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Suspected Bandits Use IED to Blow Up Cement Trailer in Zamfara
Suspected Bandits Use IED to Blow Up Cement Trailer in Zamfara
An improvised explosive device (IED) allegedly planted by suspected bandits has destroyed a cement-laden trailer along the Gusau–Funtua highway in Zamfara, heightening fears over the growing use of explosives by criminal groups in north-west Nigeria.
The IED explosion occurred in the early hours of Wednesday at Ungwar Mai Chida, when the trailer, travelling from Kaduna to Sokoto, reportedly ran over an explosive device concealed on the road. Eyewitnesses said the blast was loud and forceful, blowing off the trailer, scattering debris across the highway and causing a major traffic gridlock on the busy route linking Gusau and Funtua.
Although no lives were lost, the driver reportedly sustained injuries and was rescued alive, while commuters and residents around the area were thrown into panic. Traffic movement was temporarily halted as security operatives worked to secure the scene and clear the road.
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Residents disclosed that the incident occurred only hours after a joint operation by security agencies reopened the Kucheri–Danjibga–Keta road in Tsafe Local Government Area, which had remained closed for more than a month due to earlier threats of IED attacks. The timing of the explosion has raised concerns that armed groups may be replanting explosives shortly after security clearances.
Confirming the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state said combined tactical teams of the Nigeria Police Force and the military, including Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, had earlier detected and safely detonated several IEDs along the same axis before the road was reopened. He noted that clearance and surveillance operations have now been intensified to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of commuters.
Security agencies have urged motorists to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and report suspicious objects or movements along highways, as investigations into the incident continue.
Zamfara State remains one of the flashpoints of banditry and rural insecurity in north-west Nigeria. While attacks in the past largely involved shootings, kidnappings and cattle rustling, security sources say the increasing deployment of IEDs signals a dangerous escalation that poses serious risks to road users, commercial transporters and security personnel.
Suspected Bandits Use IED to Blow Up Cement Trailer in Zamfara
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Abroad-Based Nigerian Woman Kneels with Children in Emotional Tribute to Husband (VIDEO)
Abroad-Based Nigerian Woman Kneels with Children in Emotional Tribute to Husband (VIDEO)
An emotional moment was recently captured as an abroad-based Nigerian woman and her children knelt to honor and appreciate their husband and father. In a heartfelt message, the woman told her children,
“Without my husband, I’m nothing in this world. You guys should always treat Daddy as your God. Instead, you disrespect your dad, you disrespect me.”
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The scene, marked by tears, hugs, and heartfelt expressions, reflects the deep love and respect she holds for her spouse. Social media users have praised the display as a rare and touching example of family unity and gratitude.
Family psychologists note that such gestures reinforce bonds, model respect for parental figures, and help children understand the value of appreciation in relationships.
The post has since gone viral, sparking discussions on family values, respect for fathers, and emotional expression in Nigerian households.
"Without my husband, I’m nothing in this world. You guys should always treat Daddy as your God. Instead, you disrespect your dad, you disrespect me”🙇♥️
-Emotional moment as an abroad-based Nigerian woman and her children kneel to appreciate the husband pic.twitter.com/QdRRdH21e4
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) February 25, 2026
Abroad-Based Nigerian Woman Kneels with Children in Emotional Tribute to Husband (VIDEO)
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Outrage as US Lawmakers Recommend Repeal of Sharia Codes in Nigeria
Outrage as US Lawmakers Recommend Repeal of Sharia Codes in Nigeria
The United States Congress has stirred national outrage in Nigeria after recommending the repeal of Sharia codes and criminal anti-blasphemy laws in northern states. The recommendations, included in a joint report on “Christian persecution in Nigeria” submitted to the White House by the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Appropriations Committee, also urged the disarmament of Fulani militias and proposed restrictions on beef and cattle exports to West African countries.
The report claimed that Nigeria is the “deadliest place in the world to be a Christian,” citing attacks by Fulani herdsmen and terrorist groups that have resulted in deaths, kidnappings, and destruction of churches and schools. It accused northern blasphemy laws of being used to silence Christians and other minorities, and urged Washington to push Nigeria toward religious legal reforms.
Religious Leaders Reject US Recommendations
Islamic clerics and scholars have strongly condemned the proposals. Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based cleric, defended the use of Sharia law, emphasizing that Muslims have a right to be governed by their religious injunctions. He also criticized what he described as a double standard in global religious discourse, noting that while other countries allow governance by religious texts for Christians, similar rights for Muslims are being challenged.
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Another cleric, Sheikh Halliru Maraya, described the matter as “sensitive and double-edged,” warning that foreign pressure to scrap Sharia could deepen religious divisions. He stressed that violence in states like Kaduna, Zamfara, and Plateau affects both Christians and Muslims, urging the US to focus on capacity-building, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism cooperation instead of legal interference.
Civil Society and Experts Raise Sovereignty Concerns
Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, called the US recommendations “provocative” and detrimental to Nigeria’s sovereignty. He warned that attempts to enforce legal reforms externally could undermine interfaith harmony and national stability.
Political scientist Prof Jibrin Ibrahim noted that while the US can express concern about security incidents, it cannot dictate Nigeria’s domestic policies. He highlighted that much of the violence is driven by banditry and resource conflicts, affecting citizens of all faiths, rather than targeting Christians alone.
Federal Government Stresses Cooperation and Sovereignty
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, described the report as a potential catalyst for broader cooperation. The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting religious freedom and emphasized that ongoing security operations, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism efforts address threats posed by terrorist groups, bandits, and communal conflicts, irrespective of religion.
The government stressed that any foreign assistance must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional framework, while warning against external interference in legal matters such as Sharia and blasphemy laws.
Call for Balanced, Home-Grown Solutions
Analysts and civil society organizations argue that while foreign concern is valid, Nigeria must determine its own policies through constitutional processes and inclusive national dialogue. Experts warn that external attempts to reform religious laws risk fueling divisions and undermining national sovereignty, calling for strategic, home-grown solutions to insecurity and interfaith tensions.
Outrage as US Lawmakers Recommend Repeal of Sharia Codes in Nigeria
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FG Tells Court NAFDAC Fully Empowered to Enforce Sachet Alcohol Ban
FG Tells Court NAFDAC Fully Empowered to Enforce Sachet Alcohol Ban
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) has affirmed before the Federal High Court in Lagos that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has full legal authority to enforce the nationwide ban on sachet alcohol and other small‑pack alcoholic beverages. This declaration came in a counter‑affidavit filed on February 23, 2026, in response to a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) challenging the enforcement of the ban.
Through its lawyer, Jumoke Motilayo Falaye, the ministry maintained that it has never interfered in NAFDAC’s operations and is not an enforcement agency. The affidavit emphasised that NAFDAC is a statutory body established under the NAFDAC Act, with broad regulatory powers over foods, drugs, and related products, including alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET bottles, and glass bottles below 200 ml. According to the ministry, enforcement decisions are solely within NAFDAC’s mandate, and allegations of ministerial interference are speculative and unsupported by evidence.
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The ministry also clarified that the Minister of Health has not granted any further extension of the moratorium on the ban, noting that the agency retains the authority to regulate, restrict, and enforce prohibitions as provided under Sections 5 and 30 of the NAFDAC Act, the Spirits Drink Regulation 2021, and the Memorandum of Resolution executed in December 2018.
SERAP’s Legal Challenge
SERAP filed the suit, marked FHC/L/CS/2568/25, against the Minister of Health and the Attorney-General of the Federation, seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs to:
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Declare the sachet alcohol ban valid under the NAFDAC Act.
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Prevent the Minister of Health from granting or extending any moratorium on enforcement.
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Restrict federal authorities from interfering with NAFDAC’s enforcement responsibilities.
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Ensure full nationwide implementation of the ban, particularly given concerns over public health and alcohol abuse among youth and low-income communities.
SERAP argued that delays in enforcing the ban violate national health laws and expose communities to risks associated with cheap, potent, and highly accessible alcoholic beverages.
The sachet alcohol ban has been a contentious public policy issue in Nigeria. NAFDAC began a renewed crackdown on sachet alcohol in late 2025 following directives from the National Assembly and Senate, which ordered that the deadline for compliance be strictly enforced. However, conflicting communications from federal authorities, including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, created confusion over the enforcement timeline.
Industry groups, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), have challenged the ban, citing economic impacts, job losses, and potential growth of unregulated markets. Despite this, NAFDAC has maintained that enforcement is legally justified and in the interest of public health and safety.
The Federal High Court is yet to fix a hearing date for the case, which could set a landmark precedent for regulatory authority and public health enforcement in Nigeria.
FG Tells Court NAFDAC Fully Empowered to Enforce Sachet Alcohol Ban
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