INSECURITY: FARMER GOVERNOR UMARU BAGO EXPRESSES SADNESS OVER TERRORIST ATTACK ON COMMUNITIES IN BORGU LGA.

Niger State Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago expresses sadness over the terrorist attack on communities in the Borgu local government area of the state.

The farmer governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, describes as cruel and nefarious the terrorist attack that led to the death of many people, the kidnapping of several others, and the destruction of livelihoods.

He extends his deepest sympathy to the people of the affected communities, especially the victims and their families.

The victims of the attack at the Kasuwan Daji, Market, Sukumbara Village, are both Muslims and Christians drawn from different communities in Borgu local government area of the state

The farmer governor, who notes that it is disturbing and worrying to start the year with such unfortunate incidents, however enjoined the people to remain resolute in God and that his administration is collaborating with the federal government and security agencies to improve the security of the affected areas.

He said a joint security team is trailing the terrorists with the view to rescuing the kidnapped victims.

The farmer governor prays that God will repose the souls of the departed, rescue the kidnapped victims, and grant healing to the injured as well as restore livelihoods that were destroyed.

Museveni Says Even Uganda Can Harm U.S. in Ground War, Cites Venezuela Crisis to Renew Call for Pan-African Security and Military Unity

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has stated that despite the United States’ overwhelming military dominance across sea, air, and space, it remains vulnerable in ground combat, arguing that even countries like Uganda could inflict damage in a close-range land confrontation. Museveni made the remarks while responding to questions on Pan-Africanism and lessons Africa can draw from Washington’s recent military intervention in Venezuela.

According to Museveni, U.S. military power lies in its ability to operate simultaneously across four domains—sea, air, space, and land—giving it a decisive advantage over many adversaries long before direct engagement. However, he noted that once operations shift to land, that advantage diminishes, exposing even powerful forces to harm.

He further explained that while the United States maintains surveillance and technological superiority even on land, weaker states remain strategically exposed across multiple fronts, highlighting a deep imbalance in global security. Museveni traced Africa’s vulnerability to the failure of post-independence leaders to pursue collective security and genuine Pan-African unity in the 1960s.

Citing the Venezuela crisis as a warning, Museveni concluded that Africa must urgently revive Pan-African cooperation, particularly in defence and security, to avoid remaining fragmented and strategically disadvantaged in an increasingly militarised world.

Tinubu Orders Military, Police, DSS to Hunt Kasuwan Daji Terrorists, Rescue Abducted Women and Children in Niger State

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s security agencies, including the military, police, and the Department of State Services (DSS), to intensify operations to track down and apprehend the terrorists behind the deadly attack on Kasuwan Daji community in Niger State. The directive was issued on Sunday and conveyed in a statement signed on January 4, 2026, by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The President ordered the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the DSS Director-General to urgently locate the attackers and rescue all abducted victims, particularly women and children. The Kasuwan Daji attack, which occurred amid a surge in terrorist activities in Niger State, led to the killing of villagers and mass abductions.

According to the presidency, the assailants are suspected to be fleeing from Sokoto and Zamfara states following a U.S. airstrike carried out on Christmas Eve. President Tinubu condemned the killings, described the attack as a test of Nigeria’s resolve, and vowed that the perpetrators and anyone aiding them would be hunted down and brought to justice.

He also extended condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Niger State, while assuring that security operations would be strengthened around vulnerable communities, especially those near forest areas used as criminal hideouts. The President urged Nigerians to remain united and avoid divisive rhetoric, stressing that collective resolve is crucial to defeating terrorism and restoring peace to affected communities.

Nigerian Cleric Condemns Doctors’ Strike as Pregnant Woman Dies at National Hospital Abuja Amid Shutdown of Medical Services

A Nigerian cleric, Reverend Father Celestine Eze, has strongly criticised the Nigerian government following the reported death of a pregnant woman at the National Hospital, Abuja, allegedly due to the ongoing doctors’ strike that has crippled medical services at the facility. The tragic incident reportedly occurred on Saturday after the woman was referred to the hospital for urgent care but arrived to find no doctors on duty.

In a viral video shared on his Facebook page, Fr. Eze lamented the deserted state of the hospital, describing the situation as heartbreaking and unacceptable for one of Nigeria’s foremost tertiary healthcare institutions. He stated that several patients, including pregnant women in need of critical care, were left unattended because of the industrial action.

Expressing deep frustration, the cleric accused the government of indifference to the suffering of ordinary Nigerians, warning that the collapse of the healthcare system would ultimately affect everyone, regardless of status or privilege. He described the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death as painful and emblematic of broader systemic failures within the country’s health sector.

The incident has intensified public outrage and renewed calls for urgent government intervention to resolve the dispute with striking doctors and restore full medical services, as concerns grow over preventable deaths and worsening access to healthcare across Nigeria.

Bandits Kidnap Kano Police Inspector, Two Others, Beat Them on Camera While Forcing Ransom Pleas

Suspected bandits have abducted a serving police inspector attached to the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, alongside two other men, subjecting them to severe physical abuse while forcing them to beg publicly for ransom in a disturbing video. The victims were identified as Inspector Kabiru Bello Adamu, Muntari, and Musa Rabiu (also known as Danladi), all from Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The trio were reportedly kidnapped while travelling from Rijiya Zaki Motor Park in Kano to Birnin Kebbi. In the video, armed bandits pointed guns at the victims’ heads, beat them with sticks and AK-47 rifle butts, and compelled them to plead with their families and the public to raise money for their release. Speaking under duress, Inspector Bello confirmed his identity and appealed for mercy, invoking religious sentiments, while the other victims also made desperate pleas for help.

At one point, one of the abductees was beaten again after attempting to suggest the kidnappers were treating them “kindly,” highlighting the brutality of the captors. The incident underscores the worsening security situation in northern Nigeria, where even security personnel are increasingly targeted by armed groups along major highways. As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from police authorities regarding the abduction or rescue efforts.

Somaliland Endorses U.S. Military Action in Venezuela, Says Intervention Could Restore Democracy

The Government of the Republic of Somaliland has expressed support for the United States’ military intervention in Venezuela, describing it as a measured international effort aimed at restoring constitutional order and democratic legitimacy. In a statement issued on January 4, 2026, Somaliland said it aligns “in principle” with U.S.-led action carried out in coordination with regional and multilateral partners.

According to Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the intervention could help ease Venezuela’s worsening humanitarian crisis, counter transnational criminal networks, and support a peaceful, Venezuelan-led political transition rooted in sovereignty, accountability, and human rights. The government stressed that its position is guided by international norms and collective security considerations.

The endorsement follows U.S. military strikes that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. U.S. President Donald Trump described the operation as a major success and announced that Washington would oversee Venezuela’s affairs during a transition period. The intervention has sparked global reactions, drawing both support and sharp criticism amid concerns over sovereignty, human rights, and the future of international order.

Breaking: President Bola Tinubu at a private lunch in Paris with the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, discussing world affairs and advancing Africa.

Lagos Bus-Truck Collision Along Oshodi–Oke Corridor Leaves Two Critically Injured

A serious road accident occurred early Saturday along the Heritage Garden inward Oshodi–Oke corridor in Lagos, involving a red Tata commercial bus (MUS 507 XX) and a moving truck that fled the scene. Two passengers were trapped in the mangled bus and rescued by LASTMA officers, who immediately activated emergency response protocols.

The injured victims were attended to on-site by LASAMBUS before being transported to a medical facility. The bus driver has been apprehended for investigation, and the damaged vehicle was cleared to restore traffic flow. LASTMA emphasized that speeding was the likely cause and urged motorists to drive responsibly to prevent avoidable accidents.

Deadly Bandit Attacks in Zamfara and Niger States Kill Dozens, Abduct Travellers, Women Raped

A series of violent bandit attacks across Zamfara and Niger states have left scores dead, with travellers abducted and vehicles set ablaze. On Friday, gunmen attacked commuters along the Danjibga–Kuncin Kalgo road in Tsafe LGA, Zamfara, burning two vehicles and abducting all passengers.

On Saturday night, bandits raided Hayin Kastinawa in Birnin Magaji LGA, Zamfara, reportedly raping married women and abducting at least 15 teenage girls. Separately, Kasuwar Daji community in Borgu LGA, Niger State, was attacked, leaving over 35 people dead.

Disturbing footage shows victims, including a police officer, held captive by armed bandits. The incidents highlight the ongoing insecurity along northern Nigeria’s rural roads and the urgent need for government intervention to protect civilians.

Three Women Killed Amid Renewed Communal Violence in Adamawa, Suspects Arrested with AK-47 Ammunition

Three unarmed women were killed on their farm in Tigno village, Lamurde LGA, Adamawa State, during renewed communal violence between the Bachama and Chobo ethnic groups on January 3, 2026. The Adamawa State Police confirmed the attack and arrested two suspects, William Joshua (30) and Ezekiel Luka (23), recovering 29 live rounds, an AK-47 magazine, and cash.

The police assured residents of efforts to prevent reprisals and bring perpetrators to justice. Locals described the women as innocent civilians and expressed fear over the escalating tribal conflict, highlighting the continued deadly toll of communal violence on non-combatants in Nigeria.

Omoyele Sowore Calls for Abolition of UN, Labels Global Body ‘Ineffective’ Following U.S. Military Action in Venezuela

Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has called for the abolition of the United Nations, criticizing it as ineffective amid global conflicts and humanitarian crises. In a statement on X, Sowore described the UN as a “hollow institution” that has failed to maintain international peace and security, citing recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela as an example of the body’s impotence.

He accused the UN of being compromised, unable to prevent aggression, war crimes, and abuses of power by influential nations. Sowore argued that the organization has lost its legitimacy and should be replaced with a new global coalition of nation-states capable of upholding justice, protecting humanity, and preventing tyranny. His remarks reflect growing skepticism toward multilateral institutions, particularly in the Global South.

Tragic Boat Capsize in Yobe State Kills 25, 14 Rescued as Search and Rescue Continues

At least 25 people have died in a boat accident in Garin Garbi, Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State, while 14 others were rescued, according to eyewitnesses. The passenger boat reportedly capsized on Friday, causing multiple fatalities.

Nguru Local Government Chairman, Hon. Muhd M. Ahmed Mairami, visited the scene, offering condolences and assuring affected families of local government support. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with security operatives and community volunteers working to locate missing passengers.

The deceased included both men and women, and videos shared on social media show bodies being recovered from the water. Authorities have called for calm and prayers as rescue efforts continue, highlighting the tragedy’s impact on the local community.

Terrorists Attack Kasuwa Daji Market in Niger State, Kill Over 40, Kidnap Women and Children

Terrorists have carried out a deadly attack on Kasuwa Daji market along the Sokobara–Tunga Demo axis in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing more than 40 people and abducting an unknown number of women and children. The assault occurred on Saturday during market activities, plunging the rural community into chaos and fear.

Eyewitnesses described the attackers as rounding up victims, shooting some on the spot, tying others, and slaughtering them. Shops and nearby villages were set on fire, with thick smoke visible from neighbouring communities. Dozens of bodies were reportedly scattered around the market and surrounding areas, with more being discovered near bushes and water sources.

Residents accused Nigerian security forces of failing to respond during and immediately after the massacre. Many locals have fled their homes, while those remaining are traumatised and uncertain about the fate of missing relatives. Community leaders are appealing urgently to the government for security deployment, humanitarian assistance, and intervention to prevent further attacks.

The massacre underscores the continuing insecurity in rural Niger State and highlights persistent gaps in local protection against terrorist violence.

Over 30 k!lled, many abducted as terrorists attack market in Niger state

No fewer than thirty persons have been k!lled in a deadly attack by suspected terrorists at the Kasuwan-Daji market in the Demo community, located in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger state on Saturday, January 3.

The gun-wielding attackers who abducted a number of persons, also carted away foodstuffs and other valuables worth millions of naira before setting the market ablaze.TV & Video

The terrorists were said to have invaded the community on Saturday evening and operated until the early hours of Sunday.

A resident of the area who confirmed the incident, said about 42 people were tied and k!lled by the terrorists, who operated without resistance. The terrorists were said to have emerged from the National Park in Borgu LGA and launched the attack in broad daylight.

Confirming the incident to newsmen, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police, Wasiu Abiodun, said over 30 people lost their lives, while several others were kidnapped.

“On 03/01/2026 at about 9 pm, information received revealed that at about 4:30 pm of the same date, suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan-Daji, located at Demo Village via Kabe, and burnt the market, looted shops, and carted away food items.

On 04/01/2026 at about 8 am, a report indicated that a joint security team visited the scene, and over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack. Some persons were also kidnapped. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims. Further developments will be communicated.”Abiodun said in a statement released

London Central Mosque Hosts Funeral Prayers for Anthony Joshua’s Friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele Killed in Ogun Auto Crash

Janazah funeral prayers were held on Sunday at the London Central Mosque for Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, close friends of British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua, who died in a fatal road accident in Ogun State, Nigeria. The prayers attracted a large turnout of mourners from the Nigerian and British communities, reflecting the deep grief over the sudden loss of the two men.

Ghami and Ayodele were killed on Monday, December 29, 2025, when the SUV conveying them and Anthony Joshua reportedly crashed into a stationary truck in Makun, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. While Joshua sustained only minor injuries, his two friends died at the scene.

An uncle of the boxer, Adedamola Joshua, described the incident as deeply traumatic for the family, revealing that they first learned of the accident through a phone call rather than social media. He also raised concerns about road safety, emergency response, and public behavior at accident scenes in Nigeria.

The tragedy occurred shortly after Joshua arrived in Nigeria, hours before he was heading to Sagamu to spend time with family members. The funeral prayers in London underscored the international impact of the loss and the widespread sympathy for the boxer and the families of the deceased.

Terrorists Abduct Newly Married Kogi Man Days After Wedding on Abuja–Lokoja Highway, Wife Escapes as Insecurity Worsens

Terrorists have abducted a newly married man from Kogi State just days after his wedding while traveling along the Abuja–Lokoja highway, a route increasingly plagued by kidnappings and violent attacks. The incident occurred on January 1, 2026, around Kotokerefe community, when the victim was journeying from Inye in Ankpa Local Government Area to Abuja with his wife and a friend.

Sources disclosed that the attackers intercepted their vehicle and forced it to stop, seizing the man while his wife and companion managed to escape and later raised the alarm. The victim reportedly got married on December 29, 2025, and was heading to Abuja shortly after the ceremony when he was abducted.

As of the time of reporting, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement, and it remains unclear whether the abductors have contacted the victim’s family to demand a ransom. The abduction comes amid escalating insecurity in Kogi State, following a separate terrorist attack on Idofin community in Yagba East Local Government Area on January 3, 2026, which left one person dead and another seriously injured.

“I’ve Been Marked for Elimination as Boko Haram Figure” — Sheikh Gumi Alleges Abuja Security Plot, Blames US and Foreign Interference for Nigeria’s Insecurity

Controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has claimed that he was secretly warned by security sources in Abuja that his name appeared on a list of individuals allegedly marked for elimination as Boko Haram figures. Speaking to his congregation, Gumi said he received an early-morning phone call from an unidentified source who informed him that his name was mentioned during high-level national security discussions.

Gumi alleged that the plan involved foreign forces, accusing the United States of targeting him and blaming American policies for the emergence and sustenance of Boko Haram insurgents. He argued that foreign-backed narratives had deepened Nigeria’s insecurity and worsened religious and social divisions, while falsely portraying Christians as the sole victims of violence.

The cleric further accused Nigerian political and religious leaders of remaining silent in the face of growing hardship, oppression, and insecurity, saying their failure to engage in honest dialogue had left the country fragmented and fearful. He warned that continued silence and division among leaders and scholars would further drag Nigeria into crisis, stressing that no sovereign nation should tolerate external interference designed to divide its people along religious or social lines.

BREAKING: Nigerian Government Withdraws Criminal Defamation Case Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Allegations Against Akpabio, Yahaya Bello

The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally withdrawn the criminal defamation and cyberbullying case instituted against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly. Court documents show that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation filed a notice of discontinuance on December 12, 2025, effectively terminating the prosecution at the Federal High Court.

The charges stemmed from petitions by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, following comments made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a televised interview on Politics Today, where she alleged that both men were plotting to eliminate her. Despite earlier petitions to the Inspector General of Police alleging threats to her life, the senator was charged for publicly raising the claims.

Several prominent figures, including Governor Usman Ododo, Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, Ambassador Reno Omokri, and Sandra Duru, had been listed as witnesses for the complainants. The withdrawn case is one of two criminal matters filed by the Federal Government against the senator, with the second case expected to come up in court and possibly face a similar fate.

The development follows a public announcement by Senate President Akpabio that he had instructed his lawyers to withdraw all defamation-related lawsuits against individuals, after a cleric’s sermon influenced his decision. However, Akpabio still has a separate ₦200 billion civil defamation suit pending against Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment, in which he is demanding massive damages and public apologies.

Tinubu’s Legal Practitioners Bill Targets Capture of Nigeria’s Bar, Undermines Independence and Punishes NBA, Chidi Odinkalu Warns

In this opinion piece, human rights lawyer and former chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, delivers a scathing critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Legal Practitioners Bill, warning that it represents institutional capture, legislative reprisal, and a grave threat to the independence of Nigeria’s legal profession.

Odinkalu traces the origins of the proposed law to long-standing efforts to reform the Legal Practitioners Act of 1962, noting that despite widespread agreement on the need for modernization, deep divisions within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Body of Benchers (BoB) derailed genuine reform. He argues that the new bill, now moving swiftly through the Senate, abandons the original vision of strengthening regulation in the public interest and instead concentrates power in the hands of a government-dominated Body of Benchers.

According to Odinkalu, the bill effectively transforms the BoB into a supreme regulator and owner of the legal profession, funded by the federal government and dominated by political office holders, senior judges, and government officials. He warns that this structure subordinates the NBA, erodes professional self-regulation, and compromises the independence of lawyers by placing discipline, admissions, and professional privileges under a body closely tied to the ruling government.

The article also highlights what Odinkalu describes as acts of reprisal, including the exclusion of the NBA president from the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee unless they are a Senior Advocate of Nigeria — a move he links directly to the election of a non-SAN NBA president in 2020. He further criticises provisions granting the BoB oversight over the conferment and withdrawal of the SAN rank, arguing that this entrenches unaccountable power and shields elites from discipline.

Odinkalu contends that the bill’s ambitions are both unrealistic and dangerous, particularly its attempt to assert control over legal services connected to Nigeria even beyond its borders, and its tone-deaf treatment of foreign and dual-qualified Nigerian lawyers. He concludes that if passed in its current form, the Legal Practitioners Bill will not reform the profession but instead create a new class of “super lawyers” whose influence will be built on access and power rather than integrity, marking a tragic failure of a long-overdue reform effort.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders Slams Trump’s Military Action in Venezuela as Illegal, Unconstitutional and Dangerous Violation of International Law

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s military action in Venezuela, describing it as illegal, unconstitutional, and a blatant violation of international law. In a statement issued on January 4, 2026, the Vermont senator accused Trump of overstepping his authority as commander-in-chief and showing “contempt for the Constitution and the rule of law” by launching military operations without congressional approval.

Sanders stressed that the U.S. president does not have the constitutional right to unilaterally take the country to war, even against what he described as a corrupt and brutal dictator like Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He also rejected Trump’s claim that the United States has the right to “run” Venezuela, insisting that such rhetoric reflects dangerous imperial thinking.

Calling on Congress to act urgently, Sanders urged lawmakers to pass a War Powers Resolution to immediately end what he termed an illegal military operation and to reassert Congress’s constitutional responsibilities. He warned that the attack would have far-reaching global consequences, making both the United States and the world less safe, and setting a dangerous precedent in international relations.

Sanders compared Trump’s justification for the Venezuela action to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, arguing that it mirrors the same “logic of force” used by President Vladimir Putin. He further accused the Trump administration of reviving imperial ambitions in Latin America, citing references to the Monroe Doctrine and alleged interest in controlling Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, which he described as “rank imperialism.”

Turning to domestic concerns, Sanders criticised Trump for focusing on foreign military adventures while major problems persist at home, including economic hardship, a struggling healthcare system, housing unaffordability, and job threats posed by artificial intelligence. He concluded that Trump was failing in his responsibility to govern the United States, stating that the president should focus on domestic crises rather than attempting to “run” Venezuela.