BREAKING NEWS Archives — NEWSVERGE

BREAKING: Farouk Ahmed, NUPRC boss resign as Tinubu names replacements

Zacheaus Somorin — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:39:09 +0000

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, has resigned. According to The Punch, similarly, his counterpart at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, has stepped down.

Based on the development, President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm new chief executives for the two agencies. The President’s request was contained in separate letters to the Senate on Wednesday.

This was announced in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari after the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act.

According to the statement, Tinubu “has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of NMDPRA.”

Mohammed, a chemical engineer and former Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Nigerian Gas Company, has also served on several energy sector boardsHe recently emerged as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.

“The two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry,” the statement noted.Ahmed’s resignation comes amid a high-profile conflict with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, which drew national attention in December 2025.

The dispute arose from Dangote’s allegations that Ahmed and his family were living beyond their legitimate means, citing millions of dollars allegedly spent on overseas schooling for his four children.

The NMDPRA chief dismissed Dangote’s claims as “wild and spurious,” insisting that he would rather defend himself before a formal investigative body than engage in public arguments.

The conflict, which traces its roots to 2024 when Ahmed criticised domestic refinery output—including Dangote’s refinery—prompted intervention by the House of Representatives, which summoned both parties to avoid destabilising the sector.

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Nigerian Airstrikes Helped Foil Coup Attempt, Says Benin Govt

Zacheaus Somorin — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:27:51 +0000

Nigerian fighter jets carried out airstrikes to thwart a coup bid in Benin in which mutinying soldiers tried to seize President Patrice Talon, according to an account provided by Benin’s government on Monday.

The soldiers got close enough for Talon to witness violent clashes firsthand, and they also managed to kidnap two senior military officials who were not released until Monday morning, according to the summary of Sunday’s coup attempt published after a cabinet meeting.

Nigeria had earlier acknowledged sending fighter jets and ground troops to its much smaller neighbour to help restore order, aiming to head off a political crisis in a country that is battling jihadists and serves as a key trade corridor in West Africa.

The mutinying soldiers, coming from the Togbin military base, started their attack before dawn on Sunday, first going to the home of General Bertin Bada, Talon’s military chief of staff, the statement said.

Bada’s wife was killed in the clashes that erupted, though Bada himself managed to escape, it said.

The soldiers did manage to seize General Abou Issa, the chief of staff of the army, and Colonel Faizou Gomina, who were freed Monday morning in the northern town of Tchaourou, the statement said.

The Nigerian strikes immobilised armoured vehicles and resulted in no loss of life, it said.

A special force from Ivory Coast arrived late Sunday “to position itself in Cotonou for further action if necessary,” it said.

No death toll was given, though the statement said there were casualties “on both sides” when the mutineers tried to seize Talon at his residence, clashing with members of the Republican Guard.

The government statement said the mutineers then moved from Talon’s residence to the state television station, which they controlled temporarily before being driven out.

They then returned to the Togbin military base, according to the statement, where they were surrounded by soldiers and targeted by air strikes. The whereabouts of Colonel Tigri Pascal, identified as the coup leader, remain unknown.

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Soldiers announce overthrow of government in Benin Republic

Zacheaus Somorin — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 17:33:10 +0000

Military officers in Benin Republic have taken control of the federal government. A group of soldiers announced the dissolution of the government during a broadcast on Benin’s state TV on Sunday.

According to The Cable, The group, which labels itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, said the president and all political officeholders have been effectively removed.

Patrice Talon, Benin Republic president, has been on the saddle since 2016 and had promised to leave office in April 2026 after the presidential poll.

In September 2024, Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of the Republican Guard and head of Talon’s security, was arrested following an attempted coup.

Benin Republic is now the latest West African country to fall under the control of a military junta. Last month, military officers in Guinea-Bissau captured power after President Umaro Embaló, who was seeking re-election, and Fernando Dias, his main opponent, both declared victory in the country’s election even though the electoral commission had not released official results.

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Anti-Tinubu post: Sowore arraigned, released on self-recognition

Olushayo Oso — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:00:43 +0000

Former presidential candidate and publisher Omoyele Sowore was on Tuesday arraigned before
a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services over alleged cybercrime
offences, bordering on his social media post in which he described President Bola Tinubu “a
criminal”.

Sowore faces five counts of criminal defamation. Joined as co-defendants in the case are Meta
(Facebook) Inc. and X Corporation (formerly Twitter). The DSS alleged that Sowore, via posts on his verified social media accounts, published false and defamatory statements against President Tinubu, referring to him as “a criminal” on X and Facebook.

The charge invokes the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Earlier attempts to arraign Sowore were adjourned twice. In November, DSS counsel, Akinolu Kehinde (SAN), requested a bench warrant due to Sowore’s absence, but Justice Mohammed Umar declined.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Sowore’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, challenged the competence of
the charge, citing a preliminary objection already served on the prosecution. Lawyers representing Meta and X did not oppose the matter proceeding.

Abubakar argued that his client could not take a plea, while Kehinde insisted the defence’s
application was premature and accused it of deliberately delaying proceedings. Citing Section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the prosecution urged the court to take Sowore’s plea first.

Justice Umar agreed, allowing the arraignment to proceed. Sowore pleaded not guilty to all five
counts. Following the plea, Abubakar moved a bail application, urging the court to admit Sowore on
self-recognition or liberal terms, describing him as a responsible citizen ready to stand trial.

“My Lord, the defendant is a law-abiding citizen. He is a two-time presidential candidate. Just
three days ago, the applicant won an election as chairman of a major political party in Nigeria,
AAC,” Abubakar said, noting that Sowore’s passport had already been deposited with the court.

The DSS opposed bail, citing a 40-paragraph counter-affidavit and arguing that Sowore had
previously breached a court order and might commit a similar offence if released. Lawyers for X and Meta did not oppose the bail application. Justice Umar admitted Sowore to bail on self-recognition, while barring him from making statements capable of threatening national unity and peace.
He warned that the bail would be revoked if Sowore made comments deemed detrimental to
national security. The matter was adjourned to January 19, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

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Kebbi abducted schoolgirls regain freedom

Muhammad Lawal — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 21:39:47 +0000

All the 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi have regained their freedom.

Nasir Idris revealed the glad story on Tuesday night during a special press briefing in Birnin Kebbi.

The Governor said the freed girls had been rescued unharmed and were on their way to the state capital.

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Suspected terrorists raid Niger school, abduct students, staffers

Rita Iliya — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 09:21:26 +0000

Suspected terrorists have abducted some students of and members of staff of St. Mary’s School, school in Papiri community in Agwara Local Government Area of the state.

Confirming the incident the Niger State Government said the number of victims was yet to be ascertained, adding that security agencies were still assessing the situation.

However, a resident of the area who preferred anonymity told our correspondent that the abducted pupils and members of staff were not fewer than 100.

He said the terrorists stormed the school premises around 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. and abducted the victims

Alhaji Abubakar Usman Secretary to Niger Government, in a statement in Minna on Friday condemned the incident.

Usman said the incident occurred in spite of earlier intelligence reports indicating heightened security threats in parts of Niger North Senatorial District.

According him, the government, based on the intelligence, had ordered the suspension of all construction activities and the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the affected zone.

He said, however St. Mary’s School reopened and resumed academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the government, thereby exposing pupils and staffers to danger.

The SGG said security agencies had commenced full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the pupils.

He further said that the state government was in close contact with relevant security formations and would give updates as more information becomes available.

He urged school proprietors, community leaders and stakeholders to comply strictly with government security advisories.

Usman appealed to the public to remain calm and provide useful information that could assist security agencies in their operations.

The Niger state Police Command was yet to comment on the development.

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BREAKING: Court Sentences Nnamdi Kanu to Life Imprisonment

Zacheaus Somorin — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:39:48 +0000

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment over terrorism charges filed against him by the Federal Government.

details later….

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Kwara: Schools Shut after Church Attack

Zacheaus Somorin — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:13:35 +0000

Nigerian authorities have shut schools in five districts in central Kwara state, fearing they could be targets of armed gangs after a deadly attack on a church in the state earlier in the week.

Nigeria has witnessed a spate of attacks by gunmen, including the kidnapping on Monday of 25 schoolgirls from a boarding school in northwestern Kebbi state, putting a spotlight on insecurity and forcing President Bola Tinubu to postpone foreign trips.

“The (Kwara state) government is determined to curtail the activities of kidnappers who may want to use schoolchildren as human shields,” Lawal Olohungbebe, the Kwara state education commissioner, said in a statement on Thursday. He said the school closures would remain in place until security agencies give clearance for normal activities to resume.

On Tuesday evening, gunmen attacked a church in Kwara state, which borders Benin in the west of Nigeria, killing at least two people and kidnapping the pastor and some worshippers. Nigeria is under scrutiny from U.S. President Donald Trump who in early November threatened military action over the treatment of Christians in the country.

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Report: US Military Drafts Airstrike Plans for Nigeria

Zacheaus Somorin — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:48:29 +0000

Reports indicate that the United States military has drawn up contingency plans for potential airstrikes in Nigeria following an order from President Donald Trump directing the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” to protect Christians from terrorists’ attacks, according to The New York Times.

The report stated that the U.S. Africa Command had presented multiple operational options to the Department of War, responding to a request from Secretary Pete Hegseth to develop plans aligned with Trump’s directive. Military officials familiar with the deliberations told the news platform that the proposals—categorised as “heavy,” “medium,” and “light”—outlined varying levels of engagement in Nigeria.

Under the “heavy option,” Washington would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, supported by fighter jets or long-range bombers to hit militant targets deep inside northern Nigeria. The “medium option” proposes the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for targeted strikes on insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles.

The drones would operate with U.S. intelligence support to ensure “precise and timely” attacks, the report added.The “light option,” on the other hand, focuses on intelligence sharing, logistics support, and joint operations with Nigerian forces against Boko Haram and other Islamist groups accused of mass killings, abductions, and church attacks.

Despite the planning, top Pentagon officials reportedly concede that limited airstrikes or drone operations are unlikely to end Nigeria’s prolonged insurgency unless the U.S. launches a full-scale campaign similar to those in Iraq or Afghanistan—an approach no one in Washington is currently advocating.

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BREAKING: Tinubu lifts Rivers emergency rule, Fubara returns to power

Bolaji Farinloye — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:51:24 +0000

President Bola Tinubu has officially ended the six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, paving the way for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly to reclaim their seats of power starting Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Tinubu, on Wednesday, declared the midnight lifting of the emergency rule imposed on March 18, 2025, an intervention he described as the only way to rescue the state from “total paralysis of governance.”

Rivers State had been plunged into chaos after a fierce power struggle between Governor Fubara and 27 lawmakers loyal to the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule. The conflict grew so deep that the Supreme Court once ruled that “there was no government in Rivers State,” leaving the state effectively leaderless.

Tinubu’s announcement restores full democratic authority to Fubara, Odu, and the lawmakers, promising a new dawn for Rivers politics.

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