Category Nigeria News

Two suspects were detained on suspicion of terrorism-related crimes and inciting the government’s overthrow on Thursday in Abuja before two separate Federal High Courts.

Hussaini Ismaila, the leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), was sentenced to 20 years in prison for terrorism, just 48 hours after the organization received the news.

The alleged mastermind of the 2012 attack on Deeper Life Bible Church in Okene, Kogi State, was Abdulmalik Abdulazeez Obadaki, who was arraigned in the first case, according to the DSS.

He faces a six-count charge that includes escaping lawful custody, being a member of a terrorist organization, conspiracy, providing assistance to terrorist acts, concealing information, and participating in terrorist organization activities.

Read more about Niger CP’s police and military deployments to forests in search of kidnapped schoolchildren.

Obadaki entered not-guilty pleas on the remaining five charges after entering guilty on the sixth count and escaping custody.

In order for the court to review the facts of the charge to which he pleaded guilty and to provide evidence on the counts he denied, the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Obehi, adjourned the case until January 26, 2026.

Innocent Chukwuemeka, a social media user accused of using his X (previously Twitter) handle to organize a coup in Nigeria, was detained by the DSS on Thursday.

He was accused of cyberstalking and six counts that allegedly involved the publication of false information that could raise public concern.

Chukwuemeka entered a not-guilty plea, and the court also decided to hold him in DSS custody until January 26, 2026.

Background

Obadaki allegedly led a gang that defrauded five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State, killing several people and stealing significant sums of money following the Okene church attack.

He was detained and detained at Kuje Prison, but he escaped during the Kuje Custodial Center’s jailbreak in July 2022.

Following the abduction of an unconfirmed number of students from St. Agwara Local Government Area in Niger State, security operations have increased in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. Early on Friday, Mary’s Catholic Secondary School opened.

Police tactical units, military components, and other security forces have been stationed in the area and are currently searching nearby forests for nearby forests in a coordinated rescue operation, according to SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command.

INCLUDE   Nigerian Catholic Diocese Raises Safety Concerns After Abduction Of Schoolchildren In Niger State.

The public was assured that the Command would do everything to free all abducted students by the police commissioner, CP Adamu Elleman.

He urged people to remain calm and provide reliable information to back up the operation.

Despite the earlier directive directing the closure of schools in the area due to increased security threats, the CP further disclosed that the incident is still being investigated and that appropriate action will be taken against the school management to reopen and continue academic activities.

As security forces continue to search for the missing students, rescue efforts are still in progress.

The Niger State Police Command wishes to confirm that on November 21, 2025, at around 2 o’clock, according to the statement. A report received at 00 a.m. indicated that some armed bandits had invaded St. A number of students have been abducted from the school’s hostel at Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara LGA.

However, police tactical units, military installations, and other security forces have arrived on the scene and are comburing the forests to find the abducted students.

In light of this, the Niger State Command’s Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, reiterated the Command’s commitment to end the student injuries and made an appeal to the public to support security operations to end the student injuries.

The community has resorted to divine intervention by holding a special prayer session to ensure the safe return of the students abducted earlier this week as the search for the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, continues.

READ MORE: Bandits Demand $3 billion in Ransom For Abducted Kwara Worshippers

Hussaini Aliyu, the head of the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, confirmed the development in a Friday phone interview with our correspondent.

He explained that his deputy had been given the authority to represent him despite the fact that he would not be able to attend the prayer session as a result of a number of official obligations.

READ MORE: Images Show Hostel Where Kebbi Schoolgirls Were Abducted

As authorities made more aggressive efforts to rescue the victims, Aliyu noted that the entire community was still deeply unhookn by the incident and had turned to spiritual pleading.

He said, “The community has decided to gather on Friday for a special prayer for the safe return of our daughters.”

The district head continued, “We believe prayer is our strongest weapon at this time because the entire community is traumatized.”

The attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri and the abduction of students at the school have been condemned by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State.

In a statement from Most, the organization’s chairman. Rev. Additionally, the association’s release, Bulus Yohanna, revealed that some teachers and security personnel were compelled to remove them.

READ MORE: Gunmen Abduct Students At School In Niger State, Updates Article

On Friday, it claimed the incident took place between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.

The most prominent figure is the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Rev. In Papiri, Agwarra local government area of Niger state, suspected terrorists have previously been notified by Bulus Dauwa Yohanna.

On Friday, November 21, 2025, the incident took place between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., abducting some students, students, teachers, and a severely shot security personnel.

The statement, which was partially read, read, “The CAN expresses deep concern for the safety of the kidnapped children and their families.”

Yohanna assured the general public that the Church is actively working with local authorities, community leaders, and security.

The chairman, who is also the Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, urged the general public to remain calm, support security efforts, and continue to pray for the return of all abducted people.

The CAN also reiterates its commitment to protecting children and promises to update its database as new information becomes available.

May the Lord grant those who have been kidnapped immediate release and continue to defend his people from all dangers.

reportedly, the attackers stormed the Agwara Local Government Area of the state on Friday morning.

The gunmen were reportedly accompanied by a van and riding on over 60 motorcycles.

The Nigerian Navy has taken action to reassure citizens that the country’s waterways will remain secure, secure, and fully protected as the holiday season draws near and travel activity is steadily rising.

During a major sea operation under Exercise Di Mingi, a three-day maritime security drill known as “Safe Waters” in the Ibani language, this confidence was at its peak.

Officers and operatives simulated real-time threats that frequently afflict the maritime domain aboard naval vessels that cut through the Atlantic off Eastern Command.

During the course of the operation, Rear Admiral Kolawole Oguntuga addressed journalists and expressed deep confidence in the Navy’s readiness for the holiday season.

“We anticipate travelers, holidaymakers, and maritime operators.” Our waterways will be used by them all. He said, “I want to make sure Nigerians are safe.

This is a warning for criminals, too. Avoid illegal behavior or you’ll suffer consequences.

Joint Agency Operations and Real-Time Interdictions

Exercise Din Mingi demonstrates the Navy’s ability to respond while mimicking real-world threats.

The Navy, the Army, the Air Force, NDLEA, and other organizations participated in numerous coordinated operations throughout the exercise.

An important highlight was a major success of a drug-related interception that was initiated by information that a ship was passing psychoactive substances along the coast of Nigeria.

25 nautical miles offshore, where NDLEA agents confirmed the presence of cocaine and other hard drugs, were naval ships that were monitoring the vessel. The vessel’s vessel was immediately searched.

In another situation, the Navy responded to a rumored pirate attack.

While Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos stormed the vessel, overpowered the pirates, and secured the crew before safely escorting the ship to harbor, air surveillance equipment was deployed to assess the threat.

Rear Admiral Oguntuga praised what he called “seamless coordination” between the various agencies, citing the rapid development of special forces, accurate air support, and communication flow as evidence that Nigeria’s maritime security system is improving.

He claimed that the exercise exemplifies the operational pillars of the Command, which are professionalism, readiness, welfare, and interagency collaboration.

Regional Command Reaffirms commitment

Rear Admiral Okehie, the flag officer commanding Eastern Naval Command, kicked off the operation aboard NNS SHERE, stating that the Navy fully supports the Chief of Naval Staff’s plan to deploy a motivated, professional force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests.

Each security company has its advantages, according to the statement. Synergy is necessary to address maritime security issues, he remarked.

A Secure Yuletide for Maritime Travelers

The Navy says Exercise Di Mingi sends a strong message to the public that criminal elements won’t be allowed to operate as the shipping industry, passenger movement, and tourism grow in the coming weeks.

The incident, which occurred in the Papiri neighborhood of Agwara Local Government Area, is “deeply saddening and avoidable,” according to the Niger State Government.

The government confirmed that the precise number of abducted pupils has not yet been determined in a statement signed by SSG Secretary Abubakar Usman because security agencies are still conducting assessments and gathering reliable data.

The government was informed in the statement that it had previously been informed of reliable information that indicated increased security threats in some of the Niger North Senatorial District.

READ MORE: Gunmen Abduct Students From Schools in Nigeria State

According to these reports, the State Government ordered the state government to halt all construction activities and temporarily close boarding schools in the affected areas as a preventative safety precaution.

St. Mary’s School allegedly reopened and resumed academic activities without notifying or obtaining government approval, a practice that, according to the SSG, put students and staff at a high risk.

Since then, security forces have expanded search-and-rescue operations and begun a comprehensive investigation to ensure the return of the kidnapped pupils.

The Niger State Government says it keeps in touch with security personnel and will continue to update them as the situation develops.

“This unfortunate incident occurs despite the government’s prior intelligence report showing an increased threat level in some areas of the Niger North Senatorial District.

The State Government had earlier issued a clear directive directing the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the affected area in response to these credible security alerts.

Regrettably, St. Mary’s School resumed its academic activities without notifying or obtaining state government approval, exposing both students and staff to unfavorable risks. Since then, security services have begun a comprehensive investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the pupils’ safe return, the statement said in part.

In order to protect public safety, the government made an appeal to school owners, community leaders, and other stakeholders in the state to strictly adhere to all security advisories.

It once more stated that the administration’s top priority is the protection of lives, especially those of children.

Citizens were urged to support security forces with credible information that might aid ongoing rescue efforts.

In an attack on St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, gunmen reportedly kidnapped an undisclosed number of students, according to Channels Television.

The school, which is alleged to be a private Catholic school in the Agwara Local Government Area of the state, was taken on Friday morning by the attackers.

The gunmen were reportedly accompanied by a van and riding on over 60 motorcycles.