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Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor faults Wike over squabble with soldier

Published

2 months ago

November 13, 2025

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike’s face-off with the young naval officer, Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, has continued to generate different opinions.

A former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, on Thursday, faulted Wike over his verbal exchange with the Naval Officer.

Irabor spoke at the 21st All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Abuja.

He said the minister committed an offence against the state, adding that he had no right to make such remarks.

He said, “Just a few days ago, we saw an incident between the Honorable Minister of the FCT and a military officer. And there have been a number of representations that I have read in the media, which I thought that some of us got it right, others did not.

“They missed the point. And I am including the representation of a SAN, which I think missed the point. Now, what is it? The uniform is not about who is wearing it.

“The uniform represents the authority of the states. Whether it is a small boy or not, it is the authority of the states. It is even worse when it is a commissioned officer who has a presidential commission.

“And so, when you make such disparaging comments, you have desecrated the oath. What you have told the Commander-in-Chief and the authority that invested that position in him is that they are fools.

“So, it is wrong. And I think that for the media… In any case, the law has two ends. For those, we also studied law, hands on their head.

“But again, in military law, we also taught that for you to be able to establish a crime, there are two elements. Actus reus and mens rea. Actus reus, meaning was this thing done?

“Is there something that was done? And then the mens rea, what is the intention behind it? So, when a SAN says that the minister has authority over land and it is not the duty of the soldier, that is not the issue.

“Now, if you have any reason to believe that what the young man is doing is a channel, that is the law. So, you are desecrating the oath; it has not left the realm of what the officer was doing. It is an offense against the state.”

He argued that citizens have lost the educational traction to know how to treat military officers in uniform. He tasked the media to highlight the values of good citizenship and patriotism.

“So, this is what you, the media, must try to highlight. I know that over the years, we have lost our educational traction. See, these are things that primary school pupils, secondary school pupils ought to know.

“That people like us don’t do anymore. The whole essence of contracts, alright? The contracts that you have with the states. That every individual has ceded his rights to the states because of things like this.

“So that we will not, at every front line, take laws into our hands. It is not a jungle. So, if the state has designated certain establishments and they get them in uniform, only to be able to easily recognize them,” he said.

Moreso, he pointed out that even he, as a military officer, lacked the powers to lay his hands on any officer because it is against the law.

“But assuming I was wearing a uniform today, it’s a different matter entirely. The officer asks a question. If you see him tomorrow wearing a uniform, you will not see him.

“So, what distinguishes the police, the military, and other agencies is the uniform. And so, respect and honour the uniform. And that’s what we should tell our children.

“That every Nigerian, when you see them, are they doing what is right? They may not be doing what is right. But then, it is not your duty to not lay your hands on them. Otherwise, we will be in a jumble.

“That’s exactly what’s happening. That counter-terrorism has become a ding-dong thing. If you go to a studio meeting, nobody knows what is right and what is wrong.

“What was done with good intention is misinterpreted. Because of things like that. And that is why I thought that since we are talking about media, terrorism, and national security, we should address the complexities.

“This is a part of the complexities. That would give a wrong impression to those. Tomorrow, people will now think that when you see a military man, you slap him.

“It is a jumble. Why would you do that to a policeman? I, as a general, can’t slap my soldier. I can’t touch him.

“I can’t use my hand on him. If I do that, either I apologize to him, or I will be disciplined. The same thing across the world,” he added.

He argued that even in the United States, citizens do not go around fighting officers because they know the implications.

“When police brutalize a citizen in the U.S., do you see people going around trying to fight them?.

“Because they respect the uniform. But is he misusing the uniform? Yes. Will he be dealt with? Yes.

“So let us get a distinction. I thought it would be a good opportunity to do so. As I conclude, what I need us to take away is that we are reminded yesterday that as editors of the media organizations, because we are dealing with national security issues, you are the last man standing.”

General Irabor also threw his weight behind the military Safe Corridor programme in the war against insecurity in the country.

The retired General said there is nothing wrong with the programme.

Irabor, who was responding to a question on the programme, said that there was no truth in the claims that repentant armed men were integrated into the country’s armed forces.

According to him, “On Operation Safe Corridor, I think, again, the development of Operation Safe Corridor has been misinterpreted completely.

“There is nothing wrong. I support Operation Safe Corridor. I supported it yesterday, I will support it today, I will support it tomorrow.”

He explained that the programme is like a prison for the offenders. He also added that most of the recruits of Boko Haram or other groups don’t even know what the ideology of the group is.

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PHOTOS & VIDEO: Fire razes part of Ogun free trade zone, Igbesa

Published

7 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A fire outbreak has occurred at the mattress section of the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The incident has reportedly caused chaos and fear among students living around the Obanla axis of the area.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, students were seen running out of their hostels as the thick smoke covered the sky.

An eyewitness, Kuwhede Vincent, a student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, OGITECH, Igbesa, disclosed that there was a loud noise followed by smoke and fire.

Vincent said, “ It started around 8 am in the morning, we first saw smoke then fire coming from the company.

“The company is very close to my hostel but I don’t think any hostel was affected. We just carried our bag because we don’t know what can happen next”.

He noted that the fire service were on ground to curtail the fire.

Reacting to the incident, President of the Student Union Government in OGITECH, Ilo Fadilu Temitope, in a statement signed by its secretary, Moses Josephine and PRO Segbetin Sunday, and made available to called for calm among students, urging them to be vigilant, and adhere strictly to safety measures.

Part of the statement reads, “The attention of the Students’ Union Government has been drawn to information reaching us regarding a fire outbreak at the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, which is in close proximity to some student hostels around the Obanla axis.

“While relevant authorities are reportedly responding to the situation, the Students’ Union deems it necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

“In view of this, students especially those residing around Obanla axis and its environs are hereby advised to remain calm but vigilant, and to strictly observe the following safety measures: Avoid unnecessary movement towards the affected area or fire scene, stay indoors where it is safe to do so and keep doors and windows closed if there is smoke in the environment, switch off electrical appliances and gas sources as a precaution.”

As of the time of filing this report, there has not been any official statement on the cause of the incident.

When contacted by our correspondent, the Commissioner of the State’s Ministry of Environment, Ola Oresanya said, “Thanks for the information, I will work on it immediately.”

Many houses affected as fire guts Ogun Free Trade Zone pic.twitter.com/pYIjbLwGhJ

— Temitope Hassan (@temihat) January 11, 2026

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Demolition notice: Ogun communities cry out, call for Gov Abiodun’s intervention

Published

8 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

About 15 communities in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have called for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged plot to demolish their villages and acquire their land.

The communities include Itori Mogan, Laaki, Jaguna, Ogunu, Paashi, Kumapayi, and Abule Odo of Ijemoland among others.

According to the villagers, the community which is over 300 years was excised by former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration.

It was gathered that the state government, through the its Planning and Development Permit Authority, Abeokuta Metro Zonal Planning Office, served a demolition notice with service number 00047932 on the occupiers of Itori Mogan village on Friday, accusing them of contravening the Land Use Act of Ogun State for residing in Hillcrest Estate.

In the demolition notice dated January 9, 2026, the government gave the occupiers three days deadline to vacate the affected villages that fell within its acquisition.

Expressing their displeasure on Saturday, the Baale of Ogunro, Chief Olakunle Bodunde, speaking on behalf of the villages marked for demolition, lamented that the present administration is bent on taking the remaining part of the community for an estate development, while rendering members of the community homeless.

He noted that the matter was in court and despite several meetings with the government, a demolition notice was pasted on their buildings.

He said, “We have taken significant steps to address this issue. We had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court.

“We have served them, and the government has been notified, but they are not showing up in court, and now they have come to paste demolition notices on our buildings.

“We want things to be done with due process. The court has not made a pronouncement yet.”

Also speaking, Chief Oludare Salako, the Baale of Itori Mogan, said the communities have different ancestral gods which according to him cannot be relocated, saying that forceful eviction could spell danger.

He appealed to the state governor to intervene, expressing the belief that he may not be aware of the incident.

“We want Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, as we believe he may not be aware of these alleged land grabbers in his government. We want him to look critically into the matter and stop their actions,” Salako added.

The Aro of Egbaland and Oluwo of Ijemo, High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, urged the villagers to engage in dialogue with the government and be hopeful.

“If you have a right, no government will stop you from exercising your right. So my advice is to dialogue.

“We have signed pacts with the present government on some particular land and villages. Go there, visit the office, and make inquiries. Why again are they trying to take back the land,” he said.

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Full List Of Countries Nigerians Travel To Without Visa

Published

8 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries worldwide without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the latest update from Visaindex.

The development significantly eases international travel for Nigerians, providing broader options for tourism, business, education and family visits.

Of the 45 destinations, 27 countries allow visa-free entry for Nigerian citizens, while the remaining operate visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) regimes. Entry conditions vary by country, but the update signals an expansion of global mobility opportunities for Nigerians.

Several African nations have adopted open-border policies aimed at boosting regional integration, trade and tourism.

The Gambia – Since 2019, the country has declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travellers, extending the policy to Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and select Baltic states.

Benin – Inspired by Rwanda, Benin lifted visa restrictions for all Africans in 2019, strengthening its position as a commercial and transit hub in West Africa.

Kenya – In October 2023, President William Ruto announced the removal of visa requirements for all African visitors to enhance trade, tourism and continental connectivity.

Rwanda – Since November 2023, Rwanda has granted visa-free entry to all Africans without fees, reinforcing its reputation as a leading tourism and conference destination.

Ghana – Ghana recently joined the visa-free league for Africans, a move expected to attract investors, tourists and business travellers as it positions itself as a regional hub.

Other Visa-Free Or Easy-Access Destinations

Nigerian passport holders can also access the following countries either visa-free, via visa-on-arrival, or through eTA arrangements:

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea