President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked leaders of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to work assiduously in tackling poverty and high unemployment among youth. The President stated this on Tuesday in Accra, Ghana, during the official launch of the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee.
#######
. The Nigeria Customs Service has announced that it recorded N1.751 trillion in revenue collection in the first quarter of 2025. The Comptroller General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi disclosed this in a press briefing in Abuja Tuesday.
###########
###########
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has directed the revocation of institutional houses and land allocations within Alhuda-huda College, Zaria, Queen Amina College, Kaduna and Government Commercial College, Zaria sold by the immediate past administration of Malam Nasir El-Rufai. A statement on Tuesday night by the Secretary to Kaduna State Government, Dr AbdulKadir Mu’azu Meyere said, the houses and land allocations were revoked for overriding public interest and for the common good.
#########
. Judiciary workers in Benue State, under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, have suspended their indefinite strike and directed all members to resume work immediately. The suspension of the strike was announced in a statement on Tuesday by the Benue State chairman of JUSUN, Aba Terlumum, who said the decision to suspend the action was directed by the national headquarters of the union.
#########
#########
The Niger State Government has imposed a curfew on commercial motorcycle operators (Okada riders) and Keke NAPEP drivers in Minna, the state capital, from 6 pm to 6 am daily. Governor Mohammed Umar Bago announced the decision during a stakeholders’ meeting, citing the need to address insecurity in the state capital, which has resulted in the loss of lives.
#########
#########
Suspected bandits have killed seven people, including a vigilante in Ilesha Baruba and Kemanji communities of Baruten and Kaiama Local Government Areas of Kwara North Senatorial District. Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed in a statement in Ilorin on Tuesday that the incident occurred on Sunday during a deadly attack on the communities.
#######
#######
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has directed an instant probe into allegations of extortion involving officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC. This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the minister on Media, Babatunde Alao, on Tuesday in Abuja.
#########
Many protesters on Tuesday stormed the office of the Attorney General of the Federation at the Federal Ministry of Justice Headquarters in Abuja, demanding a probe of the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari. The group, led by its Convener, Comrade Kabir Matazu, said it was disappointed that despite President Bola Tinubu’s removal of Kyari and the entire NNPCL board on April 2, 2025, no step has been taken to investigate alleged corrupt practices under Kyari’s leadership.
#########
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has said armed Fulani herders who attack the state are Malians and not Nigerians. Alia disclosed this while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday.
from dailypost
1. Who is arming these terrorists?
ReplyDeleteThe truth is complex, and the lines are blurred. Several sources point to a combination of factors:
Porous borders: Nigeria shares borders with several countries, and arms smuggling through these poorly policed areas is rampant.
Failed states in the Sahel: Countries like Libya (post-Gaddafi) have become breeding grounds for illicit arms trades. Weapons flow from these zones into Nigeria.
Internal collaborators: Corruption and collusion within some elements of the security forces, local elites, or political actors cannot be ruled out. When logistics and ammunition are intercepted and yet disappear, it raises serious questions.
Local arms production: Reports suggest some local blacksmiths are also crafting weapons.
2. Why does it seem like the military isn’t making a difference?
Nigeria does have a strong military reputation on paper. Nigerian soldiers have shown bravery in peacekeeping missions across Africa. However:
Morale and logistics are major challenges. Soldiers on the front lines often complain of inadequate equipment and delayed allowances.
Corruption has weakened efficiency. Funds meant for arms procurement sometimes disappear into private pockets.
Political interference or lack of political will can hamper operations.
Intelligence failures. Intelligence gathering and community trust are foundational to successful counter-terrorism. When communities distrust the state, intelligence dries up.
3. Why hasn’t President Tinubu declared a state of emergency?
Declaring a state of emergency in a region is a massive constitutional step—it temporarily suspends normal governance structures, placing the military or federal authorities in charge. Reasons Tinubu may be holding back include:
Political optics and pushback: Declaring a state of emergency in any part of Nigeria might be viewed as admitting failure or could be resisted by local power blocs.
Fear of military overreach or backlash: Past emergency declarations (like during Jonathan’s administration in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa) didn’t produce lasting change.
Complicated federal-state dynamics: Governors may resist ceding control.
So what needs to happen?
A clear national strategy backed with honest political will.
Massive investment in local intelligence and community engagement.
Punitive actions against collaborators—even if they’re in uniforms or political offices.
Rebuilding trust between citizens and security forces.
And yes, if situations in some states like Zamfara, Kaduna, or Niger continue to deteriorate, a limited and targeted state of emergency might become inevitable.
They're beginning to invade Kwara state now....coming down South West.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm....the ant infested wood they brought home are showing themselves.
Do we have a strong ECOWAS like before? West African countries need to strongly re-align & chase these menace invading the states.