News
Tinubu Orders Rescue of Kidnap Victims, Demands Peaceful 2027 Elections
President Bola Tinubu has directed heads of security agencies to rescue all abducted persons and ensure that no terrorist or bandit camp remains anywhere in Nigeria, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), said on Thursday.
Musa, who spoke to State House correspondents after a security meeting presided over by the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said Tinubu also asked the service chiefs and other security heads to guarantee a safe environment for Nigerians to vote in the elections scheduled for January.
The minister said the meeting was convened to brief the President on the security situation ahead of the polls, with all heads of security agencies in attendance.
“The directive from the President is: all of us must go all out to fish out and rescue all those that have been abducted, kidnapped, wherever they are.
“There shouldn’t be any camp of any terrorists or bandits anywhere in Nigeria,” he stated.
Musa said Tinubu made it clear that he wanted a free, fair and credible election, and assured political parties that the security forces would not take sides.
Musa stated, “Mr President made it very clear he wants a free, fair and credible election. We must do everything possible to ensure that the country is safe and secure for the citizens to go out and vote.
“We are going to ensure that we give everybody the opportunity to go and serve, so they have nothing to worry about, nothing to be afraid of, and nobody is going to intimidate them for whatever reasons.”
He added that it was “important for all other political parties to understand that the security forces are going to be neutral.”
The minister rejected suggestions that underage persons were being recruited into the armed forces, saying the concern related to the use of children by terrorists.
According to Musa, “There is nobody that is underage that is being brought here. I think the discussion that was made was that the accusation was on the terrorists using underage.
“We know that we don’t have control over what they do, and that’s why we need to understand that we must not allow them to remain wherever they are.”
On efforts to boost the capacity of the security forces, Musa cited increased recruitment, training and procurement.
He said Tinubu would soon inaugurate about 10 newly acquired aircraft and helicopters.
“Mr President is coming to commission a set of new aircraft and helicopters that have been bought.
“I think almost about 10 of them in number, and to show Nigerians that despite the economic issue, the issue of security is on the front burner of Mr President’s view,” he announced.
He pointed to the recent salary increase for members of the armed forces and said improvements for the police, other agencies and pensioners were being addressed.
“Nobody is going to be left behind,” he said.
On August 4, Tinubu approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for about 250,000 armed forces personnel, effective September 1.
Privates to staff sergeants got the highest rise, at 80 per cent, while officers above the rank of colonel got 30 per cent. The yearly salary bill rose from N660bn to N924bn.
In October 2025, the Defence Ministry said 24 aircraft, including 10 AW109 Trekker attack helicopters and M-346 fighter jets, were being built for Nigeria by Leonardo in Italy, for delivery in four batches.
The minister urged Nigerians to support the security agencies, including by reporting wrongdoing by security personnel.
He argued, “Security is everybody’s responsibility. It’s not only for members of security forces. Everyone has a role to play.
“Whatever you see that is going wrong, even with our members that are not doing what is right, please don’t hesitate to report. Action will be taken.”
The meeting was attended by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam; the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Maj Gen Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.).
Others present were the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm Idi Abbas; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi.
Thursday’s meeting comes 90 days before Nigerians head into the January 2027 general elections, with the presidential poll scheduled for January 16.
Impeccable sources familiar with the discussions held at the meeting told our correspondent that the President ordered the deployment of forest guards in all reclaimed territories from terrorists and bandits, to prevent them from reoccupying areas from where the military had dislodged them.
The sources also said the council discussed the designation of power facilities as critical national assets, following repeated vandalism, and that the President asked for a review of possible restrictions to stem the risk of Ebola entering Nigeria.
One of the sources said the military, by the nature of its operations, clears areas and moves on, often leaving retaken swaths of land open for reoccupation by terrorists.
“The President has directed that we deploy forest guards to hold the grounds that the military has taken. The military does not hold ground. They simply clear the place and move.
“When the military clears the place, these insurgents, they run. And once we take it, we can’t stay there, so they come back.
“The plan now is to deploy forest guards to hold some of these territories,” one high-ranking official stated.
However, the official did not say how many guards would be deployed, in which states, or when.
The Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, was launched in May 2025.
It was conceived in February 2024 after a meeting with state governors, who were asked to recruit between 2,000 and 5,000 guards each.
On December 10, 2025, Tinubu directed the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, to begin the “immediate training, arming, and deployment of additional forest guards nationwide.”
The President said, “We need all the forces we can utilise.”
On December 27, 2025, more than 7,000 guards graduated after three months of training and were deployed in seven states including Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara and Kebbi.
Ribadu described them as a “force multiplier” and said they would “identify hot spots” in forests.
He stated that the Department of State Services and the National Park Service will handle operational coordination.
After the May 15, 2026 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, the Federal Government said Tinubu had approved the recruitment of 1,000 more guards for the state.
In August, the programme grew to 10 states, with over 2,000 more trained in Kaduna, Edo and Kogi, reportedly bringing the total to about 9,000.
On February 19, 2016, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, inaugurated Operation Savannah Shield in Kwara, vowing that forests and ungoverned spaces “will no longer serve as safe havens” for terrorists.
Another official familiar with Thursday’s deliberations said the council discussed attacks on electricity infrastructure.
“Because of the problems of vandalism of power facilities, we are already working to designate it as a critical national asset. It was brought up at the meeting to be designated.
“It has to be designated before we can now take appropriate action on it,” the official said.
On June 24, 2024, Tinubu signed the Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, which listed power generation and distribution among 13 sectors and tasked the NSA with protecting them.
In October 2024, vandalism of the Shiroro–Kaduna line plunged about 17 northern states into darkness.
Tinubu at the time said the government would no longer tolerate sabotage of public utilities and ordered security cover for repair crews.
A third source said the council also reviewed the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, which he said was rising.
According to the official, “We looked into this Ebola crisis. We have to look at it because it’s rising. Beyond what we’re doing now, the President said we have to look at it and see whatever restrictions we might need to make to safeguard Nigerians. We cannot afford to fold our arms.”
When pressed for specific measures to be taken by the Federal Government, the official declined to speak. (Punch)
The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, declaring its actions and decisions on behalf of the party invalid.
The ruling also affects the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, as the party’s primary was conducted under the leadership declared unlawful by the court.
Atiku, whose name had earlier appeared on the list of presidential candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had reportedly picked former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu declared unlawful the caretaker committee led by Mark, which organised the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its candidate.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which the Mark-led group assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party.
He consequently approached the court, seeking to invalidate the activities and decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership on behalf of the ADC.
The defendants in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, included the ADC, INEC, Senator David Mark, former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and Chief Ralph Nwosu.
The plaintiff also sought an order restraining Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, insisting that their appointments violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Justice Lifu upheld the plaintiff’s arguments and granted the reliefs sought.
The decision is expected to trigger fresh political uncertainty within the ADC, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
However, the party has indicated its intention to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
The ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was subsequently joined in the proceedings as an interested party, confirmed that the party would appeal the ruling.
The Ebonyi State Government has issued a 30-day ultimatum to occupants of a structurally defective building at No. 10 Aguluezechukwu Street, Abakaliki, directing them to vacate the premises over serious safety concerns.
The directive was issued by the Ministry of Capital City and Urban Planning following an on-site assessment led by the Commissioner, Richard Ugo Idike, alongside the Head of the Town Planning Department, Esther Nwite, other town planners and the ministry’s enforcement task force.
During the inspection, Idike expressed concern over visible structural defects and substandard construction, describing the building as an imminent threat to lives and property.
“The state government will not compromise on the safety of residents. Our ministry remains committed to ensuring that all structures across Ebonyi State strictly adhere to approved building codes and regulatory standards,” Idike said.
He explained that the 30-day notice would give the property owner time to undertake the necessary structural remedial works to prevent a possible collapse, while allowing occupants sufficient time to secure alternative accommodation.
“This notice is necessary to avert building failure and protect human lives. Occupants must make alternative arrangements before the expiration of the deadline to avoid tragic outcomes,” the commissioner added.
Idike said the ministry would intensify monitoring and enforcement activities across the state capital to identify unsafe structures, warning that properties found to be in violation of building regulations would face prompt regulatory action.
He said the exercise was in line with the urban renewal and public safety agenda of the Ebonyi State Government under Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to ensure an orderly and secure capital city.
The ministry’s task force also urged property owners, developers and builders across the state to adhere strictly to approved building plans, engage certified professionals and use quality construction materials to prevent structural failures.
Occupants of the affected building are expected to comply with the evacuation directive within the stipulated 30-day period.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay and cautioned eight others over various acts of misconduct, including unlawful detention of litigants, abuse of judicial powers and disregard for due process.
The Council, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, also approved warning letters for three judges following investigations into petitions concerning their handling of cases.
The decisions were taken at the NJC’s 112th meeting held on November 3, 2026.
The three suspended judicial officers are Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court.
Justice Kabir was suspended for ordering the arrest and detention of a litigant for 58 days over alleged disobedience of a court order without initiating proper contempt proceedings or serving the mandatory Forms 48 and 49.
The Council also barred her from being considered for elevation for three years, holding that her actions violated the litigant’s right to a fair hearing.
Grand Kadi Salihu was suspended over his involvement in reopening a judgment delivered by the FCT Upper Area Court.
The investigation found that he exceeded his judicial authority by constituting a committee to review the judgment and subsequently assigning the matter to another judge, who received fresh evidence and delivered a new judgment.
The NJC held that the process amounted to an appeal against a valid judgment delivered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Justice Biambo was sanctioned for ordering the arrest of litigants and imposing fines of N300,000 each in a civil dispute without following proper contempt proceedings or serving the prescribed forms.
Both Grand Kadi Salihu and Justice Biambo were also barred from consideration for elevation for three years.
The Council also cautioned Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court over his handling of post-judgment garnishee proceedings in a suit involving First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
It found that he granted a fresh ex parte application for a Garnishee Order Nisi after an earlier similar application had been withdrawn and struck out, while other pending applications, including an application for a stay of execution, were awaiting hearing.
In another set of disciplinary decisions, the NJC approved warnings and cautions for other judicial officers, including Justice Bello Kawu, who granted interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, despite an existing remand order issued by another judge.
Justices Danjuma Oyigbenu and Isa Ebini Kana were also issued warning letters for delivering judgment in an appeal outside the constitutionally prescribed 90-day period.
Other judicial officers cautioned or placed on the Council’s Watch List include Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the FCT High Court, for making orders after being informed that an appeal had been entered at the Court of Appeal.
Justice C. A. Ogbuagor of the Enugu State High Court was also cautioned for continuing proceedings despite a pending appeal and an application for a stay of proceedings.
Similarly, Justice Chibuike Azuama of the Imo State High Court was cautioned for granting an ex parte garnishee order freezing the accounts of Puma Energy, a company that was not a party to the substantive suit.
The NJC also considered 35 petitions referred by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees. It dismissed 24 for lack of merit, recommended four for further investigation and placed one in abeyance because the matter was sub judice.
The Council further directed that investigations should continue into a petition against Justice G. N. Ugbala of the Ebonyi State High Court despite the petitioner’s notice of withdrawal.
Meanwhile, the NJC recommended 28 candidates for judicial appointments across several states.
The recommendations include 24 judges for the High Courts of Kano, Ebonyi, Edo, Adamawa and Ogun States; a Grand Kadi for the Plateau State Sharia Court of Appeal; a Kadi for the Adamawa State Sharia Court of Appeal; and two judges for the Adamawa State Customary Court of Appeal.
The Council also directed the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to include the name of the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ijeoma Agugua, in the shortlist for appointment as substantive Chief Judge, following a petition challenging her exclusion.
In addition, the NJC approved the retirement notifications of six judicial officers, including two Justices of the Supreme Court.
It also expressed condolences over the deaths of nine judicial officers between May and September 2026.
-
News6 hours agoBREAKING: Court Nullifies Atiku’s ADC Presidential Ticket, Removes David Mark-Led Leadership
-
News2 days ago
Forgery Trial: NYSC Disowns Nnaji’s Certificate, Identifies Four Discrepancies
-
News2 days ago
NDC Spokesperson Dismisses Concerns Over Peter Obi’s Health, Attributes Condition to Exhaustion
-
News2 days ago
Police Rescue Seven Officers, Recover Five Bodies After Deadly Bandit Ambush in Zamfara
-
News14 hours ago
Presidency Reacts as NDC Opens Up on Peter Obi’s Health Challenge
-
News2 days ago
Gunmen Abduct Two Visually Impaired Persons in Plateau, Demand N50m Ransom
-
News22 hours ago
Enugu Air to Begin Lagos–London Flights in December – Official
-
News2 days ago
NBS: Enugu Records Lowest Tax Revenue-to-IGR Ratio in 2025
