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Tinubu orders 24-hour aerial surveillance, tightens security cordon over Kwara, Kebbi forests

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued fresh offensive directives to the Armed Forces, ordering a full security cordon over forests in Kwara, Kebbi and parts of Niger State in response to recent spikes in kidnappings and terrorist activities in the affected areas.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, disclosed the development on Tuesday in a message posted on his verified X handle, @SundayDareSD, stating that the President had mandated the Nigerian Air Force to expand air surveillance “across the innermost parts of the forests” where criminal groups are believed to be hiding.

Under the new directive, the Air Force is to maintain an uninterrupted 24-hour aerial watch over the troubled zones and synchronise operations with ground troops already deployed for rescue missions and counter-terrorism actions.

The same operational intensity, Dare said, is to be replicated along the Kebbi–Niger axis, where multiple rescue efforts are ongoing.

The instruction comes amid a worrying escalation of insecurity in the North-Central and North-West regions, including last week’s mass abduction of worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, and attacks in parts of Kebbi and Niger that have triggered national concern.

Although several victims have been rescued in recent operations, security agencies are still working to free others believed to be held deep inside forested enclaves.

President Tinubu, who has been receiving continuous updates from the frontline commanders, was said to have insisted that all military and security formations adopt an “all-out, no-retreat posture” until the perpetrators are neutralised and every abducted citizen is safely returned.

The Presidential Adviser noted that communities in the affected states have also been urged to provide timely intelligence on unusual movements, gatherings or suspicious activities to support the intensified military offensive.

The latest directive adds to a series of recent security measures, including the President’s weekend order withdrawing police escorts from VIPs to strengthen community-level policing, and earlier decisions to reinforce joint operations across the North.

Security analysts view the new full-spectrum cordon as one of the most aggressive federal responses yet to the rising wave of rural and peri-urban insecurity, signalling the administration’s determination to restore stability and send a clear warning to armed groups terrorising communities.

November 25, 2025
‘How alleged terrorists’ negotiator, Mamu got N50million for his efforts,’ DSS official tells court
- …court heard audio conversations between defendant, terrorists’ leaders
A Federal High Court in Abuja heard on Tuesday how alleged terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mohammed Mamu was offered N50million by the leader of a terrorists group for his efforts.

An official of the Department of State Services (DSS) stated this while testifying as the six prosecution witness in Mamu’s trial for terrorism related offences.

The witness said, “The second voice that played for five minutes is that of Shugaba, who is the leader of a terrorist group, who was appreciating the defendant’s efforts and asked him to remove N50m for his personal use from a particular ransom amount he was to deliver to them (the terrorists).”

The DSS official identified Shugaba’s voice among others audio conversations, he said were extracted from Mamu’s mobile telephones during interrogation after he was arrested in Egypt and brought back to Nigeria.

Mamu was arrested on September 7, 2022 by Egyptian security officials at the Cairo International Airport, on reasonable suspicion of financing Boko Haram terrorism activities.

He was alleged to have convinced the terrorists to discuss ransom payments with individual families of the hostages of the train attack instead of the Chief of Defense Staff Committee set up by the Federal Government for his personal financial gain.

He was said to have been nominated by the terrorists that attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound train sometime in March 2022 which took scores of persons hostage.

Mamu was alleged to have collected ransoms on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorists from families of hostages, confirmed the amount and facilitated the delivery of same to the terrorists.

Led in evidence on Tuesday by prosecuting lawyer, David Kaswe, the DSS official told the court that, after Mamu was brought back from Egypt, he submitted his Samsung tablet and two phones to DSS’ officials.

The witness, who said he was part of those who investigated the case, told the court that when the defendant was intercepted in Egypt, he put a call to his in-law, identified as Mubarak Tinja and directed him to move out all his valuables, comprising of cash, cars and other items of values, from his house to a safe location, to avoid detection by security agents.

The sixth prosecution witness added: “The defendant was subsequently arrested in Egypt and returned back to Nigeria, where a team of investigators were on ground to receive him.

“A duly endorsed search warrant was duly executed in his property and office in Kaduna, during which cash, in both local and foreign currencies; vehicles and other valuables were recovered.

“In compliance with his directive to his in law, Mubarak Tinja, and the other dependants in the house, some cars and cash were moved out of the house to various locations.”

The witness said investigators later traced and located some of the items, including about 300,000 US dollars, about seven cars, including Toyota Camry (Muscle); Peugeot 5008, Lexus, Mercedes E350 and a Hyundai car.

Vehicle documents relating to the cars were later tendered by the prosecution through the witness, which the court admitted in evidence.

The witness added that when the defendant was brought back to the country, he “handed his Samsung tablet and two of his phones to our exhibit keeper, who sent them to our forensic department for forensic analysis.

“The outcome of the forensic analysis, included the voice note of the conversation between the defendant and the terrorists, were part of the content that were presented to the interrogation team and the items recovered from his home.

“He (the defendant) was subsequently interviewed, during which the content of his phones and other items were presented to him.

“During the interview, the defendant admitted giving instruction to Mubarak to move his variables from his house when. He also admitted communicating with the terrorists, using his voice notes, which were extracted from his two phones and Samsung tablet,” the witness said.

The sixth prosecution witness added that the defendant also admitted owning a pump action gun, which was recovered from his house, which he claimed was duly licensed.

The witness told the court that investigators later discovered that the licence expired in December 2021, nine months before he was arrested.

“In one of the voice notes extracted from the defendant’s phone, the terrorists requested him to teach them how to develop a website and the defendant promised to get back to them in that regard,” the witness said.

The DSS official said about 98 percent of the conversation on the voice notes are in Housa language, some of which were translated to English language because they were too many. The witness said he did the transcription.

Kaswe then applied to render the recorded voice notes stored compact disk plates and the flash drive, which the court admitted, following which about six of the recorded conversations were played in court.

When asked to identify the owners of the voices in the conversations, the witness said: “The last two voices are those of Baba Adamu, who is the spokesperson of the terrorists group.

“The first voice note was the defendant, where he was fixing a date for the delivery of ransom.

The second was …that played for 5 minutes is that of Shugaba, who is the leader of terrorist group, who was appreciating the defendant efforts and asked him to take/ remove N50m for his personal use from a particular ransome amount to be sent to them.

“The last note was Baba Adamu, asking the defendant to help them procure public address system, like speakers, for their preaching activities and the defendants assured that he would look into their requests.

“Adamu also requested that the defendant teach them how to create a website for their activities.”

The witness added that in the course of investigation, two victims volunteered written statements in which they recounted their experiences.

The DSS official said the victims, a male and female, were no longer available, because they expressed their unwillingness to attend court to testify because of fear and trauma.

The court admitted the statements of the victims, one was written in English by the female victim, while the other written in Hausa by the male victim was translated into English.

The court admitted in evidence eight statements made to investigators by the defendants and video recordings of the statements writing sessions.

Kaswe subsequently informed the court that he intends to bring a formal application for the court to visit where the items recovered from Mamu’s house and office are kept.

Further hearing in the case resumes at 11am on Wednesday.
November 25, 2025
JUST IN: About 70 ex-staff sue Premium Pension over unpaid entitlements, others

About 70 disengaged staff of Premium Pension Limited (PPL) have sued the firm, challenging their disengagement and the alleged failure of the company to pay their gratuity and other entitlement.

In the suit filed before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja, the claimants, argued that their disengagement is illegal and unjust as it was allegedly done by PPL for no reason, with malice and bad faith.

They added that their disengagement without being paid all they are entitled to, despite their repeated demand, has placed them in a situation of hardship.

The suit was filed by some of the affected staff – Ibrahim Usman Raji, Emmanuel Folorunsho, Mustapha Saidu Sulaiman, Muhammed Baba Ibrahim – (suing in representative capacity on behalf of themselves and 60 others, whose employment were wrongly terminated).

Premium Pension Limited is listed as the sole defendant. The claimants are praying the court for eight declaratory reliefs and nine monetary clams.

Raji and others want the court to among others declare that contracts of employment existed between the claimants and the defendant from the time the claimants were respectively offered appointments by the defendant and until their disengagement.

The claimants also want a declaration that the abrupt termination of their contract of employment was wrongful, illegal and unlawful for the refusal of the defendant to give adequate notice or payment of salary in lieu of notice and for no reason whatsoever

They want the court to issue an order mandating PPL to pay them their gross emoluments in respect of “a lump sum payment equivalent to three months” as contained in their respective letters of disengagement.

The court is equally urged to order the defendant to pay all claimants their respective exit/ gratuity as communicated to all staff previously upon approval of the board of the defendant.

The claimants are also seeking and order mandating the defendant to pay all them “their entitlements in full without any deduction of purported liabilities.”

They stated, in a statement of facts, that they were all disengaged and served with their respective letters of disengagement from the

4th day of August, 2025, although all the letters of disengagement were backdated to 29th July, 2025 and stated to be effective from the 1st August, 2025.

Raji and others also stated that they had all resumed work in the month of August 2025 before they were served with their respective letters of disengagement and by so doing they were all entitled to the payment of education subsidy which is paid annually in the month of August.

They added that the Defendant deliberately backdated the tetters of Disengagement to the 29th July, 2025 so as to deny them their earned benefits and requisite notice or payment in lieu.

The claimants further stated that the defendant has also refused to pay to them their profit share, performance and productivity bonus in spite of several demands.

The claimants stated that the defendant’s action has caused them and the other affected employees’ and their dependents severe hardship, financial loss, and emotional distress.

They told the court that the defendant has, in the recent past, paid gratuity and exit packages to some members of its staff upon their exit from the company, but has now chosen not to pay them out of sheer greed and refusal to be responsible towards them.

According to the claimants, there were series of liaisons and follow up by representative of the ex- staff to the previous Board Chairmen of the company, namely Alhaji Aliyu Abdurrahnan Dikko, Mr. Ibrahim Alhassan Babayo and Arc. Yunusa Yakubu but to no avail.

November 25, 2025
Southwest in joint moves to prevent terrorists’ incursion into region
- Governors back immediate creation of State Police
- Artisanal mining, interstate migration must be regulated
- Abiodun meets security chiefs, wants foreigners, others documented
- Ogun govt plans crackdown on unauthorised settlements, others
- 70 foreigners from Niger, Chad, Sudan arrested in four days
Southwest governors yesterday made a bold, pre-emptive and strategic move to forestall terrorism incursion into the region.

The governors resolved to set up a joint regional security fund and security intelligence sharing communication platform while also reinvigorating forest surveillance across the six states.

Other measures agreed upon include the monitoring and regulation of inter-state migration and effective action against illegal mining activities.

The governors also reiterated their support for state police as replacement for the current centralised policing structure.

This is in line with the joint position adopted by all 36 governors on the platform of the National Economic Council (NEC), to which they all belong and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

But Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has always expressed his opposition to the idea of state police.

The six governors -Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos ), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun), who was represented by his deputy- Kola Adewusi – converged on the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, for a crucial discussion on security, economic development and regional integration.

Adeleke did not personally attend because he is abroad.

Sanwo-Olu, Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum, who presided over the meeting, emphasised that the security of lives and property cannot be compromised in the region.

The meeting held on the heels of mounting security challenges in contiguous states, such as Kwara, where worshippers were abducted in Eruku and Kogi.

In Kebbi and Niger states, where the bandits attacked schools and kidnapped pupils and teachers.

On Sunday, the Niger school proprietor announced the escape of 51 pupils from their abductors. Security agencies are intensifying efforts to rescue those still being held by the bandits.

Before yesterday’s meeting, the six governors have been beefing up securities in their states individually.

They are now to work close together to secure the region.

With local security outfit, Amotekun, complementing security, the region is believed to be the safest in the country.

Oyebanji, Aiyedatiwa and Makinde have held strategic meetings with security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders in their domains.

Abiodun, who has also met security chiefs, said apart from the documentation of foreigners, government would crackdown on unauthorised settlements, illegal miners and scavengers.

Already, no fewer than 70 foreigners from Chad, Sudan and other states have been arrested in four days in Ogun.

Sanwo-Olu, who read the communique of the meeting, told reporters that the governors deliberated on national security and how it affects the Southwest.

The communique reads: “The Forum commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the fight against insecurity and various economic reforms and other developmental agenda.

“The Forum expresses solidarity with the Federal Government in its efforts in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States after the recent spate of kidnappings, at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, the Catholic institution of St. Mary’s in Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger and the CAC Church at Eruku, Kwara State.

“The forum applauds the swift response of the Federal Government towards the rescue of the Kwara abductees and more than 51 students of the Catholic School, Niger State. The forum reviewed the current state of security of our region and took some decisions to ensure the security of the lives and property of our people.

“South West Regional Security Fund: The Forum agreed to set up a South West Security Fund (SWSF) under DAWN Commission to be administered by Forum of Special Advisers on Security of all South West States and to meet monthly.

“Joint Security Intelligence Sharing and Communication Platform: The forum resolves to establish a live, digital intelligence-sharing platform among all six Southwest states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti). This platform will exchange threat notications, incident logs, traveler and cargo alerts and coordinate state-to-state rapid response.

“Forest Surveillance: the Forum commends the efforts of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Hunters, Amotekun Corps members and all the other security agencies. The Forum calls on the Federal Government to note the urgent need for enhanced forest surveillance across the Southwest States and called for the Federal Government to secure the vast forest belts that have become hideouts for criminal elements.

“To this end, the Forum agrees that the Federal Government should help deploy Forest Guards across the Southwest states, with each state government responsible for providing the required personnel.

“The Governors reaffirm their collective commitment to reclaiming the forests, and ensuring that these spaces no longer serve as safe-corridors for banditry, kidnapping, or any form of criminal activities.

Read Also: Kwara begins disbursement of N40,000 each to 32,420 female pupils

“Inter-state Migration: the forum expresses deep concern on the unregulated interstate migration that continues to pose signicant challenges across the Southwest.

“The forum calls for stricter border monitoring, data collection and self-identication and urges each Southwest States to work with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for proper identication. The forum agrees to intensify security collaboration to ensure that interstate migration does not become a conduit for insecurity.

“Illegal Mining Activities: The forum expresses deep concern over the escalating illegal mining activities across the Southwest states, which continue to threaten environmental safety, public health and regional security. The forum calls for comprehensive and enforceable licensing framework, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and strict enforcement actions against violators who may perpetrate violent crimes under the guise of mining.

“State Police: The Forum reaffirms its support for the establishment of State Police, emphasising that ‘The time is now’ and it can no longer be delayed.

“Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Resilience: The Forum acknowledges and appreciates the efforts of the Federal Government in providing food sufficiency and in particular commends the various farmers in the region for the increase in agricultural output and subsequent stability and reduction in food prices.

“Southwest Development Commission (SWDC): The Forum thanks President Tinubu for the establishment of the commission

and charges the Commission to effectively deliver on its mandate.

“DAWN Commission: The Forum commends the DAWN Commission and its activities on regional integration and security.

“Finally, the forum enjoins all the south west people to remain united and committed to the peace that exists in our dear region. We remain one, indivisible entity that will continue to enjoy and guard the religious tolerance that we have always been known for.”
November 25, 2025
Nigeria, U.S. agree on new cooperation framework
- Fed Govt strengthening intelligence to tackle threats, says Badaru
The Federal Government yesterday said it is intensifying the integration of intelligence capabilities across the security architecture to confront rapidly changing threats.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Nigerian delegation held extensive engagements with the U.S. Congress, State Department, National Security Council, White House Faith Office and the U.S. Department of War.

The talks focused on boosting joint operations against terrorism, violent extremism and cross-border criminal networks.

Nigeria used the meetings to firmly reject allegations of genocide against Christians in parts of the country.

It insisted that the violence in affected communities is neither one-sided nor targeted at any ethnic or religious group.

The delegation warned that mischaracterising the security situation could inflame tensions and undermine ongoing peace efforts.

At the end of the engagements, the U.S. Government pledged to expand cooperation in intelligence sharing, expedite Nigeria’s requests for defence equipment and consider supplying excess defence articles, subject to availability.

Washington also expressed readiness to increase humanitarian support to communities in the Middle Belt and assist with strengthening Nigeria’s early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms.

Both countries agreed to activate a non-binding cooperation framework and set up a Joint Working Group to implement agreed priorities.

Nigeria, in return, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and vulnerable communities in conflict-prone areas.

Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru stated this in Abuja at the opening of the 2025 Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) Annual Conference.

He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to building a modern, technology-driven national security system capable of anticipating and neutralising emerging dangers.

The conference, with the theme: “Multi-source intelligence innovation in a challenging national security ecosystem,” brought together senior defence intelligence officers, Nigeria’s Defence Attachés and Advisers posted to missions across the world, regional directors and state intelligence coordinators.

Read Also: Benefits of Recreation in Mental and Physical Wellbeing in Nigeria

It coincided with the return of a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu from Washington, D.C., with fresh commitments from senior U.S. government officials to deepen counterterrorism cooperation.

Tinubu prioritising security for economic growth, says Badaru

Speaking at the DIA conference, Badaru said President Tinubu sees security as the foundation upon which national prosperity must be built.

This, he said, explains the administration’s heavy investments in interagency cooperation, modern equipment, improved welfare for personnel and enhanced intelligence structures.

Badaru noted that Nigeria’s security challenges have evolved beyond traditional warfare into a complex network of threats driven by technology, cross-border alliances and manipulation of digital spaces.

“We no longer confront one predictable enemy. Our adversaries exploit technology, hide within civilian populations, manipulate communication networks and operate across physical and digital spaces at unprecedented speed,” he said.

He identified terrorism, banditry, cybercrime, violent extremism and disinformation campaigns as the most active and multidimensional challenges confronting Nigeria.

To stay ahead, he said, the intelligence community must adopt innovation, speed and strategic integration.

“In line with the President’s vision, the Ministry of Defence and Defence Headquarters have prioritised a seamless intelligence-operations integration framework that ensures real-time data flow between the DIA, the Service Headquarters and operational theatres,” he added.

The Minister commended the DIA for implementing the Joint Intelligence Mission Data and Analytics System (JIMDAS), integrating cognitive analytics into its workflow and boosting cyber-monitoring capabilities, reforms he described as “true force multipliers.”

‘Technology at heart of intelligence work’

Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt-Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, said the Defence Intelligence Agency is deliberately investing in advanced technologies, human intelligence and interagency collaboration to enhance Nigeria’s national security outcomes.

He described Nigeria’s security environment as “dynamic and complex,” with insurgency, terrorism, banditry and organised crime stretching across multiple theatres.

This reality, he said, requires an intelligence system that is agile, multidimensional and capable of integrating data from diverse sources.

“Multi-source intelligence lies at the heart of our ability to anticipate, dictate and neutralise emerging threats,” the CDI said.

“By leveraging innovations in data analytics, artificial intelligence and interagency information-sharing, we can build a unified national intelligence framework for strategic and operational decision-making.”

He said the DIA has operationalised the Defence Intelligence Agency Technology Centre (DIATC), set up last year to drive innovation in five core areas: cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning and data analytics.

“These technologies are transforming intelligence work globally because the sheer volume of information generated daily exceeds manual processing capacity.

“The DIA is committed to embedding these innovations across its operations to achieve decisive advantage in both peace and conflict,” he said.

He added that the agency is also strengthening partnerships with allied nations, noting that Nigeria’s defence attachés play a critical role in intelligence diplomacy, joint training and active information exchange.

Akpabio unveils Counter Terrorism Strategic Plan

Also yesterday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio unveiled Nigeria’s Counter Terrorism Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030.

It was designed by the National Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the NSA.

The Senate President noted that every generation faced a question that history demanded it must answer.

He said: “For ours, the question is clear: how do we secure our nation, safeguard our people and set Nigeria irreversibly on the path of peace, growth and stability?

“The Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030 answers this question with vision, discipline and ambition.

“It offers a framework for transforming our institutions, modernising our security architecture, strengthening national resilience and expanding partnerships across government, industry, civil society and the international community.

“As President of the Senate, I have seen how insecurity weakens the foundations of development.

“Investors withdraw, schools close, farmers abandon their fields, and hope retreats from the hearts of our young people.

“That is why a pragmatic, forward-looking and implementation-driven plan such as this is timely, necessary and welcome.

“While security is a constitutional responsibility shared by all arms of government, the legislature has a unique obligation – to provide the legal, oversight and budgetary backbone upon which security institutions stand and thrive.

“The 10th National Assembly has taken this duty seriously. We have enacted far-reaching laws in defence, policing, intelligence coordination, cybersecurity and counter-terrorism.

“We have strengthened agency mandates, promoted inter-agency synergy and championed better welfare for those who risk their lives daily so that Nigeria and Nigerians could be secure in their homes, hopeful in their communities, and proud to raise children in a country where safety is not a privilege, but a guarantee.

“But legislation alone cannot secure our country. We must invest in people, technology, training and strategic partnerships.

“We must replace short-term firefighting with long-term planning. That is why this Strategic Plan matters; it translates intent into action and action into measurable results.”

Ribadu, represented by the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, said the Strategic Plan was a product of extensive research, inter-agency collaboration and consultations across government ministries, security institutions, academia, civil societies and international partners.

He said the vision is to establish the National Counter Terrorism Centre as a regional centre of excellence in countering terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.
November 25, 2025
How Tinubu coordinated rescue of 38 Eruku church members, by sources

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s coordination of strategies presented by heads of security agencies led to the rescue of the 38 kidnapped worshippers of Christ Aposolic Church, Eruku in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, it was learnt yesterday.

The worshippers regained freedom through the operations of men of the Department of State Service (DSS) at about 3.20 pm on Sunday.

Several AK-47-wielding men on Wednesday invaded the church in Eruku, Kwara State. They shot at the worshippers.

At the end of the bloody attack, two worshippers lay dead with several others injured. The gunmen thereafter fled into the bush with 38 other worshippers, triggering international outrage.

It was learnt from the security sources that the President took charge of coordinating the operations. He took round-the-clock briefings, weighing the options, and resolving to go to the extreme lengths to prove wrong all those accusing his administration of not protecting Christians and non-Christians enough.

Read Also: Kwara begins disbursement of N40,000 each to 32,420 female pupils

The sources disclosed that the president’s personal involvement triggered an unprecedented intelligence mapping and aerial surveillance by Office of the NSA, resulting in DSS operatives swooping on established coordinates in the forests of Oreke Okeigbo, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

It was gathered that the President approved the Sunday raid by the DSS and the Nigeria Air Force.

The sources said the operation was highly classified, so were not certain if the kidnappers fled on sighting the security operatives, or were eliminated.

The sources drew attention to the fact that some gunmen in June attacked a marble mining company in the same area, killing two policemen, and kidnapped some Chinese workers.

November 25, 2025
JUST IN: Names of abducted Niger students released

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has released the names of the students and teachers abducted from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

The document contains a total of 265 names, including 12 teachers, 14 secondary school students and 239 primary school pupils.

November 24, 2025
JUST IN: Veteran journalist Bayo Osiyemi dies at 75

Prince Bayo Osiyemi, former Chief Press Secretary to the first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande is dead.

Nicknamed “Charming Prince”, he was aged 75.

The Nation learnt Osiyemi died on Monday, November 24.

The family in a statement signed by Seyi Osiyemi on Monday said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, husband, grandfather, and esteemed community leader, Prince Bayo Osiyemi.

“He departed this life early this morning, November 24.

READ ALSO; Let’s rethink schools’ closure

“While we mourn his loss deeply, we also celebrate his well-lived life and the countless individuals he touched.

“Further details regarding the memorial service and arrangements will be announced shortly. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Osiyemi was a former Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Matters to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

He was also a former Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area. He also served as Editor of Lagos News, Chief Executive of Penby Communications. He was also a weekly columnist for The Nation Newspaper.

Prince Osiyemi was born on February 4, 1950, to the families of Sisu and Arowosugbo of Ijebu Igbo, the largest town in Ogun State, he took his blue blood from his mother’s lineage; the Arowosugbo Dynasty.

He was born into a Muslim family and was named Abdul – Lateef. His traditional name, Omopeninu (child stayed long in the womb), speaks of delayed pregnancy which reportedly lasted three years, four months.

November 24, 2025
BREAKING: Atiku officially joins ADC

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He formally registered as a member at Jada Ward 1 in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Recall Atiku in July, resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had been mired in a prolonged internal crisis.

Atiku’s formal entrance follows the prior announcement of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on November 19 officially commencing registration and membership validation.

READ ALSO; Let’s rethink schools’ closure

“As a demonstration of my commitment, I completed my own symbolic registration at Ward 8, Unit 1, Ifofin, in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State,” Aregbesola had said via his social media handles, urging existing members to validate their membership and new entrants to register.

In an announcement on Monday through his official X handle, Atiku posted a photo of himself holding his ADC membership card with the brief caption, “It’s official.”

Atiku in July had led the adoption of the ADC as the coalition platform for opposition figures to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

November 24, 2025
Fed govt, US officials deepen security ties, agree on new cooperation framework

A high-level Nigerian delegation, led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has secured renewed commitments from senior United States officials to strengthen security cooperation between both countries following a series of engagements in Washington, D.C., last week.

According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, the delegation met with officials across the US Congress, the State Department, the National Security Council, the White House Faith Office, and the US Department of War.

The talks focused on improving joint efforts against terrorism, violent extremism, and other security threats facing Nigeria.

During the engagements, the Nigerian team firmly rejected allegations of genocide in the country, stressing that violence in affected areas cuts across ethnic and religious lines.

It warned that mischaracterising the situation would further polarise communities and undermine ongoing efforts to restore peace.

READ ALSO; Let’s rethink schools’ closure

Following the discussions, the US Government affirmed its readiness to deepen cooperation through enhanced intelligence sharing, faster processing of defence equipment requests, and potential supply of excess defence articles, subject to availability, to bolster Nigeria’s ongoing operations.

Washington also indicated willingness to expand humanitarian support to communities affected by violence, particularly in the Middle Belt, and to provide technical assistance to strengthen early-warning and response mechanisms.

Both sides agreed to immediately activate a non-binding cooperation framework and establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate implementation of agreed priorities.

The Nigerian government, in turn, reaffirmed its commitment to improving civilian protection and safeguarding vulnerable communities.

The statement noted that the week-long discussions helped clarify misconceptions about Nigeria, reinforced mutual trust, and advanced a solution-driven partnership aimed at protecting citizens.

The delegation included the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye; Special Adviser to the NSA, Ms. Idayat Hassan; and Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the NSA.

November 24, 2025