Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested two suspects in separate operations involving alleged human trafficking and illegal medical practice, reaffirming the Command’s resolve to protect vulnerable persons and tackle criminal activities across the State.

A statement by the spokesman for the NSCDC, ASC 1 Ayoola Michael Shola, said the Command arrested one Victor Barry, 22-year-old, for alleged trafficking of a 17-year-old girl from Amoyo, Kwara State, to Mali under the pretext of securing employment for her in Senegal.

The case, according to the Command’s spokesman, was reported by the victim’s mother at the NSCDC Amoyo Division on the 9th of October 2026 before it was transferred to the State Headquarters in Ilorin.

He said: “Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect allegedly met the girl at his shop on the 5th of October 2026 when she visited to purchase noodles and subsequently offered her an opportunity to travel to Senegal for employment.

“The suspect reportedly took the girl to Lagos on the 7th of October 2026 and handed her over to an unidentified individual at Mile 2 for onward transportation abroad. He later informed NSCDC operatives that the girl had arrived in Mali on the 12th of October 2026.

“The suspect further alleged that an agent identified as Joy redirected the girl’s destination to Mali, contrary to their initial arrangement for her to travel to Senegal.

“The suspect’s parents have pledged to cooperate with the Command to facilitate the girl’s return to Nigeria within two weeks. The Command is pursuing the necessary steps to establish the full circumstances of the case and secure her safe return.”

Also, in another separate operation on the 13th of October 2026, NSCDC operatives, acting on intelligence, arrested Bello Maruf, 56yrs, for allegedly operating an unauthorised medical facility and performing abortions without any recognised medical qualifications or a valid licence.

“During preliminary investigations, the suspect reportedly admitted to performing multiple abortions but failed to produce any certificate or licence authorising him to practise medicine. Medical instruments suspected to have been used in the procedures were recovered during the operation.

“The suspect will be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction upon completion of the investigation,” ASC 1 Ayoola stated.

Meanwhile, the State Commandant, Commandant Abbas Ndah Mohammed, has reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives, safeguarding vulnerable persons and ensuring that individuals suspected of criminal activities are brought to justice in accordance with the law.

He urged parents and guardians to exercise caution over overseas employment offers made to young people and called on members of the public to promptly report suspected human trafficking, illegal medical practices and other criminal activities to the nearest NSCDC office.

The Command has, however, assured residents of Kwara State of its continued commitment to public safety and called for credible, timely intelligence to support its operations.

By: Inuwa Bwala

I have refrained from lending my voice to the controversies surrounding some developments in Borno in the last few weeks, believing time will heal the wounds.
I wanted to also establish the truth or mischief, there in, so that I do not draw the wrong conclussions.
I have spent a week in Maiduguri, visiting and investigating some of the issues, and everything points to a calculated political mischief. I spoke to those I believe could give me an objective view from what I read in the social media and all were of the view that, it was a calculated distraction targeted at the governor in particular, not even the state govetnmeny.
At the end of it, it became obvious to me, that, the achievements of the Borno state governor, Professor Babagsna Umara Zulum, seem to overwhelmed event is arch rivals and have closed the doors of any meaningful opposition in Borno.
It is also apparent, that, the sustained, attempt by some social media and political hirelings, acting out the scripts of their failed paymaster politicians is a narrative that has long been envisaged.
To link Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, to the recent arrest of some individuals in Maiduguri for allegedly wearing T-shirts with the inscription “TINUBU MUST GO”, in particular, seems to give an alibi to the seeming mischievous intents of the schemers.
I obtained the full record of Zulum’s interview, in which he vowed to go after miscresnts, masquarading as interest groups, as well as criminals and drug addicts, threatening the wellbeing of citizens, with the full weight of the law.

Tried, as I did to establish any material evidence, or police atribution to him, neither official correspondence, that links the Borno State Government or Governor Zulum to, the said arrest led to a blank wall.
By now, I am sure, that, every right thinking person who carefully looks at the issues, is more likely to come to the same conclussion, as I did, to the effect that, the allegations against governor Zulum, were neither here nor there.
The Nigeria Police Force is a federal institution, that does not take instructions from Zulum, even as the chief security officer, because, it has its coomand structure, and operational schedules. To ascribe their action on every security action in Maiduguri to Governor Zulum is not only illogical, but most uncharitable.
It is mischief clothed in political activism, which seems to have been taken too far.

Professor Zulum, as perhaps everyone knows, means well for the people of Borno, and Nugeria. He has often taken risks in his efforts at checking lawlessness, thuggery and vandalism. I know, he derides any form of lawlessness, and often takes charge, in trying to calm frayed nerves.
He is on record as the only governor in Nigeria who has consistently said that he will not harass the opposition because his performance will speak for him, niw and in the future.
In Borno, opposition parties have always held their meetings, granted press interviews, and criticized government freely without any molestation.
It will seem out of place for the same man who tolerates direct criticism of his own government, to be accused of ordering an arrest over a T-shirt against the President?
There is no doubt about the fact that, govetnor Zulum has been very passionate about the Tinubu/Shettima ticket, but certainly will not extend that passion to ordering for such an action.
It may be true, that,”uneasy always lies the head that wears the crown, but Zulum does not have to carry this cross, about which he knows nothing.
I have asked him personally to tell ne how much he kniws about the incident and he confirmed that he did not know about the srrest, untill his attention was called to nedia reports about it. I have no cause to doubt him, especially when he swore to that effect.
Those peddling this narrative are are either doing so because they have no cogent message to take to the people of Borno, or are so obbessed with anything decent and progressive, to the extent of crucifying the man for an iffence he knew nothing about.
I have often said it, that no one can fault Zulum’s achievenents in Borno, either in the quality of infrastructural development, human capacity development, resettlement, rehabilitation or recontruction.
It is evidential that he exudes a rare courageous leadership in the face of insurgency. In the absence of credible alternative to his style of leadership, it has become so fashionable for some people to atribute to him every real or imagined wrong.
Laughable snd infantile, as it serms, is the circulation of a clearly AI-generated image, purporting that the Governor said the APC will rig the 2027 elections and heavens will not fall. This is the height of desperation and political forgery. Everyone who knows Professor Zulum knows he is a professor with integrity. He has never and will never associate himself with election rigging or any illrgitmate pursuit. I will not have to defend
He won his elections in 2019 and 2023 with overwhelming, verifiable margins because the people of Borno love him, not because he rigged.

What I am witnessing is an emerging industry of calumny attempt to rubbish Zulum because his towering achievements have rendered the opposition irrelevant in Borno. They want to put him at the crnter of a national controversy, where there is those eho may have heard about him, but not prrviledged to mert him, will lump him with emerging reckless speakers.

The people of Borno and indeed Nigerians are by now aware, that, falsehoods and mischief cannot diminish the stature Governor Zulum has attained.
Such distractions, as seems to be unfolding in Borno may be normal and I advice the governor to
remain focused on governance and on delivering the Tinubu/Shettima mandate through performance, not persecution. He believes in the ballot, not in intimidation.
History will vindicate him, as always.
I come in peace.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Zakari Mohammed, has pledged to prioritise intelligence-driven security, agricultural development, affordable food and improved access to education if given the mandate by the electorate in the 2027 general elections.

Mohammed, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2019, said sustainable development in the State would remain elusive without adequate security and policies that directly address the needs of the people.

He made the position known on Thursday during a media parley with selected journalists at his campaign office on Asa Dam Road, Ilorin, where he outlined key areas of his proposed governance agenda.

According to him, security would be the fulcrum of his administration’s development strategy, with greater emphasis on community intelligence, technology and support for conventional security agencies.

“No meaningful development can take place without security,” Mohammed said, stressing the need for a coordinated approach that would enable residents to provide useful information to security agencies.

He explained that community participation and intelligence gathering would help security operatives identify threats early and respond more effectively to criminal activities.

The ADC candidate also identified agriculture as a critical sector that his administration would give urgent and priority attention to, given the agrarian nature of most communities in the State and the growing pressure on household incomes.

He argued that government policies should support farmers, improve agricultural productivity and make food more affordable for ordinary Nigerians.

Mohammed criticised the economic policies of the administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the administration of placing excessive emphasis on taxation while households continue to struggle with rising living costs.

He maintained that agricultural subsidies and other forms of support for farmers could help reduce production costs, increase food supply and ease the burden on consumers.

On education, the former federal lawmaker called for greater attention to technical and vocational learning, noting that education should equip young people with practical skills and opportunities that would enable them to be self-sustaining.

He added : “A stronger emphasis on skills acquisition and technical education would help prepare young people for the demands of the modern economy.”

Mohammed further called for issue-based political campaigns, urging voters to assess candidates on the strength of their policy proposals, track records and capacity to deliver rather than sentiments or political affiliations.

He challenged political parties and their candidates to explain to the people what they intended to do differently and identify the specific projects they would implement if entrusted with public office.

The governorship hopeful also pledged commitment to transparency and accountability, insisting that elected officials should be judged by their performance and adherence to clearly defined policy objectives.

He said the ADC intended to provide a credible alternative to the existing political order, adding that candidates elected on the party’s platform would be expected to operate within the party’s manifesto.

Mohammed’s appearance before journalists comes as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State.

The former lawmaker’s proposed agenda places security, agriculture, education and economic relief at the centre of his campaign, with a promise to pursue policies aimed at improving the living conditions of residents across the State.