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IBADAN: Church stages protest against herdsmen’s killings
THE Word Communication Ministry in Ibadan has joined other churches in the country to protest spate of killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen as an instruction from Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.
The church members after the church service on Sunday were seen with placards with the following inscriptions: enough of bloodshed in Nigeria; enough of herdsmen’s killings in Nigeria; we say no to killings of Christians in Nigeria; CAN rejects FG’s poor handlings of insecurity; stop nepotism, tribalism and cleansing now; enough of government’s insensitivity to killings of Christians among others.
Speaking during a warning protest, the Church’s senior pastor, Apostle Sunday Popoola called on President Mohammadu Buhari to stop the spate of killings by Fulani herdsmen in the country while he advised him to eschew tribalism, ethnic cleansing and nepotism.
“We are sad and very worried because too many lives are unnecessarily lost and we feel we have been deceived by those in authority since the clash between the ordinary herdsmen and farmers we know. There’s no way ordinary herdsmen will have access to AK47 which is used to kill. And again, what has herdsmen have to do with churches. They went to church, killed worshippers and priests. Is that still herdsmen and farmers’ issue?
“We have therefore started to believe that this is ethnic cleansing and that the security agencies, the Army, Police, DSS have been compromised, a reason they are looking away and probably aiding these killers.
“We are calling on the President, the Commander-in-Chief to rise up to his assignment for which we voted him. We mobilized to vote for him because we thought he would make difference, brought change in this country but things are going from bad to worse while the blood letting is getting too much.
” We want President Buhari to protect
lives and properties. The APC have been shouting over PDP’s alleged stealing of our money, but while PDP is stealing, APC is taking our lives. Thus, their sin is grievous than PDP. We want the present government not just save our money but our lives, which is more important. If nothing is radically done, there’s no way we will vote again for a government that allows bloodshed come 2019.
“The Christians should wake up to their responsibilities to express their dissatisfaction until Mr. President give us hearing and take practical action to show he cares about us and not only a section in the country”, Apostle Popoola stated.
The former Oyo State CAN chairman also said that situation like this persist because Christians are not participating in politics. According to him, “the Bible says when the righteous are in power, people rejoice but when the wicked rules, people mourn”.
He called on people who fears and love God and who are not only religious to go into politics so that people will rejoice. ” when people in the name of religion commit rape, murder and so on, my question is, which god are they serving? True Christians are taught to love even their enemies”.
Apostle Popoola therefore advised all Christians, all Nigerians, old and young to go and get their Permanent Voter’s Card, PVCs to vote on those who truly love this country.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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