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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.

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the over $18 billion reportedly spent on the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna over the past two decades without tangible results.

This followed the adoption of a motion moved on Thursday by Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan on the non-functionality of state-owned Refineries, during plenary.

Whingan, in his motion, expressed concern over the persistent non-performance of the refineries despite years of turnaround maintenance projects and repeated government assurances.

He noted that the facilities remained comatose even after extensive funding and several promises of rehabilitation. The lawmaker cited recent comments by industrialist Aliko Dangote and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, both of whom publicly cast doubt on the viability of the refineries, describing the multi-billion-dollar expenditures as wasteful and unproductive.

Whingan recalled that in 2007, under President Obasanjo’s administration, Dangote and other private investors had acquired the refineries before the decision was reversed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who instead opted for state-funded rehabilitation – a move that has since failed to yield results.

He said the recent admission by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bayo Ojulari, that the refineries remain non-functional despite the huge investments, further raises questions about fiscal discipline and transparency in managing national assets.

‘The continued non-functionality of these refineries despite consistent budgetary allocations and rehabilitation contracts represents a gross misuse of public funds and a betrayal of public trust,’ Whingan lamented.

He stressed that with the removal of the petrol subsidy, it had become more crucial for Nigeria to have functional refineries to ensure energy security and cushion the economic impact on citizens.

Adopting the motion, the House resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee drawn from the Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream), Public Accounts, Anti-Corruption, Finance, and Legislative Compliance to probe the funds appropriated and disbursed for the rehabilitation of the refineries between 2010 and 2024.

The committee is to ascertain the current operational status of the refineries, evaluate how the funds were utilised, identify any cases of mismanagement or corruption, and recommend measures to safeguard future public investments.

A retired Director of Finance and Administration with the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Garuba Mohammed Duku, has been jailed for 24 years for corruption and money laundering to the tune of ?318 million.

Duku was convicted and sentenced to 24 years imprisonment by the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, after being found guilty on a six-count charge of corruption and money laundering filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The spokesman of the commission, Demola Bakare, told journalists in Abuja that investigations by the ICPC revealed that between 2012 and 2013, the convict fraudulently diverted ?318,250,000 belonging to AMMC into his personal account, which was domiciled at Fidelity Bank Plc.

Bakare explained that further findings showed that he received multiple payments totaling the said sum, including ?56.25 million, ?71 million, ?53 million, ?54 million, ?46 million, and ?36.3 million. He said the monies were subsequently transferred to Bureau de Change operators and expended for unauthorized purposes.

The ICPC spokesman said, ‘During the trial, ICPC successfully demonstrated that the defendant’s method of fund release and withdrawal was fraudulent and in violation of extant government financial regulations.

‘In the course of the trial, the Commission also refuted Mr. Duku’s claim that the funds were disbursed to his superiors, as no evidence was produced to substantiate the assertion.

‘In his judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the totality of evidence and witness testimonies presented by the Commission proved the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

‘Consequently, the court sentenced Mr. Duku to four years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts, or an option of fine equivalent to five times the amount stated in each count, totaling approximately ?1.6 billion. The sentences are to run concurrently.

‘This conviction underscores ICPC’s unwavering commitment to holding public officers accountable and ensuring that those who betray the public trust through corrupt practices are brought to justice in accordance with the law.’

Enugu Rangers and Kano Pillars both claimed crucial victories yesterday in rescheduled Matchday 5 fixtures of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), boosting their early-season campaigns with impressive home performances.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, Rangers triumphed 2-0 over Abia Warriors in the much-anticipated Oriental Derby. The Flying Antelopes, under coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, started brightly and took the lead in the 15th minute through Chigozie Iwundu, who finished off a well-worked team move. Their dominance paid off again in the 33rd minute when Godwin Obaje doubled the advantage, calmly slotting home to seal the win before halftime.

Despite Abia Warriors’ promising form coming into the fixture – including a 1-0 away win at Kwara United last weekend – they struggled to cope with Rangers’ high pressing and attacking intensity.

The result lifts Rangers up the NPFL standings as they continue to find rhythm after a slow start to the season, while Imama Amapakabo’s Warriors missed the chance to move into second place.

In Kano, Sai Masu Gida edged Kwara United 1-0 in a tense contest at the Sani Abacha Stadium, with veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali proving decisive once again. The 43-year-old club legend scored in the 23rd minute, converting a low cross to hand Pillars their second win of the season.

For Pillars, the result was a much-needed boost after managing just four points from their first five matches. Evans Ogenyi’s side climbed out of the bottom of the table and will hope to build on the momentum ahead of their weekend clash with Shooting Stars.

Kwara United, still goalless away from home this season, remain winless under interim coach Ashifat Suleiman and will need a quick turnaround to avoid slipping further down the standings.