Category Nigeria News

The Kebbi State House of Assembly is being presented with a proposed $642 billion budget for 2026 by governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State.

Through significant infrastructure investments, the budget, titled “Budget of Transformation and People’s Empowerment,” prioritizes development and accountability.

The governor claims that the proposal includes funding for the Kebbi State Security Trust Fund in response to persistent security issues, such as the Maga schoolgirl abductions. An initial $3 billion takeover grant will be provided for the fund, which is anticipated to increase security in nearby towns.

READ ALSO: &nbsp, Sanwo-Olu Presents ₦4.23trn 2026 Budget

Governor Idris stated in the budget presentation that 25% of the total budget is designated for recurrent expenditure, while 25% (163 billion) is designated for capital expenditure.

He added that state-generated revenue (IGR) will be financed through Federal Allocation (FAAC), Value Added Tax (VAT), and the state’s internal revenue (IGR).

The governor said that the construction of the Zuru, Bena, and Wasagu General Hospitals, among other projects, will be finished by the first quarter of 2026.

READ MORE: Governor Radda of Katsina Announces the budget for 2026.

He made the point that expanded urban rehabilitation will be prioritized in the budget for 2026. The government will support the introduction of digital case management systems in Kebbi courts to speed up the delivery of justice.

In his remarks, Speaker Muhammad thanked the governor for carrying out people-oriented projects, as evidenced by the 2025 budget’s implementation.

Following the coup in Guinea-Bissau, the House of Representatives is urging the Federal Government to use all diplomatic means to secure former president Goodluck Jonathan’s release.

Jonathan is one of the African Union’s, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum’s joint mission to Guinea-Bissau to monitor the weekend’s coup-hit country’s presidential election.

According to sources within the presidency, work is still being done to secure the former president’s safe return.

The House also appeals to the Federal Government for help rescuing Guinea-Bissau’s imprisoned citizens.

They made the request during the Thursday plenary session, which was held the day after military forces took control of Guinea-Bissau.

  Guinea-Bissau Rocked By Coup D’Etat, Electoral Process Suspended;

Three days after the West African country’s legislative and presidential elections, the officers suspended the country’s electoral process and restricted its borders.

General Denis N’Canha, the head of the presidential military office, announced to the media on Wednesday afternoon that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice.”

Armed soldiers surrounded by armed soldiers seated at a table and allowing N’Canha to read the announcement.

Under the condition of anonymity, a senior officer reported to AFP that incumbent president Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who had been expected to win the election on Sunday, was “with the chief of staff and the minister of the interior.”

Later, Embalo claimed to have been detained inside the presidential palace.

General Biague Na Ntan, the interior minister, Botche Cande, and General Mamadou Traore, the deputy chief of staff, are also being detained.

Read more about ECOWAS’ and AU missions’ requests for the release of detainees in Guinea-Bissau.

Nigeria, AU, and ECOWAS Condemn Coup.

Concerns about the coup in Guinea-Bissau have been raised by election observers from the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Nigerian government.

They called for the West African nation’s return to democracy and called for the coup in separate statements.

The observers expressed “deep concern” over the military’s announcement of a coup d’etat while the country was “waiting for the results to be announced.

Matthew Ashimolowo, the founder of the Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), wants the Federal Government to include security training in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program as part of its efforts to combat insecurity in Nigeria.

The cleric said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, “We should train all of our NYSC guys so that they can swing into action and not even commit any crimes.”

Every citizen should contribute to the country’s security, Ashimolowo urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to improve security.

“Now that our president has demanded more policing, let’s stand behind him.” Now that our president has called for more soldiers, he said on the breakfast program, “let’s stand behind him.”

He urged the government and its citizens to unite efforts to harness Nigeria’s youth population, which he claimed accounts for 60% of the country’s demography.

The cleric suggested that Nigeria could adopt Israel’s strategy of involving young people in national defense initiatives.

“Every time I travel to Israel, I’m surprised how young the Israeli army is.” From age 18 to age 22, you are a member of Israel’s army. We should train all of our NYSC personnel, he said.

He argued that by promoting youth awareness and vigilance among young people, Nigeria’s internal security system would be strengthened.

Ashimolowo cautioned against the use of state police by some leaders while making a comment about it.

State police may be effective, but they will ultimately become someone’s personal army, he warned.

Ashimolowo urged Nigerians to work together to create a safe and proud nation.

Let’s raise the bar for security, let’s make our citizens proud of being Nigerians, and let’s tap into the brains of our country. We have the right people in place to make things work, in my opinion. The preacher urged people to “support him, stand up for him” and “do it.”

Some youths who identify as cultists have voluntarily given up their affiliations with the cult organizations and have come out of hiding at Ondo City’s headquarters, Ondo West Local Government Area.

Youths, under the umbrella organization of Ondo Ekimogun Youths, are a part of the organization’s involvement with the Police Area Command in the city, organizing the exercise that will take place on Tuesday.

Olusola Ayanlade, the public relations officer for the Ondo State police command, said the collaborative engagement demonstrated the value of community collaboration in addressing long-standing security issues.

According to Ayanlade, “some of the people who surrendered included well-known faces and individuals who had long been on the Command’s trail,” many of whom had previously been recorded on the Command’s watchlist for their involvement in cult-related activities.

Their decision to come forward demonstrates the effectiveness of the program in breaking up cult-rooted cult networks and reinforces the growing acceptance of the Command’s peace-driven approach.

The police spokesperson revealed that the Command had also successfully mediated a dispute between two rival cult organizations and camps. In the previous year, the groups’ bivalry had claimed eight lives.

Adebowale Lawal, the state’s police commissioner, praised the Ekimogun Youths and the program’s initiators for their contribution to fostering harmony and stability in his response to the development.

He reassured them of the Command’s full cooperation and ongoing cooperation, stressing that the Police will make more efforts to persuade other cultists to repent. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to apprehend any person who chooses to continue to be a criminal.

Ayanlade stated that there were submitted a total of 17 weapons and 12 rounds of ammunition, including 9 mm rounds and AA cartridges.

The tangible progress being made in eradicating the state of illegal firearms is further demonstrated by these recovered arms, which include various grades of locally produced weapons and Beretta pistols.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has reiterated the need for state police and a joint regional security force.

At a meeting of the state’s governors on Wednesday that was heavily focused on the state’s growing security threat, Abiodun made the call.

READ MORE: Police Arrest Man Fleeing With “Wife’s Corpse” On Motorcycle In Ogun.

The meeting’s chair, Governor Abiodun, emphasized the need for region-wide safe school programs, digital surveillance, and intelligence-driven security systems.

He praised Bola Tinubu, the president, for what they characterized as transformative leadership.

He reaffirmed their long-standing need for state police and emphasized that security issues have grown more difficult with centrally centralized institutions.

State Police

Abiodun noted that the collective demand for effective grassroots security and true federalism still includes the establishment of state police.

Our region has consistently argued for a more connected, responsive, and capable of responding to the rapidly changing threats we face.

The recent incidents in the nation demonstrate how urgent it is to decentralize policing so that states can assume full responsibility for protecting their citizens.

A “unified Southern position on State Police will enhance our ability to secure schools, farmlands, border communities, and critical infrastructure across our states,” he continued.

Additionally, the governor suggested expanding community policing, improving corridor surveillance for major thoroughfares and rail lines, and creating a regional rapid response fund for emergencies. The governor also suggested establishing a real-time digital intelligence-sharing platform across the 17 southern states.

Agenda for Development

A coordinated southern Nigeria development agenda was discussed by Abiodun over security.

He identified opportunities for expanding regional connectivity, agricultural productivity, and mineral and energy resources.

The abducted pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in the Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State will soon be reunited with their families, according to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda.

When Yilwatda led the APC National Working Committee (NWC) members on a solidarity visit to the Christian Association of Nigeria’s (CAN) chapter in Niger State today, he provided the assurance.

Read more about Tinubu’s order to recruit more personnel and declares national security emergency.

In this challenging time, he urged the party to stand firm with the affected families, the Christian community, the government, and the people of Niger State.

“We are here to express our sincere condolences for the tragic state-related kidnapping.”

The APC chairman stated on Wednesday that “these children will be reunited with their parents as soon as possible.” “Our hearts are with you, our prayers are with you.

He added that despite the agony, there was hope, and that national anthems were in effect right now to ensure the victims’ safe recovery.

God will give them strength wherever they are. Because the entire nation is praying, “God will rescue them and bring them back safely as we wait on the Lord,” he said.

Yilwatda earlier received updates on government and security agency efforts to bring the abductees to justice in a meeting with Governor Umaru Bago at the Government House in Minna.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for the actions taken so far, noting that several security measures are already working well.

He prayed that the efforts would soon enable the teachers and schoolchildren to recover safely.

He, however, expressed his concern about the country’s rising kidnapping rate, citing the alarming frequency of attacks and urging more intensive cooperation.

Rev. the CAN Chairman in Niger State made his remarks. Bulus Yohanna, who is accompanied by Rev. Yohanna, his vice chairman. Ezekiel Ibrahim expressed his gratitude to the APC leadership for their hospitality and support.

He claimed that the Christian community had been praying more for the victims’ safe return.

In the Agwarra local government area of Nigeria State, terrorists kidnapped more than 300 students and teachers.