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By Tom Garba
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‎The entire Kurama Chiefdom in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State has been plunged into uncontrollable mourning as terrorists holding thirteen residents, including an ECWA pastor, have issued a chilling ransom demand of Five Hundred Million Naira (N500,000,000) – a sum the traumatised communities say is impossible to raise.
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‎Two weeks after gunmen stormed the sleepy villages of Gidan Yawa, Maiyamma, Jantsauni, and Maidoki around 10:30 pm, shooting three people dead and abducting thirty others in a night of terror, the bandits have now reduced their captives to thirteen and delivered their outrageous price for freedom.
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‎“We are finished. These are the breadwinners of their families; farmers, fathers, a pastor, and the bandits are asking for half a billion naira. Where will poor villagers find such money?” wept Mr. Pius Agaji Kyauta, National Publicity Secretary of the Federated Kurama Association.
‎ “Our people are helpless. We have no guns, no soldiers, no money. We are at the mercy of these killers.”
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‎The affected villages, quiet farming settlements on the outskirts of Yarkasuwa, were overrun by suspected armed Fulani bandits who moved from house to house, dragging out men, women and children while firing indiscriminately. The thirteen still in captivity are believed to be those considered most “valuable” by the terrorists.
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‎The Kurama people say they have been abandoned to their fate. Traditional rulers sit in silence, palaces turned into mourning grounds. Mothers whose sons were taken wail openly in the streets. The communities have no means to borrow, no collateral to sell, and no hope of meeting even a fraction of the ransom.
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‎This latest atrocity is only the most recent in a long chain of bloodshed visited upon the Kurama nation. In recent years, the District Head of Garun Kurama, the District Head of Gurzan Kurama, a Catholic priest of Yadin Garun Kurama Parish, the wife and son of the Lere LGA APC Chairman Hon. Jonathan Shekarau, and countless farmers have all been kidnapped or murdered. Many remain in captivity or were killed when ransom could not be paid.
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‎“We beg President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and our Governor Senator Uba Sani – please come to our rescue,” Mr. Kyauta pleaded, his voice breaking. “Kurama people, Amo, Surubu, Chawai, even Igbos living among us – everyone is a victim. We are tired of burying our people and paying blood money we do not have.”
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‎As night falls over the scarred villages, mothers clutch empty mats where their children once slept, fathers stare at abandoned farms, and an entire chiefdom waits in helpless dread – knowing the next phone call from the bandits could bring either a reduced demand they still cannot meet, or the unbearable news that more lives have been taken because they are too poor to buy them back.
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‎For now, the Kurama nation can only mourn and pray, utterly powerless against the terror that has made their land a valley of tears.

By John Adogi

The Kaduna State Multi-Stakeholder State Action Plan (SAP) Implementation and Monitoring Committee (SMIMC) has joined the global commemoration of the 2025 International 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, expressing concern over escalating insecurity across Kaduna State and the country.

Committee’s Chairperson, Saadatu Hamma, in a statement on Tuesday, said the Committee is working in partnership with the CLEEN Foundation and the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

She highlighted the growing incidents of kidnapping, terrorism, and banditry, noting that these threats continue to endanger residents and expose women, girls, and vulnerable groups to heightened protection risks.

The SMIMC also referenced the recent classification of Nigeria as a “country of concern” by the United States, describing it as further evidence of the urgent need for strengthened preventive and coordinated responses to insecurity, human rights violations, and gender-based violence.

The Committee stressed that worsening insecurity has deepened the vulnerability of women and girls, exposing them to sexual and gender-based violence, displacement, disrupted education and economic activities, trauma, and exclusion from peacebuilding processes.

It reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the Kaduna State Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (KADSAP), with actions focused on strengthening community early warning systems, supporting coordinated services for survivors of gender-based violence, and enhancing women’s participation in peace and security decision-making.

The SMIMC also called on government authorities to intensify security operations, urged security agencies to adopt gender-sensitive approaches, and appealed to traditional leaders to protect women and girls and speak out against violence.

Civil society, the media, women’s groups, HeforShe ambassadors and youth networks were encouraged to amplify peace messaging and support community-level resilience efforts.

The Committee believed that sustainable peace and development in Kaduna State is not achievable without the inclusion, protection, and leadership of women and girls.

By Saul Atiku

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) has reached a significant milestone in its mission to strengthen Nigeria’s defence sector, unveiling the first batch of its locally manufactured DG-103 rifles.

The upgraded version of the AK-103, produced in Kaduna, marks a critical step in reducing the country’s reliance on imports for weapons and ammunition.

Within just two months of launching production, DICON–D7G has successfully assembled nearly 1,000 units of the DG-103, with all rifles passing rigorous operational tests and meeting the high standards set by the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.

This achievement underscores the company’s growing capacity to meet the country’s security needs with domestically produced equipment.

In addition to small arms, DICON–D7G is expanding its production capabilities to include drones and anti-drone systems, which are set to bolster the military’s early-warning capabilities during field operations.

The company’s CEO, Mr Osman Chennar, revealed that their long-term target is to reach an annual production capacity of 60 million rounds of ammunition, reinforcing Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in defence.

“DICON–D7G’s commitment to advancing the country’s defence industry does not stop with firearms and ammunition.

“In a bold move to further boost local production, we are on track to acquire a military jetty in Lagos by February 2026.

“This facility will house a production line, warehouses, and staff accommodation, in addition to a shipyard for servicing and maintaining naval vessels,” he said.

The acquisition is expected to enhance Nigeria’s defence manufacturing capabilities and open new avenues for exporting defence equipment across Africa.

“These developments reflect DICON–D7G’s role in Nigeria’s broader strategy to reduce foreign dependency and enhance national security.

“By investing in local production, we are not only addressing the country’s immediate defence needs but also laying the foundation for long-term security readiness,” he stressed.

In January 2024, both DICON, a Nigerian-run defence manufacturer based in Kaduna, and D7G a private, indigenous Nigerian defence technology company, formalised a strategic partnership by signing an MoU to establish DICON-D7G Nigeria Limited, a joint venture that combines DICON’s government-backed institutional mandate with D7G’s technical expertise and innovation capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic defence production.

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has dismissed as “false and ridiculous” the claim by ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai that the Kaduna State Government under Governor Uba Sani paid N1 billion to bandits.
In a strongly-worded statement issued and made available to Journalists today , Senator Sani said the allegation attributed to the former governor lacked credibility and amounted to “politically motivated falsehood.”

In the statement personally signed by Senator Shehu Sani accused the former governor of establishing what he described as a “culture of appeasement to terrorists” during his administration. According to him, El-Rufai had previously admitted to engaging in “conditional cash transfers” to bandits, a claim which, he noted, led to the arrest of journalist Luka Biniyat at the time.

The former lawmaker argued that Kaduna State witnessed some of its worst security incidents under El-Rufai’s leadership, citing several high-profile attacks including the Kaduna–Abuja train attack, the Greenfield University abductions, and the kidnapping and killing of students from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Bethel Baptist High School, and other institutions.

“Under his watch, bandits and terrorists operated freely like lords and kings,” Sani said, adding that large portions of Southern and Central Kaduna became “slaughterhouses where criminals operated unchallenged.” He noted that even the Kaduna airport was shut down at some point due to escalating insecurity.

Sani also referenced El-Rufai’s withdrawal of his son from a public school over safety concerns, arguing that such actions contradict the former governor’s present claims on security.

Challenging El-Rufai to present evidence of any alleged payment by the current administration, Sani said: “If he has images or videos showing cash being handed to bandits, he should make them public.”

The former senator further alleged that El-Rufai is driven by “envy” over what he described as Governor Uba Sani’s success in fostering unity between the predominantly Christian Southern Kaduna and the Muslim-majority Northern Kaduna.

He accused the former governor of presiding over an era marked by “religious and ethnic discrimination, division, persecution, torment and terror.”

While acknowledging that Kaduna, like other northern states, continues to grapple with security challenges, Senator Sani argued that Governor Uba Sani has made notable progress in “building bridges across religious divides and dismantling the structures of banditry allegedly inherited from his predecessor.”

“No sensible or responsible person conscious of history will give credence to the stream of lies that have become habitual in the life of a man in his mid-60s,” he added.

The Yari Roundtable for Inter-Religious Harmony has convened a major interfaith summit in Abuja, bringing together leading Christian and Muslim clerics to deliberate on practical, community-driven solutions to the insecurity ravaging Northern Nigeria.

The high-level gathering drew prominent religious figures and dignitaries from all 19 northern states, each committed to charting a new, collaborative course for peace, unity, and stability in the region.

Senator Shehu Sani, who attended and spoke at the opening session, said the worsening security situation in the North—terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and violent crime—made the summit both urgent and essential. He stressed the need for leaders to confront the realities behind the violence and engage people who experience the crisis firsthand.

According to him, the roundtable was deliberately structured to hear from religious leaders and community stakeholders, gather credible insights, and compile a harmonised report that would guide government action at multiple levels.

“We must stop being reactive as leaders,” Sani said. “The step we are taking today is a bottom-up approach to finding solutions. The North cannot develop under the weight of insecurity. We must face the issues honestly and pursue lasting solutions once and for all.”

He urged clerics to use their places of worship as platforms for spreading messages of peace and social harmony. Expressing satisfaction with what he described as the robust and deeply enriching discussions at the summit, Sani noted that the contributions shared by participants reflected genuine community experiences and practical realities.

According to him, the Yari Roundtable for Interreligious Harmony was established to explore collective strategies for achieving peace and countering terrorism, which has deeply destabilised northern communities. Participants agreed that terrorism and banditry pose a common threat to people of all faiths, making collaboration essential.

Sani further emphasised that interfaith cooperation remains critical in promoting tolerance, rebuilding communal trust, and mobilising citizens against violent extremism. He said Christian and Muslim leaders must work hand-in-hand if the North is to reclaim stability.

Religious leaders at the summit praised Senator Abdul Aziz Yari for initiating the maiden interfaith roundtable, describing the move as timely, courageous, and necessary. They highlighted the influential role clerics play in shaping public opinion, reinforcing unity, and discouraging radicalisation.

Participants expressed optimism that the frank and extensive discussions had exposed key drivers of insecurity. They stressed that if the recommendations generated during the summit are fully implemented by federal, state, and local governments, the region could see meaningful progress in the fight against insurgency and banditry.

They also urged political leaders, security agencies, and citizens to support the summit’s resolutions and maintain interfaith engagement as a long-term pathway to peace and development.

Notable religious leaders present included Archbishop James Mafita, Sheikh Salisu Abdullahi Maibarota, Rev. Gideon Mutum, Dr. Umar Zaria, Dr. Sadiq Doka, Bishop Salisu Bala (JP), Bishop Livingston Achili, Bishop Obadiah Gideon Bako, and Sheikh Adam Binani, among many others.

Senator Abdul Aziz Yari, former governor of Zamfara State, founded the Yari Roundtable for Interreligious Harmony to promote peace, unity, and cooperation across the 19 northern states by providing a platform for Christian and Muslim leaders to jointly address threats to regional stability.

ECN DG pushes for cleaner cooling, stronger alliances, and fair energy transition

Nigeria recorded a major highlight at COP30 in Belēm, Brazil, as Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), delivered a key address at the High-Level Buildings and Cooling Pavilion Side Event, drawing global attention to the country’s climate commitments.

Speaking to an audience of international experts and energy leaders, Dr. Mustapha outlined Nigeria’s strategy for transitioning to smarter, energy-efficient cooling systems that align with global sustainability targets. He emphasized that cooling remains critical for health, agriculture, and economic stability in tropical nations like Nigeria.

He joined global partners such as Daikin Industries, UNEP-U4E, and the International Energy Agency to discuss how emerging economies can expand access to cooling without worsening environmental harm. Central to the discussions were Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and the adoption of next-generation cooling technologies.

On the sidelines, Dr. Mustapha held talks with NNPC officials on how federal institutions can support the scale-up of these initiatives across the country.

A strong advocate of Nigeria’s solarization programme, the ECN DG restated the nation’s commitment to deeper collaboration under the Global Cooling Pledge. He reiterated that Nigeria is prepared to harmonize standards and fast-track innovations that reduce emissions while improving quality of life.

Dr. Mustapha also met with Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy and Climate Change. Their engagement focused on ensuring a just energy transition, particularly for developing nations that depend heavily on natural resources. Both sides agreed on the need for responsible resource management that accelerates economic growth without compromising environmental protection.

As COP30 draws to a close, Dr. Mustapha joined other Nigerian dignitaries at the Nigeria Pavilion to mark Nigeria Day. He delivered brief remarks celebrating the country’s growing role in global climate policy.

Present were the Minister for Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh; the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha; and the Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, Hon. Adelegbe Emmanuel Oluwatimehin.

Others in attendance included several distinguished Nigerian representatives, all underscoring the country’s renewed commitment to bold climate action and sustainable development.

Barrister Aminu Hussaini – Examines How Triple Threats of Money, Might, and Chaotic Litigations Sets Nigeria’s Democracy at Risk

As Nigeria moves steadily toward the 2027 general elections, a familiar and troubling pattern is resurfacing: our democracy is being contested long before citizens approach the polling booths. Increasingly, political battles are fought not in town halls, rallies or debates, but in courtrooms, party secretariats, private villas and the shadows of unchecked financial influence.
When democracy goes to court before the voter arrives, the heart of electoral legitimacy is compromised; unless we confront this drift, 2027 risks becoming another election decided by judicial technicalities, power blocs and influence peddlers—not the will of the Nigerian people.
The Courtroom Is Not a Campaign Ground
Certainly, there is no democracy without an independent judiciary; but there is also no healthy democracy when litigation replaces voter persuasion and legal technicalities overshadow voter decisions. In this dispensation, pre-election court cases have mushroomed to unprecedented levels. Instead of focusing on policies, candidates invest in legal teams to disqualify opponents, overturn primaries or secure favorable interpretations of party rules, electoral law and election guidelines.
While the courts play a vital role in resolving disputes, their increasing involvement before and after elections weakens the mandate that should come from the electorate. When judges determine who appears on the ballot and who occupies position more than voters do, democracy becomes distorted.
Money: The Invisible Voter
Financial influence has become one of the most determining factors of Nigerian electoral process and outcomes. The monetization of the political process—from party forms that cost millions, to delegates’ primaries drenched in cash, to open vote-buying on election day—has made public office obviously purchasable.
In the buildup to 2027, there is already evidence of an arms race of money. But democracy should not and cannot be an auction. When the candidate with the deepest pockets surpasses the candidate with the best ideas and pedigree, the entire nation pays the price.
Might and Intimidation: The Dark Edge of Nigerian Politics
Nigeria’s elections are often marred by a subtle but powerful coercive force: the deployment of political thugs, the misuse of security agencies and the intimidation of both voters and electoral officials. If citizens cannot cast their votes freely, without fear of intimidation or manipulation of their votes, then we do not have elections—what we have are simply rituals of staged participation. As 2027 approaches, Nigerians must insist that the ballot paper not the bully or manipulation, remains the instrument of choice. Stakeholders’ manipulative tendencies must be resisted and totally rejected. We must understand and believe that our destiny would not be served on a platter of gold. True freedom is always wrested not given!
Manipulation From Within
Manipulation does not only occur at polling units. It often begins much earlier—through compromised party primaries, doctored delegate lists, parallel congresses and last-minute candidate substitutions. These internal manipulations set the stage for disputed outcomes and post-election chaos.
Regrettably, when the foundations are shaky, the entire democratic structure trembles.
Why the Popular Vote Must Be Supreme in 2027
For Nigeria to move forward, the legitimacy of leaders must come from the people—not from court rulings, kingmakers or financial powerhouses. The 2027 season provide a crucial opportunity to reinforce the principles of free, fair and credible elections which require transparent and technology-backed electoral processes that prioritize voters over power brokers; political finance reforms to curb the corrupting force of money; internal party democracy that is credible, inclusive, and free from manipulation; judicial restraint and speedy processes ensuring courts do not become substitutes for elections as well as security neutrality to guarantee voter safety and trust.
To succeed, we must believe in being strong even when it seems to be impossible. It is said that if you really want to eat, keep climbing; the fruits are on the top of the tree; stretch your hands and keep stretching them; success is on the top. One cannot score a goal when sitting on the bench; to do so, one has to dress up and enter the game. Yes, WE CAN DO IT by securing our PVCs and getting set and determine to change the impossible with it! Democracy thrives when the ballot box speaks louder than any court order or political godfather.
2027: A Defining Moment
Nigeria is at a decisive crossroads.
Citizens are increasingly aware, vocal and determined to reclaim their democratic power. But the system must make space for their voices to matter. If the results of the 2027 elections are to enjoy national and international respect, they must reflect the true will of the Nigerian people—not the interests of a privileged minority.
Our democracy must not go to court before the voter arrives. This cherished democracy must go to the polling booth—where it truly belongs. The power to shape Nigeria’s future lies with its citizens. In 2027, the popular vote must not merely be counted; it MUST be respected, protected and allowed to decide.

This opinion was contributed by Barrister Aminu Hussaini Sagagi, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Justice & Constitutional Matters.

By: David Abigail

CLEEN Foundation has commenced a three-day Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Stakeholder Inception Training and is set to formally inaugurate State Multi-Stakeholder Implementation and Monitoring Committees (SMIMCs) across five project states—Kaduna, Nasarawa, Imo, Plateau, and Benue.

The initiative, implemented in collaboration with state-level partners, seeks to strengthen the domestication and execution of Nigeria’s National Action Plan (NAP) on WPS.

It aims to address persistent gendered impacts of conflict, insecurity, and governance gaps that continue to disproportionately affect women and girls across the country, particularly in the North-Central and South-East regions.

Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Peter Maduoma, who spoke through Programme Manager, Chigozirim Okoro, during the day-one session of the training in Kaduna State, said that despite notable national commitments to the WPS agenda, implementation at the sub-national level has remained weak, fragmented, and poorly coordinated.

“Several states either lack functional State Action Plans or have inactive implementation structures, resulting in minimal progress on key WPS pillars, including participation, protection, prevention, relief, and recovery,” he stated.

The newly inaugurated SMIMCs are expected to serve as inclusive coordination platforms that bring together government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, women mediators, youth groups, and the media.

The committees will be responsible for planning, overseeing, and monitoring WPS interventions in their respective states, ensuring alignment with the national framework while adapting strategies to local contexts.

According to CLEEN Foundation, the committees will also track state-level commitments through the Security Accountability Project (SAP), strengthen collaboration among institutions, and promote gender-sensitive decision-making in peace and security processes.

The ongoing inception workshops are designed to build the technical capacity of committee members on WPS principles, monitoring tools, reporting frameworks, and coordination mechanisms.

“Participants will also develop state-specific implementation roadmaps to guide the operationalization of WPS commitments.

Each state training is expected to host at least 30 participants drawn from the Ministries of Women Affairs, Justice, and Internal Security; State Houses of Assembly gender committees; the Police, DSS, Civil Defence, Correctional Service, and the military; faith-based organizations; traditional institutions; media stakeholders; and members of WPS, He4She ambassadors, and SIC networks.”

The inception workshops were held in Imo, Nasarawa, and Benue States from November 11–13, and are ongoing in Plateau and Kaduna States from November 18–20, 2025.

Across the five states, CLEEN Foundation anticipates strengthened coordination, improved accountability, increased visibility of WPS commitments, and enhanced engagement of women and youth in peace and security decision-making processes.

Christian and Muslim organisations under the umbrella of the Coalition for Peace and Justice have concluded plans to convene a National Mega Peace Summit aimed at promoting unity and strengthening the fight against insecurity across Nigeria.

The interfaith summit, scheduled to hold next week Saturday in Kaduna and Abuja, is expected to attract grassroots religious leaders from across the country, particularly from the northern region.

In a press statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Dr. Othman Musa Idris and Pastor John Simon Jita, the coalition reaffirmed that unity, mutual understanding and collective action remain essential to overcoming the forces threatening the nation’s peace and development.

According to the organisers, the summit will provide a strategic platform for Christian and Muslim leaders to engage in dialogue, exchange perspectives and develop joint approaches to tackling the rising threats of terrorism, banditry and violent extremism.

They noted that faith leaders play a critical role in shaping public attitudes and influencing community responses to security challenges. The gathering, therefore, seeks to harness their influence in mobilising communities toward peacebuilding, conflict resolution and improved security cooperation.

Discussions at the summit will also focus on practical steps to end violence, foster peaceful coexistence and reinforce the shared commitment of both religions to safeguarding lives and restoring stability in affected communities.

At the end of the deliberations, a joint communiqué is expected, outlining agreed positions, recommendations and a coordinated framework to support national security efforts and advance sustainable peace across the country.

The International Peace Advocacy Forum (IPAF) has commended Senator Abdul Aziz Yari for what it describes as his sustained and impactful leadership in promoting peace, unity, and religious tolerance across Northern Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Haruna, the forum praised the former Zamfara State Governor for consistently engaging leaders and members of both Christian and Muslim communities, noting that his bridge-building efforts have helped foster trust and reduce religious tension in several crisis-prone areas.

According to the group, Senator Yari’s ongoing outreach to churches, families displaced by violence, victims of banditry, and survivors of insurgency attacks reflects his deep compassion and steadfast commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians irrespective of religious or ethnic background.

“As a former governor and now a serving senator, Senator Yari has demonstrated courage and empathy in standing with vulnerable communities during moments of heightened insecurity. His efforts to support and protect Christian populations in particular have been commendable and worthy of national recognition,” the statement read.

IPAF noted that Yari’s interventions have, over the years, played a stabilizing role in several affected communities by encouraging dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence—an approach the group described as critical in a region grappling with worsening security challenges.

The forum urged political, religious, and community leaders across Nigeria to emulate Senator Yari’s inclusive and community-centered approach to leadership, saying such a model is essential for strengthening national solidarity and preventing further division.

IPAF also reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with stakeholders at all levels to advance peace-building initiatives and deepen social harmony across the country.