President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed his directive to immediately withdraw police officers currently attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs). Speaking just before presiding over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja, the President stressed his commitment to the order and insisted that the redeployment of these officers back to core policing duties must be implemented. “I honestly believe in what I said…It should be effected. If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignment, contact the IGP and get my clearance,” he told reporters. Tinubu directed the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to collaborate with the Inspector-General of Police and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps to replace withdrawn police escorts, ensuring that individuals are not left vulnerable. “The Minister of Interior should liaise with IG and the civil defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties,” he said. The President justified the redeployment of police, citing the need to tackle rising crime. “We are facing challenges of kidnapping. We need all the forces we have on the ground, fully utilised.” To boost security, Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) to arm forest guards, stating that the instruction should be taken seriously. He tasked Vice-President Kashim Shettima with identifying and rehabilitating grazing reserves for conversion into ranches, an effort intended to formalize the livestock economy and reduce farmer-herder clashes. “We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development,” he said.

A former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has declared his support for the party’s arrangement to choose a consensus candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election. Omisore, who was among seven aspirants disqualified by the APC Screening Committee for alleged violations of party guidelines and electoral provisions, said he accepted the decision following guidance from President Bola Tinubu. Speaking on Wednesday on the TVC News programme, Politics Tonight, Omisore said the party must follow the guidance of its leader and confirmed his support. “The president has spoken, and as party members we have to work with the terms of the president,” he said. Omisore added that he has no regrets about his past political decisions, describing himself as “an old wine that tastes better,” and noting that he retains a loyal base of supporters. He said that, while he had suggested alternative approaches to party leadership, he is committed to implementing the President’s decision. He also promised to formally brief his supporters on the development and stressed the need for the APC to refine its strategy ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election. On Monday night, President Tinubu convened a meeting where all other aspirants endorsed his preferred candidate, although Omisore was absent. He urged the aspirants to embrace unity and support a consensus candidate ahead of the party’s December 13 primary. Those present included former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Hareter Oralusi, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh, and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji. Senior APC leaders, including National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman Hope Uzodimma, and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, also attended. Following the meeting, the aspirants and party leaders, in a joint statement, agreed to abide by the consensus arrangement and committed to avoiding actions that could undermine the party. They also pledged to work together to ensure the APC’s victory in the 2026 governorship election and promote stability and good governance in the state.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has dismissed the public backlash trailing her interaction with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, describing the reactions as a “needless controversy.” In a statement posted on her Facebook page on Tuesday, Mrs Tinubu said critics often magnify trivial issues and create unnecessary distractions around leadership. “Those entrusted with leadership understand their duties and how to steer the affairs of society. More often, it is the followers and critics who scrutinise every step, amplify minor missteps, and turn them into needless controversy. Ọṣun lè tèǹtẹ̀ – Osun is ahead,” she wrote. The comments were her first public response to a viral video from the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. In the clip, Governor Adeleke paused briefly after singing during his remarks, after which Mrs Tinubu approached the podium, gestured to him, and whispered something to him — a moment that drew widespread debate online. The incident has since sparked mixed reactions. Akintunde Bello, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adeleke on the Bureau of Social Services, criticised the First Lady’s gesture, describing it as inappropriate and insisting she should be cautioned. Similarly, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, condemned the act, calling it “bullying” and alleging that Mrs Tinubu had embarrassed the governor “before a global audience.” However, others defended the First Lady. Dayo Fashola, an aide to former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, described the exchange as “light-hearted,” saying it had been exaggerated by the public. A Facebook user, Oyetunji Ayoade, also defended her, arguing that she showed respect by personally approaching the governor. As of the time of filing this report, neither Governor Adeleke nor the Presidency has issued further comments, even as the incident continues to dominate social media conversations.

Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria also known as Shi’ite, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, has disclosed that the United States, US, created Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS. This was as El-Zakzaky said the US is funding the Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, and ISIS. He disclosed this in a trending video while noting that politicians in government are responsible for insecurity in Nigeria. The Shi’ite leader wondered how cattle rearers suddenly acquired weapons and armoured vehicles in the bushes. He said: “The Insecurity Problem in Nigeria was created by politicians in power and If they want to stop it today, they would because they are the ones who engineered it. “How come those people who are known to be cattle rearers have guns in the bush? How come those people they call bandits have armoured vehicles in the bushes and they call them terrorists? “Where did this tankers comes from? From the earth or they moved through? Everybody knows that authorities are behind this insecurity, if they want to stop it today, they can stop it. ”By inviting the US which we know very clearly that they are behind all these insecurity, US created Boko Haram, US is funding Boko Haram, US created ISWAP, they created ISIS, and they confessed it openly. “They said that they would use terrorism to conquer Africa, now you expect them to bring the remedy to what they caused, what do you expect? Mass killings of people. “They will come to steal our resources, you will see them where there is gold, oil, gas, and other security resources. That is why you will see them protecting Christians in Zamfara and Katsina.”

The Sultan Of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad III, Has Blasted Faith Leaders For Not Being Honest With Nigerians Concerning The Insecurity Ravaging The Country. The Sultan, Who Is The Co-Chair Of The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, Stated This On Wednesday At The Second Tri-Annual Meeting Of NIREC In Abuja. He Warned That The Council Would Slip Into Irrelevance Except Faith Leaders Embrace Sincerity, Accountability And Honest Engagement. The Warning Of The Monarch Is Coming As The Christian Association Of Nigeria, CAN, Pressed For Stronger Action On Insecurity, While The Federal Government Dismissed Global Allegations Of Religious Persecution. According To Him, NIREC Had Drifted From Its Founding Purpose And Must Urgently Confront Internal Contradictions Weakening Its Credibility. “Many Years Ago, When I Walked In Here, The Atmosphere Was Very, Very Friendly And Loving. Anyone Seeing The Discussions And Chats Going On Then Would Immediately Know We Were In A Happy Mood. Now, Unless Something Is Wrong Somewhere, We Need To Ask Ourselves Some Questions,” The Royal Father Said.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, delivered a message on the necessity of severing compromising relationships during a sermon at the ongoing Holy Ghost Congress in Ogun State on Tuesday. Speaking on the theme, “Jonah Must Go,” Adeboye warned worshippers about the dangers of nurturing immoral thoughts and maintaining friendships or associations that could hinder spiritual growth. The cleric addressed the topic of maintaining boundaries with the opposite sex, revealing the strict personal policy he implemented after moving to the campground due to long working hours. “From the moment I got to this campground, from the moment I got to a stage where, at night, I still have to work, I ceased to have a female secretary. Some people think it is gender discrimination,” he explained. Adeboye justified this decision based on self-awareness and avoiding potential temptation, especially during late hours. “I know myself. I know who I was before Jesus saved my soul. I know the possibility of dangers, being left alone at night with people of the opposite sex,” he said. “If I were to get a secretary like the last one I had. She was a wonderful child of God. She’s saved, a very wonderful child of God. She was my secretary at Ebute Meta. “And when I got here, I knew I would still be in the office at 3 a.m., and I could imagine that after a long day’s work, we have seen the last visitor. And then my secretary comes in at 2 a.m. to say, ‘We are through now, sir. Is there any way I can help you? Like a cup of tea to relax.’ “At 2 am? Jonah must go,” he declared, emphasising the need to eliminate the opportunity for moral failure before it arises. Adeboye also shared cautionary tales from within his ministry to underscore his point. He recalled advising a young man of God from the North who confessed to being excited about Mondays just because he wanted to see his secretary. “Sack her. Pay whatever you have to pay,” Adeboye recalled advising the minister. The secretary was said to have reacted angrily, saying, “I know where you are coming from. You’ve gone to visit that stupid man you call your father.” “Not that I blame her,” Adeboye said. “My son says, ‘Call him stupid. Just go.’ Today is a great man of God. Why? Because Jonah must go.” In another example, Adeboye spoke of a minister pastoring a large church in America who refused the instruction to sack his secretary and was eventually “relieved” of his duties. He was said to have later married the secretary, only for the man to discover that four out of the five children the woman had belonged to the former pastor. “It wasn’t long before the lady chased the pastor out and became the owner of the pastor. God have mercy on pastors,” Adeboye said. The cleric stressed that achieving one’s divine destiny requires drastic action, saying, “There are things that we won’t do physically because we are afraid that if we are caught, the result won’t be good. But we dwell on them in our hearts. “You yourself, you know that there are certain relationships, one or two or more that you have to do something about and do something about them quickly before they destroy you. “Because the elders have a saying, stay away from a snake that has its head on. In other words, even if the snake appears to be dead until they cut off its head, stay away from it. You know, friends, quote and unquote, that when you are in their presence, you can’t think about God. Jonah must go.” Adeboye concluded by reassuring worshippers that fear of loss should not prevent them from cutting off unhealthy ties. “If I cut off this relationship, if I throw Jonah into the ocean… Leave the rest to God,” he urged. “Anything that can truncate your destiny, friendship that is not leading you closer to God. Everything that will not let you reach your goal, Jonah must go. “When you cut off this unhealthy relationship, you might be helping that fellow. Until they threw Jonah into the sea, he wasn’t going where God wanted him to go. Jonah must go,” he added.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has directed all Royal Highnesses in the land to ensure maximum security of lives and property around their domains and Oyo State at large. The Olubadan made the call in a press statement signed in Ibadan on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Ayoade Olugbemiga. According to the statement, the Olubadan gave the charge in a meeting he held at his palace with members of the Olubadan-in-Council and the Association of Royal Highnesses of Ibadanland. The Imperial Majesty said that land grabbers, kidnappers, and other criminals could not carry out successful operations without insiders. “We are here principally to discuss the issues of insecurity, sustenance of traditional authority, and land land-grabbing menace that are giving us sleepless nights. You are installed as the Royal Highnesses to primarily protect the life and property of your subjects in your domains. “Don’t give excuses that you don’t know the hideouts of the kidnappers, land grabbers, and other criminals in Ibadanland. The aforementioned group of people couldn’t perform their atrocities without your knowledge and support. “I charge you all to give serious attention to how these atrocities can be reduced to the minimum, if not totally eradicated. “You will be held responsible for crimes committed by these unscrupulous elements you harbour in your areas of jurisdiction,” Ladoja warned. The Olubadan admonished the Royal Highnesses to take the message down to all Baales and Mogajis in their domains for full implementation. Ladoja frowned at the number of dilapidated buildings, turned by miscreants into their abodes, in the urban and rural areas of Ibadanland. He added that the idea of some traditional rulers abandoning their family compounds to settle down at their estates or in foreign countries would no longer be tolerated. Olubadan further stated that the traditional rulers have a duty to visit their family compounds and villages to rebuild them in consonance with the present Olubadan programme of urban renewal. Responding, Oba Adebowale Adeyemi, the Oniladuntan of Laduntan, who is the Chairman, Association of His Royal Highnesses in Ibadanland, reiterated members’ solidarity in building a new Ibadanland. He pleaded with his members to join hands to build a land where peace, security, and improved economic development would be guaranteed.

The Federal Government says no fewer than 10,326 Gender-Based Violence, GBV, cases were reported between January and September 2025, with 2,444 survivors receiving care in recovery centres. The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imam Suleiman-Ibrahim, made this known at the National Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence, TF-GBV. It was organised by ActionAid and other development partners on Friday in Abuja. The dialogue was part of activities to mark the 2025 16 Days of Activism, with the theme: “UNiTE! End All Forms of Digital Violence against Women and Girls”. The minister was represented by Dr Adanna Steinacker, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health. She disclosed that 511 survivors were supported with livelihoods and empowerment interventions. “Though there was a decline in the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey in sexual violence, physical violence, and intimate partner violence, yet one in three women experienced GBV during the same period. “However, across the country, violence against women, children and vulnerable groups remains a painful reality. “Technology-facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TF-GBV) has remained largely unreported due to its complex nature”. The minister added that TF-GBV, which includes sex torture, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, online blackmail, and manipulation of digital platforms, has caused severe trauma and, in some cases, fatalities. She, however, said the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to relaunch the National Electronic Dashboard on Gender-Based Violence. According to her, the initiative is vital for tracking trends, identifying patterns, and improving case management and coordination nationwide. “The ministry will be prioritising the establishment of an Emergency GBV Response Fund, a ring-fenced mechanism to bridge funding gaps and guarantee operational stability for shelters, hotlines, emergency response and survivor rehabilitation.” Earlier, Mrs Cynthia Rowe, representative of the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, called for a national online gender safety policy to coordinate agencies and enforce content moderation standards. She further urged social media platforms to act swiftly by removing harmful content within 48 hours, deploying culturally aware moderation teams, and publishing transparency reports. Rowe also called for the establishment of digital abuse courts and digital protection orders, which would serve as one-stop reporting portals integrating police, legal aid, and psychosocial support. She stressed the need for mandatory gender-sensitive cybercrime training for law enforcement. Also, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said the dialogue aimed to strengthen national coordination, deepen understanding of TF-GBV in Nigeria. “It is also to identify legal and institutional gaps, and co-create a National Roadmap for prevention and response”. Mamedu emphasised that, through high-level remarks, thematic presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, participants would develop actionable solutions and build stronger partnerships. According to him, the initiative would secure commitments from government and other stakeholders to enhance protection, reporting, accountability, and digital safety for women and girls across the country.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has dismissed public backlash over her interaction with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, calling the reactions a “needless controversy.” In a statement posted on her Facebook page on Tuesday, Mrs Tinubu said critics often magnify minor issues and create distractions around leadership. She wrote: “Those entrusted with leadership understand their duties and how to steer the affairs of society. “More often, it is the followers and critics who scrutinise every step, amplify minor missteps, and turn them into needless controversy. Ọṣun lè tèǹtẹ̀ – Osun is ahead.” The comments followed a video clip from the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, which showed Adeleke pausing after breaking into a short song during his speech. Mrs Tinubu walked to the podium, gestured to him, and whispered to him — a moment that quickly went viral and drew sharp reactions online. The First Lady’s statement marks her first public response since the video circulated. Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on the Bureau of Social Services, Akintunde Bello, said the First Lady should be cautioned, insisting that her gesture toward an elected governor was inappropriate. Similarly, African Democratic Congress chieftain Dele Momodu criticised the act, describing it as bullying and alleging that Mrs Tinubu had “openly disgraced and embarrassed Adeleke before a global audience.” Some, however, believe that Mrs Tinubu’s action was justified. Dayo Fashola, an aide to a former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, on her verified Facebook page, said the interaction between the duo was lighthearted. “What transpired between Oluremi Tinubu and Adeleke was light‑hearted and isn’t as serious as people are making it seem,” Fashola wrote. Similarly, Facebook user Oyetunji Ayoade defended the First Lady, writing, “The highest respect the First Lady can give to Osun people is to stand up and inform him by herself, and she did.” Neither Governor Adeleke nor the Presidency has issued further comments, even as the incident continues to dominate social media discussions.

Islamic cleric Sheikh Gumi has described the kidnapping of schoolchildren as a “lesser evil” compared to killing soldiers, insisting that Nigeria must negotiate with bandits to prevent greater bloodshed. Speaking in an interview with the BBC shared on Tuesday, Gumi said that while the abduction of minors is “evil,” it remains less grievous than murder — particularly in situations where kidnapped children are eventually released unharmed. “Saying that kidnapping children is a lesser evil than killing your soldiers, definitely is lesser. Killing is worse than, but they are all evil. It’s just a lesser evil. Not all evils are of the same power. He cited previous incidents, including the mass abduction in Kebbi State, arguing that the victims were freed without fatalities. “So it’s a lesser evil than, like, what happened in Kebbi. They abducted children, and they were released. They didn’t kill them.” The remarks come as more than 315 people — including 303 students and 12 teachers — were abducted in Niger State. On 7 December, the Federal Government announced the release of 100 students, while an earlier report confirmed the escape of 50 others just days after the kidnapping. “It’s an evil, and we pray that they escape”, Gumi responded briefly when asked what he would say to their parents. Gumi also defended his long-held stance that negotiating with bandits is unavoidable, describing engagement with bandits and other non-state actors as a practical strategy to secure peace and save lives, and noting that “everybody negotiates with bandits.” “That word [‘we don’t negotiate’], I don’t know where they got it from. It’s not in the Bible. It’s not in the Quran. “In fact, it’s not even in practice. Everybody’s negotiating with outlaws, non-state actors, everybody. So who got it, and where did they get that knowledge from? We negotiate for peace and our strategic interests. If negotiation will bring stoppage to bloodshed, we will do it.” The cleric stressed that his past engagements with bandits were not carried out secretly or independently. “I go there with the authorities. I don’t go there alone. And I go there with the press,” he said. Gumi revealed that his last direct meetings with bandit groups were in 2021, saying he made marathon efforts to bring various factions together, but the federal government at the time “was not keen” on the initiative. He said once the groups were officially designated as terrorists, he completely withdrew from any contact. Turning to the wider security situation, the former army captain argued that Nigeria’s military cannot shoulder the burden alone. “We need a robust army… but even the military is saying our role in this civil unrest, in this criminality, is 95% kinetic. The rest is the government, the politics, and the locals. The military cannot do everything.” Gumi also maintained that most bandits are Fulani herdsmen, not urban Fulani, urging a clear distinction between the two. He described their struggle as rooted in survival and cattle rearing: “They are fighting an existential war… Their life revolves around cattle. In fact, they inherit them. They’ll tell you, ‘This cow I inherited from my grandfather.’ They are mostly Fulani herdsmen, not the Fulani town, because you have to differentiate between the two.” Gumi’s remarks underscore the delicate balance between dialogue and enforcement in addressing Nigeria’s persistent insecurity, particularly in the northwest, where kidnappings, bandit raids, and violence continue to disrupt communities.