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‘Drums of war’ between Nigeria-Niger:Tinubu urged to fortify borders
The call for stronger border security follows recent accusations by Niger’s military regime that Nigeria has been involved in destabilising activities.
Niger’s military leader, Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani, in an interview on Wednesday, alleged that France was negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilise his country.
Tchiani, who spoke in Hausa, claimed that France made a “substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu” to establish a military base in Nigeria.
He also accused Nigeria of sponsoring terrorist attacks along its borders as a means of undermining the new leadership.
The junta blamed the Nigerian government for the recent attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline, reportedly orchestrated by Lakurawa.
In response, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, insisted that there was no foreign military base in Nigeria.
He said Nigeria would not sever its diplomatic ties with France over the Republic of Niger’s internal squabble with its erstwhile colonial master, adding that the country would also maintain diplomatic relations with Russia, the US, the United Kingdom, China, and other nations.
Weighing in on the matter, the Economic Community of West African States dismissed the claim by the Nigerien military junta that Nigeria and some other countries were sponsoring destabilisation efforts in Niger, insisting that the allegations were unfounded.
Examining the security implications of the crisis, General Bashir Adewinbi (retd.) advised the Federal Government to activate a security contingency plan to protect border communities from any fallout arising from the ongoing crisis.
He warned that the instability in Niger could have far-reaching security implications for Nigeria, particularly in the northern region.
“For every military action, there is always another contingency plan. So, they (Nigeria) must resort to another contingency plan, which I think should be in place to prevent any eventuality.
“We know from day one that the countries around Nigeria are part of Nigeria’s problems. Some of them see Nigeria as a country where they can do anything and get away with it. Terrorism, banditry, Lakurawa, and all these issues are coming from those places. And they have not been sincere with Nigeria.
“We should have a very strict foreign policy. Regardless of whatever they are doing with our leaders. It should be our primary objective. We have done so much for these neighbouring countries. We have helped them economically.”
Adewinbi added, “We should secure our borders by all means so that we can have our way. It may sound strange, but we may need perimeter fencing around Nigeria so that we will know who is a Nigerian and who is coming into Nigeria. What are they coming to do? What are their intentions?
“Our borders are too porous, and that is a major danger for the country. We have very porous borders, and let us not forget that not all countries like us. Some are our enemies. Let us be sincere with ourselves. This should be debated at the National Assembly; there should be a fence around Nigeria so that we can achieve lasting peace and have full control over our country and borders.”
A former Commander of the 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General John Sura (retd.), expressed concern over the statement made by the Nigerien military leader, predicting it could significantly strain the relationship between the two countries.
He urged the Federal Government to carefully analyse the allegations and reinforce the country’s borders to protect against any potential external threats.
Sura stressed the need for Nigeria to strengthen its northern borders to prevent the flow of militants, weapons, and other threats into the country.
He suggested that the Nigerien leader’s statement could be an attempt to discredit Nigeria and lay the groundwork for possible aggression.
“For a neighbouring country to make such a statement, it could be a falsehood meant to tarnish Nigeria’s image,” he stressed.
Sura warned that the Nigerien leader might be trying to raise troops against Nigeria and advised the Federal Government to deploy forces and drones along the borders as a precaution.
“There could even be an alliance with Russia, for all we know,” he added.
Emphasising the serious implications of such a relationship breakdown, the former commander said, “If someone you’ve had a relationship with begins to distance themselves and claims no connection, it’s essentially a declaration of hostility. The Nigerien government already rejected French troops and expelled them. Now, making such claims could be a prelude to justifying actions that could lead to a conflict, even to the extent of exporting terrorists into Nigeria.”
On his part, former army chief and ex-chairman of Transparency International Nigeria, Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.), criticised the statement made by Niger’s military leader, suggesting it was a calculated strategy to deflect attention from the country’s internal crises.
“The Nigerien military leader is simply seeking a diversion from his country’s internal problems. His aim is to garner sympathy from his people,” Williams remarked.
He likened the Nigerien leader’s actions to typical propaganda stunts often used by leaders under pressure.
Also commenting on the issue, a retired career diplomat, Sola Abolurin, described Niger’s allegations as an attempt to make the Tinubu government unpopular in the north.
He noted that the diplomatic fallout from the crisis could be compounded by Nigeria’s relationship with France.
“Niger, just like the Republic of Benin, is our cousin. Whatever happens to Niger will happen to us in Nigeria, particularly in the north. So, why would Nigeria want to cause unnecessary havoc or try to invade or destabilise Niger?”
In his reaction to the matter, Nigeria’s former Consul to Cameroon and delegate to the World Expo and Economic Development Centre in Paris, Rasheed Akinkuolie, noted that the accusations against the Federal Government of collusion with France were spurious.
He said General Tchiani should focus on addressing the issues he created for himself and leave Nigeria out of it.
Akinkuolie stated, “Niger Republic doesn’t need Nigeria, France, or any other country to destabilise it. Niger has a long history of military coups, which have always ended badly. General Tchiani, by making his speech in Hausa, is attempting to stir sentiments in Nigeria, which has a large Hausa population. Such a ruse will not succeed.
“The international community is demanding that the junta hand over to a democratically elected government. Tchiani should outline a planned transition, which should not take more than three years, in his own interest and for that of his country.”
Also speaking, a retired Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, said the Federal Government must handle the issue carefully to avert a rift between Nigeria and Niger.
He stressed that if not handled well, it could rupture the diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Amedu-Ode stated, “We have a wide border and demographic contiguity on both sides. We also share a solid cultural affinity with each other, and the Federal Government must handle this matter carefully so it doesn’t escalate beyond what it is now.”
He noted that it was natural for Niger to be suspicious of Nigeria “because of the emerging closer relations with France against the backdrop of the recent state visit by the President of Nigeria to France.”
Residents deny foreign troops
Meanwhile, residents of border communities in Sokoto State have dismissed the allegations of the presence of the French Army within the border area of the country.
Our correspondent, who was in the border communities of Tangaza and Gudu Local Government Areas of the state, spoke with the District Head of Balle in Gudu LGA of the state, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu.
Aliyu denied the allegation of a foreign military camp in his territory.
The district head described the Niger Republic military leader’s allegation as baseless, stressing that his subjects at no time reported the existence of a foreign military camp in the area.
According to him, his people are engaged in agricultural and business activities, noting that if such a camp existed, his men would have informed him.
Another community leader, Malam Abdurahman Shehu, said the communities of Marake, Kudula, and Bikini, located about three to 35 kilometres from Niger Republic territory, had not sighted any military camps.
He noted that Balle and other communities maintained relations with Nigerien communities, and at no time had residents reported the existence of such a military camp.
A resident of Ruwa-Wuri community in Tangaza LGA, Malam Kabiru Muhammad, acknowledged the occasional presence of Lakurawa bandits but denied any reports of a foreign military camp in the area.
“We usually notice the presence of Lakurawa bandits; sometimes they trespass through our farms holding guns.
“They are often chased away by the Nigerian Army stationed in our area, but there is no foreign military camp terrorising our people,” he stated.
A commercial motorcyclist in Ruwa-Wuri, who identified himself simply as Ibrahim, corroborated the absence of a foreign military presence.
According to Ibrahim, who said he has been operating in the town for over five years, he has never sighted any French Army in the area.
The Seriki Arewa of Araba in Illela LGA, Garba Yusuf, dismissed the allegation, describing it as baseless.
He noted that it was a failed attempt to disrupt the peaceful coexistence between the communities.
Araba is a bustling community bordering Niger Republic.
The traditional ruler said, “In the area of security, Niger Republic military personnel assist our vigilantes in maintaining security within Araba and other border communities.
“We are living in peace with our neighbours in the Niger Republic. Our vigilantes maintain synergy with their military in sustaining the security of lives and property along the border.
“This collaboration has helped in keeping bandits away from our domain. When there is a working relationship to checkmate banditry between our vigilantes and the Niger Republic army, I wonder how someone in his right mind will allege that Nigeria is harbouring bandits for sinister motives.”
The Director of the Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service, Chief Okwudili Ohaa, has said the swift mobilisation of emergency resources by Governor Peter Mbah led to the rescue of five occupants trapped in a collapsed building in Enugu metropolis.
The uncompleted four-storey building, located along Ogbaru Street, by Alvan Ikokwu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday.
Ohaa told newsmen on Sunday that all five occupants of the building, as confirmed by the security guard on duty, were successfully rescued.
Ohaa
He said four of the occupants were rescued alive and conscious, although they sustained injuries, while the fifth person was rescued unconscious.
Ohaa commended Governor Mbah for his swift mobilisation of emergency response agencies, including the Red Cross, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Enugu State Ambulance Services, the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Other agencies and organisations at the scene included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA) and a Chinese construction company, which provided four heavy-duty cranes.
According to Ohaa, the governor alerted him about the incident early Sunday morning, prompting the immediate mobilisation of officers of the Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service to the scene with extrication equipment.
“His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, must be commended for also mobilising adequate rescue equipment such as heavy-duty cranes, bulldozers and excavators, which ensured the rescue of the five persons,” he said.
Ohaa explained that rescue officers initially relied on information from the security guard to determine how many people were trapped in the building.
“As rescue officers, what we did was to ask the security man how many people were here. He said there were supposed to be six. One person had left before it happened.
“So, we were able at that initial time to rescue four persons. Out of the four, two sustained minor injuries and they were all rushed to a health facility for proper checks,” he said.
The Chief Fire and Rescue Officer said the fifth person was eventually recovered unconscious and taken to a health facility by the Enugu State Ambulance Services.
The NEMA Information Officer in Enugu, Mr Nnanyelugo Ezeani, also confirmed that five people were rescued.
He said the situation could have been worse because the state government had earlier sealed the construction site.
“One person among the six residing in the collapsed building was not on the site at the time of the incident, while five others were rescued and taken to the hospital,” Ezeani said.
Speaking on the incident, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA), Mr Uche Anya, described the developer as one of those who failed to comply with building regulations.
Anya said the ECTDA had earlier taken regulatory action by sealing the site, which was originally approved in 2021.
“This property was approved in 2021 before the advent of this administration. But usually, we have a habit of stocktaking and checking on every construction at every stage.
“When I personally led the team that inspected here, we found out that there were serious integrity issues and non-compliance with their 2021 approval.
“I personally issued the first ‘stop-work order,’ which, due to the violation, resulted in our sealing the place over the last six months outrightly.
“So, I think within the last 30 to 40 days, the representative of the owner, whom they say lives abroad, has been interfacing with us to remedy the situation. This is the process that we are still trying to interface on, and it came down.”
Anya added that he had handed the owner’s representative over to the police to assist with the investigation.
“This is really a very unfortunate situation,” he said.
A four-storey building under construction in Enugu has collapsed, killing at least one person and trapping several construction workers beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning at the uncompleted structure, reportedly being developed as a hotel, causing panic among residents and passersby.
According to authorities, six workers were believed to have been sleeping inside the building when it collapsed. Four workers have so far been rescued, while the body of one victim has been recovered.
Authorities said one of the six workers reportedly left the site shortly before the collapse, raising hopes that fewer people may be trapped beneath the debris than initially feared.
The rescued workers were taken to the Enugu State Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority and the police, are participating in the rescue operation.
The cause of the collapse has not yet been established, while rescue efforts continue at the scene.
The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies to investigate the financial activities and source of wealth of socialite and businessman, Paschal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest.
Ogah, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, made the call on Thursday at a press conference in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The lawmaker said the businessman’s financial dealings should be subjected to scrutiny regardless of his public profile.
“I am urging the EFCC to thoroughly investigate him, investigate his bank accounts, investigate all the things he does,” Ogah said.
He also accused Cubana Chief Priest of undermining President Bola Tinubu’s political fortunes in the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ogah questioned the socialite’s claim to political influence in Ebonyi State and challenged him to make his membership card of the All Progressives Congress (APC) public.
The lawmaker further criticised recent comments attributed to Cubana Chief Priest on social media in which he reportedly called for the resignation of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru.
Ogah demanded that the comments be withdrawn and followed by an apology, warning that legal action could be taken if the businessman failed to comply.
“Who is Cubana Chief Priest? What is his address that gives him the impetus to speak against our governor, the most performing governor in Nigeria?” he asked.
According to Ogah, Cubana Chief Priest had no electoral mandate to speak on behalf of Ebonyi State or demand the resignation of its elected governor.
He also questioned the businessman’s political influence, noting that he had previously contested an election in Imo State but failed to secure the party’s primary ticket.
Ogah alleges plot against Nwifuru
The lawmaker further alleged that unnamed political actors were sponsoring campaigns aimed at discrediting the Nwifuru administration and weakening the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
He defended the state’s security architecture, particularly the Commissioner of Police, Hope Okafor, against what he described as an orchestrated campaign for her removal.
Ogah urged the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to investigate those behind the alleged campaign and determine whether any law had been breached.
“All of us can attest to the peace and security we enjoy in Ebonyi State. The Army, the police, the Civil Defence and the DSS are doing marvellously well in Ebonyi State,” he said.
Lawmaker accuses Otu of mobilising protesters
Ogah also accused another critic of the state government, Charles Otu, of allegedly mobilising people from outside Ebonyi State to participate in a protest against the government in Abuja.
He claimed that some of those involved were presented as Ebonyians despite allegedly coming from other states.
Ogah said his lawyers had previously petitioned the DSS over allegations involving Otu and urged the agency to investigate the matter.
He also challenged Otu to substantiate allegations he allegedly made against him during an appearance on Arise Television.
“My own is that whosoever defaults the law, we take it legally. I cannot mention who I have not known. But when we get there, it is for the security agencies to investigate,” Ogah said.
Ogah lists Nwifuru’s achievements
Defending the Nwifuru administration, Ogah cited the state government’s scholarship programmes, school construction, road projects and other development initiatives as evidence of the governor’s performance.
He said hundreds of Ebonyi indigenes had benefited from postgraduate scholarships in Nigeria and abroad, while roads and schools were being constructed across the state’s 13 local government areas.
Ogah also praised Nwifuru for what he described as political tolerance, saying opposition parties had been allowed to operate freely in the state.
He argued that the people of Ebonyi should determine their political leadership through the ballot rather than through media campaigns and protests.
“Ebonyi people will choose who is their leader. They should stop using the media to castigate the governor,” he said.
Questions Nwifuru’s omission from Tinubu campaign council
The lawmaker also questioned the reported omission of Governor Nwifuru from President Tinubu’s campaign council, describing it as an error that should be corrected.
“How can a governor that has done much in APC not be included in the campaign council? How can a governor that is elected under the APC not be included?” Ogah queried.
He maintained that Nwifuru’s political influence and the APC’s electoral performance in Ebonyi made him an important stakeholder in Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
Ogah warned political actors against using the media to destabilise the state and urged all parties to pursue their grievances through legal and democratic channels.
The lawmaker, who is also the Ebonyi State Coordinator of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), was accompanied by other members of the group at the press conference.
He reiterated his call for security agencies to investigate the various allegations raised and take appropriate action against anyone found to have violated the law.
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has urged youths in Enugu State to disregard the belief that federal government jobs and other opportunities are already allocated before they are advertised.
FCC Executive Chairman, Hulayât Motunrayo Omidiran, gave the charge on Thursday at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, during the Peter Eze Enugu Youth Connect 2026.
Omidiran urged the youths to acquire relevant skills, embrace technology and actively pursue legitimate opportunities, stressing that federal character should promote both equity and merit.
She also warned against fraudulent recruitment schemes and advised applicants to authenticate employment opportunities before applying.
The Enugu State Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, challenged young people to prepare themselves for available opportunities.
Onyia said government could create opportunities, but individuals must develop the capacity to take advantage of them.
The FCC Commissioner representing Enugu State, Peter Ogbonna Eze, said the programme was designed to bridge the information gap preventing young people from accessing federal employment, scholarships, grants, fellowships and training opportunities.
Eze said many youths were discouraged from applying for federal jobs because of the misconception that such positions had already been shared among influential individuals.
He urged them to apply whenever legitimate opportunities were advertised, warning that nobody should pay money to secure a federal government job.
He also disclosed that five participants in the programme would be selected for a full scholarship opportunity.
Eze said the initiative would continue as a platform for connecting Enugu youths with credible opportunities and urged participants to become “ambassadors of opportunity” by sharing useful information with others.
The event brought together youths and stakeholders from across Enugu State to discuss federal representation, employment, education, skills development and other opportunities.
By Chinedu Sabastine
ENUGU — Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has fixed Sunday, September 13, 2026, for its annual New Yam Festival.
The cultural celebration, which is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m., is being organised under the leadership of the Executive Chairman of Umuchigbo, Hon. Chief Afam Joseph Ogbene, popularly known as Akirika Chioku 1, Na Nike Kingdom.
The festival is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the people of Umuchigbo and Umuenwene in Iji Nike Autonomous Community, while promoting unity and communal bonding.
Ogbene, in an invitation to the festival, described the celebration as an opportunity for the people to preserve their cultural heritage, strengthen community ties and give thanks for the year’s harvest.
He said, “Our New Yam Festival is more than a cultural celebration. It is a time for us to come together as one people, appreciate our heritage and give thanks for the blessings of the year.”
According to him, the event will also provide an opportunity for sons and daughters of the community, as well as friends and well-wishers, to reconnect and celebrate together.
“We are inviting everyone to come and celebrate with us. It is a celebration of our culture, our community and thanksgiving for the new yam season,” he added.
According to the invitation, activities will commence at Ogbene’s residence on Akirika Chioku Avenue, Nome Ogba Aniji Road, Umuchigbo, before proceeding to Obodoeze Iji Village Square, Odangene, for the New Yam rites and masquerade display.
The event will also feature traditional cuisine, music and other forms of cultural entertainment.
The organisers urged sons and daughters of Umuchigbo, friends, well-wishers and members of the public to join the community in celebrating the festival.
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