Television Nigerian

General Christopher Musa (retd.), a recently appointed Minister of Defense and former Chief of Defense Staff, formally took up his duties at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Ship House, Abuja, on Friday.

At around 11:10 a.m., Musa arrived at the ministry, where he was greeted with full military honors and, in accordance with custom, inspected the quarter guard. The Senate confirmed Musa’s appointment on Thursday after President Bola Tinubu nominated him.

Days after former minister Muhammad Badaru resigned, the appointment was made.

The former CDS met behind closed doors with the ministry’s directors and service leaders upon his arrival.

In the meantime, Musa has reassured Nigerians that the Federal Government’s updated security plans will produce noticeable outcomes as soon as possible.

Shortly after President Tinubu administered the oath of office at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, Musa made the assurance.

Speaking to reporters following the event, the minister stated that strengthening cooperation between all security agencies and reforming the country’s defense system are his top priorities.

“Making sure that defense takes its place fully in the country is my immediate priority,” Musa said.

Noting that “security is everybody’s responsibility,” he emphasized the necessity of cooperation between the military and other security agencies.

General Musa expressed hope that improved coordination and collaboration will expedite the nation’s security concerns.

“We must develop and work on that synergy, and that is what we will do. Nigerians will witness results in the shortest amount of time, I promise,” he declared.

Dr. Ebojele Akhere Patrick has been appointed by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to succeed Mr. Fred Itua as Chief Press Secretary.

According to reports, Musa Ikhilor, the Secretary to the State Government, made the news in a statement on Thursday.

Itua will wait for a new post to be announced in due course, according to the statement.

His efforts and contributions throughout his term were acknowledged by the state government.

The statement claims that Ebojele is a well-known journalist with a long history in the media.

According to the statement, “The new appointment reflects commitment of the present administration to strengthen and deepen the communication channels between the government and the people of Edo State, ensuring clarity, transparency, and effective dissemination of Government policies, programs, and activities.”

Dr. Ebojele has worked as an Edo/Delta Correspondent for Channels Television and as a correspondent for New Nigerian Newspaper, Champion Newspaper, and Comet Newspapers, among other respectable Nigerian media outlets.

“He will take over from Mr. Fred Itua, who will wait for a new assignment to be announced in due time after handover. The government thanks Mr. Itua for his service and achievements.

The Department of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), sometimes referred to as Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), has announced that it will appeal a Court of Appeal ruling that prohibited its officers from stopping cars, enforcing penalties, or seizing vehicles belonging to traffic violators.

Deborah Osho, the DRTS’s acting director, revealed this in an interview with Punch on Thursday after the appeal court upheld a Federal High Court verdict.

The VIO’s appeal was denied by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday due to its lack of substance. In a unanimous finding, the three-member tribunal upheld the October 16, 2024 decision that forbade VIO officers from harassing drivers.

The lead judge, Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi, determined that the lower court’s decision could not be overturned.

Osho responded by characterizing the decision as harmful to public order and stating that the department would not give up on trying to overturn it.

“We will definitely appeal,” she stated. As a correspondent, are you aware of the current events in the city? Do you not notice how filthy the city is? Take a peek at Airport Road, which is now essentially a one-way street.

Osho bemoaned the Federal Capital Territory’s increasing disdain for traffic laws, attributing it to the DRTS’s incapacity to police adherence.

“If you give them a ticket, they won’t come to pay, but you can’t enforce or impound.” What would you like us to do? “It’s not humorous,” she remarked.

Despite alternative enforcement tactics including computerized ticketing, she disclosed that drivers owing over ₦409 million in unpaid traffic fines.

We don’t even impound in that manner. She said, “If you commit an offense, you are already captured and your bill will be sent to you regardless of whether you accept it or not.”

“Have you ever seen anywhere in the world where traffic is well coordinated without enforcement, and you think it will go well?” said the head of DRTS, arguing that good traffic management is impossible without severe enforcement.

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra, filed a motion ex parte to be relocated from the Sokoto Correctional Facility. The Federal High Court in Abuja scheduled the hearing for December 8.

On November 20, 2025, Kanu was found guilty of all seven counts of terrorist charges that the Federal Government had sought against him. He was given a life sentence.

Kanu was moved to the Sokoto Correctional Facility after receiving his sentence because the court was concerned about his safety and noted that the Kuje Correctional Facility might not be appropriate for him because of prior jail breaches that had been documented there.

Kanu chose to defend himself and cut ties with his legal team before to the verdict.

He was informed by Justice Omotosho that he was unable to move such an application.

Justice Omotosho declared, “You are not a lawyer, so you cannot move this ex parte motion on the convict’s behalf.”

Emmanuel was instructed to either hire a lawyer or seek assistance from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria by the court, who insisted that only a professional could make the motion.

“I did not mean his (Kanu’s) father, brother, sister, or relatives when I said representation.” I refer to his advice.

“In the interest of fairness, I won’t discuss the merits of this application right now, but you can only represent a corporate entity if you are not a lawyer. You cannot represent a human being.

Since you are not a lawyer nor a solicitor of the Nigerian Supreme Court, you are unable to move the application.

It will take you an additional six years or more to become qualified as a lawyer. Thus, hire legal counsel to forward the application, the judge stated.

Justice Omotosho stated that Kanu will be accommodated even if there were matters on the docket on Monday when Emmanuel asked for the next postponement date.

Emmanuel said, “Thank you, sir.”

The judge advised against deceiving the public about Kanu’s method of compiling his appeal record.
Contrary to a statement made by Aloy Ejimakor, one of Kanu’s previous attorneys who was later hired as a consultant, Justice Omotosho stated that the convict did not have to be in court in order for his record to be completed.

“Let me give you general advice so that the process doesn’t become delayed. Regarding the appeal, I can’t act as though I don’t belong to society. In order to create his record, Mr. Ejimakor allowed an interview in which he discussed the defendant’s (Kanu) deprivation. That’s a false belief. To create a record, the defendant might not be present in court.

“His presence is not necessary, but his representative’s presence might be. Justice Omotosho pointed out that a defendant’s rights differ from those of a convicted person.

Additionally, when Justice Omotosho asked the attorneys in attendance if Kanu’s participation was necessary before his record could be assembled, they said that it wasn’t.

The judge advised Emmanuel once more to choose an experienced attorney, adding that any attorney who is egregiously deficient in appellate procedure ought to cease deceiving the public.

“I believe it’s time to confront the correct viewpoint. “Adequate legal counsel is essential,” he stated.

The judge postponed the hearing of the ongoing application until December 8 after declining to grant Emmanuel audience.

Kanu requested an order in the ex parte motion he personally signed stating that the motion should be deemed moved in absentia and in accordance with the application because he was unable to be present in court or chambers to personally move it.

Additionally, he requested an order for the Nigerian Correctional Service and/or the Federal Government “to forthwith transfer him from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial facility within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”

In order to enable the applicant to successfully pursue his constitutionally protected right of appeal, he further requested an order moving him to the court’s “immediate environs, such as the Suleja or the Keffi Custodial Center.”

Kanu claimed, citing eight grounds in the application designated FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, that he was found guilty and given a life sentence on November 20. The judge also ordered his confinement in any Nigerian correctional facility other than Kuje.

The applicant was moved to the Sokoto Correctional Facility on November 21, 2025, and is still being held there more than 700 kilometers from Abuja.

“The applicant plans to personally use his constitutional right of appeal against the conviction and punishment; he is not currently represented by counsel.

“The applicant must personally interact with the Registry of this Honourable Court and the Court of Appeal in Abuja in order to prepare the notice of appeal and the record of appeal.”

“All persons critical to assisting the applicant in preparing his appeal, including his relatives, associates, and legal consultants, are based in Abuja,” the motion added.

“In violation of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the applicant’s continued detention in Sokoto renders his constitutional right to appeal impracticable, causing exceptional hardship and potentially defeating the said right,” he stated.

Kanu contended that moving him to a facility close to Abuja so he could successfully pursue his appeal would be in the best interests of justice.

Mohammed Bago, the governor of Niger State, has retracted his previous assertion that no pupils were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.

Speaking on Thursday at an eight-day conference for newly elected local government chairmen and commissioners, Bago acknowledged the event and voiced profound sorrow about the kidnapping of more than 250 students and their teachers.

The governor, speaking through his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, called the act “heartbreaking” and “unacceptable.”

“I must speak from the heart on a matter that concerns us all, the unfortunate abduction of schoolchildren and teachers at St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government,” Bago stated before delving further into the next sessions.

“This is extremely unacceptable and has caused much concern in our state. As a parent and the state’s chief security officer, I understand the suffering of every parent who is waiting impatiently for their kids to come home.

He reassured the public that efforts are being made by the administration to improve security throughout the state and to guarantee the victims’ safe return.

According to Bago, the retreat was intended to train senior officials for the duties of governing under the “New Niger” vision of his administration.

“This Executive Retreat is not just another event on the government calendar,” he declared. It is a time for introspection, preparation, and strategic alignment with renewed vigor for our common goal of realizing the New Niger vision.

“Servant-leadership, which is defined by competence, responsibility, honesty, teamwork, and above all, results-oriented leadership, is required by our mandate.”

Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the State Government, stated in his own words that the retreat’s objectives are to improve cooperation and promote a common goal among government appointees.

He asked all officials to serve as the “engine room” for the administration’s success and reminded the recently elected chairmen of their duty to promote growth at the local level.

Due to serious staffing shortages, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been compelled to reject at least five serving senators in response to an enormous increase in demand for private protection services.

This disclosure was made two weeks after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered on November 26 that 11,566 police officers be removed from private guard assignments in order to reallocate security personnel to address the growing level of national insecurity.

The agency has been overburdened, according to an anonymous NSCDC officer, with demands for private protection having more than doubled since the presidential directive.

“We are under strain because of the increase in VIP demands for protection. The volume of demands has forced us to reject five senators. The officer told THE WHISTLER, “We just do not have the manpower to satisfy everyone, and the situation is overwhelming.”

According to its Act, the NSCDC’s primary responsibilities include community safety and disaster management, as well as the security of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), which includes telecommunications sites, power plants, and oil pipelines.

“Every day, new applications come in from politicians, businessmen, and even community leaders,” the officer emphasized, emphasizing that the Corps cannot neglect this fundamental responsibility. However, we continue to prioritize important assets and national infrastructure. Our fundamental mandate cannot be abandoned.

In order to address increased insecurity, particularly recent high-profile attacks and kidnappings of kids, President Tinubu declared a national security emergency, which included the removal of police escorts.

According to Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), 11,566 police officers were relieved of their VIP responsibilities.

In order to improve frontline policing, it is anticipated that these withdrew officers will receive crash retraining before being deployed right away to unstable areas.

The President also commanded the use of NYSC camps as training facilities and ordered the huge recruitment of an extra 20,000 police officers, bringing the total to 50,000.

In essence, the NSCDC and authorized private security companies now bear the responsibility for private protection. Even though the NSCDC has a dedicated VIP Protection Unit, there appears to be a serious manpower shortage, which could cause a delay in the full rollout of services to satisfy the increased demand.

Nigeria’s national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has cautioned that since Nigeria is still the only democracy in the Sahel, it must fiercely defend its democratic system.

Ribadu issued the warning on Thursday during a workshop in Abuja on averting violence and strife in northern Nigeria. The Kukah Center, the National Peace Committee, and the Office of the National Security Adviser coordinated the event.

In light of military takeovers in nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad, Ribadu pointed out that Nigeria is the region’s last shining example of constitutional rule.

“This phase will pass, but we are going through painful times,” he stated. Our region’s nations—from the Sahel to East Africa and South Asia—face comparable or even longer-lasting difficulties. In the entire Sahel, Nigeria is still the sole democracy in operation, and we must preserve this accomplishment.

Ribadu promised that individuals endangering the peace and unity of the country will face severe consequences from the Nigerian government.

“Let me be clear: the Nigerian state remains fully committed to law, order, and the protection of citizens,” he said.

“In accordance with our obligations to protect human rights and safeguard lives, any individual or group that exploits communities, spreads terror, or attempts to undermine national unity will face coordinated and decisive action.”

Nigeria had obtained 775 convictions related to terrorism, according to the NSA, highlighting advancements in counterterrorism operations through cooperation between security agencies, communities, and the judiciary.

Ribadu emphasized that the majority of security issues start locally and advocated for increased participation in peacebuilding from subnational governments, religious leaders, communities, and traditional rulers.

“There is much less need for the use of armed forces when communities are empowered to settle their own conflicts and prevent violence,” he stated.

In order to restore confidence and strengthen resilience throughout northern Nigeria, he called for the translation of discussions into action.

False Security Is Offered by Arms: Kukah
Prior to this, Bishop Matthew Kukah, Convener of the National Peace Committee, emphasized that every Nigerian was either directly or indirectly impacted by insecurity.

He said that arming communities would merely provide a “false sense of security,” warning against the notion that doing so would address the issue.

According to Kukah, “there is a growing belief that communities can arm themselves to defend themselves.” However, using weapons won’t solve our issues. They provide a deceptive feeling of safety. And where are those weapons going to end up when peace returns?

Kukah continued, citing scripture, saying, “Jesus asked Peter to put back his sword; this was not an accident.” The truth never changes, even though circumstances might.

He urged women and young people to be involved in crafting peace initiatives and called on civil society to accept its purpose.