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

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

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

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

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

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

Nigeria added to the list

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

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

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Chiemelie Ezeobi 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

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

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

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

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

The newly added countries are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police’s involvement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Demands

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ankrah Shalom (Human-Interest editor)

Shalom Ankrah is a journalist and a Human Interest Editor at Legit.ng with over six years of experience. She has a degree in Mass communication from Alex Ekwueme University. Shalom has worked with reputable news organizations including The Tide and GistReel. Email: ankrah.shalom@corp.legit.ng.

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‎An expert has shared the alleged reason behind Peller’s car crash on December 14, 2025, during an Instagram livestream.

‎It would be recalled that the car crash occurred along the Eko Expressway, where bystanders rushed to take Peller to the hospital.

‎Expert Exposes Alleged Reason For Peller’s Car Crash

‎According to the expert identified with the X handle, @austeiin, the breakup between Peller and Jarvis is a stunt, and the car crash incident is just content.

He further claimed he could bet his December salary on the claim and asked about the value Peller brings.

Peller’s Relationship With Jarvis

In the tweet that has gone viral, the expert inquired why Jarvis, an educated individual, accepted dating Peller and turned their relationship into content.

‎Read Tweet Below…….

‎The way Nigerians hype Peller needs to be studied.Remove social media madness, gimmicks, and clout who exactly is Peller? 

‎What real value does he bring? .Nigerians made him relevant, and that’s the plain truth.If nonsense didn’t trend in this country, this guy wouldn’t even be in the conversation. 

‎Loud behavior + foolish stunts = instant fame.That’s the formula. Now let’s be serious. How does someone believe that acting anyhow online for views will suddenly lead to something meaningful or respectable? That mindset alone shows the whole thing was never deep.

‎And to that Jarvis too; how does a well-educated person look at someone like Peller and say, “Yes, this is fine, I love him and I will date him” then turn their relationship into content…..Public display, constant cameras, zero boundaries…..For what exactly?.

‎What were people expecting? A fairytale? Abeg! Abeg.That Jarvis break up with Peller is pure fallacy & a stunt! That Accident Peller was involved in is all content. 

‎I can bet my December salary on it.t’s engagement farming. No be Peller again?! It’s Nigerians doing what Nigerians do best; hyping drama and then acting shocked when it crashes.

See below…..

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Alwan Hassan, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has claimed that 95 percent of ministers who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari should be in prison over alleged corruption.

Hassan made the allegation on Tuesday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Asked about growing scrutiny of officials who served under Buhari, Hassan said: “95 per cent of the ministers under Buhari should be in jail by now.”

He added: “There has never been a time when ministers got free hands without supervision like Buhari’s eight years in office.”

Hassan said Buhari had once warned his ministers to keep their documents ready for future accountability.

He said: “You’ve heard what people are saying; the former president even told them to keep their documents ready because there will come a day when they’ll be asked to explain themselves; maybe he has seen what they are doing.”

The APC chieftain alleged that corruption was widespread during Buhari’s tenure from 2015 to 2023, adding that a small number of officials were not involved in wrongdoing.

Hassan said: “Those good men around those years are the 5 per cent; there are a few good people, very few good men around.”

He attributed the alleged abuse to lack of oversight, describing Buhari’s administration as a “free-for-all”.

Hassan said: “There has never been a time when government budgets were 100 per cent released without interference by the presidency like Buhari’s time; ministers were given free rein; they did what they wanted.

“Everyone was his own cabal; if you got the chance to meet Buhari and explain things, you became a cabal. The nation was at peace; people were doing what they wanted; if you were appointed under Buhari, your job was largely abdicated to you; there was no supervision.”

Hassan made comparisons of Buhari’s era with the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He said: “This government is hands-on; if you’re talking about government finance, it’s Asiwaju; everyone knows this. Contractors like me are still shouting about unpaid sums; he is careful; he knows his priorities; it is not business as usual.”

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