Category: News

Abuja, Nigeria – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the composition of its Screening and Screening Appeal Committees ahead of the 2026 Area Council Elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. According to a statement by the party, the inauguration of the Chairmen and Secretaries of both committees will take place as follows: The screening process is a key component of the party’s internal preparations for the upcoming elections across the six area councils in the FCT.

Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for urgent constitutional reform to overhaul Nigeria’s national security architecture, declaring that the establishment of state police is no longer optional but a “national imperative.” Speaking through the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, at a high-level legislative dialogue on constitutional review and national security in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu said Nigeria’s centralised policing system has outlived its usefulness in the face of rising terrorism, cybercrime, banditry, and farmer-herder clashes. “The debate over state police is no longer theoretical. It is grounded in the daily fears and lived anxieties of Nigerians,” Tinubu said. “Our Constitution must evolve or risk becoming a danger to the very unity it was meant to protect.” The president advocated for moving policing from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, enabling states to establish their own forces while retaining federal oversight. He also emphasized the urgency of constitutional clarity on border security, local policing roles, and coordination among security agencies. While highlighting recent gains in security operations—including the dismantling of terrorist camps and reduction in piracy—Tinubu warned that structural limitations still hinder lasting impact. “Without constitutional backing for decentralised policing, these initiatives will remain limited in impact,” he said. House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu echoed the call for reform, pledging the National Assembly’s readiness to enact legislation that aligns with current realities. Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa proposed sweeping amendments, including clearer operational mandates, courts-martial reforms, and new legal tools for combating terrorism. He called for a modern security legal framework that matches evolving threats like cyber warfare and hybrid insurgency. Also speaking, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, underscored the link between security and a responsive constitution, saying Nigeria’s stability depends on institutional reform, decentralisation, and public trust. The dialogue, organised by the House Committee on Constitution Review, is expected to shape critical amendments aimed at securing Nigeria’s future through stronger, decentralised, and accountable security systems.

Makurdi, Nigeria —Amid mounting pressure and public outrage over renewed killings in Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia has announced the deployment of special tactical teams and response squads to vulnerable communities, in what appears to be a decisive move to curb escalating insecurity. In a statement released Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia revealed that federal-backed forces have begun arriving in the state to reinforce local security efforts. “We assure citizens that more tactical teams have started arriving in Benue from the Federal Government, and additional security deployments are being arranged for vulnerable areas,” the statement read. This comes on the heels of a deadly attack on Yelwata community, which left several residents dead and many others displaced. The assailants are suspected to be armed criminal herdsmen. “I acknowledge and share in your pains and grief caused by these attacks,” Alia said, condemning the massacre and pledging justice for the victims. According to the governor, the response includes not just boots on the ground but an all-hands-on-deck approach, involving traditional rulers, security agencies, and grassroots leaders in intelligence gathering and conflict prevention. “Strategic community dialogues are ongoing to enhance active intelligence sharing,” Alia disclosed. He further noted that Benue’s joint operations units are being reinforced, with more firepower and personnel committed to protecting lives and property. In a call for calm, the governor urged religious, political, and traditional leaders to help de-escalate tensions and discourage unlawful gatherings or retaliatory actions that could worsen the crisis. “We must guide our youths away from actions that could spiral out of control,” he cautioned. The state government also encouraged residents to report suspicious activity through official channels and to rely on verified information sources to avoid panic and misinformation. Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Sam Ode has visited Yelwata to commiserate with survivors and reassure them of the government’s commitment to their safety. Governor Alia concluded with a strong promise: “We will not rest on our oars until peace is restored to every corner of Benue State.” As the tactical teams settle in, all eyes are on whether this latest deployment will finally halt the wave of bloodshed that has plagued the state in recent months.