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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has hosted the wife of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, and members of her family during their visit to Saudi Arabia.

Atiku disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that the former First Lady, her daughter Hanan, and other relatives paid him a courtesy visit while they were in the Kingdom to perform the lesser hajj.

“I was honoured to host Hajiya Aisha Buhari, wife of former President Muhammadu Buhari, her daughter Hanan, and other family members during their visit to me in Saudi Arabia. Like me, the former First Lady and her family are in the Kingdom on a lesser hajj,” Atiku said.

The former vice president, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, is also in Saudi Arabia for the religious exercise.

The visit is seen as a notable interaction between families of two prominent political figures from different political parties, coming amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku served as Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He has contested for the presidency multiple times and was the PDP’s candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections.

Aisha Buhari served as Nigeria’s First Lady from 2015 to 2023 during the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari, who governed under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Since leaving office, the former president and his family have largely maintained a low political profile.

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The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, on Thursday announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to carry out urgent repairs on expansion joints at Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge and Arepo–Punch Bridge.

The ministry said the measure was necessary to resume critical rehabilitation work that had earlier been suspended on the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge following complaints from motorists over prolonged traffic congestion.

Speaking with journalists at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, apologised to road users for the disruption and assured that better traffic management measures would be put in place to guarantee swift and lasting repairs.

Komolafe explained that the expansion joints on the three bridges had deteriorated badly, creating safety concerns and contributing to accidents.

He said the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had directed that the repairs be treated as urgent.

According to him, work had already been completed on half of the Lagos-bound sections of the Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges, while the remaining portions on the Ibadan-bound side would now be fixed.

The contractor and General Manager of CBC Construction Company, Andy Duan, said the project would last six weeks, with equipment mobilisation expected to be concluded over the weekend and full construction set to begin on Monday.

He noted that sections of the expansion joints at the Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges had been completed, while half of the Lagos-bound side of Kara Bridge was already done.

“At Kara Bridge, we have finished half of it. So we are facing the other half of it. Instead of causing traffic, that’s why we suspended the work temporarily. Now we are getting instructions from the Ministry of Works to resolve this issue,” Duan said.

He added that the expansion joint at Kara Bridge was in very poor condition and had been responsible for accidents.

Duan said materials such as barriers would be deployed before the diversion begins to secure the temporary work area. He added that traffic signs, warning lights and other safety devices would be installed to protect workers and ensure safe movement of vehicles.

“We are supposed to start immediately, but we are shifting it to Monday. We expect to complete half of each expansion joint within a week. For the Ibadan-bound side, covering three bridges, we will divide the work into phases so each bridge takes about a week,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kehinde Hamzat, assured motorists that arrangements had been made to maintain smooth traffic flow throughout the construction period.

He cautioned drivers against driving against traffic, warning that offenders would face sanctions.

Hamzat said the repair work was prompted by reports of failing expansion joints that had caused ditches and crashes, especially on Kara Bridge.

He appealed to motorists to cooperate and remain patient, describing the closure as necessary to enhance road safety and infrastructure.

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The European Union has completed its digital skills promotion programme designed for women, hard-to-reach youth, and persons with disabilities after three years of focused intervention aimed at expanding inclusive digital opportunities in Borno and Yobe states. The initiative sought to bridge the digital gender gap and reduce exclusion while strengthening the capacity of communities operating in fragile environments.

The closing event, held in Maiduguri on 4 February 2026, brought together key stakeholders, including officials of the European Union, implementing partners, civil society groups, and state government representatives, to review achievements and share lessons from the programme.

Supported with €750,000 from the European Union, the project was carried out by ZOA International between 2023 and 2026. It targeted the reduction of the digital gender divide, improved access to digital training, and enhanced the capacity of grassroots civil society organisations across 30 communities in Borno and Yobe.

Speaking at the closing ceremony in Maiduguri, the Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, highlighted the programme’s emphasis on inclusive and people-centred digital development.

“This project shows how well-targeted digital investments can deliver lasting impact—by empowering communities, strengthening local institutions, and supporting inclusive economic growth,” De Luca said. “Through the Global Gateway strategy, the European Union is backing practical, people-centred digital transformation that responds to local realities and leaves no one behind.”

He stressed the significance of digital inclusion in areas affected by conflict, noting: “Digital inclusion is not a luxury; it is a necessity for resilience, innovation, and meaningful participation in today’s economy. For marginalised communities in conflict-affected regions, access to digital skills is essential to stability, opportunity, and long-term recovery.”

Highlighting the EU’s forward-looking direction, De Luca added: “Looking ahead, the European Union wants initiatives like this to translate into real economic value. Our focus is on ensuring that skills, infrastructure, and innovation lead to viable enterprises, job creation, and durable economic resilience within local communities.”

Giving an overview of the results, ZOA Programme Manager, Godwin Dominic, said the intervention recorded measurable impact in the targeted communities.

“Over the course of implementation, the programme trained 18,193 individuals, established 32 IT hubs, and supported the formation of a Digital Literacy Working Group to strengthen coordination and sustainability,” Dominic said. “In addition, six schools were capacitated with access to IT services, expanding opportunities for digital learning and skills development across communities in Borno and Yobe states.”

Representing the Borno State Government, the Executive Secretary of the Borno Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (BICTDA), Engr. Mohammed Kabir Wanori, commended the project for aligning with the state’s development priorities, policies, and strategies, while improving opportunities for women and young people.

With the programme now concluded, partners reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the digital infrastructure, skills, and community capacity built during the initiative, to ensure continued inclusive economic participation and resilience across North-East Nigeria.

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The Court of Appeal on Friday affirmed the judgment against Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, over the more than N2.5 billion debt owed to 110 former staff members.

The university had disengaged the employees in 1996.

The appellate court further directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately release the judgment sum to the affected staff, whose unlawful termination had earlier been nullified in the Nov. 30, 2015 decision of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).

The court warned that failure to comply would expose the bank’s principal officers to disciplinary measures.

A three-member panel of the court issued the orders in two unanimous judgments delivered by Justice Okon Abang, who authored the lead decisions in both appeals.

The first ruling concerned the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/476/2023, filed by ABU, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) against the Nov. 30, 2015 judgment.

The second decision related to the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1064/2022, filed by the CBN, challenging the garnishee order absolute issued by the NICN on Jan. 27, 2022. The order directed the apex bank to pay the N2.5 billion judgment sum to the disengaged workers, led by Joseph Ekundayo, from ABU’s funds in its custody.

Justice Abang upheld the arguments of counsel to the disengaged staff, Adegbiyega Kolade, and resolved the three issues identified for determination against the appellants.

The court held that the appeal filed in 2023 against a judgment delivered in 2015 was an afterthought and rejected the appellants’ claim that they were denied fair hearing at the trial court.

K “Having resolved the three issues formulated by the appellants against them, this appeal is devoid of merit. It is accordingly dismissed.”

The court also awarded N5 million in costs against the appellants in favour of the 110 disengaged staff.

In its Nov. 30, 2015 judgment, the NICN had declared the disengagement of the workers unlawful, ordered their reinstatement and directed the payment of their salaries and entitlements, calculated at over N2.5 billion.

In the second judgment delivered on Friday, the Court of Appeal criticised the role played by the CBN in what it described as efforts by the original judgment debtors—ABU, the FME and the AGF—to frustrate enforcement of the judgment.

Justice Abang resolved the two issues in the appeal against the CBN.

He rejected the apex bank’s claim that the NICN lacked jurisdiction to entertain the garnishee proceedings and issue the garnishee order absolute.

The court ruled that the NICN had the necessary jurisdiction, as the garnishee process was incidental to enforcing the Nov. 30, 2015 judgment in the substantive employment dispute.

Justice Abang observed that the judgment creditors had no claim against the CBN in the garnishee proceedings to justify the bank’s position that the Federal High Court was the proper forum.

He questioned why the CBN chose to spend public funds on an appeal despite having the money to satisfy the judgment after the trial court made the garnishee order absolute.

He said: “The CBN ought to have released that money to the judgment creditors when the judgment was not set aside or stayed. Why is CBN holding the brief for the judgment debtors?

“The conduct of the CBN in this case is reckless and condemnable to the extreme. There is no reason for the CBN to have filed this appeal. Its conduct is oppressive.

“It is not the duty of the garnishee to play the role of an advocate for the judgment debtors by shielding them from the effect of the judgment,” he said.

Justice Abang also faulted CBN’s lawyer, Sen. Ita Enang, for accepting the brief instead of advising his client to comply with the order.

He added: “Counsel ought to have advised the appellant on the futility of filing this appeal or withdraw his services if his client insisted on proceeding with the appeal.

“Since 2018 when the order nisi was made, the CBN has held on to the money and has been trading with it at the expense of the judgment creditors. This is man’s inhumanity to man.”

Justice Abang said the CBN was wrong to support the original judgment debtors—ABU, the FME and the AGF—in preventing the workers from enjoying the fruits of the judgment.

He also dismissed the bank’s argument that the workers needed the AGF’s consent before initiating garnishee proceedings against it.

Relying on the Supreme Court decision in CBN versus Interstella Communications Limited, Justice Abang held that where the AGF was a party to the original suit, his consent was not required before commencing garnishee proceedings.

He dismissed the appeal and directed the CBN to release the judgment sum to the workers without delay.

Justice Abang warned that failure by the bank to comply would attract disciplinary action against its principal officers.

The court also awarded N5 million in costs against the CBN in favour of the disengaged ABU staff.
Other members of the panel, Justices Adebukola Banjoko and Eberechi Wike, concurred with the lead judgments in both appeals.

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Residents of Magarau in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State have abandoned the settlement after bandits allegedly loyal to notorious kingpin Bello Turji killed the village head, the chief Imam and other community figures.

The once-busy community is now deserted, with houses left empty and property destroyed following the assault.

A video shared online by security analyst Bakatsine captured the aftermath of the attack, showing the state of the village after the violence.

The narrator in the video pointed to the residence of the late village head while describing the extent of the destruction.

“I hope the general public can see; this is what is left of the house of the late village head of Magarau, who was killed by armed bandits,” he said.

“This is the centre of the village and you will not find anyone here, not even an animal. They were displaced while many others were killed.”

Footage also showed the abandoned home of the late chief Imam.

According to the narrator, several buildings were damaged and properties looted during the attack.

“Also, as you can see in this video, that is the deserted house of the late chief Imam of Magarau, who was also killed by the bandits. Houses were demolished and food items were carted away. And the entire village is now empty; no one is living there,” he said.

The video further captured the locked residence of the head of the local vigilante group, who was also killed in the attack.

The narrator said, “Also, the empty house that has been locked is the house of the head of local vigilantes; he was also killed by the bandits.”

The incident in Magarau comes amid a series of violent attacks by armed groups across parts of the country.

Nigeria has been facing worsening security challenges, especially in the North Central, Northwest and Northeast regions.

In Kwara State, gunmen recently stormed the communities of Woro and Nuku, killing at least 162 people, according to the Red Cross and local authorities, with some estimates placing the death toll at about 170.

Homes and shops were burnt as residents fled into nearby bushland, in what has been described as one of the deadliest attacks of the year.

In Kaduna State, 166 worshippers abducted during raids on churches in Kajuru Local Government Area in mid-January have reportedly regained their freedom, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed. The kidnappings initially involved about 177 people, with 11 escaping shortly after the attacks.

Benue State has also witnessed organised attacks, resulting in several civilian deaths and severe disruption to rural communities.

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United States’ President Donald Trump has warned that terrorists “know what is coming” if they target Christians, stressing his tough posture against groups accused of attacking Christian communities in Nigeria and indicating that the United States could take strong action if the violence persists.

He made the remarks on Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.

“When Christians come under attack, terrorists know they are going to be attacked violently and viciously by President Trump. I know it is not a nice thing to say, but that is the way it is,” he added.

Trump’s comments come as Nigeria’s security situation continues to draw global attention, following recent assertions by Trump and some U.S. lawmakers that Christians in the country are facing widespread attacks.

Recall that Trump designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged attacks on Christians, a decision criticised by the Nigerian government, which described the claims as inaccurate and detrimental to national unity.

During his address, Trump spoke on several global security challenges and outlined how his administration was confronting extremist groups.

He stated that the U.S. military under his leadership had “knocked out” the Islamic State (ISIS) in Nigeria due to its attacks on Christians.

Trump said he was already defeating ISIS when he first assumed office, but alleged that the group regained strength during the four years he was out of power.

He also blamed ISIS for the killing of Christians in Nigeria.

“When I was out of office for four years, ISIS rebuilt again. We had a bit of ISIS again, but we knocked the hell out of them the other day in Nigeria because they were killing Christians,” Trump said.

Trump added that ISIS would not be permitted to continue killing Christians and warned that he would respond strongly if such attacks persisted.

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Kano State Government has donated N100 million as relief assistance to the victims of the recent fire disaster that occurred at the famous Singer market in the state capital.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Spokesman to the State Governor,Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

Dawakin Tofa said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the donation when he visited the market to sympathise with traders whose shops were destroyed by the inferno.

The incident which occurred at the market on Monday morning consumed three big stores, resulting in significant loss of property worth millions of Naira.

During the visit, the governor expressed deep concern over the losses suffered by the affected traders and assured them of the government’s support and commitment to their welfare.

The governor directed the immediate expansion and rehabilitation of roads within the Singer market to ease movement of people and goods.

“The award of a N3 billion road expansion and rehabilitation project for Bello Road, Ado Bayero Road, Kandoki, Yolawa and Kwangiri roads is aimed at reducing flood risk and traffic congestion around Kano market’s environment,” the statement said.

Yusuf further promised to solarise the market and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the modernisation of Kano markets in line with his vision of urban renewal and economic growth.

He ordered contractors handling the road projects to mobilise to the site and commence work within 10 days.

Among those who received the governor during the visit were the Chairman of Singer market, Barr. Junaidu Muhammad Zakari, an elder of the market, Alhaji Sabi’u Bako, and the owner of the affected plaza, Alhaji Munzali Mazaf.

The market leadership expressed gratitude to the governor for the visit and his kind gesture,describing the intervention as timely and compassionate.

They commended the state government for its commitment to supporting traders and improving infrastructure within the Kantin Kwari market.

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An Enugu State High Court has directed the British government to pay £420million in compensation to the families of 21 Nigerian coal miners who were shot dead by colonial officers at the Iva Valley Coal Mine in Enugu in 1949.

Justice Anthony Onovo, delivering judgment on Thursday, ruled that the killing of the miners was unlawful and constituted an extrajudicial violation of their right to life. He described the incident as a grave historical injustice for which the British Government must be held responsible.

The court ordered that £20million be paid to the family of each of the 21 miners, bringing the total compensation to £420million, with post-judgment interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum until the full amount is paid.

The massacre took place on November 18, 1949, at the Iva Valley Coal Mine in Enugu, which was then the administrative headquarters of the Eastern Region under British rule. The miners had been protesting poor working conditions, racial wage disparities and unpaid arrears.

After their demands were reportedly ignored, the workers embarked on a go-slow protest and occupied the mine to stop a planned lockout. During the protest, a British superintendent allegedly ordered colonial police to open fire on the unarmed workers, killing 21 miners and injuring 51 others.

The victims were identified as Sunday Anyasodo, Ani Oha, Andrew J. Obiekwe Okonkwo, Augustine Chiwetalu, Onoh Ugwu, Ngwu Offor, Ndunguba Eze, Okafor Agu, Livinus Ukachunwa, Jonathan Agu Ozoani, Moses Ikegbu Okoloha, Chukwu Ugwu, Thomas Chukwu, Simon Nwachukwu, Agu Alo, Ogbonnia Ani Chima, Nnaji Nwachukwu, William Nwaku, James Onoh Ekeowa, Felix Nnaji and Ani Nwaekwe.

The suit, marked E/909/2024, was instituted by human rights activist, Mazi Greg Onoh, who asked the court to compel the British Government to accept responsibility for the massacre, issue a formal apology and pay adequate compensation to the victims’ families.

Those listed as respondents were the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the British Government, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Head of the Commonwealth Government of the United Kingdom.

At the hearing, no legal representation appeared for the British Government and some other foreign respondents.

In his ruling, Justice Onovo dismissed claims of sovereign immunity and held that Nigerian courts have the authority to hear cases involving grave historical human rights abuses.

“These defenseless coal miners were asking for improved work conditions. They were not embarking on any violent action against the authorities, yet they were shot and killed,” the judge said.

He further ordered the British Government to issue unreserved written apologies to the victims’ families through their counsel. The apologies are to be published in Nigeria’s Daily Sun, Daily Independent and The Punch newspapers, as well as in three major national newspapers in the United Kingdom.

Proof of publication must be filed in court within 60 days, while the compensation must be fully paid within 90 days of the judgment.

Justice Onovo also held that the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation failed in their constitutional duty to seek justice for the victims, describing their decades of inaction as a dereliction of responsibility.

He ordered the Nigerian government to begin diplomatic engagement with the British Government within 60 days to ensure enforcement of the judgment and payment of the reparations.

“The argument that Nigeria was under colonial rule when the killings were committed is hereby struck out,” the judge ruled.

Reacting to the decision, counsel to the applicants, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, and P.N. Agazie, described the ruling as historic and far-reaching.

They said the judgment sends a strong signal that governments must be held accountable for human rights violations, regardless of when they occurred.

“This ruling represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of historical accountability and justice for colonial-era violations,” Akinseye-George said. “It affirms that the right to life transcends time, borders and changes in sovereignty.”

The lawyers added that the court drew persuasive parallels with international precedents, including compensation paid by the United Kingdom to victims of abuses during the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, stressing the continuing duty of states to provide redress for serious human rights violations.

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Kano State Fire Service has confirmed the death of an 18-year-old, Yusif Malam-Gwani, who drowned in an open water at Bachirawa, Kwanar Madugu, in Ungogo Local Government Area.

The Director of the service, Sani Anas, made this known in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, on Thursday in Kano.

He says, “We received a distress call from one Sulaiman Abdullahi-Tela on Thursday afternoon that Malam-Gwani had fallen into an open water.

“Upon receiving the report, a rescue team from the agency’s Headquarters was immediately deployed to the scene,” Abdullahi said.

According to him, the victim was recovered lifeless from the water and handed over to the Ward Head of Bachirawa Quarters, Jibrin Isah.

In a related incident, an eight-year-old boy, Abdussalam Ibrahim, also lost his life after falling into a well at Kofar Yamma in Karaye town, Karaye Local Government Area.

Abdullahi said, “We received a distress call from one of our staff members, Murtala Magaji, about the incident on Thursday afternoon.

“Upon receiving the report, a rescue team wes immediately deployed to the scene.”

He explained that the boy was also brought out dead and later handed over to his father, Malam Musa-Mudi.

The spokesman urged residents to take necessary safety precautions around open wells, open water sources and other hazardous locations, particularly to safeguard children.

“The service expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased,” Abdullahi said.

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When I ended my update on the heartrending mass murder and abductions of the people of Woro in Kaiama LGA by calling attention to the Muslim identity of the victims, just so some screwdriver salesman won’t use “Google” to “verify” that they are Christians in the service of advancing a tendentious “Christian genocide” narrative, I came across to some people as being needlessly overdramatic. But I knew what I was doing.

Now, look at this headline from BarristerNG, a well-regarded, law-focused Nigerian news site: “Kwara Tragedy: Terrorists Kill Villagers for Refusing to Change Their Faith, 78 Buried in Mass Graves.”

It is based on Gov. Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman’s disclosure that the people, whom the governor was careful to identify as Muslims, were murdered because they resisted the extremist version of Islam the terrorists preach.

The headline is a devious, sinister, underhanded but nonetheless visible rhetorical maneuver to give the impression that even in a communal mass slaughter where both the villains and the victims are Muslims, it was a “Christian genocide.”

When you pair “terrorists,” which invariably evokes the imagery of Muslim extremists, with murder as punishment for refusal to “change their faith,” you can’t help but conclude that the victims are Christians.

Faith is a synonym for religion. Since there are two major faiths in Nigeria, and since there has been a tyrannical, well-oiled, carefully choreographed, even if factually impoverished, amplification of a “Christian genocide” narrative that suggests that only Christians are being murdered in Nigeria, that Muslims are not only spared from this but are, in fact, complicit in this “genocide,” the headline basically implies that the mass murders in Woro were just another evidence of “Christian genocide.”

If the screwdriver salesman or his ilk come across this sort of story in a Google search, they will present it as yet another “evidence” of “Christian genocide.”

BarristerNG’s headline is similar in many respects to the December 24, 2025, headlines of many Christian-owned Nigerian news media organizations, which captured the mass murder of Muslims in a Maiduguri mosque with headlines that gave the impression that Christians were the victims.

Channels TV’s headline was: “BREAKING: Many Feared Dead as Bomb Blast Rocks Maiduguri on Christmas Eve.” Other Lagos newspapers had headlines like, “Christmas Eve Bombing Leaves 5 Dead, 35 Injured in Borno.” There was no mention of “mosque” or “Muslim worshipers” in the headlines.

Since most people only read headlines, you can imagine the impression these headlines created in the minds of people who reason like the screwdriver salesman, who fishes for and sees “Christian genocide” anywhere and everywhere.

There is an endemic mass murder of innocents in most parts of Nigeria, which I won’t hierarchize by religious affiliation because I think that’s cruel and inhuman.

And I actually don’t have a problem with Christian communities that interpret their own experience of the nationwide sanguinary fury of bloodthirsty terrorists as religiously based genocide, since the villains self-identify as Muslims.

But I do have a problem with the dangerously divisive dimension this is now taking.

It increasingly seems that the basic humanity that binds us is becoming immaterial. There is now a growing, unreasoning, bigoted, pigheaded, and obnoxiously monomaniacal obsession with advancing the narrative of a Christian genocide that suggests that only Christians are being murdered, that Muslims are exempt from murder because they share a similar faith with the murderers (as if faith is all that matters in a person), that Muslim deaths don’t matter, and that every shocking death must be “Christianized” to make it worthy of sympathy and empathy–and, of course, a part of the rhetorical armory to prosecute the narrative of a “Christian genocide.”

If the facts don’t fit, force them. If you can’t force them, manufacture them. It’s distressing.

Every death diminishes and distresses me. We are, first of all, human before we’re anything else. Our ethnicity, faith, language, etc. are incidental to our humanity.

Kperogi is a renowned Nigerian columnist and United States-based professor of Journalism

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United States’ President Donald Trump on Thursday recognised Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, during his address at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, commending her faith-based leadership and role in religious circles.

The yearly gathering, which draws members of the US Congress, faith leaders and guests from different countries, saw Trump acknowledge Tinubu’s presence while speaking on issues of faith and global religious freedom.

“We’re honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria. A very respected woman. First Lady, please, where are you? Thank you very much. It’s a great honour. Thank you very much. Very respected person, too. Thank you,” Trump said as he looked into the crowd.

Mrs Tinubu is an ordained pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the ministry founded by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, one of the largest and most influential Pentecostal churches in Nigeria.

Trump’s comments come amid sustained global scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation following recent claims by the US leader and some American lawmakers that Christians in the country are facing widespread attacks.

In October 2025, Trump listed Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged violence against Christians, a decision that drew strong reactions from the Nigerian government, which described the claims as inaccurate and potentially divisive.

The Federal Government has maintained that the nation’s security challenges stem from terrorism and criminality affecting people of all faiths, stressing that the constitution guarantees religious freedom for both Muslims and Christians.

The development also prompted a hearing on Nigeria’s security situation in the US Congress, followed by security cooperation between both countries and the establishment of the US–Nigeria Working Group.

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Suspected political thugs on Wednesday night attacked the Edo State secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and allegedly attempted to set the building on fire.

Sources said the attackers smashed windows and damaged other property at the secretariat on Ogbelaka Street in Benin City after failing to ignite the structure, reportedly due to resistance from residents in the area.

A viral video circulating on social media showed a man recounting the incident and alleging that the attackers tried to burn down the office before fleeing.

The Edo State chairman of the ADC, Kennedy Odion, confirmed the attack, stating that the suspected thugs came with the intention of setting the building ablaze.

He said, “They destroyed all the windows and other items in the building before ADC sympathisers in the area came to the rescue.”

Odion further alleged that the attackers arrived with a 10-litre container of fuel, insisting their mission was to burn the secretariat.

According to him, “Some politicians want the ADC to leave the state so that no other political party will contest the 2027 election with them.”

“Elections are a democratic process that requires participation by all. There is freedom of association, which is still in force, and nobody can be forced to join a political party of another person’s choice,” he added.

He said the incident had been reported to security agencies and urged them to track down those responsible and bring them to justice.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, said the incident was reported at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

She said police operatives were immediately dispatched to the scene to restore calm, adding that a preliminary assessment showed malicious damage to party flags and two shattered windows at the premises.

According to her, security personnel have been stationed in the area to prevent further attacks, while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those behind the incident.

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The Kwankwasiyya political movement has denied rumours that its leader, Sen. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has travelled abroad to seek medical attention.

The denial is contained in a message sent to journalists through the group’s official Whatsapp platform, Kwankwasiyya Press, by Capt. Mansur Kurugu, the Kwankwasiyya Movement Spokesperson II.

“Good afternoon and thank you for reaching out.Sen. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso departed Nigeria for a personal reason.

“It is not for a medical tourism or any health related reason,” Kurugu said.

PlatinumPost reports that the social media was awash Thursday afternoon with reports that Sen.Kwankwaso had departed Nigeria for medical reasons, which caused apprehension among many residents of Kano, especially members of the Kwankwasiyya movement.

The speculations came less than two weeks after the defection of Kwankwaso’s political Godson and Governor of the state, Abba Kabir Yusuf, which has so far heightened the polical temperature of the State.

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The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has celebrated the safe release of worshippers abducted from Kurmin Wali community in Kaduna State.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, expressed deep relief over the safety of the victims who had been taken captive.

Hayab praised Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for what he described as decisive and compassionate leadership during the crisis.

“We rejoice with the Church and the people of Kurmin Wali over the safe return of all kidnapped victims. We particularly commend Governor Uba Sani for his remarkable leadership and empathy in these trying moments. He listened to the cries of the people and kept his promise to secure the release of the abducted worshippers,” he said.

The Northern CAN chairman also applauded the efforts of security agencies and police officers whose coordinated actions led to the successful rescue of the church members.

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The Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, who was kidnapped by gunmen in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has regained his freedom after his family reportedly paid an extra N12m ransom.

The traditional ruler was released on Wednesday night after spending about a month in captivity. His release came two weeks after his son, Olaolu, who was abducted alongside him, regained freedom following the payment of an initial N20m ransom.

A family source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, confirmed the development, saying prolonged negotiations led to the monarch’s release.

“It is true the monarch was released on Wednesday night after we paid N12 million and two power banks in addition to the earlier N20 million paid before.

“They dropped him at a local herders’ settlement around Oreke in Ifelodun Local Government Area. From there, he was taken to the military base in Oreke, where they contacted us,” the source said.

According to the source, the monarch was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital after suffering physical and psychological trauma during the period in captivity.

“He is in high spirits now. The family and the entire Afin community are grateful to everyone who ensured his safe release,” the source added.

However, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the monarch’s release but said it was not aware of any ransom payment.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said that the monarch had been reunited with his family after intensified joint security operations in the area.

“You are aware that their ongoing joint security operations on that axis and the bandits are fleeing, we are not aware of any ransom payment.

“The CP Adekimi Ojo has always frowned at ransom payment and always advised the victim’s family to always provide security agencies with credible information,” she added.

Recall that the monarch, popularly known as the Oniwo I of Afin community in the Ile-Ire District, was abducted on New Year’s Eve during a violent attack on his palace.

About eight gunmen were said to have invaded the palace around 8pm, shooting sporadically and demanding to see the monarch and his wife before abducting the ruler and one of his sons, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps.

Two weeks after the incident, Olaolu was freed following the payment of a N20m ransom after negotiations between the family and the kidnappers.

Residents of Afin community had expressed anger and fear over the attack, urging security agencies and the state government to intensify efforts to curb the rising wave of kidnappings and banditry in rural parts of Kwara State.

The incident was among several high-profile abductions recorded in the state in recent months, heightening concerns about worsening insecurity, especially in the southern axis of Kwara.

(PUNCH)

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Nollywood actress Ajara Lasisi, popularly known as Aunty Ajara, has died.

Her passing was announced on Thursday by Nollywood director Tobi Oladele Teemony in a statement shared on Instagram.

“With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved actress, Aunty Ajara. She passed on overnight after a long and courageous battle with illness,” the statement read.

Teemony said the late actress received “immense love, prayers, and financial support from kind-hearted people across the world” while she battled the illness.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who stood by her with prayers, contributions, encouragement, and compassion,” he added.

He also appealed to the public to stop sending donations to the account earlier circulated for her treatment, noting that financial contributions were “no longer required”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, loved ones, and everyone grieving this painful loss,” the statement added.

The announcement was accompanied by a video message from her elder brother, Ridwan Lasisi.

He said, “Good morning to you all. My name is Ridwan Lasisi. I am a brother to Ajara. The doctor confirmed to us this morning that Ajara has passed on.

“All the families, we are using this period to appreciate you all. We appreciate the president and all industry members.

“We also use this opportunity to appeal to those sending money not to send it anymore. The one we are contributing for her sake is no more. Thank you so much. We do not want you to send money into that account again.”

The development comes about a week after Teemony and other Nollywood personalities, including Ronke Oshodi Oke, sought urgent financial assistance for the actress, saying her condition had worsened despite ongoing treatment and support from colleagues and well-wishers.

“Please, we need help. Ajara’s health condition has become more critical despite all the efforts so far. So much has already been spent on her treatment, with generous support from kind-hearted celebrities, actors, and individuals — yet the situation is getting worse.

“At this point, we urgently need more financial assistance to keep her fighting. Any amount, any support, any share can make a difference. Please help us save a life. Thank you and God bless,” he wrote at the time.

Earlier reports indicated that the small-screen actress was pregnant and battling a liver-related illness, with colleagues saying she had been placed on oxygen in hospital as her condition deteriorated.

Several Nollywood stars, including Wumi Toriola, Mide Martins, Afeez Owo and Ronke Oshodi Oke, had rallied support and appealed for financial assistance for her treatment amid growing public concern over her health.

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