Security Archives - Page 6 of 248

‘Nigeria records 2.2m kidnappings, ₦2.2tr ransom payments in 1yr’ – Report

May 26, 2026May 26, 2026 Aminu Imam

…As ₦65.9tr debt surge raise fresh concerns Nigeria is facing mounting concerns over worsening insecurity and rising public debt, with fresh figures suggesting a deepening strain on both the nation’s economy and social stability. A security expert, Prof. Aremu Oyesoji revealed that the country recorded about 2.2 million kidnapping incidents within a year, with ransom payments estimated at ₦2.2 trillion, describing the development as evidence of an expanding “ransom economy” fuelled by banditry, kidnapping syndicates and insurgent networks. Speaking during a public lecture organised by the Social Sciences Students’ Association…

Bandits invade Kwara community prayer ground, kill worshippers, abduct scores

May 25, 2026May 25, 2026 Aminu Imam

Panic and fear have swept through parts of Ekiti local government area of Kwara State, following fresh attacks by suspected armed bandits that left several people dead, many injured and dozens abducted in separate assaults on communities and worshippers. The latest wave of violence has heightened concerns over worsening insecurity across Kwara-South, where residents have faced increasing incidents of kidnappings and deadly attacks in recent months. In one of the attacks, gunmen reportedly stormed a remote prayer ground at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, on the outskirts of Ikiran Village, on Friday night…

“Northern insecurity worse than many realise” – German University Don

May 25, 2026May 25, 2026 Aminu Imam

A lecturer of Nigerian extraction at the University of Cologne in Germany, Dr. Muhsin Ibrahim, has raised concern over the worsening security situation in Northern Nigeria, stating that many Nigerians appear more focused on politics than the growing wave of violence across the region. Dr. Muhsin, who hails from Kano State, made the remarks in a Facebook post yesterday, after reading several reports on insecurity published by an online news platform. According to him, the reports detailed attacks on schools, abductions of travellers and students, as well as ambushes on…

“Military action alone can’t end banditry, terrorism in North” – Sir. A’Bello Foundation

May 25, 2026May 25, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) says military operations alone cannot sustainably end insecurity in Northern Nigeria without strong grassroots intelligence, data-driven coordination and institutional collaboration. The Foundation made the position known during its ‘May 2026 Monthly Online Mentorship Programme’, which was held on Saturday. The programme, themed: ‘An Evidence-Based Solution to the Northern Insecurity Challenges: For Regional Unity, Peace and Development’, focused on practical strategies for addressing the region’s persistent security challenges. Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SABMF, Abubakar Umar, said sustainable…

12 abducted passengers rescued by Police in Ondo

May 24, 2026May 24, 2026 Aminu Imam

Ondo State Police Command has said it has rescued 12 persons abducted by kidnappers in Isua Akoko, headquarters of Akoko South-East local government area of the state. The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement yesterday. According to him, the victims were kidnapped in the early hours of yesterday, after two commercial buses travelling from Benue State to Ibadan were intercepted by armed men. He said, “The Command received a distress report at about 01.30hrs that two commercial Hummer buses conveying passengers from Benue State en-route Ibadan…

Kaduna: Bandits demand ₦1bn, 35 motorcycles to release 37 victims kidnapped from churches – Community

May 24, 2026May 24, 2026 Aminu Imam

Residents of Ariko community in Kachia local government area of Kaduna State have cried out to the federal and state governments to urgently secure the release of 37 worshippers abducted during Easter Sunday attacks on churches in the area. The bandits are demanding N1bn from the affected community before releasing the 37 kidnapped people that have been in captivity since Easter Sunday. President of the Kuturmi Development Association (KUDA), Dr. Joseph David Ariko, told newsmen that the community cannot afford to meet the ₦1 billion ransom and 35 motorcycles demanded…

Oyo School Attack: “Gunmen are armed criminal networks” – DHQ

May 23, 2026May 23, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a fresh update on the recent attack on a school in Oyo State, stating that the armed men responsible are criminal groups operating within forested areas in the South-West, rather than members of any organised terrorist organisation. The military explained that current intelligence and ongoing field operations suggest the attackers are part of loosely connected kidnapping and armed robbery networks that have been exploiting remote forest corridors to carry out attacks on vulnerable communities. The DHQ reaffirmed that joint security operations are ongoing, involving…

Defence Minister, Musa warns against electing ‘criminal-minded’ leaders

May 23, 2026May 23, 2026 Aminu Imam

Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has said Nigeria’s security outlook is gradually improving under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, even as he acknowledged that significant challenges remain. Musa made the remarks while speaking with newsmen after the commissioning of the annex branch of Haam Legal Consult Services in Abuja. In an issued statement signed by the SA Media to the Minister, Mrs. Leah Katung-Babatunde, Musa said the Federal Government has continued to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria, adding that such backing has enhanced the military’s capacity to…

Killings: “Defend yourselves against attackers”- Presidency tells Nigerians

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Presidency has urged Nigerians to defend themselves against attackers, insisting that citizens have the constitutional right to protect their lives and property from aggressors. The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, stated this yesterday while reacting to the recent wave of insecurity and killings across parts of the country. Speaking during an interview on television over the attack on the Esiele community in Orire local government area of Oyo State, Bwala maintained that the Federal Government remained committed to ending the killings in the…

“No permanent terrorist base in S’West” – DHQ

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) of Nigeria has addressed recent reports suggesting the presence of a permanent terrorist base in the South West, following the brutal attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, and LEA Primary School in Oriire local government area, Oyo State. In an issued statement, Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, extended his condolences to the victims’ families, the government and people of Oyo State, and all Nigerians affected by the abductions. He described the attack on innocent children and school…