News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Senate confirmed retired General Christopher Musa as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence on Wednesday. This appointment places the former Chief of Defence Staff at the head of the nation’s defence apparatus barely 40 days after his military retirement.

The confirmation followed a rigorous screening session where senators questioned the nominee on various security challenges facing the country.

The approval was ultimately secured through a voice vote.General Musa’s nomination moved swiftly through the executive and legislative branches.

President Bola Tinubu nominated him on Tuesday, with his name transmitted to the Senate for confirmation the same day.

By Uzair Adam

The governor of Zamfara State has intensified efforts to secure major political concessions from the federal government as part of conditions for his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sources familiar with the development said the governor is seeking full control of the APC structure in Zamfara ahead of his anticipated move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party.

He was said to have held a strategic meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Paris, France, alongside the governors of Enugu and Taraba states.

At the meeting, he reportedly expressed willingness to join the APC if his demands were met.

The Paris meeting, held months ago at the Peninsula Hotel, was described as a turning point, prompting the governor to return home and tighten his conditions for defection.

Insiders alleged that he has consistently pressed the Presidency to remove the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and hand over the APC structure in Zamfara to him as part of the deal.

The resignation of Mohammed Badaru as Minister of Defence was said to have renewed the governor’s push, with reports suggesting he urged the Presidency to act swiftly in easing Matawalle out of the cabinet.

Political analysts say the governor’s demands reflect his desire to secure full influence within the APC if he eventually joins the party.

There are also claims that the governor is receiving backing from certain security quarters to facilitate reports capable of weakening Matawalle’s standing in government.

Sources alleged that once the minister is removed, the governor plans to mobilise his PDP structure and loyalists into the APC to consolidate power ahead of the 2027 elections.

Observers note that the governor sees Matawalle as a major obstacle to his political ambition, especially within the northwest.

Matawalle has recently gained recognition for key security interventions, including the rescue of abducted students in Kebbi and efforts to restore peace in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara.

The unfolding power struggle now signals a potentially significant realignment in Zamfara and the wider northwest as both figures compete for control, influence, and relevance ahead of future elections.

By Uzair Adam

Former Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, has refuted claims suggesting he left the President Bola Tinubu administration because of alleged cooperation between Nigeria and the Donald Trump–led US government regarding accusations of genocide against Christians in the country.

He dismissed the reports in an electronically signed statement titled, “Rejoinder: Categorical Denial Of Malicious Publication Regarding My Resignation As Minister of Defence.”

According to him, a circulating online publication falsely alleged he stepped down because he “cannot stand and watch the US and Tinubu government bombing our brothers in the forest.”

He described the claim as malicious and baseless, insisting it neither originated from him nor from anyone authorised to speak on his behalf.

He said the motive behind the fabricated story was to damage his reputation, create unnecessary tension between him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and distract from ongoing governance efforts.

The former minister noted that the genuine reasons for his resignation were formally communicated to the President and subsequently made public through conventional and social media.

He added that any attempts to suggest an inflammatory motive were the work of mischief makers.

He reaffirmed his loyalty to President Tinubu, the APC leadership, and Nigerians, maintaining his commitment to national peace and stability as well as the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He also restated his support for the ruling party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu alongside the National Assembly and the FCT Minister have pledged a total of N320 million to the Nigerian Legion, the association for military veterans and families of fallen heroes.

The donations were announced on Tuesday at the launch of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem Appeal at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

President Tinubu led the contributions with a donation of N200 million, promising that his administration remains dedicated to the welfare of serving personnel, injured officers, and the families of those who died in service.

He praised the military’s sacrifices and ongoing role in securing the nation.

The National Assembly, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy House Speaker Benjamin Kalu, donated N100 million.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, contributed N20 million.

During his address, President Tinubu called on government institutions, businesses, and individuals to donate generously to the Legion.

He highlighted his administration’s security gains, including the surrender of thousands of insurgents and improved maritime security, reiterating that security is the central pillar of his “Renewed Hope” agenda.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, urged Nigerians to wear the remembrance poppy emblem and support the appeal fund as a symbol of national gratitude.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, commended the President’s consistent support for the military.

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is observed annually on January 15th to honour fallen soldiers and recognise living veterans.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has congratulated General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd) on his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s next Minister of Defence.

In a statement issued today, Governor Sani described the nomination as “well-deserved” and a “profound vote of confidence” in General Musa’s character and competence.

He extended congratulations on behalf of the Kaduna State Government and its people, noting the nominee is an illustrious son of the state.

The Governor expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the appointment, stating it rewards excellence and reaffirms the President’s resolve to strengthen national security.

Having worked closely with General Musa, Governor Sani affirmed the appointment is timely and apt, calling it “a round peg in a round hole.”

He highlighted the General’s previous service as Chief of Defence Staff, citing his “uncommon discipline, strategic clarity, and humane leadership” which restored public confidence in the military.

For Kaduna State, the Governor credited General Musa’s “wise counsel, measured interventions, and firm support” as instrumental in stabilising areas once troubled by banditry and insurgent activity since May 2023.

Governor Sani urged the Senate to accord the distinguished officer expedited screening and approval, stating the nation stands to benefit immensely from his experience and patriotism.

He concluded by saluting General Musa’s service, celebrating his ascent on behalf of Kaduna, and expressing confidence that history will remember him kindly.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has nominated the immediate-past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as the new Minister of Defence.

The nomination was disclosed in a press release from the State House on Monday, signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

General Musa, 58, is proposed to succeed Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned from the cabinet earlier.

A highly decorated officer, General Musa served as the nation’s top military commander from June 2023 until October 2025.

His extensive career includes frontline roles in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations, notably as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai and commander in the Lake Chad region.

President Tinubu, in a formal letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, expressed confidence that General Musa would provide strong leadership to the Defence Ministry and bolster national security.

The appointment is pending confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

Kebbi State Police Command have arrested a 25-year-old woman allegedly kidnapping a four-years-old friend’s son, Abdulmumini Surajo, demanding a ransom of 5 million Naira from his family.

A security analyst, Zagazola Makama, has post on his X account that the boy was avowed missing 26th November, 2025.

Zagazola stated that hours after the missing of the boy, his father received a call from an unfamiliar number with a female’s voice demanding a ransom of ₦5 million.

According to the analyst, the number was traced by police detectives and found that the user’s name is Muhammad which hunted and arrested.

He wrote, “The victim, Abdulmumini Surajo, went missing on November 26, 2025. Later that day, the father received a call from an unknown female voice demanding a ransom of five million naira (N5,000,000). Police detectives traced the call and identified the caller as Maryam Muhammad, 25, a married woman from the same area.”

Makama added that after the woman was arrested, she was also reportedly confessed to the abduction.

The child was rescued unharmed by the police operatives by 6:08 pm in Mahuta of Fakai Local Government are of the state where the suspect allegedly kept him.

Confirming the incident when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nafi’u Abubakar, on Monday, has said, “The suspect had a misunderstanding with the mother of the boy and decided to retaliate by kidnapping him. She is currently in our custody, and an investigation is ongoing.”

This development is coming amid the wave of security tensions in the state where female students were abducted after bandits stormed and raided a girl’s secondary school in the state.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The Kano State Police Command has reiterated the restriction on tricycle operations from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm within the Kano metropolis and reaffirmed the ban on commercial motorcycle passenger transport.

The Kano State Police Command made this known through its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, yesterday.

According to the PRO, the enforcement led by the police in collaboration with other security agencies is aimed at enhancing public safety and curbing the spread of unverified and potentially inflammatory information capable of inciting fear and unrest among residents.

The enforcement will specifically cover the following local government areas: Fagge, Municipal, Tarauni, Nassarawa, Gwale, Dala, Kumbotso, Ungoggo, and parts of Dawakin Kudu.

In support of the enforcement, the Kano Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) will work alongside the security agencies to ensure compliance with the directive, which is intended to safeguard the lives and property of Kano residents.

The renewed directive follows recent reports of raids and abductions in some villages within Kano’s border communities with Katsina State, as well as an unverified incident involving the arrest of passengers allegedly found with arms and ammunition at the Kofar Ruwa motor park.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Uba Sani has presented a N985.9 billion budget estimate for the 2026 fiscal year to the Kaduna State House of Assembly, focusing on sustaining development across critical sectors.

Titled a budget of “renewal, resilience and long-term vision,” the proposal allocates 71% to capital expenditure and 29% to recurrent spending.

Key sectors like Education and Infrastructure each receive 25% of the total, while Health gets 15%, and Agriculture 11%.

Highlighting past achievements, Governor Sani stated that his administration has completed 64 of 140 initiated road projects, covering over 1,335 kilometers.

He also noted the introduction of Northern Nigeria’s first Bus Rapid Transit system in Kaduna, which has reportedly saved citizens over N500 million in transport costs.

In education, the government said it reopened 535 schools, returning over 300,000 children to classrooms, alongside massive construction and renovation of facilities.

The health sector is seeing upgrades to all 255 Primary Healthcare Centres and major work on 15 General Hospitals.

A significant highlight was the increase in agriculture investment from N1.4 billion in 2023 to N74.2 billion in 2025, which included the distribution of free fertilizer to farmers.

The Governor also emphasized fiscal prudence, stating that no new loans have been contracted since taking office, despite paying N114.9 billion in debt servicing.

Furthermore, the administration’s community development initiative saw N100 million allocated to each of the state’s 255 wards for participatory projects.

The 2026 budget now awaits the scrutiny and approval of the State House of Assembly.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

In a symbolic reflection of their field of study, 56 students from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal University Dutse (FUD), have successfully completed their academic journey after 71 months of rigorous training, earning them the tag “the 56 harvested fishes.”

Their journey, which began in December 2019, was not without currents and tides, strikes, pandemics, and academic demands.

But like resilient species in challenging waters with moderate required parameters, they swam through research projects, field trips, industrial training scheme, practicals and other relevant courses.

A jamboree was held to commemorate the voyage that was started 71 months ago and was filled with emotion, laughter, and pride as lecturers and member of the class witnessed the official “harvest.”

For many, it wasn’t just the end of a programme, it was the beginning of new voyages: into aquaculture businesses, research, environmental sustainability, and public service.

One of the graduates, Hafsat Yahaya Gutus, has taken the attention of the event in reminiscing how the journey started from 2019 and ended with a jocular statement, “we started as fingerlings, survived like juveniles, and we are now fully grown broodstocks ready to restock the world.”

At the end of the graduation ceremony the HOD and other attending lecturers of the department urged the graduates to put what they were taught into practice warning that letting their six years of hard work go to waste would be a boondoggle.