The recent expulsion of Precious Mbakwe, a 300- level female student of History and International Studies of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) by the institution’s management for assaulting a lecturer of the school is a commendable sanction. The decision sends a clear message about maintaining discipline and respect within academic institutions.
In a letter signed by the university registrar, Victor Modebelu, and addressed to Mbakwe, the university said the students disciplinary committee found her guilty of assault on a lecturer, Chukwudi Okoye, in the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies. The letter further noted that the student violated the Students Disciplinary Regulations particularly Regulation 4 (SDR). This formal documentation shows the university’s commitment to following proper procedures in disciplinary matters.
According to reports, trouble started when Mbakwe pounced on the lecturer, bit him multiple times, and tore his clothes for allegedly interrupting her TikTok video recording along the Faculty of Arts corridor. In response to the uproar, the university management launched a full-scale investigation into the incident. The severity of the assault warranted immediate attention from the institution’s authorities.
We unequivocally condemn the offensive against the lecturer. Acts of violence and misconduct are antithetical to the values of academic inquiry and should have no place within our educational establishments. This physical attack represents a grave breach of trust and conduct, a violation of the very foundation upon which a safe and productive learning surroundings is built.
Such mien cannot be tolerated in any educational setting, as it undermines the principles of respect, intellectual freedom, and the pursuit of knowledge that are essential to our scholarly community. We stand in solidarity with the victim and commit to fostering a campus culture where such occurrences are not only unacceptable but actively prevented.
Mbakwe’s reported action is an embarrassment to the student body and does not represent the values of the Nigerian student locale, which emphasises integrity, respect, and accountability. Such conduct besmirches the reputation of not only the individual but also the broader pedagogical community, which works diligently to uphold high standards of behaviour, professionalism, and academic excellence
We urge the university authorities to take a more decisive action by involving the police in the matter. The serious nature of this episode goes beyond what academic penalties can address. Such action would create a strong precedent, reinforcing the message that violence is intolerable and ensuring that future matters are met with appropriate legal consequences.
The academic milieu must be preserved as a space characterised by respect and learning. It serves as a foundational framework for intellectual growth and the exchange of ideas. Universities, in particular, play a critical and influential role in shaping the future leaders and professionals of society. Given this paramount responsibility, it becomes essential to maintain high standards of action and foster an atmosphere of mutual respect.
Proper channels exist for students to raise concerns and seek resolution of issues they face. Students should utilise these official processes and avoid actions that could harm their educational prospects. The established systems for addressing grievances provide constructive ways to resolve conflicts without resorting to disruptive etiquette.
Respect for lecturers lies at the heart of meaningful learned discourse. When students show genuine regard for their teachers’ expertise and experience, it creates a habitat conducive to erudition and intellectual advancement. This means actively participating in discussions, meeting deadlines, and approaching disagreements with maturity.
University rules serve as the framework that enables thousands of students and staff to coexist and work productively. These regulations, from library policies to examination procedures, are not arbitrary restrictions but carefully considered guidelines that protect erudite integrity and ensure fair treatment for all. Adhering to these guidelines enables students to foster a structured and effective educational environment while enhancing their abilities in complying with institutional regulations.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) should issue a formal statement condemning this disruptive comportment and urge all students to maintain decent conduct on campus. The union must emphasise the seriousness of treating lecturers and university administrators with due respect, while fostering an instructional environment that promotes constructive dialogue and mutual understanding between students and the authorities.
This incident should serve as a learning opportunity for all stakeholders in the Nigerian education system about the magnitude of maintaining decorum and following established protocols for conflict resolution. It reinforces the need for continuous dialogue about pertinent demeanour in intellectual settings while adapting to changing social norms.

The recent revelations by former Labour leader and current Chair of the Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, have exposed a deeply troubling reality in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. His disclosure that former military generals and foreign operators have systematically seized control of the country’s mineral deposits illuminates the extent of institutional decay and regulatory capture plaguing this vital economic sector.
Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake’s confirmation of these allegations strengthens Oshiomhole’s claims. The minister’s clear identification of “powerful Nigerians” as the masterminds behind illegal mining operations, along with their alleged ties to terrorist financing networks, paints a troubling picture of the complex web of corruption that is undermining national security.
The audacious manner in which these mining syndicates operate reflects their deeply entrenched position within Nigeria’s power structure. Their apparent immunity from prosecution or oversight demonstrates how thoroughly they have infiltrated key institutions, enabling them to continue their exploitative activities without fear of consequences. This systemic failure has persisted across multiple administrations, highlighting the challenge of confronting these well-connected networks.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tepid response to detailed intelligence briefings about the crisis represented a significant failure of leadership. The current administration under President Bola Tinubu appears to be following a similar pattern of inaction, raising serious questions about the political will to address the endemic corruption. This continued paralysis suggests either inability or unwillingness to challenge powerful vested interests.
The grim contrast between enforcement approaches in different regions of Nigeria reveals troubling inconsistencies in governance. While unauthorised petroleum refineries in the Niger Delta face swift and severe military action, illegal mining operations in the North continue largely unimpeded. This disparity in enforcement not only undermines the rule of law but also fuels regional tensions and perceptions of discriminatory treatment.
Selective enforcement practices by the government have created a dangerous precedent. Small-scale refiners in the South face immediate persecution, while large-scale illegal mining operations in the North proceed with apparent impunity. The uneven application of law enforcement has exacerbated security challenges and deepened existing regional divisions.
Shamefully, the deafening silence from authorities regarding widespread corruption in the mining sector strongly suggests high-level complicity. The “conspiracy of silence” has created an atmosphere of resignation among citizens, who witness the systematic looting of their national resources by a privileged few operating outside the bounds of law and accountability.
Further compounding this crisis is the psychological impact on the Nigerian populace. The visible impunity enjoyed by these mining cartels has fostered a sense of helplessness among ordinary citizens, who increasingly view government institutions as serving the interests of a corrupt elite rather than the general public.
Immediate and decisive actions are required to dismantle these criminal networks and restore integrity to the mining sector. Superficial reforms or symbolic gestures will prove insufficient; what’s required is a comprehensive strategy to investigate, prosecute, and punish all parties involved in illegal mining activities, regardless of their status or connections.
No one can imagine the security implications of allowing illegal mining to continue unchecked. The illicit funds generated from these operations provide essential financing for criminal organisations and extremist groups, creating a direct link between mineral theft and national security challenges. Addressing illegal mining therefore becomes critical for both economic and security reasons.
Reform of the extractive sector must extend beyond enforcement to include comprehensive regulatory overhaul. New frameworks must be established to ensure all mining operations adhere to strict environmental standards and contribute appropriately to national development. This includes implementing transparent permitting processes and ensuring proper revenue collection and distribution.
Transforming Nigeria’s mining sector represents a vital test of governance and national resolve. Success requires not only technical solutions but also the political courage to confront entrenched interests and implement lasting reforms. The future prosperity of Nigeria depends remarkably on whether its leaders can summon the will to protect and properly manage its vast mineral resources for the benefit of all citizens.

The intensified Nigerian Military campaigns against terrorists and bandits in the North have started to produce promising results, signalling a cogent turning point in the nation’s battle against insecurity. For years, these despicable elements have inflicted intolerable levels of hardships on innocent civilians, disrupting lives, livelihoods, and communities with unrestrained violence.
However, the military incursion, characterised by strategic raids, airstrikes, and well-coordinated operations, has considerably constrained their activities, leaving them on the defensive. The once-emboldened insurgents and bandits, who operated with impunity and plunged the North into chaos, are now feeling the heat gravely and are unable to prolong their reign of terror.
The aggressive push by the military is a welcome development, as it restores hope to the millions of Nigerians who have long yearned for peace and stability in the region. The exacerbating strikes disrupt not just the movement and operations of the criminals but also their supply chains, logistics, and communication networks, weakening their ability to regroup and reorganise.
The triumphs are a proof of the resolve of the Nigerian government and the armed forces to address insecurity directly, boosting the confidence of citizens in their efforts. However, maintaining this momentum is critical. Continued investment in intelligence, technology, and collaboration with local communities will not only solidify the progress made but also guarantee the ultimate eradication of these felons.
Nonetheless, the growing influx of battle-weary outlaws into the South-West region is becoming a cause for concern, as it raises questions about the security and stability of the area. This move by the culprits to establish a base for their illegal activities is seen as a calculated strategy, highlighting the changing tactics of terror groups and banditry networks.
Reports of security operatives apprehending suspected members of these groups during training sessions in Osun State indicate the seriousness of the situation. Such incidents not only suggest a possible increase in violence but also highlight the growing vulnerabilities within the South-West, a region that was once considered relatively shielded from the insecurity affecting other parts of the country.
The arrests in Osun State are just one example of the broader threat facing the area. With terror groups reportedly regrouping in large numbers, the implications for governance, economic development, and societal peace are profound. The porous nature of security infrastructure, the vast terrain, and the availability of soft targets make the region an enticing option for these outlaws to establish a base.
If left unchecked, the attempts of these felons to infiltrate the South-West could potentially lead to a spillover of terror and devastation experienced elsewhere. Therefore, it is vital to bolster intelligence-gathering mechanisms, enhance community-based surveillance, and ensure the rapid deployment of security forces to thwart the machinations of these bad actors before their activities escalate into a full-blown crisis. Proactive measures are needed now more than ever to protect the region from descending into a state of chaos.
Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has lately increased its efforts to ensure national security by conducting strategic operations in parts of Ijesaland, leading to the arrest of numerous individuals allegedly involved in terrorist activities. Acting on credible intelligence, the DSS carried out preemptive raids across several locations within the state, targeting individuals whose presence and actions posed potential threats to safety.
Among those apprehended were illegal immigrants who failed to present valid residential permits or provide satisfactory explanations for their presence and mission in both the state and the country at large. The operation calls attention to the agency’s commitment to safeguarding national integrity and underscores the extensive issue of porous borders, which have facilitated the convergence of undocumented aliens.
Given these developments, all the governors in the South should act in unison and strategise against the security threats posed by the terrorists to avoid being caught off guard. The South-South and South-East geopolitical zones should establish regional security outfits like their South-West counterpart. This requires cooperation with all other relevant stakeholders, such as socio-cultural groups and non-governmental organisations, that are willing to help in warding off criminals from the Southern part of the country.
On April 11, 2021, South-East governors announced the formation of a new regional security group called ‘Ebube Agu’ after a meeting at the Imo State Government House. This decision came in response to violent attacks on police and correctional facilities. Unfortunately, the initiative was not followed through and has since faded away. The lack of response from the South-South region is depressing. It is important that governors prioritise the security of their respective zones.
As the military ramps up its campaign against terrorists and bandits in the North, the temptation for survivors to flee to relatively peaceful locations, particularly in the South, is real. However, it is the duty of leadership to clearly communicate that they will not find refuge in the forests of states within the three geo-political zones in the South.
We hope that the apprehension of suspected trainee terrorists in Osun State will serve as a stark warning of the dangers that lie ahead. It underlines the need for all Southern states to strengthen their vigilance and preparedness. If rogue elements fleeing from the North wrongly assume that they can regroup and find solace in the South, their plans must be met with strategic defence mechanisms and a united regional response.