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Nigeria Confirms Strategic U.S. Partnership Behind Precision Airstrikes on Terrorists

By
Ola Akinola
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0

ABUJA, December 26, 2025 — The Nigerian government has formally confirmed a deepening security alliance with the United States, revealing that structured intelligence cooperation has enabled precision airstrikes against terrorist positions in the country’s volatile North West region.

In an official statement released today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs detailed a partnership involving “the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support” conducted within strict adherence to international law, bilateral agreements, and respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

A Coordinated Campaign Against Insurgency

The confirmation follows unverified reports and social media speculation about foreign military activity in the region, where groups affiliated with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other militant factions have intensified attacks. The Ministry’s statement provides the first official Nigerian acknowledgment of the operational mechanics behind recent successful counter-terrorism strikes.

“All counter-terrorism efforts prioritize the protection of civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity,” the statement read, addressing potential domestic concerns about foreign military involvement.

Rejecting Sectarian Narratives, Upholding National Unity

In a firm rebuke to narratives that frame Nigeria’s security crisis along religious lines, the Ministry condemned terrorist violence targeting any community. It described attacks on “Christians, Muslims, or others” as “a direct affront to Nigeria’s values and international peace and security.”

This aligns with consistent positions from President Bola Tinubu’s administration and independent conflict monitors, who assert that jihadist violence and farmer-herder clashes have claimed victims across all faiths, disproving claims of a religiously-motivated genocide.

Strategic Objectives and Sovereign Assurance

The Federal Government outlined the strategic goals of the international cooperation, which aim to:

· Weaken terrorist networks and disrupt their financing and logistics.

· Prevent cross-border security threats.

· Strengthen Nigeria’s own security institutions and intelligence capabilities.

Crucially, the statement emphasized that all cooperative actions are taken with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty—a key point of national sensitivity. The government pledged to “continue engaging relevant partners and to keep the public informed of developments through official channels.”

This formal acknowledgment marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s security strategy, transitioning a previously discreet partnership into a publicly acknowledged component of its fight against terrorism, while carefully balancing the imperatives of effective action, civilian protection, and national sovereignty.

U.S. Conducts Coordinated Strikes Against ISIS in Nigeria on Christmas Day

By
Ola Akinola
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0

WASHINGTON/LAGOS, December 25, 2025 – U.S. military forces carried out targeted strikes against ISIS terrorist camps in Nigeria’s Sokoto State on Christmas Day, in a significant operation coordinated with Nigerian authorities, according to an official statement from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

The operation, authorized by the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, marks a notable escalation in direct U.S. military action within Nigeria, a nation grappling with a complex web of jihadist insurgencies.

Strikes Target ISIS Strongholds in Northwest

AFRICOM confirmed the strikes were conducted against ISIS-affiliated terrorists operating in Sokoto State, located in Nigeria’s restive northwest region. While specific details about the nature of the strikes or the assets used were withheld for operational security, the command stated its initial assessment indicates “multiple ISIS terrorists were killed” in the camps.

General Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command, framed the action as part of broader security cooperation. “U.S. Africa Command is working with Nigerian and regional partners to increase counterterrorism cooperation efforts related to on-going violence and threats against innocent lives,” Anderson said. “Our goal is to protect Americans and to disrupt violent extremist organizations wherever they are.”

Context: Deepening Security Cooperation and Regional Threats

The Christmas Day operation follows public acknowledgments from both Nigerian and U.S. officials about enhanced military collaboration. Last week, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the country “remains engaged in structured security co-operation with international partners, including the United States of America,” which had already “led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”

This region has seen a surge in violence from militant groups, including factions of Boko Haram that have pledged allegiance to ISIS, forming the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The group has expanded its operations from its traditional stronghold in the northeast into northwestern states like Sokoto, Kaduna, and Niger, challenging both Nigerian security forces and rival jihadist factions.

Sovereignty and Strategy: A Delicate Balance

The direct involvement of U.S. forces on Nigerian soil touches on sensitive issues of national sovereignty. In recent comments, Daniel Bwala, an adviser to President Bola Tinubu, emphasized that while Nigeria welcomes international support, it remains a “sovereign” country and that any military action “should be carried out together.”

AFRICOM’s statement explicitly noted the strikes were conducted “in coordination with Nigerian authorities,” underscoring the partnered nature of the mission. This aligns with the Tinubu administration’s public commitment to work with international allies to address security challenges that “affect people across faiths and regions.”

U.S. Africa Command stated it will continue to assess the results of the operation and provide further information as appropriate. The command refrained from releasing specific operational details to maintain security for future missions.

The strikes represent a clear signal of the United States’ intent to take a more direct, kinetic role in counterterrorism efforts in West Africa, even as it operates through partnerships with national governments like Nigeria’s.

Governor Fintiri Grants Christmas Pardon to Farmer Sunday Jackson After Decade on Death Row

By
Ola Akinola
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0

YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE, DECEMBER 23, 2025 – Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has granted a full pardon to Sunday Jackson, a farmer whose death sentence for killing a herdsman on his farm sparked years of national controversy and international calls for clemency. The pardon was announced on Tuesday as part of a Christmas and New Year clemency exercise.

Jackson, who had been incarcerated for over a decade and held at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja, was among three inmates granted full pardons. Five others had the remainder of their prison sentences remitted.

A Case That Captivated a Nation

The case of Sunday Jackson became a flashpoint in Nigeria’s ongoing tensions between farmers and herders. Jackson was convicted and sentenced to death in 2019 after a violent confrontation on his farmland in which a herder was killed.

· Widespread Perception of Injustice: Rights groups, lawyers, and community leaders consistently argued that Jackson acted in self-defense, claiming the herder attacked him first. His conviction was seen by many as a symbol of the criminalization of farmers defending their livelihoods.

· International Advocacy: The case drew significant foreign attention. U.S. Congressman Riley M. Moore became a vocal advocate, pressing for Jackson’s release during congressional hearings and in meetings with senior Nigerian officials. In a statement praising the pardon, Congressman Moore said, “Sunday Jackson is free! After more than a decade in prison serving a death sentence for defending himself”.

The Governor’s Prerogative of Mercy

In the official statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, Governor Fintiri stated the pardon was exercised under his constitutional powers and followed the recommendations of the Adamawa State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

The governor cited the inmates’ “significant improvement in their behaviour and conduct” as the basis for the clemency. The official announcement focused on this rehabilitation, avoiding any commentary on the legal merits or facts of Jackson’s original case.

 

Mixed Reactions and a Call for Safety

The pardon has been met with widespread relief among Jackson’s supporters and farming communities, where his sentence was viewed as a grave injustice. However, it has also highlighted the deep societal divisions surrounding farmer-herder conflicts.

· U.S. Congressman’s View: Congressman Moore framed the pardon as “a positive development” in U.S.-Nigeria relations, demonstrating the Nigerian government’s willingness to engage on human rights and security concerns. He also called on Nigerian authorities to “ensure Sunday’s safety during and following his release”.

· Counter-Narrative on Social Media: On social media, alternative narratives emerged. One widely shared Facebook post contested the self-defense claim, arguing the case was “twisted” by international Christian groups to influence foreign policy and questioning why foreign intervention was sought in a Nigerian judicial matter.

 

Full List of Beneficiaries

The Christmas clemency benefited a total of eight individuals:

Granted Full Pardon:

· Sunday Jackson: Previously at Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja.

· Joseph Eugene: Previously at Medium Security Custodial Centre, Yola.

· Maxwell Ibrahim: Previously at Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kaduna.

Granted Full Remission of Remaining Sentence:

· Joshua James Audo

· Adamu Ibrahim

· Mohammed Abubakar

· Ibrahim Usman

· Saidu Abubakar

(These five were serving their terms at the Medium Security Custodial Centres in Numan and Jada, Adamawa State).

With this pardon, Sunday Jackson’s long legal battle concludes not through a judicial reversal, but through an executive act of mercy, closing a chapter that had become a potent symbol of Nigeria’s complex security and ethnic tensions.

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

FCT High Court Grants Ex-AGF Malami Bail in EFCC Case

ABUJA, DECEMBER 23, 2025 – The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has granted an application for interim bail to a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in a matter involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Bello Kawu, delivered the ruling on Tuesday, approving the bail on grounds of “exceptional hardship.”

Bail Conditions Remain Unchanged

The court order stipulates that bail is granted on the same terms earlier considered by the EFCC. Key conditions include:

· The surrender of Malami’s international passport.
· The provision of two sureties.

The approved sureties are the Director-General of the Nigerian Legal Aid Council and a serving member of the House of Representatives representing the Augie/Argungu Federal Constituency.

The court reviewed and formally reactivated these conditions, which were originally set in a bail order dated November 28, 2025, and had already been fulfilled by the former minister.

Adjournment and Next Steps

The matter has been adjourned to January 5, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive Motion on Notice. The interim bail is to remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of that motion.

The court order was issued under the official seal of the High Court and signed by the Registrar, Hadiza Sambo Gwandu.

 

Nigerians Embrace 50% Yuletide Train Fare Reduction, Pack Rail Stations Nationwide

By
Ola Akinola
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0

LAGOS – The Federal Government’s 50% nationwide discount on train fares has triggered a massive surge in passenger traffic, with major railway corridors recording near-full capacity on the first day of the Yuletide initiative.

The discounted travel, which commenced on Tuesday, is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to ease transportation costs for Nigerians travelling home for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Significant Surge Across Key Routes

Early findings at major train stations revealed a significant increase in passenger turnout. Key standard gauge corridors, including the busy Lagos–Ibadan and Abhdad–Kaduna routes, as well as several narrow gauge services, reported heavy traffic with many trains operating at or near full capacity.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed that advance bookings and early ticket purchases indicated a strong public response to the initiative, which offers a 50% fare reduction throughout the festive season.

Passengers Hail Timely Economic Relief

Passengers at various stations commended the policy, describing it as a much-needed economic relief during the peak travel period.

“It is a very timely intervention,” said one traveller at the Lagos station. “The cost of traveling home for Christmas has been a huge burden for my family. This 50% cut makes it possible for us to reunite with our loved ones without financial strain.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by group travellers and families, who highlighted the savings as a critical factor enabling their festive journeys.

NRC Assures Safe, Efficient Operations

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, assured the public of the corporation’s preparedness to manage the increased demand.

“We are fully ready to deliver safe, efficient, and customer-focused services throughout the Yuletide season,” Dr. Opeifa stated. He confirmed that both standard gauge and narrow gauge services are fully operational, with enhanced security, safety, and customer service measures deployed across all stations and onboard trains to ensure a smooth travel experience.

Travel Guidelines and Ticket Purchase

To facilitate the increased traffic, the NRC has advised passengers to adhere to the following guidelines:

· Standard Gauge Routes: Passengers are to continue using NRC-approved online ticketing platforms for bookings.

· Narrow Gauge Services: Tickets can be purchased at designated railway stations.

The Corporation has reaffirmed its commitment to seamless festive operations and urged all travellers to cooperate with railway officials and comply with travel guidelines to ensure hitch-free journeys during the discount period.

The initiative underscores the government’s push to promote rail transport as a safe, reliable, and affordable alternative for mass mobility, particularly during peak travel seasons.

INEC Finally Accepts Edison Ehie’s Resignation, Fixes Bye-Election For Vacant Seat

By
Ola Akinola
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0

PORT HARCOURT – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accepted the resignation of Edison Ehie, the former lawmaker for Ahoada East Constituency II in the Rivers State House of Assembly, and announced a bye-election to fill the vacant seat.

Ehie, before resigning from the Rivers State House of Assembly in December 2023, served as the factional Speaker of a five-member assembly aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

After his resignation, Governor Fubara appointed him as Chief of Staff, a position he held until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended the state’s executive and legislative arms on March 18, 2025.

In October 2025, INEC rejected Ohie’s resignation, maintaining that it would not conduct a bye-election to replace him and another lawmaker who had died, representing Khana Constituency II.

However, after an extraordinary meeting on Monday, December 22, 2025, the commission scheduled bye-elections for Ahoada East Constituency II and Khana Constituency II for February 21, 2026.

INEC also reviewed preparations for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, which are slated for the same date.

Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) authorises INEC to conduct bye-elections to fill vacant seats in state assemblies.

The schedule shows that the Notice of Election will be issued on January 22, 2026, followed by party primaries, dispute resolution, and public campaigns by parties and candidates from January 23 to 27, 2026. The bye-elections is set to take place on February 21, 2026.

Governor Otti Accused Of Plotting Fresh Laws Against LG Autonomy In Abia

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Abia state governor, Alex Otti has been accused of plotting against the functionality of Local Government Autonomy.

An Abia state chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Paul Ikonne, who stated this on Tuesday, added that Governor Otti is one of the governors prominently disobeying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on the functionality of Local Government Administrators in Nigeria.

Ikonne specifically accused the Abia state governor of “trying to amend, and find a way to create new laws in the state that will empower him to continue using the Local Government funds at will.”

The President at the recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the APC lamented the refusal by the governors to obey the Supreme Court judgement on the Local Government Autonomy.

President Tinubu, however, threatened the state governors with an executive order, saying “I have the knife and I have the yam.”

Speaking on the development during an interview on Television Continental (TVC) popular programme “Politics Tonight’, Ikonne, who is the immidiate past Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), said unlike Abia state, Local Government Areas in Lagos state are executing projects.

He said: “In Lagos state, you see local government building health centers, building schools. They are also council elected chairmen and councillors. So, the issue of knowing them may not be the issue, but the governor who should know that local government is another tier of government that is closer to the people, closer to the farmers, closer to the less privileged, closer to the widows, closer to the disabled people.

“But in some other states, like in Abia state for example, the governor of Abia state is trying to amend the laws, and find a way to create new laws that will empower him to continue using the local government funds at will, at his pleasure.”

According to Ikonne, local government is an arm of government that ought not to be played with, adding, “you can see how passionate Mr. President is in trying to drive the point that governors should let local government handle their funds and implement projects that will impact positively the lives of people. You know, it was really great and interesting to see Mr. President address that issue because it was looking like the President was not prepared to confront these powerful governors who are also key political allies.”

While commending President Tinubu for demonstrating sincerity, Ikonne added that “anybody playing politics with Mr. President’s statement is being misleading. If the President doesn’t speak to his party members, the governors that are within his party, who will he speak to? How well does this expose a deeper crisis of constitutional obedience among governors? It’s really a challenge.

The APC chieftain said: “In Enugu state, local governments are building schools, building hospitals. Lagos State is an example also. Lagos State local government council chairmen are also implementing projects. But there are states that are not. Where I come from, we must have to look at it from both sides to understand the weight of not allowing local government to have the autonomy.

“Abia state local government, 17 local governments receive an average of 7 to 8 billion Naira every month. Now, people are crying that there are hardships out there as a result of subsidy removal. But the President makes sure that money goes back to the local government. Money that would have cushioned the effect if these funds are properly utilized. If facilities are provided in the state at the local government level. If infrastructures are in place, hospitals, schools are put in place by the local government authorities. But they don’t see their funds.

“My local government, for example, receives an average of 400 to 500 million every month but the local government chairman gets 8 million naira only from the government.”

Ikonne challenged the Alex Otti-led administion to come out openly and tell Nigerians how he has utilized Local Government funds in the state.

He said: “One would have imagined that being a Labour Party, that they would have used this as an example to show what they would do. But unfortunately, if you get to Abia state, you find out why Abians, Nigerians in general, will not let anything Labour come up again. Because the party in power in Abia state have ruined the local government system, in the sense that you cannot lay hands on any single project executed by the local government authority.

Ikonne expressed confidence that APC governors who are yet to adhere to President Tinubu’s directive will take a cue after last week APC NEC meeting, adding that none of them will disobey the President.

“But I’m very optimistic that none of them (Governors) will disobey the president.”

While responding to a question on accusations that the APC is using federal might to force opposition governors into APC, Ikonne said said, “there are rumours that the man in Abia, Alex Otti wants to join APC. Has he been coaxed?

“So if he’s running around, clear indication some of them want to go back to the office. So they see that APC is taking control. In Abia today, 95% of PDP structure have collapsed into APC. So why wouldn’t the governor start running from pillar to post? Because he knows that nobody…, the APC has the population to vote and win elections.”

Governor Aiyedatiwa Declares Tinubu “Irreplaceable” for 2027, Welcomes Ondo Defectors

By
Ola Akinola
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0

AKURE – Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has firmly backed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid for 2027, describing the Nigerian leader as “irreplaceable” during a political rally that saw key opposition figures defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The declaration was made on Tuesday in Akure, the state capital, as Governor Aiyedatiwa concluded his “thank-you tour” of all 18 local government areas. The event, held in Akure South, served as both a show of gratitude for electoral support and a strategic mobilisation for the upcoming general elections.

Strengthening the APC Base with Strategic Defections

The governor used the platform to receive and integrate new members from opposition parties, significantly bolstering the APC’s structure in Ondo State. Notable defectors included:

· Adekanmbi Oluwatuyi, the immediate past Akure Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

· Chief Falusi, a PDP chieftain from Akoko North-East.

· Chief Kora Adebisi, a leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from Akoko North-West.

· Hon. Yusuf Lateef, who defected alongside a group of former local government officials from 2016.

Governor Aiyedatiwa urged the new members to demonstrate loyalty through active participation and work diligently for the party’s success in future elections. “Your decision to join our party is a wise one. We welcome you and urge you to integrate fully and work for our collective victory,” he stated.

A Call for Party Unity and Supremacy

Amidst the celebratory defections, Governor Aiyedatiwa issued a strong caution against internal discord within the APC ranks. He warned that infighting would only weaken the party as political activities for the 2027 elections intensify.

“The strength of our party lies in our unity. We must avoid internal rancour,” the governor emphasised. “Party supremacy will determine who flies our flag in future elections. The APC remains one and indivisible.”

This message was reinforced by the state APC Vice Chairman, Atili Ikoto Agabra, who declared that the party had “no room for ‘joiners or partners,'” stressing that relevance within the APC would be determined strictly by members’ contributions and commitment.

Closing a Successful Political Tour

The Akure South event marked the completion of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s extensive tour, which was launched to thank voters for their support in the November 16, 2024, governorship election. He particularly acknowledged Akure South for delivering the highest number of votes among all local governments, describing the support as “decisive” to the APC’s victory.

The governor was accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami, Secretary to the State Government Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, Chief of Staff Prince Segun Omojuwa, several commissioners, and local government chairmen.

The event solidifies Governor Aiyedatiwa’s position as a key mobiliser in the South-West and signals a coordinated early start to the APC’s campaign machinery for the 2027 presidential election, with Tinubu’s re-election bid at its centre.

Court Rejects KWAM1’s Bid to Halt Awujale Selection: Interim Injunction Denied

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Substantive Suit Set for January 14, 2026**

In a significant ruling that keeps the succession process for the Awujale of Ijebuland on track, the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode on Monday dismissed an application by popular Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, better known as KWAM1, seeking an interim injunction to stop Governor Dapo Abiodun and other respondents from proceeding with the selection and installation of the next paramount ruler.

Represented by Wahab Shittu (SAN), KWAM1 — who had declared his interest in the vacant stool, claiming descent from the Jadiara Royal House within the wider Fusengbuwa Ruling House — argued that the injunction was essential to protect his interests and prevent the “res” (subject matter of the suit) from being dissipated pending the full hearing of his substantive challenge.

Justice A. A. Omoniyi, however, held that the application lacked merit and that no compelling grounds existed to justify granting the interim relief. The judge instead ordered an expedited hearing of the main suit (HC3/238/2025), fixing January 14, 2026, for proceedings.

The suit, filed ex parte on December 16, 2025, names as respondents Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government (Dare Alebiosu), Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (Ganiyu Hamzat), Secretary to Ijebu-Ode Local Government (Oke Adebanjo), Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (Dr. Olorogun Sunny Kuku), and the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House (Otunba Lateef Owoyemi).

KWAM1’s claim hinges on alleged lineage ties to the Fusengbuwa Ruling House — whose turn it is under the rotational system established by the 1957/1959 chieftaincy declarations and the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law — but the ruling house has repeatedly rejected his eligibility, declaring in a December 11, 2025, letter that no proof exists of his membership in the Jadiara Royal House or the broader Fusengbuwa lineage, rendering his submitted linkage form “null, void, and of no consequence.”

The controversy erupted following the July 13, 2025, passing of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, after a 65-year reign. Initial steps directed the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to produce candidates within 14 days, but procedural issues led to a government-ordered cancellation of the process in mid-December, with multiple aspirants (reports suggest up to 60) expressing interest amid debates over rotation and eligibility.

KWAM1’s legal team invoked Order 38 Rules 4 and Order 39 Rule 1 of the Ogun State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2024, Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (fair hearing rights), and the court’s inherent jurisdiction, insisting the process violates chieftaincy law and his constitutional entitlements.

With the interim block rejected, the selection machinery can continue unless restrained at the substantive stage. The January 14 hearing will now decide whether KWAM1’s lineage claim holds water and if the current process breaches established customs and statutes.

The ruling underscores the delicate balance between traditional rotation, documented chieftaincy declarations, and judicial oversight in one of Yorubaland’s most prestigious stools. As Ijebuland awaits its new paramount ruler, the courtroom — rather than the palace — has become the immediate battleground.

2025: Akwa Ibom Police Rescue 74 Trafficking Victims, Secure 33 Convictions in Year of Strong Gains

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Monday rolled out an impressive end-of-year scorecard, revealing that it rescued 74 victims of human trafficking, freed 10 kidnapped persons, and secured 33 criminal convictions from 563 arrests throughout 2025.

Commissioner of Police CP Baba Muhammad Azare, who presented the achievements during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, described the state’s security landscape as “generally peaceful, calm and stable” despite persistent national challenges.

The successes, according to the CP, stemmed from a deliberate shift to intelligence-led policing, aggressive patrols, strategic personnel deployment, robust community cooperation, and seamless collaboration with other security agencies.

Key operational highlights included:

– Rescue of 74 human trafficking victims — all reunited with their families

– Rescue of 10 kidnapped persons

– Recovery of 179 assorted arms

– Seizure of 323 rounds of ammunition** and 100 live cartridges

Azare emphasized that these recoveries have significantly disrupted criminal networks operating within and across state borders.

With the festive season underway, the command has already ramped up security measures, including intensified stop-and-search operations, increased visible patrols, and targeted deployments across all 31 local government areas to guarantee a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Looking to 2026, CP Azare outlined a forward-leaning agenda: deeper intelligence-driven crime prevention, intensified crackdowns on violent crimes, cultism, armed robbery, and kidnapping, as well as renewed emphasis on community policing to strengthen public trust.

The command also plans to sharpen its response to emerging threats such as cybercrime and the proliferation of fake news, working closely with sister agencies to stay ahead of sophisticated criminal tactics.

In closing, the Commissioner expressed gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police for “purposeful leadership and unwavering support,” and commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its consistent logistical and financial backing.

The 2025 figures represent a clear upward trajectory in operational effectiveness for the Akwa Ibom Police Command — a performance that residents and stakeholders will hope translates into even greater safety and stability in the year ahead.

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