NEWS
North-Central: Insecurity Abates in Some States, Persists in Others
Security of lives and property has significantly improved in some parts of the North-Central and Taraba with the residents now conducting their activities in a relatively peaceful atmosphere, a newsmen survey has revealed.
Part of the survey was conducted in Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba, among other states, and it found that travelers and other road users in the zone were now moving around with less fear, courtesy of the improvement of the security situation there.
In Nasarawa State, to begin with, Salihu Adamu, Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Nasarawa State branch, told reporters that there was a decline in the attack on his members when compared with the second and third quarter of the year.
“The security situation on our roads is improving. Before now, in a week, I used to receive reports of two to three attacks by armed robbers and kidnappers. I have not received report of any attack in recent times,” Adamu said.
He said that there had been an increase in passenger traffic in most of the parks in the state because of the improvement of the security situation in the state, and prayed for its sustenance.
He commended security agencies for “dealing decisively with the criminal elements on our high ways”.
Similarly, Mr Peter Ahemba, who was at the New Park, Lafia to board a vehicle to Akwanga, noted that kidnapping, robbery and other forms of attacks on Lafia – Akwanga road had reduced when compared to the early part of the year.
Ahemba attributed the reduction of insecurity in Nasarawa state roads to the onslaught against criminal elements and constant surveillance by security agencies.
He commended the government and security agencies for their efforts, but appealed for sustenance of the gesture by way of stepping up efforts to curtail the activities of marauders in the high ways.
In Taraba also, residents of the state affirmed the reduction in armed robbery, kidnappings and other forms of insecurity on the roads within the state when compared to the beginning of the year.
In Jalingo that many routes in the state such as Wukari- Takum and Danacha- Bornu Kurukuru which were impassable at the beginning of the year due to armed robbery and kidnapping were now safe for motorists.
One of them, Alhaji Abdullahi Suleiman, a businessman, said he could now pass through some routes that were considered “danger areas” at the beginning of the year.
“As a businessman who moves round the state, the last few years through to the beginning of 2021 were terrible for me as a lot of routes in the state were impassable due to armed robbery, kidnappings and communal crisis.
“Thank God there is noticeable reduction at the moment because I personally pass through such routes like Takum- Chanchaji- Wukari, Mutum Biyu – Garba Chede roads among others for businesses,” he said.
Mrs Helen Matsonde, a resident of Jalingo, also noted that the rate of insecurity on the roads in the state had significantly reduced.
According to Matsonde, almost all roads in the state were not safe both during the day and in the night at the beginning of year 2021 with daily reports of armed robberies and kidnappings.
Alhaji Sani Hamamgabdo, the Taraba Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), also confirmed that the roads in the state were safer now compared to the beginning of the year.
Hamamgabdo also said that there was a gradual increase in passenger traffic at the parks as the Christmas and New Year celebrations period drew nearer
Similarly, an official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW),Farin Gada Motor Park, Jos,Plateau, said security on the Jengre, Saminaka and Zaria road had improved.
He attributed the improvement to the inclusion of neighbourhood watch and vigilante in the patrol of highways in the area.
He said kidnapping which used to happen almost on a daily basis on that route was now a thing of the past.
He, however, advised the government to allow civil security outfits to take part in highway patrol to reduce attacks on the nation’s roads.
Some drivers spoken to also said that security on the highways within and outside the state had improved.
One of them is Sani Mohammed, who operates at the Plateau state motor park.
Security on the Yobe-Maiduguri highway had improved in the last months.
Mohammed, who plies the Yobe-Maiduguri road through Jos, attributed the improvement to more presence of security personnel on the highway.
“Security on the Yobe, Maiduguri highway has improved in the last months and we are very grateful for that.
“In the past, the Boko Haram insurgents would come out to attack people on the highway on a daily basis, sometimes three times in a day.
“It has reduced drastically in the last three months.There are more security men on the highway who are on patrol all through the day, this is the reason for the reduction of the attacks,” he said.
Mr Joe Etuk, a luxurious bus driver, who drives to Lagos and Ibadan from Jos,also said the security on the highway had improved of recent.
Etuk,however, decried the poor state of the the roads,which he said, was causing road traffic crashes.
In Niger, however, the State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), said the security situation in the state had worsened with residents and drivers of the association afraid to travel to certain parts of the state.
Alhaji Idris Adamu, the State Secretary of NURTW, who disclosed this said
the association had recorded decrease in the number of passengers that traveled because of consistent kidnapping of travellers by bandits on the major roads of the state.
Adamu said that at the beginning of the year, many passengers and drivers were traveling without fear, but that the situation had now changed as many people were afraid to travel due to fear of being kidnapped.
He said that the situation was now worst compared to the beginning of the year as passengers and drivers were being kidnapped on daily basis.
“Before now, we only had one or two cases of kidnapping, only few of our members were being whisked away by these hoodlums, but recently, we have had many cases of attacks on commercial vehicles.
“This experience scares many people from traveling, especially to axis like Zungeru, Kontagora, Kagara, Rafi, Mashegu, Mariga, Wushishi, Babana, Rijaw Nasko that are volatile.
“There is a decrease in the number of persons that travel now, except during festive periods like Christmas and Sallah where large number of people travels,” he said.
The secretary said that some of the kidnapped passengers and drivers were rescued, some escaped, some paid ransom before they were released, while some died in captivity.
He noted that attacks by bandits on the roads had increased of recent as a result of the ongoing security operations in neighbouring states of Zamfara, Kaduna and Kastina, which forced most of the bandits to flee to Niger.
He, however, said that the association was working with security agencies to station personnel across motor parks as part of measures to protect passengers and drivers.
In Lokoja, some road transport workers and commuters appealed to the government to intensify efforts at ensuring that the roads were safe for travellers by increasing the level of security patrol.
The Security situation on Federal and State roads across Kogi had yet to improve to an appreciable level.
But Long distance drivers and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) from the major motor parks in Lokoja commended the state government for its efforts at making the roads safe with the support of security agencies.
They, however, said that kidnapping and robbery on the roads had yet to reduce to appreciable level as pockets of criminal activities were being reported daily and could increase with the approaching yuletide.
According to Mr Ajoro Monday, Vice Chairman, Kogi Travellers Bus park at Cemetery, Lokoja, intra-state roads were safer now compared to the rampant cases of robbery and kidnapping recorded before this year.
Monday, however, lamented that kidnappings on Okene-Okpella, Okene-Ibilo and Okene-Adogo-Ajaokuta roads had yet to abate as cases of hostage taking of travellers on the highways had remained a recurring decima, almost on daily basis.
He said that Itobe-Anyigba as well as Idah-Ejule-Anyigba roads which were notorious for criminal activities in the early parts of the year now enjoyed relative peace with an on-and-off reports of hoodlum activities.
Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Secretary of the Ganaja Junction, Lokongoma NURTW Park, said kidnapping was no longer rampant as it used to be but “it is definitely not over and one cannot relax because it is difficult to predict them.
“Between June and October, they kidnapped about four of our drivers between Otukpa Branch and Ochadamu road and they are still operating. They can take anybody unawares.
“Government should intensify more effort in ensuring that the roads are safe for travellers by increasing the level of patrol by security agencies,” he implored.
According to Mr Nathaniel Abaniwo, a Human Rights activist and Executive Director, Rehoboth Community Advancement Initiative (RECAN), the roads are not all that safe now.
Abaniwo said that travellers only had the option of prayers when the journey was too important to skip, adding, “you need to pray and ask God to take care so that you will go and come back safely. We are just hoping on God as the Chief Security of everyone.
“We are having more cases now because it is like the kidnappers who went into hiding before are now back on the roads and it is not only the roads now, they are going into people’s homes to pick them.
“The government has to step up the game. Yes, our governor is really doing well in the area of security but I think this is the right time to do more as we are gradually going into the festive period,” he said.
Obabolu Obahopo, a journalist at the Mega Terminal, Lokoja, said the security arrangements were more effective in the night than in the day.
Obahopo said that all the state roads were very safe in the night than during the day, adding that the hoodlums now took advantage of that to carry out their heinous activities in the day.
Mr Emmanuel Abdullahi, a commercial vehicle driver, said the security situation was deteriorating more as “we now have more cases of robbery and kidnapping”.
“We pray government finds solution to this problem by deploying more security personnel to the roads to solve this problem for us to have peace and ease of commutting on our roads,” Abdullahi said.
Meanwhile, passengers at some motor parks in Makurdi, the Benue capital, have decried the rising cases of insecurity on roads in the state of recent.
One of them,Mr Iorwashima Kulenkwagh, who spoke with reporters at Yaman Park, said that most of the roads in the state were not safe as early as 8 p.m.
“Strong men do take charge of most of the Benue roads as from 8 p.m.,” Kulenkwagh said.
Chiangi Aluna, also a passenger in the Makurdi Local Government Area main motor park, agreed with Kulenkwagh that because of insecurity on most of the Benue roads, passengers no longer made night trips.
“The situation is worse on Makurdi-Aliade road.
“Vehicles coming from the South usually sleep in Aliade town and some even sleep in Otukpo until the following day before they continue with their journey.
“Same thing applies to vehicles going to the South from the North. They usually sleep in Makurdi once it is 8 p.m.,” Aluna said.
At New Nyanya park, Mrs Vera Odeh, a passenger said that she plied the Makurdi-Lafia road at least once in a week,but that she did not travel in the night because of insecurity.
“Just last week, to be precise on Thursday, my husband’s brother was coming to Makurdi from Abuja in the night and was attacked by armed robbers at Yelwata.
“They dispossessed him of all his belongings including his clothes. The road is not safe during the night,” she said.
Mr Terngu Fate, an official of the Yaman park said that they cautioned drivers in parks against operating in the night due to the high rate of insecurity on the roads. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The Institute of Security, Nigeria (ISN) has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s approach to terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, warning that criminal groups are becoming increasingly organised and capable of challenging the authority of the state.
The institute made the call while reacting to the reported invasion of Talata Mafara market in Zamfara State, where non-state actors allegedly imposed a ₦50 million levy and demanded 100 livestock, giving residents a seven-day ultimatum.
The ISN said the development exposed the need for security agencies to move beyond reactive operations and adopt stronger intelligence-led strategies capable of identifying and dismantling criminal networks before they launch attacks.
In a statement signed by its Deputy President and Chief Executive Officer, Barr. Adebayo Akinade, the institute said the activities of terrorists and bandits were no longer limited to isolated attacks but increasingly involved the control of economic activities, collection of illegal levies and disruption of legitimate livelihoods.
It warned that such activities could gradually establish a parallel system of criminal authority in affected communities if left unchecked.
The institute consequently urged the Federal and state governments to establish a coordinated security framework bringing together federal security agencies, state security outfits and vetted community guards.
It also called for the creation of a National Security Fusion Centre, supported by state-level fusion desks, to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing and faster responses to emerging threats.
According to the ISN, security agencies should penetrate criminal networks operating around markets, cattle-rustling routes and illicit livestock value chains while targeting the logistics and financial structures sustaining banditry.
It recommended regulated livestock markets and improved tracking systems to prevent stolen cattle from being absorbed into legitimate commercial channels.
The institute further proposed special courts for terrorism, kidnapping and banditry cases, arguing that a faster judicial process would strengthen the fight against organised criminal groups.
It urged the government to deploy modern technologies, including forest geo-fencing, livestock tracking, drones and citizen-reporting platforms, alongside improved tactical mobility and air surveillance.
The ISN also called for a two-hour rapid-response mechanism in vulnerable areas and increased investment in night-vision equipment and other specialised capabilities.
Beyond security operations, the institute advocated stronger community-based early-warning systems and local peace and security forums involving traditional rulers, farmers, market unions, faith organisations and civil society groups.
It urged citizens to report threats rather than surrendering to ransom and illegal levy demands, while encouraging communities to document attacks and preserve evidence for investigations and prosecution.
The institute said professional training in terrorism studies, intelligence management and counter-banditry operations should be strengthened as part of efforts to build a more effective national security architecture.
The ISN reaffirmed its readiness to support government and security agencies through research, training, policy advisory services and professional certification, saying a coordinated response was essential to restoring public confidence and protecting national development.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Lagos State High Court sitting in Lagos has set aside and nullified the purported installation and coronation of Ibrahim Adebowale Saliu as the Onise of Ise Kingdom in Lekki Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Epe Local Government Area, Lagos State.
The court also ordered the Lagos State Government to immediately withdraw the letter of appointment, staff of office and recognition granted to Saliu, following the installation and coronation conducted at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Alausa, Ikeja, on August 21, 2026.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, September 11, 2026, by Justice Yetunde Adesola Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, the court further ordered Saliu to surrender the letter of appointment, staff of office and other benefits of office obtained during the disputed installation.
The court also directed him to immediately stop parading or holding himself out as the Onise of Ise pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The ruling arose from a Motion on Notice for Mandatory Injunction filed on August 24, 2026, by Alhaji Adeniyi Atere and Mrs Idowu Adebisi Lana, the claimants/applicants in Suit No. LD/0022PRA/2026.
The defendants/respondents in the suit include the Lagos State Governor, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Epe Local Government Area, Lekki LCDA and four individuals identified as members of the selection process, while Saliu is the 11th defendant/respondent.
The dispute centres on the process that produced Saliu as the Oba-elect and subsequently led to his appointment and installation as Onise of Ise.
A key issue before the court was whether the August 21 installation could stand after an earlier interim injunction had been issued restraining the state government and other specified defendants from taking steps to appoint Saliu as Onise of Ise.
Earlier court order
The ruling recalled that Justice S. I. Sonaike had, on August 13, 2026, issued an interim order restraining the first to fifth defendants from acting on a March 30, 2026 letter purportedly forwarding Saliu’s name as the Oba-elect of Ise Kingdom.
The order also restrained them from putting into effect any process aimed at appointing Saliu as Onise of Ise pursuant to the letter or instrument of nomination.
The court noted that the earlier order was made in the context of alleged non-compliance with the Obas and Chiefs of Lagos State Law, 2015, and the relevant Registered Declaration regulating the selection to the Onise of Ise stool.
According to the ruling, the interim injunction was to last for seven days unless renewed by the court, with August 20 fixed as the return date for a report of compliance and continuation of hearing.
The court further found that the enrolled order had been duly served on the relevant respondents and that there were acknowledged copies of the order in the court’s file.
Importantly, the ruling noted that the first to fourth respondents had themselves filed a motion dated August 18 seeking, among other things, an order discharging or setting aside the August 13 interim injunction or, alternatively, an order not to renew it.
Thus, the respondents were aware of the order and were actively challenging it through the judicial process.
Installation despite subsisting injunction
The claimants alleged that despite the service of the order, the state government proceeded with the installation on August 21.
The court recorded the allegation that the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Dr Nurudeen Yekini Lanre Agbaje, handed over the letter of appointment and staff of office to Saliu at the ministry.
Photographs of the purported coronation and installation were also tendered as an exhibit before the court.
The court subsequently made a significant finding on the conduct complained of. It held that the evidence before it established an infringement of the earlier court order, stating:
“Not only do the averments in the Affidavits support the grant of the Order sought, but there is also irrefutable evidence of the infringement of the Order of this Honourable Court of 13th August 2026 that entitles the Claimants/Applicants to the grant of the mandatory Orders sought in this application.”
The court’s finding is central to the judgment because the application was not merely seeking to prevent a future installation; the applicants were asking the court to reverse steps that had allegedly been taken while the interim order was still in force.
Court considers power to reverse completed act
Justice Adesanya considered the legal principles governing mandatory injunctions, noting that such an injunction is positive in nature because it requires a defendant to undo an act that has already been carried out.
The court reviewed several authorities, including CBN v. UTB (Nig.) Ltd., CBN v. Industrial Bank Ltd., Abubakar & 10 Ors. v. Jos Metropolitan & Anor., and H.R.H. Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari & Ors. v. Alhaji Saadu A.O. Bukola.
Of particular relevance was the Court of Appeal decision in the Sulu-Gambari chieftaincy case, which the applicants had relied upon.
In that case, the Court of Appeal held that although injunctions generally do not restrain completed acts, an exception could arise where a party deliberately proceeds with an act after becoming aware of an application seeking to restrain it.
The court quoted the appellate court as stating:
“To condone such a situation amounts to encouraging ‘executive lawlessness’ which will only jeopardize the rule of law and civilized conduct.”
The Court of Appeal had consequently recognised that a restorative mandatory injunction could be used where a party deliberately acted in disregard of the authority of the court.
Justice Adesanya found that the principle was applicable to the circumstances before her.
Court orders reversal of installation
Having considered the processes, affidavits, exhibits and submissions of counsel, the court granted the application in full.
The first mandatory order compels the first to fourth defendants- comprising the Lagos State Governor, Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, and the ministry, to withdraw the appointment letter, staff of office and recognition of Saliu as Onise of Ise.
The court’s order specifically relates to the appointment and recognition arising from the August 21 installation and coronation.
The second order compels Saliu himself to surrender the appointment letter, staff of office and other paraphernalia of office associated with the disputed stool.
The third order directs him to stop parading or holding himself out as the Onise of Ise pending the final determination of the substantive suit.
The court’s fourth and most consequential order expressly sets aside and nullifies the purported installation and coronation.
The ruling states:
“AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT SETTING ASIDE AND NULLIFYING the purported installation and coronation of the 11th Defendant/Respondent as the Onise of Ise Kingdom…”
The court made clear, however, that the mandatory injunctions are interim orders and are not the final determination of the substantive chieftaincy dispute.
It expressly stated:
“THESE MANDATORY ORDERS OF INJUNCTION ARE GRANTED PENDING THE HEARING AND DETERMINATION OF THE SUBSTANTIVE SUIT.”
Court stresses obedience to its orders
The ruling also dealt extensively with the importance of compliance with subsisting court orders.
The applicants had argued that proceeding with the installation after service of the injunction amounted to executive lawlessness, self-help and an attempt to overreach the judicial process.
While those descriptions originated from the applicants’ grounds, the court’s decision ultimately accepted the central factual contention that the earlier order had been infringed and that mandatory relief was warranted.
The court also noted that the respondents, despite being aware of the proceedings and the interim order, did not proceed to have their pending August 18 motion determined before the disputed installation took place.
According to the ruling:
“The Respondents being fully aware of the pendency of these proceedings and the Order of this court chose to stay away from the proceedings, failed to move their pending Motion on Notice dated 18th August 2026, or defend the instant application rather proceeded to flout the Interim Order of this Court.”
The court consequently concluded that the circumstances justified the exceptional remedy of a mandatory injunction to restore the position that existed before the disputed act.
It therefore ordered that the state government’s recognition and instruments of office be withdrawn and that Saliu cease to hold himself out as Onise of Ise while the substantive case remains pending.
The substantive suit will determine the underlying dispute over the lawful selection and appointment to the Onise of Ise stool.
Frontline business magnet and former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is dead. He was aged 90.
The former Governor of the old Gongola state passed on Saturday, September 12, after a protracted illness.
Eldest son of the deceased, Awwal D.
Tukur confirmed the demise of his father to newsmen in Yola.He however, gave no details.
Tukur, a nonagenarian was an international businessman who founded the African Business Round Table, which platform he used to market bsuiness opportunities on the continent to international investors.
He had a successful career in the public service and rose through the ranks to become the General Manager and Chief Executive of Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) during the regime of General Yakubu Gowon.
He was appointed Minister of Industries by former Head of State, the late General Sani Abacha and after leaving office, remained an active political actor and effectively combined with the operation of his vast business empire, which spanned shipping, manufacturing among others.
He was reputed for his philanthropic gestures both in his home state of Adamawa and across the country.
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