Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiites, clashed with security operatives during a protest in Abuja on Friday. The demonstration, which took place around Banex Junction in Wuse 2, saw protesters waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans… pic.twitter.com/NFg51hteYS
The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens that there is a high potential for protests in Abuja today, March 4, 2026, due to the current conflict with Iran.
Previous protests by some groups have resulted in violent clashes between the group and Nigerian security forces.
The Embassy strongly recommends that all U.S. citizens in Abuja remain in their residences on Wednesday, March 4.
Actions to Take: •Avoid areas where protests are taking place. •Avoid crowds. •Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests. •Monitor local media for updates. •Be aware of your surroundings. •Keep a low profile. •Review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency. •Carry proper identification. •Stay alert, including at shopping centers, movie theaters, and places of worship. •Familiarize yourself with emergency exits and egresses when you enter buildings. •Vary travel routes and times to reduce predictability.
The Consular Sections of Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos remain open. Please monitor our website for updates.
Assistance: U.S. Embassy Abuja, Nigeria Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area +234 209 461 4328 and after hours +234 209 461 4000, press zero AbujaACS@state.gov ng.usembassy.gov
U.S. Consulate General Lagos 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island +234 201 460 3400 during business hours and after hours LagosACS@state.gov ng.usembassy.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs +1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444
travel.state.gov/content/travel…
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
Anglican divisions deepen as rebel clerics pick rival to first female leader
Lebo Diseko Global religion correspondent, Lagos
Clergy from a conservative grouping of the Anglican Church are meeting this week in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, to choose a rival to the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.
The UK's Sarah Mullally will officially be installed as the leader of the world's Anglican communion at a lavish ceremony later this month but her appointment has divided opinion in Nigeria, and elsewhere.
Many conservative Christians believe that only men should be consecrated as bishops.
The Vining Memorial Church Cathedral in Nigeria's main city Lagos was full of women in gold, green and purple "geles" or headwraps and men resplendent in white-flowing "agbada" robes for its weekly highlight, the Sunday service.
Some of the hymns and liturgy were the same as those sung by Anglicans around the world, but there were also differences, like the upbeat worship music that had the congregation dancing in the pews.
Some congregants, like Bunmi Odukoya, were supportive of the appointment.
"The work of God is an individual thing. If you're called - you can be a man, you can be a woman - you need to fulfil the calling of the Lord," he told the BBC.
Others, like Uche Nweke, strongly disagreed: "I don't think it's Christian. When you look at the Bible and the apostles, there was no woman in there, so a woman being the head of the Anglican church in England, I don't think it's going to go well."
In addition to being the most senior cleric in the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury is also "primus inter pares" - or first among equals - of the primates of the worldwide Anglican Communion, meaning she is the spiritual leader of almost 95 million Anglicans.
At its four-day meeting that has just started in Abuja, Gafcon, which describes itself as a global movement of "authentic Anglicans, guarding God's gospel", plans to elect its own "first among equals", just weeks ahead of Archbishop Mullaly's installation at Canterbury Cathedral.
The move threatens to turn divisions within the global church into a full-on split.
"This is a schism, even if they don't want to say that," Diarmaid MacCulloch, Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford in England, told the BBC.
"This is a set of leaders, all male, going to a conference in Africa to assert [an] identity which no longer satisfies many Anglican churches - that is an all-male episcopate calling the shots."
Gafcon was formed in 2008 in response to theological differences within the Anglican Communion over the issue of same-sex unions.
In recent years those divisions have deepened, and in 2023 the group rejected the leadership of the previous Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, over proposals to bless same-sex couples, a position also held by his successor, Dame Sarah.
The group says it speaks for the majority of the world's Anglicans, although that is contested.
It does draw much of its support from Africa, but the view on the continent is by no means monolithic.
For example, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, and Kenya's first female bishop Emily Onyango, both celebrated Sarah Mullally's appointment.
And while Gafcon accuses the Church of England of maintaining a colonial relationship with churches in the Global South and imposing its more progressive views, some of the organisers of this week's conference are based in the Americas and Australia, where the organisation also has a presence.
In October last year, Gafcon resolved to "reorder the Anglican Communion", refusing to take part in meetings convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and encouraging members to cut remaining ties with the Church of England.
The group said it had not left. Instead it claimed that it was the true Anglican Communion.
The election of its own global spiritual leader will bring the Church a step closer to an irrevocable split, and is "a very aggressive thing to do", said Prof MacCulloch, who is an Anglican.
The Anglican Communion is made up of 42 provinces in 165 countries around the world. Each has its own system of governance, but they share heritage, and ways of worshipping.
"We see ourselves as a family of autonomous, yet interdependent churches," Bishop Anthony Poggo, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, told the BBC.
It is the third largest Christian denomination after Catholicism and the Eastern Orthodox Church, giving its leaders a huge platform when speaking about issues such as climate change, human rights, or efforts for global peace.
Churches within it support each other spiritually and in terms of resources through what are known as companion links.
"These are examples of very positive things that we get out of this relationship," Bishop Poggo tells the BBC.
While there is no formal constitution, it is held together by four "Instruments of Communion", led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Proposals to broaden the leadership of the Anglican Communion to better reflect its global nature will be discussed at the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) in June. But that is one of the instruments that Gafcon no longer recognises, so its members will not be there.
According to Bishop Poggo, any church or province that wants to leave the Communion ought to follow the process by which they joined, but in reverse.
"We need to go through our existing processes, namely, a standing committee, or the synods that we have in each of the provinces, rather than doing it outside of these processes."
So what happens when one part of the family refuses to do so, but behaves as if it has left?
"There is not much you can do," concedes Bishop Poggo, adding: "It saddens us."
The relationship between the first Anglican church and the rest of the world is looking increasingly precarious. But there are still some who value the connection with Canterbury.
Despite disagreeing with the Church of England's more liberal view, Nigerian youth pastor Alexander Olasinde says that the connection to the Church of England still matters to him
"All of us [as Christians] have one goal, and that is to make [it to] heaven. We need to find a common ground," the 34-year-old told the BBC.
"If we continue in this trend we'll have grudges, unsettled issues between us. So how do we even make it to heaven?"
Governor Sanwo-Olu, Former Governor Ambode, Deputy Governor Hamzat, Former Deputy Governor Orelope-Adefulire and other members of the GAC arrive Onikan Stadium.
Members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) arrives Onikan Stadium for the Lagos State APC Congress
Today, I joined party leaders and delegates at the state congress of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos, where Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi was returned as State Chairman.
Lagos remains the bedrock of our party. Our goal is to uphold its position as the gold standard for progressive politics and to ensure it remains a welcoming home for all. We leave this congress stronger and more focused.
I congratulate the chairman and the executive members on their renewed mandate. The real work is to keep strengthening the party and staying connected to the people we serve.
Usually the Independence Day parade and other such national parades were held at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. The parades featured not only marching troops, but fly-bys by the Air Force and a parade of military equipment (from infantry vehicles to heavily armoured tanks). Sometimes police motorcycle riders also put on a display.
However, three parades in the 1980s were held at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja. President Shehu Shagari held the 1981 Independence Day parade in Abuja and President Ibrahim Babangida held the 1986 and 1987 Independence Day parades in Abuja.
I saw something very interesting at either the 1986 or 1987 parade.
They didn't only have fighter jets, attack helicopters and armoured vehicles, they also brought a patrol boat of the Nigerian Navy to Abuja and had a large truck tow it down the parade ground!
Now I appreciate what often happened in the past (although some people also made ignorant comments back then).
Once upon a time, during national parades, heavy armoured vehicles often paraded in front of the president. I've told you about the year that my mum asked if the noise wasn't affecting President Shagari.
Some countries parade equipment in this way so that their citizens know what they have.
However, even back then some people still made ignorant comments (like claiming that brand new equipment were "World War 2 tanks" ).
Chinese, European firms battle for Nigeria’s strategic air defense and radar contract
June 5, 2025
Nigeria is intensifying efforts to modernize its air defense and radar systems by evaluating advanced solutions from Chinese and European firms to address evolving security threats in its airspace and the broader West African region.
⚫️ Nigeria is modernizing its air defense and radar systems to address regional security threats.
⚫️ European and Chinese firms are competing for the contract to provide radar technologies.
⚫️Implementing MTRACON may enhance regional airspace security and cooperation in West Africa.
Nigeria's plans to solidify and improve its air defense and radar systems is a step further in realizing its Military Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (MTRACON) initiative, which is aimed at establishing a robust, integrated network of surveillance systems capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing aerial threats in real time.
The MTRACON initiative is central to Nigeria’s ambition to close long-standing gaps in radar coverage, particularly over remote and high-risk areas vulnerable to smuggling, insurgent drone incursions, and potential airspace violations.
Designed as a multi-layered system, it combines fixed and mobile radar installations with modern command and control centers, allowing for coordinated air defense responses and better situational awareness across Nigeria’s vast territory.
Military Africa reports that four major defense firms, which include Leonardo (Italy), Rheinmetall (Germany), Norinco (China), and Indra (Spain), are vying for a lucrative contract to supply advanced surveillance and detection technologies.
The report highlights Nigeria’s pressing need to upgrade its radar systems, as its existing air defense platforms, such as the Roland II and ZSU-23-4 Shilka, are no longer effective against contemporary aerial threats.
Coupled with persistent internal security issues such as insurgencies and threats to vital infrastructure, these weaknesses have elevated the MTRACON project to a top national priority.
Strategic defense bids underway
Rheinmetall is promoting its Skyguard 3 system to replace Nigeria’s ageing air defense platforms, offering protection against modern threats like cruise missiles and UAVs.
The company has engaged with Nigerian officials on broader defense needs, including ammunition supplies, in partnership with the defense Industries Corporation (DICON).
China’s Norinco is deeply involved in Nigeria’s MTRACON initiative, proposing radar and air defense infrastructure alongside talent development and a Radar Maintenance and Research Facility, highlighting a long-term commitment to local defense self-reliance.
Indra showcased integrated air traffic control, communication, radar, and counter-UAV solutions during a delegation visit that included Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, emphasizing support for both military and civilian needs.
Italy’s Leonardo is pitching its RAT 31DL/M, a NATO-standard long-range AESA radar capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously and operating effectively under electronic jamming, making it a strong contender for Nigeria’s airspace security upgrade.
With Nigeria serving as a key military and economic power in the region, the implementation of MTRACON is expected to reinforce regional airspace management and provide early warning capabilities that could benefit neighbouring states facing similar asymmetric threats.
I'm sure you've guessed that I still haven't found what I'm searching for (it's difficult to find Nigerian stuff online) and I'm sure you know what it is.
But I'll keep searching.
In the meantime, here are
1) Nigerian Air Force 36D6 "Tin Shield" Mobile Radar
2) Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force Skyguard Fire-Control Radar
These are old. I knew about them 40 years ago. I'll write about the new stuff when I get back but I have no pictures of the new stuff.
Photos 1 and 2) Roland Air Defence System (Nigerian Army). This uses missiles.
Photo 3) This is that German air defence system whose name I cannot post. The anti-spam bot has banned me every single time that I have posted its name. (Note: I'm only posting this because I like to post it, the Nigerian military does not have this). This uses cannons.
Photo 4) Shilka Air Defence System. This uses anti-aircraft guns.
I've still not found what I'm looking for so let's move on.
We've done army and air force, so let's do navy.
One of the reasons that NNS Aradu was so good was because it was a large multi-purpose frigate.
It had torpedos, depth charges and a helicopter for anti-submarine warfare, it had anti-ship missiles and multiple guns for surface warfare and it had this for anti-aircraft duties.
40 years ago I knew about the short range mobile air defence systems because I could see them on my TV screens during national day parades.
I wanted to know more about the static and long range air defence systems, but those were treated like state secrets. This video shows some of those systems.
Around 70% of the missile systems shown here are no longer used by the Nigerian military (we've transitioned to more modern systems).
Basically, this video mainly shows the missile systems that Nigeria bought during the oil boom era, but it also shows a few more recent (and mostly Chinese) systems.
Politics › Re: Iran: US Embassy Warns Americans About Potential Protest In Abuja by naptu2(op): 11:44am On Mar 04
