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US defence chief asks FG to be decisive on Insecurity

Published

10 months ago

November 22, 2025

The United States Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has called on the Nigerian government to take decisive steps to curb violence targeting Christians.

Hegseth made the call during a meeting with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the Pentagon, Hegseth used the meeting, held on Thursday, to express concern over the rising attacks in Nigeria.

The Defence Secretary wrote on his X handle on Friday,

“Yesterday (Thursday), I met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor and his team to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country. Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that Hegseth urged Nigeria to “take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians,” adding that Washington seeks closer cooperation with Abuja “to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States.”

The meeting, held at the Pentagon, followed recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Christianity was “facing an existential threat” in Nigeria.

Trump warned that if the Federal Government failed to stop the killings, the United States could deploy military forces to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, US Congressman Riley Moore disclosed on Wednesday night that he met with the Nigerian delegation led by Ribadu to discuss what he described as the intensifying persecution of Christians and rising terrorist activity.

He said the talks, held in Washington, DC, were “frank, honest, and productive,” focusing on counterterrorism collaboration, security assistance, and the protection of vulnerable communities.

The Nigerian delegation included senior government and security officials: Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation; General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; and Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence, among others.

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News

LASTMA warns against using rolling skate shoes on Lagos highways

Published

2 hours ago

September 20, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has warned children, teenagers and young adults against using rolling skate shoes, wheeled footwear and similar recreational devices on public highways and other roads used by vehicles.

A statement by the Authority said the practice exposes users to serious and avoidable traffic hazards, particularly when they glide alongside moving vehicles, cross roads without proper care or move through traffic without adequate protective equipment and adult supervision.

LASTMA noted that the growing use of footwear fitted with concealed or retractable wheels on roads meant mainly for motorised traffic had become a safety concern.

It explained that public highways differ from designated recreational facilities because vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and other road users move through them at the same time, making traffic conditions unpredictable.

According to the Authority, using wheeled recreational devices in such places can make it difficult for users to react properly to sudden movements by vehicles and other road users, increasing the risk of collisions and serious injuries.

“The introduction of wheeled recreational devices into such spaces can significantly diminish a user’s ability to respond appropriately to sudden vehicular movements, creating circumstances capable of culminating in devastating collisions and life-altering injuries,” LASTMA said.

The agency urged parents, guardians, schools and caregivers to discourage children and other vulnerable road users from using rolling skate shoes for recreational activities on highways, expressways, bridges, service lanes and other areas open to vehicular traffic.

The Authority also appealed to users of the footwear to restrict skating activities to designated recreational areas, private compounds and other safe locations suitable for such activities.

It further advised users to wear appropriate protective equipment, including helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and other safety gear.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, reiterated that road safety is a collective responsibility that requires constant vigilance, discipline and respect for the risks associated with public roads.

He stressed that protecting human life must remain the priority, adding that no recreational activity should expose users or other road users to avoidable danger.

LASTMA also called on motorists to exercise greater caution around children and young persons using wheeled footwear, particularly in residential areas, estates, school zones and other places where vulnerable road users could suddenly enter the road.

The Authority urged members of the public to promptly report dangerous traffic situations, road obstructions, crashes, vehicle breakdowns and other incidents requiring urgent traffic-management intervention through the LASTMA toll-free short code.

It said timely reports would help facilitate intervention by relevant responders.

LASTMA reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, promoting responsible behaviour among road users and maintaining a safer and more orderly transportation environment across Lagos State.

“Safety on Lagos roads is not merely a regulatory obligation; it is a shared civic responsibility,” the agency added.

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Presidency confirms Tinubu’s absence from UN General Assembly

Published

2 hours ago

September 20, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be physically present at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, United States.

The development follows an announcement by the Presidency that the President would return to Nigeria after his three-week vacation in Europe.

Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman to Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced the development in a statement on Sunday.

According to the statement, Tinubu had directed the Vice President to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.

Tinubu’s absence was also confirmed after a provisional list of speakers obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) showed that Shettima would represent Nigeria at the high-level General Debate.

Tinubu had been listed as the 10th speaker during the morning session on the second day of the high-level General Debate scheduled for Wednesday, September 23.

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly began on September 8, 2026, while the high-level week is scheduled to take place from September 22 to 29 in New York City.

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FG names 10-member panel to probe deaths of 37 NSCDC detainees

Published

1 day ago

September 19, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Federal Government has constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the deaths of 37 people detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State over suspected illegal mining.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the constitution of the committee on Saturday, following a directive by President Bola Tinubu for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

The 37 detainees died on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while in the custody of the NSCDC Niger State Command.

The cause of the deaths has not been established, with authorities ordering investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In a statement signed by the minister, the government said the committee would establish the identities of the deceased and investigate their arrests, detention and the cause and circumstances of their deaths.

It would also determine responsibility, complicity, negligence and misconduct, as well as recommend appropriate action, compensation where applicable and measures to prevent a recurrence.

“Any attempt to destroy or conceal evidence, intimidate witnesses or obstruct the investigation will be treated as a serious offence,” he said.

The committee is chaired by retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, Jonathan Kure, while Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN), former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, will serve as secretary.

Other members include retired AIG Hosea Hassan Karma; Professor Olayinka Buhari, a professor of Histopathology and former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital; a representative of the Minna Emirate Council; and a representative of the Niger State Government.

The committee also includes Alhaji Liman Sulaiman, National Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria; lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju; Mrs Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint Newspaper; and public affairs analyst, Dr George Agbakahi.

According to the statement, the committee may co-opt relevant experts, access facilities and documents, visit relevant locations and request memoranda from members of the public.

It has two weeks to complete its work and submit its report to the minister.

The minister also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm while the investigation continues.

Source: punchng.com

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