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Borno Airstrike: President Tinubu Meets Service Chiefs

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a security meeting with service chiefs, intelligence heads, and the Inspector-General of Police at the State House, Abuja.

The meeting, which began at about 2:00 pm on Monday, is the first item on the President’s agenda since his return to Abuja from Bayelsa State on Friday.

The emergency session comes amid heightened security concerns following the United States’ authorisation of non-emergency embassy staff to leave Abuja and a controversial military airstrike in Borno State that killed over 100 civilians.

Those in attendance at the ongoing meeting include the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Staff, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, is also attending the closed-door session at the Presidential Villa.

On April 8, 2026, the US State Department authorised the voluntary departure of non-emergency government employees and family members from the US Embassy in Abuja, citing a “deteriorating security situation.”

The decision placed 23 of Nigeria’s 36 states under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” designation, the highest risk category, adding Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba to the list.

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The US highlighted threats from Islamist insurgents in the Northeast, criminal gangs in the Northwest, and ongoing violence in parts of southern and southeastern Nigeria, including oil-producing regions.

The embassy said visa appointments in Abuja had been suspended, though the Lagos consulate continues to provide routine and emergency services.

The Federal Government said the travel alert was guided by US internal protocols and did not reflect the overall security situation across Nigeria.

“While we acknowledge isolated security challenges in some areas, there is no general breakdown of law and order, and the vast majority of the country remains stable,” Minister Mohammed Idris stated.

The security meeting also comes hours after a Nigerian Air Force strike targeting Boko Haram terrorists hit Jilli Market along the Borno-Yobe border on Saturday, April 11, 2026, killing over 100 civilians, including children, and injuring many others.

Amnesty International cited survivors as saying at least 100 people were killed in the airstrike, with some reports putting the death toll as high as 200.

The Air Force acknowledged conducting “precision mop-up airstrikes on identified terrorist locations” in the Jilli axis of Borno State but made no reference to hitting a civilian market.

However, the Presidency defended the operation.

Speaking with Bloomberg earlier on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said, “The market was a legitimate military target because it has been turned into a logistics and trading hub by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.”

Amnesty International condemned the strike, calling for an independent investigation and describing it as evidence of “the Nigerian military’s shocking disregard for the lives of those it supposedly exists to protect.”

Military air raids have killed at least 500 civilians since 2017, according to multiple reports, with failures in intelligence gathering and coordination between ground forces and air assets cited as contributing factors.

Nigeria is battling multiple security threats across its six geopolitical zones, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgency in the Northeast, banditry and kidnapping in the Northwest and North-Central regions, and separatist violence in the Southeast.

Major attacks in 2026 include the February 3 massacre in Woro, Kwara State, where over 100 people were killed and 176 kidnapped, and multiple mass abductions across northern states.

Amnesty International reported that at least 1,100 people were abducted between January and April 2026, though the Police disputed the figure as unverified.

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Barau Jibrin Drives Grassroots Empowerment with 47 Vehicles, 287 Motorcycles in Kano North

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The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, has distributed 47 vehicles and 287 motorcycles to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the Kano North Senatorial District as part of efforts to support grassroots empowerment.

The beneficiaries include APC local government chairmen, their secretaries and other party stakeholders in the district.

Barau, who spoke through the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Salihu Sagir Takai, said the intervention was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said the vehicles and motorcycles were meant to ease economic hardship and improve the livelihoods of the beneficiaries.

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According to him, the initiative is part of his continued interventions in human and capital development in Kano North, adding that more programmes would follow.

“This is not the first time we are carrying out such an intervention, and it will certainly not be the last,” he said.

The Chief of Staff to the Deputy President of the Senate, Professor Muhammad Ibn Abdullahi, described the gesture as a capital-intensive intervention aimed at lifting beneficiaries out of poverty and promoting self-reliance.

He said Kano North was fortunate to have a leader committed to initiatives that stimulate development and improve living standards.

Abdullahi also urged the beneficiaries not to sell the items but to use them productively to generate income.

Similarly, Barau’s media aide, Shittu Madaki, said the items were carefully distributed to selected beneficiaries, noting that more empowerment programmes were in the pipeline.

Also speaking, Takai, a former governorship candidate in Kano State, said the intervention reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots level, aimed at reducing poverty and improving the welfare of constituents.

Since his election as the Deputy Senate President on 2024 Senator Barau Jibrin has been empowerimg his constituents on self reliance and capital support to small scale industrialists

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One Kano Agenda Commends Governor Yusuf For Selecting Garo As Deputy Governor

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The One Kano Agenda wishes to commend His Excellency, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for the nomination of Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor, as the decision is strategic move that reflects foresight, inclusiveness, and commitment to effective governance.

We wish to note that, the nomination aligns with the broader vision of strengthening governance through experienced leadership capable of bridging policy direction and grassroots realities.

It is our belief that, Governor Yusuf’s decision has demonstrated a clear understanding of the political and administrative demands of the state, emphasizing that leadership at such a critical level requires competence, loyalty, and a deep connection with the people.

“The nomination of Hon. Murtala Sule Garo is a commendable step toward consolidating governance and enhancing administrative coordination. It reflects a deliberate effort by His Excellency to prioritize capacity and experience in advancing the state’s development agenda

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As we observe, Hon. Garo’s track record in public service and political engagement, positions him as a valuable asset in supporting the Governor’s vision for sustainable development and responsive governance.

One Kano Agenda therefore wishes to call on stakeholders across political divides to rally behind the nomination, stressing that unity and collective responsibility remain essential for achieving long-term progress and stability.

We urge political actors to embrace collaboration over division, noting that the success of governance ultimately depends on shared commitment to the welfare of the people.

We wish to reaffirm our support for the administration, and we pledge our continued advocacy for policies and decisions that promote inclusiveness, institutional strength, and improved service delivery across Kano State.

We equally express confidence that the nomination will further strengthen governance structures and contribute positively to the realization of the administration’s developmental objectives.

 

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APC forum commends Gov Yusuf, backs Garo for stronger Kano leadership

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A political pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Emerging Progressives Leaders’ Forum (EPLF), has praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for what it described as a bold and strategic move in selecting Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor.

Garo, who previously served as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Kano State, was described by the group as a seasoned administrator with a deep understanding of governance and party structure.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Hafiz Idris, the forum said the appointment reflects a firm grasp of Kano’s political realities and the need for experienced leadership to strengthen governance in the state.

The group pointed to Garo’s record in public service, citing his administrative competence, loyalty to party ideals, and consistent ability to deliver results.

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It added that his contributions to the growth of the APC in Kano remain notable, portraying him as a trusted figure within the party.

According to the forum, Garo’s emergence is expected to unify party members, bridge internal divides, and foster stronger cohesion ahead of future political activities.

The statement noted that Garo’s grassroots connection and political experience would not only consolidate governance but also reposition the APC for greater unity and influence in Kano State.

The forum further called on party members to support the new deputy governor, stressing that collective backing is essential for sustaining progress and achieving shared political objectives.

It also expressed optimism that the partnership between Yusuf and Garo would usher in a period of stability, inclusiveness, and effective leadership in the state.

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