Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has reiterated his call for a political rather than purely legal approach to resolving the prolonged case involving Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Speaking during an appearance on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme monitored by New Daily Prime. Kalu argued that the complexities surrounding Kanu’s situation require a broader, dialogue-driven resolution. His remarks follow the recent conviction of Kanu by the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges. This development has further polarised opinion in the South-East and across Nigeria. According to Kalu, he has been…

A serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Salam, has appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to urgently remove the rising number of street children—popularly known as Almajirai—who gather daily at major junctions across Abuja. Hon. Salam, who currently represents the Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, and Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State in the 10th National Assembly, said the FCT Minister would not be violating any constitutional provision by taking the children into protective custody and enrolling them in structured rehabilitation programmes. In a public message, the lawmaker expressed concern that…

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to provide personal protection for Very Important Persons (VIPs), directing that they be redeployed to their primary policing responsibilities nationwide. The directive was issued on Sunday during a high-level security meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, which brought together the heads of the police, army, Air Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS). According to the presidency, the move aims to strengthen security presence nationwide, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities. Under the new arrangement, VIPs requiring armed protection must now secure such services from the…

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to bring an end to terrorism and banditry ravaging northern Nigeria, declaring that no region of the country will be abandoned in the face of insecurity. Tinubu’s remarks were delivered on Saturday at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna. The president was represented at the event by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. Addressing northern leaders and stakeholders, Tinubu said he inherited a “daunting” security situation upon taking office, but insisted that his government remains firmly committed to restoring safety and stability across…

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has raised strong objections to the reported transfer of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to a prison facility in Sokoto State, warning that the move puts his life at risk and could hinder his right to appeal his conviction. In a statement issued on Sunday, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, described both the sentencing and the transfer as “malicious” and part of what he alleged to be a long-standing campaign to suppress Kanu and the broader Biafran self-determination movement. Powerful argued that relocating the pro-Biafra agitator to the far north-west, an area grappling with persistent security…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has clarified the absence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, at the unveiling of its new secretariat in Abuja on 17 November. The party dismissed rumours suggesting that Obi deliberately stayed away because the building once served as Atiku’s presidential campaign office. The event was attended by key figures of the party, including its National Chairman, David Mark; National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai. However, the absence of both Atiku and Obi had triggered speculation of tensions within the coalition. Speaking at the…

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has expressed deep sorrow over the gas explosion that claimed three lives and left dozens injured in the Ona Ara area of Ibadan, Oyo State, last Friday. Describing the incident as both “needless and preventable”, the minister lamented the growing trend of illegal gas operations across Nigerian communities. In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Louis Ibah, Ekpo conveyed condolences to the Oyo State Government, the families of the deceased, and the many residents currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the blast. Preliminary investigations revealed that the…

The Kebbi State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all state-owned tertiary institutions, except for the College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery, Birnin Kebbi, citing heightened insecurity across the state. The directive was issued on Saturday by the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Issa Tunga, during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi. Tunga explained that the decision became necessary following recent cases of insecurity that have affected several parts of Kebbi in the past weeks. “The affected tertiary institutions are the State Polytechnic, Dakingari; Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero; College of Health Sciences and Technology,…

The Yobe State Government has announced the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools across the state in a move aimed at safeguarding students amid escalating security concerns in northern Nigeria. Governor Mai Mala Buni issued the directive on Saturday following a high-level security meeting with heads of security agencies. The meeting, held in Damaturu, reviewed recent attacks on schools in other states, including mass abductions that have intensified public anxiety over the safety of students. The development was confirmed in a statement released on Saturday by Mohammed Mamman, Director General of Press and Media Affairs to the Governor. According…

Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, on Friday issued a strong call to the Nigerian Federal Government to take urgent and decisive action against the perpetrators of rising attacks on Christian communities across the country. In a statement posted on X, Meloni condemned the latest wave of violence as “heinous and unacceptable,” urging Nigerian authorities to reinforce security measures and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. “We strongly condemn the renewed violence that took place today against Christian communities in Nigeria,” she wrote. “Religious freedom is an inviolable right: we ask the Nigerian government to strengthen the protection of…