Category: The Nation – Nigeria

All is set for the inauguration of the Ondo State chapter of Tinubu Support Group (TSG), former Minster of State for Transportation Ademola Adegoroye has said.

Speaking in Akure over the weekend, Adegoroye said the group is to be at the forefront of grassroots mobiliation for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to him, the aim of the group is to return the president with the highest margin of votes possible in Nigeria.

Adegoroye, who spoke at a well-attended TSG State Caucus meeting said, ‘The primary objective of Tinubu Support Group (TSG), is to champion the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through activities designed to unify and strengthen the APC, sensitize and mobilize voters, with the support, under the guidance and leadership Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as leader of the APC in Ondo State.

‘That is why the group is taking its time to bring into its fold all the major political gladiators in the state into the APC platform under the leadership of the governor.

‘We have decided to all work with the Governor to canvass, promote and mobilise for the re-election of President Asiwaju by propagating the laudable interventions of the President in Ondo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

‘Since the governor is at the forefront of such efforts, the TSG will be working under his guidance and leadership in the state.’

Adegoroye further said that ‘leaders and members of the APC, and indeed other parties, enamoured by the achievements of President Tinubu are all motivated to be part of the TSG and are being organised for an effective take-off of the group in Ondo State’.

Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has taken a bold step in translating President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda into tangible reality with the commissioning of its multi-million naira state-of-the-art office complex in Warri, Delta State.

The edifice, built by the seventh board of the commission, was inaugurated by Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, alongside the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh; and members of the National Assembly committees on NDDC, led by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and Erhiateke Ibori-Suenu, as well as Mr. Chiedu Ebie, NDDC board chairman and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the agency.

Also present were Senator Ned Nwoko, traditional rulers – the Orodje of Okpe, HRM Orhue I, the Ovie of Uvwie, HRM Abe I, the Orosuennof Okere-Urhobo, HRM Owhotemu II, the Ovie of Agbarha-Warri, HRM Igbi II, the Pere of Akugbene Mein, HRM Kalanama XIII and other dignitaries.

Governor Oborevwori said the new NDDC Warri office signified a renewed partnership between the commission and the state in driving sustainable development.

‘This is not about opening a new building, it shows a new sense of presence, purpose and partnership, close, clear to see and continuous,’ the Governor stated.

Hailing the NDDC for its renewed vigour in projects execution, he called for collaboration to tackle the region’s deteriorating roads.

‘I appeal to NDDC, let us work together to fix federal roads in our region. These roads have been a nightmare, people are not too happy. That’s why I kicked off the reconstruction of the Spare Parts to Ohore Road, which is costing the state N35 billion,’ he said.

The Governor expressed readiness to partner with the NDDC on strategic projects, particularly the Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road, noting: ‘On the issue of the Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road, Delta State is ready to partner with the NDDC. As a government, we will support partnerships either at national or regional level.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate provision of a new, state-of-the-art auditorium for the Nigerian Law School, to further enhance legal education infrastructure.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Nyesom Wike disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of a 600-bed student hostels at the Abuja campus of the Institution, in Bwari.

Wike explained that the President’s directive followed an observation that the anticipated increase in student intake occasioned by the building of the new hostel necessitated a review of the existing lecture facilities, stressing that the intervention demonstrates Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s legal education infrastructure.

He said: ‘I was discussing with my son who by the grace of God was called to Bar in the last Call to Bar Ceremony .I said now that we are providing hostels that will take almost 600 students, does it mean that they will now admit more students. He expressed doubt about whether the auditorium will accommodate everybody, which means they require another auditorium.

‘Luckily for us, I was privileged to meet Mr. President last night and I tabled this to him. He said, go back and make sure another auditorium is built for the Nigerian Law School’.

The Minister praised Tinubu’s decisive leadership, noting that his administration has intervened directly in the institution more than any government since the campus opened in 1997.

He also extended commendation to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN for his relentless support and commitment to the justice sector, saying; ‘All we are doing in the justice sector today is because of his support’.

He cited the ongoing digitisation of the FCT High Court as another collaborative success story that has received Presidential backing and budgetary approval.

Wike further praised the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School for his selfless leadership, especially for prioritizing the infrastructural needs of other campuses, such as the completed hostel and auditorium project at the Yenagoa Law School campus, stressing that history will be kind to him.

Speaking on the 600-bed hostel accommodation, the minister noted that it is the second major intervention at the Law School within two years of the current tenure of President Tinubu.

Wike recalled that following the earlier flag-off of staff-quarters at the Nigerian Law School, a promise was made through the Attorney General of the Federation to provide the hostel accommodation.

He said: ‘Today, we are here to fulfill that promise that Mr. President made’, noting that the new 600-bed capacity hostel will significantly alleviate the accommodation challenges faced by students.

The Minister confirmed that the construction, awarded to a trusted contractor, will not exceed the 12-month timeline.

While flagging off the project, the Attorney General of the Federation, who was visibly elated, thanked the FCT Minister for his consistent support to the Nigerian Law School.

He praised the Minister’s decisive nature, saying, ‘One thing I know is that you don’t promise what you will not do. Take it or leave it, love him or hate him, you will know where he stands on any issue,’ he said, and likened the Minister to a Computer Based Test (CBT) which results are instantaneous.

The AGF also acknowledged the Minister’s extensive history of intervention in the justice sector, even before his ministerial appointment, including feats in Yenagoa and Port Harcourt.

He confirmed the judicious use of previous donations, which include four Hilux vans and three Coaster buses, in addition to the flag-off of staff quarters, and now, the 600-bed student hostel.

While noting that many people have come and talked without walking their talk, Chief Fagbemi further extended profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his numerous supports through the FCT Minister.

and thanked President Tinubu for approving the project.

He also extended appreciation to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation for his support, while also acknowledging the significant contributions of the FCT Minister to the development of judiciary infrastructure, describing him as ‘our great benefactor’.

Actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has warned an alleged Facebook impersonator, using her name and picture to run a blog with 2.7 million followers.

In a video on Instagram, she claimed the impersonator has been making money from the page, posting false news and stories, and causing confusion among her fans.

Ojo stated she’s tried reporting the page to Facebook but wants the impersonator to remove her name, picture, and rebrand the page.

She said: ‘This video is directed to whoever it is that is impersonating me and using my name. It has 2.7 million followers on Facebook.

‘I have tried to report this account to Facebook. The person went and changed it to Iyabo Ojo Lovers. So at the time, Facebook was thinking it’s my fan page.

‘This is not my fan page. I don’t know who owns this. I don’t know who created this.

‘But this page has been going on for a very long time. Now, my problem with this page is that this person is a blogger. Because I will not sit down and carry other people’s news’.

She warned that if this isn’t done, she’ll take further action to have the page taken down.

Ojo also condemned others using her name to spread false information, saying they should ‘get a life and get a job’ and stop being ‘stupid on social media’.

She continued: ‘This person has constantly carried different news and stories and definitely is making money, right, with my name. Okay. Now, my problem is that a lot of people think I own the page.

‘In fact, the reason why I joined Facebook, was it last year? Or two years ago? The reason why I joined it was because of an issue like this. Why? To report all these pages.

‘Luckily, I found out that in Nigeria here, they can actually help you bring down this page if you report it. I found out recently and I’m very glad about it. So I want to tell this person that owns this page that is using my name to be deceiving people and be gathering followers and making money. If you know you want to be a blogger, don’t be greedy.

‘You have used my name to gather 2.7 million followers, right? Change my name. Remove my name. Remove my picture.

‘Because you and I know that I don’t know you and this is not my page. This is the last warning I’m going to give you because me, I’m not a blogger. Take my name off this page and my picture.

‘Take it off. Because the next time you will look for this page and it will be gone. I’m not capping with you.

‘The next time when I have your time, this page will disappear. So if you know that you want to keep your 2.7 million followers, remove my name and my picture. Create your own identity now.

‘Why are you using my name to be blogging? Making people feel like I’m a blogger. And it’s not funny anymore because you put my pictures there and you blog, you carry different news.

‘It’s madness. So please, I know there’s a lot of people impersonating me on Facebook, on TikTok, on everywhere. I know.

‘But this particular one, maybe because it is verified and it has a lot of followers. Every day in my DM, I keep getting messages like, did you write this? Did you post this? So I’m telling whoever it is that is in charge of this page. I’m sure you’ll get to see this video because you’re always on my page.

‘Everything I post on my page, you go and post it on this page, right? So you’re definitely monitoring me. You’re one of the monitoring spirits. Please, kindly change. Take my name off it. Take my pictures off it. Rebrand it.

‘You can stand alone now. You have 2.7 million followers. And for the rest of you that will just wake up one morning and go and use my name and write, Iyabo just said this, Iyabo just said that.’

Sir: Nigeria stands at a dangerous crossroads, one defined not only by economic hardship and insecurity but also by an invisible epidemic eating away at its future: the mental health crisis among its youth. With 27% of the population aged between 15 and 35, and nearly 58% under 30, the psychological state of young Nigerians is not a niche concern; it is the lifeblood of the nation’s tomorrow.

Behind the energy, creativity, and resilience that define Nigerian youth lies a hidden struggle. Depression, anxiety, and substance abuse are spreading quietly, threatening to erode the very generation expected to rebuild the country. The signs are everywhere, on university campuses, in secondary schools, in bustling cities, and rural communities alike.

A June media report revealed alarming data from Enugu State: 30.7% of secondary school students showed signs of depression, 36.4% exhibited anxiety symptoms, and 8.4% admitted to suicidal thoughts. A 2025 preprint study estimated that behavioural disorders affect 15.1% of Nigerian adolescents, meaning roughly one in six young people are living with serious psychological distress.

Nigeria’s suicide rate, about 17 per 100,000 according to the WHO, remains among the highest in Africa. Yet over 90% of Nigerians with mental health conditions receive no treatment. Only about 250 psychiatrists serve a population of more than 200 million, a staggering ratio of one psychiatrist per 800,000 citizens. The WHO recommends one per 10,000.

The crisis is not merely medical; it is deeply social and economic. With youth unemployment and underemployment rising, many young Nigerians face a crushing sense of hopelessness. The repeated and ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have left countless students stranded, fueling despair and delaying their dreams.

Economic pressure meets emotional fragility in a toxic mix. Social media, while a tool of expression, often worsens this burden. A 2025 UNICEF report found that more than 80% of Nigerian youths feel greater pressure to succeed than previous generations, as curated images of wealth and success online amplify feelings of failure and inadequacy.

Substance abuse is both a symptom and a coping mechanism. The rise in the use of tramadol, codeine, and synthetic cannabinoids like ‘Colorado’ reflects how many young people self-medicate their pain. A study among adolescent inmates in North-Central found that 82.5% had at least one psychiatric disorder, and 15.8% had substance use disorders, illustrating how untreated trauma spirals into addiction.

Cultural stigma remains one of the greatest obstacles. Mental illness is still widely viewed as a sign of spiritual weakness, laziness, or moral failure. Families often choose prayers over treatment, while faith leaders dismiss clinical depression as a lack of faith. The language of ‘madness’ silences those in pain and prevents timely help.

The state’s response has been tragically inadequate. Despite the Mental Health Act of 2021, which replaced the colonial-era Lunacy Act of 1958, implementation has been slow. Only Lagos and Ekiti states have domesticated the law, and the Mental Health Fund is yet to materialize. Less than 3.5% of Nigeria’s health budget is allocated to mental health, and over 90% of that goes to psychiatric hospitals, leaving almost nothing for community care.

The workforce crisis compounds the challenge. With fewer than 300 psychiatrists, limited psychologists, and minimal psychiatric nurses, most Nigerians, especially those outside Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, have no access to help. Rural communities are left in silence, often resorting to traditional or spiritual remedies that worsen rather than heal.

Nigeria must act decisively and urgently. At least 10% of the national health budget should go to mental health, with a focus on prevention and community outreach. The Mental Health Act must be fully implemented nationwide. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors must be trained and retained, and mental health services integrated into primary healthcare.

Schools and universities should employ trained counsellors, establish safe spaces for therapy, and include mental health education in curricula. Digital platforms and mobile outreach units must reach rural areas, while communities and faith leaders should be sensitized to treat mental health as a legitimate medical concern, not a spiritual punishment.

Nigeria’s youth are its greatest national asset, but untreated mental illness is fast turning that asset into a liability. Ignoring their mental well-being is not only a moral failure but a developmental disaster.

With a life expectancy of just 54.9 years, Nigeria cannot afford to lose its young to despair. Healing the minds of the youth is not charity; it is a national emergency. The time to act is now before silence becomes the loudest sound of a broken generation.

He is named the king of tractors. Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, the helmsman of Niger State, has pushed himself to the forefront as the chief farmer of his state. He is called farmer governor. Niger State is such a vast land that it is big enough to feed the whole country. The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs invited him to give a keynote address on World Food Day. It was not a day to make a barn of rice but to say that he has knotted a deal with Dangote for over a trillion Naira farm. It is not a day to feed Lagos, but he announced a deal with the BOS of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a N500 billion deal to make Niger State the farm and Lagos the barn. Lagos has the top appetite in the nation, so it made sense for food and mouth to coalesce.

He also spoke of his state as the capital of shea in the world, and President Bola Tinubu has proclaimed no to shea export. So, we can take it through its full value chain to the consumer. His address raises a point, though. He spoke of many crops going to waste for lack of use. How can excess cohabit with hunger? That is why he stresses, in tandem with many like Kaduna’s Governor Uba Sani, for infrastructure, storage and investment. The king of tractor is undertaking a royal trip to food sufficiency. Safe trip, farmer governor.

Experts at the weekend outlined how micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country can expand their horizons beyond Nigeria by exploring regional and continental markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Experts who spoke at the launch of the Moniepoint Informal Economy Report 2025 in Abuja said the size and diversity of the AfCFTA market offer immense opportunities for the growth of MSMEs.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said Nigerian entrepreneurs must leverage opportunities embedded in Africa’s growing single market.

She said: ‘Please think regionally, think continentally, and keep on doing what you do for the Nigerian economy, because without you, the Nigerian economy would not be able to withstand the global shocks that other countries experience’.

She stressed that the AfCFTA is no longer a concept but a practical marketplace of 1.4 billion people, calling on local enterprises to identify how best to serve regional demand and integrate into continental value chains.

‘This is the time to ask how you can serve that regional market, how you can plug into the regional value chains, and what barriers you can practically solve for scaling your businesses,’ Oduwole said.

She said the government’s ultimate goal was to help informal businesses grow into large-scale enterprises comparable to major fintech companies like Moniepoint.

She said: ‘While we celebrate the dynamism and strength of the informal sector, our objective is to grow you to scale – to be the size of Moniepoint in another decade. So, FMITI and its agencies are working to make that journey easier’.

According to her, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) is streamlining trade processes, promoting market access, and equipping private sector players with the tools to scale across borders.

‘Small and medium enterprises are the heartbeat of Nigeria’s transformation. You keep driving innovation, job creation, and trade,’ Oduwole said.

She noted that agencies like the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) have launched several initiatives, including enterprise support programmes and the Women in Digital Exports initiative, to empower entrepreneurs within and beyond Nigeria.

‘In April this year, we gazetted the AfCFTA tariff concessions for trading goods, ensuring that made-in-Nigeria products benefit from preferential and eventually duty-free access across member states,’ Oduwole said.

She added that in May, the government launched a dedicated air cargo export corridor with Uganda Airlines, targeting 13 Southern and Eastern African countries. The initiative reduced air freight rates by 50 to 75 per cent and improved reliability for Nigerian exporters.

She also disclosed that in August 2025, Nigeria launched the Women, Exporters, and Digital Economy (WEDE) Fund – a $50 million initiative in partnership with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) – which has already equipped 146 women entrepreneurs with the skills and networks to access global value chains.

‘The AfCFTA is not just a government project; it is an African project,’ she said. ‘Our fintechs and MSME community have a defining role to play – not only in powering digital trade but in enabling all trades. Technology is what moves money across borders and helps us grow ideas and opportunities across Africa.’

Oduwole commended Moniepoint on its 10th anniversary, describing the company’s Informal Economy Report 2025 as a ‘powerful example of how partnership and innovation can drive shared prosperity.’

‘Nigeria is building momentum through MSMEs, private sector innovation, continental partnerships, and strategic government reforms that enable trade and enterprise. Together, we are building a more connected, competitive, and confident Africa. From informal sector today to unicorn tomorrow – the best is yet to come,’ Oduwole said.

She commended Nigerian entrepreneurs for their resilience and innovation, noting that their contributions remain vital to the nation’s economic stability and growth.

‘To our Nigerian manufacturers, MSMEs, creatives, exporters, and service providers – the entire value chain – we are prioritising access to markets in our definition of success,’ Oduwole said.

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint, Mr. Babatunde Olofin, said the Informal Economy Report serves as ‘a mirror of Nigeria’s economic reality,’ especially for millions who make their living outside the formal sector.

‘With critical support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), FMITI, SMEDAN, and other stakeholders, we have continued to provide data and insights that can drive inclusive and evidence-based policymaking,’ he said.

Olofin explained that the report examined various aspects of the informal economy – from food systems in the North East to commercial activities in Onitsha Market and community pharmacies nationwide – capturing the resilience and challenges of everyday entrepreneurs.

‘This year’s report dives deeper into unemployment, taxation, savings behaviour, and business operations within the informal economy,’ he said.

‘What we’ve found paints a picture of both resilience and fragility. The informal economy is not just a tool for survival but a living ecosystem of innovation and adaptation.’

According to the report, 65 percent of businesses recorded revenue growth in the past year, but only 47 percent saw higher profits due to rising costs. About 38 percent earned less than N10,000 daily, while 42 percent lacked enough savings to survive one month without income.

A digital transition is underway, with transfers now the preferred method for paying suppliers (48 percent), even though cash remains dominant in customer transactions. However, financing gaps, weak structures, and limited digital literacy continue to hinder long-term growth.

SMEDAN’s Director-General, Mr. Charles Odii, also spoke at the event, revealing that Nigeria has over 39.6 million nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises, many of which remain informal primarily due to tax concerns.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a new tax threshold that exempts businesses earning N50 million and below from company income tax – an increase from the previous N25 million limit.

‘This means that small businesses can now enter the formal net and gain access to the opportunities government has earmarked for them,’ Odii said.

He announced that SMEDAN has created co-working spaces equipped with 215 sewing machines, where entrepreneurs can operate without worrying about power, maintenance, or equipment costs.

‘We’ve also negotiated discounts – 20 percent with God Is Good Logistics and 50 percent with the Nigerian Postal Service – to help small businesses distribute their products nationwide at reduced costs,’ he explained.

Odii further revealed that SMEDAN, in partnership with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), is registering 250,000 informal businesses free of charge – a N6 billion waiver that enables them to formalize and access financing opportunities.

‘We’ve also negotiated N12 billion in single-digit interest loans for our small businesses, and we continue to strengthen the ecosystem with financial literacy and support tools,’ he added.

The Moniepoint Informal Economy Report 2025 reaffirms the crucial role MSMEs play in job creation and innovation, while calling for stronger financial inclusion, policy support, and access to affordable credit to secure their growth within Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape.

The Anglican Diocese of Aguata in Anambra State has denied endorsing any governorship candidate ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Communications, Abuchi Nwozor, the Diocese described as false and misleading the viral social media photographs suggesting that the Church, under the episcopal leadership of the Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor had endorsed a particular candidate.

The statement emphasised that the Diocese has not-and will not-align itself with any political party or individual, urging the public to disregard the images, which it said were a deliberate attempt to drag the Church into partisan politics.

It also cautioned politicians against desperation for power, advising them to prioritise the public interest and the well-being of the masses rather than resorting to manipulative tactics.

‘What the Diocese of Aguata earnestly desires is a free, fair, and credible election,’ the statement read.

The Diocese further assured that the Church would continue to pray for peace and transparency throughout the electoral process.

The declaration, co-signed by the Diocesan Clerical Synod Secretary, Rev. Canon Uzochukwu Mojekwu, also called on political actors to refrain from using the Church as a platform for political gain.

‘The Church is a sacred place where spiritual authority is sought through prayers-not a venue for political campaigns,’ it added.

Detectives from the Ondo State Police Command have apprehended a notorious cultist, Abdul Boluwatife, for allegedly terrorising residents of Akungba-Akoko and neighbouring communities in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest was confirmed in a statement yesterday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade.

According to Ayanlade, the suspect was arrested on October 15 during a cult initiation at A.U.D. Secondary School, Akungba-Akoko, following credible intelligence from vigilant residents of the community.

‘Upon receiving information that a group of young men were holding a secret meeting and chanting cult-related slogans within the school premises, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene,’ Ayanlade said.

He added that on sighting the police, the suspects fled, but Boluwatife was pursued and apprehended. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to being a member and leader of a cult group operating within Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).

Despite warnings by the Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), organisers of the #FreeNamdikanuNow vowed yesterday that there was no going back on today’s planned protest in Abuja.

Omoyele Sowore, arrowhead of the protest and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, said any security operative who brutalises peaceful protesters would be held ”accountable,”.

Sowore spoke via his social media post after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun and the Federal Capital Territory Sector Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Olusola Odumosu, directed their men and officers to ensure strict enforcement of last week’s court order barring the protest organisers from getting near the Presidential Villa in Abuja and Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI).

In the post, Sowore urged the new FCT police Commissioner, Miller Dantawaye, not to adopt a heavy-handed approach to the demonstration.

But IGP Egbetokun ordered the officers and men, especially in the FCT, to be on high alert and ensure strict enforcement of the court order.

He also directed all relevant commands to maintain visible deployments in strategic locations in Abuja to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

NSCDC FCT Commandant Odumosu said in a statement that the Service would ”not condone any form of destruction, vandalism or theft of public and private facilities in the name of protest.’

Odumosu called on Nigerians, in support or against the planned protest, to adhere strictly to the provisions of the court order.

He said the personnel had been warned not to shoot, harass or intimidate any law-abiding citizen.

The commandant, however, warned those with the intention of hijacking or disrupting the protest to have a rethink, as anyone caught would be arrested and dealt with.

The statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Monica Ojobi, partly reads: ‘We are prepared as always to ensure there are no incidents of destruction of properties or threats to Infrastructure and the peace in the territory.

‘The deployed officers and men were drawn from specialised units, including Area Commands and Divisions, and have been properly briefed on the assignment as well as precautions to adhere to during the rally.’

Also yesterday, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), which described its facilities a ”Red Zone,” warned against any form of protest near them.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has warned against any form of protest near its facilities across the country, saying that they are red zones for would-be protesters.

The service, in a statement by its Spokesman, Umar Abubakar, said:’In light of the planned nationwide protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, calling for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the public is hereby informed that all correctional centres are declared as RED ZONES.

‘The Nigerian Correctional Service reiterates that correctional centres are restricted areas and anyone who has no official business therein should stay off to avoid any untoward incidents or security breaches.’

Two youth groups- National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the Task Force and Committee for Free Nnamdi Kanu-, yesterday distanced themselves from the protest.

Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NYCN, Buhari Shehu, in a statement he shared on his social platform, cautioned Nigerian youths against participating in the protest

Shehu said the council feared the ”protest may lead to a breakdown of law and order.”

” We urge all Nigerian youths to exercise restraint and stay out of trouble. We are concerned that the planned protest may lead to a breakdown of law and order, which could put lives and property at risk,’ Shehu said.

Convener and Executive Secretary the the Task Force and Committee for Free Nnamdi Kanu, Emejulu Okpalaezeukwu, said they decided not to be a part of the protest because political and traditional rulers, especially from the Southeast, are already on the Kanu matter.

He alleged that some people benefiting from the continued detention of the IPOB leader do not want him released.

Okpalaezeukwu called on ‘Ndi Igbo, particularly Igno traders, youth and peace-loving Nigerians to stay away from today’s protest..

Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021, is facing a seven-count charge of terrorism and treasonable felony.

The IPoB leader was first arrested in 2015, granted bail in 2017, but fled after a military invasion of his home in Abia State.