By: Dr. Philip B. Olusola Nigeria is currently confronting one of the most severe security challenges in its modern history. Kidnapping, once sporadic and isolated, has evolved into a structured criminal enterprise that now threatens national stability, economic development, and public confidence in state institutions. Across the country, the victims cut across all segments of society – children, students, farmers, traders, commuters, professionals, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security personnel, and ordinary citizens. The widespread nature of these abductions has created a climate of fear in both urban and rural communities.…
Category: Security
Bridging the Divide: How ‘D’ Division’s Community Policing Restored Harmony in Bauchi Neighbourhoods
By: Bashir Hassan Abubakar In a significant stride toward lasting peace and community harmony, the Divisional Police Officer of ‘D’ Division in Bauchi, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, successfully facilitated a series of reconciliation meetings aimed at healing rifts and ending youth skirmishes across several local communities. The interventions brought together community elders and youths from Jahun, Unguwar Dem, Yan Yamawa, Abuja House, and Unguwar Kuka, as well as representatives from Sabuwar Kasuwa, Unguwar Kur, and Fadan Bayak. These areas had recently experienced friction due to Sara-Suka and thug-related clashes, making…
Security Risks: NYSC Halts Corps Postings to Three Kebbi LGAs
Due to escalating security concerns, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has blacklisted three local government areas in Kebbi State—Augie, Arewa, and Sakaba—from receiving corps members. Consequently, the scheme has requested to permanently relocate its orientation camp from Dakingari to a more secure region of the state. Bala Dabo Kagarko, NYSC Coordinator for Kebbi State, confirmed the move at Jega LGA’s Basaura temporary camp. “For the safety of corps members, we are no longer posting them to Augie, Arewa and Sakaba local government areas of the state,” he said. “We…
‘Some Spent 15 Years There’: Nigeria Challenges South Africa Over Migrant Removals
By Prosper Okoye Nigeria has questioned South Africa’s argument that economic pressures and labour market constraints justify the removal of foreign nationals, as officials and migration stakeholders raised concerns over the treatment of Nigerians returning from the country. Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of Nigeria’s Technical Working Group on Migration and Development on Tuesday, Osita Osemene, Executive Director of the Patriotic Citizens Initiative (PCI), said the experiences of many returnees suggested that factors beyond economic concerns were driving the removals. “I don’t believe that because looking at their…
Border Security: Oba Oloola Hosts Brig. Gen. Onu for Strategic Talks
Committed to safeguarding lives and property, the Paramount Ruler of Ilara Kingdom,Oba Mutiu Alani Adedimeji Oyede-Lawal, Ph.D, Sijuade Adunkunnu I, Oloola of Ilara Kingdom, held a strategic security meeting with Brigadier General F.O. Onu. The high-level discussions took place during a familiarisation tour by the Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Ogun State, aimed at enhancing peace and stability. In a statement released by the Oloola Palace on Sunday, June 14, Brigadier General F.O. Onu disclosed that his visit is part of a scheduled familiarisation tour of communities…
Katsina Tragedy: Former Army Spokesman Gen. Rabe Abubakar Dies at 61
Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar has died in the custody of bandits, according to a confirmation by the Katsina State Government. The state authorities have described his passing as a tragic and profound loss for Nigeria. In a statement issued Saturday, June 13, Katsina State Commissioner for internal Security and Home AffairsNasir Mu’azu confirmed the tragic loss of the retired military general, who succumbed to complications from diabetes and hypertension. Despite relentless rescue efforts by both the state government and security forces, Commissioner Mu’azu confirmed that attempts to secure his…
‘I Governed Lagos Without Security Votes’ — Fashola Drops Bombshell
In a shocking revelation, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola disclosed that he managed Nigeria’s commercial hub for eight years without receiving a single dime in security votes. He governed Lagos between 2007 – 2015. Fashola, who also served as Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Works, and Housing after his tenure at Alausa, made the disclosure during a panel discussion at The Platform’s June 12 Democracy Day event held at Marriott hotel Ikeja, Lagos . Alongside former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Fashola tackled tough questions regarding the impact of state security…
Kogi School Attack: Vice Principal, Two Others Killed as Security Forces Foil Mass Abduction
Armed bandits wearing military uniforms stormed Government Secondary School in Iluke Bunu, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on Wednesday morning, killing three people—including the Vice Principal, Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose. The assailants disrupted an ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in an attempt to kidnap students, but a joint team of military personnel and local vigilantes successfully repelled the attack and rescued the students unharmed. The assault began at approximately 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, according to residents within the locality. The armed group reportedly timed…
Are Ransom-Seeking Bandits Being Tracked and Arrested via Phone in Nigeria?
Driven by the escalating wave of banditry across Nigeria, BBC Hausa published a detailed report on Thursday, June 4, 2026, exploring this critical issue. Sooth News has translated and analysed the original Hausa broadcast into English for this exclusive feature. Below is the BBC report: “Nigeria is grappling with security challenges across various regions, including the Boko Haram insurgency, lethal banditry, and kidnapping for ransom. Recently, bandits abducted a former high-ranking Nigerian military officer. Local media reports indicated that his captors negotiated their demands strictly over the telephone. However, a…
Court Orders Death Penalty for 4 Terrorists Linked to Owo Church Massacre
In a landmark judgment delivering long-awaited justice, a Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced four terrorists to death by hanging for their roles in the horrific June 5, 2022 Pentecost Sunday attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State which left about 40 worshippers dead and several others injured. Delivering the judgment, Justice Emeka Nwite convicted the four defendants on multiple terrorism charges, including conspiracy, membership in a terrorist group, kidnapping, hostage-taking, and executing the deadly church assault. The court held that the prosecution proved its…