Category: PM News

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his warm greetings to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), on his 65th birthday, which falls on November 21, 2025.

President Tinubu describes Ribadu as a principled reformer, an accomplished security professional, and a steadfast defender of Nigeria.

President Tinubu praises Ribadu’s exceptional integrity and lifelong devotion to public service, which has left enduring marks on Nigeria’s governance and security institutions.

The President recalls his pioneering leadership at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he championed accountability and strengthened the nation’s anti-corruption framework.

“Since we struck a close relationship over 15 years ago, I have come to acknowledge and appreciate Nuhu’s honesty, forthrightness and camaraderie.

“As a prominent member of our Renewed Hope Agenda team, I have found Nuhu to be a patriotic, loyal, and candid individual.

“As Nuhu turns 65 today, I fervently pray that Almighty Allah will grant him good health and greater wisdom to continue serving our beloved country,” the President says.

frobeats singer, Stanley Omah Didia, popularly known as Omah Lay, has urged Nigerians to take actions instead of relying on prayers .

The singer, on his X handle on Thursday, reacted to the call for prayers made by religious leaders over the recent happenings in the country.

Omah Lay noted that no change can occur in the country until Nigerians wake up. His statement gave life to some opinions of other users who claimed that Nigerians are to dependent on religion for change.

“No Jesus, no Allah, no prayer is saving us. Nothing changes until we wake TF up ,” he wrote.

An alleged member of Ansaru terrorist group Abdulazeez Obadaki, said to be mastermind of the terror attacks on Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, leading to his escape as well as other detainees who were on lawful custody in July 2022 was on Thursday arraigned before Federal High Court, Abuja.

Obadaki who was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) was also alleged to mastermind attacks on four commercial banks in Edo.

He was arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a six-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism offences.

Obadaki, popularly called Bomboy, was alleged to have joined the Ansaru terror group through “one Abu Muhsab” in count one of the charges.

DSS said the offence is contrary to Section 16(1) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Count two alleged that Obadaki, 42, committed the offence, where he had information he knew to be of material assistance in securing the apprehension of Abu Muhsab, a terrorist, and failed to disclose the information to any relevant security agency.

The offence is contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

In count three, he was alleged to have, sometime around Feb. 23, 2022, rendered support to a terrorist group by encouraging and assuring Abu Muhsab and his gang to engage in acts of terrorism, culminating in attacks on four branches of commercial banks in Edo.

The banks include First Bank, United Bank for Africa, Union Bank and Zenith Bank, all located along Market road, Uromi, Esan North-East LGA in Edo and after which the sum of N300, 000.00 was sent to him as his share of the proceeds of the attack via his Guaranty Trust Bank account number: 0265399669.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 5 (1) (a) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Count five accused the defendant of conspired with Abu Muhsab and other members of his gang (now at large), sometimes in July 2022, to attack the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, leading to his escape as well as other detainees who were held in lawful custody at the facility, thereby violating Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act.

In count six Obadaki was alleged to have, on or about July 5, 2022, did escape from the Nigeria’s Custodial Centre, Kuje where he was held in lawful custody facing terrorism charges.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 135 of the Criminal Code Act.

Obadaki pleaded guilty to count six, which is escape from lawful custody and however, pleaded not guilty to the other five counts when they were read out to him.

Following Obadaki’s plea, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until Jan. 26, 2026, to enable the court review facts relating to the count he pleaded guilty to, and to hear those he pleaded not guilty to.

The court ordered that the suspect be remanded in the custody of the DSS until the next adjourned date.

It would be recalled that after the attack on Deeper Life Bible Church, Okene in Kogi in 2012, Obadaki was believed to have later led a gang that raided the five commercial banks in Edo, killing several persons, and carted away huge sums of cash.

He was, however trailed and arrested by security forces and remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre but escaped shortly during the July 2022 jailbreak at the correctional centre.

Letitia Wright, from left, Taylor Simone-Boseman and Michael B. Jordan during a posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony for actor Chadwick Boseman on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles.

Celebrity nightlife promoter Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has said that no Igbo man or woman will find peace until detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is released.

Cubana in a statement, expressed concern over recent events in Nigeria, including the designation of the country by the United States as one of “particular concern,” the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, attacks on churchgoers in Kwara, the killing of a Brigadier General, and the kidnapping of over 50 students from a Catholic school in Niger State.

“These events have left everyone perplexed and downcast,” he said, adding that the national mood was tense and many Nigerians were worried.

Cubana also revealed that over the past three months, he and other concerned Nigerians have met with key government figures, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to discuss pressing issues such as insecurity, taxation, business regulations, and political solutions that could lead to Kanu’s release.

The leader of the IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu was handed a life sentence at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, after being found guilty of all seven count charges.

“No Igbo man or woman will have peace if MNK does not regain his freedom, and Ala Igbo will never be the same again,” he said.

Cubana appealed for unity among Nigerians, emphasizing that constructive dialogue and negotiation were essential. He called on President Tinubu to “heed the cry of our people and free Nnamdi Kanu,” while stressing the importance of building a Nigeria where all citizens can live freely regardless of ethnicity, religion, or culture.

He concluded his statement by urging calm and perseverance among Nigerians, highlighting that behind-the-scenes efforts were ongoing to secure Kanu’s release.

Nigeria’s former ambassador and widow of Biafran leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Bianca Ojukwu, has condemned the life imprisonment slammed on IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, urging Nigerians, especially the Igbos, to remain calm but resolute as political solutions are explored.

Ojukwu, who had just returned from a monitoring assignment in Zanzibar, said the judgment was not the outcome anyone hoped for.

In her statement issued on Friday, she warned against any response that could inflame tensions at home or abroad.

“There comes a time in the history of a people when there is need for calm I advise Ndigbo and Nigerians as a whole that such a period is now,” she said.

She urged restraint, calling on citizens to avoid actions that could escalate the already charged atmosphere, noting that “a word is enough for the wise.”

ccording to her, the path forward must be built on strategic engagement, not anger. Ojukwu called for a united front of Igbo leaders–including governors, senators, lawmakers, traditional rulers, clergy, and the business community to collectively interface with the Federal Government.

“Beating the drums of fury and sabre-rattling will only generate diminishing returns and, in the worst case, yet another wasteland,” she warned.

Describing dialogue as the most effective route to de-escalation, Ojukwu said the struggle for justice, equity, and fair coexistence for Ndigbo in Nigeria must continue, peacefully.

Despite the shockwaves caused by Kanu’s sentencing, Ojukwu insisted there is still room for resolution that will “reduce national anxiety and societal trauma.”

“I reassure Ndigbo, Nigerians and our foreign partners that prospects remain for resolving this impasse. Now is the time for a joint engagement involving all South-East states to seek a political solution,” she added.

Nasir Idris of Kebbi on Friday spoke on how bandits attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, and abducted 24 female students about 15 minutes after the military personnel withdrew from the school.

Idris revealed this on n Friday in Birnin Kebbi while receiving the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, who paid him a sympathy visit over the incident.

He said the military personnel were deployed to the school when government received intelligence reports on a planned attack and immediately convened a security meeting.

” As a responsive government, when we received intelligence on a possible attack, we summoned a security meeting.

” The security agencies assured us that all was well and that personnel would be mobilised to the school.

” The military was deployed, but they later withdrew by 3:a.m and by 3:45 am then the incident happened,” he said.

The governor said the state had demanded a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal.

” Who authorised the military to withdraw? How did security personnel pull out at such a critical time? That is our concern. We have asked the military to investigate and identify who gave that order,” he said.

Idris said both the state and Federal Government were working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the abducted girls.

” Our duty as leaders is to ensure that our daughters return home safely, and we are doing everything possible to achieve that.

” We thank President Bola Tinubu for directing Vice-President Kashim Shettima to visit us, and for ensuring that the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, has relocated to Kebbi,” he added.

The governor said clerics had also been directed to intensify prayers for the safe return of the victims and for peace in the state.

” What is happening in this country shows that enemies are working against this government. We return to God and continue to pray for divine intervention,” he said.

Idris described the NLC President’s visit as historic, saying it demonstrated solidarity in a time of distress.

” You left your schedules to visit us, and we appreciate it.

” We assure you that we will do everything humanly possible to rescue our daughters and return them safely to their homes,” the governor said.

Earlier, Ajaero, said the incident was worrisome and occurred at a time the state was recording significant progress in service delivery and development under Gov. Idris.

He said the NLC believed the abduction was “more than a mere coincidence”, adding that any attempt to derail the state’s developmental strides would not succeed.

” This incident came at a time when the state is witnessing good service delivery and development under the leadership of Gov. Idris.

” Any attempt to stop the tide of progress will never succeed.

” We are ready to place the state side-by-side with others in terms of development.

” This is a distraction, but we urge you to stand firm. We sympathise with you and we are with you,” he said.

jaero added that the labour union would review its policies to support efforts aimed at securing schools and borders across the country.

” We will go back to the drawing board to make our policy statement until we have clear pathways on how to secure our schools and borders. Security issues should not be politicised.

” We feel your pain. We will not allow this matter to be localised. It is our hope that a lasting solution will be found.

” There is always a turning point. We are in pain, but we will deal with this in unison,” the president said.

The Niger State Government on Friday reacted to the abduction of 52 students from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, confirming that the attack occurred after the school resumed operations without government clearance, despite a prior directive suspending boarding activities in the region.

bubakar Usman, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), explained that the government had received credible intelligence warning of increased security threats in parts of Niger North Senatorial District. As a precaution, authorities had suspended all construction work and ordered the temporary closure of boarding schools within the affected zone.

“Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk,” Usman said.

While details of the attack remain under investigation, the Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed that the terrorists struck the school between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. The exact number of abducted pupils and staff is yet to be verified as security agencies continue assessments and search-and-rescue operations.

The Niger State Government urged school proprietors, community leaders, and stakeholders to strictly follow security advisories issued in the interest of public safety. Authorities are appealing to the public to provide any useful information that could aid the safe recovery of the kidnapped students.

This incident comes days after a similar abduction in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were kidnapped, intensifying concerns about the deteriorating security situation in schools across the region.

Nigerian singer and song-writer Yemi Eberechi Alade, popularly know as Yemi Alade, has revealed that she was sexually harassed as a teenager by music executives.

The singer, in an episode of the Swift Conversations podcast, opened up on the struggles she faced as a young artist. She revealed that she was not financially buoyant and only had the talent and zeal.

“In those beginning days, all I thought I needed was just my talent because that’s what I have. I didn’t have a bank account full of money I could use to sponsor myself. I just had a talent and a zeal, and a promise that I made to myself and a promise I believed God made to me. So, I always tried to show up. I was told that I needed to work harder and so I worked harder, and it wasn’t enough. There were doors I needed to walk up to and when I walked up to the doors. They didn’t want my talent, they wanted something else,” she stated.

Yemi Alade further revealed that these acts were done to her by older men during studio sessions. She stated that she found it hard to speak up because she was in shock about the experience.

“Many times from business meetings to studio sessions to even winning certain awards and you meet maybe the managing director or any other executive and they are trying to rub your thighs under the table. And I was just a teen. My grand pa is rubbing my legs and I can’t speak because I’m in shock. We are having an actual business meeting. Why are you rubbing my thighs? I had to speak to myself and decided if music was what I wanted to do because the sexual harassment was becoming too rampant. But something in me told me to keep pushing my talent. So, I still showed up. If door was left open for me, I would walk in. If it was shut in my face, I would walk away,” she added.

Nigerian superstar Davido celebrated his 33rd birthday on Friday with family, friends, and key members of his 30BG Geng crew, including his manager Asa, DJ ECool, and other close associates.

Notable personalities at the celebration included his billionaire father, Adedeji Adeleke, his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and family members like his sister and cousin Folashade Adeleke.

In a video shared from the celebration, Davido reflected on his journey in music and life, saying: “I dropped my first song when I was 17, and now I’m 33. This year is one of my best years ever; I got married to the most beautiful woman and we had our babies.”

He also excited fans with news about his music, revealing he is working on his sixth studio album. This comes months after the release of his fifth album, 5ive, which dropped on April 18, 2025.

The video showed Davido enjoying the birthday party with laughter, music, and birthday cheers filling the atmosphere, as fans and followers took to social media to send their best wishes to the Afrobeats star.

Watch the video Here.