As part of measures to tackle insecurity in some parts of the country, the Senate has called for an upgrade of the joint security operation in Niger and Kwara states.
It mandated the Committees on Defence, Army, Air Force, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to conduct a joint assessment of the security situation in the North-Central region and report back within four weeks with clear recommendations.
This followed a motion sponsored by Sani Musa (APC/Niger East) in the wake of the brutal killing of over 50 people and the abduction of several women and children in Konkoso District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
In his argument, Musa regretted that the North-Central region has increasingly witnessed organised attacks on rural communities, farmlands, and settlements, threatening food security and national stability.
The lawmakers thereafter further raised concern that the persistent pattern of attacks on remote communities indicated gaps in intelligence coordination and deepened the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The upper chamber, which observed a one-minute silence for victims of the attack, also urged the strengthening of joint security operations between Niger and Kwara States to dismantle cross-border terrorist networks.
Last Saturday, motorcycle-riding gunmen swept into three villages in a central region of Nigeria, shooting dead or cutting the throats of at least 46 people.
The violence again threw the spotlight on Nigeria’s efforts to contain security threats — efforts that have been strongly criticised by US President Donald Trump.
A security report seen by AFP said the attackers had used “41 motorcycles, each carrying two or three men”.
The three villages targeted by the gunmen are part of the Borgu in Niger State, on the border with Kwara State, where jihadists killed more than 160 people in an attack earlier this month.
The bloodiest attack happened in the village of Konkoso, where at least 38 people were shot dead or had their throats slit, the humanitarian source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Most of the homes in the village were burned down, and apart from those already counted as dead, “other bodies are being recovered,” the source said.
A resident of Konkoso told AFP the gunmen had first attacked the nearby village of Tungar Makeri before heading to his village.
A spokesman for the Niger State Police Command told AFP that six people had been killed in Tungan Makeri when the gunmen overran the village at around 6:00 am.
“Some houses were set on fire, and an as-yet undetermined number of people were abducted,” and officers were seeking information about the attacks on the other two villages, the police spokesman said.
The Konkoso resident said his nephew was among those killed in Konkoso.
“They burned a lot of houses and abducted four women,” he said.
“After Konkoso, they went to Pissa, where they set a police station on fire and killed one person.
“At the moment, many people are missing,” he said.
The border between Kwara and Niger states is home to the Kainji Forest, a known haven for bandits and jihadists.
Nigeria has been grappling with a jihadist insurgency in the northeast for over 16 years. (Channels)
The challenge of leadership dominated deliberations on Thursday as regional leaders and diplomats examined issues confronting the African continent at the Murtala Muhammed International Lecture and Leadership Conference.
The lecture, themed “Has Africa Come of Age?”, drew an array of distinguished personalities, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former Ghanaian President John Kufuor; former Malawian President Joyce Banda; and former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma.
Obasanjo observed that one of the enduring legacies of the late General Murtala Muhammed was the emergence of capable successors who sustained his vision and development agenda. He acknowledged that successive administrations, including his own, had not effectively replicated that standard.
According to him, the late leader ensured continuity by leaving behind individuals equipped to advance his ideas and reforms.
“We cannot make progress if we take two steps forward, one step sideways, and three steps back, which is what we have been doing,” Obasanjo said. “The failure of all leaders after Murtala, including myself, is that we have not been able to create successors who could go on after us.”
“I handed over to civilians, and their ideas were completely different from the ideas we handed over to them. I will give you just one example. By the time we left in July 1979, we wanted to be self-sufficient in rice production. We asked that a report be prepared on what was in the fields. The report showed that we would be self-sufficient in rice production that year.
“Based on that, we banned the importation of rice before we left the government. In October 1979, when the civilian administration came in, one of the first things they did was to lift the ban on rice importation so they could allocate import licences to their supporters and political associates.
“One of the barons, who obtained a rice import licence from America, ordered rice and then asked the suppliers to add $5 million to the cost. They did. He then went back to New York and demanded $2.5 million out of the $5 million. They refused and gave him only $1 million. He wanted $2.5 million but had taken no risk. So, they gave him $1 million.
“Since the lifting of the rice import ban in 1979, we have not recovered from it. That is why we are still importing rice today. These are the kinds of things that go wrong.”
The former president said what is needed right now is reform and building the capacity to produce for both local consumption and export.
“When I became elected president, cocoa production in Nigeria was 150,000 metric tons. We introduced a new system to boost production, and within four to five years, we were producing 450,000 metric tons; we tripled output.
“Today, I understand we are producing no more than 300,000 metric tons. That is not how Africa will come of age. We must grow at nine to 10 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually to come of age”, he said.
On his part, Former President Goodluck Jonathan said, “While Murtala symbolised decisive leadership, our democratic future depends on strong institutions. These include credible electoral management bodies, independence of the judiciary, well-trained security officers, and accountable governance systems. Democracy requires vision rather than decree, persuasion instead of command, and it depends on institutions, not individuals.”
Jonathan, however, pointed out that Africa’s current challenge is the absence of a lasting democratic culture built on credible and transparent elections.
He said, “Such a culture must respect term limits, protect the independence of the judiciary, press freedom, and credible elections.”
Jonathan also added, “More importantly, it is essential to emphasize the transformative power of vision in leadership. General Murtala assumed office as Head of State at the very young age of 38. Despite a tenure of only 200 days, his achievements were profound because he was driven by a clear, unyielding vision for a greater and more prosperous Nigeria.
“The President we are celebrating today was Head of State at the age of 38. If we are looking for people who can run nations in Africa, we should look at the age within 30 and 40 years. That is the way you can be very vibrant, physically strong, and mentally sound. If they need to stay awake for 24 hours, they can, but if you subject an older person to that kind of stress, the person will spend 50 per cent of the time in the hospital.”
Jonathan urged African countries to lower age barriers and strengthen institutions that allow youth participation in governance.
Describing Africa as a predominantly young continent.
Jonathan said growing frustration among youths should not be mistaken for a rejection of democracy.
He said it reflects a demand that democracy must deliver opportunities, dignity, and justice, adding that where justice is absent, “there are fractures within democracy.
He anchored his argument on the legacy of the late Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, who assumed office at the age of 38 and governed with what he described as clarity of purpose and selfless national vision.
According to Jonathan, Murtala’s brief but impactful leadership showed that age is not a barrier to effective governance when leaders are driven by patriotism and discipline.
“General Murtala Muhammed assumed office as Head of State at a very young age. Despite a tenure of only 200 days, his achievements were profound because he was driven by a clear, unyielding vision for a greater Nigeria,” he said.
He lamented the future of democracy in Africa, saying the continent cannot sustain democracy while excluding its most vibrant population.
He therefore called for a deliberate inclusion of the young people in decision-making and leadership positions, reinforcing support for the Not Too Young to Run movement.
He argued that leadership in the modern era requires physical strength, mental alertness, and stamina often found among younger leaders.
“If we are looking for people who can run nations in Africa, we should look at the age within our day and age. That is how you can be vibrant, physically strong, and mentally sound,” Jonathan said.
If Africa has come of age, Jonathan wondered why leaders spend 50 per cent of their time outside the country, stressing that in countries such as America, some governors do not leave the country throughout their tenure in office.
But the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said leadership was not about physical age but about ideas.
Akume, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the occasion, commended the ideals of late Gen. Murtala Muhammed, saying, “He was not just a Nigerian but he loved the country and did so much to restore its glory. Nigerians will continue to remember him for his fight against corruption. He believed in Africa and fought for its liberation. He devoted lots of resources and there were results”
He also commended the late Murtala for putting in place a programme to return the country to democracy before his assassination.
He also pleaded with Nigerians not to despair, noting that the government is working towards implementing its set goals.
In her welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer, MMF and daughter of Mohammed, Dr. Aisha Mohammed-Oyebode, said, “It was about who controls your resources, who shapes your policies, and whose interests define your future. Today, as we look across our continent, that question still challenges us.
“We are politically independent, yet we are still negotiating economic dependence. We are rich in talent and resources, yet still confronting inequality and fragility. We are young, dynamic, and globally connected, yet we are often uncertain about the leadership structures that are meant to serve our people”, she said.
The Keynote Speaker and former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, eulogized Muhammad for capturing the imagination of the nation through the sheer clarity of his reforms, adding that he purged the civil service to confront corruption and inertia, probed military governors, and seized illicitly acquired properties.
“Yet it was his declaration that Africa had come of age that immortalized him, the speech that he made 34 days before he was assassinated”, he said.
“He was speaking of the awakening of responsibility, identity, and self-determination, and his context was the generational obligation of African leadership of his era to fight the viciousness of neocolonialism as those before them had fought colonialism. He was summoning the high values of integrity, dignity, and individual autonomy, by virtue of which African people, like others, had a right and an obligation to determine their own destinies and who they chose to undertake that journey with”, Osinbajo said.
Also speaking on whether Africa has come of age, former President of Ghana, John Kufuor, said the real question should be whether Africa today stands in the world with a settled sense of identity, responsibility, and purpose, not only as a political space but as a moral presence within humanity. (Nation)
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, has condemned the recent killings in parts of Kwara state, describing the attacks as “unacceptable and deeply troubling”.
On Tuesday, at least 75 residents were killed and several houses set ablaze when suspected terrorists attacked the Nuku and Woro communities in the Kaiama LGA of Kwara state.
On Wednesday, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara, said residents of the communities were killed for refusing to bow to extremists.
In a statement on Thursday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was saddened by the loss of innocent lives and extended condolences to the families and communities affected by the attack.
She warned that the continued bloodshed poses a serious threat to national peace and stability, urging governments at all levels to take urgent and decisive action.
“The persistent killings of innocent Nigerians are unacceptable and deeply troubling. My heart goes out to the families who have been plunged into grief by these senseless acts,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said protecting lives and ensuring justice must remain a core responsibility of government.
“Protecting lives and ensuring justice must be non-negotiable. The safety of our citizens should always be the highest priority of government,” she said.
The senator called on federal and state authorities to move beyond rhetoric and implement coordinated measures to curb the rising insecurity.
She said swift and transparent investigations into the Kwara attacks are essential to ensure accountability and restore public confidence.
“Those responsible for these attacks must be identified and brought to justice without delay,” she said.
The senator called on federal and state authorities to move beyond rhetoric and implement coordinated measures to curb the rising insecurity.
She said swift and transparent investigations into the Kwara attacks are essential to ensure accountability and restore public confidence.
“Those responsible for these attacks must be identified and brought to justice without delay,” she said.
“Impunity only emboldens criminal elements and deepens the suffering of our people.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan said political leaders and security agencies have both a constitutional and moral duty to act decisively to prevent further bloodshed.
She stressed the need for proactive intelligence gathering, community engagement, and strengthened security operations.
“These killings underscore the urgent need for a more effective and people-centred security architecture,” she said. (TheCable)
US President Donald Trump says Oluremi Tinubu, the first lady of Nigeria, attended the country’s national prayer breakfast held in Washington DC on Thursday.
Recognising the first lady at the event,Trump described Oluremi as a “very respected woman” and a “Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria”.
“We are honoured to be joined by the First Lady of Nigeria (Remi Tinubu), who also happens to be a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria, very respected woman…. it’s a great honour. Thank you very much,” Trump said in a video of the event.
The national prayer breakfast is an annual event where people of different political beliefs come together to pray.
Oluremi was ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), one of Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal denominations, in 2018.
The first lady’s presence at the event comes amid the stance of the US government on killings and persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
In October 2025, Trump redesignated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ in response to allegations of a Christian genocide in the country.
Barely a month later, Trump asked the United States department of war to prepare for “possible action” to wipe out Islamic terrorists in Nigeria.
On December 25, 2025, the US government launched a fusillade of air strikes on ISIS terrorists in the north-western Nigerian state of Sokoto.
Subsequently, the US and Nigerian governments formed a working group to address issues on counter-terrorism and religious freedom in Nigeria. (TheCable)
President Bola Tinubu has, for the umpteenth time, vowed that Nigeria will never surrender its people to extremism and terrorism masquerading as faith.
The President’s vow came on the heels of the recent attack in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State by gunmen that led to the death of about 100 people.
President Tinubu condemned in the strongest terms “the cowardly and beastly attack”, describing the gunmen as “heartless for choosing soft targets in their campaign of terror.”
He said the actions of the gunmen offended humanity and Nigeria’s shared values as a nation.
The President, in a statement he personally signed on Thursday night after meeting with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that perpetrators of the dastardly act will not go scot-free.
The statement read: “Today, I met with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq @RealAARahman, to be debriefed on the incident in Kaiama LGA.
“I condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and beastly attack. The gunmen are heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror. Their actions offend our humanity, our faith, and our shared values as a nation.
“Yesterday, I directed the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following the horrific attack on innocent villagers in Worro.
“This new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.
“It is particularly disturbing that the victims were killed because they rejected an attempt at forced indoctrination. As I said, it is commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue. Nigeria will never surrender its people to extremism and terrorism masquerading as faith.
“I have further directed close collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide immediate support and relief to the affected community and to ensure that those responsible for this atrocity are pursued and brought to justice, just like other terrorists before them. They will not go scot-free.
“I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. I also sympathise with the people and government of Kwara State.
“The Federal Government stands with you. We will protect our communities, defend our values, and defeat those who seek to divide us through terror.” (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria from his state visit to the Republic of Türkiye.
Tinubu arrived at about 8:55 p.m.
He was received by senior government officials.
The President had departed Abuja for Türkiye on January 26, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
It follows an earlier official visit to Nigeria by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan between October 19 and 20, 2021, which reinforced diplomatic ties between Abuja and Ankara.
During the days-long trip, Tinubu and his Turkish counterpart signed nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
At the centre of this was the move to ramp up bilateral trade from $2 billion to $5 billion.
“We also discussed opportunities to support our investments in Nigeria. We believe that the joint Economy and Trade Committee, which we agreed to establish today, will be instrumental in this regard,” Tinubu had said in a joint briefing with Erdogan.
Other deals sealed during the trip ranged from energy cooperation, media, higher education, and Halal Quality Infrastructure, aimed at giving Nigerian agricultural products a competitive edge.
Erdogan said his country would support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, expressing readiness to deepen cooperation in military training and intelligence.
Speaking at a joint press conference, the Turkish president said that under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is taking firm steps against terrorism, and Türkiye stands by the Nigerian people in this struggle.
“We are ready to share Türkiye’s significant experience in counterterrorism,” presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, quoted the Turkish leader as saying.
The Turkish president also said terrorist groups, particularly in Africa’s Sahel region, pose a threat to the continent’s stability.
Nigerian officials held meetings with Türkiye’s leading defense industry firms during the visit and expressed confidence that the outcomes of those talks would be positive.
While Nigeria exports crude oil and agricultural products to Turkiye, the European country exports planes, iron and steel, chemical products, and helicopters to the West African country. (Channels)
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have killed a top Islamic State West Africa Province commander and foiled criminal operations, the force said on Saturday.
The force in a statement signed by Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, revealed that the top ISWAP commander was killed in Borno State.
“Intelligence has confirmed the killing of Julaibib, a top ISWAP commander operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle, during an encounter around Kimba, Damboa LGA of Borno State on 30 January 2026.
“The elimination of the terrorist leader has thrown ISWAP elements in the area into disarray, with several fighters reportedly neutralised during the operation. This impressive development represents a major blow to the command and control structure of ISWAP in the region,” the statement said.
The troops further revealed that, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force, they neutralised three terrorists during an ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno State.
The statement said, “Troops tactically laid an ambush along the identified route and engaged the terrorists with effective firepower, resulting in the neutralisation of three insurgents, while others fled with gunshot injuries. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered from the scene.”
On 29 January, troops deployed in an ambush at Tsokorok, Gwoza LGA, engaged BH/ISWAP terrorists, forcing them to withdraw. “One terrorist was neutralised, with no casualties recorded on the side of the troops. Two motorcycles were recovered from the scene,” the statement said.
The Joint Task Force also reported successes in Adamawa State. Troops responded to a distress call from Barama community, Mubi North LGA, on 29 January, foiling an armed robbery attempt.
“Two armed robbery suspects attempting to attack a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, were arrested. One suspect sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh and was evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Mubi, for treatment.
“Items recovered include three cutlasses, two laptops, four mobile phones, and one power bank. The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation,” the statement said.
Earlier, on 28 January, troops and local vigilantes conducted a patrol along the Amtasa–Washim axis in Hong LGA.
“During the patrol, troops made contact with terrorists and engaged them with a high volume of fire, forcing the terrorists to withdraw in disarray.
“The patrol team also rescued a woman abducted by the terrorists and recovered one AK-47 rifle (Reg. No. 2056792) with 2 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one SMG rifle, and 42 rounds of assorted ammunition,” the statement said.
The statement added that the general security situation across the theatre remains stable, with OPHK committed “to protect lives and property, dismantle terrorist networks, and work with local communities and security critical stakeholders to restore lasting peace and economic stability across the North-East region.” (Punch)
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has warned Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and others sympathetic to terrorists and bandits to stop their subversive endeavour, saying, “a friend of a thief is a thief.”
Musa cautioned against providing overt or covert support to criminal elements seeking to destabilise the country.
Speaking yesterday during an official visit to Maiduguri, the minister said those engaged in acts of terrorism and banditry did not represent any form of regional, ethnic, or religious brotherhood.
The warning came as the Nigerian Army said it had taken a significant step towards strengthening its manpower development and national security framework with the construction of a new training depot at Amasiri-Edda, located within Afikpo and Edda local government areas of Ebonyi State.
In another development, Poland identified Nigeria as a key pillar of stability in West Africa, acknowledging the decisive role played by the Nigerian Armed Forces in counter-insurgency operations and regional security initiatives.
Musa explained that his remarks were deliberate and purposeful, not merely symbolic. He stressed that Nigerians must refrain from supporting or justifying criminal activities in any form.
He said the warning directly responded to narratives previously advanced by Sheikh Gumi, who had referred to bandits hiding in forests as “our brothers” and suggested that society could not function without them.
Musa made a distinction between compassion and complicity, stating that while empathy for fellow citizens is important, excusing or normalising terrorism only emboldens criminal networks.
He said the criminal groups had ravaged communities, displaced thousands of families, and claimed countless innocent lives across the country.
He emphasised that portraying bandits as “brothers” neither reduced violence nor promoted peace; rather, it legitimised criminal behaviour and undermined ongoing national security efforts.
The defence minister warned that terrorism did not thrive on weapons alone but also on moral and rhetorical cover.
He stressed that individuals, who defended, excused, or shielded criminals—whether through words, influence, or silence—must recognise that they shared responsibility for the consequences of such actions.
Musa stated that Nigeria could not defeat terrorism and banditry while dangerous narratives blurred the line between victims and perpetrators. (ThisDay)
Nigerians from all walks of life yesterday paid glowing tributes to former Osun State Governor and elder statesman, Chief Bisi Akande.
Chief Akande, who clocked 87 on Friday, received birthday greetings from prominent Nigerians, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Ife Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Rotimi Makinde, among others.
President Tinubu and Akume described Akande as a pillar of Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
They spoke at the 87th birthday celebration of Chief Akande held in Ila-Orangun, Osun State, where they praised his lifelong commitment to democratic ideals, principled leadership and selfless service to the nation, noting that his contributions to Nigeria’s political development remain enduring and invaluable.
Tinubu’s goodwill message was delivered by Senator Akume at the ceremony.
In the message, the President described Akande as a mentor whose wisdom and counsel have guided generations of political leaders through difficult moments in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF) on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, he said the nation owes the elder statesman a debt of gratitude for his sacrifices and steadfast belief in democratic governance, praying for continued good health, strength and peace for him.
President Tinubu also expressed confidence that Akande’s legacy of integrity and patriotism would continue to illuminate Nigeria’s path towards unity, stability and progress.
In his personal goodwill message, Akume described Chief Akande as an embodiment of courage, humility and unwavering commitment to democratic values, noting that his service to the nation has left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political history.
Recalling their political collaboration, Akume said they jointly launched a deliberate strategy aimed at dismantling the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West. (Nation)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has paid tribute to the late Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, recalling how his personal decision to protect others in a moment of extreme danger saved 262 Christians during a violent massacre in 2018 and left an enduring mark on the nation’s conscience.
In a statement on Saturday and signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN, the association mourned the Imam while reflecting on how his single, courageous act spoke to Nigeria’s deep divisions and the fragile bonds holding its social fabric together.
“The late Imam Abubakar Abdullahi will forever be remembered for his rare moral bravery and selflessness at a time of grave danger.
“By choosing to protect innocent lives at great personal risk, he saved 262 Christians during a violent massacre in 2018, standing firmly on the side of humanity when it mattered most.
“His actions transcended religious boundaries and powerfully affirmed that the sanctity of human life is sacred above all else.
“This singular act of heroism did more than save lives. It reinforced hope, strengthened interfaith harmony, and reminded our nation that peace is possible when conscience, love, and faith guide our actions.
“It was in recognition of this exceptional service to humanity that CAN honoured him with an award during its Sapphire Anniversary celebrations in 2021.
“CAN believes that such courage deserves not only remembrance but amplification.
“As we mourn his passing, we celebrate a life well lived in service to God and humanity,” the association added. (Vanguard)
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