The Presidency has denied a widely circulating report that President Bola Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

It described the report as false, urging Nigerians to disregard such claims.

A statement by Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said Gbajabiamila and Okunola still retainsl their positions.

The statement read: “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to a viral falsehood circulating on social media suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

“There is absolutely no truth to this story. We advise Nigerians to disregard it entirely.

“The Chief of Staff remains in his position. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not replaced Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff.

“The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government.

“We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media.”

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has appealed to Nigerians to put their health and safety first during the festive season by making responsible choices and steering clear of drug use.

In a Christmas message shared on its X page on Thursday, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), extended goodwill to Nigerians across the country and paid tribute to NDLEA officers for their continued commitment to protecting communities from drug abuse.

“Your dedication and sacrifice in protecting our communities from drug abuse are deeply appreciated,” Marwa said.

He called on members of the public to use the holiday period as an opportunity to make healthy, drug-free decisions that would safeguard their wellbeing and that of others.

“Together, we can build a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Nigeria. Wishing you all a peaceful, joyous, and drug-free Christmas,” he added.

The message comes at a time of growing concern over drug use in Nigeria. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, as contained in the World Drug Report 2025, the national prevalence of drug use stands at 14.4 per cent. This figure is nearly three times the global average and affects an estimated 14.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64.

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The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has confirmed that all pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Schools, Papiri, in Niger State have been successfully rescued and reunited with their families.

Naija News reports that the confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Proprietor of St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School and representative of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Bulus Yohanna.

Yohanna disclosed that a total of 230 persons were eventually verified to have been abducted during the attack on the school and later rescued through the combined efforts of the Federal Government, the Niger State Government and security agencies.

According to him, the verified figure comprised 12 staff members, 14 students and 204 pupils.

He added that all rescued children had been safely reunited with their families, stressing that no report had been received to suggest that any child or staff member remained in captivity.

The cleric explained that immediately after the abduction on November 21, an initial headcount conducted by the school showed that 315 persons were unaccounted for.

He said two days later, on November 23, about 50 of those earlier listed as missing escaped from their abductors and returned to their parents, reducing the number of unaccounted persons to 265.

“A joint verification exercise by the state government, security agencies and school authorities later revealed that not all parents were present during the exercise,” Yohanna said.

He noted that a second and final verification exercise carried out by the school authorities in collaboration with the Parents-Teachers Association showed that an additional 35 persons had either not been abducted or had escaped earlier.

“A second and final verification conducted by the school authorities in collaboration with the Parents-Teachers Association established that an additional 35 persons had either not been abducted or had escaped earlier,” he stated.

According to Yohanna, this brought the number of those confirmed to have either escaped or not been abducted to 85, reducing the verified number of abducted persons to 230.

The Diocese acknowledged that discrepancies recorded during the initial headcount were caused by the chaotic circumstances surrounding the attack.

Yohanna explained that some pupils fled into nearby bushes and could not be immediately accounted for during the first headcount, while some parents were absent during verification exercises.

He emphasised that the discrepancies were not deliberate.

“The discrepancies were not intended to mislead the public but were the result of challenges associated with a fast-evolving and emotionally charged situation,” he said.

Yohanna expressed appreciation to the Federal and Niger State governments, as well as security agencies, for their swift intervention in securing the release of the victims.

He also thanked parents, the Christian community, the media and members of the public for their prayers, patience and support throughout the ordeal.

The cleric prayed for healing and restoration for all families affected by the abduction.

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December 25, 2025December 25, 2025

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kebbi State Chapter has honored the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Mikailu Sami Gomo lll, with the “Most Loved Emir Award” for his fairness and justice in governing the emirate without discrimination.

 Emir’s open-door policy, accommodation, and compassion towards multi-ethnic and religious communities were recognized as qualities worthy of emulation.

While presenting the Award at a well-attended congregation, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) kebbi state chapter, Dr Ayuba Y Kanta Yaji who is also the Anglican Bishop, Zuru Diocese stated that ” it is in acknowledgement of Your Highness’s leadership, deep connections with the people and your tireless commitment to unity, peace , Cultural preservation and community development across the Zuru Emirate.”

In his remarks, the Emir expressed gratitude and assured various ethnic and religious communities of his care and protection, stating that all residents are bonafide indigenes of Zuru emirate. 

He requested prayers for peace, unity, and an end to armed banditry in Kebbi State and Nigeria.

The Emir also praised Comrade Governor, Nasir Idris as a detribalized and compassionate leader, citing the reconstruction of the Koko-Zuru federal road project. 

He congratulated Christians on Christmas and prayed for their prosperity.

The event, held at the United Missionary Catholic Association, Zuru, was attended by prominent Christian leaders, including former Chief of Army Staff and Sarkin Yakin Zuru Lieutenant General Ishaya Rizi Bamaiyi.

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• A man who is desirous of enjoying 24/7 electricity has installed solar in his house after spending a lot of money
• The man, Agba Akin said he has migrated his power supply from the Nigerian national grid to his personal solar system
• Akin stated that he spent N8 million to install the solar and was happy that he would no longer be subjected to the constant collapse of the national grid

A man known as Agba Akin has gone off the Nigerian electricity grid to install his own power supply system.

Agba Akin will now enjoy constant electricity because he has installed a solar energy at home.

A Nigerian man installed solar electricity in his house. Photo credit: X/Kynsofficial.
Source: Twitter

He posted photos of the solar energy he installed and said he acquired the first one in 2023.

According to Akin, it was the best decision he ever took as he no longer relies on the national grid which is always collapsing.

Read also

Nigerian lady gets N2 million transfer from stranger after she complained of lack of money

How much is solar electricity installation in Nigeria?

He said:

“I have just protected myself with 8.8m and you can collapse all you want in 2026. I’m no longer on you.”

Akin said he spent N8 million on the latest installation.

Nigerian man showed off solar battery he installed at home. Photo credit: X/Agba Akin.
Source: Twitter

See his post below:

Reactions as man installs solar at home

@KepoAlawode said:

“I also use solar inverter bro. There’s no way you will escape NEPA and when it collapse, you will then understand that you need National grid even if it is just 2 hours a day.”

@ScouserNigerian said:

“Best investment I made this year was installing solar in my house. Nepa don show me shege.”

@olasilver06 said:

“Just wondering if that Hithium 1KWH is gonna be free for grabs, or it’s gonna be like Santaforgot to deliver.”

@reckon_iam said:

“Two weeks you will come back here.”

@Ezeifeka_Obinna said:

“Tinubu made electricity tariff unbelievably expensive now millions of people can’t afford to pay for steady electricity supply. I like the way you’re celebrating the failure of Tinubu in power sector.”

Read also

Man shows 4-bedroom flat he built from scratch, mentions amount he budgeted: “I started with nothing

@SeyiGlobal said:

“N8.8 million Naira solar system? Na wa o! At this rate, by 2026 the national grid go dey beg people like you to come back and pay NEPA bill . “You no back rubbish” but rubbish don pursue you go solar exile!”

@RexUchendu said:

“This is the mindset of a typical Nigerian. Anything can happen to others as long as it will not affect them and their immediate family.”

@JezebelReborn

“Spent almost 2million naira on colar lithium batteries and it’s been serving me for 7months now During the day I power major appliances then evening I reduce the load And it last till the next charge the next day I have uninterrupted power 24/7 As time goes on I will add another colar lithium battery to make it 3( three ) Nah me dey tire for light self Have not used NEPA or Generator in a year now They can collapse for all I care.”

Read also

Christmas: Nigerian man treks from Asaba Airport to hotel after taxi driver charged him N30k

Man installs solar with eight batteries

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian man using a solar setup that runs on eight tubular batteries shows how he supplies energy to his neighbours.

The solar expert installed a metre for each neighbour who buys energy at N200 per kWh at least from him.

Many Nigerians who thronged his comment section wanted to know how he manages his neighbours’ electricity distribution.

Source: Legit.ng

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A Nigerian lady living in Lagos has recounted an unusual encounter with a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as an okada rider, who allegedly attempted to shortchange her.

According to her account shared on social media, she paid the rider ₦1,000 for a trip that required ₦200, expecting ₦800 in change.

Lady.

on

Instead of returning the balance, the rider reportedly rode off.

The woman said she later encountered the same rider again and confronted him publicly. During the confrontation, she drew attention to herself and the situation, which attracted passersby. Faced with public pressure, the rider reportedly returned the full ₦1,000 while pleading.

She added that she initially refused to collect the money until people around intervened and appealed to her to accept it.

The incident has since sparked reactions online, with many social media users commenting on the daily struggles and street justice often associated with life in Lagos.

She said …

“To live in Lagos, you sef go first mad. I gave bike man 1k instead of giving me 800 change he took off. I later jam him for front. He returned my 1k with pleading after I used my red handkerchief to rub his face and I shouted ‘Yes Owo de’ I even refused to collect it and people were begging me”

Watch video below …

@waltem6

Na person wey get small craze fit love for Lagos 😂😂😂 #fyp #waltem6 #lagostiktok

♬ original sound – Big T_Me🌴🎧

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Six members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal party crises, factional leadership and alleged poor governance in the state.

The lawmakers formally announced their defection in separate but similarly worded letters addressed to the Speaker of the House and sighted by LEADERSHIP on Thursday.

The defectors are Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi (Gummi I Constituency), Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North), Barr. Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North), Hon. Bashir Bello (Bungudu West), Hon. Amiru Ahmad Keta (Tsafe West), and Hon. Muktar Nasir Kaura (Kaura North).

In the letters titled “Notice of Resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC)”, the lawmakers said their decision was informed by “lingering and unresolved crises” within the PDP, which they said had resulted in factional leadership at various levels of the party.

“I write to formally inform the Honourable Speaker and Honourable Members of this Honourable House of my decision of defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC) due to lingering and unresolved crises of my party (PDP) which resulted to factional leadership,” one of the letters read.

The lawmakers said their action was in line with the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which allows lawmakers to defect in the event of a division in their party.

They also accused the PDP-led administration in the state, under Governor Dauda Lawal, of poor leadership, alleging negligence in addressing the security challenges facing Zamfara State and failure to fulfil campaign promises.

“Therefore, my decision is consonant and pursuant to Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), and poor leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal ranging from negligence in the security of the state and unfulfilled promises made as his campaign manifestos,” the letters stated.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tagged U.S. President Donald Trump in a Christmas message to Nigerian Christians, pledging to protect religious freedom amid international claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria.

Trump and some conservative groups in the United States had accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from violence.

“On this Holy day, I wish all Christians in Nigeria and around the world a Merry Christmas,” Tinubu wrote in a post on X on Wednesday.

The president thanked God for the opportunity to lead the country and prayed for peace among Nigerians of different faiths.

“I thank God for the opportunity to serve as the leader of our great country, and I pray for peace in our land, especially between individuals of differing religious beliefs,” Tinubu said.

He said his administration is committed to protecting religious freedom and safeguarding all citizens from violence.

“I stand committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence,” he added.

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has visited Balogun market for an on-the-spot assessment following a fire incident at the Great Nigeria House.

In a post on X, Sanwo-Olu said he was deeply saddened by the incident and expressed sympathy with those affected.

The governor said no written report could fully capture the pain or extent of the losses recorded.

He commended firefighters, emergency responders and relevant agencies for working through the night to bring the fire under control.

Sanwo-Olu said their efforts saved lives and prevented the inferno from spreading further, adding that the state government will continue to assess the situation and provide support to affected persons.

“We will continue to assess the situation and provide support to those who have been impacted. Lagos has always shown strength in difficult moments, and I believe we will get through this together,” he wrote on X.

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The Nigerian Army has called for extra vigilance at churches following a bomb blast at a mosque located within Gamboru Market in Maiduguri.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI.

The official disclosed that the explosion, which occurred at about 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24, 2025, at a mosque within Gamboru Market while Muslim faithful were observing evening prayers, is linked to a suspected Boko Haram operative.

What the Army is saying 

According to the statement, “Preliminary findings indicate that the incident was caused by a suspected Boko Haram terrorist (BHT) suicide bomber, who detonated an improvised explosive device, killing himself and two civilians at the scene.” 

Troops, in conjunction with other sister security and law enforcement agencies, the Borno State Government, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), were said to have responded to the incident by securing and cordoning off the affected area to prevent further harm and ensure public safety.

The official confirmed that casualties were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital and the Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri for prompt medical attention, while two persons were initially confirmed dead.

“A total of 32 civilians sustained varying degrees of injuries. Regrettably, two of the injured civilians were later confirmed dead at the hospital, while two others are currently in critical condition. 

“The remaining injured persons are stable and receiving appropriate medical care,” the statement partly read.

The Army warned against gathering in crowded places and called for heightened vigilance across religious centres, particularly churches.

“It is advised to avoid crowded places and maintain extra vigilance at religious centres, especially churches, during the yuletide period. 

“Citizens are urged to promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security post,” the official added.

The Army maintained that troops and other security agencies have intensified surveillance and security measures within Maiduguri and the surrounding areas following the incident.

Members of the public were advised to remain calm and security-conscious, especially during the yuletide season, while residents should be on the lookout for teenagers exhibiting suspicious behaviour.

The Army commiserated with the families of the deceased and assured the public of its continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

What you should know

The Army’s press release comes hours after Vice President Kashim Shettima condemned the bomb attack.

The Vice President described the incident as a despicable assault on innocent citizens and the peace of the nation.

In recent months, Nigeria has experienced a rise in insecurity across several states, including the kidnapping of students, armed robberies, and attacks on communities in the North and Central regions.

These incidents have heightened public concern and highlighted the ongoing threat posed by criminal and extremist groups.

In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a national security emergency, ordering intensified operations by the Armed Forces, the Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The measures included redeploying officers from VIP duties to frontline operations, recruiting additional personnel, and deploying trained forest guards to counter armed groups in volatile areas.

The development resulted in the return of most of the abductees.

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By Paul Onomuakpokpo

When the German writer Franz Kafka directs his narrative genius at the civil service – after spending a princely part of his working life in it – he leaves us with a dark and tragic vision of a bureaucratic system inexorably trapped in detachment from its duty to serve the people. This is inevitable since in his reckoning, the system that Max Weber brands the “iron cage” is bereft of the capacity to even cater to the interest of its loyal devotees who have been desouled per In the Penal Colony, The Trial, and The Castle. We appropriate the above backdrop to properly situate the reform trajectory of the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, who , like Kafka, spent a huge part of his working life in the civil service. But unlike Kafka, while admitting being confronted with what he has identified as bureau-pathologies which are markers of the resistance to reform, and thus the degeneration of the civil service, Olaopa does not consider it fated to a cul-de-sac. For Olaopa, what is embedded in these is an urgent summons for reform, rather than a wholesale consignment of the bureaucratic system to a mould of a machine that is insensitive to its handlers and those it is meant to serve.

Olaopa is clearly alert to the fact that although the civil service is in need of reform, it remains what is commonly referred to as the engine room for translating government’s transformative values – which receive expression through policies and programmes – to realities for the people. This quest for the transformation of the civil service has been the leitmotif of Olaopa’s professional preoccupation whether in the civil service or in academia of his post-civil service life.

Thus, whether by serendipity or a master stroke of an uncanny genius for identifying talent, President Bola Tinubu was able to recognise this throbbing reform impulse in Olaopa when he appointed him the Chairman of the FCSC and gave him the charge: Transform the Federal Civil Service Commission. This charge became two-year old on December 13, 2025. In this period, the prosecution of this charge has been manifestly expressed through the tripodal mandate of the FCSC, viz: recruitment, appointment and discipline.

Before Olaopa’ leadership of the FCSC, it was bereft of a reputation that would allow the citizens and institutions to deal with it with a measure of confidence that their trust would be creditably requited . For those who knew it, it was perceived as a haven of corruption where only those with the right connections got government jobs. Olaopa has changed all that perception . The FCSC has become a government agency that citizens can trust with their quest to be employed in the civil service. The era of jobs being paid for is gone. Under Olaopa, there is the overarching quest to bring the best and brightest to the civil service, without undermining the federal character principle. His credibility has invested his leadership with an imprimatur of believability.

Through credible promotion examinations, the career progression of the most qualified civil servants is guaranteed. Civil servants are no longer apprehensive that they need to look for millions to bribe their way to rise to the top. Olaopa has demonstrated the courage to stop the promotion of those who do not merit it no matter the pressure from different quarters. The avenues for questionable promotion examinations such as leakage and sub-standard examination questions have been blocked. This has saved the commission from wasting time, money and other resources on court cases. Those who fail no longer bother to contest the grades they have been awarded as they rest assured that the system is now credible.

Olaopa’s streak of firsts at the FCSC has received a boon with the introduction of the computer-based test ( CBT) mould for the conduct of recruitment and promotion examinations in the civil service. This novelty imposes on civil servants the salubrious necessity of computer-savviness that is reflective of technological developments in a world where those who have demurred at bracing for artificial intelligence and others are faced with the present danger of consignment to corporate and professional backwaters. It has also shrunk the space for the manipulation of examination results that impugn the credibility of the commission.

Olaopa has also robustly activated the guardrail for a credible disciplinary process. There is a deliberate process to ensure that civil servants are not unduly punished and witch-hunted. The matters of discipline are thoroughly investigated and fiercely debated by Olaopa and his federal commissioners who represent the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory before a conclusion is reached. No one is allowed to use their influence to frustrate their subordinates out of the civil service. Through a robust deployment of emotional intelligence, Olaopa has been able to forge an unequalled cordial working relationship with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation ( HOCSF ).

Indeed, Olaopa aptly captures his working relationship with the HOCSF as that of Siamese twins who operate with unequalled synergy. Unlike some agencies of government, there is no rivalry between these two agencies of the government that are responsible for the leadership of the nation’s civil service. They both adhere to their boundaries to ensure that the civil service delivers only only the best to the public. At the state level, civil servants have equally benefited immensely from Olaopa’s leadership.

Drawing from his rich experience as a former federal permanent secretary and as a professor of public administration, Olaopa has offered himself as a mentor to many managers of state civil service commissions. This finds exemplification in Olaopa’s revitalisation of the National Conference of Civil Service Commissions after an over 10-year hiatus. The last two conferences which were held in Katsina and Abia states birthed declarations that outlined the challenges that state civil service commissions need to overcome to optimise their performance.

Olaopa has also extended his mentorship to local government service commissions as he delivered the keynote address to them during their last yearly conference in Abuja. For years, the voice of the Nigerian civil service through the Federal Civil Service Commission was silent on the global stage. But within two years, Olaopa has forged alliances that have returned the voice of the civil service to the global stage. This is so especially at the continental level where under the leadership of Olaopa, Nigeria has become an active voice in the Association of the African Public Service Commissions (AAPSCOMS). In its last meeting in Kenya, Olaopa was elected the Vice President of AAPSCOMS for West Africa.To underscore Nigeria’s influence in AAPSCOMS through Olaopa, the country has been scheduled to host the organisation in 2026 in Abuja.

Successful corporations like great nations have strategic plans that define certain directions that they would go in a given time frame. Yet the FCSC for over 70 years of its existence was bereft of such a strategic plan. But within the two years of Olaopa’s leadership , the FCSC now has a strategic plan that spells out the direction the commission would go from now till 2030.

Beyond clinking glasses at two years in the saddle, Olaopa’s achievements within this brief period are an auspicious reminder of the gains that accrue to the society when the appointment of people to public office is blind to considerations other than their suitability on account of competence and their readiness to serve. They also signal a determination to bequeath to succeeding managers of the civil service a world-class bureaucratic system that has been made to yield itself to renewal in order to effectively deliver service to the public.

*Onomuakpokpo, PhD, former Acting Editor, The Guardian, is the Special Assistant on Strategic Communications to the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission.

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Gov. Abbar Yusuf of Kano State has extended warm felicitations to the Christian community in Kano State and across Nigeria on the celebration of Christmas 2025.

He described the season as a period of love, sacrifice, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

In a statement signed by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, on Thursday, Yusuf said Christmas offered an important opportunity for reflection on the enduring values of peace, tolerance, compassion, and selfless service to humanity.

He urged Christians in the state to use the festive period to canvass for peace, unity, and collective progress.

While calling on all the residents to live together in mutual respect and understanding, Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the rights of all the citizens

According  to him, this is with a view to ensuring an atmosphere where everyone can freely practice their faith in peace.

Yusuf wished the Christians a joyful Christmas celebration even as he prayed for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all residents of the state.

He also advised motorists to strictly observe traffic rules throughout the festive period and beyond to ensure safety on the roads.

(NAN)

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Organisers at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco are allowing supporters in for free after kick-off in matches where stadiums are not full, a Confederation of African Football source told AFP.

The Group F game between Cameroon and Gabon on Wednesday in Agadir kicked off in front of almost empty stands but the ground filled up significantly over the course of the first half despite incessant rain.

The official attendance was later announced as 35,200 inside a venue which can hold over 45,000.

There have been similar scenes at numerous matches across the opening days of the competition, even leading to confusion over the attendance figures themselves.

The crowd at Tuesday’s Group D encounter between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium — which filled up considerably over the course of the game — was initially announced as 6,703 before later being corrected to 13,073.

The CAF source indicated that organisers, in agreement with African football’s governing body, were opening stands around 20 minutes into games to allow fans gathered outside to enter without paying.

Filling stadiums is an important issue for Cup of Nations organisers in Morocco, for which a successful hosting of the tournament is key as it builds towards the 2030 World Cup to be jointly held in the North African country, Spain and Portugal.

CAF’s official ticketing platform on Thursday showed seats available for almost all remaining group matches for prices starting at 100 dirhams ($10.96).

The only matches shown as sell-outs were hosts Morocco’s games against Mali on Friday and Zambia on Monday, as well as Algeria against Burkina Faso on Sunday and Algeria versus Equatorial Guinea next Wednesday.

Vanguard News

The post AFCON: Organiser allowing fans in for free to fill empty stands – CAF appeared first on Vanguard News.

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The Nigeria Police Force has rejected allegations linking the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to the alleged wrongful arrest of a journalist, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading.

In a statement on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hudeyin, said at no time did the IGP authorise, direct or condone the arrest, harassment or intimidation of any journalist.

Hudeyin said the IGP acted swiftly after being formally notified of the incident by the President of the International Press Institute, Musikilu Mojeed.

He explained that Egbetokun immediately ordered the journalist’s release and directed the Force Monitoring Unit to commence an investigation into the officers’ conduct.

According to him, clear instructions were issued that any officer found culpable would be sanctioned in line with extant laws and disciplinary procedures, adding that the IPI was duly informed of the steps taken.

Hundeyin faulted suggestions of institutional hostility to press freedom, insisting that misconduct by individual officers should not be attributed to the leadership or used to malign the institution.

He noted that while the police have over 300,000 personnel nationwide and most officers discharge their duties professionally, isolated cases of misconduct may occur and are always investigated through due process.

He also disclosed that the IPI’s petition was referred to the Force Monitoring Unit, but claimed the institute declined repeated invitations to appear before the unit to harmonise its statements.

Describing the IPI’s decision to suspend engagement with the Force as disproportionate, the police spokesperson said it was contradictory to obstruct investigations while alleging inaction.

He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to constitutional policing, media freedom and professional accountability, while resisting what it called unsubstantiated attempts to undermine its leadership.

In other news, the Nigeria Police Force has arrested 22 suspects and recovered firearms, vehicles, motorcycles and illicit drugs during a series of intelligence-led operations across several states.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that operatives of the Special Tactical Squad carried out the arrests.

Hundeyin said the suspects were linked to offences ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping and banditry to cattle rustling, car snatching, economic sabotage, impersonation and drug trafficking.

He added that six firearms were recovered during the operations, including one LAR rifle, one pump-action gun, AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, an SMG rifle, and two live rounds of ammunition.

According to him, 45 other exhibits were also seized, including vehicles, motorcycles, and illicit drugs suspected of being used to commit crimes.

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President of the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, Rev. Job Ayuba Bagat, has expressed gratitude to God for keeping Nigeria as a united entity, in spite of the economic hardship, insecurity, political uncertainty, social tension, and moral decline that characterized 2025.

In his Christmas message to the nation, Bagat said, “As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember that Christ is still found by those who seek Him sincerely, not in noise or material abundance, but in humility, obedience, holiness, and love.”

He thanked the Almighty father for keeping the country together despite daunting challenges in Nigeria, saying that he has seen the hand of protection, provision and unity in the country.

As the country steps into the year 2026, he said that God is calling on all Nigerians to deepen spiritual alertness and faithfulness to shame the plans of those planning evil in the country, believing that the Almighty father will protect and guide the leaders in the land in the path of righteous in order to prosper the country.

He stated that as families face rising costs of living, young people confront uncertainty, and as communities long for peace and justice, the Church must shine brighter than ever, stressing that the church is called to be a beacon of hope, a people who seek God diligently and remain spiritually awake.

He charged Nigerians, “Let us not lose heart. The same God who has kept us thus far will carry us forward. The darkness of our times cannot overcome the light of Christ shining through His Church.”

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