Social media reactions highlight deepening fears over banditry as Nigerians question police tactics and government response

A video circulating widely on social media has allegedly captured a group of heavily armed men moving past police officers in an unidentified northern Nigerian community, drawing strong reactions and renewed concern over insecurity. The footage, which emerged on Monday, shows the armed group travelling through a populated area while visibly outnumbered police officers stand nearby. The exact location and circumstances remain unverified as at press time.

The viral clip quickly became a topic of intense debate among Nigerians online. Many users voiced alarm about the country’s ongoing security challenges, especially in states like Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto and Niger where bandit attacks and kidnappings have persisted despite military operations. Some viewers accused government of failing to address the situation effectively, while others defended the officers seen in the video, citing the overwhelming firepower of the armed men compared to the limited number of policemen present.

One social media user commented that “the police guy was hailing them like he knew them,” expressing frustration at what was seen as a lack of resistance. Another wrote, “Tinubu and his APC government doesn’t have the political will to end insecurity in Nigeria… Just look at this nonsense.” In contrast, some users argued that expecting two officers to confront a large armed group would be unrealistic and dangerous. “What would you have the 2 Police Officers do? They were literally outnumbered, and needed to stay alive,” another user wrote.

The incident has reignited conversations about rising insecurity across northern Nigeria and beyond. Many citizens are calling for more effective security measures and accountability from authorities. Some went further by alleging government complicity in the attacks without providing evidence, reflecting growing mistrust among segments of the population.

As at now, neither federal nor state security agencies have issued an official statement regarding the video or its context. Previous incidents involving armed groups have led to calls for better equipment and support for frontline police and military personnel. Security analysts say that unless more proactive steps are taken by government at all levels—including improved intelligence gathering and local community engagement—banditry and violent attacks may continue to threaten lives across affected regions.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/watch-nigerians-react-as-viral-video-shows-alleged-armed-bandits-moving-past-police-officers-2026062419182296025

Canadian Minister hails Nigeria as key partner, urges deeper collaboration in energy, agriculture, and clean tech sectors

Nigeria’s bilateral merchandise trade with Canada has risen to $3 billion as at 2025, reaffirming Nigeria’s position as Canada’s second-largest trading partner on the African continent. The milestone was announced on Monday at the opening of the sixth Canada-Africa Business Conference held in Lagos.

The two-day event, organised by the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business in collaboration with Zenith Bank Plc, brought together leading investors, policymakers, and business executives from both countries and across Africa. Delegates focused on unlocking opportunities for increased trade and investment in sectors including financial services, infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, and clean technology.

Addressing participants through a message to the conference, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney commended organisers for their efforts in strengthening economic links between Africa and Canada. In his remarks at the event, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, highlighted Nigeria’s growing importance to Canadian business interests and called for renewed efforts to expand partnerships across emerging sectors.

“Nigeria remains an essential partner for Canada in Africa. We see significant potential for growth not only in traditional commodities but also in areas like renewable energy and digital innovation,” Sidhu said.

The conference also featured panel discussions on financing cross-border projects and fostering innovation-driven economies. Stakeholders emphasised that deeper cooperation could unlock new jobs and drive inclusive growth across both countries. Many delegates advocated for regulatory reforms and improved infrastructure to ease business operations between Nigeria and Canadian firms.

The event is expected to lead to new commercial agreements and further boost bilateral ties going forward. Stakeholders will continue engagement after the conference concludes Tuesday, with follow-up meetings planned between government officials and private sector leaders.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria-canada-bilateral-trade-hits-3bn/

Move aims to expand access for grassroots coaches; state FAs set to play bigger role in training programmes

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has revealed a new plan to decentralise coaching education across the country, with the goal of making training more accessible to coaches at all levels. Gusau made this announcement on Wednesday, 24 June, during an official engagement in Abuja.

According to Gusau, the NFF intends to move away from a centralised system of organising coaching courses and instead empower state football associations (FAs) to conduct training at the grassroots. This initiative is designed to address long-standing complaints about limited access and high costs that have prevented many aspiring coaches from participating in NFF-accredited programmes.

The NFF president said that decentralisation will allow state FAs to organise coaching courses within their localities, under guidelines and supervision provided by the national body. “We believe that by bringing coaching education closer to the people, we can discover more talent and improve the standard of football in every part of Nigeria,” Gusau stated.

Industry observers note that this marks a significant policy shift for Nigerian football administration. Many grassroots coaches have previously complained about having to travel long distances or pay high fees for certification courses usually held in Abuja or Lagos. The NFF’s new approach is expected to benefit coaches from remote areas and support football development at community level.

While details on implementation timelines are yet to be announced, Gusau assured stakeholders that modalities will soon be communicated through state associations. He urged local FA chairmen to prepare for active involvement in the process, promising that the NFF will provide technical support and ensure uniform standards nationwide.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/football/890416-nff-to-decentralise-coaching-education-gusau.html