Dr. Chris Ngige, the immediate past Federal Minister for Labour escaped death in his home State when his convoy was attacked by gunmen.
The attack left one woman who was recording the attack dead, and a couple of others, including a policeman and the driver of the escort vehicle, badly injured.
The convoy ran into the ambush along the Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area.
Eye witnesses said the assailants were dressed in military and police uniforms. They opened fire on the pilot vehicle, and killed a policeman whose rifle and uniform they allegedly carted away.
The ill-fated woman was reportedly recording the incident with her mobile phone when she was shot dead.
An owner of a shop who rushed out to see what was happening was hit by bullets. He sustained severe injuries, which resulted in loss of a lot of blood. He is scheduled for surgery to remove bullet fragments, and mercifully, in stable condition.
The leader of the escort sustained gunshot injuries and has undergone surgery. He is stable and will have full recovery.
Luckily for Dr. Ngige, who was a Governor of the State before the Supreme Court sacked him, he was not in the convoy at the time of the attack.
A statement by his former Chief Press Secretary, Fred Chukwuelobe, confirmed the frightening incident. “I spoke with His Excellency, Dr. Ngige, who confirmed the attack and assured that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure adequate medical care for the injured. He also extended condolences to the family of the woman who was killed while recording the attack”, he said.
At the time of filing this story, there has been no statement from either the Police or tye State Government.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured of not only the safety of former President Goodluck Jonathan, but confirmed he has departed the Coup D’etat infested Guinea Bissau.
Jonathan was trapped in Guinea-Bissau due to military takeover of government.
He was in the country as part of a joint election observer mission deployed by the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), whose founder he is before the Military struck.
However, he has been moved under military protection as tensions escalated in the country and, is on his way back to Nigeria, aboard a special flight. Other members of his delegation, also joined him on same flight.
The military takeover occurred after both incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias declared themselves winners of Sunday’s presidential election, even though official results had not been released.
Nigeria’s House of Representatives, at its plenary on Thursday, asked the Federal Government to explore diplomatic and every other measures to facilitate the safe return of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere.
Ihonvbere informed the House that Jonathan, who was in the country on election observation was trapped following the coup, saying, the government should explore ways of ensuring his safe return.
The Nigerian leader alongside hundreds of foreign observers were trapped on Wednesday after the military took over, while result of the elections were about to be officially declared.
Report stated that hundreds of foreign observers who raced to the airport in a bid to leave the country after the coup was announced are currently stranded.
A group of military officers claimed “total control” of the country, a day after two leading candidates – President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Fernando Dias – each declared victory.
Calling themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, the officers ordered the immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice”.
They also ordered the closure of all land, air and sea borders and an overnight curfew.
Emmanuel, younger brother to the jailed Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has accused the Federal High Court of refusing to sign a warrant to authorise his transportation from Sokoto to Abuja to enable him perfect paperwork for his appeal.
Kanu was on November 20, 2025, sentenced to life imprisonment by a Federal High Court Abuja, presided over by the Honourable Justice James Omotosho. He was prosecuted by the Federal Government on terrorism related issues and other sundry matters. After his conviction and sentencing, he was moved from the custody of the Department of State Services where he had been since 2021, to Sokoto Correctional Centre.
However, before his conviction, he had filed an appeal against the deliverance of the November 20 judgement.
But since he is in Sokoto, he would need a warrant from the Court to enable his transportation to Abuja.
According to Emmanuel, the settlement of records at the Registry of the Federal High Court is a must procedure for filing appeals at the Court of Appeal.
Emmanuel, on Thursday morning, showed copies of the summons issued by the registrar of the Abuja Federal High Court, which directed the IPOB leader to appear on November 28, 2025, for the appeal records settlement. But the warrant has not been granted.
Emmanuel: “This is a summons to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to appear on November 28 at the Federal High Court in Abuja for the settlement of records regarding the appeal he filed prior to the November 20 judgment.
“A production warrant is required for the Sokoto Prison to transport him to Abuja, but the Court declined to issue it.”
The said summons was dated November 11, 2025, and signed by Ojonugwa Thomas, Principal Registrar 1. It read: “Summons to parties by Registrar to settle records (In compliance with Order 8 Rule 2 of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2021).
“Take notice that all parties concerned are required to appear before me at the Appeal Section of the Federal High Court Headquarters, Plot 1048 (710), Cadastral Zone A100, Off Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Abuja, on 28th day of November, 2025, at the hour of 11:00 am, to proceed with settlement of record of appeal therein.”
The appeal, numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2025, is between Nnamdi Kanu, appellant, and Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is the appellant while the Federal Government is the respondent.
It has been revealed that not less than 11,566 Police personnel will be affected by President Bola Tinubu’s directive to redeploy policemen attached to Very Important Personnel, (VIP) in the country.
President Tinubu had given the directive following escalating banditry which led to abduction of School Children in Kebbi and Niger states, while church members were kidnapped in Kwara state. Some of the victims had been released and reunited with their families.
Report revealed that the Nigeria Police Force has an estimated 371,800 officers with over 200,000 of them serving the political elites, leaving 171,800 to Police 236.7million Nigerians.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, confirmed the recall of 11,566 police personnel and revealed that their redeployment to underserved and vulnerable communities across the country has commenced.
According to the IGP, the move aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening internal security, enhancing community policing, and ensuring a more equitable distribution of manpower nationwide.
He noted that the redeployed officers will boost security presence in rural and high-risk areas that have long suffered from inadequate policing.
The measure is expected to improve response time, deepen community engagement, and support ongoing operations against criminal networks.
The IGP reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to professional service delivery, stressing that the redeployment is part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety and ensure that every community—regardless of size or location—receives adequate security coverage.
He assured Nigerians that more reforms are underway to reposition the police force for improved efficiency and accountability.
There’s no need to obsess over what US President Donald Trump said about Nigeria being disgraced or his threat to attack fast, viciously, and sweetly with blazing guns. He has perfected the art of blowing hot and cold, perhaps more hot than cold.Yet, his unstable nature is rarely foolish; he’s a controlled bully, driven by flattery.
It’s not Trump’s fault that Nigeria is where it is. Three recent incidents demonstrate the significant work required to fix this country, if we’re serious about being respected.
The first was how the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, responded to the presidential directive to go to Kebbi State after the tragic abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga,on November 17.
I didn’t expect the minister to go into the bush to look for the girls. His record as a bandit appeaser as Zamfara State governor doesn’t suggest he’s even remotely cut out for that kind of radical adventure. If he has since seen the light, the least I expected was that he would take his business with the urgency and seriousness it deserved.
That Guard of Honour
To my utmost shock and surprise, however, as soon as he landed at the airstrip in Kebbi, he began his assignment by inspecting a military guard of honour with TV cameras following him. After that, he mounted the platform to receive a salute – the sort of luxury reserved for someone on a celebratory mission.
While this nonsense was going on, the 25 abducted schoolgirls and their distraught families were sinking deeper and deeper into misery, and the world, remembering Chibok and other cases of serial mass kidnaps of schoolchildren, was asking what kind of people we are.
If this was Matawalle’s idea of soft power, or the new meaning of non-kinetic engagement, then he should return to his farm in Bakura. His performance was deserving of nothing less than a caning on the rostrum where he was receiving that salute.
If his daughter were among those taken by the bandits, would he be throwing his agbada left, right, left, and be pretending to inspect a guard of honour while the fate of the abducted children hung by a thread?
Just Like Buhari’s Red Carpet
It reminded me again of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s aides decking the streets with the red carpet when the former president visited Dapchi, Yobe State, in 2018, after 110 girls were kidnapped from their dormitory in Government Girls Science College. This vanityleaves your heart with more broken pieces than Humpty Dumpty suffered from a fall.That’s if you’re not Mattawale.
Ribadu’s Sneaking Out
The second embarrassment was the departure of the NSA Malam Nuhu Ribadu-led reconciliation team to the US, leaving Nigeria like thieves in the night. Was it a precondition of the visit to Washington that Nigerians should be left in the dark about the delegation or its composition?
To make matters worse, days after the delegation left, no one knew what was happening, who they were meeting, or what they were discussing. Nothing. It was the readout from the office of the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegeseth, that hinted at what was going on. It was a disgrace that the Nigerian public had to rely on the man who had received President Trump’s orders to prepare to attack Nigeria for crumbs of what was going on in the White House!
A self-respecting country on such a critical mission will tell its own story and keep its citizens informed of what they need to know on an ongoing basis.
Wonder, wonder, wonder…
And then came the news that all 38 worshipers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, had been freed unharmed on Sunday, after three days in captivity. That was good news and a source of respite not only for the affected families and their communities, but also for a traumatised country.
There was also good news from Kebbi, where all 25 schoolchildren abducted on November 17 were freed one week later.
Matters arising from these incidents have, sadly, left more questions than answers. And the world, particularly those who have Trump’s ear, must be amused by what appears to be a roulette game of abductions and dramatic escapes.
I do not expect the details of the rescue to be widely shared, perhaps for security reasons.And I also understand the sentiment of affected families, which is similar to the Mao Zedongian phrase ‘white cat, black cat, let our loved one return safely.’But there’s something untidy and deeply worrying about this drama.
‘90 Minutes at Entebbe’
As a nation, it makes us appear utterly unserious, somewhat like characters from Trump’s disgraceful caricature, to report that days after widespread abductions, the victims – 38 in Kwara, 25 in Kebbi – were freed, as if by magic! No payments, arrests or sketch of the encounter. It’s the kind of thing that can only happen in “spiritual warfare” or in fairy tales – hardly ever in real life.
In decades, the only thing close to this was “90 Minutes at Entebbe,” one of the most audacious hostage rescue operations by Israeli forces in 1976, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s elder brother, Yonathan “Yoni” Netanyahu, who sadly lost his life in the otherwise near-perfect operation.
Suppose, however, there is no backstory to the “miraculous” escapes in Kwaraand Kebbi, then we must package the lessons for export and perhaps curate alore from it for Nollywood, for which I’ll suggest the title, “Triumph of non-Kinetic Theory of Combat.” And this is no laughing matter. For others to take us seriously, we must first take ourselves seriously by shedding habits that put us in a bad light.
Where the Buck Stops
Trump did not ask Matawalle to convert a critical emergency task into an Oscars moment, nor did he ask the Sergeant Major on duty at the girls’ school in Kebbi to leave 45 minutes before the abductions. It was not Trump who told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s team to sneak into the White House as if they were going to ask for political asylum.
In a poorly policed country such as ours, it was not Trump who assigned over 100,000 police officers – nearly one quarter of the entire force – to guard big men, leaving swathes of the population vulnerable. The misuse and abuse of the Force dates back to the First Republic, following the military coup, and deteriorated under subsequent military rule, reaching disgraceful proportions in the Second Republic.
Since 2012, when retired Major General Mohammed Shuwa was killed by individuals suspected to be Boko Haram, at least three army generals (the most recent being Brigadier Musa Uba) have died in combat, in addition to hundreds of soldiers who have also lost their lives, in a conflict that has become more prolonged and complicated than Nigeria’s three-year civil war.
US complicity in Libya and its lukewarmness about support for Nigeria under President Barack Obama put the country in a tight spot. Still, it was not Trump who infiltrated thepolitical and military ranks or indulged a security system that neither prioritises accountability nor takes consequences seriously. This, sadly, is the hand that poor governanceand bad choices have dealt President Tinubu.
He must deal with it.
Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book, A Midlifer’s Guide to Content Creation and Profit.
An Archdeacon of the Anglican Communion, the Venerable Edwin Achi, has died in the hands of his abductors.
The Venerable Achi, his wife, Sarah, and their daughter were abducted on October 28, from their home in the Nissi Community, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State. All appeals for their release by their abductors, were in vain, just like all the prayers by the Church.
The abductors, on Tuesday posted a heartbreaking photograph of the Priest and his wife, both distressed and seemingly disoriented to prove they were still alive, but they went on to demand for the sum of N600m for their release. They were sitting on the ground in a forest, emaciated and disheveled. There were, also, other abducted persons who were chained.
The Anglican Diocese of Kaduna has announced the death of the Priest, expressing its pain, deep sorrow and heartbreak. It appealed for the release of the dead Priest’s wife and their daughter.
Confirming his death, a family member posted, “They killed him. They killed him. These monsters killed him.”
The Venerable was a native of Ukwuani, Delta State.
Until his killing, he was in charge of Ebenezer Anglican Church, Ungwan, Maijero, Kaduna.
One of the most renowned and respected Islamic scholars in Nigeria , Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi has passed on.
Family sources informed that Sheikh Bauchi died late Wednesday, November 26,2025 after a prolonged illness , occasioned mainly by complications associated with old age .
The Supreme leader of the Islamic religious sect-Sufi , popular as the Tijanniyah in Nigeria, died at the age of 98 ( June 29–November 26 ,2025 .
Mourning him, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammad expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Sheikh Bauchi .
In a statement signed by his media aide, Mukhtar Gidado, Wednesday , Governor Muhammad described the renowned preacher ,as a” towering figure in Islamic learning and teaching.
According to the Bauchi State Governor ,late Sheikh Bauchi lived a fulfilled life marked by faith , humility and unwavering dedication to the service of God and humanity.
“Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was a revered teacher ,and spiritual guide whose influence transcended borders.
Governor Bala Mohammad
” His teaching of the Holy Qur’an and the moral upliftment of society produced thousands of students who memorized the Qur’an and spread Islamic knowledge across Africa”, Gov Muhammad stated.
Late Sheikh Bauchi was a highly influential Islamic scholar ,whose preaching resonated not only in Nigeria ,but the West African sub-region, Africa and globally.
He was versed in Quran teachings and commentaries , with over 15,000 scholars under his mentorship.
He was conferred with the National honour of the Commander of Federal Republic OFR ,in recognition of his invaluable footprints in Islamic teaching and learning ,as well as contributions to the peace, stability and development of the country.
Sheikh Bauchi who is survived by an estimated 61 children will be laid to rest on Friday November 28 ,2025 in Bauchi ,Bauchi State .
The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed that one of its personnel, an Inspector, was stabbed to death on Wednesday in Akure.
The Command explained that an incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday involving a police officer, who was performing a lawful duty in the said area.
According to the command’s spokesman Olusola Ayanlade, “An altercation ensued between the officer and some recalcitrant individuals, during which the officer was tragically stabbed. This unfortunate event triggered an immediate and coordinated police response.
“Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police deployed a team of operatives to the scene, resulting in the arrest of two suspects directly connected to the incident.
“They include Shina Jacob ‘m’ aged 25 years and Felix Olalekan ‘m’ aged 32 years. The injured officer was also rescued and rushed to the hospital.
“However, despite all efforts, the Police Inspector sadly passed away while receiving treatment. The follow-up operation conducted last night formed part of the Command’s sustained and strategic efforts to rid the state of violent criminal elements and prevent further breaches of public safety.”
The spokesman warned that the command will not tolerate any form of human rights abuse by its officers, just as it will deal decisively with anyone who assaults or attacks police officers in the course of their lawful duties.
The suspects, the command said, will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
“The Ondo State Police Command remains resolute, steadfast, and fully committed to maintaining law and order in collaboration with other security agencies.”
“I have been a target of this administration since its inception” – Sylva
A former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has chided the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for invading his residence. During the invasion, Sylva said his drivers, domestic staff and others who live in his house, were arrested, and are still in detention.
Earlier, Sylva had, also, said that during the invasion, his property was destroyed.
Recall that the EFCC declared Sylva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State wanted over an alleged fraud to the tune of over $14.8M in connection with a proposed refinery.
Before Sylva was declared wanted, his name had been linked to a purported coup plot to sack President Bola Tinubu from office, a plot which the Military strongly dismissed. Yet, nobody has quite explained why Sylva’s home was invaded by the Military and arrests made.
But, now, reacting officially to the EFCC’s declaration of him as wanted, Sylva, chided the Commission and asked them to say why he was so declared.
He said the EFCC had invited him in 2024, an invitation he honoured, and was granted bail in self recognition. He said since then, there has been no other invitation to him by the EFCC and wondered why he was declared wanted.
In a letter to the EFCC, he asked the Commission to give him a date to appear before it, but noted that he was in the United Kingdom on medicals, over a life-threatening condition, and promised to appear, based on the advice of his medical team.
In the November 24 dated letter, acknowledged by the EFCC on November 26, Sylva wrote:
“I most humbly request that a mutually agreed date be set—subject to medical clearance—to enable me appear physically. I trust the objective of your invitation is not to harm me but to investigate an alleged crime, which I firmly deny.
“I have never declined or evaded any lawful invitation. The claim that I jumped bail is incorrect. No such bail condition existed or was violated by me.
“The recent actions may be misinterpreted as a political witch-hunt by many, especially considering that I appear to have been a target since the beginning of this administration”.
“I believe that the President needs to be told the truth, and that those with access to him, particularly from the majority party and others, should tell the President the true situation of things. There should be no sugar-coating. We are losing our security personnel, our citizens, and our territorie. Our reputation is being ridiculed…”
Today (Yesterday), the Senate had an elaborate discussion on the security situation in the country, which has worsened in the last few weeks. When the Senate President recognised me to speak, I started by reminding him how I raised this issue with him a couple of days ago, and the need for us to work together. I added that it was good he had brought the matter up by way of a motion.
I felt that the deterioration of the security situation in most communities, the killings and abductions, and even the killing of soldiers and officers – one of them of the rank of Brigadier General – and the way terrorists are abducting students, with bandits attacking several States at the same time, are situations that even nations at war do not experience. Therefore, the matter should be examined with all the seriousness it deserves.
I stated that it is very clear that not only our democracy is under threat, but the nation itself is being reduced, belittled, and threatened. I also disagreed with the approach and tone of the motion, as well as with some comments from members of the majority party who, in my view, were unnecessarily political. That, in my view, did not match the seriousness of the issue.
At this point, the presiding officer did not allow me to conclude my comments. But what I was saying was that, yes, as I have said several times, the entire nation is under attack, and we must all unite to address this challenge.
However, I do not agree with the request in the motion, supported by the majority of speakers from the majority party, to commend the President and the government. I disagree with it.
Godswill Akpabio, Senate President.
I believe that the President needs to be told the truth, and that those with access to him, particularly from the majority party and others, should tell the President the true situation of things. The seriousness of the matter is such that there should be no sugarcoating or attempts to be politically correct, as that, in my opinion, is unnecessary hypocrisy and a disservice to the country and even to the president.
As I said, we are the Senate of the Federal Republic with powers to oversee the President and the military, including the ministers and the security leaders. And that we must do. That is our responsibility to the nation and the people of Nigeria who are presently under attack, displaced, traumatised, killed and apprehensive.
They are wondering what their leaders and their government are doing. In the prevailing circumstances, I expressed on the floor a strong objection to the motion of commendation because it is ill-timed, insensitive and even provocative. It is not helpful to the image of the Senate as an institution or the president who is sought to be commended. If things had been done so well, we would not be where we are today. How will the victims, the soldiers fighting, the victims of kidnapping and the families of those killed feel?
There are members of the National Assembly who spoke in support of this commendation but who cannot visit their communities or their Senatorial Districts because of insecurity and killings. There are members of the National Assembly whose Senatorial Districts are currently under the occupation of terrorists who run parallel governments and impose all manner of taxes on their constituents. How will the people feel?
There are soldiers, police officers and other security agents from all over this country who are fighting and dying. Our duty is to express strong solidarity and support for those who are fighting on the front lines while working with the executive. This we do by effective oversight, appropriation support and policy advice.
The Senate President deliberately misinterpreted my reference to “the other side”. The Senate and the National Assembly and other legislative houses are arranged in two distinct roles: the role of the majority party and that of the minority party, and a reference to the other side of the aisle is only a reference to that— the majority or minority party, depending on who is speaking, and it is normal parliamentary language.
The President or any president will need the support and honest advice of institutions of state, and the Senate, as the highest legislative body, has the obligation to lead in that direction. It is wrong to begin a discussion on serious issues of insecurity with a request to commend the president and the government. I don’t believe the president is seeking such commendation.
I have always said, even in previous governments, that the nation should unite, especially in times of national crisis such as now. But the time and circumstances in the country do not call for any commendation now. The times call for collaboration, honest opinion and advice, and patriotism.
Those with unhindered access to the President – from both chambers of the National Assembly and other stakeholders – should tell the President the true situation of things and the true feelings of the people.
To me, the motion required us to investigate the allocations and disbursements to the military and security agencies. So we must strengthen oversight and ensure that the trillions budgeted are used for the purposes for which they were approved.
Presidents over the years have released staggering sums of money to the military to fight terrorism.
With my background and experience, I know that the executive office is an executive bubble constrained by protocol and security that limit information flow to the occupant.
“I urge those who have access to the president to provide honest advice and perspectives that reflect the realities on the ground. The Senate of the Federal Republic, as the highest legislative institution, must be objective, patriotic and command the confidence of the people whose sovereignty we embody.
The deliberations and resolutions of the Senate must reflect the realities that may not be open to the president. People should reduce hypocrisy: sycophancy, unnecessary blackmail and eye service.
Mr President must be told that the nation is at war as we are losing our security personnel, our citizens, and our territories. Our reputation is being ridiculed, and our democracy and nation are endangered.
The times call for frankness, strong political will, and decisive leadership to act in the best interests of Nigeria.
I support the resolutions reached by the Senate to begin an inquiry into the circumstances under which the military personnel deployed in Kebbi were withdrawn, and on whose orders, as stated by the Governor. I also support an investigation into the circumstances leading to the capture of General Uba and his subsequent killing by ISWAP, the manner in which it happened, and the way the Army handled the events and the management of his family.
As members of the Committee on Defence and the Committee on National Security, we hope to deal with these issues.
We extend our condolences to the families of all our fallen soldiers and security personnel, and indeed all victims. Our particular condolences go to the wife, children, family, and friends of General Uba and all other security officials who have lost their lives in the fight against insurgency.
Finally, this is one of the many instances the Senate President has tried to prevent me from making my contributions to pressing national issues. We will not give up until people learn the lesson that in a democracy, the majority may have their way, but the minority must have their say.
No Senator is under obligation to say things the way and how the Senate President wants them. The Senate and the National Assembly are for elected members to have robust discussions and agree and disagree. The presiding officer is the first among equals, moderating as a colleague, not a boss. I remind the Senate President and assure the people that I won’t give in to harassment.
It is part of the sacrifice we all have to make to sustain democracy and build a better Nigeria. I will not be deterred. In fact, I am more determined that democracy, particularly multi-party democracy, must thrive in Nigeria against all odds.
Senator Dickson, Bayelsa West, was a two-term Governor of Bayelsa State
