Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has strongly condemned recent calls to execute repentant insurgents and secessionists, warning that such actions violate both divine commands and international legal frameworks. In a statement published on his official Facebook page on Friday, Gumi argued that killing surrendered combatants or prisoners of war lowers the state to the moral level of terrorists. He cautioned that such actions could trigger indictments at the International Criminal Court (ICC). "Killing repentant insurgents and secessionists is against religious and international law," Gumi stated. "So also prisoners of war. ICC is listening if you don’t fear Allah. Where is morality? It’s the same logic terrorists employ to kill all others besides them. Emotions don’t win a war." Gumi’s remarks follow a major policy shift by the National Assembly. During Tuesday`s plenary session, lawmakers demanded an immediate end to the federal government`s amnesty and rehabilitation programs for surrendered terrorists. Citing the nation`s worsening security crisis, the Senate resolved that all individuals linked to terrorism must face immediate prosecution rather than rehabilitation. Lawmakers insisted that strict judicial punishment is vital to restoring public confidence in Nigeria`s criminal justice system. However, Gumi countered that emotional decision-making would not win the war against insecurity, urging the government to maintain its moral superiority by upholding legal conventions.

As the new wet season cultivation begins across Nigeria, a looming food security crisis is unfolding in the North. Armed bandits have established parallel governance systems across major forest reserves, imposing multi-million naira “farming taxes” on communities and threatening to completely choke off national food production. The annual planting period—traditionally a time of hope—has transformed into a cycle of fear and extortion for farming communities across Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Yobe states. THENEWSCREDIT reports that In Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, bandits recently slammed the Kwandawa community with a staggering ₦20 million levy. Residents were handed a brutal ultimatum: pay the fine—allegedly retaliatory punishment for the killing of a bandit member—or permanently vacate their ancestral homes and farmlands. A similar crisis is paralyzing Sabon Birni Local Government Area in Sokoto State. Residents across 26 vulnerable communities have been forced to pool resources to meet fresh financial demands from criminal groups. The armed gangs issued a strict three-day ultimatum, blocking farmers from accessing their fields until the funds are delivered. Further south, extortion networks have spread into the agricultural border zones of Kano and Katsina states. Sugarcane growers report being forced to pay up to ₦50,000 per acre to criminal elements before they are permitted to harvest their crops. The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has sounded a severe warning over the micro-taxation of agriculture, noting that the targeted smallholders form the bedrock of the country`s nutritional survival. “These small-scale farmers producing 10 to 15 bags are the ones providing food for Nigeria, not those who produce 500 to 1,000 bags,” said Alhaji Abdullahi Ali Mai Biredi, Chairman of the AFAN Kano State chapter. Mai Biredi warned that blocking agrarian communities from their land will trigger a dangerous domino effect. “If these farmers cannot go to their farms because of insecurity, there will be a shortage of food, and food scarcity causes problems. Shortages of food also cause further insecurity.” Despite the widespread extortion, AFAN acknowledged recent tactical gains by state actors. Mai Biredi commended the Federal Government and security agencies for deploying personnel to liberate several previously inaccessible agricultural hubs. Land preparation and cultivation have successfully resumed along the critical border corridors linking Kano and Katsina states due to targeted security presence. The AFAN chief urged the government to complement military action with non-kinetic strategies. “If they have a problem, the government should ensure it looks into their complaints because insecurity has caused huge damage in Nigeria,” he stated. Efforts to get official reactions from the Katsina State Ministries of Agriculture, Information, and Internal Security were unsuccessful at the time of going to press.

The Federal Government has commenced plans for the nationwide adoption of 112 as Nigeria’s single emergency telephone number. This strategic move aims to phase out multiple emergency lines and establish a unified national response framework. The presidency will engage state governors and response agencies to finalise the integration strategy. This was disclosed in an official statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications. The announcement followed a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa between Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Nigerian Communications Commission governing board. Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe led the NCC delegation during the strategic briefing. This development follows a recent endorsement by the National Economic Council, chaired by the Vice President. The council approved the 112 line across all tiers of government to eliminate fragmented response protocols. Vice President Shettima has directed the NCC to develop a comprehensive implementation roadmap immediately. The telecom regulator must collaborate closely with the National Emergency Management Agency to strengthen nationwide coordination. To ensure long-term sustainability, funding will be mobilised through the National Economic Council and private sector partnerships. The presidency has called for high-level commitment from all emergency responders to guarantee successful execution. The NCC has already established 35 Emergency Communications Centres across the federation to support this rollout. Effective operation will now rely on swift integration between state governors, the police, and ambulance services.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has issued a fierce directive to security forces, ordering them to eliminate bandits and terrorists immediately upon deployment without waiting for clearance from superiors. General Musa warned that any soldier or security operative who hesitates or waits for administrative orders before neutralizing threats will be treated as a saboteur and classified alongside the terrorists. The Minister handed down this definitive charge on Wednesday in Sokoto State during the official commissioning of 62 operational vehicles and advanced security equipment. The assets, valued at N27.1 billion, were procured by the Sokoto State Government to intensify ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the region. Addressing the frontline troops directly, Musa eliminated any ambiguity regarding the rules of engagement. "Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist," Musa stated emphatically. "I want to make that very loud and clear—anybody who refuses to shoot or kill any bandit or terrorist in the name of waiting for an order, we will treat you like a bandit." In addition to the operational directive, the Defence Minister underscored the massive financial investment made into the security infrastructure, reminding the personnel of their accountability. He stressed that the N27.1 billion spent on the fleet could have funded other critical public sectors but was prioritized to ensure their safety and victory. "It is important for those that will handle this equipment; this equipment cost billions of naira that could have been used for other aspects but have been dedicated to this," Musa noted. "So I want to charge you that you must maintain this equipment very well. We will come after a year to see how this equipment is doing."

A routine shopping trip turned into a celebratory event on Monday evening when a pregnant woman unexpectedly went into labour and safely delivered a baby boy inside the bustling Gbagi Market. The woman had visited the popular market to purchase final essentials for her unborn child. Instead, she began experiencing sharp, sudden labour pains mid-purchase. Recognising the urgency, local traders and market women sprang into action. They quickly cleared out a nearby shop, transforming it into a makeshift delivery room to ensure her privacy. Using their collective experience, the market women successfully assisted the mother through childbirth before emergency medical transit could be arranged. Both mother and her newborn son were reported to be in stable condition before being moved to a healthcare facility for routine post-delivery checkups. The successful birth drew a massive, cheerful crowd of shoppers and vendors. Onlookers highly praised the market women for their rapid response, resourcefulness, and calm composure under pressure.

The Senate on Wednesday rejected a sweeping motion seeking a comprehensive legislative probe into the budgetary allocation, operations, and rising controversies surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). The decision has sparked intense debates across the nation`s political landscape regarding the limits of parliamentary oversight on executive matters. The move to investigate the council was initiated by Senator Suleiman Kawu, the lawmaker representing Kano South, who raised a critical point of order during the plenary session. Kawu sought the immediate intervention of the upper legislative chamber to uncover the operational framework of the purported agency and address public anxiety over its funds. Citing Order 9 and Rule 9(c) of the Senate Standing Orders (2026), Kawu presented a formal motion titled, ‘Urgent Need to Investigate the Budgetary Allocation, Operations and Controversy surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) to safeguard the Integrity of the Senate and the Federal Government’. He argued that a transparent legislative inquiry was necessary to preserve public trust in national governance. In his lead argument, the Kano South lawmaker expressed deep worries over the mystery surrounding the creation and financing of the council, which has recently dominated national discourse. According to him, the public space has been heavily inundated with allegations, controversies, accusations, and counter-accusations concerning the true nature of the PFIPC entity. However, the momentum for a legislative showdown was abruptly halted by the leadership of the upper house during the presentation. The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary session, ruled against opening the floor for a general debate on the matter, effectively stepping down the motion. Defending his ruling, Jibrin explained to the lawmakers that the Executive arm of government had already taken decisive steps to address the irregularities trailing the council. He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has officially directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to launch a full-scale investigation into the matter. Concluding his remarks, the Deputy Senate President urged his colleagues to exercise patience and allow the anti-graft agency to finish its work without legislative interference. He maintained that the Senate would monitor the situation closely, ensuring that the executive-led probe remains thorough, fair, and transparent to all Nigerians.

The embattled Director General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, has broken his silence regarding the establishment of the now-defunct agency. Speaking from an undisclosed location on Wednesday, Matthew defended his actions, stating that the creation of the council was driven entirely by patriotism. He strongly denied setting up the body for personal financial gain or fraudulent purposes. The development follows an intense public outcry after the council appeared as a beneficiary in the newly passed 2026 Appropriation Act. The Presidency swiftly distanced itself from the agency, declaring it completely fake and non-existent. President Bola Tinubu has since ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate how the unrecognized body bypassed security to secure federal funding. THENEWSCREDIT reports that In a video call with social media critic Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, Matthew explained that his primary goal was to market Nigeria to global investors. He noted that he was desperate to serve the country and change its international outlook. According to him, he even went as far as self-funding early administrative processes to ensure Nigeria became a preferred destination for foreign capital. Addressing the mystery of the agency`s funding, Matthew claimed complete ignorance of how its financial allocations were drafted. He revealed that he was physically absent during the critical period when the 2026 national budget was prepared and defended before lawmakers. He questioned how an agency disowned by the executive branch could successfully navigate the rigorous National Assembly budget defense process without official backing. Matthew further disclosed that his legal troubles began after he contacted law enforcement to verify his position. He stated that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, invited him to explain his appointment letters, which were reportedly linked to the Chief of Staff to the President. Following that meeting, Matthew was detained for 23 days between October and November, during which time the controversial budget insertion allegedly took place. The embattled official revealed that by the time he was released from police custody on November 19, his assigned office space had already been reallocated to another government official. He maintained that he has not stepped foot into the agency`s office since late October. He also faces ongoing formal charges in court bordering on forgery, impersonation, and related federal offenses. The case took a darker turn as Matthew revealed that a key figure in the agency`s formation has passed away. He claimed that his close friend, Dolapo Tanimola, who allegedly provided the initial financial backing to establish the council`s operations, recently died in a tragic hotel fire accident in the Utako district of Abuja. Tanimola was also the intermediary who allegedly facilitated phone conversations between Matthew and the Chief of Staff, THENEWSCREDIT reports. Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has firmly denied any legitimate connection to Matthew or the council. Gbajabiamila has petitioned security agencies, accusing Matthew of high-level impersonation and the forgery of presidency documents. The petition triggered the initial police crackdown and the subsequent freeze on the council`s operations. Despite the heavy allegations, Matthew maintains his innocence and insists that all official documents in his possession are authentic. He announced his readiness to cooperate fully with ongoing security investigations to clear his name. He promised to voluntarily walk into the headquarters of the police and the Department of State Services to hand over his complete file of evidence. The unfolding budget padding scandal continues to raise serious questions about the integrity of the federal appropriation process. With President Tinubu demanding the immediate identification and prosecution of everyone involved in the illegal budget insertion, security agencies are under pressure to uncover how a rogue agency nearly secured millions in taxpayers` money. President Tinubu ordered a 30-day ICPC probe into a fictitious agency`s insertion into the 2026 budget. Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, currently on police bail for forgery and impersonation, is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 27, 2026. The Senate has distanced itself from the scandal, rejecting accusations of bypassing screening and deferring action until the investigation is complete.

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate suspension of all newly issued regulations, guidelines, and codes targeting internet platforms and digital intermediaries. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, issued the directive following a strategic meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC). Under the new directive, these agencies will temporarily defer the enforcement of recently issued directives currently undergoing inter-agency policy harmonisation. Minister Tijani explained that the rapid evolution of Nigeria’s digital economy has created areas where the responsibilities of sector regulators increasingly overlap. He noted that the convergence of telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety, and data governance now requires a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to policy development. The Minister emphasized that maintaining the regulatory status quo is fundamental to preserving legal certainty for investors and operators while promoting innovation and consumer confidence. According to the Ministry, improved regulatory coordination will ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness as Africa’s leading digital economy. The freeze is specifically designed to eliminate compliance confusion for businesses operating within the country`s fast-growing tech ecosystem. To ensure a smooth transition, the Ministry clarified that the directive does not diminish or affect the statutory responsibilities of the respective agencies. All other provisions of existing regulations and codes that fall squarely within the express mandates of the NCC, NITDA, and NDPC under extant laws remain fully operational. They must, however, align consistently with the overarching policy direction issued by the Minister. As part of the implementation strategy, Dr. Tijani announced the immediate establishment of a joint technical coordination committee. This committee features representatives from the three regulatory bodies who are tasked with coordinating extensive stakeholder consultations. Their primary mandate is to develop actionable recommendations for a harmonised national policy and governance framework moving forward. Once finalized, this new framework will clearly define the specific boundaries and responsibilities of the NCC, NITDA, and NDPC. The government expects the joint framework to drastically reduce regulatory overlap, protect consumer rights, and provide a predictable environment for international tech investments. The Ministry reiterated that the ongoing exercise is strictly aimed at driving institutional synergy rather than stripping agencies of their legal powers. This policy freeze comes less than 24 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to launch an investigation into major technology companies and generative artificial intelligence platforms. The presidential probe targets allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unauthorized exploitation of Nigerian media content. The newly formed harmonisation committee is expected to factor these pressing market challenges into their unified regulatory framework.

Heavily armed security operatives have raided the Oyo State residence of Pa Adetunji Ajayi Adeniyi, detaining him in a bid to force the surrender of his son, Prince Mathew Adebayo Adeniyi. The younger Adeniyi is currently wanted by federal authorities for allegedly operating two fraudulent presidency agencies. The dramatic operation follows a high-stakes, public feud between the suspect and the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, over the legitimacy of the organizations. The security crackdown began with a terrifying midnight raid at the family’s residence in the Technical College area of Ogbomoso. Operatives scaled the perimeter fencing, cut through defensive barbed wires, and smashed gate padlocks to gain entry into the compound. After forcing their way inside, the officers subjected the terrified family to an aggressive room-by-room search, breaking open wardrobes and temporarily confiscating mobile phones before withdrawing. Unsatisfied with their initial findings, a large detachment of police officers returned to the building on Monday morning in a three-vehicle convoy. The massive deployment triggered widespread panic among neighborhood residents as officers surrounded the house for a second time. It was during this second operation that the elderly patriarch was officially taken into custody after failing to produce his embattled son. THENEWSCREDIT reports that Pa Adeniyi was subsequently whisked away to the Sunsun Divisional Police Headquarters, where he was held for nearly six hours under intense interrogation. Detectives questioned the elderly man extensively about his son`s residential addresses, daily routines, and associates in Abuja. While the patriarch maintained that he was completely unaware of his son’s exact location, investigators expressed deep skepticism over his claims. The high-profile manhunt stems from a whistleblowing directive issued by the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. The Presidency had issued an official disclaimer exposing the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) as entirely fictitious entities. The fraudulent setups were uncovered after officials at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council complained that a rogue agency was illegally duplicating their statutory functions. In a defiant response to the presidency`s disclaimer, Prince Adeniyi had earlier organized a press conference to insist that his organizations were legally established arms of the federal government. During the broadcast, the suspect leveled several scandalous and unverified allegations against the Chief of Staff, escalating the bureaucratic dispute into a highly sensitive criminal investigation. The messy public confrontation has since generated intense debate across the country. Speaking to journalists following his release from police custody, Pa Adeniyi confirmed that while he was not physically assaulted by the operatives, the psychological toll of the raids was severe. He explained that his son had briefly visited Ogbomoso before returning to the Federal Capital Territory days before the police arrived. The elderly father stated that he genuinely believed his son was a legitimate federal official, describing him as a peaceful and gentle individual since childhood. Top security sources have confirmed that federal intelligence agencies have now been fully activated to track down Prince Adeniyi in Abuja. Law enforcement administrators have warned that family members harboring the suspect will face severe legal consequences for obstructing justice. Security monitoring around the Ogbomoso family home remains highly reinforced as the police intensify their efforts to bring the alleged fraudulent director-general to book.

The Federal Government has commenced the full enforcement of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026, officially establishing the National Identification Number (NIN) as Nigeria’s only legally recognized means of identification. This statutory shift mandates a single-identity framework across the country, making the NIN the primary benchmark for verifying the identity of all citizens and legal residents. The policy shift was heavily reinforced during a strategic meeting held in Abuja on Monday between the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, and the NIMC Director-General, Dr. Abisoye Odusote. Speaking on the development, Bagudu described the new legislation as a landmark reform designed to radically strengthen Nigeria’s digital identity architecture, optimize national governance, and support evidence-based policymaking. Bagudu noted that the 2026 Act provides a significantly stronger, modernized legal framework capable of hosting a secure, trusted, and inclusive national identity system. However, the Minister stressed that the ultimate success of this legislative milestone relies entirely on aggressive, effective implementation and its ultimate ability to deliver tangible economic and social benefits to regular citizens. To achieve seamless integration, the Minister called for immediate and deep collaboration among federal, state, and local government authorities. He emphasized that all tiers of government must work together to eliminate scattered, multiple identity databases across various agencies, thereby building total public confidence in the country’s unified identity management framework. According to Bagudu, a single, comprehensive national identity database is critical for the country`s future survival and economic growth. He explained that a harmonized system provides the accurate demographic and socio-economic data desperately needed for long-term development planning, efficient resource allocation, and targeted public service delivery. As Nigeria rapidly expands its digital footprint, the Minister also stressed that the government is prioritizing the safety of citizens` personal information. He maintained that strict data privacy protocols, heightened cybersecurity infrastructure, and stronger legal safeguards are being deployed concurrently to protect the expanding digital identity ecosystem from external breaches. Earlier in the briefing, NIMC Director-General Dr. Abisoye Odusote explained that the newly enacted 2026 legislation completely repeals the outdated 2007 framework. She confirmed that the law legally solidifies the NIN as the nation`s foundational identifier under a strict “one person, one identity” policy, backed by heavily upgraded digital infrastructure and enhanced data protection provisions.