By Our Correspondent

The North‑Central Writers Advocacy Group (NCWAG), a Nigerian civic accountability and advocacy collective, said it is “profoundly shocked, alarmed, and condemning” after media reports claimed the Zamfara State Government, under Governor Dauda Lawal, secretly freed a large number of convicted terrorists and bandits from state correctional facilities.

In a press statement released to Daily Champion in Jos on Saturday and signed by Irimiya Dunat, Coordinator of NCWAG, the group said:

“According to published reports, a total of 291 Boko Haram members and 219 armed bandits were allegedly freed under circumstances that have not been explained to the Nigerian public.”

The statement added that those released “were not awaiting trial; they were convicted criminals whose offenses include terrorism, mass violence, kidnapping, destruction of communities, and other acts that have destabilised the North‑West and the entire federation for over a decade.”

“If the reports are true, NCWAG says the action represents one of the most disturbing breaches of public trust and national security in Nigeria’s fourth republic,” the release noted.

NCWAG warned that Nigeria is currently battling “unprecedented multilayered security challenges.” The alleged release of hardened terrorists without public accountability or judicial transparency “threatens to worsen this national crisis.”

The group listed further concerns about the release, including:

“A national security threat, disregard for victims and survivors of terrorism, violation of the principles of justice.”

It added that the release is “a dangerous precedent capable of undermining the rule of law across the federation.”

Questioning the legality and rationale behind the releases, NCWAG demanded that Governor Lawal provide a full, public, and verifiable explanation, asking:

“Under what legal framework such pardons or releases were granted?”

“Why individuals convicted of terrorism were considered eligible?”

“How does the decision align with national security protocols?”

“Were victims’ families, law enforcement bodies, the judiciary, or the Federal Government notified or involved?”

The group also called on the Presidency, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the National Security Council, the Ministry of Interior, and the Office of the Attorney‑General of the Federation to urgently investigate the matter and give Nigerians a clear national‑security briefing.

In a seven‑day ultimatum, NCWAG demanded that the Zamfara State Government:

– publicly address the allegations;
– provide documentary evidence of the identities of all persons released;
– disclose the legal basis for their release; and
– clarify whether any negotiations, political agreements, or election‑related considerations were involved.

To date, no rebuttal or clarification has been issued by Governor Dauda Lawal or any official spokesperson of the Zamfara State Government.

By Our Correspondent
Barely 24 hours after being sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, newly appointed Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), officially assumed office barely 24 hours after being sworn in at the Ministry’s headquarters Ship House, Abuja.

In his remarks, the Honourable Minister assured that defence will take its place fully in the country. This he said will be achieved by synergy between the armed forces, other security agencies and all Nigerians being carried along as the saying goes Security is everybody’s business.

“It is that synergy we will build and work on. I assure you that within the shortest possible time Nigerians will see results”

This was contained in the statement signed by the Enderline Chukwu, the AD Information and Public Relations For: Director Information and Public Relations.

He emphasized the importance of securing the nation and safeguarding its territorial integrity, stating that national security cannot be achieved by individuals acting alone. “We must work together as Nigerians to make our country better,” he said.

Speaking further, Musa stressed the need for unified action and strategic coordination in defence operations, noting that the Ministry must not allow gaps between policy formulation and implementation.

According to him, “this Ministry will serve as a powerhouse of strategic direction and relentless accountability”.”We must continue to support our troops, who sacrifice their lives day and night to ensure that Nigerians sleep peacefully,” he added.

The Honourable Minister pledged to work closely with the Service Chiefs, expressing confidence that their cooperation will take the Armed Forces to greater heights. Addressing the Permanent Secretary and the civil service cadre, he described them as the institutional memory and backbone of the Ministry and reiterated the importance of training, equipment procurement, and leveraging technology, emphasizing the need for collaboration with allies and partnerships with other security agencies as paramount.

He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the opportunity to serve nothing that he remains committed to advancing the welfare and wellbeing of personnel in the Ministry, strengthening national security, improving the welfare of the military personnel and advancing ongoing defence reforms.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Richard Pheelangwa said that the Honourable Minister’s assumption of office marks a significant moment for the Ministry and for the defence sector. He reaffirmed that the entire management and staff of the Ministry of Defence is committed to supporting his leadership as he steers the Defence architecture of the nation. “We stand ready to work diligently under your guidance holding the highest standard of professionalism, integrity, discipline and accountability” he said.

Pheelangwa acknowledged that the appointment of the Minister is a testament to the nation’s confidence in his experience, character and capability to strengthen and reposition security and it is apt as it came at a time when the nation continues to confront complex security challenges. According to him, the task ahead is no doubt a herculean one but the appointment of the Minister came at a time when renewed vigour, hope, optimism bonds and strengthen collaboration with security agencies and charting new course towards lasting peace. He expressed optimism that his wealth of experience both as a seasoned civilian and military leader will advance this efforts.

In attendance at the event were Service chiefs, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Directors and staff of the Ministry amongst others.

By Our Correspondent

Angry protesters from Asaba, Delta State have given an insight to what led to their recent Protest.

The protesters made up of Asaba indigenes, Okpanam, Issele-azagba, Ogbolu, Ibusa and other neighbouring communities barricated all the major locations in Asaba including government house.

They said they were infuriated by plans to relocate and rename the state capital.
They cautioned the brains behind the agitation to desist from what they described as retrogressive proposal.

The Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwore however called for calm.
while addressing the protesters, the governor said both the creation of a new state and the determination of its capital were collective decisions guided strictly by constitutional procedures and the will of the people.

The Governor stated this while addressing the crowd of protesters who staged a protest to the government house to express their apprehension over the rumours that the capital of the proposed state could be relocated from the city.

The Chief of Staff, Hon. Johnson Erijo, who spoke on behalf of the governor, commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct, adding that the protest reflected a unified stance of the entire Asaba community.

The governor reiterated that no individual or group holds the authority to unilaterally decide the capital of a proposed state, stressing that such matters will undergo a rigorous constitutional process.
“The creation of a state requires a structured constitutional pathway. There must be memoranda, legislative deliberations and even a referendum where the people of Delta North will speak. No one can wake up and decide where the capital will be, he assured.”

According to him, legislative caucus members and local government chairmen from Delta North had already met and unanimously kicked against any plan to relocate the proposed capital from Asaba.

The governor praised Asaba as a fast developing, safe and strategically located city that continues to attract people, adding that all decisions regarding the proposed Anioma State, would be anchored on fairness, logic and the peoples collective agreement.

“The government not act against the will and aspirations of the people. At the right time, the collective voice of Delta North will
determine every step, he assured.

He thanked the Asaba community for their stead fast support and for their roles as gracious hosts to the state government and residents, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to peace, unity and protection of the people’s interest.”
Earlier, the spoke person for the protesters, Mr. Chike Ifesiokwu, said the demonstration became necessary following the reports of an alleged plot to relocate the proposed state capital from Asaba
He condemned the rumoured move as evil, retrogressive, ill motivated and divisive, insisting that Asaba historical significance, political relevance and strategic positioning make it irreplaceable.

He cited the city’s rich pedigree, noting that Asaba has produced eminent national figures including a former Acting Governor General of Nigeria, the country’s first President of the Senate, the Premier of the old Midwest region and a judge of the Commonwealth Arbitral Tribunal.