Category: PM News

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has maintained that the Department of State Services (DSS) unlawfully entered its Abuja office on September 9, 2024. The rights group dismissed claims suggesting that its deputy director “admitted to no invasion” as false.

In a statement on Tuesday, SERAP said, “We stand by our statements on oath, statements of defence, and the correct court proceedings on Monday, November 24, 2025, confirming that DSS unlawfully invaded SERAP’s office on September 9, 2024.”

DSS officials had entered SERAP’s office, requesting to see the organisation’s directors, but later claimed they were conducting a routine investigation. The Service also filed a N5 billion defamation suit against SERAP, under the names of DSS officials Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, alleging that the rights group’s claims damaged their reputations.

SERAP said reports of the November 24 court hearing contained inaccuracies that misrepresented what transpired in court. The organisation stressed that its legal team, including five senior lawyers from Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), was fully present during the hearing.

“The use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) by Nigerian authorities against citizens and organisations peacefully exercising their rights is unconstitutional and violates Nigeria’s international human rights obligations,” SERAP added. “These authoritarian practices will surely fail.”

The Embassy of France in Nigeria has officially launched the FEF “Bilingual and Competitive” Project, a two-year initiative aimed at strengthening the employability and global mobility of Nigerian graduates through French language proficiency.

According to the Embassy, the project, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs through the French Embassy Fund (FEF), was developed following a nationwide assessment and consultations with universities, students, educators, and businesses. The findings highlighted the strategic importance of French as a tool for professional development and international engagement.

The Embassy stated that the initiative would combine advanced language training with career-oriented programmes, including the creation of a Master’s programme in French for Specific Purposes. This programme is designed to link French learning to professional fields such as business, diplomacy, medicine, and technology, providing students with skills that directly enhance their career prospects.

Officials further explained that the project would establish French Resource and Employability Centres across participating universities. These centres are intended to provide modern teaching materials, digital resources, workshops, and teacher-training programmes to strengthen both language skills and employability.

The Embassy reported that advocacy efforts would also form a central part of the initiative, promoting bilingualism as a driver of innovation, job creation, and stronger partnerships between academia and industry.

The GAF (Groupe des Ambassadeurs Francophones), which brings together the 33 francophone embassies represented in Nigeria, reaffirmed its collective support for the FEF ‘Bilingual and Competitive’ initiative through the voice of its president, the Ambassador of Tunisia. For the GAF, this project is a powerful opportunity to support Nigerian youth and to strengthen the bridges between Nigeria and the wider Francophone world.

The first cohort of beneficiary universities has been announced. Twelve “Gold Level” universities, including the University of Abuja, Rivers State University, Kaduna State University, University of Ilorin, Lagos State University, and Obafemi Awolowo University, will receive comprehensive support to establish full French Resource Centres. Nine “Silver Level” universities, such as the University of Ibadan, University of Port Harcourt, Ahmadu Bello University, and University of Calabar, will receive support to strengthen their French departments and clubs.

The Embassy highlighted that the expected impact of the project includes enhanced teaching practices in French, improved employability for graduates with internationally recognized French certifications, wider use of French in professional and academic environments, and contributions to reducing youth unemployment and brain drain.

Representatives emphasized that the launch reflects France’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, educational innovation, and gender equality in Nigeria, and aims to cultivate a bilingual, professionally agile generation ready to engage with global opportunities.

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora in Niger State has released the complete list of 265 students and teachers from St. Mary’s School, Papiri, who remain abducted following last week’s attack.

Gunmen stormed the school on November 21, initially abducting 315 people, including 303 students and 12 staff members.

According to the diocese, 50 of the students have since escaped, while 239 pupils from the nursery and primary sections, 14 secondary school students, and all 12 teachers are still in captivity. The names of those still held have been officially published by the diocese.

Security agencies continue to work on the safe release of the remaining victims as the community and parents await updates. The Catholic Diocese emphasized the importance of tracking the whereabouts of the abducted students and staff to ensure their swift return.

Teachers and non-academic staff

1.Bitrus Yohanna 2.Cyril Bagudu 3.Mercy Yohanna 4.Justina Yakubu 5.Terry Francis 6.Emmanuel Ibrahim 7.Godwin James 8.Lydia Andrew 9.Hannatu Bulus 10.Yohanna Daniel Dogonyaro 11.Agnes Joseph 12.Anna Terry

Secondary school students

1.Amos kiloybas 2.Onah Benedict 3.Bulus Ezra 4.Anthony Linus 5.Dauda Zacharia 6.Bulus Gustave 7.Ejeh Mathew 8.Iliya John 9.Joshua Philip 10.Samaila Habila 11.Simon Christopher 12.Yohanna Cephas 13.Christopher Justice 14.Samuel Michael

Nursery and primary school pupils

1.Natherniel Andrew 2.Shalom Terry 3.Ajikovi Andrew 4.Zacharia Sabastine 5.John Lois 6.Yohanna Veronica 7.Emmanuel Ibrahim 8.Ayuba Linus 9.Bulus Christopher 10.Ibrahim Micah 11.Joshua Dogara 12.Marcus Stephen 13.Samuel Peter 14.Simon Wisdom 15.Yahaya Vincent 16.Yakubu Yahaya 17.Yohanna Micah 18.Ibrahim Agnes 19.Musa Celestina 20.Timothy Rejoice 21.Serah James 22.Tanko Bitrus 23.Christopher Yunusa 24.Julius Dimas 25.Godwin Sunday 26.Joseph Samuel 27.Silas Timothy 28.Habila Bulus 29.Anthony Godwin 30.Alheri Sunday 31.Lovina Samuel 32.Naomi Zacharia 33.Goodness Elisha 34.Habiba Sunday 35.Redeemer Iliya 36.Joy Ibrahim 37.Rejoice Luka 38.Sarah Luka 39.Samson Luka 40.Amos Gabriel 41.Ayuba Josiah 42.Bitrus Linus 43.Bulus Ayuba 44.Hanna Daniel 45.Ezekiel Shedrack 46.Peter Julius 47.Yakubu Joseph 48.Philip Iliya 49.Juliet Alex 50.Patricia Ayuba 51.Ishaya Libiya 52.Simon Iliya 53.Theresa Ibrahim 54.Veronica Michael 55.Patience Musa 56.Victoria Sunday 57.Gloria Yohanna 58.Veronica Iliya 59.Pius Yakubu 60.Lois Samaila 61.Nagode Augustine 62.Abednego Ishaya 63.Ayuba Blessed 64.Emmanuel Cleopas 65.Emmanuel Godwin 66.Emmanuel Dauda 67.Emmanuel Habila 68.Jonathan Ishaku 69.Michael Augustine 70.Michael Sunday 71.Mathew Nathaniel 72.Samuel Philip 73.Yohanna Ezra 74.Yohanna Samson 75.Yusuf Samson 76.Yakubu Stephen 77.Yakubu Caleb 78.Yakubu Andrew 79.Yakubu Pius 80.Yohanna Caleb 81.Habila Alheri 82.Musa Helina 83.Okoye Praise 84.Patrick Felicity 85.Samaila Blessing 86.Samaila Lois 87.Samuel Stephen 88.Yunusa Margret 89.Dauda Samaila 90.Anthony Maikai 91.Habila Micah 92.Ishaku Mathew 93.Joshua Nicodemus 94.Musa Yusuf 95.Yakubu Lazarus 96.Ayuba Zafaniya 97.Luka Musa 98.Ishaku Anthony 99.Yohanna Lawrence 100.Michael Friday 101.Yohanna Benjamin 102.Anthony Philip 103.Ezekiel Yahaya 104.Samaila Jonathan 105.Yohanna Emmanuel 106.Yohanna Jonathan 107.Philip Ishaya 108.Emmanuela Amos 109.Benedicta Anthony 110.Murna Ezra 111.Christiana Nuhu 112.Blessing Musa 113.Rose Peter 114.Biskila Yahaya 115.Hope Johnson 116.Anthony Simon 117.Bitrus Cephas 118.Ezekiel Shedrack 119.Ishaku Samuel 120.Joshua Gabriel 121.Joshua habila 122.Miachael Imirya 123.Nuhu Eli 124.Sunday Philip 125.Timothy Isah 126.Yusuf Joel 127.Samson James 128.Habila S. Cephas 129.Mathew Yahaya 130.Mercy Daniel 131.Patience Ezekiel 132.Rose Iliya 133.Rejoice Joshua 134.Rita Markus 135.Clementina Oluwasegun 136.Blessing Paul 137.Fibi Samuel 138.Grace Sunday 139.Roseline Markus 140.Musa Nehemiah 141.Yohanna Dominic 142.Divine Yohanna 143.Musa Shedrack 144.Samson Sarah 145.Dominic Sabina 146.Ishaya Jonathan 147.Daniel Anthony 148.Njikonge Joseph 149.Ezekiel Francis 150.Isah Julius 151.Ishaya Sunday 152.Luka Ebenezer 153.Luka Samaila 154.Markus Peter 155.Samuel Joseph 156.Iliya Paul 157.Madubueze Favour 158.Theresa Zacharia 159.Rebecca Bulus 160.Justina Daniel 161.Saraya Ezekiel 162.Grace Irmiya 163.Jannet Ishaku 164.Naomi James 165.Jannet John 166.Veronica Luka 167.Grace Mathew 168.Happy Samaila 169.Faith Yohanna 170.Victoria Yohanna 171.Agnes Yusuf 172.Isa Julius 173.Moses Simon 174.Cikarfe Timothy 175.Ezra Jonathan 176.Irmiya Habila 177.Iliya Dominic 178.Magaji Mathew 179.Amos Istifanus 180.Chime Onyeaka 181.Daniel Lawrence 182.Ezekiel Cleopas 183.Joel Philip 184.Nuhu Genesis 185.Peshe Yakubu 186.Peter Irmiya 187.Yakubu Omega 188.Yohanna Linus 189.Felicia Andrew 190.Eunice Bitrus 191.Victoria Bulus 192.Onyebuchi Chime 193.Felistina Dauda 194.Rejoice Emmanuel 195.Jessica Ishaku 196.Sabina Ibrahim 197.Blessing Luka 198.Paulina Peter 199.Felicia Musa 200.Grace Yakubu 201.Lawrence Yohanna 202.Esther Yusuf 203.Chikumachi Peter Jagaba 204.Amos Yahaya 205.Ayuba Zacharia 206.Bulus Saminu 207.Jeremiah Ezra 208.Isah Jemilu 209.Samuel Pius 210.Samuel Stephen 211.Iliya Dominic 212.Donald Yusuf 213.Agnes Amos 214.Grace Emmanuel 215.Blessing Joshua 216.Suzanna Musa 217.Dorcas Mathew 218.Patience Yusuf 219.Mary Yohanna 220.Ruth Yakubu 221.Goodness Daniel 222.Lois Emmanuel 223.Biskila Peter 224.Daniel Caleb 225.Emmanuel Amos 226.Emmanuel Joseph 227.Ishaya James 228.Ishaya Shedrack 229.Nufi Nathan 230.Yohanna Christopher 231.Yohanna Prosper 232.Nwaolisa Chijioke 233.Mathar Iliya 234.Happy Jeremiah 235.Precious Okoye 236.Ketura Sunday 237.Salomi Sunday 238.Susan Zacharia 239.Florence Michael

Nigerian media personality Ariyike Owolagba, popularly known as Ariyiike Dimples, has opened up on a church experience that made her quit going to church.

While speaking during an episode of the Open Up podcast, Ariyiike revealed that she has stopped going to church for three years.

The actress explained that she was judged by her choice of dressing by an elder in the church. She added that the experience made her feel unwelcomed and judged by the community.

“In my community church, you see only elderly people. You barely see the young ones. The young ones have gone to other churches. It was too serious. Yes, you can have your doctrines, but there is a way you can simplify it for young people and take them in without judging them. The reason I stopped going to church was because I wore a pencil skirt to church and an elderly woman said I will go to hell fire. I was shocked and felt wrongly judged so I stopped going to church for 3 years. And thankfully, I was already out of my parents’ house,” she said.

Ariyiike also recalled that the elder in question took the issue a step further by reporting her to her father. She added that that she avoided the community church to avoid drama and judgement.

“The woman reported me to my dad. I had to take picture of the skirt and send to my mum to prove that I wasn’t dressing indecently. But my dad believed in the ideology of a community raising a child. So, I chose to avoid the community church so that they won’t see me,” she recalled.

The actress, however, stated that her decision to quit going to church did not affect her faith in God.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has arrived in Kebbi State on an official visit aimed at strengthening security collaboration and assessing police operations in the state.

During the visit, the IGP is expected to meet with the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, to discuss ongoing security challenges and explore areas requiring additional federal support.

He will also address officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, where he is likely to speak on operational discipline, community policing, and the force’s evolving security strategies.

Egbetokun’s visit comes as the police intensify efforts to tackle banditry, cattle rustling, and other violent crimes affecting parts of the North-West.

Renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has renewed his call for a non-kinetic solution to Nigeria’s insecurity, insisting that many armed groups are willing to surrender their weapons if properly engaged.

He made this known on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he argued that dialogue and negotiation should be prioritised over an exclusively military approach.

Gumi questioned why the government continues to rely mainly on force when, aAccording to him, several fighters are prepared to embrace peace.

He noted that even globally, major military powers have struggled against guerrilla-style conflicts. “We have people who are ready to put down their arms, so why do you always decide it has to be kinetic?” he asked.

“Even America could not succeed in Afghanistan, and Israel could not succeed in a small strip of land. Our army is not designed for guerrilla warfare; no army is designed for the kind of people we are facing now.”

When asked whether individuals who show remorse should be reintegrated, he explained the difference between communal conflict and personal criminality.

He said that communal clashes are complex because entire communities may be involved, making prosecution difficult.

He recalled that after the Nigerian civil war, despite atrocities and massive casualties, those responsible were eventually pardoned because the conflict was communal in nature.

However, he stressed that individual crimes, such as one person killing another, must still be addressed through the law.

Gumi also stated that he would support a pardon for the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, if Kanu expresses genuine remorse and a willingness to pursue peace.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc brought together top regulators, cybersecurity specialists and financial industry leaders last Friday for a high-level panel session aimed at strengthening Africa’s collective response to digital fraud, as the bank marked its annual Fraud Awareness Week.

The hybrid forum, held at UBA’s Head Office in Lagos, formed a central part of the bank’s continent-wide campaign themed “Combating Fraud Risk and Cyber Theft in Digital Banking.”

Welcoming participants, UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, described the initiative as one of Africa’s most influential anti-fraud platforms.

“Fraud prevention is not an event; it is a culture and a collective responsibility,” he said.

“What began in 2023 as a visionary initiative has grown into a continent-wide movement, one that strengthens trust, protects customers, and fortifies the integrity of digital banking across Africa.”

Alawuba noted that this year’s week-long programme deepened capacity across UBA’s customer touchpoints to “detect, deter, and defeat” emerging cyber threats.

Delivering the keynote address, scholar and practitioner Dr. Godwin Oyedokun stressed that fraud is always intentional, premeditated and constantly evolving-making proactive prevention essential.

“Fraud can never be accidental in nature. It is always pre-planned,” Oyedokun said. “We must shift from reacting to predicting. Make fraudulent activity less attractive by strengthening systems. Whatever you spend on prevention is always cheaper than spending on detection and recovery.”

UBA’s Group Chief Internal Auditor, Kayode Ajayi, outlined the bank’s continuous investments in fraud prevention across its African and international operations.

He highlighted AI-powered transaction monitoring, continuous system upgrades and round-the-clock cybersecurity surveillance, describing fraud as a “progressive fight” requiring constant innovation.

Security experts Adebayo Adebeshin, Bright Anyanwu and Fiyinfolu Okedare joined the discussion, moderated by Sheri Adegbenro, Chief Audit and Compliance Officer of Eko Electricity Distribution Plc.

They praised UBA for championing fraud awareness and pushing open discussions on digital safety, but warned that cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated by the day.

The experts emphasised the need for: Closer collaboration between banks, regulators and law enforcement, continuous investment in modern defence tools, industry-wide intelligence sharing and building stronger cyber hygiene among customers

Representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NDIC, FCCPC, the Association of Chief Audit Executives of Banks, and senior audit executives from across the banking sector attended the session, an indication of growing urgency around digital financial security.

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said he will support calls for the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, but only if the secessionist shows remorse for his past actions.

Kanu was recently convicted on seven counts of terrorism by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Gumi stated that if Kanu expresses regret and calls for peace, he would be among those advocating for his pardon and amnesty.

“This Kanu that was imprisoned for terrorism for agitating that our soldiers should be killed, if he now shows remorse and calls for peace, I will be at the forefront in asking for his pardon and amnesty,” Gumi said.

He recalled that past Nigerian leaders, including Shehu Shagari and Umaru Yar’Adua, granted amnesty to rebels and militants, stressing that such measures could help resolve conflicts peacefully.

Gumi, a long-time advocate of non-kinetic solutions to insecurity, argued that dialogue with armed groups would benefit the nation. “Even America could not succeed in Afghanistan, even Israel could not succeed in a small strip of land. Our army is not designed for this type of conflict,” he said.

He further urged the government to engage groups inclined to peace, noting that some Fulani herdsmen had shown willingness to lay down arms. “Anybody who inclines to peace, I’m with him,” Gumi added.

By Ayox Ojo

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has ordered ordered the immediate suspension of Dr Danlami Hayyo the Mandate Secretary for Education in the territory over alleged fake report on shutdown of all schools,

He also asked the FCT Head of Service to punish Director of School Services, FCT Secondary Education Board, Aishatu Alhassan over the viral report on alleged shut down of schools in the territory.

Wike gave the directive this while denying that the FCT Administration has ordered all government schools in the FCT to shut down by November 28, 2025.

The Minister, in a statement by Lere Olayinka, his spokesperson described the information as completely false.

The report had indicated that Wike ordered the closure of senior secondary schools on Friday, November 28, 2025, over reports of insecurity.

The report was based on a memo issued by Alhassan.

The memo titled “Urgent Need for Early Closure of Schools Due To Security Concerns” ordered principals and heads of schools to end all academic activities and ensure students were dismissed in an orderly manner.

But Olayinka, said no directive for early closure was issued at any level of the administration.

According to him, the academic calendar remain unchanged.

“The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has debunked the report that all government schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were mandated to close by November 28, 2025, saying that ‘no such decision was taken at any level of the administration.’

“The minister has directed the immediate suspension of the Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr Danlami Hayyo.

“The Acting Head of Service, Mrs Nancy Sabanti Nathan, has also been mandated to discipline the Director of School Services, Mrs Aishatu Sani Alhassan, in accordance with the civil service rules,” the media aide stated.

FCT Administration assured residents of sustained security around schools in the statement.

It also informed that Wike has ordered the resumption of Operation Sweep and other security measures across the territory.

The FCTA appealed to the public to rely on official communication channels for verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports.

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army said troops deployed for intensified search-and-rescue operations for abducted schoolchildren in Niger, Kebbi and Zamfara states had in the course of their operations in the last 24 hours, neutralized terrorists and destroyed their hideouts across the North Central and North West corridors.

Source at the Army headquarters revealed that the troops operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) under 22 Brigade responded to the abduction of students from St Mary’s School, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger, with ISR aircraft deployed and ground search teams tracking the terrorists’ withdrawal route.

According to him, troops have since expanded search operations to the Audu Fari axis in Borgu Local Government Area.

In Mariga Local Government Area, troops at FOB Gulbin Boka ambushed terrorists attempting to link up with their cohorts around Magaman Daji, resulting in casualties among the criminal group and the capture of four motorcycles.

“On the Kebbi front, troops intensifying efforts to rescue students abducted from GGSS Maga on Nov. 17 conducted a major operation around Gando/Sunke Forest in Kebbi and Talata Mafara LGA of Zamfara.

“The strike force destroyed three terrorist camps, forcing the criminals to abandon their hideouts. Troops also recovered a lost international passport belonging to a female resident of Bagega,” he said.

The military Source reiterated the army’s commitment to sustaining the operations until all abducted students were rescued and terrorist networks crippled across the North Central and North West regions.

Recall that more than 300 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were abducted last Friday at St. Mary’s School, Papiri, Niger state.

However, reports on Sunday indicated that 50 of the abducted schoolchildren escaped from their abductors.

The abduction in Niger State came four days after gunmen also suspected abducted 24 students from Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.

The Kebbi State government said the schoolgirls were abducted about 45 minutes after military personnel deployed to the school to secure the students left.

The military said it is investigating the claim by the Kebbi government.

(NAN)