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Nigeria Needs Collaboration, Not Confrontation, Hope Alive Initiative tells US
Nigeria Needs Collaboration, Not Confrontation, Hope Alive Initiative tells US
By: Michael Mike
A civil society group, the Hope Alive Initiative (HAI), has expressed great concern over the recent United States Government classification of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern ‘ (CPC).
The group, in a statement by its Director of Media and Communications, Ernest Omoarelojie, noted that the attached threat of military intervention significantly undermines the country’s security and diplomatic efforts to address its complex security issues effectively.
While acknowledging that activities of extremist groups resulted in the tragic loss of lives, HAI noted, however, that the outcome is better classified as a manifestation of a complex and multi-dimensional crisis that affects every Nigerian irrespective of faith.
“While we acknowledge with profound sorrow the murderous killings by extremist groups and the tragic loss of innocent lives, we must categorically state that the victims cut across all religious and ethnic divides. This is not a one-dimensional religious conflict but a complex, multidimensional security crisis affecting Christians, Muslims, and adherents of all faiths alike,” the group said.
Rather than being confrontational, the group urged President Donald Trump and the US government to pursue a collaborative posture in line with its stance on the abuse of human rights across the world, adding that the well-informed stance is better achieved through collaboration to enhance regional stability and strengthen the war on terrorism.
“We therefore urge President Donald Trump and the US government to pursue collaboration rather than confrontation—working jointly with Nigeria to enhance regional stability, strengthen counter-terrorism efforts, and ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s strategic importance as Africa’s most populous nation that has always lived up to its enormous responsibilities in terms of the sacrifices it has made over the years, which include being in the forefront in the continent’s decolonisation efforts, and peace keeping operations across the world, the group pleaded that the country needs the understanding and cooperation of the global community in its determination to sort out its challenging security issues.
It added that the country’s demonstrable efforts, including enhanced intelligence and inter-agency collaboration, community based security initiatives that prioritise early warnings and local resilience, implementation of the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and expansion of the Interfaith Dialogue Platform, while at the same time upping the ante on its kinetic approach, are enough for it be treated with the respect that it rightly deserves among the committee of nations.
“Nigeria stands as Africa’s most populous nation. It has made enormous sacrifices in blood and treasure for African decolonisation, the emancipation of the black race, and peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and across the world. We deserve to be treated with respect and accorded our rightful place among the nations.
Contrary to claims that Nigeria has been sitting idle, the government has committed substantial resources and implemented comprehensive initiatives. These include increased year-on-year security and defence budgets, various military and security operations across the country, and multi-pronged non-kinetic measures that demonstrate our unwavering commitment to protecting all Nigerians, irrespective of religion or ethnicity, through action, not rhetoric,” the group explained
HAI therefore called for global support for Nigeria in its intensified diplomatic engagements with its allies, including the US, UK, China, the EU, African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, with a view to garnering the much-needed collaboration in the area of intelligence sharing, border and capacity building.
HAI is a pro-good-governance and development advocacy group in Nigeria.
Nigeria Needs Collaboration, Not Confrontation, Hope Alive Initiative tells US
Gunmen kill five, abduct passengers in attack on Abuja–Ilesha bus in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that five persons were killed and several others abducted in a deadly attack on a commercial bus along the Oshokoshoko/Agbede Highway near a military checkpoint in the state.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, when heavily armed hoodlums blocked the highway and opened fire on vehicles in transit.
According to the source, an 18-seater Toyota bus with Jigawa State registration number HJA 687 YD, conveying passengers from Abuja to Ilesha, was riddled with bullets during the attack.
“Five unidentified corpses with gunshot injuries were recovered at the scene,” the source said.
The sources added that one of the passengers, identified as Naziru Aliyu, was rescued with gunshot wounds and rushed to Fisayo Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital mortuary in Lokoja.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Obajana was said to have mobilised joint security teams to the area for assessment and rescue operations.
Further bush-combing and intelligence-led operations later led to the rescue of 14 additional passengers. They were identified as Qorib Akere, Hamsatu Umar, Maryam Abubakar, Alpha Abdullateef, Alpha Uammi Adamu, Sanni Yahaya, Engr. Wojuola Olajide, Ademola Ibrahim, Fidelis Ajeh, Musa Muhammed, Nehemiah Gyang, Kanini Moses and Simon Obadiah.
Some of the rescued victims sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment at Fisayo Hospital.
The police said about four passengers from the bus are still unaccounted for.
The sources Investigation has commenced, while strategies for further rescue operations and the arrest of the perpetrators are being intensified.
The command assured residents and road users of its commitment to restore safety along the highway and bring the attackers to justice.
Gunmen kill five, abduct passengers in attack on Abuja–Ilesha bus in Kogi
Troops repel terrorist ambush attempt in Borno, neutralise one fighter
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have engaged and repelled suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during an ambush operation in Borno State, neutralising one fighter and recovering arms and ammunition.
Sources said that the encounter occurred at about 1:40 a.m. on Jan. 31, 2026, when the troops made contact with the terrorists.
The sources said the terrorists fled in disarray after the troops opened fire, leading to immediate exploitation of the area.
“One terrorist was neutralised. One AK-47 rifle, one magazine and 19 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered,” the sources stated.
It added that troops expended 47 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement, with no casualties recorded on the side of the military.
Troops repel terrorist ambush attempt in Borno, neutralise one fighter
Islamic State claims attack on Niamey airport
By: Zagazola Makama
The Islamic State’s media arm, Amaq News Agency, has claimed responsibility for an overnight attack on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger’s capital, marking a rare strike close to the heart of the city.
In a statement circulated on Friday, Amaq said fighters of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) carried out a “surprise and coordinated” operation on the night of Jan. 29–30, targeting Air Base 101 located within the airport complex.
The group alleged that the attack caused “significant damage” and “heavy losses,” though Nigerien authorities have not released official casualty figures. Airport operations reportedly continued after the incident, while damage assessment was ongoing.
Zagazola report that the assault, which lasted several hours on the night of 28–29 January, was carried out by armed assailants mounted on motorcycles who switched off their headlights to infiltrate the city undetected.
The attackers reportedly targeted military installations co-located with the civilian airport, including drone platforms, air defense systems, and commercial aircraft belonging to Air Côte d’Ivoire and ASKY Airlines. Mortars, drones, and small arms were used in the attack.
The Nigerien Defense and Security Forces, with the support of Russian African Corps personnel, repelled the assault, sustaining four injuries among security personnel. Twenty assailants were neutralized, 11 apprehended, and several motorcycles destroyed or seized. Civilians were unharmed.
Reacting to the incident, Niger’s military leader, Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, accused France, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire of backing the attackers, while commending Russia for its support to Niger’s defence efforts. ISIS had now came out to claim responsibility for the attack dismissing the initial claims of Niger’s Junta.
Islamic State claims attack on Niamey airport
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