Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

By: Michael Mike

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the arrest of a suspected gun courier intercepted while allegedly transporting weapons believed to be destined for criminal elements in Katsina State.

The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday, June 12, 2026.

Governor Yusuf described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes threatening communities across Northern Nigeria.

According to information provided by the DSS, the suspect, identified as Muhammad Abubakar, 30, was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State while allegedly transporting four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes, three AK-47 rifles and two empty magazines to Funtua in Katsina State.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect collected the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State and was expected to receive N450,000 upon successful delivery of the arms.

Governor Yusuf praised the professionalism, vigilance and intelligence-driven approach of DSS operatives, noting that the timely interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of bandits and other criminal groups.

He said the operation underscored the critical role of intelligence gathering and effective collaboration among security agencies in tackling emerging security threats across the country.

The governor reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government to supporting security agencies through sustained cooperation, logistics assistance and policies aimed at strengthening public safety throughout the state.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid efforts to combat crime and maintain peace.

Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that ongoing investigations would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all individuals connected to the alleged arms trafficking network.

The statement was signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.

Gov. Yusuf Commends DSS Over Arrest of Suspected Gun Courier in Kano

June 12: Credible Elections Are a Fundamental Human Right, Not a Privilege – NHRC

By: Michael Mike

As Nigeria marks Democracy Day, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu (OFR, SAN), has declared that credible elections are a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed to every citizen, rather than a privilege granted by those in power.

In a statement commemorating the significance of June 12, Ojukwu said the annulled 1993 presidential election remains the strongest evidence that Nigeria is capable of conducting free, fair, and transparent elections when democratic institutions respect the will of the people.

According to him, the electoral framework introduced by Humphrey Nwosu, particularly the Option A4 and Modified Open Ballot systems, demonstrated that electoral credibility is achievable when election management bodies operate with integrity, transparency, and strict adherence to the law.

The NHRC boss emphasized that the right of citizens to participate in governance through genuine elections is guaranteed under Nigeria’s Constitution and regional human rights instruments, stressing that electoral misconduct amounts to a direct assault on fundamental freedoms.

He noted that practices such as voter suppression, vote buying, electoral violence, and manipulation of election results should not be viewed merely as administrative shortcomings but as serious violations of civil and political rights.

Ojukwu expressed concern that more than three decades after the June 12 election, many of the challenges that undermine electoral credibility continue to persist, weakening public confidence in democratic institutions and diminishing citizens’ faith in the electoral process.

“Whenever elections lose their integrity, the rights to freedom of expression, association, participation, and peaceful assembly are also placed at risk,” he said.

The human rights advocate called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, civil society organizations, and the media to remain committed to neutrality, transparency, and accountability in the conduct of elections.

He assured Nigerians that the Commission would intensify its monitoring of electoral processes across the country, document violations, and pursue appropriate remedies for victims in line with its statutory mandate.

Ojukwu also urged the National Assembly to strengthen legal safeguards that protect the independence of electoral institutions and improve citizens’ access to electoral justice.

He maintained that institutionalizing electoral integrity remains critical to deepening democracy and safeguarding the right of every Nigerian to freely choose their leaders, adding that the NHRC is prepared to collaborate with government and other stakeholders to ensure that credible elections become a permanent feature of the nation’s democratic culture.

The statement, signed by Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, underscored the Commission’s commitment to advancing democratic governance through the protection and promotion of electoral rights.

June 12: Credible Elections Are a Fundamental Human Right, Not a Privilege – NHRC

ActionAid Says June 12 Democratic Promise Remains Unfulfilled Amid Poverty, Rights Violations

By: Michael Mike

As Nigerians mark Democracy Day, ActionAid Nigeria has raised concerns over what it describes as the country’s failure to fully realize the democratic ideals symbolized by June 12, warning that shrinking civic space, rising poverty, insecurity and weak governance threaten the nation’s democratic future.

In a statement issued to mark the June 12 celebration, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said the decision by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 to recognize June 12 as Democracy Day was a significant step toward correcting the injustice surrounding the annulment of the 1993 presidential election won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

According to the organisation, the declaration was more than a symbolic gesture; it represented a commitment to uphold the will of the Nigerian people and strengthen democratic governance. However, ActionAid argued that eight years later, many of the aspirations associated with that promise remain unrealized.

The organisation expressed concern over what it called a growing crackdown on civic freedoms, citing reports of arrests, prosecutions and intimidation of journalists, activists and citizens critical of government actions.

It referenced data from the National Human Rights Commission indicating that hundreds of thousands of human rights complaints were recorded in April 2026, including allegations of extrajudicial killings, abuse of authority and restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

ActionAid also criticized the application of the Cybercrimes Act against journalists and activists, pointing to cases involving media practitioners and civil society actors who were reportedly arrested or prosecuted after exposing governance failures or questioning official claims.

The group further warned that Nigeria’s electoral system faces significant challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections. It argued that the Electoral Act 2026 was enacted without sufficient stakeholder consultation and called for urgent amendments to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

According to the organisation, preserving electoral credibility is essential to avoiding a repeat of the political crisis that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.

Beyond electoral concerns, ActionAid raised alarm over worsening socio-economic conditions, noting that millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with poverty despite decades of democratic rule.

The organisation cited statistics showing that more than 130 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, while insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping and armed conflict, continues to disrupt livelihoods across many communities.

It argued that poverty and insecurity are interconnected challenges stemming from governance failures, weak institutions and limited accountability.

ActionAid also criticized what it described as weak fiscal transparency, alleging that the concurrent implementation of multiple federal budgets has undermined effective oversight and accountability in public spending.

The organisation maintained that these governance shortcomings have contributed to Nigeria’s poor performance in global assessments of government effectiveness.

To address the challenges, ActionAid called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to undertake comprehensive reforms, including amendments to the Electoral Act, protection of civic freedoms, improved security measures, strengthened social protection programmes and greater transparency in public finance management.

Mamedu stressed that Democracy Day should serve as more than a ceremonial event, urging leaders to take concrete actions that reflect the aspirations of Nigerians for accountable governance, justice and inclusive development.

He said that while recognizing June 12 was an important milestone, the true measure of that decision lies in the government’s commitment to protecting democratic institutions, expanding civic freedoms and improving the welfare of citizens.

ActionAid pledged to continue working with communities and civil society organizations across the country to promote accountability and ensure that the democratic ideals associated with June 12 are translated into tangible benefits for Nigerians.

ActionAid Says June 12 Democratic Promise Remains Unfulfilled Amid Poverty, Rights Violations