Armed assailants stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, on Monday, killing a teacher and abducting at least 25 students in one of the most serious school attacks in northern Nigeria in recent months.
Police said the attackers, described as a gang of armed bandits, invaded the school around 4:00 a.m. local time, engaging security personnel in a gunfight before breaching the perimeter fence and seizing students from their hostel. One staff member — Vice Principal Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku — was shot dead while attempting to protect the girls, and another member of staff sustained injuries and is receiving treatment.
Eyewitnesses reported that a large number of gunmen arrived firing sporadically, creating chaos before leading several students into nearby bushland.
Security agencies have deployed additional police tactical units, soldiers, and vigilante groups to launch a coordinated search-and-rescue operation across surrounding forests and suspected escape routes. Defense Minister Bello Mohammed Matawalle said the government has ordered an urgent response to secure the girls’ safe return.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, expressed solidarity with families of the abducted students, assuring them that the government is committed to bringing the girls home unharmed.
This abduction is the first major school kidnapping since March 2024, when more than 200 pupils were taken from Kuriga in Kaduna State. Over the past decade, northern Nigeria has faced repeated school attacks carried out by armed groups seeking ransom or leverage in dealings with authorities. While the government has banned ransom payments, the threat of kidnappings remains severe.
Children’s rights organizations say hundreds of students have been kidnapped since Boko Haram’s infamous 2014 abduction of 276 girls from Chibok. Rural schools remain particularly vulnerable, with rights groups warning that abductions often precede further abuses, including forced recruitment and sexual violence.
The attack in Maga has left families devastated as the search for the missing students intensifies.
The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa will hold a high-profile hearing on Thursday, November 20, 2025, to examine President Donald Trump’s decision to reclassify Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for alleged violations of religious freedom. The hearing comes amid growing international scrutiny of attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.
At 11:00 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building, the Subcommittee—chaired by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ)—will convene an open session, available via live webcast. The bipartisan hearing is expected to assess the gravity of the religious persecution in Nigeria and explore possible U.S. policy responses, including sanctions or targeted aid.
Senior U.S. officials and Nigerian faith leaders will testify. On the government side, panelists include Jonathan Pratt, a senior bureau official from the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, and Jacob McGee, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Representing civil society and religious organizations are Nina Shea, Director of the Centre for Religious Freedom; Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Nigeria’s Makurdi Diocese; and Oge Onubogu from the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
The hearing follows Trump’s October 31 designation of Nigeria as a CPC, citing “severe violations of religious freedom,” particularly the systematic targeting of Christians. Trump has claimed that thousands of Christians are being killed by “radical Islamist” groups, and warned that the United States could suspend aid or even take military action if the Nigerian government fails to protect its Christian population.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance … and may very well go into that now-disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’” Trump declared on November 1, 2025. He added that he had instructed the U.S. “Department of War” to prepare for “possible action” to “wipe out the Islamic terrorists.”
President Bola Tinubu pushed back, rejecting Trump’s remarks as a “misrepresentation of Nigeria’s religious reality.” In a statement on his official social media account, he affirmed that “religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity,” adding that Nigeria remains committed to constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.
The U.S. Senate is also weighing a related measure, sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz, that could reinforce consequences for Nigerian officials implicated in religious persecution.
Bishop Anagbe, who is expected to testify, has previously highlighted the threat to Christian communities in Nigeria. At a March 2025 event in the U.K. Parliament, he described how militant Fulani herdsmen and Islamist extremists have attacked Christian villages in Benue State, burned churches, and forced people into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
“They follow orders to conquer, kill, and occupy,” he told British lawmakers. “They attack even those who have managed to escape into our IDP camps.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged itself deeper into political turbulence after expelling Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and nine other influential members during its national convention held in Ibadan.
The move, described by party leaders as a decisive step to restore unity and discipline, could significantly reshape the 2027 electoral landscape—either strengthening PDP’s resolve or accelerating its decline.
The decision, taken at the Lekan Salami Stadium and attended by delegates from only 17 states, overshadowed the election of Dr. Kabiru Turaki as the party’s new National Chairman.
With multiple lawsuits and factional battles hanging over the convention, the expulsions have intensified a crisis that has lingered since the PDP’s 2023 electoral defeats.
The Crisis
The party’s internal war dates back to the bitter 2023 elections, when disagreement over zoning, candidate selection, and leadership direction led to a historic fracture.
Wike, once a PDP kingmaker, spearheaded the “Integrity Group” of five governors who opposed the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate. His later acceptance of a ministerial appointment in the APC-led federal government and open endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for 2027 deepened suspicions of sabotage.
In the run-up to the Ibadan convention, Wike’s loyalists secured court injunctions from the Federal High Court in Abuja and other judicial divisions to halt the exercise.
They argued that state congresses and national preparations violated PDP’s amended 2017 constitution. Justice Peter Lifu’s November 14 order stopping the convention was brushed aside by the acting National Chairman Umar Damagum’s faction, which relied on a counter-order from an Oyo State High Court.
Sparse attendance and high-profile absences, including Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, exposed the party’s worsening fractures.
With PDP controlling only 11 states and struggling to present a unified front, analysts warn that the party is inching toward an existential cliff. The power struggle now pits pro-Wike factions against a reinvigorated anti-Wike bloc determined to salvage the party ahead of 2027.
Why They Were Expelled
The expulsion of the 11 members was swift and unanimous. Acting Chairman Bode George moved the motion, accusing the group of anti-party activities ranging from supporting APC candidates to filing court cases aimed at derailing party processes. Citing Articles 33(2)(i), (j), (n), and (r) of the PDP constitution, the National Convention ratified the decision through a voice vote led by Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed.
List of expelled members are Nyesom Wike, Ayodele Fayose, Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Mao Ohuabunwa, Austine Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, George Turne, Dan Orbih
The party also dissolved executive committees in Rivers, Imo, and Abia—states known to be Wike’s political strongholds. While PDP leaders insist the action was constitutional and necessary, critics argue the expulsions were abrupt, lacked fair hearing, and violated internal disciplinary procedures.
PDP Standing
Following the convention, PDP leaders projected confidence. New Chairman Kabiru Turaki, who polled 1,516 votes, pledged to rebuild the party’s credibility.
Damagum framed the expulsions as a “turning point” for the organization, while Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara said the move signaled the party’s determination to enforce discipline.
Host Governor Seyi Makinde, an outspoken critic of Wike, backed the decisions, calling them essential for repositioning the party ahead of 2027.
However, the party remains deeply vulnerable. Its National Working Committee is fractured, governors are divided, and the South-South and South-West bases—formerly PDP strongholds—are alienated.
Many fear that disregarding federal court orders could trigger contempt proceedings, further damaging the party’s credibility. Internal analysts warn that unless reconciliation begins immediately, PDP risks becoming a regional shell with diminishing national relevance.
Reactions
Wike mocked the convention as a “social gathering for the intoxicated” during Fayose’s 65th birthday celebration in Ado-Ekiti, insisting he and his allies would not acknowledge the decision. Fayose, in trademark defiance, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “The dead don’t expel the living,” describing PDP as a “political corpse.”
Within the party, dissent mounted. Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who chaired the convention planning committee, distanced himself from the expulsions and left the venue abruptly. Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the move as divisive and poorly timed. House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda criticized the process for lacking due process entirely.
Observers on social media were sharply divided, with some celebrating the expulsions as overdue discipline and others declaring PDP a “dead party.” APC supporters mocked the development, calling it evidence of PDP’s terminal decline.
Wike’s camp has called for an emergency NEC and BoT meeting in Abuja, setting the stage for further legal and political confrontations.
What It Means For The 2027 Election
The expulsions could either revitalize PDP or push it toward collapse.
A best-case scenario would see the party consolidate around new leadership, silence internal saboteurs, and craft a more coherent strategy for 2027.
But the risks are far greater: Wike’s grip on Rivers politics threatens PDP’s access to one of Nigeria’s highest vote-yielding states. Fayose’s ouster could weaken PDP’s already fragile footprint in Ekiti and the broader South-West.
Governors’ open revolt suggests possible defections, which could cripple the party ahead of the elections. If the crisis deepens, the APC stands to benefit enormously, potentially granting President Tinubu a smooth path to re-election.
As political analysts note: “Removing Wike doesn’t end the story—it begins the sequel.”
Whether Ibadan 2025 becomes the moment PDP finds its footing or the point of no return remains to be seen. What is clear is that Nigeria’s opposition landscape is now more volatile than ever.
The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has warned of a nationwide shutdown following an alleged attack on staff of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Imo State.
In a statement from its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, the union explained that the action became necessary after workers on duty at the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation were reportedly beaten, held hostage at gunpoint, and some abducted by armed police officers allegedly acting on the orders of the state government.
The union stated that police officers forcefully entered the control rooms, vandalised equipment, and disrupted operations. Workers were allegedly held at gunpoint, assaulted, and taken to an undisclosed location.
The union confirmed that it has already instructed its members to halt power supply operations in Imo State until further notice.
It further warned that it would suspend services nationwide unless authorities immediately guarantee the safety and protection of electricity workers across the country.
The statement read: “NUEE expresses deep shock and outrage over the level of gangsterism and unprofessional conduct displayed today by police officers acting on behalf of Imo State government.
“These officers forcibly invaded and vandalised the control rooms at Egbu 132/33KV Transmission Substation in an attempt to compel operators to grant an illegal outage.
“During the invasion, the officers allegedly disconnected power at gunpoint and held all staff on duty hostage, forcing them to open breakers under duress.
“They further unleashed violence on our members, beating, molesting and assaulting every staff member in sight. Personal belongings, including phones, laptops, and vehicles, were destroyed, while CCTV cameras were also vandalised.
“The police officers executed this brutal and barbaric assault on innocent workers and abducted them to an undisclosed location.
“NUEE strongly condemns this reprehensible act and demands the immediate release of our abducted members. We also call for a formal undertaking from TCN management, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the Inspector General of Police to ensure the protection of our members.
“Additionally, we demand the immediate replacement of all staff property damaged or taken away, and insist that all assaulted workers be provided with full medical attention.
“Consequently, NUEE directs all members to stay away from the office until further notice, as we cannot continue to work under conditions of brutality, intimidation, and threats to life. Work can only resume when the safety of staff and property is fully guaranteed.
“Failure to address these issues promptly will leave the union with no alternative but to withdraw our services nationwide until adequate safety and protection are secured at all workplaces.”
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), “to promptly account for and explain the whereabouts of the missing or diverted N3 trillion of public funds, as documented in the recently published 2022 annual report by the Auditor-General of the Federation.”
SERAP stated that these serious allegations are detailed in the latest annual report released by the Auditor-General on 9 September 2025.
The organisation urged him to “identify those responsible for the missing or diverted public funds and hand them over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.”
SERAP further encouraged him “to ensure the full recovery and return of any missing public funds to the treasury without further delay.”
In a letter dated 15 November 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group wrote: “These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest grave violations of the public trust, the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the CBN Act, and anticorruption standards.”
The organisation also noted, “These grave violations also reflect a failure of CBN accountability more generally and are directly linked to the institution’s persistent failure to comply with its Act and to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.”
According to SERAP, “These violations have seriously undermined the ability of the CBN to effectively discharge its statutory functions and the public trust and confidence in the bank. The CBN ought to be committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.”
The letter read in part: “According to the Auditor-General, the CBN in 2022 failed to remit over N1 trillion [N1,445,593,400,000.00] of ‘the Federal Government’s portion of operating surplus’ into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) account.”
“The Auditor-General fears that the money may have been ‘diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The CBN in 2022 failed to recover over N629 billion [N629,040,000,000.00] paid to ‘unknown beneficiaries’ as part of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, a programme ‘meant to support farmers to ensure sustainable food production in the country.’”
“But the number of beneficiaries who collected the money are unknown.’ The CBN has also failed to ‘recover the money.’ The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been diverted’, which could have ‘contributed to the difficulty in sustaining food security in the Nation.’”
“He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The CBN has also failed to recover over N784 billion [N784,410,108,864.47] ‘being 32 unpaid, overdue loans and interventions disbursed by the Bank between 2018 and May 2022.’”
“The Auditor-General said ‘there was no evidence that the Bank was doing enough to recover the loans/interventions, which ought to have been paid.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The CBN in 2022 also spent over N125 billion [N125,374,000,000.00] ‘on questionable intervention activities.’ The CBN claimed it spent the money ‘on intervention activities in connection with national security, the federal government, state securities, armed forces and to build the capacity of the financial sector.’”
“But the Auditor-General is concerned that the money may have been spent ‘without the approval of the National Assembly.’ There was also no document to ‘support the expenditure.’”
“The ‘expenditure also may not have been in the public interest and consistent with the objectives of the CBN in section 2 of the CBN Act.’ The Auditor-General fears the money may have been ‘diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The CBN in 2022 also ‘unjustifiably’ spent over N1 billion [N1,792,769,160.00] to buy 43 operational vehicles for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The ‘spending is unjustified because there is no connection with buying operational vehicles for the NIS and the objectives of the CBN as stated in section 2 of the CBN Act.’”
“The NIS also ‘failed to provide any evidence to show that the vehicles were actually supplied and delivered.’ There ‘were also no procurement and payment records or documents.’ The Auditor-General fears the money may have been ‘diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The CBN also awarded 43 contracts for over N189 billion [N189,50,066,756.73] but ‘the contractors deliberately delayed completion of these contracts’ by seeking ‘extension of the completion period.’”
“The contractors then ‘requested for variation of contracts due to extension of completion period.’ Following the request, the CBN paid the contractors over N9 billion [N9,270,849,691.61] ‘irregular variation of contract price.’”
“There were no relevant procurement documents such as contract files, procurement records, and payment vouchers’ for the payment. The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been diverted’ and the projects may have been abandoned.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The Katsina state branch of the CBN also failed to recover over N90 million [N90,163,610.00] being ‘outstanding loans and interventions disbursed to 33 small and medium enterprises during Covid-19 in 2020.’”
“The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been ‘diverted’ or ‘mismanaged’. He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the CBN to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“Paragraph 708 of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, ‘on no account should payment be made for services not yet performed or for goods not yet supplied.’”
“Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.” Section 13 of the Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the CBN to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.”
“Paragraph 3112(ii) of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides: ‘Where a public officer fails to account for government revenue, such officer shall be surcharged for the full amount involved and such officer shall be handed over to either the EFCC or the ICPC.’”
“Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the public funds. Taking the recommended measures would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.”
“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their public.”
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation playoffs ended in heartbreak after a 1–1 draw with DR Congo and a subsequent penalty shootout defeat, a result that has sparked nationwide scrutiny over the team’s troubling reliance on Victor Osimhen.
The turning point came at halftime, when Osimhen was forced off with an injury. His exit did more than remove Nigeria’s most dangerous forward from the pitch, it exposed a structural and psychological dependence that ultimately contributed to the Super Eagles’ collapse.
Osimhen’s Injury Shifted the Entire Game
Before leaving, Osimhen provided the pressure, movement, and attacking direction Nigeria needed. His sharp runs pulled Congolese defenders out of shape, and his presence alone gave the team a clear offensive identity.
But once he limped down the tunnel, visibly frustrated and visibly pained, everything changed. Nigeria’s press softened, the attack lost shape, and the forwards who remained looked disconnected, unable to replicate his blend of physicality and intelligence.
A Team Without Plan B
The biggest criticism now falls on the coaching crew. With Osimhen off, Nigeria needed invention, a formation tweak, a creative spark, or a tactical shift to unsettle DR Congo. None came.
Instead, the Eagles stuck to predictable long balls and hopeful crosses, strategies that rarely threaten at the highest level. The substitutions lacked impact, and no one emerged as a reliable alternative focal point. The tactical void was glaring.
Psychological Dependence Was Just as Damaging
Beyond tactics, Osimhen’s absence drained the team’s confidence. Nigeria’s play became hesitant, reactive, and increasingly desperate. The belief that the team cannot function without the Napoli striker seemed to seep into their decision-making, a dangerous mindset for any national side.
A Warning for the Future
Despite flashes of control from the midfield and moments of resilience in defense, Nigeria’s downfall was rooted in planning, adaptability, and mental strength. The talent is present, but the structure is not.
To move forward, the Super Eagles must:
Diversify their attacking options
Experiment with different striker profiles
Build tactical flexibility beyond a traditional No. 9
Strengthen the team psychology so one injury doesn’t derail an entire campaign
This qualifying disappointment should be treated as a wake-up call. As long as Nigeria remains overly dependent on Osimhen, the team’s fortunes will continue to rise and fall with one man, a risk no serious World Cup contender should take.
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a Catholic Reverend Father and six other suspects for allegedly supplying firearms and ammunition to bandits terrorising communities in Plateau State and neighbouring areas.
The arrests were announced on Sunday by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, during a parade of the suspects at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to police investigations, the priest and his accomplices were part of a syndicate that procured and distributed weapons, including AK-47 rifles and locally made pistols, to criminal elements operating across Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states.
The breakthrough came after the January 2025 arrest of one Joseph Tata in Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Tata’s confession led detectives to other members of the network, culminating in the priest’s arrest in Jos last week. Police say the cleric allegedly used his position to facilitate the movement of weapons without raising suspicion.
The Catholic Diocese of Jos has distanced itself from the allegations, stating that the priest has been placed on indefinite suspension pending the outcome of investigations. In a brief statement, the diocese described the development as “shocking and painful” and urged the public to allow law enforcement agencies to conclude their work.
Plateau State has been one of the epicentres of banditry and ethno-religious violence in Nigeria’s North-Central region, with thousands killed and displaced in the last five years.
Security analysts say the influx of illegal firearms continues to fuel attacks on farming communities, kidnappings, and reprisals between herders and farmers.
The police have assured the public that all suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.
The case has once again highlighted the complex networks sustaining insecurity in the country.
A domestic tribunal has ordered the execution of Bangladesh’s ex-prime minister after ruling that she committed crimes against humanity during a sweeping clampdown on student demonstrations that ultimately led to her downfall.
The panel concluded that Hasina permitted deadly force to be unleashed on demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 people during last year’s turmoil.
Proceedings were conducted without her presence by the International Crimes Tribunal, as she has been living in exile in India since her removal from office in July 2024.
Prosecutors claimed she orchestrated large-scale killings during the uprising, while families of victims demanded harsh punishment. Hasina rejected the accusations, calling the trial “biased and politically motivated”.
The protracted hearings in the country’s war crimes court had long signaled that a conviction was imminent.
Still, the verdict represents a turning point for the nation and reinforces the grievances of those who rose up against years of political repression under her leadership.
Hasina held power for a decade and a half, a period that saw economic development but also escalating suppression of dissent through arrests, disappearances, and unlawful killings.
The protests eventually drove her into exile, paving the way for an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Responding to the judgment on Monday in a detailed written statement, Hasina argued that the death sentence was being used by the temporary authorities as a tool for “nullifying [her party] the Awami League as a political force” and insisted she remained proud of her administration’s human-rights record.
“I am not afraid to face my accusers in a proper tribunal where the evidence can be weighed and tested fairly.”
The movement that brought her government down began with objections to recruitment quotas but rapidly expanded into a nationwide revolt.
A February assessment by UN investigators stated that the estimated 1,400 deaths might constitute “crimes against humanity”.
Their findings included evidence of close-range shootings, deliberate disabling of protesters, and widespread torture and arbitrary detention.
Earlier this year, leaked audio attributed to Hasina and verified by investigators appeared to show that she authorized the deployment of “lethal weapons” in July 2024; the recording was presented during the trial.
Hours before the ruling, the capital was placed under heightened security as opponents of the former leader gathered to celebrate the impending judgement.
The city has been rattled by renewed violence, including dozens of explosions and multiple arson attacks on buses in the days leading up to the decision.
One blast occurred in the capital on Monday morning, though police said there were no injuries.
Relatives of those killed during the demonstrations had previously said they wanted severe punishment for the former prime minister.
Ramjan Ali, whose brother was fatally shot in July 2024, said he wanted “exemplary punishment” for Hasina and others who have “committed acts of vengeance and abused their power”.
Lucky Akther, who lost her husband near the capital in August 2024, insisted she wanted Hasina’s sentencing to be “carried out before the election”.
“Only then the families of those killed [in the protests] will find peace in their hearts.”
The interim administration headed by economist Muhammad Yunus has remained in place since Hasina’s removal, with a national election slated for February 2026.
However, in May, authorities barred Hasina’s political organization from participating in the country’s political process.
Hasina warned last month that preventing her party’s candidates from contesting the coming election would trigger a mass refusal by supporters to take part in the vote.
The ruling now places pressure on both Bangladesh and India, as Dhaka has requested her extradition — a move New Delhi has not acted upon.
Her government-assigned attorney, Mohammad Amir Hossain, said he was “sad [and wishes] the verdict had been different”.
“I even cannot appeal because my clients are absent; that’s why I am sad,” he added.
Her legal team said last week that they had submitted an urgent petition to the UN highlighting major concerns about fairness and due process at the tribunal.
Hasina faced trial alongside her former interior minister and ex-police chief.
Although the ruling gives some families a sense of justice, it is unlikely to ease the country’s deep political divides.
“The anger against Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League has not subsided,” said Shireen Huq, a prominent rights advocate based in Dhaka. “Neither she nor the party has apologised or shown any remorse for the killings of hundreds of people.”
She added, “It makes it difficult for the party to be accepted by a majority of people in this country.”
Ms Huq noted that many survivors feel the punishment does not bring full closure.
“We work with several people who lost their limbs forever, they are amputees now, due to the crackdown. They will never be able to forgive her.”
David Bergman, a journalist who has observed Bangladesh’s politics for decades, said the “very nature of the conviction could make it even more difficult” for the Awami League to return as a mainstream political force.
He added that this might shift only if “there is some kind of apology and a distancing from Sheikh Hasina and the old leadership”.
Emergency teams are combing through the area for anyone who may still be alive after a makeshift bridge gave way at a cobalt mining site in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving at least 32 people dead.
According to local official Roy Kaumba Mayonde, groups of miners who were not authorised to be there forced entry into the Kalando mine in the south of the country on Saturday, despite being barred from accessing the area.
Witness accounts gathered by government mining agency SAEMAPE claim that soldiers assigned to secure the location opened fire, triggering chaos as miners stampeded across the bridge, causing it to collapse under the pressure.
Military authorities have yet to address or comment on these claims.
Incidents like this happen frequently in the country, where an estimated 1.5 to 2 million people are involved in informal, loosely regulated artisanal mining that supplies global markets with cobalt, copper and other valuable minerals.
Mayonde described the incident at the Lualaba province mine as “tragic”, noting that many mining operations in the region are “frequently victims of this type of invasion of their concessions by illegal miners”.
He explained that the miners had constructed the bridge themselves, and the fragile structure was unable to withstand the sudden surge of people making a “hasty” crossing.
Photos circulating online, which have not been independently confirmed, seem to show the bodies of victims as shocked residents gather nearby.
In a public message, authorities appealed to artisanal miners to accept government-supported retraining in agribusiness as a way to reduce the likelihood of similar deadly events.
The country remains the largest global producer of cobalt, a mineral critical for electric vehicle batteries as well as defence and aerospace manufacturing.
Cobalt extraction in the region has long been associated with allegations of child exploitation, corruption, unsafe working conditions and other human rights concerns.
On Sunday, November 16, around 6:30 p.m., unconfirmed military reports alleged that Lieutenant Ahmed Mohammed Yerima was tailed by unidentified men dressed in black and driving two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates.
The vans allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Kubwa Expressway, through Kubwa’s major road network, and down to Gado Nasco Way.
According to those early accounts, Yerima noticed the suspicious trail and executed what was described as a “strategic maneuver” to lose the vehicles.
Security sources claimed that the Navy immediately launched an internal probe, though little information has been released due to operational restrictions.
The reports quickly gained traction online. Many Nigerians speculated whether the alleged pursuit was linked to the viral clash with Wike just days earlier. Following the claims, additional uniformed patrols were reportedly stationed around Yerima’s residence as a precautionary measure.
Who Is Yerima?
Lieutenant Ahmed Mohammed Yerima is a rising Nigerian Navy officer in his late 20s or early 30s. He studied Mass Communication at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, before proceeding to the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna for military training.
He became widely known on November 11, 2025, after a viral confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at Plot 1946 in Abuja’s Gaduwa District.
The land, located in Cadastral Zone B13, is reportedly linked to the retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo.
In the video that spread across social media, Yerima calmly stood his ground as Wike confronted the naval team enforcing a stop-work order. The officer’s remark, “I’m an officer; I have my integrity,” struck a chord with Nigerians. Many praised his composure, professionalism, and refusal to be intimidated.
Veterans and serving senior officers publicly backed him, while Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar promised that the military would protect personnel carrying out lawful duties.
For clarity, Yerima has no familial relationship with retired Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima.
FCT Police Position On The Matter
The FCT Police Command issued a strong and direct denial. In a Monday statement, spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh stated that no such incident was recorded in any part of Abuja.
She described the circulating claims of an assassination attempt as “false information” pushed by social media publications without verification.
According to the FCT police, there was no complaint filed, no call made to any division, and no evidence suggesting the alleged tailing ever occurred. Adeh cautioned the public to stop spreading misleading or sensational claims capable of triggering unnecessary tension in the capital.
She reiterated that the Command remains vigilant and fully committed to residents’ safety, urging anyone who notices suspicious activity to report to the nearest police station rather than rely on unverified online reports.
Some observers note that the police denial may heighten the already visible tension between police authorities and the military, especially given the military’s earlier support for Yerima in the Gaduwa incident.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command also dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging an attempted assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima, describing the claims as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary tension among residents.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command clarified that no such incident was reported or recorded anywhere within the Federal Capital Territory, urging members of the public to disregard what it termed a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation.
“The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to publications circulating on social media alleging an attempted assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima. The Command wishes to categorically state that no such incident has been reported or recorded anywhere within the Federal Capital Territory. The public is advised to disregard this false information and desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary panic,” the statement read.
The Command further advised residents to remain calm, vigilant, and responsible in their use of social media, stressing that the spread of unverified security alerts undermines public peace and safety.
For emergency situations or to report suspicious activities, the Command urged residents to contact the nearest police division or reach the Command Headquarters through its dedicated emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08068587311 for swift response.
The statement was signed by SP Josephine Adeh, ANIPR, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, on 16th November 2025.
Has Yerima Said Anything About It?
As of November 17, 2025, Lt. A.M. Yerima has not released any public statement about the alleged assassination attempt. He has not posted on social media, granted interviews, or commented through official military channels.
His silence aligns with standard protocol during internal military investigations, where officers are generally discouraged from making public remarks until authorized.
For now, the only confirmed position remains the police statement dismissing the incident, while military sources continue to talk cautiously behind the scenes.
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