President Bola Tinubu Says Insecurity Remains The Most Troubling Challenge Facing Nigeria, Especially The Northern Region. He Said On Saturday In Kaduna That Urgent Efforts Were Required To Rebuild Trust, Strengthen Unity And Restore Safety Across Communities. Tinubu, Represented By The Speaker Of The House Of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Spoke At The 25th Anniversary Of The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) And The Launch Of Its Endowment Fund. The President Said Insecurity Must Be Tackled Decisively To Prevent Further Economic Decline And Educational Setbacks. Tinubu Said, “Nothing Troubles Me More Gravely Than The Security Crisis Bedevilling Nigeria, Especially Northern Nigeria, “We Cannot Prosper When One Limb Of The National Body Is Paralysed.” He Said His Administration Inherited Complex Security Challenges But Was Addressing Them With “urgency And Determination.” The President Said That The Government Was Committed To Eliminating Terrorist And Bandit Groups Operating In The North And Reversing The Region’s Economic Decline. He Expressed Optimism About Northern Nigeria’s Economic Prospects, Saying He Looks Forward To The Day Crude Oil Tankers Begin To Roll Out From Kolmani And Other Northern Oil Fields. Tinubu Added That Key Infrastructure Projects, Including The Abuja, Kaduna,Kano Superhighway,. Were Being Fast-tracked For Completion And Commissioning. He Said The North Must Speak With Honest And Courageous Voices To Address Its Challenges, Warning That The Region Cannot Progress If Leaders Fail To Protect Vulnerable Communities. “We Fail The Day We Sleep Comfortably While Millions Sleep With Empty Bellies, The Day Fear Becomes A Permanent Companion For Travellers,” He Said. Tinubu Added That Although Decades Of Dysfunction Had Strained Unity, The Diversity Represented At The ACF Anniversary Demonstrated A Collective Resolve To Resist Division And Restore Solidarity. The President Praised The ACF For Serving As The Conscience Of Northern Nigeria For 25 Years, Saying That The Forum Had Consistently Defended Dignity, Fairness And Equality For Millions. He Described The Silver Jubilee As A Celebration Of Courage, Advocacy And Principled Service. Tinubu Urged Leaders Across All Sectors To Recommit To The Values That Guided The Founding Of The ACF, Stressing That The Unity And Stability Of The North Were Vital To Nigeria’s Overall Peace And Development. (NAN)

Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, has warned that Nigeria is facing its gravest security crisis since independence, urging northern and southern leaders to forge urgent partnerships to rescue the nation from escalating violence and deepening mistrust. Delivering a goodwill message through Kole Omololu, Afenifere’s National Organising Secretary, at the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna, Fasoranti said the country was “confronted by unimaginable violence, declining public trust and the fraying of social bonds.” He described the ACF Silver Jubilee as a moment for sober reflection. “We have never had to deal with this level of insecurity… This is a sad moment for our country,” he said. Fasoranti commended the ACF for 25 years of service and advocacy, noting that it had remained a stabilising voice for the north and a platform for national dialogue, unity and cohesion. “The founders of ACF set out to create a platform through which the voice of Northern Nigeria could be articulated with clarity, responsibility and dignity,” he said. While raising concerns over insecurity, Fasoranti expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, asserting that the “Renewed Hope Agenda” had the potential to steer the country toward stability. “Our challenges, though immense and complex, are not insurmountable. What is required is sincerity of purpose, courageous leadership, and a renewed commitment to fairness and justice,” he added. He urged northern and southern leaders to strengthen cross-regional cooperation built on mutual respect and shared responsibility. “Ours must be a partnership grounded not in suspicion or rivalry, but in mutual respect and shared responsibility,” he stressed. Fasoranti also called for revisiting Nigeria’s foundational debates between 1953 and 1966, saying historical introspection was necessary to address current insecurity and safeguard the nation’s future. “It is time to reflect on what our fathers and leaders proposed and discussed… This has become urgent and imperative for the security of our people and the future of this country,” he said.

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has warned that armed groups have infiltrated several communities in the South-West with plans to launch coordinated attacks. Adams issued the warning during an interview with Central TV at his Lagos residence, where he said intelligence at his disposal suggests a growing and immediate danger. “We are at a point where the security situation in this country has become deeply troubling. Recent incidents across numerous states show clearly that Nigeria is facing a serious security threat. “Credible information available to us indicates that terrorists have already infiltrated many communities in Yorubaland,” he said. He added that developments in neighbouring Kogi and Kwara states, two regions he described as “buffer zones” to the South-West, suggest that armed groups are testing tactics ahead of broader assaults. “What they are doing in Kogi and Kwara is simply to test the terrain before launching major attacks. The intelligence we have shows that they are targeting Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and even Lagos State,” he alleged. When asked to identify the groups involved, Adams linked the threats to various armed factions operating in northern Nigeria, noting that his assertions were based on information obtained from undisclosed sources. “These are the same groups responsible for daily attacks in different parts of the country. Sometimes they are labelled as bandits, sometimes as violent herdsmen. “But beyond that, we know that international terrorist organisations such as ISIS, ISWAP and Boko Haram also operate in Nigeria. There are also splinter groups that broke away from them,” he said. He claimed that foreign elements were involved in coordinating some of the alleged activities. “I can say authoritatively that some foreigners are coordinating this. It is not limited to Nigerians alone,” he asserted. Adams said the motivations behind the violence vary from group to group, driven by political, economic and ethnic objectives.

Social activist and skit maker, Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the rising cases of terrorism and mass abductions across the country. Macaroni, in a post on his X handle on Friday, faulted the President’s handling of security, declaring that the continued kidnap of schoolchildren was proof of “incompetence”. He wrote: “President Tinubu, you said you had all the answers to end Terrorism!! You said any President who could not protect the people is incompetent! “Any school child that has been abducted is a result of your incompetence!! The blood of Nigerians being shed as an act of terrorism is on your head!!!.” Police, military comb forests in search for abducted Niger Catholic school students His comments followed the latest attack in Niger State, where terrorists abducted students and staff of St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area. The exact number of victims has yet to be confirmed as the school was still compiling its records at press time. The Kotangora Catholic Diocese in Niger state has issued a statement confirming the incident. Terrorists invade Catholic School in Niger, kidnap students, staff Efforts by THENEWSCREDIT to reach the Niger State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, did not take his calls. The incident comes just days after terrorists stormed a government school in Kebbi State, kidnapping at least 25 students.

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has blasted President Bola Tinubu over the recent upsurge in killings and kidnappings in Nigeria. In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele described the situation as a shame, especially for the fact that some officials of the government went to the United States for a meeting regarding insecurity and the threats issued by Donald Trump. The prophet stated that the president’s responsibility is to ensure every Nigerian is secured, and that if the president can’t make that happen, he should resign from his position and let someone else who is capable do it. He made it known that the issue of genocide isn’t just affecting Christians alone, but everyone in the country, regardless of their religion. “You have to use everything you have within your power to secure the lives of Nigerians. It’s a disgrace that we have to go and report to America, let’s be truthful and honest, Genocide isn’t a particular religion, it’s not only Christians, Muslims are also involved. The killing is general, and it’s really sad. “Tinubu has a responsibility to protect every Nigerian regardless of religion or tribe, but what we have seen so far doesn’t seem like the president can do it. “Sadly, citizens are losing confidence in their president; it’s totally a shame. If the president can’t solve insecurity, he should resign and let someone who can do it replace him.” Police, military comb forests in search for abducted Niger Catholic school students The prophet blasted the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, for always ignoring warnings regarding insecurity in the country, making it known that he is one of those causing issues in Tinubu’s government. He explained that the NSA hasn’t acted in his capacity to solve insecurity in the country. “The NSA is always busy when it comes to listening to warnings that can protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. He doesn’t listen to intelligent advice, and this is costing the Tinubu government a lot. The president must call him to order, not for political reasons but for the sake of the innocent Nigerians.” Furthermore, he advised President Tinubu to do everything within his power to protect Nigerians and ensure he listens to every advice. “When there is insecurity everywhere will be in disarray; let the air run their aircraft in areas where we have problems. During elections, we see planes flying around; this should be done in those areas. The IGP, COAS, should relocate to these areas where we have problems. “The DSS is doing well, the officials are proactive to a large extent, but they can’t do it on their own. They should be assisted by other forces to ensure their intelligence doesn’t go to waste. “It is also not a time for you to ignore any prophecy, either fake or not. These terrorists sleep, they are not spirits, they shouldn’t have mercy on anyone, destroy them,” he added.

The Nigerian government has demanded the imposition of death sentence on Nnamdi Kanu following his conviction on terrorism charges. Counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, informed the court that the sections of the law under which Kanu was charged and convicted carried death sentence without any option. Addressing the court after the pronouncement, the senior lawyer said the court has no discretion to exercise than to impose maximum punishment on him in line with the dictates of the law. Awomolo held that Kanu throughout the trial did not show remorse for the offences he committed against the Federal Republic of Nigeria but chose to be militant, arrogant and unruly in his attitude. He also demanded that all properties seized from Kanu be forfeited to the Federal Government. The prosecution counsel equally demanded that Kanu be taken to prison where his security will be guaranteed till when the judgment against him would be executed.

President Bola Tinubu says he would do everything to ensure the return of the schoolgirls abducted by bandits in Kebbi State. Tinubu gave this assurance through his Vice, Kashim Stettima on Wednesday during his visit to the state. THENEWSCREDIT reports that Shettima visited Kebbi to commiserate with the government and people of the state a few days after the abduction of the students. The Vice-President, who was accompanied by the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, described the incident as unfortunate. According to him, the President’s priority is the safe return of the schoolgirls. Shettima commended security agencies for their sacrifices

Oyo State Government has enlisted the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival in the lineup of activities for this year’s Faaji December cultural and entertainment festival. The Faaji December program, coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will run from December 1, 2025, to January 2, 2026. Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum held in Ibadan, the Secretary of the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival Planning Committee, Mr. Muyiwa Oke, said the carnival’s inclusion in the statewide festive calendar underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening tourism and cultural heritage across all zones.

United States Senator Jim Risch has condemned the Nigerian government over the recent abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State, insisting that Nigeria has consistently failed to protect students from jihadist and criminal attacks. Risch, who represents Idaho in the U.S. Senate, issued a statement on Tuesday via his official X handle, expressing concern that schoolchildren, especially girls, remain prime targets for abduction, forced conversion and ransom. He warned that the U.S. will continue to pressure the Nigerian government to safeguard vulnerable citizens, stressing that Washington will “hold Nigeria accountable” over persistent security lapses.