NEWS
Security expert hails US partnership to prevent terror bases in Africa using actionable intelligence
The US 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy has been commended for its focus on disrupting terrorist networks across Africa, especially in the Sahel. In a paper tilted: The US 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy and Its Implications for Nigeria and the Sahel, a security expert, Lieutenant Colonel Freddie Grounds (Retired), said the move represents a significant development in American security policy, reflecting both lessons learned from past interventions and the current and rapidly shifting geography of global extremist threats. He said rather than relying on previously favoured large-scale deployments, the revised U.S. strategy emphasises partnerships, intelligence-driven operations, and capacity-building. He stated: “Africa, particularly Nigeria and the Sahel, has emerged as a central focus, given the persistence of violent extremist organisations such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and al-Qaeda affiliates that exploit fragile governance and porous borders across the region.”He said the US, in demonstrating its commitment to Africa, deployed in early 2026 some 200 U.S. military personnel to Nigeria to carry out intelligence sharing, training and advisory capacity building operations, under Nigerian command authority. He added: “In early May Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, undertook a three-day working visit to the United States. During the visit the NSA held a series of high-level engagements with senior officials of the U.S. government, further reinforcing the partnership between the two nations. Meanwhile the three-weeks long ‘Exercise African Lion 2026’, an annual US led multinational military exercise in Africa, involving over 5,600 troops from more than 40 nations, including African partners, NATO allies, and US forces, focusing on multi-domain operations across North and West Africa, has recently concluded.”According to the expert, at the heart of the new US Counterterrorism Strategy is a deeper commitment to intelligence sharing and partner-force development. Hear him: “The US Government seeks to provide actionable intelligence to African governments, enabling them to disrupt extremist networks before they can establish operational bases in their countries. This approach reflects a recognition that local African ownership and sustainability are critical to long-term success. The US also pledges to protect vulnerable communities, including Christians and other groups frequently targeted by extremist violence, emphasising the critical but often overlooked human rights element of counterterrorism.”He said Nigeria occupies a pivotal role in this new strategy. “As a frontline state in the Lake Chad Basin, Nigeria faces persistent threats from Boko Haram and ISWAP, whose operations extend into Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The US has deepened cooperation with Nigeria since 2025 as illustrated by recent high-level meetings between Nigerian officials and American leadership. This partnership has already produced measurable results, including US airstrikes against ISWAP in late December 2025 which was assessed to have killed between 150-200 militants and destroyed several Islamic State-linked camps in Sokoto State, and was acknowledged as the first American combat action inside Nigeria. Beyond military collaboration, Nigeria has adopted a whole-of-government approach, combining kinetic operations with community engagement, deradicalisation programs, and economic initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of extremism.”Grounds said the Counterterrorism Strategy also links Nigeria’s efforts to the broader Sahel, where continued regional instability in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger has created fertile ground for extremist expansion. He commended the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group, a bilateral security and governance framework established in late 2025, which seeks to coordinate intelligence, border security, and counterterrorism aid across the region, recognizing that insurgencies in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin are interconnected and that such extremist groups exploit weak governance, corruption, and marginalized communities, blurring the lines between terrorism and organized crime. He said this overlap with transnational crime, including arms trafficking and smuggling, complicates security responses and requires a regional approach.The paper reads: “The outcomes of the Africa Forward Summit 2026, which concluded in Kenya this week, provide an important complement to the new Counterterrorism Strategy. African leaders from across the continent pledged to intensify efforts against terrorism, cybercrime, arms trafficking, and organized crime, precisely the same threats which are identified in the US Strategy. The Summit’s emphasis on sustainable financing for AU peace operations and stronger UN-AU cooperation under Resolution 2719 aligns well with Washington’s push for burden-sharing and regional ownership. Calls for UN Security Council reform highlight Africa’s determination to shape global governance structures, ensuring that the continent’s counterterrorism strategies are not imposed by external actors but co-designed and implemented in partnership with African states.”Equally significant are African-led regional mechanisms such as the Nouakchott Process, launched in 2013, which has created a framework for intelligence-sharing and joint operations among Sahelian states, helping to counter cross-border extremist movements.”Similarly, the Accra Initiative in West Africa which has strengthened cooperation among coastal states like Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin to prevent the spillover of Sahelian insurgencies. These initiatives clearly demonstrate Africa’s capacity to build its own security architecture, complementing US efforts and reinforcing the Africa Forward Summit’s call for African-led solutions.”Despite these advances, challenges remain. Analysts warn of sovereignty concerns, cautioning that Nigeria must balance cooperation with the US against risks of subordinating its strategic autonomy to US calculations. While American support strengthens Nigeria’s capacity, it also raises questions about dependency and the long-term sustainability of external assistance. Moreover, governance deficits across the Sahel undermine counterterrorism efforts and without reforms that enhance legitimacy, accountability, and resilience, military gains risk being temporary.”In summary, the US 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy represents a pragmatic, recalibrated approach to global security, recognising that instability in Nigeria and the Sahel carries consequences that extend far beyond the region, from refugee flows to the spread of extremist ideology. Emphasising intelligence, partnership-driven security, and local capacity-building, the strategy positions Nigeria as a frontline state central to stabilising West Africa, while acknowledging that the interconnected nature of Sahelian instability demands regional solutions. Its effectiveness will depend not only on military cooperation but also on governance reforms, sustainable financing, and the ability of local governments to deliver tangible improvements in security and development goals reinforced by the Africa Forward Summit outcomes and embedded within African-led frameworks such as the Nouakchott Process and Accra Initiative, which lend the strategy both depth and legitimacy.”
NEWS
EID EL-ADHA 2026: Governor Dauda Lawal Urges Increased Prayers for Peace, Hails Return of Displaced Communities
As Muslims across the world celebrate Eid al-Adha 2026 yesterday, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has called on the faithful to intensify prayers for lasting peace in the state and Nigeria at large. The governor made the appeal in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, ahead of the Eid prayers.
Eid al-Adha, known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is observed annually by Muslims on the 10th day of Dhulhijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival commemorates the unwavering obedience and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.), who was willing to sacrifice his son Isma’il in submission to Allah’s (SWT) command an act replaced by divine intervention with a ram.
In his address, Governor Lawal reflected on the spiritual significance of the season, noting that the sacrificial rite not only honours Prophet Ibrahim’s submission but also forms an essential part of the Hajj rituals for pilgrims currently in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
“I felicitate with the Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha 2026,” the governor said. “The sacrifice performed during Eid is symbolic of Prophet Ibrahim’s submission and is also part of the Hajj rites for pilgrims.”
The governor specifically called on residents of Zamfara, particularly those undertaking the pilgrimage, to remain steadfast in prayers for the state and the nation.
“We have made significant progress in the fight against banditry, which is why dispersed communities are now returning to their homes,” Lawal stated. He cited a recent milestone: “Last week, we successfully returned thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral community of Fegin Kanawa Village in Gusau Local Government Area after over a year of displacement.”
According to officials, the village had been abandoned due to repeated bandit attacks, forcing residents to seek refuge in overcrowded camps or host communities. The successful return of the IDPs marks one of the administration’s key achievements in its ongoing security and reconstruction efforts.
Governor Lawal expressed gratitude to Allah for enabling the state to witness what he described as a “historic” achievement the airlift of pilgrims from Gusau International Airport, which has now resumed full operations after previous disruptions.
“We are committed to ensuring the safe return of all displaced persons to their homes. Such successes are only possible due to our collective prayers. I urge us to pray more, especially during sacred religious festivals,” he added.
The governor concluded his message with warm wishes: “I wish everyone a peaceful Eid celebration.”
Following the broadcast, Governor Lawal joined thousands of worshippers at the Gusau Central Eid prayer ground, where he observed the two-unit Eid prayer and listened to the customary sermon (khutbah). Security was notably heightened across the state, with checkpoints and patrols deployed to prevent any attacks during the celebrations.
Zamfara, like much of Nigeria’s North-West region, has faced years of insecurity fueled by banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes. The governor’s emphasis on prayer reflects a broader strategy that combines military offensives, community dialogue, and spiritual advocacy to restore normalcy.
At Wema Bank, we have spent the last few years reimagining what Children’s Day can look like for Nigerian children.What started as a celebration has evolved into an intentional platform designed to build confidence, encourage leadership, promote financial literacy and create meaningful opportunities for children across different age groups.This year, we have raised the bar even higher. At Wema Bank’s Children’s Day Special Event held on Monday, May 25, 2026, our One-Day MD/CEO, Chinmamanda Diamond Ozoakpata, used her first official act in office to unveil a series of new initiatives designed to reward, educate and empower children through our Royal Kiddies account and ALAT Xplore platform.From year-long cash rewards and celebrations of academic excellence to financial literacy materials and STEM challenges, here are the new incentives that were announced and how to qualify:1. Birthday Cash Gift (Royal Kiddies Account Holders)Wema bank is putting real money behind milestone birthdays. Active Royal Kiddies account holders turning 5 will receive ₦5,000, while those turning 10 will receive ₦10,000 automatically, as a birthday cash gift. The initiative runs from May 2026 to May 2027. Importantly, active account holders who already turned 5 or 10 before May 2026 this year will also receive their reward this month.To qualify: Your child must hold an active Royal Kiddies account and be turning (or have turned) age 5 or 10 within the qualifying window.2. ₦100,000 Reward for Top Common Entrance Students (Royal Kiddies Account Holders)In a move that directly ties financial reward to academic achievement, Wema Bank will reward the top 100 students in the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) with ₦100,000 each. This initiative commences in June 2026.To qualify: Your child must be among the top 100 performers in the NCEE and hold a Royal Kiddies account.3. Financial Literacy Book Launch – Money Adventures (Royal Kiddies Account Holders)Wema Bank officially launched Money Adventures, a financial literacy book created for children aged 6 and above, at the Children’s Day event. Designed to make money conversations simpler and more engaging for young readers, the book introduces children to foundational concepts around saving, money management and responsible financial habits in a fun, age-appropriate way. To qualify: To receive a copy of this book, your child must hold an active Royal Kiddies account or have their Royal Kiddies account newly activated.4. Evolve School Tour STEM Challenge (ALAT Xplore Account Holders)The Bank also unveiled the Evolve School Tour STEM Challenge. Designed for secondary school students aged 13–17, the programme will run across six schools nationwide with existing STEM programmes. Through hands-on STEM competitions and school engagements, the initiative aims to promote innovation, technology awareness, financial literacy and responsible savings culture. There will also be monetary prizes to be won at the end of the challenge.To qualify: Your child must be an ALAT Xplore customer, aged 13–17, and attend one of the participating schools with an active STEM programme.Over the last four years, Wema Bank has consistently treated Children’s Day as more than a calendar moment. From the One-Day MD/CEO initiative to school tours, leadership experiences and child-focused financial literacy campaigns, the Bank has continued to expand how it supports children meaningfully.Yet, this is the first time the bank has included a Children’s Day initiative that runs for an entire year. Combine that with a six-figure academic reward, a published financial literacy resource, and a nationwide school tour, and it becomes clear: this is the most comprehensive, most impactful package of benefits Wema Bank has ever delivered to its youngest customers. It signals a growing commitment by Wema Bank to create experiences for children that extend far beyond celebration and leave a lasting impact long after Children’s Day is over.
In a decisive move aimed at alleviating the economic burdens of retired public servants, Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal, has officially approved increased monthly pension payments for all former workers from both state and local government offices. The approval follows an extensive financial review of retirees’ living conditions, with particular attention to those in lower-income brackets who have been disproportionately affected by the prevailing cost-of-living crisis.The decision was precipitated by the findings and recommendations of a special committee empaneled to evaluate the welfare situation of pensioners across the state. The committee’s report highlighted acute financial distress among aging retirees and called for immediate remedial action. In response, the state government has authorized a substantive upward adjustment in monthly pension stipends.This increment aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Minimum Wage Act of 2024, which explicitly recommended an additional monthly sum of at least N32,000 for pensioners. Governor Lawal has opted for full implementation of this advisory for all retired state and local government employees a policy intervention expected to benefit thousands of households across Zamfara. The state government has subsequently issued binding directives to all relevant agencies to ensure the expeditious and seamless disbursement of the enhanced payments without procedural delays.Speaking on the development, the Honorable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mahmud Muhammad Dantawasa, characterized the policy as a tangible demonstration of Governor Lawal’s unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for both active and former government workers. According to the Commissioner, the administration operates on the principle that dignified retirement includes access to basic necessities and financial comfort. Beneficiaries across all local government areas have been assured of prompt payment once implementation commences.
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