Television Nigerian

Ayodele Arise, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former senator from Ekiti North, has urged President Bola Tinubu to think about using force in Burkina Faso to free the 11 Nigerian troops who are being held there.

Although Nigeria’s military is overburdened with internal security operations, Arise stated on Arise TV on Saturday that a daring move might put pressure on the Burkinabe regime to free the troops.

Arise claimed that history has demonstrated the efficacy of swift military action in such circumstances, citing Israel’s 1976 Entebbe Raid in Uganda.

“I think we should move and do something,” he declared. In fact, since they are our neighbors, I am confident that the individual in charge there will reconsider once they learn that we wish to do that.

“Yes, we should be cordial with our neighbors, but we also need to make it clear that they are not allowed to interfere with our nation.”

Additionally, Arise supported Nigeria’s military response to the recent coup attempt in the Republic of Benin, arguing that President Tinubu acted rationally even before publicly informing the National Assembly.

He refuted claims that the President had violated constitutional procedures, claiming that choices pertaining to national security occasionally call for quick action.

His remarks were made the day after Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, declared that the 11 Nigerian military members were still being held in Burkina Faso.

Tuggar stated that diplomatic attempts were being made to find a solution while speaking at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja.

“We’re talking about how we can get this delicate issue resolved as soon as possible. Thus, it’s being addressed diplomatically,” the minister stated.

Additionally, he made it clear that the Nigerian Air Force C-130 plane that touched down at Bobo Dioulasso, in southwest Burkina Faso, had nothing to do with the Benin Republic coup.

However, the troops were arrested after Burkina Faso’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, claimed the aircraft had failed to secure the necessary approval and had breached national airspace restrictions.

Arise commented on recent Senate screenings of ambassadorial nominees in addition to regional security, criticizing the practice of letting candidates “take a bow and go” without thorough questioning.

“There are two ways to look at that,” he remarked. Either the senators have read the candidates’ biographies, resumes, accomplishments, and contributions to the advancement of the country, or the president and the security services have done an excellent job of investigating the contenders.

Being a senator does not guarantee that you are an expert on everything, so it is a learning process. Thus, there is no longer a chance to educate senators generally, engage the public, or provide information about their professions.

However, a lot of us will prefer that the Senate pose inquiries. Since Mr. President cannot personally know every nominee, let them defend their nomination. He will rely on the security report and the recommendations from his coworkers.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) decision to revoke the bail that was previously granted to former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) has been characterized by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as political politics rather than law enforcement.

According to the ADC’s statement, which was signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney General did not break any of the terms of his original release, according to all available evidence.

The party pointed out that canceling his bail could give the unavoidable impression that the measure was conducted to limit his political activities rather than to seek justice, particularly after he attended a political event in his home state of Kebbi.

The ADC reaffirmed the party’s support for the EFCC and any other anti-corruption agency to carry out its mandate of looking into crimes, but it cautions that selective or weaponized investigations against opposition leaders eventually jeopardize the nation’s real fight against corruption and make anti-corruption organizations complicit in the government’s repression of dissent and opposition.

The complete statement said: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) believes that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revoked Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN’s bail for political reasons.

Malami did not break any of the terms of his original bail, according to the available information. He knows what it means to break bail conditions because he was formerly the nation’s top law officer and a senior attorney. Even though he has completely cooperated with the EFCC’s investigators, he most likely did not realize that going to a political event in support of his desire to become governor of his home state of Kebbi may be the reason for the agency to revoke his bail.

To be clear, ADC considers corruption to be one of the biggest risks to our nation’s basic existence. As a result, we wholeheartedly endorse any sincere attempts to hold public servants responsible. However, we are extremely worried that the EFCC appears to be a political gladiator rather than an unbiased fighter against financial malfeasance due to several of its acts and inactions.

The EFCC’s decision to revoke Malami’s bail only after he had attended a political gathering raises concerns about the agency’s motivations, the political stance it is taking, and whether it is not breaking the very laws it claims to uphold.

“The EFCC gives itself powers it does not have under the Constitution by prohibiting a citizen from participating in politics. No government agency has the authority to redefine political boundaries, suspend political rights, or decide whether or not a citizen’s political interests may be pursued. It is impossible to avoid the conclusion that the EFCC’s true goal is to undermine his political aspirations in the state given that this restriction was limited to Kebbi State.

Once more, ADC is steadfastly dedicated to combating corruption, but we maintain that politicizing the fight against corruption is a significant kind of corruption in and of itself. We would want to draw the EFCC’s attention to the data on corruption in Nigeria from the Afrobarometer survey, which was published earlier this year. According to the research, the National Assembly and the police are the two most corrupt public institutions in the nation, followed by the Presidency (the President and officials).

According to ADC, if the EFCC is genuinely dedicated to combating corruption, studies like this provide it a chance to recognize the scope of its work and reevaluate its goals.

“The ADC supports Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, who we think is innocent of the accusations against him until a competent court finds him guilty. More significantly, we call for his prompt release on bail without any restrictions that would restrict his ability to exercise his political rights.

Babangida Hussaini, the senator from Jigawa State North West, has denied rumors that he is getting ready to run for the state’s governorship in the general election of 2027.

The legislator claimed that the reports were intended to incite needless political conflict inside the All Progressives Congress (APC) and characterized them as baseless, untrue, and purposefully misleading.

On Friday, December 12, 2025, the senator personally signed a statement that was made available to reporters in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State.

Adamu warned against what he described as an increasing trend of false political narratives being spread on radio platforms, claiming that the accusations were cunning and intended to cause strife within the ruling party.

“These claims are completely false and are obviously meant to create needless tension, division, and mischief within our great party, the APC,” he said.

The senator emphasized that these storylines have the potential to deceive the public and erode party cohesion.

The senator also emphasized that he and Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi are still devoted APC members who collaborate in solidarity and respect for the advancement of the state.

He insisted that both he and the governor were committed to providing the benefits of democracy to the Jigawa people, pointing out that there was no rivalry or covert political objective between them.

Adamu’s response came after someone named Magaji Dogo made remarks on a radio program claiming that the senator intended to run for governor in the upcoming election cycle.

The statement also claimed that the person appeared in a campaign-style T-shirt and cap with Governor Namadi’s and Senator Adamu’s images on them, in what the legislator described as an intentional attempt to misrepresent that the claim came from him.

The senator reiterated his steadfast support for Governor Namadi’s Jigawa State Government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He stated that his present priorities remained assisting the APC’s leadership and making a significant contribution to Jigawa State’s ongoing socioeconomic growth.

Adamu urged the APC’s leadership to take the necessary steps to stop the propagation of false narratives that could threaten party unity and discipline.

He emphasized the need for shared responsibility in bolstering the APC and promoting the growth of Jigawa State and Nigeria as a whole, urging party members and the general public to ignore the rumors.

His Imperial Majesty Oba Abimbola Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, has promised Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), cooperation and support in his renewed mandate to combat drug abuse and illegal drug trafficking in the nation.

On Friday, December 12, 2025, the esteemed traditional ruler led two other royal fathers, Oloro of Oro (Oba Joel Olaniyan Olatoye) and Olusin of Ijara Isin (Oba Ademola Julius Ajibola), on a courtesy visit to Marwa at the Agency’s national headquarters in Abuja. He expressed pride in Marwa’s development as Yoruba land’s Atunluse.

“To be kind with you, we are proud of you,” he said. It is not by accident that you are in this position right now; rather, it is a result of your dedication and passion. You have this friendly personality. You have always been a performer, which is why you are able to rule Lagos State and Borno. The legacy of Keke Marwa that you brought to Nigeria is another aspect of you that I will never forget.

In direct response to the NDLEA boss’s request that traditional leaders back the nation’s continued efforts to combat drug usage, the Alaafin pledged to mobilize his compatriots to collaborate with the agency.

“I’ve heard your message, and some of my colleagues here as well as some of my other traditional rulers agree; we are prepared to work with you. I must admit that we are close to the locals and at the grassroots level. We have extensive knowledge of the situation. I’m taking this chance to let you know that we’re prepared. We are more than willing to work with you and to provide you all the required sup­port to make sure that you are successful in this position. Oba Owoade said, “We can assure you that we will always be there for you whenever you need us.”

Marwa welcomed Alaafin and congratulated him on taking his ancestors’ reign. He accused him and other traditional leaders nationwide of using their local clout to collaborate with NDLEA in the fight against drug usage.

According to him, “nearly 15 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 use drugs, according to the 2018 drug use survey report, and the drug scourge in Nigeria is at an unacceptable limit.” It’s a serious issue, and President Tinubu has ordered us to take action, combat the drug epidemic, apprehend and punish the traffickers, and seize their assets. Additionally, because traditional institutions are so vital, we would like to call on them for this duty.

The traditional institutions are respected by Nigerians. No matter who you are in Nigeria, you are from somewhere. And you honor the local leader when you return to that location. Therefore, the traditional leader’s words have weight. We also urge traditional authorities to actively advocate against drug usage by interacting with the religious leaders in charge of the churches and mosques within their respective domains. The NDLEA is always ready to collaborate with conventional institutions.

By officially outlawing the projected Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi, an organization purportedly founded by a previous state governor, the Kano State Government has taken definitive action against the establishment of any parallel religious police force.

According to reports, on Friday night, Governor Abba Yusuf issued an Executive Order that immediately prohibits the establishment, hiring, and functioning of any Hisbah organization outside of the official government entity.

Governor Yusuf issued the order to maintain public order and the legal authority of the current Kano State Hisbah Board, according to the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, who made the announcement during a news conference in Kano.

The government was worried that some people and organizations were allegedly recruiting and organizing others to join the unauthorized group, which officials said was illegal and may jeopardize the state’s security system.

The proposed group was categorically deemed illegal by the Executive Order, “Kano State Government (Prohibition of the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi) Order 2025.”

“Recruiting, assembling, mobilizing, training, or deploying persons for the purpose of operating a parallel Hisbah or similar enforcement outfit shall not be lawful for any person or group,” the directive declares, stressing that any action taken in support of such a body is “unlawful, illegal, and void.”

The Nigeria Police, DSS, and NSCDC are among the security services that have been instructed by the Kano State Government to look into the sponsors and organizers of the banned group right away.

The agencies are also responsible for stopping any recruitment or mobilization that is currently underway and for taking legal action to stop any violations of the peace.

The Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’s participation, support, and affiliation are prohibited by state legislation, the administration cautioned the populace.

According to the ruling, offenders will be prosecuted under current laws, which include crimes including creating unauthorized enforcement groups, impersonating lawful authorities, and unlawful assembly.

The Executive Order went into effect right away and will soon be gazetted.

This time through Commissioner for Information Kassim Afegbua, Crusoe Osagie, the media adviser to former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, has taken a jab at the state administration, accusing it of creating “a cocktail of lies” to deceive the public.

In a statement released on Friday, December 12, Osagie stated that he was compelled to address the Edo State Government’s “cocktail of lies” once more.

Afegbua “appears to have suddenly woken up from his elongated hiatus since his appointment,” he continued.

Osagie contended that the Radisson Hotel Project dispute followed a well-known pattern that, in his opinion, has characterized the current administration’s actions since assuming office.

In order to hide what he saw as the government’s lack of a development roadmap, he accused the government of purposefully creating disputes.

“This charade has become a predictable pattern deployed by this government since it took office over a year ago, clearly to deflect the attention of Edo people from the obvious fact that the government has no development plan for the people of the State,” he stated before delving into the specifics of the situation.

He listed a number of initiatives that, in his opinion, had been unfairly singled out, starting with the N30 billion Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA).

Osagie claims that the government also targeted the 95MW Ossiomo Power Project, initiated a “onslaught” against the Saro Farms and Ethanol Plant in Ikpoba Okha, destroyed the Edo Printing Center at the Nigerian Observer premises on Airport Road, and even made an attempt to attack Presco, which it later withdrew from following the blowback.

He claimed that the Radisson Hotel Project was the most recent in what he called a string of manufactured disputes.

Speaking about the project, Osagie emphasized that the Obaseki administration designed the Radisson Hotel initiative as a component of a larger plan for the state’s tourist growth.

He said that MOWAA, the projected Benin Royal Museum, and backing for the National Museum at Ring Road were all part of this complete program.

According to Osagie, the project was carried out using the former governor’s “deft financial skill.”

He stated, “Obaseki has explained for the umpteenth time that the project was started by his government as a part of the larger plan for the tourism sector.”

According to Osagie, the project was given to a private partner “at a value multiple times the amount the government had invested in it” after the government provided the initial funding to entice investors, as is customary worldwide.

According to him, the state kept 20% of the company’s shares while the new investor assumed “the full assets and liabilities of the project.”

Osagie accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of escalating the idea to judiciary and anti-graft agencies in an effort to undermine it.

“Okpebholo has taken the Radisson Project to the EFCC and has also gone to court in an endless rat chase to undermine the project in search of a reason to destroy this laudable investment initiative,” he said.

He insisted that government officials had resorted to “propaganda as a form of media trial” after such attempts had “proven futile.”

“Investments in Benin-speaking Edo South Are Being Crippled”
Osagie cited a recent piece he wrote titled “Okpebholo’s attack on Benin-speaking Edo South leaves economic carcasses on his trail” to support his claims.

He claims that the investments that the current administration is hostile to are “curiously” all found in the Benin-speaking Edo South Senatorial District.

He issued a serious warning, pointing out that in addition to the larger value chains they were intended to support, the impacted investments were positioned to directly and indirectly employ “not less than 50,000” people.

He claimed that by delaying these initiatives, the government had put an end to prospective business ventures that would have begun “one year after the Obaseki administration.”

“I doubt these five-star projects would have faced such vicious and irresponsible attacks from the Okpebholo government if they were located in Auchi, Iyamho, or even Irrua,” Osagie went on.

“Investors are scared away by their actions.”
The former governor’s assistant maintained that the current administration’s activities constitute an attack on the trust of the business sector.

He cautioned that such behavior would deter potential investors and perhaps compel current ones to move their businesses.

He stated, “They must be reminded that their careless and irresponsible actions constitute a direct assault on the sensibilities and sensitivities of private-sector investors.” Osagie stated, “At the very least, it will further discourage investors from coming into the State, and in many cases, could even force those who are already operating in the State to seek alternative locations for their businesses.”

He emphasized that Obaseki had “neither a direct nor an indirect stake or ownership in the project” and insisted that the Radisson Hotel development was carried out in the best interests of the Edo people.

He continued, “We implore them to spare the people of Edo this distraction.” “The Radisson Hotel project was clean and executed with the public’s best interests in mind.”

“Edo People Need to Hold Okpebholo Responsible”
Osagie concluded by advising citizens to concentrate on making sure the governor fulfills his duties rather than being influenced by what he called purposeful disinformation.

“We urge the people of Edo to disregard the lies, not be distracted, remain focused, and hold Okpebholo accountable for his responsibilities to Edo people, which include protecting their lives and property and creating opportunities for them to live life to the fullest,” he declared.

The government has to be questioned about how “this barrage of attacks on investments in the State translates into jobs and tangible benefits for the teeming youth population of the State, many of whom are seeking opportunities to work, earn a living, and build careers,” he insisted.

In honor of the late Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who collapsed and passed away in his office on Thursday, Bayelsa State Governor Sen. Douye Diri has proclaimed a three-day state of mourning.

According to a statement signed by Hon. (Mrs.) Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the state Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, all flags should be flown at half-mast starting on Friday, December 12, 2025.

“The Bayelsa State Government announces with deep regret and profound shock the sudden passing of the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Ph.D. on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the age of 60,” the announcement states.

Earlier in the day, the Deputy Governor was actively performing official tasks.

While attending a scheduled meeting in his office, he passed out. He was taken to the Federal Medical Center in Yenagoa, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

“His passing is not only terrible, but it is a huge loss for the government, Bayelsa State residents, and the country as a whole.

“Senator Ewhrudjakpo was a distinguished public servant who represented the Bayelsa West Senatorial District, served as the State’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, and has been the Deputy Governor since 2020.

“Governor Douye Diri extends sincere condolences to his wife, Her Excellency, Barr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, their children, the Ewhrudjakpo family, the Ofoni Federated Community, His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and all of the State’s citizens on behalf of the Government and people of Bayelsa State.”

The governor also asks God to give the family and the state as a whole comfort and strength.

May the Lord’s sweet spirit rest in his arms.

Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has presented the Federal Government’s advanced plan to address weaknesses in the telecommunications sector in order to fight insecurity and kidnapping nationwide.

Tijani addressed the public’s worry over ransom negotiations and suspected crimes carried out via unregistered SIMs during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday. He said that the issue is “far more technical” than is commonly believed.

The Minister disclosed that although the required National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage was a first step, criminal networks have already moved away from basic unregistered lines and developed other strategies.

He clarified that in order to avoid regular towers, thieves increasingly use technology that route calls over several towers, a strategy that works best in isolated and poorly connected areas.

“They bounce calls off multiple towers instead of using the standard towers.” They like living in remote places because of this, Tijani said.

He pointed out that President Tinubu advocated for investment in towers in such unsafe locations since the current administration recognized this shortcoming.

The Minister unveiled a multifaceted connection strategy to improve security monitoring and eliminate these network blackspots.

According to him, Nigeria is still the “only West African country” with its own communications satellites, which the government is currently bolstering.

He explained, “This is why we are upgrading our two satellites, so that our satellites will work if our towers are not working.”

He claims that the government is making significant investments in the growth of fiber optic cables.

Tijjani revealed that a joint initiative with Huawei to install 4,000 new cellular towers throughout underserved rural regions was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council.

He affirmed that the project is anticipated to “significantly improve rural connectivity, stimulate commerce, and enhance security surveillance.” It is scheduled to begin next year.

Despite its importance, the Minister pointed out that the satellite deployment is still “the third leg” of the larger operation and will take longer to launch than the tower and fiber projects, which are “well in progress.”