Coleman MD projects manufacturing growth in 2026
The Managing Director of Coleman Technical Industries Limited, George Onafowokan, has projected that the relative macroeconomic stability will lead to sustained growth in the manufacturing sector in 2026. While assessing the transition from the current year to 2026, the Coleman boss described 2025 as a period of recovery, during which the industry found its footing despite significant headwinds. The Coleman MD identified the 2026 budget’s focus on capital expenditure, infrastructure, and security as the primary drivers of his positive projections. Onafowokan argued that these investments, combined with renewed foreign direct investment and stable exchange rates, will determine the success of the 2026 fiscal year. Addressing the new tax laws set to take effect in January 2026, Onafowokan urged the government to clear the air regarding misinformation that currently clouds the reforms.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 09:46 UTC
Banks Warn Customers Against Rising Holiday Frauds
Banks have warned their customers to be wary of fraudulent activities during the seasonal festivities. Warning bank customers against falling for the tricks of the fraudsters, FirstBank, in an email to its customers, said it has observed new fraud trends. Advising its customers to stay safe, the bank said, “Never share your OTP, PIN or account details, not even with someone claiming to help you. Report suspicious activity immediately to [email protected].”Stanbic IBTC Bank, in a social media post, warned its customers to “Stay cyber-safe this festive season. Keep your account safe this season by staying alert to scammers.” Seeking collaboration with its customers, the bank said, “Help us fight fraud.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 09:46 UTC
Police foil Benue kidnap attempt, rescue victim
The Benue State Police Command successfully foiled a kidnap attempt on Christmas Day and rescued one Geoffrey Akume. “Upon receipt of the distress information, operatives of the Benue State Police Command swiftly swung into action and commenced intensive patrols and a coordinated search of the area. “On sighting the police team and hearing the sirens, the perpetrators abandoned the victim and fled into the forest. “The police patrol team successfully rescued the victim who escaped from the fleeing kidnappers, unhurt and with no ransom paid. “He was subsequently taken to Abinse Police Station, where the Benue State Commissioner of Police debriefed him and later reunited him with his family,” she said.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 09:44 UTC
Trump: US launches deadly strikes on terrorists in Nigeria
(Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday that US forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria, and vowed more attacks if the militants keep killing Christians. The president stated this on his Truth Social platform, adding that the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes. “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Last week, the Trump administration recalled more than two dozen ambassadors from posts around the world, including Nigeria and several other African countries, appointed by former President Joe Biden. Since taking office in January, Trump has conducted military strikes in Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 09:43 UTC
US Strike in Nigeria: Govt Gave Intel & Approved Operation
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has said Nigeria provided the intelligence that led to the United States’ airstrike on terrorist targets in the country and formally approved the operation before it was carried out. According to the minister, the operation was the outcome of ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States and was not motivated by religious considerations. I was on the phone yesterday for 19 minutes with Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the United States. “We spoke for 19 minutes before the strike, and then we spoke again for another five minutes before it went on,” he said. The US President, Donald Trump, on Thursday confirmed the US carried out an airstrike targeting suspected terrorist elements in Nigeria.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 09:32 UTC
Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Pedestrian in Ogun
A hit-and-run driver has killed a yet-to-be-identified male pedestrian along the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway on the morning of Christmas Day. PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday from the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, that the accident occurred at about 8am. Multiple pictures from the scene of the incident, sighted by our correspondent, showed the lifeless body of the deceased by the roadside. The pictures also showed the impact of the vehicle run-over on the head of the deceased. “The earlier reported hit-and-run at Odogbolu Junction has been evacuated by his family members for burial,” Akinbiyi added.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 09:29 UTC
COAS tells soldiers to remain loyal and disciplined
Shaibu commended the officers and soldiers for their resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to duty in the face of evolving security challenges across the country. “Remain loyal to constituted authority, uphold the highest standards of discipline, and continue to conduct yourselves professionally in all engagements,” he urged. The COAS reassured the troops of the Army Headquarters’ commitment to improving their welfare, training, and operational effectiveness, noting that these remain critical to sustaining morale and enhancing mission success. He also encouraged them to maintain harmonious relationships with host communities and to remain vigilant during the festive period. The event featured interactions with the troops and the exchange of goodwill messages, underscoring the Nigerian Army’s resolve to remain a united, disciplined, and professional force committed to the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 09:27 UTC
NDLEA cracks down on Jigawa drug peddlers
The NDLEA Jigawa State Command has issued a stern warning to drug peddlers and users amid heightened patrols across the state during the Christmas season. The agency’s stance comes as Christian faithful celebrate Christmas worldwide, including in Jigawa State. In an exclusive telephone interview with the PUNCH correspondent on Thursday in Dutse, the state capital, the Public Relations Officer of the NDLEA Jigawa State Command, CSN Abdullahi Wada, outlined the command’s robust strategy for the festive season. The PRO stated that under the leadership of the State Commander, CN Hassan K. Kabaju, the NDLEA Jigawa team is fully prepared to tackle drug and substance abuse during the Christmas period and beyond. “Let’s celebrate responsibly, avoid harmful substances, and be aware that the consequences of getting caught will be severe,” the Jigawa NDLEA PRO advised.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 09:22 UTC
Nigeria & US Airstrikes Show Resolve to Counter Terrorism
The Armed Forces of Nigeria has said the recent airstrikes in the North West demonstrate the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to confront terrorism, carried out in collaboration with the United States. “The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in conjunction with the United States of America, has successfully conducted precision strike operations against identified foreign ISIS-linked elements operating in parts of North West Nigeria,” Uba said. “This action clearly demonstrates the unwavering resolve of the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with strategic international partners, to confront transnational terrorism and prevent foreign fighters from gaining any foothold within our borders,” he said. Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Nigeria remains engaged in structured security and intelligence cooperation with international partners, including the United States, in addressing terrorism and violent extremism. In a separate social media post, United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington acted with the cooperation of the Nigerian government, expressing gratitude for Nigeria’s support during the operation.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 09:16 UTC
Christmas Day tanker explosion in Lagos claims two lives
At least two people were confirmed dead after a fully loaded 33,000-litre petrol tanker exploded along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos in the early hours of Christmas Day. PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident occurred at about 4 a.m. on Thursday near the Oto-Ijanikin axis, close to the Lagos State University of Education. Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said the accident involved a fully loaded tanker, which reportedly lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle. The agency also alerted the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (Ojo Unit), the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Ijanikin Police Division for emergency response and security reinforcement. Also reacting, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, attributed the incident to negligence, noting that emergency responders had successfully contained the fire.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 08:57 UTC
Trump says US struck IS targets in Nigeria after group targeted Christians
Mr Trump said the airstrikes were launched against Islamic State militants “who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians”. “Terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security,” Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Mr Trump ordered the Pentagon last month to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria to try and curb the so-called Christian persecution. US forces likely would have to be drawn from other parts of the world for any larger-scale military intervention in Nigeria. Mr Trump has nonetheless kept up the pressure as Nigeria faced a series of attacks on schools and churches in violence that experts and residents say targets both Christians and Muslims.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 07:46 UTC
What to know about the militants targeted by US airstrikes in Nigeria
Nigeria, which is battling multiple armed groups, said the US strikes were part of an exchange of intelligence and strategic co-ordination between the two countries. That coup resulted in fractured relations between Nigeria and Niger, and affected their multinational military operations along the porous border. Lakurawa controls territories in Sokoto and Kebbi states, and has become known for killings, kidnapping, rape and armed robbery, Mr Samuel said. But some of the attacks blamed on Lakurawa are by the Islamic State Sahel Province, which has expanded from Niger’s Dosso region to northwestern Nigeria, according to the US-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. In states such as Sokoto, the military often carries out airstrikes targeting militant hideouts and Nigeria has embarked on mass recruitment of security forces.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 07:35 UTC
How the Supreme Court ruling assaults Nigerian federalism
In an enterprise where 24 hours is a long time, the Supreme Court’s nine-month delay has needlessly altered the democratic and federalist landscape in Nigeria. The Supreme Court reserved judgement in the case after hearing it on 21 October and pronounced judgement on December 15. The Rivers emergency rule issue is a sensitive national matter that holds precedent for the country’s democracy and federalism. For instance, when Tinubu took the centre to court for seizing LG funds in Lagos, the Supreme Court ruled that the centre was wrong and ordered that the seized allocations be released. The Supreme Court has just stamped the anomaly with its judicial imprimatur.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 07:35 UTC
DHQ confirms U.S. strikes ISIS elements in Nigeria
The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in conjunction with the United States of America, has conducted precision strike operations against identified foreign ISIS-linked elements operating in parts of Northwest Nigeria. Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, confirmed this in a statement in the early hours of Friday. “The strike followed credible intelligence and careful operational planning aimed at degrading the capability of the targeted elements while minimising collateral damage. Recall that United States’ President, Donald Trump, had on Thursday night said American forces carried out air strikes against Islamic State elements operating in north-western Nigeria. He said the strikes were carried out by what he described as the “Department of War”, adding that it “executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing”.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 07:26 UTC
Pastor Okafor demands DNA test as lady claims to be daughter
Dr. Chris Okafor, senior pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries, has issued an immediate ultimatum to one Ms. Chi Okafor, who alleges to be his daughter, to present herself for a DNA test to prove her claims. Pastor Okafor also asked the alleged daughter to retract all publications, which he said falsely associated him with her claims of paternity or abandonment, and to issue a public apology for attempting to tarnish his reputation by portraying falsehoods against him. She has been making false, misleading, and defamatory claims regarding his personal life and family relationships, including allegations of abandonment and neglect of paternal responsibilities. “Immediate cessation and desistance from further presenting or implying any familial relationship with our Client and immediate removal of all content that falsely associates our Client with claims of paternity or abandonment. “This statement is issued to clarify the facts, prevent further dissemination of falsehoods, and reaffirm our Client’s unwavering commitment to truth, dignity, and fairness.” the lawyer added.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 06:33 UTC