Two months after paying N20 million as compensation to a Jos-based businessman mistakenly shot during a 2016 operation, Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Tosin Ajayi, on Saturday demonstrated his respect for human rights. He released a suspect who had been in the custody of the secret police since 2022, bringing to 12 the number of suspects released in July alone. After ordering  the release of Abdulyakini Salisu, the Service tendered an apology to him. On his part, the DG directed the Service to pay him N10 million as "initial compensation" and further support. 

On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja was informed that between 170 and 200 security personnel had been killed in the South East as a result of actions attributed to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed faction, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). The court also heard that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) did not grant a license to Nnamdi Kanu, the detained self-proclaimed IPOB leader, for the radio transmitter he allegedly smuggled into Nigeria to run Radio Biafra. A Department of State Services (DSS) official provided this information while testifying as the fourth prosecution witness in Kanu’s ongoing terrorism trial. 

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) says it will review certain service fees with effect from August 1. This was made known in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s management, adding that it was aimed at improving service delivery, enhance efficiency, and adapt to current economic conditions.

By Bem Terwase from Gwer-West

What does it mean to honor a nation's democratic journey? What legacy do we uphold when we gather in public spaces, protest placards in hand, on a day meant to commemorate the birth of our democracy? These are the questions we must ask ourselves as the "Take It Back Movement" prepares for a protest on June 12, a day sacred to the Nigerian spirit, a day born from struggle, sacrifice, and the hope of a brighter future. This protest, being frantically marketed across social media platforms, most notably on X, is no spontaneous expression of democratic will. It is a calculated disruption, with plans to ignite demonstrations in cities including Abuja, Lagos, and other business hubs, cloaking its agenda in the language of justice, but scratch beneath the surface, and what you find is not a demand for reform, but a risk of ruin.

Commenting on matters that are before the court appears like a pre-emptive move against the court. However, Nnamdi Kanu's allegations that the Department of State Services (DSS) obtained a confessional statement from him under duress warrant thorough examination, it also raises critical questions about timing, credibility, and due process that must be objectively scrutinized.

By Leonard Agwu 

As Biafra Remembrance Day approaches, it is not surprising to see renewed efforts by certain organizations, such as Amnesty International Nigeria (AIN), to frame the actions of Nigerian security forces in a one-sided and politicized light. While human rights oversight is important in any democracy, it must be rooted in context, balance, and an appreciation for the complexity of national security operations. Since 2015, Nigeria has faced growing security challenges in the southeast, where secessionist movements have increasingly resorted to violent tactics, including attacks on police stations, military checkpoints, government institutions, and civilians. These are not peaceful protests but armed campaigns that undermine national unity and public safety.