News
Buhari to world leaders: Reject coups in West Africa
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday tasked the international community to stand up against the recent trend of power hijack by the military in some African countries.
President Buhari, who spoke at the 76th Session of the United Nations’ General Assembly in New York, the United States of America (USA), warned that rising cases of coup in West Africa were eroding the democratic gains of the past decades.
According to the President, the unconstitutional takeover of power had sometimes been in reaction to unilateral change of constitution by some leaders, admonishing those elected to lead countries to reject the temptation of staying beyond their constitutional term of office.
He affirmed Nigeria’s support of efforts by ECOWAS, AU and the UN to address this growing challenge, saying “as leaders of our individual member states, we need to adhere to the constitutional provisions of our countries, particularly on term limits. This is one area that generates crisis and political tension in our sub-region.”
The President urged the international community not only to deal with the symptoms of conflict but also the immediate causes that fuel conflicts in the first place.
“These include poor and undemocratic governance, human rights abuses, poverty, ignorance, injustice and inequalities.
“There are no easy solutions to these conditions. They require long term investments and more effective international cooperation.
“In this connection, my delegation underscores the importance of promoting peaceful, unfettered, and inclusive participation of states in global actions towards conflict prevention.
“This will facilitate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063,” he said.
The President’s speech, delivered from the podium of the General Assembly hall, addressed other matters on the international agenda of interest to Nigeria, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Arms Trade Treaty, climate change, terrorism, anti-corruption, debt suspension, international trade, UN Security Council Reform, Palestinian Question and racial discrimination, among others.
On international trade, President Buhari called for reforms that will engender recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, build resilience to future shocks and pursue transformative development strategies that can deliver the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
He said: “Nigeria reaffirms that international trade is an engine for development and sustained economic growth, as well as the global eradication of poverty.
‘‘My delegation would like to reaffirm the critical role that a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system can play in stimulating economic growth and development.
‘‘Fair and equitable trade would eventually eliminate the need for aid.
‘‘My country and indeed all African countries do not intend to stay indefinitely looking for aid. All we need is a fair and equitable system of international trade.”
On the issue of debt in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian leader urged G20 countries to extend its debt suspension initiatives to all developing countries, least developed countries, small island developing states facing fiscal and liquidity challenges.
The President also called for outright debt cancellation for countries facing the most severe challenges.
“Developing countries have been faced with unsustainable debt burdens even before the pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk of new wave of deepening debt, where vital public financial resources are allocated to external debt servicing and repayments at the expense of domestic health and financing for critical developmental needs.
“I must commend the current initiatives by the international financial institutions and the G20 aimed at significantly mitigating the economic situation of the indebted countries and urge for more efforts in this regard.
“Therefore, there is an urgent need to consider expansion and extension of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative to include all Developing, Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States facing fiscal and liquidity challenges.
“In addition, a review of the eligibility criteria for debt suspension, including outright cancellation, is needed for countries facing the most severe challenges.’’
The President also used the occasion of the speech to renew his advocacy for equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, outlining steps Nigeria has taken to achieve “moderate success” in containing the virus and halt its deadly onslaught in the country.
“Nigeria remains grateful for the assistance received from our partners and friends all over the world.
‘‘Vaccination is the key to our safe emergence from the pandemic.
“We fully support the COVAX initiative from which we have benefitted. We also thank the United States of America, Turkey, India, China, European Union and others for the vaccines provided.
‘‘Despite the acknowledgement, however, I would like to reiterate my call for a fairer and more equitable distribution of vaccines to all countries so that, together, we can fight and contain the pandemic.
“The rising wave of newer and more contagious strains makes this even more urgent. No country can afford the socio-economic implications of prolonged shutdown. It is imperative to underscore that no one is safe until everyone is safe.’’
On Nigeria’s intervention to halt the pandemic, the President said: ‘‘At the outset, we recognised detection and contact tracing to be important tools in combating the virus.
‘‘In this connection, from a mere four laboratories with testing and detection capacities, we ramped up the facilities to over 140 centres today.
‘‘Similarly, we built isolation centres and emergency hospital wards in record time all over the country. We carry out genomic sequencing in designated laboratories across the country with a view to detecting variants in circulation.
‘‘In addition, over 40,000 health care workers have recently been trained on Infection, Prevention and Control measures with the support of various partners.
‘‘Through the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, we have established 16 infectious disease treatment centres located within our Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres.’’
On the fight against terrorism, the President told the UN General Assembly that the Nigerian security forces have recorded considerable success.
‘‘As a result of the renewed vigour of Nigeria’s military, many terrorist fighters are voluntarily surrendering to our security forces,’’ he said.
The President noted that while terrorism continues to dominate security discourse worldwide, in Nigeria, the Boko Haram terrorists group, though fragmented by internal strife and weakened by our defence forces, is still active and preying on soft targets.
‘‘Nigeria will continue to work closely with UN Counter-Terrorism bodies and entities with a view to bringing this scourge to an end, ’’ he said, adding that the country would spare no effort in addressing the challenges of terrorism posed by the activities of Boko Haram in North-East Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, as well as banditry in the North-West and North-Central Nigeria.
‘‘I and three other Nigerian Heads of State served actively as peace keepers and Nigeria continues to support peacekeeping efforts. We know the sacrifice involved; we also know how important peacekeeping is for those in vulnerable situations.
‘‘Nigeria will continue to play its part fully in supporting United Nations peacekeeping operations within Africa and beyond,’’ he said.
The Nigerian leader also renewed the call for the reforms of the UN Security Council, stressing that intergovernmental negotiations on the issue was taking too long.
‘‘No reform of the United Nations system is more urgent than that of the Security Council. Stakeholders around the world are asking how such power could be concentrated, with scant representation.
‘‘The intergovernmental negotiations have taken too long, some 15 years.
‘‘We must avoid going in circles. Consensus has been achieved in some of the elements of this reform, especially that of the representation of Africa on the basis of the Elzuwini consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
‘‘It is unreasonable to expect unanimity in this matter. The issue, indeed, is about justice, not unanimity. Without justice, the legitimacy (even efficacy) of our Organisation is called to question.
‘‘We can and must make substantial, irreversible progress on Security Council reform in the current session,’’ he said.
On the Palestinian question, the President encouraged Israel and Palestine to re-engage in dialogue based on relevant UN resolutions and Initiatives.
‘‘The two-state solution has the support of the international community and is widely acknowledged as the path to lasting peace,’’ he said.
President Buhari expressed deep concern at the devastating effects of small arms and weapons, calling for accountability in conventional arms trade.
“Nigeria remains deeply concerned over the illicit trade, transfer, and circulation of small arms and light weapons. Their excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread in many regions of the world are having devastating humanitarian and socio-economic consequences, especially on the continent of Africa.
“It is on this note that my delegation calls for the worldwide application of the Arms Trade Treaty to codify accountability in conventional arms trade, which is critical to the security of nations. This is in recognition of the need for a broad-based global partnership in the ongoing battle against trans-border crimes, including terrorism and piracy.”
President Buhari concluded his UN speech at the 76th annual general debate with praise for the outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
He also pledged Nigeria’s unalloyed support for multilateralism and faith in the UN as the pre-eminent body for solving current and emerging global challenges.
‘‘Our organisation is at the peak of the multilateral system.
‘‘It is also the pre-eminent body for solving our current and emerging challenges, and for developing norms that are protective of us all. We need to re-commit to it, rejuvenate it to better serve us.
‘‘Nigeria re-affirms its faith in the United Nations and is further resolved to continue to work with all Member-States for peace and security, development and the protection of human rights.
‘‘In the current moment, hope for these, is dependent on how we assist each other to get Covid-19 out of all countries, regardless of their classification. We can and must do so.
‘‘In this regard, let me close my statement by paying special tribute to a great and humane internationalist, and an exemplary practitioner of multilateral cooperation. I am speaking of Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Federal Republic of Germany. As she exits the stage, we wish her well,’’ he said.
News
Police detain Osun SSG, five others as ₦4.8m, voter cards are recovered
Police detain Osun SSG, five others as ₦4.8m, voter cards are recovered
The Osun State Police Command has detained the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, alongside five other persons following a police operation at his residence in Osogbo.
Police said the operation was based on intelligence indicating that suspected members of a criminal gang were allegedly hiding at the property.
During the raid, officers reportedly recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer.
The police said the recovered items had been secured and placed in custody for forensic examination and further investigation.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, the command identified the other persons arrested as Akande Taiwo, Oladele Abiodun, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau and Aderemi Musliu.
According to the police, one of the suspects, Oladele Abiodun, was already on its watchlist in connection with alleged criminal activities.
The command said the recovery of the cash and voter-related materials raised concerns about possible electoral offences, including alleged vote-buying, as political activities intensify ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election.
Police said preliminary findings provided grounds to investigate possible offences under the Electoral Act 2022, including alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy and harbouring or concealing a wanted suspect.
The command added that investigators were working to determine the source and intended use of the recovered money, identify all persons connected to the items and establish whether a wider criminal network was involved.
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“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities,” the police said.
The command stressed that the investigation was ongoing and that no individual would be treated as above the law because of political affiliation, social status or public office.
It added that anyone found culpable after the investigation would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
However, the Osun State Government criticised the operation and accused the police of invading the residence of the SSG without obtaining a valid search warrant.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the state government alleged that a combined team of police officers, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, forced its way into the residence and arrested people present at the property.
The government also alleged that the operation was part of coordinated raids and increased police surveillance targeting senior officials in the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
According to the state government, Igbalaye was attending an election stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when the police operation took place.
The government further claimed that ward officials were holding a meeting within the premises at the time of the raid.
The Osun government described the operation as politically motivated and called on the police to act professionally and impartially as the state approaches the governorship election.
The police, however, maintained that the operation was intelligence-led and linked to an ongoing criminal investigation.
In a subsequent update, the police said those arrested would be screened and that anyone found not to be connected to the investigation would be released.
The incident has heightened political tension in Osun State, where parties have intensified mobilisation ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed confidence that it will regain control of the state, while supporters of Governor Adeleke have maintained that the outcome of the election will be decided by voters.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not announced the conclusion of the investigation or disclosed whether any of the detained persons would be formally charged.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Police detain Osun SSG, five others as ₦4.8m, voter cards are recovered
News
US Shuts Down Routine Visa Processing at Abuja Embassy, 24 Other African Missions
US Shuts Down Routine Visa Processing at Abuja Embassy, 24 Other African Missions
- The Trump administration’s restructuring aims to centralise visa services in regional hubs to enhance security and reduce costs.
The United States government has announced that routine visa processing at its embassy in Abuja and 24 other diplomatic missions across Africa will end from August 1, 2026, as part of a major restructuring of its overseas consular operations. The US Department of State said the move is aimed at centralising routine visa services in regional hubs to enhance national security, reduce government spending, and ensure greater consistency in visa screening, vetting and adjudication.
In a statement on the US Department of State website, the department said the reorganisation aligns with President Donald Trump’s administration’s priority of placing America’s interests and security first. “The Department of State is constantly evaluating its overseas operations in order to advance America’s priorities as efficiently and effectively as possible. This includes a visa process that maintains rigorous standards of security screening and vetting and aligns resources and operational capacity with America’s national interests,” the statement read. “The Trump administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans, and the State Department will continue to provide Americans with appropriate consular services and assistance at diplomatic posts around the world.”
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Besides Abuja, the affected diplomatic posts are located in Asmara (Eritrea), Bamako (Mali), Banjul (Gambia), Brazzaville (Republic of Congo), Bujumbura (Burundi), Conakry (Guinea), Cotonou (Benin), Durban (South Africa), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Gaborone (Botswana), Harare (Zimbabwe), Juba (South Sudan), Libreville (Gabon), Lilongwe (Malawi), Lusaka (Zambia), Maputo (Mozambique), Maseru (Lesotho), Mbabane (Eswatini), N’Djamena (Chad), Niamey (Niger), Nouakchott (Mauritania), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), and Windhoek (Namibia). The State Department clarified that the change affects only routine visa processing and does not alter the operational status of the embassies and consulates involved. All affected diplomatic missions will continue to provide consular services, including American Citizen Services (ACS), emergency assistance to US citizens, and carry out their regular diplomatic functions on behalf of the United States. The department further assured travellers that the policy does not invalidate visas that have already been issued.
The realignment applies to most routine visa services, including both nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories. Nonimmigrant visas affected include B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F-1 student visas, J-1 exchange visitor visas, and employment-based categories such as H, L, O, and P visas. Immigrant visa services being realigned include Immediate Relative (IR) visas, Family Preference (FP) visas, Employment-Based (EB) immigrant visas, K fiancé(e) visas, adoption cases, Diversity Visa (DV) cases, and follow-to-join asylee and refugee (V92/V93) cases.
Under the new arrangement, applicants in affected countries will be required to access routine visa services through designated regional processing hubs. Routine visa services will continue at US embassies and consulates in Lagos, Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Cape Town, Dakar, Dar-es-Salaam, Djibouti, Johannesburg, Kampala, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lomé, Luanda, Malabo, Monrovia, Nairobi, Port Louis, Praia and Yaoundé. These designated hubs will continue to process all routine non-immigrant visas, including tourist, business and petition-based visas, as well as immigrant visas. The announcement is expected to impact thousands of Nigerian applicants who currently process US visas in Abuja, forcing them to travel to Lagos or other designated hubs on the continent. Nigeria has one of the highest volumes of US visa applications in Africa, with the US Embassy in Abuja and Consulate in Lagos being the two main processing centres for Nigerian applicants. The State Department advised citizens and residents of affected countries seeking US visas from August 1, 2026, to book appointments and pay required fees at designated processing hubs. The department also noted that similar regional hub arrangements had already been implemented successfully in several African countries and parts of Europe. The State Department further stated that visa suspensions imposed under Presidential Proclamation 10998, visa bond requirements and immigrant visa pauses for certain nationalities would remain in effect. Applicants who already have appointments at affected posts should monitor their email for specific guidance from the department.
US Shuts Down Routine Visa Processing at Abuja Embassy, 24 Other African Missions
News
Mutfwang Clarifies Apology to Igbo Community: “My Words Were Twisted”
Mutfwang Clarifies Apology to Igbo Community: “My Words Were Twisted”
- Governor Caleb Mutfwang insists his remarks were taken out of context, emphasizing reconciliation and Plateau’s legacy of peaceful coexistence
Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has finally broken his silence over the firestorm of reactions that followed his recent apology to the Igbo community (Ndigbo) over Nigeria’s civil war atrocities. In a detailed statement on Wednesday, the governor firmly declared that his intentions were deliberately taken out of context and misrepresented by critics. The controversy erupted after Mutfwang, during a courtesy visit by Igbo leaders at the Government House in Jos, was quoted as saying: “I apologise to the Igbos so that we can put the past behind us… because our people were deceived into going to war, and we regret it.” The remarks sparked a national debate, drawing both praise from Igbo groups and sharp criticism from some Plateau stakeholders who felt the governor unfairly blamed his own people. Now, through his Director of Press Affairs, Dr. Gyang Bere, the governor has set the record straight.
In a statement released Wednesday, Mutfwang explained that his remarks were never intended to assign blame or diminish the suffering of any ethnic group. Instead, they were rooted in three key pillars: appreciation for the immense contributions of the Igbo community to Plateau State’s growth in commerce, education, healthcare, and industry; reconciliation through encouraging all Nigerians to build bridges of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence; and national unity by reminding citizens of the enduring responsibility to strengthen bonds rather than reopen old wounds. The governor emphasized through his spokesperson that at no point did he seek to diminish the painful experiences of any ethnic group or the historical realities surrounding Nigeria’s Civil War. He noted that the scars of that period remain part of our national history and deserve to be remembered with empathy, honesty and sensitivity. The governor emphasized that his apology to Ndigbo was not an indictment of any tribe but a gesture of solidarity—a reminder that Nigerians must learn from history rather than remain imprisoned by it.
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Mutfwang took the opportunity to highlight Plateau State’s historic role as a beacon of peaceful coexistence. He traced this tradition back to the post-civil war era, when leaders like JD Gomwalk and Chief Solomon Lar championed policies of inclusion. He specifically invoked General Yakubu Gowon’s “No Victor, No Vanquished” declaration and the 3Rs policy (Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction) , which he described as a globally recognized model for post-war healing. The governor noted that for decades, Plateau State has proudly stood as one of Nigeria’s foremost examples of peaceful coexistence among diverse peoples. He added that successive administrations have sustained this tradition by creating an environment where Nigerians from every region can live, work, worship, invest and flourish. The governor further noted that the Igbo community has leveraged this welcoming environment to make invaluable contributions to the state’s development, and his administration is committed to preserving and strengthening that legacy.
The meeting, however, was not without its political dimensions. During the visit, Igbo leaders from all 17 local government areas of Plateau State formally endorsed Governor Mutfwang for a second term ahead of the 2027 governorship election. Chief Chidi Onah, President-General of the Igbo Community in Plateau State, cited Mutfwang’s inclusive leadership and developmental strides as key reasons for their support. But the discussions also exposed underlying tensions. Community leaders raised unresolved compensation claims over land disputes—a reminder that even in states celebrated for harmony, the relationship between “indigenes” and “settlers” remains delicate.
The governor’s initial comments drew a polarized response. On the one hand, the Izu Umunna Cultural Association (IUCA) hailed Mutfwang’s apology as “courageous,” “healing,” and historic. They noted that the civil war remains “a scar in the psyche of every Igbo man” and that no national leader had previously shown the courage to accept such responsibility. On the other hand, former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung and former Commissioner for Information Dan Manjang criticized the governor, arguing he unfairly placed the burden of the civil war on the people of Plateau State.
Addressing his critics directly, Mutfwang urged Nigerians to resist attempts to inflame ethnic or regional divisions. He stated that at a time when our nation faces significant challenges, Nigerians must resist every attempt to inflame ethnic or regional divisions. Instead, he said, we should draw strength from our shared history, celebrate our diversity and recommit ourselves to building a nation founded on justice, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. The governor reaffirmed that his administration believes Plateau’s greatest strength lies not in the differences among its people but in their ability to transform diversity into unity and shared prosperity. He concluded that Governor Caleb Mutfwang remains unwavering in his belief that every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or place of origin, deserves dignity, equal opportunity and a genuine sense of belonging. He urged the public to disregard any interpretations that assign unintended meanings to his remarks, describing such distortions as distractions from the broader message of unity and national cohesion.
Mutfwang Clarifies Apology to Igbo Community: “My Words Were Twisted”
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News15 hours agoPolice detain Osun SSG, five others as ₦4.8m, voter cards are recovered