VIOLENCE, suspected to be the ceaseless clashes between Nomadic pastoralists and subsistence farmers, have reportedly left 300 people dead in central Nigeria. More than 500 others are reportedly unaccounted for during the skirmishes afflicting the Plateau State. Officials said the violence has exacerbated since the end of the 2023 general elections that started on February 25 with the presidential election whose outcome the opposition parties are disputing in court. The bloodshed is mostly in some districts of Mangu local government…

THE murder of seven people after militants attacked a convoy of the United States (US) Consulate in Nigeria on Tuesday has sent shockwaves across both countries. Unknown assailants attacked a convoy of two US government vehicles in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the southeastern Anambra state. The convoy was carrying nine Nigerian nationals, comprising five employees of the US Mission to Nigeria and four members of the Nigeria Police Force. They were travelling in advance of a planned visit…

THE internal strife plaguing the country’s main parties, including the opposition simultaneously united and divided by a court showdown over the allegedly rigged general elections, adds a new dimension to the edgy political atmosphere in Nigeria. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and most recently, the Labour Party (LP), are all beset by infighting over different issues, some which reflect thedecades-long saga of ethnicism hijacking of politics in Africa’s biggest country by population.…

THE deadly outbreaks of fire at overcrowded camps hosting displaced people are a rising cause of concern in Nigeria. Since the beginning of the year, nine people have died in the 79 incidents reported in 46 of these camps located northeast of the country, where Islamist groups are wreaking havoc. A coalition of humanitarian organisations revealed that 7 091 shelters, comprising emergency or makeshift shelters, were destroyed, leaving 33 750 individuals stranded. Most of the affected populations have lost their…

DISPUTED polls in Nigeria, including the potential election of the country’s first female governor, risk tarnishing the legacy of the departing President Muhamadu Buhari, who aims to exit office upon a legacy of credible polls. His legacy seemed intact when he signed into law the amended Electoral Act 2022, which cleared the way for the deployment of technology in Nigeria’s elections, starting with the presidential poll at the end of February. However, it appears he will exit the presidency on…

THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) is ramping up stability ahead of the Easter celebration in the terror-prone country. Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the organisation’s Commandant General, has ordered the deployment of 30 000 personnel from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), states, zonal commands and the national headquarters to beef up security across the country. He has given the order at the NSCDC national headquarters in the capital Abuja, while addressing personnel on the need for effective policing…

A NIGERIAN state synonymous with abductions and banditry has implemented a curfew after the recent kidnapping of eight students. The curfew is with immediate effect in Kaduna State following the abduction of the pupils from Awon Government Secondary School in Kachia local government area. The curfew is being implemented in place from 7pm to 7am. “The Government advises residents of the community to comply with the curfew and maintain orderly conduct as security agencies continue to work in the affected areas,” said Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of…

THREE teenagers are among over 30 suspects Nigerian police have arrested for the alleged killing of an officer and injury of others during skirmishes southeast of the country. The officer was killed in the Anambra State during protests by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which is demanding independence from Nigeria. A police vehicle was allegedly burned and suspects carted away some rifles and pistols from police. IPOB is against the holding of elections early next year until a referendum…