Uyo, December 26, 2025 – The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has expressed strong confidence that the twin scourges of banditry and insurgency will be decisively defeated in Nigeria starting from 2026. He called for a united national effort to achieve peace and security.
Akpabio made the declaration on Friday during a prayer and fasting service organised for his family at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, in his hometown of Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
A Message of Hope and Collective Action
Addressing the congregation, Senator Akpabio framed his message around the hope of the Christmas season and the promise of the New Year.
“I want to wish all Nigerians a very prosperous and peaceful New Year. I want to assure Nigerians that the New Year will usher in renewed peace in our country,” he stated.
He connected the spiritual significance of Christmas to the nation’s current challenges. “Reflecting on the significance of the Christmas season, Akpabio said the birth of Jesus Christ symbolises redemption and hope, adding that Nigeria would experience freedom from banditry and insurgency in the coming year.”
Call for National Unity and Support for Government
The Senate President emphasised that achieving this security goal requires a collective national resolve. He urged citizens to “set aside their differences, embrace peace and promote unity within their families, states and across the country,” stressing that “national development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.”
Akpabio specifically called on Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation, to rally behind the administration of President Bola Tinubu. He pointed to the government’s ongoing efforts and noted that “renewed collaboration with international partners would further strengthen the fight against banditry and insurgency.”
This comment follows recent precision airstrikes against terrorist targets in Sokoto State, which the Federal Government confirmed were carried out with international cooperation and resulted in no civilian casualties.
Focus on Family as Foundation for Peace
The event, an annual family tradition held every December 26, also focused on familial bonds. Akpabio described family unity as “the foundation for peace, progress and collective success in society.”
His wife, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, echoed this sentiment, encouraging family members to “support one another selflessly, set aside personal differences and live together in love and harmony.”
The head of the Greater Akpabio Family, Chief Ekan Akpabio, urged relatives in public service to remain connected to their roots and prioritise the welfare of their kin.
The Senate President’s optimistic forecast provides a high-level political endorsement of the government’s security strategy and sets a public expectation for measurable progress in the nation’s fight against violent extremism and criminality in the coming year.
A prominent Catholic figure has called for the arrest of Nigerian cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, accusing him of crimes against humanity after Gumi referred to jihadist terrorists as “our warriors” and condemned recent U.S. airstrikes. The clash has ignited a fierce debate over Nigeria’s sovereignty, religious narratives, and the path forward in its fight against terror.
The Controversy Over the U.S. Strikes and Gumi’s Stance
The conflict centers on the December 25 U.S.military operation in Nigeria’s Sokoto State, which President Donald Trump said was deliberately timed for Christmas to send a message to groups targeting Christians. The Nigerian government confirmed the airstrikes were the result of “structured security and intelligence cooperation” with the U.S., involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination.
Following the strikes, Sheikh Gumi, a controversial but influential Islamic cleric, issued a forceful condemnation. He argued that the U.S. involvement would turn Nigeria into a “theatre of war,” attract anti-American forces, and dangerously polarize the nation along religious lines by framing the intervention as protection for Christians. He urged the government to halt cooperation with the U.S. and instead seek military assistance from what he termed “neutral countries” like China, Turkey, or Pakistan. Most explosively, Gumi referred to the targeted insurgents as “our warriors”—a statement Catholic Deacon Nick Donnelly seized upon in his call for Gumi’s arrest.
Donnelly’s Call to Action and Gumi’s Past Positions
In a post on X(formerly Twitter), Deacon Nick Donnelly, a British Catholic author and activist, declared Gumi’s remarks tantamount to supporting genocide. “Sheikh Gumi protests President Trump’s Christmas military strikes against the bestial Islamist terrorists. Calling the terrorists conducting the genocide against Christians ‘our warriors’. Gumi must be arrested and put on trial for crimes against humanity,” Donnelly wrote. He further demanded that President Bola Tinubu publicly condemn Gumi or be seen as “complicit in his crimes”.
Gumi is no stranger to controversy, having long advocated for negotiating with armed bandit groups in northwestern Nigeria, a stance that has earned him labels as a “bandit sympathiser”. In past interviews, he has argued that Nigeria’s military cannot win a guerrilla war and that negotiation is a pragmatic solution, controversially suggesting that kidnapping children is a “lesser evil” than killing soldiers. These views have placed him at the center of Nigeria’s complex security debate.
A Deeper Geopolitical and Domestic Divide
The current crisis is rooted in a major diplomatic shift from Washington.On October 31, President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for severe violations of religious freedom, citing the killing of Christians. He threatened to cut off aid and hinted at military intervention, framing it as a defense of a persecuted religious minority.
This U.S. stance is heavily contested within Nigeria and by independent analysts. The Nigerian government, foreign minister, and advisers to President Tinubu have consistently rejected the “Christian genocide” narrative. They argue that the violence is more complex, driven by resource competition, criminality, and poor governance, and that victims come from all faiths. Data from groups like ACLED supports this, showing most violence in central Nigeria stems from farmer-herder disputes over land, not purely religious targeting. Furthermore, the majority of victims of jihadist groups like Boko Haram in the northeast have been Muslims.
Analysts suggest Trump’s focus appeals to his domestic evangelical base and represents a shift in U.S. Sahel policy to reassert influence after withdrawing from neighboring countries like Niger. For President Tinubu, a Muslim from the south leading a religiously divided nation, this presents a “delicate balancing act”. He must address legitimate security concerns without appearing to favor Western powers or inflame sectarian tensions.
The Debate Over Sovereignty and Security
The core of the dispute now unfolding in Nigeria’s public sphere pits concerns over sovereignty against demands for urgent security.
· Gumi’s Argument for Sovereignty: Gumi’s opposition is framed as a defense of national sovereignty and religious harmony. He warns of foreign powers with “imperial tendencies” and “ulterior motives” turning Nigeria into a proxy battlefield. His call for alternative partners like China or Turkey is based on a belief that they would be less likely to frame the conflict in religious terms that could split the country.
· Donnelly and Pro-Intervention Voices: For Donnelly and others who share his view, the primary concern is an immediate end to violence they see as religiously motivated genocide. From this perspective, the nationality of the forces providing help is secondary to the outcome of saving lives and crushing terrorism. This view finds support among some northern Christian leaders who have stated that Nigeria needs “all available support” to end the insecurity.
The call for Gumi’s arrest by a foreign religious figure adds another volatile layer, raising questions about external influence in Nigeria’s internal discourse and legal system.
Official Nigerian Position and Path Forward
The Federal Government has attempted to steer a middle course.The Foreign Ministry has defended the U.S. cooperation as sovereign, lawful, and aimed at protecting all civilians. Concurrently, officials have downplayed the religious narrative, with Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar explicitly stating the joint operations are “not targeting any religion”.
As analysts note, the long-term solution requires Nigeria to address the root causes of instability: poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and the government’s absence in vast rural territories. Whether framed as a religious crisis, a criminal insurgency, or a governance failure, the call for action is unanimous. However, the disagreement over whose action is legitimate—domestic forces, the U.S., or other international partners—and under what narrative, has become a defining and deeply divisive issue for Nigeria’s future.
ABUJA, December 27, 2025 – A prominent northern Christian body has thrown its weight behind reported United States military intervention in Nigeria, breaking ranks with critics to declare that the nation urgently needs all available external support to defeat worsening terrorism.
In a strong statement, Elder Sunday Oibe, Chairman of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), faulted growing public opposition to foreign military involvement, framing the country’s security situation as an “existential crisis” demanding collaborative action.
“Nigeria Needs Help to Curb This Madness”
Elder Oibe’s remarks come amid intense national debate following reports of U.S. airstrikes targeting terrorist camps in Sokoto State on Christmas Day. While some quarters have raised sovereignty concerns, NOSCEF has taken a pragmatic stance focused on results.
“There’s no gain saying that Nigeria needs help to curb this madness of insurgency, kidnapping and terrorism troubling the soul of this nation,” Elder Oibe stated. He emphasized that any assistance aimed at restoring peace should be welcomed, provided the Nigerian government is fully aware and involved in the process.
“In whatever way this help comes, as long as the Nigerian government is in the know, it is a welcome development,” he asserted. “Nigerians have been bleeding for far too long because of the activities of these criminal bandits, whom I prefer to call enemies of humanity.”
Aligning with Babangida’s “No Negotiation” Stance
The NOSCEF chairman aligned his position with that of former military leader General Ibrahim Babangida, who recently called for a decisive, uncompromising approach to terrorism.
“I agree completely with the position of former leader, General Babangida, that government must root out this evil without negotiation,” Elder Oibe said, underscoring the forum’s support for robust military action over dialogue with terrorist groups.
Questioning Critics of Foreign Intervention
Reacting to arguments against foreign military involvement, Elder Oibe questioned the logic of opposing efforts to eliminate terror groups that continue to kill innocent citizens. He referenced the recent bombing of a mosque in Maiduguri as evidence of the persistent threat.
“Why should any sane mind be against rooting out these criminals by whatever means necessary?” he asked. “Whether it is American, Indian, or Togolese support that will help Nigeria uproot this evil, it should be welcomed. Nigerians simply want to live freely and go about their daily activities without fear of attack.”
Security Crisis Transcends Geopolitical Concerns
The elder’s remarks highlight a deepening divide in Nigeria’s security discourse, where immediate safety concerns for many citizens outweigh longer-term geopolitical considerations about sovereignty.
Elder Oibe insisted that the immediate priority must be the safety of Nigerian lives, stressing that insecurity has already cost the nation too much in blood and economic progress.
The NOSCEF endorsement adds significant moral weight to arguments for international security cooperation, particularly coming from a group representing Christian communities in Nigeria’s most conflict-affected regions. It signals that for many directly impacted by terrorism, the source of salvation matters less than the reality of deliverance from violence.
As debates continue about the appropriate boundaries of foreign military involvement, voices like NOSCEF’s underscore the desperate reality on the ground where theoretical sovereignty concerns compete with daily survival imperatives.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the Federal Government over what it described as a troubling and inverted flow of information following a recent United States strike on terrorist assets linked to Nigeria.
The opposition party said Nigerians first became aware of the operation through verified social media posts by former US President Donald Trump and other American officials, well before Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official response.
According to the PDP, the ministry’s statement was vague and belated, merely confirming that the Nigerian government had knowledge of and cooperated in the operation, without offering clear details or leadership in briefing the public.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party acknowledged the value of international cooperation in combating terrorism but stressed that the manner of communicating security developments is critical.
The PDP expressed concern that foreign governments appeared to be shaping the narrative on security operations affecting Nigeria, while the Federal Government assumed a reactive posture.
It warned that such a communication approach does not serve Nigeria’s national interest, particularly in light of past reports suggesting that US forces had previously conducted operations within Nigeria without the government’s knowledge or consent.
The party argued that the Federal Government should have been the first to disclose and properly contextualise the development to sensitise Nigerians and manage public perception, rather than issuing a confirmation after the information had already circulated widely.
It added that the delay in official communication raises questions about whether the government was fully briefed ahead of the operation or was as uninformed as the general public.
The PDP urged the Federal Government to review its defence engagement with the United States to ensure better coordination, transparency and joint ownership of counterterrorism operations.
It maintained that defence partnerships should prioritise knowledge transfer and capacity building to enable Nigeria develop sustainable solutions to insecurity, rather than depending solely on externally driven “precision attacks”.
The party concluded that national sovereignty, public trust and effective counterterrorism efforts are weakened when Nigerians hear about security actions affecting their country first from foreign authorities instead of their own government.
Top military sources have confirmed that recent that recent United States precision strikes on terrorist targets in North-West Nigeria, carried out in coordination with the Nigerian military, successfully neutralised foreign-linked terror cells planning attacks across four states.
According to the sources, intelligence reports had revealed a large-scale infiltration of armed terrorists and bandits into Nigeria through Sahel corridors from Mali and Burkina Faso. The groups were allegedly preparing coordinated assaults on communities in Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger and Katsina states.
“It was a successful joint operation with the U.S. military. Nigeria provided the targets, while the strikes were executed by U.S. forces. Cleanup operations are currently ongoing,” a military source disclosed.
The targeted cells, identified as the Lakurawa and Jenni groups affiliated with ISIS, were said to have mobilised fighters from Mali and Burkina Faso with plans to launch attacks during the Christmas and New Year period.
Pentagon disclosures indicated that the operation involved the deployment of precision strike capabilities, supported by advanced surveillance and long-range unmanned aerial systems to ensure accurate targeting and limit civilian harm.
Military sources stressed that the operation was carefully planned and highly selective, with robust surveillance measures in place to ensure that only confirmed terrorist elements and their logistics hubs were engaged.
The successful strike highlights growing cooperation between Nigeria and international partners in countering transnational terrorism and preventing large-scale attacks on vulnerable communities in North-West Nigeria.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has confirmed that Nigeria provided the intelligence that led to the recent United States airstrike on terrorist targets within the country and formally approved the operation before it was executed.
Tuggar made the disclosure on Friday while speaking on Channels Television, a day after the United States confirmed it carried out the strike as part of its counterterrorism efforts.
According to the minister, the operation was the product of sustained security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States and had no religious undertone.
He explained that discussions were held at the highest diplomatic and political levels prior to the strike, including consultations with US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who granted approval for the operation.
Tuggar said the two countries also agreed that public statements following the strike would clearly reflect that the action was targeted solely at terrorist elements and formed part of ongoing joint counterterrorism operations.
He described the strike as a validation of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity through international collaboration, stressing that Nigeria remains open to working with all partners willing to support the fight against terrorism.
The minister emphasised that Nigeria’s counterterrorism approach is not driven by religious considerations, noting that both Muslims and Christians have been victims of terrorist violence and banditry.
He added that the sole objective of the operation was the protection of innocent lives, both Nigerian and foreign.
The United States President, Donald Trump, had earlier confirmed the airstrike, while US officials said it was carried out based on shared intelligence and in coordination with the Nigerian government.
Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East and banditry and terror attacks in the North-West, which have resulted in thousands of deaths and mass displacement.
Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has expressed strong support for the joint airstrikes carried out by Nigerian and United States military forces on an ISIS terrorist hideout in North-West Nigeria in the early hours of Friday.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, Afenifere gave unequivocal backing to the operation, describing it as a decisive and necessary response to years of persistent insecurity.
The group said decades of ineffective governance had allowed insurgent groups to flourish, leading to the killing, abduction and displacement of innocent Nigerians across affected regions.
Afenifere noted that the confirmation by the Defence Headquarters that the operation was conducted with the approval of relevant Federal Government authorities was both timely and reassuring.
According to the organisation, the involvement of the United States in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts should be acknowledged rather than criticised, given the scale of the security challenges confronting the country.
It argued that the prolonged failure to dismantle terrorist enclaves had created a vacuum that necessitated the support of capable international partners who recognise the urgency of the situation.
The group stressed that national sovereignty should be judged by a government’s ability to protect its citizens, enforce the rule of law and secure national borders, rather than by political rhetoric.
Afenifere said the lives of Nigerians and the maintenance of peace must take priority over political sentiments or populist criticism, adding that the swift and coordinated military action demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to restore safety and stability.
The organisation urged citizens, political leaders and civil society groups to avoid undermining ongoing security efforts with what it described as misplaced criticism, calling instead for unity, support and constructive collaboration to defeat terrorism.
It commended the courage and professionalism of both Nigerian and United States forces involved in the operation and reaffirmed its support for all lawful measures, whether domestic or joint, aimed at ensuring that Nigerians can live in peace and security, free from the threat of terrorism.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the Federal Government over what it described as a troubling and inverted flow of information following a recent United States strike on terrorist assets linked to Nigeria.
The opposition party said Nigerians first became aware of the operation through verified social media posts by former US President Donald Trump and other American officials, well before Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official response.
According to the PDP, the ministry’s statement was vague and belated, merely confirming that the Nigerian government had knowledge of and cooperated in the operation, without offering clear details or leadership in briefing the public.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party acknowledged the value of international cooperation in combating terrorism but stressed that the manner of communicating security developments is critical.
The PDP expressed concern that foreign governments appeared to be shaping the narrative on security operations affecting Nigeria, while the Federal Government assumed a reactive posture.
It warned that such a communication approach does not serve Nigeria’s national interest, particularly in light of past reports suggesting that US forces had previously conducted operations within Nigeria without the government’s knowledge or consent.
The party argued that the Federal Government should have been the first to disclose and properly contextualise the development to sensitise Nigerians and manage public perception, rather than issuing a confirmation after the information had already circulated widely.
It added that the delay in official communication raises questions about whether the government was fully briefed ahead of the operation or was as uninformed as the general public.
The PDP urged the Federal Government to review its defence engagement with the United States to ensure better coordination, transparency and joint ownership of counterterrorism operations.
It maintained that defence partnerships should prioritise knowledge transfer and capacity building to enable Nigeria develop sustainable solutions to insecurity, rather than depending solely on externally driven “precision attacks”.
The party concluded that national sovereignty, public trust and effective counterterrorism efforts are weakened when Nigerians hear about security actions affecting their country first from foreign authorities instead of their own government.
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticised recent United States airstrikes on suspected terrorist camps in north-western Nigeria, warning that the action could polarise the country and undermine its sovereignty.
Gumi’s comments followed confirmation by the Federal Government that Nigeria is cooperating with the US on security and intelligence, leading to precision airstrikes targeting Islamic State-linked groups. US President Donald Trump had earlier announced that American forces carried out “numerous deadly strikes” against terrorists said to be attacking Christians.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday, Gumi acknowledged that fighting terrorism is an obligation in Islam but argued that such actions should be carried out by Nigeria, not foreign powers. He cautioned that foreign military involvement, particularly by the US, could draw Nigeria into broader conflicts and inflame religious and political tensions.
He urged the Federal Government to suspend military cooperation with the US and instead seek assistance from what he described as “neutral countries” such as China, Turkey and Pakistan. According to him, airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, insisting that Nigeria has sufficient manpower to conduct effective ground operations if properly mobilised.
Gumi also criticised reported strikes in Sokoto, a predominantly Muslim area, describing them as symbolic and potentially provocative. He questioned the focus on such locations while areas with long-standing insurgency threats remain in the North-East.
The cleric warned that continued US involvement in Nigeria’s security operations could become a divisive political issue ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling on authorities to prioritise national unity and sovereignty in tackling insecurity.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has stepped up its public service reform efforts with the successful hosting of a One-Day Strategic Validation Workshop on the FCT Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme (FCT-LEAD-P) for Permanent Secretaries.
Declaring the workshop open, the Head of Service of the FCTA, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan (mni), reaffirmed the Administration’s resolve to build a competent, ethical and future-ready civil service in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda. She emphasised that leadership development remains central to effective policy execution and improved service delivery for residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
Mrs. Nathan explained that the FCT-LEAD-P is designed to institutionalise succession planning, talent management and ethical leadership through a structured, competency-based framework that aligns global best practices with local realities. She urged Permanent Secretaries to provide robust input in validating the programme’s syllabus, noting that their contributions would directly influence the calibre of future leaders in the FCT Civil Service.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Common Services, Mr. Rotimi Ajayi, underscored the role of innovative communication as a critical tool for effective governance. He commended the Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department (RC&SID) for initiating the programme, describing the workshop as timely and in harmony with the FCTA’s reform agenda under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, CON, and the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP 25).
Mr. Ajayi noted that beyond technical expertise, public servants must possess strong communication skills to clearly articulate government policies and programmes, adding that this is vital for building public trust, enhancing stakeholder engagement and improving citizen satisfaction. He assured participants of the Administration’s continued support for initiatives that promote professionalism, innovation and excellence in the public service.
Presenting a technical overview, the Acting Director of RC&SID, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, described the FCT-LEAD-P as a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening leadership capacity and boosting service delivery across the FCT Civil Service. She disclosed that since its launch in early 2025, the programme has recorded significant milestones toward building a competent, ethical and forward-looking workforce.
Dr. Ahmadu highlighted key achievements, including the development of a competency-based leadership framework tailored to the FCT Civil Service and the drafting of a comprehensive curriculum covering leadership theory, practical skills, ethics, innovation and public sector reforms in collaboration with subject-matter experts. She added that a transparent, merit-based selection process—featuring Computer-Based Tests and oral interviews—has been implemented to identify high-potential officers for the pilot cohort.
According to her, extensive stakeholder engagement sessions with Directors and technical teams have fostered institutional ownership of the programme, while preparations such as training modules, facilitators and partnerships with local and international institutions are being finalised.
She explained that the Strategic Validation Workshop for Permanent Secretaries was convened to consolidate these gains by reviewing and endorsing the LEAD-P syllabus and ensuring alignment with the FCTA’s reform objectives and service delivery priorities.
The workshop featured high-level discussions focused on validating the LEAD-P curriculum, strengthening leadership capacity and enhancing communication for improved service delivery across all Secretariats, Departments and Agencies of the FCTA.
