Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, has announced that his administration is introducing new initiatives aimed at curbing the menace of banditry in the state. He said since assuming office, his administration has consistently supported security agencies in combating banditry across the 13 local councils affected by the menace. Aliyu emphasised the need for residents to continue supporting the government and security agencies in order to make Sokoto State safer. “As a government, we are ready to do all it takes to ensure that banditry becomes history in Sokoto State. He also thanked the people of Sokoto State for their continued support and prayers, assuring them of more dividends of democracy across the state.

Highlighting the stakes, the ADC on Friday acknowledged the broader security context in the country. “We therefore support all lawful and effective measures aimed at saving lives and restoring security,” the party said. It continued, “Nevertheless, the ADC reiterates its long-standing opposition to the physical operation of foreign military forces on Nigerian soil. Criticising the President Bola Tinubu-led government’s handling of national security, the ADC explicitly attributed the reliance on foreign action to administrative failings. “This reflects a frightening lack of awareness of the historic significance of this incident by the President of Nigeria,” it concluded.

Currently, Nigerian law graduates can commence full legal practice after attending the Nigerian Law School and being called to the Bar. Introducing a two-year pupillage means that it would take about eight or nine years before one can practice law in Nigeria,” said Enebeli. The reason they do that is because senior lawyers are not ready to pay young lawyers. Law students fresh out of law school, even though licensed to practice law straight away, still need practical hands-on experience under accredited senior lawyers to fully grasp the issues around law practice. He also recommended minimum required remuneration standards and structured learning outcomes as other mechanisms that will ensure the success of the proposed pupillage.

(NAN)Brig.-Gen Ahmed Balogun of the Nigerian Army in Benin has said that the distribution of Christmas food and monetary gifts to families of fallen officers was aimed at expressing gratitude. Balogun noted that the gifts served as a reminder to the widows of fallen soldiers that the Nigerian Army had not forgotten the sacrifices of their late husbands, made in defence of their fatherland. Balogun noted that the initiative aligned with the idea of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, which prioritises the welfare of soldiers and their families. “We are here to put soldiers first and to bring the Chief of Army Staff’s philosophy to life by celebrating and identifying with our soldiers and their families during this Christmas season,” he said. She urged officers, soldiers and their families to continue to live in unity and love, noting that the Nigerian Army recognises and celebrates both Christian and Muslim festivals.

Suspected bandits on Friday evening reportedly invaded the Adanla community, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, and allegedly abducted no fewer than seven persons. The attack, according to residents occured around 7pm on Friday, December 26, 2025, and threw the otherwise peaceful agrarian community into fear. A community leader in Igbaja and Coordinator of the Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch Network, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH on Saturday. “At about 7:30pm, we received a report from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja, that bandits had entered the community,” Oyin-Zubair said. When contacted, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said she was yet to receive a detailed briefing on the incident.

A United States congressman, Riley Moore, contrasted deadly Christmas attacks in Nigeria with US military action taken on Christmas Day, saying American forces were used this year against Islamist militants rather than marking another holiday of bloodshed for Nigerian Christians. Moore wrote Saturday on X that Christians in Nigeria had been killed during the past two Christmas seasons, but said that this year, the response was directed at extremist groups instead. Recall that the US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that US forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria, and vowed more attacks if the militants keep killing Christians. In 2023, reports on Christmas Eve said at least 140 people were killed and others were missing after gunmen carried out a series of attacks on remote villages in Plateau State. In 2024, separate reports said herdsmen attacked a cluster of five predominantly Christian villages in Benue State on Christmas Day, killing at least 33 people.

of DefenseFollowing surprise US strikes targeting militants in Nigeria, it remains unclear who or what was actually hit as Washington and Abuja tell slightly different stories. The two countries agree that the strikes hit targets linked to Islamic State, but neither one has provided details on which of Nigeria’s myriad armed groups were targeted. Nigeria is battling multiple jihadist organisations, including several linked to Islamic State. Neighbouring countries are also fighting IS-linked groups, and there are worries those conflicts are spilling into the country. Some researchers have recently linked some members of the armed group known as Lakurawa — the main jihadist group located in Sokoto State — to Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), but other analysts have disputed those links.

The Tata Punch has been one of the brand's most successful models since its debut, maintaining steady sales over the years. Now, the brand seems to be preparing a facelift version to keep the model aligned with its latest design language, and recent spy shots suggest it's edging closer to production. Fresh spy shots show two Punch facelift (ICE) test mules on public roads, featuring a dual-tone roof and styling elements resembling the Punch EV. At the front, the 2026 Tata Punch facelift gets a redesigned bumper which will likely offer the model a fresh look. Under the hood, the Punch facelift is likely to continue with the current 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, along with a CNG variant using the same power plant.

Nigeria’s information minister said Friday that the US strikes in northwest Nigeria conducted on Christmas Day used guided missiles launched from drones. Nigeria is battling numerous armed conflicts, including a jihadist insurgency running since 2009, and its failure to rein in the violence has been criticised by Washington. US President Donald Trump was the first to announce the strikes, raising concern among Nigerians that their sovereignty may have come under attack. Idris said the attack was carried out with the “full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” with “explicit approval” from President Bola Tinubu. “Debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State,” Idris said, adding that no civilians were injured.

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers accused of terrorising residents of Sarau Belel community in Maiha Local Government Area of the state. The arrest followed a complaint received on December 26, 2025, from Mr. Emmanuel Daniel of Sagal Village, Sarau Belel. Police said the Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State, Mr. Dankombo Morris, ordered an immediate response upon receiving the report. The suspects were identified as Sunday Yakubu, 36, and Daniel Yakubu, 38, both residents of Konjoli Village in Maiha Local Government Area. The Adamawa State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information.

The Sokoto State Government has confirmed that a joint airstrike carried out by the Nigerian military in collaboration with the United States targeted terrorist locations in Tangaza Local Government Area of the state, with no civilian casualties recorded. The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Abubakar Bawa, and made available to journalists in Sokoto. The statement noted that the Sokoto State Government welcomed the collaboration between Nigeria and its international partners in efforts to combat terrorism and cross-border crimes within the state. It added that the ongoing security operations were aimed at strengthening public safety and ensuring the protection of lives and property across Sokoto State. The government also called on citizens to pray for the success of security operations in Sokoto State and across the country.

It was a day of spreading joy for the pupils and teachers of Oba Yekini Adeniji Elegushi Primary School, Itedo community, Lagos, when the Rotary Club of Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, held their annual Christmas/end of year party. The atmosphere was charged when the pupils dressed in different traditional attires entertained the guests dancing to music from various ethnic groups. Teachers and members of the club danced happily embodying the true spirit of love and warmth for the season. Assorted gift items were presented to the pupils while the teachers all smiled homes with bags of rice and groundnut oil. We are not only adding value to the children’s lives but building a happy stronger community where every child thrives.”

Republicans are heading for the exit ahead of congressional contests next November that look bleak for the president’s party. “But this is a guy whose legacy may well be the political collapse of Republicans in this era. Schiller added: “The greatest self-inflicted wound that the president has brought on himself and the Republicans are the tariffs. The administration is losing in court before judges that were appointed by Republicans, Democrats and President Trump himself.”View image in fullscreen The No Kings protest in Manhattan on 18 October 2025. Meanwhile, more than two dozen Republicans in the House of Representatives have announced they will not try to retain their seat.

Recent spy shots show two Punch Facelift (ICE models) up close in their close-to-production guise with dual-tone roof effect. 2026 Tata Punch Facelift SpiedPunch facelift test mules have made multiple appearances, but the recent spy shots look like they are close to production, when compared to the previous ones. Two 2026 Tata Punch Facelift test mules were spied testing together, showing a few design changes intended with this vehicle and design inspiration seems to be from Punch EV. Expected features with 2026 Tata Punch Facelift include ventilated seats, a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, Level-2 ADAS and others. Where powertrains are concerned, 2026 Punch Facelift is likely to retain the same options as current model.

The Secretary General of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Mohammed Abubakar, and a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, have urged state governors to support President Bola Tinubu for the smooth implementation of local government autonomy. They called on the governors to respect the Supreme Court judgement which granted financial autonomy to the local governments. “The Supreme Court is very clear that the funds should be paid to the local governments directly. All other stakeholders, including the governors, should support the position of the President and allow this to work,” he said. “It is a Supreme Court judgment and it must be enforced.