Author: Gbenga Olaleye

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has urged the Federal Government to adopt a more localised approach to security recruitment and deployment, arguing that such a strategy would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and banditry. In a post shared on his verified X handle on Wednesday, Sani said the most effective way to confront rising insecurity is to recruit military and police personnel from communities worst affected by violent crimes and to deploy them directly to their states of origin. According to him, officers who understand the cultural and geographical landscape of their own regions possess a strategic advantage…

The Southern Governors’ Forum is set to meet on Wednesday in Iperu, Ogun State, for high-level deliberations on pressing national and regional issues. The gathering, scheduled for 10 a.m., will be hosted at the private residence of the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun. The meeting was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Ogun State Governor. According to the statement, the session will provide a platform for southern governors to harmonise positions on key matters affecting the region, including security and economic cooperation. In a notable addition to the…

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern Region and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Hayab, has revealed that a parent died from a heart attack after his three children were abducted during an attack on St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State. Speaking during an interview with ARISE News on Tuesday, Hayab described the severe emotional toll faced by families whose children were kidnapped across Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states in the past week. He said the deceased parent, identified only as Mr Anthony, was overwhelmed by the shock and trauma of losing his…

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticised the Federal Government’s response to the release of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State, arguing that their return should not be paraded as an achievement but viewed as further proof of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis. In a statement issued by his media office on Wednesday, Atiku described the girls’ release as “not a trophy moment” but “a damning reminder that terrorists now operate freely, negotiate openly, and dictate terms while this administration issues press statements to save face.” His comments were a direct response to remarks made by Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Special…

It is a massive night in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) as Chelsea welcome Barcelona to Stamford Bridge, while Manchester City host Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium — two heavyweight clashes that could define the direction of Group Stage qualification for all teams involved. Chelsea return to European competition under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, who has urged his players to embrace an aggressive style to unsettle a Barcelona side brimming with attacking threat. The Catalan giants arrive in London boasting the experience of Robert Lewandowski, alongside the youthful brilliance of Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, and the always influential…

Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has reiterated his call for a non-kinetic, dialogue-driven approach to tackling Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, insisting that some armed groups are willing to put down their weapons if the government adopts the right strategy. Speaking on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme aired on Tuesday, Gumi argued that Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be resolved solely through military force. He maintained that sustained engagement, negotiations, and rehabilitation were necessary to complement ongoing security operations. “We have people who are ready to put down their arms, so why do you always decide it has to be…

The Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Nigeria Police Force has directed all officers attached to VIPs and specialised beats across the country to return to their respective bases, following a presidential order mandating the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from VIP security assignments. The directive, issued on 23 November by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is part of a broader reform aimed at strengthening community policing and reallocating the workforce to areas most affected by insecurity. A memo confirming the SPU order was signed by the Commanding Officer of SPU Base 16 in Lagos, Neji Veronica, and circulated on Tuesday…

As the world commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2025, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for intensified efforts to combat both offline and online violence targeting women and girls. The annual observance also marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign led by the United Nations that runs from 25 November to 10 December, linking the day with Human Rights Day. In a statement posted on her official X account on Tuesday, the First Lady expressed deep concern about the rise of online abuse, describing…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has issued a stern warning to political actors allegedly plotting to manipulate the 2027 governorship election, declaring that anyone attempting to rig the polls “will be met with madness.” In a video that went viral on social media on Monday, the governor cautioned those hoping to interfere with the electoral process, insisting that Oyo State residents were now more politically informed and would not allow themselves to be deceived or manipulated. Makinde, who is currently serving his second and final term, reiterated that he has already begun preparing for a smooth transition of power. He…

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian public to disregard the purported congresses announced by the Kwankwasiyya Movement, led by former presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The party described the move as unconstitutional and ineffective. In a statement issued on Monday, the NNPP National Secretary, Mr Ogini Olaposi, said the party’s authentic, court-ordered congresses had already been held and concluded in line with legal directives. His reaction came after the Kwankwaso-led faction wrote to INEC notifying the commission of its intention to conduct fresh congresses and a national convention…