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Which Canadian Golfer Actually Has a Shot on the PGA Tour Now

Canadian golf has produced a steady stream of talented professionals over the years, but the question of which player currently has the best realistic shot at sustained PGA Tour success generates genuine debate among analysts who track the sport closely. Unlike some other Canadian sports where the pipeline has become fairly predictable, golf’s development path remains considerably more unpredictable given the sheer difficulty of consistently competing at the tour’s highest level.

A Debate That Divides Serious Analysts

Several names typically come up in these conversations, each bringing a different combination of strengths and question marks. Some possess elite ball-striking ability but have struggled with putting consistency under tournament pressure, while others show the opposite profile, excelling on the greens but lacking the distance off the tee that has become increasingly important on modern PGA Tour setups. Golf analysts and fans tracking these storylines throughout the season have found detailed tournament odds through 1mlnbet ca, where shifting probabilities across multiple events offer a useful, real-time gauge of how the broader golf community currently views each player’s actual chances.

An interesting fact worth noting: Canada has produced relatively few sustained PGA Tour winners compared to countries of similar population size, making any genuine breakthrough season an especially significant story within the country’s broader golf community.

What Separates Genuine Contenders from Long Shots

A few specific factors tend to separate genuine PGA Tour contenders from longer shots:

Consistency of ball-striking statistics across multiple consecutive tournaments rather than isolated strong rounds.

Performance specifically in major championship conditions, historically the toughest test on tour.

Mental resilience during final-round pressure situations with genuine contention on the line.

Physical durability across a demanding schedule that spans nearly the entire calendar year.

These factors, taken together, tend to be far more predictive of sustained success than any single strong tournament result, no matter how impressive it might look in isolation.

The Long Road Still Ahead

Ultimately, sustained PGA Tour success requires proving these qualities repeatedly across an entire season, not just in a single standout tournament that generates temporary excitement. Canadian golf fans have learned through experience to remain cautiously optimistic rather than prematurely declaring a breakthrough, but the current crop of talent genuinely gives the country more realistic reasons for optimism than it has had in quite some time.

Bole Festival sets sights beyond Nigeria after 10 years

The Bole Festival, which started with about 300 people gathered around a fire in Port Harcourt to celebrate bole and fish, is now looking beyond Nigeria as it enters its second decade.

The festival marked its 10th anniversary with a three-day celebration in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with organisers saying the next phase will focus on expanding its presence across Nigeria and into other African markets.

The anniversary edition, themed ‘Power of X’, was designed to celebrate the collaborations that have helped the festival grow over the past decade while signalling what organisers described as new and largely unexplored opportunities for the years ahead.

The expansion ambition marks a significant shift for an event that began in 2016 as a gathering centred on a popular Port Harcourt delicacy but has since developed into a platform combining food, music, entertainment and culture.

The organisers said the festival now brings together bole vendors, hosts, sponsors, partners, performers, volunteers and its core team, reflecting the wider ecosystem that has developed around the event.

From local delicacy to cultural platform

Bole, a roasted plantain dish commonly served with grilled fish, is deeply associated with Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta. The festival built its identity around the food, using it as an entry point to create a broader cultural and entertainment experience.

What began as a relatively small gathering has evolved into a three-day event featuring music performances, sponsor activations, giveaways and cultural displays.

The festival was interrupted in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic but returned the following year. According to the organisers, its audience doubled from the level recorded at the 2019 edition after its return.

The growth has also attracted corporate sponsors, with International Breweries, Moniepoint, Pernod Ricard, Red Bull and Trashcoin among companies supporting the 10th anniversary edition.

For the organisers, the increasing involvement of brands points to the festival’s development beyond a food event into a platform capable of connecting consumers, businesses, performers and cultural communities.

The ‘Power of X’ theme was intended to capture that evolution, with the X representing the collaborations that have contributed to the festival’s growth and the possibilities still ahead.

Building a bigger experience

The 10th anniversary programme was structured around three different experiences.

The opening day focused on reggae and old-school music, while the second day centred on soul and contemporary vibes. The final day was dedicated to the anniversary celebration.

Performers across the three days included Timaya, Duncan Mighty, Faze, Peruzzi, 1Da Banton, Beri Tigga, Dan Dizzy, Mavo, Guchi, EF Moon and Carter Efe.

Savy Henry, Johnny Drille and Magixx also performed during the second day, while Terry G and a reggae band featured on the opening day.

The programme also incorporated cultural elements. Wizard Chan performed with his signature masquerade, adding a traditional dimension to an event that has increasingly blended local culture with contemporary entertainment.

The anniversary also featured a ‘Power of X’ ceremony, which organisers said was streamed on the festival’s YouTube page.

The bigger question for the festival now is whether a concept built around a distinctly Port Harcourt food tradition can be replicated across different Nigerian cities and eventually other African markets.

The organisers said they were already positioning the festival for a wider presence across Nigeria and Africa, with the next phase expected to introduce what they described as a new experience that the region has yet to see.

That ambition puts the festival in a growing market of African cultural and entertainment events seeking to turn local experiences into scalable platforms.

For Bole Festival, however, the expansion strategy is rooted in the identity it has built over the past decade.

The organisers said the 10-year milestone represents the growth of a platform built around food, music and culture and one that is increasingly positioning itself as a destination for families, friends, vendors and performers.

The challenge in the next decade will be maintaining that identity while taking the experience beyond the environment that gave it birth.

From its first gathering of about 300 people around a fire in 2016, the festival is now seeking to turn a Port Harcourt cultural experience into a wider African proposition.

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INEC: Bye-elections test readiness for 2027 polls

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said every bye-election conducted by the Commission provides an opportunity to assess its readiness for the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, Amupitan described Saturday’s bye-elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states as crucial operational benchmarks for testing the nation’s electoral infrastructure.

The four legislative bye-elections were held in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State; Dawakin Kudu State Constituency of Kano State; Sakwa and Disina State Constituencies of Bauchi State; and Udu State Constituency of Delta State.

Amupitan said no electoral contest should be regarded as trivial or routine, stressing that every off-cycle poll serves as an important dress rehearsal for nationwide elections.

He said the four bye-elections would provide ‘indispensable operational lessons’ for the Commission as it systematically charts its roadmap towards the 2027 General Election.

‘We must resist the temptation to view any exercise as merely an ordinary bye-election. Every election is a critical component of our broader preparations for the 2027 General Election, allowing us to continuously audit our logistics framework, stress-test our technological deployment, and evaluate administrative field readiness.’

Amupitan reassured Nigerians of the Commission’s resolve to uphold electoral integrity, noting that operational bottlenecks encountered before polling were swiftly identified and resolved.

‘Our primary mandate in the Situation Room is monitoring and proactive crisis resolution. Whatever administrative or field challenges arose before the day of the elections, the Commission was able to nip them in the bud effectively. We remain committed to refining our processes so that every subsequent exercise reflects higher standards of efficiency and public confidence.’

He thanked everyone present in the situation room, especially the technical team, for ensuring the Commission was able to monitor the multi-state exercise seamlessly and assess the field performance without any hitch.

Bianca Umali, Julia Barretto want another collab after ‘Always Mine, Never Yours’

A first-time feature collaboration between Julia Barretto and Bianca Umali has two actresses wanting to work again once the right material comes along.

Cathy Garcia-Sampana’s “Always Mine, Never Yours” marks Bianca’s debut in a Star Magic film. Headlining the movie are Julia and her perennial onscreen partner Joshua Garcia.

During the media conference for the film last September 18 in Taguig, Bianca recalled how she reacted upon being approached a role in the film.

“My first reaction honestly, my breath stopped for a while when it was initially offered,” the actress-host said, noting all the milestones working on the movie would mark.

Bianca particularly praised the material written by Vanessa R. Valdez, with the help of Olivia Lamasan and Trishtan Perez.

“Kung paano sinulat [character ko]… is the ultimate reason why I know [my character] came into my life at the right time, at the right phase of who I am in real life,” Bianca added, careful not to give too much away, “And why I know she is also a representation of kung anong klaseng pagmamahal yung paninindigan.”

Julia and Bianca had previously worked together as models for a shampoo brand which is where their professional relationship began, leading to excitement upon setting foot on the “Always Mine, Never Yours” set.

Bianca also shared having the same star sign, Pisces, as Julia (both were born in early March) hence why they understand each other’s moods.

“If the right project comes, I mean, why not?” Bianca said on the prospect of working with Julia again. “It’s a good conversation in time to have this kind of expansion in everyone’s careers, everyone is in the collaboration era.”

The actress-host also praised Julia as a great actress and the anticipation of doing more scenes with her.

Reciprocation

Julia revealed that Bianca’s character Gaea mostly shares scenes with Joshua’s Apollo in “Always Yours, Never Mine” and really only has one intimate scene with her Luna.

Still, the actress recalled telling Valdez the sequence between Luna and Gaea was her favorite scene in the entire movie.

“I think coming together and having the conversation in that scene was so moving,” Julia shared. “I’m excited for a lot of other women to see and resonate with it.”

She mirrored Bianca’s praise by calling the latter “a breath of fresh air” on set and doing a good job with her character.

Julia quipped that she and Bianca’s looks were ready to be paired for another project, commending the new haircut Bianca got. “It’s a material we’ll wait for, at the right time, but game!” the actress ended.

“Always Mine, Never Yours” also starring Joy Barcoma, Karen Reyes, Bob Jbeili, Migs Almendras, and Chanda Romero premieres in Philippine cinemas this September 30.

Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association, ipNX partner for campus-wide digital transformation

Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA) and leading Nigerian ICT Company, ipNX Nigeria Limited, have partnered to deliver a transformative campus-wide digital connectivity project for Government College Ibadan (GCI).

The partnership was led by the GCIOBA North America branch and is being executed under ipNX’s wider corporate social responsibility strategy to advance the quality of education in Nigeria by providing high-quality broadband internet access to public secondary schools within its network coverage at no cost, enabling students and teachers to access digital learning resources that enhance teaching, expand learning opportunities, and improve educational outcomes.

The initiative delivers a robust campus-wide fibre backbone connecting 29 buildings and enterprise-grade wireless connectivity within each building.

Serving more than 2,250 students and staff, the infrastructure establishes a resilient digital ecosystem that will support teaching, learning, research and efficient school administration while enabling the adoption of future-ready digital learning resources.

The project was referenced during the 2026 GCIOBA Lagos Branch Annual Luncheon, where it was positively received and celebrated by alumni, stakeholders and invited guests.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the President of the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association, Olawale Babalakin (1971 Set, Grier House, School Number 2273), said: ‘Government College Ibadan has always stood as a symbol of outstanding scholarship, professional competence and remarkable discipline.

Preserving that legacy requires us to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world. As an Association, we are committed to ensuring that every student who passes through these gates has access to the opportunities, tools and learning environment needed to compete globally.

‘We found in ipNX a partner that shares this vision and possesses the proven expertise to help bring it to life. This collaboration is more than an infrastructure project; it is an investment in the future of our alma mater and the generations that will follow.’

Ejovi Aror, Group Managing Director of ipNX Nigeria Limited, described the project as a long-term investment in Nigeria’s future.

‘Digital infrastructure is no longer optional for education; it is foundational. Our partnership with GCIOBA reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that students have access to the connectivity and technology they need to learn, innovate and succeed in an increasingly digital world. This project goes beyond providing internet access; it creates an enabling environment for innovation, collaboration and improved learning outcomes.’

The event also provided an opportunity to especially celebrate two distinguished sons of Government College Ibadan whose contributions continue to shape Nigeria’s technology and educational landscape.

The GCIOBA Lagos Chapter conferred Posthumous Merit Awards on Late Burian Carew (1955 Set, Swanston House, School Number 907), founder of Telnet Nigeria and a pioneer of Nigeria’s ICT industry, and Late Blackie Aror (1946 Set, Field House, School Number 491), father of Ejovi Aror, Group Managing Director, ipNX, in recognition of their enduring legacy, exemplary leadership and outstanding contributions to the growth of technology and academic development in Nigeria.

Receiving the awards on behalf of the families, Ejovi Aror expressed appreciation to the Association for honouring the legacies of the two alumni.

‘These awards are a powerful reminder that true success is measured not only by personal achievement but by the lives we touch and the legacy we leave behind. Beyond the personal relations I shared with my father, and Dr. Burian Carew, who really was my first mentor at work, the two of them were exceptional men who demonstrated that excellence, integrity and service can shape industries, institutions, and generations.’

This initiative by GCIOBA reflects the alumni association’s unwavering commitment to preserving the legacy of Government College Ibadan and restoring the school back to the highest standards of educational excellence.

Through this partnership with ipNX, GCIOBA is creating a modern learning environment that honours the school’s distinguished heritage while equipping today’s students and teachers with the digital infrastructure, resources and opportunities they need to excel in an increasingly connected world.

Niger miners’ death: Parents demand justice, compensation

Parents of artisanal miners who died in custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger, have demanded justice and compensation for the bereaved families.

They said the compensation would serve as deterrent against abuse of power and ensure accountability among law enforcement personnel.

One of the parents, Mr Musa Aliyu, 50, who had been ill for the past one year, lost two of his children, Ibrahim, 17, and Abubakar, 12, in the incident.

Aliyu said his late sons were his major source of support, particularly in purchasing his medications.

He said the children left home peacefully on Wednesday for the mining site at Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi Housing Estate but did not return home that evening.

‘My wife was later informed that some miners had been arrested, so she went to the Civil Defence office near the PDP Secretariat.

‘When she got there, she met a crowd of relatives who had also gone in search of their children.

‘She was informed that our children were dead, and we were asked to go to the General Hospital to identify and claim their bodies.

‘These children helped me sustain my medication. They contributed money to buy drugs for me.

‘I leave whoever is responsible for the death of my children to Allah. I believe they were killed,’ he said, struggling to control his tears.

Another parent, Mr Lawal Mohammad, said he lost his 15-year-old son, Suleiman, in the incident.

Mohammad said he attempted to take food to his son on the day of the arrest but was denied access to him by NSCDC personnel.

‘We went to the Civil Defence office on Wednesday night and were asked to return the following day.

‘We went back on Thursday morning to give him food, but we were told that he was dead.

‘I was at the Civil Defence office when the bodies were brought out and loaded into ambulances.

‘I am in pain, and I cannot forgive this. Those responsible should be made to pay compensation so as to serve as a lesson to others who abuse power.’

Mohammad, who also struggled to control his tears, said his son took to artisanal mining so as to earn a living and help the family.

He appealed to relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and ensure that anyone found responsible was held accountable.

Police rescue nine kidnap victims, record five deaths in nationwide crackdown

The Nigeria Police Force has rescued nine kidnapped victims and recorded five deaths in a series of operations across several states, as security operatives intensified efforts to combat kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other violent crimes.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this on Satursday, in an operational update covering incidents recorded in Benue, Kwara, Sokoto, Enugu, Ekiti, Bauchi, Kaduna, Cross River and Nasarawa states between September 17 and 18, 2026.

Iniedu said the largest rescue operation occurred in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, where police operatives rescued eight people abducted during an attack on a commercial bus.

According to him, the victims were rescued after intensive search and rescue operations in Omla Forest, Ankpechi Ogobia Community.

He said the rescued victims were evacuated for medical treatment, but one of them, identified as 34-year-old Uche Okike, later died from gunshot wounds sustained during the initial attack.

Iniedu said the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi had commenced investigation into the incident.

In Kwara State, Iniedu said police, working with military and vigilante personnel, rescued another kidnapped victim during a joint bush-combing operation in Idofin Aiyekale, Okero Local Government Area.

He said the operation followed an armed attack during a search for two persons who had entered the bush, leaving one person fatally injured while two others escaped unhurt.

The rescued victim, according to Iniedu, had escaped from his abductors before being found by the joint security team and subsequently reunited with his family.

In Sokoto State, Iniedu said two persons were fatally injured while two others sustained gunshot wounds when armed bandits attacked Bagayawa Village in Wamakko Local Government Area during Maulud celebrations.

He said the attackers, who were armed with sophisticated weapons, fired sporadically before rustling an unspecified number of domestic animals.

Iniedu said police tactical teams, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Vigilante Corps and Army personnel were mobilised to the area, with joint confidence-building patrols continuing to track down the perpetrators.

In Bauchi State, Iniedu said police arrested 22-year-old Audu Babangida following a farm-related altercation at Kafin Sarkin Yaki, Kirfi Local Government Area.

He said Haruna Bala, 25, sustained a fatal knife injury during the confrontation, while the knife allegedly used in the attack was recovered.

The Police spokesman also announced a series of arrests and weapons recoveries in other states.

In Enugu, Iniedu said operatives stormed the hideout of a wanted armed robbery suspect, Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka, 38, and arrested him.

A cut-to-size pump-action gun and one round of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect, he said.

In Ekiti State, Iniedu said Rapid Response Squad operatives arrested Fasipe Ilesanmi Ezekiel, 25, after receiving information about suspected cultists allegedly armed with axes and other dangerous weapons and reportedly causing a disturbance in Ado-Ekiti.

He said one person sustained a deep cut injury in an alleged attempted murder, while two others were reportedly held hostage before police arrived.

In another operation in the state, Iniedu said police arrested Samson Jika, 30, following a report of threats to life arising from a debt-related dispute at Olumilua Camp, Ikere-Ekiti.

A locally made pistol was recovered from him, he said.

In Kaduna State, Iniedu said police arrested Usman Dankawu Lauwali, 25, in connection with an armed robbery at Rijana, Kachia Local Government Area.

He said the suspect reportedly confessed to participating in the robbery, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects and recover the stolen property.

In Cross River State, Iniedu said police tracked and arrested Ushie Joseph at his hideout following an alleged armed robbery at Effraya Village, Etung Local Government Area.

He said efforts were ongoing to recover a locally fabricated pistol allegedly used in the attack and the stolen money.

Meanwhile, in Nasarawa State, Iniedu said police detectives recovered a 2017 Toyota Corolla reportedly stolen during an armed robbery in Abuja.

He said the vehicle was tracked to New Nyanya, while investigators were using CCTV footage and other investigative leads to identify and arrest fleeing suspects.

Iniedu said the series of operations demonstrated the Force’s continued efforts to disrupt criminal activities through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with the military, vigilantes and other security stakeholders.

He said investigations remained ongoing in the affected states, with operatives pursuing fleeing suspects, recovering weapons and stolen property, and working to establish the circumstances surrounding the various incidents.

Overall, Iniedu said the operations resulted in nine kidnapped victims being rescued, while five people were reported dead in separate incidents involving the attacks and criminal activities recorded across the affected states.

UAAP: UP pulls away from Ateneo in second half for 2-0 start

University of the Philippines clamped down defensively in the second half to pull away from Ateneo, 94-75, and remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Fighting Maroons improved to 2-0 after following up their opening-day victory over University of Santo Tomas with another win, this time against their Katipunan rivals.

But UP had to work for it.

The Maroons held just a 57-56 lead at halftime before tightening their defense, particularly against Kieffer Alas, and taking control after the break.

‘We immediately talked about our lapses on the defensive end after the first half,’ UP coach Goldwin Monteverde said. ‘We talked about what we needed to do against certain players from Ateneo and, for me, I saw how the team took the challenge and how they accepted it.’

UP responded by holding the Blue Eagles to just 10 points in the third quarter.

The Maroons also contained Alas after he scored 10 points in the first half. He finished with 13.

UP continued to pull away in the fourth quarter, with Veejay Pre’s basket at the 4:39 mark giving the Maroons a 77-61 advantage.

Pre nearly had a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Payosing led UP with 17 points.

FG intensifies efforts to strengthen coordination at SEZs, boost production

The Federal government has intensified stakeholders engagement in a bid to strengthen coordination of activities at the Nigeria Special Economic Zones (SEZs), improving the country’s production capacity.

Speaking at the SEZs stakeholders meeting, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investors, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said, ‘Following the assumption of office in November 2024, we identified the ongoing tax reform process as a critical policy development with significant implications for Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ) ecosystem.

‘A key policy concern was the increasing diversion of goods produced within Free Zones into the Nigerian customs territory whilst continuing to enjoy fiscal incentives designed primarily for export-oriented activities.

This development has created an uneven competitive environment for manufacturers operating within the Customs Territory who remained subject to the full domestic tax regime.

‘When I stood before many of you at the Third Special Economic Zones Annual Meeting in February of 2025 (Q1 last year), I made a commitment: that this Ministry would work to align fiscal, monetary and trade policy so that our zones remain globally competitive.

‘I am so stated the policy direction of the Tinubu Administration with regard to free zones. This stakeholder engagement forms a part of that delivery process, which has been ongoing since then.’

She explained that ‘after the February 2025 engagement and recognising the need to preserve Nigeria’s competitiveness as an investment destination while strengthening fiscal accountability, the Ministry commenced extensive engagements with the legislative and executive arms of government and private sector stakeholders throughout the development of the tax reform process to ensure that the impact of the tax legislations on the special economic zones scheme are aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on the diversification of the economy through the increase of non-oil exports.

‘Earlier this year in February 2026, I convened the Directors of FMITI’s Legal Services and Commodities and Export Departments, the Managing Directors of both Authorities, and their teams, and inaugurated the Special Economic Zones Legislative and Regulatory Reform Committee.

‘These Regulations – 1) Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority Regulations and Operational Guidelines for Free Zones in Nigeria, 2025; 2) Nigeria Export Processing Zones (Domestic Sales, Fiscal Alignment and Customs Treatment) Regulations, 2026; and 3) Oil and Gas Export Free Zones (Domestic Sales, Fiscal Alignment and Customs Treatment) Regulations, 2026 are the product of a whole-of-Ministry process, and they are being implemented through a whole-of-government approach’.

The Minister noted to charged stakeholders that ‘we must collectively stand against diversion of goods, mispricing related-party transactions, understating domestic sales, or dressing customs territory business in zone clothing.

‘These unsavory practices are not victimless practices, and they are reputation, bringing the entire Scheme at risk-particularly under the new tax regime.

FMITI’s role is to protect your investment and to defend the competitiveness of this the at every forum where it is discussed, however, compliance is a condition precedent. The Ministry can only defend a clean scheme’ she stated.

Boko Haram fighters using AI to build bombs, plan attacks – Study

Boko Haram fighters are using artificial intelligence chatbots developed by major technology companies to build more powerful bombs, plan attacks and solve operational problems during combat, according to research by the University of Cambridge.

Al Jazeera, which reported this on Friday, said the study was based on interviews with 27 former members of the terrorist group’s two factions – the Islamic State West Africa Province and Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihad.

Some of those interviewed said members routinely consulted OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Gemini, Elon Musk’s Grok, Meta AI and China’s DeepSeek for technical and military advice before, during and after attacks.

Material obtained by Al Jazeera also showed supporters of the wider Islamic State group exchanging information on how to bypass AI safety controls and obtain weapons-related guidance.

Researchers from Tech Against Terrorism reportedly infiltrated a pro-ISIL online technical forum where users discussed ways of circumventing restrictions intended to prevent chatbots from providing dangerous information.

The findings come amid growing concern over extremist groups’ adoption of emerging technologies. United Nations officials warned the Security Council in February that ISIL and its affiliates were increasingly using advanced AI.

‘There is nothing we haven’t received an answer on,’ a former ISWAP commander told the Cambridge researchers.

Former fighters described an organised system through which selected members were trained to use AI inside insurgent-controlled areas of northeastern Nigeria.

One former commander said trainers assembled senior members in a room and used a projector to demonstrate how AI platforms worked. They were also allegedly taught how to evade safeguards preventing the systems from answering harmful requests.

According to the study, laptops fitted with privacy and encryption tools were supplied to the fighters, while accounts and paid subscriptions to several AI platforms were created for them.

The former members repeatedly identified the wider ISIL movement as the source of the training.

The research suggested that the use of AI went beyond occasional consultations by individual fighters. Both ISWAP and JAS allegedly established specialist AI units staffed by engineers, weapons experts and bomb-makers.

One former JAS commander described a 23-member unit operating from a solar-powered room. The unit reportedly answered technical questions, analysed information and trained senior commanders.

Former fighters said bomb-makers kept laptops nearby while assembling explosive devices and returned to AI chatbots whenever they encountered problems.

Antonia Juelich, who conducted the Cambridge study, said about 10 of the 27 former fighters interviewed spoke about using AI in connection with explosives. This included efforts to increase the destructive power of bombs and extract explosive material from unexploded military ordnance. Uelich said the greatest danger was not merely that fighters could obtain weapons information already available in manuals and online, but that AI could provide tailored responses to particular problems.

She said fighters could describe the materials available to them, ask follow-up questions and receive guidance adapted to their immediate circumstances.

Former members also claimed that AI was consulted on recovering material from unexploded ordnance and adapting commercially available drones to carry explosives.

The technology was reportedly used at different stages of combat. In one account, images transmitted by a fighter wearing a body camera were uploaded to ChatGPT for analysis before fresh instructions were relayed to those on the battlefield.

When commanders once asked a specialist how to operate newly acquired firearms, his answer illustrated how common the practice had become: ‘Just ask Grok.’

The study also alleged that insurgents consulted AI for advice on overcoming trenches dug around military positions, determining the number of fighters needed for operations and analysing why previous attacks had failed.

Researchers from Tech Against Terrorism said ISIL supporters outside Nigeria were similarly discussing how to ‘jailbreak’ AI systems by making them ignore their safety restrictions.

One forum user reportedly compared the process to removing the speed limiter from a vehicle so that it could travel faster than its manufacturer intended.

‘This is the tip of the iceberg,’ Lucas Webber of Tech Against Terrorism said.

Juelich acknowledged that regulating AI could be difficult because questions about military tactics might have legitimate research or journalistic purposes. She, however, said requests for assistance in making bombs were clearly prohibited and should be stopped by companies’ safeguards.

OpenAI prohibits the use of its systems for terrorism, violence and weapons development. Anthropic and Meta also say they use automated safeguards to identify and block dangerous requests, while xAI prohibits attempts to circumvent its safety mechanisms.

Al Jazeera said it contacted OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI, Meta and DeepSeek for comments on the findings.

The Cambridge interviews largely concerned the insurgents’ use of AI in 2023 and 2024. Juelich said this made the findings more alarming because AI systems had become substantially more capable since then.

‘I worry about where this is heading,’ she said.