Zagazola

15/03/2026

An independent security-focused media platform and analysis network that specializes in reporting, analysis, and fact-checking related to terrorism, insurgency, crime, and regional security issues—particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa. It’s widely known for providing timely, verifi...

27/02/2026

Rev. Dachomo accuses of Trump bias, vows to go to War

By: Zagazola Makama

The outspoken Christian cleric in Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo has called for ‘WAR’ in the state and also blamed President Donald Trump for bias in deploying United States security asserts in the campaign against the genocide of Christians in Nigeria.

In a footage circulating on social media, the cleric who is the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, made the call while addressing mourners at the burial of seven persons killed in a reprisal attack at Dorowa Babuje village in the local government.

“Rev. Dachoma was also heard declaring that residents would no longer “run away,” adding that if there was to be a “full-blown war,” they were prepared to defend themselves.

“We are not going to run away, if there will be full blown WAR it will start from today to the day that the God has placed for us. Let them continue to gather, we have chosen to die than to remain burying our brothers.

“My fellow brothers and sisters i am rounding this message so that we can go back and stay and go for war, since the Fulani said we will not rest in plateau, they are not afraid of the security from today we will not be afraid of the security.

https://zagazola.org/index.php/breaking-news/rev-dachomo-accuses-of-trump-bias-vows-to-go-to-war

25/02/2026

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) on Wednesday said it has commenced an inquiry into allegations that a male operative of the State Security Service (SSS) abducted a minor from Jigawa State, brought her to Abuja, and impregnated her.

The controversy centres on Walida Abdulhadi, a young Muslim woman from Jigawa State, and an SSS operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi.

There has been intense public debate over the relationship between Mr Onyewuenyi, a Christian, and Walida, a Muslim, the circumstances surrounding the birth of their baby, and Walida’s subsequent conversion to Christianity.

Walida’s family alleges that Mr Onyewuenyi abducted her from her native Jigawa State, transported her to Abuja, converted her to Christianity, and impregnated her while she was still a minor.



However, in a recent interview with Weekend Trust, Walida disputed her family’s claims.

She said she met Mr Onyewuenyi in Abuja after being brought there by a woman identified as Mariam. She maintained that she was neither abducted nor forcibly converted to Christianity, insisting that she was already an adult when she relocated to the capital in 2023.

A key point of dispute is Walida’s age. Her family claims she was born in 2008 and was therefore a minor when the events began in 2023. Walida, however, said she was born in 2004 and was 19 years old when she arrived in Abuja and met Mr Onyewuenyi.

The matter escalated after Walida refused to return to her parents, alleging that her uncle threatened to kill her for becoming involved with a Christian man. She is currently in what the SSS describes as “protective custody.”

Her family, however, is demanding her release, citing a magistrate’s court order. They have also accused the SSS of bias and anti-Islamic conduct.

In response, the SSS said it is holding Walida and her baby for their safety, following her claim that her uncle issued death threats against her.

The NSCIA, the apex Islamic authority in Nigeria, has now formally stepped into the matter.

When PREMIUM TIMES contacted him on Wednesday morning, the Council’s Secretary-General, Ishaq Oloyede, confirmed that the body was already engaging relevant stakeholders to enable it take an informed position.

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An independent security-focused media platform and analysis network that specializes in reporting, analysis, and fact-checking related to terrorism, insurgency, crime, and regional security issues—particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa. It’s widely known for providing timely, verifi...

25/02/2026

wo killed, two injured in Offa street clash over football dispute

By: Zagazola Makama

Two people were killed and two others injured in a violent clash between groups of youths from Isale-Ago and Number One Junction areas of Offa, Kwara State, following a football match dispute.

The incident occurred on Feb. 24, when a disagreement during an organized Ramadan football competition escalated into a street fight, causing panic and tension in the community.

Sources said the initial confrontation was contained, but later in the evening, members of the Number One Junction group reportedly regrouped and advanced towards Isale-Ago, firing sporadically into the air. The gunfire resulted in the deaths of Dayo Abdullateef, aged 30, and Abdullahi Oriogbo, aged 28, while two other passersby sustained gunshot injuries.

Authorities visited the scene of the incident and are working to apprehend the perpetrators. Community members have been urged to maintain calm as investigations continue.

Further updates are expected as efforts to restore lasting peace in the affected areas continue.

An independent security-focused media platform and analysis network that specializes in reporting, analysis, and fact-checking related to terrorism, insurgency, crime, and regional security issues—particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa. It’s widely known for providing timely, verifi...

25/02/2026

Suspect arrested for attempting to kill boy in Katsina over juju ritual



By: Zagazola Makama



The Katsina Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old man for allegedly attempting to kill a 10-year-old boy in a ritual-related attack.



According to sources, on Feb. 22 at about 7:30 p.m., Aliyu Ashabu of Kuidawa Village, a self-styled native doctor popularly known as “Boka,” lured Alhassan Usman into a nearby bush and pushed him into a well. The boy was later rescued on Feb. 23 by a Good Samaritan and taken to the General Hospital Katsina with varying degrees of injuries.

During the investigation, the suspect was traced, arrested, and reportedly confessed to the offense, claiming he was preparing charms for one Khalid, who is still at large.

The case remains under investigation for culpable homicide, unlawful juju, and cultism.

An independent security-focused media platform and analysis network that specializes in reporting, analysis, and fact-checking related to terrorism, insurgency, crime, and regional security issues—particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa. It’s widely known for providing timely, verifi...

25/02/2026

Court declines to hear El-Rufai's bail plea, says application premature

A Federal high court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday declined to hear a bail application by the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El'Rufai.
The court held that, since the former governor was not yet in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), talking about whether or not to grant him bail was premature. The court adjourned to April 23.

During the proceedings, lead counsel for the prosecution, Oluwole Aladeloye (SAN) informed the court that the defendant was not in court as he was still in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Counsel to the DSS argued that, following El-Rufai's absence in court, the issue of his bail as raised by the defense counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, did not arise at the stage.
In a brief ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik upheld the argument of the DSS that, since the defendant had not been formally arraigned, the issue of bail was premature. The judge adjourned till April 23 to enable the DSS liaise with the ICPC on how to produce the former governor in court.

The DSS had slammed a three-count charge against El-Rufai, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and for breaching the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

An independent security-focused media platform and analysis network that specializes in reporting, analysis, and fact-checking related to terrorism, insurgency, crime, and regional security issues—particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa. It’s widely known for providing timely, verifi...

25/02/2026

Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has directed security agencies to intensify operations and apprehend those responsible for Sunday’s deadly attack on Ratatis community in Dorowa Babuje, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, which claimed at least seven lives.

The governor gave the directive in a statement issued on Tuesday in Jos by the Commissioner for Information, Mrs Joyce Ramnap.

Mutfwang condemned the killings, describing them as “barbaric and senseless,” and a setback to the relative peace recorded through sustained dialogue, reconciliation and community engagement across the state.

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An independent security-focused media platform and analysis network that specializes in reporting, analysis, and fact-checking related to terrorism, insurgency, crime, and regional security issues—particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa. It’s widely known for providing timely, verifi...

08/02/2026

Read more here : 👇👇
https://zagazola.org/index.php/security-analysis/west-africa-sahel-security-brief-period-covered-1-7-february-2026

05/02/2026

Readership anniversary.
Thanks for all your support that started on this day, few years ago ! Aminu Ado, AuntyMaimuna Mustapha, Abubakar Musa, Olarotimi Oluwafemi Cornelius, Mustapha Thouhib, Bashiru Isah, Salisu Jauro Musa, Samaila Salisu Naibi Limantawa, Babatela Barayan Tumu, Adda U Dan Alhaji, Ali Bulama

05/02/2026

Excited to have you onboard! Abass Saleh, Uchenna E. Onyemerekwe, Mal Abba Bamalli, Habila Mati, Abdulwahab Ahmed Mala, Suleiman Muhammad C Engr, Yayah Oluwapelumi Tijani, Idris Rabiu, Abdussamad Salisu Musa, Abdulrahman Jibril Muh'd, Bello Zuttu, Emmanuel Ogbole Samuel, Hamisu Danshayi, Saubana Bashir Lawan, Musa Adamu Sheme, Sambo Mohammad, Anthony Eguavon, Alhaji Mohammed, Orban Alex, Abel Babuje, B.I. Enabs, Abubakar Ahmed Abba, Garba Tsiga, Abubakar Alh Ubali, Bala Mahmud, Abdullahi Musa Dokshi, Bn Salman Niger, Umar Bashir Umar, Lbrahim Aliyu, Sani Abdullahi, Idris Umar, Mohammed Isiyaku, Baba Gana Minjayi, Bamai Gudusu Ambiya Tasha, Aliyu Usman, Bello Samuel Dan-alfa, Abubakar Babale, Bashiru Ahmad, Smart Isma'îl Achida, Ibn Mustapha, Ibrahim Alh Umar, Buhari Bukar, Mustapha Umar Geidam, Abdullahi Kiri Abdullahi, Abdulsalam M. Kyari, Anas Muhammad Pakistán, Aminu Sama Ila Rarah, Wizzy Babae, Muh-Awwal Adefabi, Abu Katada Aliyu Sulaiman