CCISSGO-24

RESIDENTS FLEEING OKUNRAN, KOGI STATE, AS BANDIT ATTACKS INTENSIFY The once peaceful community of Okunran in Kogi State has become a place of fear and despair. In recent weeks, escalating bandit attacks have forced residents to abandon their homes, farmlands, and businesses. Families are fleeing in large numbers, leaving behind the lives they once knew. The community, once alive with trade and culture, now resembles a ghost town marked by silence and fear. DAILY LIFE IN FEAR Residents of Okunran describe nights of terror as armed bandits storm the community, shooting sporadically and kidnapping people for ransom. Survivors recount hearing gunshots almost every night, with families unsure if they will live to see the morning. “Every night is a nightmare,” said one displaced farmer. “We can no longer farm, trade, or even sleep. They come at any time, and nobody feels safe anymore.” Markets have been shut, schools deserted, and farmlands abandoned. The situation has created fo...

TINUBU DECLARES STATE POLICE “UNAVOIDABLE” AMID RISING INSECURITY September 3, 2025 | Abuja, Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to establishing state police in Nigeria, describing the move as “unavoidable” in the face of rising insecurity across the country. Speaking at the Presidential Villa while hosting a delegation from Katsina State led by Governor Dikko Radda, Tinubu emphasized that the federal government is reviewing the nation’s entire security framework. He noted that the challenges posed by banditry, terrorism, and other violent crimes demand a decentralized policing system tailored to local needs. “I am reviewing all aspects of security, and I have to create state police. We are looking at that holistically,” Tinubu declared. He stressed that citizens, places of worship, and public spaces must be fully protected, and pledged that reforms would be pursued with urgency. As part of immediate measures, the President ordered a comprehens...

SOKOTO RESIDENTS PROTEST RISING BANDIT ATTACKS Residents of Shagari Local Government Area in Sokoto State took to the streets in protest on Tuesday, blocking the Sokoto–Lagos trunk A highway to demand urgent government intervention against relentless bandit attacks. The demonstration drew hundreds of men, women, and children who voiced frustration over repeated killings, abductions, and destruction of livelihoods. The protesters lamented that despite repeated pleas for assistance, their communities remain under constant siege. Many carried placards calling for increased security presence and immediate military action. Women were particularly vocal, stressing that families have been forced to abandon farmlands and schools due to fear of bandit incursions. Banditry in Sokoto, along with other states in Nigeria’s northwest, has worsened in recent months, leading to mass displacement and food insecurity. Shagari, strategically located along the major highway, has be...

FINNISH COURT JAILS SIMON EKPA AS IPOB DISTANCES ITSELF In a landmark judgment, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has sentenced Nigerian separatist agitator Simon Ekpa to six years in prison on terrorism-related charges. The ruling, delivered on September 1, 2025, marks a significant moment in the international legal response to activities linked to Biafran separatism. Ekpa was convicted of participation in a terrorist organization, incitement to commit terrorist acts, aggravated tax fraud, and breaches of the Lawyers Act. According to court findings, between August 2021 and November 2024, he used his vast social media reach—especially on X (formerly Twitter)—to incite violence, organize armed groups, and encourage attacks in Nigeria’s Southeast. Prosecutors also revealed that Ekpa facilitated arms supplies and promoted criminal activities under the guise of advancing Biafra’s independence. Despite his conviction, Ekpa maintained his innocence, claiming he was merel...