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Wike: I have respect for the military, but ….

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, dismissed insinuations of using a disputed land issue in Abuja to fight the Nigerian military, saying he has always supported the armed forces.

Speaking with journalists on the clash involving his officials and some military personnel, Wike urged Nigerians to learn to obey the laws.

He said the government will not tolerate any attempt to violate land use regulations or obstruct government officials performing their lawful duties.

The Minister said his actions were strictly guided by law, not sentiment or emotion.

“You are told to obey legal orders, not orders that are illegal. So, if because you are a security aide, you think your superior ordered you to shoot at someone, you think you will not be charged for murder, because your superior gave you the order?” he asked.

“People have problems. We have tried to resolve them, but don’t use intimidation, don’t try to weaken government. You cannot weaken government. Because when we allow this now, others will follow suit. And then they will say, ‘When it happened to this and that, what did you do?’

So, gentlemen, I have respect for the military. I will continue to respect them. So, anybody trying to bring collision there, to say, ‘Oh, he is having a problem with the military,’ it is not correct. I don’t have a problem with the military and I will not have a problem.

“If we are having a problem with the military, I know where to run to. If I don’t go to the Chief of Defence Staff, I will go to the Chief of Army Staff, or the Chief of Naval Staff, or Air Force, or the Chief of Defence Intelligence, I will go to the President.

“But in this case, it has to do with a private individual. So how many people would I run to? If you have a problem with us, should I run to the President? Who does that? So, all I will be telling the President every day, ‘This individual is having a problem with us, this individual is having a problem.’ So I don’t have a problem with the military,” he said.

Wike, however, said the issue was blown out of proportion by those bent on portraying him as being at loggerheads with the military.

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BREAKING: Atiku speaks on gifting SUV to Soldier that confronted Wike

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports claiming he gifted a brand-new Toyota SUV to Lt. Ahmed Yerima, the soldier who recently confronted Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a viral video.

The story, which has been widely circulated across social media platforms, alleged that Atiku rewarded the officer with a luxury vehicle for his “boldness”. However, the former Vice President has now debunked the claim, describing it as pure fabrication.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku urged the public to disregard the report in its entirety.

“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), did not gift Lt. Ahmed Yerima or any other individual a brand new Toyota SUV, contrary to the false reports currently circulating on social media,” Ibe said.

“The story is entirely fabricated and should be completely disregarded by the public.”

He further cautioned Nigerians against the deliberate spread of misinformation aimed at tarnishing reputations or stirring public controversy.

The false story had gained traction amid heightened public interest following the altercation involving the soldier and the FCT Minister.

LEADING REPORTERS earlier reported that Lt. Ahmed Yerima made headlines earlier this week after confronting and preventing Mr. Wike from accessing a disputed property belonging to a Former Naval Chief.

Atiku’s camp reiterated that the former Vice President had no involvement in the matter.

 

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BREAKING: Regina Daniels’ Tested Positive For Cocaine

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A detailed medical report has emerged alleging that Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, wife of Senator Ned Nwoko, has been battling severe substance abuse involving cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and other hard drugs.

The report, issued by Serenity Royale Hospital in Abuja and signed by its Managing Director/Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Adekunle Adesina, covers her detoxification programme from September 9 to October 15, 2025. It indicates that Daniels tested positive for multiple psychoactive substances, including marijuana, cocaine, morphine, opiates and high levels of alcohol.

According to the document, the hospital’s psychological emergency unit was called to the Nwoko residence on September 23, when Daniels had reportedly not slept for 48 hours and was “visibly aggressive”. She was said to have been engaged in a heated argument with her husband and mother on arrival.

The report noted that Daniels presented with verbal aggression, anger, agitation, and incongruent affect, with her mood described as “elated and evasive.” She was diagnosed with substance use disorder, prompting the commencement of home-based detoxification on September 24.

LEADING REPORTERS learned that Family members were invited to assist with the treatment, with the hospital warning that relatives who also used drugs should stay away from the actress to avoid jeopardising her recovery.

Despite some mental stability, the report concluded that Daniels had made little progress in substance withdrawal because she “still has access to psychoactive substances, hence frustrating the process.”

The hospital recommended stricter monitoring, avoidance of high-risk environments, and regular psychotherapy sessions to strengthen the detoxification effort.

 

 

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Libya Deports 80 Nigerians

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Libyan authorities have deported 80 Nigerian migrants held in detention centres across the country as part of ongoing efforts to tackle irregular migration and ease overcrowding in their facilities.

The Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM), in collaboration with the Nigerian Consulate in Tripoli, coordinated the repatriation through Mitiga International Airport on Wednesday.

According to Migrant Rescue Watch, an organisation that monitors migrant welfare and human rights in Libya, the deportation followed judicial directives issued by the Libyan Judicial Police.

In a post on X, the group stated that the Judicial Police, acting on orders from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, had transferred a group of undocumented Nigerian women to DCIM custody in Tripoli, where they were served judicial deportation orders before being sent home.

The organisation added that the latest batch of deportees included those previously held under similar judicial instructions.

It noted, “#Libya 11.11.25 – DCIM, with Nigerian consular support, repatriated 80 migrants of Nigerian nationality via Mitiga Int. Airport in Tripoli. The group includes migrants transferred by the Judicial Police who were served with judicial deportation orders.”

The development marks Libya’s renewed crackdown on irregular migration in partnership with diplomatic missions, aimed at reducing overcrowding and improving human rights conditions in its detention facilities.

 

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Fuel Nigeria
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FG Suspends 15% Import Duty on Petrol, Diesel

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government has suspended the planned implementation of a 15 per cent import duty on premium motor spirit (PMS) and automotive gas oil (diesel).

This was announced on Thursday by the spokesperson of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), George Ene-Ita, in a statement.

Ene-Ita assured Nigerians that there is sufficient supply of petroleum products across the country and urged citizens to avoid panic buying or hoarding.

“It should also be noted that the implementation of the 15 percent ad valorem import duty on imported petrol motor spirit and diesel is no longer in view,” the statement read in part.

The NMDPRA said there is a robust domestic supply of petroleum products—including petrol, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas—sourced from both local refineries and importation to ensure timely replenishment of stocks at depots and retail outlets.

The Authority also warned marketers against hoarding or arbitrary price hikes, adding that it would continue to monitor the market to maintain stability during the current peak demand period.

“While appreciating the continued efforts of all stakeholders in the midstream and downstream value chain in ensuring smooth and uninterrupted supply and distribution, the public is hereby assured of NMDPRA’s commitment to guarantee energy security,” the statement added.

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JUST IN: Wike Bans Use of Phone for FCT Land Officials

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a strict ban on the use of mobile phones by staff of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) and the Department of Land Administration.

The new directive affects officers on Grade Level 14 and below, stopping them from entering their offices with mobile phones starting Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the order came shortly after videos showing Wike’s heated altercation with a Naval officer at a disputed property site in Abuja went viral on social media.

According to an internal memo signed by the Head of AGIS, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, “There shall be a ban on the use of mobile phones within the office premises for all officers on Salary Grade Level (SGL) 14 and below… affected staff are not permitted to enter the premises with their mobile phones henceforth.”

Sources within AGIS disclosed that the decision followed the minister’s anger over the viral footage, which was reportedly shared across WhatsApp groups by some staff members “The minister was furious that the videos spread among workers. He felt betrayed and saw it as sabotage,” a source said.

The ban has sparked outrage among staff and civil rights advocates, who describe it as “authoritarian and outdated.” Many have accused the minister of clamping down on transparency in public service.

One labour activist told reporters that the move “shows intolerance and fear of exposure. In this digital age, banning phones is backward and unnecessary.”

As of the time of filing this report, the FCT Administration had not issued any public statement explaining the decision or responding to the backlash.

 

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Nnamdi Kanu
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Nnamdi Kanu: Justice Omotoso Must Be Careful Not To Cause Another Crisis

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Igbos in the Federal Capital Territory [FCT] Abuja are unsettled by the unfolding events at the Nigerian Judiciary over the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu trial.

The decision by Justice Omotoso to give judgement on November 20, 2025 against Nnamdi Kanu will potentially ignite another crisis in Nigeria.

This is because Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has yet to present his defense and it would be unfair to judge a defendant who has yet to present his defense.

It is clear to the people of Nigeria that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was illegally abducted from Kenya and brought to Nigeria and detained for four [4] years for a crime he has not been found guilty for.

President Tinubu must call Justice Omotoso to approach this situation with wisdom and extreme caution. Nigeria cannot be allowed to undergo another unrest amidst a growing anxiety over President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern [CPC].

President Tinubu should listen to the voices of the masses who are calling for a political solution to the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu matter. As a Democrat, it is the most suitable path to follow to reach lasting solution.

Igbo Community in the FCT along with the good people of Nigeria are calling on the President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and end the growing quagmire.

The South East and igbo seaking regions of Nigeria need a return to peace. Too many lives and properties have been lost and destroyed. The region needs a return to sanity.

Let us not allow November 20, 2025 to turn to a lightning rod for Nigerians.

Give Nnamdi Kanu Justice and free him.

Together, we can make Nigeria a peaceful place to live in.

Signed
Engr Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe
President General
Igbo Community Association FCT

Emmanuel Chinwoke Onah
Secretary General
Igbo Community Association FCT

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Gunmen abduct 6 Defence Ministry Directors on way to Abuja

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Panic has gripped the Federal Civil Service following the abduction of six Directors of the Federal Ministry of Defence by suspected gunmen along the Kaba–Lokoja highway.

It was gathered that they abducted on Monday, November 10, 2025. The senior officers, who were travelling from Lagos to Abuja for a Directorate-level promotion examination, were intercepted by the assailants in what sources described as a well-coordinated ambush.

The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the Defence Ministry and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, has sparked renewed concerns over the safety of public servants travelling long distances for official duties.

In a statement, the ASCSN President, Shehu Mohammed, and the Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, condemned the abduction and assured members that efforts were underway to secure the release of the victims.

According to the statement “Those kidnapped are Mrs. Ngozi Ibeziakor, Mrs. C.A. Emeribe, Mrs. C. Helen Ezeakor, Mrs. C.A. Ladoye, Mrs. J.A. Onwuzurike, and Mrs. Catherine O. Essien. These Directors, who are members of our Union and staff of Command Day Secondary School (CDSS), Ojo, Lagos, were travelling from Lagos to Abuja when they were kidnapped.”

The ASCSN disclosed that the Defence Ministry had already mobilized its security operatives, who are taking urgent steps to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted Directors.

“We have always advised the Federal Civil Service Commission to conduct promotion examinations in the states instead of compelling public service employees to travel long distances to Abuja,” the statement added. “The current security situation and deplorable road conditions expose workers to grave risks.”

The union urged the government to decentralize all promotion and verification exercises henceforth, warning that continued disregard for safety concerns could lead to further tragedies.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has reportedly intensified efforts to locate the victims, deploying specialized security teams to comb suspected hideouts around Kogi State.

The ASCSN commended the Defence authorities for their swift response and called on security agencies to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safe return of the abducted officers.

 

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Soldiers blocks Wike, FCTA officials from accessing Gaduwa land

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Things got heated between the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and officials of the capital city when some soldiers stopped the former Rivers State governor and his entourage from gaining access to a land in the Gaduwa district of the area.

“This is unprofessional. You cannot be threatening a minister like this,” one of the officials accompanying Wike told the gun-wielding soldiers as the minister and his team tried to gain access to the land.

The minister, unhappy over the development, questioned the actions of the military officers, saying no one is above the laws of the land.

Wike questioned the development of the land, alleging that due process was not followed.

“You have no document,” the FCT minister said during the impasse on Tuesday, but the soldiers did not budge, saying that they were following instructions. “We cannot continue to act in impunity. We cannot continue this way. This country cannot go along this line.

“You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot be carrying a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that they can intimidate,” he said.

After an intense session with the military officers, the FCT minister accused the officers of acting with impunity. Wike argued that there is no legal document in the FCTA’s record allocating such land to them.

He vowed not to allow such action to stand as far as his administration is concerned.

“It’s really unfortunate. And you heard what was said by the former Chief of Staff,” Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, said.

“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position, seeing that he has a problem, cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what’s going on,’ or simply because he is a military man, they could use that to intimidate Nigerians.

“I’m not one of those kinds of people who will succumb to blackmail.”

Despite the minister’s threat, the military officers maintained they would not vacate the land as they are working based on directives given to them by a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo.

 

 

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JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap young man in Abuja, shoot fiancée

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A yet-to-be-identified man, has been abducted by some gunmen at his family’s residence in Leisure Court Phase 1 Estate, located under Aco Division in Abuja.

It was gathered that the fiancée of the young man was also shot by the kidnappers during the incident which took place at about 12:01 am on Monday, November 10.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-terrorism expert, the kidnappers successfully accessed the residence of Mr Olusoji Litan on Mike Ekere Street.

“Sources said the gunmen kidnapped Mr Litan’s son, Oladeji Emmanuel, who had just arrived in Abuja to visit his parents on Friday, November 9.

“During the attack, Emmanuel’s fiancée, identified as Amanda, sustained gunshot injuries on both thighs,” Makama wrote on X.

He further stated that the chief security officer of the estate had received a distress call about the incident at about 12.25 am.

Sources said following the SOS, police patrol teams, working with hunters and vigilantes, were deployed to the scene.

“Three expended 7.62mm ammunition shells were recovered from the compound.

“Amanda was immediately evacuated to Lawrence Margaret Teaching Hospital, River Park Estate, where she is receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

“Sources said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing kidnappers and rescue the victim,” he added.

The matter is being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in the Federal Capital Territory.

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