Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday resumed hearing on the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and officials of the party’s primary election committee presenting evidence on the emergence of Dr Olumuyiwa Daramola as the winner.

The case, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, arose from a challenge to the conduct and outcome of the APC primary election, as well as the alleged subsequent substitution of Daramola’s name as the party’s candidate for the constituency.

At the resumed hearing, INEC, through its representative, confirmed that the commission monitored the primary election conducted by the APC and received the result declaring Daramola the winner.

The electoral body also tendered a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the result before the court, providing documentary evidence of the outcome recorded at the primary.

The Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Primary Election Committee for Ondo State, Hon Harry Iboroma, was also called to testify on the conduct of the exercise and the declaration of the result.

Iboroma told the court that, as chairman of the committee responsible for conducting the primary, he announced the result after the votes cast by the aspirants had been collated.

He further swore to an affidavit in which he affirmed that the lawful votes collated at the primary produced Daramola as the winner.

The Collation Officer for the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency primary, Hon Wale Ogunmade, subsequently gave the court a breakdown of the votes recorded by the aspirants.

Ogunmade testified under oath that Daramola polled 6,547 votes to defeat his closest challenger, the incumbent, Hon Jimi Odimayo, who scored 827 votes.

The figures presented before the court showed a substantial margin between Daramola and his closest challenger, with the result forming a major part of the evidence relied upon in determining the dispute over the primary.

In addition to the oral and documentary evidence, video footage showing the announcement of the primary election result was played before the court.

The evidence presented by the electoral commission and the APC officials was consequently placed before the court for consideration alongside the arguments of the parties in the suit.

The proceedings focused on the validity of the primary election result and the events surrounding the recognition of the candidate for the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.

After the parties had presented their arguments and the court had considered the evidence before it, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter for judgment and ruling.

The court fixed October 19, 2026, for the delivery of its judgment and ruling on the case.

Daramola dragged Odimayo to court over the outcome of the primary, challenging the decision of the National Working Committee of the APC confirming Odimayo as the party’s candidate.

Addiction is called a brain disease because repeated use of drugs changes the way the brain works. It is not simply a matter of weak willpower. Research has shown that addictive substances affect the brain’s reward system, especially the dopamine reward pathway, which controls pleasure, motivation, learning, and habit formation.

When someone repeatedly uses drugs, the substances hijack the brain reward system responsible for the experience of pleasure. The patient also begins to lose interest in normal activities such as eating, spending time with family, working, or achieving personal goals. This is why many people find it extremely difficult to stop using drugs without proper treatment.

Addiction can also be genetic or secondary to psychiatric disorders or become physical illness. A person’s environment, emotional well-being, and life experiences also play important roles. Individuals who grow up in environments where drugs are easily available or who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, or low self-esteem have a higher risk of developing substance use disorders.

Because addiction involves changes in the brain, it is a medical condition that can be approached through appropriate psychiatric intervention and other psychosocial care, counseling, medication, and rehabilitation.

What changes occur in the brain that makes addiction so difficult to overcome?

Addiction affects several parts of the brain, not just one area. Repeated drug use changes important brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin, which regulate mood, pleasure, motivation, and behavior. Over time, the brain adapts to these substances and begins to depend on them to function normally.

Genetics also contributes significantly. Some people naturally have a higher risk of becoming addicted because of inherited traits. When these genetic factors combine with repeated drug use and environmental influences, the likelihood of an individual developing addiction increases. This explains why addiction is regarded as a complex brain disorder rather than a personal weakness.

In Nigeria, substances such as tramadol, codeine, cannabis, and methamphetamine are commonly abused. Which of these causes the greatest psychiatric problems?

Every psychoactive substance has the potential to cause serious harm. Rather than focusing on one particular drug, it is important to understand that different substances affect the brain in different ways. Some stimulate the brain, others slow it down, while some distort perception and thinking.

One major concern among psychiatrists is the increasing number of patients who develop psychotic symptoms after using drugs. Sometimes these symptoms appear shortly after drug use, but in many cases, drug use reveals an underlying mental illness that had previously gone unnoticed. As a result, many patients are diagnosed with both a substance use disorder and another psychiatric condition.

Another growing concern is polydrug use. Many young people no longer use a single substance. Instead, they combine drugs such as tramadol, codeine, cannabis, alcohol, and other substances to produce stronger effects. These dangerous mixtures often referred to as ‘cocktails’, greatly increase the risk of severe mental illness, overdose, and other serious health complications.

Is drug abuse limited to certain social or economic groups?

No. Drug abuse affects people from every social class. Treatment centres receive patients from wealthy families, professional homes, religious backgrounds, and low-income communities alike. Addiction does not discriminate based on occupation, education, or financial status.

The internet has also contributed to this growing challenge. Young people now have easier access to information about different drugs, making experimentation more common. Unlike in the past, when many people started with alcohol or tobacco before progressing to stronger substances, some young people now begin directly with cannabis, methamphetamine, or other highly addictive drugs. This changing pattern has made substance abuse more widespread and difficult to control.

Many young people believe cannabis is natural and therefore harmless. What is your opinion on this?

That belief is misleading and can be dangerous. Although cannabis is a plant, being natural does not automatically make it safe. Many naturally occurring substances can be harmful to human health.

Cannabis has been linked to several mental health problems, particularly psychosis. The risk is even greater for individuals who have a family history of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. Research has also shown that long-term cannabis use may lead to structural changes in the brain, including reduced brain volume. These changes can affect motivation, memory, concentration, and decision-making.

In addition to its effects on mental health, cannabis can also harm physical health. Regular smoking increases the risk of chronic respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, while prolonged use has also been associated with reproductive health problems in both men and women. For these reasons, cannabis should never be regarded as harmless simply because it is natural.

What signs should parents look out for if they suspect that their children may be using drugs?

Parents should pay close attention to noticeable changes in their children’s behaviour and daily routines. One of the earliest warning signs is increased secrecy or withdrawal from family activities. A child who suddenly becomes unusually private or avoids communication may require closer attention.

Another important sign is a sudden decline in academic performance or a loss of interest in school and other responsibilities. Parents should also watch for changes in appearance and behaviour, such as wearing sunglasses indoors, using strong perfumes to hide unusual smells, or having unexplained marks on the body that could suggest drug injection.

While these signs do not automatically confirm drug use, they should encourage parents to have open conversations with their children and seek professional help if necessary.

Some young people claim that cannabis or alcohol helps them study better or improves their concentration. Is this claim true?

Some drugs may temporarily make a person feel more alert, relaxed, or focused. However, these effects are short-lived and can be misleading. With continued use, these substances gradually reduce memory, concentration, motivation, and the ability to make sound decisions.

Although users may believe they are performing better, the long-term effects are harmful and often interfere with learning, productivity, and emotional well-being. There is no scientific evidence that regular drug use improves academic performance over time.

When depression, anxiety, and addiction occur together, which usually comes first?

There is no single answer because the relationship works both ways. Some people already have mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety and begin using drugs in an attempt to cope with emotional distress. Others develop anxiety, depression, or other psychiatric problems after prolonged substance use.

Mental health challenges can begin at a very young age, even before someone starts using drugs. This is why every patient should receive a proper mental health assessment to determine the underlying cause and provide the most appropriate treatment.

If addiction is a medical condition, why are many people with substance use disorders arrested instead of receiving treatment?

This reflects a major weakness in the current system. Addiction should be treated as a health condition rather than simply a criminal offence. Unfortunately, many individuals with substance use disorders are punished instead of being offered psychiatric care and rehabilitation.

Where a person has committed a criminal offence, the legal process should continue, but this should be combined with appropriate medical treatment. Addressing both the legal and health aspects of addiction offers a better chance of recovery and reduces the risk of future drug-related problems.

Why do we condemn drug use on one hand, yet drugs are often glorified in music, movies, and social media?

This is largely due to weak enforcement of existing policies. When celebrities and social media influencers portray drug use as fashionable or desirable, they indirectly encourage young people to experiment with drugs. Although regulations exist, they are often not properly enforced. Stronger monitoring and responsible media representation are essential to reduce the normalisation of drug use.

Some people argue that individuals have the right to do whatever they want with their own bodies, including using harmful substances. What is your response?

From both medical and ethical perspectives, protecting life and health remains a priority. Substance use that threatens a person’s well-being should never be viewed simply as a personal choice without consequences. Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to provide treatment and support for individuals struggling with addiction, rather than ignoring the problem.

What is the biggest misconception Nigerians have about drug addiction?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that addiction results from poor character or lack of discipline. Many people rely on rumours, social media, or misinformation instead of seeking advice from qualified healthcare professionals.

The truth is that addiction is a complex medical condition with biological, psychological, and social causes. Effective treatment requires professional assessment, counselling, rehabilitation, family support, and, where necessary, medication.

How common are drug-related psychiatric cases in your clinical practice?

Drug-related mental health problems have become increasingly common. A large proportion of patients seen in psychiatric clinics today have substance use disorders or mental illnesses that are directly or indirectly linked to drug abuse. This highlights the growing burden of substance use on Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Have you encountered any particularly memorable cases of addiction?

Yes. One of the most heartbreaking experiences involved a young person from a well-educated and financially stable family. The case demonstrated that addiction does not discriminate. Regardless of a person’s educational background, occupation, or social status, anyone can become addicted if the risk factors are present. It also showed how difficult recovery can be once addiction becomes severe, reinforcing the importance of early prevention and treatment.

Is addiction common among professionals?

Yes. Addiction affects people across every profession. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, clergy, military personnel, law enforcement officers, and many other professionals have all been treated for substance use disorders. Addiction should therefore be seen as a public health issue that affects society as a whole rather than a problem limited to a particular group.

Some people believe that drug users are arrested while those responsible for supplying drugs often escape punishment. What is your opinion?

Tackling drug abuse requires addressing both the demand for drugs and their supply. As long as illegal drugs remain easily accessible, substance abuse will continue to increase. Effective enforcement should therefore target both drug traffickers and users, while ensuring that individuals living with addiction receive appropriate medical care.

The Osun State House of Assembly has passed the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) Establishment Amendment Bill 2026 into law, with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, saying the legislation would strengthen the institution and promote greater public interest in its development.

The bill was passed during plenary on Thursday following a motion moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Adekunle Emmanuel, and seconded by Hon. Sanmi Areoye, representing the Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West State Constituencies, respectively.

Egbedun, while speaking on the passage of the bill, said the amendment would provide a stronger legal framework for the effective administration and development of the state-owned university.

He said the legislation would also create room for experienced personnel within the university system to contribute their expertise towards improving the institution.

According to the Speaker, the amendment would encourage more people to bring their experience and knowledge to bear on the growth of the university.

‘The bill will inspire others to contribute to the development of the institution,’ he said.

Egbedun added that the amendment would bring a series of benefits to UNIOSUN and further enhance its capacity to meet the educational needs of the state.

Before its final passage, the Assembly dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to undertake further consideration of the bill.

During the consideration, members made corrections and amendments, which were incorporated into the final version of the legislation.

The Speaker explained that the remaining administrative processes would be concluded before the final copy of the bill is produced.

He said the legislation would subsequently be forwarded to Governor Ademola Adeleke for his assent, in line with the legislative process.

The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Ebonyi State has stepped down for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The State Chairman of the NNPP, Chief Ifeanyi Ojeogu, announced the adoption in Abakaliki when he led party leaders and members to the PDP secretariat to declare their support for Odii.

Ojeogu said the party took the decision because of Odii’s pedigree and the impact he made across the state during the 2023 elections.

The NNPP chairman explained that while the party has its own structure in the state, it had resolved to queue behind Odii to rescue Ebonyi from the APC-led administration.

‘We are not collapsing into PDP. When you see something good in your neighbour’s home and you need that thing, you go close to that person either to beg him or to support him to get it,’ Ojeogu said.

‘This is exactly what we have done by endorsing Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, the PDP governorship candidate. As far as the 2027 governorship election is concerned, we the NNPP have resolved and adopted Ifeanyi Odii.’

He added that Odii demonstrated capacity in 2023 and remains the best option to ‘recover Ebonyi State’ in 2027.

Responding on behalf of Odii, Chief Mark Onu, Youth President of the Odii Support Group, assured NNPP members of equal treatment in the PDP.

He urged them not to be deterred by alleged threats against the opposition by the APC-led administration in the state.

‘There is nothing you can do on earth to silence a courageous man because for you to be courageous, you must be determined,’ Onu said.

‘We are determined to recover Ebonyi State. We are determined to work hard to make sure that Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii becomes the governor of Ebonyi State in 2027.’

He said the PDP would do everything lawful to protect its members and supporters, stressing that the party remains committed to providing credible alternatives for the people.

Political observers described the NNPP endorsement as a major boost for the PDP ahead of 2027, noting that opposition parties in the state are beginning to close ranks against the ruling APC.

A coalition of labour leaders in Ondo State has thrown its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, promising to mobilise workers and other voters across the state’s 18 local government areas for the president.

The group, under the aegis of Labour for Good Governance, said its decision was based on what it described as the Tinubu administration’s achievements in workers’ welfare, infrastructure, economic reforms and security.

The endorsement was made in Akure during a programme organised by the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG), where veteran labour leaders declared that the President deserved a second term to consolidate his policies and reforms.

The President of Labour for Good Governance in Ondo State and former Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Solomon Adelegan, described the Tinubu administration as the most worker-friendly government in recent history.

Adelegan, also a former president of the Amalgamated Union, said the administration had introduced reforms that were positively affecting workers and Nigerians generally.

He singled out reforms in passport administration under the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, saying the process had become faster and more efficient.

‘Within a week or two weeks, your passport will be ready, unlike in the past, which would take months or years. The President and his cabinet have been able to bring it down to the lowest minimum,’ he said.

The labour leader also commended the Federal Government for its ongoing road and infrastructure projects, saying the scale of development under Tinubu was unprecedented.

‘When we also look at the ongoing infrastructure and road construction, no government in Nigeria has done well as President Tinubu,’ Adelegan said.

Also speaking, former NLC Chairman in Ondo State, Comrade Bosede Daramola, said the administration’s economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy, had created more resources for state governments to meet their obligations.

According to her, the subsidy regime benefited only a few people, while its removal had increased the resources available to governments for payment of salaries and other commitments.

‘State governors have enough to pay salaries. Any state governor that is unable to pay salaries now should be held responsible by the labour in that state because they have enough money to pay their gratuities,’ she said.

Daramola also praised the administration’s approach to security and infrastructure development, saying the achievements recorded so far justified the labour group’s decision to support Tinubu’s re-election.

The Director-General of AMG, Olumuyiwa Asagunla, said the endorsement was not imposed on the labour leaders, insisting that they came voluntarily after assessing the performance of the Tinubu administration.

‘These people have been coming willingly. That’s just the joy of it because they have seen the good work of Asiwaju himself and then they appreciate what he’s doing at the federal level,’ Asagunla said.

He disclosed that Tunji-Ojo had been sponsoring a series of endorsement programmes involving different groups in the state, including persons living with disabilities.

Asagunla said the group was also embarking on voter education and mobilisation, noting that although Ondo had about two million registered voters, only between 400,000 and 500,000 usually turned out during elections.

He said the group would continue to sensitise residents on the importance of voting and holding elected officials accountable.

‘We’ve been going out to tell people that it’s their right to elect anybody or to get anybody that is not performing well out of office. It’s their right to re-elect or elect somebody that is doing well,’ he said.

At the event, Tinubu was presented with an award of exemplary leadership, while a similar honour was presented to Tunji-Ojo in recognition of his contributions to grassroots mobilisation in the state.

The labour leaders thereafter pledged to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State.

The Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Professor Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, has called for urgent, coordinated and evidence-based action to protect Nigeria’s forests, warning that the country cannot afford to lose the forest resources that sustain its future.

Professor Akindele made the call while delivering a keynote address on the state of Nigeria’s forests at the International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS) 2026, a major global two-week gathering of forestry students under the aegis of the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA). Delegates of IFSS were at Redeemer’s University from Saturday, August 22, to Tuesday, August 25.

In his address, Prof. Akindele stressed that forests should no longer be regarded merely as environmental assets but as critical infrastructure for food, water, climate security, biodiversity and livelihoods.

According to him, Nigeria still possesses a significant forest asset, with the latest Forest Resources Assessment putting the country’s forest area at 17.13 million hectares, representing 18.5 per cent of the national land area as of 2025. However, he expressed concern over the persistent decline in forest cover, describing Nigeria as a country with ‘shrinking, fragmented and unevenly governed forest assets’.

Professor Akindele, a professor of forest biometrics, noted that Nigeria’s forest area declined by 20.6 per cent between 1990 and 2025, describing the continuous downward trend as particularly dangerous. He further disclosed that Global Forest Watch estimated about 240,000 hectares of natural forest loss in Nigeria in 2025 alone, while approximately 1.1 million hectares of forest were lost between 2021 and 2025.

He identified permanent agriculture as the dominant driver of deforestation in the country, noting that forest conservation cannot succeed through forest policy alone. Rather, he said, forestry must be connected with agriculture, energy, infrastructure, mining, land tenure and local livelihoods.

‘Forest outcomes are shaped by agriculture, energy, infrastructure, mining, land tenure, and local livelihoods. So as foresters, if we are to succeed, we must be willing and ready to talk with others, other stakeholders, other land users so that we can all come to terms,’ he stated.

Addressing young forestry professionals, Professor Akindele urged them to take ownership of Nigeria’s forest future rather than inherit the country’s existing forest crisis.

‘Do not inherit the forest crisis, and this is a special appeal to you as young foresters. Rather, inherit the responsibility to solve it,’ he said.

He urged them to make three commitments: ‘Measure what is happening, defend what cannot be replaced, and restore what can be renewed. And make sure that restoration pays.’

Professor Akindele concluded by emphasising the interconnectedness of science, society, markets and environmental stewardship in securing Nigeria’s forests for generations to come.

‘Nigeria’s forest future will be built by people who can connect science, society, markets and stewardship. Let us prepare the present so that Nigeria’s forest can sustain the future. A forest future is a human choice,’ he declared.

Professor Akindele also highlighted governance as a critical dimension of Nigeria’s forest challenge. He emphasised that merely designating land as a forest reserve does not guarantee its protection, noting that effective conservation requires adequate staffing, financing, community legitimacy, ecological monitoring, enforcement and credible benefits for local communities.

He cited community participation in Cross River State as an example of how local communities could become active partners in forest protection. According to him, a model that enabled communities to benefit from government revenue generated from legally harvested timber encouraged residents to take responsibility for safeguarding the forests against illegal activities.

The Vice-Chancellor further stressed the importance of technology in improving forest management and monitoring. He noted that advances in drones, satellite imagery, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mobile applications were making forest measurement more accessible and efficient, particularly in developing countries where conventional forestry equipment can be prohibitively expensive.

However, he cautioned that data collection alone would not solve Nigeria’s forest crisis.

‘Measurement is only valuable when it leads to change in behaviour. When it leads to change in decisions. It’s not enough to just have all these statistics and display the data and say, we have this, we have this,’ he said, stressing the need for forest data to influence policy and practical decision-making.

Professor Akindele also advocated a more strategic approach to forest restoration, warning that planting trees should not be equated with restoring forests. He called for restoration programmes to consider watershed, soil, climate, biodiversity and livelihood objectives, with emphasis on planting appropriate native species and establishing effective governance structures.

He further urged stakeholders to recognise the security dimension of forest management, noting that some forest areas have increasingly become hideouts for criminal elements. He emphasised the importance of local knowledge when planning forestry interventions, particularly in areas where security conditions could compromise field operations.

Looking ahead, Professor Akindele outlined eight priority areas for Nigeria’s forest agenda, including protecting the country’s remaining intact forests, making land-use planning effective, institutionalising forest monitoring, professionalising enforcement, securing community participation, shifting restoration towards measurable outcomes, modernising the forest economy and investing in the next generation.

He equally called for a transformation in the training and career outlook of young forestry graduates, saying the sector needs professionals who can combine traditional forestry knowledge with data science, remote sensing, GIS, artificial intelligence, economics, climate science, restoration ecology, governance, community enterprise and communication.

The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has engaged traditional rulers across the state’s emirates to intensify community sensitisation and promote acceptance of vaccines against diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

However,following concerns over the outbreak and its possible spread to other communities, the Federal Ministry of Health deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines and a special task force to coordinate rapid surveillance and response activities in Kano and Katsina states.

The move followed a recent diphtheria outbreak in communities in Rano Local Government Area and concerns over reported casualties linked to the disease.

The Director-General of KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, made the call during a meeting with district heads under the Kano Emirate Council.

Adamu-Abbas highlighted the importance of vaccination and urged traditional leaders to support efforts to halt the spread of diphtheria through increased vaccine uptake and prompt reporting of suspected cases.

He said many of the diphtheria cases recorded in the state involved children who had not received routine immunisation, sought treatment from patent medicine vendors or traditional healers, or were taken late to health facilities.

The KNCDC boss appealed to traditional leaders to mobilise their communities to embrace vaccination and encourage residents to seek immediate medical attention whenever symptoms of illness are noticed.

He also urged the traditional institution to caution traditional medicine practitioners and barbers against treating suspected diphtheria cases, stressing that affected persons should be referred immediately to health facilities.

Responding, the Dankadai of Kano, Dr Bashir Dankadai, assured the KNCDC of the traditional institution’s commitment to supporting the campaign against diphtheria.

Dankadai said district heads, known as Hakimai, would engage village heads (Dagatai), who would in turn mobilise ward heads (Masu Unguwanni) to sensitise residents on vaccination and early presentation at health facilities.

He added that traditional healers, particularly barbers (Wanzamai), would be warned against interfering with diphtheria treatment or carrying out traditional surgical interventions on suspected patients.

The Dankadai reaffirmed the readiness of traditional leaders to work closely with the KNCDC to curb the spread of the disease across Kano State.

The KNCDC had earlier called for the urgent supply of nine million doses of vaccines to strengthen efforts to contain the infectious disease.

Following concerns over the outbreak and its possible spread to other communities, the Federal Ministry of Health deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines and a special task force to coordinate rapid surveillance and response activities in Kano and Katsina States.

THE current national discourse on establishing a dual policing system in Nigeria marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s efforts to confront decades of security challenges. Legislative progress toward constitutional change reflects a broad recognition that the over-centralised Nigeria Police Force has struggled to address the essentially local nature of contemporary threats, including banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, and communal violence. Yet decentralisation alone will prove inadequate unless accompanied by a decisive shift from ‘policing the community’ to genuine policing through the community, and unless traditional institutions are deliberately integrated into the emerging framework. Scholarly analysis has long distinguished reactive, externally imposed policing from collaborative models that prioritise inclusion, shared intelligence, and mutual accountability. International experience supplies instructive precedents.

Japan’s koban system embeds small teams of officers in neighbourhood police boxes, where regular foot patrols, household visits, and continuous dialogue foster cultural familiarity and reciprocal trust. This sustained local presence has underpinned Japan’s low crime rates and has been adapted, with measurable gains, in Singapore and parts of Latin America. In the United Kingdom, for example, neighbourhood policing teams, rooted in Peelian principles of consent, combine visible local officers with problem-solving partnerships. Evaluations consistently record reductions in perceived disorder, enhanced legitimacy, and improved public confidence when teams are properly resourced and focused on community-identified priorities. Comparable results appear in Canadian and Dutch arrangements that emphasise decentralised accountability and multi-agency collaboration. These successful frameworks share structural features that Nigeria can productively adapt: prolonged local deployment rather than frequent rotation, formal mechanisms for citizen participation, linguistic and cultural competence, and institutional safeguards against politicisation.

Within the Nigerian context, an additional indigenous resource should be seriously considered. Traditional rulers and their institutions retain considerable moral authority and intimate knowledge of their domains. Earlier research on electoral violence demonstrated that contemporary security measures and media advocacy have frequently failed precisely because they lack the mentoring capacity and social legitimacy that traditional institutions uniquely possess. The same logic applies to broader security governance. A reconstituted state-police architecture should therefore incorporate traditional rulers as integral partners rather than peripheral advisors. They can perform a mentoring function, sensitising subjects to the costs of violence and cultivating norms of peaceful conduct, while contributing to an ‘indirect homeland security system’ that channels grassroots intelligence through established community channels. Their moral authority further enables them to withhold recognition and honours from perpetrators and sponsors of insecurity and other forms of violence in their domains and to call such actors publicly to order. Community Policing Forums at local-government level should therefore formally include traditional leaders alongside women’s groups, youth organisations, and religious figures, with a view to institutionalising the partnership that successful models elsewhere have found workable and indispensable.

Nigeria’s proposed dual policing system is not merely pragmatic; it is consistent with the logic of federalism. Federalism requires that powers and responsibilities be distributed among federating entities according to the scale at which problems arise and solutions can most effectively be delivered. Security challenges in Nigeria are predominantly local in origin and manifestation. Assigning primary responsibility for ordinary policing to the states, while embedding community and traditional institutions within that structure, aligns functional authority with territorial and cultural proximity. It completes the federal bargain by ensuring that the sphere closest to the citizen, both governmental and traditional, is empowered to protect life and property, subject to national standards and coordination on matters that genuinely transcend state boundaries.

In conclusion, the creation of a dual policing system in Nigeria offers a historic opportunity to correct the structural disconnection that has long undermined the country’s security architecture. This opportunity requires more than just constitutional devolution. It demands the embedding of community-oriented principles drawn from proven international practice and the deliberate harnessing of traditional institutions’ residual legitimacy and local knowledge. Only through such a synthesis can the security architecture being proposed acquire the link of trust, effectiveness, and sustainability.

Dr Braimah is Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Thursday presented cheques totalling ?2,317,177,094.00 to 2,971 beneficiaries and next-of-kin of deceased police officers under the Group Life Assurance, Group Personal Accident and IGP Family Welfare Schemes.

The beneficiaries comprise families of police personnel who died in service and were covered under the 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 insurance policy years.

The payments also included outstanding balances recovered from insurance companies following earlier partial settlements.

Speaking at the solemn presentation ceremony held at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, the IGP described the exercise as more than the disbursement of financial benefits, noting that it represented the institutional responsibility owed to families of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Nigeria.

He stressed that while no financial benefit could replace a lost loved one, the payments provided practical support and reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to their families.

The IGP noted that police personnel continue to operate in a highly challenging security environment, with officers making significant sacrifices in the line of duty across the country.

He assured the families of fallen officers that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to recognising their sacrifices and exploring legitimate avenues of support for their welfare and that of their dependants.

While reaffirming welfare as a cardinal priority of his administration, IGP Disu stated that the Force would continue to pursue initiatives aimed at improving personnel welfare, working conditions, healthcare, accommodation and other legitimate benefits due to serving personnel and their families.

He further directed the Force Insurance Unit to intensify sensitisation across commands and formations to ensure that officers and their families were adequately informed about their insurance benefits and the processes for accessing them.

The IGP also commended the Force’s insurance partners for their cooperation and urged them to ensure prompt settlement of legitimate claims, noting that timely insurance payments could serve as a vital lifeline to families that had lost their breadwinners.

In her remarks, the Force Insurance Officer, ACP Lydia Ameh, appreciated the IGP for his support and leadership in prioritising the resolution of outstanding insurance claims and improving access to benefits for police personnel and their families.

She noted that the progress recorded by the Force Insurance Unit in recovering pending entitlements and strengthening claims administration reflected the importance attached to ensuring that eligible beneficiaries received their legitimate benefits.

In addition, she reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to improving the efficiency of the insurance process, intensifying awareness among personnel and safeguarding the interests of police families.

Justice Friday Ogazi of a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos will on September 9, 2026 deliver ruling on the bail application filed by a Nigerian returnee from Brazil, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu.

It would be recalled that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), had arraigned Ikechukwu for allegedly smuggling 6.1 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.

Ikechukwu was dragged before the court on a one-count charge bordering on unlawful importation of narcotics.

Addressing the court, the counsel for the prosecution, Abu Ibrahim, said the defendant was intercepted on June 11, 2026, at Gate 2 of the Arrival Hall, Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.

Ibrahim further informed the judge that the defendant was arrested during inward clearance of passengers aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The NDLEA equally hinted to the court that the 6.1kg of cocaine was concealed by soaking and immersing the illicit substance in towels and other clothing items to evade detection.

Ibrahim insisted that the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

But Ikechukwu pleaded not guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution to ask the court for a trial date and an order remanding the defendant in a correctional facility pending trial.

Meanwhile, the counsel for the defendant, Chief Benson Ndakara, informed Justice Ogazi that he had filed a bail application for his client which had already been served on the prosecution.

But the court could not entertain the bail application due to its tight schedule.

Consequently, Justice Ogazi ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, facility till September 9, 2026, when his bail application will be heard.

The charge reads: ‘That you Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, Male, Adult, Nigerian on or about the 11th June, 2026 at Gate 2 of the Arrival Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopia Airline flight from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Lagos without lawful authority imported 6.1 kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug immersed/soaked in Towels and other clothing and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.’