NIGERIA NEWS
PDP loyalists in Zamfara threaten defection over assault on lawmaker
Supporters of a Zamfara State House of Assembly member have threatened to leave the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following a violent attack on the lawmaker in Dansadau.
Speaking to journalists in Gusau, the state capital, one of the loyalists, Alhaji Sadauki Madugu, expressed outrage over what he described as the “I don’t care” attitude of the governor, who was reportedly present during the incident but took no action.
“It was disheartening that a parliament member was assaulted in the presence of the governor, and the culprits were allowed to go free without any measure being taken,” Madugu said.
He added that the attack insulted not just the lawmaker but the entire constituency, noting that the PDP in Zamfara favors outsiders from states like Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna, leaving local members marginalized.
Madugu, speaking on behalf of hundreds of concerned loyalists, said the group is exploring ways to address the situation and may consider defecting to another party where their dignity and representation will be respected.
He also criticized the state administration for leaving key positions in the hands of non-indigenous officials, which he said has contributed to widespread problems across the state.
“PDP in Zamfara has proven to be destructive. How a member could be assaulted in front of the governor and nothing done, and then the governor disappears hours after the incident, shows the failure of leadership,” Madugu added.
All students abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, have regained their freedom after weeks in captivity.
The final group of abducted children regained their freedom on Sunday, concluding the rescue of about 265 students who were taken during the attack.
Their release ends a traumatic ordeal that lasted for nearly a month.
Abduction described as one of Nigeria’s largest school kidnappings
The incident occurred in the early hours of November 21, 2025, when armed gunmen stormed the boarding school and abducted 303 students along with 12 teachers, making it one of the most significant mass school abductions recorded in recent Nigerian history.
The attack triggered nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of educational institutions, particularly boarding schools in vulnerable communities.
Escapes, phased releases and security intervention
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, about 50 students managed to escape on their own, while another 100 students were released on December 8 following sustained security operations.
The release of the remaining 115 students marked the final phase of the rescue efforts and has been widely described as a major breakthrough by security agencies involved in the operation.
Families of the rescued children have expressed deep relief, as authorities continue to face growing calls to strengthen school security and prevent future attacks on learning institutions.
An accomplished computer engineer, academic and entrepreneur, Dr Segun Aina, has been appointed Professor of Computer Engineering at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, becoming one of the youngest professors in his field in Nigeria at just 39.
Aina’s elevation is a testament to his outstanding academic contributions, impactful research, and unwavering commitment to bridging theory and practice within Nigeria’s education and technology ecosystem.
He currently serves in the Computer Engineering Department at OAU, where he also holds several departmental and faculty responsibility.
A distinguished scholar, Aina obtained his Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, United Kingdom, in 2008, followed by a Master of Science (MSc) in Internet Computing and Network Security from the highly ranked Loughborough University in 2009. He later earned his Doctorate (PhD) in Digital Signal Processing, also from Loughborough University.
Prof. Aina said: “This milestone is a humbling reminder that excellence, discipline and purpose-driven work can accelerate impact. I see this professorship not as a destination, but as a renewed responsibility to contribute more meaningfully to academia, industry and national development.”
Beyond academia, he has built a reputation as a pragmatic academic and serial entrepreneur, committed to translating research into real-world solutions. In 2010, he co-founded Fluid Click Solutions Ltd, an IT services and engineering project management company. His business interests span EduTech, Agriculture, Hospitality, Capacity Building, and Technical & Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
He noted that his lifelong commitment has been to ensure that academic knowledge does not exist in isolation, but actively solves real problems.
Aina said he remains passionate about mentoring the next generation of engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs who will shape Africa’s future.
A COREN-registered engineer, he is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
He has served in key governance and advisory roles, including as a member of the pioneer Governing Council of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere, Ekiti, and as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Queensland Academy, Isolo, Lagos.
By Prince Osuagwu, Hi-Tech Editor
The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has read the riot acts to telecom operators in the country to step up their services or incur the wrath of the regulator.
Read Also: Hardship dampens Christmas for Onitsha’s poor
The commission’s riot act may not be unconnected with the persistent complaints from subscribers that the operators have been giving them epileptic telecom services since the yuletide.
However, to prove the seriousness of its threat, the regulator has released a data-driven report it developed in partnership with Ookla, a global leader in network intelligence and performance measurement, showing where each network stands in network performance.
It cautioned telcos with performance deficits to prioritize investments in network stability, particularly in reducing jitter and latency, to meet subscribers’ growing demands for quality services.
For instance, the report shows that latency and jitter are negatively impacting Globacom network, giving its subscribers’ unpleasant user experience.
According to the data, network performance in Nigeria is increasingly polarized, with some operators making significant strides in high-speed delivery while others continue to struggle with consistency.
However, the report said MTN has the strongest national profile by consistently delivering high download and upload throughput alongside stable latency and jitter values.
For Airtel the report noted a performance dip as the sector transitions toward 5G and highlighted that latency remains an area for improvement.
But, it praised the network for maintaining a competitive edge in urban download speeds via its 4G network.
Analysis of T2 (9mobile) showed variable performance across different regions, and while occasional high-speed peaks were recorded, the data indicates a significant gap in its overall national Quality of Service.
Glo’s latency and jitter issues, according to the report, negatively affected real-time applications like video calls and online payments.
NCC says its partnership with Ookla shows a deliberate strategy towards data-driven regulation.
The report is published quarterly, aiming to empower consumers to make informed choices based on unbiased analytics rather than marketing claims.
A senior NCC official who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard that ” for the Commission, the gloves are off. The telcos will have to adjust or get a hammer. You need to see the report and you wouldn’t ask why people are not able to enjoy telecom services anymore. At this time of our telecom life? No, the regulator is now out to do its job.”
We are driving towards a data-driven regulatory regime, so nobody will accuse us of bias. “Although I am not supposed to talk officially on the issue, but what I am telling you is the mind of the commission.
“Data driven regulation strengthens transparency and drives better service delivery nationwide.
“When we identify these service gaps, it helps the Commission make evidence-based policy interventions that attract infrastructure investment and ensure reliable connectivity for all Nigerians,” he added.
Vanguard News
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Dr Segun Aina, an accomplished computer engineer, academic and entrepreneur, has been appointed Professor of Computer Engineering at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, becoming one of the youngest professors in his field in Nigeria at just 39 years old.
Aina’s elevation to the rank of professor is a testament to his outstanding academic contributions, impactful research, and unwavering commitment to bridging theory and practice within Nigeria’s education and technology ecosystem.
He currently serves in the Computer Engineering Department at OAU, where he also holds several departmental and faculty responsibility.
A distinguished scholar, Dr. Aina obtained his Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, United Kingdom, in 2008, followed by a Master of Science (MSc) in Internet Computing and Network Security from the highly ranked Loughborough University in 2009. He later earned his Doctorate (PhD) in Digital Signal Processing, also from Loughborough University.
Reacting to his appointment, Professor Segun Aina said:
“This milestone is a humbling reminder that excellence, discipline and purpose-driven work can accelerate impact. I see this professorship not as a destination, but as a renewed responsibility to contribute more meaningfully to academia, industry and national development.”
Beyond academia, Dr. Aina has built a reputation as a pragmatic academic and serial entrepreneur, committed to translating research into real-world solutions. In 2010, he co-founded Fluid Click Solutions Ltd, an IT services and engineering project management company. His business interests span EduTech, Agriculture, Hospitality, Capacity Building, and Technical & Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
He explained that, “My lifelong commitment has been to ensure that academic knowledge does not exist in isolation, but actively solves real problems. I remain passionate about mentoring the next generation of engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs who will shape Africa’s future.”
His professional journey also includes consulting engagements with both public and private sector institutions, including the Job Creation Unit, Office of the Vice President, several state governments, and national examination bodies. He further strengthened his leadership credentials through executive education, including the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University.
Dr. Aina has served in key governance and advisory roles, including as a member of the pioneer Governing Council of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere, Ekiti, and as Chairman of the Advisory Board of Queensland Academy, Isolo, Lagos. He is the author of approximately 30 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers, underscoring his contribution to global academic discourse.
A COREN-registered engineer, Dr. Aina is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, cautioning that mass defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) do not guarantee political continuity or electoral success.
In a strongly worded message, Fr. Mbaka criticized the Federal Government’s tax policies, describing the imposition of additional taxes amid widespread economic hardship as unjust and insensitive.
“There is nothing wrong with paying taxes,” Mbaka said, “but at a time like this, imposing taxes on the people is like wickedness.”
The outspoken cleric further warned that political alignment alone cannot secure victory, stressing that governance must be rooted in compassion and responsiveness to the suffering of citizens.
“Even if every governor joins the APC, you will fail,” he declared, underscoring that public goodwill, not party dominance, ultimately determines political survival.
Fr. Mbaka’s remarks come against the backdrop of growing public discontent over rising living costs, economic reforms, and tax measures introduced by the Tinubu administration.
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United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has clarified the rationale behind the recent visa restrictions imposed on Nigerians, emphasizing that the measures are part of broader security protocols rather than targeted actions against Nigerian citizens.
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday in Abuja during the visit of a U.S. Congressional Delegation, CODEL, Mills explained that the restrictions are intended to strengthen security procedures and ensure thorough vetting for visa applicants.
“The presidential proclamation, effective January 1, 2026, affecting certain visa categories, is aimed at ensuring proper vetting and credible information in the visa process, not on penalising Nigerians,” Mills said.
He noted that the proclamation specifies which visa categories may be impacted and highlights exemptions for select groups, including holders of official and diplomatic passports, as well as individuals travelling for religious purposes.
The ambassador advised visa applicants and the public to consult the U.S. Embassy’s official website for comprehensive details on the proclamation, the affected visa categories, and available exemptions.
He also encouraged those with specific questions to use the embassy’s designated communication channels for guidance.
Also addressing the press, U.S. Congressman and leader of the delegation, Bill Huizenga, stated that visa reviews and restrictions are standard procedures designed to encourage compliance and cooperation, rather than punitive measures targeting citizens.
Huizenga added that such measures primarily focus on government systems and processes and are routinely applied in different countries worldwide.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Sunday said that it recorded a transmission peak of 5,801.84 megawatts (MW) on 4 March.
The Managing Director of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, disclosed this in his end-of-year message to staff, partners and stakeholders.
Mr Abdulaziz said the feat was a historic milestone, which occurred during the year, adding that it was the highest peak electricity generation ever delivered on the national grid.
He described 2025 as a remarkable and historic year for the company and Nigeria’s power sector.
“A highlight of our progress came on March 4, when TCN transmitted an all-time peak generation of 5,801.84 MW nationwide. On the same day, a maximum daily energy of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh) was delivered across the country—the highest ever recorded in Nigeria’s history.”
He attributed the achievement to deliberate investments in infrastructure rehabilitation, expansion of transformer capacity and sustained maintenance of transmission assets across the network.
Mr Abdulaziz also said that TCN’s wheeling capacity had increased to 8,700MW, positioning the company to better support the nation’s growing electricity demand.
“This year, we made deliberate strides to strengthen our infrastructure, rehabilitate ageing assets, and expand transformer capacity across the country.
”With these efforts, TCN’s wheeling capability has grown to 8,700MW,” he said.
Mr Abdulaziz said that between January 2024 and November 2025, the company inaugurated 82 new power transformers, adding over 8,500 Megavolt-Amperes (MVA) to the national grid.
He, however, said that infrastructure vandalism remained a major threat to grid stability.
According to him, 131 vandalism incidents were recorded across TCN’s network between January and November.
“Vandalism continues to be a thorny issue in the affairs of TCN. From January to November alone, the company recorded 131 incidents across its network,” he said.
“Management is, however, working closely with ONSA, other security operatives and vigilante groups in some communities to curb this menace.
”We will continue to intensify sensitisation campaigns and community engagement efforts to safeguard our critical infrastructure,” he said.
The TCN managing director also highlighted all other major sector reforms in the year, particularly the unbundling of TCN and the successful take-off of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO).
He also disclosed that TCN advanced several donor-funded projects valued at over $1.16 billion, including the Abuja Feeding Scheme, which involved the construction of five new substations and a new 330kV transmission line.
ALSO READ: UPDATED: Nigeria generates highest ever electricity in its history – TCN
Mr Abdulaziz commended the company’s staff for their dedication and resilience, describing them as TCN’s greatest asset.
”Looking ahead to 2026, I pledge that TCN will intensify efforts to further increase grid capacity, stability and efficiency while deepening collaboration with NISO and other sector stakeholders.”
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, security agencies and development partners for their support.
He also extended condolences to the families of staff who lost their lives within the year under review.
(NAN)
NIGERIA NEWS
FG Secures Release of Remaining 130 Abducted Schoolgirls, Teachers in Niger – THISDAYLIVE
* Idris: It’s soothing relief for Nigeria
*Abiodun hails Tinubu, urges massive support
Olawale Ajimotokan and Linus Aleke in Abuja
State forces, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), have successfully secured the release of the remaining students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, sources familiar with the operation, have said.
The rescue operation confirmed that all remaining victims taken during the November 21 attack had now been freed.
Armed bandits on motorcycles, on November 21, stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School around 2am, abducting no fewer than 315 students, including 12 teachers.
The assailants, reportedly, moved systematically from dormitory to dormitory before taking their victims into nearby forests.
During the initial attack, 50 students managed to escape. Security agencies had previously secured the release of around 100 abductees on December 8, leaving a number of victims still in captivity until the latest operation.
The source, the remaining captives were freed on Friday evening in a forest located between Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas.
Security personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser oversaw the evacuation under heavy protection.
The source added that the release followed intensive negotiations between the government and the abductors, though it remained unclear whether ransom was paid.
The abduction from St. Mary’s Catholic School was recorded as the single largest school kidnapping in Niger State to date.
Data showed that since January 2023, at least 816 pupils had been abducted in 22 separate school attacks.
However, reports on the current location of the released students were conflicting.
Some sources indicated they were in Minna receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families, while others suggested they were in Abuja, awaiting handover to Governor Umar Bago of Niger State, who was currently in the city.
Confirming the development, Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of the school, Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna,
said Bago called him “a few minutes ago to confirm the release of the children and their teachers”.
He, however, said the figure of children released was not mentioned, adding that they are expected in Minna today and to be received by the governor at Government House.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the rescue of the remaining 130 children and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, was a fitting end to the year. Idris stated this in a statement last night, stressing that all the abducted pupils of the Catholic School, numbering 230, had been freed, with not a single pupil was left in captivity.
He said the released 130 pupils had also been handed over to the Niger State government, after which they would be reunited with their families.
Idris said, “This courageous effort by our security forces reaffirms our nation’s resolve to protect its people. The federal government empathises with the parents and guardians of the pupils for the agony the abduction has caused them, wishes them a pleasant family reunion, a good healing process, compliments of the season and a Merry Christmas.”
Ogun State Governor, and Chairman of Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, expressed delight at the release of the 130 students, saying it is a sign that evil forces would not triumph over Nigeria.
Abiodun said the release of the remaining students of the school, which brought the total number of those rescued to 230, fulfilled Tinubu’s pledge to ensure the freedom of the students without any hurt, and facilitate their reunion with their parents.
Commending the president for the security measures rolled out, which he said had restored the confidence of Nigerians in their government, Abiodun said the catalogue of releases of abducted persons, including 24 from Kebbi State and 100 from a Catholic school in Niger State, as well as the Christian worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, showed that the president had capacity to face Nigeria’s challenges head on.
Abiodun, in a statement issued in Abeokuta, said it was particularly heart-warming that the students and their parents would be able to celebrate the Yuletide in warm embrace after the terrible ordeal, urging the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law.
He stated, “I am extremely delighted to learn that the remaining 130 students of St. Mary’s Catholic School Papiri community, Niger State, who were hitherto in captivity, have been released.
“The students, their parents, Papiri community and the Government of Niger State have all been through a lot, and I rejoice with them in this moment of triumph over the forces of darkness who seized innocent students from their hostels, and their teachers from the school grounds.
“If this incident shows anything, it is the fact that the Bola Tinubu administration is committed to a safe, secure and prosperous Nigeria, and deserves our collective prayers and moral support.
The governor added, “The president is determined to tackle the upsurge of kidnapping and terrorist attacks, and bring sanity back to our society, which will invariably restore the confidence of Nigerians and the international community in the government, and bring massive development.
“The security agencies deserve plaudits for this feat. I also urge them to ensure that the terrorists behind the attacks on innocent and law-abiding Nigerians are hunted down and prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law.”
By Babajide Komolafe
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc. are set to formalise a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at ensuring faster and more efficient reimbursement of depositors in the event of bank failures.
The development was disclosed by NDIC Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Thompson Oludare Sunday, during a courtesy visit to the Corporation’s Abuja headquarters by the NIBSS Executive Management team led by its MD/CEO, Mr. Premier Oiwoh.
Sunday commended NIBSS for its long-standing support, particularly its role in driving digital verification processes via the Bank Verification Number (BVN) platform, which facilitated seamless payment to alternate accounts of depositors of the failed Heritage Bank Limited. He described NIBSS as a “reliable partner” and said the MoU would solidify collaboration on depositor protection.
Key areas of the MoU include real-time synchronization of NDIC’s deposit registers and electronic records for swift account verification during bank resolution, expansion of disbursement channels to include Mobile Money Operators and a potential NDIC-branded mobile interface, and investment in Single Customer View (SCV) and interoperability infrastructure for instant validation.
Sunday praised NIBSS for reforming Nigeria’s payments system, mitigating financial fraud, and positioning it ahead of peers globally.
In response, Mr. Oiwoh reaffirmed NIBSS’s commitment to supporting NDIC’s mandate, emphasizing that prompt depositor reimbursement enhances public trust and financial inclusion. He noted that NIBSS is working closely with law enforcement to safeguard the nation’s payment infrastructure while lowering transaction costs and reinforcing the stability of the financial system.
The partnership is expected to strengthen NDIC’s capacity to protect depositors, enhance operational efficiency during bank resolutions, and boost confidence in Nigeria’s banking and digital payments ecosystem.
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The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Police, Western Command, has activated comprehensive security measures across major port corridors in Lagos State to ensure safety and uninterrupted maritime operations during the Yuletide season.
The Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police Western Command, Oluwatoyin Agbaminoja, in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Isaac Hundeyin, said that the round-the-clock patrols on land and water had been intensified to deter criminal activities and ensure the safety of vessels, cargo and port infrastructure.
Agbaminoja said the security directives were to safeguard port users, maritime stakeholders and critical national assets across all port corridors in the state during the festive period.
She said that security measures had been activated across Apapa Port, Tin Can and Island Port, Lekki Deep-Sea Port, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, and the marine patrol axis covering up to 12 nautical miles.
The commissioner stated that the strategy aims to guarantee seamless port operations amid increased human and vehicular traffic typically associated with the festive season.
To ensure a safe festive season, Agbaminoja said that the Command had strengthened collaboration with sister-security agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies and Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) to enable real-time response to security concerns.
She added that additional personnel had also been deployed to critical locations prone to human congestion and vehicular traffic during the Yuletide period, while intelligence gathering and surveillance operations have been enhanced to identify and prevent potential threats to ports’ safety and national economic assets.
The commissioner, therefore, urged all port users to remain vigilant, comply with security guidelines, and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest Port Police Division or the Marine Unit.
“The Command wishes to reassure port users, maritime stakeholders and the public of its unwavering commitment to maintaining safety, security, and order across all port corridors during the Yuletide period. The command also remains committed to ensuring that activities within the nation’s maritime domain continue smoothly and securely throughout the season and beyond,” the commissioner stated.