Despite the rising rate of insecurity across the country, with abductions, killings, and other crimes making headlines, an analyst on conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa, Bulama Burkati, has faulted calls for self-defense.
A former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), had re-echoed his call for self-defense in the wake of the assaults on Benue and Plateau states, where over 150 persons were killed, many wounded, and several persons displaced.
But, Bukarti, a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said self-defense is the wrong approach to silencing the stormy wave of insecurity.
“It is overwhelming, but to be honest, despite these, self-defense is the wrong thing to start; it is the wrong call,” he said on the show.
According to him, with the proliferation of arms and light weapons, calling for self-defense will only aggravate the situation.
“Now, if you have calls for self-defense, what that means is that there will be more arms in the hands of ordinary Nigerians. More people will buy weapons, they will buy arms, and more people will start to kill people without justice,” Burkati argued.
Watch his reaction to calls for self-defense from the 2:59 minute mark to 5:10 below:
Four workers have died during a routine maintenance operation at the Gubi Dam Water Treatment Plant in Bauchi.
The tragic accident happened around 5 pm on Saturday when they were carrying out a sludge cleaning exercise in the plant’s tunnel.
In a statement, the Bauchi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, explained that: “The sludge cleaning operation commenced around 12:00 hours. During the procedure, the staff members entered the clarifier to dislodge pit pipes but were tragically overcome and subsequently retrieved unconscious. Despite immediate medical interventions, they were pronounced dead at the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi. ”
The deceased have been identified as Shayibu Hamza, 48; Abdulmalik Yahya, 29; Jamilu Inusa, 29; and Ibrahim Musa, 42 – all residents of Firo village, a community near the treatment plant in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Among the victims were a father and his son, and family members say the son was due to be married in just two weeks.
READ ALSO: Father Arrested For Raping His 17-Year-Old Daughter In Bauchi
According to the Bauchi Police Command spokesman, an investigation is now underway to determine the precise circumstances that led to the accident, and the management of the facility is said to be cooperating fully with authorities.
However, the police are calling for enhanced safety measures in the plant, underlining the urgent need for reinforced workplace safety practices and strict adherence to established protocols.
“This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in the water treatment sector. It underscores the responsibility of both employers and employees to emphasize and adhere to established safety protocols to mitigate future risks,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and colleagues, offering support during what he called a challenging time.
Residents of Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State have confirmed the presence of armed bandits in the northern part of the local government. They said they were attacked this weekend by bandits chased from the northeast and northwest. Some residents were reportedly killed, while the community vigilante vehicle and motorcycles were also burned. Although, the Kwara State Police Command has consistently denied that there is presence of bandits in the state, residents of Baruten are backing up their claims with video and photo evidence. Baruten is a six-hour drive from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
READ ALSO: [Insecurity] Bakare Advocates Formation Of Zonal Security Councils A resident who wants anonymity confirmed that the northern part of Baruten LGA is now occupied by the bandits, who have chased residents away. There are also reports of the presence of the bandits in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
A former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has dismissed ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s and others’ visit to the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Shittu, who was featured on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the visit means nothing.
The Katsina State Command on Sunday said it has successfully foiled a kidnap attempt along the Funtua to Gusau Highway and rescued ten kidnap victims unhurt.
The victims comprised two drivers and eight passengers. Efforts are being intensified to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds.
In a statement on Sunday, the spokesman of the Katsina Police Command, Abubakar Sadiq, said that on April 19, 2025, at about 2135 hours, an information was received at the Faskari Division that suspected armed bandits laid ambush at Marabar Bangori village along Funtua-Gusau Road with intent to kidnap occupants of two vehicles.
He said the vehicles, a black Golf Saloon (BWR 781 SW) and an ash-colored Golf (DTM 179 TA), were en route from Katsina to Faskari.
READ ALSO: Police Arrest Suspected Drug Dealers In Katsina, Recover Illicit Substance
Sadiq added that upon receiving the information, the patrol team attached to Faskri Division mobilized and responded promptly to the scene, engaging the bandits in a gun battle.
“The bandits were overpowered and fled into the nearby bush, abandoning their mission. Ten (10) victims, including two drivers and eight passengers, were rescued unhurt. Efforts are being made to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds. Further developments will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Bello Shehu, commended the officers for their professionalism and prompt response, which undoubtedly saved lives.
Shehu further reiterated the commitment of the command towards ensuring the safety and security of the good people of the State.
The Zonal Pastor, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Katsina State, Olawale Oluwabusola.
Meanwhile, the Zonal Pastor of the Katsina State branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olawale Oluwabusola, on Sunday, charged leaders and followers to emulate the life of sacrifice as exemplified by Jesus Christ for the betterment of society.
He encouraged Christians to see Easter as a season to renew their walk with God and focus on their eternal journey.
According to him, the importance of Easter Celebration which marks the end of the 100 days of fasting and prayer declared from the beginning of the year cannot be over stated.
Oluwabusola, who was speaking in an interview with Channels Television shortly after performing early morning Easter Sunday Service believed that, God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
He therefore urged faithful on love and sacrifice, quoting John chapter 4 verse 24 which states that, God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
A former Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Bola Tinubu, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said that the North will, in the next six months, take a stand on who to support for the presidency in 2027.
He said no politician can win the presidency in 2027 without the support of the region.
In a video interview he granted in Hausa language, Baba-Ahmed, who appeared alongside a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, lamented the state of the nation and urged northerners to resist divisive and deceptive politicians ahead of the next general elections.
He said, “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way. One thing is clear: nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support.
“We want a government that understands our problems and can address them. After Buhari’s eight years, we became wiser. Now, we are in another government, and we are still crying. Is crying all we know how to do? ” Baba-Ahmed asked.
READ ALSO: NASS, Executive Relationship: Bakare Asks Tinubu To ‘Stop Playing God’
According to the former presidential aide, the North had suffered greatly during the Boko Haram insurgency, which affected all groups, Muslims, Christians, Fulani, Baju, and others, highlighting the need for unity.
“Before Buhari became president, Boko Haram was bombing mosques, churches, Abuja, and Lagos. That was a time Northerners had to unite. Today, no politician can just show up and expect Northerners to fall in line. Who are you? ” he questioned.
He therefore warned against further marginalization of the North, noting that continued disregard for the region would have consequences. .
“If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria. The North is watching, elders, masses, and interest groups will soon say “enough is enough ‘. The injustice and sidelining must stop.
Baba-Ahmed urged the northern region to look beyond identity politics, stressing that competence and integrity should guide voter decisions.
