IPCR Dialogue: Zulu Blames Governance Failures, Hatred for Nigeria’s Deepening Insecurity

…SAN urges local government autonomy, stronger community leadership, international cooperation to tackle extremism

By: Michael Mike
Professor Shehu Abdullahi Zuru, SAN, has blamed weak governance, widespread poverty, social injustice and the erosion of community leadership for worsening insecurity and divisions in Nigeria, urging government and non-state actors to confront the underlying causes of the country’s challenges.

Zuru, who delivered the lead paper at a policy dialogue organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in Abuja, said the “Us versus Them” mentality thrived in societies where hatred, intolerance and social divisions had overwhelmed shared values and a sense of common humanity.

He warned that unless Nigeria addressed the governance failures and grievances fuelling social discontent, efforts to promote religious freedom, national cohesion and security would remain inadequate.

The dialogue, organised by the Network of Policymakers and Religious Leaders to Support Peace, Security and Reconciliation in Nigeria (NPMRL), was held on Friday under the theme, “Moving Beyond ‘Us versus Them’: Strengthening Local Governance, Security and Foreign Relations to Protect Freedom of Religion or Belief in Nigeria.”

Zuru traced the consequences of identity-based hatred to historical atrocities, including Nazi racial supremacy, the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the 1992 Bosnian conflict, arguing that intolerance undermined social cohesion and the moral foundations of society.

He said Nigeria’s worsening situation was linked to poor policy choices, persistent poverty, declining confidence in the justice system and the inability of political leadership to build consensus around national priorities.

According to him, weakened leadership among religious institutions, traditional rulers, community figures and other influential non-state actors has further contributed to the country’s governance and security challenges.

“The compromised and receding local leadership by both state and non-state actors … as well as moribund formal institutions of public policy and public authority and accountability are only responsible for the current state of hopelessness in our dear country today,” he said.

Zuru identified local government autonomy as a critical requirement for effective governance, particularly at the grassroots, urging the Federal Government to address the issue decisively.

He argued that stronger local government institutions would improve public policy delivery and enable communities to respond more effectively to their development and security needs.

He also challenged religious and community leaders to take greater responsibility for addressing intolerance, rebuilding trust and influencing young people positively.

With killings and displacement continuing in different parts of the country, he said community leaders must be prepared to speak truthfully to political authorities and help shape policies that respond to the country’s security and development challenges.

On national security, Zuru argued that terrorism, banditry and other forms of organised criminality had transnational dimensions, involving cross-border networks of recruitment, financing and other forms of support.

He said Nigeria could not effectively confront such threats in isolation and called for stronger bilateral and multilateral partnerships, particularly in intelligence gathering, military capacity and counter-insurgency operations.

“Therefore, clandestine and proactive diplomacy is mandatory for the success of every counter initiative meant to subdue these threats,” he said, adding that Nigeria needed genuine international partners willing to support its efforts against insecurity.

Zuru maintained that foreign relations should be treated as an important component of national security policy, given the cross-border character of extremist and criminal networks.

Earlier, the Director-General of IPCR, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, warned that divisive narratives presenting complex security challenges exclusively through religious identities could deepen mistrust and undermine national cohesion.

Ochogwu, said legitimate concerns about violations of freedom of religion or belief must be addressed without allowing public discourse to reinforce religious divisions.

He called for impartial security responses, inclusive governance, accountability for human rights violations and constructive engagement among religious leaders, policymakers and community institutions.

He said protecting religious freedom required more than constitutional guarantees, stressing the importance of effective institutions, consistent application of the law and mechanisms for preventing conflicts before they escalated.

Ochogwu also identified local governance, security governance and foreign relations as critical areas requiring stronger policy attention, urging stakeholders to translate dialogue into practical recommendations and measurable interventions.

He noted that Nigeria’s Constitution guaranteed freedom of thought, conscience and religion, prohibited the adoption of a state religion and protected citizens against discrimination on religious grounds.

The dialogue also featured Reverend John Joseph Hayab as discussant and brought together policymakers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to examine ways of strengthening religious freedom, security and peaceful coexistence.

The IPCR said the engagement was part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between religious leadership and public institutions in addressing conflict and promoting national reconciliation.

IPCR Dialogue: Zulu Blames Governance Failures, Hatred for Nigeria’s Deepening Insecurity

NDLEA Arraigns Two Mexicans, Four Nigerians over Oyo Methamphetamine Laboratory

…Court remands six defendants in correctional centre, fixes trial for January 2027

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned two Mexican nationals and four Nigerians over their alleged involvement in the establishment and operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in a forest in Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The six defendants were arraigned before Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, establishment of an illicit drug laboratory and the unlawful handling of chemicals for the production of methamphetamine.

The defendants are Mexican nationals Jose Villa Ochoa, 56, and Carrera Loaiza Arturo, 40, alongside four Nigerians identified as Maxwell Uche Nevoh, 30; Olatunji Yusuf, 37; Bankole Akeem Owolabi, 45; and Ganiu Monsiu, 43.

According to a statement by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Friday, Villa Ochoa and the four Nigerians were arrested on June 17, 2026, by operatives of the agency in a forested area of Tapa village.

Arturo was subsequently tracked and arrested on August 19 while allegedly attempting to flee the country through the Lagos airport.

The charge alleged that the defendants conspired to operate a drug trafficking organisation and established a clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine between December 2025 and June 2026 at different locations in Lagos and Oyo States.

They were also accused of unlawfully transporting and distributing chemical substances intended for the manufacture of the psychotropic drug, contrary to Section 20(1)(f) and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act.

All six defendants pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them in a language they understood.

Following their pleas, Justice Maha ordered their remand at the Correctional Centre in Ibadan and adjourned the case until January 26, 27, 28 and 29, 2027, for trial.

The Oyo operation is coming months after NDLEA operatives arrested three other Mexican nationals and seven Nigerian collaborators over the alleged establishment of a similar methamphetamine laboratory in a forest hideout in Ogun State.

The 10 defendants in the Ogun case were also arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos, where their bail application was rejected and the court ordered an accelerated hearing.

The agency said the two operations involved foreign nationals and Nigerian collaborators allegedly linked to clandestine methamphetamine production facilities in forest locations in the South-West.

NDLEA Arraigns Two Mexicans, Four Nigerians over Oyo Methamphetamine Laboratory

Governor Buni urges citizens to emulate Justice Uwani

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe State governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, has called on the people of the state to emulate the former supreme court judge, Justice Uwani Abba Aji CFR, as good ambassadors of the state.

Governor Buni stated this today while attending the valedictory session in honour of the retirement of supreme court judge and distinguished daughter of the state, Justice Uwani Abba Aji CFR.

The governor was accompanied by the Yobe state APC gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali mni, his running mate, Barr. Saleh Samanja, and Senator Mohammed Ibrahim Bomai, Yobe South Senatorial District.

Others dignitaries accompanied the governor include the State Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Abubakar Kagu; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Buni; Alhaji Abdullahi Gashu’a, Special Adviser on Religious Affairs; and some permanent secretaries.

Similarly, Alhaji Saleh Abubakar DG Great Green Wall, Alhaji Muhammadu Wali Nguru, Barr. Bala Haladu, Engr. Ahmed Amshi and other prominent sons and daughters of the state were at the supreme court to celebrate the glorious exit of the legal luminary from the service.

The Chief Judge of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun GCON, alongside His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni, the Minister of Justice, the Nigeria Bar Association and others, applauded Justice Uwani for her commitment and humility.

Governor Buni prayed to Almighty Allah to grant her a long life and a happy and peaceful life in retirement, Ameen.

Governor Buni urges citizens to emulate Justice Uwani