Category: News

The Jigawa State Government is taking decisive steps to bolster its partnership with traditional authorities and local leaders as a strategy to foster greater confidence and synergy in the state’s security framework. This initiative was highlighted by Governor Umar Namadi during the opening of a two-day interactive session for participants of Senior Course 48 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, held at Sir Ahmadu Bello Hall in Dutse.

Represented by Deputy Governor Engineer Aminu Usman, Governor Namadi emphasized that engaging communities is essential for tackling contemporary security threats, noting that the military alone cannot address these challenges. The government, he said, is actively reinforcing collaborations with traditional rulers and grassroots security structures to build public trust, enhance intelligence gathering, and foster peaceful coexistence.

We have deepened our engagement with traditional and community leaders to strengthen trust, boost intelligence, and promote harmony. We also encourage grassroots involvement in security initiatives, he stated.

Governor Namadi pointed out that through community policing mechanisms, intelligence-sharing systems, and partnerships with local leaders, Jigawa has enjoyed relative peace and stability, allowing the state to concentrate on development in education, healthcare, agriculture, and economic empowerment. He described the study tour’s theme, “Promoting Community Engagement for National Security and Prosperity,” as highly relevant to current national realities.

The role of communities as active partners cannot be overstated. Modern security challenges demand robust collaboration among the military, civilian authorities, and the communities they serve, the governor added.

Earlier, Secretary to the State Government Malam Bala Ibrahim welcomed the participants, calling the college a premier institution for training strategic leaders. He noted that the tour offers a platform for exchanging ideas and gaining practical insights into governance, security management, and intergovernmental cooperation. The SSG reaffirmed the state’s dedication to improving citizens’ welfare through investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, and economic development.

Brigadier General B.O. Omopariola, leader of the delegation, commended Jigawa for its peaceful and hospitable environment, stating that the state was chosen for the exercise because of its reputation as one of the most peaceful and stable in Nigeria.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has ordered an immediate cessation of the production and distribution of Unified Business Identification Cards throughout the state. The directive comes after reports surfaced that fraudulent individuals were exploiting the system to deceive business owners.

The announcement was made public on Friday through Babayo Liman, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Internal Security. Liman revealed that investigations uncovered a scheme where impostors were charging traders approximately N3,000, falsely claiming authorization from the state government and the Department of Internal Security.

Originally designed to bolster internal security and streamline the identification of business entities, the card program has been compromised by these illicit activities. In response, the governor has mandated a comprehensive review and investigation into the matter.

Liman further stated that the responsibility for the card issuance will be transferred to the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs. This move aims to enhance oversight and ensure transparency in the process. He also called on the public to report any instances of extortion, promising that perpetrators would face arrest and prosecution.

Nigerian entrepreneur and political commentator Isaac Fayose has publicly confirmed the death of his wife. The announcement came via his social media platforms on Saturday, where he shared a heartfelt tribute.

According to sources close to the family, the deceased had been undergoing treatment for cancer prior to her demise. Fayose expressed his grief in a brief but emotional post, stating, ‘Rest in peace my darling wife.’ He accompanied this with a photograph of her, adding the poignant Yoruba phrase ‘Odaro oyibo mi,’ which translates to ‘Good night, my white woman.’

The news has drawn an outpouring of condolences from fans and public figures alike, many of whom have taken to social media to offer their support during this difficult time.

Prominent Islamic scholar Ahmad Gumi has weighed in on the joint operation by American and Nigerian forces that resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the worldwide deputy leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). In a Saturday Facebook post, Gumi described the fight against terrorism as a religious duty, but he sharply criticized those involved if their hands are tainted with the blood of innocent civilians.

“It is a religious obligation to eliminate terrorists, but not by partnering with the devil or with hands that have spilled the blood of innocent men, women, and children,” Gumi wrote. His comments come after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the successful mission, which he said significantly weakened ISIS’s global reach and its influence in Africa.

Trump, in a statement on his Truth Social platform, praised the Nigerian government and military for their collaboration. He said the operation was the result of meticulous intelligence and strategic coordination aimed at disrupting al-Minuki’s activities. According to Trump, al-Minuki was one of the most active ISIS figures, orchestrating attacks and supporting terrorist operations against Americans and African communities.

The cleric’s reaction highlights the moral complexities of fighting extremism—supporting the aim of eradicating terrorism while questioning the methods and partners involved.

Dr. Chima Matthew Amadi, the Action People’s Party (APP) candidate for the Imo East Senatorial District, has voiced deep concern over the escalating violence and loss of lives in Ihiagwa and Eziobodo, two communities in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

In a statement released on Friday by his media aide, Cajetan Duke, Amadi described the situation as heartbreaking, alarming, and totally unacceptable. He extended his condolences to bereaved families, those who sustained injuries, and all residents now living in constant dread as criminal activities spread across various parts of the state.

The aspirant asserted that no responsible administration should permit law-abiding citizens to become easy prey for criminals while communities remain defenseless and neglected. He pointed out that the persistent attacks and growing lawlessness in many areas of Imo indicate a troubling deterioration in governance and a lack of commitment by leaders to prioritize the security and well-being of the populace.

Amadi expressed regret that, amid fear, economic struggles, and uncertainty among the people, the state government appears more focused on internal political maneuvers and national political calculations than addressing the urgent security challenges facing the state. He emphasized that effective governance requires a strong presence, responsiveness, and strategic leadership, particularly when citizens look to the government for safety and reassurance.

He further stressed that protecting lives and property is the government’s primary duty and must never be compromised by political distractions or personal ambitions. According to him, the absence of visible and proactive governance has created gaps that criminals are exploiting to terrorize innocent residents across numerous communities.

Amadi called on security agencies to step up efforts to identify and arrest those responsible for the attacks, while also enhancing security surveillance and intelligence gathering in vulnerable areas.

Following the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the global second-in-command of ISIS, by a joint operation between American forces and the Nigerian military, former Senator Shehu Sani has called for sustained and intensified counter-terrorism campaigns. While praising the collaboration between Nigeria and the United States, Sani emphasized that the fight is far from over.

In a statement on his X account Saturday, Sani described the partnership as laudable and a significant step forward. However, he warned that terrorists thrive on violence and urged authorities to continue pressing the offensive. “Terrorists live by the sword,” he said, indicating that only relentless action can effectively degrade their capabilities.

The operation, announced by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform, resulted from extensive intelligence sharing and coordinated strategic planning. Trump identified al-Minuki as a key ISIS figure responsible for orchestrating attacks against Americans and African communities, and noted that his death will severely weaken the terror group’s influence in Africa and beyond.

Trump also expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government and military for their cooperation during the mission, which he said dealt a major blow to ISIS’s global network.

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has announced that a combined operation by Nigerian and United States forces resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a high-ranking leader within the Islamic State (ISIS). This precision strike, which was the culmination of enhanced intelligence-sharing between the two nations, dealt a significant blow to global terrorist activities.

U.S. President Donald Trump was the first to confirm the successful mission, followed by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who issued a statement endorsing the operation. The Defence Headquarters, through Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, detailed that the collaboration has effectively dismantled a dangerous network threatening both Nigeria and the broader West African region.

Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was not only a key operational commander but also a strategic thinker within ISIS, guiding affiliates in media tactics, economic warfare, and the manufacture of weapons, explosives, and drones. His removal eliminates a central figure who coordinated and directed attacks across multiple continents. Intelligence suggests that as early as February 2026, Minuki had been elevated to the Head of the General Directorate of States, making him the second most powerful person in the ISIS global structure.

Prior to this, in 2023, he served as the Emir of the al-Furqan GDP Office based in Nigeria, orchestrating operations in the Sahel and West Africa, including brutal assaults on civilians, particularly ethnic and religious minorities. Minuki maintained long-standing ties with ISIS-West Africa and was linked to the 2018 abduction of over 100 schoolgirls from Dapchi. Additionally, from 2015 to early 2016, he facilitated the movement of fighters to Libya to bolster ISIS in North Africa. Before pledging allegiance to ISIS in 2015, he was a prominent figure in Boko Haram.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have emphasized that this successful mission underscores the nation’s unwavering commitment to counter-terrorism and the protection of national, regional, and international security. They also highlighted the vital role of the partnership with the United States, which involves intelligence sharing and coordinated military actions against transnational terrorism.

The Defence Headquarters praised the valor and professionalism of all troops involved and expressed gratitude for the continued support from U.S. forces. They reaffirmed their dedication to dismantling terrorist infrastructure, safeguarding civilians, and ensuring lasting peace and stability in Nigeria and beyond.

Presidential aspirant Peter Obi has voiced strong criticism against the manner in which Nigerian leaders conduct international trips, insisting that such excursions should yield concrete economic advantages instead of mere ceremonial spectacles.

In a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, Obi emphasized that diplomacy must be anchored on tangible outcomes like investments, industrial progress, technology transfer, factory expansion, trade pacts, and employment generation—not superficial tourism or fashion shows.

He argued that state visits are not opportunities for sightseeing, nor should diplomacy be reduced to a parade of attire. Every overseas journey by a government must bring measurable benefits to citizens, including capital inflow, technological know-how, commercial agreements, industrial growth, and job opportunities.

Citing an example, Obi noted that when President Trump visited China, the American contingent comprised only a handful of key officials alongside prominent business and tech leaders. This strategy resulted in billion-dollar trade deals, including orders for roughly 200 Boeing aircraft.

That, according to Obi, is how serious countries approach foreign relations—by merging diplomacy with economic expansion, manufacturing growth, innovation, and national productivity.

He expressed hope that Nigerian authorities would draw lessons from such visits and contrast them with the President’s recent trip to the United Kingdom. A large delegation of politicians, aides, and government officials accompanied the President, yet Nigerians are left wondering what was actually achieved.

Obi posed several pointed questions: What factories are coming to Nigeria? Which agreements in power, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, or industry were secured? How many direct jobs will the visit create for Nigerian youths? What investments were attracted? What measurable economic outcomes can ordinary citizens identify?

He argued that riding horses, wearing coordinated outfits, attending royal dinners, and sharing polished photographs are insufficient. Symbolism devoid of substance cannot feed a hungry population.

Obi highlighted Nigeria’s current struggles: severe insecurity, food shortages, high unemployment, a weakened naira, declining industrial output, and deepening poverty. At a time when millions battle daily to afford meals and survive economic hardship, every kobo spent on foreign trips must yield tangible national value—investments, factories, jobs, exports, infrastructure, and economic prospects.

Nigeria, he concluded, needs leadership that prioritizes productivity over optics, and measurable economic results over ceremony.

Kwara United technical adviser, Ashifat Suleiman, has voiced strong confidence that his squad is fully prepared for the upcoming President Federation Cup challenge. The Harmony Boys are set to launch their title defense against Sporting Supreme U19 in Kogi state.

Suleiman emphasized that his team will treat every opponent with respect, refusing to underestimate any side in the competition. ‘We are ready for the championship,’ Suleiman told the club’s media channel following the round of 64 draw ceremony. ‘No team will be taken lightly, and we will step onto the pitch with a winning mindset.’

DAILY POST recalls that Kwara United claimed the trophy in last year’s edition, making them the defending champions heading into the 2026 tournament.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has announced the list of aspirants who successfully passed its screening process for the upcoming primary elections in Anambra State. The disclosure was made in a statement released on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ejimofor Opara.

According to the party, the cleared candidates include eight individuals vying for Senate seats, 40 for the House of Representatives, and 107 for the Anambra State House of Assembly. In total, 155 aspirants have been given the green light to contest.

The statement further noted that all successful aspirants whose names appear on the list are required to visit the party’s regional office in Awka on May 18 to collect their nomination forms. The sale of these forms will close on May 20, and the party urged all aspirants to complete the process within the given timeframe.

APGA’s National Working Committee extended its congratulations to the cleared aspirants and wished them success as they prepare for the primaries.