FORMER Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has written to the Office of the National Security Adviser seeking clarification over the reported procurement of about 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate, a highly toxic chemical substance.
In the letter dated January 30, 2026, and addressed to the National Security Adviser in Abuja, El-Rufai said the information, allegedly linked to the opposition leadership, raised serious public safety and accountability concerns.
He noted that thallium salts are tightly controlled due to their extreme toxicity and urged authorities to disclose key details surrounding the purchase, including the intended use, supplier identity, quantity and concentration, storage arrangements, and regulatory oversight.
The former governor also requested clarity on whether the chemical was imported under appropriate defence or chemical permits and if any public health risk assessments had been carried out to mitigate potential dangers.
He asked for clarity on “the total quantity and specific form or concentration being procured or already procured, the storage and security arrangements for the material upon arrival, the regulatory oversight and coordination in place with NAFDAC, NCDC, and relevant public-health and environmental agencies.
“Whether any public-health risk assessments or hazard-mitigation plans have been developed, given the compound’s extreme toxicity.”
He said conflicting reports surrounding sensitive procurements could erode public trust if not openly addressed by relevant authorities.
Recall that El-Rufai is facing backlash over his claim that the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was bugged.
Aides of the President and politicians, including former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as legal practitioners and security experts, called for El-Rufai’s probe over the claim, arguing that his confession on national television was sufficient grounds for prosecution.
El-Rufai, who appeared on Arise TV on Friday, disclosed that he learnt of an alleged plan to arrest him upon his return to the country on Thursday through a leaked conversation from the NSA’s phone.
“Ribadu made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks that they’re the only ones that listen to calls. But we also have our ways. He made the call. He gave the order that they should arrest me,” he said.
THE Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has come under intense public criticism after a viral video surfaced where he spoke about securing victory for the All Progressives Congress in the Federal Capital Territory council election, despite worsening insecurity in parts of Kwara State.
In the widely shared clip from a recent political meeting, the governor addressed party members and reaffirmed his determination to deliver electoral success for the ruling party in Abuja.
“On behalf of the excellencies and many other esteemed colleagues on the committee, I assure Mr President and our party leaders that we will work as a team with local stakeholders and community influencers to deliver FCT to the All Progressives Congress.
“I’m confident that the good people of the Federal Capital Territory across the six council areas will come out to align with our party and show truly that APC is not just the party of now but also the reliable vessel to Nigeria’s progress and sustainable future,” AbdulRasaq said.
His comments have since sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning the timing and focus of the remarks as the state grapples with deadly attacks, kidnappings, and rising fear in rural areas.
The criticism intensified following the circulation of a disturbing video by suspected terrorists, reportedly showing victims of the February 3 attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area.
Responding on Saturday, the Kwara State Government said it was working closely with security agencies and community leaders to review the footage and confirm the identities of those involved.
The statement, issued by Commissioner for Communications Bolanle Olukoju, noted:
“The Kwara State Government is deeply concerned over the disturbing video released by terrorists earlier today, allegedly showing some persons taken during the tragic February 3 attack on Woro community.
“Government officials and security agencies are carefully analysing the video to establish the identities of the individuals shown.”
Authorities added that conflicting reports on the number of abducted persons had made official confirmation difficult.
“Since the incident, there have been varying accounts regarding the number of persons abducted. For this reason, neither the State Government nor security agencies have announced a definitive figure.
“Our priority remains the safe rescue of every affected citizen and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.”
Despite this response, the governor’s FCT remarks have continued to stir controversy, with critics describing them as detached from the security realities facing communities in Kwara.
On X, numerous users voiced their outrage, openly condemning the governor’s statement.
One account, Lola Okunrin, wrote:
“Deliver Kwara from the shackles of insecurity. You owe the people of Kwara, not Bola Tinubu. Tinubu will be fine.
It’s like APC engine room is being an Apoda. E shey wa ya werey bayi nau?”
Another user, Morris Monye, posted:
“His state is being ransacked by terrorist. Mass killing, destruction of lives and properties.
But look at him. His concern is to deliver FCT for APC.
APC is a bloodsucking vagabond group.”
A separate post by @bamskyee read:
“Your job to Tinubu is to deliver FCT for APC from Governor AbdulRazaq in this same Kwara state where Boko Haram paraded over 100 abducted victims in a community & accused Nigerian Government of spreading propaganda???”
The user concluded, “To these men our lives are nothing.. it’s all about election.”
THE House of Representatives is set to reconvene on Tuesday, February 17, for an emergency sitting to consider electoral issues stemming from the recently released timetable for the 2027 General Elections.
Recall that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, announced on Friday that the presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on February 20, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.
Speaking to political parties, civil society groups, and journalists at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Amupitan stated that the announcement complies with constitutional provisions and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which requires INEC to publish the election notice no later than 360 days before polling day.
Lawmakers were notified of the emergency sitting through an internal memorandum issued late Friday by the Office of the Speaker.
The development was confirmed in a statement signed by Akin Rotimi Jr., Spokesman of the House of Representatives.
According to the memo, the emergency session demonstrates the House’s determination to respond swiftly to matters with significant implications for Nigeria’s democratic system.
Discussions during the sitting are expected to address legislative issues linked to the INEC announcement, consistent with the constitutional duties of the National Assembly.
The memo further indicated that all legislative work connected to the matter will be handled promptly, with members strongly encouraged to attend due to the importance of the issues involved.
The House also reaffirmed its dedication to reinforcing Nigeria’s democratic institutions through responsible and responsive lawmaking in the public interest.
Similarly, in a statement signed by the Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prof Jake Dan-Azumi explained that the emergency sitting is intended to enable lawmakers rescind their earlier decision on the Electoral Amendment Bill, particularly to address the timeline for INEC’s publication of election notices.
“This follows the release earlier today by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the 2027 General Election Timetable.
“As has been observed, the proposed dates for the Presidential and National Assembly elections coincide with the period of Ramadan, a development likely to affect participation.
“Accordingly, it has become necessary to undertake a recision and recommittal of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill earlier passed by the House. Among other matters, the recommittal is intended to review and adjust the statutory notice period for elections by INEC from 360 days to 300 days, in order to ensure greater flexibility in the scheduling of elections and alignment with prevailing national considerations.
“All legislative processes relating to the Bill are expected to be concluded the same day to enable Members proceed with other scheduled political engagements, including the forthcoming APC Ward Congresses.
“Given the constitutional and national importance of this matter, all Honourable Members are strongly advised to prioritise attendance”, the statement said.
The timetable released by the INEC quickly drew attention because the February 20, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections fall within the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims observe daily fasting from dawn to sunset.
Some religious leaders and public figures warned that the overlap could affect voter turnout in many parts of Nigeria, particularly in states with large Muslim populations, where movement and public engagement tend to reduce during fasting hours.
For instance, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called on the commission to urgently reconsider the date.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Friday, Atiku noted that the scheduled date falls within Ramadan, which is a sacred period of fasting, reflection, and devotion for millions of Nigerian Muslims.
ON January 6, 2026, armed attackers launched a deadly assault on Old Oyo National Park, killing five forest guards and sending shockwaves through surrounding communities. In this report, The ICIR uncovers what led to the attack, the identities of the victims, and how the violence has reshaped life within the park and neighbouring towns.
Titi Hassan last saw her husband, Ololade Hassan, on the evening of January 6 when he went to work at the National Park Service office in Oloka, a remote community in Oyo State.
The 32-year-old said Ololade, a forest guard for 12 years, had told her he might return home that night if the situation allowed. It was a familiar promise, one he often made after long shifts guarding the forest corridors of the Park.
Not long after 10 p.m., the sound of gunshots rang out from the direction of the park office.
Panic travelled through the community. With her two-month-old baby pressed to her chest, Titi ran alongside other residents, fear driving them into the forest amid the darkness. No one stopped to look back.
Titi Hassan, wife of deceased Ololade Hassan
“When we heard the gunshots, everybody started running,” she said. “I carried my baby and ran.”
Many residents spent the night hiding in nearby bushes, too afraid to return home. Earlier that day, Titi and her husband had exchanged farewell, unaware it would be their last.
“We greeted each other and said goodbye,” she said quietly. “I never knew he would not come back.”
By morning, the mood in the community had changed. News spread from house to house. When the confirmation finally came that Ololade was among the forest guards killed in the attack, Titi said her strength left her.
“I couldn’t stand again,” she recalled. “I fell to the ground and started crying.”
Neighbours rushed to hold her as she wept, her baby still in her arms. The promise of his return had ended in silence.
The loss has since left her struggling to raise their family of seven children alone. She described Ololade as a responsible and gentle man, adding that their home was peaceful and built on mutual respect.
“He was a very good man. We didn’t fight. He took care of us,” she said.
Late Ololade Hassan, a forest guard, shot by armed gangs
To cope with the grief, neighbours encouraged her not to remain indoors mourning. She now survives on small trading, locally known as kòró, while trying to cater for the children.
Ezekiel Ajala, a resident of the community who witnessed the incident, said he was at home on that fateful Tuesday night, preparing to eat after the day’s work, when the first gunshots rang out. The sudden noise shattered the calm and sent him scrambling indoors. In his panic, he forgot to close the door behind him. Sleep never came that night as fear tightened its grip on the community.
Office of forest guards set ablaze by armed gangs
The gunfire eventually faded, but the fear did not. Hours later, close to midnight, Ajala and other residents cautiously stepped outside, unsure of what they would find. When a friend called out to him, he stayed silent, afraid the attackers might still be nearby.
It was only after the village fell completely quiet that he ventured further out. That was when the news reached him: people had been killed at the Awogun office, a National Park Service outpost on the edge of the Old Oyo National Park.
Ezekiel Ajala
By morning, the scale of the attack became clear. Several forest guards lay dead, and motorcycles had been destroyed, and shock rippled through Oloka. For Ajala and many others in the community, it was an unthinkable tragedy.
Fear quickly emptied the village. Residents fled in different directions—some to Ogbomosho, others to neighbouring towns. Ajala sought refuge with his brother. Weeks later, he says Oloka has not recovered. Normal life remains suspended, and fear still hangs over the community. Many residents believe the attackers never truly left, but instead melted back into the surrounding forest.
The ICIR exclusively obtained the names of the deceased forest guards: Moses Areo (47), Mukthar Ajiboye (52), Ololade Hassan (40), Akinade Alawode (52), and Solomon Ajiaa (59), who was nearing retirement.
The survivors of the attack include Dayo Ajasa (55), Nathaniel Ogunbiyi (50), and Adewale Omooba (46).
The attack was the most violent expression yet of a long-simmering security crisis linked to the Old Oyo National Park, a vast forest reserve stretching across Oyo State and bordering Kwara, Niger, and Kebbi states.
Residents of Igbeti, Igboho, Saki, and surrounding communities say criminal gangs now use the forest as a launchpad for kidnappings, farm invasions, and deadly raids, retreating into the park after each operation.
How the attack unfolded
Earlier that day, Adewale Omooba and other forest guards on patrol inside the Old Oyo National Park noticed a group of herdsmen encroaching into restricted sections of the reserve — areas where grazing and movement were prohibited.
According to Omooba, the men had pushed deeper into the forest than allowed, prompting the guards to confront them.
They arrested about five of the herdsmen and took them to the park office in Oloka for questioning.
The detainees were asked to contact their elders to resolve the issue peacefully. Instead, Omooba said, they attempted to bribe the officers.
“When we refused, they left angrily,” he recalled.
Not long after, the guards had just finished eating at the office when the calm was shattered.
Trail of attacks by armed gangs
Omooba said he was resting by the nearby well when the sound of gunfire suddenly erupted from the direction of the building. They arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and were armed with sophisticated firearms. They invaded the park and launched a violent attack.
Realising they were under attack, he wriggled his way into the surrounding bushes as bullets rang through the night. Even while hiding, the gunshots continued — loud, rapid, and relentless.
Victims of deadly attack on Old Oyo park
He survived. Several of his colleagues did not.
The escapee described the fallen forest guards as dedicated men who shared everything — work, meals, and daily risks inside the park.
“We lived like a family,” he said. “They were brave and hardworking. They did their duties well.”
Their deaths, he added, have plunged families into grief and left surviving officers traumatised.
The Baale of Oloka town, Alagbe Olatunde, also confirmed that the attack was a retaliation following the arrest of herdsmen who encroached on the reserve area. According to him, the group’s leaders later approached the community to secure their release, and negotiations were held.
He said the men assured the community that they would leave peacefully, but the situation later deteriorated. When they returned that night, gunshots were fired, and before residents could fully grasp what was happening, five people had been killed.
Olatunde said the community was powerless during the attack, as panic spread and residents fled in different directions to escape the violence. He added that many people ran to neighbouring towns for safety, leaving Oloka largely deserted.
After the incident was reported to the Commissioner of Police and the Assistant Inspector General (AIG), the Baale said security officials assured residents of their safety and urged those who had fled to return. Following these assurances, he said, people began returning to the community gradually and are still doing so.
Late officer Moses Areo, one of the officers shot dead by the attackers
He noted that he was not in the community when the attack occurred, explaining that he was in Ogbomosho at the time. Upon receiving information that something serious was happening in the village, he said he made several calls to alert others and returned to Oloka the following morning at about 6:30 a.m.
The Baale appealed to the government to deploy permanent security personnel to Oloka rather than short-term deployments, which he said have proven insufficient.
“As a community, we are also being security-conscious and vigilant. We promptly report strange or suspicious individuals in our village to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.”
The deadly cost of protecting the wild
The night attack on the National Park Service outpost in Oloka village, along the Old Oyo National Park corridor, marked yet another deadly chapter in the growing dangers faced by Nigeria’s forest guards.
The Park covers about 2,512 km² of land across northern Oyo State and southern Kwara State as one of Nigeria’s federal national parks, and it is a home to diverse wildlife and cultural heritage, including remnants of the historic Oyo Empire, and is surrounded by multiple local government areas that historically engaged in tourism and conservation.
The tragedy which has turned the park into the shadow of its old self, however, is part of a much wider pattern of violence targeting rangers across Nigeria’s protected lands.
Old Oyo Park
In 2021, armed bandits invaded Kainji Lake National Park, killing a ranger during a patrol and injuring others as they burned patrol vehicles and forced staff to retreat from sections of the reserve. Civil society groups and residents later reported that armed camps had sprung up inside the park’s forests, turning the conservation area into a staging ground for raids on nearby villages and highways.
The International Rangers Federation has consistently ranked Africa among the world’s deadliest regions for conservation workers, with dozens of rangers killed annually.
The IRF data shows that as of May 2025, 462 forest guardshave been killed, with Africa accounting for 174. Data obtained from the National Park Service (NPS), Nigeria, recorded 20 ranger deaths between June 2023 and July 2024. Most of them were killed by armed criminals.
What connects these attacks is violence and geography. Nigeria’s forest reserves and national parks are increasingly being exploited as sanctuaries by armed groups who take advantage of weak surveillance, porous boundaries and limited ranger manpower.
In the northeast, the Sambisa forest and adjoining game reserve areas remain the most notorious example. Once protected ecological zones, they became the main stronghold of Boko Haram after 2013. Even after years of military campaigns, factions of Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to use the dense forest terrain to regroup, train fighters and plan attacks.
Trail of bullets
In the northwest, Kamuku National Park in Kaduna State has repeatedly been identified by security agencies as a hideout for armed bandits responsible for mass kidnappings and village raids. Military operations have been launched specifically to clear criminal camps inside the park’s forest corridors.
Further west, Kainji Lake National Park has also been repeatedly linked to predatory armed groups, with communities tracing attacks back to camps hidden within the reserve.
And in the northeast, The ICIR reported how Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, once a thriving eco-tourism hub, has suffered persistent infiltration by terrorists, armed intruders and poachers, forcing sharp declines in tourism and leaving staff exposed to danger.
Rangers trained to protect wildlife like the ones stationed at Old Oyo park increasingly find themselves confronting heavily armed groups far beyond their mandate.
Globally, the profession has become increasingly lethal. The International Fund for Animal Welfare estimates that at least 150 rangers die each year worldwide.
Resident by day, IDPs at night
Oloka’s location has long been both a blessing and a risk. The community sits beside the Old Oyo National Park, a vast forest reserve that protects wildlife and preserves history. For years, residents maintained a working relationship with park rangers, hunters, and neighbouring settlements.
For many residents, the attack did not end with the gunfire. Its aftershocks reshaped daily life. Residents who spoke with The ICIR late January said they only come to attend to their means of livelihood during and by night, they find a way to sleep somewhere outside the community.
Some residents had already fled to Ogbomosho. Others sought refuge with relatives in nearby towns. Even those who returned did so cautiously.
“We are still not staying overnight in our homes,” Michael Damilola, a resident of the community, said.
On how she escaped on the night of the incident, she said, “We fled through the bush and entered another part of the town. We remained in the bush throughout the night.”
At dawn, survivors regrouped at Olokiti, a nearby community before moving to Ogbomosho, where news of the deaths reached them.
Damilola
“What we are requesting from the government is the provision of maximum security in our village. The police advised that the bushes around my area should be cleared so that there will be better visibility and early detection of any threats. Without clearing the bushes, the area remains unsafe for residents.
For Funmilayo Oyetoro, the trauma was deeply personal.
“We ran into the bush in panic,” she said. “We could not even properly watch over our children who were running behind us.”
She told The ICIR late January that she and her family no longer sleep in Oloka.
“We come in the morning and return in the evening to Ikoyi-Ile,” she said.
Rumours that the attackers planned to return have only intensified anxiety.
Beyond the loss of lives, the attack has crippled Oloka’s economy. Farming, the backbone of the community, came to a standstill.
Yau, a Togolese national who had lived in the community for two years, said the impact has been devastating.
Oloka community, Oyo State
“There is no work, no income, and I am currently facing serious hunger,” he said.
According to him, many migrant workers fled after the attack, leaving fields unattended and harvests uncertain.
He said before the attack, he supported residents by helping them with farm work and other agricultural activities.
He said the incident disrupted the entire community. While many people scattered, some also fled the area after the attack.
“Despite the intervention of the police, we are still afraid and living in constant fear. For now, we are unable to resume our normal activities.”
Seven suspects arrested as government reacts
Following the deadly attack, the Oyo State Government moved quickly to address the crisis and reassure worried residents.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the attack, describing it as a “devastating loss” of personnel carrying out their lawful duties and condemning the violence in strong terms.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State
He said preliminary findings pointed to the assault being carried out by suspected cross-border bandits, and urged people in the area to remain calm as security agencies worked to restore order and prevent further attacks.
In the immediate aftermath, state security operatives, including the police command deployed tactical teams, mobile units and intelligence personnel to the affected axis to reinforce security and prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The Commissioner of Police personally led an on-the-spot assessment and held discussions with community leaders as part of efforts to reassure residents.
Governor Makinde later visited the village, where he met local leaders and families affected by the attack. During the visit, he promised to compensate the families of the slain forest guards, including financial support and educational scholarships for their children, signalling the government’s intent to support victims’ families.
As part of broader security commitments, Makinde also pledged infrastructure improvements for the community, including the rehabilitation of the road leading to Oloka, the installation of boreholes and solar-powered street lights, and improved telecommunications services to aid both security and development.
On the security front, the governor said he intended to write to military authorities in Abuja to advocate for a permanent military base in Oloka, aiming to strengthen long-term security presence in the area.
He reiterated the need for sustained joint security efforts and called on residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command arrested seven suspected members of an armed bandit gang linked to the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, described the operation as a major breakthrough in the investigation into the deadly assault.
According to the police, the suspects are part of a 10-man gang allegedly led by one of those now in custody, identified as the mastermind behind the attack.
It added that in the aftermath of the attack, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, ordered the immediate deployment of operational assets to the area and directed the Command Monitoring Unit to take over the investigation.
Police said the directive triggered an intelligence-led operation that led to the arrest of three initial suspects—Mohammed Dangi; Abubakar Abdullahi; and Sheu Usman, before four more suspects were picked up days later.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to participating in the attack and disclosed that the gang consisted of 10 members operating on five motorcycles.
Police investigation also confirmed that the primary motive behind the assault was to forcefully free members of the gang who had earlier been arrested and held by forest guards.
On January 25, police arrested four additional suspects identified as Toro Malami, 43; Usman Alhaji Ummaru; Laolo Muhammadu, 22; and Usman Alhaji Isah, 32.
He reassured residents of the state of the police command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, warning against the spread of unverified information capable of causing panic.
According to him, the command remains resolute that Oyo State will not be allowed to become a safe haven for criminal elements.
Despite these responses and assurances, fear and uncertainty linger in surrounding communities, with many residents calling for consistent, long-term protection rather than temporary deployments, and urging state and federal authorities to translate promises into sustained action that can prevent a repeat of the violence.
FORMER Kaduna State governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, has alleged that Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, personally ordered that he be arrested and taken into custody upon arrival in the country.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Friday night, February 13, El-Rufai claimed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) used the State Security Services (SSS) to attempt to ‘abduct’ him, describing the development as part of a recurring pattern.
“The DDS was procured to abduct me by the ICPC. The ICPC that has never communicated with me ever,” he said, clarifying that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had only written to invite him for a meeting while he was abroad.
El-Rufai stated that his lawyers had responded to the EFCC, informing the agency of his trip and his decision to honour the invitation on February 16, which coincides with his birthday.
He emphasised that the EFCC’s conduct in the matter appeared “more professional.”
According to him, about 50 SSS waited at the airport with instructions from the ICPC to abduct and detain him.
“I asked for a letter of invitation, and none of them had a letter of invitation to present. I refused to follow them without this invitation, and they tried to force me to go with them. One of my aides was beaten up, and my passport was seized from him,” he said.
The former governor further alleged that ICPC officials later delivered a letter inviting him for questioning on February 13, adding that his legal team indicated willingness to honour the invitation after meeting with the EFCC.
While claiming that Ribadu authorised the attempted arrest. he said, “Nuhu made the call and made the order that I must be in custody.”
When asked how he knew about the call, he said, “the government thinks that they’re the only ones that listen to calls.”
“But we also have our ways. He made the call, he gave the order…Someone tapped his phone,” he said.
He acknowledged that tapping phone calls without court authorisation is illegal but argued that government agencies routinely monitor communications without judicial approval.
The allegation followed an incident on Thursday in which security operatives attempted to arrest El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his arrival from Cairo, according to his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye.
Adekeye said the former governor refused to accompany the operatives because they did not present any warrant or formal invitation, adding that officials seized his international passport from an aide during the encounter.
Videos circulating online showed a brief scuffle involving men in green jackets, while El-Rufai insisted that due process must be followed. Other clips captured supporters surrounding him and escorting him away.
THE Health Sector Reform Coalition has expressed regret over difficulties in accessing health sector funds trapped in the service-wide vote (appropriation that covers expenditures of multiple government agencies often controlled by the Presidency)
The coalition said immunisation funds of about N168 billion and several counterpart funds for donor-related health sector programmes were warehoused at service-wide vote, thereby creating difficulties in accessing them.
The Chairman of the Health Sector Reform Coalition, Muhammed Mustafa Lecky, disclosed this on Friday, February 13, in Abuja and stressed the importance of a disaggregated federal budget funding model to fund key sectoral projects in the health sector.
“The service-wide vote, even by its name services almost everything in service and creates lots of bottlenecks. On the flipside, it promotes discretion and corruption in its spending.
“How can something that belongs to the health ministry, such as immunisation, be warehoused in the service-wide vote?” That is not a way to fund a disaggregated federal institution budget,” Lecky added.
He explained that the coalition had engaged the legislature on the importance of aligning the health sector budget to ministries and agencies of the government for easier releases.
He noted, however, that the legislature had been unable to address the matter.
The ICIR reports that the Minister of Health, Muhammed Ali Pate, a professor, recently disclosed that the ministry was only able to access N35 million of its N218 billion capital budget in 2025.
Lecky expressed regret over this. He said “almost all the vaccine procurement in Nigeria comes from donor sources”, adding that, “What we do is to provide counterpart funds. So, if releases are slow, it becomes severe for immunisation and community services.”
According to Lecky, immunisation is at the heart of primary health care funding and creates numerous maternal and infant problems if budget releases are not made early enough.
“If our immunisation, which is at the core of our primary health care centre, is largely funded by donors, that will tell you where our priority is.”
He stressed that budget appropriations without corresponding cash backing undermined the credibility of Nigeria’s planning frameworks, foretelling grave danger for the ongoing Health Sector Strategic Blueprint under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
In his submission, the Lead Director for the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekpere, a member of the coalition, told The ICIR that the discretionary handling of health funds warehoused in the service-wide vote created problems for health sector funding.
“If the Health Ministry is not responsible for the funds allotted to health, how will it take blame for the underfunding of the health sector-related projects? Not just the immunisation fund, GAVI and other counterpart funds are warehoused at the service-wide vote and at the discretion of the Presidency. We must ensure that these funds are captured in the ministry’s budget to know who to hold responsible when a health programme fails, “Onyekpere said.
The ICIR reports that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare got N2.19 trillion allocation in the 2026 budget proposal, representing 4.98 per cent of the budget. This is also inclusive of the N214.9 billion provided for the basic health care provision.
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented over N1 trillion budget for the 2027 elections and all its operations in 2026.
INEC chairman, Joash Amupitan, a professor, announced this while tabling the 2026 budget proposal and expected cost for the 2027 general before the National Assembly Joint committee on Electoral matters.
The commission is demanding N171 billion to provide funding for its activities in the 2026 fiscal year. For the 2027 polls, it proposed N873.78 billion, a major increase from the N313.4 billion allocated for the 2023 general elections.
The ICIRreported that the commission received N313.48 billion from the Federal Government to conduct of the 2023 general elections – an amount it said fell short of the N355.298 billion approved by the National Assembly.
Nigeria will have general elections in 2027, and this year (2026) will see governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun states, along with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council poll scheduled for February 21, and a few by-elections in some states.
Amupitan itemised the election budget into five key areas, namely operational costs, N379.748 billion; administrative costs, N92.317 billion; technological costs, N209.206 billion; election capital costs, N154.905 billion; and miscellaneous expenses, N42.608 billion.
He stated that the budget conformed to Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, demanding that the commission compiles its election budget at least a year before the general polls.
THE Plateau State College of Health and Technology, Pankshin, has removed Yusuf Dalyop as the Head of Public Health Department, and issued admission to Chogkon Midah, a student who was disengaged after it was discovered that he had studied for months without a valid admission letter.
This development follows an investigation by The ICIR, which exposed allegations of admission racketeering, extortion, and systemic irregularities in the institution.
Mida’s father, Alpha Dubagari Isaac, a widower who alleged that Dalyop, demanded illegal payments in exchange for securing admission for his child, confirmed that his son resumed school on February 12, 2026, after months of staying at home despite having paid more than N350,000 in tuition and other fees for an admission that never materialised.
“Early January, the provost told me to ask my son to resume school. He said that he should come so that they can know what to do about his admission. That was why I sent him. He went there and met the provost who received him very well. He asked him to go and meet the HOD of their department,” Isaac told The ICIR.
Thee ICIR investigation that triggered action
The provost of the institution, Josiah Emmanuel, confirmed to the ICIR that Midah has resumed and will be issued an admission letter , marking a corrective action by the management of the school after our investigation.
“I will issue him with the admission letter on Monday by his grace. I will give a directive to the registrar to issue the admission letter with immediate effect,” the provost said. “We will give him admission for this year. He will only show evidence of the payments he had already made.”
The provost added that the case would be treated as a deferment, recognising that the student had already paid and attempted to study in the previous academic session.
Isaac said that the development brings relief after months of uncertainty.
“My son has been at home for a long time. Now he has resumed school, and I’m trusting God that everything will be completed, including the admission letter,” he said.
The provost also confirmed that Dalyop, the former HOD of Public Health has been removed and replaced.
“He is no longer the HOD. We have dismissed him from that office.” the provost said, adding: “The new HOD is Ezra Gomos.”
This leadership change aligns with findings from the investigative panel, which indicted the former HOD over irregular admissions and financial improprieties.
The ICIR reported in December 2025, that Isaac alleged that Dalyop, his former lecturer, demanded and received money to facilitate his son’s admission, and despite paying various sums, including N35,000 in cash and over N300,000 in tuition and departmental charges, his son’s name never appeared on any official admission list.
A panel set up by the college later confirmed that Midah paid N212,700 in tuition fees without possessing an admission letter, including 29 students across departments lacking basic admission requirements.
The internal panel report earlier obtained by The ICIR had established that although Midah and other dismissed students were issued matriculation numbers and paid school fees, but had no admission letter and should not have been allowed to participate in academic activities in the first place.
LACK of effective security, poor street lighting, and weak law enforcement have left residents of Kano exposed to violent night-time attacks, with criminals targeting pedestrians and commuters. The ICIR documents how ordinary journeys home have become dangerous, leaving victims injured, traumatised, and fearful of moving at night.
Musa Aliyu was racing against time as he hurried home after work on a quiet night in Kano. The 31-year-old journalist knew that once the clock struck 10 p.m., finding a tricycle to his home would become nearly impossible due to the state’s movement restrictions.
It was around 9:15 p.m. when Musa walked along Club Road in Bompai, an area poorly lit and swallowed by darkness. He was close to the junction where he hoped to secure a ride home when a voice suddenly broke the silence.
“Give us your phone,” the voice barked.
Before Musa could react, one of the attackers placed a knife in his hand and slashed him. Blood immediately began to gush from the deep cut as pain shot through his arm. Crying out for help, Musa watched helplessly as the assailant snatched his phone and ran across the road, mounting a motorcycle that had been waiting nearby. Within seconds, the attackers disappeared into the night.
Aliyu lying down helplessly after suffering an attack/ Graphic Image blurred
Dizzy from blood loss and unable to continue walking, Musa staggered to a nearby media house and sat down, fearing he might collapse. For several minutes, no one came to his aid. It was only after about 10 to 15 minutes that two people emerged from the area. Musa pleaded with them to alert his workplace, just a few minutes away.
Soon after, colleagues from his station arrived and rushed him to the hospital. Later that night, he was taken to the Bompai Police Division, where he reported the incident. But with no clear identification of the attackers, the case stalled.
More than a year later, Musa still bears the physical and emotional scars of the attack. The deep knife wound damaged a vein in his hand, leaving him unable to move one of his fingers properly. Despite treatment, the pain has not gone away.
“Up till now, over a year later, the place is still paining me,” he told The ICIR, adding, “Just yesterday, I told my mother I might need to go back to the hospital.”
Following the incident, fear now dictates his movements. Musa stopped night duties for nearly a year and has only recently returned to work, restricting himself to weekends. On days he works late, he sleeps at the radio station rather than risk the journey home.
“I’m genuinely scared. These people are using knives and dangerous weapons.”
He continues to live with pain, fear, and unanswered questions—while those who attacked him remain at large, moving freely through the same streets where his life was forever altered.
Musa: “Over a year later, the place is still paining me.”
Musa is one of many residents who have fallen victim to armed thugs locally referred to as Yan Daba (area thugs) or Yan Kwace (phone snatchers) operating across Kano, particularly at night. These attackers target pedestrians, often wielding knives and other weapons, making nighttime movement increasingly dangerous for residents.
Kano’s rising menace of phone snatchers, night attacks
Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state, has in recent years recorded a noticeable rise in incidents of mobile phone theft and nighttime street attacks, particularly within the Kano metropolis.
Residents said these crimes are prevalent in densely populated areas such as markets, bus stops, road junctions, and residential neighbourhoods with limited street lighting. The incidents often occur early morning or late evening, when pedestrian movement is still high, but security presence is limited.
According to multiple locals, the attackers commonly operate either in small groups or on motorcycles, enabling them to strike quickly and flee before victims or bystanders can respond.
In some cases, attackers are reported to be armed with knives or other sharp objects, which they use to intimidate victims or inflict injuries during resistance. These methods have contributed to the growing fear among residents, particularly commuters, traders, and night-shift workers.
Apart from the immediate loss of property, phone theft has bigger consequences for victims. In Kano, as in much of Nigeria, mobile phones serve as essential tools for communication, banking, business transactions, and access to social services.
In most cases victims lost access to mobile banking applications, business contacts, personal data, and important documents stored on their devices. As a result, phone snatching often leads to financial losses that extend well beyond the value of the device itself.
Findings by The ICIR showed that there exist informal and underground markets where stolen phones are resold. These markets, which operate discreetly within the city and surrounding areas, allow stolen devices to be quickly recirculated, making recovery difficult.
The ease with which stolen phones can be resold has been cited by security analysts as a factor sustaining the crime, as it provides a ready economic incentive for perpetrators.
A Kano-based public affairs analyst, Musa Abdullahi Sufi, attributed the surge in phone snatching and nighttime attacks in Kano to a mix of poor education, unemployment, weak community structures, and ineffective deterrence.
He explained that limited access to quality education and jobs has left many young people vulnerable to criminal networks, while the breakdown of communal oversight has reduced informal checks that once discouraged deviant behaviour.
“When people are not properly educated, the tendency for them to make wrong decisions in life increases,” Musa said, stressing, “It affects their employability and how they are guided in society, and that creates room for criminality.”
Musa pointed to the erosion of traditional community responsibility, noting that families are increasingly reluctant to discipline or caution other people’s children for fear of confrontation.
According to him, this social withdrawal has allowed violent behaviour to go unchecked at the grassroots level.
“In the past, every family took responsibility for other people’s children,” he said. “Today, if you try to correct a child, it can easily lead to violence between families, so people just look away.”
Musa: “In the past, every family took responsibility for other people’s children.” PC: Nurudeen Akewushola/The ICIR
On law enforcement, the analyst argued that the absence of sustained punishment has emboldened offenders, allowing them to return to the same communities after committing violent crimes.
He said this cycle has weakened public trust in the justice system and encouraged repeat offences.
“You see them kill or attack people, and after some months or a year, you see the same people back in the community,” Musa said. “They continue doing the same thing, and that sends a message that there are no consequences.”
He further alleged that political interference has worsened the crisis, particularly during election seasons, when some violent youths are allegedly used for protection or intimidation.
According to him, this political patronage reinforces the sense of immunity among perpetrators.
“Some politicians use these boys as protection, especially during rallies,” he said. “They carry weapons openly in front of everybody, and that gives them power. Once that power is given, it becomes difficult to control them.”
While acknowledging recent government initiatives, Musa said the scale of response does not match the depth of the problem. He stressed the need for deeper engagement with affected youths and communities, rather than relying solely on arrests or short-term programmes.
“There must be serious, massive engagement. Not just talking to one or two people but understanding the real causes deeply and hearing directly from those involved, including those who want to repent.”
Musa criticised gaps in rehabilitation efforts, noting that not all offenders are ready for immediate reintegration into society.
He argued that some require long-term monitoring, counselling, and structured reform before being released back into their communities.
More survivors narrate encounters with attackers
Safiyya Bawa had just finished work and was heading around Sheka, a popular area in Kano metropolis, when she sensed there were criminals around waiting for their next victim. She continued walking stealthily, reciting supplications out of fear.
“Suddenly, they came out of nowhere,” Safiyya recalled. “One of them suddenly grabbed my bag while another pulled out a knife. Before I could even shout for help, I felt something sharp piercing through my arm. I screamed, but the noise of the road drowned my voice.”
Safiyya Bawa’s bandaged arm after the attack
They snatched her iPhone 16, a device that held her work, contacts, and memories, and she was left bleeding, dizzy, and helpless.
Passersby gathered, some offering help, others just watching in fear. Someone helped her wrap her arm with a piece of cloth and took her to a nearby clinic.
Upon reaching the hospital, the doctor said she was lucky as the knife narrowly missed a major vein.
“Now, every time I board a Keke, I look around, wondering who might be planning the next attack,” Safiyya said.
As he made his way home after a long day at work in Kano, Ahmed Musa had no reason to believe the night would be any different from countless others before it. The streets were lively, familiar, and filled with the usual evening bustle. Tired and eager to rest, he walked on, absent-mindedly scrolling through messages on his phone.
Ahmed, who lives in Dorayi in Gwale Local Government Area, was just a few steps into his journey when everything changed.
Without warning, he felt a sudden, forceful tug. In an instant, a man dashed past him, snatching his phone with frightening speed. Ahmed tried to resist, but before he could regain his balance, another attacker came from behind. In the brief struggle that followed, a sharp pain tore through his arm.
He stumbled and fell to the ground, scraping his knees and palms against the rough pavement as blood trickled down his arm. Within seconds, the attackers vanished into the darkness, leaving him injured and shaken.
Ahmed sat on the street, trembling, trying to comprehend how a routine walk home had turned into a violent encounter. Moments later, neighbours rushed to his aid and helped him get treatment at a nearby clinic, where his wounds were cleaned and bandaged.
“I never imagined something like this could happen so quickly,” Ahmed said. “One moment, everything was normal, and the next, I was bleeding on the street.”
Ashiru Muhammad would remember that evening when he was attacked for reasons he never anticipated. The young man had just closed from work and boarded a tricycle from Naibawa to Sabon Gari, a route he travelled often. It was half full, and he sat in the middle seat, surrounded by passengers who appeared ordinary. Unknown to him, he was sharing the ride with phone snatchers.
Ashiru Muhammad
Not long after the journey began, one of the passengers tapped him lightly on the shoulder. The touch startled him.
“I turned sharply and asked him why he touched me,” Ashiru recalled. “Something about the ride didn’t feel right.”
Trusting his instincts, Ashiru asked the driver to stop and alighted from the tricycle. He boarded another Keke, believing he had avoided a looming danger.
But the day was not done with him.
After completing the rest of his work, Ashiru set out for home again, exhausted and focused only on getting some rest. Unknowingly, he boarded the same Keke Napep. The faces were familiar. The driver was the same.
“After about twenty minutes, I started to feel strange. My thoughts became disorganised. My body felt heavy, and it was like something was controlling my mind. I was aware of what was happening around me, but I couldn’t react.”
When the tricycle reached his stop, Ashiru struggled to climb down. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he reached instinctively for his pocket. His phone was gone.
Kano government responds
In response to the growing incidence of phone snatching and night attacks, the Kano State Government has announced a series of security interventions aimed at curbing the menace across the metropolis.
Central to these efforts is the deployment of paramilitary personnel to identified crime hotspots within the state, particularly urban areas where reports of phone theft and nighttime attacks have become frequent.
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf/ PC: Guardian
The initiative is coordinated through the Kano State Anti-Illicit Drugs and Phone Snatching Committee, chaired by Gambo Ahmed.
According to the state government, the deployment is intended to strengthen internal security operations and restore public confidence amid rising concerns over urban crime.
In October 2025, the state government also initiated the recruitment of 600 volunteer youths to form a Special Anti-Phone Snatching and VIP Protection Guards unit as part of broader preventive measures.
The first batch of 380 volunteers has since completed training under the Special Anti-Phone Snatching Squad (KOSSAP)at the Kano State Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa, in a programme designed to support existing security agencies.
Special Anti-Phone Snatching Squad (KOSSAP)/ Source: FRCN
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Enlightenment, Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services, Muhammad Idris, the two-week intensive training focuses on equipping the volunteers with the skills and discipline required to safeguard lives and property.
The curriculum includes paramilitary drills, phone snatching prevention strategies, VIP protection, defensive driving, and lectures delivered by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Hisbah personnel, alongside counselling sessions and physical fitness training.
The Commandant of the institute, Muhammad Bello Mai Gaskiya, explained that the programme is tailored to address the rise in urban crimes, particularly phone snatching and thuggery within the Kano metropolis. He noted that upon completion of the training, the volunteers would be formally absorbed by the state government and placed on a monthly stipend to support sustained engagement.
Following the training exercise, the government deployed the first batch of 380 trained marshals to strategic locations across the city. Officials described the move as a “people-oriented response” to the persistent problem of phone theft and petty crimes.
According to government statements, the marshals were selected and trained to respond swiftly to incidents of phone snatching, pickpocketing, and related street crimes.
Despite these measures, phone theft and nighttime attacks continue to be reported in several parts of Kano.
OPEN the Knowledge Journalism Awards, presented by the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) in partnership with the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit that runs Wikipedia, celebrate the contributions of journalists in Africa who prioritise accuracy, depth and inclusion in their reporting, and seek applications to its awards.
The awards will recognise the essential role journalists play in creating well-researched articles that volunteer editors can use as source materials to develop content on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.
Their work helps to grow the knowledge base on one of the world’s most visited websites, so that it is more reflective of the topics, events and people that influence the understanding of culture and history through the ages.
African journalists living on the continent are invited to self-nominate articles they have written that help expand knowledge about Africa. Stories that highlight positive change on the continent are particularly encouraged.
The first-place award recipient will receive $2,000, while the second-place winner will receive $1,000, among others.
The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2026. Interested applicants can apply here.
