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Atiku Slams Government’s Terrorist Negotiations, Calls for Stronger Security Posture

By
Ola Akinola
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ABUJA – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized the Tinubu administration’s approach to securing the release of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State, declaring that “no serious nation celebrates negotiation with terrorists” and calling for more decisive action against criminal elements.

In a strongly-worded statement issued Wednesday, the former presidential candidate challenged the government’s portrayal of the girls’ return as an achievement, arguing instead that it highlights Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation where “terrorists now operate freely, dictate terms and negotiate openly.”

The criticism came in response to comments by Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that security agencies had tracked the kidnappers and made contact to secure the girls’ release while avoiding direct confrontation to protect nearby civilians.

“Why is the government boasting about talking to terrorists instead of eliminating them?” Atiku questioned. “Why is kidnapping now reduced to a routine phone call between criminals and state officials?”

The former vice president characterized the situation as evidence that “terrorists and bandits have become an alternative government, negotiating, collecting ransom and walking away untouched, while the presidency celebrates their compliance.”

The debate emerges following Tuesday’s release of 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls’ Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State on November 17. During the attack, the vice principal and a security guard were killed, with one student managing to escape shortly after the invasion.

President Tinubu had expressed relief that “all 24 girls had been accounted for” and urged security agencies to intensify operations in trouble spots across the country.

The exchange highlights growing national concern about the government’s strategy for addressing mass kidnappings, with many Nigerians questioning why perpetrators consistently escape consequences for their actions.

“Protect Nigerians Without Excuses,” CAN President Tells Government Amid Security Crisis

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

ABUJA – The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has delivered a forceful demand for the Federal Government to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect citizens, declaring that the nation “must no longer tolerate excuses” in the face of escalating violence.

Speaking Wednesday at the opening of the 32nd Triennial General Assembly of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Archbishop Okoh asserted that the government’s responsibility to safeguard lives and property is both a moral imperative and a sacred trust.

“The government has a constitutional, moral, and sacred responsibility to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians without discrimination, without delay, and without excuses,” Okoh told assembled church leaders and dignitaries.

The CAN President framed his address around the assembly’s theme, “Demand for Justice and Righteousness,” drawn from the biblical book of Amos, describing it as a prophetic response to Nigeria’s current crisis of “injustice, inequality, corruption, moral decay, and deepening insecurity.”

He outlined four urgent expectations from the government: strengthening security in vulnerable communities, bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice, supporting displaced families, and decisively addressing the root causes of insecurity.

Calling for unified action among Christian bodies, Archbishop Okoh urged the CCN to stand with CAN in demanding decisive government intervention. “At this critical moment, we must be united more than ever,” he stated. “We must stand together as one body, with one voice, pursuing one mission—the protection of the sanctity of human life.”

The religious leader challenged churches to move beyond ritual and actively defend the voiceless, noting that the Christian witness would be judged by its practical commitment to justice and compassion.

Follow NewsFocus for continuing coverage of Nigeria’s security situation and religious leadership responses.

Wike Revives Stalled Abuja District Projects, Vows to Complete Inherited Contracts

By
Toyin Adebayo
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ABUJA – The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reaffirmed its commitment to completing long-stalled district infrastructure projects across Abuja, with Minister Nyesom Wike declaring that “government is a continuum” regardless of when contracts were originally awarded.

The Minister’s announcement came on Wednesday following an inspection tour of ongoing work at the Guzape II (A11) District, where he revealed that many major projects currently underway were initially awarded years before the Tinubu administration but had languished due to funding shortages.

“It is most unfortunate, what I’ve always said, that most of the jobs you see us doing were awarded years back before the inception of this administration in 2023,” Wike stated. “Here is A11, Guzape, but because of lack of funding, it was stalled.”

The Minister emphasized that infrastructure development remains crucial for stimulating social and economic growth by opening new districts and enabling residents and businesses to access allocated plots. He cited the example of Maitama II, where properties remained inaccessible for over a decade until recent intervention.

“Like Maitama II, which was awarded more than 10 years ago – people who had properties could not access their land,” Wike explained. “We felt Abuja was becoming congested, so the Federal Executive Council has now awarded the job for full engineering infrastructure.”

The A11 District project, awarded six years ago with plots allocated over seven years ago, represents one of several inherited contracts the administration has prioritized for completion. Wike stressed that despite not originating the projects, the current government has a duty to see them through.

Addressing community concerns, the Minister assured that the FCTA consistently compensates and relocates villages affected by expansion works. “Any village that is affected is always compensated,” he stated. “Like the one in C01 at Guzape village – compensation has been made and relocation is ongoing.”

Wike Suspends Education Secretary Over Unauthorized School Closure Order, Denies Security Threat in FCT

By
Toyin Adebayo
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ABUJA – Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has suspended the Education Mandate Secretary and initiated disciplinary action against directors for issuing an unauthorized school closure directive, calling the action “unimaginable” and declaring that Abuja faces no security threat justifying such panic.

The Minister’s sharp rebuke came during an infrastructure inspection tour on Wednesday, following Tuesday’s circular that ordered all government schools in the FCT to close by Friday, November 28, 2025.

“I was watching television last night and I saw a report that the FCT has directed schools to shut down. I couldn’t believe it,” Wike stated. “I later confirmed that a circular went out without our approval. It is unimaginable how people could take such a decision without the head of affairs knowing.”

The Minister announced the indefinite suspension of the Education Mandate Secretary and sanctions for directors involved in issuing the circular without authorization. He emphasized that comprehensive security checks had revealed no threats to FCT schools.

“We don’t have such a threat that will make us shut down schools,” Wike stressed. “I even called the Commissioner of Police and other security authorities. This was not in their agenda.”

Dismissing suggestions that officials might have acted preventively, the Minister questioned: “How could you have taken such an action in anticipation? Even I cannot do that without informing the President. This is the FCT. Do you know what message that sends? That Abuja is unsafe?”

Wike assured residents that security agencies maintain full control and that schools would operate normally. “The security agencies are doing everything to ensure schools operate normally,” he said, adding a stern warning: “We will not forgive anybody involved in this.”

The swift reversal and disciplinary actions highlight the administration’s sensitivity to perceptions of insecurity in the nation’s capital while exposing significant communication breakdowns within the FCT education bureaucracy.

UN Warns of Unprecedented Hunger Crisis in Northern Nigeria, 35 Million at Risk

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

ABUJA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning that escalating violence and instability in Northern Nigeria could push a record 35 million people into severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season, marking the highest level of hunger ever recorded in the country.

The alert follows the release of the latest Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis, which reveals a rapidly deteriorating situation driven by surging attacks from insurgent groups including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

WFP Country Director and Representative in Nigeria, David Stevenson, described Northern Nigeria as experiencing its most severe hunger crisis in a decade, with rural farming communities bearing the heaviest impact.

“Communities are deteriorating under severe pressure from repeated attacks and economic stress,” Stevenson stated. “If we can’t keep families fed and food insecurity at bay, growing desperation could fuel increased instability with insurgent groups exploiting hunger to expand their influence.”

The crisis is particularly acute in conflict-affected states, where nearly six million people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe are projected to face crisis-level hunger or worse during the 2026 lean season from June to August. This includes approximately 15,000 people in Borno expected to confront catastrophic, famine-like conditions.

The situation is compounded by critical funding shortfalls that have forced the WFP to scale back nutrition programs, affecting over 300,000 children. Stevenson revealed that without urgent new funding, the agency will exhaust resources for emergency food and nutrition assistance by December, leaving millions without vital support in 2026.

Terrorists’ Taunt: “We Freed You,” They Tell Schoolgirls as Government Claims Victory

By
Ola Akinola
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0

ABUJA – A terrorist video claiming responsibility for freeing kidnapped schoolgirls directly contradicted official government accounts on Sunday, creating a stark narrative clash as dozens of victims from multiple mass abductions returned home.

The confrontation emerged as all 24 schoolgirls kidnapped in Kebbi State, 38 worshippers seized from a Kwara church, and 50 students from Niger State’s St. Mary’s Catholic School were confirmed safe. While President Bola Tinubu praised security forces for securing their freedom, the terrorists presented a dramatically different version of events.

In a video addressed to the Kebbi schoolgirls, the kidnappers explicitly stated: “We are releasing you, government did not rescue you,” directly challenging the official narrative of a security-led resolution.

President Tinubu had earlier expressed relief that “all the 24 girls have been accounted for,” while vowing to deploy “more boots on the ground in vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping.” He commended security agents for their efforts in securing the victims’ release.

The conflicting accounts raised immediate questions about whether the freedom resulted from military pressure or negotiated settlements. Notably absent from presidential statements was any mention of pursuing justice for the victims or holding the terrorist groups accountable for their actions.

The simultaneous resolution of kidnapping cases across three states—while bringing relief to affected families—highlighted the complex challenges facing Nigeria’s security strategy, particularly the tension between securing immediate victim releases and establishing deterrence through perpetrator accountability.

FCTA Clarifies: Schools Not Closing Early, Suspends Mandate Secretary

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has dismissed reports claiming that all government schools in the FCT would close by November 28, 2025, describing the news as false.

Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, late Tuesday, affirmed that he never authorized such a circular. “Seriously, the way you saw the circular is the same way that I see it. I believe it is a wrong circular because the director who signed it had no authority to do so,” Hayyo explained.

He added that in the FCT, only the Minister or the Mandate Secretary can issue directives to close schools. “We never received any approval from the Honorable Minister, and there was no reason to close schools before November 28,” he said.

Following the incident, the FCT Minister’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, confirmed that Dr. Hayyo has been suspended with immediate effect.

CBN Holds MPR at 27%, Tightens Policy Corridor as Inflation Drops to 16.05%

By
Gladys Phillip
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0

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has retained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27.0 per cent, even as inflation continued its downward trend, easing to 16.05 per cent in October 2025.

This was revealed in a communiqué issued by CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, following the 303rd meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held on November 24–25, 2025, in Abuja.

Cardoso announced that while the MPR remains unchanged, the Committee adjusted the Standing Facility Corridor to +50/-450 basis points, maintaining other policy tools such as the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) and Liquidity Ratio.

He said the decision reflects the MPC’s cautious approach aimed at consolidating gains made in the fight against inflation, especially amid persistent global economic uncertainties.

The Committee highlighted that headline inflation declined for the seventh consecutive month, dropping from 18.02 percent in September to 16.05 percent in October. The sustained disinflation, it noted, was driven by factors including a stable exchange rate, improved capital inflows, a surplus current account balance, and enhanced domestic food supply.

Core and food inflation also moderated significantly.

Despite the positive trajectory, the Committee stressed that inflation remains at elevated double-digit levels, making continued vigilance and targeted policy actions necessary.

On the broader economy, the MPC reported robust external sector performance, with foreign reserves rising to $46.7 billion in November—enough to cover 10.3 months of imports. Real GDP growth remained strong at 4.23 percent in the second quarter of 2025.

The Committee also welcomed Nigeria’s recent sovereign credit rating upgrade and removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, developments expected to further boost investor confidence and attract more capital inflows.

Progress in the ongoing banking sector recapitalization exercise was acknowledged, with 16 banks already fully compliant with the new capital requirements.

Globally, the MPC observed a cautiously improving outlook driven by trade recovery and easing geopolitical tensions, though risks such as rising protectionism and geoeconomic fragmentation persist. It noted that global inflation is expected to decline but stay above pre-pandemic levels in the near term.

Looking ahead, the Committee anticipates continued disinflation, supported by earlier monetary policy tightening and improved food supply driven by seasonal harvests.

Reaffirming its commitment to a data-driven approach, the MPC pledged to maintain price stability and safeguard the financial system.

The next MPC meeting is slated for February 23 and 24, 2026.

FG Dismisses Claims of Nationwide Open Grazing Ban, Says Transition to Ranching Is Gradual

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread reports suggesting that it has imposed a nationwide ban on open grazing, describing the information as misleading and false.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, clarified on Tuesday that the government has not announced any such ban. Instead, he said, Nigeria is implementing a gradual and well-structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching systems in line with global best practices.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued by Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

Maiha explained that Nigeria currently has 273 gazetted grazing reserves spanning over 4.5 million hectares, and the Federal Government is collaborating with state governments to revitalize and adequately equip these reserves for pastoralists and other livestock operators.

He stressed that the transition plan is not an abrupt abolition of open grazing, but a deliberate effort to provide viable alternatives that boost productivity, reduce farmer–herder conflicts, and build a sustainable livestock economy.

According to him, pastoralists deserve the same structured business environment as other economic groups.

His words:
“Pastoralists, like every other economic group, require a structured business environment.
The grazing reserves provided by law are meant to serve as business premises for all livestock activities.
Our responsibility is to upgrade these reserves and facilitate their proper utilisation.”

The Ministry urged the public to disregard reports suggesting a nationwide ban on open grazing and to rely solely on official government communication channels for accurate policy information.

INEC Swears In Rahmon as Oyo REC, Warns: “No Room for Errors”

By
Roland Edet
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0


The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday swore in Prof. Ayobami Rahmon as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Oyo State, with a strong charge to uphold integrity, transparency, and strict professionalism.

The brief ceremony, held at INEC Headquarters in Abuja, was presided over by the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, who administered the oath of office.

Addressing the new REC, Prof. Amupitan said Rahmon’s appointment comes at “a defining moment,” describing Oyo as a politically strategic state where electoral management must be handled with utmost care.

“You must fully appreciate the magnitude of the assignment before you,” Amupitan cautioned. “There is no room for errors. The credibility of our elections depends significantly on the conduct of officers like you. Professionalism, honesty, and strict compliance with the Electoral Act are non-negotiable.”

He further noted that the Commission is committed to strengthening electoral technology, improving transparency, and restoring public confidence, warning that the REC’s activities will be closely watched by political actors, civil society, the media, and the electorate.

“You must demonstrate that the trust placed in you is well-deserved,” he said.

The INEC Chairman also urged Rahmon to prioritise robust engagement with stakeholders. “Dialogue is essential. Build strong relationships with political parties, traditional rulers, security agencies, and community leaders. Stakeholder confidence makes election management more effective.”

In his response, Prof. Rahmon expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him and pledged unwavering loyalty to the Commission’s values.

“I remain committed to impartiality, transparency, and professionalism. I will work diligently to enhance the integrity of elections in Oyo State,” he assured.

He also promised to promote peaceful participation and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders across the state.

Prof. Rahmon is expected to assume duties immediately at the Oyo State INEC office.

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