Trump announces US strikes on terrorists in Nigeria
United States President Donald Trump said US forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in northwestern Nigeria, and vowed more attacks if the militants keep killing Christians. He described terrorist groups operating in Nigeria as “cancerous cells” and emphasised that their attacks do not target a single religious group. “The narrative that the evil terrorists only target one faith remains absolutely false and misleading,” he added. I was on the phone yesterday for 19 minutes with Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the United States. We spoke extensively, and we agreed that I was going to speak with President Tinubu for President Tinubu to give the go-ahead,” he said.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 06:25 UTC
Trump news briefing: President praises military after launching Christmas Day strikes on IS in Nigeria
Donald Trump has launched “powerful and deadly” strikes on Christmas Day against Islamic State militants in Nigeria, weeks after the US president warned against any systemic assault on Christians in the country. Here are the day’s top Trump administration stories at a glance. US launches Christmas Day strikes on IS targets in Nigeria The US military’s Africa Command said the attack on Islamic State militants was carried out in Sokoto state in north-western Nigeria in coordination with the Nigerian authorities. Read the full story What else we read today: When Donald Trump addressed supporters in Pennsylvania early this month, he asked: “Susie Trump – do you know Susie Trump? The bombshell article raised questions over Wiles’s motivations, her ideological alignment with Trump and her future as the linchpin of his administrationCatching up?
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 06:10 UTC
2026 State Education Funding: Anambra & Enugu Lead the Way
So far, 34 governors have laid their 2026 budget proposals before lawmakers. The analysis reveals thatAnambra tops education funding nationwide with46.9 per cent of N757bn allocated to education. Enugu State follows, allocating N522bn out of its N1.62tn 2026 budget to the sector, representing 32.3 per cent. Enugu has maintained this strong commitment, having consistently earmarked over 30 per cent of its total budget for education in both 2024 and 2025. In some states, education funding is subsumed under a broader social services heading, which also covers health, social welfare and protection, housing, and community services.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 05:47 UTC
US launches airstrikes against terrorist targets in Nigeria
The United States military has, in collaboration with the Nigerian government, launched airstrikes against terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (IS) group in north-western Nigeria. This was disclosed by the US President Donald Trump who said the “perfect” airstrikes followed his directive to the US War Department, targeting “terrorist scum” which he accused of “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians”. According to Trump, the US military “executed numerous perfect strikes”, while the US Africa Command (Africom) later reported that Thursday’s attack was carried out in co-ordination with Nigeria in the Sokoto state. Trump, in his post on Truth Social late on Thursday, said that “under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper”. This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 26, 2025 04:33 UTC
FG reshuffles NCAA directors amid corruption allegations
The reshuffle of the senior officers may not be unconnected with allegations of inefficiency and compromised oversight in the agency’s Directorate of Airworthiness Standards. This comes as the Nigeria Safety Investigation Board, on December 14, 2025, and December 16, 2025, respectively, issued reports indicating major aircraft incidents involving unscheduled aircraft. Keyamo vowed to launch an investigation into the allegations and said he would make the results of the investigation public. The Directorate of Airworthiness Standards in the NCAA is a powerhouse through which the agency ensures civil aircraft are safe and meet high standards. The allegations gained urgency following a series of aircraft incidents investigated by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Board.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 04:13 UTC
Two die as diesel tanker explodes in Lagos on Christmas Day
Preliminary findings from security investigations indicate that the unfortunate incident was caused by excessive speed, as the tanker driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake another road user. The vehicle subsequently crashed and erupted into a raging inferno, tragically trapping and claiming the lives of the driver and an adult female occupant. The LASTMA operatives prevented members of the public who had converged on the scene with containers from scooping the spilt diesel. This timely intervention effectively averted a potential escalation of the tragedy before the arrival of other emergency and security agencies. He described the incident as deeply painful and entirely avoidable, reaffirming the Authority’s steadfast commitment to road safety and the sanctity of human life.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 04:04 UTC
Seven sustain injuries in Lagos/Ibadan Expressway auto crash
Seven passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries on Christmas Eve when the bus they were travelling in somersaulted due to a tyre burst around the Eledumare area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State. Spokesperson of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps(TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed this to newsmen in a statement in Abeokuta on Thursday. Akinbiyi said that operatives of the TRACE and Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) were on the ground to rescue the injured victims. Akinbiyi added that traffic was not affected during the rescue operation and that it flowed freely on the road. This timely intervention effectively averted a potential escalation of the tragedy before the arrival of other emergency and security agencies.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 04:03 UTC
Badaru, other ministers who have resigned or dismissed under Tinubu administration
In the latest development on Tinubu minister resignations, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, on Monday resigned his appointment, citing health reasons. Following his resignation, Tinubu nominated the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as the new Minister of Defence. However, Badaru was not the first minister to resign or be sacked under the present administration. Tinubu minister resignations and sacking have occurred on multiple occasions since the president assumed office in May 2023. In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at other ministers who have resigned their appointments or sacked under Tinubu.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 26, 2025 03:51 UTC
Lagos fire: China-returnee, others still trapped as traders count losses
It was gathered that a detached section of the plaza collapsed, trapping some traders in the process. He had already evacuated almost all his goods when the fire spread and went back to retrieve the remaining items. “That’s how containers come here almost every day with goods for traders,” a resident, Sunkanmi Taofeek, said. It was further gathered that five adjoining buildings were affected—two partially and three severely—including the old Lagos Central Mosque. Fire incidents have become frequent in Lagos Island markets, with goods worth millions of naira destroyed annually.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 03:49 UTC
US Strikes ISIS Targets in Nigeria as Trump Signals Tougher Military Stance
According to Reuters, the strike was confirmed on Thursday by both U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military. Trump said the operation targeted ISIS militants he accused of attacking Christian communities in the region, framing the action as a decisive response to what he has described as an escalating threat to Christianity in Nigeria. Reuters previously reported that the United States had been conducting intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November, suggesting preparations for possible military action. Still, it has agreed to deepen cooperation with the United States to strengthen its fight against militant groups. Trump announced the strike on Christmas Day while spending the holiday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 03:37 UTC
Police debunk IPI claims, order probe into journalist’s arrest
The Nigeria Police Force has rejected allegations linking the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to the alleged wrongful arrest of a journalist, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading. In a statement on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hudeyin, said at no time did the IGP authorise, direct or condone the arrest, harassment or intimidation of any journalist. Hudeyin said the IGP acted swiftly after being formally notified of the incident by the President of the International Press Institute, Musikilu Mojeed. He explained that Egbetokun immediately ordered the journalist’s release and directed the Force Monitoring Unit to commence an investigation into the officers’ conduct. According to him, 45 other exhibits were also seized, including vehicles, motorcycles, and illicit drugs suspected of being used to commit crimes.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 02:03 UTC
Police arrest 22 suspects, recover arms, vehicles, drugs nationwide
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 22 suspects and recovered firearms, vehicles, motorcycles and illicit drugs during a series of intelligence-led operations across several states. Hundeyin said the suspects were linked to offences ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping and banditry to cattle rustling, car snatching, economic sabotage, impersonation and drug trafficking. According to him, 45 other exhibits were also seized, including vehicles, motorcycles, and illicit drugs suspected of being used to commit crimes. Investigations revealed he was impersonating a police officer, with a police mobile uniform and identity card recovered from him. “The squad also intercepted a vehicle conveying large quantities of leaves suspected to be cannabis and other controlled substances.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 02:03 UTC
Presidency denies Femi Gbajabiamila’s removal as CoS
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. Credit: State HouseThe Presidency on Thursday dismissed as false claims suggesting that President Bola Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, with his Principal Private Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Gbajabiamila, 62, was appointed Chief of Staff to President Tinubu on June 2, 2023, shortly after the President’s inauguration on May 29. Muri-Okunola, 53, was appointed Principal Private Secretary in September 2023, having previously served as Lagos State Head of Service since December 2018.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 02:03 UTC
All schoolchildren accounted for after Nigeria kidnapping – Church
A Catholic diocese in Nigeria’s north-central region Thursday said that all schoolchildren and teachers taken by gunmen from their school in November have been “accounted for” and “reunited” with their families. The clarification comes after some 35 students were initially thought to be unaccounted for after the government ended rescue efforts. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had said in November that 315 students and staff were kidnapped from St Mary’s co-educational boarding school in Papiri, Niger State. However, the Catholic Church said on Thursday that about 35 students who either escaped or had not been abducted in the first place did not show up for a headcount immediately after the kidnapping. Yohanna insisted that the “discrepancies were not in any way intended to mislead the public or cause unnecessary panic”.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 01:41 UTC
Explosion in Sokoto Community Causes Widespread Panic
Residents of Jabo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State were thrown into panic on Thursday, Christmas Day night, following a loud explosion suspected to be caused by an explosive device. Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred suddenly, with a suspected explosive, allegedly landing in the community. The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” the source said. Security agencies have since been alerted, and investigations are ongoing to determine the source and nature of the explosion. Authorities are yet to officially confirm whether the object was an explosive device or how it found its way into the community.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 01:40 UTC