The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday admitted former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami and his son, Abdulaziz each to N200m bail on terrorism-related and illegal firearms possession charges brought against them by the Department of the State Service (DSS).

Malami and his son were however ordered to be remanded at Kuje prison pending the perfection of the bail conditions imposed on them by the court.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted them bail while ruling on their bail applications argued by their lead Counsel, Joseph Daudu SAN.

Among other conditions, the Judge ordered the former AGF and his son to get two sureties each, one of whom must own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro districts of the city.

Justice Abdulmalik said that the title of the property must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court along with valid international passports.

The sureties are also to depose to affidavit of means, and hand their two recent passport photographs to the court.

Besides, Malami and his son were also ordered to submit their passports and recent passport photographs to the court.

The judge subsequently fixed March 4 for commencement of trial.

The DSS had arraigned Malami and his son, Abdulaziz on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal possession of firearms.

In the charge, marked, FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Malami is also accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Malami and Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.

The DSS accused Malami in count one of the charge, with knowingly abetting terrorism financing, while the ex-AGF and his son are charged in counts two to five, with unlawful, possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live rounds of cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, contrary to and punishable under relevant Sections of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Firearms Act, 2004.

Counts in the charge reads:

That you, Abubakar Malami of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, Adult, male, sometime in November, 2022 at Federal Ministry of Justice, Maitama, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did knowingly abet terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose casefiles were brought to your office as the Attorney-General of the Federation, for prosecution, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26 (2) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami of Gesse Phase II, Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December, 2025, in your res:dence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did engage in a conduct in preparation to commit act of terrorism by having in your possession and without licence, a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, Sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5°20 live rounds of Cartridges and Twenty-Seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 Cartridges, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 29 of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 .

That you, Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December, 2025, in your residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without licence, did have in your possession a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

That you, Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December, 2025, in your residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without licence, did have in your possession sixteen (16) Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of cartridges, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(1) of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act. COUNT FIVE

That you, Abubakar Malami and Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, of Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, adults, males, sometime in December, 2025, in your residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without licence, did have in your possession twenty-seven (27) expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(1) of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

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A year after his arrest and arraignment, notorious Anambra state-born native doctor, Chigozie Nwangwu, popular as “Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aku” ( Okeite) on Friday, February 27 2026, bagged a two-year jail sentence from an Anambra state High Court.

He was also slammed with a N60 million fine by the trial Judge, Honourable Justice Jude Obiora.

The Source reports that Nwangwu was on February, 2025, apprehended by security operatives, including personnel of the Nigerian Immigration Service NIS, while trying to escape through the  Nigeria/Benin Republic Seme border over alleged involvement in aiding and abetting kidnapping activities, ritual practices, and other criminal activities.

His arrest was preceded by the destruction of his Oba shrine and palatial mansion, including choice vehicles, by irate community youths who accused him of involvement in several cases of kidnappings, murder for ritual practices and other criminal activities.

He was, subsequently arraigned alongside three of his accomplices including one  Okocha ,a.k.a Onyeze Jesus.

His conviction and sentencing  followed his guilty-plea to all the eight count  charge preferred against him, and a  plea bargain said to have been entered into with the Anambra State authorities 

In his ruling, Justice  Obiorah held that the two-year jail term derived from the manifest remorse shown by the accused in the course of his trial and in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Code, and the Anambra State Homeland Law.

Nwangwu, according to Justice Obiorah is to serve 11 months out of the total of two years, having already spent 13 months in custody while the trial lasted.

Similarly, the court waived the total fine of N60 million against the  convict on the grounds that such money is not needed by the State Government.

“Under the law, anyone who claims to possess powers to heal or make one rich through certain magical means like Okeite is liable on conviction to two years imprisonment.

“Any person in the State who practices Okeite, or Ezenwanyi is liable to six years in prison”, Justice Obiorah held.

While sentencing the accused  to two years each on counts three ,four, five six, seven and eight (sentence to run concurrently) , Justice Obiorah fined him cumulatively the sum of N60 million on counts one ,five and eight.

“The total sum fine sums up to N60 million ,but because of the remorse shown by the accused, the fined is now waived as such in such circumstances is not needed by the state.

“He has spent 13 months in detention already, same will be computed into his sentence. So he will now serve the remaining 11 months of his sentence at Awka Correctional Centre as against plea by his counsel for him to serve at Agunechemba facility. This is because the Agunechemba facility is not a correctional centre”, the court ruled.

Furthermore, Justice Obiorah ordered the immediate destruction of the defendants shrine located in Oba, in addition to a firm assurance from the convict not to further indulge in the practice of Okeite.

The convict according to the Judge shall, henceforth serve as a youth ambassador on reorientation, including the task of regularly making public statements cautioning youths against engagements in dubious acts for the purpose of getting rich,as well as other community services.

A 21-year-old woman in South Korea has been charged with two counts of murder after allegedly drugging two men to death, with investigators claiming she searched online about mixing sleeping pills with alcohol before the incidents.

The suspect, identified only by her surname Kim, is accused of killing two men in their twenties in separate motel encounters in Seoul earlier this year.

According to police, the first alleged incident occurred on January 28 when Kim checked into a motel with a man and left about two hours later. The man was found dead the following day. On February 9, she allegedly checked into another motel with a second man, who later died under similar circumstances.

Post-mortem examinations reportedly found large quantities of different drugs in both victims’ bodies. Kim was arrested on February 11 on suspicion of murder. During questioning, she admitted to putting benzodiazepine-containing sedatives into the men’s drinks but denied intending to kill them.

Investigators say a review of her mobile phone revealed repeated online searches asking about the effects of combining sleeping pills and alcohol. Among the reported queries were: “What happens if you take sleeping pills with alcohol?”, “How much would be dangerous?” and “Could someone die?”

A police source was quoted as saying: “She asked these questions several times and received answers, so she was fully aware that combining alcohol and drugs could be fatal.”

Authorities are also examining an earlier alleged incident involving her ex-boyfriend in December, in which she is accused of spiking his drink in a café car park in Namyangju, causing him to lose consciousness for two days. He later reported the incident.

Investigators suspect that after that alleged failed attempt, she may have adjusted the dosage in the later cases. On the day the second victim died, Kim reportedly posted a selfie on social media with hashtags including “follow me” and “DM for follow back,” raising concerns among police that she may have been seeking further contacts.

Local media reports indicate she has a history of mental health treatment. Police say they are investigating whether there may be additional victims and are awaiting the outcome of a psychological assessment as the case proceeds.

On paper, 2025 was a comeback year for MTN Nigeria.

After two bruising years triggered by currency reforms and naira devaluation, the telecom giant posted a staggering ₦1.1 trillion in post-tax profit, reversing losses of nearly ₦400 billion in 2024. Revenue surged to a record ₦5.2 trillion, powered largely by data consumption and a 50 percent tariff hike approved by the regulator.

Shareholders are celebrating. Customers are not.

While the company returned to profitability, and announced a ₦15 per share dividend payout totalling ₦314.9 billion, subscribers filed more than 1.6 million complaints in 2025 over poor service delivery, unexplained charges and chronic network disruptions.

The disconnect is hard to ignore: record earnings on one side, rising public frustration on the other.

A Tariff Hike That Changed the Math

In February, Nigeria’s telecom regulator approved a 50 percent tariff increase aimed at cushioning operators from foreign exchange losses after a weaker naira battered the sector.

The move provided a lifeline to MTN Nigeria, a subsidiary of South Africa-based MTN Group.

Data revenue alone accounted for more than half of total turnover, rising nearly 55 percent year-on-year. Active data subscribers climbed to 53.2 million, while the total subscriber base expanded to 87.3 million.

But many Nigerians say they are paying significantly more for services that feel significantly worse.

Some users report weekly data plans ballooning from ₦2,000 for 15GB to as much as ₦6,000 under revised pricing structures. Complaints range from slow data speeds and frequent call drops to unexplained data depletion and automatic activation of paid services such as caller tunes.

In several cases, consumer litigation has resulted in fines—reportedly up to ₦15 million, against the company over unauthorised deductions.

The Complaint Explosion

Regulators are paying attention.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has launched inquiries into service quality and consumer rights violations. Industry data indicates that Nigerian telecom operators collectively logged millions of complaints in 2025, with MTN accounting for a significant portion.

At the heart of the backlash: basic service reliability.

Customers across major cities report recurring outages, sluggish connectivity and sudden network blackouts—particularly during peak hours.

MTN attributes part of the instability to operational challenges, including an average of 9,200 fibre cuts annually and widespread vandalism of infrastructure. But critics argue that infrastructure vulnerabilities are not new—and should be factored into long-term investment planning.

Profitability Restored—But at What Cost?

To be sure, MTN’s financial turnaround is significant.

After suffering ₦1.7 trillion in net foreign exchange losses over two years, the company posted ₦90.3 billion in FX gains in 2025, buoyed by exchange-rate stability. Shareholders’ funds rebounded to ₦548.7 billion, while EBITDA margin climbed sharply to 52.7 percent.

CEO Karl Toriola credited “balance sheet resilience” and disciplined financial management.

Meanwhile, MTN Group announced a $6.2 billion acquisition deal to fully purchase tower infrastructure provider IHS Towers, a move analysts at Meristem Securities say could strengthen EBITDA in the long term through better lease pricing.

For investors, the narrative is one of recovery and strategic positioning.

For subscribers, the experience is often one of frustration.

The CSR Question

Telecom operators in developed markets are routinely subjected to strict service-level agreements and aggressive regulatory enforcement tied directly to consumer protection.

In Nigeria, critics argue, corporate social responsibility (CSR) must go beyond philanthropy and sponsorships to include something more fundamental: delivering the service customers pay for.

At a time when digital connectivity underpins banking, education, commerce and public services, network reliability is not a luxury; it is infrastructure.

Yet as profits swell, consumer dissatisfaction appears to be rising in parallel.

A Sector at a Crossroads

Nigeria’s telecom industry is undeniably critical to economic growth. Data remains the backbone of digital transformation, and MTN Nigeria remains its largest player.

But the numbers tell two stories.

One is about a company that survived currency shocks, restored profitability and rewarded shareholders handsomely.

The other is about millions of customers grappling with higher bills, service interruptions and unexplained deductions.

The central question now is not whether MTN Nigeria is profitable.

It is whether Nigeria’s telecom giants can deliver world-class service to match world-class earnings—or whether record profits and recurring outages will continue to coexist in uneasy tension.

Wife of former deputy Governor of Borno State and advocate of gender politics and democratic governance, Hajia Hansatu Goldben Zannah, has disclosed that Nigeria’s democracy remains incomplete without fair representation of women in decision-making positions.

She made the assertion in a statement she made available to newsmen on Friday, February 27.

According to Hajiya Zannah, for Nigeria to take democratic development seriously, women’s political participation must not be viewed as an add-on, but as a foundational element of good governance and inclusivity.

“For clarity, I am a patriotic Nigerian and for no reason will I engage in any unhealthy competition or rivalry with the men, however it will be fair enough to canvass for fair and considerable representation for the women in the political and socio-economic affairs of our nation.

“I have also observed that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, one of the greatest paradoxes of our political progress has been the persistent underrepresentation of women in legislative bodies, particularly at the State and Federal levels. The gap is not simply a matter of numbers, but a matter of democratic quality and national development,” she said.

Recently inducted as a member of the AU Agenda 2063 Governing Council and Ambassador plenipotentiary, Zannah observed that although women made up less than 9 per cent of state legislators from 1999 to 2015, those few elected had a measurable impact on legislation.

“My deep research further revealed that female lawmakers sponsored more bills on average than their male counterparts. Their policies often directly address community welfare, health, and women’s rights,” she noted.

Continuing, she said, “Many countries are implementing measures to increase women’s participation in politics, particularly in parliament. These measures include reserving seats for women, establishing quotas within political parties, creating women’s political networks, and enacting electoral reforms, therefore Nigeria cannot be an exception.

“Records equally show that women and gender-diverse people have long struggled for a greater voice in politics. In 2024, only five women were elected in direct presidential elections, despite over 30 countries having presidential elections. While more than 45 per cent of public servants are women, they tend to be concentrated in a few fields like education and health care, and even then, they tend to hold lower-level positions, this is not fair at all.

“And yet, when women do lead, the impact is always positive; not just for women, but for the whole of society. Global data by the UNDP reveal that higher levels of women’s political participation is associated with lower risk of civil wars, state-led violence, and violation of political rights. There is also increasing evidence that women’s participation contributes positively towards the conclusion of peace talks and the implementation and durability of peace agreements.

“One can recall vividly that during the COVID-19 pandemic, governments that were led by women took action more swiftly, communicated clearly, and were risk-averse. Women’s participation in political and public spheres is thus integral to the achievement of social justice and has been a key demand and commitment in multiple international conventions. It is my belief that stakeholders across board will heed this genuine and patriotic call,” Hansatu stated.

The aftershocks of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal continue to ripple through the world’s most powerful institutions, forcing fresh reckonings from Davos to Cambridge.

In a dramatic leadership shift, Borge Brende, president and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), announced he is stepping down, citing regret over how he handled his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

His departure comes just weeks after the WEF launched an independent investigation into his ties with Epstein, following disclosures from the U.S. Justice Department showing that Brende attended three business dinners with the financier and communicated with him via email and text.

“A Distraction” to Davos

In a statement, Brende described his 8½-year tenure as “profoundly rewarding” but told Norwegian media he did not want the controversy to overshadow the organisation’s mission.

“Like many others, I have felt a great deal of discomfort at being linked to Jeffrey Epstein,” he said, admitting he regretted not exercising greater transparency about their contact.

Though the WEF’s official statement did not mention Epstein directly, text messages released in Justice Department files from 2018–2019 revealed a notably cordial tone. In one exchange, Brende reportedly described Epstein as a “brilliant host” and wrote “missing you Sir” after a dinner attended by former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and a former Norwegian minister.

Their final communication occurred roughly a week before Epstein’s arrest in 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges.

Epstein had previously pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges involving prostitution of a minor in a controversial plea deal brokered by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta. He died in jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges. His death was ruled a suicide, though it remains the subject of public scepticism.

The U.S. Justice Department has since released more than three million pages of documents related to Epstein’s network, fuelling renewed scrutiny of prominent figures across politics, academia and finance.

Independent Review Finds “No Additional Concerns”

WEF co-chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink said an external review of Brende’s relationship with Epstein concluded there were no additional issues beyond those already disclosed.

Still, the reputational damage proved untenable.

WEF Managing Director Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president while the Board of Trustees searches for a permanent successor.

For an organisation synonymous with elite global networking in Davos, even perceived proximity to Epstein’s orbit carries heavy consequences.

Harvard’s Reckoning

Across the Atlantic, the scandal is also reshaping Harvard’s leadership landscape.

Lawrence H. Summers, former U.S. Treasury secretary and Harvard president emeritus, will retire from teaching at Harvard University at the end of the academic year.

His resignation follows the release of emails by congressional investigators showing that Summers maintained a personal relationship with Epstein long after the financier became a registered sex offender.

The emails revealed deeply personal exchanges, including banter about Summers’s romantic interests. In one 2019 message, Epstein described himself as Summers’s “wingman.” In others, language used in reference to a woman drew sharp criticism.

Summers, who had already stepped back from teaching and public roles in November, said he was “deeply ashamed” and taking “full responsibility” for continuing communication with Epstein.

He has also resigned from policy positions and previously stepped down from the board of OpenAI, which he joined in 2023.

Expanding Fallout at Harvard

Harvard confirmed that Martin A. Nowak, a professor of mathematics and biology with longstanding documented ties to Epstein, has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.

The university is conducting a broader review of its historical connections to Epstein, including donations and personal associations. Academics previously linked to Epstein include Harvard professor emeritus Stephen Kosslyn and literature scholar Elisa New.

Although Harvard banned direct donations from Epstein after his 2008 conviction, some academics maintained contact with him after his release from jail in 2009.

A prior university investigation in 2020 referenced Summers only briefly, but the newly released documents have intensified scrutiny over how elite institutions managed their relationships with Epstein despite his criminal record.

The Global Elite and the Epstein Effect

Epstein’s case, marked by a lenient 2008 plea deal, a dramatic 2019 federal arrest and his death in custody, has become a defining scandal of the modern era, exposing uncomfortable intersections of wealth, influence and moral compromise.

For the World Economic Forum, whose annual Davos summit convenes presidents, billionaires and CEOs, reputational credibility is currency.

For Harvard, a pillar of American academia, the controversy cuts to questions of ethics, oversight and accountability.

The emerging pattern is unmistakable: nearly seven years after Epstein’s death, his associations continue to destabilise some of the world’s most powerful institutions.

And as more documents surface, the question facing global elites is no longer whether Epstein’s shadow still looms.

It is who else may find themselves standing in it.

A Maryland man and former employee of the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting two minor girls while serving overseas.

According to a statement released by the United States Department of Justice, 41-year-old Fode Sitafa Mara was sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction on multiple serious charges stemming from crimes committed in 2022 and 2023.

The Justice Department stated that prosecutors, a federal jury in the District of Maryland, found Mara guilty after a two-week trial in October 2025. 

He was convicted on four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, as well as one count each of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted obstruction of justice.

Mara, a U.S. citizen, was working at the American Embassy in Ouagadougou at the time he carried out the offenses, according to the statement.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division described the crimes as particularly disturbing, noting that the defendant abused vulnerable victims while representing the United States abroad.

“The defendant, while representing the U.S. government abroad, violently sexually abused two acutely vulnerable child victims,” Duva said. 

“His crimes were reprehensible. While no sentence could undo the harm he caused, today’s outcome demonstrates that those who abuse children, domestically or abroad, will face significant consequences in the American justice system.”

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland emphasized the government’s commitment to prosecuting offenders who target minors.

“Our message is clear: those who prey on our children will pay a hefty price,” Hayes said.

“Mara targeted and abused two innocent young girls, and now he’ll be behind bars for a long time where he belongs. 

“We’re committed to partnering with our community and law-enforcement partners to ensure that justice is served by relentlessly pursuing and prosecuting predators who commit these deplorable acts.”

The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), which assisted in the investigation, also reaffirmed its commitment to accountability within U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide.

Deputy Assistant Director George Semertsidis of the DSS Office of Special Investigations said the agency remains dedicated to protecting local communities and maintaining the integrity of American diplomatic facilities.

“We will thoroughly investigate any allegations of criminal conduct by those associated with U.S. diplomatic facilities and work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to bring offenders to justice,” Semertsidis said. 

“This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to accountability and the protection of the most vulnerable.”

The Justice Department noted that the prosecution reflects U.S. authorities’ ability to pursue and punish crimes committed by American citizens abroad, particularly offenses involving the exploitation of children.

Renewed violence across Northern Nigeria has left communities reeling, with scores killed and dozens abducted in coordinated attacks spanning multiple states within just 72 hours.

The fresh wave of bloodshed comes amid heightened debate over the recent deployment of United States military personnel to support Nigeria’s security architecture, raising urgent questions about whether foreign-backed training efforts can stem a crisis that appears to be deepening.

Mosque Attack in Kebbi

In Kebbi State, gunmen stormed a mosque in the Dadinkowa community of Maiyama Local Government Area on Wednesday night, opening fire during a Qur’anic Tafsir session held alongside Taraweeh prayers.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that five worshippers were killed and three others injured.

Police spokesperson Bashir Usman described the attack as a suspected terrorist reprisal, adding that joint security operatives had been deployed to restore calm and track the perpetrators.

Residents, however, say fear has already taken root.

“They came heavily armed and shot indiscriminately,” one local source said. “People ran in all directions.”

Adamawa: A Governor’s Hometown Hit Again

In Adamawa State, the hometown of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri—Madagali Local Government Area—was attacked for the fourth time in five months.

Local sources said suspected Boko Haram insurgents invaded Kirchinga village around midnight on Tuesday, killing at least 24 people, though official casualty figures are still being compiled.

The Adamawa State Police Command confirmed the attack but declined to give final numbers.

Madagali has now endured assaults on October 1, November 19, December 8, 2025, and most recently February 24, 2026—an alarming pattern that underscores the fragility of security gains in the North-East.

Sokoto and Kwara: Abductions Expand the Frontline

In Sokoto State, suspected bandits raided Rabah Local Government Area under cover of darkness, firing sporadically before abducting several residents. The exact number of victims remains unclear.

The assault came barely a week after gunmen kidnapped 16 people in the same area, reportedly demanding N20 million and three motorcycles as ransom—terms residents described as crippling.

Further south in Kwara State, four members of a single family were abducted on farmland in Babanla community, Ifelodun Local Government Area, after armed men opened fire at dawn.

The chairman of Ifelodun LGA, Femi Yusuf, questioned why residents ventured out early despite security risks—remarks that have sparked criticism among locals who argue that farming is their only means of survival.

Meanwhile, youths under the Coalition of Kwara North Youths staged protests at Government House in Ilorin, alleging that recent attacks in Kaiama LGA claimed between 162 and 200 lives in just two days—figures yet to be officially confirmed.

“Our communities are bleeding,” said coordinator Usman Haruna. “Silence would amount to complicity.”

Plateau and Zamfara: Violence Spreads

In Plateau State, at least 30 people have reportedly been killed in a series of attacks across Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bassa local government areas over the past week.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang convened an emergency security council meeting in Jos as nine victims of a prior attack were laid to rest in a mass burial.

In Zamfara State, residents of Dan Jibga and Keta communities in Tsafe LGA say armed bandits have effectively laid siege to their towns. Locals told reporters that a bomb detonated between the two communities during a recent security operation, killing and injuring operatives attempting to gain access.

Elsewhere in Kebbi’s Ngaski LGA, bandits reportedly demanded N100 million from residents of Utouno community, threatening mass violence if the ransom is not paid.

The U.S. Factor: Expectations vs. Reality

The spike in violence coincides with the arrival of U.S. military personnel tasked primarily with training and capacity building.

Security analyst and retired Major Muhammad Bashir Galma cautioned against expecting immediate results.

“They are here for training,” he said. “Training involves skills, strategy and possibly technical support. These are processes that take time.”

He emphasised that the U.S. presence is not a direct combat deployment but a long-term effort to enhance Nigeria’s operational capacity.

Even so, the optics are stark: communities are under attack while international assistance is still in its preparatory phase.

A Region at Breaking Point

From mosque shootings to farmland abductions, the attacks reveal a widening geographic spread and evolving tactics among insurgents and bandits.

For many residents, the distinction between insurgency, banditry and communal violence matters less than the immediate reality: survival.

Critics argue that beyond military hardware and foreign partnerships, deeper structural issues persist—intelligence gaps, alleged political interference, weak local policing structures and delayed response times.

While officials urge patience, communities are demanding protection now.

This is because for those burying loved ones or fleeing ancestral homes, the question is no longer whether international training will eventually yield results, but whether Northern Nigeria can withstand the violence long enough to see them.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained Mike Ozekhome (SAN) over his alleged involvement in a disputed United Kingdom property case widely referred to as the “Tali Shani affair.”

TheCable reports that Ozekhome was arrested shortly after a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court struck out a forgery charge previously filed against him. He is expected to be charged to court imminently.

Sources indicate that the arrest is separate from a fresh 12-count charge filed by the federal government earlier this week on the same property dispute.

The controversy centres on a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX. The dispute, filed before the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration under case number REF/2023/0155, listed Tali Shani as applicant and Ozekhome as respondent. Also named in the broader dispute was the late Jeremiah Useni, a retired lieutenant-general.

Read Also: The maze of forgery, sham deaths and how Ozekhome, ‘Tali Shani’, lost ownership battle for Late Jerry Useni’s London property

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Ozekhome reportedly told the tribunal he received the property as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021. However, lawyers representing “Ms Tali Shani” maintained she was the rightful owner. A witness identified as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in Ozekhome’s favour, claiming he held “Powers of Attorney” over the property and had transferred it to him. He asserted ownership dating back to 1993 and said he later appointed Useni as property manager, describing him as an “elder friend and business partner.”

On the opposing side, witnesses for “Ms Tali Shani” tendered documents including an obituary announcement, a National Identification Number card, an ECOWAS passport and other materials to support ownership claims. The tribunal, however, ruled that the documents were fake and ultimately dismissed all claims, concluding that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.

In Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had earlier filed a three-count charge before the FCT high court on January 16, accusing Ozekhome of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, during proceedings before the London tribunal. The office of the attorney-general of the federation took over the case on January 26.

At a resumed hearing slated for arraignment, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the AGF, applied to withdraw the charge, telling the court the AGF’s office needed time “to review and consolidate issues involving different investigating agencies in order to strengthen the case.” The presiding judge, Peter Kekemeke, subsequently struck out the charge. Ozekhome was arrested shortly after.

The federal government has now filed a fresh 12-count charge at the FCT high court in Abuja, alleging among other things the use of a fake Nigerian passport. According to the charge sheet, between May 2020 and 2021, Ozekhome, Ponfa Useni (also known as Tali Shani), and the late Jeremiah Useni allegedly made “a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 with the name Tali Shani” purportedly issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service to support a claim over the London property.

The charge alleges conspiracy, forgery, personation and related offences under various provisions of the Penal Code Law 2009. One count states that the defendants “conspired amongst yourselves to use as genuine a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 with the name Tali Shani to facilitate your claim to a property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.”

The federal government further alleges that Ponfa Useni falsely personated a fictitious individual named Tali Shani and executed a Power of Attorney in that assumed capacity, while Ozekhome allegedly abetted the act by executing documents tied to the disputed property. The matter is expected to proceed before the FCT high court as the new charges move forward.