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OPINION: Must Nigeria Go Up In Flames For Tinubu’s Ambitions?

February 4, 2026

By: Prof. Usman Yusuf

Nigerians will remember Christmas Day 2025 as the day a dangerous precedent was set and Nigeria’s sovereignty, pride and dignity as a nation were violated by America’s unprovoked airstrike on its soil.

President Trump announced the airstrike on his social media account with the following message: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries.”

American bombs hit an empty farmland in Jabo village in Tambuwal LGA of Sokoto. Jabo is a peaceful agrarian village with open arable land, with no forests or criminal hideouts; it has no history of ISIS, banditry, or terrorism. No security challenges have been reported in this area that would justify an airstrike.

Sokoto or North-West Nigeria has no history of Christian genocide. In fact, the victims of violence in the region over the years have largely been Muslims killed by bandits.

Trump’s assumptions are patently false and only deepen our ethnoreligious fault lines. His definition of Nigeria’s security challenges, rooted in faith and championing only Christian interests, is not only ignorant and dangerous but also intellectually lazy. Trump’s reckless military intervention only stirs up the hornet’s nest and puts the lives of many innocent citizens at risk, as evidenced by spikes in attacks and abductions in vulnerable communities.

The goal of this article is to pose a set of related questions, even though I know I will not get any convincing answers. Why did Donald Trump act on Christmas Day, and why was the heart of Sokoto Caliphate singled out? He claimed the aim was to protect Christians, but this justification needs scrutiny. Were the National Assembly or the Armed Forces informed in advance? Why was the federal government’s response muted? Why did the Foreign Minister, rather than the Defence Minister, take the lead in public statements? And why are IPOB supporters appearing as the instigators?

With the benefit of hindsight, the Christian genocide conspiracy seed was planted on 18 June 2025 in Makurdi, Benue state, after the Yelwata village massacre, when President Tinubu visited for condolences – a gesture never extended to other northern victims.

The President was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Inspector General of Police (IGP), Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the National Security Adviser (NSA).

I sensed something fishy the moment the President turned this tragic loss of innocent lives into a political theatre and gave it a religious colouration. He publicly called out and asked the CDS and the IGP, both of whom are Christians, to stand up and proceeded to give them a directive to fish out the perpetrators of the gruesome act.

Vice President Kashim Shettima’s speech at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York on 25 September 2025, where he stated Nigeria’s support for an independent Palestinian state, did not go down well with Israel and its American supporters.

The fuse of the Christian genocide conspiracy in Nigeria was lit when American evangelical Christian groups and some republican members of the Senate and Congress went on a media blitz, aggressively pushing the false narrative.

This negative media campaign rattled Tinubu’s government, which appeared frozen and offering only weak responses. The NSA led a delegation comprising the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the CDS, the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), and the IGP to the U.S. for some damage control. They met with Pete Hegseth, America’s War Secretary and Congressman Riley Moore, who is pushing the Christian genocide narrative.

The delegation signed undertakings allegedly dictated by the Americans, stating Nigeria’s failure to meet some demands would lead Trump to direct military action. These conditions remained secret, and the National Assembly, elected to question the executive, failed to ask for details of the meeting.

Congressman Riley Moore visited Nigeria on 8 December 2025 for a fact-finding mission on violence against Christians, then flew back to Washington, DC, to report to Trump. He only visited Benue State before returning to help Trump decide on potential military action.

I did not know whether to laugh, cry or be angry when I read an article in the New York Times on 18 December 2025, which reported that vocal supporters of the Christian genocide hoax in the American Congress and Senate relied heavily on the dodgy “research” via a Google search by a mischievous Igbo screwdriver salesman, conducted from his small shop in the dusty Onitsha market, as their source of evidence of Christian genocide in Nigeria.

It was based on this “research” that they recommended military action on Nigerian soil to President Trump. I was honestly very embarrassed by these American lawmakers, knowing full well the resources at their disposal to find the truth if they really wanted to. It is a pity that they do not care about the truth.

It is no secret that secessionist Biafra agitators have been the main initiators and drivers of this treasonous Christian genocide narrative to the world. Indeed, the information that convinced President Trump of the false narrative that Christians were being systematically targeted and genocidally killed in Nigeria was traceable to the IPOB, a terrorist Igbo separatist group.

IPOB has long spread false claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria via Radio Biafra and social media. It has built ties with some U.S. lawmakers, churches, and Christian NGOs. Its strategy is to divide groups by exploiting Nigeria’s ethnoreligious and political fault lines using religion.

The 3 main goals of IPOB are:

Creation of Biafra: Following the bloody military coup of 15 January 1966 by Igbo military officers that resulted in the cold-blooded murders of Nigeria’s political and military leaders predominantly from the north, Nigeria was plunged into a tragic 30-month civil war that led to the loss of lives and displacement of millions. IPOB and its followers, many of whom were either not born at the time or too young to remember the horrors of the civil war and, apparently, not schooled by their elders, believe they can now achieve in peacetime, by lying in the name of a great religion, what those before them could not achieve on the battlefield.

In Nigeria, as the Presidential election nears, IPOB and its supporters often launch insults, blackmail, and threats of violence or secession against northerners, trying to intimidate voters to support an Igbo candidate or favour zoning the Presidency to the South-East. The Christian genocide lie is another blackmail tactic.

Another delusion of these purveyors of hate and falsehood is that President Trump would give them special visa status for being “persecuted Christians,” as he granted to white South Africans.

What is in it for Northern Nigerian Christians, who should know better than these hateful interlopers with a secessionist agenda? The simple truth is that they will be used as pawns on IPOB’s hateful chessboard and for their votes in 2027 by selfish politicians, just as northern Muslim voters were deceived by the ruling party’s Muslim-Muslim scam in the 2023 general elections.

Why would a group of Nigerians go into the world spreading falsehoods and calling for a military attack on their country, one would ask? Their motive is simple, they are driven by a deep – seated hatred of Islam and northern Nigerian Muslims. The question on everybody’s mind in the north is, how would any sane person in the region trust or vote for someone who hates him, his religion, culture and region?

Following the American airstrikes, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, appeared on several news outlets. He said that Nigeria provided the intelligence for the US strike and that he spoke twice with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for 19 minutes and 5 minutes, before the strike was launched. He said that they both agreed that the statement that would follow should downplay religion as the reason for the strike.

The Foreign Minister’s media appearances raised more questions than answers:

Did Nigeria really give the Americans the intelligence to attack what turned out to be empty farmland in Sokoto?

Who initiated the call? Was it Nigeria or the US?

Should the call not have been between President Trump and President Tinubu, as protocol requires?

Was it a one-off permission or a blank check to the Americans for subsequent attacks, like Trump himself said that more are coming?

Nigerians expected to hear from and be reassured by their President and Commander-in-Chief, or at least their Minister of Defence, not the Foreign Minister. Their silence raised a few questions.

Were the Armed Forces informed about this strike, and did they approve it? Gen. CG Musa, The Hon Minister of Defence, did not seem aware of the airstrike, as he was seen dancing at his 58th birthday party on the day of the attack. The following week, he surfaced again at a homecoming event and church service while Nigerians waited for his comments.

Was there anything that the American airstrike did that the Nigerian Air Force could not do?

Trump openly stated his air strike in the heart of Muslim Sokoto Caliphate was to save his “cherished Christians.” Why didn’t the Defence Minister and CDS, both Christians, represent the government in explaining this military action to Nigerians?

Why did the government send the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Information, both of whom are Muslims, to talk about a military issue?

Gen. Musa’s appointment as Minister of Defence on 2 December 2023, after being dropped as The CDS on 24 October 2023, was aimed at pacifying the northern Christian constituency that Tinubu seeks to win in the 2027 elections and to follow Trump’s directive. If the alledged Christian genocide truly occurred, when did it occur? Was it when Christians were heading almost all of Nigeria’s security agencies? Gen. Musa, a Christian, headed the armed forces as the CDS, the Chief of Army Staff, CDI, IGP, and DG DSS were all Christians.

It was deeply disappointing to watch respected shows on some major Nigerian television outlets as they blindly joined the “Christian genocide” bandwagon, in blatant disregard for the ethics of professional journalism. These shows became embarrassing echo chambers, where their anchors and guests spewed out inciting information, opinions and falsehoods that reinforced their existing bigoted beliefs while shutting out guests with opposing viewpoints.

President Tinubu has mismanaged Nigeria’s diversity by deliberately and selfishly widening the ethnoreligious divide in the country for his electoral gains firstly, by flying the Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023 and now pivoting for northern Christian votes in 2027 by being sympathetic to the Christians genocide falsehood as exemplified by his appointment as the electoral umpire, INEC Chair, a gentleman who wrote a flawed legal opinion 6 years ago supporting this false narrative.

Tinubu has squandered all the goodwill he came into office with by running a never-before-seen tribalistic, nepotistic and state-capturing administration that does not care about the security and welfare of citizens. His failure to protect all citizens regardless of their faiths is setting Nigerians up against each other and giving his failed administration a free ride.

It appears that President Tinubu is either knowingly or unknowingly midwifing the breakup of Nigeria as a single entity. Internationally, he has surrendered our sovereignty to America and France and is allowing Nigeria to be drawn into America’s proxy war with China over control of our natural resources.

We must all do our part to prevent Nigeria from descending into the anarchy we now see in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Libya.

A stitch in time saves nine.

Usman Yusuf is a Professor of Haematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation

Obi Cubana Accepts Tinubu’s Job, Says He’s Aware Of Varied Reactions To His Appointment

Adesina Soyooye

February 4, 2026

By Adesina Soyooye

Businessman and serial entrepreneur, Obi Cubana, has accepted his appointment as the South-east Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, a political movement founded by Seyi Tinubu, President Tinubu’s son, with an eye on the youths and 2027.

Obi Cubana, whose real name is Obinna Iyiegbu, accepted the appointment when Seyi visited him at his Abuja residence on Monday during which time he presented Cubana

with his letter of appointment.

When the news of the appointment first broke, not a few people were taken aback, and asked Obi Cubana to reject the appointment and keep off politics.

But while accepting it Tuesday, Cubana said he was very aware that his appointment sparked varied reactions but insisted that “My belief remains firm: lasting change comes from constructive engagement, not standing apart.”

He emphasized on what he described as inclusive development, youth engagement

Businessman and philanthropist, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has hosted Seyi Tinubu at his Abuja home.

He used the meeting to reiterate his commitment to inclusive development, national unity, and greater youth participation in Nigeria’s growth agenda.

Speaking during the visit, Obi Cubana said the development of the Southeast and the country at large must be beyond partisan considerations and be anchored on competence, integrity, and constructive engagement with those in leadership.

His words: “The development of the Southeast will be an all-inclusive project, politics aside. It will only be possible with good people in positions to advise those in power and help deliver meaningful outcomes for our people.”

Applauding the improvements in security across the South-East, he noted: “For the first time in a long while, we returned home in December and truly enjoyed Ala Igbo. This was made possible by deliberate actions that addressed insecurity. I believe strongly that our region will soon reclaim its place as an economic powerhouse of West Africa, as it has always been. Better days are ahead.”

Cubana also acknowledged the mixed feelings which greeted his appointment as South-East Coordinator of the City Boy Movement.

He said: “Regarding my recent appointment as Southeast Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, I’m fully aware of the varied reactions it has sparked. My belief remains firm: lasting change comes from constructive engagement, not standing apart.

“Service continues to guide me, and this new role does nothing to alter my commitment to integrity, community growth, and responsible leadership.

Giving a hint he might, one day get involved in active governance and policy conversations, Obi Cubana said:

“I’ve learned that influence is limited from the outside, so yes, here we are. A City Boy through and through, inside and out.

“Our nation’s leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is equally a City Boy and a man of commerce. All of us need all of us to achieve our national aspirations, and I am committed to carrying every Nigerian along in all that I do.

“Let’s respect differing views, keep conversations vibrant, and stay focused on building real value. The moment is now, we move.

“Where enterprise meets vision and leadership is right, I will always be willing to support and advise anyone in a position of power on how to improve the lives of our youths, women, children, businesses, and future generations. That is what I stand for, progress.”

Sokoto Indicts Tambuwal Over Alleged Misappropriation Of N117 Billion

Suleiman Anyalewechi

February 3, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A Judicial Commission of Inquiry empaneled by the Sokoto State Government to carry out an inquest into the financial records of the State during the tenure of former Governor Aminu Tambuwal, has indicted him.

The Commission which submitted its report on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, says Tambuwal, who is now a Senator, stands indicted.

The Commission, in the said report which was formally submitted to the State Governor Ahmed Aliyu indicted Tambuwal ,a former Speaker of the House of Representatives ,and a chieftain of the emerging opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress ADC.of misappropriating a whopping sum of N117 billion between 2015 and 2023.

Instructively, his indictment comes amidst the seemingly unending legal proceedings being mounted against another stalwart of the ADC, Abubakar Malami, from neighbouring Kebbi State, by the Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to the Chairman of the Judicial Commission, Honourable Justice Muazu Abdulkadir Pindiga rtd, there were widespread instances of financial irregularities established in the process of scrutinizing the conducts of the immediate past administration in the State.

He stated that the Commission, through verifiable records and sworn testimonies was able to establish the misappropriationand misapplication of about N 117 billion by Tambuwal’s administration.

He further informed that the Commission’s report has been broken down into five segments with each covering the background of the inquiry, testimonies received, detailed findings, recommendations, and summary and conclusion.

Justice Pindiga emphasized that the report was essentially derived from a painstaking examination of documents, contracts, and financial records, as well as testimonies from witnesses drawn from the various ministries, departments, agencies, and critical stakeholders who were in one way or the other connected with the the administration under review.

This is as he lauded the commitment, professionalism, and sincerity of purpose shown by members of the Commission in the course of the discharge of their duties.

The Chairman also expressed deep and sincere appreciations to the members of the public, Ministries, Departments and Agencies for their unflinching cooperation and understanding.

On his part, the Sokoto State Governor ,Aliyu while thanking the Commission members for volunteering their time and energy in the service of the State noted that the establishment of the panel was not informed by any desire for witch-hunting and political vendetta, but by the need to ensure trust and constitutional responsibility in governance.

He informed that the Government will set up a committee for the purpose of coming up with a a white paper.

Osun LG Funds’ Hijack Is A Criminal Assault On Democracy

The Source

February 3, 2026

….. Citizens May Be Compelled To Resort To Self Help

The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) is shocked, outraged, and deeply alarmed by the latest twist in the Osun State Local Government (LG) crisis—a scandal that represents a brazen, criminal assault on democracy, the rule of law, and the rights of hardworking citizens.

The Movement is perturbed to learn that court-sacked APC local government chairmen in Osun State, acting in blatant collusion with a former Governor of Osun State now Minister and the United Bank for Africa (UBA), have illegally hijacked funds released by the Federal Government meant for Osun LGs, diverting them to unelected politicians and party cronies.

Speaking, the head of the national Secretariat of the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), Veteran Olawale Okunniyi, said “this audacious act violates Osun State law, which explicitly prescribes career officials as signatories to LG accounts, yet these lawful procedures have been willfully ignored and trampled upon.”

The Movement however maintained that the consequences as reeled out below are stark and damning:

No local government worker in Osun has been paid in the last 12 months by the police-backed unlawful occupants of Osun State Local Governments, while their rightful salaries are stolen and misappropriated.

Funds meant for critical public services—schools, health centers, and local infrastructure—are being shared among court-sacked APC functionaries, whose illegitimate tenure lapsed in October last year.

III. UBA has facilitated this illegal diversion, placing its officials on the wrong side of the law. Top executives have already been arraigned, exposing the bank’s complicity in this corruption.

The Osun State Government has been forced to borrow to pay local workers and keep essential services running, while the Police provide protection for unelected, illegal occupants of LG secretariats.

This crisis sets a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy. Unelected individuals now control public resources with impunity, threatening constitutional governance at the grassroots.

MCE demands immediate and decisive action from the President; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and calls on all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and across the world to intervene.

Okunniyi said “Let it be known: UBA and the former Governor have hijacked Osun LG funds, and the resources meant for local workers are being illegally shared by court-sacked chairmen. This is not just mismanagement—it is fraud and a deliberate assault on the foundations of democracy in Nigeria.”

The Movement for Credible Elections therefore warns that if urgent intervention is not forthcoming from the Presidency, citizens across Osun State and Nigeria may be mobilized to use every lawful means to reclaim their rights, demand accountability, and protect democracy.

Signed:

Comrade James Ezema

Media Coordinator, MCE

+2348035823617

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

No Bomb Recovered At Aba Church – Police

Suleiman Anyalewechi

February 3, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Police Command on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 debunked claims suggesting that an Improvised Explosive Device IED was found, and recovered at the premises of an Aba-based Church.

The Source reports that a section of the media, had in the last 24 hours been awash with reports that an object suspected to be a bomb was spotted at the United Evangelical Church’s premises in Ehere/Umuola area Ogbohill ,Aba the commercial nerve centre of Abia state.

According to reports, some Church workers discovered the object while in the process of digging the foundation of the Church’s perimeter fence undergoing reconstruction.

The Priest in-charge of the Church was said to have made efforts to contact some military personnel after suspecting the object to be a lethal weapon.

“The road which divides the Church building and the Parsonage is being expanded by the State Government .

“The Church decided to remove the old perimeter fence and build a new one to make way for the expansion of the road.

“It was while the Church members were digging the ground for the new fence that they dug out the metal object which nobody knew was a bomb. The Pastor later invited soldiers who evacuated the object” a witness was quoted as saying.

But in a statement from its spokesperson, Maureen Chilaka, a DSP, the Abia State Police Command informed that it could not found any evidence of the existence of the said IED after a painstaking and thorough investigation conducted within the affected areas.

According to Police, the investigation which was conducted through the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, covering the area, revealed that only an old iron rod which formed part of the pillar of the old Church perimeter fence was removed by the military and not a bomb.

The Command noted that no IED was found or recovered by the military either at the Church’s premises and or anywhere in Aba .

“I can authoritatively confirm that no bomb or explosive was recovered from the said area. Investigations conducted by the Command have clearly affirmed this.

“The object removed by the military was an old iron rod,which was part of the pillar of the old Church Perimeter fence being adjusted”, Chilaka stated.

The Police clarification is coming amidst widespread apprehension and anxiety among residents of Ogbohill and its environs following reports of the suspected bomb discovery .

Gov. Makinde Calls Wike Vagabond Says He Failed In Rivers PDP, Now Talking About Oyo

Ayodele Oni

February 3, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

The remarks credited to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike that he would take over the affairs of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state, has been described as a mere empty threat.

Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde, in a viral video declared that “Someone said he wants to pick interest in Oyo PDP, we should ask him what he has done in Rivers PDP.”

The governor stated that some individuals he described as vagabonds had already been expelled from the PDP in November 2025.

“Some vagabond surfaced fully in 2015 and were expelled in 2025. Ask him what he has done with the PDP in Rivers State to now have an interest in Oyo PDP.”

Makinde’s comments came amid growing internal tensions within the opposition party, following Wike’s public declaration of interest in the affairs of the Oyo State PDP.

On Monday night, the former Rivers State governor declared his interest in all activities of the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Speaking at the 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Wike vowed to protect the national party from those he described as internal “vampires.”

“Let me declare my interest clearly: I am interested in the survival and success of this party. I am also interested in all the happenings in Oyo State PDP. That is all I am interested in,” Wike said.

Makinde described Wike’s claim of having an interest in the Oyo PDP as laughable, insisting that the former Rivers governor had failed to strengthen the party in his own state.

In November 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the Peoples Democratic Party expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose; and the party’s former National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, at its national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The decision, taken before a charged crowd of delegates, followed a motion moved by Chief Olabode George, former National Vice Chairman (South), calling for their immediate expulsion.

The motion was promptly seconded by Samaila Buga, the Chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State.

DSS Arraigns Abubakar Malami, Son For Alleged Terrorism Financing

Suleiman Anyalewechi

February 3, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The travails of the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, continued on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, with the Department of State Service, DSS, arraigning him and his son before an Abuja Federal High Court on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing, illegal possession of firearms, and aiding and abetting terrorism.

The DSS is prosecuting Malami before Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik for allegedly “knowingly aiding and abetting terrorism by refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were said to have been brought to his office as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.”

Malami had served as the country’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice for eight years under the administration of the late president Mohammadu Buhari, between 2015 and 2023.

He is presently also being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFFC, alongside his wife and son in two separate cases bordering on alleged diversion of public funds, money laundering and unlawful acquisitions of properties to the tune of over N213 billion.

Malami and his son were also charged by the DSS under count two to five with alleged unlawful possession of firearms as well as financing of terrorism activities.

“That you, Abubakar Malami of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, Adult, male, sometime in November 2022 at Federal Ministry of Justice, Maitama, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did knowingly abet terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose casefiles were brought to your office as the Attorney-General of the Federation, for prosecution, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26 (2) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami of Gesse Phase II, Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December, 2025, in your residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did engage in a conduct in preparation to commit act of terrorism by having in your possession and without licence, a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5°20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 Cartridges, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“That you, Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December 2025, in your residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without licence, did have in your possession a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

“That you, Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December, 2025, in your residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without licence, did have in your possession sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(1) of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act. COUNT FIVE

“That you, Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December, 2025, in your residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without licence, did have in your possession twenty-seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(1) of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.”

The case was adjourned till February 20, for the hearing and determination of a bail application filed by Malami’s counsel S. A. Alua SAN.

The trial Judge, Honourable Justice Abdul-Malik had earlier rejected an oral bail application filed by the defendants on the grounds that the “court is a court of record” and as such will only entertain a written application.

Lagos Outlaws Installation Of Eze Ndigbo, Seriki, Emir… To Arrest Defaulters

Akinwale Kasali

February 3, 2026

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has warned against the installation of Eze Ndigbo, Seriki Fulani, Emir, others in the State. It has, therefore, issued arrest warnings to any that does contrary.

The LASG cited the Obas and Chiefs Law in the State that already existed, however, threatening arrest and prosecution of violators.

It also warned residents against assuming Chieftaincy Titles without Official Approval, declaring that violators will face arrest and prosecution under the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State 2015.

This was made known by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Kayode Robert, I’m a statement, describing the rise of self proclaimed Traditional Rulers as an unhealthy development causing tension, confusion, and needless crises.

The Commissioner stated that the use of Titles and Appellations equivalent to Oba, His Royal Majesty, or His Royal Highness without Government recognition is illegal and undermines the traditional institution in the state.

The statement explained that the Governor, acting through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, remains the only authority empowered to approve Chieftaincy Titles in Lagos State.

Relevant provisions of the 2015 law, including Sections 15, 16, 17, 18, and 20, outline the procedures for filling vacancies and granting such titles.

He however added that Section 21, Paragraphs 2(a–d), and Section 23, Paragraphs (a) and (b), prohibit the use of royal paraphernalia such as beaded crowns, beaded shoes, staffs, and horse whisks by individuals not officially recognised by the government.

The LASG stated that any chieftaincy title conferred without the Governor’s approval is null and void, warning that offenders risk up to two years imprisonment as prescribed by law.

Residents currently holding unauthorised titles were urged to desist immediately, while members of the public were encouraged to report cases of illegal conferment to the ministry or security agencies for prompt action.

LASG further added that this development is aimed at protecting the sanctity and integrity of the traditional institution in Lagos State and preserving cultural heritage from disrepute.

Ondo @ 50: I Remain Committed To Building On Past Gains, Gov. Aiyedatiwa

Ayodele Oni

February 3, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has assured people of the State of his administration’s commitment to build on past gains as the state marks golden jubilee celebration of its creation.

In a broadcast on Tuesday , as part of activities marking the celebration, the governor stated that “As we celebrate this Golden Jubilee, our administration remains steadfast in consolidating past gains, while pursuing a bold, realistic and inclusive development agenda.

“We are strengthening our security architecture, investing in critical infrastructure, revitalising agriculture, expanding healthcare access, empowering youths and women and fostering an enabling environment for enterprise and innovation.”

Envisioning the prospect of the state in the next 50 years, Aiyedatiwa said “My dear people, the next fifty years call for renewal of purpose, unity, innovation, discipline and faith.

“Let us, therefore, recommit ourselves to hard work, civic responsibility and mutual trust. Let us support the government to continue to advance the frontiers of development of our dear Sunshine State.

“Let us build cities and rural communities that are productive, inclusive and environmentally sustainable.”

Going down the memory lane, the governor revealed that “Long before the proclamation of statehood, Ondo Province stood as a major economic pillar of the defunct Western Region.

“Historical records attest to its overwhelming contributions in cocoa, palm produce, timber and other agricultural export commodities that financed regional infrastructure, iconic projects in the Southwest like the famous Cocoa House in lbadan and underwrote national growth.

“Like all enduring institutions, Ondo State began humbly. Ministries operated from rented and improvised spaces; public servants travelled daily from Ondo, Owo, Ikere and neighbouring towns.

“Under the pioneer administration of Wing Commander Ita David Ikpeme, the foundation of a functional public service was firmly laid. From the early days at Oke-Eda to the eventual emergence of the Alagbaka Secretariat Complex, the State steadily acquired administrative coherence and stability.

We must pay glowing tribute to the pioneer Head of Service, Chief Theophilus Ayebogbon Iwajomo, his successor Chief Elkanah Adeneye Emuleomo and the first generation of public servants whose sacrifices laid a solid foundation for institutionalised public service and governance in Ondo State.

“We also acknowledge the quiet heroism of ordinary citizens, market women, artisans, farmers and transport workers, who bore the inconveniences of urban renewal with patience and patriotism.

“Our traditional rulers and religious leaders were indispensable partners in mobilising social consensus during these formative years.

“Over the past five decades, Ondo State has traversed periods of military rule and democratic governance, policy disruptions and reforms, economic downturns and recoveries.

“However, democracy eventually deepened civic participation and long-term planning. The State has recorded measurable progress in education, healthcare, agriculture, urban development, industrialisation and public service reform.

“Commerce expanded, infrastructure networks grew and our vast endowments in solid minerals, oil and gas, tourism and human capital increasingly commanded national relevance.

“Ondo State has also given birth to another State with the creation of Ekiti State on 1st October, 1996. This development marked another defining moment, reshaping administrative boundaries.

“Today, Ondo State stands proud as a crucible of excellence with our sons and daughters distinguishing themselves in medicine, law, academia, public administration, science, technology, arts, sports, enterprise and other areas of public endeavour.”

UTME Registration: Ekiti Candidates Unable To Access Exam Towns

Ayodele Oni

February 3, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Candidates in the ongoing registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, (UTME) in Ekiti state are finding it difficult to select towns of their choice to sit for the examination.

Some of the candidates that visited the various registration centres approved by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB) said after filling their forms, selection of examination towns was not coming up.

To this, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) reacted that it has suspended the selection of examination towns for candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Ekiti over structural anomalies.

The board disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin.

Benjamin explained that the suspension was to enable the board restructure examination towns to ensure closer proximity to candidates and reduce transportation challenges on examination days.

He stated that although candidates were usually allowed to select examination towns closest to their locations, the 2026 UTME registration commenced before structural anomalies were however detected in Ekiti’s examination towns’ configuration.

Benjamin said the anomalies necessitated urgent adjustments in the interest of candidates, prompting the temporary suspension of town selection in the state.

The statement reads in part, “Consequently, candidates will be unable to select any examination town in Ekiti State while the adjustment process is ongoing. This process is expected to be concluded shortly.

“The board regrets any inconvenience this temporary measure may cause candidates wishing to select examination towns in the ongoing registration exercise in Ekiti State.

“As a matter of practice, JAMB continuously monitors its operations and promptly addresses challenges reported by candidates”.

Benjamin expressed regret over any inconveniences the measure might cause the candidates affected during the ongoing registration exercise in the state.

He reaffirmed the board’s commitment to continuously improving its processes to ensure that all candidates were treated with dignity and respect.

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