A resolution urging the Federal Government to review the firearm laws to allow responsible citizens to own guns was yesterday passed by the Senate. The Red Chamber’s decision was triggered by the escalating insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states. The resolution followed consideration and adoption of a motion titled: “Urgent need to address escalating insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger States.” In his lead debate, Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South), who sponsored the motion, highlighted recent attacks on schools, worship centres, and rural communities. He noted the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where two worshippers were killed and 38 others abducted.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has commended President Bola Tinubu for renaming the National Arts Theatre after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and pledged support for the Africans in Diaspora return-to-Africa project. The royal father spoke at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, while receiving Soyinka, who visited to mobilise support for the project. Soyinka and his team met with the Ooni to discuss the ongoing initiative for the symbolic return of Africans in the Diaspora, particularly from Brazil, to Africa, Nigeria in particular. Receiving the team, Oba Ogunwusi noted Soyinka’s lifelong dedication to strengthening Yoruba cultural identity, unity, and global recognition. Commenting on the Africans in Diaspora return project, Oba Ogunwusi said, “We are always delighted to receive you in Ile-Ife, which is your ancestral home. “It is clear that this divine assignment aligns with your calling, and we will work together to strengthen the bond between our people and their descendants abroad. “On behalf of the entire Yoruba race and the Ooni-in-Council, we express our profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for honouring an icon like you. You remain our pride.” In a statement signed by Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday, Soyinka highlighted the growing desire among Africans in the Diaspora, particularly Afro-Brazilians of Yoruba origin—to reconnect with their history, ancestors, and cultural identity. He emphasised the importance of educating them on the historical realities of slavery to foster unity and encourage their return to the ancestral land. “If we do not take decisive steps now, it may take much longer to rebuild this bridge. When they come home, they can contribute to economic, cultural, and intellectual development. But above all, their deepest desire is to rediscover their origin,” Soyinka said. THENEWSCREDIT reported on May 13, 2025, that the Ooni of Ife commended President Tinubu for his administration’s growing recognition of culture as a vital pillar of national identity, unity, and international diplomacy. The commendation was contained in a statement signed by Mr Caleb Nor, Media Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation. The statement quoted the traditional ruler as giving the commendation during a media conference organised by NICO to herald the upcoming World Orisha Congress

Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, has found himself trapped in Guinea Bissau following the announcement of a military take-over on Wednesday. Jonathan has been unable to leave the country along with hundreds of foreign observers. He had travelled to Bissau ahead of the elections which has already been conducted, but the results are yet to be officially declared. It is understood that those who raced to the airport in a bid to leave the country after the coup was announced are currently stranded. A day after the two leading candidates – President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Fernando Dias – both declared victory, a group of military officers have taken “total control” of the country. Addressing themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, they suspended the electoral process “until further notice”. The officers also closed all land, air and sea borders and imposed an overnight curfew.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the National Assembly to review existing laws to allow states to establish their own police forces, as part of efforts to address rising insecurity across the country. This was contained in a statement on Wednesday declaring a nationwide security emergency. “I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them,” he said. The President also added that his “administration will support state governments which have set up security outfits to safeguard their people from the terrorists bent on disrupting our national peace.” He urged educational and religious institutions in remote or high-risk locations to ensure constant police presence. “States should rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security. Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas,” he stated The call for state police forms part of a broader security strategy, which includes recruiting 20,000 additional police officers, deploying trained forest guards, and reinforcing the Armed Forces in troubled regions. He authorised the police to recruit 20,000 new officers, bringing the total to 50,000, and approved the use of National Youth Service Corps camps as temporary training facilities. “My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas. “The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation,” Tinubu said. The president directed the Department of State Services to deploy trained forest guards to flush out bandits and terrorists hiding in forests and to recruit more personnel for forest operations. He reiterated that officers withdrawn from VIP duties should undergo crash training before redeployment to critical areas.

The Oyo State Government has issued a high-level security alert following intelligence suggesting that a notorious militia leader identified as “Boyi Actor”, who is on the wanted list in Ogun and several other states, has been sighted in Saki, a border town in the Oke-Ogun area of the state. According to an internal memo dated November 23, 2025, and signed by CP Odukoya Sunday Babatunde (Rtd.), Executive Assistant on Security to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, the warning was triggered by information received from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo Command. The document, obtained by Oyo Affairs, reveals that Boyi Actor was reportedly seen moving in a black tinted vehicle, though details of the car’s make and model had not yet been provided by security sources. The memo suggests that the suspect’s presence in Oyo State may be part of a wider movement to pave way for members of his group from Niger, Kwara and Kaduna States, raising concerns about possible coordinated infiltration. To prevent any potential attack, Babatunde directed the NSCDC and other security outfits in the state to immediately activate surveillance and tighten security at all entry and exit points. ‘M’ who is on wanted list of Ogun State and others States in Nigeria was sighted in a Black Tinted Car, though the make and model of the car is yet to be received from the Author. The suspect sighted in Saki town Oyo State. “This means that, the suspect coming to Oyo State is to pave way for members of his group from Niger. Kwara, and Kaduna States. “It is necessary to quickly activate your security methodology along the Exits/inlet points into the State.” He listed several critical locations requiring heightened protection, including: Governor’s Office and Government House, Government ministries and installations, all schools – universities, secondary and primary schools. Others are recreation centres, banks, bus terminals and garages, churches, mosques, security barracks and formations. The memo also emphasised the need for increased visibility of security operatives, intensified stop-and-search operations, and enhanced vehicle patrols across the state.

A new video has surfaced showing that the Nigerian government and the bandits who abducted the Kebbi schoolgirls negotiated and arrived at a deal before the girls were set free. Recall that some kidnapped students of Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, were released on Tuesday with the government claiming that no ransom was paid before their release. But a video has surfaced online revealing that the government had negotiated with the abductors before the girls were set free. In the clip shared by @AM_Saleeem on X, one of the armed men is heard questioning the schoolgirls about military aircraft that flew over the forest during their captivity. He asks how many jets passed above them, and the girls respond, “uncountable.” The kidnapper then boasts that the authorities could not rescue the students by force and had to negotiate. The abductors also asked the girls about their condition in captivity. “Did we leave you hungry?” one bandit asked. “No,” the girls replied. “Were you assaulted in any way?” he asked again. “No,” they answered. Another kidnapper told them, “We will take you back home safe to your parents, we are doing this based on peace deals.” He also mocked the government again, asking, “How many helicopters did you see hover around?” The students replied that they could not count them. At the end of the video, one of the abductors declared, “We are letting you go after negotiations. Your government cannot rescue you with might. Your government has failed.” The footage appeared shortly after Kebbi State governor, Nasir Idris and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, announced that all abducted students had been freed. The girls, who were kidnapped after armed men stormed their school and killed the vice-principal, were later seen smiling inside a bus as officials prepared to transport them to Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. Authorities have said the students will be handed over to their parents today (Wednesday).

Popular Nigerian journalist and Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has raised concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government regarding the release of 24 schoolgirls abducted by bandits in Maga, Kebbi State, last week. In a now viral video on Wednesday, Oseni lamented that Tinubu’s government is negotiating with bandits to secure the release of the schoolgirls instead of using a kinetic approach. He said Tinubu’s government, which handed the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, life imprisonment for inciting violence, is now negotiating with bandits for the release of kidnapped victims. “I am happy about the fact that the kidnapped people were released. Halluaah. But what do they mean that they spoke with the kidnappers or bandits, and they released the people? Is it that you people did not arrest them? And you left them to go like that so that they will kidnap another person just as they have done? I shoulder a disbelief at what is happening in Nigeria. You negotiated with the criminals, bandits, and terrorists as what? a business partners? Should the government be negotiating in a case where it has superpowers? The same government has jailed Nmandi to life imprisonment for inciting violence. Still, the same people who kidnap and take people against their will, the government has the temerity to say we negotiate with them”, he said in the viral video X on Wednesday. THENEWSCREDIT reports that 24 schoolgirls were released by bandits on Tuesday. Reacting president Tinubu said, “I am relieved that all 24 girls have been accounted for.” The manner of their release had continued to generate concerns among Nigerians. Earlier, Nigerian rapper and activist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, faulted the rescue of 38 abducted members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, without the arrest of the kidnappers. However, a presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in an interview on Arise TV, said, “The security personnel must act carefully to avoid harming citizens”, he explained as reasons bandits are not arrested.

The Southern Governors’ Forum is scheduled to meet on Wednesday in Iperu, Ogun State, to deliberate on key national and regional issues. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Ogun State Governor, Kayode Akinmade, on Wednesday. The meeting, billed for 10am will take place at the governor’s residence in Iperu. According to the statement, the governors will also engage in a joint session with the Southern Traditional Rulers Council at 1pm to strengthen collaboration between political leaders and traditional institutions on matters of shared concern. Ahead of the meeting, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, in a post on X, said the state was pleased to welcome participating governors and traditional rulers. Abiodun said, “As we prepare to host the Southern Governors’ Forum meeting today, we were pleased to receive some of the distinguished attendees, particularly traditional rulers and respected leaders from across the southern region. “Their visit offered us the opportunity to deepen ongoing engagements and align our shared expectations ahead of the gathering. “We value the presence of our royal fathers and regional leaders, whose wisdom and guidance continue to enrich our processes. “As host, we remain committed to creating an atmosphere that encourages honest dialogue and fosters stronger collaboration among all stakeholders as we work together for the peace, stability, and development of our region and country by extension.” The forum is expected to address security, economic cooperation and other pressing issues affecting the southern region.

The Federal Government has officially outlawed open grazing nationwide as part of a broader strategy to end the recurring clashes between farmers and herders. The decision was revealed on Tuesday by the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Mukhtar Maiha, at the inauguration of the maiden National Council on Livestock Development held in Yola, Adamawa State. Maiha noted that the long-running conflict has inflicted heavy human and economic losses, leaving many communities devastated. He stressed that the violence has displaced countless families and destroyed farmlands and livestock. According to him, “Nigerians have been subjected to untold hardships, including the killing of innocent farmers and herders, as a result of open grazing. There is an urgent need to put a stop to this problem,” he said. The minister further explained that the practice of open grazing has now been classified as a capital offense, urging herders to transition fully to ranching. He maintained that structured ranching systems offer better safety and higher productivity. “Ranching will not only prevent conflicts but also improve the quality and weight of cattle for better business,” he added. Insecurity: Tinubu orders 24-hour aerial cordon on Kwara, Kebbi, Niger Maiha also pointed to the sector’s economic prospects, saying the ministry aims to make livestock development Nigeria’s second-biggest revenue source after oil. He disclosed that the government projects about $74 billion in revenue within five years, with over $14 billion already generated through current livestock programmes. Declaring the council open, Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Professor Kaleptawa Farauta, said Adamawa remains one of the country’s strongest livestock zones, making it a fitting location for the event. The newly formed National Council on Livestock Development brings together directors of livestock from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The council is expected to drive reforms, monitor policy execution, and strengthen the modernization of Nigeria’s livestock industry

Former militant leader and Niger Delta activist, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has warned Boko Haram fighters not to enter Port Harcourt, saying he will not hesitate to confront and kill any terrorist who attempts to operate in the city. In a viral video reacting to the rising cases of killings and kidnappings across Nigeria on Tuesday, Asari-Dokubo said his faith as a Muslim will not stop him from fighting back if attacked. He said, “If Boko Haram comes to Port Harcourt, you know sey my business na to kill them. I dey Zamfara dey kill them, I dey Plateau dey kill them, I dey Niger dey kill them. If they come to Port Harcourt, my business is to kill them. “This thing I’m telling you is raw. I’m not like those people who do sisi sisi, this and that, apologetic. I am a Muslim. If you come to fight me, I will kill you. That one is no compromise.” His comments sparked fresh debate over his growing influence in security matters and his long history of armed activity in the the Niger Delta. Asari-Dokubo is an Ijaw activist, businessman, and former militant commander from the Niger Delta. He was born into a Christian family but converted to Islam in the 1990s. He later became involved in student activism and Ijaw youth struggles after dropping out of law programmes at two Nigerian universities. His rise began with the Ijaw Youth Council, where he became president in 2001, pushing for resource control and environmental justice. By 2003, he founded the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, a militant group that carried out attacks on oil infrastructure during the height of the region’s unrest. He was detained on treason charges in 2005 but released in 2007, later receiving a presidential pardon in 2011. After laying down arms, Asari moved into business and private security work. Reports have linked him to multimillion-naira pipeline security contracts in the 2010s. He later moved some of his investments to the Benin Republic, where he also launched an educational venture. He now runs Royal Foushe Security Services, a licensed private security outfit that has been involved in several rescue operations, including the release of 19 hostages in the Niger Delta in May 2025. Earlier this year, Asari was installed as a traditional ruler in Rivers State with the title Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri. He has also been active in politics, shifting alliances between southern and northern blocs, and has made a series of bold statements, including threats to resist foreign intervention in Nigeria