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US Issues New Demands To Nigeria Over Protection Of Christian Communities.
The United States has urged the Nigerian government to take stronger and more decisive measures to protect Christian communities nationwide, following the abduction of over 170 worshippers in Kaduna State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The mass kidnapping, which occurred during church services, has reignited concerns over religiously motivated violence in the country. While the Kaduna State Government and the Nigeria Police Force initially denied the incident on Monday, authorities later confirmed on Wednesday that the worshippers were indeed seized by armed assailants.
Security sources revealed that the abductors are demanding the return of 17 motorcycles, valued at roughly ₦28.9 million, allegedly seized during recent military operations, as a condition for releasing the victims.
Addressing the issue at a high-level U.S.–Nigeria Working Group meeting in Abuja on Thursday, U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker acknowledged progress Nigeria has made in tackling insecurity in recent months, but noted that the Kaduna attack underscores the need for more decisive action.
Hooker stressed that Nigeria must intensify efforts to safeguard Christian communities and uphold their constitutional right to freely practise their faith.
She said, “Today, we are here to discuss ways to deter violence against Christian communities, prioritise counterterrorism, investigate attacks and hold perpetrators accountable, and reduce killings, forced displacements, and abductions, particularly in the North-Central states.
“Recently, the Nigerian government secured the release of 38 Christians kidnapped from a church in Kwara State and another 265 abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School. These successes demonstrate progress, but we remain concerned about the recent abduction of over 170 Christians in Kaduna on January 18. More must be done to ensure their protection and freedom of worship.”
Hooker added that enhancing religious freedom and security would strengthen broader U.S.–Nigeria relations, including trade, economic cooperation, health initiatives, and counterterrorism efforts, while supporting the safe return of internally displaced persons.
She said, “Advancing religious freedom and security will enhance the reciprocal benefits of our relationship: solidifying trade and economic partnerships, degrading terrorist groups, improving health responses, and returning displaced persons to their communities. It will also help interdict weapons and funding for terrorist groups, expand investigations, and ensure accountability for perpetrators of atrocities.”
In response, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, acknowledged the seriousness of the security challenges and said the government is intensifying military and law enforcement operations in affected areas. He stressed that attacks framed along religious lines are unacceptable and will be met with both force and justice.
Ribadu said, “Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens—Christians, Muslims, and others—is non-negotiable. Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state. Our response integrates security operations, the rule of law, humanitarian safeguards, and strategic communication to build public confidence and strengthen social cohesion.”
He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorised expanded security deployments, enhanced intelligence coordination, and more rigorous investigations into attacks targeting religious communities.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has taken deliberate and decisive steps to confront insecurity. National security emergencies have been declared in vulnerable areas, joint operations intensified, and security forces deployed to priority locations experiencing repeated attacks.
“Additionally, Nigeria is expanding early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms and developing a national database to provide accurate data on deaths and casualties. This will improve decision-making, accountability, and the effectiveness of security responses. Investigations and prosecutions related to attacks on religious communities have been intensified to ensure that violence is met with both force and justice.”
The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has appealed to residents of Abia State and other road users along the Aba–Azumini highway to protect the newly completed road from activities that could damage it.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
FERMA’s South-East 2 Zonal Director, Suleiman Mohammed Omonowo, issued the warning during an inspection of the project, cautioning against the burning of tyres during celebrations, which he said could damage the road surface.
He noted that destructive practices by some youths and community members often contribute to the early failure of road projects across the country.
“Our advice to road users, especially indigenes, is to protect the road from destruction. Let nobody come and destroy it or burn tyres in the name of celebration,” he said.
Omonowo said the Aba–Azumini highway was previously in a very bad condition before FERMA intervened, describing it as a death trap for commuters and residents.
He also expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the project, adding that drainage structures such as catch pits would help prevent flooding and extend the lifespan of the road.
According to him, the highway serves as a major link between Aba, several Abia communities, and Cross River State, carrying heavy traffic daily.
He urged local construction firms to improve on quality delivery to compete effectively with foreign contractors.
Meanwhile, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer in Abia State, Festus Okafor, said FERMA workers have not faced harassment or violence from residents during operations in the state.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Yobe State Command, has declared a 30-year-old inmate wanted after he escaped following a road accident involving a prison transport vehicle.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The incident reportedly occurred on April 13, 2026, while inmates were being conveyed from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Potiskum to Damaturu.
In a statement issued in Damaturu, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Abdullahi Adamu, said the vehicle conveying the inmates was involved in a crash during the journey.
He said the accident happened while efforts were ongoing to rescue those affected.
The escaped inmate was identified as Dahiru Mohammed, with prison number J/1539/24, who was admitted into custody on November 29, 2024.
The Correctional Service described him as dangerous and warned members of the public not to have any form of contact with him.
It urged residents to report any useful information that could lead to his re-arrest to the nearest security agency.
Authorities also cautioned that harbouring a fugitive is a criminal offence punishable under the law.
The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered the University of Ibadan (UI) to reinstate three students suspended over their participation in a protest against tuition fee hikes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Nkeonye Maha set aside the decision of the university’s Central Student Disciplinary Committee, ruling that the students were denied fair hearing during the disciplinary process.
The court held that the failure to allow the students call witnesses and present evidence violated their constitutional right to fair hearing, rendering the sanctions against them invalid.
The affected students — Aduwo Ayodele, Mide Gbadegesin, and Nice Linus — were suspended on July 14, 2025, after taking part in a protest against increased school fees approved by the university’s governing council.
Dissatisfied with the suspension, they approached the court, arguing that the disciplinary proceedings breached their fundamental rights and due process.
They asked the court to quash the suspension, reinstate their studentship, and award damages for alleged rights violations.
In her ruling, Justice Maha agreed with their arguments, stating that the university’s actions failed to meet the standards of natural justice.
Following the judgment, rights group CAPPA hailed the decision, urging the university to comply fully, reinstate the students, and issue an apology.
The group said the ruling reinforces constitutional protections for freedom of expression and serves as a warning against the suppression of student protests in tertiary institutions.
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