Ibadan – The Presidency has dismissed reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu had replaced his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
The denial comes after several social media posts began circulating the unverified claim of a change in the Chief of Staff position.
Some of the posts claim to have gotten the information from “insider” sources.
However, in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Thursday, the government described the viral claim as false and urged Nigerians to disregard it.
The Presidency said the report was a fabrication by purveyors of fake news aiming to sow discord within the government.
Maiduguri mosque bombing: President Tinubu orders deployment of additional tactical teams
Following the suicide attack at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri metropolis on Wednesday night, President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate intensification of security operations in Borno State.
Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, disclosed this on Thursday in a statement signed by Stanley Kingsley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President).
The suicide bomber reportedly infiltrated the mosque while worshippers were observing the Maghrib prayer, killing five people and injuring 35 others.
Boko Haram suicide bomber behind Borno mosque blast, army says
The headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai, Nigerian Army, has confirmed that the explosion at a mosque in Borno State on Wednesday December 24, 2025, was carried out by a suicide bomber.
It was reported that at least five people were confirmed dead, while 35 others sustained injuries following the blast at Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque in the Gamboru Market area of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State.
The explosion occurred during the evening Maghrib prayer session.
In an update on Thursday, Theatre Command spokesman Lt. Col. Sani Uba said investigations revealed that a Boko Haram terrorist was responsible.
Kidnapped Niger school children, staff reunited with families – Properitor, Rev Fr Yohana
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has confirmed that all children and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Schools, Papiri in Niger, have been rescued and reunited with their families.
Rev. Bulus Yohanna, Catholic Diocese of Kontagora and Properitor of St. Mary Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
He said a total of 230 persons comprising 12 staff members, 14 students and 204 pupils were verified to have been abducted and later rescued through the efforts of the Federal and Niger State governments, as well as security agencies.
Yohanna said all rescued children had been reunited with their families, adding that no report had been received indicating that any child remained missing.
He explained that immediately after the abduction on November 21, an initial headcount showed that 315 persons were unaccounted for.
ICPC: Dangote must testify in person
Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote must appear personally to adopt his corruption allegation petition, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has indicated.
The business mogul filed a petition before the agency against former Chief Executive of
Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Alhaji Farouk Ahmed, alleging fraud.
The agency said the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, does not allow proxy representation on criminal matters.
It gave Dangote December 29 deadline to appear before it.
Police nab 22 suspects, recover guns, others nationwide
Operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) have arrested 22 suspects and recovered firearms, vehicles, motorcycles, illicit drugs and other incriminating items.
The arrest followed a series of intelligence-led operations carried out across several states in the country.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Thursday said the suspects were arrested for offences ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling and car snatching to economic sabotage, impersonation and drug trafficking.
Bail dispute: Malami, EFCC trade words over service of Court order
A fresh legal controversy has erupted between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, over the service and enforcement of a court order granting bail, raising broader concerns about adherence to the rule of law by state institutions.
The dispute followed a ruling by a court which reportedly granted bail to Malami in a matter involving the anti-graft agency. While the EFCC, through its legal team, has denied being duly served with the court order, Malami’s office insists that the order was properly served in line with legal procedures.
In a statement issued by Malami’s media office, it was stated that the EFCC and its lawyers were served with the court order shortly after it was issued. According to the statement, a court bailiff made attempts to effect service at the EFCC office, but officials allegedly declined to acknowledge or receive the documents.
Why Lagos Island building fire took hours to contain — Fire service
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has explained why the fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, took several hours to contain.
It was reported that the fire started in the 25-storey building around 5 p.m. on Wednesday and continued into Thursday despite the early deployment of firefighting crews.
What began as a blaze on the fifth floor around 5 pm on December 24 rapidly escalated, spreading to at least five adjoining structures, including the old Lagos Central Mosque, before emergency teams declared it under control on Christmas Day.
In a statement issued via X on Thursday, the Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said the distress call was received at 4:41 pm, with firefighters arriving at the scene at 4:53 pm.
11 dead, 12 injured in Jigawa auto crash — FRSC
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has confirmed 11 persons dead and 12 others injured in a lone auto crash that occurred along Ringim-Sankara-Beguwa road in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa.
Ado Adamu, the Ag. Commander in charge of the Ringim Local Government Unit of the FRSC in Jigawa confirmed the development on Thursday.
Adamu said the incident, which involved a Volkswagen car conveying 23 passengers, was caused by a tyre burst and excessive speeding.
