Outrage in Kogi as ‘Unarmed’ Student Killed by School Guards, Raising Fresh Questions on Extrajudicial Violence

By: Michael Mike

The killing of a final-year student, Andrew Amehson Aziko, allegedly by security guards at Nana College of Health in Okpo, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, is drawing mounting scrutiny, with legal experts and rights advocates warning that the circumstances point to a possible extrajudicial execution and a broader failure of accountability.

The incident, captured in widely circulated video footage, has triggered calls for an independent investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), amid growing concern over what residents describe as a troubling pattern of unlawful killings by local security actors in the area.

In the footage, the victim—reportedly unarmed and visibly distressed—is seen being beaten repeatedly with batons before he is shot at close range. He is heard pleading in Igala, asking the guards to “touch his hand,” while calling some of them by name, suggesting they were familiar with him. Community sources say Andrew had been undergoing treatment for mental health challenges and had wandered into the school premises after leaving a rehabilitation facility.

Under Nigerian law, the right to life is protected by Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which permits the use of lethal force only in strictly defined circumstances, such as self-defence or the prevention of escape from lawful detention. Legal analysts say the conditions visible in the footage do not appear to meet that threshold.

“Even where there is suspicion of wrongdoing, force must be necessary and proportionate,” Abuja-based human rights lawyer Sadiq Bello said. “From what is publicly available, this raises serious questions of unlawful killing.”

Although the individuals involved are reportedly private security guards, rather than police officers, legal responsibility may still arise under the Criminal Code Act, which criminalises homicide, assault and excessive use of force. Experts note that private guards are not empowered to administer punishment and are expected, at most, to restrain suspects and hand them over to law enforcement authorities.

The case has also amplified concerns about the regulation and oversight of private security personnel operating in schools and other institutions, particularly in rural communities where formal law enforcement presence may be limited.

Rights advocates are now urging the National Human Rights Commission to step in, arguing that an independent, federal-level probe is necessary to ensure credibility and public trust. Under its statutory mandate, the Commission can investigate human rights violations, summon witnesses, conduct public inquiries and recommend prosecution or compensation.

A senior official familiar with NHRC processes said the Commission’s intervention could help ensure that evidence is preserved and that accountability mechanisms are not compromised at the local level. “This is precisely the kind of case that demands independent oversight,” the official said.

The killing is the second reported incident of its kind in Olamaboro within two months. In the earlier case, a young man reportedly died after being beaten by members of a vigilante group following a domestic dispute. That incident sparked protests and led to the arrest of several youths after clashes with security personnel, with some detainees said to remain in custody.

Residents say the recurrence of such incidents is deepening fear and eroding confidence in local security structures. “There is a pattern emerging—people taking the law into their own hands and facing no consequences,” a community member said.

Beyond the immediate act, questions are also being raised about the apparent absence of standard policing procedure in the handling of the situation. Established protocols require that suspects be apprehended using minimal force, that injured individuals receive immediate medical attention, and that incidents involving violence be promptly reported to the police, with scenes preserved for forensic investigation. None of these steps appear evident from available accounts.

The victim’s mental health condition has further intensified concern, with advocates stressing that individuals in distress require de-escalation and medical support, not force. “This reflects both a legal and humanitarian failure,” a Lokoja-based mental health advocate said. “A vulnerable person was treated as a threat rather than someone in need of help.”

Amid reports of planned protests, the Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Hon. Williams Ameh, has called for restraint, urging residents not to take the law into their own hands and to allow due process to run its course. However, skepticism remains high among residents who point to previous incidents where, they say, justice was neither transparent nor swift.

As of press time, the Kogi State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement or confirm whether any arrests had been made, a silence that has only intensified public concern.

Stakeholders are now calling for immediate steps, including the suspension of the implicated guards, the securing of the crime scene, and a transparent investigation involving independent oversight. For many in Okpo, the case has become more than an isolated tragedy—it is a test of whether the rule of law can still prevail.

“If this goes unpunished,” one resident said, “it tells everyone that a life can be taken without consequence.”

Outrage in Kogi as ‘Unarmed’ Student Killed by School Guards, Raising Fresh Questions on Extrajudicial Violence

Why I Anointed Engr Gubio as my successor – Gov Zulum

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has explained why he anointed his commissioner for works, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, to succeed him in 2027.

The Governor anointed Gubio as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) when he presented him with the expression of interest and nomination forms in Abuja.

In a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, Zulum said the decision to anoint Gubio as a candidate was to sustain the momentum the state has experienced under his administration.

“I know how I came in as the commissioner of RRR, and how the office shaped to set a governance standard that changed the lives of our citizenry.

“Engr Gubio has been defined by similar discipline, courage, and an uncommon commitment to public service.

“He demonstrated exceptional capacity in overseeing critical infrastructure, particularly in housing development across metropolitan and rural communities, which has significantly contributed to improving living conditions in the state,” the statement noted.

Beyond infrastructure, his public service profile is defined by a strong focus on rebuilding communities affected by insurgency. As Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement, he spearheaded initiatives to restore essential services and public facilities in hard-hit areas.

“He is widely recognized for driving reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected communities such as Bama, Konduga, Damasak, and Mafa Local Governmentc Areas, ensuring the restoration of schools, healthcare facilities, and other critical infrastructure,” the statement added.

According to the statement, these efforts align closely with Governor Zulum’s broader vision of recovery, stability, and sustainable development, making Gubio a natural choice to sustain ongoing progress.

“His dedication to rebuilding lives and communities, coupled with his proven administrative competence, underscores the confidence reposed in him to consolidate the gains already achieved and advance the development agenda of Borno State,” it stated.

The anointment, it added, reflects a strategic decision anchored on continuity, experience, and a commitment to ensuring that the state remains on the path of peace, resilience, and transformational governance

Why I Anointed Engr Gubio as my successor – Gov Zulum

PEBEC Workshop Pushes States to Drive Business Reforms and Investment Growth

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria’s drive to improve its business climate received renewed momentum on Wednesday as senior government officials and investment stakeholders converged for a high-level peer-to-peer learning workshop aimed at strengthening subnational reforms.

Speaking at the close of the two-day engagement, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), underscored the critical role of states in driving Nigeria’s economic transformation. He noted that while federal policies set the direction, real impact depends on how effectively reforms are implemented at the state level.

Represented at the event, Hadejia conveyed the commitment of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), to sustaining regulatory reforms and improving coordination across all tiers of government.

“The reality is clear Nigeria’s economic competitiveness will rise in direct proportion to the competitiveness of its states,” he said.

emphasizing that subnational governments are central to attracting and retaining investments.

The workshop, convened under PEBEC through the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme, brought together State Commissioners of Commerce, Heads of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs), and development partners. It focused on transitioning from policy discussions to practical implementation strategies that enhance investment readiness across states.

Participants explored key pillars of modern investment promotion, including developing data-driven state value propositions, improving inter-agency coordination, leveraging digital platforms for investor engagement, and strengthening investment tracking systems. There was also a strong emphasis on investor aftercare as a tool for sustaining and expanding existing investments.

Director General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, highlighted the importance of collaboration and data-driven assessment in driving reforms.

She explained that while rankings remain a useful tool, they are backed by extensive engagement with both public and private sector stakeholders.

“Data is at the heart of everything we do. It helps us understand what is working, what needs improvement, and how best to support states in delivering measurable outcomes,” she said.

Audu added that PEBEC’s ongoing nationwide engagements and digital platforms have strengthened its ability to provide real-time support to states, positioning the council as a central repository for business environment reforms and investment facilitation.

Also speaking, the Director General of the Yobe State Agency for Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion, Dr. Aliyu Isah Chikaji, described the workshop as a landmark initiative that allows states to learn from one another and accelerate reform efforts.

“There is no need to reinvent the wheel. What works in one state can serve as a model for others. This platform helps us cut the learning curve from years to days,” he said.

Chikaji stressed the importance of project preparation in attracting investments, noting that states must develop bankable projects aligned with their economic priorities to effectively investors.

He revealed that Yobe State is positioning itself as a livestock investment hub, with several agreementsc already signed and more in the pipeline.

The workshop also saw the establishment of a Commissioners and IPA Peer Network, aimed at fostering sustained collaboration, knowledge sharing, and accountability among states.

Participants were urged to return to their respective states with renewed urgency and focus, with clear expectations to improve investment pipelines, reduce approval timelines, enhance service delivery, and implement reforms that translate into job creation and economic growth.

The event reflects the federal government’s broader reform agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, which prioritises private sector-led growth, improved regulatory frameworks, and inclusive economic development.

As deliberations concluded, stakeholders expressed optimism that strengthened collaboration between federal and state actors would accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a more competitive and investment-friendly economy.

PEBEC Workshop Pushes States to Drive Business Reforms and Investment Growth