NIGERIA-BANGKOK TO UNLOCK POTENTIAL IN AFRICA-ASIA COOPERATION

Nigeria and Thailand have agreed to take their bilateral relationship to a strategic level. The commitment was made during a high-level meeting in Bangkok today, between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

In a statement, Yusuf Tuggar, proposed for Thailand to help bridge the regions, by fostering collaboration between the African bloc, ECOWAS, and the Southeast Asian bloc, ASEAN, foreseeing eventual ASEAN-ECOWAS Summit in the long-term.

Both sides discussed building on Nigeria's crude oil exports and Thailand's rice and machinery exports, and extending to scholarship programmes for Nigerian students.

They agreed to diversify into new areas like agro-processing, renewable energy, manufacturing, and ICT.

While on security, Yusuf Tuggar stressed on cooperation against transnational crimes like drug and human trafficking, proposing increased intelligence-sharing and joint training.

To solidify this enhanced partnership, the Minister urged for speedy conclusion of pending bilateral agreements on trade, investment, and culture, with a view to establishing a high-level joint commission.

The meeting concluded with Nigeria reaffirming Thailand as its strategic partner in Asia and extended an invitation for reciprocal high-level visits.

Amnesty International Condemns Deadly Gunmen Attack on Anambra Church, Demands Probe of Security Failures

Amnesty International has condemned the gruesome attack on St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Lilu, Anambra State, where armed men killed the cleric’s wife and another victim during a Sunday invasion. The rights group urged authorities to launch a transparent, impartial investigation into the killings and the security lapses that allowed the attack, noting that a government-deployed security base was located within the church premises. Amnesty further warned that rising violent activities by armed groups across the South-East have turned several communities into ungoverned spaces, stressing that federal and state governments must prioritise civilian protection and dismantle criminal networks.


#AmnestyInternational

#AnambraAttack

#SouthEastInsecurity

Orji Kalu Slams IPOB Over Sit-At-Home Killings, Calls Ultimatum ‘Childish Theatre’

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has condemned IPOB’s ultimatum against him, describing the group’s actions and sit-at-home killings in the Southeast as “self-destruction.” In an interview on Arise TV, he accused IPOB of crippling commerce, terrorising communities, and causing over 30,000 deaths tied to enforced lockdowns. Kalu denied sponsoring any militant factions, challenged IPOB’s spokesperson to face him publicly, and insisted that Nnamdi Kanu’s detention should be resolved politically—not through violence. He urged the Southeast to abandon bloodshed and return to commerce, peace, and negotiation.

Court Rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s Bid to Leave Sokoto Prison, Says Brother Cannot Represent Him

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fresh attempt by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to challenge his placement in Sokoto prison. His younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, appeared before the court to move a motion seeking Kanu’s transfer to Abuja, arguing it would allow him to properly pursue his appeal.
However, Justice James Omotosho refused to hear the motion, stating that Emmanuel could not represent the convict because he is not a lawyer. The judge ruled that only a legal practitioner can move such an application on behalf of a sentenced person.
Kanu was recently handed multiple prison terms, including life imprisonment, for terrorism-related offences. His sentencing continues to spark national debate, with analysts urging dialogue to address tensions in the southeast.

Southeast Leaders Split Over Ekweremadu’s Proposed Transfer to Nigeria

Regional leaders in Nigeria’s Southeast are sharply divided over the Federal Government’s plan to transfer former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu from a UK prison to a Nigerian correctional facility, Punch reported on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

While some see the move as a positive humanitarian gesture, others believe it is politically motivated and unnecessary.

° “Let Him Finish His Sentence in the UK” — INC President

Chilos Godsent, President of the Igbo National Council (INC), strongly criticized the transfer proposal.
He questioned the timing and suggested the initiative may be linked to political strategies ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the Federal Government showed little interest during Ekweremadu’s trial but is suddenly eager to intervene, raising suspicions.

According to Godsent:

“It is better to allow him to serve his term in the UK, where he was found guilty.”


He also feared that Ekweremadu might face harsher conditions or renewed legal battles if brought back to Nigeria.

Some Southeast voices compared the government’s urgency in Ekweremadu’s case to its refusal to release IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, despite repeated demands.

This contrast, they argue, shows inconsistency and bias in handling issues affecting the Igbo people.


Meanwhile, influential leaders have applauded the move.
The Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo praised the initiative as sincere and welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention.

Similarly, the Abia State PDP Chairman urged Nigerians to judge the move based on national interest, not speculation.

NAF Bombs Several ISWAP Terrorists, Bandits To Death In Multiple Airstrikes.

Air strikes carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have resulted in the killing of several terrorists and bandits across the country and the destruction of their hideouts.

According to a statement on Monday by the NAF Spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, scores of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Mallam Fatori and Shuwaram, Borno State, as well as bandits’ enclaves in Garin Dandi and Chigogo, Kwara State, as well as Zango Hill in Kankara local government area of Katsina State, were affected by the strikes.

He added that the coordinated missions were carried out on November 9, 2025, based on credible intelligence on the movement and activities of the criminals.

Ejodame said the missions represent a decisive phase in ongoing joint operations under Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Fansan Yamma, aimed at degrading terrorists and criminal networks across Nigeria’s northern theatres.

News reports that the NAF airstrikes dealt a heavy blow to ISWAP terrorists entrenched in the Northern Tumbuns of Borno State.

According to the NAF spokesman, the Air Component guided by real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) feeds conducted precision strikes southeast of Shuwaram before shifting to Mallam Fatori, where ISWAP elements were observed mobilising with motorcycles and boats along the Lake Chad Basin.

According to him, the strikes destroyed the insurgent hideouts, logistics hubs, and weapons storage facilities, eliminating several terrorists and crippling their mobility capabilities.

“Post-strike assessments confirmed multiple neutralizations and a significant degradation of ISWAP’s operational networks in the area,” he said.

Similarly, NAF aircraft carried out precision air interdiction missions over Garin Dandi and Chigogo in Kwara State, striking bandits,’ camps with devastating accuracy based on credible intelligence.

He said the attacks caused panic in the enemy camp and inflicted heavy losses among the criminals.

In a related operation, air assets under Operation Fansan Yamma struck Zango Hill in Kankara LGA, Katsina State, the hideout of a terrorist kingpin and his fighters.

Ejodame said the aircraft guided by actionable intelligence and ISR surveillance, executed multiple attack passes, destroying key logistics hubs and neutralizing several terrorists in one of the most decisive strikes in the region.

Furthermore, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma (Sector 1) conducted an Armed Reconnaissance mission across the northwest corridor, covering key settlements in Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna States, including Kakihum, Dankolo, Kotonkoro, and Kuyello.

Ejodame said the locations served as known routes and hideouts for armed groups along the Birnin Gwari–Funtua axis.

“During the mission, coordination with Forward Operating Bases at Dankolo and Kotonkoro revealed suspicious movement near Wam Hill, where terrorists on motorcycles were spotted attempting to flee. The aircrew swiftly engaged and neutralized the targets, with no further hostile activity observed,” he said.

“Okpoko Kept Me Awake at Night” — Governor Soludo Reveals Why He Ran for Anambra Governorship

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has revealed that the Okpoko area in Ogbaru Local Government was one of the main reasons he decided to contest for governor in 2022.

Speaking during the Ogbaru Constituency Campaign Rally held in Okpoko on Friday, Soludo said the deplorable condition of the community inspired his mission to transform the state.

“Okpoko is one of the major reasons why I contested to be governor of Anambra,” Soludo said.
“From 2010 until 2022, I could not sleep well seeing the way Okpoko was — the biggest urban slum in the Southeast, if not Nigeria, with over half a million people. No water, no roads, no streetlights, nothing.”


The governor recalled his campaign promise to begin work in Okpoko immediately after his inauguration — a promise he said he fulfilled.

“I was sworn in on the 17th, and on the 18th I came here. Today, over 20 kilometers of roads have been completed, with streetlights, pipe-borne water, and for the first time, a hospital for Okpoko residents,” Soludo added.
“Children now enjoy free education, and that’s why we came — to show love and deliver real change. I love you all, and I’ll even take one room here,” he said jokingly.

Soludo’s remarks highlighted his administration’s focus on inclusive development, particularly for communities long neglected in urban planning.

Nnamdi Kanu: Tinubu granted clemency to ‘drug lords, murderers’ – Aguocha.

Member of the House of Representatives, Obi Aguocha, has criticised the federal government for what he described as selective justice in the handling of the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

The Lawmaker accused the Nigerian government of applying different standards of justice to the Igbo ethnic group compared to other regions of the country.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television News, Aguocha said President Bola Tinubu recently granted clemency to individuals convicted of serious crimes such as drug trafficking and murder, while Kanu, who according to him has committed no offence, continues to languish in detention.

He said: “I firmly believe that we must all raise our voices, even if it means doing so through peaceful protests. In the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria, an Igbo man faces a host of challenges that other tribes do not experience. In a recent series of pardons, President Tinubu granted clemency to ‘drug lords’ and ‘murderers,’ yet Nnamdi Kanu, who has committed no offence, has endured extensive dehumanisation for ten years.”

Aguocha, who represents the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, has been consistent in his calls for the immediate release of Kanu.

He said the continued detention of the IPOB leader, despite several court rulings in his favour, undermines justice and threatens peace in the Southeast region.

Recall that Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, since his re-arrest and extradition from Kenya in 2021.

He faces charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism.

Political Earthquake in Enugu: Governor Peter Mbah’s Alleged Move to APC Sparks PDP Crisis

The political scene in Enugu State is witnessing intense drama as Governor Peter Mbah’s rumored defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into confusion and deep internal division.

According to a report by The Punch on Saturday, October 11, 2025, the governor’s anticipated switch has exposed sharp splits within the PDP, as loyalists are torn between following Mbah into the ruling APC or staying with the opposition party.

In a bold political maneuver, the APC reportedly dissolved its Enugu State Executive Committee and replaced it with a caretaker committee to manage what appears to be a major political merger.

The newly appointed caretaker chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, confirmed the governor’s readiness to defect, declaring:

“We went to the governor, and he has agreed to move with us into APC. He is not coming alone — he is coming with the whole structure of Enugu PDP.”


Nwoye revealed that the planned defection would include 260 ward councillors, 24 state House of Assembly members, National Assembly representatives, and the entire PDP executive committee, a move that could reshape the political landscape of the Southeast.

However, uncertainty clouds the move. The PDP Publicity Secretary in Enugu admitted that while Governor Mbah holds significant influence within the party, he has not officially informed the PDP leadership of any plans to defect.

Resistance is growing within PDP ranks. Chief Ray Nnaji, a former National Auditor of the party, dismissed claims of mass defection, predicting that “less than 20%” of PDP members would follow Mbah. He accused the governor of alienating local stakeholders and relying heavily on external consultants instead of the party’s grassroots structure.

Some state lawmakers have also expressed frustration, citing unpaid salaries and allowances as part of their discontent with the governor’s leadership.

As tensions rise, Enugu State — long considered a PDP stronghold — may soon witness one of the most significant political realignments in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

“Peter Obi Is Not My Leader” — Orji Kalu Declares, Says He Remains the Most Influential Politician in the Southeast

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State, has stirred political tension with his bold declaration that Peter Obi is not his leader, asserting that his extensive political achievements make him the most prominent politician from the Southeast.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Kalu emphasized his long-standing influence in Nigerian politics, dismissing suggestions that Obi holds any political authority over him.

In his words:

“He is not my leader. I’m the most important politician from that zone. I have won two states before. I ran for President before — my 4.9 million votes are still there in 2007. I achieved a lot with PPA. We had ministers, we had ambassadors with President Yar’Adua.”

The senator highlighted his decades of political success — from his gubernatorial leadership to his presidential bid under the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) — noting that his legacy extends beyond regional politics.

Kalu’s remarks come amid the growing influence of Peter Obi, whose performance in the 2023 presidential election as the Labour Party’s candidate positioned him as a major political figure, especially in the Southeast where he enjoys massive grassroots support.

“They Ignored My Calls” — Sowore Reveals Otti and Soludo’s Silence Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention

African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, has revealed that his attempts to reach Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), were unsuccessful.

In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Sowore said he reached out to the two Southeast governors as part of his efforts to rally key political leaders to unite in demanding Kanu’s release — but neither took his calls nor responded to his messages.

“I have tried reaching out personally to Dr. Alex Otti, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and Mr. Peter Obi through his team today.
Alex Otti and Soludo neither took my calls nor responded to my messages,” Sowore wrote.



The activist and Sahara Reporters publisher added that while Otti and Soludo remained silent, he was able to connect with Hon. Obi Aguocha, a federal lawmaker from Abia State, who responded positively to his appeal for joint action.

Sowore also mentioned that he reached out to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, urging him and other national leaders to join the collective call for Kanu’s unconditional release.

His statement has since sparked intense debate online, with many Nigerians questioning the political unity and responsiveness of Southeast leaders regarding Kanu’s continued incarceration.

Anybody from South-East Supporting Tinubu is an ‘Enemy’ Kenneth Okonkwo.

Veteran Nollywood actor and lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo, has launched a fresh wave of criticism against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing the president of deliberately sidelining the Southeast region.

Speaking during an interview on Symfoni TV, Okonkwo questioned the loyalty of any Igbo person who supports Tinubu, insisting that the president’s actions and comments since the 2023 elections clearly indicate hostility toward the region.

Tinubu’s Post-Election Remarks Under Fire
Okonkwo recalled a statement allegedly made by the president after the polls, which he interpreted as proof of animosity toward the Igbo community.

“After the election, he said, ‘These people (Igbos) came to Lagos when they were 12 years, and they didn’t support us,’” Okonkwo recounted. “So he had the mind to emasculate and finish the Southeast.”

According to him, such rhetoric reflects deep-seated resentment and explains why the region has been marginalized in the current political arrangement.

Muslim–Muslim Ticket Cited as Evidence of Exclusion
The actor-politician also pointed to Tinubu’s choice of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket as a clear sign that the Southeast was never part of the administration’s plans.

“On top of it, he went for a Muslim-Muslim ticket. The Southeast is 99.9% Christian,” he stated. “Whoever is choosing a Muslim-Muslim ticket does not have any intention to have them in the presidency for any reason.”

He argued that this decision further alienated the region and reinforced a perception of political exclusion.

Listen To Your Wife, Many Will Betray You” – Onoh Warns Tinubu Over Eligibility Of Jonathan For 2027 Presidency.

The former southeast spokesman of President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has declared that there is no court ruling barring former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential race.

"Listen To Your Wife, Many Will Betray You" - Onoh Warns Tinubu Over Eligibility Of Jonathan For 2027 Presidency
He argued that the certified true copy of the court judgment, declared Jonathan eligible to contest the presidency in Nigeria again and had set aside any issue of constitutional term limits.

He warned President Tinubu not to be deceived into embarking on a wild goose legal chase over Jonathan’s qualification to contest future elections.

Onoh warned President Tinubu not to be carried away by the sycophancy of those around him, warning that just as his wife had cried out about previous betrayals, many people who appear to be supporters may betray him in the 2027 election.

Naija News reports the statement comes on the heels of a warning from the presidency contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga on Monday against Jonathan’s rumoured interest in the 2027 election and individuals within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are reportedly encouraging him to contest the 2027 presidency on the party’s platform.

Onoh, who spoke with newsmen in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, however, disagreed with the submission by the Presidency on Jonathan’s eligibility. He further submitted that only Nigerians can decide who would be their leader.

He urged the Tinubu administration to focus on issues of national importance and refrain from interfering in the electoral rights of any opponent.

“Therefore, President Tinubu should not be deceived by anyone telling him otherwise. This was exactly how Jonathan’s inner cabal during the build up to 2015 elections deceived him into believing that he was invisible, that Nigerians loved him, to the extent he was too carried away that he felt invisible and never saw Tinubu coming.

“Tinubu was the invisible magician that cast the spell that led to Jonathan’s loss at the polls. The President should not fall in the same trap by the voices that surround him now. The one major sincere voice he should listen to is his wife, many will betray him in the coming months,” Onoh said.

Primate Ayodele Warns 1999–2007 Governors to Pray for Protection, Predicts Possible Southeast State Name Change

Primate Elijah Ayodele, Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has issued a fresh prophetic warning to Nigeria’s political class, particularly former governors who served between 1999 and 2007.

In his latest message, Ayodele urged these past leaders to pray earnestly for their lives, health, and families, warning that without divine intervention, the nation could lose one or more of them.

“Let all the former governors from 1999 to 2007 pray that we don’t lose any of them,” Ayodele declared. “They must pray for their lives, their health, and their families, so they are not bereaved. None of them should pass away. Let them pray very well.”

The cleric, widely known for his political and national prophecies, stressed that the group remains spiritually vulnerable and in need of protection—especially as Nigeria faces economic hardship, insecurity, and political tension.

Beyond his caution to the former governors, Ayodele also dropped a prophecy concerning the southeastern region of Nigeria. He revealed that one of the states in the zone may attempt to change its name in the near future, a move he suggested could ignite national debates.

“Listen to this: I don’t know which state in the southeast, but one of them wants to change their name,” he said.


Analysts believe such a development could feed into long-standing discussions around identity, restructuring, and self-determination. Some southeastern states have repeatedly expressed feelings of marginalization, and a potential name change could be seen as a symbolic act of cultural or political redefinition.

Ayodele’s words add to his history of controversial but widely followed prophecies. Over the years, he has spoken about elections, governance, insecurity, economic shifts, and international affairs, often sparking debate among Nigerians.

Whether seen as a spiritual warning or a political reflection, his latest prophecy is already fueling fresh conversations about the country’s future.

2027: Southeast Votes For Tinubu Will Shock Nigerians, Obi Doesn’t Matter – Shittu
By Matthew Atungwu | Published September 4, 2025

Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, says President Bola Tinubu will secure surprising levels of support from the Southeast in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Shittu argued that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is gaining ground in the region, crediting Works Minister Dave Umahi and others for swaying sentiment in Tinubu’s favour.

He dismissed the influence of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying: “It doesn’t matter. What is important is for Tinubu to win. Even if to win by 10 votes, I can assure you Bola Ahmed Tinubu is going to win.”

Finland Court sentences Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism.

A District Court in Finland has sentenced the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Government in Exile, Simon Ekpa, to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes.

Recalls that Ekpa was arrested by Finnish authorities on 21 November 2024, following an investigation by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into allegations of inciting terrorism and promoting violence through social media, activity that was believed to have contributed to unrest in southeastern Nigeria.

Following his arrest, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court, which determined that the charge was based on “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, alleged offenses dating from August 2021 to November 2024.

During this period, the NBI also froze Ekpa’s assets, as well as those of his associates and related companies

ADC Rejects INEC’s Voter Registration Figures, Alleges Plot Against South-East

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected INEC’s newly released voter registration figures, describing them as “false and deceptive.”

INEC reported only 484 new registrations in Enugu and 261 in Ebonyi — the lowest nationwide. ADC insists thousands actually registered and accused INEC of trying to suppress the South-East’s voting strength ahead of 2027.

The party called for the release of “true figures” and launched an independent investigation into the exercise.

#NigeriaDecides #SouthEast #ADC #INEC

US-based Councilman Junior Ezeonu urges Southeastern Nigerians to demand good governance from their governors instead of blaming outsiders. Says Alex Otti is the only SE governor showing real leadership.
#Nigeria #GoodGovernance #Southeast

Newsbrief: Meta Shuts Seven Million WhatsApp Accounts Linked to Scammers

Meta has shut down nearly seven million WhatsApp accounts tied to scam operations in the first half of 2025. The fraudulent accounts, often linked to organized gangs, were traced to schemes ranging from fake cryptocurrency investments to pyramid scams.

WhatsApp said most of the accounts originated in Southeast Asia and were disabled before being fully deployed. In one case, Meta and OpenAI disrupted a Cambodia-based scam that used ChatGPT to generate phishing messages.

The platform has also introduced new “safety overviews” to alert users when added to suspicious group chats, offering scam detection tips and quick exit options.

By Channels Television | Updated August 5, 2025

#WhatsAppScams #Meta #CyberFraud #DigitalSafety

Every Nigerian Should Learn Combat Skills For Self-Defence – CDS Musa

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has urged citizens to acquire basic combat and survival skills such as Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, swimming, and driving, describing them as essential for self-protection in today’s dangerous world.

Speaking on Politics Today, Musa said the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should train graduates in unarmed combat for daily survival, stressing that security is everyone’s responsibility.

He also revealed that terrorists are increasingly funding their operations with gold, making financial tracking complex due to international networks. Musa further cited bad roads, poor communication, and IED threats as key obstacles slowing troops’ response to banditry and terrorism.

On the Southeast, he noted that relative calm has returned since the arrest of pro-Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland in November 2024.

#NigeriaSecurity #SelfDefence #Insecurity