*Congressmen say ‘we want shoes, not boots on the ground’

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United States has ruled out deploying troops to Nigeria, saying its decision to designate the country as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) is intended to encourage reforms through diplomatic pressure and partnership rather than military intervention.

Members of a bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation, who visited Nigeria to assess security and religious freedom concerns, said at a press conference in Abuja that while Nigeria needs support to tackle rising violence, Washington is not considering “boots on the ground” as part of its response.

The delegation was led by Rep. Bill Huizenga and included Reps. Michael Baumgartner, Keith Self, and Jefferson Shreve.

“Nigeria does need help, but that does not mean U.S. troops,” Huizenga said. “The CPC designation is a tool to motivate action, not a prelude to military deployment.”

The lawmakers said the designation was driven by persistent violence affecting communities of all faiths, with particular concern over the Middle Belt, where they believe religious motivations play a role in some attacks.

“It is unacceptable that anyone—Muslim or Christian—is experiencing this level of violence,” a member of the delegation said. “Protecting citizens of all faiths is a responsibility of the Nigerian government.”

According to the delegation, the CPC designation has already sparked internal discussions within Nigeria’s government, which they described as a positive development. They stressed that the move is not intended to punish Nigeria or its citizens but to encourage accountability, reforms, and stronger protection of religious freedom.

The lawmakers distinguished between terrorism in the North-East—linked to Boko Haram and other extremist groups—and communal or religiously motivated violence in other regions, noting that each challenge requires a different approach.

“There are different regional realities,” one lawmaker said. “What works in Borno State may not work in Plateau or Benue.”

U.S. officials emphasized that Nigeria’s CPC status is not permanent and will be reviewed based on measurable progress in reducing violence and improving religious freedom. They rejected suggestions that the designation could damage bilateral relations, describing it instead as a difficult but constructive engagement between partners.

“True friends don’t walk away,” Huizenga said. “They stay engaged, even when the conversation is difficult.”

While ruling out troop deployment, the delegation expressed support for increased non-military engagement, including humanitarian assistance, diplomatic cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives—described as putting “shoes on the ground, not boots.”

The lawmakers said they would brief colleagues in Washington on the importance of Nigeria to Africa and global stability, warning that insecurity in Africa’s most populous nation carries far-reaching consequences.

They revealed that sustained dialogue, transparency, and reforms could pave the way for a review of Nigeria’s CPC status and a stronger U.S.–Nigeria partnership.

The congressional members during the visit met government officials, religious leaders, civil society, and private sector stakeholders, highlighting the United States’ commitment to its long-standing partnership with Nigeria.

On the reason for the visit, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills said the visit underscored the importance Washington places on economic, security, and people-to-people ties. “Their presence here underscores the importance the United States places on our partnership with Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that the delegation, led by Congressman Bill Huizenga of Michigan, met with Nigerian leaders to discuss shared priorities, including strengthening democratic institutions, expanding economic and trade opportunities, and addressing the concerns that led to the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

“This visit reflects the bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for a strong, forward-looking U.S.–Nigeria relationship and for addressing the underlying concerns that prompted the CPC designation,” the Ambassador said.

In his remarks, Huizenga emphasized the critical nature of the U.S.–Nigeria relationship. “We are here because this partnership is important to both Nigeria and the United States,” he said. He explained that the CPC designation, initially made during the Trump administration, had been the focus of ongoing congressional discussions. “I felt it was important to make another trip here to be able to look people eye to eye and have frank conversations,” he added.

Huizenga, a senior member of both the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Financial Services Committee, expressed appreciation to the U.S. Mission for hosting multiple delegations in quick succession. “First and foremost, Ambassador, thank you—not just to your team for hosting several delegations—but I also want to thank you personally for your service to our country and to this relationship here in Nigeria,” he said.

The delegation’s meetings come at a time of heightened focus on Nigeria’s security and human rights situation. The CPC designation, which has drawn attention in both countries, targets concerns about religious freedom and violence affecting communities across Nigeria.

“The purpose of our visit is to engage directly with Nigerian leaders, to listen, to learn, and to encourage progress on issues of governance, security, and religious freedom,” Huizenga said.

The U.S. Mission expressed hope that the delegation’s engagement will foster deeper collaboration in the months and years ahead. “We look forward to continuing to deepen our collaboration with Nigeria on these critical issues,” the official said.

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The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday affirmed that his administration in three years has delivered good governance in all sectors of the state.

This is just as he challenged his critics to judge him by his records as a governor in the last three years, saying, “leadership is not and should not be a master–servant relationship.”

A statement by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, disclosed that the governor made it known at Iwude Ijesha carnival at Ilesa on Sunday, who fired back at critics who questioned his style of governance asserted that governance is not about stern-looking leaders parading corridors of power.

He explained, “Governance is about making a direct positive impact on the lives of the people. Your delivery as a governor is the best judge of your performance and capacity to lead. Judge me on my records, outputs, and agenda as a governor. That is the best globally accepted parameters to measure leadership.

“My people, I have delivered across sectors in the last three years. I positively touched all sectors and federal constituencies. My records affirm and validate my capacity and competence to continue to lead our dear state.”

He added that the governor who felicitated with the Ijesa people on the occasion of the Iwude day said his team conducted due diligence on the basic developmental challenges facing Ijeshaland in 2022.

According to him, “When we came on board in late 2022, Ijesaland was being plundered without accountability. There was an inglorious rape of the land actively aided by the government of the time. Environmental degradation caused by illegal mining was so pervasive that the underground water across Ijesaland was declared polluted. Illegal mining was not just a challenge; the revenue flow from the mining sector was then to private pockets rather than the state treasury.

“Our administration launched a mining sector reform. Today, Osun’s shareholding within the Segilola Gold Project is secured. Concerted war is being waged on illegal mining. Environmental cleaning up is now a continuous exercise. We launched a river clean-up project manned by tested professionals.”

Adeleke continued, “The Ilesa Water project, which was a center of corruption under the previous government, was reviewed, and anti-corruption measures yielded positive results. A project meant to provide water supply to the Ijesa people was turned into a channel of self-enrichment by some people from this land. Today, the contract for the water project has been cleaned up, and the project is set to continue after processing by the Islamic Development Bank.

“Beyond several infrastructure projects already executed across this great land, the late Adimula made two requests from me when I was campaigning for the governorship. By the grace of God, we have delivered and even exceeded the demands of our late father.”

He highlighted several interventions his government delivered for the Ijesa, including the University of Ilesa, roads, among others.

“I call on you all to renew your dedication to our joint mission of taking our dear state to a new, greater height. We must not allow political and developmental setbacks to afflict us again, the governor ended. 

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The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for the release of the remaining pupils abducted from a boarding school in Niger State, describing the development as a huge relief to parents and the nation.

The President of the TUC, Festus Osifo, gave the commendation on Sunday while featuring as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, following confirmation that the last batch of students held in captivity had regained their freedom.

Osifo, who is also the President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), expressed gratitude to security operatives for ending weeks of anxiety and anguish faced by families of the abducted children.

“First, I thank our security personnel for this breaking news. For us, we are quite elated and happy because, as parents, when your children go to school and do not return home, I wonder if any of those fathers and mothers were able to sleep in the last month,” he said.

He particularly praised the efforts of security agencies coordinating the rescue operation, noting that their intervention restored hope and brought immense relief to affected families.

“So, we thank the security outfit led by the office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Defence for coming to the rescue of those children,” Osifo added.

While welcoming the release, the labour leader urged the Federal Government to take concrete steps to prevent a recurrence of school abductions, warning that repeated attacks were discouraging school attendance and deepening fear across the country.

“We must put in the right architecture to ensure that whatever happened in Chibok, Dapchi, Kebbi and now Niger does not happen again,” he said.

The remaining pupils and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, regained their freedom on Sunday, bringing an end to the November 21 attack on the school.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, later confirmed that 130 pupils had been freed.

“Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released. None left in captivity,” Dare wrote on X.

The abduction, which occurred around 2:00 a.m., sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of schools, prompting President Tinubu to order a massive security operation across Niger and neighbouring states.

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An All Progressives Congress (APC) federal lawmaker, Hon. Aliyu Mustapha, has described the decision of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to join the APC as a clear demonstration of his unconditional love, loyalty, and belief in the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

Mustapha, in a statement on Sunday, stated that Governor Fubara’s move goes beyond political convenience, noting that it reflected a deep conviction in the Renewed Hope Agenda and the President Bola Tinubu’s vision for national unity, economic recovery, and inclusive governance.

According to him, aligning with the APC-led federal government underscored Governor Fubara’s readiness to place the interest of his state and the nation above partisan considerations, while fostering stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments.

“By joining the APC, Governor Fubara has sent a strong message of support and confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership. This decision is a demonstration of unconditional love for the President and a commitment to working together to deliver good governance and development to the people,” Mustapha said.

He added that the APC remained a broad-based, progressive platform that welcomes leaders who are committed to nation-building, peace, and sustainable development, stressing that Fubara’s entry into the party will further strengthen democratic values and governance.

He reaffirmed the APC’s resolve to continue supporting President Tinubu in the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians and securing a prosperous future for the country.

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… flags corruption, nepotism as major obstacles

A university lecturer, Prof. Ronald Olufemi Badru, has stressed that Nigeria cannot attain effective and efficient governance without a strong ethical foundation in public service, calling for comprehensive reforms across all tiers of government.

Badru, who teaches in the Department of Politics and International Relations, Lead City University, Ibadan, made the call at the weekend while delivering a lecture at the Chartered Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria (CIPAN), Oyo State Chapter Assembly and Conference, held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan. The lecture was themed “Ethical Public Administration and Maximal Service Delivery in the 21st Century.”

He described public administration as the art and science of coordinating human, material and financial resources of the state to ensure the smooth running of a modern polity.

Don advocates review of physics teaching methods in Nigeria

According to him, public administration remains central to governance because public administrators are involved in virtually all aspects of public life, including defence and national security, social welfare, environmental protection, education, infrastructure development and revenue generation.

“Within any modern polity, public administrators are relevant at all levels of government, managing resources and policies meant to serve the interests of the citizenry,” he said.

The professor noted that despite its strategic importance, public administration in Nigeria has continued to face serious challenges that have hindered national development.

He explained that his lecture examined the nature of public administration, its ethical and normative foundations and the major obstacles confronting it in Nigeria, with the aim of proposing ethical solutions capable of guaranteeing maximal service delivery.

Badru explained that public administration could be understood in three major ways: as a course of study designed to equip future civil servants with administrative knowledge and skills; as a system of meta-institutions comprising the executive, legislature and judiciary, which provide the legal framework for governance; and as the official activities of public officials aimed at ensuring effective operation of the state.

He added that public administration could also be viewed in a restrictive sense, limited to the civil service, or in a broader, non-restrictive sense that includes both elected political office holders and career public servants, a conception he described as public governance.

On the issue of ethics, Badru said ethics functioned both as a philosophical discipline and as a normative framework guiding human conduct.

He explained that ethical public administration “is one that is founded on sound moral norms, principles, virtues and values that direct institutional behaviour in the interest of the public.”

Badru added that maximal service delivery focused on effectiveness and efficiency in the deployment of public resources to meet citizens’ needs.

The don identified the normative foundations of public administration to include adherence to constitutional values such as freedom, equality, equity and due process; citizenship theory, which requires public officials to be responsible and responsive to the people; social equity; public virtues such as integrity, moral courage and accountability; and an unwavering commitment to the public interest.

He also highlighted corruption, nepotism, professional incompetence, unfair distribution of resources, lack of exemplary leadership and poor remuneration of civil servants as major challenges undermining ethical public administration in Nigeria.

Prof. Badru lamented that, “what is often experienced are leaders who lack integrity, show insensitivity to the needs of the people and engage in the embezzlement of public funds.”

To address these challenges, Badru proposed a two-level approach involving both individual public officials and public institutions.

At the individual level, he highlighted the exit, voice and loyalty options as ethical responses to wrongdoing within public institutions.

“A public official may choose to exit an unethical system, speak out against moral infelicities or demonstrate ethical loyalty by refusing to participate in actions that undermine public trust,” he said.

At the institutional level, he called for periodic moral monitoring and auditing of integrity systems, stronger emphasis on ethical reasoning in administrative decision-making, regular public auditing of service delivery and broader societal moral regeneration.

He warned that anti-corruption agencies would remain ineffective without credible internal moral oversight, noting that “if integrity systems are themselves morally suspect, they cannot successfully monitor others.”

He further stressed the need for public institutions to regularly seek feedback from citizens on their performance, adding that public administrators have a moral duty to strengthen areas of competence and address identified weaknesses in service delivery.

Badru, however, stressed that ethical public administration remained critical to Nigeria’s development, stressing that only a renewed commitment to moral values, principles and virtues can restore public confidence in governance and ensure maximal service delivery in the contemporary era.

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Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has received the newly posted Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, MNIPS, fwc, psc(+), who has formally assumed duty as the 24th Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command.

The Governor welcomed the new Police Commissioner during a familiarisation visit at the Government House, Gombe, following his take over from CP Bello Yahaya.

He congratulated CP Chuso on his posting to Gombe and encouraged him to consolidate on the gains recorded by his predecessors in the state, while introducing proactive approaches to addressing security concerns.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya reiterated that peace and security remain central to his administration’s agenda, noting that the relative calm enjoyed in Gombe must be sustained through effective policing, strong intelligence gathering and close collaboration with sister security agencies and relevant stakeholders.

He praised the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force for their professionalism and dedication to duty, and reiterated the state government’s support to the Police Command.

The Governor emphasized the importance of synergy among security agencies in strengthening public confidence and maintaining law and order.

CP Umar Ahmed Chuso thanked the Governor for the warm reception and assured him of his commitment to upholding the rule of law, enhancing security operations and promoting stronger police-community relations to ensure the continued safety of lives and property across the State.

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Beneath the rich soil of Kogi West, vast deposits of gold, lithium, and other rich mineral deposits promise prosperity. But for the local communities, this mineral wealth has become a wave of insecurity, land grabbing, and fear that residents and security sources directly attribute to powerful political figures and their foreign proxies.

Based on reports from 2024 and 2025, by David Hundeyin there are allegations linking former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to illegal mining activities, particularly involving the extraction of solid minerals in the Yagba area of Kogi West.

An investigation spanning several weeks, involving interviews with community leaders, security personnel, and mining experts, reveals a disturbing pattern: licensed and illegal miners, allegedly backed by prominent politicians, are suspected of arming bandits to terrorize local populations, driving them from their ancestral lands to allow for unchecked and highly profitable mineral extraction.

The Kogi West Blueprint: Politicians, Proxies, and Fear

The epicenter of this crisis is in the communities of Kogi West Senatorial District. Residents, who spoke exclusively on condition of anonymity for fear of violent reprisals, point fingers at a well-known network.

“The mining sites are not run by our people,” one community elder from Yagba West Local Government Area explained, his voice barely a whisper. “They are being done by proxy by some Chinese who are holding it for prominent Kogi politicians. Among them is a former Chief of Staff and a former Governor. They have the cover, and the Chinese have the machines. We have the suffering.”

The modus operandi, as described by multiple sources, follows a chillingly consistent script:

Mineral-rich communities are identified, often through covert surveying.

Large parcels of land are acquired through a combination of coercion, deceit, and the exploitation of poverty. Locals report being offered paltry sums for land they did not fully understand the value of.

For those who refuse to sell or who later protest, intimidation begins. This starts with threats and escalates to violent attacks by armed men who arrive on motorcycles, often in the dead of night.

Once the community is sufficiently terrorized and displaced, the mining operations begin in earnest. Heavy machinery, operated primarily by Chinese nationals, moves in, guarded by private security forces that locals view as an occupying army.

“Most of these lands were sold ignorantly and secretly,” lamented a youth leader from Yagba East LGA. “Our fathers were given crumbs for what they thought was barren land. They were told it was for farming. Now, we see trucks upon trucks leaving with our gold and that black stone [lithium]. When we try to ask questions, we are met with bullets.”

The state government has repeatedly announced initiatives to curb illegal mining, but residents claim these efforts are cosmetic, targeting only small-scale, local artisanal miners while leaving the large, politically-connected operations untouched.

A Disturbing Pattern: From Niger to Zamfara

The situation in Kogi West is not an isolated incident but part of a broader, more sinister pattern replicated across Nigeria’s mineral-rich regions.

Niger State: In areas like Shiroro, a direct nexus has been established between armed bandits and illegal miners. Bandits attack villages, killing and kidnapping locals, creating a security vacuum. They then offer “protection” to illegal miners operating in the seized territory, taking a cut of the profits. This creates a perverse economy where insecurity becomes a profitable business model for both the bandits and their sponsors.

Zamfara State: This state became the textbook case of the phenomenon. Illegal gold mining was so rampant and so deeply tied to armed banditry that the federal government declared a no-fly zone and implemented a full-scale ban on mining activities in 2019 to cut off the funding source for the terrorists. Despite this, reports persist of operations continuing under the protection of armed groups.

Katsina and Kaduna States: Similar reports echo from these states, where communities accuse “outsiders” of collaborating with bandits to dispossess them of their land, particularly gold-rich areas.

In each case, the playbook is the same: use violence to create fear and displacement, then move in to exploit the resources. The profits from this illegal trade are then used to purchase more weapons, fund more attacks, and bribe officials, creating a vicious, self-sustaining cycle of violence and exploitation.

Land Grabbing: The Arm-twisting Tactics of Economic Terrorists

A sad case of land grabbing is the ongoing legal dispute by Iddo-Ojesa community in Yagba East local government with Relix Mining Company Limited (Chinese company) who through alleged wrong negotiation with Joshman Multiconcept Limited (Nigeria Company owned by current Chairman of Yagba East LGA) and other impersonators reportedly swindled an unsuspecting Chinese company in the fraudulent purchase of a large expanse of land that is up to a quarter of the entire LGA!

On the 17th of January 2023, a consent was signed between the Omo Meru Family of Iddo Ojesa community and Joshman Multiconcept Company, owned by the current Chairman Yagba East Local Government Area, Mr Dare Joshua, for a mining exploration licence covering a small portion of the family land.

Mr Dare’s company failed to stick to earlier agreement by selling the entire Meru family land to the unsuspecting Chinese company (Rellix Mining Limited) aided by unscrupulous representatives of Meru’s family and others who appended their signatures to the illicit deal without the consent of the family head and other principal members of the family.

Meru’s family has an ancestral land in Odo- Osin. There has never been any dispute in the past and interestingly, Meru Family are one of the largest land owner in Yagba land and Okun nation in general.

Joshman Multconcept Limited only came into the scenario January 2023 for a consent letter towards mining exploration which was given to him. It was later discovered that the consent letter signed on 17th January 2023 for the exploration licences was doctored by Mr Dare’s company and resubmitted for the purpose of small scale mining lease, but both documents bear the same date which is quite impossible if due process was followed.

By July 2023, Mr Dare came seven months after the consent letter was issued to his company and connived with some elders who are illiterates and created the impression to the elders that a compensation will be paid to the family as a result of the consent granted to his company. He told them they must append their signatures on some document in the palace of Agbana of Isanlu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Moses Etombi. The elders includes: Chief Osadumi Sunday, Elder Elder Rowland Olorunsola, among others. They were made to sign agreement for the sale of the entire land covering over 253 square kilometres which is over a quarter of the Local Government Area.

With documents presented to the Chinese company, the land mass currently in dispute has encroached into many other communities including Idofin, Makutu, Odogbe, Ilafin and part of Ifare, Iboro, Ofe, Ipele clans in both Yagba East and Yagba West Local Government Areas.

Curiously, the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) for the disputed land has been issued by the state government. More curious is the fact that the date on the CofO showed it was issued within 24 hours after the land agreement was signed. This further proves the interest of some state actors in the ongoing land grabbing activities in Kogi West.

The Forgotten Communities: Minerals Rich Villages’ Neglect a Deliberate Act?

Most of the communities under intense bandit attacks across Kogi West are ‘forgotten towns, villages and hamlets’. With near zero social amenities, the obvious neglect by government is glaring in these communities.

When bandits began to attack communities like Okoloke, Isanlu Esa in Yagba West LGA, Olle Bunu and other interior communities in Kabba Bunu LGA, Odogbe, Idofin and Ilafin in Yagba East LGA, many wondered why they were being attacked. These are communities populated mainly by poor peasant farmers and low-income traders. There are no security posts in these forgotten communities.

Emerging evidence showed that these poor communities have diverse economically viable mineral deposits in their soil.

A registered Nigerian Company with Registration No RC 1091756, Sincerity Mining And Construction Co Ltd, posted on their corporate website that the company was granted an Exploration License on 4 Cadastral Units by the Mining Cadastral Office an Agency under the Ministry of Solid Minerals & Mines on the 8th of September 2015 to get involved in mining activities.

The allocation was at Okoloke, Yagba West, Kogi State, Nigeria. The Exploration License is for Tantalite & Gold Exploration but surprisingly, the Geology and Geochemical Survey discovered arrays of Minerals that were not quoted to be in Nigeria. These strange discoveries at National Geological and Mineral Laboratories Kaduna further led the Geologist from Nigeria Geological Survey Agency to send the report of the tests to Bureau Veritas Laboratories of Canada to conduct further tests of the materials which led to the discoveries of the following in the other of importance – (1) Nickel (2) Chromium (3) Cobalt (4) Copper (5) Barium (6) Marble (7) Gold etc.

“Further Exploration exercises carried out include a Geotechnical Survey, Aeromagnetic Data Interpretation among others that led to the Government granting of expansion of the Cadastral Units from the initial 4 units plus an additional 148 units on the 2nd Exploration License and subsequently the grant of SSML (Small Scale Mining Lease) while Exploration exercises continue the 148 Cadastral.

“On record, it was on our Okoloke Site, Kogi State that the Nickel, Chromium, and Cobalt were first discovered in Nigeria before that of Kaduna State for which a visiting Australian Minister of Mines a few years ago quoted as a strange occurrence in Nigeria.

“The Laboratory Tests conducted at FUTA (Federal University of Technology) Akure, Ondo State this year 2022 further confirm the presence of Lithium Ore through Geochemical Analysis with further tests on other associated minerals ongoing on the same site,” the company wrote on its website.

It is confirmed that many of these communities in Kogi West have huge solid mineral deposits. Also, these communities are grossly under-developed. They were deprived basic amenities and now being ruthlessly displaced by unchecked armed terrorists. People are already asking if these communities were deliberately sidelined in the development initiatives to frustrate them and probably force them to leave their lands for better communities.

Mining Activities Remain a Black Market Operation in Kogi West

Indigenes of host mining communities are largely unaware of what is going on in their forests. Only a few sellouts know the companies mining in their communities and they prefer it remains so.

They approach local miners, usually artisanal, and ask about mineral-rich communities. They know the areas better than these foreigners, so they take them to the mining sites and introduce them to the traditional rulers. They pay these monarchs between five hundred thousand and two million naira, depending on the sincerity of the middlemen. The excited traditional ruler readily gives them letter of consent to operate in their forests. They also sign the mandatory Community Development Agreements (CDAs) without input from their subjects. In almost all mining host communities, contents of CDAs are not known by indigenes. A preferred black market operation. The traditional rulers are usually excited because they felt the coming of ‘investors’ will bring rapid development to their communities. It is worth mentioning that these are usually ‘forgotten communities’ with little or no government presence. Of course, the ‘greek gift’ also encouraged these tradition rulers to act without carrying out due diligence.

The state government has not been transparent in its dealings in this sector as well. Few months ago, the incumbent Governor announced the acquisition of 15 mining licenses and promised to involve communities in the operations. He is the first Governor to make public the state government acquisition of mining licenses. Truth is, this is not the first time Kogi state government is securing licenses and seeking ‘investors’ to trade with in the extractive industry. Since the acquisition was done in secret, these licenses usually ended up in private hands without public knowledge.

Hostile Takeover of Mining Sites
The battle that began in the forest is currently consuming communities. Quite a number of mining sites across Kogi West are not known to Ministry of Solid Minerals Development or the cadastre office. Legal, illegal and unlicensed artisanal miners control these sites. For the illegal miners, their men largely live in the forests, sleeping in makeshift huts and are usually armed to protect themselves. Battle for control of these mining sites have seen the weaker players being displaced violently by the sides with state backing. Changes in government also brings about change in power play in these forests. When the lesser ones are displaced they usually find it difficult to re-integrate themselves back into normal society having spent years being ‘Lords of the Forests’. They are still armed and now jobless. Crime becomes the easiest route to survival.

In March 2025, while celebrating one year success of the mining marshals, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, announced that 3,000 illegal gold miners had been flushed out.

He alluded to the fact that these illegal miners had some sort of of corporate backing.

“The gravity of illegal mining worsened with the emergence of companies that collaborate with individual miners to perpetrate this evil. While individual illegal miners are unable to excavate deeply due to the limitations of modern equipment and finance, corporate collaborators encourage deeper excavation and scale up the criminality.

“The first clearance operation took place at Mining Lease 19325 of North-South Extractive Industries Limited, located in Jagula, off Isanlu in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State. Over 3,000 illegal miners were digging and carting away precious grams of gold, whereas threats barred the real owners, who obtained the license in 2016, from operations.

“The Mining Marshals flushed them out completely and stationed men on site to maintain law and order till date,” he said.

This clearance operation was carried out by federal government without recourse to sub-national authorities. Nobody monitored where those dislodged moved to after the clearance operation.

Our Lives Better Off Before the Coming of ‘Investors’
The communities that have come under severe attacks in Kogi West are largely agrarian communities. They have lived in peace for decades living and enjoying their simple lives. Though not rich to afford luxury lifestyles, they were happy people.

When miners started coming in, their hopes were high that mother fortune had smiled on them. They thought their communities will get benefits that had eluded them for decades but years after, there is nothing to show for their hospitality.

Instead of getting a better lease of life, their fortunes sadly nosedived. Their dusty but motorable roads are now in sorry state. Their main source of sustenance, farms, are no longer accessible due to activities of armed hoodlums. Despondency sets in.

Peace has eluded their communities and the usual low-budget fun activities have all ceased.

Is it a curse to have mineral deposits in their communities?

Observations and The Human Cost

Our investigation observed several key issues:

The mining sites are ecological disaster zones. Forests are cleared, deep, unregulated pits are dug and left open, and waterways are contaminated with mercury and other chemicals, poisoning the primary source of water for remaining communities

The promise of jobs for locals is a mirage. The skilled operation of heavy machinery and security is handled by outsiders. Young men in the communities, stripped of their farmlands, are left in poverty, making them vulnerable to recruitment by the very bandits terrorizing them.

Beyond the land, communities are being stripped of their heritage. Sacred sites and ancestral graves have been desecrated and bulldozed minerals.

The most palpable observation is the overwhelming climate of fear. No one is willing to speak on the record. The names of the powerful politicians are an open secret in whispered conversations, but the fear of being labeled, attacked, or “disappeared” ensures public silence.

The illegal mining in Kogi West and beyond is more than an economic crime; it is a primary driver of Nigeria’s internal security crisis. It represents a brutal form of resource-backed colonialism, where local populations are violently subdued so that national resources can be carted away with impunity.

Until there is a sincere, unbiased effort to dismantle the powerful political and corporate networks behind this trade—and to address the complicity of elements within the security forces the cycle of violence will continue. The land in Kogi West may hold the key to a technological future powered by lithium and a prosperous future built on gold, but for now, it only yields fear and bloodshed.

Source: https://x.com/i/status/1801546826165727303

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The Nigerian government has described the rescue of the remaining 230 children and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State, as a moment of triumph and relief for the nation.

The Federal Government confirmed that all the abducted pupils of the Catholic School, Papiri, totalling 230, have been freed. Not a single pupil remains in captivity.

A statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said that the recently released 130 pupils are being handed over to the Niger State Government, after which they will be reunited with their families.

“This courageous effort by our security forces reaffirms our nation’s resolve to protect its people,” the statement said.

“The Federal Government empathises with the parents and guardians of the pupils for the agony the abduction has caused them, wishes them a pleasant family reunion, a good healing process, compliments of the season and a Merry Christmas.”

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has stated that increases in transport fares during the yuletide period are not unlawful in themselves.

Naija News reports that the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, clarified a statement issued on Sunday, stressing that seasonal demand, operational pressures, and other legitimate cost factors may affect transport pricing.

Ijagwu noted that exploitative or unfair practices by road transport operators will attract regulatory sanctions.

“However, consumers are entitled to clear, accurate, and timely information on fares before travel. Any fare adjustment must therefore be transparently communicated and applied fairly.

“The FCCPC also notes that these complaints are arising at a time when there are reports of reductions in the pump price of premium motor spirit across parts of the country.

“While fuel cost is only one of several inputs that may influence transport fares, increases that are not properly explained or disclosed raise valid consumer protection concerns,” the statement noted.

Commenting on the development, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Tunji Bello, said FCCPC was closely monitoring market conduct throughout the festive season and had intensified engagement with transport unions, park managers and operators nationwide.

According to him, the engagements are preventive and aimed at promoting responsible pricing, voluntary compliance and orderly market behaviour.

He said, “Price increases are not, in themselves, unlawful.

“However, conduct that exploits consumers or takes unfair advantage of heightened seasonal demand may attract regulatory attention under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.”

He added that practices such as inadequate fare disclosure, coercive conduct or coordinated pricing arrangements among operators to the detriment of consumers would be subjected to strict regulatory scrutiny.

Bello warned that “Where cases of violation are established, he warned, culprits face stiff penalties.”

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• Social media users have shared their thoughts on an emerging video of the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, at an event
• The cleric was captured moving his mouth while seated at an unconfirmed occasion, and netizens read different meanings to the act
• While some argued that Adeboye was speaking in tongues or praying, others drew spiritual inspiration from it

A close-up video of Pastor Enoch Adeboye moving his mouth while seated at an occasion has caught people’s attention.

A TikTok user shared the short clip on the social media platform, noting that Adeboye always prays.

Pastor Adeboye moves his mouth at an occasion.
Photo Credit: @viralgospelhq, Facebook/PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
Source: TikTok

According to the poster, Adeboye’s tongue is always rolling. The TikTok user further called on God’s help for themselves and this present generation.

@viralgospelhq’s caption on the video of Adeboye read:

“Daddy GO still prays always. His tongue is always rolling, He’s always praying.

Read also

Flight attendant posts unexpected messages she received from ex-boyfriend after he broke up with her

“God help me! Help us!! Help our Generation!!!”Pastor Enoch Adeboye is the general overseer of RCCG.
Photo Credit: PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
Source: Facebook

Watch the video below:

Video of Pastor Adeboye elicits reactions

Legit.ng has compiled some reactions to the video of Pastor Adeboye below:

Mr. Positive said:

“As he’s sitting there it’s only his body that is there his spirit is just enjoying God’s presence in heaven.”

Jim said:

“It might be a habit.”

naths_513 said:

“That’s Meditation and can also be tongue but it’s mostly meditation.”

successfulsam said:

“He is always asking for MERCY 🙏. looking unto jesus the author and the finisher of our faith.”

ÀYÌNDÉ 💎 said:

“I don’t know the kind of prayer he prayed but I believe that it will work for me to change my life to good Amen in Jesus name.”

amaka said:

“Praying, Singing or praying in tongue – u do unconsciously when the spirit of GOD as taken over your physical body.”

THE ARK said:

“Tears continue to flow on my face…The cry of Father’s as time run close.”

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Femsy said:

“When prayer becomes a constant posture!🤲❤️❤️and Praying, Singing or praying in tongue – you do unconsciously when the spirit of GOD as taken over you.”

Royalty🔱 said:

“I here almost all pastors are always like this ,as a wife before you get used to it you might think is mentally something.”

Adeboye identifies most important prayer

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Pastor Enoch Adeboye had declared that ‘God bless you’ is the most important prayer.

He made this statement on Saturday, December 13, during the Holy Ghost Congress of the church, which concluded on Sunday, December 14, with a thanksgiving service. Church Times Nigeria reported that Adeboye drew from the biblical account of Isaac blessing his sons, Jacob and Esau, to highlight the power of a father’s blessing.

He explained that although Esau received the lesser blessing, he became so prosperous that he had 400 bodyguards when he reunited with Jacob years later. Adeboye stated, “If the one who got the least blessing from his father was that blessed, how much more Jacob, who was the first person his father blessed.”

Read also

“I no believe Davido no be Jesus”: Kolu’s priceless reaction to meeting OBO goes viral

Source: Legit.ng

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