General
Kaduna Train Attack: Senate Tells Military Smoke Out Terrorists
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate has called on the Army and Airforce to, as a matter of urgency, bombard terrorist enclaves with a view to restoring peace and stability in the country.
The call was made on Tuesday in response to a point of order raised on “the continuing attacks on communities and public facilities in Kaduna State” by Senator Uba Sani.
The lawmaker noted that terrorists have in recent times increasingly attacked some communities and public facilities in Kaduna State.
According to him, “the latest attacks by these murderous elements took place in some communities in Giwa Local Government, namely Angwan Sarki Yahya, Tashar Shari, Bare-Bari, Tsaunin Natal, Dillalai, Durumi and Jatin Kanwa, all on Yakawada Ward.
“Other places affected include Kaya community, Mai kyauro and Fatika. They killed 50 persons and kidnapped 100 people. They also made strategic roads in Giwa Local Government no go areas.
“Not done with their devilish acts, they made an attempt to penetrate the Kaduna International Airport.
“Although the attack was foiled by vigilant security operatives, one person lost his life. When people were trying to come to grips with week-long wanton destruction of lives and property, the terrorists struck again.”
He bemoaned the attacks by bandits on a Kaduna bound train carrying over 970 passengers around Kateri – Rijana axis in Kaduna, just a few kilometres to the Rigasa Train Station in Igabi Local Government Area of the State.
“The train derailed after the first wave of attacks. Grenades and RPG were used. They rained bullets on all the coaches. Some passengers were killed, while many sustained bullet wounds.
“There are reports that some of the passengers were abducted. The terrified passengers only breathed a sigh of relief when security agencies arrived and secured the train and the area. It’s been a reign of undiluted terror,” Mr Sani said.
He noted that “these latest attacks are aimed at instilling fear in the people and destroying the economies of our local communities.
“It is disheartening that these enemies of the people are getting emboldened by the day. They are becoming more brazen. These blood cuddling vampires have no regard for human life. They have no place in a civilized society.”
He expressed concern that the unrelenting attacks call to question the strategies and tactics being adopted by our security forces.
“We expected that with the declaration of bandits as terrorists by a court of competent jurisdiction, they will be degraded in no time.
“This appears not to be happening. The security forces must reassess their strategies and come up with workable and effective solutions to the menace of terrorists in Kaduna State”, he added.
Mr Sani noted that the forests where the terrorists hold sway are not impregnable, adding that, “a comprehensive operational plan, executed with high sense of professionalism and responsibility, total commitment on the part of our security forces and the support and cooperation of the local communities will rid Kaduna State forests of these murderous elements.”
He used the position to advocate the creation of state police, saying that it would bring law enforcement closer to the people.
“Effective gathering of intelligence and sustained security operations at the local level will make life uncomfortable for terrorists.
“They will have no operational base; and once again draw the attention of the federal government, particularly security agencies comprising the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies to the grave security situation in Kaduna State and other states of the federation”, he said.
Contributing, Senator Gabriel Suswam lamented that Kaduna had become the new theatre of insecurity, saying that the lingering activities of terrorists in the state make it imperative for the appropriate authorities to take decisive action.
The lawmaker attributed the inability of the military to curtail growing incidents of terrorism to “a clear failure of leadership.”
On his part, Senator Danjuma La’ah said if the security situation in the country is not nipped in the bud, political leaders would become the main targets of terrorists.
The Senate, accordingly, in its resolutions, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a full-scale war against terrorists so as to fully secure all our national territory from them in whatever guise.
The red chamber of the parliament urged the Army and the Air Force to carry out a sustained bombardment of terrorist enclaves with a view to flushing them out and restoring peace and stability to our communities.
The Senate further directed security agencies to always take steps to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in the future.
It added that the Military should, as a matter of urgency, monitor the construction and inhabitants of new shanty buildings around the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.
The chamber urged the relevant agencies of government to step up their information-gathering mechanism to, forestall these incessant attacks.
It also called on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government agencies to assist the affected communities with relief materials.
The chamber urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security operatives.
The Senate, thereafter, held a minute silence to mourn the deceased in Monday’s attacks.
It condoled the families of the victims of the attacks and the government and people of Kaduna State.
Business Post understands that no statement has been made by the Presidency concerning the latest attack as of press time.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), has launched a strategic reform agenda aimed at enhancing port efficiency and strengthening Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.
The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the opening of a three-day operational workshop in Apapa, Lagos, themed Customs Leadership in Port Efficiency, Inspection Reform and Clearance Timeline.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, outlined a five-pillar strategy designed to transform port operations. The framework focuses on joint inspections, risk-based cargo clearance, optimisation of scanning infrastructure, enforcement of service timelines, and improved inter-agency collaboration.
Mr Adeniyi emphasised that the Service is shifting from policy formulation to effective implementation, stressing the need for consistent execution of established best practices.
He noted that the “workshop was aimed at bridging the gap between knowledge and action within the system.”
He further highlighted the transition to intelligence-led cargo processing, stating that ongoing investments in digital platforms and scanning systems must result in faster, more transparent clearance procedures for traders.
To ensure accountability, the Customs boss disclosed that the workshop would produce a reform execution matrix subject to close monitoring, adding that he would personally track progress reports.
He also urged officers to uphold professionalism, integrity, and commitment in the discharge of their duties.
In her remarks, the Director-General of PEBEC, Mrs Zahrah Mustapha-Audu, underscored the importance of adopting risk-based, data-driven inspection systems.
According to her, efficient and transparent border processes are essential to reducing the cost of doing business and improving Nigeria’s global trade standing.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Mrs Caroline Niagwan, said the evolving mandate of the Service places it at the heart of trade facilitation and economic growth, adding that efficiency must be reflected across all commands.
As part of the engagement, the Customs and PEBEC delegation visited the National Single Window facility, where they held discussions with the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Mr Zacch Adedeji, and other stakeholders to review progress and address operational challenges.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Madica, a structured investment programme for pre-seed African startups, has announced new investments totalling $600,000 in three tech-enabled startups, including Nigerian data startup, Biovana.
According to the initiative, these investments further reinforce Madica’s commitment to supporting founders and startups often excluded from traditional venture funding. The other startups include Tanzania’s Kilimo Fresh and Kenya’s Hakimu.
Each company has secured up to $200,000 in funding and will take part in Madica’s 18-month programme. This includes a tailored curriculum, hands-on mentorship, executive coaching, and two fully funded immersion trips to key technology ecosystems, both locally and internationally. The startups will also gain access to Madica’s global investor network, helping position them for growth and long-term success.
Madica’s programme seeks to counter the concentration of Africa’s tech funding in a few markets, verticals, and well-networked entrepreneurs and instead drive more equitable growth across the continent. This is done by backing a mix of underrepresented founders, startups from underserved regions, and innovators in overlooked sectors.
Launched in 2022, Madica is a sector-agnostic investment program designed to address structural gaps in Africa’s startup ecosystem. The program tackles key challenges startups face, such as limited access to capital, a scarcity of investors, and insufficient mentorship. It also provides the structured support necessary for startups to resolve critical issues and foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation across the continent.
Kilimo Fresh (Tanzania), co-founded by Ms Baraka Chijenga and Mr Justice Mangu, connects smallholder farmers in Tanzania to reliable urban markets by aggregating, processing, and distributing fresh produce through a technology-enabled supply chain, aiming to reduce food waste.
Hakimu (Kenya), Hakimu, co-founded by Ms Rawan Dareer, Mr Ahmed Ahmed and Mr Ahmed Elbashir, is building a pan-African legal infrastructure leveraging the power of AI.
Biovana (Nigeria), co-founded by two female founders, Ms Estelle Dogbo and Dr Jumi Popoola, is a data harmonisation and certification platform focused on unlocking African health datasets for global pharmaceutical, AI, and clinical research applications.
Commenting on the new portfolio companies, Mr Emmanuel Adegboye, Head of Madica, said, “Each new investment brings us closer to the portfolio we set out to build, one that reflects the full breadth and diversity of African entrepreneurship. These three startups join a growing community of founders we’re backing with the resources, relationships, and runway they need to succeed at this early stage. The opportunity across the continent is enormous, and we’re committed to being a crucial and consistent partner in realising it.”
“Joining the Madica portfolio is a significant moment for Hakimu. We’re revolutionising access to justice across Africa, and having a partner that understands the specific challenges and opportunities of scaling in Africa makes a real difference,” said Ms Dareer, co-founder and CEO of Hakimu. “We’re grateful for the trust, looking forward to the hands-on support, and clear-eyed about the work ahead.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu is expected to be among the leading public figures attending the next edition of the Africa CEO Forum, which will take place on May 14-15, 2026, in Kigali, Rwanda
A strong Nigerian private-sector delegation will also take part, including Mr Aliko Dangote, Mr Wale Tinubu, Mr Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Mrs Adesuwa Ladoja, Mrs Rachel More-Oshodi, Mrs Zouera Youssoufou, Mr Karim Noujaim, Mr Dany Abboud, Mr Ayo Otuyalo and Mr Chukwuerika Achum. Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, will also be present.
According to a statement on Tuesday, the 2026 edition will convene in Kigali to address a defining question for Africa’s future: how to achieve the scale necessary to compete, integrate and thrive in a fragmenting world.
It comes as global power dynamics continue to evolve, while the ability of Africa to rely on competitive, agile and internationally integrated corporate champions has become a defining corporate imperative. In this shifting global landscape, one lesson is clear: scale is no longer optional. It is the first line of defence.
Organised by Jeune Afrique Media Group and co-hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Africa CEO Forum 2026 will convene Africa’s leading public and private decision-makers around a clear conviction: scale can only be achieved through shared African ownership.
The Forum will explore three strategic levers to build continental scale. First is shared equity, which will look to unlock cross-border equity investment to create multinational African champions. Mobilise African institutional capital across markets to strengthen resilience and enhance long-term returns.
Also, is shared infrastructure, which will take on designing complementary infrastructure to integrate African value chains. Champion transformative projects that serve regional, not merely national, needs and create truly connected markets.
Thirdly is shared frameworks, which is set to harmonise standards, rules and regulations to boost investor confidence and enable the free flow of capital, goods and services. Build future-proof digital rails for health, education, agriculture and cross-border payments.
Speaking on this, Mr Amir Ben Yahmed, President of the Africa CEO Forum, stated: “If Africa wants to compete in a world defined by scale, it must move beyond economic patriotism and embrace a new model: African capital investing together. Shared ownership, cross-border partnerships and continental ambition will define the economic future of Africa and the next generation of African champions.”
On his part, Mr Makhtar Diop, Managing Director at IFC, stated: “Africa has the capital and the opportunity to grow and create quality jobs. What matters now is putting that capital to work at scale. That means building trust, sharing risk, and investing across borders. The Africa CEO Forum brings leaders together to connect policy and private investment, and to help shape Africa’s next phase of growth.”
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