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Politics

Public Affairs

ANLCA MMAC Crisis Worsens as Chapter Alleges Court Order Misrepresentation

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The leadership of the ANLCA Murtala Muhammed Airport Command (MMAC) Chapter has dismissed the recent court order sought by the Association’s Board of Trustees (BOT), insisting that the ruling was obtained through misrepresentation and would not withstand legal scrutiny.In a statement issued on behalf of the chapter, the MMAC leadership maintained that the dispute over control of the chapter’s secretariat is not new, noting that the BOT had, over the past four years, repeatedly approached the courts in an effort to gain control of the facility without lasting success.According to the statement, the latest court order tailed to disclose that the secretariat had beensealed by the Nigeria Police Force as a crime scene following an ongoing investigation. The chapter argued that the court would not have granted the order if it had been informed of the true status ofthe property.The chapter also alleged that the counsel representing the BOT in the matter had earlier secured bail for BOT members facing a criminal case instituted by the Inspector-General of Police and had undertaken before the court that his clients would not interfere with evidence or witnesses during the bail period. It further claimed that the court was led to believe the dispute was a fresh disagreement between the Police and the BOT, describing the development as an abuse of court process that would be corrected once all relevant facts were presented.Recounting the history of the leadership crisis, the MMAC chapter said previous attempts by the BOT and the National Executive Committee (NECOM) toinaugurate a new executive without conducting an election were resisted in court.The statement recalled that a competent court eventually declared Hon. Bola Ashiru-Balogun as the duly elected Chairman of ANLCA MMAC, adding that although the BOT appealed the judgment, it later withdrew the appeal, effectively affirming his mandate.Following the judgment, the chapter said the Police reopened the secretariat to enable Ashiru-Balogun assume office before the facility was later sealed again after an alleged break-in, which is now under police investigation.The chapter accused the BOT of acting outside the provisions of the ANLCA Constitution, insisting that neither the BOT nor NECOM possesses the constitutional authority to remove a duly elected executive committee and replace it without an election. It maintained that political offices within the association can only be occupied through democratic elections and warned against what itdescribed as attempts to undermine members’ electoral mandate.The MMAC leadership disclosed that all parties involved in the dispute had been invited to appear before the Inspector-General of Police in Abuja on July 30, expressing confidence that the issues would be addressed through due process.The statement urged members of the association to remain calm and allow the ongoing legal and police processes to take their course.

Elections, Politics

2027: Kwankwasiyya-Shekarau Alliance Endorses Gov Yusuf for Re-election

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The Kwankwasiyya-Shekarau Unity Forum has declared its support for Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and announced a change of name to Abba Gida-Gida–Shekarau Unity Forum. The declaration was made during a visit by members of the group to the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya. Speaking during the visit, the forum’s chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Saminu (DOC), said the group was established following the merger of members from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 to work for the success of the Kwankwasiyya movement. According to him, although their political leader, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, later left the movement, many members remained loyal but were not initially recognised for their contributions. He credited the Commissioner for Information with bringing the group closer to the state government and giving its members a sense of belonging. “That is why we are here today to declare our total support for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and to rename our organisation as the Abba Gida-Gida–Shekarau Unity Forum,” Saminu said. He added that the forum believes Governor Yusuf deserves continued support because of what it described as his achievements since assuming office. Saminu praised the administration’s performance in education, healthcare, security, youth and women empowerment, road construction and infrastructure development, saying these accomplishments influenced the group’s decision to publicly back the governor. In his response, Commissioner Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya thanked the members for their support and described them as committed politicians who have chosen to prioritise the development of Kano State. He said their endorsement of Governor Yusuf for a second term reflected confidence in the administration’s performance and commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy. Waiya also dismissed criticism of the governor, insisting that it would not distract the administration from its development agenda. He assured the forum that the state government would continue to work closely with the group as part of efforts to secure victory in the 2027 general elections.

Governance, Politics

Nigeria Seeks AU Action on Illicit Funds, Reaffirms Fight Against Terrorism

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The Federal Government has called on the African Union (AU) to intensify efforts to curb illicit financial flows, warning that the growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism across Africa is being sustained by illegal funding. Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional and international partnerships aimed at combating terrorism and violent extremism. In a statement issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ media aide, Magnus Eze, the government said the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the call during the 1354th Ministerial Meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council, held virtually on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Uganda’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council for July 2026, Haruna Kasolo. Speaking at the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu identified illicit financing as one of the biggest obstacles to defeating terrorism in Africa, saying it enables extremist groups to recruit young people and acquire sophisticated weapons. “A major obstacle to progress in the fight against terrorism in Africa is access to illicit funds. It facilitates the recruitment of youths and the procurement of lethal weapons by terrorist groups. We call on the Peace and Security Council to strengthen international cooperation in preventing, tracing, recovering and returning proceeds of illicit financial flows from safe havens to their countries of origin,” she said. The minister noted that terrorist organisations across the continent have become increasingly resilient, adopting commercially available technologies such as drones and advanced digital platforms while financing their operations through kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining activities. She reiterated Nigeria’s condemnation of terrorism and violent extremism in all forms, expressing solidarity with victims and commending the sacrifices of security personnel engaged in counter-terrorism operations across Africa. Odumegwu-Ojukwu also warned that the spread of terrorism in West Africa has been used by military regimes as justification for unconstitutional takeovers of democratically elected governments. She urged African leaders to translate into action the commitments made during the 2022 AU Extraordinary Summit on Counter-Terrorism in Malabo and the 2024 High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting held in Abuja. The minister cautioned against portraying Africa as the global epicentre of terrorism, arguing that such narratives could lead to the unfair profiling and mistreatment of innocent Africans at international airports and other destinations. Highlighting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy, she said the country has adopted a comprehensive approach that combines military operations with non-military interventions. According to her, sustained security operations have significantly weakened the operational capacity of Boko Haram and ISWAP while restoring government authority in many affected communities. She added that the government is targeting terrorist financiers, rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant ex-combatants, and addressing the root causes of extremism through investments in education, infrastructure, youth empowerment and community resilience. Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria is also working closely with neighbouring countries through the ECOWAS Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the Early Warning and Response Network to strengthen intelligence sharing, border security and coordinated responses to security threats. She described the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) as a model for regional cooperation in combating terrorism on the continent. The minister further endorsed stronger intelligence-sharing among AU member states, efforts to dismantle terrorist financing networks, improved early warning systems, enhanced cybersecurity, and the development of continental guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in preventing and combating terrorism. She also called on international partners to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism by preventing non-state actors from acquiring arms, drones, dual-use technologies and other sophisticated weapons, while taking stronger measures to curb the illicit trade that fuels terrorist activities across Africa.

Politics

Atiku Faults Tinubu Over N8.05bn Appropriation for Religious Centres

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Tinubu administration over the alleged allocation of ₦8.05 billion for mosque- and church-related projects in the proposed 2026 budget, describing the expenditure as inappropriate at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling with poverty. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said public funds should be managed transparently and questioned the rationale behind the allocations. Citing an analysis by public accountability organisation Tracka, he said about ₦6.14 billion was earmarked for mosque-related projects, while ₦1.91 billion was allocated to church-related projects. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election said that although religion occupies an important place in society, it should not be used to shield public spending from scrutiny. According to him, many of the budget provisions do not clearly identify the beneficiary churches, mosques or project locations, making independent verification difficult. “Under Nigerian law, religious bodies generally operate as Incorporated Trustees with distinct legal identities. If public funds are appropriated for projects involving such bodies, Nigerians have a right to know exactly which churches, which mosques and in which communities those projects will be executed,” he said. Atiku challenged the Federal Government to publish the names of all beneficiary institutions, project locations, implementing agencies and the legal basis for the allocations if the projects are legitimate. He warned that failure to provide such details could strengthen public perceptions that religion was being used to conceal questionable public spending. “The Tinubu administration has no moral or legal licence to hide behind the altar, the minbar or the sacred robes of our priests and imams to mask questionable appropriations. If these projects are genuine, publish the names of every beneficiary institution, disclose every project location and execute every project in full public view,” he said. Reacting to the controversy, David Etim, Project Lead of Calabar and Gulf of Guinea Municipal and Trade Centre Ltd/Gte, described the allocations as a misplaced priority. He argued that limited public resources should be directed toward critical sectors such as education and healthcare rather than religious projects, saying investments in schools and hospitals would have a greater impact on the lives of Nigerians. “With millions of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, government resources should be used to improve education, healthcare and other essential services. Funding schools and hospitals would benefit far more people than financing churches or mosques,” he said. Also commenting, the Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics (AERE) Ltd/Gte urged Nigerians to focus on broader fiscal challenges rather than the religious allocations alone. In a statement, the group acknowledged reports that ₦6.14 billion had been allocated for 52 mosque projects and ₦1.91 billion for seven church projects but noted that the total represented just 0.0118 per cent of the proposed ₦68.32 trillion 2026 budget. According to the organisation, Nigeria’s growing fiscal deficit and rising debt burden pose a far greater threat to the economy. AERE said the Federal Government plans to finance about 46.1 per cent of the proposed budget through borrowing because projected revenues are insufficient to meet expenditure. The group also expressed concern over the ₦15.8 trillion earmarked for debt servicing, noting that it accounts for about 23 per cent of total spending and roughly 43 per cent of projected government revenue. It further questioned why religious projects were included in the budgets of ministries whose mandates are unrelated to such activities, including the Ministries of Agriculture, Labour, and Marine and Blue Economy. The organisation called for stronger fiscal discipline, improved revenue generation and greater transparency in public spending, stressing that long-term economic stability depends on addressing structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s public finances rather than focusing solely on relatively small budget allocations.

Elections

Court of Appeal Affirms INEC’s Power to Set 2027 Election Guidelines

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that invalidated parts of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) electoral guidelines for the 2027 general election, reaffirming the commission’s constitutional authority to regulate electoral processes. In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, the appellate court held that INEC is empowered under the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to issue election guidelines, timetables and other regulations necessary for the conduct of elections. The court set aside the earlier ruling of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had nullified portions of the electoral guidelines following a suit filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Justice Banjoko ruled that the lower court was bound by the Court of Appeal’s recent decision in INEC v. Youth Party of Nigeria, which affirmed the commission’s statutory powers to administer elections. The appeal stemmed from Justice Omotosho’s judgment, which granted some of the SDP’s requests while ruling in INEC’s favour on other issues. Dissatisfied with the aspects of the ruling that limited its powers over election management, INEC challenged the decision at the appellate court. Presenting INEC’s case, the commission’s lead counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), argued that the Constitution clearly empowers INEC to organise, conduct and supervise elections, including the issuance of electoral guidelines and election timetables. He maintained that the Federal High Court failed to properly interpret the relevant constitutional provisions and judicial precedents that recognise INEC’s authority. “The Constitution specifically empowers INEC to organise, supervise and undertake elections and other political activities. The timetable provided is in consonance with the powers donated by the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act,” Izinyon argued. He further submitted that both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal have consistently upheld INEC’s power to regulate electoral processes, including activities leading up to elections. “The trial court erred in law because it failed to interpret, using Supreme Court authorities and Court of Appeal decisions, the powers already donated by the Constitution to INEC to arrange elections, including pre-election matters,” he added. The appellate court’s ruling confirms INEC’s authority to issue electoral guidelines and set timelines for political activities ahead of the 2027 general election, reinforcing its constitutional mandate as Nigeria’s electoral management body.

Politics

Flood Threat: NIHSA Orders Immediate Evacuation in 17 States

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The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has placed 17 states on medium flood alert, warning of possible localised flooding between July 21 and July 27. The agency urged residents living in flood-prone communities to relocate immediately to safer locations. In its National Flood Advisory (Alert No. NFA-2026-200) released on Tuesday, NIHSA said water levels at key river monitoring stations had risen above warning thresholds, increasing the risk of flooding along major rivers and floodplains. Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said data from the agency’s hydrological monitoring network showed that river levels at Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River had exceeded watch and warning levels. He added that 16 gauging stations across the country were also recording elevated water levels. Mohammed warned that communities located along the affected river channels face a high risk of localised flooding and called on state governments, emergency agencies and residents to take urgent preventive measures. “Our hydrological monitoring network indicates that river stages at critical monitoring stations have exceeded watch and warning thresholds. With 16 gauging stations showing elevated stages, communities along the primary channels face imminent localised flooding. We strongly advise state governments, local authorities and residents on floodplains to act immediately,” he said. The agency identified Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue among the states at risk, alongside 11 others. According to the advisory, Bauchi has the highest projected exposure, with 1,841 communities at risk, including 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets. In Edo State, 148 communities, 131 schools, 123 health facilities, four markets, seven religious centres and seven hectares of farmland could be affected. Imo State has 415 vulnerable communities, as well as 423 schools, 198 health facilities, 49 markets, 111 religious centres and 75 hectares of farmland under threat. Plateau State has 205 at-risk communities, 137 schools, 44 health facilities, 16 markets, 81 religious centres and 64 hectares of farmland that could be impacted by flooding. In Kaduna, 168 communities have been identified as vulnerable, while Benue has five communities, eight schools and two health facilities exposed to possible flooding. NIHSA directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local government authorities and community leaders to begin the immediate evacuation of residents, livestock and valuables from flood-prone areas to designated safe shelters. The agency also advised emergency responders to pre-position relief materials, including food, clean water, medical supplies and first-aid equipment, while urging communities to activate local early-warning systems and maintain regular communication to minimise the impact of potential flooding.

Politics

Atiku’s Lobbyist Presents Alleged Tinubu Forfeiture Documents to Trump, Congress

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A United States-based lobbying firm hired by African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has announced that it has begun distributing historical United States Department of Justice (DOJ) records relating to President Bola Tinubu to officials in the administration of President Donald Trump, members of Congress and senior congressional staff. The Washington-based firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., disclosed the development in a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that the documents relate to historical allegations investigated by U.S. authorities involving Tinubu in the late 1980s and early 1990s. According to the firm, it was engaged by Atiku in March 2026 under a 12-month lobbying contract worth $1.2 million to enhance his profile in Washington, facilitate engagement with U.S. policymakers and counter what it described as the Nigerian government’s lobbying efforts. The firm said many U.S. government officials were previously unfamiliar with the historical court records and had now been provided with more than 60 pages of DOJ documents, court filings, affidavits and related federal court decisions. It added that the documents would also be shared with relevant congressional committees for informational and oversight purposes. Among the materials circulated is a document titled, Background and Chronology of the 1993 U.S. Department of Justice Heroin-Proceeds Forfeiture Case and the 2023 FOIA Litigation Concerning Alleged Heroin Trafficking from Nigeria to the United States Involving Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to the chronology, the DOJ alleged that a Nigeria-based heroin trafficking organisation imported heroin into the United States and distributed it through associates operating in Chicago. The document references United States v. Funds in Account No. 263226700 et al., No. 93 C 4483, identifying Bola Tinubu, Adegboyega Mueez Akande and Abiodun Agbele among individuals named in the government’s civil forfeiture proceedings. It states that federal investigators examined the activities of the alleged trafficking organisation between 1988 and 1991 and alleged that proceeds from the operation were deposited into U.S. bank accounts owned or controlled by Tinubu. The chronology also identifies Akande as the alleged leader of the organisation and describes Agbele as an associate who later cooperated with U.S. investigators after his arrest. According to the document, the Department of Justice filed civil forfeiture proceedings in 1993, seeking the forfeiture of funds it alleged were linked to narcotics trafficking or money laundering. The matter was later resolved through a negotiated civil settlement, under which part of the funds was forfeited to the U.S. government. The lobbying firm also highlighted the ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation filed in 2023 by journalist Aaron Greenspan, who sought the release of records relating to the historical investigation. It noted that a U.S. District Court ruled in 2025 that agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), must process certain requested records after finding they could not rely on blanket refusals to confirm or deny their existence. The firm said the FOIA case remains before the courts. Von Batten-Montague-York said the records are being shared with members of both the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government as Nigeria remains a strategic U.S. partner and amid reports that President Tinubu is seeking a bilateral meeting with President Trump during the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly. The issues surrounding Tinubu’s 1993 U.S. civil forfeiture case were extensively litigated after Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. Former presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi had argued before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that Tinubu should have been disqualified because of the civil forfeiture proceedings. However, the PEPC dismissed the claims, ruling that the petitioners failed to prove Tinubu had been convicted of any criminal offence in the United States. The court also held that the forfeiture proceedings were civil, not criminal, and found that the evidence presented did not establish that Tinubu submitted false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the matter.

Public Affairs

House of Reps Launches Investigation into Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians

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The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the human and economic losses suffered by Nigerians during repeated xenophobic attacks in South Africa, as part of efforts to facilitate compensation for victims, strengthen diplomatic engagement and improve the protection of Nigerians living abroad. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Babajimi Benson, during plenary on Tuesday. Presenting the motion, Benson said that despite years of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa, there had never been a comprehensive assessment of the number of casualties, property destroyed and economic losses incurred by victims. He recalled Nigeria’s role in the fight against apartheid, noting that the country made significant diplomatic, financial and political contributions to South Africa’s liberation through international advocacy, scholarships, the Southern African Relief Fund and economic sacrifices by Nigerians. Benson expressed concern that, despite the long-standing relationship between both countries, Nigerians legally residing in South Africa had continued to face recurring xenophobic violence for nearly two decades. He said the attacks had involved killings, mob violence, physical assaults, looting, destruction of businesses and properties, forced displacement and intimidation. According to him, major outbreaks of xenophobic violence were recorded in 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021, each leading to diplomatic tensions, emergency evacuations of Nigerian citizens and renewed commitments by the South African government to prevent future attacks. The lawmaker also raised concerns over what he described as a resurgence of organised anti-foreigner campaigns by groups such as Operation Dudula, saying the threats had forced many Nigerians to abandon their homes, businesses and investments while seeking emergency evacuation. He argued that although previous National Assembly sessions had condemned the attacks and called for diplomatic action, no detailed legislative inquiry had been carried out to determine the actual number of Nigerians killed, injured or displaced, or the total value of losses suffered. Benson said the absence of verified data had weakened Nigeria’s ability to pursue effective diplomatic engagement, seek justice for victims and formulate appropriate policies. Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Integration and Cooperation in Africa and Diaspora, and Foreign Affairs to investigate the casualties, losses and damages suffered by Nigerians during previous and recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The committees were also directed to compile an inventory of properties abandoned by Nigerians as a result of the attacks and recommend diplomatic initiatives, legal measures and bilateral engagements aimed at ensuring accountability for perpetrators, securing compensation for victims where applicable and strengthening the protection of Nigerians living in South Africa. The committees are expected to submit their findings to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.

Public Affairs

Ex-DSS Officer Alleges Abacha Died During Intercourse

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A former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has claimed that Nigeria’s late military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, died during an intimate encounter at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Amachree made the claim in his memoir, DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield, where he recounted his account of the events surrounding Abacha’s death on June 8, 1998. According to the retired DSS officer, who served as Assistant Director of Operations and Intelligence at the Lagos DSS Command at the time, Abacha died around 4:05 a.m. while with a female visitor at the Aso Rock Guest House. He alleged that the woman, described as a pharmacist who was in Abuja for a conference, had accompanied her older sister identified as Abacha’s girlfriend to the Presidential Villa earlier that night. Amachree said the older sister later returned to her hotel, leaving the younger woman alone with the late military ruler. He further claimed that during the encounter, the woman noticed Abacha had become unresponsive and found that he had no pulse. According to the account, she quickly left the guest house after informing a soldier on duty that the Head of State had requested a vehicle to take her back to her hotel. The former DSS official said the woman returned to the hotel, informed her sister of what had happened and was subsequently driven to the Abuja airport, where she boarded an early morning flight to Lagos. Amachree alleged that by the time Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, was informed of the situation around 5 a.m., the woman had already left Abuja. He said the DSS later traced and questioned the pharmacist in Lagos after receiving instructions from the agency’s headquarters. According to Amachree, the woman maintained during questioning that she had no involvement in Abacha’s death, insisting that he had suddenly collapsed during the encounter. The retired DSS officer said her account supported his conclusion that the late military ruler suffered a cardiac arrest during intercourse, arguing that it contradicted long-standing conspiracy theories surrounding Abacha’s death, including claims involving poisoning or foreign women. Abacha ruled Nigeria from November 1993 until his death in June 1998. His administration remains one of the country’s most controversial military governments, marked by allegations of human rights abuses and political repression. He died less than a month before the death of Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, who was in detention at the time.

Politics

Boat Tragedy in Jigawa: 40 Feared Dead

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No fewer than 40 women and children are feared dead after a canoe capsized in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State. The Jigawa State Police Command confirmed the incident on Tuesday, stating that one body had been recovered while search and rescue operations were ongoing for the remaining passengers. In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the command said emergency responders were continuing efforts to locate those still missing. “One of the bodies was recovered. Efforts to recover the remaining 39 are underway,” the police said. The Director of Planning at the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Muhammad Sanusi, also confirmed the accident, saying the passengers were predominantly female farmers and agricultural labourers travelling by canoe when the incident occurred. Sanusi said the cause of the capsizing had not yet been determined, adding that emergency personnel, local divers and community volunteers had intensified search and rescue operations. “Hands are on deck as combined efforts continue to determine the exact number of those rescued or missing,” he said. He added that authorities were still verifying the number of casualties and survivors as the operation continued. Boat accidents remain a recurring occurrence in several parts of northern Nigeria, where many rural communities rely on rivers and waterways for transportation and farming activities. Experts have attributed such incidents to factors including overloading, poor boat maintenance, adverse weather conditions and the failure of passengers to wear life jackets. Authorities have repeatedly urged boat operators and passengers to comply with water transportation safety regulations to help reduce the frequency of such accidents.