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Category: City Beats

Rape of two-year-oldrenews concerns over gender-based violence in Plateau (1)
- Inside Plateau’s growing gender-based violence crisis
Plateau State has in recent years remained one of the flashpoints of gender-based violence in North-Central Nigeria. Cases of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and child rape continue to make headlines, revealing the vulnerability of women and children in the state. One of the most disturbing incidents in recent times is the rape of a two-year-old girl, Maryam Ahmad, in Bassa Local Government Area, an event that has once again drawn attention to the systemic challenges of tackling gender-based violence in Plateau State, DAVID ADENUGA reports.

Maryam Ahmad was just two years and eight months old when her life changed forever. According to her mother, Safiya Umar, a sexual assault on her occurred in October 2025 under circumstances she described as tragic and totally unexpected.

Safiya explained that she lives separately from her husband, who resides in another house with his other wives.

On the day of the incident, she had gone to attend to her sick father and, feeling exhausted, allowed Maryam to visit her father’s house in Bassa; something she rarely permitted. That decision, she admitted, would later haunt her.

Safiya recalled: “When I came back and didn’t see her, I went to check. I found her lying down, with some bloodstains.

“At first, I thought she had hurt herself. She was sleepy and later started vomiting.

“She kept shouting ‘trader man, trader man.’ That was when I checked her and saw some dry blood.

“Then I knew that something terrible had happened.”

Medical examinations would later confirm her worst fears.

The Toro Centre for Care and Support for Adolescent Children and Women got involved in the case after receiving reports.

The Executive Director, Sulaiman Muhammad Sani, said his organisation was first informed on the second day, though details were unclear.

“Later, we heard the child was in a hospital in Bauchi.

“I mobilised my team, and after examination, we realised the facility was not suitable, so we moved her to Jos University Teaching Hospital,” he said.

At JUTH, paediatric doctors referred Maryam to the emergency unit, where further examinations confirmed sexual abuse. Tests at the police clinic corroborated the findings.

Despite her young age, Maryam was able to identify the alleged perpetrator.

Sani added that the suspect had allegedly attempted such acts before, but earlier incidents were reportedly resolved quietly after community interventions.

The suspect, 26-year-old Job Josiah from Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was arrested the day after the incident.

However, the case took on a new dimension when some community members tried to dismiss the allegation because Josiah is a Christian.

“They said we were lying against him. But a child of two years cannot lie. When she was asked at the station, she pointed at him,” Safiya said.

Attempts to suppress the case initially led Sani’s organisation to publicise aspects of the incident on social media, drawing attention from senior police authorities.

Plateau State Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Adesina personally interrogated the suspect after receiving calls from higher authorities, including an Assistant Inspector-General of Police.

The case was later transferred from the State Criminal Investigation Department to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice; a stage that would determine whether the suspect would face charges in court.

“We are following the case bumper to bumper,” Sani said.

“We have seen cases delayed for months, with suspects granted bail and justice frustrated.

“We do not want that to happen here.”

Gender-based violence as a trend

Maryam Ahmad’s case is one of many across Plateau State. Between 2023 and 2025, Plateau recorded several gender-based violence incidents involving minors and women, according to civil society organisations and media investigations.

In September 2025, a 14-year-old girl in Gangare, Jos North, was allegedly raped by a chemist shop owner, who was reportedly released by community leaders after initial apprehension.

In October 2025, the police arrested a man for allegedly defiling a three-year-old girl in Mista Ali community, a case that sparked tension in the area. Some parents were reportedly pressured to accept financial settlements, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.

Reports have highlighted a disturbing trend of sexual violence linked to insecurity and conflict in rural areas. A February 2025 report noted that several women were allegedly raped by “land-grabbing terrorists” in one year.

A widow from Mangu Local Government Area recalled how five bandits gang-raped her 13-year-old daughter after killing her husband in November 2025.

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Advocacy groups have also raised the alarm over rising sexual violence in rural communities such as Bokkos, Mangu, and Bassa, where limited access to justice and fear of stigma discourage reporting.

In 2024, a series of child defilement cases prompted the Plateau State Government to restate its zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence, leading to renewed collaboration with non-governmental organisations and the establishment of gender desks in some police divisions.

Despite the foregoing efforts, activists say prosecution remains slow, survivor support is inadequate, and poverty continues to expose women and children to risk.

The National Human Rights Commission reported that Plateau State has recorded a total of 1,868 gender-based violence cases from 2024 to date.

Kiyenpiya Mafuyai, the state’s Director Legal Coordinator, attributed the high numbers to prolonged violent attacks in the state, which have led to displacement, economic hardship, and increased vulnerability.

She also noted that harmful traditional and religious practices contribute significantly to GBV.

Mafuyai stressed that the official figures do not reflect the true scale of the problem, as many cases go unreported due to stigma and fear. She observed that most reported cases involve child rape, while older women are less likely to come forward.

“Many perpetrators are shielded. Even when cases are reported, incidents are often frustrated because people come to plead that the perpetrator be released or pardoned.

“Religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians sometimes defend perpetrators instead of protecting victims.

“This discourages reporting because survivors feel they may not get justice,” she said.

She added that child-rape cases occur for many reasons. Some claim ritual purposes are involved, while in other cases, the psychological motives of perpetrators are unknown.

“Rape remains a persistent form of gender-based violence in the state, and many survivors are unwilling to report because they lack confidence in the justice system,” she said.

The NHRC also noted that perpetrators are often shielded even when cases are reported. Religious leaders, traditional rulers and politicians sometimes intervene for perpetrators, discouraging survivors from seeking justice.

The Commission stressed the need to change this narrative, saying perpetrators must be held accountable to serve as a deterrent to others.

Efforts to address GBV

The NHRC engages in continuous advocacy across key sectors, pushing for reforms that make reporting safer and more survivor-friendly. It also advocates for shelters for victims of domestic violence.

Sustained advocacy led to the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law in 2022, which criminalises most forms of GBV and prescribes life imprisonment for rape.

The Gender and Equal Opportunity Commission also provides another platform for reporting cases.

The NHRC operates a complaint mechanism that allows members of the public to report GBV for investigation and appropriate action. It works with the police to strengthen gender desks and trains officers to respond sensitively to survivors.

The Commission also engages men and young people to discourage harmful behaviour and conducts annual awareness campaigns during the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.

These involve the justice sector, security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, and communities, using media programmes and town hall meetings to raise awareness and protect survivors.

For Safiya Umar, the struggle goes beyond seeking justice. With her husband ill and no stable source of income, caring for Maryam and her other children has become increasingly difficult.

“I am not doing anything for a living. Even feeding is a problem. We just want the government and police to help us get justice,” she said.

As of the time of this report, Maryam’s case remained with the Plateau State Ministry of Justice, awaiting confirmation on whether the suspect had a case to answer in court.
February 1, 2026
Banditry: Combined military operations restoring peace in beleaguered Kwara communities
- Six wounded terrorists hospitalised in Omu-Aran
Although it is not yet uhuru in parts of Kwara State with regard to the threats of insecurity, peace is gradually returning to a few of the affected communities. Bandits and other non-state actors have in the last one year held six local government areas in Kwara South and North regions by the jugular.

The invasion of the massive forests of Ekiti, Ifelodun, Oke-Ero and Isin local government areas in Kwara South and Edu and Patigi in Kwara North has left in its wake summary termination of lives, dislocations and disruption of normal activities. The scary development had temporarily turned the once serene agrarian communities into desolate habitations, with Eruku, Babanla, Oke-Ode and Gbugbu in Kwara South and North as some of the worst hit last year.

Some members of these communities are yet to come to terms with the reality of life. Some fleeing members had returned while others were still taking refuge on the outskirts of Ilorin, the state capital, it was gathered.

An indigene of Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, where scores of vigilantes were gunned down late last year, said the community is now bubbling with life. In Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area where some Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) worshippers were killed and about 30 kidnapped last year, the monarch, Owa Busari Olarenwaju, hailed the swift intervention of the security personnel. He said that life was gradually returning to his domain.

But the Coordinator, Joint Security Watch in Kwara South, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, told The Nation that the people who fled their communities would not be able to fully return until the completion of the ongoing security operations. “Only a few of them have returned. Until the conclusion of the ongoing efforts on forests clearing through the joint military operations, it may not be visible,” Oyin-Zubair said.

He reported a fresh kidnap incident on Idofin–Odo, Aga–Olla Rroad, where two women and a young boy were abducted by suspected bandits. “One elderly woman has been released. Another escaped. But the young boy remains in captivity. Security agencies are intensifying efforts to ensure his safe rescue,” he said.

Oyin-Zubair added that sustained military air and ground operations across parts of Kwara State have forced armed bandits to flee their forest hideouts, leading to the destruction of several criminal camps and neutralisation of over 100 terrorists. The security operation is code-named “Operation India.”

According to him, the offensive targeted major bandit enclaves in Baba Sango and other forests spanning Ifelodun, Edu and Patigi local government areas, where airstrikes and ground bombardments were carried out by the military in collaboration with other security agencies.

He revealed that intelligence reports confirmed that many of the fleeing bandits sustained gunshot injuries, with six of them currently receiving treatment at Omu Aran General Hospital, while others were believed to have relocated towards Ekiti Local Government Area around the Isapa axis.

He commended the forest guards in Ekiti and Oke-Ero local government areas for their swift response and bravery in repelling bandits and preventing their movement into the communities.

“Their vigilance and courage have played a vital role in securing Ekiti and Oke-Ero LGAs and blocking the infiltration of fleeing criminals,” he added.

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Oyin-Zubair urged residents of Kwara South and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements or strange faces in their areas. “The bandits may attempt to regroup in new locations. Community alertness is critical at this time as authorities continue operations to restore lasting peace across the state,” he said.

Security agencies have assured residents of sustained military presence in the affected forests until all criminal elements are flushed out and normalcy is fully restored, he said.

Based on the ongoing Operation India, two local government areas of Ifelodun and Edu have imposed a 24-hour curfew on communities in the areas. The curfew affects the entire Oro-Ago District in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, the council chairman Hadji Abdulrasheed Yusuf said in a statement.

The curfew is aimed at supporting ongoing security operation in the area. Oro-Ago has one of the longest forests housing bandits in Ifelodun Local Government Area. The LG chair added: “The curfew goes into effect by 6 am on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in a coordinated effort to put terrorists in disarray and protect lives and property in the area.

“Within this period, there will be no human or vehicular traffic in the entire district. This is in support of the ongoing security clearance operation in the area. Further reviews of this measure will be communicated.”

In Edu LGA, the Council Chair Abdullahi Bello announced a 24-hour curfew on Gbugbu community, including the popular international market in Gbugbu. Bello added that the curfew was effective from 6pm on Tuesday, January 27.

He said: “The curfew is part of the measures to protect lives and property in the area as security forces continue their operation in areas of interest.

“This means human and vehicular movement is prohibited in the area under curfew. This is a security decision.”

Sadly, a security source said the operations were being hampered by moles and informants in different communities, who give out information about troops’ movements.

“Residents need to be vigilant. They need to speak up about the informants who give out information on troops’ movements. This is important for more success,” the source added.

As part of the efforts to restore peace in bandits-ravaged communities, late last year, about 1,000 forest guards in the state graduated from training. The guards have already been deployed to curtail the activities of terrorists, kidnappers and illegal miners in the state.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq called the initiative a game changer, which he said would leave the terrorists and kidnappers with the option of either leaving the state or paying a heavy prize. He commended President Bola Tinubu for “thinking out of the box” to repossess Nigeria’s forest resources, expel all the bad faith actors occupying the forests, and strengthen public safety.

Governor AbdulRazaq also thanked the security forces for their commitment to protecting lives, saying a synergy with the new auxiliary forces who were all drawn from local communities will strengthen the campaign to fight terrorists and kidnappers.

Governor AbdulRazaq said: “Today opens a new page in our campaign against all forms of terrorism, kidnapping, and opportunist attacks on our people by bad faith actors who exploit our vast territories for evil purposes.

“The enlistment of armed forest guards to complement the patriotic efforts of our security forces is a game changer in this campaign.

“It shows very clearly that the government is committed to the mission of ridding our country of all forms of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

“And the message is very clear: more than ever before, the terrorists now have the option of immediately leaving our state or paying a heavy price.

“Today’s launch of the forest guards simply means that we are going on the offensive because our people deserve their peace as freeborns. We have had enough! Anyone who thinks or acts otherwise is our enemy who will not be spared.

“Distinguished forest guards, you are embarking on a national assignment to protect our people from all criminals in our forests.

“Working with gallant officers and personnel of the security forces, you are to go all out to flush out the terrorists, restore sanity in our forests, and keep our communities safer than they ever were.

“I commend the President of the Federal Republic for this bold policy response to the security situation in our country and the larger Sahel Region.

“I thank the leadership of the National Security Adviser for pulling this through. I am also confident that all the security forces will work together with the forest guards to end this menace once and for all.

“More importantly, I urge the people of Kwara State to work with the security forces and the forest guards to flush out the terrorists and make our state uninhabitable for them.

“While the forest guards are auxiliaries under the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Security, I assure you of our continuous support for this initiative just like we have done throughout your training.

“Working with the ONSA, our plan is to ensure that each local government has at least 200 forest guards who will fortify our forests and work with local vigilantes to protect lives and property.

“I congratulate all the new forest guards. I thank you for agreeing to serve our state, and I reassure you of our continuous support as you embark on this important national security assignment.

“Finally, I thank all the security forces who were involved in the rigorous training programme. You all did so well. God bless you.”

On his part, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said the newly trained forest guards would be deployed immediately to threatened communities in the pilot states, particularly around forested and ungoverned spaces.

“The mandate of the forest guards is two-fold. First, they are entrusted with guarding our national heritage and charged with protecting, preserving, and sustainably managing our forest ecosystems, watersheds, wildlife, and biodiversity.

“Secondly, they serve as a critical force multiplier in our national security architecture, particularly in confronting bandits, insurgents, terrorists, and other criminal elements that are exploiting the vast, ungoverned forest spaces across the country for their heinous crimes.”

Represented by the Assistant Director General for DSS, Femi Shotayo, the NSA added: “Aside from being first responders, these guards are expected to gather actionable human intelligence, support ongoing security operations, and restore state presence where it has long been absent.”

He said the deployment of the guards will be immediate along with payment of salaries and allowances.

Ribadu urged the trainees to abide by their oaths of allegiance to the Nigerian state and to respect human rights, gender rights, and protection of civilians, among other rules of engagement taught at the training.

“The oath of allegiance is not a mere formality; it is a binding pledge of loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, obedience to lawful authority, and commitment to the protection of lives, property and the Constitution.

“By this act, you formally accept the sacred responsibility entrusted to you by the Nigerian state.

“You are henceforth bound to uphold discipline, professionalism, respect for human rights, and the highest standards of conduct in the execution of your duties,” he said.

As a pre-emptive measure not to be caught off guard, the state government announced an extension of the closure of primary and secondary schools in concerned communities. It also announced a temporary closure of the state College of Education in Oro, Kwara South; a step indigenes of the community have hailed to high heavens.

The indigenes, under the aegis of Oro Professional Forum (OPF) backed the state government’s decision to temporarily shutdown academic activities at the College of Education, Oro, over insecurity.
February 1, 2026
Makoko, other demolitions in public interest – Lagos govt

The Lagos State Government has reiterated that ongoing actions in Makoko are driven by the urgent need to protect lives, uphold the rule of law, and advance comprehensive urban renewal initiatives aimed at improving living conditions for residents.

Addressing recent concerns and public discourse surrounding Makoko on an AIT programme monitored in Lagos, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, clarified that the current intervention is not a conflict between the rich and the poor, but a necessary step toward ensuring safety, legality, and humane living standards for all Lagosians.

The Commissioner confirmed that the government has been in continuous engagement with the United Nations (UN) regarding the future of Makoko.

The UN, he noted, has expressed interest in the renewal strategy for the area and has indicated its willingness to support the initiative. Both parties agree that certain sections of Makoko, particularly areas under high-tension power lines, are unsafe and unsuitable for habitation.

Omotoso revealed that the Government has committed counterpart funding toward the renewal plan and has held several meetings with international partners, including engagements as recent as this week, to ensure a sustainable and humane redevelopment process.

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“This is about urban renewal. It is about better living conditions for our people. Government cannot and will not allow residents to remain in environments that pose imminent danger to their lives,” he noted. He added that no human being should reside under high-tension electricity wires due to severe health and safety risks.

Speaking further, the Commissioner stressed that experts have warned of potential long-term health hazards, including cancer risks, as well as the possibility of catastrophic consequences should any of the power lines collapse – particularly given the proximity to the Lagoon and the Third Mainland Bridge.

“This is an emergency waiting to happen. Should such a calamity occur, the same voices questioning government action would ask why preventive measures were not taken,” Omotoso noted. He further maintained that building under high-tension wires and within restricted zones violates established physical planning and environmental laws.

“In Lagos State, there are clear regulations governing setbacks from waterways and infrastructure corridors. These laws exist to protect lives and ensure orderly development”, he said.

The Commissioner added that Lagos, being the smallest state in Nigeria by landmass yet home to an estimated 25–30 million residents, must maintain strict adherence to planning regulations to ensure sustainability and livability.

He averred that compensating or legitimising illegal structures erected in clearly restricted zones would undermine the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent. “We cannot allow a situation where individuals build in unauthorised areas – under power lines, near critical infrastructure, or even on bridges – and expect validation after the fact. A city must be governed by laws”, Omotoso stated

He recalled previous relocation efforts, including the resettlement of timber operators from Makoko to Agbowa in Ikosi, where new facilities, roads, and housing were provided without controversy. The current intervention, he noted, however, specifically concerns emergency safety risks posed by high-tension installations.

The Makoko situation, he recalled, has been under review for several years, with ongoing discussions between the government, community representatives, and stakeholders.

He said, “Engagement with residents has spanned approximately five years, and government officials, including the Local Government Chairman, have maintained consistent dialogue and outreach”, he noted.

“We are not abandoning anyone. But first, we must save lives. Livelihood is important, but life itself is paramount”, Omotoso added.

On protests arising from the demotion exercise, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to democratic principles, including the right to peaceful protest. “People have a constitutional right to protest, and this government will not suppress free speech,” he said.

He, however, stressed that protests must remain peaceful and must not infringe on the rights of others.

“Blocking major roads, preventing access to hospitals, workplaces, and other essential services, goes beyond the bounds of lawful protest.

“Where one person’s rights end, another’s begin. Citizens have the right to protest, but others equally have the right to free movement and access to essential services”, Omotoso stated.

He maintains that the Makoko intervention is a matter of legality, safety, and humane urban planning – not social or economic exclusion.

The objective, he noted, remains to transform vulnerable settlements into safer, properly planned communities that reflect the standards of a modern megacity.

He said, “This is not about displacement for the benefit of the wealthy. It is about what is right, what is legal, and what is safe for human habitation.”

While reaffirming the government’s resolve to pursue orderly urban development, Omotoso assured that efforts will always be made to ensure that interventions are carried out with responsibility, dialogue, and respect for human dignity.

January 31, 2026
Enugu police arrest 52 suspects, rescue victims in one week

The Enugu Police Command has arrested no fewer than 52 suspects, recovered firearms and ammunition and rescued kidnapped victims between January 24 and 30, 2026.

This was contained in the weekly crime statistics and operational achievements of the Command on Friday, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe .

According to the report, operatives of the Command arrested three armed robbery suspects, 12 kidnapping suspects, and three homicide or murder suspects during the period under review.

The police also apprehended two suspects linked to rape and defilement cases, as well as four suspected cultists, while 28 other suspects were arrested for various offences across the state .

The statistics further revealed that the command recovered one firearm and 20 rounds of ammunition of different calibres, alongside six stolen vehicles.

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In addition, three victims were successfully rescued from criminal hideouts during sustained intelligence-led operations .

Other exhibits recovered included hard drugs and a large quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, underscoring the command’s intensified clampdown on drug-related crimes within the state .

SP Ndukwe attributed the achievements to the dedication of police personnel, improved intelligence gathering, and effective collaboration with other security agencies and members of the public.

He reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to sustaining the fight against crime and maintaining public safety across Enugu State.

Ndukwe further urged citizens to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to enhance proactive policing and rapid response to criminal activities.

January 30, 2026
Osun Imam, three others arrested as worshippers lynch car painter

Police have arrested the Chief Imam of Ummu Hanni Adigun Memorial Central Mosque, Ogo-Oluwa area, Osogbo and three others after worshippers lynched a car painter, Najeem Hammed to death.

Family members of the deceased later disrupted Jumu’ah prayer at the mosque on Friday after the incident.

THE NATION gathered Hammed, a car painter whose workshop is located at Jaye area of Osogbo, had gone to the mosque along Ogo-Oluwa area to pray around 6am on Friday when the incident happened.

A source around the mosque who pleaded anonymity told THE NATION that after the early morning prayer, the Imam was preaching when Najeem felt irritated by the words and threatened to attack the clergyman.

The source said: “Najeem attempted to use the microphone rod to hit the Imam but he dodged it. The worshippers took him up which he resisted. He was dragged outside the mosque, mobbed and left inside the gutter in front of the premises bleeding.

“Some members of the mosque notified the police at Ataoja Police Division, and they came to carry him from the scene to police state. He died along the way as a result of the assault.”

When THE NATION visited around 1pm, family members of the deceased were protesting in front of the mosque while the Imam was preaching ahead of Jumah’at prayer.

They insisted service cannot hold after Hammed was killed in the premises few hours ago.

Police operatives stormed the mosque and whisked the Imam away to Ataoja Divisional Police Division as the family members and sympathisers later took over the mosque’s entrance preventing worshippers from gaining access.

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They threatened to burn the mosque if any prayer take place or any attempt was made to open the mosque.

A family member simply identified himself as Nurudeen said: “Najeem was beaten to death at the mosque by the worshippers after an altercation ensued in the mosque. He was going to Ibadan this morning but branched the mosque for Subuhi prayer when he was mobbed to death.

“When we called to ask about his journey a policeman picked up the call and told us that he had altercation with some people and was held at Ataoja police station. When we got there that was when we realised that he was dead.”

Bloodstains were sighted at the fence of the mosques and the plank of wood in front of the mosque.

When contacted the Osun Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the incident.

He clarified that the victim was not attacked inside the Mosque but around it.

“We have arrested the Imam and three others connected to the incident. Further investigation has been launched to unravel the actual cause of the incident,” he stressed.

Ojelabi insisted that the deceased was mobbed around the mosque and not actually inside the Mosque.

January 30, 2026
Sanwo-Olu, Bode George, naval chiefs honour late Dame Rebecca Aikhomu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party; Chief Bode George, top naval officers and other dignitaries paid glowing tributes to late Dame Rebecca Aikhomu, the widow of the late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (former Chief of General Staff and Vice President of Nigeria) at a service of songs held in her honour.

She died on Tuesday night, December 11, 2025, after a brief illness. Her passing occurred just a few months after she celebrated her 85th birthday in August 2025.

The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government; Dr Abimbola Salu Hundeyin.

Also in attendance were the Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by the Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard Limited (ASNDL); Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, retired Maj. General Ike Uwachukwu and the deceased’s son-in-law and the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft; Commodore Paul Nimmyel amongst other senior officers.

Children, grandchildren, friends and associates of the deceased took turns to recount her virtues, describing her as a woman of faith, compassion and service whose impact transcended her immediate family.

In his homily, the officiating minister, Rev Abednego Okpala, urged the family and mourners to take solace in God, noting that life, though short and full of challenges, finds meaning in total submission to the will of God.

Quoting from John chapter 14 verse 6, the cleric reminded the congregation of Christ’s assurance not to be troubled, stressing that troubles, including death, are an inevitable part of human existence. He also cited Job chapter 14 verse 1, which describes man’s life as brief and filled with trials.

According to him, the true concern of life should not be death itself but how one lives before God, noting that joy and peace are found in trusting God amid life’s uncertainties.

He identified total submission to God’s will as the first key to overcoming the vanity of life.

“I want to share with us three things that will give us our victory over vanity in this world. Number one, a total submission to the will of God.

“The truth is nobody here can say for sure that I can totally and perfectly know how to live life. Nobody here knows what happens in the next two minutes of my time here. Life is full of all manner of unexpected situations…

“When all money and things you know are no longer safe, then you feel like all is lost. But you see there is one good reason why you have been suspended. So it says trust in the Lord with all your heart.

“Lean not on your own understanding. It says in all your ways do what I command you. It says he will make your path walk straight.

“It says to submit to the will of the Lord. So what I’m telling you here is to stay in the midst of God with yourself. And live for his name, for his purpose”, he said.

He warned that speed without direction is dangerous and stressed that God’s word sanctifies and guides believers through life.

The Reverend further reminded the congregation of the resurrection hope, stressing that everyone would give account of their lives before God, urging them to dedicate their time, talents and resources to the service of God.

He noted that testimonies shared about Dame Aikhomu reflected a life committed to giving, adding that such deeds are what endure even after death.

The service ended with prayers for the family and an altar call, as the cleric encouraged all present to fully surrender their lives to God and commit themselves to purposeful living.

January 30, 2026
Akin Alabi flags off ₦500m micro business support initiative

Hon. Akin Alabi, member representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Works, has officially launched a ₦500 million Micro Business Support Initiative aimed at empowering 5,000 micro business owners across the constituency.

The initiative, which was flagged off at the Esho Events Center, Old Ife Road, Ibadan, witnessed the disbursement of ₦50 million to 500 beneficiaries.

Each beneficiary received ₦100,000 as direct financial support to strengthen their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

According to Hon. Alabi, the empowerment programme is designed to stimulate grassroots economic growth, support small-scale entrepreneurs, and complement ongoing infrastructural development across the constituency.

The scheme will be implemented monthly over a 12-month period until the full ₦500 million target is achieved.

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Hon. Alabi reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive development, stressing that economic empowerment remains a critical pillar of sustainable community development.

The flag-off ceremony attracted key political leaders and stakeholders, including Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji, PhD, Chairman of APC Oyo Central Senatorial District; Hon. Olawale Olaleye, Chairman of APC in Egbeda Local Government; Prince Kolawole Ogundipe, Chairman of APC in Ona-Ara Local Government; Alhaji Yinka Folarin, APC leader in Ona-Ara Local Government; and Hon. Olawale Sadare, APC State Public Relations Officer.

Other notable dignitaries present included Hon. Bola Fawole, former Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly; Hon. Ismaila Akanni Ere, former Executive Chairman of Ona-Ara Local Government; Alhaji Sule Suara Elegbeda, APC leader in Egbeda Local Government; Hon. Biliaminu Ogundele, APC leader in Egbeda Local Government; and Hon. Ibrahim Bolomope, former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, among others.

The initiative marks another milestone in Hon. Alabi’s efforts to combine infrastructure development with direct economic empowerment for constituents, reinforcing his commitment to improving livelihoods and expanding opportunities for small business owners in Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency.

January 30, 2026
Tinubu loyalist Darazo warns against political schemes threatening democracy

Khamis Musa Darazo, a loyalist of President Bola Tinubu, has condemned what he described as escalating political maneuvers aimed at undermining the President, warning that such actions pose a threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability and national interest.

Speaking to journalists in Bauchi, Darazo said attempts to target President Tinubu for selfish or sectional reasons constitute a political wrongdoing against Nigerians, who freely conferred him a constitutional mandate through the ballot.

He added that opposition driven by personal ambition rather than genuine concern for national progress not only weakens democracy but also disrespects the will of the electorate.

“Plotting against President Tinubu for selfish interests is a political crime the masses will not forgive,” Darazo said.

“While democracy encourages constructive criticism, it does not accommodate conspiracies aimed at hijacking the people’s mandate.”

Darazo maintained that the President deserves the political space to pursue reforms targeted at economic stabilization, institutional strengthening, and national cohesion.

He warned that premature power struggles distract leaders from governance and erode public trust in the democratic process.

He further urged political actors to embrace issue-based engagement and support policies that advance national development instead of promoting division for personal advantage.

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“The Nigerian people are watching,” he said. “History will not be kind to those who place personal ambition above the collective interest of the nation.”

Darazo also called on citizens, particularly youths, to remain vigilant and resist narratives capable of destabilizing the country, stressing that sustainable progress can only be achieved through respect for democratic institutions and the rule of law.

January 30, 2026
Foundation urges media to support advocacy for special legislative seats for women

With less than 30 days to a critical National Assembly vote, advocates of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill have warned that failure to pass the legislation by February could delay meaningful female representation in Nigerian politics until at least 2031, undermining efforts toward inclusive governance ahead of the 2027 general election.

The warning was issued in Abuja during a high-level briefing with editors and bureau chiefs of major media organisations, convened by TOS Foundation Africa as the proposed constitutional amendment enters its crucial third-reading stage in the National Assembly.

The session, held at NOLA, Abuja, brought together Editors-in-Chief, senior editors, and media executives. Organisers described the coming weeks as a “now-or-never” moment for the Bill, which seeks to address Nigeria’s persistent gender imbalance in legislative representation.

Chief Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche, convener of the campaign and CEO of TOS Group, highlighted Nigeria’s low ranking in women’s political participation despite women making up nearly half of the population.

“Women make up about 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population, yet they occupy just four per cent of seats in parliament,” she said. “Out of 360 members of the House of Representatives, only 16 are women. In the Senate, just four out of 109. Across the 36 State Houses of Assembly, only 51 out of 993 lawmakers are women, and in more than 16 states, there is not a single woman legislator.”

The Bill proposes the creation of 74 additional seats in the National Assembly and 108 reserved seats across the 36 State Houses of Assembly, to be contested exclusively by women through elections rather than appointments.

“This is not tokenism,” Igbinedion-Ogwuche said. “These are elective positions. Political parties will field candidates, women will compete among themselves, and the most competent will emerge. The aim is to open up a political space that has historically shut women out through violence, culture, religion, and structural barriers.”

She argued that effective lawmaking on issues such as maternal mortality, child nutrition, and women’s welfare requires the presence of women at decision-making levels. “You cannot legislate for people without them being present,” she said.

The briefing also sought to address misconceptions surrounding the Bill, which has faced resistance in previous assemblies. Earlier versions, including the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill, failed in the 8th and 9th National Assemblies, largely on cultural and religious grounds.

According to Igbinedion-Ogwuche, those experiences informed a broader consultation process this time. She said the Bill has received endorsements from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the First Lady, over 50 senators, the Senate President, the Speaker, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as the Governors’ Spouses Forum.

“We were told before that we didn’t consult enough. This time, nobody can make that claim,” she said.

Advocacy Lead at TOS Group, Barrister Andikan, described the Bill as a “democratic correction” rather than a gender empowerment initiative, noting that some State Assemblies currently have no female representation.

“This is about fixing a structural democratic deficit,” she said, citing global evidence that quota systems help fast-track reforms and improve outcomes in health, education and collaborative governance.

She urged the media to frame the Bill as an issue of justice, governance and national development, rather than a contest between men and women.

During an interactive session, editors raised concerns about resistance from political parties, grassroots sensitisation, cultural factors, and the timing of a constitutional amendment close to elections. In response, Igbinedion-Ogwuche said extensive faith-based engagements had been undertaken, including endorsements from Islamic clerics and the Sultan of Sokoto, to counter religious objections.

She added that caucus meetings had been held across the six geopolitical zones and that constituency-level mobilisation was ongoing to ensure lawmakers are held accountable by their constituents.

“Lawmakers have the votes. Our job is to make sure their constituents are watching,” she said.

As part of the advocacy drive, TOS Foundation Africa has launched the “469Tracker,” a digital platform that tracks the public and private positions of all 469 federal lawmakers on the Bill to promote transparency and accountability.

Organisers stressed that failure to pass the Bill by February would make it impossible to operationalise it ahead of the 2027 elections, effectively sidelining women for another electoral cycle.

“That would mean keeping 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population on the sidelines for four more years,” Igbinedion-Ogwuche warned.

Participants agreed that while alternative options, including executive sponsorship, remain available, the Bill has made unprecedented progress through the legislature and must be pushed to completion.

The briefing concluded with a clear message: the next 30 days will determine whether Nigeria’s democracy expands to accommodate women more fully—or postpones that decision until the next decade.

January 30, 2026
NIS delegation tours EIB Group facilities to strengthen security, technology partnership

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, on Tuesday led a high-level delegation of the Service on an inspection tour of facilities operated by EIB Group in Kuje and Idu, Abuja, as part of efforts to explore operational collaboration.

Mrs Nandap was represented on the tour by a Deputy Comptroller General, Mrs Augusta Obiageli.

The delegation was received by the Chairman of EIB Group, Dr Bright Echefu, and senior management staff, who took the visitors through the Group’s key operational units and subsidiaries.

During the tour, the immigration officials were briefed on EIB Stratoc’s security operations and advanced surveillance services, as well as forensic analysis and data-gathering solutions provided by Giga Forensics to support intelligence-led and evidence-based investigations.

At Briech UAS, the delegation inspected facilities for the manufacturing and deployment of surveillance and payload drones designed for security operations, monitoring and reconnaissance. The visitors also toured Poctova, a Nigerian fashion and protective-wear brand under the Group, which produces ballistic protective gear alongside ready-to-wear clothing.

The tour further covered Luft TV, EIB Group’s Pay TV platform, where the delegation was introduced to its broadcast infrastructure and premium high-definition content.

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Overall, the visit offered the Immigration Service insight into how EIB Group integrates technology, security, manufacturing, and media in support of national development and Nigeria’s security architecture.

Speaking during the visit, Dr Echefu said the Group remained committed to supporting government institutions through innovation, professionalism, and strategic partnerships, stressing that private sector participation was critical to strengthening institutional capacity and improving service delivery.

In her remarks, Mrs Nandap commended EIB Group’s investments in infrastructure, technology, and human capital, describing the facilities as impressive and reflective of a forward-looking organisation.

She said the tour demonstrated how private sector initiatives could complement government efforts, particularly in security, technology, and efficient service delivery.

The visit concluded with interactive sessions between the NIS delegation and EIB Group management, during which both sides discussed potential areas of collaboration and sustained engagement.

January 30, 2026