• … We’ll go back to our people to decide next move — Ajaero

In a last minute effort to forestall a disruption in normal daily business activities and public order, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, late Tuesday met with leaderships of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

The meeting, called ahead of today’s planned protest by the organised Labour against insecurity across the country, had representatives of relevant stakeholders in attendance.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who was responding to a question on whether the organised Labour was still going on with its plan to protest, said he and his colleagues in attendance would have to meet with the larger house to come to a decision that could be announced subsequently.

“We came for consultation with the President, and we are finished. So we have to go back to our meeting and then continue tomorrow. By tomorrow you’ll get the outcome”, he said.

On whether the protest would go on as earlier announced, Ajaero said “If I’m insisting or not insisting, I’ll communicate to you. It’s not an organization that one person rules, let’s go back. Now you have a meeting of Labour and the governor’s forum. We’ll go back to the drawing board and digest all that Mr. President said to us, and move forward from there”, he said. 

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, said the meeting was part of consultations, adding that all stakeholders, including government, Labour and the governed are meant to work for the country.

“Consultation is going on, we’re dialoguing. Like he said at the end of the day, you’ll know what you’re supposed to know and what you want to know. We are here to serve the country; both the Labour, the government and the governed. We’re all working service to the nation”, the governor said.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeoch, said the meeting with the President was a satisfying experience for the Labour, noting that the fact that the administration had managed to bring the economy to a safe place was good enough message to Labour.

“Citizens who are also members of an NLC wanted to see Mr. President, and they’ve seen Mr. President, and of course, you know, they are happy they’ve seen Mr. President, and they’ve had firsthand that at least the President has driven the economy out of the woods. So it’s a very good news”, she said.

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By Victor Ahiuma-Young

ABUJA — The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has raised the alarm over what it described as a clandestine plot by unscrupulous agencies and political hirelings to infiltrate and violently disrupt its planned National Day of Protest and Mourning scheduled for today.

The labour centre warned that any attack on peaceful protesters would be regarded as an act of terrorism and could trigger an immediate, comprehensive and indefinite nationwide strike capable of shutting down the country’s economy.

In a statemen by its acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, the NLC said it had received “credible and disturbing intelligence” pointing to plans to use armed thugs to attack workers and other citizens participating in the protest.

The statement read in part: “NLC has received credible and disturbing intelligence from its community networks indicating a clandestine plan by unscrupulous agencies and desperate political hirelings to infiltrate and violently disrupt the peaceful National Day of Protest and Mourning organised by workers for Tuesday, December 17, 2025 (today).

“These protests, as every comrade and citizen knows, are a necessary and legitimate response to the escalating reign of terror unleashed on our nation. The industrial-scale loss of lives through kidnappings, abductions and killings, amid staggering government indifference or weakness, speaks for itself. Our action tomorrow is therefore not a mere procession; it is a collective act of grief, a roar of despair from the oppressed, and a democratic demand for the fundamental right to life and security.

“We have lost count of the number of our members—teachers, farmers, miners and other artisans—who have died as a result of this overwhelming insecurity. Let it be clearly understood by those in the corridors of power and the purveyors of violence that the Congress is now officially aware of their plot to deploy armed thugs to attack peaceful protesters, foment chaos and create a pretext for violent repression. We call this plot exactly what it is: state-enabled terrorism against Nigerian citizens.”

“We therefore issue a stern and final warning to the sponsors and executors of this plan: Desist immediately. Call off your hoodlums. Any attack on peacefully protesting workers will be regarded as a direct declaration of war on the entire Nigerian working class and its allies.

“The Police, having been duly informed of the protest and its dynamics, must rise to their constitutional responsibility to protect the democratic rights of citizens to freely assemble and express themselves. These rights must be respected and guaranteed.

“To all working people of Nigeria—the unemployed, students, traders and all victims of insecurity—we alert you to this insidious plot. Do not be cowed. Do not be provoked. Our protest must remain peaceful, disciplined and massive. Solidarity is our shield.

“This is our iron-clad resolution as passed by the National Executive Council of the NLC: Should a single worker, comrade or citizen be harmed by hired thugs or through escalated repression, the NLC will immediately declare a comprehensive and indefinite nationwide strike. All wheels of production, all services and every sector of the national economy will be shut down completely and indefinitely.

“When the ruling class moves to crush a peaceful protest against its own failure, it only exposes its profoundly undemocratic tendencies. Let the message be clear and without equivocation: any attack on our protest is an attack on the very engine of Nigeria. The consequence will be escalation and total shutdown.”

The post Insecurity: NLC threatens indefinite strike, alleges plot to attack protesters appeared first on Vanguard News.

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A midnight fire has ravaged the Gombe timber market, also known as ‘Kasuwar Katako’, located at the Railway station in the Gombe State capital.
  
The fire, which started about 8.00pm on Monday, destroyed numerous timbers, stores, shops, and gutted a nearby mosque.  Firefighters from the Gombe State University (GSU), Federal Fire Service personnel and private water tanker operators intervened to bring the blaze under control after 30 minutes of intense burning.  As at press time, the extent of the damage and the exact number of stores affected by the fire were yet to be determined.
 
 Meanwhile, Governor Muhammad Yahaya, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.  The governor, through his media aide, Isma’il Misilli, described the incident as painful and distressing, noting that the scale of destruction was a huge setback to hardworking men and women who depend on the market for their daily sustenance.
  
He directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other relevant agencies to immediately move in, conduct a thorough assessment and investigation into the cause of the fire, and provide urgent relief and support to cushion the impact on victims.
  
While sympathising with the victims, Governor Yahaya called on those affected to remain calm, assuring them that government would take necessary steps to mitigate their losses and strengthen preventive measures to avert future occurrences.
  
He also reiterated his administration’s resolve to establish a state-of-the-art fire office, fully equipped to complement existing fire-fighting facilities across the state, in line with his commitment to protect lives, property and investments.
  
“Yahaya extended his heartfelt sympathy to affected shop owners, traders and all individuals who suffered losses as a result of the inferno.
  
“He extended his heartfelt sympathy to affected shop owners, traders and all individuals who suffered losses as a result of the inferno, assuring them that the government stands firmly with them at this difficult moment.
  
“The governor prayed God for continued protection over Gombe State, its people and their means of livelihood, and for comfort and strength for all those affected by this unfortunate incident,” Misilli added.

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President Donald Trump, has signed a proclamation expanding its travel ban and further restricting nationals of seven more countries, as well as Palestinian Authority passport holders, from entering the United States (US).

The proclamation also includes partial restrictions and entry limitations on nationals from 15 additional countries.

This disclosure is contained in a fact sheet titled “President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”, seen on White House website and issued on December 16, 2025.

Its states that the restrictions are placed on nationals from countries deemed high-risk due to “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing” that threaten U.S. national security and public safety.

The US government in the proclamation continues full restrictions and entry limitations on nationals from the original 12 high-risk countries under Proclamation 10949: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

The five additional countries with full restrictions and entry limitations include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, along with individuals holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents. Laos and Sierra Leone, previously subject to partial restrictions, now face full restrictions.

Nigeria added to the list

The Proclamation continues partial restrictions of nationals from 4 of the 7 original high-risk countries namely Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela.

It adds partial restrictions and entry limitations on 15 additional countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

This is a developing story…

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Chiemelie Ezeobi 

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has underscored the strategic role of grassroots sports in youth empowerment and national security, urging young Nigerians to leverage sports as a pathway to personal development and nation-building.

According to Major General Samaila Uba, the Director Defence Information, General Oluyede made this call at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of the CDS Under-15 Boys Football Championship, held at the Sharks Football Club Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on 15 December 2025.

Represented by the Chief of Administration, Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim, the CDS explained that the championship was conceived as a unifying platform to promote healthy competition, foster social cohesion, and develop essential life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience among youths.

He noted that beyond talent development, the initiative was designed to strengthen civil–military cooperation by positively engaging young people in structured sporting activities, thereby promoting mutual understanding, respect, and togetherness in the true spirit of sportsmanship. According to him, encouraging youths to view football as a legitimate means of livelihood would help deter unwholesome behaviour and youth restiveness, ultimately contributing to improved national security.

The CDS further disclosed that the six-day championship brings together teams from the South-South region, including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Edo States, alongside Abia and Imo States from the South East. He emphasised that the tournament represents a critical non-kinetic approach to security management, stressing that constructive youth engagement remains a powerful tool in discouraging social vices.

General Oluyede affirmed that the championship aligns with the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s broader strategy to empower youths, promote discipline, and nurture talents at the grassroots.

 He expressed appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his sustained commitment to youth empowerment and national security.

 He also commended the Rivers State Government and Greater Heights Global Sports Development Limited for their support towards the successful hosting of the tournament.

Earlier, the Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Babatunde Phillips, highlighted the championship as a platform for young talents to showcase their skills, foster personal growth, inspire excellence, and build bonds of cooperation and brotherhood. 

He added that the tournament seeks to empower youths to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s sports development, particularly in the face of challenges such as insecurity and drug abuse.

Air Vice Marshal Phillips further stated that the initiative reflects the CDS’s commitment to grassroots sports development and youth-focused interventions, aimed at talent identification and the inculcation of values such as integrity, resilience, unity, and fair play. 

He urged participating teams to shun unhealthy rivalry, compete with courage, respect the rules of the championship, and uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship.

The opening match of the championship saw the Rivers Military Team (RMT) defeat the Delta Military Team (DMT) by two goals to nil. The tournament is scheduled to climax with the final match on 20 December 2025.

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The National Council on Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE) has announced Zamfara state as the top performing in e-government in Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

The state has also emerged as the first Runner-Up in ICT Human Capital Development at the 13th National Council on Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy in Jos, Plateau State.

Last year, Zamfara state was recognized as the Best State in Digital Infrastructure Development during the council’s conference in Benue state.

State officials said these milestones reflect the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of Governor Dauda lawal in driving e-governance, digital skills development, and the overall digital economy in Zamfara State.

A two-day technical session led by Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, reviewed key digital policies, with delegates from states, MDAs, NGOs, security agencies and academia participating.

The council considered 114 memoranda, approving 80, noting 11 and stepping down 23, after extensive deliberations on national digital development priorities.

A states’ innovation peer review session enabled states to showcase progress in digital transformation and share best practices to enhance nationwide ICT development.

The meeting focused on accelerating inclusive digital transformation and fostering sustainable national growth through innovation-driven policies.

Anambra won overall best state and best in human capital development, while Enugu emerged best in ICT infrastructure development.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, declared the meeting open, while Minister Bosun Tijani was represented by Dr Yusuf Kofarmata, Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Kano State.

The 5-day meeting, which started on the 8th of December and ended on the 12th, had participants from across the 36 states of the federation, including staff of the Federal Ministry of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy and security operatives.

The council appreciated Plateau hospitality and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy through collaboration, innovation and emerging technologies.

Adding that the meeting aimed to accelerate inclusive digital transformation by strengthening policies, expanding digital access, boosting skills development and fostering nationwide collaboration to bridge Nigeria’s widening digital gap.

The post Zamfara emerges best state in e-government  — NCCIDE appeared first on Vanguard News.

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A Cessna 172 aircraft with registration number 5N-ASR, operated by Skypower Express, has crashed at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.

The aircraft had departed Kaduna International Airport en route to Port Harcourt International Airport before diverting to Owerri after the crew declared an emergency.

The crash occurred at about 8:00 pm on the airport premises, with four passengers and crew members onboard.

Confirming the incident, the Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji, said the agency had been notified of the crash.

According to the NSIB, the aircraft crashed on the approach area of Runway 17, but no fatalities have been recorded so far.

The statement said: “Following the occurrence, airport emergency services were successfully activated and arrived on site promptly. Reports indicate that there was no post-crash fire, and the runway remains active for flight operations, with other aircraft taking off safely after the incident.

“Efforts are currently underway to coordinate the recovery and evacuation of the distressed aircraft from the crash site to allow for a detailed wreckage examination.”

The NSIB said it has officially activated its investigation protocols in line with its statutory mandate.

The Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., sympathised with the management of Skypower Express over the incident and expressed relief that no lives were lost.

Badeh Jr. added that the Bureau’s investigation team is already coordinating with relevant authorities to secure the crash site and commence a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident.

Two days ago, 11 persons narrowly escaped death as a private jet crash-landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on Sunday morning.

The occupants, including passengers and cabin crew, were safely evacuated amid an intense atmosphere, eyewitnesses told The Guardian.

The private jet, owned by Flybird Aviation, crash-landed at about 9:30 a.m. while approaching Kano Airport en route to Abuja.

The incident attracted urgent attention, with emergency staff and other stakeholders converging at the runway to render rescue operations.

The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is yet to release an official statement on the incident. Unofficial sources disclosed that the passengers have been taken to an unknown destination.

Several aircraft incidents have occurred at Kano Airport, with several lives lost.

The last incident occurred in May 2002, when an EAS Airline aircraft departed the runway at Aminu Kano International Airport at 1:29 p.m. local time en route to Lagos.

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The United States government has revealed that Nigeria was added to its expanded travel restrictions list over concerns bordering on terrorism-related security risks and high visa overstay rates.

According to U.S. authorities, the presence and activities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in parts of Nigeria have created challenges for effective screening and vetting of travellers. 

The decision was also influenced by data showing elevated visa overstay figures, with Nigeria recording a 5.56 per cent overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visas and 11.90 per cent for F, M and J visas.

“Radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State operate freely in certain parts of Nigeria, which creates substantial screening and vetting difficulties. According to the Overstay Report, Nigeria had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 5.56 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 11.90 percent.”

Tribune Online reports that United States President, Donald Trump, approved the expanded travel restrictions under a new proclamation aimed at strengthening national security and public safety.

A White House statement said the proclamation retains full entry restrictions on nationals of 12 countries earlier classified as high risk: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Five more countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria were added to the list of nations facing full restrictions following a recent security review. 

The measures also apply to individuals travelling with documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.

Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously under partial restrictions, have now been placed under full entry limits, while partial restrictions remain for Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela.

The proclamation lifts the ban on nonimmigrant visas for Turkmenistan, citing improved cooperation with the United States, but maintains restrictions on immigrant entry for Turkmen nationals.

Nigeria is among 15 countries newly placed under partial restrictions, alongside Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The policy provides exemptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders and specific categories such as diplomats and athletes, as well as individuals whose entry is considered to serve U.S. national interests. 

It also tightens family-based immigrant visa exemptions viewed as vulnerable to fraud, while allowing case-by-case waivers.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

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President Donald Trump has signed a new Proclamation on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, significantly expanding the list of countries facing travel restrictions to the United States as part of the administration’s policy to tighten entry standards.

The expansion introduces partial travel limitations on 15 additional countries, with a heavy focus on Africa, and imposes full restrictions on several more nations.

Nigeria, alongside 14 other countries, was added to the list of nations facing partial travel limitations.

The specific nature of “partial limitations,” as established in the administration’s earlier June 2025 ban, typically means a ban on all immigrant visas (which lead to lawful permanent residency, or a Green Card) and a ban on specific non-immigrant visas used for tourism, study, and exchange (B-1, B-2, F, M, and J visas).

The newly added countries are:

1. Angola
2. Antigua and Barbuda
3. Benin
4. Côte d’Ivoire
5. Dominica
6. Gabon
7. The Gambia
8. Malawi
9. Mauritania
10. Nigeria
11. Senegal
12. Tanzania
13. Tonga
14. Zambia
15. Zimbabwe

The Proclamation continues full restrictions on the original 12 high-risk countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

It also imposes full restrictions on five additional countries based on recent security analyses: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as individuals holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents. Two countries previously under partial restrictions Laos and Sierra Leone are now subject to full restrictions. Meanwhile, partial restrictions remain for Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela.

The Proclamation lifts nonimmigrant visa bans for Turkmenistan, citing improved cooperation with the U.S., while maintaining restrictions on immigrant visas for its nationals.

Exceptions are provided for lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, certain visa categories such as athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests.

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A Lagos-based businesswoman, Mabel Hussaini, has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Nigerian police, her estranged husband and several other respondents, accusing them of unlawful arrest, detention, extortion and persistent harassment.

In the suit she filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos on 24 July, Ms Hussaini said she was harassed by the police over matrimonial disputes with her estranged husband.

Her suit seeks declarations that the actions of the respondents violated her rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, private and family life, and freedom of movement, as guaranteed under the Nigerian constitution.

The respondents sued in the suit include the Inspector-General of Police, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja; the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, FCID Annex, Alagbon; the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command and a chief superintendent of police identified as Bolugi

The rest are Abayomi Michael, a police inspector; the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), her estranged husband, Adedeji Adesiyan, and Citadel Views Gardens and Estates Ltd.

According to court filing, Ms Hussaini married Mr Adesiyan in 2016 under native law and custom, and the union produced a daughter, now eight years old.

She told the court that in November 2024, her husband gave her $60,000 to invest in real estate and to establish a trust fund for their child.

She said she utilised the funds as agreed by purchasing a property located at E18, Citadel Estate, Ogombo Road, Lekki, Lagos, in the child’s name and opening a trust fund for her benefit.

Ms Hussaini stated that the relationship later turned sour after she discovered that her husband had allegedly contracted other marriages in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

She said Mr Adesiyan subsequently relocated to the UK and later demanded a refund of the money, despite knowing that it had already been invested for their daughter.

She told the court that after explaining that the funds were no longer available, she began receiving threats to her life and that her husband later reported her to the police on allegations of theft.

Police’s involvement

According to her account, officers at the Elemoro Police Station, Ibeju-Lekki, initially granted her bail after hearing her explanation. However, the matter escalated on 7 January, when officers from the FCID Annex, Alagbon, allegedly arrested her and her eight-year-old daughter at gunpoint and took them to the Alagbon facility.

Ms Hussaini alleged that she was verbally abused, humiliated, and detained for several hours without being allowed to fully state her case, all in the presence of her minor daughter.

She further alleged that the officers demanded N2 million for her release but eventually compelled her to pay N500,000 through a point-of-sale (POS) operator after threatening to remand her in prison.

She said her lawyers subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, who allegedly directed that the matter be transferred to the Zone 2 Police Command and treated as a civil and matrimonial dispute.

Despite this directive, she claimed that criminal charges were later filed against her. The charges were subsequently withdrawn after senior police authorities reportedly acknowledged that the dispute was civil in nature.

Ms Hussaini further alleged that the police continued to harass her and interfered with the property transaction by instructing the estate developer not to release documents relating to the Lekki property purchased in her daughter’s name.

She said the actions of the respondents caused her and her child severe emotional and psychological trauma.

Demands

In the suit, she is asking the court to restrain the respondents from further arresting, detaining or harassing her in connection with the dispute.

She is also seeking an order directing a refund of the N500,000 allegedly extorted from her and restraining the respondents from selling, investigating or interfering with the property purchased in her daughter’s name.

She further asked the court to award N50 million in damages against the police officers and her estranged husband for alleged unlawful arrest, detention and abuse of power.

Ms Hussaini also seeks a declaration that the police lack constitutional authority to intervene in matrimonial disputes or engage in debt recovery arising from civil transactions.

Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, and the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The respondents have yet to file their defence in the case.

Nigerian courts have consistently held that the police have no authority to intervene in civil disputes, including matrimonial disagreements and debt recovery matters, describing such actions as unlawful and an abuse of power.

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