Television Nigerian

Professor Wules Shuyena has voiced solidarity with Nigerians who felt overlooked by the latest National Honours awards, acknowledging that any single honours list will inevitably omit worthy contributors across the nation’s myriad professions—from the military and clergy to academia, market traders, factory workers, and beyond.

Speaking on the enduring significance of June 12, 1993, Shuyena urged recognition of all honourees as “mere representatives of a past movement,” and invited reflection on Nigeria’s democratic journey since that watershed date. He noted that every state in Nigeria now operates under democratic rule, yet raised concerns about free speech and the recent pattern of arrests, questioning whether the country has genuinely deepened its democracy over the past three decades.

Shuyena also pondered the phenomenon of widespread acquiescence to military rule, both in Nigeria and across West Africa. He suggested that some segments of society may possess a “slave gene,” willingly accepting authoritarian governance—pointing to the enthusiastic popular reception military regimes have at times enjoyed. He recalled that, even during the political unrest of two years ago, some Nigerians first turned to military headquarters for resolution.

Through his remarks, Professor Shuyena invited Nigerians to both honor the June 12 heroes and critically assess the nation’s democratic health, reminding listeners that true progress requires vigilance, inclusion, and the courage to demand accountability.

The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed that the man who momentarily disrupted President Bola Tinubu’s address in Kaduna on June 20, 2025, is Umar Mohammed, a native of Anguwan Muazu and a registered member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

During President Tinubu’s televised speech at a stadium event in Kaduna, video footage captured the moment an intruder dashed toward the stage, causing the President to pause mid‑sentence as bodyguards swiftly intervened. The People’s Gazette first reported the incident, describing it as a “security breach” that left attendees and viewers momentarily alarmed.

Police Identification and Background

Police Spokesperson Mansir Hassan released a statement on June 21, 2025, confirming that the intruder was indeed Umar Mohammed. According to Hassan:

• Mental Health: Mohammed “was born with psychiatric disorders; he is of unsound mind.”

• Political Affiliation: Despite his condition, he is “an ardent supporter of Mr. President and the governor.”

• Motivation: Upon interrogation, Mohammed admitted he acted “out of anxiety and emotional excitement,” driven by a longtime desire to meet both the President and the Kaduna State Governor.

How He Gained Stadium Access

Security protocols at the venue involved screening thousands of APC supporters who entered wearing campaign T‑shirts and carrying banners. Mohammed passed the same screening process, blending in with the crowd until his sudden sprint toward the podium. The incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in large‑scale political event security, especially when mental health factors are at play.

Official Response and Next Steps

Major steps taken by the Kaduna State Police Command include:

1. Medical Evaluation: Mohammed has been transferred to a psychiatric facility for evaluation and treatment.

2. Security Review: Authorities are conducting a comprehensive review of screening procedures to prevent similar breaches.

3. Public Assurance: Spokesperson Hassan emphasised that the President’s safety was never at serious risk and that “any breach of this nature will be thoroughly investigated.”

Implications for Political Event Security

This event underscores the need for:

• Enhanced Mental Health Screening: Integrating basic psychological assessments into security checks for large gatherings.

• Targeted Training: Equipping event security teams to recognise and respond to non‑violent disruptions caused by individuals in distress.

• Crowd Management: Balancing open access for genuine supporters with robust protocols to identify potential risks.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a strong warning to the public about the rise of online scams falsely linked to the agency. The NCS highlighted the surge in fraudulent recruitment and auction offers circulating on social media platforms, stressing that the service does not conduct recruitment or auctions online.

Speaking in Abuja, the National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, expressed concern over fake social media accounts impersonating senior customs officials, including the Comptroller-General of Customs, to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians. He described these scams as criminal schemes designed to defraud citizens and damage the reputation of the NCS.

Maiwada announced the arrest of Mr. Okoli Okana Boniface, who allegedly manipulated the recruitment process while falsely claiming to be an aide to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The arrest, handled by the Customs Police Unit, demonstrated the NCS’s commitment to protecting the integrity of its operations. Further investigations are ongoing to identify and prosecute other fraudsters involved in similar scams.

The NCS urged Nigerians to verify all recruitment and auction information via official channels and to avoid dealing with unverified social media accounts. Maiwada reaffirmed the service’s zero-tolerance policy on fraud, encouraging the public to report suspicious activities.

“The NCS remains dedicated to exposing and prosecuting those who attempt to compromise our operations through fraudulent means,” Maiwada said.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale, has issued a strong warning to residents and officers in Abuja regarding bribery and unlawful detentions. The CP emphasized that offering or accepting bribes is a criminal offence under Section 118 of the Penal Code Act. He called on citizens to resist the temptation of bribing police officers and urged officers to maintain professionalism and integrity.

CP Adewale’s directive follows multiple complaints from residents about illegal detentions over bailable offences, extortion, and police interference in civil disputes, particularly those involving land matters. He ordered the immediate release of all suspects detained for minor, bailable offences, provided proper documentation and surety verification are completed.

In a statement released by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the CP reiterated that bail is free and warned that any officer caught demanding money for bail or documentation would face disciplinary measures. He also cautioned officers against involvement in civil disputes, stressing that such matters fall outside the jurisdiction of the police.

Furthermore, CP Adewale condemned the practice of demanding payment before initiating investigations, describing it as extortion and an abuse of office. He urged residents not to misuse police services for debt recovery or personal disputes and encouraged the public to report misconduct via the FCT Complaint Response Unit (CRU) at 08107314192.

The FCT Police Command assured the public of its commitment to accountability, respect for human rights, and the delivery of professional policing services across Abuja.