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The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has expressed its commitment to raise the industry standards in line with Nigeria’s trajectory of skills transfer.

The agency’s Director-General, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, stated this during a stakeholders forum, pledging the agency’s readiness, as the national Sector Skills Council, to champion initiatives that professionalize the sector.

The tourism sector is transitioning from informal apprenticeship systems to the more structured National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), which stakeholders say is an evolution which underscores a national shift toward fostering economic growth, empowering youth, and building a skilled workforce for the future.

Fagade welcomed the commitment of stakeholders in the Travel, Tourism, Hospitality and Allied Trades sector to skills development and capacity building initiatives, as he pledged his agency’s readiness, as the national Sector Skills Council, to champion initiatives that professionalize the sector and raise industry standards. Fagade reiterated the critical importance of skills acquisition over reliance on academic paper qualifications, particularly in the travel, tourism, and hospitality value chain.

Equipping young people with employable skills, he noted, is key to diverting them from social vices, strengthening national security, and addressing pressing challenges such as unemployment, poverty, social instability, and insecurity.

A further boost to the skills agenda came with the circular issued by the Head of Service of the Federation last year, which conveyed the approval by the National Council on Establishment for the inclusion of National Skills Qualification (NSQ) Levels in the Scheme of Service across all public service sectors.

This policy recognizes that persons trained in any skill area, with qualifications from Levels 1-6, are employable and can be placed on salary grades corresponding to their certified competencies.

Explaining the framework, the DG highlighted that the NSQF is anchored on National Occupational Standards (NOS), statements of competence and performance required in specific job roles, alongside the necessary underpinning knowledge.

This, he noted, reinforces the vital role of the Sector Skills Council (SSC) and Awarding Bodies (ABs) in workforce development for travel, tourism, hospitality, and allied trades.Established in 2015, the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSON), coordinated by NIHOTOUR, is mandated to engage employers and industry stakeholders to identify skills gaps, develop, validate, and implement NOS nationwide.

The DG disclosed further that 12 key areas have been identified and their NOS developed and approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for the sector. These, he added, include: Airport and Passenger Service Operations, Event Handling Operations Food Preparation, Packaging, and Dispatch, Food and Beverage Production, Food Safety Services, Food and Beverage Service, Front Office Operations, Housekeeping Operations, Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Operations, Tour Operations, Travel Agency Operations, Travel and Tourism Advisory Services.

Nigeria’s political scene in 2025 is a dramatic stage where the intense pre-2027 election maneuvering often overshadows the serious business of governance, creating a spectacle ripe for comical analysis. The opposition is attempting a ‘super-team-up’ that resembles a poorly coordinated Kannywood blockbuster, while the government chases political mirages, all as the populace grapples with a relentless cost-of-living crisis.

The political arena is dominated by alignments and re-alignments for the 2027 presidential elections. Here’s a look at the main actors and their storylines:

‘Super Alliance’ that can’t super-size: The main opposition parties-PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP-are trying to form a coalition to challenge the ruling APC. However, internal divisions make this effort look like trying to build a mansion with crumbling bricks. The alliance is so fractured that only some factions are likely to join forces, creating a ‘political Frankenstein’s monster’ that is far from formidable. The central comedy revolves around the two leading opposition figures, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, who are stuck in a classic ‘who will be the oga at the top’ standoff, making any meaningful union unlikely.

The defection derby: In a classic display of ‘if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,’ lawmakers from the struggling opposition parties are expected to defect to the ruling APC in a rush. The Labour Party is projected to be the biggest loser, potentially going into the 2027 elections with less than half the National Assembly seats it won in 2023. This political migration is a surefire way to further weaken an already disorganized opposition. The Governor Fubara saga: The political crisis in Rivers State surrounding Governor Siminalayi Fubara provides its own dramatic subplot. According to a close personal friend from Rivers, the chances of a second impeachment before the end of 2025 is said to be very high, promising more legal battles and political intrigue that could escalate into localized unrest.

Chasing the elusive 25%: From a strategic standpoint, one of the most amusing plots is the alleged obsession of President Tinubu’s camp with winning 25% of the vote in the South-East. A satirical commentary aptly compares this to ‘expecting a Kannywood actor to win an Oscar because he received an endorsement from his mai-shayi joint pals.’ The piece argues that after the 2023 presidential results, where the APC managed only 4% of the vote in the region, this hustle is like ‘trying to woo someone who has clearly made up their mind to give out his daughter’s hand to someone.’ The author suggests that focusing on tangible governance would be a more fruitful strategy than chasing elite endorsements that don’t translate to votes.

Amidst the political chess game, the nawaos and realities of governance and the economy present their own ironic twists:

The ‘official’ vs ‘unofficial’ health bulletin: One of the biggest open secrets is the state of President Tinubu’s health. It’s common knowledge he is unwell and frequently travels abroad for treatment, but the nature of his illness remains unclear. The comical element is the refusal to formally hand over power to the Vice President during these absences, creating a perpetual state of ‘he’s in charge. but is he really?’

The running mate tango: Tensions are simmering between President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. The 2023 ‘Muslim-Muslim ticket’ was a calculated move to appeal to voters in the North. However, with Tinubu’s popularity waning in the region due to economic policies, there’s talk he might ditch Shettima for a Christian running mate from the North in 2027. This has set the stage for a classic political drama of loyalty and betrayal, increasing tensions at the highest level of government.

The INEC chair musical chairs: President Tinubu is expected to appoint a new Chairman of INEC in November 2025. The expectation is that he will appoint someone loyal from the Southwest, ensuring a friendly umpire for the 2027 elections. The joke is that efforts to amend the Electoral Act are expected to drag on, resulting in only token changes that won’t fundamentally alter how elections are conducted. It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same.

While the politicians play their games, the reality for everyday Nigerians is no laughing matter, though the government’s responses can sometimes seem like a dark comedy.

A parade of crises: The country is grappling with severe security challenges, including bandit attacks in the Northwest, separatist agitations in the Southeast, and the persistent Boko Haram conflict in the Northeast. The security forces have also been accused of human rights abuses, including responding to protests with violence and making arrests under the Cybercrimes Act to crack down on critics and journalists.

The economy and the ‘Jet’ set: The country is facing its worst cost-of-living crisis in 30 years, with high inflation pushing many deeper into poverty. In a move that sparked public outrage, the government’s 2024 spending priorities included the purchase of a new presidential jet, unveiled in August. The image of a government buying a luxury jet while its citizens struggle to eat is a satire goldmine, highlighting a stark disconnect.

But the curtain hasn’t fallen yet.

In the grand Kannywood production that is Nigerian politics, 2025 is the season of the prequel. setting the stage for the 2027 blockbuster. The political manoeuvring, defections, and alliance-building provide endless material for a comical, if somewhat cynical, analysis.

As one commentator wisely noted, the real solution isn’t in chasing elusive endorsements but in ‘governance. If by 2027, Nigerians across all regions can point to tangible improvements in their daily lives. then even the most skeptical voters will reconsider their stance.’ For now, the show goes on, and all the public can do is watch, laugh, and hope for a better script in the next season.

Will the opposition ever unite? Will the chase for the South-East vote prove fruitful? Stay tuned for the next episode of Nigeria’s political melodrama. It’s going to be a blockbuster. or your money.

Israeli forces on Wednesday intercepted a new Gaza-bound aid flotilla, days after thwarting another maritime convoy that had tried to break Israel’s blockade on the war-battered Palestinian territory.

The Global Sumud Flotilla first reported that three of its vessels had been ‘attacked and illegally intercepted by the Israeli military’ in the early morning, 220 kilometres (about 140 miles) off the coast of Gaza.

It later said all nine of the latest flotilla’s vessels had been intercepted, including one, the Conscience, carrying more than 90 journalists, doctors and activists.

Israel has blocked several international aid flotillas in recent months from reaching Gaza, where the United Nations says famine has set in after two years of devastating conflict.

As the war drags on, solidarity with the Palestinians has grown globally, with activists, protesters across the world and increasingly governments condemning Israel for its conduct.

Israel confirmed on Wednesday it had intercepted boats entering waters it says fall under its blockade of Gaza.

‘Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing. The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port,’ its foreign ministry said on social media.

‘The passengers are expected to be deported promptly,’ it added.

The pro-Palestinian activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition said the boats were carrying ‘vital aid worth over $110,000. in medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies that were destined for Gaza’s starving hospitals’.

Turkey’s foreign ministry accused Israel of carrying out an ‘act of piracy’, describing the intervention against the flotilla as ‘an attack on civil activists, including Turkish citizens and members of parliament’.

Israeli authorities detained Belgian rapper Youssef Swatt’s aboard one of the boats, his lawyers said.

Irene Khan, UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion, said Israel was obliged to ‘ensure the rights of all those being arbitrarily detained’.

‘This attack against unarmed civilians on the high seas is yet another violation of international law by Israel,’ she said in a statement.

Last week, Israeli naval forces stopped another flotilla of 45 vessels from the Global Sumud campaign that was carrying politicians and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

The recent arrest of notorious armed robbery kingpin John Samuel in Epe, Lagos State, underscores the crucial role of surveillance in modern policing. CCTV footage showed Samuel shooting at victims before robbing them, proving once again how technology can make the difference between impunity and justice.

This is not an isolated case. On January 14, 2021, CCTV cameras in Lekki captured a thief breaking into a home and carting away valuables, from electronics to a car. Yet, in many parts of the country, crimes go unrecorded, unreported, and unanswered.

Precisely, on September 23, 2025, gunmen riding 50 motorcycles attacked villages in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. They killed a pregnant woman, abducted six others, and operated freely for four hours without resistance. Such incidents highlight the consequences of ungoverned spaces and delayed responses by security forces.

Across the nation, criminals have become emboldened, ambushing security personnel and inflicting heavy losses. According to Daily Trust, at least 50 security operatives were killed in the last two weeks alone. Citizens cannot continue to live at the mercy of these attacks. Protection must extend to every Nigerian life, not just the elite. Globally, CCTV installations and surveillance drones have proven vital in combating terrorism and organized crime. These technologies can deter crime by making offenders think twice when they know they are being watched. Identify suspects through recorded evidence and prevent attacks by enabling pre-emptive surveillance and swift response. A surveillance drone retrieves vital information from criminals hibernating in the forest, mountain, and savannah areas, and further analysis would enable seamless arrest.

The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPV) can fulfil a variety of roles, offering superior safety and blast protection for the occupants against direct and indirect weapons, mines, and improvised explosive devices to protect personnel.

Unfortunately, Nigeria still lags. Only a handful of states-Lagos, Edo, Oyo, and Akwa Ibom-have functional Command and Control centres, and coverage is far from state-wide. Drone deployment remains inadequate, leaving criminals free to exploit unmonitored areas.

In the present digital age, criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in organized crime or cyber threats and rely on false identities to operate undetected. However, identity tracking is one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of the country that can monitor and verify individuals and reduce opportunities for crime.

To be fair, government interventions have strengthened the Nigeria Police Force in recent years. The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) has provided over 200 Buffalo patrol vehicles, protective vests, helmets, and renovated police stations and barracks. Between 2021 and 2025, the NPF also received 328 operational vehicles, thousands of ballistic vests, 50 Sudanese horses, and advanced training for over 10,000 personnel in counter-terrorism, cybercrime, and hostage negotiation.

The Ministry of Police Affairs has added tactical vehicles, vests, and other equipment. These efforts reflect genuine commitment-but they are not enough to match the scale of Nigeria’s security challenges.

A mere trip through roads from Abuja to Sokoto, Lagos, and Calabar manifests the contribution of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund through the buffalo patrol vehicles on our highways in Nigeria. Also, reflecting is renovation of barracks and new pilot smart divisional police stations in Mpape-Abuja, Akaeze-Ebonyi, Ekinrin-Adde-Kogi, renovation of 57 police stations and 14 barracks across the country.

The way forward for a meaningful change, Nigeria must:

Expand CCTV coverage across states and local governments.

Deploy surveillance and attack drones mounted on Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPVs), to enable proactive operations in forests, mountains, and highways without resorting to endless roadblocks.

Equip Divisional Police Stations with advanced gear for preemptive action.

Integrate identity technologies such as the Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database Centre (NPCIDB), WAPIS, and Interpol i24/7 for tracking false identities and cyber threats.

Promote collective security by partnering with the federal, state, and local governments, the private sector, and citizens to install cameras in public places and areas without governance.

As Nigeria pursues the devolution of powers to local governments, especially financial autonomy, it must accompany this with the empowerment of local government chairmen to take responsibility for security in their domains and the improvement of the capacity of Divisional Police Stations to be accountable in the discharge of their responsibilities.

All criminals in the country must be on the run from the continuous onslaught of the well-kitted security personnel backed up with deployable surveillance and attack drones mounted on Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPVs) simultaneously in the states in the country to curb the migration of criminals.

In conclusion, Nigeria has the manpower and the will, but it lacks the surveillance infrastructure to stay ahead of criminals. Investing in CCTV, drones, and modern command centres is no longer optional-it is urgent. The time has come for all tiers of government to work together, patronize local manufacturers of Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles, and empower our police with the tools they need to deliver Renewed Hope Policing.

Bolaji Oladimeji Kazeem is the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Police Affairs

Six varieties of rain-fed wheat under field experiments by the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) have shown strong prospects on the Jos Plateau, raising optimism for large-scale wet-season wheat cultivation in the region.

The development could see more farmers embrace rain-fed wheat farming, a potential game-changer in a region long known mainly for vegetable production.

Plateau State is one of three sites identified as capable of growing wheat throughout the rainy season. The other two are Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State and Obudu in Cross River State.

Dr. Zakari Turaki, Director of the LCRI Station in Jos, explained that the six varieties, which are likely to reach farmers soon, are among the entries already showcased to policymakers. He said the institute has also completed the Farmer Participatory Variety Selection (FPVS) process, which is a key requirement for the release of new varieties. He noted that four of these varieties are disease-resistant and are due for release this year or next. They have demonstrated strong resistance to Fusarium blight, Septoria and Rust, which are common wheat diseases.

According to the breeder, the institute will release one variety each addressing the prevalent diseases in the area, in addition to two other varieties currently on trial that focus on improving nutrition through high iron and zinc content.

‘Iron and zinc are particularly important because zinc is an essential nutrient for health. There’s something we call ‘hidden hunger’ – many people eat enough food but still lack vital minerals and vitamins. These biofortified wheat varieties are rich in zinc, and we plan to release two of them to farmers for cultivation,’ he said.

In a move to support continued research, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, attended the Second National Rain-fed Wheat Farmers’ Field Day held in Kuru, Jos, over the weekend.

The LCRI has been developing several wheat varieties that can adapt to wet-season climates across Nigeria’s three major ecological zones.

Governor Mutfwang announced the allocation of 50 hectares of land to the research institute for further trials and expressed concern over the generally low crop yields per hectare across the country. He called for bold reforms and scientific approaches to boost productivity and food security.

‘We have to come to a point where we decide that enough is enough of all the wastage of opportunities. At this point, we must be deliberate, intentional, and scientific, and ensure we key into global best practices. That is the only way we can help ourselves,’ he said.

Reacting to what he observed on the experimental fields, Senator Abubakar Kyari said the new climate-resilient rain-fed wheat varieties would help increase domestic production, reduce import dependence, and enhance food and nutrition security while guaranteeing better financial returns for Nigerian farmers.

‘Through strategic partnerships with development agencies, private-sector investors, and state governments, we are scaling up rain-fed wheat cultivation from pilot fields like this to hundreds of thousands of hectares nationwide. Farmers will have access to certified seeds, modern mechanization services, and reliable market linkages-making wheat production both profitable and sustainable,’ the minister stated.

He added that the successful cultivation of rain-fed wheat in Kuru is transformative for Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.

‘It means that wheat production is no longer confined to irrigated zones. Farmers in the highlands of Jos, Mambilla and Obudu in Plateau, Taraba, and Cross River states respectively can now grow wheat during the rainy season-naturally, sustainably, and profitably.

‘This innovation opens the door to a future where Nigeria’s wheat demand can be met by our own farmers and grown on our own soil,’ he said.

The Forum of National Women Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria (NWLFPPN) has urged the National Assembly to urgently pass the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, describing it as a historic step toward gender inclusion, equity, and stronger democratic governance.

The reserved seat bill seeks the creation of additional seats exclusively reserved for women in the federal parliament and at the state assemblies.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, the forum’s president, Mrs. Amina Darasimi Bryhm, said the time for promises was over, emphasising the need for immediate legislative action.

‘The time for action is now. We urge the National Assembly to rise to the occasion and pass this Bill without delay. It is not just a women’s issue; it is a national imperative,’ Bryhm said. She further appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate leadership and stand with Nigerian women by assenting to the Bill once passed. ‘This is the moment to make history,’ she said.

The forum criticised the persistent gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political structures, calling on political parties and government institutions to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete legislative steps toward inclusivity.

‘How can you have 50 percent of the population underrepresented? How does it look when only four women sit in a 109-member Senate, or just 16 in the 360-member House of Representatives?’ Bryhm asked.

According to the forum, the Bill represents a crucial constitutional amendment that would not only enhance women’s visibility in governance but also strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, deepen representation, and promote sustainable national development.

The women leaders insisted that Nigerian women possess the capacity, competence, and integrity to lead and must be provided with the platform to do so.

‘Before you ask what women will do with the seats, we must first sit at the table. Women’s presence ensures that issues affecting not only women but also children, youth, and people with disabilities are addressed. We bring accountability to the table,’ they said.

They stressed that the advocacy was not about filling quotas but about ensuring that qualified, credible, and capable women occupy leadership positions.

Addressing questions about past setbacks, including the failed presidential bid of Sarah Jibril, the forum said today’s generation of women is more prepared, coordinated, and supported than ever before.

‘Sarah Jibril broke the chain. Today, we are intentional. We have a structure, we have strategy, and we are not backing down. This time, we will get it right,’ the forum affirmed.

They called on women’s organizations, youth groups, civil society, traditional rulers, faith leaders, and the media to rally behind the Bill.

The forum also appealed for continued support from development partners to provide technical assistance and amplify the advocacy.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the World Bank’s October 2025 report ‘as clear confirmation that the economic policies of the Tinubu-led APC government have ruined the lives and livelihoods of the majority of Nigerians.

The Coalition, therefore, charged the present administration to stop peddling what it called, ‘Creative Statistics’ and start putting the people first by prioritising food security, job creation, and targeted social protection systems that shield the 139 million vulnerable Nigerians that the economic policies have created.

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, said the report exposed the wide gap between the government’s rhetoric of economic progress and the lived reality of Nigerians, noting that while the administration celebrates increased revenue and meeting revenue targets, more citizens are slipping into poverty at a rate never seen before in Nigeria. The party also accused the government of masking its domestic economic failures with creative statistics that paint rosy pictures of economic progress while the people continue to suffer.

ADC said the party has been studying the October 2025 World Bank Report, which states that 139 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line, up from 81 million in 2019.

‘That figure, representing 61% of the population, is clear evidence that the economic policies of the Tinubu-led APC government have actually sent more Nigerians into abject poverty, contrary to the government’s performance propaganda and claims of progress.’

‘The World Bank numbers tell a simple but painful story: under the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s government, more Nigerians have fallen into poverty than at any other time in our history. In 2019, four out of ten Nigerians were poor. Today, it is, at least, six out of ten.’

The party recalled that President Tinubu, in his Independence Day address to the nation, declared triumphantly that ‘the worst is over’ while bandying statistics which have now been proven to be calculated ‘whitewash’ to serve the government’s narrative of progress.

‘However, what is important is the reality that those numbers were meant to hide. Behind President Tinubu’s shiny statistics are the grim realities of historic human suffering: families skipping meals, children dropping out of school, and households selling assets just to buy food and basic drugs to survive.

‘Under the APC, nearly 30 million Nigerians have now joined the ranks of the ultra-poor those who, even if they spend every naira they earn on food, still cannot afford enough calories to survive.’

ADC said while the government celebrates record revenue collection and the illusion of economic stability, the World Bank’s data shows that Nigerians are actually growing poorer by the day.

‘Food inflation has gone through the roof, with the price of a bag of rice multiplying five times in just four years. Poor families now spend roughly 70 percent of their income on food, leaving nothing for rent, school fees, or medicine.’

‘The so-called social safety nets that should protect the vulnerable have also collapsed. Coverage has fallen from 20 percent in 2019 to just 6 percent in 2025. Government support to the poorest citizens is almost non-existent, amounting to a mere 0.14 percent of GDP compared to a global average of 1.5 percent.’

The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned Nigerians against dealing with Barry Donald, who has been dismissed from the agency.

In a statement, the secret police said the dismissed official had been using the agency’s name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The agency cautioned members of the public to avoid any form of dealings with him, adding that anyone who needs clarification or wishes to make an enquiry should contact the DSS directly.

‘The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby alerts members of the public of the activities of one Barry Donald, a dismissed staff. He is reportedly engaging in unscrupulous activities, including using the name of the Service to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.’

‘Members of the public are therefore advised to desist from any dealings with him. For requests, enquiries or complaints the Service can be reached on 09088373515 or via email: dsspr@dss.gov.ng,’ the statement read.

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have been drawn into a challenging group alongside France, Germany, Korea, Philippines, and Colombia in the final qualifying phase for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026.

The draw took place at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland, conducted by German star Marie Guelich and former French captain Endy Miyem.

D’Tigress will compete in one of four qualifying tournaments to be held in France, Turkey, China, and Puerto Rico from March 11 to 17, 2026. A total of 24 nations have been divided into four groups of six teams each, battling for 16 spots at the World Cup Finals in Germany.

In each qualifying tournament, the top three teams will advance to the World Cup, along with one Continental Cup winner. However, in the group containing World Cup hosts Germany, only the top two teams will qualify automatically, joining Germany and a Continental Cup champion.

The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will feature 16 teams and take place from September 4-13, 2026, at two venues in Berlin, Germany.

Nigeria’s D’Tigress, four-time AfroBasket champions, will be looking to secure their third consecutive World Cup appearance and continue their rise on the global stage despite facing some of the world’s strongest basketball nations in the qualifiers.

There are moments in history when governments prove themselves not merely negligent but spectacularly absent. Niger North, tragically, is living through such a moment. For three unbroken days, bandits turned Borgu, New Bussa, Ibeto, Salka, Atabo, and Magama into their playground-kidnapping lawyers, carting away citizens, looting cattle, and leaving entire communities traumatized. A war-like campaign, executed in broad daylight, without a whisper of interruption from those sworn to protect us.

And what did the federal and state governments do? Absolutely nothing. Not a statement. Not a condemnation. Not even the tired and recycled assurance of being ‘on top of the situation.’ For three days, silence reigned supreme-louder than the gunfire that echoed across villages.

Two lawyers of noble standing, Ahmed Mohammed Borgu and Isyaku Muhammad Danjuma, were among the abducted, just few days after a Magistrate and a Prison Warden were shot on the legs by bandits at the outskirts of Kontagora. If the abduction of legal practitioners, custodians of justice, does not stir the conscience of government, one wonders what possibly could. Or is it that the kidnappers have now joined the exclusive club of ‘untouchables’ in our nation’s political economy?

The Niger-North Senatorial Zone is not merely disappointed; it is outraged. Outraged that a government that swore to defend lives can maintain such robotic indifference while its citizens are dragged into captivity. Outraged that banditry has become so normalized that operations lasting more than seventy-two hours attract neither intervention nor alarm. Outraged that Niger North has been turned into a laboratory for insecurity, where citizens provide the specimens and bandits conduct the experiments. One might think this is satire, but it is not-it is Nigeria. In Shiroro, Tegina, Kontagora, Mariga, Magama, Ibeto, and Borgu, bandits now operate with the confidence of tax collectors. They determine who travels, who stays, who pays, and who vanishes. Meanwhile, the Government’s presence in these zones is limited to campaign seasons and ribbon cuttings. Security agencies? They arrive only when the damage is complete, to count the bodies and pose for press briefings.

This is not governance. This is abdication dressed in official uniforms. It is betrayal, broadcast daily, with citizens as the audience and victims alike.

The citizens must therefore raise their voice, not merely in protest but in thunderous condemnation. Government must be told, without equivocation, that this silence is complicity, and this inaction is endorsement. Citizens are not pawns to be abandoned on the chessboard of insecurity. They are human beings whose lives are sacred, whose dignity must not be traded for indifference.

Until the government and security agencies wake up to their primary duty, Niger North will remain under the cruel authority of bandits. And if nothing changes, history will record this moment not as the era of banditry, but as the era when Government became a spectator while its citizens perished.