Telecommunications giant Airtel Nigeria says its newly launched solution, the Airtel Spam Alert Service, is designed to shield its subscribers from fraudulent and spam SMS

The company stated that the service was developed as part of its ongoing commitment to user safety and digital security.

In a statement on Thursday, Airtel emphasized the growing threat posed by telecom-related scams and how its latest innovation aims to combat the menace head-on.

“The Spam Alert Service is a proactive solution created to protect our customers. It is built with intelligent filters that automatically detect and block suspicious SMS before they reach the end user,” the company said.

According to Airtel, the service will notify users in real time when a suspected spam or phishing attempt is detected. It will also flag known scam numbers, allowing subscribers to make informed decisions about who they engage with.

“The app leverages a robust AI algorithm that analyzes over 250 parameters.

“These parameters include sender behavior, message frequency, message geographical distribution, and unusual activity patterns.

“Impressively, the service completes this process in under two milliseconds, offering near-instantaneous alerts while maintaining the privacy of user data by not reading message content.

“We understand how sophisticated digital fraudsters have become.

“That’s why we have invested in an AI-powered system that scans communication patterns and flags anything that seems suspicious,” the company added.

In his comments, Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, stated: “Nigeria is not just a critical market for us—it’s a leader in digital adoption within the continent. Our AI Spam Alert Service reflects our dedication to safeguarding our customers from the growing threat of SMS fraud.

“As the first of its kind in Africa, it addresses a fundamental issue of trust and security, which is paramount to our digital ecosystem.

“We’re proud to offer this service to Nigerians and extend it across our African footprint.

“The AI Spam Alert Service not only protects users but also sets a new benchmark for mobile security standards in the region.

“Our goal is to build a safer digital environment for our users.

“This innovation is part of our broader strategy to incorporate advanced technologies that address real challenges while enhancing the overall customer experience.”

Following its successful deployment in Nigeria, the Spam Alert Service has now launched in Tanzania and Kenya and is set to cover Airtel’s entire African operations.

The service’s automatic activation for all Airtel customers—across both smartphones and feature phones—ensures maximum reach and accessibility.

Early feedback from subscribers has been overwhelmingly positive, with users praising the AI’s efficiency in flagging potentially harmful messages without interfering with their everyday communication.

By pioneering this AI-based spam detection technology, Airtel Africa demonstrates its commitment to leveraging cutting-edge innovation to resolve critical issues facing its subscribers.

A northern civic advocacy organisation, Coalition for Safer North-West Communities (CSNC), has blamed the persistent insecurity in Zamfara State on what it described as the “lack of courage and gross administrative ineptitude” of Governor Dauda Lawal.

A strongly worded statement signed by its President, Alhaji Murtala Shehu Gusau, on Wednesday, said the worsening wave of kidnappings, killings, and banditry in the state reflect a failure of leadership at the highest level of the state government.

The group said despite the deployment of military personnel and federal government interventions, Zamfara remains one of the most dangerous states to live in, owing largely to the governor’s inability to take decisive action and coordinate effective security responses.

“We are alarmed at the continued deterioration of security in Zamfara State, and after a critical assessment, we have no choice but to hold the state government accountable. Governor Dauda Lawal has shown a worrying lack of courage in the face of terror and has consistently failed to provide strategic leadership that inspires confidence among residents or security agencies,” the group declared.

CSNC said Zamfara’s rural communities have become killing fields, while residents in the capital live in daily fear of abductions, despite the governor’s repeated assurances and media statements.

“It is not enough to issue statements from Gusau. What the people need is action. From Dansadau to Maru, Anka to Tsafe, farmers can no longer access their farmlands, women are being kidnapped in broad daylight, and children are growing up under the sound of gunfire,” Alhaji Gusau said.

According to the group, the governor’s approach to security management has been marked by inconsistency, lack of collaboration with federal authorities, and an inability to rally local leaders and traditional institutions towards community-based intelligence gathering.

“Zamfara is bleeding, and the government seems more interested in political propaganda than real solutions. How many more people need to die before we begin to see seriousness? The governor needs to admit that his strategy, if any, has failed and make way for fresh thinking,” the statement added.

CSNC also accused the Lawal administration of sidelining critical stakeholders in the state’s security architecture, including traditional rulers, local vigilantes, and federal agencies, in a bid to centralise control without the capacity to manage such complexity.

“We must stop pretending that things are normal. The situation in Zamfara is a full-blown emergency, and if Governor Dauda Lawal cannot show the willpower to govern in a crisis, then he must accept that leadership is not for him. Zamfara deserves more than photo-ops and empty meetings,” the group insisted.

Alhaji Gusau said the group’s position is based on consistent engagement with affected communities, civil society organisations, and humanitarian workers in the North-West, many of whom have raised alarm over the governor’s silence or delayed responses to critical incidents.

The group also questioned how billions allocated to security in Zamfara’s state budget have been spent, demanding transparency and accountability from the administration.

“We challenge the Zamfara State Government to publish the breakdown of its security spending for 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. We deserve to know what has been done with public funds meant to protect lives,” Alhaji Gusau said.

The group called on the National Assembly, particularly lawmakers from Zamfara, to conduct an independent assessment of the security situation in the state and recommend a pathway to restoring peace.

“This is not the time for partisan silence. Zamfara’s future is at stake. We urge Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis and other representatives to raise their voices and ensure that the suffering of our people is not ignored at the national level,” the statement added.

CSNC said it would continue to mount pressure on elected officials at both the state and federal levels until Zamfara experiences a turnaround in security and governance.

“We want peace. But peace will not come through platitudes. It requires bold leadership, integrity, and vision — all of which are sorely lacking in the current state government. Governor Dauda Lawal must wake up to his responsibilities or respectfully step aside for someone who can,” the statement concluded.

Following a series of coordinated attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters on military bases in Borno State, the Northern Patriots for Security and Development (NPSD) has called for the immediate resignation of the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, citing his inability to provide effective leadership for the armed forces.

In a statement released in Kano on Tuesday evening, NPSD President, Alhaji Mansur Ibrahim Dantani, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in the North-East, attributing it to the Defence Minister’s lack of strategic direction and alleged political ambitions.

“The recent attacks on military formations in Marte, Dikwa, Rann, and Gajiram within a 24-hour period, resulting in the loss of gallant soldiers and military equipment, shows a glaring failure in leadership at the highest levels of our defence architecture,” Dantani stated.

He further alleged that Badaru has been more focused on positioning himself for the 2027 presidential elections than on addressing the pressing security challenges facing the nation.

“It is disheartening to note that while our troops are making the ultimate sacrifice, the Minister of Defence appears to be more engrossed in political maneuverings aimed at advancing his presidential aspirations. This diversion of focus is detrimental to our national security,” he added.

The NPSD also highlighted issues related to inadequate funding and resource allocation for the military, pointing out that despite budgetary provisions, the armed forces continue to grapple with insufficient equipment and logistical support.

“Our investigations reveal that the Ministry of Defence has failed to ensure the timely release and proper utilization of funds earmarked for military operations. This has left our troops vulnerable and ill-equipped to confront the insurgents effectively,” Dantani emphasized.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action by relieving Badaru of his duties and appointing a more competent and focused individual to head the Defence Ministry.

“The security of our nation cannot be compromised by personal political ambitions. We urge President Tinubu to prioritize the safety of Nigerians by appointing a Defence Minister who is committed solely to the task of securing our country,” Dantani concluded.

The NPSD’s call comes amid growing public outcry over the resurgence of insurgent activities in the North-East, with many Nigerians expressing frustration over the government’s handling of the security situation.

As the nation mourns the loss of its brave soldiers, the demand for accountability and effective leadership in the defence sector continues to grow.