News & Politics

Nigeria got a pat on the back yesterday from the United States for accelerating the prosecution of terrorism-related cases. The commendation followed the conviction of 386 suspects in recent mass trials.In a statement published via X on Sunday, Massad Boulos, the US senior advisor for Arab and African Affairs, said Washington welcomed the development, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening accountability and justice. The post reads: “The United States commends the Nigerian government for its strong commitment to expediting trials addressing terrorism and related crimes. We welcome the convictions of 386 Islamist militants in cases that had previously faced significant delays in the courts,” the statement reads.“We believe that timely and transparent legal processes are critical in confronting extremism and reinforcing public trust in judicial institutions. Upholding the rule of law remains essential to ensuring the safety, stability, […]

The man who sparked a diplomatic storm over an alleged coronation as Igbo king in the Eastern Cape, South Africa has publicly apologised, insisting he was never crowned. Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, who sparked outrage after the March 14 event in KuGompo, said the entire situation was misunderstood.“I was never coronated as a king. I am not a king and would not purport to be one,” Eziko said in an official statement released yesterday. His apology comes after a violent protest erupted in kuGompo last Monday, with angry traditional leaders and residents accusing foreign nationals of undermining South Africa’s sovereignty and traditional systems.The protest came after videos and images shared online, in which members of the Nigerian community said they had crowned Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko as the Igwe Ndigbo in East Cape. Demonstrations over the alleged coronation turned violent, with […]

In the dusty compounds of Mashegu Local Government Area, where extended families live under one roof and children are often left in the care of grandparents, 14-year-old Hadiza’s childhood ended long before she understood what it meant to be a child.She has lived in her maternal grandfather’s household since she was two. The man she calls “grandpa”, 75-year-old Malam Musa Gado, is not just the patriarch of a sprawling family of four wives and roughly 40 grandchildren, he is also the man who arranged the marriage of her mother. For more than a decade, Hadiza’s world was bounded by his compound walls. But that world collapsed during the holy month of Ramadan last year. In a low, trembling voice captured in an interview that has now circulated on Crusaders Radio in Minna, Hadiza recalled how Malam Musa began to isolate […]

A total of 386 suspects who were tried for terrorism related offences were convicted during a four-day special court sitting of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Our correspondent in Abuja understands that they were among the 598 defendants brought before the court by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.Speaking at the conclusion of the sitting yesterday, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) expressed delight about the outcome of the exercise.He said: “In total, we brought about 508 cases. Out of these 508 we were able to secure 386 convictions. Eight discharges, two acquittals and 112 adjourned to the next session or phase. “Don’t forget that this is the ninth phase. The 10th phase will come up between the 15th and the 18th of June by God’s special grace.“The […]

The President mourned soldiers of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Operation HADIN KAI, killed during a terrorist attack on their base in Benisheikh, Borno State. He described them as “unforgettable heroes” whose sacrifices will not be in vain.A statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, which was available to Ayemafuge said the President urged Nigerians and the media to support the Armed Forces in ongoing operations against insurgency and banditry. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that the terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the brigade headquarters around 12:30am yesterday but were repelled by troops after a fierce exchange.President Tinubu commiserated with the military leadership, families of the fallen troops, as well as the government and people of Borno State, praising the soldiers for their courage in preventing the attackers from overrunning nearby communities.He said sustained land […]

A Boko Haram fighter involved in killing of many people in the Northeast was sentenced to death in Abuja yesterday, 09/4/26 as part of the ongoing trial of 500 suspected terrorists.Our correspondent reports that Auwalu Samaila, who was unrepentant got the death sentence after prosecutor established his involvement in many Boko Haram operation across towns in Abamawa and Borno States.Samaila, one of the 500 terrorism suspects being prosecuted by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), was arraigned on a six-count charge.In the charge marked: FHC/KNJ//CR/122/2026, Samaila, a native of Gulak Village, Madagali Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa, was listed as the sole defendant.The death sentence was in relation to counts four, five and six, while he got 25 years on counts one and two. Samaila was also sentenced to 30 years imprisonment on count three. […]

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has cautioned broadcast media organisations against the spread of misinformation, warning that the integrity of the 2027 General Elections will depend significantly on how responsibly Nigeria’s airwaves are managed.Speaking on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, the INEC Chairman stressed that the information space has become a critical battleground in modern elections. He noted that the greatest threat to credible polls may no longer be physical disruptions, but the rapid spread of false information amplified through unverified broadcasts.Prof. Amupitan emphasised the need for strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, particularly provisions guiding political broadcasting. He drew attention to statutory obligations requiring equal access to media platforms for all political parties, noting that with 22 registered parties, fairness in […]

It was supposed to be a grand ceremony at the historic Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo State. But it was devoid of grandeur, marred by the absence of the three Ibadan high chiefs who were to receive beaded crowns: Mobolaji Adewoyin as Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, Oyekola Babalola (SAN) as Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, and Sarafadeen Alli as Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was expected to perform the coronation. However, he too was absent, delegating the ceremony to his deputy, Bayo Lawal. The April 3 event was attended by a cross-section of the state’s political and traditional elite, ranging from members of the State Executive Council to traditional rulers and local government chairmen. The state government said “this ceremony is being duly conducted,” citing the Ibadan chieftaincy declaration and Section 20 (1 and 4) of the Chiefs […]

Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has sparked widespread reactions after speaking on the current security situation in the country. According to him, the rise in insecurity is linked to the ongoing political season. He explained that as elections approach, tensions tend to increase, which can affect stability in some areas.In his words:“Insecurity is increasing because election is coming, because people don’t know what to do again. Immediately after election, two weeks after election, the insecurity will stop. The insecurity is being sponsored by people.” Akpabio suggested that once the elections are concluded, the situation is expected to improve within a short period. He also used the opportunity to criticize the opposition, saying they are not well organized. While speaking, he appeared to take a swipe at Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election.According to him:“Opposition is […]

A Nigerian air force operation targeting jihadist rebels struck a market in north-east Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 people and injuring many others, as reported by Amnesty International and local media. Officials confirmed that a misfire had occurred but did not provide additional details.Amnesty International indicated that it confirmed from survivors that at least 100 individuals were killed in the airstrike on a village in Yobe state, near the border with Borno state, which is the center of the jihadist insurgency that has affected the region for over a decade.The Nigerian military frequently conducts airstrikes to combat armed groups that utilize extensive forest areas, and according to an Associated Press count, at least 500 civilians have died since 2017.Security analysts have pointed to weaknesses in intelligence gathering and insufficient coordination between ground forces, air units, and […]