President Bola Tinubu has called on the National Assembly (NASS) to summon the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to address some concerns and delays.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Tinubu asked the federal lawmakers to invite the police chief to examine ways to ‘institute controls and prevent abuses, as it was a necessary step in the fight against terrorism and banditry.’

Speaking on Friday night, December 19, at the 15th national executive committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Tinubu insisted that state police is the way to go.

A statement shared on X on Friday, December 19, by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, obtained by Legit.ng, highlighted Tinubu’s stance, and reads as follows: “President Tinubu said that State Police is the way to go.

He called on the National Assembly to summon the Inspector General of Police to examine ways to ‘institute controls and prevent abuses’, as it was a necessary step in the fight against terrorism and banditry.”

The remaining 130 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State have been released.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The pupils were reportedly freed at a location between Agwara and Borgu local government areas of the state.

The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the release but said the precise number was yet to be verified.

“It is confirmed, but we are still working to ascertain the exact number of those released,” Abiodun said.

The Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of the school, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, also confirmed the release of the remaining abducted schoolchildren.

He said Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, personally informed him of the development, noting that both the children and their teachers had regained their freedom.

According to the bishop, the exact number of those released was not disclosed to him.

However, he said the children were expected to arrive in Minna on Monday, where they would be formally received at the Government House by the state government.

A presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, also confirmed the release in a Facebook post.

He said, “The remaining 130 schoolchildren abducted by terrorists at St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, on November 21, have now been released.

“They are expected to arrive in Minna on Monday and rejoin their parents for the Christmas celebration.

“One hundred were released earlier by the terrorists, taking the total of freed students to 230. The freedom of the schoolchildren followed a military-intelligence-driven operation.”

The school was attacked on November 21 when armed men riding on motorcycles stormed the premises and abducted 315 persons, comprising 303 students and 12 teachers, in an operation that reportedly lasted several hours.

About 50 pupils managed to escape within the first 24 hours of the attack, leaving 265 abductees, including all 12 teachers, in captivity.

On December 7, the federal government secured the release of 100 students following sustained pressure on the abductors.

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, as a public holiday for the New Year celebration.

In a statement on Monday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajayi, said the announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government.

Dr Tunji-Ojo extended warm Christmas and New Year greetings to Christians in Nigeria and around the world, as well as to all citizens, emphasising that the festive season offers an important moment to reflect on the virtues of love, peace, humility and sacrifice embodied in the birth of Jesus Christ.

He said such values remain essential to strengthening unity, tolerance and harmony across the country.

He urged Nigerians—regardless of religious or ethnic identity—to use the season to pray for national peace, security and progress, while supporting the Federal Government’s broader efforts toward development and cohesion.

“The Christmas season and the New Year present an opportunity for Nigerians to strengthen the bonds of unity, show compassion to one another, and renew our collective commitment to nation-building,” the Minister stated.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo also appealed to citizens to remain law-abiding, vigilant and moderate in their celebrations, and to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful and safe holiday period.

He wished all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.