President Tinubu’s aide, Onanuga, Slams U.S. Senator Ted Cruz Over Comments about Nigerian officials and religious issues

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has taken a swipe at U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, representing Texas, over what he termed unfounded and mali+cious allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria.

Senator Cruz, in a post shared via X (formerly Twitter), accused Nigerian authorities of “turning a blind eye and even enabling the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadosts.” He also revealed plans to push the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, a bill aimed at sanctioning Nigerian officials allegedly involved in such attacks.

Responding to the claims, Onanuga who serves as President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy dismissed the senator’s assertions as false and misleading, urging him to stop spreading fabricated narratives about the country.

“Senator, stop these malicious, contrived lies against my country. We do not have a religious war in Nigeria,” Onanuga stated. “The degraded Boko Haram terrorists operating along the fringes of the North-East target everyone. They attack farmers, our soldiers. The bandits in the North-West kill worshippers in their mosques. Christians are not targeted. We have religious harmony in our country. Stop these malicious lies.”

He emphasized that Nigeria’s insecurity stems from criminality and violent extremism rather than religion, warning that such misleading foreign commentaries could d+mage diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the United States.

Islamism isn’t aimed at seizing power — Sultan of Sokoto says, stressing that Islam is about promoting good governance in society.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to rise above religious divides and embrace unity in order to build a stronger country.

He made this call in Abuja on Friday during the public presentation of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor.

The Sultan explained that Islam should not be misconstrued as a quest for political power but rather as a faith built on justice, fairness and good governance. “Islamism is not aimed at seizing power at any particular forum. Islam is after good governance in society,” he stated.

He cited the example of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, noting that Muslims gave him full support without bias. “President Goodluck Jonathan was President; we gave him 100 per cent support.

Throughout his presidency, nobody said anything negative against him; he knows that, and he is here. So, Islamism is not what you think it is. It is a wrong notion… We’re after good governance,” the monarch said.

The Sultan, regarded as the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims, also emphasized that Islam has a clear code of conduct that rejects v+olence and fanaticism. “We have ways and means of life. Anybody coming outside these to say things that he really doesn’t know about is not for Islam because Islam abhors extremism. You cannot be an extremist and then claim to be a good Muslim,” he stressed.

He cautioned Nigerians to be mindful of their words when discussing insecurity, warning that careless statements could further divide the country. Instead, he called for unity, saying: “Let’s come closer as one big family with different backgrounds to forge ahead to make this country a better country, because there is nothing anybody can do.”

According to him, his interventions on governance and national issues are never targeted at individuals but are guided by the conviction that religion must always promote justice, peace and social harmony.

Army Arrest IPOB/ESN Commander, Rescues Kidnap Victims Across States.

The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, alias Gentle de Yahoo, a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, working with other security agencies, captured him at a hideout in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe LGA of Imo State. 

Recovered items included an English pistol, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, a cartridge, six mobile phones, police and military uniforms, and a German flag. A workshop for dismantling stolen vehicles was also discovered, while 10 motorcycles were destroyed.

Beyond Imo, troops rescued 11 kidnap victims in coordinated operations across Adamawa, Katsina, and Kogi States.

Five victims were freed in Madagali (Adamawa), five in Malumfashi (Katsina), and one in Lokoja (Kogi). Two terrorist were also killed in Katsina, with troops seizing an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and a motorcycle.

In Benue, soldiers neutralized a violent extremist, recovered charms and a phone, and arrested 11 suspects for armed robbery, gunrunning, and extremism across Benue, Kogi, and Kaduna. In Plateau State, 40 stolen cattle were recovered and returned to their owners.

The Army credited these successes to enhanced collaboration with sister security services and agencies.

Nigerian Army Captures Notorious ESN/IPOB Commander, Gentle De Yahoo.

The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), identified as Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo.

Okorienta was captured by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade in a joint operation with sister security agencies at his hideout in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

According to the military, the operation led to the recovery of a cache of arms and items, including one English pistol, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, a cartridge, six mobile phones, military and police uniforms, as well as a German flag.

Troops also uncovered a workshop used for dismantling stolen vehicles for resale and destroyed 10 motorcycles found at the scene.

Beyond the Imo operation, troops carried out coordinated missions in Adamawa, Katsina, and Kogi States, rescuing 11 kidnap victims. Five persons were freed in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa, another five in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina, while two were rescued in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The Army further reported that two terrorists were neutralised in Katsina, with an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and a motorcycle recovered. In Benue, soldiers killed a violent extremist and seized charms and a mobile phone. Eleven suspects linked to armed robbery, gunrunning, and violent extremism were also arrested across Benue, Kogi, and Kaduna States.

Troops in Plateau State recovered 40 rustled cattle, which have since been returned to their owners.

The Nigerian Army credited these successes to sustained collaboration with sister services and security agencies.

US reacts to arrest of Ansaru terrorist group leaders.

The United States of America on Monday reacted to the arrest of two key leaders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as the Ansaru terrorist group.

The US commended the Nigerian government and its security forces over the unprecedented feat.

The group are known to operate around the Kanji National Park alongside their criminal members.

In a statement issued by the US Mission on its X page, the arrest of Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Abu Bara’a and Mahmud al-Nigeri aka Mallam Mamuda is evidence of the efforts put in by the Federal Government to end terrorism in Nigeria.

It said, “We commend the Nigerian Government and security forces on the successful arrest of wanted #Ansaru leaders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (aka Abu Bara’a) and Mahmud al-Nigeri (aka Mallam Mamuda).

“This is a significant forward in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and extremism,” the US Mission stated.

Recall that the Federal Government had on Sunday announced the arrest of Usman and Al-Nigeri by operatives of the Nigerian security agencies.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, while making the announcement said the wanted terrorists were captured in a “high-risk, intelligence-led, counter-terrorism operation” conducted between May and July 2025.

#US reacts to arrest of Ansaruterroristgroup leaders. #arrestoftwokey leadersoftheJama’atu AnsarulMusliminafi-Biladis Sudancommonlyknownas theAnsaruterroristgroup. #NigerianGovernmentand securityforcesonthe successfularrestofwanted.

FG Reacts as Canadian Court Labels APC, PDP as Terrorist Groups.

The Federal Government has condemned a Canadian Federal Court ruling that classified Nigeria’s two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as terrorist organisations.

The government’s reaction was contained in a statement on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa. According to the government, the label, linked to an immigration case involving Nigerian national Douglas Egharevba, was “reckless, baseless, and an unacceptable interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.”

Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in 2017 seeking refugee status, had his case reviewed under allegations that certain Nigerian political parties had terrorist affiliations. The court in its judgment extended the allegations to the APC and PDP.

“The Court made a sweeping accusation against the entire membership of political parties that have produced democratically elected presidents, instead of focusing on individuals found guilty of offences,” the ministry said. “Such classification is false, unacceptable, and carries dangerous implications.”

The government stressed that Nigeria’s political parties operate within a robust constitutional and legal framework, warning that the ruling could spread misinformation and inflame tensions.

Calling on Ottawa to retract the designation, the FG urged Canadian authorities to avoid endorsing politically motivated narratives that misrepresent Nigeria’s democratic system. It reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fighting terrorism and cooperating on global security, while cautioning citizens against misrepresenting the country for asylum or immigration advantages.

“Nigeria remains committed to the global fight against terrorism and has made significant strides in countering extremism. The international community should disregard this misguided ruling,” the statement said.

Security: CDS Launches Student Group to Tackle Violent Extremism

Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has inaugurated a student-led initiative—Students Against Violent Extremism (SAVE 1 & 2)—aimed at combating extremist ideologies in Nigeria's North-East through non-violent means.

At a multi-sector conference in Maiduguri, Borno State, General Musa urged youths to act as “non-combatant soldiers” by sharing intelligence with the military and using social media to counter terrorism narratives. The event also featured the launch of his book, Taking A Stand Against Insurgency and Terrorism.

The SAVE project, targeting students and youths in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, forms part of the military’s non-kinetic strategy to defeat insurgency. General Musa stressed early engagement of young people in peacebuilding efforts and acknowledged the role of stakeholders in recent counterinsurgency gains.

He also visited wounded soldiers at Maimalari Military Hospital, where a philanthropist pledged to donate houses for injured troops.

Victory in the North: Nigerian Army Eliminates Notorious Terrorist Leader Amir Abu Fatima

In a major win against insurgency, the Nigerian Army has confirmed the elimination of Amir Abu Fatima, a top terrorist commander, during a successful special operation in northern Borno State.

According to Daily Post Nigeria, the high-value operation was carried out with precision intelligence and combat coordination, marking a significant blow to terrorist networks operating in the region. Abu Fatima had long been on the military’s radar for orchestrating deadly attacks on both civilians and military personnel.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out all forms of terrorism and ensuring lasting peace in the northeast. This latest success has sparked hope for continued progress in the fight against extremism in Nigeria.

According to: Daily Post Nigeria

#AmirAbuFatima #NigerianArmy #BornoState #CounterTerrorism #NigeriaSecurity