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PHOTOS – Tinubu begins 10-day vacation, departs Abuja for Europe
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a 10-day vacation as part of his 2025 annual leave, the Presidency announced.
According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will spend the 10-working-day vacation between France and the United Kingdom, after which he will return to Nigeria.
Onanuga said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.
“The vacation will last 10 working days.
“President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country.”
However, the statement made no mention of Tinubu transmitting a formal letter to the National Assembly, as required under Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), to enable Vice President Kashim Shettima to act in his absence. Both chambers of the Assembly are currently on recess.
In October 2024, he spent over two weeks in the UK and France on a similar “working vacation” without a formal handover.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has become one of Nigeria’s most travelled leaders.
It was reported in October 2024 that in his first 17 months in office, Tinubu and Vice President Shettima undertook 41 trips across 26 countries, collectively spending 180 days abroad. Specifically, Tinubu logged 124 days abroad, visiting 16 countries on 29 trips.
His most recent foreign engagement was in Brazil in August 2025, where he met President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Both countries signed agreements on trade, aviation, energy, and security cooperation, including talks to restore Petrobras’ operations in Nigeria and establish a Lagos–São Paulo direct air link.
Earlier trips have taken him to the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China, South Africa, Germany, Tanzania, and the United Arab Emirates, among others, where he canvassed for foreign investment and political support.
In January 2025, Tinubu attended the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, focusing on energy cooperation.
In May 2025, he travelled to Rome, Italy, to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, a ceremonial visit. In June–July 2025, he visited Saint Lucia for a state visit to strengthen ties with Caribbean nations.
In June–July 2025, he travelled to Brazil for a state visit to enhance cooperation in trade and agriculture.
In August 2025, he attended the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama in Ghana, a diplomatic visit. In August 2025, he made a brief stopover in the UAE, likely Dubai, en route to Japan.
In August 2025, he attended the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama, Japan, for investment and bilateral ties. In August 2025, he returned to Brazil for a second state visit to advance agriculture and aviation agreements.
Critics argue that while the trips project Nigeria’s presence on the global stage, they have yet to yield tangible economic relief for citizens battling high inflation, insecurity, and declining living standards.
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The Nigeria Police Force has demoted a corporal to the rank of constable for engaging in unauthorised VIP escort duties, in violation of directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the force disclosed that CPL Suleiman Musa (F/No: 517077), attached to 45 PMF, was found escorting a VIP without the required clearance. His action was deemed a breach of the strict enforcement measures put in place to end the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel for such assignments.
According to the statement, the disciplinary action serves as a warning to other officers and reinforces the need for full compliance with operational guidelines.
The force also noted that the incident raises questions about how the unauthorised assignment came about and whether the officer acted alone.
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Tragedy struck across three local government areas of Kano State as five people, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in separate incidents involving a well collapse, a fall into a well, and a house fire.
The spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
The first incident occurred in Badume Kanawa Village, Bichi Local Government Area, where three people d!ed while attempting to re-dig a well.
According to Abdullahi, the rope supporting one of the victims, identified as Sa’idu Gada, 65, snapped while he was working inside the well.
In a desperate attempt to save him, his son, Sani Isyaku, 20, entered the well but also became trapped. A third man, Yakubu Abdullahi, 60, followed with the hope of rescuing both, but he too was unable to make it out.
Fire Service personnel rescued the trio in an unconscious state, but they were later confirmed d3ad.
Their remains were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.
In another incident in Danbatta Local Government Area, a 10-year-old boy, Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, fell into a well and d!ed before help could reach him.
The third tragedy occurred in Badawa Layin Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a 10-year-old girl d!ed in a house fire on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Fire Service officials said the blaze engulfed a section of a residential building, destroying two bedrooms. The girl was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed d3ad.
Speaking on the incidents, the Director of the Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to avoid entering wells during emergencies, warning that such actions often result in additional casualties rather than successful rescues.
He advised the public to immediately call emergency responders when accidents occur, stressing that trained personnel are better equipped to handle such situations safely.
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Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The operation was conducted on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals indicating the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.
Troops deployed in Udenu LGA swiftly mobilised to the location alongside vigilante personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch.
While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims.
14 abducted persons, who were returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being kidnapped, were rescued unhurt.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from two separate communities Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.
The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.
The troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.
Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
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PHOTOS: Police demote officer for unauthorised VIP escort duty
PHOTOS: Father, son, three others d!e in Kano well collapse and fire incident
PHOTOS: Troops rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Benue forest
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