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Agents of darkness on the prowl

Published

3 days ago

November 27, 2025

There is no doubt that Nigeria’s insecurity problems reached a new level recently with abduction of hundreds of secondary school students in northern Nigeria. What is more, the abductions in two schools happened in quick succession, leaving well meaning Nigerians somehow dumbfounded while wishing that our country overcome this trying times. Apparently perplexed too and not wanting to take any chance, the authorities have shut a number of boarding schools in the north —-as a last resort; while some state governments having applied all intellectual methods without success are urging their citizens to turn their gaze upwards in prayer.

In 2014 the nation was jolted with horrendous kidnapping of students at the Chibok Girls Secondary school in Borno state considered then as epicentre of the terrorist, Boko Haram group. The sheer effrontery and operational scale of the abductors in ferrying hundreds of school girls into the forest with trucks confounded many. It was the first such large scale abduction since advent of the fourth Republic in 1999. And it birthed the (in)famous “Bring back our girls” movement. Although some of the girls escaped on their own or were found by the authorities, some of them are still missing to-date, despite the military’s best efforts in its search and rescue operation. Some ten years after, everyone connected to the girls whether directly or indirectly have resigned themselves to fate and seemingly forgotten the matter though the scars remain.

More horrific is killing in same year, of no less than 29 teenage boys of Federal Government College, Bunu Yadi, Yobe state by bandits/terrorists that invaded and burnt their school. Following these unprecedented attacks, the government devised some counter measures, one of which is the ‘safe school’ initiative. Another was deployment of security personnel to schools. Kidnappings of other kinds continued to occur and bandits/terrorists continued to prowl about the in north east and northwest regions,

And now some 30 months into current administration’s tenure, the agents of darkness a.k.a bandits/terrorists have spread their tentacles to new areas. Take Kwara state for example. This is a state that had been somehow alien to banditry so to speak. However, over the past months reports began to filter in of bandits terrorizing some communities, forcing residents to flee their homes in fear. Matters deteriorated recently when terrorists invaded Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Eruku, whisking away 38 worshippers. This is a dangerous precedent because although Kwara state is situated in northern Nigeria, north central region to be precise, it nevertheless shares borders with western Nigeria. Heightening of insecurity there raises the spectre that bandits/terrorists are inching their way to the south west region which over time had been relatively peaceful. This is a warning signal for governments of this region to tighten up security in their states and take other preventive measures to guard against a spill over of events in Kwara. Prevention is better than cure, so goes an adage.

Also, perplexing is terrorists’ incursion into Sokoto state. A new terror group, Lakaruwa is now causing havoc there. I find this rather daring, for, who would have imagined that terrorists would be running amok in Sokoto, of all places, the seat of the Caliphate? Does this signify that places like Kano, Abuja, Gombe, among others are not off limit to these agents of darkness cloaked as bandits, insurgents, terrorists whose goal is to inflict maximum harm and cause disharmony to our peaceful environments.

When I first read reports of kidnapping of 25 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary, Kebbi state, memories of Chibok school girls abduction flashed through my mind. Not only is it depressing that these terrorists are targeting students, it is more worrisome that girls’ schools are their prime target; thereby, they seek to dent northern governments’ very commendable plan of promoting girl child education. Girls/women are the fulcrum of any society and girls need sound education to be able to contribute maximally to a nation’s development. As a saying goes, when you educate a girl (who eventually becomes a fully fledged woman) you invariably educate the nation. Abduction of hundreds of pupils of a catholic school in Niger State, marks another new level in bandits’ activities, for it is the first time that these monstrous elements are targeting private school. So, the recent surge in terrorist’ activities indicate that quite apart from north east and north west regions where they had been operating for several years, they are now getting a foothold in north central region and that they may infiltrate south west region if care is not taken. For government the challenge is to stop them on their tracks as well as uproot them from their current and other operating theatres. Security should/is everyone’s business and all of us irrespective of age or gender are enjoined to be security conscious as these agents of darkness unfold their fangs, prowling about our lands. President Bola Tinubu has now revealed that all 38 kidnapped worshippers of CAC Iruku, have been rescued while 51 of the abducted pupils of the Niger state catholic school have returned. Security agents are said to be on trail of the kidnappers whilst still continuing their search for other victims.

Nevertheless, the recent attacks raise a few questions. The abductions at the church and catholic school happened soon after the US raised issue of so-called “Christian genocide” in Nigeria. Are these attacks meant to justify this narrative? Secondly, the surge occurred just when the new service chiefs were still trying to find their feet following the recent change of guards. Could it be that the terrorists’ took advantage of the seeming lull caused by the wholesale changes in the armed forces and the fact that the new helmsmen are still familiarising themselves with their new duties, to strike? Thirdly could the new wave of banditry and terrorists’ activities be attributed to saboteurs, people who for a variety of reasons are at odds with the government and seek to sabotage its efforts and so cast it in a bad light? Whatever it is, we all should join hands, lend a hand in fighting this monster, for, we have no other country than Nigeria.

BY VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO
victoriangozii@gmail.com
08033077519

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TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

As 16 graduands make First Class

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko-Irese, in the Irepodun local government area of Kwara State, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening quality education, innovation, and globally competitive learning.

Speaking at the institution’s 2nd Convocation ceremony in Oko-Irese, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Francisca Onaolapo Oladipo, said TAU is living up to its ranking as the fastest growing institution in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine, and Innovation (STEM-i) ecosystem by surpassing more than 100 percent in its number of graduating students at the second convocation.

She said: “TAU emerged on April 8, 2021, as Nigeria’s fastest-growing Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Innovations (STEM-i) ecosystem. Today, we rank 1st among the 20 private universities that were licensed in
2021, 4th among the 14 Universities in Kwara State, 5th among Nigeria’s over 170 private Universities and 50th nationally, an impressive rise reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence.

”What a Moment of Extraordinary Significance today, we stand at a crossroads far more significant than words can adequately capture. Exactly one year ago, we gathered at this very Auditorium to celebrate our inaugural Convocation, a ceremony that marked the graduation of 26 pioneering students who dared to believe in a vision when others saw only impossibility. Those 26 trailblazers proved that Thomas Adewumi University was not just a dream, but a reality rooted in excellence. Today, as we honour 63 outstanding graduates, we witness something far more profound than numerical growth.

“This 142% increase in our graduating class is not merely a statistic to be recorded in annual reports, it is a declaration that Thomas Adewumi University has transcended the realm of promise and entered the domain of proof.

“We have moved from potential to performance, from aspiration to achievement, from vision to velocity.
This year, 63 graduands from 4 Faculties and 11 academic programmes are being conferred. It is noteworthy that we have 16 First Class graduates, 40 in Second Class Upper Division, and 7 in Second Class Lower Division. These results reflect the quality of training and mentorship provided at Thomas Adewumi University, and we are proud to contribute these innovators to both the Nigerian and global workforce, confident that they will make a meaningful
impact.

”Preparing Globally Competitive Graduates, these 63 graduands are not merely degree holders, they are comprehensively prepared global professionals equipped with exceptional advantages that set them apart from their peers nationwide. Through our international partnerships, these graduates have obtained additional microcredentials from MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Berkeley, and Yale, world-class certifications from Alison, UK, RUDN professional University, Russia, World Bank’s Saylor Academy, Google, ICAN, and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development initiatives in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

“Our Coursera collaboration provided them with additional industry certifications, while partnerships with Microsoft, IBM SkillsBuild, and MIT OpenCourseWare through our Global Campus initiative democratize access to cutting-edge knowledge. They are thus fully equipped to embark on meaningful and innovative careers in today’s technology-driven world.”

Earlier in his Convocation Lecture, titled “Crowdfunding Opportunities forstartups: Equiping Nigerian graduates for a sustainable future”, Dr. Bayo Williams Olugbemi charged the graduads on the mindset of job creation, saying “as a graduate, your future is not defined by what Nigeria gives you, but by what you create. The idea of crowdfunding is the idea of hope. It is proof that when people come together, ideas once impossible become achievable.

“I urge you not to think only about searching for jobs. Instead, think about creating value, and if capital is a barrier, remember: “The crowd can be your first investor.”

In his goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, represented by Esther I. Eyo, Esq commended the resilience of TAU management said “NUC acknowledges TAU sustained progress in advancing quality teaching, impactful research, innovation, and community engagement, all of which align with our national aspiration for a globally competitive and knowledge-driven university system.

“It would interest you to know that, in the accreditation exercise conducted in 2023, Thomas Adewumi University achieved a 100% Full Accreditation status across all programmes assessed a laudable feat that reflects the University’s strong commitment to maintaining high academic standards.”

Also speaking, the Founder/Chancellor of the institution, Dr. (Engr) Johnson Adewumi, urged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the University, adding: “Remember that your degree is not an end but a beginning, go forth with courage, humility, and a sense of responsibility. Strive to illuminate whatever space you occupy with the light of integrity, excellence and service.”

Highlight of the event was the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree on two distinguished personalities; Engr Oluseyi Afolabi and Pastor Oladokun Olatunde.

End

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photo

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

L-r Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the dinner for members of the National Assembly by the First Lady yesterday. Photo: Senate President’s Office.

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JUST IN: Even Tinubu moves with too many police escorts – Senator Ndume

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

By Hassan Taiye

Senator Ali Ndume has criticised what he described as the excessive use of security convoys by top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, warning that the practice leaves ordinary citizens exposed and vulnerable.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, Ndume said many public office holders move with security details that are unnecessarily large, even when their positions do not warrant such heavy protection.

He recalled visiting the residence of a colleague and finding “more than 10 policemen” attached to him, despite the lawmaker being junior to him in the National Assembly.

Ndume further argued that the presidential convoy itself is excessively large, stressing that security efforts should be focused on protecting the overall environment rather than individual personalities.

He said: “I went to one of my colleagues’ house for dinner. And I saw more than 10 policemen. He is even my junior in the National Assembly. Some of them, if you see them coming, you will pull back thinking that maybe it’s the President or the Vice President that is coming.
“

You can see even the president, the convoy that the president goes about with is too much. Secure the place and when the president goes, you withdraw. Secure Abuja and the president can even drive out, you know, himself.

But when you secure personalities, and this is what is happening in Nigeria, then others, common people, as we call them, become vulnerable, and we don’t care. So if you secure Abuja, then you can drive at night. And let me tell you, this is what is happening in most countries”.

The lawmaker’s comments come just days after President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers from VIP escort and guard duties.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the directive was aimed at redeploying police manpower to core law enforcement responsibilities.