Author: Gbenga Olaleye

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, has emphasised the need for deeper, more strategic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, arguing that strengthened bilateral engagement is essential to addressing Nigeria’s evolving security landscape. Speaking in Abuja on Saturday, Benson—who represents the Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State—reflected on a series of recent high-level engagements with senior US officials. He said the discussions reaffirmed a central point: both nations stand to benefit from a more closely coordinated partnership, particularly as Nigeria continues to confront threats ranging from terrorism and banditry to maritime insecurity. According…

A Nigerian public affairs commentator, Olóyè Gbenga Olaleye, has raised concerns over what he described as the Federal Government’s inconsistent approach to tackling terrorism and insecurity across different regions of the country. His remarks followed the recent judgment sentencing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges. In a public statement issued on Friday, via his official X account (formerly twitter), Gbenga said the verdict prompted him to reflect on Nigeria’s broader security operations and the need for a more uniform response to violent groups nationwide. While acknowledging the authority of…

The Ogun State Police Command has assured residents of Ajebo community in Obafemi–Owode Local Government Area that there is no imminent security threat, despite a viral video circulating on social media alleging that herders were planning an attack on the area. In a statement issued on Friday, the Command said its investigation had found no evidence to support the claims, stressing that the public should remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified rumours that could cause panic. The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s tactical teams, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police…

Human-rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been secretly moved from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to a correctional facility in Sokoto State. New Daily Prime reported that Kanu, who has been held by the DSS since 2021, was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of several terrorism-related charges by a Federal High Court. Reacting to the development, Sowore said in a statement on his Facebook page that the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu…

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has withdrawn a corps member, Oyaje Daniel, from his Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) at Judeen International School, Annex Section, Mando, Kaduna State, following a controversial online comment he made about teenage female students. Daniel, who is serving in Igabi Local Government Area, was summoned by the NYSC State Disciplinary Committee after his comment went viral and sparked public outrage. He appeared before the committee alongside his Community Development Service (CDS) President as part of an urgent review of his conduct. Sources said the NYSC leadership acted swiftly due to the sensitive nature of…

Fresh details have emerged regarding the victims of Tuesday’s deadly attack on the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. The incident, which left two worshippers dead and dozens abducted, has intensified public pressure on security agencies to rescue the missing residents. A list containing the names and ages of 38 abducted church members was published on Thursday by the Ilorin-based newspaper National Pilot, citing community sources. According to the report, the youngest victim is a seven-year-old child, while the oldest is 64. Of the 38 abductees, 30 are women — a detail…

The Maga community in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State is set to hold a special prayer session on Friday seeking divine intervention for the safe return of 25 schoolgirls abducted earlier this week. The District Head of Maga, Muhammad Sanid Dantani, confirmed the development in a telephone interview on Thursday, saying the community remains deeply traumatised by the attack. “We have decided to gather on Friday for a special prayer for the safe return of our daughters. The whole community is traumatised, and we believe prayer is our strongest weapon at this moment,” he said. The abduction occurred…

The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has approved the deployment of a special panel of magistrates to preside over 201 cases in a 14-day accelerated hearing aimed at decongesting custodial facilities in the state. The initiative, known as the Judiciary Intervention Week, will run from Monday, 24 November to Friday, 5 December 2025, and will focus on a comprehensive case review at the Sagamu Correctional Centre. The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Ogun State High Court, Olakulehin Oke. According to Oke, eight magistrates have been assigned to…

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has rejected Thursday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja sentencing its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment on seven terrorism-related charges. In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group insisted that Kanu “committed no offence known to Nigerian law”. It maintained that his activities amounted solely to self-determination — a right, it said, that is protected under several international human-rights conventions. Powerful criticised the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, accusing the judge of failing to apply Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, which…

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned that politics must not be allowed to degenerate into a “playground for unruly conduct,” insisting that responsible leadership is essential for safeguarding the country’s democratic future. Jonathan made the remarks on Thursday during a dinner in Abuja marking both the 10th anniversary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation and his 68th birthday. The event drew a distinguished audience, including African politicians, diplomats, political figures and leading business personalities, reflecting the regional significance of Jonathan’s work in governance and peacebuilding. Addressing the gathering, the former president warned that Nigeria’s democracy is being “suffocated” by reckless…