*Alerts residents as bandits flee military operations

By Francesca Hangeior

The Sokoto State Government has issued a warning to residents to remain vigilant as military operations against bandit terrorists intensify in the eastern part of the state and surrounding areas.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security Matters, retired Colonel Ahmed Usman, the government highlighted the success of the ongoing joint military operations, which have left the bandits disorganised.

The statement explained that multiple terrorist enclaves have been destroyed, dozens of bandits neutralised, and hundreds of kidnapped victims rescued.

The statement urged residents to be cautious and report any suspicious activities in their communities.

“As security forces increase pressure on the bandits, some of them are fleeing to other areas with injured members. We are raising awareness to ensure our people remain alert, as these bandits may attempt to hide in villages or seek medical treatment at local clinics under disguise,” the statement read.

The government reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies to restore peace and stability in the state, adding that residents were encouraged to play an active role by reporting unusual activities to the authorities to support the ongoing efforts to secure the region.

“This proactive measure aligns with the governor’s nine-point agenda to create a safer and more economically viable Sokoto State.

“The government remains determined to work collaboratively with security operatives to protect citizens and maintain peace in the state,” the statement concluded.

By Francesca Hangeior

As President Donald Trump cracks down on immigrants in the U.S. illegally, some families are wondering if it is safe to send their children to school.

In many districts, educators have sought to reassure immigrant parents that schools are safe places for their kids, despite the president’s campaign pledge to carry out mass deportations. But fears intensified for some when the Trump administration announced Tuesday it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches and hospitals, ending a decades-old policy.

“Oh, dear God! I can’t imagine why they would do that,” said Carmen, an immigrant from Mexico, after hearing that the Trump administration had rescinded the policy against arrests in “sensitive locations.”

She plans to take her two grandchildren, ages 6 and 4, to their school Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area unless she hears from school officials it is not safe.

“What has helped calm my nerves is knowing that the school stands with us and promised to inform us if it’s not safe at school,” said Carmen, who spoke on condition that only her first name be used, out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials.

Immigrants across the country have been anxious about Trump’s pledge to deport millions of people. While fears of raids did not come to pass on the administration’s first day, rapid changes on immigration policy have left many confused and uncertain about their future.

At a time when many migrant families — even those in the country legally — are assessing whether and how to go about in public, many school systems are watching for effects on student attendance. Several schools said they were fielding calls from worried parents about rumors that immigration agents would try to enter schools, but it was too early to tell whether large numbers of families are keeping their children home.

Missing school can deprive students of more than learning. For students from low-income families, including many immigrants, schools are a primary way to access food, mental health services and other support.

Tuesday’s move to clear the way for arrests at schools reverses guidance that restricted two federal agencies — Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection from carrying out enforcement in sensitive locations. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said: “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”

Daniela Anello, who heads D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School in the nation’s capital, said she was shocked by the announcement.

“It’s horrific,” Anello said. “There’s no such thing as hiding anyone. It doesn’t happen, hasn’t happened. … It’s ridiculous.”

An estimated 733,000 school-aged children are in the U.S. illegally, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Many more have U.S. citizenship but have parents who are in the country illegally.

By Gloria Ikibah

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly opposed the recent approval of a 50 percent increase in telecommunication tariffs by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

In a statement issued by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the union described the hike as a “harsh burden” on Nigerian workers and the masses already grappling with severe economic challenges.

According to the NLC, the tariff hike disproportionately affects workers and ordinary Nigerians who rely heavily on telecommunication services for daily communication and work. The union noted that with the current minimum wage at ₦70,000, the average worker would now spend approximately 15% of their salary on telecom charges, up from 10%. This, the NLC warned, is unsustainable for most Nigerians.

“The decision to approve a 50% increase in telecom tariffs, while neglecting the plight of citizens struggling with inflation and the rising cost of living, highlights the government’s prioritization of corporate profits over the welfare of its people,” the statement read.

The NLC further criticized the speed with which the government approved the tariff hike, contrasting it with the prolonged delay in implementing the recent minimum wage increase.

The union argued that this disparity reflects a lack of commitment to the welfare of Nigerian citizens and questioned when the government would prioritize the needs of the people it swore to protect.

While acknowledging the need for periodic tariff reviews, the NLC insisted that the approved 50% hike is excessive and called for immediate dialogue to consider a more reasonable increase. The union also called on the National Assembly to intervene and hold the executive accountable for policies that negatively impact the masses.

As part of its response, the NLC urged Nigerian workers and citizens to reject the tariff hike, warning that failure to reverse the decision could lead to collective action, including a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services.

“We will not allow policies that entrench poverty and inequality to go unchallenged,” the statement declared. “This is a fight for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people.”

The NLC reaffirmed its commitment to defending the interests of Nigerian workers and the masses, vowing to resist policies that undermine their welfare.

For now, all eyes are on the Federal Government and the NCC to see whether they will heed the calls for reconsideration or face the prospect of nationwide protests.