US Group Warns of Planned Christmas Day Attacks in Nigeria, DSS Confirms Intelligence

A United States–based humanitarian group, Equipping The Persecuted, has raised alarm over alleged plans by terrorist groups to launch coordinated attacks on several Nigerian communities on Christmas Day. While Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed it has intelligence on the threat and has begun preventive operations, the Bola Tinubu Presidency dismissed the warning as doubtful and capable of spreading panic. The alert has intensified concerns over security in parts of the Middle Belt amid recurring festive-season attacks.

#NigeriaSecurity

#ChristmasDay

#Terrorism

Police Escort Withdrawal: DSS Officers Lobby for VIP Protection Roles

Following President Bola Tinubu’s withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs, some officers of the Department of State Services have started lobbying influential Nigerians to take them on as personal security details

Primate Ayodele Denies Extortion Allegations Against Oyo Minister Adebayo Adelabu

Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church has denied claims that he attempted to extort N150 million from Oyo State Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in exchange for spiritual intercession to secure his governorship bid. Adelabu had filed a petition with the DSS accusing Ayodele of blackmail, fake prophecies, and demands for costly items. Ayodele insists the requests were symbolic, no money exchanged hands, and his prophecies are independent of financial gain.

Primate Ayodele Denies Extortion Claims Against Oyo Minister Adebayo Adelabu

Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church has denied allegations that he attempted to extort N150 million from Oyo State Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in exchange for spiritual intercession to secure his governorship bid. Adelabu had filed a petition with the DSS accusing Ayodele of blackmail, fake prophecies, and demands for costly items. Ayodele insists no money changed hands and the requests were symbolic, emphasizing that his prophecies are independent of financial gain.

Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, Petitions DSS Over Primate Ayodele’s N150m Spiritual Demand

Bayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s minister of power and former Oyo governorship candidate, has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos, of attempting to extort N150 million from him for “spiritual intercession” to secure his governorship bid. Adelabu has confirmed his intention to contest the 2027 Oyo governorship election.

In the petition dated October 13, 2025, signed by his aide Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu alleged that Ayodele made false prophecies to tarnish his reputation after he declined the cleric’s demands, which included a large sum of money and costly spiritual items.

Text messages reviewed by TheCable show Ayodele instructed Adelabu to provide 24 APC flags and 1,000 saxophones/trumpets, with the cheapest Nigerian grade totaling N50 million and imported Chinese grade-one instruments reaching N130 million, initially due by April 1, later extended to April 4.

The cleric claimed his requests were “instructions from God” and insisted Adelabu perform rituals, including reciting prayers and vigil acts, assuring him divine intervention would secure electoral success. Adelabu reportedly told the cleric he could not afford the expensive items.

Following this, Ayodele publicly stated in his church that Adelabu had failed and would not become Oyo governor, describing his warnings as messages from God and daring the minister to take legal action against him. This petition highlights allegations of spiritual bl@ckmailand an attempt to manipulate a political process through financial and ritual demands.

Ogun Pastor Says DSS Trailed Him After Criticising Governor Abiodun, Demands Formal Invitation

Pastor Olawoye Kayode of Zion Church, Ijoko, Ogun State, has alleged that DSS operatives are secretly trailing and attempting to intimidate him following his outspoken criticism of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration. According to the cleric, two men claiming to be DSS officers visited his church seeking his whereabouts without presenting any official reason or documentation. After calling the numbers they left behind, he was told the new DSS boss in Ogun wanted to “familiarise” with him — a claim he found suspicious.
Kayode insisted he would only honour an invitation backed by a formal letter and his lawyer’s presence. He also said unmarked black SUVs believed to belong to DSS operatives have been seen around his church. The pastor has repeatedly criticised the state government over poor infrastructure and worsening hardship, asserting that Ogun State has suffered severe neglect. Despite the surveillance, he vowed not to bow to intimidation and demanded proper procedures from the DSS.

Tinubu Reaffirms Withdrawal of Police From VIP Escorts, Orders Strict Clearance for Exceptions

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his directive withdrawing police officers from VIP escort duties, insisting that only individuals who secure his personal approval through the Inspector-General of Police will receive special protection. Speaking before the Federal Executive Council meeting, Tinubu said the decision aims to redeploy security personnel to critical national security operations, particularly the fight against kidnapping and terrorism. He ordered the Interior Minister and NSCDC to replace withdrawn police escorts with civil defence operatives and directed the NSA and DSS to review nationwide security deployments. Tinubu also emphasised arming forest guards. The directive follows a national debate reignited by Wole Soyinka, who criticised the excessively large convoy attached to Seyi Tinubu, calling it a misuse of security resources.

Rescued Niger Pupils Reveal Bandits Forced Them to Sleep on Trampoline in Bush

A rescued pupil from Niger State, Florence Michael, has recounted the harsh conditions she and other abducted schoolchildren endured while held by bandits. She revealed they were forced to sleep on a trampoline in a bush near a river and were threatened with beatings if they made noise. The 100 pupils, abducted from St. Mary’s School in Papiri on November 21, were handed over to the Niger State Government by the National Security Adviser’s office after a joint rescue operation involving the DSS, Armed Forces, and other agencies. The federal government announced new protection measures for schools in high-risk areas, while Governor Umaru Bago described the rescue as a major relief. The children were released by the kidnappers near Lumma and Wawa and transported to Minna for safety.

Kwara Police Arrest Kidnapping Kingpin After DSS Detains Doctor Treating Bandits

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a notorious kidnapping kingpin, Aliu Abubakar, just hours after the DSS detained a medical doctor accused of providing drugs and medical treatment to armed groups operating in the Kwara–Niger forest belt. Abubakar was apprehended at Oro-Ago Motor Park following community intelligence, with digital forensics reportedly revealing photos of him wielding an AK-47, posing with gang members, and displaying cash believed to be ransom proceeds.
The arrest is linked to an ongoing security sweep that recently intercepted ammunition couriers tied to the same network. Authorities say the coordinated crackdown is exposing the financial, logistical and medical support systems sustaining kidnapping operations in rural communities. The suspect is in custody and providing actionable intelligence expected to lead to more arrests.


#KwaraSecurity

#KidnappingKingpin

#DSSArrests

Families Raise Alarm as UNICROSS Lecturers Remain Missing Six Months After Kidnapping in Imo State

Families of two young lecturers from the University of Cross River State, Engr. Odu Emmanuel Odu and Eja Vincent Ndifon, have cried out over the lack of progress six months after the pair were kidnapped along the Okigwe–Okwele Road in Imo State. Despite early media attention, ASUU involvement, and repeated visits to security agencies, the families say they have received no updates from the police, DSS, or the Imo State Government. Both victims, aged 32, were travelling from Lagos to Calabar after purchasing a vehicle when they were abducted. The families describe the ordeal as emotionally devastating and call on authorities to release investigation findings and intensify rescue efforts, noting that the lecturers were promising PhD candidates and active ASUU members.

BREAKING: EFCC and DSS Collaborate against Fraud in Edo State

DSS Arrests Doctor Supplying Medical Drugs to Kidnapping Gangs in Kwara

The Department of State Services has detained a medical doctor in Jebba, Kwara State, for allegedly transporting essential medical supplies from Sokoto to kidnapping gangs operating in forest areas. Authorities say the criminal networks have become increasingly desperate for medical care after sustaining gunshot wounds in clashes with security forces. The Kwara government has urged health facilities in remote areas to strengthen security. The development comes amid the recent kidnapping of two Chinese nationals working at a BUA road construction site in the state.

Family Raises Alarm as Detained Lawyer Moses Oddiri Goes Missing in DSS Custody After Petition Against EFCC Chair

The family of Nigerian lawyer Moses Oddiri has raised alarm over his disappearance nearly a month after he was taken into custody by the DSS on November 10, reportedly at the request of the EFCC. Relatives say they have received no official update on his location or wellbeing, despite reports that he was secretly transferred from Lagos to Abuja. His arrest is believed to be linked to a petition he filed against EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede over alleged diversion of over N4 billion meant for the Orogun Oil Producing Community in Delta State. Human rights groups warn that incommunicado detention violates Nigerian and international law as the family demands his release or immediate arraignment.

Ekiti Man Detained by DSS Over SIM Previously Linked to Kidnappers, Family Cries Out

The family of an Ekiti man detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) has raised concerns after he was arrested over a SIM card allegedly once used by kidnappers. According to his daughter, DSS operatives from Lagos picked him up on Sunday despite the SIM being lawfully purchased and registered. She says the family has been denied access to him, with operatives reportedly threatening relatives who attempted to visit the DSS facility. The detainee, who has underlying health issues, has been held incommunicado for three days, prompting appeals for his immediate access to legal representation and medical attention. The DSS has yet to comment on the arrest or allegations of obstruction.


#EkitiDSSarrest

#SIMusedbykidnappers

#Incommunicadodetention Nigeria

NSCDC unable to provide VIP protection — Former DSS Director

Former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has raised concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s directive to transfer VIP protection duties from the police to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

"NSCDC does not have the capacity [to protect VIPs], they are not trained for it, they don't even have the numbers to deploy and their statutory function is to provide security for critical infrastructure."

~ Mike Ejiofor, Fmr. Director of DSS.

End Politically Motivated Charges Against Sowore, Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer Tells Tinubu




Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately halt the prosecution of activist Omoyele Sowore by the DSS. Sowore faces a five-count charge of cyberstalking and defamation for calling President Tinubu a “criminal” in social media posts. Ejimakor argued that the case lacks legal merit and warned that using the judiciary to settle political disputes is counterproductive. The DSS claims Sowore’s posts were false and inciting, citing screenshots and correspondence with X and Meta as evidence. Sowore, a long-time government critic, appears again in court as the trial continues.

Federal Workers Forum to Protest at Ibadan Court, Demand Withdrawal of Charges Against Coordinator Andrew Emelieze

The Federal Workers Forum has announced a nationwide solidarity protest scheduled for December 4, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, calling for the immediate withdrawal of charges against its Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze. The group condemned what it described as a growing clampdown on free speech and activism in Nigeria. Emelieze, a prominent workers’ rights advocate, was previously detained and later rearrested in July 2025 for leading a peaceful protest. Supporters claim the prosecution is an attempt to silence lawful agitation. The Forum urged activists, labour groups, and human rights defenders to mobilize in solidarity and demanded that the Federal Government and DSS drop all charges while respecting constitutional freedoms.

BREAKING: DSS Arraigns Sowore On Alleged Cybercrime Offences

“How Do The Government Continue To Negotiate With These Bandits. Some Of Them Even Come On TikTok Live And The DSS Can’t Even Track Them Even With All The Sophisticated Equipment They Claim To Have”.-Barrister Adams