Welcome to Tuesday’s roundup of Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-focused calls on issues that impact citizens.
1. Daily Trust: Kano, New Bandits Frontier
Daily Trust reports that recent attacks in Kano’s local governments bordering Katsina have exposed a troubling dimension of the banditry that has plagued the north-west for years. At least five Kano local governments—Rogo, Tsanyawa, Shanono, Gwarzo, and Ghari (formerly Kunchi)—share boundaries with Katsina.
Our Take: Kano’s rising wave of abductions calls for urgent intervention from the state government, security agencies, and federal authorities, who must stop treating border communities like optional side quests and finally deploy real protection, intelligence, and coordinated operations along the Katsina–Kano axis.
2. Punch: Abductions surge: Northern govs demand mining suspension, unveil N228bn security fund
Northern governors and traditional rulers on Monday called for a six-month suspension of mining activities across the region, blaming illegal mining for the worsening insecurity in many states.
The northern leaders also announced plans to mobilise N228bn to fight bandits terrorising communities across the region.
Our Take: The call now goes directly to the governors, state assemblies, and security agencies: publish clear timelines, show how the funds will be managed, engage local communities, and deliver measurable progress in dismantling the networks driving these abductions.
3. Vanguard: Defence Minister, Badaru Resigns
Vanguard reports that Nigeria’s defence minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has resigned his appointment, with immediate effect.
In a letter dated 01 December, sent to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar said he was quitting on health grounds.
Our Take: With the defence minister’s sudden exit coming right in the middle of a security emergency, the presidency and the Senate must move swiftly and sensibly to appoint a competent replacement who won’t treat the job like a weekend side hustle. Nigerians expect a clear plan, transparent communication, and a minister who can actually strengthen security, not add to the plot twists.
