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Insecurity: Northern forum demands service chiefs’ removal

Published

4 months ago

September 8, 2025

The Northern Ethnic National Forum has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on security and immediately sack the nation’s service chiefs, citing worsening violence and leadership failures in tackling insecurity across the North.

In a statement on Sunday, NENF Convener Dominic Alancha said that while the administration had taken bold economic reforms, the deteriorating security situation and ineffective leadership demanded urgent corrective action.

“The security situation in northern Nigeria has degenerated into a full-blown catastrophe. Daily, our communities are ravaged by bandits, terrorists, and criminal elements who operate with impunity. This is unacceptable,” the forum said.

NENF accused the service chiefs of failing to deliver despite huge security funding, insisting that the entire architecture required a “fundamental overhaul.”

“We angrily and unequivocally demand the immediate dismissal and replacement of all Service Chiefs. The President must appoint fresh and innovative military leaders with a clear mandate and timeline for results,” it stated.

The forum also called for a cabinet reshuffle, faulting many ministers for poor performance and failure to translate the “Renewed Hope” agenda into tangible results.

It urged Tinubu to bring in “doers, thinkers, and strategists” capable of driving national development and building political goodwill ahead of 2027.

It urged faster palliatives, heavy investment in agriculture and manufacturing, and improvements in power, transport, and infrastructure to ease citizens’ suffering.

NENF’s demand comes days after the Northern Elders Forum similarly called for a state of emergency on security, warning of looming anarchy if urgent steps were not taken.

Meanwhile, youth stakeholders in the North-West under the National Youth Council of Nigeria expressed support for a mix of dialogue and military action in addressing insecurity.

At a meeting in Kaduna, convener Saleh Kuba said young people backed National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu’s adoption of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, arguing that global best practice combined force with dialogue to ensure lasting peace.

The youths also urged closer collaboration between federal authorities, governors, and security agencies, while unanimously adopting Ahmad Rufai Khalifa, grandson of late Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, as their consensus candidate for NYCN president ahead of the council’s October elections.

At the meeting in Kaduna, Kuba said insecurity dominated discussions despite not being on the agenda, reflecting widespread concern among young people.

“We expressed our commitment to support the security agencies, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who, in his wisdom, decided to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in addressing insecurity,” Kuba said.

He argued that the dual strategy was consistent with global best practices:

“When you deploy kinetic means, you also deploy non-kinetic ones. You must understand the underlying issues causing insecurity so that you can come up with long-term solutions. We are in support of sustained, honest dialogue across the geopolitical zones.”

The youth leaders further urged greater synergy between federal and state governments and security agencies, stressing that governors must be recognised as chief security officers in their states.

On the adoption of Khalifa, current NYCN Chairman of Kebbi State, as consensus candidate for the NYCN National President ahead of its elective congress in October, Kuba said, “The North-West zone has spoken with one voice. We have unanimously adopted Comrade Ahmad Rufai Khalifa as our consensus candidate. We believe he has the capacity, experience, and character to lead Nigerian youths at this critical moment in our nation’s history.”

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PHOTOS & VIDEO: Fire razes part of Ogun free trade zone, Igbesa

Published

3 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A fire outbreak has occurred at the mattress section of the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The incident has reportedly caused chaos and fear among students living around the Obanla axis of the area.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, students were seen running out of their hostels as the thick smoke covered the sky.

An eyewitness, Kuwhede Vincent, a student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, OGITECH, Igbesa, disclosed that there was a loud noise followed by smoke and fire.

Vincent said, “ It started around 8 am in the morning, we first saw smoke then fire coming from the company.

“The company is very close to my hostel but I don’t think any hostel was affected. We just carried our bag because we don’t know what can happen next”.

He noted that the fire service were on ground to curtail the fire.

Reacting to the incident, President of the Student Union Government in OGITECH, Ilo Fadilu Temitope, in a statement signed by its secretary, Moses Josephine and PRO Segbetin Sunday, and made available to called for calm among students, urging them to be vigilant, and adhere strictly to safety measures.

Part of the statement reads, “The attention of the Students’ Union Government has been drawn to information reaching us regarding a fire outbreak at the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, which is in close proximity to some student hostels around the Obanla axis.

“While relevant authorities are reportedly responding to the situation, the Students’ Union deems it necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

“In view of this, students especially those residing around Obanla axis and its environs are hereby advised to remain calm but vigilant, and to strictly observe the following safety measures: Avoid unnecessary movement towards the affected area or fire scene, stay indoors where it is safe to do so and keep doors and windows closed if there is smoke in the environment, switch off electrical appliances and gas sources as a precaution.”

As of the time of filing this report, there has not been any official statement on the cause of the incident.

When contacted by our correspondent, the Commissioner of the State’s Ministry of Environment, Ola Oresanya said, “Thanks for the information, I will work on it immediately.”

Many houses affected as fire guts Ogun Free Trade Zone pic.twitter.com/pYIjbLwGhJ

— Temitope Hassan (@temihat) January 11, 2026

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Demolition notice: Ogun communities cry out, call for Gov Abiodun’s intervention

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

About 15 communities in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have called for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged plot to demolish their villages and acquire their land.

The communities include Itori Mogan, Laaki, Jaguna, Ogunu, Paashi, Kumapayi, and Abule Odo of Ijemoland among others.

According to the villagers, the community which is over 300 years was excised by former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration.

It was gathered that the state government, through the its Planning and Development Permit Authority, Abeokuta Metro Zonal Planning Office, served a demolition notice with service number 00047932 on the occupiers of Itori Mogan village on Friday, accusing them of contravening the Land Use Act of Ogun State for residing in Hillcrest Estate.

In the demolition notice dated January 9, 2026, the government gave the occupiers three days deadline to vacate the affected villages that fell within its acquisition.

Expressing their displeasure on Saturday, the Baale of Ogunro, Chief Olakunle Bodunde, speaking on behalf of the villages marked for demolition, lamented that the present administration is bent on taking the remaining part of the community for an estate development, while rendering members of the community homeless.

He noted that the matter was in court and despite several meetings with the government, a demolition notice was pasted on their buildings.

He said, “We have taken significant steps to address this issue. We had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court.

“We have served them, and the government has been notified, but they are not showing up in court, and now they have come to paste demolition notices on our buildings.

“We want things to be done with due process. The court has not made a pronouncement yet.”

Also speaking, Chief Oludare Salako, the Baale of Itori Mogan, said the communities have different ancestral gods which according to him cannot be relocated, saying that forceful eviction could spell danger.

He appealed to the state governor to intervene, expressing the belief that he may not be aware of the incident.

“We want Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, as we believe he may not be aware of these alleged land grabbers in his government. We want him to look critically into the matter and stop their actions,” Salako added.

The Aro of Egbaland and Oluwo of Ijemo, High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, urged the villagers to engage in dialogue with the government and be hopeful.

“If you have a right, no government will stop you from exercising your right. So my advice is to dialogue.

“We have signed pacts with the present government on some particular land and villages. Go there, visit the office, and make inquiries. Why again are they trying to take back the land,” he said.

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Full List Of Countries Nigerians Travel To Without Visa

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries worldwide without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the latest update from Visaindex.

The development significantly eases international travel for Nigerians, providing broader options for tourism, business, education and family visits.

Of the 45 destinations, 27 countries allow visa-free entry for Nigerian citizens, while the remaining operate visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) regimes. Entry conditions vary by country, but the update signals an expansion of global mobility opportunities for Nigerians.

Several African nations have adopted open-border policies aimed at boosting regional integration, trade and tourism.

The Gambia – Since 2019, the country has declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travellers, extending the policy to Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and select Baltic states.

Benin – Inspired by Rwanda, Benin lifted visa restrictions for all Africans in 2019, strengthening its position as a commercial and transit hub in West Africa.

Kenya – In October 2023, President William Ruto announced the removal of visa requirements for all African visitors to enhance trade, tourism and continental connectivity.

Rwanda – Since November 2023, Rwanda has granted visa-free entry to all Africans without fees, reinforcing its reputation as a leading tourism and conference destination.

Ghana – Ghana recently joined the visa-free league for Africans, a move expected to attract investors, tourists and business travellers as it positions itself as a regional hub.

Other Visa-Free Or Easy-Access Destinations

Nigerian passport holders can also access the following countries either visa-free, via visa-on-arrival, or through eTA arrangements:

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea