News
Northern youths group reject FG state police proposal
The Northern Youth Council (NYC) of Nigeria has warned against the Federal Government’s proposed creation of state police, branding it a “misplaced priority” that would do little to reform the nation’s beleaguered security architecture.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna, NYCN National President, Isah Abubakar, said the plan threatens to compound existing problems such as underfunding, manpower shortages, cramped welfare packages, poor equipment, and alleged corruption in security agencies.
“It is a misplaced priority. Creating state police is simply a waste of time. What we need is a commitment to fix and strengthen the current system,” Abubakar said.
He maintained that existing institutions, especially the Nigeria Police Force, struggle with systemic constraints, including inadequate budgets and staff, outdated logistics, and operational inefficiencies.
Highlighting the political risks of a state-controlled police force, Abubakar warned that such an entity could become a tool for intimidation and suppression.
“Nigerian politicians are not yet mature enough to handle a security structure without federal oversight.
“We are convinced they will abuse the authority entrusted to state police and violate citizens’ fundamental rights,” he said.
Several states have recently mooted the establishment of regional security outfits, and proponents argue they’re needed to address unique local threats.
However, the NYCN leader argued that such motives alone were not enough to justify what could become a politically weaponised tool.
Against this backdrop, Abubakar proposed the immediate inauguration of a committee to overhaul and expand the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, the nation with a population exceeding 200 million currently operates with fewer than 300,000 officers, which is inadequate.
“We are proposing a law enforcement body of at least five million officers. That number better aligns with contemporary demands and demographic realities.
“History will vindicate us. In moments of crucial national decisions like this, we must add our voice and say no to state police.
“The alternative is to build a stronger, better-resourced, and more accountable federal police force—not a politically segmented one,” he stated.
We reports that in a statement on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu, while lamenting the recent spate of bandit attacks in the North, disclosed that plans were underway to establish state police.
“I am reviewing all the aspects of security; I have to create a state police. We are looking at that holistically. We will defeat insecurity. We must protect our children, our people, our livelihood, our places of worship, and our recreational spaces. They can’t intimidate us”, the President revealed.
However, there have been ongoing debates around the proposed creation of state police, which have elicited mixed reactions.
Opponents argue that existing issues within the Nigerian Police Force—such as underfunding, lack of personnel, and poor welfare—should be addressed before considering creating additional policing agencies.
International News
Transfer: Real Madrid , Cucurella Reach Verbal Agreement
Chelsea reliable defender, Marc Cucurella may join Spanish giant, Real Madrid before the end of the current transfer window.if information from transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano are anything to go by.
Romano In a latest transfer update, said Real Madrid has reached verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.
“Verbal agreement in place between all parties, player too — he’s the left back wanted by Mourinho” the update read.
News
Hakimi, Vinicius Barred From Speaking Spanish At World Cup
FIFA has come under scrutiny after several high-profile players, including Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Junior, were discouraged from speaking Spanish during media engagements at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The issue first surfaced ahead of Morocco’s Group C clash with Brazil when a Spanish-speaking journalist attempted to question Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi in Spanish.
Despite Hakimi, who grew up in Madrid and speaks the language fluently, indicating he was comfortable answering in Spanish, event officials reportedly insisted that questions be asked in English.
Hakimi attempted to reassure organizers that language would not be a barrier, but officials maintained that no Spanish translator was available for the session. A compromise was eventually reached, with the reporter asking the question in Spanish while Hakimi responded in English.
The controversy intensified during Brazil’s media session when Vinicius Junior was also interrupted while responding to a question in Spanish.
The Real Madrid forward, who is more comfortable speaking Portuguese or Spanish than English, was reportedly asked by organizers to switch languages.
Rather than continue in Spanish, Vinicius opted to answer in Portuguese before turning his attention back to Brazil’s World Cup preparations.
The incidents sparked widespread debate among journalists and fans, many of whom questioned why Spanish—a language spoken by millions across North America—was effectively restricted at a tournament being hosted largely in the United States.
According to Spanish media outlet El País, FIFA only provides Spanish-language translation services at World Cup press conferences involving Spanish-speaking nations such as Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.
For all other teams, questions and answers are expected to be conducted either in English or the official language of the participating country.
The policy has generated criticism online, with many supporters arguing that multilingual communication should be encouraged at a global event like the World Cup.
The backlash was particularly strong in Vinicius’ case, as the Brazilian forward appeared visibly uncomfortable being asked to communicate in English.
The controversy overshadowed what was otherwise a highly anticipated encounter between Brazil and Morocco, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
With the issue now drawing international attention, FIFA may face increasing calls to review its media language guidelines as the tournament progresses.
News
It’s Illegal’…Falana’s Bombshell Indicts Govs, FG.
Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has warned federal and state governments against negotiating with and rewarding terrorists.
According to Falana, the practice is illegal.
He stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Amnesty International Second Annual General Meeting in Abuja on June 13, 2026.
Falana claimed it is public knowledge officials of the Federal Government and some State Governments have been holding meetings and negotiating with terrorists and bandits, which has led to thousands of ‘repentant’ criminals being forgiven and given cash gifts of undisclosed sums of money.
Asserting that the “satanic Boko Haram sect and similar bodies have been proscribed” under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, Falana insisted that “their members and allies shall be prosecuted and not pampered and forgiven by the Nigerian State.”
Highlighting the legal consequences, he quoted Section 22 of the Act, stating: “A person who knowingly—(a) arranges, manages, assists in arranging or managing, participates in a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, (b) collects, or provides logistics, equipment, information, articles or facilities for a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, or (c) attends a meeting, which in his knowledge is to support a proscribed entity or to further the objectives of a proscribed entity, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of at least 20 years.”
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