Category Nigeria News

Seriake Dickson, the senator for Bayelsa West, has explained why he left the Senate committee looking into Timipre Sylva, the former minister of petroleum resources, for an alleged $14. Fund diversion of $8 million.

He was forced to leave because the investigation was “selective” and not as thorough as he had anticipated, according to a post on his official Meta account on Saturday.

Sylva was wanted on November 10th, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged conspiracy and dishonesty involving a $ 14 transaction. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has a budget of $8 million.

I had a reason to recuse myself yesterday when I learned that there was a summons for an investigation hearing to look into allegations of $14 being diverted at the Senate Committee on Local Content. Chief Timipre Sylva, the former minister of state for petroleum resources, has received $8 million.

I attended because I believed it to be a lively discussion with the Executive Secretary and his team, as I explained. I made objections when I learned that the hearing had been set aside specifically for that purpose; first, I argued against the lack of a selective inquiry. that if there were only one transaction to be investigated, the entire fund’s management, perhaps from its inception.

Although the committee has the authority to decide what to investigate, I believe this approach is too selective, especially given that the EFCC already has steps taken, or at least has reached a certain level. Despite having the authority to do so, I believed the Committee should not look into that particular transaction.

I recused myself because the person impacted was my predecessor in office’s former governor, and I have a policy of not joining to fight or down anyone. I am not like other politicians in my area or the typical Nigerian politicians who celebrate the victory of opponents and those in opposition. Since 2011, the person involved and I have been at different ends of political battles in my state.

We haven’t been in a similar party since 2011 and we haven’t spoken or discussed any common political issues. I don’t engage in politics that involves causing people’s problems or dissention. I have always had a limited political contest in elections, where I outplan, out-campaign, strategize, and win them both on the ground and through legal processes, but never by trying to derail the candidate after the election.

In keeping with this policy, I have reassured all federally engaged businesses regardless of political or partisan differences, knowing that if political interests diverge before elections, these issues will be resolved at the polls.

We are a small group, as I have always said to our people; Everyone is crucial. Leave someone alone and don’t harm them if you can’t help them. That is my practice and method of instruction for a number of years.

I “build, raise, develop, and defend,” as I have always said, “I am in politics for service to God and man.” I don’t destroy or fall.

I am aware of how they treat me. To the glory of God, they have not succeeded so far, and God is still on His throne. When they are in a position to bring me down, they don’t spare anything to accomplish that goal.

I am aware that these are very difficult times, especially for those who have been affected, and I have no plans to worsen anyone’s situation. God has always fought my battles and made sure that my adversaries haven’t been defeated by my tendency to use federal power or might, blackmail or propaganda, or incitements despite all of them.

“My politics is achored on God and the support and prayers of men, not on violence, destruction, and pulling people down, or celebrating their misfortune and downfall,” says one politician who supports me when all the major political figures band together against me, supported by federal might and greater resources.

I explained my position to my committee colleagues, who saw reason with me, and I left because of this.

I feel like I have a lifelong obligation to support and treat all Bayelsans in my capacity as a former governor; which is why I have defended, supported, and encouraged all Nigerians, regardless of party, on all of the issues that have been brought before me.

As the committee moves forward with the investigative hearing, which they have the authority to conduct, I would like the public to know my position as it progresses, Dickson wrote.

Abductions: The Northern Christian Association tries its “Safe Schools Initiative” for more than $20 million in security donations.

Despite receiving more than $ 20 million in reportedly funding for schools, the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) has been criticized by the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) for its “weak visibility and poor impact.”

The organization made its point in a statement released on Friday that Isaac Abrak, its chairman, signed.

The NCYP claimed that the recent spate of school shootings in northern Nigeria rekindled concerns about the SSI’s ability to protect less-vulnerable communities.

The “Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) expresses concern about the recent wave of attacks on schools in northern Nigeria, which have led to tragic killings and widespread kidnapping of innocent students.

“$20 million raised, schools still retaliate. The Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) and its partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) are at risk due to these heartbreaking events, the statement read partially.

READ MORE: Abduction: School Counters Niger Govt., Denies Claim Of Prior Warning.

The group recalled Bola Tinubu’s request to recruit forest-side community members into the Forest Guard to protect schools following the abduction of more than 200 students from Kuriga, Kaduna State’s government primary and secondary schools in 2024.

The NCYP accepted the SSI’s announcement to work with the NSCDC, which it later disputed despite its initial proposal.

The group claimed that urgent questions were raised by the ongoing attacks.

What part did the partnership between the Safe Schools Initiative and NSCDC play in protecting the attacked schools? “the association inquired.

In a Maga, Kebbi State, gunmen kidnapped 26 schoolgirls on Monday during an attack. In another of the biggest school kidnappings in recent years, gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in the Niger State on Friday, abducting 315 students and staff.

In response, NCYP also enquired about the preventive or reactive measures being put in place in the recent tragic kidnappings at St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area and the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.

Demand for transparency

NCYP raised questions about how funds have been handled since the SSI was founded following the 2014 Chibok abduction.

The statement included contributions from the following publicly reported sources:   Private sector/business leaders: $10 million pledged as seed funding;   Federal Government of Nigeria: About $10 million; additional FEC-approved support: $4.2 million;   United States Government (USAID/Embassy): $2 million; and   Qatar Government: $2 million.

The group claimed that although these contributions exceeded $20 million, “they did not have a visible impact on educational institutions.”

It demanded that the SSI release a detailed report outlining its activities, spending, implementing partners, emergency response plans, and impact assessments.

Transparency will reassure potential donors, spur investment in safer schools, and make interventions to protect girls in northern areas where cultural and security barriers make education fragile.

The Safe Schools Initiative must provide answers, demonstrate accountability for how much money is being used and how effective it is, and reevaluate its approach to accomplish its goals, according to the organization.

Implement Forest Guard . , p.

The group reaffirmed its call for President Tinubu to put the Forest Guard program into full effect and ensure that residents’ input is used to guide its operation.

There is no substitute for the vigilance, courage, and determination of parents protecting their children, according to the statement that community members were the most trustworthy defenders of their schools.

The group urged the president to “avoid establishing a bureaucratic institution” that was isolated from the communities it was supposed to protect.

The United States should support Nigeria’s community-based security efforts, NCYP urged.

The NCYP argued that terrorist attacks could not continue to harm children in Nigeria.

The state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter, has refuted reports that the 315 students and staff at the St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in the state’s Agwarra local government area, demanded $ 3 billion in cash before the victims could be freed.

Most, the most senior member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter. Rev. The Kontagora Diocese Catholic Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna provided the update on Saturday.

After the incident, the gunmen continued to communicate with no one, according to him.

“You are familiar with social media. They will deceive you if you visit there. Even some of the things that are tossed around are usually official statements. I’m not aware. Bishop Bulus came to the conclusion that there is no further communication.

He had previously stated that 315 people had been abducted by suspected terrorists overall.

According to a breakdown of the most recently released data, 303 students and 12 teachers were affected.

After we left the Papiri school, Yohanna said, “We made calls, conduct a verification exercise, and conduct further inquiries on those we had assumed would have succeeded, only to discover that 88 more students had been seizing their opportunities after they attempted to flee.”

When some parents who we thought had escaped from the attack also came in and inquired about their children, we were drawn to their question. We conducted a census and discovered that they had been abducted when we became curious.

This now totals 315, bringing the total number of abducted people to 303 (male and female), including 12 teachers (4 females and 8 males).

Prior to the incident, he claimed there were 629 students total, with the primary having 430 and the secondary having 199.

Niger Attack: Abduction Toll Rises To 315 Students, Teachers CAN BE READ ALSO: [UPDATE]

He also addressed the idea that prior to the abduction there were intelligent reports, which were widely disproven.

“Also, it is absolutely necessary that we address the issue of security agency or government warnings, as some have claimed.

I visited the school this evening and met with the children’s parents to let them know that we are working with the government and security agencies to ensure that our children are rescued and brought back safely. I was insulted by what I call “propaganda” that the school had been given a prior warning by the government through a circular.

“It’s not true; there is no way to shift blame; it must be an afterthought and a tactic.” When we first learned about rumors of a security issue in the past, we immediately resisted. Do we now opine when the government issues a circular urging us to shut down?

The Federal Government has mandated the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges in response to growing security concerns in the nation.

The Federal Ministry of Education issued the directive through a circular dated November 21, 2025.

According to the document, Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, praised the government’s decision to close schools in part because of “recent security issues” in some areas of the nation and the need to prevent breaches.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has requested that Air Tanzania provide stranded passengers in Dar es Salaam and Lagos with welfare and refund packages in response to Air Tanzania’s inability to operate scheduled flights. &nbsp,

His stance came in response to a concern raised by some Nigerian travelers who are currently stranded in Dar es Salaam, including one who is required to meet with a visa officer on Monday.

According to Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said passengers who experience prolonged delays are entitled to hotel accommodations, meals, and regular updates.

If the airline couldn’t fly over the weekend, he advised the airline to offer refunds or rebook passengers on other airlines.

“While the NCAA is here to help you wherever you can, it would be greatly appreciated if you followed the rules.”

Your passengers understand that safety comes first, and we have explained the consequences of a technical fault to them. Give them the respect they deserve, he said.

The NCAA urged Air Tanzania to provide passengers with the same level of care for those who are stranded in Lagos as well for the outbound flight, noting that it has contacts with both people.

Read more about Abduction: The Niger government disputes its claim of prior warning.

In an update, Achimugu noted that the passengers had been given meals and accommodations after his initial post.

“Persons were eventually given a meal and hotel accommodations. Even though the airline does not typically fly to Nigeria by weekend, they have been assured that they will be flown today.

He declared, “We will keep monitoring the situation until the passengers arrive safely.”

Dear AirTanzania, I’m glad I met you. Passengers who are stranded in Dar es Salaam at this time are entitled to hotel accommodations, a meal, and timely information about the operation of their flight, according to Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.

Kindly…

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora refutes claims that St. Mary’s Catholic Schools in Papiri were subject to a security alert prior to Friday’s abduction by the state government.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) clarified the school’s position in a statement released on Saturday by Daniel Atori, the media assistant to Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna.

He claimed that it was necessary to address “the problem of prior warnings from either the government or security organizations.”

Bishop Yohanna added that he was “greeted with propaganda” because the government had issued a circular to the school, clarifying that the school belonged to the Catholic Diocese and not any individuals.

That is not accurate. No circular was sent to us. It must serve as a second thought and a method for shifting blame.

After meeting with parents and visiting the school, I recently returned to the village to let them know that the rescue efforts are still ongoing. When we first learned about rumors of security problems in 2022, we immediately stopped operating.

READ MORE: [UPDATED] Gunmen Abduct Students At School In Niger State

The bishop questioned why the school “would now ignore a government directive,” and questioned whether some Reverend Sisters had traveled to Abuja prior to the attack.

Yohanna claimed that the Education Secretary also confirmed that he had not received any circulars and had not issued any. The National Association of Private Schools, on the other hand, had not received any safety instructions.

The Education Secretary responded, “We asked if he had received a circular, and he replied that he had, or that he had declined to send any to us.” He declined to be informing us verbally, as we did when we asked if he had. Tell everyone in the world who received the circular and how it was sent.

We also contacted the National Association of Private Schools, but they were unsuccessful. They claimed the school was shut down and then reopened a few days later, which is also false. He claimed that we follow the law.

The attack was “deeply saddening and avoidable,” according to the Niger State government.

The government stated that security assessments were ongoing in a statement released by Abubakar Usman, the state government’s secretary.

Gov. Stance&nbsp

Meanwhile, the state government reaffirmed that it had previously been informed of credible information about rising threats in the region.

It recommended the temporary closure of boarding schools in troubled areas and the suspension of construction works.

The SSG claimed that the alleged violation “exposed pupils and staff to severe risk” when St. Mary’s School “reopened without clearance and violated the safety directive.”

Search-and-rescue operations were intensified and security agencies launched a comprehensive investigation. The government stated that it was in constant communication with security forces.

It reiterated that protecting children remained the top priority and that it was up to school owners and community leaders to strictly follow security advisories.

Toll rises to 315

After further investigation, CAN confirmed a significant increase in the number of abducted students and teachers.

According to Bishop Yohanna, “there are now 303 victims (male and female), including 12 teachers (4 females and 8 males), bringing the total number of abductees to 315.”

“There are 629 pupils and students overall, with 430 in primary and 199 in secondary.” According to the statement, “We discovered that 88 more students were also captured after they attempted to flee.”

He claimed that the confirmation came after “a thorough census” following earlier rumors that many students had fled.

He claimed that the parents’ inquiries revealed that several children who were previously believed to be safe were actually missing. Yohanna also made a calm appeal.

He said, “We will continue to work with security operatives and the government to ensure the safe return of all abductees.”

In the early hours of Friday, gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School. Sources claim that the attackers used a van and more than 60 motorcycles to transport them.

The gatekeeper at the school was reportedly shot, seriously hurt, by them. The Niger State Police Command later confirmed the abduction, according to a community source, and it took place between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.

The Federal Government ordered Friday’s immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges out of concern for security.

Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, cited “recent security issues.” He gave the order. The ministry instructed the affected area’s leaders to put a stop to traffic. Other states have also acted similarly by closing schools.

The decision came after two other abductions occurred just this week.

In a Maga, Kebbi State, gunmen kidnapped 26 schoolgirls on Monday during an attack. When gunmen attacked the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State on Tuesday, 38 people were kidnapped and two were killed, with the attackers demanding a $100 million ransom for each victim.

On Friday, rising tensions also stoked false accusations of a Nasarawa abduction. According to the Nasarawa State Police Command, reports of two abducted pupils were “false and doomed.

In addition, President Bola Tinubu delayed his planned travels to Johannesburg and Angola and ordered Bello Matawalle, the minister of state for defense, to relocate to Kebbi in response to mounting calls.

Following a viral video that claimed herdsmen were planning an attack, the Obafemi-Owode Local Government has sent a tactical team to the Ajebo community.

Omolola Odutola, the Ogun Police Command’s public relations officer, assured the community that there was no imminent threat of attack in the area in a statement released on Friday.

In collaboration with Amotekun Corps, So-Safe Corps, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), local hunters, and Vigilante Group of Nigeria, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, deployed the Command’s tactical team, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, to conduct a thorough intelligence-led assessment of the security situation in the area, she said.

The Fulani settlers in Ajebo are long-established residents who coexist peacefully within the community, according to the operatives. No weapons or suspicious activity were found in the temporary shelters where the children and women were pictured.

The men had traveled to Oyo State for trading activities, which is in line with their usual economic pattern, and there were no adults present.

Read more about how police in Ogun rescue three victims of human trafficking.

A further examination of the settlement, according to the police spokesperson, revealed an additional, allegedly ten-year-old RUGA location.

She claimed that Rueben Oluwole, the region’s traditional ruler, was given permission to grant the settlers’ settlers land use as a source of clarification.

The Baale of Alapako, where another cluster of Fulani huts was located, has also been invited to meet with the Commissioner of Police, according to her.

The forest area, which is about 10 kilometers from the main community, is under constant surveillance from the combined team of security agencies. Because the settlers were discovered to be peaceful and unarmed, their presence is strictly precautionary.