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ADC Accuses Tinubu Administration of “Expanding Banditry Economy” Through Terrorist Negotiations

By
Toyin Adebayo
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ABUJA – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s security strategy, accusing the federal government of “expanding the banditry economy” through negotiations with terrorists while effectively enforcing Boko Haram’s ideology through widespread school closures.

In a strongly-worded press conference on Wednesday, ADC National Spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi declared that the administration’s approach to securing recent hostage releases represents a “dangerous and misguided path” that rewards criminal behavior.

“The Federal Government cannot fight insurgency by doing deals with bandits,” Abdullahi stated. “By appeasing insurgents in this manner, the government is, in effect, expanding the banditry economy.”

The opposition party’s condemnation comes amid conflicting government accounts about the release of kidnapped schoolchildren in Kebbi State and worshippers in Kwara State, with officials offering explanations ranging from peaceful negotiations to terrorists voluntarily surrendering weapons.

The ADC particularly criticized the government’s decision to close dozens of schools across northern states, arguing that “a government that quietly negotiates with insurgents and then shuts down schools to avoid further kidnappings has, in effect, conceded ground to terror.”

“What we are witnessing is the creeping paralysis of our society and the gradual shutting down of our country,” Abdullahi said. “Terrorists are now dictating government decisions and reshaping the future of our children.”

The party questioned the transparency of the hostage releases, demanding to know whether ransoms were paid and why perpetrators were not arrested. They cited the Inspector General of Police’s statement that Kwara church attackers “came out voluntarily for the peace talk” and Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga’s suggestion that abductees were released because security operatives “asked them nicely.”

Calling for immediate action, the ADC urged the administration to reopen schools with proper security measures, determine the exact number of children still in captivity, and abandon negotiation tactics that perpetuate what they termed a “vicious cycle of terror.”

 

Niger Rep Raises Alarm: Bandits Overrun Borgu–Agwara, 303 Students Abducted

By
Roland Edet
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0

 

Niger Rep Raises Alarm: Bandits Overrun Borgu–Agwara, 303 Students Abducted

 

 

The lawmaker representing Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency of Niger State, Hon. Jafaru Mohammed Ali, has issued a stark warning over the deepening insecurity in his constituency, urging the Federal Government to act swiftly as bandits tighten their grip on communities.

 

Addressing journalists after Wednesday’s special plenary, Hon. Ali called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban Borgu, to deploy decisive measures to halt the escalating attacks that, he said, threaten to overrun the entire Borgu Emirate.

 

The lawmaker’s alarm follows a string of violent attacks, including the abduction of 303 students, 12 teachers, and a community leader from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area on November 21. He confirmed that 50 of the students have so far escaped and reunited with their families.

 

Hon. Ali also recounted how his convoy was ambushed on November 4 during a condolence visit between Agwara and Babanna in Borgu LGA, resulting in casualties. He commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), DSS, and the Nigerian Army for their swift intervention, including deploying a helicopter to extract him and members of his entourage.

 

The lawmaker further reported additional killings, including the murder of three family members at Gidan Guga on November 2, with the surviving patriarch currently receiving treatment at Usmanu DanFodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

 

He said several communities Boyiya and Bakin Bara have been completely displaced, while others such as Aika, Kuka, Dekara, Kerenji, Saminaka, and Audu Fari are now “fully under bandits’ control.”

 

According to him, the attackers operate from the vast Kainji and Ibbi National Parks, launching coordinated assaults on communities in Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara States, as well as border communities in the Benin Republic. He alleged that many of the armed groups comprise foreign nationals who speak neither Hausa nor other local languages.

 

Hon. Ali also revealed that a month earlier, bandits ambushed and killed four security personnel between Babanna and Lumma, while a Fulani clan leader was assassinated in broad daylight at the Lumma police station for resisting their demands.

 

“The situation is dire. If the government does not intervene immediately, these criminals may take full control of the entire federal constituency in the coming months,” he warned, adding that residents are being forced into dangerous compromises with the bandits to survive.

 

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise clearing Kainji National Park, which he described as the insurgents’ operational headquarters.

 

 

Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for First Ambassadorial Nominees Since 2023 Recall

By
Ola Akinola
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0

ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu has submitted his first ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, seeking confirmation for three non-career ambassadors more than two years after recalling all of Nigeria’s envoys stationed abroad.

In a letter read during Wednesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President nominated Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa State), and Ayodele Oke (Oyo State) for diplomatic postings.

The nominations mark a significant step in rebuilding Nigeria’s diplomatic corps following President Tinubu’s controversial decision in September 2023 to recall all ambassadors, both career and non-career, without immediate replacements.

President Tinubu’s letter invoked Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution and urged the Senate to “consider and confirm the appointments of the nominees expeditiously,” extending his “assurances of highest consideration” to the lawmakers.

Senate President Akpabio immediately referred the nominations to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello, with instructions to complete the screening process and report back within one week.

The move comes amid growing international concerns about Nigeria’s diplomatic representation gap, with key embassies operating without ambassadors for an extended period. When confirmed, the nominees are expected to be posted to strategic Nigerian missions abroad.

The swift one-week timeline for committee review signals legislative urgency in addressing the diplomatic vacuum that has persisted since the mass recall of ambassadors over two years ago.

Follow NewsFocus for continuing coverage of governmental appointments and foreign policy developments.

Nigeria’s Sovereignty ‘Paper Thin’—Minority Whip Warns as Nation Bleeds

By
Uche Kingsley
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Nigeria’s Sovereignty ‘Paper Thin’—Minority Whip Warns as Nation Bleed

Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. George Ozodinobi, on Wednesday issued a searing indictment of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, warning that the nation’s sovereignty is “fast becoming paper thin” as terrorists continue to unleash bloodshed across the country.

Speaking during a special plenary convened to confront the escalating violence, Ozodinobi lamented the surge in coordinated terrorist attacks, mass abductions, and targeted killings of civilians and senior military officers. He said communities across the North West, North East, and North Central have become “war zones,” while highways, schools, and farmlands no longer offer safety.

Recent killings of top military commanders have deepened public anxiety and raised fears about the state’s capacity to defend both citizens and its own security forces. Fresh abductions in Papiri and Kamba, along with deadly raids in Plateau, Kaduna, and Borno, he noted, underscore the crumbling state of Nigeria’s security architecture.

In a passionate contribution, the lawmaker questioned whether Nigeria could still lay claim to sovereignty when terrorists continue to murder citizens and commanders with impunity.

“Is this what we call sovereignty?” Ozodinobi asked. “When commanders are being murdered and the government remains muted? When children can no longer attend school safely? Our roads and communities have become open slaughter grounds.”

He warned that the nation must stop pretending that “all is normal” when unchecked violence is steadily eroding its authority and territorial integrity.

According to him, a country that cannot protect even one citizen is already failing its most fundamental obligation. “If a senior military officer can be killed this easily, then what is sovereignty worth when the state cannot defend its own?” he queried.

Ozodinobi acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s history of courage from the democracy struggle to driving major legislative reforms and urged him to “summon that courage once again at this critical juncture.”

“I have seen Mr. President show courage many times. That courage is needed now more than ever,” he stressed.

Speaking on the legal controversies surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s case, Ozodinobi explained that while the judiciary has delivered judgment based on evidence, the responsibility now rests squarely with the President.

“We are not begging today; we are insisting,” he declared. “Mr. President has a historic opportunity to act. Within the constitutional window, he must use the powers available to him to ensure justice prevails.”

He urged the federal government to abandon what he described as its “hesitant, overly cautious approach” and respond decisively in honour of the many lives already lost.

Shocking Infiltration: Boko Haram Suspects Found on Army, Police Recruitment Lists — Wase Reveals

By
Uche Kingsley
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0

A disturbing revelation stunned lawmakers on Wednesday as former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris-Wase, disclosed that individuals linked to Boko Haram and other criminal gangs were, at some point, discovered on official recruitment lists of the Nigerian Army and Police.

Speaking during a special plenary session convened to address Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, Wase who represents Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State and leads the North Central Caucus warned that the infiltration of security institutions by criminal elements poses an existential threat to national stability.

According to him, his claim can be verified by former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Muktar Betara, who witnessed similar irregularities.

“There were times during recruitment exercises when names of Boko Haram members appeared on the list. Armed robbers and criminals were also discovered among those shortlisted for the Army and Police,” Wase said.

The former Deputy Speaker blamed loopholes in Nigeria’s recruitment processes for enabling dangerous individuals to penetrate agencies charged with protecting citizens. He urged political actors to show restraint when recommending candidates, insisting that only individuals of integrity and good character should be endorsed.

Wase, who emotionally recalled losing a brother, cousin and nephew to terrorist attacks, said the North Central bears 52% of Nigeria’s insecurity burden. He described a desperate plea from his younger brother begging to be relocated from their violence-stricken community.

He also called for a careful review of the presidential directive withdrawing police from VIP protection duties, warning that while the policy is laudable, it requires proper categorisation to avoid exposing certain officials to grave risks.

North West:
Hon. Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) described the region’s security crisis as “complex and multi-layered,” driven by a mix of criminality, climate shocks, broken governance structures and economic hardship. He stressed that military action alone is insufficient, calling for security operations to be paired with social and economic reforms.

North East:
Hon. Muktar Betara said the North East remains the “epicentre of terrorism and insurgency,” recalling tragedies from the 2015 Baga massacre to recent IED explosions claiming soldiers and civilians. He said rebuilding public trust and enhancing coordinated security planning are essential to halting the violence.

South South:
Hon. Solomon Bob condemned successive governments for lacking the courage to confront insecurity head-on. “Since 1999, we have seen failure of leadership,” he said. “Appeasing terrorists or rebranding terrorism as banditry only deepens the crisis.”

Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, lamented that women and children remain the most vulnerable victims of insecurity. She described the recent mass abductions in Papiri and Kamba as a national tragedy and a glaring failure of the state’s duty to protect lives and property.

PDP Raises Alarm, Asks FCT Chief Judge to Stop Assigning Its Cases to Three ‘Controversial’ Judges

By
Roland Edet
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0

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, to stop assigning any of its cases to three judges of the Federal High Court Justice James Omotosho, Justice Peter Odo Lifu, and Justice Abduimalik whom it described as “courts of particular concern.”

In a formal letter signed by its newly elected National Secretary, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, the party expressed serious worry that for several years, virtually all cases filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Division—either by or against the PDP—have been repeatedly and exclusively assigned to the three judges.

The PDP said the pattern has sparked disquiet among its members and has created public perception challenges regarding fairness and neutrality.

The party noted that although the Abuja Division has 12 judges, cases related to the PDP appear to be consistently routed to only three, a development it says raises legitimate fears about transparency.

“It is of great concern to our Party that all matters filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, either for or against our Party, have always been assigned to the same three judges,” the letter read.

“Several of our members have complained bitterly about this. Indeed, all these three courts are viewed by our members and the public as courts of particular concern with regard to matters affecting the PDP.”

The party stressed that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done by reasonable observers, especially given the internal and external challenges the PDP currently faces.

The PDP appealed to the Chief Judge to ensure that no new case involving the party is assigned to Justices Omotosho, Lifu, or Abduimalik going forward, arguing that “justice is rooted in trust and integrity.”

While reaffirming its respect for the Judiciary, the party insisted that its request is necessary to restore confidence and ensure impartial adjudication.

“Our Party reiterates that we have no doubt about the integrity of the Judiciary,” the letter emphasized. “However, the fears and apprehension raised by our members regarding this recurring pattern cannot be ignored.”

‘This Tragedy Cannot Be Ignored’: Ganduje Mourns Kano Bandit Attack Victims, Demands Urgent Government Action

By
Shehu Danladi
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0

“These attacks are tragic, painful, and deeply distressing.”
With these words, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, condemned the deadly bandit raids on Shanono and Tsanyawa Local Government Areas that claimed three lives and led to the kidnapping of several women and children.

In a statement signed by Muhammad Garba, former Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Ganduje said the violent invasions represent not only a security breach but a direct assault on communal peace and social stability.

Ganduje extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and affected communities, stressing that the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted by the attacks requires urgent support, coordinated intervention, and decisive government action.

The former governor urged the Kano State Government to immediately adopt intelligence-led and community-based security measures, warning that the situation is “assuming a worrisome proportion that cannot be ignored or downplayed.”

He advised the state to draw lessons from the security architecture implemented during his administration (2015–2023), which included:

strengthened local vigilance networks,

multi-layered community policing,

robust intelligence sharing,

improved security agency coordination, and

development-oriented crime-prevention programmes.

According to him, these measures significantly curtailed rural banditry, deterred urban crime, and contributed to maintaining stability across Kano during his tenure.

Ganduje also praised the governments of Niger, Kwara, Kebbi, and other states for their “effective and decisive handling” of similar security threats, highlighting their quick interventions and strong community engagement.

He further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and modernising the armed forces, noting that the President’s ongoing reforms demonstrate “strong political will and clear determination to secure the country.”

Ganduje appealed to residents of Shanono and Tsanyawa to remain calm but vigilant, urging closer cooperation with security personnel and timely reporting of suspicious activities.

He emphasized that defeating banditry requires collective responsibility, with citizens, traditional rulers, government authorities, and security agencies working together.

The former governor assured the affected communities that they are not alone, reiterating that leaders and stakeholders remain committed to ensuring their safety and supporting all efforts to restore lasting peace.

FCT Police Launch “Operation Sweep,” Vow to Keep Abuja a “No-Go Area for Criminals”

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

ABUJA – The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has activated a major security offensive, “Operation Sweep,” with Commissioner of Police Miller Dantawaye declaring that Abuja “must never experience” the wave of kidnappings devastating other parts of Nigeria.

The announcement followed an expanded security meeting convened by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on Tuesday, where the police chief revealed the operation has been deployed across four strategic sectors covering Gwagwalada, Bwari, the entire city centre, and border communities extending to Karu, Mararaba, and Karshi.

“The FCT Minister, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, in his wisdom has provided adequate logistics for this operation, and it has been fully kick-started,” CP Dantawaye stated. “The essence is to ensure that crime doesn’t come close to the FCT.”

The police commissioner addressed recent security concerns directly, confirming that two alleged kidnap attempts at Veritas University and Government Secondary School in Tunga Maji proved to be false alarms. “At Veritas University, when we got there, we discovered that no bandit attack was attempted at all. And at Tunga Maji, children saw farmers and panicked,” he explained.

Dantawaye outlined comprehensive protective measures, including enhanced security for religious institutions. “On Fridays, we are going to secure almost all the mosques, and on Sundays we will do the same for the churches,” he assured residents.

The operation has already yielded results against “One Chance” robbery gangs, with four syndicates reportedly arrested. “We have noticed that some of them are criminally minded. When you search them, you see phones they cannot unlock. Some of them are already in custody,” the commissioner revealed.

The police command also pledged support for the FCT Administration’s planned demolition of illegal shanties, with Dantawaye asserting that “there is no such thing as a legal shanty.”

CP Dantawaye appealed for public cooperation, urging residents to avoid spreading unverified security alerts and assuring that “we are paid with your hard-earned money to secure you, and we will not relent.”

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

By
Ola Akinola
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0

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.

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