NIGERIA NEWS
LSSTF Boss Pledges Transparency, Youth Engagement
…Set to constitute monitoring team
The newly appointed Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, has unveiled a comprehensive agenda aimed at increasing public participation, strengthening accountability, and expanding partnerships to enhance security across Lagos State.
This is coming as the Trust is set to constitute a monitoring team soon.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos, Ogunsan said: “My pledge is to strengthen accountability, expand this network of supporters, and ensure the impact of every contribution is felt on the streets where safety matters most.”
He noted that Lagos, as one of Africa’s fastest-growing megacities, faces increasingly complex security challenges requiring modern, intelligence-driven solutions.
“Traditional methods alone are not enough. We must embrace innovation, strengthen collaboration, and ensure our response to emerging security challenges is swift, modern, and people-centred,” he said.
Ogunsan announced that LSSTF will launch a renewed retail donation campaign designed to give every Lagos resident, regardless of income level, an opportunity to contribute to the State’s security efforts.
The initiative includes public awareness drives, digital donation platforms, youth-focused volunteer programmes, and community-level engagement.
“Whether it is N500 or N50 million, what matters most is participation. Our young people are eager to make a difference; we want to give them a platform to channel that energy into building a safer State,” he stated.
Ogunsan reiterated that security today requires more than financial donations. He invited professionals in technology, cybersecurity, engineering, data science, psychology, criminology, and emergency response to donate expertise and equipment.
“To innovators, researchers, engineers, and specialists, Lagos needs your knowledge,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to openness, Ogunsan noted that public confidence is essential for the Fund’s success. “Under my leadership, transparency will be the standard, not the exception.”
The Fund, he added, will strengthen oversight, publish updates, and enhance stakeholders’ communication.
To deepen stakeholders’ engagement, Ogunsan announced that the 19th Town Hall Meeting on Security will be held on December 11, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.
LSSTF, he said, will present its stewardship report; the Commissioner of Police will give insights on emerging trends; and Governor Sanwo-Olu will unveil strategic security priorities.
“When security grows, prosperity grows. When safety strengthens, confidence returns. When we work together, Lagos rises,” Ogunsan said.
He reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to building a Lagos where businesses, families, and communities operate with confidence and peace.
“Our goal is a State where children can go to school without fear, businesses can operate day and night, and every resident lives with peace of mind,” he said.
During the briefing, journalists urged LSSTF to prioritise the persistent electricity challenges in police stations, recommending solar-powered alternatives through partnerships with solar energy companies.
They also advised the Fund to collaborate with landlords to encourage the installation of CCTV cameras in front of residential properties to improve neighbourhood surveillance.
In addition, the media called for the reactivation of police station phone lines, noting that reliable communication channels are essential for timely responses to emergencies.
Responding to the concerns, Administration Director, LSSTF, Adegbola Lewis provided clarity on the Fund’s mandate and operational process. He stressed that LSSTF serves as a strategic intervention body for the State.
“We’re at interventionist stages. Our intention is not to take care of all the funding for these types of security measures. We’re not the federal government,” he said.
He explained that the Fund focuses on identifying gaps in the security architecture and addressing them where necessary.
His words: “We are looking at the gaps and trying to fill the gaps. We’re poised towards providing general security. We’re not focusing on VIP security; it’s general security to ensure that anybody in this room can move around Lagos without problems.”
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A counter insurgency security expert Zagazola Makama has claimed that Burkina Faso authorities are yet to release detained Nigeria Air Force (NAF) pilot despite diplomatic pressure, condemnation.
In post on 𝕏 on Tuesday evening, Zagazola wrote: “Burkina Faso has continued to hold a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilot and crew more than 24 hours after their detention, despite repeated diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian government and widespread condemnation of the action as a blatant violation of international norms.”
However, reports had emerged claiming Burkina Faso released the eleven Nigerian military officers who were detained after their Air Force transport aircraft made an ‘unauthorized’ landing in the country on Monday.
According to Business Insider Africa, the personnel were cleared to return home after Burkinabè authorities completed initial checks amid suspicions related to Nigeria’s intervention in the Benin coup attempt.
The personnel were aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 that landed in the western city of Bobo-Dioulasso. Burkinabè security officials told the BBC that the officers were released after initial questioning and permitted to depart.
While the NAF maintained that the aircraft was en route to Portugal on a ferry mission and was forced to make a “technical emergency landing” due to a fault, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – offered a contrasting, more aggressive account.
The country’s Territorial Administration Minister, Emile Zerbo, stated the plane violated national procedures by flying into Burkina Faso “without authorisation,” prompting security agencies to intervene.
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By: Kingsley Omonobi
Military sources, yesterday, confirmed that one of the wanted, and notorious terrorist kingpin, ‘Kalamu,’ was among the terrorists neutralised during the ambush operation conducted by Special Forces of 8 Division in Sokoto State on Monday.
Consequently, the villagers of several communities in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state, who have suffered kidnapping for ransom and attacks, trooped out to the streets jubilating the successful operation of the troops.
Vanguard had reported that troops of 8 Division, Nigerian Army, in a daring offensive operation on Monday thwarted an attempt by heavily armed terrorists to invade a Sokoto community and embark on a kidnapping spree.
Military sources disclosed to Vanguard that in the heavy gun battle, 11 terrorists were neutralised while available andnoticeable blood stains during exploitation showed that fleeing terrorists escaped with gunshot injuries.
Sources said: “In the early hours of December 8, 2025, 8 Division Special Forces stormed bandits hideout around Kurawa village Sabon Birni LGA.
“The terrorists were attempting to attack Tara village in Sabon Birni LGA which was thwarted.
“Troops neutralised 11 terrorists and captured eight AK 47 rifles, five extra magazines and 26 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.”
It was gathered that the successful offensive against the bandits is in furtherance of troops action to deny criminal elements and non state actors, freedom of action.
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The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has criticised a recent visit by a United States congressional delegation to Nigeria, accusing members of the team of engaging in what it called “sectarian” and “biased consultations.
In a statement yesterday, the organisation singled out U.S. Congressman Riley Moore, who had previously promoted claims of “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
Moore, according to the group, wrote on X that he travelled “in the name of the Lord and on behalf of the American people” and highlighted meetings with Catholic Bishops Wilfred Anagbe and Isaac Dugu, as well as the Tiv traditional ruler, James Ioruza, during a stop in Benue State.
MPAC said Moore’s focus on Christian and traditional leaders, while not meeting with any Muslim leaders, sent a troubling message in a country where religious identity is central to public life. The group noted that the delegation did not consult the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the apex body for Muslims in the country, nor visit Muslim communities affected by violence.
“This was not a scheduling oversight. It was a message,” MPAC said, arguing that the “selective engagement suggests partisanship and appears aligned with narratives promoted by extreme Christian propagandists and other biased U.S.-based actors.”
The organisation warned that such patterns of consultation risk heightening distrust, emboldening extremists, and damaging interfaith relations in Nigeria.
It also questioned why Muslim victims and institutions were excluded and what mechanisms exist to prevent U.S. policy from being shaped by foreign religious lobbies, particularly evangelical and Zionist groups.
“Nigeria must not become a playground for imported prejudice or religiously skewed foreign policy,” MPAC warned.
It reiterated its commitment to defending justice and called on international partners to approach Nigeria with fairness, balance, and respect for its religious diversity.
Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka on Tuesday criticised the large number of armed security personnel that he saw accompanying Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.
Mr Soyinka spoke in Lagos while presenting an honourary award to Odia Ofeimun, the famous poet and activist who was honoured by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.
Mr Soyinka mocked the situation by saying that President Bola Tinubu should not have deployed Nigerian soldiers and air force officials to Benin to foil Sunday’s coup there but should instead have asked Seyi Tinubu to go with his armed security escorts to foil the coup.
READ ALSO: UPDATED: US revokes Wole Soyinka’s visa
Mr Soyinka said he counted at least “15 or so heavily armed to the teeth” security officials who accompanied the president’s son at a hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.
He said he was so astonished by what he saw that he reached out to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to complain about it.
Details later…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) for alleged terrorism financing.
The ex-Minister is also to explain issues relating to money laundering, especially operation of suspicious accounts.
Malami has been asked to account for his investment of about N10billion in Kebbi State, whereabouts of $322million Abacha loot recovered from Swiss account and about $22million from Island of Jersey in the UK.
The EFCC was holding on to Malami as at 10pm on Tuesday because he has not been able to meet his bail conditions.
But the ex-AGF said his public record in office stands in direct contradiction to any insinuation of complicity in terrorism financing.
A top EFCC source said the allegations against Malami were many which will require some days to go through.
The source said:”We have detained the ex-Minister for terrorism financing and the whereabouts of Abacha loot recovered from Switzerland and Island of Jersey in the UK.
“His sudden wealth of N10billion investments in Kebbi State are under investigation. We may attach some of these assets.
“We are likely to interrogate one of his wives on her role on N4billion Anchor Borrowers cash advanced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“He has a lot to clarify but he has not been able to meet bail conditions. He might be with us until he fulfils these.”
But Malami has rejected allegations of terrorism financing.
He cited his key roles in Nigeria’s AML/CFT Reforms and FATF Grey-List exit to dismiss the terrorism financing insinuations.
In a statement on X, Malami said: “My attention has been drawn to a recent publication in which my name was mentioned in connection with allegations of terrorism financing and so-called “links” to persons described as terror suspects or alleged financiers.
“I consider it necessary, in the interest of truth, justice and public record, to make the following clarifications.
“First, I state clearly and unequivocally that I have never at any time been accused, invited, interrogated, investigated or charged by any security, law-enforcement, regulatory or intelligence agency—within or outside Nigeria—in respect of terrorism financing or any related offence.
“Secondly, even the retired military officer cited as the principal source in the said publication categorically admitted that he was not accusing me, or other named individuals, of financing terrorism.
” His own account, as reported, was limited to a vague assertion that certain suspects allegedly had some form of “business” or “institutional” relationship with various persons.
” That important clarification was, unfortunately, overshadowed by a headline and framing capable of misleading well-meaning members of the public into drawing inaccurate and damaging conclusions which was unfortunately politically manipulated by my political opponents to create mischievous insinuations implying my involvement in terrorism financing.
“Terrorism financing is a grave crime with devastating consequences for national security and human life. Any attempt—whether by direct allegation or indirect innuendo—to associate an individual with such an offence must be grounded in verifiable facts, due process and lawful findings, not in conjecture, speculation, or guilt by association. To suggest that lawful professional or institutional engagements can, without more, be read as evidence of terrorism financing is both mischievous and unjust.
“For the avoidance of doubt, my public record in office stands in direct contradiction to any insinuation of complicity in terrorism financing. During my tenure as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, I worked with other arms of government and relevant institutions to strengthen—not weaken—Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
“Among other efforts:
●The Federal Government, through collaborative work involving the Federal Ministry of Justice, the National Assembly and other stakeholders, established an independent Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) by law, in order to meet global standards on operational autonomy and to restore Nigeria’s standing within the international financial-intelligence community.
●We supported and saw to the enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which repealed the older Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and provided a more comprehensive and stringent framework for combating money laundering and related offences, including those that may underpin terrorism financing.
●We similarly worked on the passage and implementation of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which strengthened Nigeria’s legal regime against terrorism, updated offences and penalties, and reinforced provisions dealing specifically with the financing of terrorism in line with international standards and United Nations obligations.
●In furtherance of these laws, my office cooperated closely with key domestic institutions—such as the NFIU, the Central Bank of Nigeria, law-enforcement and regulatory agencies—and with international partners, to improve coordination, information-sharing and compliance across the anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing (AML/CFT) architecture.”
By Ozioruva Aliu
BENIN CITY – THE Speaker of the Edo State Youth Parliament, Prince Fawaz Muhammed, has resigned his position and membership of the parliament, citing abandonment of youth-oriented programmes and non-funding of the parliament.
In a letter addressed to the Clerk of the parliament, Muhammed said they have been self-funding the parliament and that most of the programmes that relate to youths were being abandoned while praise singers are the people getting attention, a development he said was contrary to the reason for the setting up of the parliament
He said “The Edo State Youth Parliament has survived not through institutional commitment but through the personal and financial sacrifices of its members.
“This is unsustainable, unjust, and contrary to the spirit in which this Parliament was established.
“In the current dispensation, we’ve seen youth welfare decline from bad to worse. Young people are losing confidence in good governance. Critical issues affecting Edo youths receive little to no meaningful attention, unless they are touts or praise singers of misgovernance. Presently, youth concerns are pushed to the background and treated as an afterthought when they are acknowledged at all.”
He said the establishment of the Parliament sowed a visionary seed that empowered young people to learn, question, challenge, and lead “However, leadership demands clarity, honesty, and the courage to confront uncomfortable truths. Today, I choose truth over silence, duty over comfort, and my people over political pretence.
“I cannot, in good conscience, remain a ceremonial Youth Parliament Speaker while my constituents face fear, vulnerability, and administrative indifference. I cannot lead a Parliament that runs on sacrifice while those empowered to strengthen youth governance look the other way.
“I cannot allow my voice to be confined within a system that has chosen not to listen. When institutions fail, leaders must refuse to fail with them.”
Checks at the Ministry of Youths which oversees its activities did not yield any response but a senior civil servant who did not want his name mentioned said the ministry look into the development through the appropriate channels
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NIGERIA NEWS
US Birthright Citizenship Meant For Enslaved People’s Kids, Not Wealthy Foreigners — Trump
United States President Donald Trump has reignited debate over America’s birthright citizenship policy, insisting that affluent foreigners are exploiting the provision to secure citizenship for their families.
Speaking in an interview with Politico’s Dasha Burns, Trump expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would eventually overturn the policy, which currently grants automatic citizenship to children born on US soil, including those of undocumented migrants and foreign nationals with “no ties to the U.S.”
Trump argued that the law’s original purpose has been “distorted,” saying it was designed in the post Civil War era to protect children born to enslaved people.
“The case is very interesting because that case was meant for the babies of slaves… It was exactly having to do with the Civil War,” he said.
“It was not meant for some rich person coming from another country, putting a foot in our country, and suddenly their whole family becomes United States citizens.”
The President warned that the US “cannot afford to house tens of millions of people that came in through birthright citizenship,” stressing that the Supreme Court overturning the provision would not only be justified but necessary.
His concerns were echoed on Capitol Hill. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) raised alarm over a surge in “birth tourism,” especially among wealthy Chinese nationals, taking advantage of visa exemptions in the Northern Mariana Islands.
According to Tiffany, the islands now witness more foreign childbirths than local births.
“Communist Chinese passport holders have been permitted to sidestep U.S. visa requirements through categorical parole since 2009,” he told a House Judiciary Committee hearing.
“There are more children being born via birth tourism… They don’t even have to have a visa to come here.”
The debate over birthright citizenship, a constitutional guarantee under the 14th Amendment, continues to sharpen political divides as the US heads toward another election cycle.
A video making the rounds on social media has captured the moment a Nigerian lady explained why her mother’s provision shop isn’t moving. Netizens reacted.
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The African Action Congress, AAC, has criticised the Bola Tinubu-led administration over its decision to launch a military operation against fleeing coup plotters in the Benin Republic.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, AAC National Publicity Secretary Rex I. Elanu said the action highlights what he described as the government’s selective application of power.
“Nigerians are being kidnapped, killed, and terrorised with near-total impunity, yet the same state demonstrates flawless coordination and lethal efficiency when it serves regime or foreign interests,” the party said.
The AAC maintained that the attacks expose a government more concerned with safeguarding elite interests than protecting its own citizens, pointing to ongoing failures in national security and public safety.
“Nigeria does not lack capacity, it lacks commitment to the lives of its own people,” the statement said.
The party encouraged Nigerians to push back against the government’s continued neglect, urging coordinated civic action to take back the country.
It also expressed solidarity with the people of the Republic of Benin and denounced any efforts aimed at destabilising neighbouring nations.
“Nigeria belongs to its people. The time has come to organize, resist, and take it back,” the AAC declared.
Mr Peter Gwom, the Plateau Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Solid Mineral Development, says the State Government’s move to reorganise the mining sector would benefit all citizens.
Gwom said this on Tuesday at a two-day workshop on implementing Extractive Industries Transparency Standards in Plateau, organised by the ministry.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised in collaboration with the Open Government Partnership (OGP), Forum, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI)
The activity is supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC).
The commissioner, who decried the poor revenue accruing to the state from mineral exploration, insisted that the move to reposition the sector would be of great benefit to all.
“All we are doing is to have proper mechanised mining, and eventually have value addition to the minerals that are on the Plateau.
“Not so many people are into proper and mechanised mining, and we are trying to encourage it.
“The government is doing its best to put things in place so that companies that have licenses can operate optimally.
“The state is losing in terms of revenue and what have you, and this is why we are taking the bold step to right the wrong,”he said.
The Commissioner, who further disclosed that over 300 licensed mining companies and 1,000 tin sheds were operating in the state, however, decried the rise in illegal mining activities.
Gwom, who particularly decried the surge in social vices, insecurity, and the decline in school enrolment, among others, said that the state government’s move had so far yielded some positive results.
The commissioner, who thanked RoLAC for supporting the event, called on participants and other key stakeholders to support the government’s bid to reposition the mining sector in the state.
Speaking, Mr Mantim Dala, the Coordinator of RoLAC in Plateau, said the intervention aimed to ensure transparency and accountability in the extractive industry.
He maintained that the challenges in the mining sector, particularly corruption, had, over time, posed a serious threat to the overall development of the state and the nation in general.
Dala explained that the meeting had brought together critical stakeholders to identify the best ways to reposition the mining sector in Plateau.
“So the whole idea is to look at the topical issue on the Plateau and beam the lens of transparency and accountability in the mining sector.
“The meeting will enable us to unravel some of the symptoms or perhaps inadequacies in managing the extractive industry in Plateau.
“But of course, the whole idea is to look at how to improve the way the sector is being administered,”Dala said.
Vanguard News
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