In a tense but decisive operation, security operatives in Kano on Monday successfully rescued a man from an enraged mob that had gathered to attack him over alleged blasphemous remarks made inside a hotel in the Badawa area of the metropolis.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident escalated rapidly after the suspect’s words — deemed deeply offensive to religious sensibilities — triggered outrage among residents. Within minutes, a large crowd had converged on the hotel premises, intent on taking matters into their own hands.
Quick intervention by police operatives prevented a potential lynching. The officers swiftly evacuated the suspect from the building under heavy security and whisked him to a safe location to avert further violence.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said: “Yes, it is true. The suspect is in police custody and investigation is ongoing.”
Kiyawa declined to release the suspect’s identity or provide specifics about the alleged remarks, but assured the public that a thorough probe was underway. He appealed for calm, urging residents to allow the police to handle the matter professionally and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
The incident comes amid recurring flashpoints over blasphemy allegations in parts of northern Nigeria, where such cases have historically led to mob violence and vigilante justice when security response is perceived as slow. Monday’s swift action by the Kano police is likely to be viewed as a critical test of the Command’s ability to maintain order and uphold due process in a highly charged atmosphere.
The suspect remains in protective custody as investigations continue. Authorities have yet to indicate whether formal charges have been filed.
In a display of institutional maturity rarely seen across Nigerian states, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has hailed Governor Seyi Makinde’s prompt signing of the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, describing the swift process as clear proof of the “seamless synergy” between the legislature and the executive in the state.
The budget assent ceremony, held at the Executive Council Chambers in Ibadan, came just days after the House passed the ₦892 billion fiscal plan, allowing the state to commence implementation from January 1, 2026 — a timeline that positions Oyo among the few states likely to start the new year with full financial authority in place.
“This budget signing ceremony signifies yet another milestone in our shared commitment to building a more prosperous Oyo State,” Ogundoyin said. “It is also a testament to the strong collaboration and understanding between the Executive and the 10th Assembly. We have again proven that governance in Oyo State is result-driven and people-focused.”
The Speaker singled out key priority areas in the budget — infrastructure, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability — expressing confidence that the allocations would translate into visible developmental projects across all three senatorial districts and 33 local government areas.
He thanked his colleagues for their dedication during the review and passage process, while reaffirming the Assembly’s resolve to carry out rigorous oversight. “As representatives of the people, we will ensure that every kobo appropriated is spent judiciously,” he declared. “Our oversight functions will be intensified, and transparency and accountability will remain our watchwords.”
The statement also carried a strong note of institutional loyalty. Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin reiterated the 10th Assembly’s unwavering support for the Makinde-led administration, describing their partnership as one rooted in a common mandate to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Oyo State.
The timely assent — coming in late December — stands in sharp contrast to the delays that have plagued budget implementation in several other states. Analysts attribute the smooth process in Oyo to the mutual respect and clear communication that have defined relations between the Makinde executive and the legislature since 2019.
For Governor Makinde, who has consistently prioritized fiscal discipline and early budget passage, the development offers a strong platform to sustain his signature projects in the final stretch of his second term.
As Oyo enters 2026 with budget authority secured, the real work now shifts to execution — and the Speaker has already signalled that the House will be watching closely to ensure the figures on paper become progress on the ground.
In a strong show of federal endorsement amid ongoing efforts to heal decades-old wounds in Ogoniland, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s personal satisfaction with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s leadership, particularly his role in facilitating talks on resuming oil exploration in the long-contested region.
The message came during a high-profile courtesy visit to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday, December 22, 2025, where Ribadu led a presidential delegation that included Minister of Works Senator David Umahi, Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal, and top officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Ribadu described Rivers as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states, crediting Fubara’s “responsible and effective” style for creating the enabling environment. He revealed that President Tinubu specifically directed him to thank the governor for coordinating the sensitive Ogoni dialogue process, which could pave the way for renewed oil activities after over three decades of suspension due to environmental devastation, community unrest, and the legacy of the 2011 UNEP report.
The delegation’s visit underscores a multi-pronged federal strategy: consolidating peace, accelerating environmental remediation, and delivering tangible infrastructure dividends to build trust. Ribadu emphasized that a “new chapter” is unfolding in Ogoni, with Nigeria’s broader transformation “starting from here.” He also extended Tinubu’s appreciation to the Ogoni people for their patience and cooperation.
Minister Umahi highlighted the strategic importance of the Ogoni peace initiative to national unity, reaffirming Tinubu’s personal commitment to Niger Delta welfare. He announced accelerated timelines for key road projects:
– The 15-kilometre Eleme axis of the East–West Road in Ogoniland, valued at over ₦200 billion, features five flyovers (one contributed by the Rivers State Government) and is slated for completion by April 2026.
– Designs are underway — with presidential approval — to dualise the Bonny–Bodo Road from its starting point to connect with the East–West Road, including two additional flyovers. (This follows the temporary opening of the 37.9-km Bodo–Bonny Road in early December 2025, which ended years of reliance on river crossings for Bonny Island residents.)
– President Tinubu has ordered a redesign of the ambitious Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway to route through Ogoniland, ensuring the mega-project directly benefits the area.
These infrastructure gains align with the governor’s efforts to restore ease of movement along the East–West Road, linking Bonny and Bayelsa, and rebuilding regional confidence.
On the environmental front, Minister Lawal reaffirmed that the Ogoni clean-up — managed by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) — remains a top priority. Progress includes ongoing mangrove restoration (reported at high completion rates in recent HYPREP updates), shoreline remediation, healthcare delivery, human capital development, and women empowerment programmes, all drawn from UNEP recommendations.
NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari reinforced the shift in focus “from oil to people,” pledging full commitment to the dialogue. He disclosed that the recruitment of 30 Ogoni indigenes into NNPCL has reached the final stage, with appointment letters issued and resumption set for January 2026 — a concrete step toward local inclusion.
In response, Governor Fubara expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu, describing the intervention as proof of genuine love for Rivers State. He acknowledged the complexity of resolving a 30-year crisis but stressed that the president’s actions have restored connectivity and hope. Fubara pledged to sustain the peace process, manage emerging conflicts, and urged Ogoni leaders to engage youths in allowing access for repairs to faulty oil facilities — a preventive measure against new spills during remediation.
The visit arrives at a pivotal moment: HYPREP’s recent scorecards (July–December 2025) highlight major milestones in remediation, with plans for over 1,500 direct jobs from mangrove and shoreline projects in 2026, plus skills training for more than 2,000 youths and women. The Ogoni process is increasingly positioned as a national model for reconciliation, environmental justice, and inclusive development.
Whether this momentum translates into full oil resumption without reigniting old tensions will depend on sustained dialogue, transparent implementation, and community buy-in. For now, the federal show of force — and explicit praise for Fubara — sends a clear signal: Abuja sees Rivers, and particularly Ogoni, as ground zero for a renewed Niger Delta. The stakes are high, but so is the promised payoff.
Senate President Endorses Demand During Symbolic Visit to Olubadan
In a development that has re-energised long-standing agitation for the creation of Ibadan State, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has described the demand as “legitimate and popular,” assuring stakeholders that the matter will receive serious attention on the floor of the National Assembly.
The high-powered endorsement came on Sunday during a courtesy visit to the private residence of the newly installed 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at Bodija, Ibadan. Accompanied by a delegation of senior senators — including Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Sarafadeen Ali — Akpabio delivered what many in Oyo State are interpreting as the strongest signal yet from the 10th Senate on the viability of carving out a new state from the present Oyo.
“Ibadan is an incoming state,” Akpabio declared bluntly. “It is one of the states whose creation is being demanded by the people.” He added that the issue would be thoroughly examined when constitutional amendment processes resume.
The visit carried extra symbolic weight given the timing: it came barely weeks after Oba Ladoja’s coronation and his public reiteration of the Ibadan State demand during his installation ceremony, where he personally presented the request to President Bola Tinubu.
Oba Ladoja wasted no time in using the occasion to press home the agitation. “My subjects have given me the mandate to represent their interests on all issues, including the creation of Ibadan State,” the monarch said. “I placed this request before President Bola Tinubu during my installation ceremony, and I am repeating it today. My people want Ibadan State, and I appeal to you to use your office to ensure its actualisation.”
The Olubadan also broadened his appeal, calling for constitutional safeguards to protect traditional rulers from arbitrary removal by state governors. “If there is a need to amend the constitution, it should be done to strengthen and protect the traditional institution,” he urged.
Akpabio, in turn, showered praise on the monarch, describing Oba Ladoja — a former senator and governor of Oyo State — as “a blessing not only to Ibadanland but to the entire South-West region.” He highlighted the monarch’s track record as a nationalist, politician, entrepreneur, and administrator, predicting that his reign would bring “remarkable progress” and “innovation” to the traditional institution.
The Senate President’s choice of words — “Ibadan is an incoming state” — is likely to be seized upon by pro-Ibadan State campaigners as the most explicit backing the cause has received from the leadership of the National Assembly in recent years.
For context, the agitation for Ibadan State dates back decades, rooted in the city’s historical size, population density, economic weight, and sense of marginalisation within the larger Oyo State structure. Proponents argue that Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s most populous and culturally significant cities, deserves statehood in its own right, with the proposed capital at Ibadan itself.
Yet the path to state creation remains notoriously difficult. Any new state would require a constitutional amendment — a process that demands two-thirds approval in both chambers of the National Assembly and ratification by at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly nationwide — a high bar that has frustrated similar demands in the past.
Akpabio’s visit and endorsement, however, inject fresh political momentum at a time when the Tinubu administration has signalled openness to constitutional reforms in other areas. Whether that openness extends to the politically sensitive question of new states — especially one that would alter the balance of power in the South-West — remains to be seen.
For now, the Senate President has raised expectations sky-high. Ibadan’s advocates are already framing Sunday’s encounter as a turning point: the day the number three citizen in the land publicly declared their dream state “incoming.”
The real test will come when the constitutional amendment process formally begins. Until then, Ibadan watches, waits — and hopes.
In a carefully choreographed return to office, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Education Secretariat, has used his first public appearance since reinstatement to pledge absolute loyalty to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, announce a fresh wave of internal reforms, and attempt to reassure anxious parents that all public schools in the territory remain safe.
Speaking shortly after resuming duties, Hayyo framed his comeback as divine vindication and ministerial mercy. “I thank God Almighty for vindicating me over the last incident,” he said. “I also sincerely thank the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, who understood the situation and reinstated me. My loyalty to the Honourable Minister is 100 per cent.”
The “last incident” — widely understood to involve the unauthorized issuance and circulation of sensitive administrative decisions by a director without clearance from the Mandate Secretary or the Minister — was never explicitly detailed in the statement. Hayyo, however, used the episode as the springboard for his first major reform announcement: mandatory refresher training for all directors, including newly appointed ones.
“The first thing we will do is embark on refresher training for directors,” he declared. “They must clearly understand their mandates, responsibilities and the limits of their authority.” The message was unmistakable: no more rogue memos, no more freelance decisions. Going forward, every significant action must pass through the Mandate Secretary and ultimately receive the Minister’s blessing.
On the issue that most directly concerns parents — school safety — Hayyo offered a blanket assurance. “All FCT schools are very safe,” he stated categorically. “Issues of security are handled directly by security agencies such as the police and other services, who constantly brief the Minister. We only provide advice where necessary.”
The Mandate Secretary also rolled out an impressive scorecard of infrastructure investment under the current administration. He disclosed that approximately 26 per cent of the FCT’s capital budget from 2023 to date has been channelled into education — a figure that aligns with international benchmarks for social sector spending. Over 100 schools have either been renovated or are currently under renovation, with 60–70 per cent of these projects expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026, paving the way for a high-profile commissioning ceremony by the Minister.
Hayyo linked the massive rehabilitation effort directly to improved student outcomes, pointing to FCT students’ growing success in national and international competitions, including robotics and artificial intelligence contests abroad. “The transformation of schools has a direct relationship with improved academic performance,” he said. “Today, FCT students are competing and winning internationally.”
He urged media houses and analysts to judge academic results in proper context, taking into account student population size and the quality of facilities. “FCT schools remain among the best-equipped and best-performing in the country,” he insisted.
The combination of personal loyalty declaration, internal discipline push, safety reassurance, and infrastructure boasts presents a clear picture: the Education Secretariat under Dr. Hayyo intends to project unity, competence, and forward momentum — all firmly under the minister’s command.
Whether the promised refresher courses translate into genuine administrative rigor, whether school safety assurances hold firm amid the country’s broader security challenges, and whether the wave of renovations will indeed deliver lasting academic gains will be the real tests in the coming year.
For now, the Mandate Secretary has made his position crystal clear: he is back, he is loyal, and he intends to run a tight, minister-approved ship.
In a bold escalation of Nigeria’s long-running battle against insecurity, the Federal Government has officially classified kidnappers, bandits, and other violent armed groups as terrorists — a move that strips away years of euphemistic language and promises a more aggressive, no-holds-barred response.
The announcement came during the end-of-year press conference in Abuja on Monday, where Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris delivered the administration’s position with unmistakable clarity. “Let me be clear about what this means: That henceforth, any armed group that kidnaps our children, attacks our farmers, or terrorizes our communities is officially classified and will be dealt with as a terrorist organization. The era of ambiguous nomenclature is over!”
The declaration builds on earlier statements by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his presentation of the 2026 budget to the National Assembly on December 19, where he outlined a sweeping new national counterterrorism doctrine. That framework, established in 2025, rests on **four critical pillars**: unified command, intelligence, community stability, and counterinsurgency.
Under this restructured approach, the government is no longer treating mass abductions, rural raids, and forest-based criminal syndicates as isolated law-and-order issues. Instead, bandits, militias, armed gangs, violent cult groups, forest hideout operators, and even foreign-linked mercenaries — along with their financiers, informants, and political enablers — will face the full weight of counterterrorism operations.
The shift carries significant operational implications. It expands the legal and tactical toolkit available to security forces, potentially allowing for broader intelligence-sharing, faster prosecutions under anti-terror laws, and deployment of specialized units like the newly announced forest guards to flush out hideouts in remote areas.
Idris emphasized that the policy is already showing results: coordinated efforts in 2025 led to the capture of two internationally wanted criminals, including a high-profile ISWAP leader residing in Nigeria — a figure with a substantial U.S. bounty — who is now facing trial.
The timing of the announcement, just days before Christmas and amid ongoing releases of abducted schoolchildren (including a recent group from Niger State), underscores the administration’s determination to project resolve during a period of heightened public anxiety over insecurity. It also aligns with massive security allocations in the proposed 2026 budget — N5.41 trillion earmarked for defence and security — signaling that resources will match the rhetoric.
Yet the move raises inevitable questions about implementation. Previous designations of groups as terrorists have not always translated into decisive victories on the ground, and critics may argue that re-labeling alone does not address root causes such as poverty, weak governance in rural areas, or the proliferation of small arms.
For now, however, the message from the Tinubu administration is unequivocal: the days of treating kidnappers and bandits with kid gloves are over. As Idris put it, if you terrorize Nigerian communities, you are a terrorist — no exceptions, no more ambiguity.
Whether this doctrinal reset delivers the promised safer Nigeria in 2026 will be the true measure of its success. In the meantime, the forest guards are mobilizing, intelligence networks are sharpening, and criminal elements have been put on notice: the era of operating under softer labels has ended.
As Christmas lights flicker across Abuja and families prepare for the usual end-of-year travel rush, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has rolled out one of its most visible security operations in recent memory. Dubbed “Operation Sweep,” the intensified drive targets miscreants, “one-chance” syndicates, illegal motor parks and street beggars, all under the banner of ensuring a peaceful yuletide.
On Monday, senior officials led by Dr. Olumiji Peter (representing the Director of Security Services, Adamu Gwary) visited some of the city’s long-standing blackspots — Apo Bridge, Area 1 Roundabout, Julius Berger Junction and Utako Motor Park — to deliver a clear message: criminal elements will not be allowed to exploit the festive season.
The marching orders, according to officials, come directly from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has repeatedly demanded zero tolerance for criminality in the territory. “The Minister has given a marching order that all forms of criminality must be crushed,” Gwary’s representative told transport operators and park managers.
The operation is not limited to rhetoric. Security agencies have deployed additional personnel to strategic locations, while motor park operators have been instructed to bar entry to any motorist or commercial driver unable to produce valid identification. The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at Utako Motor Park has publicly aligned itself with the directive, promising to profile all members — especially new entrants — as part of the collective effort.
Beyond the usual suspects of armed robbers and “one-chance” operators, the FCTA has also targeted visible urban poverty. The Enforcement Unit of the Social Development Secretariat reports that 481 beggars have been removed from the streets in the past two weeks alone. Officials insist the intervention is rehabilitative rather than merely punitive: apprehended individuals are being profiled, fed, and offered vocational training where they express willingness to learn.
Yet the scale and timing of the operation have inevitably raised familiar questions among Abuja residents.
For many, the sudden burst of activity feels suspiciously seasonal. “We’ve had blackspots, one-chance kidnappings and beggars on every major junction for years,” said a commercial driver who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Why does the city only remember to ‘sweep’ when people are travelling home for Christmas?”
Critics argue that while the festive-season focus is welcome, the real test of sincerity will come in January and beyond. Will the additional patrols remain once holiday travel subsides? Will the newly profiled beggars actually complete skills acquisition programmes, or will the holding centres simply become temporary warehouses before the streets refill?
Supporters of the initiative, however, point out that visible, sustained pressure during peak criminal periods can disrupt established patterns and buy the city valuable breathing space. They also note that Minister Wike’s characteristically blunt style has produced measurable results in other areas of FCT administration — from demolition of illegal structures to aggressive revenue collection.
For now, the streets of Abuja are witnessing an unusually high police and task force presence, motor parks are displaying new vigilance, and many long-standing nuisances have temporarily disappeared from view. Whether this represents a genuine shift in security posture or merely a well-executed Christmas performance remains an open question — one that January’s quieter days will likely answer.
Until then, the FCT has made its position clear: this yuletide, criminality is not invited to the celebration.
ABUJA – Nigeria is steering towards a major industrial transformation, with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) announcing comprehensive plans to develop a skilled workforce for electric and alternative fuel vehicles while pushing for an Auto Industry Act to secure long-term investment.
Joseph Osanipin, Director-General of the NADDC, detailed the ambitious roadmap in a media briefing on Tuesday, declaring 2026 a “pivotal year” for the sector’s evolution under the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP).
Building a Homegrown Technical Workforce
A cornerstone of the strategy is massive investment in human capital. The Council has launched extensive training programs on Electric Vehicle (EV) technology, vehicle conversion, and alternative fuel systems for both regulators and industry technicians.
“Capacity building is one of the major pillars of the NAIDP. We have carried out training on vehicle conversion from PMS and diesel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), as well as on electric vehicles,” Osanipin stated.
To standardize expertise, the NADDC has developed National Occupational Standards for EV maintenance and CNG retrofitting. Structured certification programs based on these standards are expected to commence by 2026, creating a formalized career path for technicians in the green automotive economy.
Bridging Academia and Industry for Local Innovation
The Council is actively fostering collaboration between universities and the private sector to ensure education aligns with market needs. Osanipin highlighted notable progress in local vehicle design, with Nigerian engineers and students developing prototypes for tricycles, buses, and electric campus shuttle buses in partnership with 12 universities.
“We want what is taught in our institutions to reflect industry realities. Producing even a few world-class auto engineers locally will have a significant impact on the economy,” he emphasized.
The Real Prize: Local Component Manufacturing
Moving beyond assembly, Osanipin identified component manufacturing as the sector’s true value driver. He revealed a critical insight: Nigeria spends more annually importing vehicle parts—like tyres, brake pads, filters, and batteries—than it does on importing fully-built vehicles.
To capture this value, the NADDC is engaging stakeholders to dismantle infrastructure, financing, and policy barriers facing local component producers. This push is particularly strategic as Nigeria positions itself to become a regional automotive hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Seeking Legislative Backing for Long-Term Growth
To provide irreversible policy stability and attract large-scale investments, Osanipin announced a crucial legislative initiative. The Council plans to transform the NAIDP from a policy document into a formal Auto Industry Act.
“Investment in the auto sector is huge. They will need an Act,” he stated, noting that a draft bill would soon be presented to the National Assembly for consideration.
Acknowledging that such transformative reforms often face resistance, Osanipin appealed to the media for partnership in public education. “When the pushback comes, we need you to explain to Nigerians what we are trying to do and why,” he said.
With these interconnected plans for skills development, local production, and legislative fortification, Nigeria’s automotive industry is shifting gears, aiming for a future built on cleaner technology and self-reliant industrial capacity.
ABUJA – In a bold display of patriotism and confidence, Afrobeats superstar Davido has placed a massive ₦36 million wager on Nigeria’s opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), instantly becoming the team’s most high-profile backer and igniting fervent discussion among fans.
The singer publicly shared a snapshot of his betting slip on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, showing his stake on the Super Eagles’ Group A clash against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars. The bet predicts that both teams will score during the match, with a potential payout of approximately $96,564 (≈ ₦140 million) if successful.
A Pattern of High-Stakes Support
This is not the first time Davido has put significant money behind the national team. Ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off against Gabon earlier this year, he staked $10,000 (about ₦15 million at the time) on a similar outcome. While that bet was unsuccessful due to Nigeria’s loss, it has done little to dampen the singer’s enthusiasm for supporting the Eagles with his wallet.
“Let’s get this W Nigeria ⚽️ @Stake,” Davido captioned his post, rallying support for the team as they begin their quest for a fourth AFCON title.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
The colossal bet has sparked a wave of reactions across social media and among football fans. Many have praised Davido’s unwavering and very public support, seeing it as a major morale booster for the team.
“Davido putting his money where his mouth is! That’s belief. Let’s go, Super Eagles!” one fan commented online.
Others, however, have questioned the wisdom of wagering such a substantial sum on a single football match, regardless of the potential return. “That’s life-changing money for so many people. I hope the Eagles don’t let him down again,” another user remarked, referencing the previous lost bet.
The Stakes on the Pitch
The Super Eagles, three-time African champions and runners-up in the last edition of the tournament, are clear favorites heading into their opening match against Tanzania. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, December 23, at the Complex Sportif de Fès in Morocco.
Davido’s very public gamble has undoubtedly added an extra layer of anticipation and excitement to Nigeria’s AFCON campaign, with fans now keenly watching to see if the team can deliver a winning start for themselves and their famous supporter.
As violence continues to stalk communities across Northern Nigeria, a coalition of security experts has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently confront what they describe as the economic underbelly of banditry: illegal mining, particularly in Zamfara State.
The call was made on Sunday in Jos, Plateau State, following a one-day retreat convened by the Arewa Patriotic Neighborhood Watch (APNW).
Addressing journalists, the group warned that without decisive action against illicit mining networks, security operations across the North would continue to face structural limitations.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Convener of APNW, Dr. Danlami Shehu, alongside the Assistant Secretary, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed, said illegal mining activities have persistently undermined the efforts of security agencies to curb banditry and related crimes.
According to them, armed groups operating around mining locations often enjoy protection arrangements that make such sites inaccessible to conventional security operations, thereby sustaining cycles of violence.
In their briefing, the experts urged the Federal Government to review past official reports and investigations into illegal mining in Zamfara State, including those that have mentioned political actors, stressing that revisiting existing findings could provide a roadmap for addressing insecurity.
They referenced past reports that have linked illegal gold mining in Zamfara to the financing of armed groups, while emphasizing that these documents warrant transparent and conclusive government action.
“Senator Abdulaziz Yari, right from when he was the Governor of Zamfara State, up till now that he is a serving Senator, has been frequently implicated in reports linking him and other high-level political figures to the illegal gold mining industry in Zamfara, which is considered a major driver of regional banditry”, the experts said.
The group maintained that as long as illegal mining thrives, bandit groups would retain a strategic advantage, noting that the control of mining corridors has become central to the conflict economy in parts of the North-West.
Dr. Shehu recalled that under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government imposed a ban on illegal mining activities in Zamfara State in April 2019, citing security concerns.
According to him, “Illegal mining of gold has been fingered as the main cause of the recent atrocious turn of insecurity in Zamfara State. The federal government, under late President Muhammad Buhari, announced a ban on illegal mining in the state in April 2019, saying there was a ‘strong and glaring nexus between the activities of armed bandits and illicit miners, with both mutually re-enforcing each other’.
“The then Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu also issued an order that ‘all foreigners within mining sites are to leave immediately’, as the police launched ‘operation puff-adder’ in the government’s attempt to crush the banditry. Despite Federal Government policy, illegal activities persisted, often under the protection of armed groups who make it impossible for security agencies to penetrate the mining sites.
“The Institute for Security Studies and various reports, both national and international, indicate that the massive banditry in Zamfara is fueled by gold mining, with proceeds often used to buy arms.
“Since the battle for the gold of Zamfara has taken a new turn due to external and internal collaborations to steal state resources, Gold mines are now Blood mines. The gold extracted illegally in Zamfara is transported via flights from forests to Middle Eastern countries, and sometimes to Sudan and Cameroon, to be sold. These are known facts and there are reports which linked Senator Yari to all of these. But why is the federal government turning blind eyes to those reports?
“In 2021, there was a Ghana Gold Report which linked Yari to seized gold bars worth millions of dollars in Ghana. There are other reports, including the one carried out by a serving Member of this 10th House of Representatives. Why is the government not revisiting these, to properly address insecurity in the north?
“In 2022, the ICPC secured an interim order to forfeit 10 properties linked to Senator Yari to the Federal Government, alluding that they were ‘proceeds of corruption stemming from illegal activities’, including that of mining. Even as a sitting Governor, it was in the news everywhere that Yari was always being scrutinized by law enforcement agencies. And when he won senatorial election in 2023, he quickly rushed to court and secured an order restraining EFCC, ICPC and DSS from arresting him.
“But the next month, the DSS arrested and detained him for almost one week. Why has the secret police not told Nigerians their findings? Why the Federal Government not taken up the matter with the view to putting lasting solutions to the insurgencies in the north? Can a single man be more powerful than the government?”
Contributing, Alhaji Ahmed, a native of Zamfara State, said the impact of illegal mining extends beyond security, affecting public health, livelihoods and state revenue.
He said, “Zamfara State is strangulated by its politics. Its health is disturbed by the ineptitude of its past and present leadership. Over the years its economy is defined by huge illegal mining for gold by the political class, especially Senator Abdulaziz Yari, while the government watched without acting, observing a dark cloud of violence descends on the people by the activities of illegal miners and militias.
“In March 2010, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/Doctors Without Borders warned the world that an estimated 400 children died from lead poisoning in Zamfara. The cause of the poisoning is unsafe mining activities. The mass poisoning affected villagers in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Anka, Bukkuyum and Maru.
“Even Senator Yari himself had admitted previously that, over $500 million was generated annually from mining without significant funds entering the state’s coffers. He was able to know this because he leads a very powerful cartel in the illegal mining business which even the current state governor knows.
“Although Yari has always denied these allegations, but the intersection of his governorship, the rise of banditry during his tenure, and the massive illegal mining operations has led to sustained scrutiny. All the time, various security agencies would arrest him and release him the next moment. Nigerians deserve to know what is happening. Our people back home are really suffering the heat from these illegal activities and those of the bandits. But then, they cannot voice out, perhaps, for fear”.
Ahmed further recalled that he and other Zamfara indigenes participated in a protest in Abuja in 2019 against insecurity and illegal mining, an action he said drew the attention of the Federal Government at the time.
As of the time of filing this report, Senator Abdulaziz Yari was unavailable for comment. He was said to be attending an award ceremony in Ibadan, Oyo State. The Senator has, however, on several occasions in the past, publicly denied all allegations linking him to illegal mining activities, as previously reported in the media.
