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 Algeria begins to cancel air services agreement with UAE Algeria has begun the process of cancelling its air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates, signed in Abu Dhabi in May 2013, state media said on Saturday, Reuters reported. It gave no immediate reason for the move, but Algerian media outlets have strongly criticised the UAE in recent months, accusing it of attempting to sow regional discord. "Algeria has initiated procedures to terminate the air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates, signed in Abu Dhabi on 13 May 2013 and ratified by a presidential decree dated 30 December 2014," the North African country's state-owned radio said. "Under Article 22 of the agreement, the Emirati side must be formally notified of the termination through diplomatic channels. The Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will also be notified to undertake the necessary procedures within the organization." In October last ye...

 Uber found liable, ordered to pay $8.5 million in driver sexual assault case Uber has been ordered to pay $8.5 million to a plaintiff in Arizona, marking the first trial among thousands of lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct by drivers on the ridesharing platform. The case involves Jaylynn Dean, who said she was raped by her Uber driver in November 2023 while returning to her hotel. A U.S. District Court jury in Phoenix found Uber liable under apparent agency, though it did not hold the company responsible for negligence or design defects, nor did it award punitive damages. The verdict sets a precedent for roughly 3,000 similar cases consolidated in federal court across the country. A spokesperson for Uber said the company “acted responsibly and has invested meaningfully in rider safety” and plans to appeal the decision. Dean’s attorney called the verdict a “victory” that highlights the risks survivors have taken to hold Uber accountable for prioritizing profit over pa...

  U.S sets June deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach war agreement, Zelenskyy says  The United States has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach an agreement to end the nearly four-year war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russia continued heavy strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure that forced nuclear power plants to reduce output. Zelenskyy said the Trump administration expects progress by early summer and is prepared to increase pressure on both sides if the timeline is not met. He said U.S. officials want a clearly defined schedule for negotiations and next steps, emphasizing that Washington intends to push hard for an end to the conflict within that window. Zelenskyy also confirmed that the U.S. has proposed holding the next round of trilateral talks as early as next week, potentially in Miami, marking the first time such discussions would take place on American soil, and said Ukraine has agreed to participate. He added that Russia has presented...

 Franjo von Allmen of Switzerland captures men’s downhill gold at Milan Cortina Games   Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen claimed Olympic gold in the men’s downhill on Saturday, delivering the first gold medal of the Milan Cortina Games with a commanding run on the famed Stelvio course in Bormio. Racing under clear skies and ideal conditions, the 24-year-old attacked the technical layout with confidence, stopping the clock at 1 minute, 51.61 seconds. His time held up against a strong challenge from Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni, who thrilled the home crowd on his way to the silver medal. Veteran Italian star Dominik Paris followed with a powerful run of his own to earn bronze, pushing Swiss favorite Marco Odermatt just off the podium. With the victory, von Allmen kept the Olympic downhill title in Swiss hands, following Beat Feuz’s gold at the 2022 Beijing Games before Feuz’s retirement. Often overshadowed by Odermatt’s dominance on the World Cup circuit, von Allmen proved he had the ...

India and US unveil framework for interim trade agreement  India and the United States have released a framework for an interim trade agreement aimed at lowering tariffs on Indian goods, a move that has sparked political backlash in New Delhi. The announcement followed President Donald Trump’s recent decision to scale back import tariffs on India after months of pressure tied to New Delhi’s energy purchases from Russia. Under the framework, tariffs on Indian exports to the U.S. would be reduced to 18% from 25%, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to halt purchases of Russian crude oil, according to Trump. The two governments described the arrangement as reciprocal and mutually beneficial, saying it is intended as a stepping stone toward a broader trade agreement that would expand market access and strengthen supply chains. Both sides acknowledged that further negotiations will be required before the deal is finalized and formally implemented. Under the proposed framework, Ind...

 White House to hold Board of Peace meeting in DC on Gaza reconstruction The White House is planning a leaders’ meeting for the Gaza “Board of Peace” on February 19, aiming to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and raise funds for reconstruction, according to U.S. officials and diplomats from four countries on the board. The session, which will also serve as a fundraising conference, is still in early planning stages, and the White House has not formally confirmed details. Officials said invitations are being extended to world leaders, and logistics are being coordinated for a meeting at the Institute of Peace, recently rebranded in Trump’s honor. The board, chaired by Trump, currently has 27 members and was authorized by the UN Security Council to oversee ceasefire implementation, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza. The initiative has faced skepticism from Western allies, many of whom did not join, citing the board’s broad mandate and Trump’s veto power o...

 Hoda Kotb returns to TODAY during Guthrie investigation Co-host Hoda Kotb joined “TODAY” on Friday to speak about the widespread support the Guthrie family has received amid the ongoing search for their mother and to share her personal heartbreak over her friend’s disappearance. “This whole situation is breaking my heart, and I’m grateful to be here with you,” Kotb told her colleagues. “Everyone is hoping and praying for Nancy’s safe return. From vigils to positive messages online, there has been an incredible outpouring of support and hope.” Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing Sunday afternoon from her home near Tucson, Arizona, after she failed to attend church, according to Pima County authorities. She was last seen the night before, around 9:45 p.m., when family members dropped her off at home. The search has drawn attention and support from across the country, including the NBC community and public figures in Hollywood. Kotb noted the national response, saying, “The natio...

 Syracuse University student dies in Tesla fire; mother files lawsuit against company A mother has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla after her 20-year-old son was killed in a fiery crash, which she alleges was caused by defective electric doors that trapped him inside the vehicle. Jacquelyn Tremblett, of Easton, Massachusetts, claims in federal court in Boston that her son, Samuel, a Syracuse University student and fashion designer, called 911 pleading for help as his Tesla Model Y caught fire following a crash on Route 138 on October 29. According to the 911 recording cited in the lawsuit, Samuel told dispatchers, “I can’t breathe. It’s on fire. Help. Please. I’m going to die,” before succumbing to heat and smoke inhalation. The Tesla came to rest in a wooded area about 20 feet from the road, and first responders reported multiple explosions during the initial minutes at the scene. The lawsuit describes the vehicle’s “unreasonably dangerous design” as the cause of Samue...

 Almost 1,000 Google employees call on company to cut ties with ICE and CBP  More than 900 Google employees have signed an open letter criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and urging the company to disclose its involvement with the agencies and cut ties. The letter highlights recent ICE-related deaths, including Keith Porter, Renee Good, and Alex Pretti, and says employees are “appalled by the violence” and “horrified” by Google’s role. It claims Google Cloud supports CBP surveillance and powers Palantir’s ImmigrationOS system used by ICE, while Google’s generative AI tools are also being employed by the agency. The letter adds that the Google Play Store has blocked ICE tracking apps. Citing a January post by Google Chief Scientist Jeff Dean about the importance of speaking out, employees called for the company to end partnerships with ICE, CBP, and the Department of Homeland Security. They demanded full disclosure ...

 Virginia Democrats move to ban assault weapon sales  Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates advanced legislation Thursday aimed at curbing gun violence, marking a significant step toward restricting high-capacity firearms and increasing accountability in the gun industry. The proposed measures would ban the sale and purchase of high-capacity semiautomatic weapons, prohibit firearms inside hospitals and on college campuses, expand penalties for selling ghost guns, and create a state civil cause of action against firearm industry members. Delegate Nadarius Clark said the legislation is “step one” in fulfilling promises to keep communities safe. Delegate Dan Helmer, a former Army captain, introduced the bill, noting that assault weapons “have no place in our communities,” and Virginia would become the 11th state to enact such a ban. The legislation also establishes standards for firearm industry conduct, requiring reasonable controls over the manufacture, sale, distributio...

 Families of Boeing crash victims ask Fifth Circuit to revive dismissed criminal case The families of victims from two Boeing 737 Max crashes asked a Fifth Circuit appeals panel on Thursday to overturn a federal agreement that dismissed a criminal fraud case against the aerospace company, arguing their rights as crime victims were not properly considered. The case stemmed from prosecutors’ allegations that Boeing misled federal regulators about the Max’s flight control system, a factor in two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people. In 2025, the government reached a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with Boeing, dismissing the case in exchange for more than $1.1 billion in fines, victim compensation, and safety improvements. Some families objected, and U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor had expressed concerns that allowing Boeing to choose its own compliance consultant failed to ensure accountability for public safety. Despite this, O’Connor approved the dismissal, citi...

 The ancestral family house of Super Eagles’ late hero, Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji in Umudioka Imo state, is under lock and key ‘indefinitely’, eye witnesses say. It was gathered that the house became desolate after the d€ath of the late footballer’s mother, whose presence had kept the place alive for some years. Most visitors to the premises during her days were journalists, tourists and holidaymakers, who usually trooped in to make enquiries about the origins of Okwaraji. Recall that Sam Okwaraji di€d on August 12th, 1989 while playing for Nigeria against Angola in a World Cup qualifier. His d€ath brought global attention to the rustic community of Umudioka, with several government officials, sports personalities and clansmen turning up at various points to give consoling words to his mother. A former sports minister earlier promised her a monthly salary for life, which became a source of succour to the elderly matriarch, who lived for several years in the same compound where her...

 Anambra State House of Assembly Commends Governor Soludo for tackling the long-standing erosion menace at Umugama, Ire Village, Abba The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution commending Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his administration's efforts in addressing the long-standing erosion menace at Umugama, Ire Village, Abba, in Njikoka Local Government Area. The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader, Dr. Jude Akpua and was seconded by Hon Chidi Ibemeka representing Njikoka one during plenary. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Somotochukwu Udeze who presided during plenary read out the resolution and the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice votes. The speaker noted that the projects completion would increase road connectivity, boost economic activities, restore hope and security for residents. Hon. Akpua who highlighted the devastating impact of gully erosion on the area, including loss of lives, destruction of farmlands, and disruption of econ...

  Two Nigerians Arrested in India Over Online Impersonation Scam  Police in Gurugram, Haryana State, India, have arrested two Nigerian nationals for allegedly running an online impersonation scam that defrauded company employees of nearly ₹10 lakh (about $11,000 / ₦15 million). The suspects, Ojo Uyiosa and James, were arrested on January 31 in the Nathupur village area following a technical investigation by the Cyber Crime East Police Station, according to reports by NDTV. Investigations revealed that the duo allegedly posed as company directors and contacted employees via WhatsApp, tricking them into transferring money under false pretences. The funds were reportedly diverted into a bank account controlled by the suspects. Police said they recovered two mobile phones and three SIM cards believed to have been used in carrying out the fraud. Further checks showed that Uyiosa entered India on a student visa in 2014, while James arrived on a tourist visa in 2023. Authorities disc...

 Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has said he does not have a new club after ending his contract with South African side Chippa United by mutual agreement. “I’ve been at Chippa United for four years, and it’s been a good experience. But sometimes, as a player or manager, you need to move forward. My happiness comes first.

 Abia Lawmaker Raises Alarm Over Recent Gunmen Killings in Isuikwuato Constituency Hon. Lucky Udoka Nweke Johnson, the representative of Isuikwuato Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, has voiced deep concern and sorrow over a series of deadly attacks by unknown gunmen in his constituency, which claimed the lives of two individuals in separate incidents late last month. During a plenary session, the lawmaker raised the matter as one of urgent public importance, highlighting the killings and calling for urgent collaborative action to restore peace and security in the area. The first incident occurred on January 28, 2026, when 35-year-old Uche Simon, a resident of the constituency, was fatally shot by gunmen while returning home on his motorcycle. According to Johnson, the attackers also stole the victim's Qlink motorcycle following the assault. In a related attack the following day, January 29, 2026, 19-year-old Awba Abdulsalam, described as a motor boy, was shot dead b...

 U.S MISSIONARY, ALEX BARBIR ACCUSES BENUE GOVT OF BLOCKING ₦60M YELEWATA MARKET REBUILD, PEGGING PROJECT AT ₦300M 7th February, 2026  An American missionary and humanitarian worker, Mr. Alex Barbir, has accused the Benue State Government of frustrating his organisation’s ₦60 million proposal to rebuild the Yelewata market, only to later inflate the cost of the same project to ₦300 million. Barbir, founder of the Building Zion initiative, made the allegation in a video circulating widely on social media, where he claimed that his team submitted a comprehensive and cost-effective plan to reconstruct the market, which was reportedly destroyed during communal clashes in Guma Local Government Area. According to him, the proposal was aimed at delivering durable and functional market structures using quality materials at a significantly reduced cost. However, he alleged that the state government blocked the offer, before subsequently presenting a ₦300 million estimate for the identi...

 Pharmacist Reportedly Dies After Donating His Kidney to Save His Cousin Family and friends are thrown into mourning after a young man reportedly lost his life while trying to save his cousin through a kidney donation. According to a post shared by X user @sk_bongomin93, the kind man had volunteered to donate one of his kidneys to his cousin who needed a transplant. Sadly, the surgery did not go as planned, and he passed away during the operation. “He was voluntarily donating a kidney to his cousin… the operation didn’t go as planned and he lost his life, a person with such a pure heart gone,” the user wrote. In another emotional post, @sk_bongomin93 described the loss as deeply painful, saying, “We are truly passers by in this world… Rest in Peace my G. I am truly hurt.”

 Gunmen kill President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra. Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have killed a community leader and one other person in Anambra State. The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6. The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the death of their leader, who was arrested and killed by local security operatives. During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down. The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday. Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community. He said, “The Anambra State Police Co...

 LAGOS TASKFORCE CLEARS DAVIES, BREADFRUIT STREETS OF STREET TRADING, ILLEGAL SHOP EXTENSIONS In continuation of the Agency’s ongoing clean-up enforcement operations aimed at ridding the State of street trading, display of goods on roadways, unauthorized blockage of roads, illegal shop extensions contrary to the State’s master plan, and other environmental infractions, the Lagos State Environmental Taskforce today embarked on another enforcement exercise on Lagos Island. The operation, which was led by the Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, covered Marina, Davies Street, Breadfruit Street, and adjoining roads where recalcitrant street traders had displayed goods on roadways, highways, and walkways, thereby constituting serious environmental nuisance and obstruction to free movement along the Lagos Marina Expressway through Davies and Breadfruit Streets. Speaking during the operation, CSP Akerele expressed concern over the continued disregard for environmental and traffic regulations by...

 Catholic Priest, Others Abducted In Kaduna Community Attack A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, has been abducted alongside ten other persons following a violent attack on Karku community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The incident occurred in the early hours of February 7, 2026, at about 3:20 a.m. (WAT), at the priest’s residence. Rev. Fr. Asuwaye is the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, under the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan. According to a statement issued by the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, PhD, the attackers were described by residents as a group of terrorists who invaded the community in a coordinated operation. The attack reportedly resulted in the death of three individuals, identified as Mr. Jacob Dan’azumi, Mr. Maitala Kaura, and Alhaji Kusari, while others were taken away by the assailants. The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called on priests, Christian faithf...

 The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo has declared her intention to run for the 2027 Governorship race of Ogun State under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Iyabo returned to active politics after about 15 years hiatus and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ogun State. Iyabo who represented Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, participated in the ongoing APC e-registration exercise at Ibogun, Ward 11, in Ifo LGA, Ogun State, effectively sealing her membership of the ruling party. Recall that she had earlier lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), then subsequently returned to the United States to pursue her academic career, rising to the rank of a professor. Speaking during the interview, the former senator confirmed that she is returning to politics after "pressure" from her supporters. "L...

 Governor Soludo as a matter of urgency must Sack all his commissioners and SAs ahead of his second tenure inauguration, because they are underperformed."- Chief Ben. Obi (Igwe APGA) chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, Ben Obi, popularly known as “Igwe APGA,” has advised Governor Chukwuma Soludo to overhaul his cabinet ahead of his second term beginning March 17, 2026. In a statement issued today Saturday 7th Feb. as reported by punch news, Obi said over 80 per cent of the governor’s commissioners and special advisers were non-performing and should be sacked to make way for more capable individuals.  He also called for the disqualification of all incumbent local government chairmen and councillors ahead of the August 29 Anambra local government elections, citing widespread poor performance. Obi stressed that Anambra and APGA have sufficient qualified personnel to replace underperforming officials, arguing that bringing in fresh hands would...

 CRISIS LOOMS AT FEDERAL VARSITY WUKARI OVER VICE-CHANCELLOR APPOINTMENT  Reports emerging from the Federal University Wukari (FUWUK), Taraba State, indicate growing tension over the ongoing process to appoint a new Vice-Chancellor, amid allegations of irregularities and concerns about transparency. According to sources within the institution, more than 40 candidates from across Nigeria and the diaspora reportedly applied for the position. However, the university’s Governing Council is alleged to have shortlisted only four candidates for security screening by the Department of State Services (DSS), a move some stakeholders describe as unusually restrictive. The shortlisted candidates are: Prof. Timothy Fwa Yerima, Faculty of Law, Federal University Wukari Prof. Ebenezer J. Ekefan, Department of Crop and Environmental Protection, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi Prof. Benjamin Kefas, Department of Pharmacy, Cancer Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Virg...

 NIGERIAN ARMY FINANCE CORPS PULLS OUT 10 RETIRED GENERALS IN A COLOURFUL VALEDICTORY PARADE The Nigerian Army Finance Corps (NAFC) held a colourful valedictory parade on Friday, 6 February 2026, to bid farewell to 9 retired senior officers of the Corps at the Nigerian Army School of Signals Parade Ground, Apapa, Lagos. The Special Guest of Honour (SGOH), Major General Kamal Ishola Yusuf (Rtd), described the ceremony as one of the most colourful and dignified valedictory parades he had ever witnessed. In his valedictory speech, Major General Yusuf noted that the military remains one of the few institutions that steadfastly uphold tradition, stressing that such customs form the backbone of its identity and shape its discipline, ethos, and collective sense of purpose. He affirmed that the pulling-out parade was a clear testament that the Nigerian Army and the Finance Corps continue to flourish by preserving and honouring their noble heritage. The retired senior officers include; Majo...

 UK ordered to pay $572m in compensation for Nigerian miners killed in 1949 A Nigerian court has ordered the British government to pay 20 million pounds ($27 million) each to families of 21 coal miners killed in 1949 by security forces during British colonial rule, according to the state-run news agency. The ruling culminates decades of campaigning for compensation over the killings, widely seen in Nigeria as one of the triggers to agitations for independence. Nigeria gained its independence from Britain 11 years later, in 1960. The miners were killed at the Iva Valley Coal Mine in the southeastern Enugu state as they were protesting harsh working conditions. They had occupied the mine when the colonial police opened fire on them, killing 21 and injuring many others. In his verdict, Justice Anthony Onovo of the Enugu High Court found the British colonial administration liable for the killings and ruled that the British government should also tender formal apologies to the victims. ...

 ‎Dabiri-Erewa Mourns Nigerian Student, Khaleed Oladipo Killed In Leicester, UK ‎ ‎Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa has requested UK authorities for a thorough investigation and justice over the tragic death of Khaleed Oladipo, a 20-year-old Nigerian student who was allegedly stabbed in Leicester, UK. ‎ In a signed statement by the ‎Head of Media, public Relations and Protocols Unit, of the commission, Abdur- Rahman BalogunKhaleed indicates that Oladipo, a second-year Cybersecurity student at De Montfort University, was reportedly attacked while on his way home from watching a football match.  It described the incident as heartbreaking and a painful loss to both the Oladipo family and the Nigerian community at home and in the diaspora. ‎‎NiDCOM, she reiterated would  continue to be committed to the welfare and protection of Nigerians in the diaspora Community.

 FG-AFDB-JICA AGRIC PROGRAMME INJECTS PRODUCE WORTH 2.3 TRILLION NAIRA IN 3-YEARS  The federal government’s initiative under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket has added more than 2.5 million tons of agricultural produce worth 2.3 trillion naira within 3 years. The staple crops are wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean, and cassava. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the project has significantly increased food availability and helped stabilize prices in the country. Looking ahead, the minister revealed plans to integrate the African Development Bank (AfDB)-funded Policy-Based Operations project, alongside preparations for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) initiative and NAGS 2.0. The JICA project will prioritize rice, maize, soybean, and cassava production, while NAGS 2.0 will focus on wheat and rice starting in the 2026 wet season. For the 2025/2026 dry season, the scheme will emphasize rice...

 EFCC Director Bows Out of Service in Ibadan The Head of Administration of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, Commander of EFCC, CE Abimbola Oyekemi Kayode Afe, on Friday, February 6, 2026, retired from the public service as she clocks sixty (60) years of age. The retirement ceremony took place at the premise of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of EFCC as staff, families and well-wishers gathered to celebrate her.

 BEYOND THE COMPULSORY REAL-TIME ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS Our habit of amending our electoral laws almost every election cycle deserves serious scrutiny. The popular justification, continuous improvement, sounds persuasive but does not withstand close examination. It cannot be the case that credible elections are only possible if electoral laws are rewritten every four years. If that were true, stable democracies would be in permanent legislative flux. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, South Africa, the neighbouring Ghana and Benin Republic all conduct regular elections. Yet, it is difficult to find evidence that they amend their electoral laws before every round of general elections. Their systems improve not because the rules are endlessly rewritten, but because institutions mature, enforcement is strengthened and political actors improve at internalising democratic norms.  The question, therefore, is not what laws they are p...

 Sadiku: Unmasking terrorist leader behind Kwara massacre Tuesday’s massacre in Woro, a remote community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, which left an estimated 176 residents dead, was not a random act of violence. Findings by Saturday PUNCH show that the attack was the result of a calculated expansion of a jihadist front that the country’s security architecture failed to halt despite prior warnings. At the centre of the bloodshed is Abubakar Saidu, popularly known as Sadiku, a terrorist commander whose violent trail spans more than a decade and northern region of the country. For years, Sadiku remained a shadowy figure within the insurgency landscape. But investigations reveal a 12-year evolution that saw him rise from a handpicked lieutenant of the late Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, in 2014, to what security analysts now describe as the “Shekau of the North-Central” by 2026. As sustained military pressure weakened Boko Haram’s strongholds in the North-East, ...