The Nigeria Police Force has rejected allegations linking the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to the alleged wrongful arrest of a journalist, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading. In a statement on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hudeyin, said at no time did the IGP authorise, direct or condone the arrest, harassment or intimidation of any journalist. Hudeyin said the IGP acted swiftly after being formally notified of the incident by the President of the International Press Institute, Musikilu Mojeed. He explained that Egbetokun immediately ordered the journalist’s release and directed the Force Monitoring Unit to commence an investigation into the officers’ conduct. According to him, 45 other exhibits were also seized, including vehicles, motorcycles, and illicit drugs suspected of being used to commit crimes.

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 22 suspects and recovered firearms, vehicles, motorcycles and illicit drugs during a series of intelligence-led operations across several states. Hundeyin said the suspects were linked to offences ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping and banditry to cattle rustling, car snatching, economic sabotage, impersonation and drug trafficking. According to him, 45 other exhibits were also seized, including vehicles, motorcycles, and illicit drugs suspected of being used to commit crimes. Investigations revealed he was impersonating a police officer, with a police mobile uniform and identity card recovered from him. “The squad also intercepted a vehicle conveying large quantities of leaves suspected to be cannabis and other controlled substances.

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. Credit: State HouseThe Presidency on Thursday dismissed as false claims suggesting that President Bola Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Gbajabiamila, 62, was appointed Chief of Staff to President Tinubu on June 2, 2023, shortly after the President’s inauguration on May 29. Muri-Okunola, 53, was appointed Principal Private Secretary in September 2023, having previously served as Lagos State Head of Service since December 2018.

A Catholic diocese in Nigeria’s north-central region Thursday said that all schoolchildren and teachers taken by gunmen from their school in November have been “accounted for” and “reunited” with their families. The clarification comes after some 35 students were initially thought to be unaccounted for after the government ended rescue efforts. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had said in November that 315 students and staff were kidnapped from St Mary’s co-educational boarding school in Papiri, Niger State. However, the Catholic Church said on Thursday that about 35 students who either escaped or had not been abducted in the first place did not show up for a headcount immediately after the kidnapping. Yohanna insisted that the “discrepancies were not in any way intended to mislead the public or cause unnecessary panic”.

Residents of Jabo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State were thrown into panic on Thursday, Christmas Day night, following a loud explosion suspected to be caused by an explosive device. Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred suddenly, with a suspected explosive, allegedly landing in the community. The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” the source said. Security agencies have since been alerted, and investigations are ongoing to determine the source and nature of the explosion. Authorities are yet to officially confirm whether the object was an explosive device or how it found its way into the community.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu has assured that the Nigerian Army will continue to pursue both kinetic and non-kinetic operations to improve security across the country. “I reaffirm that under my leadership, the Nigerian Army will continue to pursue both kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations in collaboration with other security agencies and well-meaning citizens to improve the security situation across the country,” Shaibu said. He added, “The relationship between the people and the Army must be collaborative because the people need the Army, and the Army cannot make the desired impact without the people. He thanked the government and people of Zamfara, especially the residents of Maradun, for always supporting the Nigerian Army. Earlier, Galadima said security extended beyond the battlefield, encompassing the welfare and development of the people the Nigerian Army serves.

One of his most audacious ideas revolves around the preservation of human consciousness through advanced brain-computer interfaces. To achieve full uploading, Musk has even floated radical ideas, like replacing human skulls to accommodate more electrodes for deeper interfacing. Musk founded xAI to “understand the universe”, but he views AI as both a threat and an ally to human consciousness. AI could process uploaded data, refining it for seamless transfer, or simulate environments for digital minds. In conclusion, Elon Musk’s ideas on uploading consciousness challenge our mortality and humanity’s future.

He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an immediate intensification of security operations in Borno State following the incident. Although information on the incident remains sketchy, residents told newsmen that many worshippers were either killed or injured after suspected Boko Haram insurgents detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in the mosque. The suspected blast has already heightened fear among residents, especially the Christian community preparing for the 2025 Christmas celebration. “This commitment remains steadfast under God and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We will continue to provide our security agencies with all necessary resources and support to decisively defeat terrorism in all its forms,” he affirmed.

Donald Trump has said the US carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria on Thursday, after spending weeks decrying the group for targeting Christians. Some analysts say the latter’s cell in the state began as a group of herders banding together to fight incursions from bandits, in the absence of state support. “This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the ministry said in a post on X. The Nigerian army has attributed the suicide bombing in Borno, the centre of a jihadist insurgency for almost two decades, to Boko Haram. Trump, who positioned himself as the “candidate of peace” in 2024, campaigned on the promise of extricating the US from decades of “endless wars”.

The governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has assured residents that his administration will record a seamless, peaceful, and rancour-free transition at the end of his second term in 2027, pledging to set a historic benchmark in the state’s governance. Governor Abiodun gave the assurance on Thursday during the Christmas church service at St. James’ Anglican Church, Iperu-Remo, in Ikenne Local Government Area. However, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other PDP members backed former Military Governor of Oyo State, the late Gen. Adetunji Olurin, also from Ogun West. It will be the first peaceful transition in the 50-year history of Ogun State. The cleric also commended Governor Abiodun for what he described as purposeful and transformative leadership, praying that the end of his tenure would surpass its beginning.

Africa News of Thursday, 25 December 2025Source: punchng.comTrinity College Dublin is set to honour a Nigerian student, Oluwajomiloju Adeparusi, with the Trinity QQI Distinction Award in recognition of her exceptional performance in the QQI FET College examinations. This was contained in an email sent to Adeparusi and signed by Professor Vincent Wade, a copy of which was obtained by PUNCH Online on Thursday. Her record also secured her admission into the prestigious Trinity College Dublin to study Business, Economics and Social Studies for a combined honours degree. In the award notification email, Trinity College noted that the ceremony would be held on January 19, 2026. The email read, “I am delighted to inform you that you have been selected for a Trinity QQI Distinction Award in recognition of your exceptional performance in your QQI FET College examinations.

He added that security agencies have been placed on high alert and mandated to act decisively. Our security agencies have been directed to act decisively and ensure that those behind this heinous act are swiftly brought to justice,” the Vice President said. He extended condolences to the Borno State Government, residents of Maiduguri, and families affected by the attack, assuring them of the Federal Government’s full support. “We sympathise with the Government and people of Borno State, particularly families who have lost loved ones. The Vice President reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives, property and national unity, stressing that security remains a top priority anchored on constitutional responsibility.

The Niger State Government has recruited the first batch of forest guards across the 25 local councils of the state. Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago disclosed this during a visit to the trainees at their training ground in Minna on Wednesday, 24th December 2025. The visit provided an opportunity for the governor to interact with the recruits and boost their morale. Bago congratulated the trainees and urged them to remain disciplined and resilient, assuring them of the state government’s determination to provide all necessary support and ensure their well-being. The governor also revealed that more recruits would be trained in batches to strengthen security across communities in the state.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has confirmed 11 persons dead and 12 others injured in a lone auto crash that occurred along Ringim-Sankara-Beguwa road in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa. Commander in charge of the Ringim Local Government Unit of the FRSC in Jigawa confirmed the development on Thursday. The unit commander added that 11 of the passengers, including five males and six females, lost their lives, while 12 of them – seven males and five females sustained varying degrees of injuries. According to him, the bodies of the deceased and the injured persons were taken to Ringim General Hospital. Adamu said the victims were on their way from Bauchi state to the Kankia local government area of Katsina state.

The Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has congratulated Ndi Anambra and all Christians across Nigeria on the occasion of the celebration of Christmas. Also in it message, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), pray God to bring peace, love, and unity to the nation. “As we countdown to a new year, APGA remains committed to the ideals of our great party and the welfare of our people. We reaffirm our dedication to working tirelessly towards a Nigeria that is truly inclusive, prosperous, and just for all. “On behalf of the National Working Committee of APGA, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.