₦airaland Forum

By Augustine Aminu

On Friday, May 15, 2026, the world was jolted by news of the killing of top commander of the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abour Mainok and several other fighters. Also known as Abu Bilal al-Minuki, and considered the second-in-command of ISIL (ISIS) globally, the top terrorist commander was reportedly killed during a joint Nigeria-U.S. Counter Terrorism operation in Metele, Borno State.

Ever since the elimination of al-Minuki, considered one of the biggest blows in recent times to terrorists in the world over, torrents of encomium have been pouring in for the Nigeria -U. S. joint terrorism operations.

Posting on his Truth Social handle, U. S. President Donald Trump, wrote, "Brave American forces ⁠and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,"

Al-Minuki, added President Trump, “thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had ‌sources ⁠who kept us informed on what he was doing."

On his part, President Bola Tinubu stated that both countries had “recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism”.

Early assessments indicate that al-Minuki, along with “several of his lieutenants,” were killed during a strike on his compound in Metele, Borno State," Tinubu said.


Read more... https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/security/the-role-of-intelligence-in-the-nigeria-us-joint-counter-terrorism-operations-that-neutralized-top-iswap-commander,-fighters.html

I read the article by Mohammed Bello Doka from kaduna state. To be honest It’s heavy. It hurts to read because the pain is real. Mothers burying kids in Kajuru. Kids in Sokoto too weak to stand. Fathers in Zamfara paying ransom with their last cow. If you’re from the North, you feel that in your chest.

But the story it tells is incomplete. And an incomplete story to start with and incomplete story becomes a weapon.

Right now, it’s a weapon telling millions of northern Muslims that the only reason they suffer is because Tinubu and his administration hates them. That’s not the truth. And it won’t fix anything.

As a political commentator watching from a side line, lets scrutinise the points Doka raised one after the other.

1. Insecurity didn’t start in 2023. But the rules of engagement changed

Bandits were taxing villages in Zamfara in 2021. Schools were shut in Kaduna in 2022. The difference now is you hear about it faster, and the military is being told “no more deals, no more ceasefire that buys time for regrouping.” for the terrorists.

Recall, between Jan-April 2026, yes, 1,100 people were abducted. Terrible. But compare that to Jan-April 2024: 1,680 abductions per SBM Intelligence data. You will notice that the trend moving down, not up. The Woro attack in Kwara happened. So did the rescue of 89 victims in Birnin Gwari 3 weeks later. The media space amplified the attack, not the rescue. That’s not Tinubu hiding it. That’s how bad news travels 10x faster than good news.

The real shift: Security forces are now taking the fight into forests instead of waiting in barracks. That’s why you see more contact, more casualties on both sides. It’s messy. But “silent war” implies nothing is being done. The 8th Division’s Operation Fansan Yamma has cleared 14 camps in Sokoto-Zamfara axis since March 2026 alone as being dislodged of terroeist. Ask people in Shinkafi if they feel nothing changed.

2. Poverty in the North is structural, not a Tinubu invention

The UN report that 71.9% poverty in the North-East didn’t appear in 2024. NBS data shows it’s been above 65% since 2018. Sokoto placed at 90.5%? That’s from the 2025 Multidimensional Poverty Index using data collected under Buhari’s last year to begin with.

What’s different now is the pain of correction hit first. Subsidy removal, Forex unification, and the fight against agricultural smuggling hurt before the investments begin to yeild result. But look at what’s running parallel:

- On Agriculture: The $2.5bn Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones project broke ground in Kano and Kaduna in Q1 2026. Is targeting 1.2m jobs. Not enough, but it’s not “silence.”
- On Livestock: The new Ministry of Livestock Development, headed by a northerner, is rolling out ranching pilots in Nasarawa and Niger to end the farmer-herder conflict that drives displacement.
- Mwanwhile on Education: The Almajiri Education Commission got its highest budget ever in 2026. 400,000 kids enrolled in 12 northern states since Jan 2026 for the first ever.

Is it fast enough? No. Is it “systematically dismantling the North”? No. The data says the North was already at the bottom. The fight now is to stop it falling further while building something new.
Dissecting on ; Appointments
3. Appointments: Follow the money and the mandate, not just the name

Yes, Ganduje, Yakubu, Badaru are out. Yes, some replacements are northern Christians. But the narrative that “Muslim North has no power” ignores where the money and policy levers actually sit:

- Budget & Planning: Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi. He signs off every capital project.
- Agriculture: Abubakar Kyari, Borno. Rice, wheat, and dry-season farming policy.
- Health: Muhammad Ali Pate, Bauchi. He’s running the $2.2bn healthcare financing program.
- Transportation, Housing, Women Affairs, Livestock - all held by northerners.

The Presidency argues that national security and finance were given to technocrats trusted across regions to avoid the “ethnic capture” that broke trust under Buhari. Whether you agree is fair. But calling it a purge against Muslims ignores that VP Shettima sits on every major economic council, and Nuhu Ribadu, despite claims he’s sidelined, chairs the NSA office that approves every security operation.

On El-Rufai, Malami, Mamman: they’re facing EFCC cases started under Buhari, not new cases created in 2025. Selective prosecution is a real concern. But the files were opened before Tinubu took over office. If you want to call it selective, ask why the files moved now. The answer is messy, but it’s not “because they’re northern Muslims.”

4. The North’s elite problem is older than Tinubu

The article is right about one thing: too many northern governors and ministers live in Abuja while their states burn. But that started in 1999. The difference is social media now shows the private jets and mass graves in the same feed.

Tinubu didn’t make northern elites silent. He inherited a system where speaking up gets you labeled “anti-party.” If the North wants a different deal, the pressure has to be on those governors and senators who control state budgets and security votes. Blaming only Abuja lets the governors off the hook.

5. What’s actually being asked for?

If the demand is “treat the North fairly,” I’m with you. But if the demand is “give us power back without fixing why we lost it,” that’s not a plan. That’s nostalgia.

This narrative isn’t proving that “Tinubu is perfect.” He’s not. Subsidy removal without a functioning transport system was brutal. The pace of agricultural investment is too slow. Communication from the Presidency on northern issues is defensive, rather than proactive.

The counter-narrative is: The North is in a fight for survival, and the fight started long before Tinubu. He’s choosing to fight it openly instead of managing it quietly. That hurts now, but hiding it hurt more.

So what do we do with this?

1. Demand specifics, not vibes: “Why is Sokoto’s budget for primary healthcare still 3%?” That question moves governors more than “Tinubu hates us.”
2. Separate anger at policy from anger at identity: You can hate subsidy removal and still admit it wasn’t targeted at Muslims.
3. Use the people who are in power: Bagudu, Kyari, Pate are in the room. If they’re silent, make them speak. If they’re delivering, make them show it.
4. Stop letting fear set the agenda: Every time

The North doesn’t need a savior in Aso Rock. It needs leaders in Kaduna, Sokoto, and Maiduguri who are as afraid of their people as they are of Abuja.

Tinubu’s job is to run Nigeria. The North’s job is to make sure he can’t ignore it. That only happens if we stop fighting over who hates who, and start fighting over budgets, schools, and security outcomes. And what leverage the north can take advantage of.

Abdulaziz Munir
Writing from Jigawa.

By: Zagazola Makama

The latest international media appearance by Plateau-based activist, Masara Kim Usman, has once again exposed how misinformation, emotional propaganda and outright fabrication are being weaponised to inflame Plateau’s communal crisis and falsely portray it as an “Islamic jihadist war” against Christians.

In his now-circulating interview, Masara claimed that armed Fulani jihadists attacked a burial ground during funeral rites in Barkin Ladi while mourners were burying victims of earlier attacks.

According to him, gunmen opened fire from surrounding hills, forcing locals to abandon proper burial rites and hurriedly dump corpses into shallow graves before fleeing for their lives.

He further claimed he personally witnessed someone being shot during the attack and that armed terrorists carrying sophisticated weapons and sniper rifles attempted to massacre mourners.

But there is one major problem with the entire dramatic story: absolutely nobody was killed or injured during the so-called burial attack.

Not one casualty, no one corpse, not one hospital record, not one medical or security report from multiple security agencies and not one single verified victim, except him.

The obvious question therefore remains if hundreds of armed “Fulani jihadists” attacked a crowded burial ceremony with sophisticated rifles and sniper weapons as claimed by Mr Masara, how did nobody die? How did nobody sustain injury? How does a “mass attack” end without a single casualty?

The answer is simple, because the narrative was fabricated and staged to create panic, attract sympathy and push a false genocide narrative to international audiences. Even Masara’s own videos exposed the inconsistencies.

The same man claiming he was running for his life under heavy gunfire somehow managed to hold his camera perfectly steady, maintain smooth commentary with british accent, control his breathing, avoid visible distress, remain spotless without sweat or dust, and narrate events calmly like a movie correspondent.

At different times, he claimed he ran two kilometres. Later, the distance mysteriously became five kilometres. Yet throughout the footage, there was no sign of exhaustion, panic or trauma expected from someone supposedly escaping sniper fire and a coordinated terrorist assault.

Even more damaging to the propaganda effort was what appeared in the background of the footage itself. While Masara shouted dramatically about “Fulani attackers,” some women visible in the same environment were calmly walking without panic, without taking cover and without any indication that an active attack was taking place nearby. In the same background some youths were asked to run while the documentary was being shot.

In fact, the only armed individuals clearly visible in portions of the footage were local Berom militia carrying weapons and firing toward nearby hills.

Security and community sources confirmed that before the burial commenced, armed Berom youths had already gathered around the area, allegedly mobilising for a reprisal attack on a nearby Fulani settlement following earlier killings of seven persons.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace deployed to the area reportedly intervened to stop the retaliatory mobilisation. According to findings, while tensions were high during the burial, sporadic gunshots were fired by the same local armed youths toward nearby hills, triggering confusion and panic which Masara and others immediately transformed into a staged “Fulani terrorist attack on mourners.”

Masara also falsely claimed that while the burial was ongoing, “someone was shot” some distance away from him. Again, this claim collapsed immediately because there was no recorded casualty, no injured victim, no evacuation and no corpse connected to the supposed shooting.

Not even community leaders could identify the alleged victim he claimed to have seen fall after gunshots. In his interview Masara claimed that local vigilante at the Burial responded with dane gunz but the Fulani had superior weapons than them. This further confirmed that the shooting was actually from within

The story simply never happened.
Masara also attempted to frame Plateau’s crisis as part of a broader “Islamic jihad against Christianity” allegedly aimed at establishing an Islamic caliphate and destroying Western civilisation.

According to him, Fulani attackers were fighting Christianity because “the West brought Christianity” and therefore wanted to eliminate Christians and Western influence.

This claim is not only false but dangerously irresponsible.

The reality is that Plateau State is NOT under invasion by Boko Haram, ISWAP or any international jihadist organisation.

No terrorist organisation has claimed responsibility for attacks in Plateau.

No ISIS flags have appeared in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Mangu or Bassa.

No evidence exists showing any coordinated jihadist structure operating in the state.

What Plateau is experiencing is a long-running communal conflict driven by reprisals, cattle rustling, farm destruction, land disputes, livestock poisoning and cycles of revenge killings between armed groups from different ethnic communities.

The killings are real.But they are happening on BOTH sides. Fulani communities have suffered attacks. Berom communities have suffered attacks. Livestock have been rustled and poisoned. Farms have been destroyed.

Villages on both sides have buried victims.

Even as this report is being compiled today 9th May 2026, fresh incidents involving attacks on livestock were again recorded in Bassa, where criminal youths reportedly shot and killed four cows, while in the night of 8th May 2026, attack was reported in Riyom where some people were killed in a cycle of reprisals that repeatedly triggers counter-attacks.

Masara conveniently ignored these incidents because acknowledging them would destroy the false “one-sided jihad” or Christian Genocide narrative being sold internationally.

He also falsely alleged that a Muslim soldier attached to Operation Enduring Peace aided attackers and was later arrested after refusing to engage the assailants.

This allegation was another blatant fabrication.

Checks revealed that the soldier in question, a naval rating, was away on an administrative assignment approved by his unit commander, who incidentally is also a Christian officer.

He was neither armed nor deployed at the attacked location during the incident.

But because the soldier was Muslim, propagandists immediately framed his absence as “evidence” that he collaborated with Fulani attackers.

This reckless weaponisation of religion is exactly what continues to poison Plateau’s fragile environment. Every incident is instantly branded “Islamic terrorism.” Every criminal becomes “Fulani jihadist.” Every reprisal attack becomes “Christian persecution.”

Meanwhile, the actual realities of criminality, communal reprisals and illegal arms proliferation are ignored. The same activists defending armed youths and illegal militias are often the loudest voices accusing security agencies of bias whenever arrests are made.

Only recently, troops uncovered illegal arms fabrication factories in Plateau and arrested suspects manufacturing AK-47 rifles and ammunition components. Instead of condemning the criminal arms operation, some individuals openly defended the suspects and justified illegal weapon production as “community self-defence.”

This dangerous normalisation of militancy or terrorism is precisely why Plateau remains trapped in endless violence. No society survives when civilians begin manufacturing assault rifles while activists celebrate them online. It is also important to note that several attacks highlighted by Masara conveniently omitted the reprisal context surrounding many incidents.

Zagazola repeatedly maintain that many retaliatory attacks follow earlier incidents involving cattle rustling, poisoning of livestock, attacks on herders or destruction of farms.

According to security source familiar with operations in Plateau: These attacks always have history behind them. Something usually happens before reprisals occur. We have repeatedly warned communities against poisoning cows, attacking herders and carrying out retaliatory raids. But propaganda often overshadows the real causes.”

The source added that illegal arms in the hands of youths across affected communities remain one of the biggest threats to peace. The truth remains that Plateau’s crisis cannot be solved through emotional manipulation, fake genocide narratives, staged videos or international propaganda tours.

The violence in Plateau is tragic and real.

But turning a complex communal conflict into fictional “Islamic conquest” propaganda only deepens mistrust, fuels retaliation and prolongs the bloodshed.

Peace will only come through accountability, disarmament, justice and honest engagement on ALL sides not through staged narratives designed to deceive the world and inflame tensions further.

At the risk of sounding jaded, intelligence, intel, typically refers to secret, security, or strategic data gathered about an enemy or a situation. It often implies actionable knowledge used for decision-making in security, business, or competitive contexts. This is the focus of this analysis. In the aftermath of the recent attack by terrorists on the Nigerian Army Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, made a startling but sad revelation that the Nigerian Army received intelligence two days before the attack. According to the governor, the intelligence included movement and routes used by the terrorists, and that the insurgents were headed towards the military barracks. The governor expressed regret that the Army failed to act.

While Governor Zulum didn't disclose which of the security agencies supplied the intelligence to the Army, it isn't difficult to hazard a guess if what Zulum's colleague in Kebbi State, Alhaji Nasir Idris, said last November is anything to go by.

In mid-November 2025, gunmen attacked Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The gunmen abducted at least 25 female students of the school.

Shortly after the attack, Governor Idris visited the school. During the visit he expressed frustration over the failure to act on credible intelligence provided by the Department of State Services (DSS), which revealed a clandestine plot to attack the school.

Lamented the governor, "This is clear sabotage. We received credible intelligence from the DSS that this school was likely to be attacked. The DSS further advised that we convene an emergency Security Council meeting, which we did. The decision was that we would provide round-the-clock protection for the students."

He stated that he took the DSS report seriously, bearing in mind that the failure to act on similar intelligence led to the December 2020 kidnapping of over 300 pupils of a school in Kankara, Katsina State.

On November 21, 2025, gunmen attacked St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri Community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting over 300 students and teachers. After a month-long captivity, all kidnapped persons were confirmed free on December 21, 2025.

The abduction and rescue of the Papiri victims wasn't without controversy, especially after it was confirmed that the school authorities defied an intelligence report by the DSS that all boarding schools shut down in the face of the possibility that they could be attacked by terrorists.

A month earlier, the Kogi State governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, lauded the DSS for what he called their timely and accurate intelligence reports. The governor spoke on the heels of a leaked DSS intelligence report that the state and neighbouring Ondo were likely to come under attack.

Governor Ododo's Commissioner of Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, who conveyed the gratitude of the state to the secret police, said Kogi State has always relied on credible intelligence of the Service.

"The report itself is evidence that our security agencies are alive to their responsibilities. We commend the DSS for their vigilance and for providing early intelligence capable of preventing such evil plans from being executed,” stated the Commissioner.

On its part, Ondo state didn't scoff at a leaked security memo by the DSS, which was addressed to the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, in Akure.

The secret police, in the leaked memo, said it "confirmed plans by members of the ISWAP terrorist group to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi States anytime soon."

Further, stated the report: “Some identified target locations within Ondo State include, Eriti Akoko, Oyin Akoko communities in Akoko North West LGA and Owo town in Owo LGA, respectively.

"It was further gathered that the groups have commenced surveillance on potential soft targets in the above-mentioned locations."

On the heels of the same leaked memo on planned attacks by ISWAP elements, the Ondo State Government called for calm among residents of the state.

While describing the memo as "routine intelligence regularly shared among security agencies and government in the state," the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, disclosed that it is used to assess security threats and take proactive measures.

Read more... https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/security/benisheikh-attack-situating-security-agencies-intel-response.html

Fresh concerns have emerged suggesting that Nigerian authorities received advance intelligence regarding a potential insurgent movement towards Benisheikh in Borno State, prompting worry about how early warnings are processed and acted upon within the current counter-insurgency framework under Operation Hadin Kai.

Local and security sources said suspected insurgents were sighted on April 7 around the Karnakasari area of the Borgozo axis, raising alarms about a potential threat along the Benisheikh corridor in Kaga Local Government Area.

‎The reports indicated that the armed groups, believed to be affiliated with Boko Haram/ISWAP, were travelling in convoys of motorcycles accompanied by gun trucks, suggesting the capacity for a coordinated.

‎The intelligence, according to the sources, pointed to risks targeting both military formations and civilian communities in the area, prompting expectations of precautionary action by security forces.

‎These warnings were reportedly communicated ahead of the attack that occurred in the early hours of April 9, although the precise sequence of operational responses remains unclear.

‎Analysts note that such advance intelligence is typically intended to support preventive deployments, surveillance, or disruption efforts, but it is often difficult to ascertain what measures were taken or why they may not have been evident.

‎Security observers say the development reflects a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts, where early warning signals do not always translate into effective prevention of attacks.

‎They, however, caution that operational limitations, competing priorities, and the complexities of insurgency environments can influence how intelligence is processed and acted upon.

Read more...https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/security/benisheikh-attack-raises-questions-over-ignored-intelligence.html

*Pledges continued Support to State Security Apparatus*

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has commended operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of high-profile kidnappers and gunrunners in the state. He gave the commendation during a visit to the Agency's State Headquarters on April 5, in Enugu.

The Governor expressed particular delight over the arrest of a high target gang leader, who has been responsible for series of attacks on security operatives and kidnapping for ransom in Enugu and its environs, noting that residents will finally be relieved of his reign of terror in the State and Southeast region. He further expressed dismay at how able-bodied individuals could abandon human decency for heinous crimes, stressing that the full weight of the law awaits the criminals.

He praised the DSS for their professionalism, discipline, and role in ensuring a peaceful Easter celebration, while urging the command to maintain this momentum, which he described as the core duty of government.

"The good people of Enugu State are grateful for the peaceful atmosphere especially around the Easter period, brought about through the efforts of the Service and other Security Agencies in the state". Expressing confidence that the criminals will finally end up behind bars with their network already disrupted, he added, 'It is your duty to sustain the tempo of security service delivery, as this remains the primary essence of Government and can never be taken for granted,' stated the Governor.

While expressing hope that the State would be rid of criminals with the sustained efforts of security agencies, the Governor also reaffirmed his commitment to making Enugu the safest hub for tourism, business, and living.

For more news...https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/security/gov-mbah-lauds-dss-over-arrest-of-high-risk-criminals.html

‎Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested 25-year-old Nafisa Usman for allegedly supplying ammunition to bandits operating across several states. Security sources revealed that Ms. Usman was nabbed at a major motor park in Kano, where she was caught with 200 rounds of newly acquired ammunition. The consignment, transported from Lafia in Nasarawa State, was headed for Kankara in Katsina State.

The source revealed that the operation followed actionable intelligence, which revealed Usman's movement and activities.

‎"Nafisa, a native of Zango village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, was intercepted before completing the delivery allegedly meant for bandits operating in the Kankara forest.

‎"The suspect confessed to have been two months old in the trade of illegally shipping arms and ammunition for criminals. She revealed that the ammunition was handed her by an individual identified as 'Teso,' whom she claimed operates in collaboration with a military operative based in Lafia, Nasarawa State", disclosed the source.

‎The source further revealed that the suspect admitted her involvement and revealed that she has facilitated over ₦5 million in deals through Unguwa Uku motor park in Kano State for onward transportation to Katsina State.

‎'The supplies were intended for a bandit leader known as Mallam Haruna, said to be active in the Kankara axis. She added that she also supplies ammunition to one Buba and Abu, operating within the same forest region," revealed the source.

Read more...https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/security/%E2%80%8Edss-intercepts-ammunition-courier,-disrupts-bandits-supply-chain.html

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), on Monday at Ivara Esu Estate in Odukpani Local Government Area, Cross River State, arrested one suspected gunrunner, Kelvin Ebikeniye Dugo.

Security sources disclosed that the arrest followed credible intelligence on Dugo's plan to buy 832 rounds of live ammunition from one Azenda Barnabas (alias Jagaban), anotger suspected gunrunner based in Aliade, Benue State.

‎"The operatives intercepted Dugo moments after he received the consignment, which was concealed in food items. Recovered wete 832 rounds of ammunition and two empty AK-47 magazines" noted the source.

Read more....https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/security/dss-arrests-suspected-gunrunner,-recover-832-rounds-of-live-ammunition.html

A credible source has confirmed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Dec 27, arrested the leader of the gang and another, who kidnapped and murdered a prominent professor of neurology, Ekanem Philip Ephraim in 2023 The gang leader, Patrick Essien Etim aka Pato, 23, and his accomplice, Bassey Antiha Asuquo, 40, were apprehended at a medical facility in Cross River State while planning to kidnap another medical bigwig.

According to the source, the DSS had been tracking the kidnap ring since Ephraim's killing in July 2023, when gunmen posing as patients abducted her.

The duo has confessed to the crime, admitting that they killed the professor after collecting multiple ransom payments from her family.

'It has been two years of torment for her loved ones, not knowing what happened to the Professor. I believe that, with this arrest, her family and loved ones will be able to finally have some peace and the much-needed closure that they deserve, the source said.

Read More...https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/security/just-in-dss-arrests-gang-leader,-murderers-of-prof-ekanem-philip-ephraim.html

IPI Nigeria says it is honouring Mr Ajayi to acknowledge his commendable press freedom credentials and encourage him to do even more.

Since his appointment as Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) in late August 2024, Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi has demonstrated an unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations.

Unlike in previous years when the SSS was notorious for serial harassment, intimidation, and arrests of journalists, the agency under Mr Ajayi’s leadership has shown remarkable restraint, professionalism, and openness to dialogue. Conflicts between the Service and the media are now resolved amicably, through engagement rather than coercion.

A few examples illustrate this transformation.

Barely hours into his tenure, one of our colleagues, Adejuwon Soyinka, was intercepted and detained in Lagos. Within hours of IPI Nigeria bringing the matter to his attention, Mr Ajayi directed the Lagos Command to release the journalist immediately.

For decades, our member Lanre Arogundade had suffered humiliating treatment at Nigeria’s borders, having been placed on the SSS watchlist since the 1980s. Despite years of advocacy, previous assurances that his name had been removed turned out to be untrue. Shortly after assuming office, Mr Ajayi received a formal complaint from IPI Nigeria and acted swiftly, permanently deleting Mr Arogundade’s name from the watchlist.

Read more...https://www.premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/840736-full-detail-why-ipi-nigeria-gave-sss-dg-oluwatosin-ajayi-commendation-award.html

The Federal Government of Nigeria has granted temporary asylum to Guinea-Bissau opposition presidential candidate Fernando Dia Da Costa, offering him protection inside the Nigerian Embassy in Bissau amid credible reports of threats to his life.

The decision was formally communicated in a letter dated November 30, 2025, from Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

Al-Kasim Abdulkadir, Media Aide to the Minister, confirmed the move, stating that granting refuge to Mr Da Costa “falls squarely within Nigeria’s sovereign responsibility and its longstanding commitment to regional peace, stability, and democratic governance.”

Source: https://x.com/ZagazOlaMakama/status/1995594404397232511?s=20

Less than a month after ordering the release and compensation of an Abuja-based businesswoman, Mrs. Chineze Ozoadibe, the Director General (DG), State Security Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, has ordered the release of one Kenneth Okechukwu Nwafor, arrested in July 2022, for his alleged involvement in the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

Nwafor was also awarded N5 million as compensation for the wrongful arrest and free medicare by the DG.

A source stated that “The DG directed his investigation officers to conduct detailed review of all pending cases, and they have been dutifully doing that. Nwafor’s case is one of such cases.


Source: https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/crime-watch/dss-dg-releases-suspected-ipob-detained-since-2022.html

The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has dropped his earlier plan to call witnesses in his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism-related offenses.

At the last hearing on October 24, the court adjourned till October 27 for Kanu to begin his defense. The IPOB leader had previously written to the court expressing his intention to summon witnesses and requested more time to review his case file.

However, when the matter was called on Monday, Kanu told the court that after thoroughly reviewing the case file, he found no valid charge against him. He argued that since he believed the charges were baseless and his trial unlawful, there was no need for him to present any defense.

Justice James Omotosho directed Kanu to file a written address to formally present his position and to serve the prosecution with a copy. The judge also advised him to seek legal counsel from criminal law experts to fully understand the implications of his decision.

The case was subsequently adjourned to November 4, 5, and 6 for the adoption of final written addresses, based on Kanu’s stance that the evidence and charges so far have failed to establish any case against him—or, alternatively, for him to proceed with his defense if he chooses to do so.

By Samuel Ogbonna, Esq.

Nnamdi Kanu’s latest courtroom offensive against the Department of State Services (DSS) is built on shaky legal ground. His argument that the agency cannot try him while allegedly disobeying a Court of Appeal order for his release may sound compelling to the public, but it doesn’t hold up under Nigerian law.

Kanu leans on the famous English case Hadkinson v. Hadkinson (1952), which says a party in contempt cannot be heard until the contempt is purged. But that rule isn’t absolute, certainly not in a criminal or constitutional setting like his. Nigerian courts have consistently held that justice cannot be frozen just because one party is accused of contempt. As the Supreme Court ruled in First Bank v. TSA Industries (2010), the “Hadkinson principle” must bend where public interest or fair hearing is at stake.

In other words, that alone doesn’t stop the Attorney-General of the Federation from pursuing prosecution, as Section 174 of the Constitution gives the AGF wide powers to initiate and continue criminal cases in the name of the state. Until a higher court expressly nullifies the process, the wheels of prosecution keep turning.

Kanu’s persistent claim that the DSS is monitoring his meetings with his lawyers could be tactical, designed to pressure the court into transferring him out of DSS custody to a more lenient detention facility, such as a correctional centre, where oversight is lighter and access is broader. It’s a smart legal play, by framing his detention as hostile to fair trial, he seeks to shift the venue of his custody, not just to gain comfort, but to weaken the state’s security hold.

As for the allegation that the DSS forged his medical report, that too appears to be another calculated move in Kanu’s wider strategy, a bid to discredit both the security agency and the court whenever the proceedings don’t go his way. Forgery is a grave criminal accusation, but without evidence, it’s little more than courtroom theatre. Under the Evidence Act, such a claim must be proven beyond reasonable doubt through expert testimony or forensic proof, not emotion or conjecture. By throwing this allegation into the mix, Kanu seems intent on casting doubt on every process linked to the DSS, painting the agency as corrupt and untrustworthy, while subtly pressuring the court to bend toward his narrative. It’s a familiar tactic, turn the accuser into the accused, and the law into a public spectacle.

The bigger picture is this: the law doesn’t operate on emotions or political sentiment. Kanu’s legal strategy seems aimed more at public sympathy than courtroom success. Contempt allegations, monitored meetings, and disputed medical reports may stir outrage, but they don’t automatically stop a prosecution.

At the end of the day, the DSS and the Attorney-General still hold the constitutional mandate to pursue criminal charges, and until a superior court says otherwise, that mandate stands.

Kanu’s fight is far from over, but legally speaking, his latest arguments look more like a political statement than a winning defense.

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has disassociated itself from the sit-at-home directive reportedly issued by certain pro-Biafra elements ahead of the November 8 Anambra governorship election. In a statement released on Wednesday by its leader, Uchenna Madu, the group condemned the order, describing those behind it as “disgruntled elements sponsored to create political instability and incite chaos in Igboland.” MASSOB maintained that the call was a deliberate attempt to undermine peace and democratic participation in the South-East region.

Madu emphasized that the organization remains committed to non-violence and to advancing the political and economic interests of Ndigbo through lawful and constructive engagement rather than disruption. He stated that MASSOB has consistently opposed similar sit-at-home directives in the past, noting that such tactics neither advance the cause of Biafra nor contribute to the political emancipation of the Igbo people. According to him, these recurring calls for boycott during elections are deceptive strategies designed to manipulate public sentiment and destabilize the region.

The MASSOB leader assured residents of Anambra State that the scheduled governorship election would proceed as planned and that citizens should not yield to fear or intimidation. He revealed that the group had already embarked on a grassroots sensitization campaign across local communities to encourage residents, including members of other pro-Biafra movements, to actively participate in the election. Madu noted that voter engagement remains crucial for asserting the political relevance of the South-East within the Nigerian federation.

MASSOB further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain focused and not be distracted by divisive narratives. The group pledged its support for a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process, emphasizing that the people of Anambra deserve the freedom to choose their leaders without external interference or coercion. By rejecting the sit-at-home order, MASSOB sought to project a message of stability, civic responsibility, and strategic participation as the path toward genuine empowerment and representation for the Igbo nation.

As the legal representative of Gali Ismail Abdullahi, also known as “Sultan,” I wish to address members of the general public, concerned citizens, supporters, and well-meaning individuals who have expressed concern over his ongoing ordeal on social media and other public platforms.

While I sincerely appreciate the outpouring of support and the genuine calls for his release, which I recognize come from a place of goodwill, it is essential to draw attention to the status of the matter as it currently stands.

Sultan has been formally charged before a court of law, and the matter is now sub judice, meaning it is under judicial consideration and must not be the subject of public discussion, protest, or agitation, especially as regards the merits or otherwise of the allegations against him.

Once a matter is before a competent court, it is the court alone that is empowered to adjudicate on the issues, and any public campaign, commentary, or pressure regarding the case can inadvertently prejudice the judicial process and jeopardize the interests of the person whom these protests seek to support.

I also wish to clarify that Sultan is no longer in the Department of State Services (DSS) custody. He has been remanded by court order pending his rearraignment and the hearing of his bail application, which has already been filed.

Additionally, we have taken proactive steps to secure a close date for the hearing. We are vigorously pursuing all available legal remedies to ensure he is reunited with his family and loved ones as soon as possible.

Given the above, we respectfully call on the public to exercise patience, calm, and restraint. The courtroom is now the only arena where justice for Sultan can be pursued and achieved. We assure everyone that we are doing everything within the ambit of the law to defend Sultan’s rights and to secure his freedom through the proper legal channels.

Hamza N. Dantani Esq.
04 August 2025.
Kopa Zita Hato CCTV

Two months after paying N20 million as compensation to a Jos-based businessman mistakenly shot during a 2016 operation, Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Tosin Ajayi, on Saturday demonstrated his respect for human rights. He released a suspect who had been in the custody of the secret police since 2022, bringing to 12 the number of suspects released in July alone.

After ordering the release of Abdulyakini Salisu, the Service tendered an apology to him. On his part, the DG directed the Service to pay him N10 million as "initial compensation" and further support.

The initial compensation, security sources hinted, was an indication that Salisu may get more. The compensation, sources quoted the the DG as saying, was a gesture of remorse by the DSS to the victim, who, before his arrest, operated a stone quarry on the Zuba- Kaduna expressway. Salisu, like a former detainee released by the DG, is to enjoy free medical services at the DSS hospital for as long as he wishes, the DG directed.

Read more.... https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/editorial/again-dss-dg-shows-commitment-to-human-rights-releases-12-suspects-pays-compensation.html

The so-called rebuttal by the Director, Legal Affairs, Research and Global Communications of the proscribed IPOB appears to be an illiterate approach to legal issues, talk more of an issue pending before the Court of Law. It is a total misalignment of facts apparently targeted at gaining sympathy for a lost cause from gullible followers.

IPOB should be reminded that it is "Sub judice" to discuss issues that are subject of Court proceedings. However, in order to curb widespread misinformation that could mislead innocent readers, I would indulge their ignorance.

The mischief maker and his croonies forget that the court admitted a videoclip where Kanu was inciting people to kill security personnel and burn down their vehicles in the heat of the EndSars protest. In the same video, Kanu called for the killing of President Tinubu and the destruction of his business interests in Lagos. He was confronted with those videoclips, and he admitted to making them without any objection from his lawyers.

The glaring illiteracy of the sham IPOB 'illegal' directorate is rather appalling. It is a trite law that "he who asserts must prove same." They claimed that the evidence of the FRN was based on google edited videos, but their defence counsel failed to cross-examine the witness that tendered the evidence in order to challenge its credibility or otherwise.

IPOB should once again be reminded that the Court Order proscribing IPOB in 2017 pursuant to Section 2 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 has not been overturned or challenged. The order is gazzetted by the Federal Government. The Court of Appeal also ruled on 30th January 2025, affirming the ruling of the Federal High Court, which proscribed IPOB as a terrorist group.

Of course no criminal commits a crime and admits to it, even when caught pants down, the fact remains that a transmitter was smuggled into the country, which Kanu himself stated on video, the same video led security personnel to Ubuluisiuzo in Anambra state. Because the transmitter was apparently smuggled, there was no documentation from Customs nor was there license for setting up a radio station in any part of the country by the group. So isn't IPOB shooting themselves in the leg by asking for proof of documentation for a smuggled item?

If the transmitter was not seized, it would have aided Kanu in further propagating destructive messages against the country. These forms part of acts preparatory to the commission or in furtherance of acts of terrorism.

How can the Supreme Court be "under the impression that a law that was amended was still in force"? That is the highest Court in the country and its decisions are final. The court ordered Kanu to face the trial "de novo" (afresh), which is almost over, reason why his delusional apologists are desperately running pillars to post. The trial Court would decide whether the charges are valid or not.

And on the legality or otherwise of the procedure of arresting Kanu, that is left for the Court to decide, it bothers on esoterics of International law and should not be deflated by baseless or jaundiced bias.

Again, social media propaganda will not save him from facing justice and the consequences of his actions.

There is no denying that times are tough for many Nigerians. Prices are rising, transportation is increasingly expensive, and daily life feels more difficult for countless families. In these challenging times, it is not only understandable but necessary to speak up. However, it is equally important to consider how we speak out and what the potential consequences of our actions may be.

A protest has been planned for June 12 by the #EndBadGovernance Movement in Lagos, which has described President Bola Tinubu’s administration as “a disaster for the majority of Nigerians.” While such sentiments reflect widespread frustration, organizing mass protests in today’s volatile climate may not be the wisest course of action.

Nigeria continues to grapple with serious security challenges. Large gatherings, even those with peaceful intentions, can quickly spiral out of control. We’ve seen it before, criminal elements exploit the opportunity to cause violence, loot property, and endanger lives. What begins as a peaceful protest can easily descend into chaos.

And who bears the brunt when this happens? Not the elites or the powerful, but everyday citizens, the market women, commercial drivers, students, and small business owners. The very people the protest aims to defend are the ones who end up paying the highest price.

Moreover, protests can sometimes shift the government's focus away from the pressing task of governance and problem-solving. Imagine trying to repair a broken pipe while someone keeps knocking the tools out of your hand. Disruption without strategy may capture headlines, but it doesn’t always lead to meaningful change.

History offers a sobering reminder: not all protests end in progress. Some have led to tragic loss of life, mass arrests, and lasting setbacks. We must ask ourselves, do we want to repeat those painful outcomes?

Instead, let us channel our collective energy through more constructive avenues. Engage with your representatives, participate in community forums, organize civil dialogues, and leverage digital platforms to amplify your concerns. Democracy is not defined solely by protest, but by thoughtful participation and sustained engagement.

June 12 is a symbolic date in Nigeria’s history, a day that honors our journey toward democracy. Let us commemorate it not with conflict, but with unity, wisdom, and a shared commitment to building a better nation.

We all want a stronger, more just Nigeria. But we must be careful not to destroy the very foundation we are trying to rebuild.

Read More stories on vigil360.com.ng

The DSS we know operates with the utmost respect to human right especially when it comes to issues bearing directly on national security. Kanu should stop acting like he has memory problem. Imagine something that happened all the way back to 2015, and its now he is complaining.

By Leonard Agwu

As Biafra Remembrance Day approaches, it is not surprising to see renewed efforts by certain organizations, such as Amnesty International Nigeria (AIN), to frame the actions of Nigerian security forces in a one-sided and politicized light. While human rights oversight is important in any democracy, it must be rooted in context, balance, and an appreciation for the complexity of national security operations. Since 2015, Nigeria has faced growing security challenges in the southeast, where secessionist movements have increasingly resorted to violent tactics, including attacks on police stations, military checkpoints, government institutions, and civilians. These are not peaceful protests but armed campaigns that undermine national unity and public safety.

Security agencies have a constitutional duty to preserve law and order and protect the lives of all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity or region. Accusations of extrajudicial actions must be understood within the framework of these high-risk operations against armed groups who often disguise themselves as protesters while targeting security personnel and inciting civil unrest.

Amnesty International has a long history of publishing reports that overlook the violent provocations and insurgent tactics of secessionist elements, while framing state responses in isolation. This creates an incomplete narrative that risks emboldening extremist behavior, undermining the morale of those who risk their lives daily to keep Nigeria safe.

Read more....https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/editorial/balancing-security-and-rights-defending-nigerias-frontline-forces.html

Chinedu Ikenna from Abia state

As an Igbo man, I write this with a very heavy heart beginning by saying that the arrest and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a political vendetta but a matter of national security, justice and the preservation of law and order and most importantly the unity of our dear country Nigeria. I am saying this with all emphasis that Nigerians must not forget the trail of inflammatory rhetoric, incitement of violence, and outright terrorism that accompanied Kanu’s rise as a separatist agitator. His vile antecedents are not far-fetched, most are so fresh in our minds, and for those that may forget a few clicks on the internet will avail too many to count.

Some of Kanu’s public broadcasts, many of which are on record and admitted into evidence in court, constitute a direct incitement to arson, murder, and rebellion. For instance, Kanu explicitly called for the burning of the NITEL building and other Federal Government properties in Lagos, holding the city and the nation ransom for grievances he pinned on political figures such as Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In his words: “Every Federal Government property in Lagos must be burnt... Tinubu’s hotel must be burnt down.” These are not the words of a peaceful agitator, they are those of a man actively advocating for domestic terrorism.

Read More......https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/editorial/nnamdi-kanu-must-not-go-unpunished-says-concerned-citizen.html

While the reported attack in Zike community, Kimakpa, in Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State which consumed the lives of innocent people is undeniably tragic, framing the violence solely as one-sided genocide may oversimplify a deeply rooted and complex crisis.

The Plateau conflict has historically stemmed from longstanding tensions over land, identity, and resource control between indigenous farming communities and nomadic herders, which is often worsened by climate pressures, and perceived injustice for past incidents on both sides.

Read more......https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/editorial/plateau-attacks-a-perennial-unresolved-resource-control-dispute.html

People should be guided to stop spreading fake news surrounding the unfortunate incident in Edo. The government is already doing everything possible to avert any breakdown of law and order, and to also avoid any form of bloodshed. Posting of any form of attack will only worsen things

The recent attack that claimed the lives of some northern hunters, mistaken to be criminals in Uromi, Edo State, is revolving into a disturbing situation, as an upsetting video has emerged on different social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and others by one Sheikh Sani Isa Kano calling for vengeance against Christians on April 7. The video, which has sparked concerns, contains the following transcribed messages:

"They did the first and the last and we must take revenge, we swear to revenge if they are not arrested, we will not agree and we can not be patient with this one, let them not say we didn't mention it."

"If anyone refuses to take action is cursed, because we have not become fools that will allow them stop our people and slaughter them. Their people will always call us violent, but it is them that are violent. If they do not take swift action, God knows we will take action ourselves."

Read more..... https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/security/edo-killing-threat-of-vengeful-attack-on-christians-set-for-april-7-2025.html

Good for SERAP, they should pay the price. Until people are made to answer for their careless and lack of scrutiny or jumpy conclusions before they will start having sense.

The Senate yesterday defended its decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the global organisation of national parliaments, maintaining that the federal lawmaker was not given the marching orders for her alleged sexual harassment case, but for gross misconduct against the upper chambers.

The House Committee Chairperson on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, in a statement she read before the IPU, noted that it was the lawmakers’ reaction to the previous day’s allegations by Akpoti-Uduaghan at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, that she was treated badly for the sexual harassment case.

In Akpoti-Uduaghan’s earlier presentation before IPU, she had alleged among others, that she was suspended for challenging her alleged sexual harassment by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Read more… https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2025/03/13/akpabio-vs-natasha-senate-presents-defence-before-ipu-seeks-fair-hearing/

The Kremlin said on Wednesday it would review details from Washington about a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine before responding, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hoped a deal would be struck within days. As Moscow considered the plan, President Vladimir Putin, dressed in military fatigues, made a surprise visit to Russia's Kursk region for the first time since Ukrainian troops captured part of it last year.

With Putin's presence highlighting recent Russian advances in Kursk, Valery Gerasimov, head of Russia's General Staff, told the Kremlin leader his troops had repelled Ukrainian forces from 86% of the ground they once held in Kursk. Ukraine had hoped to use that territory as a bargaining chip in any peace talks with Moscow.

The U.S. on Tuesday agreed to resume weapons supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Kyiv said at talks in Saudi Arabia that it was ready to support a ceasefire proposal.

Read more…https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-lawmaker-says-any-ukraine-deal-will-be-moscows-terms-not-washingtons-2025-03-12/

The management of Guardian Newspapers Limited has apologized to the Department of State Services (DSS) over a story the newspaper house published portraying the secret police as meddling in the affairs of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Entitled "Lagos Assembly Crisis Worsens, Reveals Deeper Crack in State Power Dynamics," the newspaper claimed that several DSS operatives invaded the Lagos Assembly.

However, in response to a letter by lead counsel to the DSS, Adedipe and Adedipe demanding retraction and apology, the media house said it published the report without realizing that it was the Assembly management that invited DSS officers to secure the legislative facility, and, therefore, was without malice to the secret police.

"Upon realization that the publication misrepresented albeit inadvertently, the motive behind the presence of the security operatives at the State Assembly on February 17th 2025, Guardian released a sequel on Monday, February 24th, 2025 tagged: Lagos State Assembly Crisis: No Malice Against DSS wherein it apologized and fully retracted its earlier story," The Guardian stated in the response signed by its legal adviser, Eki Durojaiye, Esq.

Read More... https://vigil360.com.ng/browse-all-sections/editorial/the-guardian-apologizes-says-no-malice-against-dss.html

US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a heated White House meeting on Friday. The discussions, meant to address Ukraine’s war with Russia and finalize a mineral deal, turned tense after Vance suggested the US was exploring diplomacy to end the war. Zelensky challenged this idea, questioning what kind of diplomacy could work when Russia had already violated past agreements. He also demanded security guarantees in exchange for the mineral deal. Vance accused Zelensky of being disrespectful and using propaganda to secure US support.

Tensions escalated when Trump criticized Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude for US aid, warning that if Ukraine didn’t agree to a deal, the US might withdraw support. Trump insisted Ukraine was acting tough only because of US backing, adding, “You’re either going to make a deal, or we’re out.”

Read more... https://vigil360.com.ng/world/us-canada-news/trump-and-zelensky-s-tense-meeting-ends-without-a-deal.html