Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters Orders Immediate Removal of Unauthorized Roadblocks Nationwide

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a directive ordering the immediate dismantling of non-essential roadblocks and unauthorized checkpoints across major highways in Nigeria. The internal memo, signed by Brigadier General A. Rabiu for the Chief of Defence Staff, warns that the proliferation of unapproved checkpoints is disrupting movement, reducing operational efficiency, and exposing troops to unnecessary risks. Commanders have been instructed to retain only approved control points while replacing static posts with mobile, intelligence-driven patrols. The order comes amid rising public concern over insecurity and road travel challenges nationwide.

Abuja Court Frees 11 #EndBadGovernance Protesters, Dismisses Treason and Terrorism Charges

A Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted 11 activists arrested during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, striking out all treason and terrorism-related charges brought against them. Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the allegations were unfounded, marking what activist Adaramoye Michael Lenin described as a “historic victory.” The protesters had been detained for over a year after security agencies accused them of attempting to destabilise the country during nationwide demonstrations fuelled by economic hardship, insecurity, and public frustration under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Human rights groups consistently condemned the charges as politically motivated attempts to suppress dissent. With the ruling, all accused individuals have been fully discharged.

#EndBadGovernance

#HumanRights

#AbujaCourt

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 He ordered the Interior Minister and NSCDC to replace withdrawn police escorts with civil defence operatives and directed the NSA and DSS to review nationwide security deployments.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.

Soyinka Slams ‘Private Battalion’ Escorting Tinubu’s Son, Warns of Dangerous Misuse of Security Forces

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has sparked nationwide debate after criticising the massive security convoy assigned to President Tinubu’s son, Seyi, describing it as large enough to “crush” the recent coup attempt in Benin Republic. Speaking at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Awards in Lagos, he condemned the concentration of heavily armed operatives around one individual while Nigeria battles widespread insecurity. Soyinka warned that the misallocation of security resources highlights distorted national priorities and threatens public safety. He also criticised Nigeria’s involvement in Benin’s failed coup, warned about the dangers of misinformation, and condemned ongoing demolitions in Lagos. As public scrutiny intensifies, the Presidency has yet to respond.

BREAKING: Newly Elected AGN President Abubakar Yakubu Arrested After Fatal Lagos Crash

Newly elected Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) President, Abubakar Yakubu, has been arrested following a fatal car crash in Surulere, Lagos, that claimed one life. Yakubu, who recently won the AGN presidential election by a narrow margin over Rita Daniels, was taken into custody at the Barracks Police Station as investigations begin. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the cause of the accident or details of the ongoing inquiry. The incident has sparked nationwide attention due to Yakubu’s high-profile position and the tragic loss of life involved.

Senate summons aviation minister over surge in domestic airfares

The Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and key stakeholders in the sector for an urgent interaction following public outcry over the sudden rise in domestic airfares.

The resolution came during plenary today December 9 after Buhari Abdulfatai raised a motion on the floor of the Senate, warning that the soaring prices pose a serious threat to mobility and could trigger nationwide travel disruption in the coming days.

Leading the debate, Senator Buhari from Oyo state noted that Nigerians have continuously decried the rise in cost of domestic flights.

He revealed that a one-way ticket from Abuja to Lagos now costs between N400,000 and N600,000, an amount many citizens can no longer afford.

The lawmaker argued that the situation is especially distressing given the increasing difficulty and insecurity on major highways.

“We need to invite stakeholders of our airline agencies to interact and interrogate the issues. Immediate steps must be taken before the festive period,” he said

Other senators echoed similar concerns.

Senator Orji Kalu however attempted to justify the airlines’ fare increases by pointing to rising operational costs and the soaring price of spare parts, an explanation that was met with rousing disapproval from several lawmakers.

The lawmakers unanimously agreed to summon the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, airline operators, regulators and other industry stakeholders to given reasons for the increase in fares and how it can be reduced.

Nigeria Police Begin Recruitment of Retired Officers as Ad-Hoc Trainers for New Recruits Nationwide

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a nationwide directive requesting the submission of names of retired officers to serve as ad-hoc instructors in police training institutions. The directive, dated December 8, 2025, targets officers who retired between 2020 and 2025 from the ranks of Inspector to Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP). Eligible candidates must be well-versed in the Police Act 2020, ACJA 2015, and other core regulations, with expertise in areas such as drill, musketry, unarmed combat, legal studies, and professional studies. Commands across all states and specialised units have been instructed to compile and forward detailed lists of qualified retirees before December 18, 2025. The order was marked “immediate” and “very important” by Force Headquarters.

Glo Restores Nationwide Data Services After Hours-Long Outage, Apologises to Millions of Users

Globacom (Glo) has restored data services across Nigeria after a nationwide outage that began around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, leaving millions of subscribers without internet access for hours. In a statement, the telecom giant apologised for the disruption and acknowledged the widespread frustration experienced by users in multiple states. Glo explained that its technical team worked to resolve the issue and confirmed that services have now been fully restored. The company thanked customers for their patience as online transactions and connectivity gradually returned to normal.

Lagos Seals Shoprite Ikeja Over Tax Default as LIRS Warns Against Tampering With Seal

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has shut down the Shoprite outlet at Ikeja City Mall over alleged refusal to comply with mandatory tax obligations. A notice placed at the entrance stated that Shoprite violated Section 94 of the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) 2011, an offence punishable by fines and imprisonment. LIRS also warned that breaking its seal without approval is a criminal act. The incident adds to the ongoing struggles of Shoprite’s Nigerian operations under Ketron Investment Limited, which has faced multiple store closures across Abuja, Kano, Ilorin, and Ibadan amid worsening economic conditions and dwindling product availability nationwide.

NIGERIA–INDIA ADVANCES DEFENCE PARTNERSHIP AS INDIAN DEFENCE ADVISER VISIT COAS

The strategic defence partnership between Nigeria and India received a significant boost on 9 December 2025 when the Indian Defence Adviser to Nigeria, Colonel Manoj Singh, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu Nigerian Army Medal, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja. The visit reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to strengthening bilateral military cooperation and advancing shared security interests.

Colonel Singh while making his remarks commended the Nigerian Army for its sustained efforts in tackling security challenges nationwide and expressed appreciation for the warm reception. He emphasized India’s willingness to broaden defence cooperation, expand training opportunities for Nigerian Army personnel and deepen technical exchanges in critical areas of mutual benefit.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu stressed the importance of maintaining an enduring partnership with the Indian Armed Forces. He described India’s long-standing support in military training, capacity building and defence development as invaluable, noting the need to further enhance collaboration in counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing, equipment support and professional military education.

The visit featured the presentation of souvenirs to the Defence Adviser by the COAS as a symbol of friendship and continued cooperation. Colonel Singh also signed the visitors’ book and a group photograph.

APPOLONIA ANELE
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
9 December, 2025

Glo Confirms Nationwide Data Outage, Millions of Users Affected Across Nigeria

Glo has confirmed a nationwide data outage affecting millions of subscribers across Nigeria since 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The telecom company apologised for the disruption and assured users that its technical team is working urgently to restore internet services. The outage has disrupted connectivity, online transactions, and access to digital services in several states.

The Independent National Electoral Commission released its latest report on Monday, indicating a nationwide total of 2,685,725 newly registered voters through online and physical Continuous Voter Registration.

JUST IN: The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has suspended its 29-day nationwide strike after the Federal Government met part of its demands.

However, the union warned that it would resume industrial action if the remaining conditions are not fulfilled within the agreed timeline.

FG Bans Cash Payments Nationwide, Orders MDAs to Adopt Full Electronic Revenue Collection

The Nigerian government has announced an immediate ban on all physical cash payments for federal revenue collection, directing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to switch entirely to electronic channels. The policy, issued through four Treasury circulars from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, mandates MDAs to install POS terminals within 45 days and display “No Cash Payment” notices.

The circulars also prohibit MDAs from making unauthorised deductions on revenue, introduce a mandatory national e-receipt system effective January 1, 2026, and require full integration with the new Revenue Optimisation (RevOP) platform. The measures aim to eliminate leakages, strengthen TSA compliance, improve transparency, and modernise Nigeria’s revenue collection framework.

YRC Mobilises Nigerians for December 10 Protest, Demands Release of #EndBadGovernance Activists

The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) has urged Nigerians nationwide to join the December 10 protest marking World Human Rights Day, organised by the #EndBadGovernance Movement. The group warned that Nigeria is “on the brink” due to worsening repression, rights violations, and the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act to target critics under the Tinubu administration.

YRC is demanding the dismissal of treason and terrorism charges against 11 detained protesters arrested in 2024, accusing the government of delaying their trial to silence dissent. The group also highlighted ongoing persecution of activists, workers, students, and journalists, as well as widespread demolitions displacing poor communities. YRC says the protest aims to build a united resistance against anti-poor policies and systemic abuses.

Dangote Vows to Keep Petrol Prices Low After Meeting Tinubu, Intensifies Pressure on Importers

Aliko Dangote has assured Nigerians that petrol from the Dangote Refinery will continue to sell at “reasonable” and competitive prices, a move expected to heighten pressure on fuel importers. Speaking after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, Dangote said the refinery aims to stabilise domestic supply despite global volatility and persistent smuggling driven by price gaps with neighbouring countries. He emphasized that the $20bn refinery is a long-term investment, not one focused on quick profit recovery.

The refinery, which began supplying diesel and jet fuel in early 2024 and petrol in September, is driving down pump prices nationwide, with NNPC recently reducing rates at its stations. Dangote highlighted that his engagement with Tinubu focused on energy security and economic stability, noting that collaboration between government and private operators is crucial as Nigeria adjusts to post-subsidy pricing realities.

BREAKING NEWS: The NLC to hold nationwide protest on December 17 over worsening insecurity in the country

FG Secures Release of 100 Abducted Niger Catholic Schoolchildren After Months in Captivity

The Federal Government has secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State. The students were part of the 303 children and 12 teachers kidnapped by armed bandits who invaded the school on November 21 at 2 a.m. The mass abduction triggered nationwide outrage and led President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on security and order large-scale recruitment into the police and military. Authorities continue efforts to rescue the remaining victims still in captivity.

Macron Backs Tinubu as France Pledges Full Support to Nigeria Amid Escalating Terror Threat

French President Emmanuel Macron has assured President Bola Tinubu of France’s full support as Nigeria battles a worsening wave of terrorism, mass kidnappings, and violent attacks across the North and Middle Belt. Macron revealed via his official X account that he spoke directly with Tinubu, expressing solidarity and promising to strengthen France’s security partnership with Nigeria at the president’s request.

The call comes as Nigeria declares a nationwide state of emergency after multiple mass abductions of schoolchildren and deadly assaults on churches and rural communities. Tinubu announced plans to recruit 20,000 additional police officers, deploy forest guards, and reinforce security in schools and places of worship.

The crisis coincides with international concern, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s warnings and rising criticism over Nigeria’s handling of insecurity. Analysts caution that Tinubu’s increased troop deployment may not be enough to curb the escalating violence.

BREAKING NEWS: The Nigerian Army has indefinitely suspended all statutory and voluntary retirements for specific categories of officers, in response to the nationwide security emergency declared by President Tinubu.