Ibadan – Names of abducted Niger students released
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has released the names of the students and teachers abducted from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The document contains a total of 265 names, including 12 teachers, 14 secondary school students and 239 primary school pupils.
Nigeria-US security partnership reinforced
The Presidency says the United States Government has signalled a renewed commitment to boosting security collaboration with Nigeria, including expanded intelligence sharing and the supply of military equipment to support counter-terrorism and counter-extremism operations nationwide.
This assurance followed a series of high-level meetings in Washington last week between senior Nigerian officials and key arms of the US Government, aimed at strengthening defence ties and exploring new areas of cooperation.
The Nigerian delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, held discussions with officials from the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council and the Department of War.
ADC faults President Tinubu’s police redeployment directive
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s directive withdrawing police officers from VIP security duties, describing the move as political theatrics that will not meaningfully improve national security.
In a statement on Monday, the party’s spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the decision reflects a limited understanding of the depth and complexity of Nigeria’s insecurity.
The party argued that similar directives in the past yielded no results, noting that the measure “makes for good headlines” but does not address the structural deficiencies undermining the security agencies.
Insecurity: ‘Don’t shut schools, protect them’ – Galadima tells Nigerian govt
A member of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, Buba Galadima, has urged the Federal Government not to close schools due to insecurity, but to focus instead on protecting them.
Galadima made the appeal on Monday during an interview on Arise Television.
The NNPP chieftain also acknowledged the challenge faced by state governments in striking a balance between safeguarding students from insecurity and ensuring they receive the education they deserve.
He added that the government should move beyond relying solely on physical security and instead deploy technology to safeguard Nigerians.
Bandits claim Kebbi, Niger abductions, vow more attacks on soldiers, politicians
An armed terrorist group has released a new video claiming responsibility for the recent student abductions in Kebbi and Niger states, while threatening further attacks on soldiers and political office holders.
The video, which emerged on Monday and has since been circulating on social media, shows an armed man, speaking in Hausa, boasting that the group would soon begin targeting military personnel and politicians, insisting that the government “cannot stop” their operations.
The footage, which shows the individual surrounded by other armed men, has generated widespread speculation online, with citizens questioning the boldness and growing confidence of the terrorists.
Court adjourns Senator Natasha’s cybercrime trial to February
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is facing allegations of cybercrime, until February 4, 2026.
The matter, earlier fixed for hearing on Monday by Justice Mohammed Umar, could not proceed due to the judge’s absence.
However, the court has now rescheduled the case for February 4, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
States pile up N1.06tn debt despite record allocations
States across the country owe contractors and retirees a combined N1.06tn in outstanding obligations despite receiving record revenue inflows in 2024, according to new data from BudgIT’s 2025 State of States report.
The organisation found that contractor arrears amounted to N434.87bn, while pension and gratuity arrears stood at N626.81bn, bringing total unpaid obligations to N1.06tn. The figures underline persistent fiscal stress at the subnational level, even in a year when federal allocations more than doubled and many states reported higher internal revenues.
A total of 30 states reported owing either contractors or retirees in the 2024 fiscal year, based on the BudgIT report. Twenty-six states recorded contractor arrears, while 27 states owed pension and gratuity arrears to retirees.
Show dignity to fallen heroes in your reportage, Minister urges media
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has appealed to journalists to always treat fallen military and security personnel with dignity in their reportage.
Idris made the appeal, on Monday, at a National Symposium on Digital Innovation in Crisis Communication, organised by Centre for Crisis Communication, Abuja.
The Minister noted that every combatant who pays the supreme price is not just a statistic, but someone’s child or spouse.
UK rejects Nigeria’s request to transfer Ekweremadu
The British Government has turned down a request by Nigeria to deport former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who is serving a prison term in the United Kingdom for organ trafficking, The Guardian UK reports on Monday.
Ekweremadu, 63, was jailed for nine years and eight months in 2023 after a UK court found him, his wife, Beatrice, and a medical doctor, Obinna Obeta, guilty of conspiring to exploit a young Nigerian man for his kidney.
The kidney was intended for their daughter, Sonia, in a private London hospital.
According to The Guardian, the conviction was the first under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act for organ trafficking.
Ibadan Circular Road: I’m Not Moved By Insults, Death Wishes – Gov. Makinde
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared that his administration will continue to ensure that development is fair, humane and inclusive, noting that he will engage with residents affected by the ongoing 110km Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road Project, beginning from Wednesday.
He maintained that he would, in line with his promise to run a people-centred government, visit the Circular Road, listen to the residents, and explore all possibilities, including adequate compensation and resettlement.
Governor Makinde stated this on Monday, while presenting the 2026 Budget Proposal to the House of Assembly, noting that he was not moved by the insults and death wishes to him, as he had prepared for the praises and the insults, which are all parts of leadership.
He noted, however, that his administration didn’t carry out any acquisition on the project, as according to him, he was forced to release documents showing that the previous government acquired the 500 metres each to the right and left of the project and had even published the decision in a November 2018 edition of a national daily.
Miss Universe Africa resigns, says ‘I’m staying true to my values’
Olivia Yacé, the Ivorian beauty queen who placed fourth runner-up and won the continental title for Africa and Oceania at Miss Universe 2025, has resigned her title, citing her commitment to personal values and integrity.
In a statement posted on her official Facebook page on Monday, Yacé explained that she is stepping away to preserve the principles that guide her life and career, following a dramatic Miss Universe finale in Bangkok.
