Human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the revocation of Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka’s United States visa, describing the development as “sad.”
Sowore, in a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, expressed dismay over the incident.
He wrote, “Donald Trump reportedly revokes U.S. visa of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka! Sad! What the U.S. has become!”
PUNCH Online earlier reported that Soyinka had disclosed during a media parley at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, that the U.S. government had revoked his visa, effectively barring him from entering the country.
“It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time,” Soyinka said.
“I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” he added.
According to Soyinka, the U.S. Consulate informed him of the revocation in a letter dated October 23, 2025.
The Nobel Laureate said he was unaware of any wrongdoing that might have warranted the action, describing it as puzzling.
He also urged people to continue standing against discrimination and injustice everywhere.
Soyinka noted that he had maintained a cordial relationship with the U.S. for many years, except for moments of tension that emerged during the administration of former President Donald Trump.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued 23 foreign nationals from captivity and arrested 14 suspected transnational kidnappers in Nasarawa State.
The spokesperson of the command, SP Josephine Adeh, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, October 31, 2025 said the rescue operation was conducted by operatives of the command’s Scorpion Squad at Angwan Adamu Ruga Fulani Zone B, Riverside, Ado Mararaba, followed a report indicating that some foreign nationals had been lured into Nigeria under the pretext of lucrative job offers.
According to the PPRO, the victims were held hostage by their gang who demanded ransom payments from their families.
“In a major breakthrough against kidnapping and human trafficking, operatives of the FCT Police Command’s Scorpion Squad, have successfully arrested fourteen (14) suspected kidnappers and rescued twenty-three (23) victims, all foreign nationals, from captivity. The intelligence-led operation took place at about 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 22nd October 2025, at Angwan Adamu Ruga Fulani Zone B, Riverside, Ado Mararaba, Nasarawa State,” the statement read.
“The operation followed a report indicating that several foreign nationals had been lured into Nigeria under the pretext of lucrative job offers.
“Upon arrival, they were held hostage by their abductors, who demanded ransom payments from their families via WhatsApp and other online platforms.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the syndicate is coordinated by one Abubakar Jigiba, a transnational criminal kingpin with known residences in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, and Nigeria.
“His younger brother, Sougule Zoubere, handles the recruitment, kidnapping, and smuggling of victims from Mali into Nigeria, where they are detained pending ransom payments. The group demanded four million CFA (N10,000,000) for each victim.
“Further investigations revealed that the victims were trafficked into the country through illegal border routes in a journey lasting about three days. They were subsequently confined in two fortified two-bedroom apartments under inhumane conditions.
“Acting on actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence, the Scorpion Squad traced the hideout to the above address where a total number of twenty-three (23) victims, comprising fourteen (14) males, eight (females, and one (1) child, all unhurt, except one who sustained a minor ear injury and has been taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, for medical attention.
“The following suspects were arrested in connection with the crime: Bubakari Cisse (40), Karamogo Dembele (25), Musa Kamsoko (23), Amadou Traore (25), Sareba Traore (24), Zoumana Diara (23), Umar Koulibaly (26), Alasgara Sagara (20), Berthe Saidu (23), Abdullahi Napo (32), Isah Goita (26), Lorita Traore (22), Mohammed Siaaibe (23), and Haruna Dembele (37).
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the principal suspect, Abubakar Jigiba, his brother Sougule Zoubere, who are currently at large.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc, commended the Scorpion Squad for the swift operation, and called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the command via its emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883 CRU: 08107314192.”
The military has arrested an additional 15 officers of various ranks in connection with an alleged coup plot against the Federal Government, bringing the number of detained officers to over 40, according to Vanguard.
The new arrests followed revelations made during interrogation of the initial 16 officers taken into custody, sources told the publication.
The detained officers reportedly disclosed the roles the newly arrested personnel were expected to play in the alleged coup plot.
According to the sources, security agencies are analysing communication exchanges among the suspects, raising the possibility of further arrests as the investigation deepens.
The first group of 16 officers in custody includes:
1 Brigadier General
1 Colonel
4 Lieutenant Colonels
5 Majors
2 Army Captains
1 Lieutenant Commander (Navy)
1 Squadron Leader (Air Force)
1 Army Lieutenant
Their names were given as:
Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (Nasarawa, 44th Regular Course)
Colonel M.A. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th Course)
Lt Col S. Bappah (Bauchi, 56th Course)
Lt Col A.A. Hayatu (Kaduna, 56th Course)
Lt Col Dangnan (Plateau, 56th Course)
Lt Col M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th Course)
Colonel M.A. Ma’aji (Niger, 47th Course)
Lt Col S. Bappah (Bauchi, 56th Course)
Lt Col A.A. Hayatu (Kaduna, 56th Course)
Lt Col Dangnan (Plateau, 56th Course)
Lt Col M. Almakura (Nasarawa, 56th Course)
Major A.J. Ibrahim (Gombe, 56th Course)
Major M.M. Jiddah (Katsina, 56th Course)
Major M.A. Usman (FCT, 60th Course)
Major D. Yusuf (Gombe, 59th Course)
Major I. Dauda (Jigawa, DSSC 38)
Captain I. Bello (DSSC 43)
Captain A.A. Yusuf
Lieutenant S.S. Felix (DSSC)
Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi (Navy)
Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (Air Force)
Sources told Vanguard that most of the officers belong to the Infantry Corps, Signals Corps, and Ordnance Corps.
The publication aslo reported that insiders revealed that a substantial amount of money sponsoring the alleged coup plot was traced to the suspected network behind the alleged plot.
Collaboration among the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other agencies reportedly linked the funds to a former governor who also served as a minister of state.
Sources noted that the detained officers have been cooperating with investigators, providing details of their recruitment and planned roles.
The development comes three weeks after Defence Headquarters confirmed that 16 officers had been arrested for “acts of indiscipline” and violations of service regulations.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has redeployed several senior officers in a strategic move aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, fostering greater synergy, and aligning the Service’s structure with the command philosophy of the newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
A statement Friday by Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters NAF. Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame disclosed that the latest postings, approved by the CAS, affect key appointments at Headquarters NAF, field commands, and units.
According to the CAS, the reshufflement is part of ongoing efforts to optimise command effectiveness, improve decision-making processes, and reinforce mission readiness in line with the evolving security environment.
According to the statement, some of the key appointments affected by the redeployment include several senior officers now assigned to critical command and staff positions across the Service.
It said, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Abubakar Abdullahi has been appointed Chief of Policy and Plans, while AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun assumes duty as Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna.
“Similarly, AVM Ibitayo Ajiboye has been named Group Managing Director, Nigerian Air Force Investment Limited (NAFIL) Group of Companies. AVM Precious Amadi takes over as Chief of Operations, and AVM Nnamdi Ananaba becomes Chief of Air Intelligence. AVM Ebimobo Ebiowe has been appointed Superintendent of Standards and Evaluation, while AVM Ahmed Dari now serves as Chief of Training. The Transformation and Innovation Branch will be headed by AVM Mohammed Ibrahim, reflecting the Service’s growing focus on technological advancement and efficiency.
“In the logistics and engineering domains, AVM Olufemi Ogunsina has been appointed Chief of Aircraft Engineering, and AVM Michael Onyebashi assumes command as Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Mobility Command. AVM David Pwajok is now Chief of Communication and Information Systems, while AVM John Ukeh takes charge as Air Provost Marshal.
“ Further reinforcing NAF’s administrative and welfare structures, AVM Simon Peter has been appointed Managing Director, NAFIL Housing and Construction Company, while AVM Chidiebere Obiabaka becomes Air Secretary. AVM Anthony Martins now serves as Chief of Administration, AVM Abubakar Sule takes over as AOC, Logistics Command, and AVM Abdulrasheed Kotun has been appointed Managing Director, NAF Farms. The new Chief of Civil-Military Relations is AVM Edward Gabkwet, while AVM Osichinaka Ubadike has been named Deputy Commandant, AFIT.
“Additionally, several other senior officers, including AVMs Ahmed Bakari, Albert Bot, Idi Sani, Muhammed Suleiman, Jibrin Usman, and Japheht Ekwuribe, have been redeployed to various defence and inter-service establishments in line with ongoing efforts to strengthen joint operations and national defence coordination. “
The Nigerian Air Force described the reshuffle as a strategic measure to ensure balanced leadership, enhance institutional effectiveness, and sustain the momentum of transformation under the new administration of Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.
“With this new wave of appointments, the Nigerian Air Force is poised to consolidate its achievements and usher in an era of smarter, more adaptive air operations, one that reflects the CAS’s vision of a force built not merely for power, but for purpose, protection, and progress.” It added.
