NEWS

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Auwalu Samaila, a convicted Boko Haram member, to death by hanging for multiple terrorism offenses.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment after Samaila pleaded guilty to a six-count charge brought against him by the federal government.

The offenses include terrorism-related activities linked to Boko Haram operations in Adamawa and Borno states.

The court found Samaila guilty on all counts, leading to the death sentence. This ruling is seen as a strong statement by the judiciary in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria’s northeast region.

Significance of the Judgment

This is one of the few cases where a Boko Haram member has received the death penalty after a formal trial. Many similar cases in the past ended with long prison terms or deradicalization programs.

The death sentence sends a clear message that the government and courts are taking a tougher stance against terrorism.

Auwalu Samaila was accused of participating in attacks, supporting the group’s operations, and engaging in activities that threatened national security in Adamawa and Borno states — two regions that have suffered heavily from Boko Haram violence over the years.

Security analysts believe judgments like this can serve as a deterrent, especially for low-level and mid-level operatives who might be considering joining or continuing with terrorist groups.

However, human rights groups often raise concerns about the death penalty and the conditions under which such trials are conducted. They usually call for fair trials and due process, even in terrorism cases.

The federal government has not yet issued an official reaction to the sentencing, but many Nigerians, especially those from the northeast, have welcomed the judgment as a step toward justice for victims of Boko Haram attacks.

As the northeast continues its long battle against insurgency, this high-profile conviction and death sentence may boost morale among security forces and residents who have endured years of violence.

The case also highlights the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian judiciary to play its part in the fight against terrorism through the legal system.

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has sent a strong message to parents and candidates:

If you believe your child or ward scored high enough in the UTME but was denied admission due to bias, you should speak up and protest.

This call comes as many students continue to face challenges in the admission process, similar to how JAMB expanded CBT centers to 1,000 for the 2026 UTME to reduce stress and improve access.”

In a recent interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Oloyede encouraged qualified candidates who were not offered admission into their preferred institutions to raise their voices.

He emphasized that no one should accept unfair treatment silently, especially when they have strong UTME results.

This statement comes as many Nigerian students and their families continue to express frustration over the admission process.

Despite high scores, some candidates are allegedly left out due to quota systems, institutional preferences, or other undocumented factors.

Professor Oloyede’s comment is seen by many as a bold call for transparency and fairness in the admission system.

He wants parents and candidates who are confident in their performance to challenge any perceived bias rather than suffer in silence.

The JAMB boss also used the opportunity to remind stakeholders that the board remains committed to credible and merit-based admissions.

However, he acknowledged that human factors and institutional decisions sometimes create bottlenecks that need to be addressed.

For many parents, this message is empowering. It gives them permission to question decisions that seem unfair and to demand accountability from universities and other tertiary institutions.

As the 2026 admission cycle continues, this directive from JAMB could encourage more parents to actively monitor and challenge admission outcomes when necessary.

It also puts tertiary institutions on notice that their admission processes are under closer scrutiny.

The coming weeks will show whether this call leads to more protests, formal complaints, or actual changes in how admissions are handled across Nigerian universities and polytechnics.

While JAMB encourages candidates to speak up against unfair admissions, the board is also cracking down hard on malpractice, as seen in the recent arrest of candidates for forging UTME scores with AI.

Europe is increasingly buying jet fuel from Nigeria as supplies from the Middle East become uncertain due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

A recent shipment of jet fuel from the Dangote Refinery was delivered to Milford Haven in the United Kingdom, marking a notable shift in sourcing patterns.

With tensions in the Middle East tightening traditional supply routes, European buyers are now lifting more Nigerian cargoes to avoid price spikes and ensure stable aviation fuel supply.

Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest, is quickly positioning itself as a reliable alternative supplier for the continent and beyond.

This development is significant for Nigeria. For years, the country has been a major crude oil exporter but imported most of its refined petroleum products.

The Dangote Refinery’s ability to produce and export high-quality jet fuel is changing that narrative.

It strengthens Nigeria’s role in the global energy market and helps diversify the country’s revenue streams beyond just crude oil.

European airlines and fuel traders are particularly interested in Nigerian jet fuel because of its competitive pricing and improving supply reliability.

As Middle East tensions persist, many buyers are actively seeking long-term arrangements with Nigerian suppliers to reduce their dependence on volatile regions.

For Nigeria, this growing demand is a positive signal. It validates the massive investment in local refining capacity and could lead to more foreign exchange earnings while creating additional jobs in the downstream sector.

However, experts caution that consistent production, reliable logistics, and stable government policies will be crucial to sustain this momentum.

If Nigeria can maintain a steady supply and high product quality, the country has a real opportunity to become a key jet fuel exporter to Europe and other markets.

This shift also highlights how geopolitical events in one region can create opportunities in another.

As Europe looks for more stable energy partners, Nigeria—through facilities like the Dangote Refinery—is stepping up to fill the gap.

In a major move to promote unity and easier travel across the continent, Ghana has announced that it will introduce visa-free entry for all African nationals beginning May 25, 2026.

The announcement was made by President John Dramani Mahama during a state visit by Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This bold move is similar to how the CBN introduced new rules for diaspora remittances to improve financial flows and transparency.”

According to the president, the new policy is designed to celebrate Africa Day and strengthen ties between African countries.

From May 25, citizens from all 54 African nations will be able to enter Ghana without needing a visa for short stays.

This new “Free Visa Regime” will form part of Ghana’s upcoming e-Visa policy, which is scheduled to launch next month.

The government hopes the move will boost tourism, business, and cultural exchange within Africa.

President Mahama described the decision as a bold step towards true African integration and free movement of people. He emphasized that Ghana wants to lead by example in making travel easier for fellow Africans.

The timing is significant—May 25 is Africa Day, which commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (now African Union).

By removing visa barriers on this symbolic date, Ghana is sending a strong message of Pan-African solidarity.

This development is also good news for Ghanaians, as the country has already negotiated 23 visa waiver agreements with other nations in recent years.

The new policy is expected to encourage more African countries to offer reciprocal visa-free access to Ghanaians.

For travelers, this means easier and cheaper movement across the continent without the usual hassle of applying for visas. Business people, tourists, students, and families will benefit the most from this policy.

The announcement has been warmly received by many across Africa, with several observers calling it a practical step towards the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goals.

Ghana is positioning itself as one of the most open and welcoming countries in Africa, and this bold visa-free policy is expected to significantly increase visitor numbers in the coming years.

Iran has carried out its first direct attack on a facility linked to a major US tech company. Early reports confirm that Iranian missiles struck the headquarters of Batelco, Bahrain’s largest telecommunications provider, in the Hamala area.

Batelco hosts Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure, and the strike has reportedly caused damage to these facilities.

This development comes just one day after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) publicly threatened to target American technology giants, including Google, Apple, and Meta if more Iranian leaders were assassinated.

According to local sources and initial reports from Rerum Novarum, the missile attack occurred on Tuesday, marking a dangerous escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict.

This is believed to be the first time Iran has directly struck a site connected to US tech interests in the region.

Why This Attack Is Significant

The targeting of Batelco is particularly notable because the company serves as a critical digital infrastructure hub in the Gulf.

Damage to its facilities could affect telecommunications services across Bahrain and potentially disrupt Amazon Web Services operations in the area.

This incident appears to be Iran following through on its recent warning that US technology companies would be considered “legitimate military targets.”

The move significantly raises the stakes in the conflict, bringing the war closer to critical digital and economic infrastructure.

As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Iranian authorities or Amazon Web Services regarding the extent of the damage.

Bahraini security forces and emergency teams are reported to be at the scene.

This attack adds to the growing list of bold actions by Iran amid rising tensions with the United States and Israel.

The international community will be closely watching how the US and its allies respond to this direct strike on commercial infrastructure.

The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as more details emerge.

At least 20 people were killed and several others injured in a deadly attack on Palm Sunday evening in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos, Plateau State.

The incident occurred between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. when gunmen stormed the Gari Ya Waye community within Angwan Rukuba.

Residents were reportedly observing the iftar meal to break the Ramadan fast when the attackers struck, causing widespread panic across the area.

The attack has left the community in mourning as families grieve the loss of loved ones. Many victims sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

As of now, security agencies are yet to release an official statement on the identity of the attackers or the exact number of casualties, but investigations are ongoing.

Plateau State Government Imposes 48-Hour Curfew

In response to the tragic incident, the Plateau State Government, under Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has imposed an immediate 48-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area.

The curfew, which started at midnight on Sunday, March 29, 2026, will run until April 1, 2026.

The state government strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unprovoked.” In a press release signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt.

This latest attack adds to the long list of security challenges in Plateau State, a region that has witnessed repeated violent incidents in recent years.

It comes after NAF airstrikes that killed top ISWAP commanders in Sambisa Forest, showing that while progress is being made in some areas, violence continues to plague parts of northern and central Nigeria.

Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the government assured residents that all necessary steps are being taken to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Citizens have been urged to remain calm, stay vigilant, and cooperate with security agencies by providing any useful information that could aid the investigation.

This latest attack adds to the long list of security challenges in Plateau State, a region that has witnessed repeated violent incidents in recent years.

Many residents are calling for stronger security measures and urgent action from both state and federal authorities to restore peace in the area.

The situation remains tense, and more updates are expected as security forces continue their operations in the affected communities.

The tragic Palm Sunday attack in Jos has once again highlighted the urgent need for sustainable peace, as recently emphasized by President Tinubu’s approval of N2 billion relief for Plateau attack victims while urging local leaders to find lasting solutions.