News Security March 17, 2026 Eid-el-Fitr: NSCDC mobilises massive 3,400-strong force in Kano

 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kano State Command, has deployed over 3,400 personnel across the state to ensure security before, during, and after the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

The State Commandant, Hassan Mohammed Agalama, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Idris Abdullahi, noting that the deployment is part of proactive measures to guarantee peaceful festivities and protect critical national assets.

According to him, operatives have been strategically positioned at Eid praying grounds, recreational centres, markets, motor parks, and other vulnerable public locations across Kano State.

“We have deployed over 3,400 personnel across the state as part of proactive measures to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free Eid-el-Fitr celebration,” Agalama said.

He added that special attention had been given to the protection of critical infrastructure, including power installations, water facilities, telecommunication masts, and other government assets.

Agalama said intelligence and surveillance units had been strengthened, while rapid response teams were placed on high alert to address emergencies.

“Our operatives have been strategically stationed at Eid grounds, markets, motor parks, and other public places, while rapid response teams are on standby to respond promptly to any security threat,” he added.

The commandant further stated that the corps would continue to work closely with other security agencies to maintain law and order throughout the festive period.

He urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with security operatives, and report any suspicious movements to the appropriate authorities.

He also advised parents and guardians to caution their wards against engaging in unlawful acts during the celebrations.

The commandant reassured residents of the corps’ commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging them to celebrate the Eid peacefully and responsibly.

Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that the Kwara State Command of the NSCDC had deployed 2,350 operatives across the state to ensure a safe and peaceful Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

The command warned that it would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt public peace, stressing that offenders would be dealt with decisively in accordance with the law.

Eid-el-Fitr is expected to be held on Thursday, March 19 or Friday, March 20, 2026.

News March 17, 2026 BREAKING: Tinubu orders security chiefs to Maiduguri as terror attacks escalate

 

President Bola Tinubu has ordered top security chiefs to immediately relocate to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and assume direct control of the worsening security situation following a wave of terror attacks.

The President also reaffirmed his administration’s determination to crush criminal and terrorist elements across the country, declaring that intensified operations are already underway.

In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, Tinubu described the latest attacks in Maiduguri as deeply distressing. He mourned those who lost their lives, extended sympathy to the injured, and expressed solidarity with the people of Borno State during what he called a difficult period.

He stressed that the attacks are signs of desperation by terrorist groups facing sustained military pressure.

“These acts of terror are the final, frantic attempts by criminals seeking to spread fear as they come under relentless pressure from our armed forces and security agencies,” Tinubu said.

“We will not relent. Our efforts against all criminal elements, wherever they operate, will be intensified.”

The President commended Nigerian troops for their bravery in repelling coordinated assaults on military formations in the state, describing the attackers as “evil-minded groups” whose actions will be decisively crushed.

“Our gallant military, alongside civilian task forces, will hunt them down and put an end to their activities,” he added.

Tinubu also revealed that he had recently approved additional military equipment and operational support following a high-level security meeting with intelligence and defence chiefs.

“That process is already in motion,” he said. “Furthermore, I have directed security chiefs to move immediately to Maiduguri and take full charge of operations. Emergency agencies have also been instructed to ensure proper medical care for the injured.”

News March 17, 2026 NBA speaks on Judge’s order for Lawyer to kneel in Court

 

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticised Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja for instructing a lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, to kneel during proceedings.

Abubakar, who serves as lead defence counsel to Sowore, upset the judge when he spoke loudly while arguing that the date fixed for the defence to begin its case was inconvenient. In response, Justice Umar directed him to step out of the bar area and kneel.

Reacting to the incident, NBA President Afam Osigwe stated that no judge has the authority to compel a lawyer to kneel in court.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Osigwe said such an order is not recognised as a lawful judicial sanction and falls short of the standards expected of judicial conduct.

He emphasised that maintaining the dignity of the court involves not only decisions but also the manner in which authority is exercised. According to him, if a judge believes someone has acted contemptuously, proper legal procedures must be followed in addressing such behaviour.

Osigwe further noted that while lawyers are expected to act with professionalism, restraint, and respect, they also have a duty to represent their clients firmly and without fear—provided they remain within the bounds of courtesy and decorum.

He added that disagreements with the court, no matter how strong, should be expressed through appropriate legal means and not in ways that disrupt proceedings or undermine judicial authority.

The NBA president concluded by stressing that the legal profession depends on a careful balance built on mutual respect between lawyers and judges, a relationship that is vital to the proper administration of justice and must be protected.

News March 17, 2026 Oil prices rise again amid mounting concerns over strait of Hormuz

 

Global oil prices climbed again on Tuesday as tensions escalated around the Strait of Hormuz, with several countries resisting calls from Donald Trump to help secure the critical waterway, which Iran has effectively shut.

The latest gains partly offset sharp losses recorded a day earlier after International Energy Agency (IEA) suggested that additional oil stockpiles could be released if necessary.

Despite the geopolitical strain, global equities extended gains from Monday, buoyed by a rally in tech stocks after Nvidia projected it could generate at least $1 trillion in revenue by the end of 2027.

Investors are also closely watching upcoming central bank decisions this week, with expectations that interest rate hikes may resume to counter inflationary pressures driven by rising crude oil prices.

Over the weekend, Trump urged European and other allies to collaborate in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a shared responsibility. However, the response has been muted. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the conflict sparked by US-Israeli strikes on Iran was not a NATO issue, while countries including Britain, Spain, Poland, Greece, and Sweden distanced themselves from the proposal. Australia and Japan also declined involvement.

Trump warned that refusal to act could negatively impact the future of NATO and indicated he had postponed a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the situation.

With no clear resolution in sight, both major oil benchmarks surged more than two percent, hovering around $100 per barrel.

Earlier declines had followed comments by IEA chief Fatih Birol, who noted that member nations could tap into strategic reserves if required, after already approving a record release of 400 million barrels.

Market sentiment was also supported by reports from Marine Traffic indicating that a Pakistani oil tanker successfully passed through Hormuz—the first non-Iranian vessel to do so with its tracking system active.

However, instability in the region persists. Drone strikes hit major oil facilities in the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, while Israel reported extensive strikes in Tehran and attacks targeting Hezbollah positions in Beirut. Additionally, a drone and rocket attack targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early Tuesday.

Stock markets across Asia continued to climb, defying the spike in oil prices, with Seoul leading gains amid strong performances by semiconductor giants. Other major markets, including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, and Manila, also recorded notable increases, following positive closes on Wall Street.

Still, analysts remain cautious. Chris Weston of Pepperstone noted that confidence in a sustained rally in risk assets remains low, warning that recent developments do not yet signal a clear de-escalation of tensions or a lasting reduction in energy market risks.

News March 17, 2026 Food inflation rises again, hits 12.12%

 

Nigeria’s annual food inflation climbed to 12.12% in February, up from 8.89% recorded in January, signaling renewed pressure on household food expenses.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its February Consumer Price Index report released Tuesday, the surge was driven by higher prices of key staples such as beans, yam flour, cassava, and crayfish.

On a month-on-month basis, food inflation also rebounded, rising to 4.69% in February after two months of decline, compared to –6.02% in January.

Meanwhile, the country’s headline inflation rate recorded a slight drop to 15.06% in February from 15.10% in January, reflecting a marginal decrease of 0.04 percentage points. Year-on-year, headline inflation fell significantly by 11.21 percentage points from 26.27% in February 2025.

However, on a monthly basis, headline inflation rose by 2.01% in February, indicating a faster pace of increase in the general price level compared to January’s –2.88%.

The latest inflation trend comes amid a rise in global oil prices. Brent crude increased by 3.67% to $103.39 per barrel on Tuesday, up from its previous close of $100.21, as geopolitical tensions intensified around the Strait of Hormuz.

Further analysis showed that the average annual food inflation rate for the 12 months ending February 2026 stood at 19.08%, significantly lower than the 37.40% recorded in the same period of 2025.

At the state level, Kogi recorded the highest food inflation at 26.91%, followed by Adamawa (23.12%) and Benue (21.89%). In contrast, Katsina (5.09%), Bauchi (7.09%), and Imo (7.65%) recorded the slowest increases.

On a month-on-month basis, Bayelsa (8.81%), Ebonyi (8.51%), and Edo (7.72%) recorded the highest increases in food inflation, while Katsina (-0.70%) saw a slight decline.