By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

The Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger State Chapter, Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna has raised the alarm over the endless insecurity across the country,saying the country has nosedived into a state of fear.

He noted that following the incessant security challenges bedeviling the country,particularly the Northern states, the country is no longer safe warning that “ the government should take a decisive step to guarantee the safety of the citizens”.
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Speaking during the Council meeting of CAN at the State Secretariat in Minna, the Chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese said, insecurity, hardship and unfulfilled promises by leaders are the major problems that have enmeshed the country.

The CAN Chairman expressed concerns at the way foreign nationals are sending warnings to their citizens not to visit some states and to even leave Abuja the capital of our country for fear of attacks.

Accordingly, he said, “who is safe and where in Nigeria can one boast of safety? If Nigeria military Generals and senior security officers of our country can be killed then who can not be killed.

“There are several cases of kidnappings, abductions, killings, destruction of houses, markets, farm produce are even burnt and carted away by these terrorists.

“Now, whether it is true or not, there are threats of attacks, we have seen over the social media space and even federal government’s institutions learning of planned attacks in Abuja the seat of power and some states including Niger.”

He however cautioned that, with the leaked memo from Nigeria Customs Service on planned attacks on government facilities and even military bases, then everyone must be vigilant, security cautious and pray to God to deliver our nation. “I believe that one day, good will triumph over evil,” he added.

Bishop Yohanna then called on the President Bola Tinubu led government and Niger state Governor, Umar Bago to act swiftly to beef up security, adding that “there is no smoke without fire”.

Furthermore, he warned that nothing will change in the country except we (Nigerians) change our ways, adding that “until we do the right thing, we will experience decline in almost all spheres of our lives”

By Our Correspondent

Palpable fear of arrest and detention may have gripped Minister of State, Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle as a result of fresh controversy, which may spiral into a major scandal as a viral video released by the United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels has alleged that the minister attempted to bribe a U.S. official to change the report indicting him of complicity in Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

In a statement, which has sent shockwaves across government circles in Abuja, Kimberly Daniels, who is the Chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), claimed that Matawalle offered money to an elected U.S. official to help him stop the pressure on the Federal Government to remove or redeploy him from the Ministry of Defence.

Congress woman Daniels said the bribe was also intended to suppress a UN-WCD report, which focused on the ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
The report allegedly identified “red flags” and linked Matawalle to bandit groups during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State. Civil society groups have defended the US Congress women’s report and have urged the government to implement the recommendations.

The Middle Belt, expecially Plateau, Kaduna, Kwara and Benue states have suffered several bandit and terrorist attacks and the devastating surge in violence in the region has resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, including brutal massacres that were described as systematic religious cleansing.

The UN-WCD report argued that there is “troubling disconnect” between the Federal Government’s official statements and the reality on the ground, and she asserted that the attacks are “allegedly protected by leadership from the inside.”
The Presidency has not made a clear statement on the calls for Matawalle’s sack or his redeloyment since it started early this year but the controversy will likely not disappear from the public radar anytime soon especially as bandit and terrorist attacks continue in the north east, northwest and the middlebelt regions.

MBY UTHMAN BABA- NASEER,MINNA

The newly deployed Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service, to Niger State Command CC Ogunleye Seyi Oladipupo has embarked on the inspection of Correctional Custodies in the State.

The State Controller who assumed duty in the state,on the 15th, April 2026 took over the leadership of the Command from CC Ponyak Nandang who retired from the Service, visited the Minna new and Old Medium Security Custodial centres with a call to officers and men of the two facilities to take proactive step to ensure the security of the custodial facilities in the state.

CC Ogunleye posited that he was at the two major Custodial centres to see the staff and inmates in custody with a view to assessing and evaluating the state of the facilities focusing on their welfare, well-being and also the level of security measures put in place to forestall any security breach or threat.

CC Seyi Ogunleye at a separate visit to Minna Old and New Custodial centres, personally interacted with inmates in their various cells, calling on them to obey and cooperate with the constituted authority to improve their well-being.

He further urged them to be of good conduct and grab the available vocational skills and educational programs opportunities provided by the service so as to become better and self-reliant persons after their discharge.

The newly posted controller who assumed duty in the state barely one week ago took time to inspect kitchens, clinics, ICT centres and other sensitive sectors of the facilities to ensure strict compliance to operational standards.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and applauded the incharges for their commitment and dedication in maintaining a clean and hygienic environment urging them to sustain the tempo.

Similarly, the controller also inspected the staff barracks to see areas of intervention that will boost their morale for effective and efficient service delivery.

In his interface with the officers and men, CC Ogunleye told them that he is posted to the command by the Controller General of Corrections, (CGC) Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni to implement his policy direction of Discipline, Professionalism and zero tolerance to unethical conduct.

Adding that under the present leadership of the able CGC Sylvester anybody caught indulging in trafficking of illicit items such handsets, hard drugs and other acts capable of jeopardizing the security of our Custodial Centre will face the full wrath of the law. CC Seyi Ogunleye added that every hand must be on deck to ensure maximum safety and security of our correctional formations especially at this time of insecurity that is bedeviling some parts of Niger State. He urged them to be on high alert and ensure they uphold the red zone declaration of all custodial centres.

CC Ogunleye lastly, screened and thoroughly perused all records of correctional books before departing for the continuation of his visit to other Custodial centres under his watch.