By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

An Israeli Member of the Knesset, Afef Abbed, has called on the United Nations to review Nigeria’s implementation of a 2022 opinion concerning the detention of Nnamdi Kanu and to seek an official update from the Nigerian government.

In a letter dated September 1, 2026, addressed to the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Abbed urged continued international monitoring of Kanu’s case.

Abbed referred to Opinion No. 25/2022 of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which found Kanu’s deprivation of liberty arbitrary and called for his immediate release, compensation and other reparations. The Working Group also called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his arrest in Kenya and subsequent transfer to Nigeria.

The Israeli lawmaker said the UN opinion remained relevant despite subsequent developments in Nigeria, including Kanu’s conviction on terrorism-related charges in November 2025 and his sentence to life imprisonment. Reuters reported that Kanu was convicted on November 20, 2025, after a trial over terrorism-related charges.

According to Abbed, the later conviction did not remove the need to examine the concerns raised by the Working Group regarding Kanu’s rights, detention and transfer to Nigeria.

He asked the UN to request an official account from the Nigerian government on measures taken in response to Opinion No. 25/2022 and, where permitted, publish an update on its implementation.

Abbed further urged the UN to encourage continued dialogue with Nigeria to ensure that proceedings involving Kanu comply with international human-rights standards and Nigeria’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The lawmaker also called for continued monitoring by relevant UN human-rights mechanisms, particularly regarding Kanu’s right to due process, fundamental rights and conditions of detention.

The letter raised additional concerns over allegations regarding Kanu’s health and claims that he had not received adequate medical care or that his personal physician had been prevented from providing treatment. Abbed said such allegations should be examined by the appropriate international human-rights mechanisms.

The UN Working Group’s 2022 opinion had concluded that Nigeria failed to establish a legal basis for Kanu’s detention and characterized the detention as arbitrary under Category I. It also found that Kanu had been subjected to detention connected to the exercise of rights including freedom of opinion and expression.

Abbed also noted that United States Congressman John James had recently called for Kanu’s release, although the Israeli lawmaker’s letter primarily focused on the role of the UN and implementation of the Working Group’s recommendations.

The appeal comes as Kanu remains in custody following his 2025 conviction. His case has continued to attract international attention because of the circumstances surrounding his 2021 arrest in Kenya and transfer to Nigeria, as well as questions surrounding his subsequent prosecution.

Abbed said a rights-based resolution should be pursued in accordance with international law, the rule of law and due-process principles.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to advancing local technological capacity and strengthening strategic partnerships to boost national security and personnel development.

Speaking on Friday, 18 September 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) headquarters in Abuja, General Shaibu highlighted the urgent need to build local expertise in unmanned aerial systems and drone technology to tackle terrorism, insurgency and banditry.

He praised the PTDF’s long standing role in human capacity development and formally requested specialized training for army personnel to create a strong pool of skilled professionals.

“This will help us establish indigenous companies for the development of unmanned aerial systems and reduce reliance on foreign military training,” the COAS said, while also acknowledging the Fund’s continued support for Command Secondary Schools.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the PTDF, Professor Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, commended the sacrifices of the Nigerian Army in safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.

He outlined ongoing collaborations under the PTDF In-Country Scholarship Scheme at the Nigerian Defence Academy and pledged to establish a modern ICT center for digital skills training at the proposed Command Science Secondary School in Kaduna.

Professor Aliyu also called for the Army’s support in protecting PTDF’s strategic national assets and regional centers of excellence in Kaduna and Afam.

He advocated for a formal security framework between both institutions to ensure rapid emergency response and safeguard staff, students and infrastructure.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

What began as an enforcement operation against illegal mining in Niger State has exploded into a full-blown crisis, leaving no fewer than 37 detainees dead in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) custody as of yesterday, September 17, 2026, and plunging Wushishi and Lukoto communities into chaos.

The NSCDC had arrested the persons over alleged illegal mining and taken them into detention. By yesterday, about 37 of them were reported dead.

The deaths have sparked outrage across Niger State. Since the incident, youths have trooped out in their numbers, protesting and demanding the release of the remaining detainees. The protesters, who described those still held as captives, have vowed not to back down until every one of them is freed.

As at the time of filing this report, Wushishi and Lukoto were said to be ravaged by chaos. A video clip seen by our correspondent showed gunshots ringing out between protesting youths and security personnel. Residents were said to be scampering for safety as tension escalated by the minute.

Meanwhile, the police have swung into action to investigate the deaths of the 37 persons.

Governor Umar Bago has cancelled all his political rallies for the meantime to mourn those who died.

In an official statement, the NSCDC claimed that an outbreak of disease caused the deaths of the 37 persons. The claim could not be independently verified as of press time, and no medical report had been made public.