Author: Opalim Lifted

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), has clarified that his newly released book Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum is not about blame but about reflection and action. Speaking at the public unveiling in Abuja on Friday, Irabor described the work as “an awakening reality” aimed at sparking national soul-searching and dialogue on credible solutions to Nigeria’s security crises. “This is not an indictment; it is a call for reflection. Nigerians must either act dutifully for progress or risk turning towards extinction,” he declared. The retired general, who led counter-insurgency efforts during his tenure, said…

Former Adamawa North Senator, Elisha Abbo, has denied reports linking him to the alleged rape of a 13-year-old schoolgirl, dismissing the claims as a political witch-hunt. Media outlets reported on Thursday that the embattled lawmaker was being held at the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja over allegations he assaulted a minor in June 2025. But in a swift reaction on Friday, Abbo insisted he was never in police custody and described the reports as “baseless, unfounded, and mischievous.” Speaking to journalists by phone, the ex-lawmaker maintained he was at his Abuja residence in Katampe on the…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over what he described as a perceived “lack of commitment” by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process. In a statement on Friday, Atiku said Nigerians expect the electoral body to work with the national assembly to reform the country’s electoral laws. The former presidential candidate spoke when he met with a European Union (EU) delegation led by Barry Andrews, a member of the European parliament and head of the 2023 EU election observation mission to Nigeria. He said the meeting was a follow-up on recommendations made by…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has accused the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) of defying the rule of law by pressing ahead with the enforcement of its tinted glass permit policy despite an ongoing court challenge. In a strongly worded letter dated October 1, the NBA’s Section of Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) told Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun that the decision to begin enforcement while the matter is before the court is “unlawful and contemptuous.” The NBA had, in September, filed a suit at the Federal High Court challenging the legality of the annual tinted glass permit, arguing that…

Bishop Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has warned that Nigeria cannot defeat Boko Haram through military might alone. Speaking at the public review of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a book by former chief of defence staff Lucky Irabor, Kukah argued that decades of counter-insurgency operations have failed because the conflict is rooted in ideology rather than just armed violence. “For years we have launched Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Hadin Kai, Operation Safe Haven, and many others. Yet one ends and another begins, without bringing lasting peace. You cannot fight an idea with weapons alone,”…

Former Nigerian senator Elisha Abbo has surrendered himself to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja after being accused of raping a 13-year-old secondary school student. According to the victim’s parents, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, popularly known as Binani and a former governorship candidate in Adamawa, personally visited their home to plead with them not to expose the scandal. The family further alleged that Abbo repeatedly sent money to the girl’s father in an attempt to silence the matter. The alleged rape took place on 29 June 2025 at Abbo’s residence in Katampe, Abuja. As of the time of…

Christopher Musa, the chief of defence staff (CDS), says strengthening family values is crucial to addressing insecurity in Nigeria. Musa spoke on Thursday at the closing of the 2025 edition of “Exercise Haske Biyu” at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) in Jaji, Kaduna. He said the exercise focused on family values, civic duty and moral resilience as core elements, given the security challenges facing the country and other participating nations. “The family is the bedrock of every community. Without the family, there can’t be a good community,” Musa said. “What we have realised is that because the…

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has called for judicial and constitutional reforms ahead of the 2027 polls. Barry Andrews, who led the EU EOM delegation, spoke during a visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja on Thursday. The visit marks a follow-up assessment on the implementation of recommendations made after Nigeria’s 2023 general elections. In his remarks, Andrews said the mission’s task is to assess the progress made in electoral reforms since the last general elections. He commended INEC for its cooperation and dedication to strengthening democracy in Nigeria but said some challenges…

A high military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced former president Joseph Kabila to death in absentia, convicting him of treason, war crimes, and collaborating with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. Kabila, who ruled Congo from 2001 to 2019, has not been seen publicly since appearing in a rebel-held city earlier this year. His whereabouts remain unknown, raising questions about whether the ruling can ever be enforced. The Kinshasa court accused Kabila of conspiring with M23 leader Corneille Nangaa and Rwanda to overthrow President Félix Tshisekedi’s government. Testimony from Nangaa’s former chief of staff, Eric Nkuba—already jailed for rebellion—allegedly…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports suggesting that he intends to step down for another presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 elections. Atiku Abubakar has denied reports that he promised to step down for a “younger candidate” in the 2027 presidential election. Paul Ibe, his spokesman, said in a statement on Tuesday that the former vice-president’s statement was misrepresented. “It has become necessary to clarify certain misrepresentations arising from the reportage of an interview granted by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, to the BBC Hausa Service by some sections of the media,” Ibe said on behalf of his principal.…