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BREAKING: Former AGF Abubakar Malami Arrested by EFCC Over Alleged Terrorism Financing Links

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday evening arrested Nigeria’s immediate-past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, in a dramatic raid linked to ongoing investigations into terrorism financing and money laundering.

Sources inside the anti-graft agency confirmed that Malami was picked up at his Abuja residence shortly after 7 p.m. and taken to EFCC headquarters for interrogation. He is expected to remain in custody overnight as investigators grill him over alleged “professional and institutional engagements” that reportedly crossed into suspicious financial dealings with individuals and entities now under probe for terrorism-related offences.

The arrest comes barely 24 hours after Malami issued a fiery public statement rejecting “guilt by association” and listing landmark anti-terrorism and anti-money-laundering laws he championed between 2015 and 2023, including the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

EFCC sources described Tuesday’s move as the culmination of months of intelligence gathering, claiming that certain transactions and legal services provided during Malami’s tenure “raised red flags” under the very laws he helped enact.

One senior investigator told NewsFocus on condition of anonymity:
“The irony is not lost on us. Some of the provisions in the 2022 Acts are exactly what we are using to question him tonight.”

Neither the EFCC nor Malami’s legal team has issued an official statement as at press time, but family sources described the former minister as “calm and cooperative,” insisting he has “nothing to hide.”

The arrest has already sent shockwaves through legal and political circles, with many describing it as the boldest move yet by the EFCC under its new leadership.

Rivers Governor Fubara Dumps PDP for APC in Stunning Pre-2027 Switch

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has ditched the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), capping months of high-stakes drama in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta hub.

Fubara dropped the bombshell Tuesday at a packed stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt’s Government House, framing the move as a “commitment to stable governance and alignment with partners who back Rivers’ progress.

The defection, greenlit by President Bola Tinubu after a hush-hush Monday powwow in Abuja, comes hot on the heels of 17 pro-Wike lawmakers jumping ship to the APC just days ago—flipping the state assembly’s power balance and leaving Fubara’s loyalists sidelined.

The governor, once Wike’s handpicked successor who clinched the 2023 PDP ticket with his godfather’s blessing, has been locked in a brutal feud with the now-FCT Minister since late 2023.

What started as a tussle over state resources and appointments escalated into impeachment bids, assembly arsons, and a six-month emergency rule that ended in September—leaving Fubara’s PDP footing shaky and his 2027 reelection dreams in jeopardy.

“This is in the interest of Rivers people,” Fubara declared, signaling a thaw in his rift with Wike and a pivot toward federal muscle.

He’s now the latest big fish to swim to the APC this year, joining a wave of governors and lawmakers bolting from the PDP amid its deepening fractures—echoing the party’s NEC shakeup with a new caretaker committee just yesterday.

Social media erupted with reactions, from cheers of “strategic genius” to jeers of “opportunist flip-flop,” as X users dissected the power play.

For Fubara, the accountant-turned-governor who rode to victory with over 300,000 votes in 2023, this could be the lifeline to solidify control—or the spark for fresh chaos in the PDP’s crumbling fortress.

One thing’s clear: Rivers’ political waters just got a whole lot murkier.

Army Denies Troops Shot Women in Adamawa Clash; Blames Militia Fire

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The Nigerian Army has issued a firm denial of reports alleging that soldiers killed two women during a violent communal clash in Adamawa State on Monday. The rebuttal comes after an online media report claimed escorts of the 23 Brigade Commander opened fire on female protesters.

In a detailed press release on Tuesday, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the Brigade, labeled the initial report as “baseless,” “unfounded,” and a malicious attempt to tarnish the image of the military.

Commanders Alibi and Sequence of Events

The statement provided a point-by-point account of the incident in Lamurde Local Government Area, asserting that the Brigade Commander was not at the scene. He was reportedly participating in a virtual operational briefing with the Chief of Army Staff at the time of the alleged shooting.

According to the military, the crisis began in the early hours of Monday, December 8, following a distress call about a clash between the Bachama and Chobo communities over a longstanding land dispute. A joint security team, including troops from the 23 Brigade, police, NSCDC, and DSS, was deployed to several affected villages.

The army narrative states that troops were first attacked by an armed militia suspected to be from the Chobo community, leading to a firefight where three gunmen were “neutralized.” Five other militia corpses were later found.

Roadblock and Discovery of Bodies

A critical moment occurred when troops, responding to a threat against the Lamurde Local Government Secretariat, encountered a roadblock formed by women. The army claims that while armed men (suspected Bachama militia) fired indiscriminately nearby, troops “created a passage” and moved to secure the Secretariat without harming any civilians.

“At this point, no woman was shot or injured. Otherwise, troops would not have been allowed to find any passage through the crowd,” the statement read.

Later, while stationed at the Local Government Lodge, community members presented the corpses of two women to the soldiers, accusing the troops of their deaths.

Army’s Conclusion and Sympathy

The Brigade categorically rejected this accusation. “Without equivocation, the casualties were caused by the unprofessional handling of automatic weapons by the local militias who are not proficiently trained to handle such automatic weapons,” the statement concluded.

Despite denying responsibility, the Brigade expressed deep sympathy for the families of the deceased and called on the warring communities to embrace peace. It reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutional duties in the region.

The public has been urged to disregard the earlier online report.

Nigeria Woos Global Miners with $2bn Inflows and Tax Breaks at London Expo

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Nigeria is pulling out all the stops to become a mining powerhouse, dangling profit repatriation perks and duty-free imports on equipment to lure billions more in foreign cash.

Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake dropped the bombshell incentives Tuesday at the Resourcing Tomorrow Exhibition and Conference in London, telling over 1,000 mining bigwigs that the country is primed for a boom. Over the past two years, he’s said, Nigeria has already reeled in more than $2 billion in foreign direct investment for lithium and rare earth digs—proof the Tinubu government’s push for local processing is paying off big time.

“These aren’t pie-in-the-sky dreams; they’re steel beams, concrete slabs, and humming machines,” Alake quipped, spotlighting $1.3 billion poured in by heavyweights like Canmax Technologies, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy Nigeria Ltd., and Asba Group for lithium refineries nationwide.

A $50 million lithium plant is breaking ground near Abuja, the kickoff to a chain of industrial hubs spanning Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, and Ebonyi states. On the rare earth front, Hasetins Group’s $400 million facility is slated to wrap up in just 15 months, while a massive iron-ore-to-steel behemoth worth billions is gearing up for launch.

To seal the deal, Alake touted beefed-up safeguards: the elite Mining Marshals squad is now on the beat, soon to get satellite eyes for round-the-clock oversight. He’s pitching the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company (NSMC) as the ultimate JV buddy, dipping into old Nigerian Mining Corporation assets to co-fund high-stakes projects and spark processing chains.

“Nigeria’s got the maps—over 80% of the terrain charted by the Geological Survey Agency and private scouts—for smart bets,” he added, fresh off sealing Solid Minerals Export Guidelines that sync with global green and traceability rules.

Pushing back on supply chain jitters, Alake plugged on-the-ground value-add in Africa via the new continent-wide Minerals Support Group, where ministers are crafting policies for fatter returns at home. States are jumping in too, launching their own mining outfits to build local muscle.

Capping it off: 427 Community Development Agreements locked in with locals and miners, ensuring communities cash in on the boom while keeping things socially smooth. For investors eyeing the next frontier, Alake’s message was crystal: Nigeria’s open for business—and it’s built to last.

ECOWAS Declares State of Emergency Across West Africa Amid Wave of Coups and Mutinies

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Abuja – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a state of emergency across the region, citing a surge in unconstitutional changes of government and failed military mutinies that threaten democratic stability and security.

ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Touray announced the measure on Tuesday during the 55th ordinary session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level, convened urgently in Abuja to address the escalating crises.

The declaration comes in the wake of a failed coup attempt in Benin on December 7, 2025, where mutinous soldiers briefly seized key installations in Cotonou before being subdued with support from Nigerian forces and an ECOWAS standby unit.

It follows a string of successful coups in Mali (2020, 2021), Guinea (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), Niger (2023), and ongoing instability in Sierra Leone and Senegal.

Touray underscored the gravity of the situation, stating: “The recent developments highlight the imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.

The emergency status empowers ECOWAS to mobilise resources, including its standby force, for rapid intervention to restore constitutional order, enhance border security, and counter jihadist threats spilling from the Sahel. Ministers also discussed bolstering intelligence sharing and economic sanctions against junta-led states that exited the bloc in January 2025.

Nigeria, as ECOWAS chair under President Bola Tinubu, played a pivotal role in the session, with Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar reaffirming Abuja’s commitment to regional integration amid the Alliance of Sahel States’ (AES) defiance.

Analysts view the move as a bold but risky escalation, potentially straining ties with AES members Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, while signalling ECOWAS’s resolve to prevent further democratic erosion in a region already grappling with over 1,500 terrorist incidents this year alone.

NAF Clarifies C-130 Emergency Landing in Burkina Faso: Technical Issue, Not Airspace Violation – Crew Safe

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Abuja – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday dismissed reports of an unauthorised airspace incursion, explaining that a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft en route to Portugal made a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, due to a mid-flight technical fault detected shortly after departing Lagos on December 8, 2025.

In a statement issued by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, the NAF emphasised that the diversion adhered strictly to international aviation protocols prioritising crew safety. The aircraft, on a ferry mission, touched down at the nearest suitable airfield amid the technical concern.

“All personnel on board are safe and have received cordial treatment from Burkinabè authorities,” Ejodame assured, adding that arrangements are underway to rectify the issue and resume the flight as scheduled.

The clarification comes hours after the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—issued a joint statement claiming the aircraft, carrying 11 Nigerian military personnel, was “forced to land” for operating in Burkinabè airspace without permission following an in-flight emergency. AES authorities reportedly detained the crew and impounded the plane pending investigation, raising fears of escalation amid strained ECOWAS-AES ties.

NAF’s account portrays the incident as routine, not provocative, and appreciates the “support received” from host officials. However, the conflicting narratives have sparked online debates, with some questioning the route’s choice over closer options like Ghana’s Tamale airport and calling for transparent verification to prevent diplomatic fallout.

The episode underscores lingering regional frictions since AES’s January 2025 exit from ECOWAS, including mutual accusations of sovereignty breaches. Nigeria, as ECOWAS heavyweight, has maintained diplomatic channels open, but analysts warn such incidents could hinder counter-terrorism cooperation against shared jihadist threats in the Sahel.

Troops Neutralise 18 Terrorists, Rescue 14 Victims, Arrest 47 Suspects in 48-Hour Nationwide Operations – Army

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Troops Neutralise 18 Terrorists, Rescue 14 Victims, Arrest 47 Suspects in 48-Hour Nationwide Operations – Army

Abuja – Nigerian Army troops have neutralised 18 terrorists, rescued 14 kidnapped victims and apprehended 47 criminal suspects across multiple theatres in a coordinated 48-hour offensive ending Tuesday, December 9, 2025.

A senior military source at Army Headquarters disclosed the successes to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), highlighting combined ground and air operations that also destroyed two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) and disrupted terrorist logistics.

 

Key highlights:

 

– North-East: Troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion repelled an ISWAP/JAS attack in Dutsen Nonu, Biu LGA, Borno State, killing 15 terrorists through ground combat and air strikes. Two logistics suppliers were arrested in Maiduguri with materials for IED fabrication.

 

– North-West: Operations in Zamfara, Kebbi and Jigawa saw troops intercept terrorists, recover livestock (110 cows, 46 sheep) in Plateau, and arrest a suspected kidnapper in Godogodo, Kaduna State.

– South-South & South-East: In Edo State, 195 Battalion arrested 33 suspected Aiye cult members in Etsako West LGA, recovering three pump-action guns, cutlasses and charms after intercepting them returning from an initiation ceremony. Eleven undocumented Nigerien migrants were handed over to Immigration in Cross River.

– North-Central: Operation Whirl Stroke rescued two kidnap victims in Kurmi LGA, Taraba State, with two others escaping captivity.

Weapons and items recovered include AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, cartridges, motorcycles, mobile phones and cult regalia.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the momentum, urging citizens to provide credible intelligence to end terrorism and criminality across the country.

FG Mandates PoS Takeover in MDAs, Bans Cash Payments from January 2026

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Abuja – The Federal Government has issued a sweeping directive banning all physical cash transactions in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), mandating the deployment of Point of Sale (PoS) terminals and other electronic payment systems to curb revenue leakages and enhance fiscal transparency.

The policy, effective January 1, 2026, requires all MDAs and federal government-owned enterprises to install functional PoS machines or approved digital devices at revenue collection points within 45 days. Collections must now flow directly into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) via electronic channels, with no acceptance of naira or foreign currency in cash.

Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, conveyed the directives through four treasury circulars dated November 24–27, 2025, citing “continued physical cash collection” at MDA counters as a major threat to the integrity of government finances despite longstanding e-payment rules.

Key reforms include:

– No Cash Policy: Immediate suspension of cash receipts; MDAs must display prominent notices reading “NO PHYSICAL CASH RECEIPT” and “NO CASH PAYMENT” at all transaction points. Staff and the public are to be sensitised without delay.

– Federal Treasury e-Receipt (FTeR): From January 1, 2026, the FTeR becomes the sole legally valid proof of payment for federal services, replacing handwritten or printed receipts. It will serve as both citizen acknowledgment and MDA verification tool.

– RevOP Platform Rollout: Full adoption of the Revenue Optimisation (RevOP) digital system for unified billing, real-time monitoring, and reconciliation of MDA accounts. It integrates with TSA, GIFMIS, CBN, NIBSS, FIRS, and banks to eliminate silos and track inflows in real time.

– End to Unauthorised Deductions: Ban on “front-end” fees, commissions, or charges by Payment Solution Service Providers (PSSPs) before TSA remittances, addressing billions in annual leakages from customised platforms.

Non-compliant MDAs face suspension from GIFMIS and TSA access, with the Office of the Accountant-General (OAGF) warning of strict enforcement.

Finance Minister Wale Edun described the overhaul as a “critical milestone in Nigeria’s anti-corruption and fiscal transparency agenda,” aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms to reduce human discretion, enforce audit trails, and mobilise revenue amid fiscal pressures.

The changes will impact citizens and businesses paying for passports, licences, taxes, fines, and permits, shifting interactions to digital platforms for faster, traceable processing. Officials anticipate recovering substantial funds lost to fraud, positioning Nigeria closer to global digital governance standards.

Obasanjo: Nigeria’s Insecurity an ‘Industry’ Profiting from Prolonged Chaos

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Abeokuta – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lambasted Nigeria’s protracted security crisis as a self-perpetuating “industry” that has outlasted the country’s civil war, urging leaders to deploy specialised training, equipment, intelligence, and technology to dismantle it.

Speaking on Sunday during a virtual edition of *The Toyin Falola Interviews*, Obasanjo highlighted how the 15-year battle against Boko Haram and banditry—now nationwide—has become economically entrenched, benefiting vested interests and even involving potential collusion within security ranks.

“The whole thing is an industry. Civil war lasted 30 months—though we thought six—but this fight against insurgents and criminals has dragged for almost 15 years,” Obasanjo said, drawing from his 2011 visit to Maiduguri where he probed Boko Haram’s origins and pushed for a failed 21-day ceasefire.

Joined by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese and former CBN Deputy Governor Kingsley Moghalu, the elder statesman warned that without a holistic overhaul, the insurgency will persist, exacerbated by internal sabotage and a lack of trust from international partners for intelligence sharing.

He recounted his Niger Delta success, where amnesty and dialogue tamed militancy, but stressed Nigeria’s military—trained for conventional warfare—needs specialised counter-insurgency skills from nations that have beaten similar threats.

Obasanjo called insecurity a “national emergency” touching every region, from Southeast kidnappings to Southwest cultism and Northeast jihadism. He advocated seeking global aid unapologetically: “If our government is incapable, let us ask the international community. There’s nothing wrong with that—they have an interest in our peaceful existence.”

The former leader also flagged the out-of-school children crisis as a ticking bomb, noting insecurity blocks education, breeding future recruits: “If we don’t educate them, they become a liability and greater security problem.”

His remarks come amid escalating violence, including recent Plateau attacks and bandit surges in the Northwest, underscoring the urgency for President Bola Tinubu’s administration to act decisively.

Burkina Faso Detains Nigerian Air Force Plane, 11 Personnel in Escalating Regional Row

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Ouagadougou – Burkina Faso has impounded a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and detained its 11 crew and passengers after the plane made an unscheduled emergency landing in Bobo-Dioulasso on Sunday, December 8, 2025, amid rising tensions between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and Nigeria.

The aircraft, carrying two crew members and nine military personnel, was en route from Nigeria to Senegal when it declared an in-flight emergency and diverted to the nearest suitable airport in western Burkina Faso. Sources familiar with the incident say the diversion followed standard international aviation protocol for aircraft in distress.

However, Burkinabè authorities claim the plane lacked prior overflight authorisation and entered its airspace without transponders active, prompting an immediate investigation and seizure of the aircraft. The 11 Nigerians remain in military custody while diplomatic contacts continue.

A joint AES statement issued late Monday described the incident as a “serious violation of sovereignty” and warned that any future unauthorised intrusions, especially by belligerent aircraft, “will be neutralised without prior notice.” The statement linked the heightened alert to last week’s failed coup attempt in Benin, which saw Nigerian forces provide rapid air and ground support to Cotonou.

Nigeria has yet to issue an official response, but defence sources in Abuja insist the flight was routine, the emergency genuine, and that emergency diversions do not require advance clearance under ICAO regulations.

The incident marks the sharpest direct confrontation yet between Nigeria and the AES trio (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger) since the three countries formally exited ECOWAS in January 2025. Analysts say it underscores the deepening trust deficit in the Sahel, where jihadist groups continue to expand despite the juntas’ repeated pledges to crush the insurgency through military means alone.

Regional observers now fear the standoff could further complicate cross-border counter-terrorism efforts at a time when JNIM and IS-Sahel are intensifying attacks across the Liptako-Gourma region and pushing south toward coastal states.

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