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Tambuwal Urges Calm In Sokoto Communities After US Bombardment

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Former Sokoto State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has called for calm among residents of communities affected by the reported joint United States–Nigeria airstrikes in parts of the state.

Tambuwal’s appeal followed reports of panic in Jabo town, located in Tambuwal Local Government Area, where residents were said to have been alarmed on Thursday night by the military operation.

The airstrikes were reportedly carried out as part of a broader counterterrorism campaign announced by former United States President Donald Trump, aimed at targeting terrorist groups linked to insecurity in Nigeria.

In a statement, the former governor said he had taken note of public concerns surrounding the operation, which was conducted under the ongoing counterterrorism cooperation between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States.

He urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while security authorities work to clarify the circumstances and objectives of the operation.

Tambuwal welcomed Nigeria’s collaboration with the United States in the fight against terrorism in the North, describing it as a necessary step towards restoring peace and stability in the region.

He assured the people of Sokoto South that he was engaging relevant security agencies to obtain comprehensive information on the incident and to ensure that appropriate safeguards were in place.

The former governor emphasised that counterterrorism operations are directed at criminal and terrorist elements threatening public safety, not innocent civilians who are themselves victims of insecurity.

He also commended the professionalism and dedication of Nigerian military and security personnel, noting that they continue to operate under challenging conditions, often in partnership with international allies, to combat terrorism and banditry.

Tambuwal called on traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information and resisting misinformation capable of escalating fear or tension.

He expressed confidence that unity, vigilance and public support for lawful security efforts would contribute to defeating terrorism and securing lasting peace in Sokoto State and across the country.

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Akpabio Reveals When Banditry Will End In Nigeria

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed confidence that banditry and other security challenges facing Nigeria will be overcome in 2026 and beyond, calling on Nigerians to work together to build a peaceful and just society.

Akpabio urged citizens to put aside their differences, embrace peace and strengthen unity within their families, communities and across the nation, stressing that meaningful development can only thrive in a stable environment.

He made the remarks during a prayer and fasting service organised in honour of the Akpabio family at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Ukana Ikot Ntuen, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong, the Senate President said the coming year would usher in renewed peace for the country.

“I want to wish all Nigerians a prosperous and peaceful new year. I want to assure Nigerians that the new year will bring renewed peace to our nation,” he said.

Drawing from biblical reflections, Akpabio said the birth of Jesus Christ symbolises redemption and expressed optimism that Nigeria would experience deliverance from banditry and insurgency in the new year and beyond.

He called on Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its efforts to tackle insecurity, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration with international partners would help defeat banditry and insurgency.

Akpabio also highlighted the importance of the family as the foundation for peace and national progress, noting that unity remains essential to collective success.

Speaking at the event, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, encouraged family members to support one another selflessly, put aside personal differences and live together in love.

The head of the Greater Akpabio Family, Chief Ekan Akpabio, urged family members to continue supporting Senator Akpabio as a worthy representative of the family, Essien Udim Local Government Area and Akwa Ibom State.

Chief Akpabio further appealed to family members holding public offices to remain connected to their roots and prioritise the welfare of their relatives.

The annual prayer and fasting service, held every December 26, serves as a moment for the Akpabio family to give thanks for the past year and offer prayers for peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.

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US Airstrikes Hit Wrong Target In Sokoto – Counterterrorism Expert

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A counterterrorism and security analyst, Zagazola Makama, has faulted the recent United States military airstrikes in Sokoto State, describing the operation as misdirected and ineffective against terrorist elements.

Makama made the remarks amid heightened public attention following reports of US air operations in parts of North-West Nigeria.

In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, he said the strikes were carried out in an area with no known history of terrorist activity.

According to him, the bombs reportedly landed in Jabo community, a farming settlement in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which he said has never served as a base for extremist groups.

“Those asking for our assessment of the US strike in Sokoto should note that the bombs fell in a relatively safe area of the state and had no impact on terrorist networks,” Makama wrote.

He explained that Jabo has no recorded presence of the Islamic State West Africa Province, Boko Haram, or other ISIS-linked groups, adding that the community is largely agrarian and has instead suffered attacks from bandits in the past.

Makama noted that while foreign military assistance in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts is welcome, such interventions must be driven by precise and reliable intelligence to avoid hitting non-threat locations.

“We welcome US support in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, but Jabo community was not an appropriate target for ISWAP, Boko Haram, or ISIS, whose operations are largely concentrated in the North-East,” he said.

He also dismissed claims linking the area to JNIM, also known locally as Lakurawa, stating that the group does not maintain operational bases in the North-West.

Addressing narratives suggesting religious motivations behind the strikes, Makama stressed that the affected area poses no threat to Christians, noting that the population is predominantly Muslim and has itself been a victim of insecurity.

“The strike location is about 98 percent Muslim, and there is no evidence of religiously motivated violence emanating from the area. What exists there is banditry targeting local Muslim communities,” he stated.

Despite his criticism of the choice of target, the security analyst maintained that sustained military pressure on terrorist groups remains necessary, adding that coordinated operations, when properly informed, could still play a role in weakening extremist networks.

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No Going Back On Implementation Of New Tax Laws, January 1 Sancrosanct – Oyedele

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The Federal Government will implement the Nigerian Tax Act and the Nigerian Tax Administration Act on January 1, 2026, as scheduled, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has confirmed.

Oyedele made the announcement in Lagos on Friday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

The meeting was also attended by the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacchaeus Adedeji, and the Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, Joseph Tegbe.

He explained that the reforms are designed to provide relief to Nigerians, adding that “the bottom 98 percent of workers will see either no Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax or lower taxes, while 97 percent of small businesses will be exempted from Corporate Income Tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), and Withholding Tax.”

“Large businesses will also experience reduced tax liabilities. The goal is to promote economic growth, inclusivity, and shared prosperity.”

Oyedele also addressed concerns raised by lawmakers over discrepancies between the versions of the laws debated in the National Assembly and those gazetted for public use.

He assured that the Federal Government is ready to work with lawmakers to address any issues.

“The official harmonised bills certified by the clerk and sent to the President are the authoritative documents. Only the National Assembly can confirm what was passed. We are ready to engage with lawmakers to clarify any differences,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu had signed four tax reform bills into law in June 2025, marking the most significant overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades.

The laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, all now operating under the Nigeria Revenue Service.

The new tax laws faced stiff opposition from northern lawmakers before their passage, but the government has reaffirmed that there will be no delay in their implementation.

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Nigeria Signals More US Military Bombardments

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Nigeria on Friday indicated that additional strikes against jihadist groups could be expected following US-led bombardments on Christmas Day targeting militants in the country’s north.

The Nigerian government emphasised that the operation was carried out jointly with its military.

The West African nation continues to grapple with complex security challenges.

In the northeast, jihadist groups have waged an insurgency since 2009, while armed “bandit” gangs in the northwest regularly raid villages and carry out kidnappings.

The US airstrikes followed a diplomatic dispute after Washington framed the violence as the mass killing of Christians amid Nigeria’s broader armed conflicts.

Nigeria rejected this characterisation but has stepped up security cooperation with the US.

According to Nigeria’s military, its forces worked alongside the United States to “conduct precision strike operations against identified foreign ISIS-linked elements” in Sokoto State.

Speaking to Channels TV, Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said Nigeria provided the intelligence for the operation and coordinated directly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio prior to the strikes.

Asked whether more strikes could follow, Tuggar said: “It is an ongoing thing, and we are working with the US. We are working with other countries as well.” He stressed that the operation was not aimed at any religion”.

“It must be made clear that it is a joint operation, and it is not targeting any religion nor simply in the name of one religion or the other.”

The US Africa Command reported that “multiple ISIS terrorists” were killed in Sokoto.

Video footage released by US defence officials appeared to show a missile being launched from a vessel flying the US flag.

Residents in Sokoto villages near the Niger border expressed shock at the blasts.

Haruna Kallah, a local resident, said: “We heard a loud explosion which shook the whole town and everyone was scared. We initially thought it was an attack by Lakurawa, but later learnt it was a US drone strike.”

“This area has never experienced such attacks in the last two years.”

Which specific armed groups were targeted remains unclear.

While jihadist networks are largely concentrated in the northeast, some have extended into the northwest.

Researchers have linked fighters from the group known as Lakurawa, active in Sokoto State, to the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) operating in Niger and Mali.

Others dispute these links, noting the term Lakurawa has been broadly applied to various armed groups.

Some of these fighters reportedly have ties to al-Qaeda affiliated groups such as JNIM, a rival to ISSP.

Abuja has publicly welcomed the strikes, though analysts note the diplomatic context.

Malik Samuel, a researcher for Good Governance Africa, observed that Nigerian authorities were keen to be seen as cooperating with the US, even though both attackers and victims in the northwest are predominantly Muslim.

Tuggar reiterated that President Bola Tinubu “gave the go-ahead” for the strikes, underlining the joint nature of the operation and Nigeria’s sovereign control over the decisions.

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US Airstrikes Did Not Breach Nigeria’s Sovereignty, Says Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar

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Dailygazettenig
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, on Friday reaffirmed that the recent United States military airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria did not violate the country’s sovereignty or territorial integrity.

He emphasised that the operation was fully authorised by the Federal Government.

The airstrikes, conducted on Christmas Day, targeted Islamic State militants in Northwestern Nigeria.

US President Donald Trump had earlier confirmed the strikes on his Truth Social platform, describing them as “perfect strikes” and vowing more action if militants continued attacks against Christians.

Speaking in a CNN interview, Tuggar explained that the operation was a joint effort between Nigeria and the US, carried out with the full approval of President Bola Tinubu.

“We collaborated on this attack. It was a collaborative effort between Nigeria and the US, and President Tinubu gave the go-ahead before it took place, and we don’t see it violating our sovereignty or territorial integrity, which is very important,” he said.

Tuggar stressed that Nigeria’s partnership with the US is driven solely by the need to combat terrorism and protect lives, not by any external pressure or religious motivations.

He clarified that any future deployment of US troops on Nigerian soil would be under the exclusive authority of Nigeria’s defence and security institutions.

“These are operational issues that would have to be considered by our military and security agencies,” he said.

The minister also highlighted that Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy focuses on practical results, prioritising the protection of lives and property over abstract debates.

“It is not about religion, it’s about the protection of lives and property of Nigerians and our neighbours as well,” Tuggar added.

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NAF C-130 Lands In Portugal After Release From Burkina Faso Detention

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Dailygazettenig
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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that its C-130 aircraft, with registration number NAF 913, has arrived safely at a maintenance facility in Lisbon, Portugal, following its earlier detention in Burkina Faso.

The aircraft and its crew had been held by Burkinabe authorities on December 8 over alleged airspace violations, which were described as a breach of the country’s sovereignty.

The situation was resolved about 10 days later after a high-level Nigerian delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, engaged President Ibrahim Traoré and senior officials of the Burkinabe government.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Nigerian Air Force spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the aircraft completed its ferry flight to Portugal in accordance with an updated flight plan and standard aviation safety procedures.

According to the statement, the aircraft transited through Banjul, The Gambia, and Casablanca, Morocco, before arriving at OGMA, a maintenance facility in Lisbon, on December 26, 2025.

“The Nigerian Air Force confirms that its C-130 aircraft (NAF 913) arrived safely at the maintenance facility, OGMA, in Lisbon, Portugal today, 26 December 2025,” Ejodame said.

“The ferry flight was successfully completed, transiting Banjul and Casablanca in line with an updated flight plan and established aviation safety procedures. The aircraft and crew arrived without incident, marking the final phase of the movement for the scheduled depot maintenance.”

He added that all personnel were safe and in high spirits, while the Air Force expressed appreciation to host authorities for their cooperation during the transit.

The NAF reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and operational accountability in all its activities.

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SGF George Akume Weds Ooni Of Ife’s Former Queen Zaynab

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The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has married Queen Zaynab Ngohemba, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

The development became public on Friday after a member of the Dajoh family, Abraham Double-d Dajoh, announced the union via a celebratory post on social media.

He confirmed that the former Olori of the Ife Kingdom had been formally welcomed into the Dajoh family home in Mbakor, Benue State.

Describing the marriage as “beautiful” and “uncommon,” the Dajoh family expressed joy over the new addition to their household and extended goodwill to the SGF’s supporters and political associates.

“We, the entire Dajoh Family, happily join our daddy, uncle and brother, His Excellency, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh, in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, into the Dajoh family,” the statement read.

The family further urged Akume’s supporters to continue to stand by him, noting that the marriage marked a significant personal milestone.

Queen Zaynab, formerly known as Olori Wuraola, was married to the Ooni of Ife for about 17 months before their union ended in 2017.

She was ushered into her new home in Benue State amid cultural rites and celebrations, with the family highlighting Mbakor as the ancestral seat of the Tiv nation.

The announcement, which coincided with the Christmas season, also carried goodwill messages to Nigerians.

“We wish you all a happy Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year,” the family added.
Confirming the marriage, Akume’s spokesman,

Yomi Odunuga, clarified that although reports suggested the wedding took place on Christmas Eve, the union was actually formalised over a year ago.

“I can confirm the marriage. However, contrary to the rumour that the marriage was concluded on Christmas Eve, it is actually over a year old,” Odunuga said.

Senator Akume, a former governor of Benue State, currently serves as a senior official in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The marriage has since generated widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political and social circles.

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VP Shettima, Gov. Zulum Visit Victims Of Maiduguri Mosque Bombing

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Vice President Kashim Shettima and Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, on Friday visited victims of the recent bomb attack at a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The survivors are currently receiving medical care at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri.

During the visit, the Vice President and the governor met with the injured victims and their relatives, expressed sympathy, and assessed the level of medical attention being provided to those affected by the attack.

The bombing, which occurred on Wednesday, is believed to have been carried out by Boko Haram insurgents.

The incident claimed the lives of five worshippers and left at least 32 others injured.

Speaking to journalists after the visit, Vice President Shettima conveyed the condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the victims and the people of Borno State, reaffirming the federal government’s resolve to end terrorism and restore lasting peace across the country.

He assured that the administration remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture to prevent further attacks.

Governor Zulum, who accompanied the Vice President, highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Borno State Government to complement federal initiatives in tackling insecurity, noting that the state has continued to invest heavily in security and emergency response.

The visiting delegation was briefed by the Director of the Muhammadu Buhari Trauma Centre, who disclosed that several victims have already been discharged, others are responding positively to treatment, while one victim remains in critical condition.

Both leaders urged the injured to remain hopeful, assuring them that the government would continue to support their recovery and ensure justice for those affected by the attack.

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Eight Suspected Yoruba Nation Agitators Arrested In Ogun

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Eight Yoruba Nation Agitators Nabbed

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of eight persons accused of engaging in activities linked to a secessionist movement in the state.

According to the police, the suspects were apprehended on Christmas Day at Temidire Junction and the Under-Bridge area of Sango-Ota for allegedly breaching public peace, engaging in unlawful assembly, obstructing traffic, and assaulting police officers.

Police spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said in a statement that the suspects were operating under the banner of a group known as the “Democratic Republic of the Yoruba.”

He explained that members of the group reportedly blocked major roads, lit bonfires, disrupted vehicular movement, and attacked officers deployed to maintain order.

Babaseyi said police operatives swiftly responded to distress reports from the affected areas and successfully dispersed the group before making arrests.

Those arrested were identified as Adewale Sosanya, 48; Opeyemi Oladotun, 31; Zara Gabriel, 22; Ajoke Gabriel, 19; Adewale Adebomojo, 48; Yusuf Tanimowo, 40; Olurotimi Ademola, 52; and Toyin Gabriel, 40.

Items recovered from the suspects include a Toyota Dyna vehicle allegedly used to transport them, two public address speakers, a carton containing flags and shirts bearing the group’s insignia, as well as banners displaying their messages and manifesto.

The police said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court once the process is concluded.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state, warning that acts capable of disrupting public order or attacking security personnel would not be tolerated.

He also urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and to report suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines.

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