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Academics seek indigenous AI solutions to tackle insecurity

Published

4 weeks ago

May 11, 2026

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Academics from the University of Ilorin and RUDN University, Russia, have called for the indigenisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) knowledge and deployment of home-grown technological solutions in addressing insecurity and other socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria.

The call was made by the academics while engaging newsmen in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital, ahead of the institution’s fourth Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, Russia.

In her address, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, Prof. Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, said the conference would focus on “Disruptive Technology, Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy.”

According to her, the conference, scheduled for May 12 to 15, 2026, would examine how technological innovations have transformed business, communication and human interactions globally, especially within the digital economy.

She said the conference would also feature a pre-conference workshop for postgraduate students and early career academics aimed at improving research writing, publication skills and academic development.

“We have noticed that when people come into academics, one of the major fears they have is how to write acceptable academic papers and articles. We want to help young academics overcome those fears,” she said.

Abdulbaqi noted that previous editions of the conference had exposed participants to the developmental potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), especially in the use of social media for national growth and productive engagement.

She, however, cautioned against blind reliance on AI-generated outputs, stressing the need for verification and fact-checking.

“AI does not claim perfection. It can make mistakes. Users must verify whatever information they obtain and not accept everything hook, line and sinker,” she said.

Also speaking, a Professor of Computer Science at the university of Ilorin, Amos Bajeh, said Nigeria must move beyond being merely a consumer of technology to becoming a producer of AI-driven innovations.

He explained that effective use of AI depends largely on proper prompt engineering and users’ understanding of how to interact with the technology.

“The result AI gives you is as good as the prompt you generate for it. That is why prompt engineering is important,” he said.

Bajeh said the conference would explore practical ways of deploying AI for national development, including security surveillance, data analysis and indigenous language translation.

On insecurity, he said AI could assist security agencies in tracking criminal activities and predicting threats through data analysis and digital monitoring.

“We can apply AI in surveillance and in analysing data from social media. It can help trace criminals, predict their movements and support intelligence gathering,” he added.

Representing RUDN University, Associate Prof. Mustapha Muhammad Jamiu, called for stronger localisation of AI knowledge to reflect African realities and peculiarities.

Jamiu, an Ilorin indigene based in Russia, said African countries must leverage AI tools while also developing indigenous technological solutions capable of addressing local needs.

“We are more of consumers of technology than producers. But AI has now created opportunities for us to begin to create our own solutions,” he said.

He added that excessive dependence on foreign AI systems could expose African societies to cultural and ideological biases embedded in existing global AI models.

According to him, indigenous AI models built around local languages and realities would help bridge the digital divide and improve accessibility.

The scholars also stressed the need for government support, improved funding for education and stronger policies that would encourage AI research and innovation among Nigerian youths.

Abdulbaqi disclosed that the conference had attracted participants and paper presentations from countries including Russia, Malaysia, Algeria, Morocco, Ghana and the United States.

She said the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, would deliver the keynote address at the conference.

The dean further appreciated the support of the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Central Bank of Nigeria as well as other corporate bodies and individuals for their supporter for the conference.

The organisers said a communique containing policy recommendations and AI-driven solutions to societal problems would be released at the end of the conference.

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Kaduna Government Allegedly Orders Activist’s Arrest Over Anti-APC Remarks

Published

1 hour ago

June 10, 2026

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Kaduna State Government under Governor Uba Sani has allegedly ordered the arrest of political activist Zamani Musa, popularly known as Mycah Dangata, following comments in which he urged residents to vote against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to sources familiar with the matter, Dangata was reportedly arrested after publicly campaigning against the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sani. He was also said to have called on Kaduna residents to reject all APC candidates in future elections.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the activist’s arrest followed the circulation of a video he recorded shortly after the APC primaries. In the video, Dangata allegedly declared support for the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) and former Senator Danjuma Laah, while advocating for a power shift to Southern Kaduna.

A source claimed that Dangata was arrested by Operation Fushin Kaduna, a security outfit established by the state government in collaboration with the Kaduna State Police Command and other security agencies to combat banditry, kidnapping, and illegal arms trafficking.

“He was arrested by Operation Fushin Kaduna, the state security outfit composed of policemen,” the source alleged.

Another source suggested that Dangata may have drawn the government’s displeasure after comparing Governor Sani unfavourably with former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Activist Criticises Governor Sani

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Dangata, speaking in Hausa, criticised Governor Sani’s leadership style and political decisions. He praised El-Rufai, arguing that the former governor adopted a more people-centred approach to governance.

According to Dangata, El-Rufai allowed communities greater freedom in choosing their preferred candidates, whereas he accused the current administration of imposing candidates on local communities.

He further urged residents to unite politically against the APC, stating that those concerned about Kaduna State’s future should work together to defeat the ruling party at all levels of government.

“We should vote out Asiwaju (President Tinubu), vote out Uba Sani, and vote out every candidate presented by the APC,” he said.

Dangata described the alleged imposition of candidates as inconsistent with democratic principles and argued that residents should collectively oppose what he characterised as undemocratic practices.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Government and security authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations surrounding the activist’s arrest.

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One Killed, Several Houses Burnt as Suspected Militias Attack Benue Community

Published

2 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

Suspected militia members have attacked a community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, killing one person and setting several houses ablaze before fleeing the area.

According to reports, troops operating under Sector 1, in collaboration with personnel of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, responded to a distress call at approximately 8:30 a.m. on June 4 following an attack on residents of Mbasa community in Utange Council Ward.

Security operatives swiftly deployed to the area but found that the assailants had already escaped before their arrival.

A preliminary assessment revealed that one resident lost his life during the attack, while several homes were destroyed by fire allegedly set by the attackers.

During a search of the scene, security personnel recovered two empty 7.62mm special ammunition cartridges, suggesting that firearms were used in carrying out the assault.

The victim’s body was later evacuated by family members for burial in accordance with local customs and traditions.

Military authorities stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the attack. They also confirmed that security presence has been strengthened in the area to prevent further violence and reassure residents of their safety.

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EFCC Arraigns Husband, Wife for N1bn Fraud in Ado-Ekiti

Published

2 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a self-styled native doctor, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo, and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, for an alleged contract scam to the tune of N1,098,961,500 (One Billion, Ninety Eight Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand, Five Hundred Naira Only).

The couple were arraigned before Justice Abubakar Usman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on a six-count charge bordering of obtaining money by false pretence and retention of proceeds of crime contrary to Section 17(a) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.

Taiwo and Omotola ran into trouble when a widow, Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, a proprietor of a private school in Delta State, petitioned the EFCC alleging that the first defendant, Taiwo, approached her to finance a road construction contract purportedly awarded to him by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

Kenechukwu further alleged that a total sum of N1,980,000,000.00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty Million Naira Only) was paid into Taiwo’s account domiciled with Access Bank Plc.

Investigation further revealed that the couple invested the proceeds of the illicit activities in the acquisition of two properties in Ado-Ekiti, namely: Town Tavern Lounge, located at No. 1, Ikere Road, off Florence Court School, Ado-Ekiti, and a four-bedroom bungalow located on Florence Court, Irewolede Estate, Ado-Ekiti

The Commission had on Monday, May 25, 2026 secured the interim attachment of the two properties.

Count 2 of the charge reads:
“That you, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo and Awolegan Omolola Omotola, sometime between January 2024 and November 2025, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,098,961,500.00 (One Billion, Ninety-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) from one Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, which was paid to you through Olorunbukunmi Taiwo’s account number 0027303340 domiciled with Access Bank Plc, by falsely representing that same would be used to execute a road construction contract awarded to you by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADobobEC), a pretence you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.

Following their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Sesan Ola, prayed the court to fix a date for trial and order the remand of the defendants.

Justice Usman adjourned the matter until Thursday, June 11, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, and commencement of trial. The judge also ordered the remand of the defendants in the EFCC custody.