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Defence Chief Rebuts Trump, Declares Terrorism Nigeria’s Biggest Threat.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has dismissed claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria, emphasizing that the nation’s primary security challenge is terrorism rather than religious violence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Addressing journalists on Monday in Abuja, General Oluyede described Trump’s assertions as misleading, noting that insecurity in Nigeria affects citizens of all faiths. “There are no Christians being persecuted in Nigeria. We are facing insecurity, especially terrorism, and it’s something that has been affecting Nigeria for quite some time now,” he stated.
The Defence Chief highlighted that the Nigerian Armed Forces remain committed to combating terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes, stressing that religion plays no role in the ongoing military operations. He praised President Bola Tinubu for restructuring the national security framework, noting that recent changes have strengthened coordination among the military and intelligence agencies.
“You will recall that just last week, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, recalibrated the security architecture by bringing on board officers of proven integrity who are seasoned in asymmetric warfare to add impetus to our operations,” Oluyede said. He added that these reforms have already enhanced counterterrorism efforts and improved synergy across the services.
Oluyede assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would intensify efforts to eliminate terrorists and restore peace nationwide. “We’re going to add more to what we’re doing, add more impetus to our operations, and ensure that we checkmate this act of terrorism within Nigeria,” he affirmed.
He further emphasized that terrorism is a global issue, not exclusive to Nigeria, and called for sustained international collaboration. “There are several countries that are challenged in that respect, and it calls for collective effort. So if we have countries out there who are ready to support Nigeria, we are ready to have them on board to help us checkmate the act of terrorism within our space,” he added.
General Oluyede’s comments followed Trump’s recent warning on his Truth Social platform, in which he threatened possible U.S. military intervention if the alleged attacks on Christians continued. Trump had stated that the United States could “go in guns blazing” and halt all aid to Nigeria if the situation persisted.
Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has criticised what he described as the absence of public outrage over an attack on a mosque in Zamfara State, where a worshipper was reportedly killed and several others abducted.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Suspected bandits stormed the mosque during the early morning Subhi prayer on Sunday in Kaura town, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of the state.
According to a report by security alert platform Bakatsine on X, the attackers killed one of the worshippers, identified as Nasiru Sani Kaura, and abducted several others.
Reacting to the incident in a Facebook post on Sunday, Sani questioned why the attack had not attracted widespread public condemnation.
“Why is it that no one is condemning or cursing the bandits for their genocide? Why is it that everyone is ignoring this story?” he asked.
The former lawmaker also questioned the religious identity of the attackers, asking, “What is the religion of these bandits if they have any?”
Expressing concern over the continued violence across the country, Sani further asked, “Have we all run out of anger or run out of tears?”
He urged Nigerians to recognise bandits and terrorists as a common threat, irrespective of religious differences.
“Can we now begin to reason that bandits and terrorists are common evils to us all?” he added.
The National Assembly is set to transmit the State Police (Constitution Alteration) Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent this week, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has disclosed.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Bamidele made this known in a statement issued on Sunday by his Media Directorate.
He explained that the process would proceed despite four state Houses of Assembly yet to submit their reports on the proposed constitutional amendment.
According to him, the National Assembly expects the remaining states to communicate their decisions before lawmakers resume plenary on November 17, 2026.
“The absence of the remaining reports will not stop the National Assembly from proceeding with the process,” Bamidele stated.
He disclosed that at least 32 state Houses of Assembly had approved the proposed amendment, surpassing the constitutional requirement of 24 states.
The Senate Leader described the development as a significant step towards establishing state police, following more than 15 years of unsuccessful efforts to reform Nigeria’s policing system.
He said, “We are now under obligation to transmit the State Police (Constitution Alteration) Bill, 2026 to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for assent.
“This is a responsibility we must consciously discharge on behalf of our constituents and in the interest of national peace, progress and stability.”
The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to establish a Federal Police Service alongside State Police Services, providing a legal framework for decentralised policing across the country.
Bamidele clarified that the proposal was not designed to create ethnic or state armies but to introduce state-led, community-based policing under clearly defined constitutional safeguards.
Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has blamed the conduct of some spectators for her angry reaction during her defeat to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals on Saturday, November 14.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The world number two suffered a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 defeat to Svitolina, with footage showing her swearing in Russian and making angry gestures during the match sparking controversy on social media.
Some commentators interpreted her remarks as an insult directed at Svitolina or Ukrainians. However, the 28-year-old denied targeting her opponent, explaining that her reaction was prompted by spectators who cheered when she made mistakes.
In a statement shared on social media after the match, Sabalenka acknowledged that she lost her temper but insisted that her comments were not directed at the Ukrainian player.
“My comment was not directed at Elina. I was frustrated with a small group of spectators who were aggressively cheering my mistakes, and I reacted emotionally,” she wrote.
“That said, I should have handled my frustration differently, and I apologise to anyone offended.”
Sabalenka also commended Svitolina’s performance, describing the encounter as a great match and wishing her opponent success in the remainder of the tournament.
The incident comes against the backdrop of strained relations between Ukrainian tennis players and their Russian and Belarusian counterparts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian players have maintained a policy of refusing to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents after matches. They also avoid taking pre-match photographs together.
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