Spotlights
6 Spaniards, real sponsors of protests arrested — Police
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said yesterday the Police have arrested some of the real sponsors of rioters who hoisted foreign flags and called for a change of government in the country in states such as Kano, Kaduna, and Zamfara, among others.
The IGP spoke as the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, disclosed that sponsors of foreign flags by the rioters had been identified to live abroad.
This is even as service chiefs, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christoper Musa, and Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, warned that the military will not stand idly by and watch the country slide into anarchy.
These came yesterday, as the protest in Port Harcourt intensified, with the protesters marching to the private residence of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and blocking the popular East-West road and other major roads in the state to traffic.
However, there was a thaw in Kano, where the state government modified its dusk-to-dawn curfew between 6 am and 6 pm, and Kaduna, where the curfew imposed by the state government brought about a lull in the city.
Abuja and Lagos were also calm yesterday.
We’ve arrested real sponsors of rioters carrying foreign flags, calling for change of govt — IGP
IGP Egbetokun also disclosed that funders of the violence and subversion both within and outside the country had been tracked, with their accounts blocked and sources of funding stopped.
Egbetokun and other security chiefs spoke at the joint media briefing summoned by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa at Defence Headquarters in Abuja yesterday, noted that the Police had been careful in managing the crisis without deploying water cannons, live and/or rubber bullets but only teargas.
He said the reported shooting of an innocent protester in Kubwa, Abuja, was not the handiwork of Police operatives but armed robbers or armed hoodlums.
“Since August 1, nobody has fired gunshots and we didn’t use force on innocent protesters. We only provided security for them. Even amid the protest, we have arrested several armed robbers, and criminal elements who stole and committed other offences.
Police arrest 6 Spaniards, 76 others in Kano, trail sponsors
Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Garba, also yesterday said his command arrested no fewer than six Spanish nationals in connection with the protest.
CP Garba, who made this known in a phone interview with Vanguard, said the command also arrested 76 others, including the tailor sewing Russian flags, saying the command is on the trail of the sponsor.
“We have arrested six Spanish nationals and 76 others, including the tailor. We recovered 23 Russian flags, we are trailing the sponsor.
“They have been transferred to Force Headquarters because it has to do with sedition and national security,” the CP stated.
Immigration places sponsors of protest on the watchlist
On her part, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, revealed that Diaspora sponsors of protesters have been placed on the agency’s watchlist.
Nandap, who didn’t reveal any name, added that the watch-listed individuals will be arrested on their arrival in the country.
She said: “We have diaspora sponsors, they are on our watchlist. They are watchlisted, any attempt they make to come into the country, we’ll be notified and they will be picked up and handed to the appropriate authorities.”
The Immigration boss said the agency had in response to the protest, deployed more officers to borders, both land and airports, to ensure effective manning of those entry points.
She said the agency had also stepped up surveillance to prevent foreign intervention in the country.
In his remarks, Director-General, Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Bichi, said the agency has uncovered some sponsors but declined to give further information.
Bichi, represented by the Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, said some accounts had been blocked.
He said some of the persons operating such accounts are staying abroad, adding that they are being monitored.
The D-G said the identity of sponsors of the foreign flags distribution would soon be made public.
Similarly, Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa, disclosed that the constant briefing of the media showed the respect and love the security agencies have for the country and their commitment to their task.
“The only people we are after is the enemy of the state who should be ready to face the law. We will not relent in pursuing those who continue to encourage subversion. We will remain professional and our men on the fields will remain professional as well,’’ he said.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, disclosed that long before the protest, the Nigerian Army had deployed troops due to security challenges across Nigeria, noting that the Army stood assured of protecting Nigeria’s democracy, peace and harmony and will not shift ground on that.
While advising youths in the country to desist from violence as the act was needless, Lagbaja said the Nigerian Army will not watch the country slide into anarchy, adding “We will continue to partner with other security agencies in maintaining peace and stability.’’
Protesters in Rivers block East-West road, others, march to Wike’s private residence
In Port Harcourt, protesters blocked a section of the busy East-West Road, NTA Road and other major roads in the state.
Sensing a possible breakdown of law and order, the state Police Command restricted the protest to two venues, including the recreational Isaac Boro Park and the Pleasure Park, both in the centre of the state capital.
Also, protesters who defied the appeal of President Bola Tinubu to end the protest, split themselves into groups, burning more tyres and threatening any vehicle without green leaf on its bonnet to clear and park.
As early as 9 am yesterday, protesters had blocked the Obiri-Ikwerre axis of the East-West Road and the Rumuokoro end, leaving motorists stranded and causing a traffic snarl.
The protesters sang anti-government songs and called on President Tinubu to resign.
One of the protesters simply identified as Igbaki, vowed: “We will not get tired of this protest till day ten. We are tired and hungry and we say no to bad governance in Nigeria.
“The President’s broadcast is nothing to write home about because he didn’t address any of the issues we raised for embarking on this protest. Tinubu must go, he has failed Nigerians and the entire world.”
Some of the protesters made quick business, selling leaves to owners of vehicles trapped in the gridlock for between N100 and N200, while others attempted to force the drivers to join the procession.
The other group of protesters converged on the federal secretariat and moved to the Ikwerre Road axis of Diobu in Port Harcourt as traffic built up in the area, while many vehicles made u-turns to avoid harassment.
Some of the protesting groups had youths between the ages of 10 and 13 years brandishing green leaves, planks and other dangerous weapons, threatening innocent people on the road and looting items, particularly edible goods displayed on the roadside for sale.
Despite their ages, they were also singing the “Tinubu Must Go” songs and looking very frightful. It was learnt that some of the protesters marched to the private residence of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to register their presence.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the restriction of the protesting venue was informed by the fact that the youths were infringing on the rights of others.
“We have restricted the protest to the Isaac Boro Park and the Pleasure Park to prevent a breakdown of law and order. As we speak, they have started infringing on the rights of others and we (Police) will not allow that. We are calling on them to stay in these two venues or else anyone that flouts this order will be arrested and prosecuted,’’ she warned.
She also dismissed reports that the FCT minister’s residence at Ada-George in Port Harcourt was attacked, saying nothing of such happened.
Also dismissing the rumour, the national coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, CBRPAC, Prince Wiro, said there is no iota of truth in the story, adding that bloggers and social media platform owners should be careful with the kind of information they push out for public consumption, especially during sensitive times as the one the country is at the moment.
“That information is not correct. The protesters were coming from the Choba axis of the Ada-George Road. When they got to Minister Wike’s house, they stopped at the right lane of the road. The minister’s house is on the left lane. There was also a very heavy police presence there.
“What they did was that for the 15 minutes or so that they spent on that lane, they were reciting the former national anthem ‘Arise O’ Compatriots, Nigeria’s Call Obey” and raising green leaves to the sky with unusual excitement.
“They did not spend more than fifteen minutes because there is no way they could have gained access to the premises with such heavy presence of armed policemen.”
Sources alleged that some of the business interests belonging to the minister had the presence of heavily armed security personnel on guard with Armored Personnel Carriers, APC, on display apparently to ward off any eventuality or infiltration by hoodlums.
Calm returns to Kaduna as soldiers, and security operatives enforce a 24-hour curfew
Kaduna was calm yesterday, following the 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government to douse the protest that turned riotous on Monday.
There was a scarcity of bread, rice and other essentials in Hayin Banki and other neighbouring communities, as the popular Kawo weekly Talata (Tuesday ) market could not hold due to the curfew.
Women were seen going around the community in search of bread and rice, which were scarce as retail shops were either shut or could not get enough supply of bread from the bakery.
The Police in Kaduna, whose operatives were spotted enforcing the curfew, except for those on essential duties, such as medical personnel and journalists, said they arrested 39 suspects, including a tailor who was sewing Russian flags for the protesters.
“These individuals, seen displaying Russian and Chinese flags, mobilized and engaged in the vandalism of private and public properties. Among the damaged properties were a Hilux vehicle belonging to KADVS, a Toyota Yaris owned by a journalist, and the KASTLEA office in Zone 6, Zaria, which was set on fire,” spokesman of the Kaduna State police command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said.
ASP Hassan, who debunked the story that hoodlums seized an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, belonging to the police, explained further that the Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, had intervened to restore order in the state.
He added: “During the confrontation, the suspects became hostile and resorted to using stones, catapults, and other weapons. The police managed to calm the situation with minimal use of tear gas.
“In total, 39 suspects were arrested at the scene, including a tailor who was sewing the foreign flags for the group. The police recovered 38 Russian flags, one Chinese flag, two catapults with a bag of stones, and various vandalized items.”
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Ali Dabigi, while commending his officers, issued a stern warning to all residents to adhere to the imposed curfew. He assured that violators will face arrest and prosecution by the law.
“The CP also appealed to all citizens to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies during this critical period. The curfew is in place to protect lives and property, and ensure the swift restoration of peace in Kaduna State.’’
Gov Yusuf relaxes curfew for 12 hours daily in Kano
In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf yesterday relaxed the 24-hour curfew in the state for 12 hours daily.
The governor announced this after a security council meeting with security heads in the state to review the security situation.
The governor said the curfew was relaxed from 6 am to 6 pm, adding that this was to allow residents to go about their day-to-day activities and legitimate businesses.
He said the curfew will resume fully after 6 pm to 6 am.
He said, “We reviewed the security situation at the security council meeting and decided that the curfew be relaxed from 6 am to 6 pm to allow people to go about their day-to-day activities. The curfew will take effect from 6 pm to 6 am.’’
He commended the security agencies for their role in ensuring the safety of lives and properties as well as the recovery of looted properties, saying that about 60 percent of the looted properties had been recovered.
Recall that Governor Yusuf had declared the curfew last Thursday evening after the protest was hijacked by hoodlums who turned violent, maiming residents and looting properties.
Protest in Abuja loses momentum as govt restrictions take toll on demonstrators
In Abuja, the protests significantly dwindled ebbed, with only two women, Ene Obi and Hauwa Mustapha, seen holding a sit-out at the Moshood Abiola stadium yesterday.
This marks a significant decrease in participation, as protesters face challenges accessing the central business district due to government restrictions.
The government-approved MKO Abiola National Stadium has failed to attract protesters, who believe it limits their visibility and impact.
Instead, security personnel dispersed demonstrators from various locations, enforcing a court order to confin the protest inside the stadium.
Ene Obi, one of the organizers, vowed to continue the sit-out, criticizing the government’s response to their demands.
“Look at the president speaking to Nigeria. It was an empty speech. What are you telling us? Not even one of the demands has been met. Bring down the prices of petroleum products. This is the same government that fought against the removal of fuel subsidies. And the same president has used it to punish Nigerians.
“We are mothers. What they are doing is setting our children against us. Even the police and security agencies – which of them is going to a different market? Their money is useless. They are turning our children against us. The mothers in the land are wounded, with no employment.
‘’Many of our children have gone to school but have no employment. They said you need to appoint one minister from every state. We don’t have a minister of state in the constitution. And they are even creating more seats for more ministers to come in.
‘’There are no signs from the government to show us that they can bring down the cost of governance,” she said. The protest, now in its sixth day, has been marked by violent clashes with police, who have fired tear gas at demonstrators
Former military head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has passionately urged the citizens of Nigeria to set aside their differences and unify in the defense of their nation’s sovereignty.
His call to action came in light of alarming statements made by former US President Donald Trump, which Abubakar characterized as a serious threat to the hard-earned unity of Nigeria.
Over the weekend, Trump reignited a contentious debate regarding Nigeria’s pressing security issues by once again designating the country as a “country of particular concern.”
In a statement released on Friday, Trump made shocking claims about the state of affairs in Nigeria, asserting that the nation was enduring what he termed a “Christian genocide.”
He went on to accuse the Nigerian government of failing in its duty to protect Christians from violent attacks carried out by “Islamic terrorists.”
Abubakar’s response underscores the importance of solidarity among Nigerians in the face of external criticisms and challenges.
He went further to threaten military action, saying: “The USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country ‘guns-a-blazing’, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists killing Christians.”
The remark has sparked global concern and speculation about the possibility of direct US military involvement in Nigeria, one of Washington’s oldest allies in Africa.
Speaking in a telephone interview from London on Monday, Abdulsalami warned that Trump’s words could endanger Nigeria’s peace if not carefully managed.
He called on citizens to remain united, stressing that the moment demands “unity, wisdom, and diplomacy” rather than anger or division.
“Unity, wisdom, and diplomacy must take precedence over division and pride at this critical moment,” he said.
Abdulsalami also appealed to the United States to support Nigeria’s fight against insecurity through cooperation rather than threats.
According to him, “strategic dialogue” remains the most effective way to engage Washington and de-escalate the tension.
He added that Nigeria should rely on quiet diplomacy to resolve any misunderstandings and ensure that both countries continue to work together on shared security objectives.
It is clear that the United States’ frustration with the Nigerian government goes beyond reports of genocide.
The American President, Donald Trump, and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu have been engaged in a silent conflict for some time.
Trump has often been described as a “bully,” even by prominent politicians in the U.S. and around the world, due to his lawless and reckless leadership style, as noted by Barack Obama.
Trump has expressed discomfort with President Tinubu’s body language and has been critical of certain policies.
In turn, President Tinubu retaliated against some of Trump’s decisions regarding Nigeria.
The beginning of Trump’s anger – BRICS Partnership
President Donald Trump’s anger began when Nigeria was formally admitted as a BRICS partner country in January 2025 under Brazil’s presidency.
At the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the grouping, which also includes powerhouses like Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and newer members such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Indonesia.
This comes after Brazilian president and the current chairman of BRICS, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, condemned the Trump administration’s worldwide tariff increase imposed on almost all countries around the world.
Trump was quick to respond to his Brazilian counterpart’s comments, imposing additional 10 per cent tariffs on BRICS and its partners, which he has repeatedly warned against engaging in anti-American policies.
Trump had imposed a 14 per cent reciprocity tariff on Nigeria in April 2025, which became the ninth BRICS partner country in January 2025 and additional 10 per cent over its alliance with the developing nations’ bloc. Nigeria’s affiliation with the BRICS nations further anger the American leader.
President Tinubu responded with calm, saying that his administration will remain resilient and has no fear of the trade policy direction of U.S. President Donald Trump, particularly tariffs targeting Nigerian exports.
Tinubu said, “If non-oil revenue is growing, then we have no fear of whatever Trump is doing on the other side.”
This response clearly provoked more anger from Trump.
The anger lingered more as President Donald Trump ignored Nigeria, only to invite five other African nations to discuss ” Commercial Opportunities”.
Trump hosted five African leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal at the White House to discuss “commercial opportunities” on July 9, 2025.
Nigeria was not among the nations invited, even though, the criteria for the invitation were not clear.
After hitting Nigeria with a 14% tariff, the U.S. faced similar backlash as President Tinubu retaliated with a ban on 25 American goods, leaving Trump to complain about the response.
Following the ban on 25 imported items from the United States of America to Nigeria, there were strong indications that Donald Trump’s government may retaliate by blacklisting more Nigerian products.
The development comes as the country imported about $643.1 million worth of goods from Nigeria between January and February 2025 before the implementation of the new tariffs by the Trump government.
Trump’s administration quickly criticised Nigeria’s longstanding import ban on 25 product categories, warning that the policy undermines American exporters and blocks access to one of Africa’s largest consumer markets.
Nigeria refuses to accept Venezuelan deportees from the US
Tinubu’s government again rejected Trump’s proposal of accepting deportees from the United States, distancing itself from decisions by countries like Rwanda, Eswatini and South Sudan that have agreed to receive foreign nationals expelled from the United States of America.
Trump reacted again with another policy to target Nigerian citizens
After Nigeria had rejected being the country of deportees from the United States, the US tightens visa rules for Nigerians, scrutinises applicants’ social media accounts.
The latest rule by the US as the Trump administration intensifies immigration crackdown, mainly targeting African countries like Nigeria.
The US has announced a new visa rule for Nigerians, requiring all applicants to disclose their social media usernames and handles from the past five years for vetting.
‘‘Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas,’’ the US Embassy in Nigeria said in a statement on X on Monday, adding that visa applicants are ‘‘required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form.’’
Meanwhile, Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has warned Nigerians that the threat by the administration of United States President Donald Trump to invade Nigeria militarily should not be regarded as a welcome development.
Trump had warned that if the Nigerian government fails to tackle the alleged massacre of Christians, the US military would intervene to target those allegedly persecuting Christians.
The development has generated mixed reactions, with some stakeholders, particularly Christians, celebrating Trump’s move.
However, Sowore, in a statement on Sunday, cautioned that the threat should not be celebrated, explaining that a military intervention could cause more harm to the nation.
According to him, the US President “does not care about Nigerians, not Christians, Muslims, or anyone else.”
Sowore stressed that the nation’s deliverance will “never come from abroad; it must come from within, through real leadership, not the Tinubus of this world, and national renewal.”
The statement reads: “The latest threat by US President Donald Trump @POTUS to launch military action in Nigeria, allegedly to protect Christians, may sound appealing to some. Still, history has shown this to be perilous.
Whether you are Christian, Muslim, animist, or non-religious, no one should celebrate such rhetoric. The United States and its allies have a long record of military interventions that leave nations more unstable than before.
They failed to secure peace in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, or Syria, and they will not bring salvation to Nigeria through bombs or boots on the ground.
What Nigeria truly needs is not a foreign savior, but legitimate accountable leadership, one that protects all citizens, upholds justice, and ends the cycles of corruption and violence that have left the nation broken.”
The clash between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio continues to intensify, as new court charges have emerged that could have significant repercussions for the supporters of the Kogi State Senator.
In a recent development, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice has publicly defended the legitimacy of the defamation charges that were filed against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The AGF emphasized that these charges were instituted in strict accordance with the provisions outlined in the Penal Code Law of Nigeria as well as the country’s Constitution. This assertion suggests that the legal proceedings are being pursued with a clear adherence to established legal frameworks, potentially setting the stage for a high-profile court battle that may draw further public interest and scrutiny.
As the situation unfolds, the implications for both political figures and their respective supporters will likely become more pronounced in the coming weeks.
The AGF’s office stated this in its response to the senator’s preliminary objection to the three-count criminal charge pending before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, presided over by Justice Chizoba Oji.
The charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, stemmed from petitions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, following her public claims that the duo had conspired to assassinate her.
AGF Insists Charges Are Lawful
In its counter-affidavit, the AGF’s office maintained that the decision to prosecute the senator was taken after a comprehensive investigation by the Nigeria Police Force, which reviewed all petitions from both the complainants and the defendant.
“The three counts were preferred against the defendant pursuant to the Penal Code Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in the bona fide exercise of the prosecutorial powers of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation as guaranteed under the Constitution,” the prosecution stated.Legal consultation services
It further argued that the senator’s actions contravened provisions of the law, stressing that the case was filed “in the public interest, the interest of justice, and to prevent abuse of legal process.”
According to the AGF’s office, the charges were neither politically motivated nor an abuse of prosecutorial power.
“The criminal charge against the defendant arose from the comprehensive and conclusive investigation of the case, including all petitions and parties involved, by the Nigeria Police Force.”
“The charge against the defendant is consistent with extant laws and does not constitute an abuse of the legal or prosecutorial powers of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation,” the document read.
Defendant Challenges AGF’s Powers
At the last sitting on September 23, defence counsel Ehighioge West-Idahosa (SAN) had filed a preliminary objection challenging the validity of the charges.
He argued that the AGF’s office had overreached its constitutional powers, describing the prosecution as an abuse of process.
According to him, the objection was not contesting the facts of the case but rather the legality and jurisdictional competence of the AGF to initiate such charges.
The objection, filed on September 18, was yet to receive a response from the prosecution at the time of the previous hearing.
Prosecution Seeks Adjournment for Proper Service
When the matter came up on Monday, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe informed the court that although the case was slated for hearing, the prosecution’s counter-affidavit had not been properly served on the defence.
He explained that the document was delivered to an incorrect address and requested a short adjournment to rectify the error.
“It would not be fair for the prosecution to proceed when the defence has indicated its intention to respond to our counter,” Kaswe told the court.
Responding, West-Idahosa confirmed that the defence team had not been served and would only respond after receiving the document. He also requested a longer adjournment, citing plans by the defence team to attend the International Bar Association (IBA) Conference in Canada.
After listening to both sides, Justice Oji granted the request and adjourned the matter to December 1, 2025, for hearing of the preliminary objection.
Background of the Case
The case, marked FCT/HC/CR/297/25, accuses Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of making harmful and defamatory statements against Akpabio and Bello, including allegations that they plotted to assassinate her and that the Senate President was linked to the death of Miss Iniobong Umoren.
The senator was arraigned on June 19 and pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
The court is expected to rule on her preliminary objection before proceeding to trial.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Kogi Central has alleged that her international passport has been withheld.
She alleged that she had been prevented from travelling.
The lawmaker made the allegation in a live Facebook broadcast on Tuesday morning.
According to her, “having completed the celebration of my second year, I decided to take a week off and my passport is being withheld again. The same thing happened.
“I have committed no offense and there is no order from the court to seize my passport and deny me traveling.
“The last time it happened, the officer in charge told us that the Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed them to withhold my passport and prevent me from traveling”.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan was to be inaugurated on Monday, with the internet still blocked after election protests in which the opposition says hundreds were killed by security forces.
The electoral commission says Hassan won 98 per cent of the vote.
But the main opposition party, Chadema, which was barred from competing, has rejected the results and called for fresh elections, calling last Wednesday’s vote a “sham”.
State television said the public would not attend the inauguration, which would be held in the State House in the capital, Dodoma, rather than at a stadium as usual.
A total internet blackout has been in place since protests broke out on election day, so only a trickle of verifiable information has been getting out of the East African country.
A diplomatic source said there were credible reports of hundreds — perhaps even thousands — of deaths registered at hospitals and health clinics around Tanzania.
Chadema told AFP it had recorded “no less than 800” deaths by Saturday, but none of the figures could be independently verified.
The government has not commented on any deaths, except to reject accusations that “excessive force” was used.
Schools and colleges remained closed on Monday, with public transport halted.
The diplomatic source said there were “concerning reports” that police were using the internet blackout to buy time as they “hunt down opposition members and protesters who might have videos” of atrocities committed last week.
Dar es Salaam and other cities were much calmer over the weekend as a near-total lockdown was in place.
An AFP reporter said police were stopping almost everyone who moved around the city, checking IDs and bags, and allowing shops to open only in the afternoon.
AFP journalists on the island of Zanzibar — which has greater political freedom and saw few protests — saw masked armed men patrolling without visible insignia or identification in the days after the election.
A rights group in neighbouring Kenya presented gruesome footage on Sunday that it said was gathered from inside Tanzania, including images of dead bodies piled up in the street.
The images could not be independently verified.
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called for prayers for Tanzania, where he said post-election violence had erupted “with numerous victims”.
“I urge everyone to avoid all forms of violence and to pursue the path of dialogue,” the pope said.
– ‘Wave of terror’ –
Hassan was elevated from vice-president on the sudden death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, in 2021.
She wanted an emphatic election victory to cement her place and silence critics within the ruling party, analysts say.
Rights groups say she oversaw a “wave of terror” ahead of the vote, including a string of high-profile abductions that escalated in the final days.
Despite a heavy security presence, election day descended into chaos as crowds took to the streets across the country, tearing down her posters and attacking police and polling stations, leading to an internet shutdown and curfew.
Polling stations had been largely empty before the violence broke out, AFP journalists and observers saw, though the electoral commission later said turnout was 87 per cent.
UN chief Antonio Guterres was “deeply concerned” about the situation in Tanzania, “including reports of deaths and injuries during the demonstrations”, his spokesman said last week.
Punch
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has announced that applications for the student loan scheme have surpassed one million, marking one of the largest uptakes for a government-backed social intervention since the beginning of the Tinubu administration.
In a statement on Sunday, the Director of Strategic Communications, Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, said the milestone was achieved less than a year after the programme was launched on May 24, 2024.
He described it as evidence that the scheme is gaining strong national traction and public trust.
According to the agency, over N116bn has so far been disbursed to students across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria, covering both institutional charges and upkeep allowances.
The Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, said the milestone reflects the success of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda in expanding access to higher education.
“Crossing the one-million mark represents more than data; it symbolises renewed hope for a generation of Nigerians determined to rise above financial barriers to education,” Sawyerr said. “It is a testament to visionary leadership, sound policy design, and the collective effort of all stakeholders driving this transformative agenda.”
NELFUND reiterated its commitment to continuous improvement in service delivery, ensuring that “every qualified Nigerian student, regardless of background or location, can access education funding with transparency, efficiency, and dignity.”
The agency emphasised that the student loan programme is non-discriminatory, benefiting Nigerians across religious and ethnic backgrounds, and helping to promote unity through equal learning opportunities.
“NELFUND remains focused on ensuring that no Nigerian is denied the opportunity to learn, grow, or contribute to national progress because of financial limitations,” the statement added.
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BREAKING: Tension As US Releases Video Of How American Military Will Storm Nigeria To Kill “Islamic Terrorists”
The United States (US) Department of War has released an artificial intelligence (AI) video simulating how it will storm Nigeria to kill “Islamic terrorists”.
The defence department of the US, which President Donald Trump renamed the Department of War, insinuated that it is “preparing for action” in Nigeria.
Dominik Tarczyński, a member of the European Parliament, shared the video on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle late on Saturday night, November 1.
Tarczyński tweeted: “Nigerian Christians will be rescued very soon!”
Trump said on Saturday, November 1, had asked the Defence Department to prepare for possible “fast” military action in Nigeria if Africa’s most populous country fails to crack down on the killing of Christians.
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