Author: Gabby

The Kaduna State Government has officially launched a committee focused on disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) as part of broader efforts to strengthen peace and security. Governor Uba Sani assured that his administration will provide the necessary political support to ensure the committee’s success.

This initiative, the first of its kind at the state level in Nigeria, was developed with assistance from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Counter Terrorism Centre. During the launch, Governor Sani reflected on the severe security challenges that previously plagued the state, including banditry, kidnappings, and violence that made highways unsafe and crippled economic activities, particularly along the Kaduna-Abuja corridor and the Birnin Gwari area.

The Governor emphasized that his administration adopted a multi-pronged strategy from the start, combining military force with dialogue and development. He described this approach as the “Kaduna Peace Model,” which addresses not only immediate security threats but also underlying issues such as poverty, exclusion, and lack of opportunity. Through closer collaboration with national security bodies and the armed forces, operational capacity has been enhanced, resulting in restored confidence among travelers and a revival of economic activity.

He stressed that lasting peace cannot be achieved through force alone. Therefore, dialogue has been embraced as a strategic tool for stability, involving community leaders, traditional institutions, and individuals willing to abandon violence. This has helped rebuild trust where it had eroded.

Ambassador Abimbola Wonosikou, Director of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, hailed the committee’s formation as a major milestone for sustainable peace in Kaduna and Nigeria. She noted that regional consultations across the country had identified the need for state-level DDR committees to serve as delivery units. She argued that removing weapons, dismantling violent networks, and reintegrating ex-combatants are essential for long-term stability.

Dr. Paul Nyulaku, Technical Adviser for the National DDR Framework Development, praised Governor Sani’s reconciliatory efforts, which have gained national recognition. He confirmed that Kaduna is the first state to establish such a committee, following recommendations from a North West regional consultation. The national DDR framework, which includes 17 pillars such as political dialogue and negotiation, is awaiting approval. His team has also developed standard operating procedures and tools for the committee’s use.

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has finalized arrangements for its 2026 Annual Range Classification Exercise for Army personnel stationed at the academy. The exercise is scheduled to take place from May 4 to 9 at the NDA Open Range in Afaka. Residents living near the academy have been advised not to be alarmed by the sound of gunshots.

In a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna, the Academy’s Public Relations Officer, Major Reuben Kovangiya, confirmed that all necessary safety measures have been put in place to ensure a successful and incident-free exercise. He specifically urged residents of Mando, Tsamiya, Kauya, and the broader Afaka area to avoid entering or approaching the range during the event.

“The general public is hereby advised to stay clear of the range area for their safety,” Kovangiya said. The statement also expressed gratitude for the public’s continued cooperation and reiterated the commitment of NDA Commandant Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye to a safe operation.

In a dramatic turn of events at the Federal High Court in Abuja, video evidence played on Monday revealed that two of the six men accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government admitted they were aware of the scheme. The recordings, which were played in open court, showed retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor and Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim confessing their knowledge of the plot, while retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana denied any involvement.

The prosecution submitted a hard disc containing the interview recordings, but the defense lawyers objected, claiming the statements were not made voluntarily. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik overruled the objections, stating that playing the recordings while noting the objection and conducting a trial-within-trial to determine voluntariness was standard procedure.

In the first video, Major General Gana, who retired in 2010 as Chief of Defence Logistics, said he knew the alleged mastermind, Colonel M. A. Ma’aji, but was unaware of any coup planning. He admitted sharing a coup speech via WhatsApp and forwarding anti-government messages, but claimed he did not originate them. He also denied conducting reconnaissance at the Presidential Villa or raising funds for the plot.

The second defendant, Victor, expressed deep regret for not reporting the plot, saying, ‘I feel so bad that I find myself in this situation.’ He admitted Ma’aji complained about promotion issues and angrily mentioned overthrowing the system. Victor said he advised against it and suggested retirement, but he failed to report due to their relationship. He acknowledged being approached for financial support and was promised a position after a successful coup, but he insisted he never took part in any operations.

Inspector Ibrahim, who was attached to the State House, said he initially helped Ma’aji with promotion contacts, but the discussions later turned to the coup plot. He admitted receiving about N1.5 million, participating in reconnaissance, and taking photos of the Presidential Villa, including Aguda House. He also confirmed the use of coded language like ‘fertilizer’ and ‘farming’ for funding and the operation. However, he claimed he only went along because he believed access to the State House was impossible.

At the start of each interview, investigators explained the audio-visual recording process, noting it was in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to ensure statements were voluntary and not coerced. The trial continues on Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Nigerian entrepreneur Isaac Fayose has publicly declared his steadfast backing for Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, dismissing criticisms over recent political realignments. In a video disseminated on his official Facebook page Monday, Fayose addressed detractors who questioned Obi’s decision to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

The political landscape stirred as Obi, alongside former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, abandoned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the NDC on Sunday. This move drew sharp rebukes from members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who accused the duo of incessant party switching.

Fayose, however, turned the tables on the APC, reminding them that President Bola Tinubu himself had traversed multiple parties—from SDP to AD, ACN, and finally APC—before reaching the presidency. “Your current president moved from SDP to AD, ACN and APC. Anywhere Peter Obi decides to go, we will follow him because we believe in him,” Fayose asserted.

He further questioned the APC’s confidence, noting, “If the APC is sure of victory, why are the members putting their hands in all other parties? I thought they had over 32 governors; why are they still putting their fingers in other parties?”

Emphasizing his loyalty, Fayose concluded, “If we like, we can move to NNN; that’s our own. Obi is our party.” His remarks underscore a deep-seated commitment among Obi’s supporters, who remain undeterred by party affiliations or criticisms.

Violent protests erupted in Calabar on Monday as students from Cross River State University demanded justice for their deceased colleagues. The demonstration quickly spiraled out of control, with protesters damaging government property and advancing toward the governor’s office.

According to reports, the students had traveled to Uyo for a friendly football match but were involved in a serious accident on the return journey. Three students lost their lives, and allegations emerged that a nearby hospital refused to provide medical assistance to the injured.

The situation escalated when security forces reportedly opened fire to disperse the crowd. A viral video captured the sound of multiple gunshots, sending protesters running for cover. Despite attempts to contact the Cross River Police Command for an official statement, they were unreachable at the time of reporting.

Activist lawyer Maduabuchi Idam has dismissed the reversal of the curfew on Amasiri community by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru as no cause for celebration. In a sharp response, Idam stressed that the curfew’s removal does not deter him from pursuing the legal case already filed against the state government.

Idam, in a personally signed statement, clarified that the lawsuit will continue unless the government compensates families of those killed extrajudicially by joint security forces, pays for the harm, pain, and psychological trauma inflicted on innocent members of the Amasiri community, and reconstructs properties destroyed during the enforcement of the governor’s directives.

“The reported lifting of the vindictive curfew imposed on Amasiri, along with the reversal of other punitive sanctions, is not a reason to celebrate. As I noted earlier, there is nothing to jubilate about, as those measures were unwarranted and unprovoked from the start,” the statement read.

“While I acknowledge and welcome the development—especially since we have just begun serving court processes in the case Maduabuchi O. Idam v. Chief of Defence Staff and 7 Others—it is crucial to make clear that the lifting of the curfew and the reversal of certain vindictive sanctions will not halt the legal action we have instituted.

“This action will proceed unless and until the governor fully accedes to the reliefs sought. These include, but are not limited to, compensation for extrajudicial killings by the joint security operation, compensation for the harm, pain, and psychological distress inflicted on innocent Amasiri community members, and reconstruction of properties destroyed in enforcing the governor’s directive.

“Until my reliefs are fully acceded to, I will pursue this action to its logical and conclusive end. State power exists to protect, not to victimize. This injustice must not go unatoned,” Idam concluded.