Category Nigeria News

Nigerian Muslim faithful have joined their counterparts to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

In major cities including Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Maiduguri, large congregations gathered at designated Eid prayer grounds to observe the special prayers.

In their sermons, clerics stressed the need for sustained peace, compassion, and social responsibility, urging leaders and citizens alike to work towards national cohesion and economic recovery.

President Bola Tinubu, in his Sallah message, asked Nigerian Muslims to rededicate themselves to the noble teachings of the holy month, which emphasise piety, empathy, and unity among humanity.

READ ALSO: Muslims In Nigeria Mark End Of Ramadan, Celebrate Eid-el-Fitr

“We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this. We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness, and compassion beyond this period,” Tinubu said.

The President had returned to the country early Friday after a two-day state visit to the UK. Accompanied by government officials, Tinubu observed the prayers at Dodan Barracks in Lagos State.

Similarly, Vice President Kashim Shettima corroborated Tinubu’s message, calling for unity among Nigerians, stressing that what binds the country supersedes what divides the citizens.

Shettima observed the prayers in Maiduguri, Borno State.

He said the fasting, which also coincides with the Christian fasting period, is a deeper reflection for unity among the citizens of the country.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, ordered a nationwide deployment of tactical teams, intelligence operatives, and conventional police personnel.

Security presence was significantly heightened around Eid grounds, highways, motor parks, recreational centres, and other public spaces.

Coordinated patrols, surveillance operations, and intelligence-led stop-and-search duties were also intensified to deter criminal activities and enable swift response to emerging threats.

See more photos below:

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a community head and four other suspects over the reported sex assault of young women during a festival in Oruamudhu community in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.

READ ALSO: Viral Video Showing Sexual Harassment Of Women In Delta Sparks Outrage

Edafe disclosed that the Delta Police Commissioner, Aina Adesola, had ordered the transfer of the suspects to the state criminal investigation department (CID).

“The community head and chief organiser of the event, one Chief Omorede Sunday, and four other suspects from Oramudu quarters in Ozoro have been arrested.

“The CP has ordered that they should be transferred to State CID with immediate effect. The CP vows that anyone involved will be arrested and brought to justice,” Edafe said.

The Command’s spokesman further noted that both tactical and investigative assets had been duly deployed with a clear mandate to identify, apprehend, and ensure the prosecution of all individuals found culpable.

He called on Delta residents, particularly victims and witnesses, to come forward with any information that would aid ongoing investigations.

Edafe gave the assurance that all information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality and the highest level of professionalism.

“The Commissioner of Police further appeals to residents of the State to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, while assuring that the Command remains fully committed to protecting lives, safeguarding the rights of all citizens, and maintaining public order.

“The Delta State Police Command condemns this development in totality and assures that all those involved in these reprehensible acts will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he added.

Multiple videos had emerged on social media showing men allegedly ripping apart the clothes of young women.

A young lady could be seen crying in one of the clips, and clutching her torn clothing as some young men sexually harassed her.

The videos of the incident sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians calling on security agencies to arrest the perpetrators and protect the women.

In a statement on Friday, the spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, said one Omorede Sunday, the community head, was arrested.

The Delta State Government condemned the act, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable.”

The Federal Government has said that the agreement it signed with the UK government only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK.

It explained that the Nigerian government was not taking foreigners, as the UK was not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens.

“For clarity, it is important to state that the agreement signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the state visit of President Bola Tinubu on behalf of the government of Nigeria, and Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, on behalf of the UK government, only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK.

“Nigerian government is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens. This clarification becomes necessary because of those who have already revved up their misinformation machinery,” a statement signed by a presidential aide, Temitope Ajayi, partly read.

READ ALSO: Nigeria, UK Sign MoUs On Migration, Border Security, Business Visas

It further noted that the agreement guarantees that returnees who are citizens of Nigeria would be treated with dignity, rights retention under domestic law, and may re-enter in the future if they meet the applicable immigration requirements.

Quoting a social media post by the Ministry of Interior, the statement added, “It also provides detailed arrangements for the dignified return and reintegration of NIGERIANS who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK.

“This arrangement includes: the use of secured travel documentation, case-by-case identity verification, and safeguards for vulnerable individuals and potential victims of trafficking.

“This framework also sets out clear definitions, scope, and areas of cooperation, including information sharing, capacity building, training, and joint research on migration management and border security.”

For clarity it is important to state that the agreement signed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during the State Visit of President Tinubu on behalf of the government of Nigeria and Home Secretary, Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood on behalf of the UK government only relates… pic.twitter.com/tS4s5E2OOV

Under the agreement, the UK will, for the first time, be able to return affected individuals using “UK letters,” an alternative identification document issued to those without valid passports, after the Nigerian government agreed to recognise them, according to the Home Office.

“Visa overstayers, foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers will be removed from British soil far more easily under a new agreement struck this week during the state visit of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu.

“UK letters, an alternative identification document issued to individuals without a valid passport and used to support the return of people with no right to remain in the UK, will be recognised by the Nigerian government for the first time.

“The agreement, reached between the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, removes one of the major administrative hurdles to returning people, meaning the UK will no longer have to wait for emergency travel documents to be issued by Nigeria,” the statement by the UK Home Office read partly.

A viral video circulating on social media showing some men sexually harassing young females for allegedly daring to come out during a local festival in the Ozoro area of Delta State sparked widespread outrage.

READ ALSO: Police Exhume Bodies Of Victims Allegedly Murdered By Native Doctors In Delta

The disturbing footage, which has since drawn public condemnation online, is linked to events that occurred during the Alue-Do Festival in Uruamudhu Community, one of the five traditional communities that make up Ozoro Kingdom.

“Foreigners who are unaware of this situation have reportedly fallen v!ctim as well. There is Delta state university in Ozoro, and many female students may not be fully aware of the d@nger.

“It is distvrbing that something like this could be tolerated in society. This is heartbreaking, and urgent action needs to be taken,” a user on X, @Teeniiola, stated.

Reacting to the incident, the Delta State Government condemned the act, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable.”

“The Delta State Government strongly condemns the harassment of ladies and the reported cases of rape during the Ozoro Festival. Such barbaric acts are totally unacceptable and have no place in our society,” the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, said in a statement.

‘Fish Out Perpetrators’

He stated that cultural celebrations must never serve as a cover for criminal acts and called on security agencies to act swiftly.

“We are calling on the police and other security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice. No individual or group should be allowed to hide under the guise of a festival to perpetrate criminal activities,” he added.

‘Misinterpreted Cultural Practice’

Meanwhile, the leadership of Ozoro Kingdom has pushed back against what it described as misinformation circulating online.

According to a press statement signed by President General Odio (Chief) Berkley Asiafa and Secretary General, Prince Obaro Egware, the incident occurred during the traditional Alue-Do Festival, a cultural event associated with fertility rites.

The leadership explained that while certain symbolic practices are part of the tradition, they were misapplied by some youths.

“Some youths misinterpreted and misapplied this cultural practice in a negative and unacceptable manner, leading to the harassment of some young women,” the statement read.

The community leaders, however, refuted claims of rape and widespread violence.

The police authorities said tactical and investigative assets had been duly deployed to identify, apprehend, and ensure the prosecution of all individuals found culpable.

The Delta State Police Command also urged members of the public, particularly victims and witnesses, to come forward with any information that would aid ongoing investigations.

“All information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality and the highest level of professionalism,” a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Sp Bright Edafe, partly read.

“The Commissioner of Police further appeals to residents of the state to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, while assuring that the Command remains fully committed to protecting lives, safeguarding the rights of all citizens, and maintaining public order.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has assured residents that the worst days of the Boko Haram insurgency are behind the state, even as he sympathised with victims of recent bomb attacks in Maiduguri.

Governor Zulum gave the assurance on Tuesday during a visit to victims receiving treatment at the Borno State Specialist Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), following the deadly explosions that rocked the state capital.

“I want to assure the people of Borno State that the worst is over, inshallah. Boko Haram, Borno State will not fall into the hands of Boko Haram again.

“I want to sympathise with the victims, I want to sympathise with the families of those that have lost their lives and to assure them that the government of Borno State will shoulder the responsibilities of all those that are undergoing treatment in the teaching hospital and assure that those that have lost their lives, their families will also be supported,” the governor said.



Zulum disclosed that both the state and federal governments were intensifying efforts to restore lasting peace, noting that funds had been released to security agencies to carry out clearance operations in insurgents’ enclaves.

“Following the recent attacks, the President has released a huge quantum of money to the Nigerian Army and in particular to the multinational joint task force with a view to undertaking clearance operations.

“I believe most of the monies released are meant to address the lingering insecurity challenges, and we remain eternally grateful to him and to the service chiefs,” he stated.

READ ALSO: 23 Confirmed Dead, 108 Injured In Borno Attack — Police

The governor’s visit comes after a series of coordinated suicide bomb attacks on Monday, which struck Maiduguri shortly after residents broke their Ramadan fast.

The attacks targeted three busy locations, the Monday Market area at El-Kanemi Roundabout, the Post Office flyover, and the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, with reports also indicating a possible fourth explosion in the Kaleri neighbourhood.

The explosions, believed to have been carried out using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by suspected suicide bombers, left at least 23 people dead and more than 100 others injured.

Some victims sustained severe injuries, prompting urgent calls for blood donations at major hospitals treating the injured.

President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks, describing them as “barbaric” and “desperate acts of terror,” and ordered security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri to coordinate a decisive response.

Governor Zulum had earlier urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, especially in public spaces and places of worship, noting that the renewed attacks may be linked to intensified military operations against insurgents in the Sambisa Forest.