Category Nigeria News

The Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, has urged Nigerian lawmakers to respect citizens’ views in the ongoing review of the Electoral Act, warning that legislators must not “act as overlords”.

Nwankwo, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Thursday, said a broad consensus had already been reached through joint National Assembly committees, public hearings and zonal consultations on key reforms, including real-time electronic transmission of election results.

However, he criticised the Senate’s use of closed executive sessions on a matter of “grave national public interest”, stressing that the Electoral Act is “not the personal property of anybody, it is a national property”.

“You have to be transparent. People elected you as a legislator; you didn’t fight your way into that position. You were elected by the people, and you represent the people. There is nothing that makes you superior to the ordinary Nigerian. You were elected, and you are accountable to the people.

“When you beg people to vote you in, you must listen to them. That is what is painful to a lot of us. You act as if you are an overlord, but you are not listening to us, the citizens,” he said.



READ ALSO: Nigeria-US Security Partnership Focuses On Capacity, Intelligence Sharing – DHQ

The PLAC executive director added that lawmakers are elected to serve the people and must remain accountable to them.

U.S. President Donald Trump has praised Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing her as a “very respected woman” during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C on Thursday.

Trump made the remarks while addressing participants at the faith-based gathering, which was attended by political and civic leaders from across the world.

His comments highlighted Mrs Tinubu’s influence and stature, drawing applause from the audience.

In his address, Trump recognised the Nigerian First Lady’s role as a pastor in one of Nigeria’s largest churches and referenced her pastoral background.

“We are honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria — a very respected woman. Thank you very much, it’s a great honour, a very respected person too,” Trump said.



The acknowledgement placed the Nigerian First Lady among prominent global faith leaders present at the event, which brings together political figures, clergy, and policymakers for prayers and reflections on leadership, governance, and national values.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has insisted that the country’s security partnership with the United States primarily focuses on capacity building, professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support, and strategic dialogue aimed at addressing shared security concerns, including terrorism.

The DHQ made the clarification following the report that U.S. troops had been deployed to Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the DHQ emphasized that all engagements with the United States are conducted with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and existing bilateral frameworks.

General Uba reassured Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity, while collaborating with credible partners in ways that strengthen the country’s security.

READ ALSO: American Military Team Deployed To Nigeria, US General Says

The statement further stressed that Nigeria’s defence partnerships are transparent, policy-driven, and aligned with constitutional provisions, ensuring that international cooperation enhances the nation’s security architecture without compromising national independence.

A top US general recently said the United States has deployed a small military team to Nigeria.

Speaking after the United States launched strikes targeting militants in Nigeria on December 25, General Dagvin Anderson, head of the US Africa Command (Africom), said the two countries had decided to “increase collaboration”.

“We agreed that we needed to work together on the way forward in the region,” Anderson told a virtual news conference on Tuesday.

“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States in order to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.”

The Edo Police Command has arrested six suspected kidnappers following a coordinated overnight raid on a forest hideout in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

A statement on Thursday said the operation, carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, took place inside the Agbede Forest and was executed by a joint team of security operatives led by the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika.x

“A thorough sweep of the camp resulted in the arrest of six suspects,” the Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Enokoi Ikioye.

According to him, the police said the suspects are being profiled and are undergoing intensive investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Benin City, ahead of prosecution.

Ikioye said the move was “part of ongoing joint clearance operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating within the state’s forests.”

Explaining how the operation was done, the police authorities said it followed “actionable intelligence provided by a kidnap victim who was able to identify the exact forest camp where he had been held.”

READ ALSO: PDP Condemns Kwara Killings, Calls For Independent Investigation

Acting on the lead, a joint force comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Edo State Security Corps, and local hunters advanced into the forest under the cover of darkness.

“The joint team drove for approximately three (3) hours until the end of the last accessible motorable road. From that point, the operatives advanced on foot, navigating dense forest paths and crossing three (3) locally constructed wooden bridges to reach the identified camp.

“The silent advance, which lasted close to two (2) additional hours, ensured tactical surprise and prevented any compromise of the mission. Upon arrival at the location at about 3:45 a.m., the area was swiftly cordoned off in a well-coordinated encirclement, effectively cutting off all escape routes.

Meanwhile, commending the personnel involved, the Commissioner of Police,  Monday Agbonika, described the operation as a clear message to criminal elements, praising the courage, discipline, and inter-agency collaboration displayed during the raid.

Agbonika reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to take the fight against organised crime to “the most remote locations” and warned that forests in Edo State would no longer serve as safe havens for criminals.

The 183 worshippers abducted from the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have regained their freedom, eighteen days after they were kidnapped by bandits during a church service on January 18.

The victims were received by Governor Uba Sani on Thursday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.

Receiving the worshippers alongside heads of security agencies, top Kaduna State Government officials and community leaders, the governor described the occasion as “a day of joy for the state”.

He said the safe return of all the abducted worshippers vindicated the quiet but relentless efforts of the state government and security agencies.

Governor Sani described the kidnapping as a shock, particularly after what he said had been over two years of sustained peace resulting from close collaboration between the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to protect lives and property.

READ ALSO: [Kaduna Abduction] Gov Sani Confirms Return Of 82 Victims

He explained that following the incident on January 18, the state government immediately mobilised all relevant security formations and stakeholders with a single objective: to ensure the safe return of every victim.

The governor commended President Bola Tinubu, whom he said personally monitored developments from the first day, repeatedly calling to express concern and provide leadership support.

He also praised the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for working closely with the state to coordinate the rescue efforts.

Governor Sani further lauded the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, the Nigerian Army, the Police and other security agencies for what he described as “exceptional collaboration” throughout the operation.

“For us in Kaduna, even one person abducted is unacceptable. That is why we refused to join issues or politicise the situation. Our focus was to bring everyone back alive,” he said.

Breakdown 

Providing a breakdown, the governor said 183 persons were initially abducted.

Eleven were released earlier and hospitalised, 83 regained their freedom days later, while the remaining 89 were rescued on Wednesday.

“Today, we would not be sitting here if even one person was still missing. I can say without contradiction that all those abducted have returned,” he declared.

Governor Sani also disclosed that he had requested the establishment of a military base around the Kajuru–Kachia axis, particularly the Rijana general area along the Kaduna–Abuja corridor, to strengthen security.

He said President Tinubu had already given assurances that the request would be granted.

The governor added that the state government had commenced construction of a road linking Kurmin Wali to the main road, alongside plans to build a hospital and a skills acquisition centre for the community.

Medical Examination

Sani stated that the rescued worshippers would not be returned home immediately, as they would first undergo medical examination.

He added that comprehensive psychosocial care in Kaduna will be carried out before reunification with their families.

Governor Sani urged residents to remain fair and supportive of security agencies, noting that security personnel risk their lives daily to protect communities across the state.

He assured that the Kaduna State Government would continue working with grassroots leaders, religious leaders and security agencies to prevent a recurrence.

Speaking on behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State, its Chairman, Rev. Caleb Maaji, described the rescue as a divine intervention and a test that the state successfully passed.

He expressed gratitude to the governor, security agencies and residents of Kaduna for standing firm in prayers and practical support until all the victims were freed.

“We are grateful because not some of them returned, but all of them returned. We thank God and appreciate the government and security agencies,” he said.

Some of the rescued worshippers narrated their ordeal to journalists, revealing that they were forced to trek for six days through the forest to the kidnappers’ camp.

Despite the trauma, the victims expressed appreciation to the governor and security chiefs for ensuring their safe return.

The police and Kaduna authorities had initially denied the abduction, describing it as a fabrication, an action that angered residents and community leaders who documented missing worshippers to prove the incident occurred.

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for officially recognising a caretaker committee aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing the move as unconstitutional and provocative.

In a statement on Thursday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong warned that the Turaki-led faction would exhaust all legal avenues to challenge the commission’s action.

On Thursday, INEC formally recognised the Wike-backed caretaker committee, presenting the Acting Chairman, Acting Secretary, and National Organising Secretary as the PDP representatives at the commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja.

READ ALSO: Court Nullifies PDP’s Ibadan Convention, Sacks Turaki-Led NWC

Reacting to INEC’s decision, Ememobong urged PDP members to remain calm and patient as the leadership dispute continues in the courts.

He described the commission’s recognition of the caretaker committee as vexatious and unconstitutional, adding that INEC should have exercised restraint given pending appeals in the Court of Appeal.

The statement partly read: “We are aware that INEC invited leaders of political parties to a meeting today and extended the invitation to some former members of our party who are purporting to lead a so-called National Caretaker Committee, whereas there is no such provision in our constitution.

“This action, though capable of causing unrest, will be met with all possible legal responses. We can assure that INEC will not choose a leadership for our party.

“Consequently, we urge all our members to remain calm and hopeful that the Court of Appeal will soon determine all cases concerning the leadership of our party.

“We assure that the Rebirth movement of our party, under the able leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, is steady and secure, and will ultimately surmount all challenges to present a stronger and more united party to Nigerians as a credible alternative to the ruling party.”

Both the governors’ bloc and the Wike-aligned faction had earlier approached INEC seeking official recognition. The electoral body initially declined to acknowledge either side, sparking multiple legal disputes as the 2027 general elections draw closer.

The ongoing leadership crisis has its roots in a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan last Friday, which nullified the PDP National Convention held on November 15, 2025, and barred Turaki (SAN) and several others from parading themselves as national officers of the party. Prior to the judgment, PDP governors had backed the Ibadan convention, which produced Turaki and members of the NWC for a four-year term.

Despite the court ruling, Wike and his allies, including Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, insist on their positions as Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary, respectively.

Ahead of the expiration of former Chairman Umar Damagum’s tenure on December 9, the Wike-aligned camp had established a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, giving it a 60-day mandate.