The United States Department of State has condemned the recent Palm Sunday killings in Jos, Plateau State, describing the attack as unacceptable, while calling on the Nigerian government to wake up to its responsibility to strengthen security, particularly ahead of the Easter celebrations. The principal advisor for global religious freedom, Mark Walker, in a statement shared on Facebook yesterday by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, urged Nigerian authorities to act swiftly in the interest of the country.

Motorists were stranded in traffic yesterday as Edo State youths staged a peaceful protest along the Benin-Lagos highway over what they described as hardship in the country. The youths said they were protesting over several issues, ranging from a hike in petrol pump price, epileptic power supply, poor state of roads, and high cost of food items, among others.

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his earlier scheduled trip to Iperu, Ogun State, where he was billed to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport; instead, he has decided to pay a condolence visit to Jos, Plateau State. Following a violent incident that broke out in Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang yesterday described the violence in the state as "barbaric" and an act of terrorism, assuring citizens that the situation is under control as security agencies have been mobilised.

‎Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested 25-year-old Nafisa Usman for allegedly supplying ammunition to bandits operating across several states. Security sources revealed that Ms. Usman was nabbed at a major motor park in Kano, where she was caught with 200 rounds of newly acquired ammunition. The consignment, transported from Lafia in Nasarawa State, was headed for Kankara in Katsina State.

 

As discussions on state police have reached it's final debate at the national stage, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, yesterday submitted a framework for the establishment of state police to the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau. The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the move was part of efforts to decentralise policing in the country.

Troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, have escalated coordinated military operations across Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states, killing at least six suspected bandits and recovering arms and ammunition equipment in a series of offensives conducted this week. Security forces also recorded notable successes in rescue efforts during separate operations.