Author: Damilola

A bill seeking to establish state police and decentralise policing powers in Nigeria has passed second reading in the Senate but was subsequently stepped down and referred to the Senate ad hoc committee on constitutional review for further legislative scrutiny. The proposed legislation, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central, is aimed at creating both federal and state policing structures to strengthen internal security across the country. During debate, Bamidele argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing system is no longer sufficient to address the country’s escalating security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, communal clashes, cultism, cybercrime, and pipeline…

The Senate has called on security agencies to identify, monitor and arrest bandits and terrorists who openly showcase their criminal activities and proceeds of crime on social media platforms, especially TikTok. The resolution followed the adoption of an additional prayer raised by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, during debate on a motion sponsored by Sunday Karimi, senator representing Kogi West, which focused on rising bandit attacks in Kogi West and other parts of the country. Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) and other relevant security agencies to intensify digital surveillance and act on criminals using…

A federal high court sitting in Abuja has sentenced five men to prison terms after they admitted involvement in terrorism-related activities linked to the 2025 abduction of more than 300 students from a Catholic school in Niger State. The convicts — Yusuf Mohammed, also known as Bature; Goni Ibrahim Bindi, also called Goni Mutuwa; Sani Tukur, also known as Danladi; Mubarak Ibrahim; and Musa Alhaji Adamu, also known as Gado Banufe — were arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) before Justice Binta Nyako. One of the defendants is reported to be a citizen of the Republic of Niger.…

The Federal Government (FG) has approved new guidelines regulating the award and use of honorary doctorate degrees in Nigerian universities, including a prohibition on recipients using the title “Dr.” based on such honours. Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the policy on Wednesday, saying it was designed to strengthen academic integrity, improve transparency and restore confidence in the nation’s university system. According to the minister, the guidelines were developed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and approved by the Federal Executive Council in response to growing concerns over the abuse, commercialisation and misuse of honorary academic awards. Under…

The United States (US) has launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian military installations near the Strait of Hormuz following the downing of an American Apache helicopter during a patrol mission in the strategic waterway. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Tuesday that it had carried out what it described as “self-defence strikes” targeting Iranian air defence systems, ground control stations and surveillance radar facilities in the area. Read More Breaking Stories from Our World News The military action came a day after the Apache helicopter was shot down while operating over the Hormuz waters. Both crew members survived the incident…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged the Federal Government to maintain fiscal discipline in 2026, warning that poverty and food insecurity remain major concerns despite recent improvements in Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook. In its 2026 Article IV Consultation Report released on Tuesday, the IMF acknowledged that reforms undertaken by the government over the past three years have strengthened economic stability and improved resilience. However, it noted that many Nigerians continue to grapple with difficult living conditions amid rising costs and economic uncertainty. “Strong reforms over the past three years have yielded improved macroeconomic outcomes and built resilience. Still, conditions for…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N10 billion in emergency funding to strengthen Nigeria’s readiness against a potential Ebola outbreak following renewed cases reported in parts of Africa. The intervention, announced on Tuesday, is designed to reinforce the country’s disease surveillance and emergency response systems amid growing concerns over outbreaks recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the government said the funding would support critical public health measures and enhance the operational capacity of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control…

The House of Representatives has summoned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, alongside the nation’s service chiefs and other top security officials to appear before lawmakers over the worsening security situation across the country. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance during Tuesday’s plenary, moved by Sulaiman Gumi, the lawmaker representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State. The service chiefs are Olufemi Oluyede, chief of defence staff; Waidi Shaibu, chief of army staff; Idi Abbas, chief of naval staff; and Sunday Aneke, chief of air staff. The legislators also summoned Adeola Ajayi, the director-general…

Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended his visit to Ibadan last year, dismissing allegations that his presence in Oyo State was connected to efforts to promote Sharia law or advance northern religious interests in the South-West. The cleric spoke amid renewed controversy surrounding claims that kidnappers operating in Oyo State demanded the introduction of Sharia law as part of negotiations for the release of abducted victims. In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Gumi said he was unfairly drawn into local political disputes and rejected suggestions that his visit to the state had any hidden agenda.…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has named Damilola Sonayon-James as the running mate to its Lagos State governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 election. Sonayon-James, 40, currently serves as the Lagos State Deputy Woman Leader of the APC. Announcing the choice, Cornelius Ojelabi, the Lagos APC chairman and chairman of the Forum of APC State Chairmen, said her selection followed wide-ranging consultations and a thorough screening process. According to him, the party considered factors such as competence, leadership ability, grassroots appeal, loyalty to the party, and capacity to contribute to the continued growth of Lagos State. Ojelabi said…