Presidency: Tinubu Has Declared “Zero-Tolerance Policy On Negotiation” With Bandits

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December 3, 2025

Njiko Igbo Forum will not support Tinubu

Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala has declared that the federal government did not pay ransom or negotiate with terrorists.

According to him, the Tinubu’s administration has decided not to two the path of his predecessors whose governments negotiate with terrorists, saying doing so would amount to “financing terrorism without knowing it.”

Bwala spoke on Channels Television Sunrise Daily on Wednesday amid revelations that the federal government is negotiating and paying terrorists and bandits huge sums for them to release their captives.

The magazine recalls that a bandit leader had in a recent video claimed that ransom was paid by the government before the 25 girls abducted on November 17 from the Government Girls Comprehensive secondary school in Kebbi state’s Maga town, were released.

Not a few Nigerians have slammed the government of fueling banditry by allegedly paying the criminals to release their victims.

Reacting Bwala said there was time the federal government was negotiating with the bandits, he said the situation is no longer so because doing so would meant the government is inadvertently supporting the bandits to continue perpetuate their evil act, saying the administration has “a zero tolerance’ for negotiation. .

He said: “When they said both states and the Federal Government can be in a situation where they will have to negotiate because if your duty is to preserve the life of people and citizens of Nigeria are in danger and negotiation is the only way to save them … you have to do all that you need to do to save them at that time.

“Instead of targeting those sponsoring them, ransom payments only allow terrorists to buy more weapons. The Federal Government does not, and will not, tolerate the idea of negotiation.”

Obi Decries Rising Insecurity, Leadership Insensitivity

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The Source

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December 3, 2025

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Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has voiced deep concern over what he described as the growing disconnect between Nigeria’s suffering citizens and the country’s political leadership. Obi made the remarks while speaking with a group of young Nigerians who approached him at the Abuja airport during his trip to Lagos.

According to him, the youths expressed worry that he had not commented on the series of troubling events dominating national discourse in recent days — including the appointment of “unqualified” ambassadorial nominees, the ridicule of national institutions, the First Lady’s lavish dinners with senators amid widespread hardship, the abduction of schoolchildren, and the continued killings across the country.

Obi said he understood their frustration, describing the current national mood as one filled with “silent pain” borne by Nigerians watching their country “bleed daily.” He recalled what he termed a humiliating remark by an American president who once referred to Nigeria as a “now disgraced country,” adding that recent events sadly validate such criticism.

He condemned what he called the insensitivity of the nation’s leaders, noting that while citizens are being killed, leaders are “busy hosting dinners”; while children are being abducted, the political class is “celebrating and dancing”; and while families struggle to feed, those in power are “welcoming defectors and exchanging gifts as though Nigeria is not burning.”

“This is not governance. This is not leadership. And this is certainly not the Nigeria we deserve,” he said.

Obi stressed that nations progress only when leaders feel the pain of their citizens and uphold compassion, competence, and accountability. He warned against normalising what he described as a growing culture of mediocrity, corruption, and impunity.

Appealing to young Nigerians, Obi urged them not to lose hope or become numb to the country’s challenges, insisting that a “New Nigeria” — one that is just, secure, productive, and respected — remains possible.

“It will not happen by accident,” he said. “It will happen because people like you refuse to accept failure as our destiny.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to continue speaking out and advocating for a better Nigeria.

Shetima Explains Link With ‘Boko Haram’

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James Orji

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December 3, 2025

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has clarified a viral picture on social media which tried to link him with Boko Haram and bandits in the country.

Shettima said the photograph was being misrepresented , saying those in the picture were Fulani people made destitute by Boko Haram, that he was just trying to help them.

While speaking on Tuesday during the 2025 International Press Institute Nigeria Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja, the vice president said the Fulani were chased out of their communities after the terrorists discovered that they were revealing information about them to the Nigerian military.

According to him, he decided to help them out of sympathy by building schools for their children provide clothing and food for them, adding that his association with the displaced persons was misinterpreted.

He stressed that his traducers are only trying to destroy him using the viral picture as a weapon, he vowed not to succumb to cheap blackmail.

.Shetima: “Very wealthy individuals became destitute overnight. Most of them became my guards in the schools the government was building across Borno State because underneath the mayhem of Boko Haram, beneath it lies the real cause, which is extreme poverty. And education provides us the greatest tool of really addressing the root causes of insurgency and banditry.

“So we were crazily massively building educational facilities and most of these Fulanis were my guards in those facilities. I took it upon myself to break the intergenerational transfer of poverty, to reach out to those Fulanis and enroll their kids to school. I was even giving them rice, beans, clothing items, just to convince them to entrust their kids to me so that I can take them to school.

“And I was not keen on mixing them with the local people because they are the poorest of the poor. I even built a school, a special school. All the classrooms were air-conditioned, were using digital education aids, we were feeding them two times per day and we were bringing buses. Buses were conveying them from their homes to the school, just to encourage the parents.

“Regularly, whenever I go on visits, I used to sit down with the parents, eat, chat, just to win their confidence. One of those pictures recently went viral, ‘Shetima dining with Bandits and Boko Haram’ in Maiduguri.

“But I have developed a thick skin to such accusations, but none of the serious media houses took those stories. So the greatest threat to our democracy and our national survival is not the mainstream media. The anarchists in social media are the greatest threat.

“I know they will come after me. That’s the price of leadership. There are serious commentators and there are mischief mongers.”

MNK: The Other Side Of The Law

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The Source

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December 3, 2025

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By Willie Amadi

Going by the consistent decision of the Apex Court, it seems fairly settled that, in a trial carrying capital punishment or death penalty, a defendant MUST have legal representation.

Where he can not afford one of his choice, meaning lack of means, the Court MUST assign one to him through the Legal Aid Council. The Legal Act is clear on this.

Failure, refusal, and or neglect to do so is adjudged to amount to DENIAL of fair hearing.

Such a mistep in a trial, no matter how well conducted, will render the trial a NULLITY.

Going strictly by this established principle, it can therefore be argued that a defendant can not WAIVE his right to legal representation in a CAPITAL OFFENCE.

Hence, where the defendant waives his rights and or rejects legal representation in a case bothering on death penalty in contravention of the extant law, the right thing for the presiding Judge to do, is to adjourn the matter indefinitely pending when the right procedure is adopted by the parties. Therefore, condoning the defendant’s breach of the provisions of the extant law amounts to emotional conspiracy and or a misdirection by the trial judge.

However, for every general rule, there is an exception. This case presents a very novel and tricky legal scenario which is also good for the development of our laws.

Now, Defendant had the means and retained counsel, including barrage of Senior Advocates throughout and up to the time the prosecution closed her case.

Ditto, Defendant, through his Counsel, made a NO CASE SUBMISSION.

With the Defendant still legally represented, the Court overruled the No Case Submission and asked the Defendant to enter his defence.

Defendant, on his own volition, discharged his counsel and elected to defend himself.

Defendant converted his counsel to “Legal Consultants” and wisely too, the Court put the names of the Legal Consultants to the Defendant on record of the proceedings.

Throughout the defence stage of the trial and up to the day of judgment, the Legal Consultants were attending proceedings and assisting the Defendant as per the record of proceedings.

This is the first time this gigsaw is happening in our criminal justice ecosystem Nigeria.

Can it therefore be argued that Defendant had no legal representation and or, that the learned trial Judge was in error and misdirected himself by not obeying the judgment of the Supreme Court on COMPULSORY legal representation in capital offences .

These are issues, and either way, new heads and principles of jurisprudence must emerge therefrom.

Finally, after interrogating both sides of the matter, we are now confronted with this novelty and the attendant burden of precarious balancing of the delicate nature inherent in this complex legal development by the appellate courts.

My feverent prayer is that MNK is set free at the appellate courts or given a conditional and passionate pardon as a political solution by our kind father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Many thanks to Governor Alex Otti for following up through proactive engagement with Mr. President after visiting MNK at the Sokoto Maximum Correctional Prisons yesterday.

His Grace is sufficient.

Amadi LL.B, BL, LL.M, Ph.D Law (in view). Lawyer. Author . Environmentalist.

CBN Ends Cash Deposit Limit Policy

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James Orji

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December 3, 2025

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The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has implemented several cash-related policies which it said are part of efforts to moderate the rising cost of cash management, address security concerns, and reduce the potential for money laundering associated with the economy’s heavy reliance on cash.

Top on the measures introduced by the apex bank, according to a circular addressed to commercial banks and other Financial Institutions, OFIs on Tuesday, and signed by Dr Rita I. Isike, Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, is the removal of cumulative deposit limit for individuals and corporate bodies.

The CBN said in the circular that Effective January 1, 2026, individual and companies can deposit as much as they want, and will no longer be charged for extra cash deposit to their banks, contrary to what obtained currently.

“The cumulative deposit limit is hereby removed and the fee for excess deposit shall no longer apply,” the CBN said.

According to the Yemi Cardoso-led government bank, the cumulative weekly withdrawal limit across all channels shall now be N500,000 for individuals and N45 million for corporate bodies, withdrawal above this limits will attract three percent and five percent, respectively for individual and corporate concerns.

Recall that the cash limit policy was adopted by the apex to reduce cash usage and encourage accelerated adoption of other payment options, particularly electronic payment channels.

Those circumstance, the CBN said no longer apply, as the need “has arisen to streamline the provisions of these policies to reflect present-day realities.”

“Consequently, effective January 1, 2026, the following cash-related policies, which are for mandatory compliance by all deposit-taking financial institutions in Nigeria, shall apply nationwide, “ the CBN said.

These also include, the special authorisation for withdrawal of N5 million and N 10 million once monthly by individuals and corporate, respectively, which shall no longer apply, the CBN said.

The bank stressed that Automated Teller Machine, ATM, withdrawal limit shall be N100,000 daily (per customer), subject to a maximum of N500,000 weekly, adding that cash withdrawals from ATMs and point of sale devices are part of the weekly withdrawal limit indicated therein.

Meanwhile, the CBN noted that the exemption granted to embassies, diplomatic missions and aid-donor agencies from specific cash policies has been removed.

PDP Gives Wike, Fayose, Others Expulsion Certificates

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Akinwale Kasali

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December 3, 2025

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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister — Nyesom Wike.

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has finally authenticated the expulsion of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, from the Party, alongside, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Peter Fayose; and 11 other prominent politicians from its fold. It has formally dispatched their expulsion letters through courier services.

The leadership of the PDP said its decision to expel the aforementioned was a decisive move to sanitise its ranks, ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development was announced at a post-meeting briefing held after the PDP National Working Committee, NWC, session in Abuja.

The National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, who addressed journalists, said the decision highlighted the party’s resolve to enforce discipline and end prolonged internal sabotage.

He said the briefing followed a review meeting of the new NWC, held to assess party operations, ongoing primaries, legal disputes, and handover notes from the previous leadership.

Turaki disclosed that the expulsion certificates had already been sent via courier to the affected individuals, including Wike, Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade (SAN), Abdurahman Muhammad, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah Nnanna, George Turna and Dan Orbih.

“They have been expelled. They remain expelled. We have now certified their expulsion, and these certificates have been sent to them,” he said.

Turaki added that the action was also meant to formally notify electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Police, DSS, NSCDC and other institutions that the affected individuals were no longer PDP members.

“Very soon, members of the society will be informed via proper disclaimers that any person, henceforth, who decides to do business with them, any or all of them (in the name of the PDP), does so at his or her own risk,” Turaki stated.

How Five Rivers State University Students Were Abducted From Their Hostel

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Akinwale Kasali

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December 3, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

Gunmen suspected to be Cultists abducted no five students of the Rivers State University, RSU, Emohua Satellite Campus in the early hours of Tuesday.

The victims were taken at gunpoint from their off-campus residence.

It was gathered that the students who live outside the campus had, last week, protested persistent attacks and harassment by cultists and appealed to the RSU management to relocate them to the main campus in Port Harcourt for safety.

However, at a pre-convocation briefing on Monday, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, ruled out closing the Emohua campus or relocating students, saying the University was addressing security concerns through engagements with community leaders, council authorities and security agencies.

A student who craved anonymity said the gunmen invaded their residence around 2.00am and shot dead the security dog before proceeding to seize the victims.

“He was running after me and even shot at me, I don’t know how many times. I couldn’t look back because I was focused on escaping.

“Someone from the bush then ran after me. I had to run faster to the gate. Some of our students, about four or so, are missing now,’’ the student said.

Spokesperson of the Rivers State police command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the abduction, described the perpetrators as cultists.

“They were abducted by cultists. In the early hours of Tuesday (yesterday), a group of cultists numbering five stormed an isolated area of Rumuchi/Rumuohia, shot sporadically and abducted five persons to an unknown destination,” she said.

While disclosing that the Police has launched a manhunt for the abductors, she said: “We have put efforts in place for their safe rescue. As I speak, the commissioner of police has gone there with tactical teams to ensure they regain their freedom.”

AFCON 2025: Chelle Releases 54-Man Provisional List

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Akinwale Kasali

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December 3, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

With less than three weeks to the commencement of the 2025 African Cup of Nations, AFCON 2025, Championship in Morocco, Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle has announced a 54-Man Provisional List that will open camping in Egypt on December 10 ahead of the tournament.

The Malian born tactician said that he made the list long in other to give all the invited players opportunity to fight for a shirt and jostle for positions in the team.

In addition, Chelle extended invitations to standout home-based players such as Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Adekunle Adeleke, highlighting his intention to evaluate domestic talent ahead of the tournament.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, the team will be streamlined to 28 Players in the coming days.

The Super Eagles will open their training camp in Egypt on December 10, where they are expected to play warm-up matches before the competition kicks off on December 21.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda as the team aims for a strong showing in Morocco.

FULL PROVISIONAL SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers:

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos).

Defenders:

William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors).

Midfielders

Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel); Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi SK, Turkey).

Forwards:

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen, Germany); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes); Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic); Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United); Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves); Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven, Belgium); Philip Otele (FC Basel, Switzerland); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia); Emmanuel Michael (Linzer Athletik SK, Austria).

It’s Fake News, There Was No Mass Abduction In Ngor Okpala, Imo – Police Command

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The Source

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December 3, 2025

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Aboki Danjuma - Imo Commissioner of Police — Aboki Danjuma, Imo state Commissioner of Police

The Imo State Police Command has dismissed as fake, the viral news, accompanied by two videos, of a mass kidnapping at Ngor Okpala.

According to the video, a fully loaded passenger bus going to Aba from Owerri, was attacked at Ngor Okpala area of the Expressway, and all the 14 passengers abducted. There is, also, another version of it which said was four buses and a Lexus were involved.

However, the Police Command has debunked both the video and the story, and, in a statement, said no such incident happened in the State. It said it was a recycled story/video of an incident that happened earlier in the year. It also said all the 14 passengers abducted then were rescued.

The statement, signed by the State Command’s Spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, warned that the sharing of such false stories, is an offence.

Following the full text of the statement.

“IMO POLICE COMMAND DEBUNKS FALSE REPORT OF MASS KIDNAPPING AT NGOR OKPALA

” The Imo State Police Command is issuing this statement in response to a misleading viral video circulating on social media, which falsely claims that 14 passengers were kidnapped at Ngor Okpala while travelling from Owerri to Aba on 1st December, 2025 .

” Investigations reveal that the video originated from an incident that occurred earlier this year and has been recirculated online to create unnecessary panic. Concerted efforts were put in place at the time to ensure the safe release of the victims.

” CP Aboki Danjuma urges the public to disregard the misleading video and cautions against sharing unverified information capable of generating fear and tension.

” The Commissioner of Police has deployed adequate security along the axis, in synergy with other sister security agencies and local security outfits, to ensure the safety of commuters, particularly during the holiday season of celebration.

” Residents are advised to remain calm, stay vigilant, and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or via the Command’s emergency contact line 0803 477 3600.”

President Tinubu Appoints Senator Anyim South-east Coordinator, Renewed Hope Initiative

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Adesina Soyooye

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December 3, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

A former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, has been appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the South-east Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative

Anyim who was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, under President Goodluck Jonathan, was inaugurated alongside other five Zonal Coordinators.

Each of Nigeria’s six Zones has its own Coordinator. The overall boss is the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma who was appointed by the President as the National Ambassador of the RHI. He it was who inaugurated the Zonal Coordinators on behalf of the President.

The main job of the Coordinators is to help in the promotion of President Tinubu’s vision and political agenda nationwide.

The full list of the Zonal Coordinators is:

South-South: HE Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa
North-East: HE Isah Yuguda
North-West: HE Aminu Bello Masari
South-East: Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim
South-West: Oladipupo Oyinbande
North-Central: HE Tanko Al-Makura

For the records, Anyim was Senate President and SGF under a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Government. However, like many others, he has since dumped the PDP for the APC, no thanks to PDP’s unending crises which has placed it close to the grave.