JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have made it back to the playoffs. The Jaguars sit at 11-4 after a six-game winning streak was extended on the road against the Denver Broncos in Week 16. The Jaguars have two more weeks to wrap up the AFC South and perhaps even make a push for the No. You can’t just show up and win games in this league," Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said after the 48-20 win over Denver. Nov 30, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen smiles to the crowd as he walks of the field against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium.

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party deepened on Tuesday after two senators from Rivers State—Allwell Onyesoh and Barinada Mpigi—formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress. The senators cited irreconcilable internal divisions within the PDP and the need to align with the Federal Government to effectively serve their constituents. Onyesoh, who represents Rivers East Senatorial District, said his decision followed wide consultations with political leaders and stakeholders in his constituency. “The PDP has unresolved issues and divisions at the national, state, local government and even ward levels, resulting in a breakdown of effective party authority in Rivers State and particularly in my senatorial district,” he stated. Leaders of the APC, including the party’s National Secretary, South-South National Vice Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (North), National Youth Leader and the Rivers State APC chairman, were present to formally receive the defectors, describing their decision as a significant boost to the party’s influence in the South-South geopolitical zone ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigerian security agencies are working with major social media companies to identify and take down accounts used by terrorist and criminal groups to promote their activities and raise funds. According to him, security agencies have held several engagements with social media companies to address posts and accounts that pose threats to national security. “The issue of social media platforms used by terrorist groups—if you knew how many accounts we took down. We have had several meetings with these social media platforms like: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and X. Laka also said ransom payments remain a major source of terror financing, with point-of-sale operators increasingly exploited to move funds.

The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced a limited-time programme aimed at encouraging undocumented migrants to voluntarily leave the country during the holiday season. Participants will also qualify for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties related to failure to depart the United States. According to DHS, approximately 1.9 million undocumented migrants have voluntarily left the country since January 2025, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home programme. “Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home programme. Migrants simply download the app, submit their information, and DHS arranges and covers the cost of travel.

The Trump administration has quietly recalled nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior overseas diplomats as the Trump administration plans to promote appointees loyal to the new administration to higher levels of the state department, according to diplomatic sources. But the Trump administration had vowed to oust a “deep state” of civil servants in a process that critics have called a purge of a professional class of government employees including senior overseas diplomats. “This is a standard process in any administration,” a current senior state department official said in response to a request for comment from the Guardian. Powerful White House officials like the deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller have sought to install allies in the state department to execute goals of limiting immigration into the United States. The promotion of diplomats aligned with the current White House administration would further politicise the diplomatic corps, AFSA said.

The report on Monday said the purpose of the surveillance missions could not be independently confirmed. However, the flights follow threats by U.S. President Donald Trump in November to intervene militarily in Nigeria over what he described as the government’s failure to halt violence against Christian communities. Flight tracking data for December showed that the contractor-operated aircraft typically takes off from Ghana, flies over Nigeria, and returns to Accra. Trump has also recalled the Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, and other career diplomats from their ambassadorial posts. Africa is the region most affected by the recalls, with ambassadors from 13 countries, including Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda, among those removed.

Former Nigeria Premier Football League champions, Kano Pillars, will return to their home ground, the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, from their next fixture against Nasarawa United on Monday after serving a period of banishment to Katsina, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The committee reduced the sanction to a five-match stadium ban, effective from the date of the original punishment. Pillars marked their fifth and final home match in Katsina with a 2–1 victory over Plateau United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Sunday. During their temporary stay in Katsina, Pillars recorded three wins, one draw and one defeat. Ahead of their return to Kano, the club expressed gratitude to Katsina United and the people of Katsina State for their support.

Troops have arrested two persons for impersonating the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, at Utesi in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State. The Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, who disclosed this in a statement, said the arrest was made on December 11, 2025, following intelligence reports. Onoja said that the suspects are in military custody, undergoing investigation before being handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action. It said troops foiled an oil theft worth over N15 million in the South-South. “Troops’ sacrifices and dedication to duty are highly appreciated and have justified the confidence the nation reposes in the AFN,” he said.

A former President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Olusoji Amusan, has raised concern over what he described as persistent chaos and lack of sanity at Nigerian airports. Amusan, who was also the pioneer General Manager, West Africa for Lufthansa German Airlines, said Nigerian airport terminals had become overly porous, with too many unauthorised persons roaming sensitive areas meant strictly for passengers and on-duty officials. He called for strict access control and the deployment of supervisors to coordinate activities, especially at the nation’s five international airports. He said: “We have been talking about sanity at Nigerian airports for years, but we must start from what we can achieve. Amusan also criticised the general chaos outside airport terminals, stressing the need for clear delineation of responsibilities among agencies operating at the airports.

An energy firm, Solewant Group, has donated a modern police outpost to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in Alode, Elemé, Rivers State, to improve security in the community. The outpost, situated near the Solewant Group’s industrial park and residential area, aims to bring law enforcement closer to the community, fostering peace, security, and swift response to crime incidents. Ewanehi thanked the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for approving the construction of the police outpost. The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the firm for its donation, noting the positive impact on community security and resident morale. The commissioner encouraged residents to embrace the initiative and assist the police in fighting crime.

Little wonder that new betting companies spring up now and then, not minding the large numbers of existing platforms in Nigeria. One consequence of the sports betting crisis in Nigeria is mental health issues. Other consequences of the sports gambling crisis in Nigeria include corruption and match-fixing, as well as legal and regulatory issues. Nigeria's sports betting crisis real solutionsThere is no problem without a solution, and to address the worrying crisis in Nigeria's sports betting industry, all stakeholders must be intentional about implementing real-life solutions. Betting companies can also incentivise responsible betting by offering incentives to bettors who practice moderation.

The Federal Government has introduced mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking positions in the public service, as part of broader efforts to combat drug abuse and its impact on national security and productivity. MDAs are required to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to conduct the tests, ensuring compliance with established standards. The policy stems from concerns over the “alarming rate” of substance abuse, particularly among Nigeria’s youth, which the government says threatens public health, socio-economic development, workplace efficiency and national security. Signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, Segun Imohiosen, the statement underscores the administration’s commitment to protecting the workforce from drug-related issues. This move aligns with ongoing anti-drug initiatives, including recent policies for mandatory testing in universities and other sectors.

Notably, there have been improvements in the immigration services and welfare of various discipline agencies in the mining sector, among others. However, the correctional services need far deeper momentum in the New Year and are heavily dependent on holistic cooperation beyond the Ministry of Interior alone. The Nigerian correctional service sector has been what it is for decades: mismanaged, rotten and an accident waiting to happen. For instance, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) reported a total inmate population of 81,558 as of July 2025, comprising 79,615 males and 1,943 females. With a clinical focus on reforms and modernisation, the current administration has emplaced the Immigration Service Reform Committee with a focus on modernising the Nigerian Immigration Service to enhance efficiency, reduce corruption, and improve service delivery.

The United States will begin a partial suspension of visa issuance to Nigerians from January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation aimed at strengthening border and national security. The proclamation provides for a partial suspension of visa issuance covering nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas. It also applies to immigrant visas, though with limited exceptions. Other exempted categories include lawful permanent residents of the United States and participants in certain major international sporting events. More recently, reports suggested that applications for certain immigrant visas, including green cards, could face suspension under the new proclamation.

The holiday declaration coincides with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who ordered the strategic deployment of police personnel and operational assets nationwide to ensure security during the festive season. In Kogi State, the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, deployed reinforced police personnel along the Lokoja–Abuja highway to ensure public safety, traffic control, and prevention of accidents. The Sokoto State Police Command launched “Operation Peaceful Celebration 2025,” involving massive personnel deployment, enhanced patrols, traffic control, and intensified intelligence gathering. “Places of worship, public utilities, and vulnerable areas are being protected, with major entry and exit routes manned for surveillance,” the statement noted. The minister further advised citizens to remain law-abiding, security-conscious, and moderate in celebrations, and to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful festive season.