Al-Qaeda–linked militant group, a Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has claimed responsibility for an attack that killed a soldier in central Nigeria this week, its first known attack in the country.

In a video posted on its Telegram channel late on Thursday, JNIM said it launched the attack in Nigeria’s Kwara state in the early hours of Wednesday, killing a soldier and seizing ammunition and cash.

The Nigerian military did not respond to a request for comment.

A military source confirmed JNIM had attacked troops on patrol, killing one soldier.

Nigeria is battling an Islamist insurgency led by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) that has killed tens of thousands and displaced more than two million more.

Last week President Bola Tinubu appointed new service chiefs in a sweeping overhaul of the country’s military leadership, saying this was meant to strengthen national security.

On Thursday, without mentioning names, Tinubu told the new military leaders that he was concerned with the recent emergence of new armed groups in the north central, northwest and parts of southern Nigeria.

“We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right at the head,” Tinubu said.

(Economist/REUTERS)

The Federal Government has debunked United States’ President Donald Trump’s claims of alleged ‘large-scale killings’ of Christians in Nigeria, and his call for the country to be redesignated as a ‘Country of Particular Concern (CPC)’.

Nigeria was first designated a CPC in 2020, during the last year of Trump’s first term.

The Joe Biden administration later removed the country from the list.

In a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Nigerian government, while it appreciates the global concern for human rights and religious freedom, Trump’s claims ‘do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully’

“The Federal Government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by U.S. President Donald J. Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

“While Nigeria appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, these claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.

“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.

“Nigeria will continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.”

…2026: My work ‘ll speak for me, Oyebanji says

The first civilian Governor of Ekiti State,Otunba Niyi Adebayo, has pledged to lead Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re- election campaign train for the 2026 governorship election in appreciation of the Governor’s superlative performance which has impacted positively on the state.

Adebayo, who governed Ekiti State under the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) between 1999 and 2003, averred that he won’t be leading the campaign on account of party affiliation, but on the premise of Oyebanji’s scintillating performance and fidelity to Ekiti citizens since 2022.

The former Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, said these in Ikole Ekiti, on Friday, while commissioning the 20 kilometre Ikole-Ara-Isinbode road constructed by Governor Oyebanji’s administration, as part of the activities commemorating the third anniversary of his government.

Appraising Oyebanji’s government in the last three years, Adebayo scored the government high in road and power infrastructure; health care delivery, agriculture , and human capital development among others.

He also thanked Governor Oyebanji for standing by him while he was Governor between 1999 and 2003 and for the honour he always accorded him ever since.

The former Governor said he felt pained that he couldn’t construct the Ara- Isinbode- Ikole road during his tenure due to financial impediment. This, he said, makes the project very impressive and dear to his heart. He said he felt highly fulfilled coming around to commission the same road years after.

Adebayo said he was proud of Governor Oyebanji’s superlative exploits in all sectors of the economy, urging the electorate to massively vote and retain him in power till 2030.

“If you look at this our Governor, he is a great son. God is using him for Ekiti. I am always very enthusiastic about his issues, because he is special to me .

“When I came to Ekiti in 1998 to begin my political journey, Governor Oyebanji was the first person to join me. He worked with me and we won that election.

“Even when I lost reelection in 2003, he stood by me and we still maintain that cordial relationship up to today. I am grateful to you for your loyalty and steadfastness to Ekiti people.

“When campaign starts for your reelection in 2026, I will be at the forefront, because you have not disappointed us”.

In his submission, Governor Oyebanji, who went down memory lane, revealed that he undertook the road project on the platform that it was part of what pained Otunba Niyi Adebayo most, because of his inability to reconstruct the road during his tenure.

The Governor added that the former Governor Segun Oni also took step to reconstruct the road, but couldn’t due to unforeseen circumstances.

Oyebanji stated that the project was the seventh to be commissioned to mark his third anniversary, while pledging that his government will work harder to make Ikole-Ijesa Isu road motorable for commuters, despite being a federal road.

“The inability of Otunba Niyi Adebayo to reconstruct this road that time was the reason why I dedicated resources to complete this project and invited him to come and commission it today. I was part of that government and I knew his feelings then”.

To ensure durability, Oyebanji, said: “We are going to put barricade on this road to prevent unnecessary pressure. I plead with you, don’t make bonfires on any of our roads, they will get damaged if you do that.

“It is our collective responsibility to preserve the road. Besides these road infrastructures, we have extended electricity to Ikole Local Government and upgrade your state specialist hospital to a Federal Medical Centre. I have connected Ikole Ekiti to Igbemo through road and this has been done and completed.

Citing the significance of the road to the growth of rural economy, the Commissioner for Works, Mr Sola Adebayo, said besides connectivity, it will bolster the development of agriculture and curtail incidences of kidnapping along that route.

Adebayo said the road was undertaken to enhance trade, equitable distribution of public utilities and free movements of commuters, saying the government will continue to rehabilitate all inter and intra state as well as feeder roads to spread infrastructures to all the towns in the state.

Representing the contractor that prosecuted the project, Dromo International Company Limited, Engr Folorunso Omoya, appreciated the Governor for patronising indigenous contractors, saying this has motivated him to execute the project to specification to indicate that they have the expertise.

In their commendations, the Elekole of Ikole Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Fasiku, Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Samuel Fatoba and Onisin of Isinbode, Oba Akinyemi Adesoji, said the road looked jinxed from time immemorial, because of its parlous and dangerous state, describing the quality as the best in Ekiti.