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Nigerian Christians Will Be Rescued Soon’ — Polish EU Lawmaker Backs Trump’s Invasion Threat

Ola Akinola
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Nigerian Christians Will Be Rescued Soon’ — Polish EU Lawmaker Backs Trump’s Invasion Threat


Catholic Priest Begs: ‘Donald J. Trump, Please Come Quickly!’

By Toyin Adebayo, Abuja
Abuja — November 3, 2025

A FIREBRAND Polish Member of the European Parliament, Dominik Tarczyński, has thrown his weight behind President Donald Trump’s “guns-a-blazing” threat, declaring on X Sunday that “Nigerian Christians will be rescued very soon.”

The ultra-conservative lawmaker, famous for branding Poland the “last stronghold of Christianity,” posted the dramatic promise hours after Trump slapped Nigeria with the dreaded Country of Particular Concern (CPC) tag and ordered the Pentagon to draw up invasion plans.

In Nigeria, a Catholic priest based in Germany, Rev Fr Angelo Chidi Unegbu, stunned the nation with a tear-soaked Facebook appeal: 

“We have begged Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stop the killings… he has all it takes to end insecurity and injustice, yet he turned a deaf ear. Humans are slaughtered daily like cows while terrorists walk freely. Harmless protesters are either killed or in jail.”

The cleric, popularly known as Fada Angelo, then issued a direct SOS to the White House: 

“If the US comes to our aid, the chances are 50/50, but if not, our doom is sealed… Donald J. Trump, please come quickly”

His posts, which have gone viral with over 50,000 shares in 12 hours, have split the country down the middle. 

– Christian communities in Benue, Plateau and Southern Kaduna are sharing the priest’s plea with the hashtag #TrumpSaveNaijaChristians. 
– Muslim leaders and northern governors have condemned it as “treasonable,” insisting the crisis is banditry and farmer-herder clashes, not religious genocide.

Tarczyński’s Bombshell
The Polish MEP, who once boasted “multiculturalism is not a value,” attached Trump’s CPC statement to his post and added: 

“The world is waking up. Nigerian Christians will be rescued very soon. Radical Islamists will face justice.” 

European Parliament sources told NEWSFOCUS the firebrand lawmaker is already lobbying the EU’s foreign policy chief to freeze Nigerian assets and impose travel bans on governors in the 12 Sharia states.

Trump’s War Drum
Trump’s Friday night Truth Social blast still reverberates: 

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria… I am hereby making Nigeria a COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN — But that is the least of it… If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet”

The White House has confirmed the Pentagon’s “Operation Saviour” contingency plan is on the table, with two carrier strike groups already steaming toward West Africa.

Tinubu’s Midnight Push-Back
President Tinubu fired back Saturday night: 

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality… Religious freedom is a core tenet of our identity.” 

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga told Vanguard: “Mr President is married to a pastor. No faith is targeted. We are fighting terrorists, not Muslims.”

What Next?
– Tuesday: Tinubu jets to Washington for emergency talks with Vice President JD Vance. 
– Wednesday: Senate President Godswill Akpabio convenes an emergency session on “foreign invasion threats.” 
– Thursday: CAN and JNI hold joint press conference in Abuja — first in 15 years.

As church bells and mosque loudspeakers compete across the Middle Belt tonight, one question echoes from Benue to Borno: 

Will Trump’s marines land — or will Nigeria’s leaders finally bury the hatchet?

NEWSFOCUS is monitoring the situation minute-by-minute. Stay with us.

Tinubu Jets to US Tuesday, Set for Crunch Talks with VP JD Vance Amid Trump’s Invasion Threat

Uche Kingsley
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Tinubu Jets to US Tuesday, Set for Crunch Talks with VP JD Vance Amid Trump’s Invasion Threat


Abuja— November 3, 2025

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu will on Tuesday depart Abuja for the United States on a high-stakes diplomatic mission as the storm over alleged Christian genocide and President Donald Trump’s “guns-blazing” invasion threat continues to rage.

Vanguard authoritatively learnt last night that Trump has delegated his Vice President, James David (JD) Vance, to hold face-to-face talks with Tinubu, barring any last-minute change of plan. 0 10

Presidential sources told Vanguard the visit is aimed at “top-level diplomatic engagements” to clear the air on security, counter-terrorism and the explosive religious freedom allegations now rocking Nigeria-US relations.

The trip comes barely 48 hours after Trump branded Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and warned: “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid… and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists.”

Trump added: “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”

In a swift push-back on Saturday, President Tinubu fired a strongly-worded statement rejecting the genocide tag.

“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” the President declared.

He stressed: “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality… Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so.”

Tinubu, a Muslim married to a Christian pastor, reminded the world that since 2023 his administration has kept open channels with Christian and Muslim leaders alike while tackling insecurity “which affects citizens across faiths and regions.”

Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, had earlier hinted at an imminent Tinubu-Trump summit “either in the State House or White House.”

Bwala wrote on X: “Both President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared interest in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity.”

He praised Trump for authorising arms sales to Nigeria, adding: “President Tinubu has adequately utilised that opportunity… with massive results to show for it.”

Bwala assured that “differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or in fact all faiths” will be ironed out when the two leaders meet.

Sources in the Presidency told Vanguard the Tuesday trip is part of that broader engagement, with Vance — Trump’s Catholic running mate — stepping in for the principal.

Diplomatic circles in Abuja and Washington are buzzing that the Vance-Tinubu meeting will focus on:

  • Joint counter-terrorism operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP
  • Fresh US military hardware and intelligence support
  • Rebuttal of the “Christian genocide” narrative
  • A road-map to delist Nigeria from the CPC blacklist

A top Villa source said: “Mr President is going with facts, figures and field reports to prove that no faith is targeted. Farmers-herders clashes, banditry and insurgency cut across Muslims and Christians alike.”

The source added: “We expect VP Vance to carry our message directly to President Trump. Nigeria remains America’s strongest partner in West Africa.”

As the presidential jet revs up for Tuesday’s departure, Nigerians are watching to see if the Washington talks will defuse Trump’s war drum or trigger fresh sanctions, aid cuts — or worse.

NELFUND Hits 1m Loan Applications, Disburses N116bn to Students Nationwide

Saladin Babagana
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NELFUND Hits 1m Loan Applications, Disburses N116bn to Students Nationwide


Abuja — November 3, 2025

THE Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has achieved a major milestone, recording over one million student loan applications since its official launch on May 24, 2024, just as it has disbursed a whopping N116 billion to beneficiaries across federal and state tertiary institutions.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, who described the feat as a clear demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in action.

According to the statement, the N116 billion disbursed covers both institutional fees and upkeep allowances for students in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.

NELFUND Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Akintunde Sawyerr, hailed the development as a “defining moment” in Nigeria’s push for equitable access to higher education.

“Crossing the one-million mark represents more than data; it represents renewed hope for a generation of Nigerians determined to rise above financial barriers to education,” Sawyerr said.

“It is a testament to visionary leadership, sound policy design, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders driving this transformative agenda,” he added.

The Fund reiterated its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity, stressing that the scheme is open to all qualified Nigerian students, irrespective of tribe, religion, or region.

“NELFUND is a non-discriminatory initiative that benefits Nigerians of all faiths and tribes—Christians, Muslims, and others across diverse ethnic backgrounds. It helps to unify the country by providing equal access to education and fostering shared progress,” the statement read.

It further assured continuous improvement in its processes to ensure that no eligible student is left behind due to financial constraints.

“With this milestone, NELFUND stands as a shining example of a government initiative that is working, authentic, effective, and truly transformative,” the Fund declared.

As the scheme expands, NELFUND said it remains focused on its core mandate: ensuring that financial hardship does not deny any Nigerian the right to education and national development.

PDP Crisis Deepens as Ortom, Fayose Back Wike Faction, Court Halts Convention

Udehi Alambo
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PDP Crisis Deepens as Ortom, Fayose Back Wike Faction, Court Halts Convention


Abuja, November 3, 2025

The internal turmoil rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified, with former governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State openly endorsing the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a move that further fractures the opposition party.

The endorsements come amid frantic regrouping by loyalists of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other governors determined to wrest control from the Wike camp ahead of the party’s national convention.

In separate statements issued on Sunday, Ortom and Fayose threw their support behind the PDP faction led by National Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, while sharply criticising acting National Chairman Umar Damagum for exacerbating the crisis through what they described as poor leadership and exclusionary tactics.

Despite scheduled National Elective Convention dates of November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the PDP remains bogged down by disputes over party structures, zonal leadership, and convention modalities.

Supporters of Wike have levelled accusations of bias and incompetence against the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), pointing to unresolved conflicts in the South-South zone and alleged flouting of micro-zoning principles.

The crisis escalated dramatically on Friday when the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an interim injunction restraining the party from proceeding with the convention until it complies fully with its constitution and the Electoral Act.

Justice James Omotosho directed the PDP to halt all preparatory activities pending further court orders, a decision that has plunged the party into deeper disarray.

In a retaliatory move on Saturday, the Damagum-led NWC announced the suspension of National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, citing alleged anti-party activities.

The rival faction, spearheaded by Anyanwu, responded swiftly by counter-suspending Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, and others over claims of financial misconduct and incompetence.

Ortom, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, attributed the party’s woes to leadership failures and a disregard for inclusivity. “Democracy thrives when people of diverse views come together for the common good,” he stated. “Unfortunately, a few individuals have attempted to run the party without recourse to collective consultation.” He lamented that his earlier calls for reconciliation were ignored.

Fayose, addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, hailed the suspension of Damagum by the Mohammed faction as “a necessary step to rescue the party from total collapse.” Describing the Damagum NWC as “undertakers” intent on burying the PDP, Fayose positioned Mohammed as a potential saviour. “Damagum will go the way of Ayu,” he predicted, referencing former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu. “He manipulated the process to remain in office and caused widespread confusion. We will support Abdulrahman to reposition the PDP, correct the state chapters, and prepare for the convention.”

Sources close to Governor Makinde disclosed to Guardian Nigeria that the Oyo bloc and allied governors are holding strategic meetings to challenge the court injunction and reclaim dominance. “We are not folding our hands. We have the majority, and discussions are ongoing on how to appeal the judgment and keep preparations for the convention alive,” a source revealed.

Former presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim condemned the court ruling as “a calculated move to weaken the opposition and weaponise the judiciary.” He alleged a conspiracy involving “external pressures and internal sabotage” aimed at stifling the PDP and fostering a one-party state, vowing that “true democrats will resist attempts to destroy multiparty democracy in Nigeria.”

In Osun State, Senator Adenigba Fadahunsi, who recently defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declared the opposition party “as good as dead.” Speaking at his Ilase-Ijesa residence, Fadahunsi said, “We didn’t abandon the PDP; the PDP abandoned itself. The party is dead, and those still there should not sink with the ship.” He, however, praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, expressing confidence in their long-term benefits.

As the PDP grapples with suspensions, court battles, and factional realignments, observers warn that the prolonged crisis risks further eroding the party’s credibility as Nigeria’s main opposition ahead of future electoral contests.

US Congress Bill Targets Northern Governors, Emirs, Judges with Sanctions Over Alleged Christian Persecution

Roland Edet
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US Congress Bill Targets Northern Governors, Emirs, Judges with Sanctions Over Alleged Christian Persecution

A brewing diplomatic crisis between Nigeria and the United States has placed 12 northern state governors, influential traditional rulers, and senior judicial officers in the eye of the storm, as the US Congress deliberates a bill that could slap targeted sanctions on them for purported complicity in what American legislators term a “Christian genocide” and widespread persecution linked to Sharia and blasphemy laws.

The proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and introduced on September 9, seeks to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations. If enacted, it would mandate the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to submit within 90 days a report to Congress identifying Nigerian officials—including governors, judges, and monarchs—who have “promoted, enacted, or maintained blasphemy laws” or “tolerated violence by non-state actors invoking religious justification.”

Sanctions under Executive Order 13818, part of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability framework, could include visa bans, asset freezes, and financial restrictions on those listed.

The bill’s momentum follows US President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a CPC and his directive to Rubio for swift action. In a post on Truth Social last Friday, Trump decried the killing of “thousands of Christians” in Nigeria, urging Congressman Riley Moore, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, and the panel to investigate urgently and report back.

Senator Cruz, defending the legislation, accused Nigeria’s leadership of “institutionalising Sharia law and enabling jihadist violence.” He cited statistics claiming over 52,000 Christians murdered, 20,000 churches and faith institutions destroyed, and dozens of villages razed since 2009, asserting that federal and state governments have “failed to act, and in many cases, they are complicit.”

This marks the second US CPC designation for Nigeria, the first occurring in December 2020 under the State Department for “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom,” amid Boko Haram attacks and ethno-religious conflicts aggravated by the judiciary.

## Sharia’s Expansion and Controversies

Central to the bill is the implementation of Sharia in northern Nigeria, which it equates with blasphemy laws deemed hostile to Christians. Sharia, rooted in Islamic jurisprudence, has historically governed personal, moral, and communal matters among Muslim communities in the north.

The pivotal shift came in 1999-2000, post-civilian rule, when Zamfara State under Governor Ahmad Sani Yerima extended Sharia to criminal law and public morality. Within two years, 12 states followed suit, establishing parallel Sharia courts alongside secular ones: Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kaduna, Niger, and Gombe.

States like Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Adamawa, despite sizeable Muslim populations, confine Sharia to personal status issues—marriage, inheritance, and family matters—for Muslims only.

The bill notes that since Zamfara’s 2000 adoption during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, nearly all 19 northern states incorporated blasphemy provisions. States such as Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, and Katsina have faced international condemnation for blasphemy-related death sentences.

Recent tensions arose when the Sharia Council announced arbitration panels in southern Oyo and Ogun states for Muslim disputes, sparking clashes before clarification that these were non-binding mediation bodies, not courts.

Critics highlight human rights concerns: restrictions on non-Muslim worship, church construction, and festivals; persecution of Islamic converts to Christianity; and vague blasphemy laws enabling mob violence. High-profile cases include the 2022 lynching and burning of Deborah Samuel, a Sokoto college student; butcher Usman Buda’s mob killing in Sokoto; a Bauchi water vendor’s 2021 death; and 74-year-old Bridget Agbahime’s 2016 murder in Kano—all over alleged blasphemy, with perpetrators often evading justice.

## Trump’s Threats and US Preparedness

Trump warned of halting all US aid to Nigeria and potential military intervention if the Tinubu administration fails to curb alleged Christian persecution. “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid… and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’” he posted, instructing the Department of War to prepare.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed this on X Sunday: “The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists…”

The bill would also designate Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern.

## Federal Government Pushes Back

The Federal Government robustly defended Nigeria’s framework in a Ministry of Foreign Affairs policy note, “Nigeria’s Constitutional Commitment to Religious Freedom and Rule of Law.” It emphasised the 1999 Constitution’s bans on state religion (Section 10), guarantees of religious freedom (Section 38), and anti-discrimination provisions (Section 42).

“Sharia in Nigeria is not a nationwide, compulsory system,” it stated, applying only to professing Muslims in select states, with non-Muslims exempt. It rejected persecution claims, framing violence as terrorism, crime, resource disputes, or climate-related, not purely religious.

The government highlighted proscriptions of Boko Haram and ISWAP, thousands of arrests, prosecutions, and deradicalisation efforts, plus unbiased joint operations. It slammed the bill as “legally and factually flawed,” conflating distinct legal regimes and mischaracterising public-order laws.

Nigeria reaffirmed commitments to international pacts like the ICCPR and African Charter, enforceable domestically, with courts upholding supremacy.

## Presidency, Diplomats, and Stakeholders Respond

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala announced an impending Tinubu-Trump meeting to discuss counterterrorism and clarify attack narratives. “Both leaders have shared interests in the fight against insurgency,” he posted on X.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, said Tinubu anticipated “orchestrated moves” against Nigeria, quoting his charge to new service chiefs: “We must smash the new snakes right in the head.”

Retired diplomats warned of fallout. Former Ambassador Mohammed Mabdul foresaw reduced US aid in health, education, and gender programmes; curtailed arms sales and intelligence sharing; and strained ties under Tinubu’s Europe/Middle East-focused engagements.

Ogbole Amedu-Ode called it a “wake-up call” for protecting lives, predicting investment dips but possible fills by emerging economies, plus international isolation.

Ambassador Godknows Igali advocated third-country mediation and caution with Trump’s “strong views.” Analyst Charles Onunaiju urged factual rebuttals and reforms over hostility.

Former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso advocated US tech aid against threats, not divisive labels, and urged envoy deployments for dialogue.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria condemned Trump’s war threat as “an abomination.”

Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern CAN) Chairman Rev. John Hayab blamed leadership inaction, seeing Trump’s warning as a chance for decisive anti-violence measures.

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Director Prof. Ishaq Akintola viewed threats as anti-terrorist, welcoming strikes on Boko Haram/ISWAP but warning against civilian/Muslim targeting as “religious aggression.” He urged calm and diplomacy.

A former US mayor, Mike Arnold, challenged Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar in an open letter over alleged jihadist links from his Pakistan posting and mineral looting. The Sultanate Council dismissed it as baseless, focusing on peace.

PDP chieftain Segun Showunmi warned of CPC-Magnitsky combo crippling Nigeria’s image and elites, urging urgent diplomacy.

As debates intensify, stakeholders call for unity, robust engagement, and internal reforms to avert escalation.

Daring Midnight Robbery: Gunmen Snatch 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 in Victoria Island

Saladin Babagana
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Daring Midnight Robbery: Gunmen Snatch 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 in Victoria Island

…Police launch manhunt for four-man gang
…Residents decry worsening insecurity, demand improved patrols

Panic swept through the upscale neighbourhood of Victoria Island, Lagos, in the early hours of Saturday, November 1, 2025, as a four-man armed gang brazenly robbed a motorist of a brand-new Mercedes-Benz SUV at gunpoint.

The incident, which occurred around midnight on Akin-Olugbade Street, has reignited security concerns among residents and business operators in the highbrow area.

According to eyewitness accounts, the hoodlums, who arrived in an unidentified small car, ambushed the driver of the black 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 with registration number WTO 21 AM.

A resident, who spoke with PUNCH on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident, narrated the scene.

“The robbers were used their car to block the Mercedes, forcing it to stop. They immediately ordered the driver to come out. When he showed hesitation, one of them fired a single shot into the air. They then dragged him out of the vehicle, got in, and sped off towards Ozumba Mbadiwe Road. The whole operation did not last more than five minutes,” the witness stated.

It was gathered that the victim sustained minor injuries during the encounter, having put up some resistance against the assailants.

Confirming the incident, a senior officer at the Lagos State Police Command told our correspondent that a full-scale manhunt had been launched to apprehend the suspects.

The officer, who also requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak officially, disclosed that the vehicle, identified by the Vehicle Identification Number 4JGFB4FB8SB274117, had been placed on the security watch list across the state and the nation.

“The Commissioner of Police has been briefed, and we have activated our intelligence and operational assets. Our teams are on joint patrol, and all exit routes from Victoria Island are under intense surveillance. We are urging anyone with useful information to come forward,” the police source said.

The stolen SUV is described as a black metallic 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, featuring a brown leather interior, factory-fitted tinted windows, and distinctive AMG alloy wheels.

The police have appealed to the public, particularly car dealers, mechanics, and parking lot attendants, to be vigilant and report any sighting of the vehicle immediately through the emergency hotlines 112 or 767, or at the nearest police station.

The brazen robbery has, however, left a cloud of apprehension over the community, with many residents calling for immediate action from the authorities.

A cross-section of residents who spoke with NEWSFOCUS lamented the perceived decline in security, urging the government to intensify night patrols, improve the often-faulty street lighting, and enhance coordination between state security agencies and private estate guards to prevent a recurrence.

As of press time, the police said investigations were ongoing to track down the suspects and recover the luxury vehicle.

2027: Northern elders plot united front, summon unity summit

Toyin Adebayo
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2027: Northern elders plot united front, summon unity summit

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, powerful northern groups have commenced moves to forge a solid political bloc for the region and halt its declining influence in national politics.

The Northern Elders Forum and the National Political Consultative Group are spearheading the move, which will culminate in a major Northern Unity Summit in early 2026.

The initiative aims to rally traditional rulers, religious leaders, and politicians across the 19 northern states to promote unity and a collective political agenda, echoing the era of the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

Disclosing the plan at an NPCG expanded meeting in Abuja on Saturday, the Director-General of the NEF, Prof. Doknan Sheni, declared that the first step to reclaiming the region’s political strength was to tackle the factors fuelling its disunity.

Speaking on the theme, ‘The Imperative of Northern Unity Ahead of 2027 Elections,’ Sheni sounded a strong warning that unless identity politics is checked, “the North, and by extension Nigeria, may continue to slide into deeper ethno-religious fragmentation.”

He charged northern leaders to immediately launch massive voter enlightenment campaigns to reorient the electorate towards ideology and party manifestos, instead of being swayed by ethnic and religious sentiments.

The university don insisted that for the north to unite for the 2027 polls, a summit must hold in the first quarter of 2026 to harmonise ideas and produce a Northern Development Blueprint.

He cautioned that political actors from other regions are actively exploiting the North’s internal divisions to weaken it.

“There may be other political interests by other Nigerians to wedge and exploit political, religious and ethnic differences within northerners so that they could get inroads into the region. If we permit these differences among us to be exploited by other politicians outside our region, then we have agreed to be permanently divided,” Sheni stated bluntly.

He emphasised that a united North is non-negotiable for the region to effectively negotiate for power, influence national policy, and secure its fair share of national resources.

The NEF DG also pointed to the region’s severe security challenges—terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping—demanding that Northern Governors, elders, and traditional rulers align their strategies immediately.

Furthermore, he called for a renewed drive for investments through initiatives like the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit to tackle the rampant unemployment and youth restiveness fueling the region’s crises.

Tinubu, Trump to Hold Talks Amid US Allegations of Christian Genocide in Nigeria

Toyin Adebayo
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Tinubu, Trump to Hold Talks Amid US Allegations of Christian Genocide in Nigeria

ABUJA – The Presidency has announced plans for a high-level meeting between President Bola Tinubu and former United States President Donald Trump in the coming days, following incendiary comments from the American leader accusing Nigeria of ignoring widespread attacks on Christians.

The planned dialogue was disclosed on Saturday by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, via a post on the social media platform X.

According to Bwala, the central aim of the meeting will be to strengthen bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism and to address what he termed “misconceptions” regarding the sectarian nature of terrorist violence in the country.

The announcement comes directly in the wake of a threat from Mr. Trump, who recently suggested the United States could suspend aid and even consider military action against Nigeria over allegations of Christian persecution.

“The two leaders, President @officialABAT and President @realDonald Trump, have shared interests in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity,” Bwala stated.

He highlighted existing security collaboration, noting, “President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorising the sale of arms, and President Tinubu has adequately utilised that opportunity in the fight against terrorism, with massive results to show for it.”

Clarifying the Narrative on Terrorist Targets

A key point of contention to be addressed at the proposed summit is the characterisation of the victims of terrorism. The Nigerian government has consistently pushed back against claims that militants exclusively target Christians, arguing that insurgents have killed thousands of Muslims and Christians alike.

Bwala indicated that resolving this divergent narrative is a top priority. “As for the differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or all faiths, those would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders when they meet in the coming days, either in the State House or White House,” he wrote.

The recent accusations from the US political sphere were amplified by American lawmaker, Riley Moore, who has alleged a “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria, labelling the nation the deadliest place in the world for followers of the faith.

In a statement dated October 6, Moore urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take immediate diplomatic action, calling for Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and for an immediate suspension of arms sales until the Federal Government demonstrates a “tangible commitment” to ending the violence.

The planned Tinubu-Trump meeting is therefore viewed by analysts as a critical diplomatic move to de-escalate tensions and preserve a strategic security partnership that has been called into question.

ACPN Alleges Rampant Illegal Drug Operations in Federal Hospitals, Demands Sanctions

Toyin Adebayo
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ACPN Alleges Rampant Illegal Drug Operations in Federal Hospitals, Demands Sanctions

By Toyin Adebayo, Abuja

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called for urgent government intervention and sanctions against pharmaceutical companies and individuals allegedly involved in illegal drug distribution within several Federal Health Institutions (FHIs).

In a strongly-worded statement, the National Chairman of the association, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, accused some pharmaceutical firms of operating unlawfully within public hospitals, often with the tacit approval of hospital management and regulatory agencies.

Igwekamma decried what he termed a “persistent culture of disregard for the law,” stating it is a “travesty of justice” that institutions mandated to uphold regulations have become enablers of illegal operations.

He specifically alleged that the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) has turned a blind eye as unregistered private pharmacy operators take over drug distribution activities in federal hospitals under questionable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.

The ACPN chairman faulted the Ministry’s past experiments with models like Medipool, describing them as unlawful ventures that created significant loopholes in Nigeria’s public drug distribution system.

Violations of Statutory Frameworks

Igwekamma emphasized that the legally recognized framework for managing drug supplies in public hospitals remains the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF), established under Decree 43 of 1989 (now Cap 252 LFN 2004), which legally empowers pharmacists to oversee procurement, distribution, and management.

He, however, lamented that the DRF system has been undermined by the alleged mismanagement of hospital Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs), leading to recurring drug stock-outs and unstable availability.

Citing the DRF project at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, as a success model, he noted that under pharmacists’ leadership, the department built a ₦200 million pharmacy complex in 2014 without compromising the DRF account—an achievement he claimed remains unmatched.

Catalogue of Legal Breaches

The ACPN listed numerous institutions, including the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, National Hospital Abuja, and several Federal Medical Centres, as hosting what it deems illegal PPP pharmacy models.

The association outlined multiple alleged breaches of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022, including:

· Operation of unregistered and uninspected pharmacies (Section 22(1)).
· Running private pharmacies inside public health facilities (Section 27(5)).
· Operating pharmacies not under the direct control of a superintendent pharmacist (Section 29).

Igwekamma further revealed that over 20 pharmacy premises under these PPP arrangements are unregistered, alleging that one “particularly aggressive company” in Lagos has taken over a major teaching hospital’s pharmacy unit while “dropping names of senior government officials to legitimize its activities.”

Ultimatum and Call to Action

The ACPN has issued an ultimatum to all superintendent pharmacists whose licences are being used for such arrangements to regularize their status by the end of 2025 or face disciplinary action in 2026. The association also vowed to pursue sanctions under the Consumer Protection and Trade Malpractices Act.

Reaffirming its commitment to drug security, the ACPN called for strengthened local manufacturing, transparent procurement, and the protection of DRF accounts.

The association urgently called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to order, warning that the current “government-induced chaos” in drug distribution is a direct threat to public health.

“We must restore sanity, legality, and professionalism in drug distribution in the public sector,” Pharm. Ezeh declared. “The health of the Nigerian people depends on it.”

FCT Police Arrest 20-Year-Old For Alleged Sexual Assault On Minor In Lugbe

Toyin Adebayo
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FCT Police Arrest 20-Year-Old For Alleged Sexual Assault On Minor In Lugbe

Abuja – The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested one Nura Auwal, aged 20, for his alleged involvement in the sexual assault of a 10-year-old boy in the Lugbe area of Abuja.

The incident, which has sparked outrage, was reported at the Trademore Police Division on October 24, 2025, by the victim’s father, Mr. Sani Yakubu.

According to the police, Mr. Yakubu reported that his son returned home from a nearby bush on October 23, crying. Upon questioning, the minor alleged that he was accosted and sexually assaulted by the suspect, Auwal, after he had gone into the bush to defecate.

The suspect was also alleged to have given the victim the sum of N200 and threatened to kill him if he revealed the incident to anyone.

The victim was immediately taken to the Police Hospital in Garki, Abuja, for medical examination and treatment.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer for the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that operatives from the Trademore Division swiftly launched an investigation which led to the arrest of the suspect within the Lugbe area.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect has a history of engaging in similar acts and was introduced to the practice by an acquaintance in Katsina State,” the statement revealed.

SP Adeh added that the investigation is ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court upon its conclusion.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, has strongly condemned the incident, reaffirming the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.

The CP further assured the public that the victim is receiving the necessary medical assistance and psycho-social support.

The Command has also used the opportunity to enjoin parents, guardians, and community leaders to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious acts of abuse to the nearest police formation.

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