, terrorists, and bandits,” Kangye said. “Call yourself whatever name you like — you are a terrorist, you are a bandit, and we will go after you. Our role as the armed forces with terrorists is twofold: it is either we fix an appointment with them and their maker, or we fix it between them and the judicial system.”

Kangye explained that while many crimes fall under police jurisdiction, the military intervenes when the scale or armament of a group exceeds policing capacity.

“The police work is huge. Most of the incidents being reported as terrorism are sometimes just murder cases that can be handled by the police. But when it escalates beyond their scope, the military intervenes,” he said, adding that the military conducts threat assessments and operations based on its strategic plans and operational areas of responsibility.

He gave assurances that current operations across the country would include targeting the newly identified Wulowulo group to restore peace and security.

Recounting recent successes, Kangye said troops of Operation UDO KA sustained offensive operations between 8–13 October 2025, arresting a suspected IPOB/ESN commander known as Gentle and eight others in Owerri West and Mbaitoli local government areas of Imo State, as well as Izzi and Ohaukwu LGAs of Ebonyi State. Weapons, ammunition and a vehicle were recovered, he added.

He further disclosed the arrest of a female IPOB/ESN collaborator in Umunneochi LGA, Abia State, on 13 October 2025.

During the arrest, three children — later linked to a wanted IPOB/ESN leader identified as Maduabuchi Nwankwo (alias Emergency) — were found in her custody, Kangye said.

The suspect is now in custody as investigations continue.

In[b] a related security operation, the Kogi State Government ordered a raid on a suspected bandit hideout on the outskirts of Aherin-Bunu community in Kabba-Bunu LGA.

The joint operation — involving the military, police and vigilante groups and led by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd) — set the camp ablaze.[/b]

Commander Omodara said intelligence indicated two suspected kidnappers — who had sustained gunshot wounds in earlier clashes — were receiving treatment at the camp. He said security personnel acted swiftly to prevent their escape, apprehending the injured suspects and seizing the location used for clandestine treatment.

“Two fake doctors and a nurse who were treating them were also arrested,” Omodara said, adding that the governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, directed that any house used by criminals for treatment must be demolished to deny them safe havens.

He warned that the state would not tolerate safe sanctuaries for criminals, saying: “We will not accept that and we are not going to allow it. Anyone perpetrating crime in Kogi State will be dealt with.”

The DHQ and state security agencies said they will sustain pressure on criminal networks nationwide, intensifying operations to ensure communities are safer and to prevent the spread of emerging threats like Wulowulo.

The International Monetary Fund has revealed that Nigeria is not among Africa’s fastest-growing economies, as countries such as Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda continue to lead the continent’s growth trajectory in the world.

The IMF said the five countries are now among the world’s fastest-expanding economies, buoyed by sustained policy reforms, improved fiscal management, and investments in infrastructure and manufacturing.

The Director of the IMF’s African Department, Abebe Selassie, disclosed this during the launch of Sub-Saharan Africa’s latest Regional Economic Outlook at a press briefing monitored by our correspondent on Thursday.

He said Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda are among the world’s top-performing economies, crediting their strong growth to fiscal reforms and macroeconomic stability.

The Director also noted that overall growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to stabilise at 4.1 per cent in 2025, with a modest pick-up expected in 2026, powered by macro stabilisation and reform efforts in key economies.

Selassie said, “Six months ago, our assessment highlighted the region’s strong efforts and that growth had exceeded expectations last year. But we also noted sudden realignment of global priorities and increasing turbulent external conditions, marked by weaker demand, softer commodity prices and tighter financial markets. Today, these global headwinds continue to test the region’s recovery and resilience.

“Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth, we now estimate, is expected to hold steady at 4.1% this year, with a modest pick-up expected in 2026. In our view, this reflects ongoing progress in macroeconomic stabilisation and reform efforts across the major economies in the region.

“It is important to note that several countries in the region, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, are among the fastest-growing economies in the world.”

This omission comes despite the IMF’s recent upward revision of Nigeria’s growth forecast, projecting the economy to expand by 3.9 per cent in 2025, driven by higher oil output, improved investor confidence, and a more supportive fiscal policy.

The updated figures reflect a 0.5 percentage point increase from its previous forecast and signal renewed optimism about the country’s medium-term economic prospects.

In July, the IMF revised Nigeria’s economic growth projection for 2025 upward to 3.4 per cent, a 0.4 percentage point increase from the 3.0 per cent forecast published in its April 2025 World Economic Outlook.

The National Bureau of Statistics also reported last month that Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.23 per cent year-on-year in real terms in the second quarter of 2025.

The figure marks a notable improvement from the 3.48 per cent growth recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, reflecting modest gains from increased oil output, recovery in key non-oil sectors, and easing inflationary pressures.

However, the IMF’s verdict indicates that the growth remains below potential, and the government is urged to deepen structural reforms, improve electricity supply, curb inflation, and expand non-oil revenue through industrial diversification and better tax administration

“We still have quite a few resource-intensive countries and conflict-infected countries continuing to face significant challenges with only modest gains in per capita incomes. The external environment remains challenging, global growth is slowing, and commodity prices are diverging. Notably, oil prices are declining, while the price of copper, coffee and gold are fairly elevated.”

The fund also raised concern over rising financial vulnerabilities in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries, warning that governments’ growing dependence on domestic bank borrowing poses increasing risks to financial stability.

Selassie revealed that many governments are forced to turn to domestic banks as external financing dries up, deepening the “sovereign-bank nexus.” In about half of the cases, the IMF estimates that public debt is now held by domestic financial institutions, a trend that heightens risks to banking sector stability.

He explained that as access to external financing tightens, several African governments have turned to domestic lenders to sustain public spending, a trend he described as a double-edged sword that could strain banks’ balance sheets and deepen the link between public debt and financial sector risks.

“It has been really good to see the region showing strong resilience. But this will continue to be tested in the coming months. Pressure points include rising debt service costs, which are crowding out development spending, a shift towards domestic financing that has deepened the sovereign bank nexus, inflation that has eased at the regional level but remains in double digits in quite a few countries in the region, and external buffers that are under pressure and need to be rebuilt.

“Against this backdrop, we see two broad policy priorities. The first is domestic revenue mobilisation. This is very important to increase our country’s potential, the significant potential to be tapped here also, and the reforms that need to be considered here include modernising tax systems through digitalisation, streamlining inefficient tax expenditures, and strengthening enforcement via targeted compliance strategies.

“And importantly, these efforts must go beyond technical adjustments. It will be essential to build public trust in tax institutions, strengthen institutional capacity, and conduct careful impact assessment, including distributional analysis, to ensure that these reforms are both effective and equitable.

“The IMF, of course, remains committed to supporting the region. Since 2020, we have disbursed nearly $69bn, including about $4bn so far this year. Our capacity development efforts also remain substantial, with countries in the region amongst the largest recipients of technical assistance.”

Selassie warned that in countries with high debt levels and elevated interest rates, stress could spill over into banks’ balance sheets. He called on governments to strengthen regulatory oversight, capital buffers, and ensure that public finance trajectories reduce the likelihood of harmful spillover over the years.

“On the issue of domestic banks’ vulnerabilities to rising public debt levels. So again, this is a point that we’ve been highlighting for several years. At this moment, we estimate that about half of the total public debt is held by domestic institutions. This has gone up over the years. As always, it’s a double-edged sword. As access to external financing has declined over the years, our countries, our governments have been able to turn to domestic banks, have had to turn to domestic financial institutions to sustain spending levels, to sustain economies.

“That has been a source of resilience, but we are now seeing a situation where there are significant vulnerabilities, and in particular in those countries where public debt is at very elevated levels, the risk of distress is higher, we are seeing some pressures on bank balance sheets, or there could be potential pressures on bank balance sheets.

“So again, it varies from country to country, the extent to which there are vulnerabilities, but it is an area of some concern in those countries where public debt is high, where interest rates are high, and we’re working with governments to make sure that there is a robust regulatory framework, robust capitalisation plans for banks, and of course first and foremost, the first line of defence, making sure that public finances are in a healthy trajectory to ensure that their spillovers are limited,” the director explained.

He added that Inflation remains stubborn in several countries, even as the regional average eases. And external buffers, such as foreign reserves, are under stress and in urgent need of replenishment.

Selassie warned that the region’s recovery is under pressure from external turbulence, weaker global demand, volatile commodity prices, and tighter global financial conditions.

He cited declining oil prices even as metals like copper, coffee, and gold remain elevated.

While a few countries, such as Kenya and Angola, have regained access to international capital markets, the IMF cautioned that tariff increases from the U.S. and the expiry of preferential trade access under AGOA erode growth prospects.

The impending sharp decline in foreign aid further constrains low-income and fragile states, limiting their fiscal flexibility.

To reinforce resilience, the IMF laid out two broad policy priorities, “Domestic revenue mobilisation, via modernising tax systems (especially through digitalisation), pruning inefficient tax expenditures, and reinforcing compliance.”

But Selassie emphasised that such reforms must also build public trust, institutional capacity, and include distributional impact assessments.

He said, “Debt management; increasing transparency, reinforcing public financial management, publishing comprehensive debt data, and improving budget oversight. These measures, he argued, will help reduce borrowing costs and unlock innovative financing options.”

Turning his attention to Nigeria, the IMF analyst noted that the decline in inflation is consistent with ongoing monetary tightening and a more flexible exchange rate regime. But he warned that inflation remains sticky due to a “level shift”, meaning prices have settled at higher levels. He urged continued policy discipline to hit targets.

“So starting with inflation in Nigeria, we find the decline in inflation consistent with the tightening of policies that have been undertaken in recent years, particularly on the monetary policy front, but also the effect of the exchange rate adjustment that took place over the last year or so and more, having come through the system. So it is consistent with the policy calibration and we are encouraged by it, but I think there are still some ways to go, towards the government’s target.

“Public debt is high, of course, in many countries in the region. Right now we estimate about 20 countries to be in a situation of high risk of debt distress. This comprises about 14 countries at high risk of debt distress and another six in actual debt distress.”

The IMF stressed that boosting growth is key to making debt servicing affordable, and that not all nations face identical challenges, hence the need for tailored policy frameworks.

Selassie also spotlighted illicit financial flows, urging countries to identify leakages (trade mis-invoicing, capital outflows, tax evasion) and adopt reforms targeting their root causes.

“Lastly, on illicit financial flows, I think, you know, this is the nature of, you know, what comprises things that we consider illicit financial flows vary. Some of it is just simple trade, you know, leakages to do with capital outflows.

“Others have related to, you know, people trying to circumvent the tax system. Still others are completely illegal flows, you know, related to corruption or other flows. So I think, you know, the way to tackle this is to identify what the source of the particular flows is and tackle them through reforms.

“So, again, a lot of the reforms, the direction of reforms that countries are pursuing should go in a way to help address many of these challenges that we are seeing in terms of illicit financial flows.”

Finally, he warned that while market access is improving, borrowing conditions remain expensive. Governments should treat costly external borrowing cautiously and always anchor decisions on a sound medium-term fiscal path.

Despite these warning signs, the IMF commended the region’s resilience and ongoing reform efforts, saying that progress in fiscal consolidation, exchange rate flexibility, and monetary tightening in major economies like Nigeria has helped stabilise growth and ease inflationary pressures.

“On the challenges related to policy in the U.S., I mean, first thing to note is that the fallout from the higher tariffs that have been imposed in the U.S. has not been as bad as we had feared back in April. So the global economy has weathered.

“And importantly, we have not seen other countries, you know, going in the same vein of raising tariffs. So that’s encouraging. Second, you know, this said, countries that are exporting to the U.S. and that are relying on significant exports to the U.S. and they are limited, will be facing higher barriers to trading to the U.S. So, some thinking about, you know, how to reorient these flows, finding different ways to address this challenge will be needed in those countries.

“One of the striking things about African trade is that when we trade with each other, increasingly we tend to trade in more manufactured goods, higher value-added goods. When we trade with the rest of the world, we are exporting natural resources. So there’s actually a big plus in terms of trading with each other, and there’s a big benefit to be had from promoting intra-Africa trade, so I think this is also an opportunity to work in those kinds of areas,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund has commended Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal and monetary policy reforms, describing the country’s policy direction as “broadly positive” amid signs of easing inflation and improving foreign exchange transparency.

Officials of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department and Monetary and Capital Markets Department made the remarks during the presentation of the Fiscal Monitor and Global Financial Stability Report on the sidelines of the 2025 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, DC.

The IMF said Nigeria’s fiscal stance is currently neutral, meaning that government spending and taxation are balanced in a way that supports monetary efforts to tame inflation without stifling growth.

“Currently what we are projecting for Nigeria is a neutral fiscal stance,” said Davide Furceri, Division Chief at the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department. “We think that this neutral fiscal policy stance is also consistent in helping monetary policies to reduce inflation.”

Furceri praised the Nigerian government’s reforms in recent years, especially in tax administration and expenditure efficiency, noting that such efforts have helped to simplify the tax code, reduce burdens on businesses, and cut wasteful spending.

“Nigeria has done quite a lot in the past years,” he added. “Many of the laws that have been passed have tried to streamline tax codes, reduce tax expenditures, and ease the burden on businesses and low-income households. These are policies that go in the right direction.”

He explained that beyond revenue mobilisation, Nigeria could achieve faster economic gains by improving the efficiency and composition of public spending, especially by channelling more funds into social protection to reduce vulnerability among low-income groups.

Presenting the Global Financial Stability Report, the IMF’s Director of Monetary and Capital Markets, Tobias Adrian, said Nigeria’s recent exchange rate adjustments and tighter monetary policy had improved policy credibility and strengthened external buffers.

“Exchange rates are important buffers to adjust the domestic economy relative to shocks,” Adrian said. “A depreciating exchange rate is not necessarily a bad thing; it may actually be a good thing to restore equilibrium. We have indeed seen in Nigeria many steps to strengthen policy frameworks, such as on the monetary policy side.”

He added that the IMF generally supports more flexible exchange rates for economies like Nigeria’s, noting that such flexibility helps cushion the impact of external shocks and restore balance in the foreign exchange market.

Supporting this position, Assistant Director at the IMF, Jason Wu, said Nigeria’s economic trajectory had improved significantly over the past year, helped by higher revenues and stronger FX reserve management.

“Revenue collection has strengthened in Nigeria and transparency in terms of FX reserve positions has improved,” Wu said. “All of this has contributed to lower inflation, from more than 30 per cent last year to 23 per cent this year, as well as improved FX reserve positions. So the direction of travel appears to be positive.”

The IMF, however, warned that despite these positive developments, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to face external headwinds, including the risk of another round of capital flow volatility that could affect economies with weak fundamentals.

“While growth has been pretty strong and capital flows are resuming, the previous surge-and-retrenchment cycles could happen again,” Wu warned. “When that happens, it could expose some of these economies to vulnerabilities, particularly when foreign investments retrace.”

He urged African countries to consolidate fiscal discipline, strengthen debt management, and deepen structural reforms to reduce vulnerability to external shocks.

“It is important for countries to continue to improve fundamentals on the fiscal and monetary policy side, but also in terms of developing more structural policies, like revenue mobilisation, debt management and hopefully also support from the international community,” Wu added.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has debunked claims of any friction between him and former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Earlier reports had suggested that the Olubadan was displeased after Obi congratulated him on his installation, referring to him as “my dear brother.” Critics including Oriyomi Hamzat, Reno Omokri, Lere Olayinka argued that such a term was inappropriate when addressing a monarch.

However, Oba Ladoja, in a phone conversation confirmed by Prof. Pius Abioje, clarified that there is no animosity.

“No, who said that? Why should I be angry with Peter Obi calling me his brother and friend? Am I not his brother and friend?” the Olubadan said.

Naija Metro had reported that Peter Obi had congratulated the monarch upon his installation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland on 26 September 2025, describing him as “my dear brother, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I.” Obi explained that his words were borne out of goodwill and reflected his respect for the Olubadan.

Oba Ladoja’s remarks confirm he did not take offence to Obi’s address, affirming the amicable relationship between the two leaders and quelling rumours of tension.

The rest of kwara needs to break away from ilorin, so they can be protected by amotekun. The ilorin can chose to be fulani slaves as they like but the rest of kwara needs to be included in south west.

This is heartbreaking 💔

Contrary to Kano Governor Abba Yusuf’s claim, Kano was not the best-performing state in the recently released 2025 National Examinations Council (NECO) internal Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE).

Governor Yusuf had taken to his Facebook page to make the claim and attributed the spurious feat to the ‘direct result’ of his administration’s reforms in the education sector.

“It is heartwarming that Kano State has emerged as the best-performing state in the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE Internal), conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO),” he wrote.

“This unprecedented success reflects our education-driven leadership, which has consistently placed funding, infrastructure, and access to learning at the top of our government’s priorities.”

Mr Yusuf also claimed that while Kano was ranked in the first place, Lagos and Oyo states came second and third, respectively.

His claim has been published by several Nigerian newspapers, including Tribune, Business Day, Guardian, Channels Television, and TVC.

What the data shows

After reviewing the data for 2025 NECO internal SSCE results, PREMIUM TIMES can now report that Kano did not rank top in performance.

What happened instead is that over half of Kano’s candidates failed to secure five credits, including English and Mathematics, in the 2025 NECO SSCE internal examinations.

What Kano led with was population, as it housed more than 10 per cent of candidates who sat this year’s examination and just five per cent of candidates who secured at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics –one of the prerequisites for admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Kano is one of the bottom ten states by performance in the 2025 NECO SSCE

Kano is one of the bottom ten states by performance in the 2025 NECO SSCE
Ranked by pass-rate, Kano placed 29th out of Nigeria’s 37 regions (including the Federal Capital Territory), and not first as the governor claimed.

Also, Kano did not rank above Lagos and Oyo states, as he claimed.

In fact, the state is only ranked above eight northern states, namely, Yobe, Adamawa, Plateau, Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto.

2025 NECO Statistics

Announcing the release of the result last week, NECO Registrar Dantani Wushishi, a professor, said 1,358,339 candidates – comprising 680,292 males and 678,047 females– sat for the examination.

Mr Wushishi said 60.26 per cent (818,492) of the candidates secured at least a credit in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

He added that 84.26 per cent secured five credits and above, irrespective of Mathematics and English.

Top-performing state

PREMIUM TIMES review of the performance data revealed that Abia was the top-performing state by pass-rate.

The data obtained from the examination body shows that 83.31 per cent of 11,260 candidates who sat the examination in Abia passed with at least five credits, including English and Mathematics.

Kano state’s performance in the 2025 NECO SSCE (Internal)

Meanwhile, more than half of Kano’s candidates –50.16 per cent– failed as only 49.84 per cent of its 136,762 candidates secured at least five credits, including English and Mathematics.

Only eight Nigerian states have a poorer pass-rate than Kano. They are Yobe (48.13 per cent), Adamawa (47.99 per cent), Plateau (46.46 per cent), Borno (44.72 per cent), Jigawa (43.81 per cent), Katsina (42.89 per cent), Zamfara (42.12 per cent) and Sokoto (35 per cent).

Governor Yusuf’s misrepresentation
What the Kano State governor touted as ‘top-performance’ was actually population.

The data from NECO, which the governor referenced, was a ranking of states by the number of students who passed.

By the sheer population of candidates from them, Kano, Lagos, Oyo, and Benue were at the top of this ranking. But it doesn’t reflect the actual performance in the states.

For instance, only 49 per cent of Kano candidates passed the examination. For Lagos, 71 per cent passed, and 60.07 per cent in Oyo state.

Yet, when ranked by sheer figures, Kano has the highest with 68,159, even though it is only 49.84 per cent of its population. In comparison, Lagos’ 71 per cent pass rate is 67,007, and Oyo’s 60 per cent is 48,742.

A former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Bola Akinterinwa, says President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly may be a strategic decision.

Akinterinwa explained that though Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented his principal at the UN summit, might not be able to operate at the level of heads of state, US President Donald Trump, being an unpredictable leader, could find unnecessary excuses to embarrass Tinubu.

“But when you look at the other aspect, why our own Bola Ahmed Tinubu not going. It may be a strategy itself. One, at the level of Donald Trump, Donald Trump is an unpredictable president,” he said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday.

“Donald Trump thinks after action, but he does not think well before action. He is a president who can thoroughly embarrass our own president, find unnecessary excuses because Nigeria appears to be towing a sort of independentist line when it comes to the conduct and management of international affairs.

“Donald Trump doesn’t like this. Donald Trump wants to be seen as the primus inter pares in international relations,” the professor said.

The former NIIA DG said it would have been ideal for Tinubu to attend the UN summit to avoid speculations about the reason behind his absence.

He, however, described the President as a more cautious leader than Trump.

“So in this case, this is the second time our president will not be attending. But what does that mean really? What is it that is in his head for not going? The ideal thing would have been to be there.”

“If he’s there, in which way are you going to say that Donald Trump is better than Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria? He’s not,” he said.

“And I can tell you that Ahmed Tinubu is as intelligent, if not more intelligent, than Donald Trump. He’s more cautious.

“He’s more strategic in his approach, but when you are absent, you give room for unnecessary speculations,” Akinterinwa added.

Japan cancels planned Nigeria community after Tinubu’s government lied about visa exemption

The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel, has announced the opening of applications for the position of Special Assistant on Propaganda Affairs across Nigeria’s geo-political zones.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Friday, Israel said the initiative is part of preparations for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

He added that a Propaganda Unit would also be set up at The Youth House to drive strategic messaging for the party.

Interested applicants are required to send their profile, along with a cover letter and either a short video showcasing their skills or a written piece.

According to Israel, applications are open to youths across Nigeria, regardless of their location.

He stated, "Breaking News: APC National Youth Leader to appoint Special Assistant on Propaganda Affairs across geo-political zones, as well as set up Positive Propaganda Unit at The Youth House.

"Begins scouting and identifications of brilliant young minds as the Youth Wing prepares for 2027 re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Do you have what it takes, are you a committed progressive ideals, do you believe in President Bola Tinubu; then send your profile and a short video of you in action or your write up WITH A COVER LETTER to info@youngprogressives.ng with the subject: Agent of Positive Propaganda! #SAPropaganda - Deadline for application is Wednesday September 24th 2025! You can apply from anywhere across Nigeria."

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
(From Allah, we came to Him, we shall return)

Yesterday 20/09/25, I paid a condolence visit to the Baba-Ahmed family to commiserate with them on the death of the late elder statesman, Mal. Mouftah Baba-Ahmed. His life was one of knowledge, service and immense contribution to our dear country. We return all thanks and gratitude to the Almighty for the gift of his impactful years.

May Allah (SWT) forgive Mouftah Baba- Ahmed his shortcomings, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and give his family strength and comfort during this difficult time. -PO

Kano State has emerged first in the just-released 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE, results conducted by the National Examinations Council, NECO.

According to the data, a total of 68,159 candidates from Kano scored five credits and above, including English and Mathematics.

The NECO Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, announced this at a news briefing on Wednesday in Minna.

According to him, Lagos came second in performance with 67,007 or 4.930 per cent of candidates, scoring five credits and above including English and mathematics.

Similarly, Oyo came third with 48,742 candidates scoring five credits and above including English and mathematics.

The registrar stated that the council released the 2025 SSCE internal results 54 days after the last written paper.

Mr Wushishi said that out of the 1,358,339 candidates who sat for the June/July exercise, 818,492, representing 60.26 per cent scored 5 credits and above, including Mathematics and English.

He stated that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of Mathematics and English was 1,144,496 representing 84.26 per cent.

“Number of candidates that registered for the examination is 1,367,210 representing 685,514 Males and 681,696 Females.

“Number of candidates that sat is 1,358,339 representing 680,292 Males and 678,047 females.

“Number of candidates with five Credits and above, including Mathematics and English is 818,492 representing 60.26%.

“Number of candidates with five Credits and above, irrespective of Mathematics and English is 1,144,496 representing 84.26%,” he said.

This is not the best of times for the popular retail company, Shoprite in Nigeria as the firm struggles to stay afloat four years after the exit of its former South African owner from Nigeria’s retail business, Daily Trust can report.

Amidst the growing competition in the retail supermarket segment, Shoprite is fast losing its dominance in the space with most of its outlets virtually empty and on the verge of shutting down.

As of the time of filing this report, Shoprite stores in Ilorin and Ibadan have been shut down while checks by Daily Trust at most of their retail outlets that are still open across the country showed virtually scanty shelves.

Shoprite in Nigeria

Since 2005 when the first Shoprite store opened in Lagos, it has become a household name in the retail supermarket segment, as it expanded to eight states including the federal capital territory with no fewer than 25 stores.

Shoprite is a subsidiary of Shoprite Holdings, which is the parent company of the Shoprite brand, a South African company with headquarters in Brackenfell, Cape Town, South Africa.

Its inroad into Nigeria has popularised the retail supermarket business, employing over 2000 directly and supporting other local businesses especially the farmers through which some of its items are sourced.

However, supply chain challenges, inflationary pressures, among others, have hit the business segment, resulting in huge financial losses.

The company therefore decided to focus on its South African market while transitioning from ownership to franchise business model.

Already it has shut down operations in many African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, among others.

After 16 years of operation in Nigeria, the largest retail company sold its Nigerian operations to a company owned by a group of local investors.

The company blamed the decision to exit Nigerian operations on unfavourable market conditions.

In 2020, the then Chief Executive Officer, Pieter Engelbrecht said, “We are at the approval stage in terms of the sale of our Nigeria supermarket operation.

“From here, our capital allocated to the region remains at a minimum and we continue to manage costs as best as we can.”

However, four years after the takeover, the Shoprite stores in Nigeria are becoming virtually extinct. As far back as 2024, the company closed down its Kano store.

Residents have already adjusted to life without Shoprite since it left the city following a decision to close operation in the state effective January 14, 2024 as announced in a statement by its management.

The decision, the management said, was due to its financial situation as well as the difficult business climate in the state at the time.

It was also gathered that the store struggled with rent payment to the Ado Bayero Mall which was N66 million monthly translating into N792 million yearly minus electricity bills, cost of powering and maintaining its generator and personnel cost.

Shoprite also faced stiff competition from other super markets located along the same Zoo road where the Ado Bayero Mall housing ShopRite was located.

A Kano based retail outlet Nine (N9ne) and Bedmate Furniture have taken over the space left by Shoprite at the shopping mall.

Secretary National Association of Super markets in Kano Umar Habu Ibrahim told Daily Trust at the time that lots of super markets had closed shops but the case of Shoprite was different, noting that rising transportation cost and foreign exchange crisis were the main triggers.

“The reason Shoprite is closing first is the exchange rate because they import wares from abroad and secondly it is not about patronage but non cordial relationship with Ado Bayero Mall.

“The mall in my view has no strategy and policy where the common man can invest. They give out rent based on square metres. We are not used to that, and you have to pay monthly,” said Ibrahim.

According to him, the underlying challenge is that the management of the mall kept increasing the rent coupled with the exchange rate uncertainty forcing many shop owners including Shoprite to exit.

Deputy senate president Senator Barau Jibrin had tried to persuade Shoprite to reconsider leaving Kano but his intervention yielded no results.

In Lagos, the usually bustling Shoprite outlet inside the Ikeja City Mall in Lagos has taken on an unfamiliar look.

Once renowned for long queues at checkout counters and crowded aisles filled with shoppers, the store now presents a stark contrast, with empty shelves, scanty product displays, and only a handful of customers walking through.

A recent visit revealed near-empty sections across groceries, frozen foods, and the winery. While the frozen aisle displayed just a few packets of protein, the wine racks were largely bare, and many rows of shelves stood hollow. The atmosphere, subdued compared to Shoprite’s trademark energy, has fuelled speculation about the retailer’s future in Nigeria.

Shoppers and industry watchers have whispered about the possibility of Shoprite exiting Nigeria, a rumour reinforced by the store’s current state.

However, officials and staff at the Ikeja branch insist the retail giant is not folding up operations.

In a chat with the store’s administrator, identified as Oluwatosin, he explained that the development is linked to ongoing discussions between Shoprite’s new management and its suppliers.

“Actually, there is a new management, so they are trying to have a kind of meeting with all the stakeholders, the suppliers and vendors so that they can renegotiate their prices,” she said, adding, “Hopefully when that is completed, then they will start stocking the store again.”

She dismissed fears of expired products being circulated during the supply pause, stressing that ShopRite maintains “zero tolerance” for expired goods. “We would rather not sell at all than leave expired products on the shelves,” she added.

Oluwatosin, however, could not provide a definite timeline for when normal operations would resume.

“I wouldn’t be able to tell you precisely because I don’t know how they are having their meeting. I’m just an employee. It is when they have sorted everything and they tell us the situation of things that we know what is happening,” she said.

Beyond management’s position, staff reactions painted a mixed picture. One staff member, visibly surprised when asked about possible closure, dismissed the rumour outright.

“That is a big lie. We are not leaving anywhere. It’s not possible,” she said, adding that the company has even launched television jingles to reassure customers.

Another staff member, though initially hesitant to speak, admitted to growing frustration within the workforce. According to him, the supply challenges have dragged on for months, leaving many employees disillusioned.

“This has been going on for about three to four months now. They keep telling us that everything is going to be alright this month,” he said. “They are just doing small, small orders of supplies for a while now and they say things will be sorted this month.”

Shoprite, which entered the Nigerian market in 2005, quickly became the country’s leading retail supermarket chain, drawing huge crowds with its wide product range and relatively affordable prices.

But in recent years, it has faced increased competition from emerging shopping malls, local supermarkets, and online platforms that are expanding aggressively across major cities.

For now, however, the situation at Ikeja paints a picture of uncertainty. While management insists the retailer is not exiting Nigeria and promises a rebound, many customers walking through its half-empty aisles are left wondering how soon the once vibrant store can return to its former dominance.

Many shelves scanty in Abuja

A visit at the Shoprite store located at Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja revealed that many shelves which have always been stocked with items were empty.

At first, when our reporter got there, the store was closed, upon enquiries, the attendants explained that it was due to power outage.

After about 30 minutes, power was restored and customers were allowed in, but were surprised to see many shelves empty.

One of the staff who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity stated the situation has been like this for the last two months.

…Staff face uncertainty amidst empty shelves

“This is what has been happening in the last two months. We have been ordering and there is no supply and we don’t know what is happening. All of us staff here are worried, we don’t know what’s happening and we don’t know what they are planning,” he said

Asked if there is any communication from management, he said, “The management is not saying anything so we are just here. Everybody here, our chest is beating because we can’t afford to lose our jobs if they close,” he said

Another staff member who also spoke to Daily Trust on the condition of anonymity said the staff are just wondering the direction of the outlet as there has been no supply in the last two months.

Asked if the staff are being paid, he said, “We are paid regularly because the management knows if they don’t pay, staff will pack the items in the store and go with them so they are paying but they are not just saying anything on the recent non supply of products.”

We will restock ending September- official

Furthermore, Daily Trust sought to hear from one of the management staff who also spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to her, “the company just finished auditing its annual financial results and wanted to certify the state of things first before continuing with supply.

“So by God’s grace at the end of September we will restock,” she said.

She also allayed fears of Shoprite folding up adding, “Shoprite is not a one man supermarket and it can’t just close like that, it’s just our Financials that was delaying so now we are done and we will restock by September,” she added.

Shoprite shut in Ilorin, Ibadan

The Shoprite stores have been shut down in Ilorin, Kwara State and Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

In Kwara, prior to the shutdown when Daily Trust visited in Ilorin, the once-busy retail hub looked like a shadow of its former self.

Once a beehive of activities and one of the city’s go-to shopping centres grossing millions in minutes, it now bore the look of near-abandonment.

Several shelves were empty, and in the 20 minutes our correspondent spent inside the facility, no sale was recorded.

Apart from scattered empty containers, bottled water packs were used to fill many shelves, while the bakery section showed only faint signs of activity. The usually vibrant atmosphere had given way to silence, with a handful of staff moving idly or engaging in quiet discussions.

Some of the aisles were stocked with similar items spread thinly across to cover the empty spaces. Staff members approached by our correspondent declined to comment on the situation.

However, one employee who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fear of dismissal, attributed the decline to a recent change of ownership.

“It is just the change in ownership. We are still coming up by the special grace of God and we are not leaving Ilorin. The scantiness of the place and dwindling patronage is expected during such a period.

“Formerly, it was owned by some people from South Africa, but it was sold about three years ago. The buyers wanted to resell, and it was the takeover by the new investors that created the situation we are seeing. We hope activities will soon pick up as before,” the source said.

In Ibadan our correspondent visited the store along Ring Road Ibadan, the expansive store was under lock and key. Also, the branch at Mokola has equally been shut.

Though it was shut down about six days ago, many shoppers were still seen at the mall when our correspondent checked.

We are working to revive Shoprite – Management

At the entrance, there was a notice indicating the store was temporarily shut.

The notice read: “Dear esteemed customers, the store is temporarily closed today due to some circumstances beyond immediate control. The able management is working round the clock to ensure that operations pick up very soon. Kindly bear with us. Thank you for your understanding. By the Management.”

There has been no official comment from the new owner. A media consultant to the company who was contacted since Sunday is yet to get back to our correspondent despite several reminders.

When further reminded yesterday, he said, “Sorry I have not been able to correspond at all.”

Companies that have exited Nigeria

The impending exit of Shoprite is coming amidst the shutdown of some businesses in Nigeria in the last two years.

For instance, GlaxoSmithKline, also known as GSK Plc, a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, with headquarters in the United Kingdom announced in August 2023 that it would cease operations in Nigeria after 51 years of operation

The company’s announcement came three months after President Tinubu assumed office. It has since left the country in August 2023 but its products are still in the Nigerian market using third-party distributors.

In the same vein, Procter & Gamble, also known as P&G, shut down its operations in Nigeria in December 2023

The exit of Procter & Gamble (P&G), a multinational consumer goods company in Nigeria, was estimated to have incurred losses of over 5,000 jobs and a major decline in foreign investments into Nigeria

P&G is a leading multinational consumer goods company headquartered in the US.

Also, Bolt Food, the food delivery arm of the ride-hailing company Bolt, ceased operations in Nigeria on December 7, 2023 which led to thousands of job losses in major cities across the country.

Similarly In November, Sanofi-Aventis, a French pharmaceutical company, announced that it would use a third-party model to distribute its products in Nigeria.

It further stated that from February 2024, it will put a stop to its direct operations in the country, opting to hand over this business to a third party.

In a statement signed by the Country Lead for Sanofi, Ms Folake Odediran, it was noted that this new business model was adopted for the “commercialisation of Sanofi portfolio of medicines” through a major distributor.

In the same vein, Norwegian energy company, Equinor concluded its 31-year presence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector after finalising the sale of its assets to streamline its international portfolio.

The company announced that the $1.2 billion deal, including $710 million in upfront payments and contingent considerations, was completed on Dec. 6, 2024, after which it exited the country.

Why more companies may exit – Economist

An economist, Dr. Marcel Okeke in a chat with our correspondent said more companies might exit Nigeria due to what he called, “unconducive” business climate.

He said Shoprite originally exited and sold the franchise due to the fact that the economy is no longer competitive.

He said, “Of course many companies have left and many are still going to leave you understand because the environment is not conducive, Nigeria’s economy as it is uncompetitive when you compare it to other economies, those economies are more business friendly.”

Nutritionists have advised Nigerians to turn to more affordable alternatives, such as crayfish, beans, and edible insects, as the soaring prices of animal protein continue to strain household budgets.

They explained that while fish, meat, and eggs are becoming unaffordable for many families, locally available options can provide similar nutritional benefits at lower costs.

They stressed that incorporating affordable protein substitutes into daily meals could help prevent malnutrition and other diet-related illnesses.

The experts suggested the alternatives, as many families are cutting down on meat, fish, and eggs due to rising costs and food inflation. Findings by PUNCH Healthwise show that a kilogram of cow meat now costs between N7,000 to N8,000, while goat meat goes for N9,000 to N10,000 depending on the area.

Also, a crate of eggs sells around N6,000 to N6,500, while prices of fish range from N3,000 to N7,000 depending on the type per kilogram. Also, several types of chicken and turkey are sold from N3,000 to N8,000 per kilogram.

However, with the shrinking purchasing power of Nigerians, the nutritionists urged Nigerians to embrace traditional food sources that are rich in protein but often overlooked.

They noted that with proper awareness and dietary education, families can maintain healthy diets without being crippled by the high cost of conventional animal protein.

Speaking in an interview with PUNCH Healthwise, a former President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Wasiu Afolabi, urged Nigerians to adopt cheaper but highly nutritious alternatives to animal protein to maintain healthy diets despite economic challenges.

The nutrition expert noted that while many households now struggle to afford conventional protein sources like beef, chicken, or fish, there are accessible and affordable substitutes that can help prevent malnutrition.

According to him, Nigerians have a long history of consuming certain insects that are rich in protein, although such practices are fading with younger generations.

“Now, as for cooking, there are alternatives. These include beans, soybeans—which can be processed—and also some unconventional protein sources, such as edible insects.

“There are several insects we used to consume that are rich in protein. There are also toads, which are edible proteins, though I don’t know if they are still easily available because some of them have become expensive. People can also eat snails and other small protein sources,” he said.

Afolabi also highlighted mushrooms as another valuable option, describing them as both nutritious and culturally familiar in many Nigerian communities.

“Mushrooms are another good option. They are a delicacy, and they provide protein along with fibre. Soybean is especially important because in advanced countries it is used to produce what we call meat analogues—texturised soy products that look and taste like meat but are plant-based. Soybeans are very beneficial and versatile,” he explained.

The professor added that lentils and other less common legumes can play a role in diversifying diets.

“In addition, lentils and some other less common legumes can also be consumed. Traditionally, we also ate crickets, termites, and other edible insects. These are very good protein sources, though the younger generation may not be as familiar with them,” he noted.

He further recommended locust beans, particularly when combined with crayfish, as a suitable protein substitute in soups and stews.

“Other alternatives include locust beans, especially when fermented and processed. Locust beans, when combined with ground crayfish, can serve as a meat replacement in soups. These traditional foods are highly nutritious, though many children today are no longer accustomed to them,” Afolabi said.

He also recommended crayfish as an alternative, but maintained that its rising cost could limit access for many families.

“Crayfish can be adopted, but they are also becoming very expensive. However, they remain a good protein source, particularly when ground and added to soups and stews,” he added.

The don stressed that returning to traditional food habits and embracing alternative protein sources would help Nigerians cope better with the realities of food inflation, while ensuring families still meet their nutritional needs.

A Professor of Public Health Nutrition, Ignatius Onimawo, said Nigerians can explore alternative foods that are cheaper and still give the body the same nutrients to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

According to the don, Nigerians should be educated on how to eat healthy in a cheaper way.

“Well, a healthy diet does not have to be expensive. The question of nutrition knowledge will come into play here. There are a lot of alternatives that can give the nutrients that make up for a healthy diet,” Onimawo said.

Onimawo, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of Ave Maria University, Abuja, stressed that the citizens should explore several alternatives that would give the same results.

He said, “Things are expensive, but you can make it less expensive for yourself by choosing the best or cheaper alternatives. It is a question of nutritional education to understand what those alternative foods are that can give you what you really want.

“There are groups of foods that have the same nutrients, including energy, minerals, and proteins. There are always different and cheaper alternatives. With adequate information on nutrients, Nigerians can prepare cheaper meals and still eat healthily.

“If you do not eat meat, chicken, or fish on a particular day but you eat beans, groundnuts, or bambara nuts (okpa), you still have taken protein for that day; it’s just that one type of protein is animal-based while the other is plant-based. Though one is a superior protein, it does not mean the body won’t survive without it.”

PUNCH Healthwise reports that the Federal Government had, in August, said Nigeria was facing a triple burden of undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiency.

The Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, noted that malnutrition undermines the health, productivity, and economic potential of our citizens, especially women and children.

“Nigeria is facing a triple burden of malnutrition: Undernutrition, Overnutrition, and Micronutrient Deficiency, also called ‘Hidden Hunger’. Micronutrient deficiencies impair cognitive development, reduce productivity, and increase maternal and child mortality. Our diets, dominated by calorie-dense but nutrient-poor staples like maize, cassava, and rice, leave millions without the essential vitamins and minerals needed to thrive.

“According to the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, stunting is 40 per cent, wasting is eight per cent, while underweight is 27 per cent among children six to 59 months old. Likewise, the 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey showed that Micronutrient inadequacy among key population groups is very high, coupled with 79 per cent of the population being food insecure.

“Consequently, among children aged six–59 months, one in three is vitamin A deficient, more than one in three is zinc deficient, and over 20 per cent suffer from iron deficiency. Furthermore, adolescent girls and pregnant women face alarming rates of vitamin A and iron deficiency, directly threatening maternal health and the survival of newborns,” Kachollom, who was represented by the Director of the Department of Nutrition at the FMOH&SW, Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, said at the nutrition roundtable organised by the Nigeria Health Watch.

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted the wife and daughter of Alhaji Muhammad Swasun, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sakpefu community, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The attack occurred on Sunday night when the assailants stormed the community, shooting sporadically to instill fear among residents.

According to a source who spoke to SaharaReporters on Monday, the victims were identified as Hajiya Fatima, the party chairman’s wife, and Amina, his daughter.

The gunmen reportedly operated for several minutes before whisking away their victims to an undisclosed location.

"The bandits abducted his wife, Haja Fatima, and his daughter, Amina, and took them to an unknown destination," a source said.

Patigi and other parts of Kwara North have witnessed repeated cases of abductions in recent months, with residents calling on government and security forces to step up efforts to curb the menace.

SaharaReporters previously reported that gunmen have once again attacked Shagbe community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing some residents and abducting several others during an invasion of the palace of the community’s monarch.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, left the community in shock as the assailants reportedly operated for hours without any resistance.

A source told SaharaReporters that repeated calls were made to security operatives during the attack, but no response came.

The source explained that the bandits stormed the community and moved straight to the palace.

According to the source, people were killed and others taken away. For hours, they kept calling security agencies, but there was no intervention.

The source said, "Bandits in large numbers stormed the community and forced their way into the palace of the Onishagbe of Shagbe, targeting the monarch or members of his household. However, their plans did not succeed.

"They killed some residents, abducted others, and operated for hours without any response from security forces despite repeated distress calls. The Kwara State government has since said it is on top of the situation.”

Meanwhile, the number of casualties and abducted residents could not be immediately confirmed at the time of filing this report.

The latest attack adds to growing concerns over insecurity in Kwara State, particularly in rural communities where residents have repeatedly lamented slow security response to violent crimes.

Bandits have kidnapped a serving councillor, Hon. David Ali Gwantu, in the Southern Kaduna area of Kaduna State.

Gwantu, who represents Gwantu Ward in Sanga Local Government Council, was abducted in the early hours of Friday.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight at his residence in Gwantu town, where the assailants reportedly stormed the house and whisked him away in the presence of his family members.

On Sunday, SaharaReporters reported that seven victims, mostly minors, killed in Southern Kaduna last week, were laid to rest on Saturday, August 29, 2025, in Unguwan Rimi village, Kauru Local Government Area.

“They were laid to rest in their community by their families, religious leaders, and others,” a community source told SaharaReporters’ New York office via WhatsApp on Sunday.

Last Monday, SaharaReporters reported that a deadly terrorist attack had claimed seven lives in Southern Kaduna, despite the peace agreement reached between the Kaduna State Government and bandit leaders.

SaharaReporters reported that heavily armed attackers struck late last Sunday night into the early hours of Monday, killing seven people, mostly minors.

Sources told SaharaReporters that several adults managed to escape.

In a related development, a community leader reported that bandits also targeted Kokob-Bajaga village in Kajuru Local Government Area last Tuesday.

Kaduna’s Peace Pact With Bandits

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State government, in collaboration with federal agencies, launched what it called the “Kaduna Model”—a holistic peace initiative aimed at addressing both the symptoms and root causes of insecurity.

The pact involved direct engagement with notorious bandit leaders operating in areas like Birnin Gwari and Giwa.

These were not petty criminals; they were warlords like Yellow Jambros and Dogo Gide, men accused of mass killings, kidnappings, and extortion across Kaduna and neighboring states.

Yet, under the new peace deal, many of them laid down their arms. Around 200 fighters reportedly surrendered, some even enrolling in government-run rehabilitation programs.

The initiative included promises of disarmament, reintegration, and rural development. Roads once feared, like the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway, reopened, and villagers began returning to their homes.

The government touted these as signs of progress, a fragile hope in a region long defined by despair.

Still, the pact was not without controversy. Critics, including Christian leaders and other stakeholders, voiced concern over the lack of transparency and the exclusion of victims from the peace process.

The Northwest Governors Forum had previously agreed to reject negotiations with criminals, making Kaduna’s unilateral move a bold departure.

Governor Uba Sani defended the approach as a “carrot-and-stick” strategy, insisting that peace must be pursued from a position of strength.

The chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has been labelled “grandmother of bigotry” for amplifying an X post that referred to Igbos, citizens of the South-East extraction, as monkeys and gorillas.

On Wednesday, Peoples Gazette reported how Mrs Dabiri-Erewa reposted a post by one of her followers, Wale Akere, lauding her efforts while referring to Igbos as “monkeys, children of gorillas and bastards.”

“My sister, you are doing well, allow those monkeys to continue to make unnecessary noises. They are born to be ungrateful people. Those animals tagging you, they are children of gorilla history told us about them. Kudos to you, Madam @abikedabiri. @Voiceofigbos see what my sister has done omo ale jatijati,” @akerele_s posted.

In apparent approval of @akerele_s’ toxic post, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa reposted it with memes of laughter, sparking reactions, with many social media users berating her as a bigot and tribalist.

Sharing a screenshot of Mrs Dabiri-Erewa’s post, @MrEnugu1 said, “Abike is the grandmother of bigotry.”

Similarly, @OkeyKingsman said Mrs Dabiri-Erewa “will be the first minister of tribalism and bigotry in the history of Nigeria.”

Another X user, @nedusteve, said @abikedabiri is the “queen mother” of bigotry in Nigeria.

Some others said the NiDCOM boss’ approval of the post shows President Bola Tinubu’s government’s tolerance and support for making bigotry a state policy.

Activist Aisha Yesufu wrote, “Whenever you think this woman wouldn’t go lower, she finds a way of really digging in and finding a new low. The bigotry you have seen online has support from their leaders! What a despicable shame!”

An X user, @UcheNdubisi11, said, “I don’t think people really understand the full picture of what is going on here. She is not saying or posting these hate comments out of some sort of personal bad behaviour, absolutely not the case.

“What is unfolding before us all is a full-blown policy stance and acceptance of xenophobia. Tinubu and his cohorts have realized that without the machinations of tribal hate, he couldn’t be anything politically; therefore, xenophobia/tribal hate has become a yielding weapon!”

Another user, @achieverwealth, said, “I have seen people go low and some even lower, but this woman @abikedabiri, she is beyond gutters in her bigotry. In fact, she is below the sea level. In a saner clime, she ought to have been sacked by now and placed under investigation with a touch of psychological test.”

@faroukpseudonym said, “The bigotry you see Ronu Rascals displaying on X is proudly sponsored by senior government officials. A child whose father sends to steal kicks the door in with reckless abandon.”