society
Banditry: Christian clerics, others call for arrest of Bafarawa, Yerima over killings in north West
*Banditry: Christian clerics, others call for arrest of Bafarawa, Yerima over killings in north West
A group of inter-faith religious leaders from northern Nigeria, styling themselves as the Concerned Northern Inter-Faith Clergy for Peace, has urgently called on President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate arrest and prosecution of former governors Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto State and Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara State.
The clerics led by Bishop Sunday Bawa in a press conference in Abuja alleged that the two ex-governors bear responsibility for laying the foundations of the rampant banditry terrorising the North-West region.
The appeal, issued in a strongly worded statement during the Yuletide season, references a widely circulated video released earlier this month by notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji.
In the video, Turji accused Bafarawa and Yerima of seizing and selling vast grazing reserves designated for herders and arming vigilante groups, known as Yan Banga, which he claimed targeted and killed Fulani communities.
These actions, Turji alleged, sparked ethnic tensions and cycles of reprisal attacks that escalated into the current wave of kidnappings, massacres, and cattle rustling.
“Even though Turji is a confessed terrorist… we cannot ignore his words,” the clergy said in statement signed by Imam Sheikh Yusuf Sarki, Bishop Pius Dauda and 10 others.
The group emphasised that the allegations point to deep-rooted issues of land dispossession and armed vigilantism that allowed criminal gangs to evolve into the “monsters” now plaguing the region.
The inter-faith body, comprising imams, pastors, bishops, and other spiritual leaders, expressed solidarity with bereaved families who have also petitioned President Tinubu for an investigation into the claims.
These families, many of whom have lost loved ones to bandit attacks, described the president as their “last hope” for justice after local efforts yielded no results.
Bawa highlighted the devastating toll of banditry, describing it as an “unfolding genocide.”
They cited figures indicating over 13,485 deaths from banditry between 2010 and May 2023, with at least 2,266 killed in the first half of 2025 alone—surpassing the total for all of 2024.
Reports from bodies like Amnesty International and the National Human Rights Commission document thousands kidnapped, injured, or displaced, while economic losses run into trillions of naira due to disrupted farming, trade, and ransoms.
The statement criticised responses from Bafarawa and Yerima as “empty echoes” and denials, noting that the former governors claimed no significant banditry existed when they left office in 2007 and questioned the timing of the accusations.
“Time heals no guilt,” the clerics retorted, arguing that evasion only fuels suspicion and impunity.
In a direct Yuletide appeal to President Tinubu, the group urged him to “immediately direct the arrest and prosecution” of the two former governors for “alleged acts that laid the foundations of this terror.”
They further called for a transparent, independent probe—possibly with international oversight—into the allegations, alongside measures to address root causes like poverty and land disputes.
society
NASRE: Building A Safety Net For Nigeria’s Journalists
NASRE: Building A Safety Net For Nigeria’s Journalists
At a time when Nigeria’s media industry is strained by economic uncertainty, job instability, and shrinking newsroom resources, the Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) is redefining professional solidarity. More than a network of editors, it is emerging as a critical support system for journalists navigating an increasingly precarious landscape.
Founded on the principles of welfare, solidarity, and professional growth, NASRE has positioned itself as a responsive and forward-looking body within the media ecosystem. While many professional associations remain focused on advocacy and training, NASRE distinguishes itself by combining these roles with direct and practical support for journalists and their families.
At the core of its mission is a clear proposition that no journalist should be abandoned in times of need. Through financial assistance, targeted outreach, and sustained engagement, the association has supported members facing hardship, as well as widows and families of deceased practitioners. These largely understated interventions have steadily earned NASRE credibility and respect across the industry.
The organisation’s approach reflects a keen awareness of the pressures confronting media professionals, including irregular pay, job insecurity, and limited institutional backing. In such an environment, NASRE’s welfare initiatives are not merely charitable, they are essential.
Beyond welfare, the association is investing in professional resilience. Through collaboration, networking, and knowledge-sharing platforms, it is equipping editors and practitioners to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital media space, where adaptability is no longer optional.
Headquartered in Lagos, NASRE continues to broaden its reach, attracting a growing membership united by the need for a more responsive and supportive professional community. Its expansion signals a shift in expectations within the industry, away from symbolic affiliations towards institutions that deliver measurable value.
For many observers, NASRE represents a necessary evolution, a professional body anchored not just in ideals, but in impact. By combining empathy with structure, it offers a model of what media associations can become in challenging times.
As the industry continues to evolve, organisations like NASRE may prove indispensable. In a profession devoted to telling society’s stories, it is ensuring that the storytellers themselves are not left behind.
society
Oluremi Tinubu Hosts Wife of New IGP, Talks Welfare, Empowerment for Police Families
Oluremi Tinubu Hosts Wife of New IGP, Talks Welfare, Empowerment for Police Families
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, today welcomed Mrs. Mutiat Disu, wife of the Inspector General of Police, at the State House in Abuja.
During the meeting, the First Lady encouraged Mrs. Disu to continue championing the welfare and wellbeing of police officers’ families, especially through impactful support for their wives.
Speaking after the meeting, Mrs. Mutiat Disu shared her excitement about partnering with the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), noting that she is ready to leverage its programs to empower police officers’ wives across the country.
Mrs. Disu, who also serves as the National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), described the meeting as insightful and inspiring. She emphasized her commitment to using RHI platforms to improve healthcare, welfare, and economic empowerment for POWA members nationwide.
“The purpose of this visit is to tap into her wealth of experience and explore how POWA can benefit from her programs,” she said.
She added that her engagement with the First Lady has already provided valuable direction, especially in areas of social intervention and healthcare support for police families.
“I’m ready to work closely with Mama to ensure our women benefit fully, especially since RHI focuses on uplifting women, and POWA is largely made up of women.”
Mrs. Disu assumed leadership of POWA following the appointment of Tunji Disu as Inspector General of Police on February 24, 2026, succeeding Kayode Egbetokun.
society
Police Day 2026: IGP Disu Leads Nationwide Walkathon To Strengthen Community Trust
Police Day 2026: IGP Disu Leads Nationwide Walkathon To Strengthen Community Trust
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Tuesday led the management team, alongside officers and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, in a nationwide walkathon to commemorate the 2026 National Police Day.
The event, held across state capitals and the Federal Capital Territory, formed part of activities marking Day Two of the annual celebration, themed “Community Partnership: Building Trust.”
The symbolic exercise, which drew participation from both police personnel and members of the public, was aimed at showcasing unity, discipline, and a renewed commitment to community policing and public safety.
According to the Force leadership, the walkathon underscores the Nigeria Police Force’s resolve to strengthen public trust, deepen engagement with citizens, and enhance collaboration in tackling security challenges across the country.
Participants described the initiative as a practical step toward bridging the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve, while also promoting physical fitness and mental well-being among officers and civilians alike.
With the theme reflecting a shared responsibility for safety, the Police reiterated that sustainable security can only be achieved through active partnership with the public.
The event concluded with a renewed call for collective action under the banner: “Together We Walk, Together We Secure,” emphasizing unity of purpose in building a safer and more secure society for all Nigerians.
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