Catholic Diocese Confirms 303 Students, 12 Teachers Abducted in Niger State
The Bishop of the Catholic Kontagora Diocese, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, on Saturday confirmed that 303 students and 12 teachers were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State. Yohanna said the figures emerged after a final verification exercise and census conducted by the diocese. The victims were taken by suspected terrorists who invaded the schools earlier in the week.
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Zamfara Police Foil Attack, Rescue 25 Kidnap Victims
The Zamfara State Police Command said on Saturday it foiled a bandit attack and rescued 25 kidnapped victims on Friday night. In a statement, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the rescued victims comprised 10 women and 15 children. He added that security operatives acted on credible intelligence to intercept the abductors and safely recover the victims.
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Lagos Archbishop Calls for Decisive Action as Insecurity Worsens
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Adewale Martins, has urged the Federal Government to implement urgent and decisive measures to curb rising insecurity across Nigeria. Martins said the persistent terrorist attacks and recent mass killings of innocent Nigerians highlight the need for security agencies to identify and confront perpetrators and their sponsors. He warned that continued inaction would further endanger national stability.
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APC National Secretary Basiru Withdraws From Osun Governorship Race
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has withdrawn from the 2026 governorship race in Osun State. His announcement comes less than three weeks before the party’s primary election scheduled for December 13. Basiru did not immediately state reasons for withdrawing from the contest.
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Peter Obi Says Nnamdi Kanu’s Conviction a ‘Failure of Leadership’
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described the arrest and life imprisonment of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu as “unfortunate,” saying the development reflects a failure of leadership. Obi said the process would escalate tensions rather than reduce them. He insisted he had always maintained that Kanu should never have been arrested and instead advocated dialogue and inclusive governance.
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Soyinka Condemns Trump’s Threat of Military Action in Nigeria
Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has criticised former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of military intervention in Nigeria over claims of “Christian genocide.” Speaking after meeting Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi, Soyinka described Trump’s comments as “madness” and strongly opposed any foreign military action in the country.
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Nigeria Records 24.47 Million Malaria Cases in Nine Months – Report
No fewer than 24.47 million Nigerians tested positive for malaria in the first nine months of 2025, according to the National Health Statistics Report released by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The document, obtained over the weekend, highlights the continued burden of malaria across the country.
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Edo Police Arrest Content Creator Over False Kidnapping Claim
The Edo State Police Command has arrested social media content creator, Osarobo Omoyemen, for allegedly fabricating a kidnapping story. According to the Command’s PPRO, Moses Yamu, Omoyemen falsely claimed she was abducted at Upper Sakponba Road in Benin before being rescued and detained by police officers who demanded N10,000 bail. The police said the allegations were baseless.
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Gas Explosion Kills Several in Ibadan Community
Several persons were feared dead on Friday night after a gas explosion occurred in the Bioku-Alaadun area of Ibadan, Ona Ara Local Government Area. The explosion reportedly happened while a tanker was discharging gas at a retail outlet. Emergency responders have yet to confirm the exact casualty figure.
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Trump Calls Nigeria ‘A Disgrace’ in Latest Outburst
U.S. President Donald Trump has again criticised Nigeria, calling the country “a disgrace” in his latest remarks. Two weeks after redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, Trump accused the Nigerian government of inefficiency and failing to address security and human rights challenges.
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Tinubu Says Security Crisis Is Nigeria’s Greatest Threat
President Bola Tinubu has said nothing troubles him more than the insecurity ravaging Nigeria, especially in the North. Speaking on Saturday in Kaduna at the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Tinubu represented by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said urgent action was needed to prevent economic decline and educational setbacks. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eliminating terrorist and bandit groups.
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FG Engages U.S. Officials to Counter ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the Nigerian delegation in the U.S. is working to address claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria. Idris said officials, led by NSA Nuhu Ribadu, met with senior U.S. authorities to present evidence-based reports on Nigeria’s security situation. He insisted there is no government-sponsored persecution of any religious group.
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Gani Adams Warns Terrorists Targeting Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos
Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has raised alarm over intelligence suggesting terrorists are planning coordinated attacks in several South-West states. In an interview, Adams said armed groups had already infiltrated communities, using Kogi and Kwara as buffer zones. He warned that Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, and Lagos were primary targets.
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Peter Obi Says Nnamdi Kanu ‘Should Never Have Been Arrested’
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the life imprisonment of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, saying he should never have been arrested. Obi argued that Nigeria’s leadership failed to address underlying grievances through dialogue and inclusive governance. He said the conviction comes at a time of economic hardship and deepening insecurity.
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Presidency Accuses Peter Obi of Politicising Kanu’s Conviction
The presidency has criticised Peter Obi over his remarks on Nnamdi Kanu’s life sentence, saying his comments lacked courage and were politically motivated. Special Adviser Olusegun Dada said Obi had never condemned IPOB’s violent activities and accused him of exploiting national security issues for political gain.
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Rev. Dachomo Claims Tinubu’s Aides Are Threatening Him
Plateau State cleric Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo says he has received threats from individuals linked to President Bola Tinubu’s government over his comments on alleged Christian genocide. In a viral video, Dachomo claimed he is being monitored and warned to stop exposing the government. The clergyman insisted he would not be silenced.
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FG Denies Reports of Nationwide School Shutdown
The Federal Ministry of Education has dismissed reports that all schools nationwide would shut down on November 24, 2025. Spokesperson Folasade Boriowo said no such directive was issued by federal or state authorities. The ministry urged the public to rely only on verified official information.
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Onaiyekan Tells FG: ‘You Know Those Killing Nigerians’
Cardinal John Onaiyekan has criticised the Federal Government over worsening insecurity, insisting authorities know those behind killings and kidnappings. Speaking on Arise News, Onaiyekan said Nigerians are tired of excuses and demanded that government identify and prosecute terrorist financiers and supporters. He described the situation as a failure of governance.
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Thugs Attack Fuji Star Obesere During Ondo Burial
Fuji musician Abass Akande Obesere was attacked by suspected thugs during a burial ceremony in Okitipupa, Ondo State. Witnesses said hoodlums invaded the venue, assaulted band members, and destroyed musical equipment, forcing guests to flee. Police have yet to issue a formal response.
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Aiyegbeni Urges NFF to Look Beyond Siasia, Eguavoen for New Coach
Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has advised the Nigeria Football Federation to avoid returning to former coaches Samson Siasia and Augustine Eguavoen. Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, Aiyegbeni said Nigeria needs a fresh direction, preferably with a foreign coach. He warned that replacing the current coach weeks before AFCON would be ill-timed.