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Abdulrahman Bello, the suspected killer of the final-year student of Kwara State College of Education Ilorin, Hafsoh Lawal, on Wednesday confessed before the court to killing his Facebook lover for money rituals.
The suspect, who also claims to be an Islamic cleric, said he carried out the act alone.
Bello, who said he killed Lawal because he needed human hands for money rituals, regretted that if only he had known another way to source the needed ingredient, he wouldn’t have killed her.
Meanwhile, a police witness, Inspector Ayodele Azeez, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the state Police Command, showed up at the hearing.
The Police Inspector narrated that: “On 14th February 2025, a case of murder and rape was transfered from C Division Oja-Oba to State CID.
“The 1st defendant, Abdulrahman was found with the following exihibits; one axe, cutlass, table, charms, right and left hands of the victim, consultation book, Tecno phone, iPhone, iPhone XR, paint rubber, container with blood, slippers and after the case has been accepted at the state CID, it was later reffered to anti-homicide and anti-robbery sections.
“The case was assigned to some team of Police officers led by ASP Dada Segun who directed me to obtain statement from the suspect and I took him to a conducive environment in a room.
“I asked him which language he preferred to speak and he settled for English and I asked if he had any relative around the police command or any lawyer to witness how his statement would be recorded,” the police witness recalled.
He added that: “He said No! I asked if he needed the service of a lawyer and he agreed that I should get him one but he added that he didn’t have money to pay for legal service. I told him not to worry about the money.
“I eventually got him lawyer A.O. Ahmed in whose presence he wrote his statement. After writing his statement under caution, he signed it after recording everything in his own handwriting.
“I told him to cross-check again in case there was any omission or need for addition, he confirmed that there was no problem and he signed the statement.
“After checking the statement, my team leader, ASP Dada Segun requested that the lawyer endorse the statement which he also did, while I also signed my column too as an IPO. ASP Dada Segun also requested me to also do video recording of how the suspect signed his statement.
“I also used my Android Phone to do recording and I transferred it to my laptop and later to a compact disc with certificate of compliance,” he narrated.
He stated further that Insp. Azeez, on February 16th 2025 and his team led by ASP Dada Segun, went to the scene of the crime at Olunlade and found a pair of earrings belonging to Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal.
He however confirmed all the exhibits tendered before the court as items recovered from Abdulrahman Bello’s house.
Barr. Agbede, who held brief for the counsel to the 1st defendant, objected to the admission of the compact disc, stressing that the suspect was coerced into making his statement while counsels to other defendants raised no objection.
Justice Hannah Ajayi however admitted the disc as an exhibit and ordered that it be played in the courtroom.
The police witness further hinted that: “when the investigation started, Abdulrahman’s call log revealed that the remaining defendants were on his regular call list before the day and the very day he perpetrated the evil act.
“All of them were tracked and arrested. When we took them before Abdulrahman Bello, it was discovered that they know each other, and the 2nd defendant happens to be the teacher of Abdulrahman, the 3rd defendant is also a student of the 2nd defendant while the 3rd and 5th defendant are his closest friends.
“We carried search on their houses, but nothing was recovered, and we returned them to the station,” he stated.
At the time of filing this report, the court was on recess.
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reiterated the urgent need to wipe out corruption in Nigeria.
Speaking against the backdrop of recent allegations of budget padding in the 2025 national budget of the country, Obi submitted that Nigeria remains a relentless scene of corruption.
Recall that Naija News earlier reported that a non-governmental civic and transparency organisation, BudgIT, alleged that a staggering 11,122 projects worth ₦6.93 trillion in questionable projects were dubiously inserted into the 2025 national budget.
Reacting to the allegation, Peter Obi, in a post on Wednesday via his ? account, said Nigeria must be rid of entrenched corruption if the country is to make any meaningful progress.
He posited that the discovery by BudgIT is likely a small fraction of the actual misappropriated amount, adding that such developments are troubling and beg a fresh call for the aggressive fight against corruption in Nigeria.
“I have consistently maintained that for this country to make progress, Nigeria must cease to function as a crime scene and be repositioned for genuine development.
“This entrenched corruption – persistent and deeply rooted – must be nipped in the bud if there is to be any meaningful turnaround.
“How else can we explain the distressing revelations by BudgIT, which uncovered a staggering ₦7 trillion in questionable projects inserted into the 2025 national budget? I am convinced that this figure represents only a fraction of the actual amount misappropriated. These findings are deeply troubling and confirm my long-held position that we have turned our country into a crime scene. We must urgently and aggressively combat corruption, misappropriation, and fiscal recklessness in order to manage our resources effectively and efficiently, and invest in critical areas of development: health, education, and lifting our people out of poverty,” Obi lamented.
The former Anambra State Governor further lamented the enormity of the alleged padded figure of ₦7 trillion, noting that the amount is way bigger than the official budgets of several ministries.
“The ₦7 trillion uncovered as fraudulently inserted into the 2025 budget is even greater than the combined allocations to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the Ministry of Agriculture – ministries that are fundamental to national development.
To be precise:
•The Ministry of Education was allocated ₦3.52 trillion,
•The Ministry of Health received ₦2.48 trillion,
•The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation was allocated ₦260 billion, and
•The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security received ₦636.08 billion.
“Combined, these four ministries were allocated ₦6.896 trillion—an already inflated amount—yet still less than the ₦7 trillion dubiously inserted into the budget.
“That ₦7 trillion figure is even more than the ₦6.1 trillion allocated to national security—at a time when Nigeria is among the most terrorised nations in the world.
“This brazen impunity by our leaders is precisely why the country cannot invest adequately in education—hence the existence of nearly 20 million out-of-school children. It is the same corruption that has crippled primary healthcare, resulting in alarming levels of malnourished children. We face widespread hunger, yet our leaders neglect agricultural investment due to persistent mismanagement and lack of accountability. The same disregard affects our capacity to fund national security effectively, or to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are vital to national growth.
“These glaring acts of corruption reinforce my position: Nigeria has been reduced to a crime scene,” the former presidential candidate argued.
The Way Out
Obi recommended a transparent management of the country’s resources by its leaders as well as strategic investment in key areas of national live to spur growth and development.
According to him, a new Nigeria is still possible.
“We must confront this corruption, misappropriation, and fiscal recklessness with unwavering resolve. Our national resources must be transparently managed and strategically invested in key sectors—health, education, and poverty alleviation—to secure a better future for our people. We must turn this nation around.
“A new Nigeria is POssible,” he concluded.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has distanced itself from the controversial arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in Kenya, stating that its operations are strictly confined to Nigeria’s territorial borders.
Naija News reports that this clarification came during the cross-examination of a prosecution witness, identified by the code name BBB, an intelligence officer from the DSS.
During his testimony, BBB was asked about the DSS’s ability to operate beyond Nigerian borders, particularly regarding the alleged involvement in Kanu’s arrest.
He firmly stated that the agency lacks the jurisdiction to carry out arrests outside Nigeria, further asserting that the DSS operates only within the nation’s borders.
“We do not have the powers to effect arrest beyond Nigeria’s borders,” BBB said, debunking allegations that the agency was responsible for Kanu’s abduction in Kenya. Kanu had claimed he was “kidnapped” from Kenya and forcibly returned to Nigeria in 2021.
The witness further clarified the DSS’s operational structure, stating that the agency is under the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and operates independently from political influence.
When asked whether the DSS can be influenced by politicians or ministers, BBB confirmed that the Attorney General does not direct the agency’s operations, affirming its autonomy.
On intelligence gathering, BBB explained that the DSS relies on various sources, including human intelligence, social media, and other channels, asserting that its operatives are well-trained to gather information as needed.
Further probing revealed that the DSS witness linked Kanu’s Radio Biafra broadcasts to incitement of violence, notably during the EndSARS protests in 2020. BBB stated that Kanu had expressed his readiness to pursue the creation of Biafra by any means, including armed conflict.
The witness also highlighted that Kanu’s inflammatory comments contributed to incidents such as the burning of a police station in Ebonyi State, the Lagos State High Court, and the cargo shed of Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos.
At a point during the proceedings, Paul Erokoro, the defence counsel, requested an adjournment to allow the submission of a video clip they intended to tender as evidence.
The court granted the request and admitted certified true copies of judgments from three fundamental rights enforcement lawsuits filed by Nnamdi Kanu in various courts, including the Abia State High Court, the Federal High Court in Umuahia, and the High Court of Enugu State.
The day’s proceedings began with a warning from the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, regarding the live streaming of court proceedings and the inappropriate use of social media.
The judge specifically cautioned Aloy Ejimakor, a member of the defence team, against posting misleading information on social media.
Lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, had raised concerns about the illegal live streaming of the trial, particularly pointing to Ejimakor’s actions. Agabi suggested that phones be banned from the courtroom to prevent further violations.
In response, Justice Omotosho emphasised the importance of professionalism throughout the trial, noting that the case is too serious to be trivialised. He also warned Ejimakor that continued misconduct could lead to disciplinary action, including potential disbarment.
Justice Omotosho concluded by reaffirming the need for an expedited hearing in the interest of all parties, especially Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody for an extended period. The case was adjourned until Thursday, May 22, for the conclusion of the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of infiltrating opposition parties to sow seeds of discord.
He lamented that the APC might make an attempt to destabilise the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which he recently joined.
Speaking in a recent interview, El-Rufai stated that SDP has become a beacon of hope for citizens disillusioned with Nigeria’s two dominant political parties.
He said, “So there has been an influx [of members], but as part of that influx, we also expect that the sitting government and ruling party will try to inject viruses into the party to create crisis — as it has done, or they have done, in the Labour Party, NNPP, and PDP.
“Since I joined the Social Democratic Party on 10 March, I have been gratified by the reception of Nigerians and love expressed for the party.
“It seems clear to me that most Nigerians have lost hope in both the APC and PDP and are looking for a credible alternative.”
He attributed this growing confidence to the SDP’s legacy and the calibre of individuals recently joining its ranks.
El-Rufai added that the party has taken preventive steps to avoid internal crises by ensuring only credible individuals are placed in leadership roles.
“We’ve worked hard to prevent crisis in the party by being thorough and carrying out due diligence with regards to those that will be entrusted with the leadership of the SDP,” he said.
[NaijaNews]
The Oyo State government has assured that medalists at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, otherwise dubbed Gateways Games 2024 in Ogun State, will be adequately rewarded for their performances.
This clarification comes in response to allegations from various quarters suggesting that the state government’s instant cash rewards for medalists fell short of the actual rewards peomised medalists at the festival.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mrs Wasilat Adegoke, in a statement released on Wednesday, emphasised that the instant cash rewards were designed to motivate athletes who have won medals during the festival.
“The instant cash reward also aims to challenge those who are yet to compete in their respective sporting events,” she stated.
Adegoke further explained that the immediate rewards differ from the more substantial recognitions that Governor Seyi Makinde will officially announce for medalists, athletes, and officials at the conclusion of these biennial sporting events.
“This is how we operate. We are the pacesetter state. We are different, unique, and strategic.
“Our governor has previously rewarded athletes in earlier editions of the NSF. In addition to the festival, he also acknowledged Oyo athletes at the last Commonwealth Games.”
The instant cash rewards include N20,000 for gold medalists, N10,000 for silver medalists, and N5,000 for bronze medalists, primarily intended to motivate, encourage, and challenge athletes during the events. “This is our approach.”
Furthermore, Adegoke confirmed that all registered athletes in Abeokuta have received their allowances, with many excelling on the medals table.
“Our governor will continue to support and motivate athletes in the state. I can assure you that our athletes will be hosted, celebrated, and rewarded generously by the governor.
“People should review our records; we have done this before, and we will strive to do even better,” she added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oyo State finished fourth at the NSF 2022 in Edo State, securing 50 gold medals, 51 silver, and 62 bronze.
Medalists were received by the governor, with gold medalists awarded N1 million, silver medalists receiving N500,000, bronze medalists collecting N350,000, while non-medalists were given N250,000 each.
[Leadership]
The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has said the technical glitch recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) was not targeted at candidates from the Southeast.
This was after the Southeast Caucus of the House of Representatives called for his resignation after a glitch affected the results of candidates from Southeast states and Lagos State in the Southwest.
In a statement, the caucus leader, Igariwey Enwo, also called for a new date to be set for the Examination to be retaken by candidates.
He said, “To this end, we call for the immediate suspension of those at the commanding heights of JAMB’s digital operations and examination logistics.
“The registrar of JAMB is said to be a good man, but then, leadership must carry consequences. We, therefore, call on the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, to do the needful by resigning his appointment to pave the way for a thorough examination and remediation of the root causes of this national shame.
“That’s the way to go in any civilised democracy, and we expect no less.”
However, at a meeting with the management of the board ahead of the release of results of the rescheduled UTME Examination on Wednesday, Oloyede denied claims that there was a deliberate attempt to undermine students from the South-East
According to him, every candidate is a Nigerian and has equal opportunities.
The registrar used the opportunity to call for a minute of silence to mourn a candidate who died as a result of the examination.
[Guardian]
Former and incumbent vice presidents, Atiku Abubakar and Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday, met in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
Atiku made this known in a post on his Facebook page while sharing still photos of him and Shettima exchanging pleasantries.
He wrote, “I just arrived at the Taraba International Investment Summit in Jalingo. -AA”.
Aside from Atiku and Shettima, some governors and other dignitaries are expected to grace the Taraba International Investment Summit currently taking place in the state.
Designed to highlight Taraba State’s rich resources, the summit aims to attract both local and international investors by showcasing opportunities in the agriculture, energy, and mining sectors.
Earlier, the incumbent vice president, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event, inaugurated the rehabilitated and expanded Danbaba Suntai Airport in Jalingo.
[DailyPost]
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it has successfully airlifted 32,549 pilgrims, representing 79.1% of the total intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
A statement by NAHCON’s Assistant Director Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, said the achievement was made through 79 flights operated since the commencement of the airlift operations on May 9, 2025.
Daily Trust reports that 42,000 Nigerians are expected to participate in the annual pilgrimage from the government quota.
Usara added that many states including Adamawa and Plateau, had concluded their airlift operations, while those with only one flighteach will complete their operations on Wednesday.
“Jigawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are also expected to complete their pilgrim airlift today. Kwara State, with 137 pilgrims remaining, will conclude by joining a Kano Max Air flight this afternoon.”
Meanwhile, Benue pilgrims will join intending pilgrims from the South-South section to undertake a combined and only flight from the region on May 23rd, marking the last phase of the airlift for the area.
“Importantly, no flight cancellations have been recorded since the airlift began. However, deliberate minor delays were arranged to allow for the proper clean-up and decongestion of hotels in Madinah especially with the surge in arrivals.
“Such cleanup procedures are standard operational routines following vacation of rooms during the Hajj season. This goes unnoticed during initial airlift periods but cause misinterpretations at peak periods when a higher number of pilgrims are on the ground, requiring immediate turnover.
“NAHCON thanks the Nigerian intending pilgrims and entire communities for their goodwill, patience and prayers, and reaffirm the Commission’s resolve to ensure a smooth Hajj for every pilgrim.”
[DailyTrust]
Nigerians are renowned for seeking better career opportunities abroad, and celebrities are no exception, often transitioning to new paths for improved prospects.
Below is a list of Nigerian celebrities who have publicly announced their enlistment in the US military, showcasing their career shifts from entertainment to military service.
1. Princess Chineke: The former beauty queen and actress relocated to the United States for better opportunities and joined the US Army in 2024. Known for roles in films like To Love a Sister, Stormy Hearts, and Masters at War, Chineke expressed her patriotism and gratitude toward her adopted country.
On Instagram, she wrote: “I’m an American soldier, I’m a member of a team, we are the Army and proud of our name. I answered the call of service to my country, to serve the people of the United States of America. This I will defend, so help me God. God bless America.”
2. Mayowa Dosu: The actress and producer recently joined the US Army, marking a significant career change. With a filmography including Fears (2005), Mamami, Mojere, Compromise, Pawon Strippers, Lastlaugh, and Valentino, Dosu announced her enlistment on Instagram, stating: “I am an American Soldier, I am warrior and a member of a team, I serve the people of the United States and live the army values…..! Oops!! what a journey. Who miss me ?? Sorry I was busy being an American soldier.”
3. Grace-Charis Bassey: Grace-Charis Bassey, previously known as Belinda Effah, is the latest Nigerian celebrity to enlist in the US Navy, a move that also earned her US citizenship. A prominent Nollywood actress who debuted in the 2005 TV series Shallow Waters and won the ‘Most Promising Act of the Year’ at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards, she shared her milestone on Instagram.
She posted: “Last week, I graduated from U.S. Navy boot camp as a Sailor and took the oath as a citizen of the United States. Nigeria raised me. America challenged me. I stand today stronger and more determined than ever.” Bassey dedicated this achievement to her late father, Naval Commander Asido Bassey Effah.
[TheNation]
American actress and singer Jennifer Lopez is facing a $300,000 lawsuit for allegedly sharing copyrighted photographs from the 2025 Golden Globe Awards on her social media accounts without permission, Billboard reported on Tuesday.
On January 5, Lopez made a striking appearance on the red carpet in a flowing white gown paired with a white faux fur coat.
She later posted five photos from the event, captioned “GG Weekend Glamour.” The images quickly spread online, reshared by fans and media outlets alike.
However, photographer Edwin Blanco and his agency, Backgrid, have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit, claiming Lopez posted two of their photos without proper authorisation. They are seeking $150,000 per image, totaling $300,000 in damages.
According to the lawsuit, Blanco and Backgrid argued that Lopez used the images to promote her fashion affiliations and brand partnerships by tagging her clothing and jewelry designers.
“Ms Lopez’s unauthorised use of the Images is commercial in nature, intended for the purpose of self-promotion,” the lawsuit reads.
“For example, Ms Lopez used the Images to spotlight the designer of her clothing and jewellery, leveraging the publicity from the event to promote her fashion affiliations and brand partnerships.”
The suit also claims that her representatives had previously agreed to licensing terms, but Lopez has yet to finalise the agreement.
This is not Lopez’s first legal dispute over image rights. She faced similar lawsuits in 2019 and 2020 for posting professional photos without the photographer’s permission.
[Punch]
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Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has raised alarm over the presence of informants and collaborators aiding insurgents from within the Nigerian armed forces, political class, and local communities.
“We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, within the politicians, and within the communities. What we shall do is to strengthen our intelligence and to deal with them ruthlessly,” Zulum stated during an appearance on News Central’s Breakfast Central on Wednesday.
His revelation adds a new layer to Nigeria’s counter-insurgency conversation, emphasising the need for internal cleansing and enhanced intelligence operations to defeat terrorism.
The governor, who has consistently championed both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to tackling insecurity, reiterated that military force alone will not bring an end to the insurgency in the North-East.
He said, “Insurgency will never be ended by kinetic measures alone. We must ensure that the non-kinetic measures are also properly put in place.
“What I mean by non-kinetic measures is social, political, and economic dimensions of the crisis. Our ongoing non-kinetic measures have yielded positive results with the support of the Nigerian military.”
Zulum revealed that while not all surrendered insurgents may be fully reformed, more than 99% have abandoned terrorism and are reintegrating into society.
“I cannot completely say that 100% of those people who have surrendered are doing the right thing, but I want to assure you that over 99% are doing well and are not participating in the ongoing terrorism,” he said.
The governor also lamented that the Nigerian Army does not have the necessary equipment to fight insurgency.
“The army doesn’t have the necessary equipment on ground to fight the insurgents and I want to also inform you that, right now, the insurgents are using technology to fight the soldiers on ground.
“A few days ago, I had a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, and he said he was looking for 32 drones to end the insurgency and he’s right.
“Each drone is costing about $5.5 million, so why can’t we pull resources together to buy these drones and prioritize insecurity?
“Another issue we shall look into is that of procurement of military equipment, both hardware and software. Let’s deal directly, government to government, so that we can get value for money, otherwise most of the contractors won’t buy the equipment if you give them money.”
While expressing doubts about the effectiveness of state police, the governor advocated for the deployment of forest guards and stressed the importance of listening to professional military advice at the federal level.
“I don’t think the state police can do better than the forest guard.
“The forest guard shall be provided immediately. The president of Nigeria needs to listen to those who can differentiate their left from their right.”
“We should not politicise insecurity. The president needs to listen to the people that can tell him the right thing. The president should listen to the army.”
[Vanguard]
Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has described President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV as an insult to Christianity.
He said the President’s presence at the Pope’s inauguration could have been arranged by lobbyists.
Recall that the head of the Roman Catholic Church recently invited President Tinubu to his historic papal inauguration at the Vatican City in Rome.
At the end of the inauguration, Tinubu joined other world leaders to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the Pope.
But Babachir has downplayed the President’s meeting with Pope Leo, saying it’s a non-issue.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Babachir said President Tinubu’s presence at the event is not an achievement, adding that lobbyists with correct inducement may have arranged the invitation extended to him.
“You know that going to see the Pope is just a matter of your lobby. How well you can lobby, how many friends you have out there in the Vatican that can lobby for you. So, it is not as if it’s a major achievement to visit the Pope on his inauguration. It can be arranged in advance by lobbyists, probably with the correct inducement. So, Bola Tinubu going to visit the Pope is a non issue,” he said.
The former SGF maintained that President Tinubu’s meeting with the Pope further reinforced his sentiment that a Muslim-Muslim ticket is an insult to Christians.
He faulted the President’s visit to the Vatican City, saying a Muslim should not be leading eminent Christians to the Pope.
According to him, Tinubu would not have attended the event if he had a Christian as Vice President. He added that the ticket with which Tinubu emerged as Nigeria’s President is an unfair arrangement.
He said, “It reinforces my earlier belief that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is an insult to Christianity, had there a senior a Christian as a vice president. It’s only expected that he will be the one to represent the government. But now in Nigeria, we have a so-called Muslim visiting the Pope, leading a delegation of and Catholics, eminent Catholics, to the Vatican. So it proves the fact that a Muslim, Muslim ticket is an unfair arrangement.”
It would be recalled that Babachir initially supported Tinubu’s candidate during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election. He withdrew his support when Tinubu chose Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim, as his running mate.
The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has alleged that some Nigerian politicians and members of the armed forces are acting as informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents.
Zulum made the revelation on Wednesday during an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central, where he vowed that the state would strengthen its intelligence network and deal with saboteurs “ruthlessly.”
“We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, within the politicians, and within the communities. What we shall do is to strengthen our intelligence and to deal with them ruthlessly.
“Let’s remove contractocracy. In six months, we can put an end to this madness. We need not politicise insecurity,” he said.
Addressing the issue of surrendered insurgents, Zulum stated that while not all who surrendered have reformed fully, the overwhelming majority are contributing positively.
“I cannot completely say that 100% of those people who have surrendered are doing the right thing, but I want to assure you that over 99% are doing well and are not participating in the ongoing terrorism,” Zulum said
The governor reaffirmed the need for Nigeria to embrace both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in tackling insurgency, noting that over 99% of repentant insurgents are no longer involved in terrorism.
He stressed that military force alone would never bring about a total end to insurgency.
He stated, “Insurgency will never be ended by kinetic measures alone. We must ensure that the non-kinetic measures are also properly put in place.
“What I mean by non-kinetic measures is social, political, and economic dimensions of the crisis. Our ongoing non-kinetic measures have yielded positive results with the support of the Nigerian military.”
He acknowledged that not all 500,000-plus repentant fighters may stay reformed, but believes the system is largely working.
“Yes, I believe among the 500,000 or more that have repented, I cannot rule out the possibility of fewer of them going back to the bush,” he said.
He criticised the lack of equipment for the military and accused insurgents of having a superior technological advantage, saying “The army doesn’t have the necessary equipment on ground to fight the insurgency.”
The governor, however, commended the Nigerian military’s role in supporting peace-building efforts
“I want to commend the Nigerian armed forces for the support that they have been rendering to our non-kinetic measures,” Zulum said.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to pay attention to ground-level intelligence and professional advice from the military.
“The forest guard shall be provided immediately. The President of Nigeria needs to listen to those who can differentiate their left from their right.
“We should not politicise insecurity. The President needs to listen to the people who can tell him the right thing. The President should listen to the army,” he stated.
Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has revealed that the politicians pushing for a strong opposition coalition have considered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a no-go area.
He said the coalition’s technical committee is examining whether the alliance should register a new party or adopt and upgrade an existing one.
Babachir said this when he appeared on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Wednesday.
The former SGF said the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, is a committed and active member of the group championing the coalition campaign to wrest power from President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
According to him, the coalition is mostly driven by politicians who agreed to form an alliance against the ruling party.
When asked why the meetings and conversations about the coalition spearheaded by Atiku have not featured the PDP, Babachir said the PDP has an incurable virus.
“In all the meetings I’ve attended so far, nobody has ever bothered about adopting the PDP as the platform. We all agree that PDP has an incurable virus. No anti-biotics can cure what is ailing the PDP and we don’t want to go into a house that we cannot modify that is not willing to change,” he said.
Babachir disclosed that the politicians behind the coalition opposition would soon announce their new platform to assuage the anxiety of Nigerians who are worried about the coalition’s political party.
With the PDP considered as a no-go area, Babachir’s revelation implied that Atiku may dump the party anytime soon.
The PDP has been hit with a leadership crisis since it lost the 2023 presidential election.
Efforts to resolve the crisis have proved abortive as party leaders are divided over the national secretary position involving Sunday Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyawu.