NIGERIA NEWS
JUST IN: FG declares armed groups as terrorists
…outlines economic gains of Tinubu’s administration
….ambassadors to be deployed in 2026
From: and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja
The Federal Government on Monday declared all armed groups operating in the country as terrorist groups.
The government said that, henceforth, any armed group that kidnaps children, attacks farmers, or terrorises communities is officially classified and will be dealt with as a terrorist organisation.
It insisted that the era of ambiguous nomenclature was over.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who made the declaration in Abuja at a press conference, also outlined economic gains of 2025.
He said, “In the area of security, 2025 saw the presidential declaration of a nationwide security emergency, which will, in the months ahead, translate into massive recruitment into the Armed Forces and Police Force, and the deployment of trained and equipped Forest Guards to secure our forests and other vulnerable locations.
”We have also established, in 2025, a new national counterterrorism doctrine—anchored on four critical pillars: unified command, intelligence, community stability, and counterinsurgency.
”Let me be clear about what this means: That henceforth, any armed group that kidnaps our children, attacks our farmers, or terrorizes our communities is officially classified and will be dealt with as a terrorist organization. The era of ambiguous nomenclature is over.
The Minister also expressed President Bola Tinubu’s government’s determination to contain insecurity in the country as reflected in the 2026 budget and declaration of a State of emergency on security.
The Minister, who was beaming with smiles, also confirmed the return of the remaining 130 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State.
He said they were released due to the efforts of our security agencies.
He said, “It is appropriate we start this end-of-year press conference by reemphasizing the good news that came yesterday from the Office of the National Security Adviser, that the abducted 130 pupils of the St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, were released yesterday (Sunday).
“With this development, it can be confirmed that all the abducted pupils, numbering 230, have been freed. Not a single pupil is left in captivity due to the efforts of our security agencies.”
He also noted that the Federal Government empathizes with the parents of the pupils for the anguish the abduction has caused them, and wishes them a pleasant family reunion, a good healing process, Compliments of the Season, and a Merry Christmas.”
He also noted that the government has taken strong actions to ensure that no abduction of pupils ever happens in the country again.
Idris said the mission of 2026 is to raise the edifice of a secure, competitive, and prosperous Nigeria upon it.
The minister also said the presidential declaration of a nationwide security emergency, “will in the months ahead translate into massive recruitment into the Armed Forces and Police Force, and the deployment of trained and equipped Forest Guards to secure our forests and other vulnerable locations.”
The minister also highlighted that the 2026 budget’s blueprint for security is huge, with the single biggest allocation of N5.41 trillion to Defence and Security.
He said it is a direct investment in protecting lives, property, and prosperity, through modern equipment for our armed forces, a new national intelligence architecture, and a secure digital border surveillance system.”
He added, “The temporary pains of reform are yielding to permanent gains. President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria is big, his strategy unambiguous, and his resolve unshakeable. We are consolidating stability, protecting our homeland, empowering our youth, and building a nation where every citizen has the agency to thrive,” he stressed. This is the Nigeria we are building together. Nigeria, truly on the move.”
On the administration’s performance in 2025, the minister said all indices indicated an upward swing.
He noted, “Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.98% in the third quarter of 2025, demonstrating resilient and sustained expansion in the non-oil sector.
“Significantly, headline inflation has now declined for eight consecutive months, to stand at 14.45% in November 2025. Food inflation is also on a steady downward trend.
“Our external reserves have strengthened to approximately $44.56 billion, providing a robust buffer that stabilises our currency and assures international investors.
“Nigeria recorded a trade surplus of N6.69 trillion in the third quarter of 2025, a 27.29 percent growth year-on-year.
“The most recent Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data – an important measure of business sentiment – indicates that Nigeria has now seen 12 consecutive months of expansion in economic activities.”
In the area of power, the Minister said the country recorded the highest ever daily energy of 128 370.75 mega hours nationwide.
He said, “On March 4, 2025, Nigeria recorded a maximum daily energy of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh) nationwide—the highest ever in our history.
“Also in the power sector, 2025 saw the kick-off of the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), as well as the issuance of the first Bond under the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme, the single largest coordinated financial intervention in the history of our power sector.”
The nation also recorded an increase in investors‘ confidence with massively oversubscribed government-issued bonds.
“A massively oversubscribed Eurobond issuance, attracting orders amounting to 400% of the target of $2.3 billion USD, demonstrating strong investor confidence in our macroeconomic reforms.”
Also, in the year under review, he said, “Nigeria exited the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, reflecting sustained and coordinated reforms in combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial crimes, and marking the start of a new reputational and operational chapter for our financial sector.”
President Tinubu in 2025 also approved the recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture with N1.5 trillion – the biggest single boost to agriculture financing in our recent history.
The government also invested over N1.5 trillion on infrastructure.
“We committed to deploying over 1.5 trillion Naira in investments in road infrastructure in 2025 alone, the largest such commitment in our nation’s history, based on our firm belief that an economy cannot grow faster than the infrastructure that supports it. At the heart of this effort are our Four Legacy Highway Projects, engineered to connect every region and unlock new economic corridors:
*The 750-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, linking our entire southern coastline.
*The 1,068-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, bridging the North-West to the South-West.
*The 477-kilometer Trans-Saharan Highway, traversing from Calabar to the FCT.
*The 422-kilometer Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Expressway, integrating the North-Central and North-East.”
He explained that the projects are not conventional roads, “They are being built with reinforced concrete pavement designed to last 50 to 100 years, drastically cutting future maintenance costs and promoting local content. Empowering the next generation.”
The minister also outlined government programmes aimed at empowering the youth, which include: “The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has now supported over 788,000 Nigerian students with interest-free loans and stipends amounting to over 150 billion Naira.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria’s Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme officially kicked off during the year, with an anchor investment in a new multi-million-dollar venture fund that will support the creative and digital entrepreneurship aspirations of young Nigerians.
“In 2025, the Federal Government launched the Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), offering equity-free financing of up to ₦50 million for undergraduate innovators in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) disciplines, across accredited tertiary institutions. With this new intervention, we are nurturing the seeds of entrepreneurship in our campuses and turning our brightest minds into job creators, not just job seekers.
“The Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme made significant progress during the year, as it built Africa’s largest digital army. A new security architecture.”
The minister also disclosed that the recently cleared Ambassadorial nominees will resume at their posts in the coming year.
The Senate last week cleared 67 ambassadorial nominees appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The president had in 2023 recalled all the country’s ambassadors.
Following the clearance by the Senate, the ambassadorial nominees will undergo orientation before their posting.
Idris disclosed at his end of year press conference in Abuja that their resumption will boost the country’s engagements at the global level.
“In 2026, our newly appointed Ambassadors will take up their posts in their countries of assignment, strengthening our bilateral relations and advancing our visibility and strategic engagements in the global community,” he said.
On the global stage, the Minister said Nigeria has become a respected global player.
Besides, he said Nigeria has been able to resolve its issues with the United States amicably through diplomatic means.
He therefore said Nigeria-US relations are not damaged.
“On the international stage, in 2025, we navigated complex international diplomacy with maturity and principle. The recent diplomatic spat with the United States has been resolved through firm, respectful engagement, culminating in a strengthened partnership,” he said.
To underscore his claim, the Minister revealed that Nigeria and the U.S recently signed a five-year bilateral health agreement running into over N5 billion.
“Just last week, the Federal Government of Nigeria signed a five-year, $5.1B bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of the United States, in which the US will provide $2.1B in grant funding, while Nigeria commits $3 billion. This has been described as the largest co-investment by any country to date under the America First Global Health Strategy. It will strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, save lives, and attract investment.
“Indeed, Nigeria is no longer on the sidelines; we are a confident and strategic partner on the global stage, defending our national interests and attracting beneficial partnerships. Just last month, we regained our Category C seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, a celebrated comeback following 14 years of absence.
“Also in 2025, various Nigerians assumed significant international positions across various sectors, including Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organisation, Executive Director of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme, Vice Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council, and Vice President of the International Association for Ports and Harbours in Tokyo. Additionally, this year we secured hosting rights for the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) 2026, and the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2027, one of the largest trade gatherings on the African continent.”
In the media, information, and communications space, the minister said in 2025, Nigeria secured the hosting rights for both the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) and the 2026 African Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference. We made history by becoming only the second African country ever to host the WPRF, and the first ever to host both the APRA Conference and the WPRF in the same year.
“We also received official affirmation from UNESCO of the hosting right granted to Nigeria for the world’s first Media & Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, and I am delighted to note that the Institute will officially take off in the first quarter of 2026.
On the allegation of alteration of the tax act, the minister said the general public should wait for the outcome of the investigation panel set up by the National Assembly.
Idris neither denied nor confirmed the allegation as he noted that he had yet to see it.
“To be honest with you, I have not seen the two versions. All I know is that the executive has presented something to the National Assembly. It was processed, it was passed, and it was returned to the executive. What I heard is that the National Assembly members have seen some discrepancy and they have set up their own committee to look at those discrepancies.
“I think it is important for us to wait for the National Assembly to look at this again to tell us that yes, indeed, there were discrepancies or not.
“This is at this point an affair of the National Assembly to which I have no jurisdiction, and I have no, you know, the authority to speak about.
“Let’s wait for this from the National Assembly, and then, if required to make further clarifications, we can. But at this point, we know that the tax document has been put forward to the National Assembly.
“They have worked on it, and they have returned it, and it has been passed, and it has been signed into law.
“As far as the government of Nigeria is concerned, there’s only one version of that tax document.”
A wave of relief swept over Niger State as the latest group of 130 remaining kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government, were freed from captivity.
The released children, who had been held by their captors for almost a month, were mostly younger pupils compared to the first 100 rescued and officially handed over to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The abductees, who arrived in six buses, were welcomed back with open arms by Governor Bago and other senior government officials at a brief ceremony in Government House, Minna, thereby ending weeks of uncertainty and trauma over their fate.
In an interaction with some teachers, who were visibly elated, they praised God, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Rev Dr Bulus Yohanna, government authorities, and security agencies for their efforts towards their safe return.
According to one teacher, who requested not to be named, “All I can say now is that God has heard our prayers and I know everyone has been praying for us too.
“We kept saying one prayer, that God should help so that we can be reunited with our families and spend Christmas with them.”
Another teacher decried the kidnapping of the schoolchildren, particularly the younger pupils.
“Some of these children are too young to be abducted, but thank God we are back alive,” he stated.
The latest release brings the total number of rescued students to 230.
Recall that a total of 315 students, including 12 teachers, were abducted on Friday, November 21, 2025, according to Bishop Bulus Yohanna at the time.
He stated that of this number, 50 escaped and reunited with their families on Sunday, November 22, 2025, leaving a total of 265 in captivity.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has demanded the immediate suspension of the implementation of what it described as disputed tax laws, accusing the executive arm of government of secretly altering bills after their passage by the National Assembly.
The party warned that the alleged action amounted to a grave constitutional breach that could undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations if not urgently addressed.
In a statement issued on Monday, December 22, by its National Chairman, Falalu Bello, the PRP accused the administration of engaging in what it called blatant executive misconduct and a flagrant disregard for constitutional sovereignty.
According to the party, revelations credited to a member of the House of Representatives suggested that “the executive arm has clandestinely altered bills after passage by the National Assembly without legislative approval.”
The PRP described the allegation as “a dangerous pattern of executive impunity that threatens the very foundations of Nigeria’s democracy and due process.”
The party said the alleged insertion, deletion and modification of substantive provisions in laws after parliamentary passage showed “a reckless disdain for the rule of law, separation of powers, and the constitutional order.”
It added, “This is an unforgivable breach of trust, a mockery of the Nigerian people, and an open assault on the integrity of our legislative process.”
The PRP called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the alleged alterations, insisting that anyone found culpable must face appropriate sanctions.
The party went further to warn that if evidence emerged linking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the alleged illegal alterations, it would demand his impeachment.
“No individual, including the President, should be above the law,” the statement said.
The opposition party also demanded the immediate suspension of the implementation of the disputed tax laws until all discrepancies, “particularly the conflicts between the laws passed by the National Assembly and those gazetted, are thoroughly examined, resolved, and rectified.”
It cautioned that proceeding with the enforcement of the laws in their current form could worsen public distrust and fuel constitutional disputes.
The PRP warned that it would not hesitate to seek judicial intervention should the matter fail to receive prompt and satisfactory attention from relevant authorities.
According to the party, ignoring the issue would “deepen the crisis of governance, erode accountability, and further diminish Nigeria’s credibility on the global stage.”
The party also urged civil society organisations, lawmakers and all patriotic Nigerians to resist what it described as an assault on the country’s constitutional order.
A coalition of Northern youth groups has demanded the immediate release of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, accusing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of selective justice and politically motivated persecution of Northern opposition figures under the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The demand was made during a press conference where the group expressed concern over the treatment of Malami, his family members and other opposition leaders from Northern Nigeria.
Addressing journalists, the Chairman of the group, Mohammed Ibrahim, alleged that recent actions by the EFCC amounted to targeted witch-hunting rather than a genuine anti-corruption drive, insisting that the agency had become an instrument for silencing dissent and weakening opposition voices in the North.
“What is unfolding before Nigerians is not a fight against corruption, but deliberate persecution and intimidation of respected Northern opposition figures,” the group said.
The coalition accused President Tinubu of allegedly orchestrating a campaign against Malami and other Northern politicians, claiming the actions were aimed at intimidating critics and pushing the country toward a one-party system.
They condemned what they described as harassment of Malami’s family members, saying such treatment was unprecedented and unacceptable in a democratic society.
The group further alleged double standards in the anti-graft war, claiming that while Malami and other Northern opposition figures were being aggressively pursued, some political figures from the South facing corruption allegations were not subjected to similar treatment.
They cited the cases of former minister, Betta Edu, former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging that they continued to enjoy freedom despite allegations against them.
The coalition also challenged the EFCC to investigate all corruption allegations without regard to political affiliation or region, including those involving top government officials.
The youth groups claimed to be aware of alleged plans to arrest other prominent Northern opposition figures, including Nasir El-Rufai, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and former Adamawa State governor, Jibrilla Bindow, describing it as part of a broader strategy to weaken an emerging opposition coalition.
They also accused the federal government of policies they said were worsening poverty in the North, particularly the importation of food crops allegedly produced in large quantities in the region.
The coalition listed several demands, including the immediate release of Abubakar Malami, an end to what it called the harassment of his family members, and the release of all opposition figures currently detained by the EFCC.
They also called for an end to selective justice and demanded that the EFCC investigate and prosecute corruption cases fairly and transparently across all regions and political parties.
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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge a Court of Appeal ruling in a case that centres on the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The appeal stemmed from some decisions taken by the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on 28 November, striking out Mr Akpabio’s brief of argument and going ahead to hear Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appeal regarding the case.
The case was so contentious at the Federal High Court from whether the case originated that it prompted appeals from the adversaries.
Although the Court of Appeal has yet to deliver the substantive judgement on the appeals, the Court of Appeal held that the number of pages of Mr Akpabio’s appellant brief exceeded the page limit prescribed by court rules. The court also rejected his request to file a revised brief within the allowed length.
The Court of Appeal’s hearing stemmed from the suspension of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan on 6 March.
Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan had challenged her suspension at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
But the Federal High Court, in a limp, controversial decision delivered on 4 July, declared her suspension for six months on 6 March by the Senate as excessive but stopped short of ordering the reversal of the illegality.
The controversial decision of the Federal High Court also fined Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan N5 million for her “satirical apology” post on her Facebook page on 27 April.
The judge ruled that the social media post was made in disobedience of a valid court order prohibiting parties to the suit from making comments to the press or on social media regarding the subject matter of the pending suit.
The court ordered Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan to tender an unreserved apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days of the judgement to “purge” herself of the contemptuous act against the court. The senator wasn’t sent to prison because her act was adjudged to be civil contempt and not criminal contempt.
True to the controversial nature of the Federal High Court’s judgement, the decision spurred appeals from Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and the senate president.
The Court of Appeal heard the appeals on 28 November and reserved judgement. The date of the judgement is to be communicated to the parties.
Senate President to Supreme Court
Mr Akpabio filed his appeal at the Supreme Court on 18 December. The respondents are the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Nigerian Senate, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Neda Imasuem.
The senate president argued that by the time the appeal was heard, her suspension had expired. “She was reinstated to the Senate on 6 September and has been performing her duties with all the associated rights and privileges,” his filing read.
He challenged Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan’s filings, arguing that her brief did not comply with “formatting rules requiring a larger font size and wider line spacing” which allowed her to remain within the page limit without court approval.
He also questioned the competence of her notice of appeal, which he said required him to address the objection within his brief, making a longer submission unavoidable.
Mr Akpabio argued that the appellate court’s decision denied him a fair hearing under the Nigerian Constitution, contending that the court was wrong to insist on strict compliance with the page limit, given the complexity and volume of issues in the appeal.
He said he formally applied in early November for permission to exceed the page limit under provisions allowing extended briefs in complex cases, but the Court of Appeal declined and proceeded to hear the appeal.
Mr Akpabio contended that the appellate court prioritised speed over fairness, treated the parties unequally, and reached a decision without giving him a full opportunity to present his case.
Mr Akpabio has therefore asked the Supreme Court to set aside the Court of Appeal’s decisions of 28 November. He seeks to rely on his brief of argument, which exceeds the 35-page limit, or to file a complaint brief for proper consideration.
He argues that this step is necessary to safeguard his constitutional right to a fair hearing and ensure justice.
Background
The feud arose from Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension after a dispute between her and Mr Akpabio during a senate proceeding on 20 February over her seating position.
On 6 March, the Senate adopted a report by its Ethics Committee and suspended her for six months, citing misconduct and violation of Standing Orders.
The suspension barred her from her duties, sealed her office, and withheld her salaries and allowances. She could return earlier if she tendered a written apology.
READ ALSO: UPDATED: Alleged Sexual Harassment: Akpabio sues Akpoti-Uduaghan for defamation, demands N200 billion in damages
She rejected the suspension and challenged it in court, arguing it was punitive, unconstitutional, and linked to her earlier sexual harassment petition against Mr Akpabio, which he denied.
On 4 July, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled the suspension excessive and ordered her recall but fined her N5 million for contempt over a social media post and required a public apology.
The Senate did not reinstate her immediately, arguing that the court did not give any such order and that the matter is still in court.
When the six-month suspension ended on 4 September, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan notified the National Assembly of her intent to resume, but the management refused, citing the ongoing court process. The standoff lasted until 23 September, when senate officials unsealed her office, which had remained closed since March.
NIGERIA NEWS
Lady Cries Out After Getting Trapped In Client’s Elevator: “I Am Scared, My Legs Are Hurting”
- A young Nigerian lady who works in home service has gone viral online after sharing a video on social media
- The video shows her trapped inside an elevator as she talks about her experience, which has stirred emotions online
- She regretted not making a better decision earlier and spoke about the long time she spent inside the elevator
A young lady who does home service cried out for help online after getting stuck in an elevator during a visit to a client’s place for a job.
She shared a video detailing her experience, which showed her inside the elevator with her bags.
Nigerian lady trapped in elevator during home service. Photo Source: Tiktok/braids.by.natasha
Source: TikTok
Lady gets trapped inside an elevator
The young lady regretted her situation in the viral clip, stating that if she had known, she would have taken the stairs to avoid such an experience.
@braids.by.natasha mentioned that there was no CCTV camera inside the elevator that could have alerted people in the building to her situation.
Read also
Mother drains bank account to fly daughter over kidnapping fears: “I would rather go broke”
She said:
“Lagos and their wahala. I came for home service, see my bag, and I have been stuck inside this elevator for about 30 minutes now. I am ringing and ringing, nobody is coming to my aid. I think I am scared. I have been here for so long, my legs are hurting, and there is no camera to show that I need help.”
Sharing what she could have done to prevent the situation in the TikTok video, she added:
“Jesus Christ, who sent me to use the elevator? I should have just taken the stairs. See me now, 30 minutes and I am already late.”
The post carried a description which read:
“I STAYED THERE FOR 20 more minutes before they noticed and came to my aid, I’m never using an elevator. Thank God I’m not ashamtic.”
Home service worker cries out after elevator mishap. Photo Source: Tiktok/braids.by.natasha
Source: TikTok
She added in the comments page:
“The network usually cuts off so there’s no way to call anyone except you ring their emergency line.”
Read also
Lady shares hilarious encounter with fake prophet, story goes viral: “I allowed him to say everything”
“Until you have 8 floors to climb with a bag that is heavy.”
Reactions as lady begs for help
Dynamicgirl noted:
“This is why I’m not quick to use elevator o 😁
Video stressed:x
“Omor I for don craze.”
Mideyyy stated:
“Happened to me at a hospital I just gave birth and my baby was in the ward.”
Braider in ilasamaja/mushin noted;
“30min? Omo I can’t wait for 5min i go don Dey cry , call my papa call my sister 😂if I come out laSan I go swear for the manager omo.”
Abeokuta Bag Vendor said:
“How far sis.Did you make it out?”
Watch the video below:
In a similar story, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian lady who paints for a living amazed social media users after showcasing a mural she created for a client.
Nigerian lady trapped in elevator for hours
Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that a Nigerian lady shared a frightening experience on TikTok after getting stuck inside an elevator for several hours. She explained that she had no idea the elevator was faulty before entering it.
According to her, she only realized there was a problem after the elevator stopped working, leaving her trapped inside.
Source: Legit.ng
NIGERIA NEWS
Lady who attended Chris Okafor’s church shares heartwarming moment between clergyman and his wife
A Nigerian lady who attended Pastor Chris Okafor’s church has shared a clip capturing a heartwarming moment between the clergyman and his newlywed wife, Pearl.
It would be recalled that Pastor Chris Okafor tied the knot with his partner, Pearl, on December 16, 2025, in Lekki, Lagos.
The wedding ceremony was attended by several prominent Nigerian pastors, including Bishop Oche John Egah, Pastor Idah Peterside, Matthew A. Ashimolowo, and Bishop Isaac Idahosa.
Details Of The Video
In the now-viral clip posted to the lady’s TikTok handle, @dordorbaby4, Pastor Chris Okafor and his wife are spotted walking across the altar.
The clip shows the newlyweds holding hands and donning matching outfits as Chris Okafor speaks with his wife.
”Greetings to you all from Dr Chris Okafor church. Happy new week from Chris Okafor church”, She captioned the video.
In a recent development, Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala has been released from police custody after being arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
Her release followed a dramatic meeting where Pastor Chris Okafor reportedly knelt and begged her for peace.
The actress was released on health grounds, with Jamiu Towolawi, aka Jharmo, serving as surety.
Watch video below……
@
♬ –
A founding member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former Governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande, has disclosed that he was instrumental in the emergence of Yemi Osinbajo as Vice President.
Akande said he nominated Osinbajo for the position after consulting with President Bola Tinubu in 2011.
His disclosure runs contrary to widespread claims that Tinubu personally nominated Osinbajo as the running mate to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, Akande recalled that he advised Tinubu to replace Buhari’s former running mate, Tunde Bakare, with another candidate.
Speaking on Edmund Obilo’s podcast, State Affairs, Akande said: “I nominated Osinbajo for Vice President after consulting with Tinubu. I said it the way it is in my book, I said ‘Tinubu, come, in 2011 you were discussing with Buhari trying to replace Bakare with somebody, who was the person?’ He said Osinbajo, and I said I was going to recommend Osinbajo, which I did.”
The Federal Government has introduced compulsory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking jobs in the public service.
In a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, the government said the policy is part of broader efforts to curb the rising rate of drug abuse and its impact on national security and productivity.
The statement directed permanent secretaries and heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as extra-ministerial departments and parastatals, to include drug screening as part of their recruitment processes.
According to the directive, MDAs are to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in conducting the tests, in line with approved standards.
The government said the policy was informed by growing concerns over substance abuse, particularly among young Nigerians.
It warned that the trend poses a threat to public health, socio-economic development, workplace efficiency and national security.
It added that the directive underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the public service from drug-related challenges and aligns with existing anti-drug initiatives, including recent policies mandating drug testing in universities and other sectors.
Police in Akwa Ibom State have detained three masquerades after they reportedly injured several people during the Ekid Day celebration in Eket Local Government Area.
The three suspects, whose names were withheld, were presented to the media at the State Police Command headquarters in Uyo on Monday by Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammad Azare.
Victims of the incident are receiving treatment at various hospitals across the state.
CP Azare explained that the arrests followed violations of a state executive order by Governor Umo Eno, which prohibits masquerades from appearing on public streets without prior approval and police supervision.
“We are enforcing the Executive Order to ensure masquerade activities take place only in approved areas under security coverage,” he said.
2025 Police achievements
The commissioner also highlighted the Command’s performance for the year.
Officers recovered 179 firearms and 323 rounds of ammunition, while 563 suspects were arrested for various offences and charged to court.
In addition, 14 stolen vehicles were recovered and returned, 74 human trafficking victims were rescued and reunited with families, and 10 kidnapped persons were freed.
The police secured 33 convictions during the year, reinforcing their commitment to public safety.
As a Nigerian and an African, do you think the Governor did the right thing by banning masquerades from major streets and highways?
*Says all students abducted from the school have been rescued
Laleye Dipo in Minna
The Federal Government says it has rescued all the abducted St Mary’s Catholic Primary Secondary School pupils/students and their teachers who were abducted over a month ago ago.
The National Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Center, Major General Adamu Laka (rtd), made this known in Minna on Monday while handing over newly rescued 130 children and teachers to the Niger state Governor Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Bago at Government House.
“All the children have been successfully rescued. None remains in captivity,” General Laka declared, adding that all the children were rescued unhurt.
The federal government had earlier rescued 100 students.
He said the rescue operation was carried out by the office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with operatives of the Directorate of State Security (DSS), the police and other security operatives.
Laka appreciated the patience of Nigerians, adding that government has taken steps to ensure the safety of lives of school children and all Nigerians.
In his remarks, Governor Bago appreciated President Bola Tinubu and the security operatives in the country for their unwavering commitment that led to the rescue of the school children.
Bago also lauded Nigerians for their solidarity and prayers during the trying times and promised to celebrate Christmas with the rescued children.