A report by SB Morgen (SBM) Intelligence, a research firm, has identified Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Lagos, Jos, Calabar, Kano, Eleme Junction in Rivers State, and Onitsha as the eight most dangerous areas for security threats in Nigeria.

The findings highlight major cities and highways prone to theft, attacks, and road hazards, offering critical insights into the country’s security challenges.

The report noted that Port Harcourt is the most perilous city, with 85 incidents reported, primarily involving violent crime such as armed robbery and kidnapping.

Maiduguri follows with 52 incidents, plagued by ongoing insurgent threats. Lagos recorded 32 incidents, with urban crime concentrated in high-density areas.

“The Makurdi-Jos route presents another troubling scenario, with a blend of youth gang violence and farmer-pastoral conflicts.

“These incidents often lead to roadblocks and attacks on motorists, highlighting systemic lapses in government security provisions,” the report stated.

Jos, Calabar, and Kano each registered between 18 and 23 incidents, with communal clashes and urban theft dominating the security landscape.

Eleme Junction in Rivers State, a strategic transport hub, accounted for 16 incidents, while Onitsha’s bustling trade routes saw 15 cases of theft and related crimes.

“The Port Harcourt-Warri route has now surpassed the Abuja-Kaduna highway in danger levels,” the report added, noting the prevalence of kidnapping for ransom.

Beyond insecurity, the report highlighted infrastructural deficiencies, revealing that 84.6% of respondents had experienced or heard of security incidents on their travel routes. Only 42% found the roads somewhat safe, with just 2.4% considering them very safe.

The survey underscored challenges like potholes, poor drainage, and traffic congestion, exacerbating road hazards. It called for “improved security measures to safeguard travellers” and enhance road infrastructure.

Nigeria’s roads remain fraught with danger, with uneven maintenance and inconsistent police patrols leaving residents and travellers vulnerable.

The findings emphasise the urgent need for strategic interventions to address these challenges and ensure safer travel nationwide.

A 55-year-old man in Tadcaster, UK, Andy Emmott, has donated his kidney to save the life of 11-year-old Amber, inspired by his late daughter’s battle with kidney disease.

From grief to giving: Man donates kidney to honour daughter’s memory

Emmott is an employee at Northern Powergrid.

According to GB News on Monday, Emmott’s daughter, Sarah, passed away at just eight years old after receiving a kidney transplant from a stranger—a gesture that left an indelible mark on her father.

Tragically, Sarah lost her fight with congenital nephrotic syndrome exactly 364 days after her transplant, but her story of courage continues to inspire.

“I donated a kidney because a kind stranger donated one to my daughter,” Emmott explained.

“When I saw Amber’s appeal, the similarities with Sarah’s story were striking. I knew I had to step forward.”

Emmott’s selfless decision proved life-changing for Amber, as he turned out to be “a very good match.”

His journey from grieving father to life-saving donor has not only brought hope to Amber’s family but has also shone a light on the power of paying kindness forward, BBC also reported on Monday.

While grappling with Sarah’s diagnosis and treatment during the coronavirus pandemic, Emmott found solace in supporting Theodora Children’s Charity.

The charity’s “Giggle Doctors”—trained performers who blend music, storytelling, and magic—brought moments of joy to Sarah during her stays at Leeds General Infirmary.

“They brought so much joy and laughter to her,” Emmott recalled. “It was a great distraction and a boost to her spirits.”

Emmott has since dedicated himself to raising funds for the charity, which focuses on improving children’s mental health and resilience during hospital stays.

During Emmott’s recovery, Amanda White, his manager at Northern Powergrid, paid him a visit and was struck by Sarah’s enduring presence in his home.

“Her presence is everywhere, photo after photo,” White observed. “It’s clear how loved she is and how happy she was, despite everything she went through.”

“In every photo, Sarah is wearing the most infectious smile,” she added. “For Andy to channel his grief into giving another little girl a chance at life is truly remarkable.”

…advises Judges to resign over abuse of power

The Jigawa State Judicial Service Commission has taken disciplinary action against several judicial officers, dismissing three for misconduct and advising three Shari’a Court judges to resign.

The commission also reprimanded two other judges for dereliction of duty.

The dismissed officers include two registrars, Iyal Ibrahim and Baffa Alhaji, who were found guilty of illegally selling court exhibits, and a Chief Clerical Officer, Abdu Aujara, who suppressed a litigant’s deposit, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The three Shari’a Court judges advised to resign were found guilty of various offenses, including abusing judicial powers, misapplying the law, and mishandling inheritance cases.

Two magistrates, Munnir Abdullahi and Yakubu Ibrahim, were reprimanded for misconduct, including converting a civil matter into a criminal case and using derogatory language against a litigant.

According to a statement on Sunday, the commission at its 178th meeting held on January 7, approved disciplinary actions against erring personnel for violating judicial procedures and rules.

“In the outcome of the meeting signed by Auwalu Dan’Azumi, secretary of the JSC, the commission received the report of an investigation committee from the high court department in respect of two officers. The affected officers are Iyal Ibrahim, Higher Registrar on Grade Level 08, and Baffa Alhaji, Principal Registrar on Grade Level 14.

“The two officers were found guilty of illegal sale of two vehicles, exhibits of the Federal High Court, Dutse, and committed an official misconduct punishable under Rule 5 (4) & (6) of the Jigawa State Judiciary Scheme of Service 2006. Also, the commission resolved that the service of the two officers be terminated in accordance with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. 20 Laws of Jigawa State 2012,” the JSC said.

It said the commission received a report from the high court department in respect of Abdu Aujara, a chief clerical officer, for suppressing N965,000, being a litigant’s deposit in a case of recovery filed by the Ja’iz Bank before chief magistrates Court Jahun.

The commission, he said, terminated the appointment of the officer in accordance with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State 2012.

Also, the commission deliberated on the report of the Judiciary Public Complaint Committee (JPCC) in respect of Adamu Farin-Dutse, a Shari’a Court judge, accused of abusing judicial powers and misapplication of the law, adding that the officer had been warned several times in that regard.

“After careful deliberations, the commission found the officer liable for official misconduct in accordance with the provision of Section 5.4 of the Judiciary Scheme of Service.

“Therefore, the commission resolved to write to the officer and advise him to tender a resignation letter from service within two weeks as provided by Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State, 2012,” the JSC stated.

The commission also deliberated on the report of the JSPCC on official misconduct concerning another Shari’a Court judge, Muhammad Usman, who allegedly abused power by issuing a writ of possession before delivering judgment, violating Section 5.4 of the Judiciary Scheme of Service, 2006.

The statement said the JSC advised the judge to resign “in accordance with the provision of Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State, 2012.”

The commission deliberated on the JPCC report concerning Usman Zubair, a Shari’a Court judge, for allegedly abusing judicial powers, refusing to adjudicate properly on matters of distribution of inheritance shares to the legal heirs, and allowing another person who was not party to the substantive matter to benefit.

“The commission also found that the officer had been warned for irregularities in both his civil and criminal proceedings. It resolved to write to Usman Usman Zubair and advise him to tender a resignation letter from service within two weeks,” said the JSC statement.

The commission issued a warning letter to resident magistrate Munnir Abdullahi for converting a civil matter to a criminal case by allowing himself to be partisan. The warning was given under Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State, 2012.

He said the commission also warned magistrate Yakubu Ibrahim for abuse of power by insulting and uttering derogatory words to a litigant when she appeared before him at Chief Magistrate Court Maigatari.