News
Borno Commissioner Withdraws ‘Finger-Breaking’ Threat As Police Swing Into Action
Borno State Commissioner of Youths, Sports and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Saina Buba, has retracted his controversial remark threatening to cut off the finger of anyone who pointed at government officials.
While speaking at the City Boy Movement Empowerment Programme in Maiduguri, earlier in the week, Buba had threatened opponents of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Buba had reportedly declared that citizens who voted for the ruling party would be fed with honey, while those who refused to support them would face physical punishment by caning.
The aggressive rhetoric sparked sharp criticism from various quarters, with civil society groups and political observers warning that the comments threatened public safety, violated democratic norms, and endangered dissenting voices in the state.
Critics argued that such language from a serving public official was unbecoming and posed a direct threat to multi-party democracy.
But Buba held a press briefing where he said he had no apology for his comment on the ground that there was no opposition in Borno and no one could fairly accuse him of threatening opponets.
After the briefing, the widespread anger continued, with critics blaming authorities and saying the man showed no remorse.
On Tuesday, the police high command said it had launched a critical probe into the inciting comments made by Buba and two other APC chieftains.
Fielding questions from Defence Correspondents at a joint security briefing in Abuja, on Tuesday, the force spokesman, Anietie Iniedu, described the inciting comments particularly in relation to the electoral process, as “a criminal offence”.
He said, “On the issue of the Senator in Osun State, the Council Chairman in FCT and the Borno Commissioner’s inciting comments, I was part of the team that questioned the distinguished Senator in Osun State.
“The law is very clear when it comes to inciting. It is criminal to incite members of the public, especially as you comment on the electoral process,” he had said.
Hours after the comment of the police spokesman, Buba issued a statement to address the controversy.
He expressed regret over the uproar his comments caused and offered an unreserved apology to the people of Borno State.
“In recent days, a comment I made during the empowerment programme organised by the City Boy Movement in Maiduguri has generated considerable concern within the public space.”
“I wish to state, unequivocally, that my remark was never intended to harm or violate the fundamental rights of the people of our dear state to freedom of choice and association, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)” he said
While noting that he had previously attempted to clarify that the remark was not meant to be taken literally, the commissioner acknowledged the gravity of ongoing public concern, prompting him to issue a formal retraction
“I had earlier provided clarification that the comment was not intended to be taken in its literal sense.
“However, in view of the concern it has continued to generate, I am using this medium to retract my earlier statement formally and to apologise to the entire people of Borno State and beyond for any offence it may have caused.
“Let me state in categorical terms that my comment does not in any way represent the ideals of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of His Excellency, Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.
“This administration does not in any way undermine the rights of our citizenry. Rather, the party and the administration continue to uphold and respect every segment of our society, particularly our youth, who have remained steadfast supporters of both the party and the Zulum administration.
“Governor Zulum and the APC have consistently demonstrated a true democratic spirit over the past seven years, and this commitment will remain unwavering to the very end of his tenure.”
The United States has launched strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz, just hours before the country votes in the mid-term elections.
US officials told several American news outlets that the strikes were defensive in nature and meant to protect US assets in the region.
The officials added that the strikes were also in response to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing at a US aircraft.
The last confirmed US strikes on Iran were in September.
Trump previously said attacks would not resume until after the mid-terms.
On Saturday, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei instructed the country’s military to respond to any threats, without geographical restrictions.
Khamenei also ordered an expansion of the list of potential American and Israeli targets.
At the time, Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, said Trump had yet to decide whether to launch new missiles on Iran but would prefer to resolve the conflict diplomatically.
Trump has been facing plunging poll numbers and pressure from within his party to end the war, which began when the US and Israel attacked Iran in February.
Mohammad Ghalibaf, Iranian parliamentary speaker who is leading negotiations with the US, issued a fresh warning early Tuesday.
“The Iranian nation will not surrender to the enemy’s threats and military actions,” he said.
Ghalibaf added that Iran’s military and strategic response “will be unpredictable”.
At least 14 Islamic school students have been abducted in Pandogari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state.
Niger State Police Command spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident to journalists.
According to him, the incident occurred on Saturday afternoon.
Abiodun said the students were harvesting maize on a farm belonging to their teacher in Tungan-Bako village, when the gunmen attacked them.
The police spokesperson said, “On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm.
“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident.
“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated.”
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has kicked against a directive by the Central Bank of The Gambia ordering banks to sack non-Gambian employees.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NIDCOM, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the September 16 directive as deeply worrisome, saying it threatens the jobs of 57 Nigerian professionals.
Dabiri-Erewa, in a statement by NIDCOM spokesman Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG) had given banks till December 31, 2026, to replace all non-Gambian staff with Gambians.
NIDCOM said the affected Nigerians work with four Nigerian-owned banks and hold valid residency and work permits.
The Commission noted that the four banks are major players in the Gambian economy, controlling 37.2 per cent of total deposits valued at GMD35.3 billion, 32.6 per cent of loans amounting to GMD7.67 billion and 37 per cent of industry assets worth GMD44.78 billion.
The banks, it added, also account for 34.5 per cent of investments in Central Bank bonds and provided 90 per cent of funding for the National Water and Electricity Company, NAWEC.
While acknowledging The Gambia’s right to promote local employment, Dabiri-Erewa said such policy must respect existing contracts, valid work permits and ECOWAS protocols on free movement.
She said, “It is contradictory to encourage African investment and regional cooperation while displacing qualified African professionals.”
NIDCOM urged the apex bank to reverse the blanket directive and engage the Nigerian High Commission in Banjul and other stakeholders for an amicable resolution.
It also called on Gambian authorities to uphold the spirit of ECOWAS integration and the long-standing cordial relations between Nigeria and The Gambia.
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