Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has charged the Federal Government to stop apologizing and negotiating with terrorists. Obasanjo gave this charge on Friday at the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival held in Jos, the state capital. His comment is coming against the backdrop of the escalating killings, abductions, and other attacks on several communities in the North in recent weeks. THENEWSCREDIT recalls that on November 21, a total of 315 students and 13 teachers were abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. The incident came after the terrorists kidnapped 24 schoolgirls at the Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on November 17. In the latest assault, bandits struck the Palaita community, Erena Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting 24 people, including pregnant women, from a rice farm. About 20 persons were also abducted by bandits in Kano and Kwara between Monday night and Tuesday morning. The development comes barely 24 hours after 38 worshippers abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku, Ikere, Kwara State, on November 18, were released after the Federal Government negotiated with their abductors. In the Tuesday attack, 10 persons, including a pregnant woman, nursing mothers, and children were reportedly seized in Isapa community, a few kilometres from Eruku, Kwara State. Obasanjo, while speaking at the event, expressed displeasure over the escalated insecurity. “Our government must stop apologizing and negotiating with terrorists. No matter what religion you belong to. No matter where you come from. No matter your profession, we Nigerians are being killed, and our government seems to be incapable of protecting us. “We are part of the world community. If our government cannot do it, we have the right to call on the international community to do for us what our government cannot do for us,” he said

Retired senior military officers have dismissed claims that the Nigerian Army is planning to forcibly conscript citizens aged 18 and above, insisting that such action would be unconstitutional. The ex-military personnel emphasised that the Army lacked the authority to compel any Nigerian to enlist. Their reaction followed a viral post alleging that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu, had threatened compulsory recruitment for youths who fail to voluntarily enlist. The Nigerian Army, through its Acting Director of Public Relations, Lt-Col Appolonia Anele, denied the claim in a statement issued last Friday in Abuja. The Army said the post falsely suggested that the COAS planned to introduce forced conscription, describing the information as misleading and intended to cause panic among citizens. Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, former Deputy Director of Defence Administration at Defence Headquarters, Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (retd.), said compulsory recruitment could not occur without legislative approval. He stated, “You are talking about the military trying to conscript youth into the military. It is not something that the military can do except it goes through the legislative arm. It is a constitutional requirement. It is not going to happen. “Also, technically, Nigeria is not at war. You can only be at war if it is so declared. If you are not at war, why do you want to conscript people into the army?” Olawunmi added that instead of contemplating forced enlistment, authorities should address internal issues affecting morale and motivation within the military. Similarly, retired army colonel Yomi Dare said the constitution does not permit the military to recruit anyone by force. He said, “The military cannot force anyone. This is a matter of the constitution. It will go before the National Assembly, and it will pass all the due processes, and it will become a law, then so be it. “It is high time that Nigeria sees the military as a service that everyone should be committed to. The military deserves some recognition and respect.”

The former President returned to Abuja on Thursday following his evacuation from Guinea-Bissau after a military coup. He landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after being airlifted from Guinea-Bissau in the wake of the takeover. He thanked the President of Ivory Coast and President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria for sending planes to lift him from Bissau. THENEWSCREDIT reports that Jonathan had been in Guinea-Bissau as part of a joint election observer mission deployed by the African Union, AU, ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum to monitor the presidential and legislative elections. However, military authorities in the country on Wednesday declared that they had assumed full control. They also announced the suspension of all electoral activities and the immediate closure of national borders. Jonathan therefore found himself trapped in Guinea-Bissau following the announcement of the military takeover on Wednesday. Speaking to journalists on Friday, Jonathan said: “I’ve always been scared talking to the media, but in this particular case, I decided to speak to the media. First and foremost, thank Nigerians for the show of empathy, the encouragement while we’re in Bissau, and this so-called coup happened. “The information we got was that the whole country was agitated, young and old, irrespective of religious divides or political divides. “And I sincerely appreciate Nigerians, and I want them to hear directly from my mouth, to appreciate their concern. And secondly, to thank my president, President Tinubu and the President of Ivory Coast. “Both presidents were to send aircraft to lift us, but somehow, Ivory Coast is closer to Guinea-Bissau, and there’s always some relationship between Francophone countries, and they were able to penetrate their system to get a landing permit before Nigeria did. “The Ivorian aircraft was already on its way to Bissau when we learned about the Nigerian aircraft about to depart, we asked them not to bother.”

The Rivers State Police Command has launched an investigation into the death of a seven-year-old girl, Alicia Olajumoke, who was allegedly stabbed to death by her minder in Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state. Details of the incident, which occurred on Tuesday, were scanty as of the time of filing this report. However, it was gathered that the minder reportedly committed suicide after realizing the enormity of her actions. Sources said the house help went to the school of her employer’s daughter, picked her up, and took her home before carrying out the act. In a statement on Friday, the police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the toddler’s mother, Glory Joseph, reported the incident to the police. Iringe-Koko added that the seven-year-old girl died before reaching the hospital, where the minder, who also took her own life, was confirmed dead. She further stated that while the corpses of both victims have been deposited at the hospital, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCID) of the Police Command for a detailed probe. The statement read, “Today, 25th November 2025, one Glory Joseph, female, of No. 21 Okabia Street, Agip Estate, Rumueme, reported at the station that her daughter, Alicia Olajumoke, female, aged seven years, was stabbed to death at about 1400 hours by one Success, female, surname yet to be known. “She (Glory) further said that the suspect went to the school of the deceased, picked her up, took her home, and stabbed her to death. The suspect also inflicted a stab wound on her own throat. “The scene of the crime was visited, and photographs were taken. The victim was rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead. The suspect was also rushed to the same hospital and confirmed dead. “The corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue for autopsy. The case has been transferred to the SCID. Preliminary investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated.” Cases of violent attacks on children by household staff are rare but not unprecedented in Nigeria, raising concerns about vetting and supervision of domestic workers. In one notable case, a domestic worker was sentenced to death by hanging in 2023 for killing an elderly employer and her daughter

The Oyo State Government has directed traders, artisans, motor dealers, and vendors occupying pedestrian walkways and roadside spaces to vacate the areas or face penalties. The warning was issued on Friday, by the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) Chairman, Major Adesagba Adekoya (retd), at his office in secretariat, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. “Using walkways for business is illegal and creates traffic bottlenecks, accidents, and inconvenience for shoppers,” Adesagba said. He identified the University of Ibadan area, Samonda, Mokola, among others, as locations where illegal trading is prevalent. “Traders are required to relocate to designated market spaces immediately, especially during the festive period,” he said, warning that non-compliance would result in fines and court appearances. The state government commended OYRTMA’s efforts to improve road safety and public order, and reiterated its commitment to upgrading infrastructure and ensuring safe movement throughout the state.

Bandits have kidnapped a 16-year-old boy and six girls from Gidan-Bijimi in Kawu ward, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. A resident of Kawu, Suleiman Shuaibu, confirmed the incident via telephone on Thursday morning, explained that the armed bandits, carrying AK-47 rifles, invaded two houses in the community around 9:47 p.m. on Wednesday, firing sporadically and abducting six young girls and a 16-year-old boy. According to the source, some vigilantes attempted to confront the attackers but were overwhelmed due to the bandits’ superior firepower. Shuaibu also added that the abducted girls are aged between 17 and 23. He said some residents were forced to flee their homes after the incident, even as he said contact is yet to be established with the abductors.

The Lagos State Government has revealed that an estimated 160,000 residents are currently living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency made this known during its World AIDS Day 2025 press briefing held on Thursday. Presenting the state’s progress report before journalists at Alausa, Ikeja, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr Folakemi Animashaun, said the figures reflect the latest estimates from January to September 2025. “As of January to September 2025, Lagos State currently has an estimated 160,000 residents living with HIV, of whom 147,466 persons are on antiretroviral treatment,” she said. Animashaun commended the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, noting that his support “strengthens both our health systems and community networks, ensuring that every effort to prevent, detect, and treat HIV is empowered and sustained.” The year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” she said, mirrors the realities faced in Lagos, especially following the Stop Work Order issued by the United States Government, which disrupted community-level HIV interventions. THENEWSCREDIT reported in March that the United States Government terminated its agreement with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, an innovative joint venture of the UN family which leads the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. US President Donald Trump, earlier in January, issued an Executive Order called “Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign AID” which ordered a 90-day freeze of all foreign aid pending a review of assistance efforts to ensure alignment with current U.S. foreign policy. According to Animashaun, the order significantly slowed testing and counselling activities. “These pauses in community activities slowed essential interventions, limiting access to testing, counselling, and psychosocial support,” she said, warning that vulnerable groups felt the impact most. During the reporting period, the state conducted 222,415 HIV tests, representing just 28.9 per cent of last year’s testing output, further highlighting the impact of the disruptions. Animashaun emphasised that the decline “reinforces the need to sustain engagement, early testing, and strong community support.” Despite the setbacks, she lauded community groups for adapting swiftly and restoring services. “Their unwavering commitment has allowed Lagos to regain lost momentum,” she noted. According to her, the agency’s ongoing Statewide Community HIV Testing Campaign, which began on November 18, has tested 9,943 residents, with a 2.0 per cent positivity yield, all of whom have been linked to care. “Women are showing strong participation, particularly in Ikorodu, Badagry, Ojo, and Mushin, demonstrating the success of market-based and community-cluster strategies. “Positive cases have been identified across multiple LGAs, confirming that HIV remains a disease of public health concern in the state,” she added. Animashaun also spotlighted the state’s intensified anti-stigma efforts and outlined activities lined up for the World AIDS Day commemoration, including a Jumat service, a novelty football match, church outreach, an awareness walk, and a stakeholder symposium. “Together, we can sustain the HIV response for a healthier, stronger Lagos,” she concluded as she called for collective action to tackle the menace.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the constitution of Nigeria’s delegation to the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group, as part of efforts to deepen collaboration in tackling security challenges in the country. ‎Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA), will lead the Nigerian side of the joint working group, supported by a multi-stakeholder team drawn from key security and policy institutions. ‎Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, announced this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. ‎The development followed the recent high-level engagements in Washington, D.C., led by the NSA. ‎Members of the team include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, Minister of Interior, and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. ‎Others are Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed, and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. ‎Ms Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the U.S. will serve as the secretariat. ‎Tinubu urged the team to work closely with their U.S. counterparts to ensure the seamless implementation of all agreed areas of cooperation.

A mammoth crowd on Thursday accompanied the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, to his ward, where he collected his membership card for the African Democratic Congress, ADC. THENEWSCREDIT had earlier reported that El-Rufai left the Social Democratic Party, SDP, for the ADC ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 general elections. The former governor collected his ADC membership card at Ungwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna, Kaduna State. The large number of supporters accompanying him included his former appointees and loyalists. This development comes barely 48 hours after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar formally registered as a member of the opposition party. THENEWSCREDIT reports that El-Rufai, Atiku and other opposition leaders, plotting to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2027, have adopted the ADC as their platform for the forthcoming elections.

The Nigerian Senate has rejected a bill seeking to establish a National Ethnic and Reconciliation Commission, NERC, sponsored by Senator Anthony Ani, who represents Ebonyi South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The proposed legislation, which aims to prevent, manage and resolve ethnic conflicts, promote national cohesion and foster peace-building, among other objectives, had previously passed first reading at an earlier plenary. However, at its second reading on Thursday, several senators identified what they described as anomalies in the bill and declared that such a law was unnecessary. Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) was the first to oppose the bill, noting that its acronym, NERC, is already used by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. “The Senate cannot pass laws establishing two separate commissions with the same acronym,” Abaribe noted. Similarly, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) argued that there is no such entity as a “National Ethnic”, stressing that Nigeria is not composed of a single ethnic group. In addition, Oshiomhole warned that passing the bill into law would impose an additional financial burden on the Federal Government at a time when it is struggling to meet some of its financial obligations. In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, declared that the country did not require such legislation. He observed that some senators who had earlier supported the bill did so out of sentiment, even though they knew it was inappropriate and would serve no useful purpose. “Nigerian does not need this bill. Some of you supporting it are doing so on sentiment. Even from the tone of it, the bill doesn’t stand for anything,” he said. When a voice vote was conducted on the proposal, senators overwhelmingly voted against it with a resounding “Nay”, thereby effectively ending the legislative process on the bill.