Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Peter Omopo Washington DC / Abuja — Amid escalating reports of kidnappings, mass abductions, and alleged targeted attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria, lawmakers in the United States and Nigeria on Tuesday launched fresh deliberations aimed at addressing the country’s deteriorating security situation. In Washington DC, key committees of the United States Congress convened a high-level joint briefing ordered by President Donald Trump. The US President had, on October 31, directed the House Appropriations Committee to investigate what he called “the slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria and submit a report to the White House. The briefing brought together members…

By Peter Omopo A mild drama unfolded in the Senate on Tuesday after Senate President Godswill Akpabio briefly suspended plenary to hold a private consultation with selected lawmakers—an action that drew strong criticism from Senator Danjuma Goje (APC–Gombe Central). Akpabio entered the chamber at about 12:10 p.m., taking over from Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who had been presiding. Proceedings continued smoothly as senators deliberated on scheduled bills. However, less than ten minutes later, Akpabio invited Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele for a private discussion at the Senate President’s seat. He was soon joined by Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South),…

By Peter Omopo The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has directed the immediate arrest of any police personnel found escorting private individuals, politicians or VIPs without approval from the Force Headquarters. Commissioner of Police Baba Azare announced the directive on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Uyo after a strategic meeting with senior officers of the command. He said the meeting was convened to reinforce internal discipline and enhance public safety across the state. Azare expressed concern over the growing disregard for the Inspector-General of Police’s directive prohibiting officers from escorting unauthorised VIPs. “Such officers will be disarmed, subjected to an…

By Peter Omopo The Senate on Tuesday took a major step toward overhauling Nigeria’s emergency response system as lawmakers debated the second reading of a bill seeking to establish a unified, toll-free national emergency number. The legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Emergency Toll Service (NETS),” proposes replacing the country’s numerous state-based helplines with a single, easy-to-remember three-digit number accessible to all Nigerians. Senators Push for Unified Emergency Line Leading the debate, sponsor of the bill, Senator Yar’adua Musa (Katsina Central), said the reform would consolidate scattered emergency numbers into one national platform, reducing confusion…

By Peter Omopo President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday convened a high-level security meeting with service chiefs and heads of major security agencies at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The closed-door session began shortly after 4:30 p.m., when the top military and intelligence officials were seen arriving at the forecourt of the Villa. The meeting comes less than three hours after Tinubu nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), as Minister of Defence. His nomination followed the sudden resignation of former Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru late Monday night, shortly after Musa was spotted at the State House. Top Security…

By The Lagosian Intelligence Desk Inside the General’s Profile, the Power Shift, and What This Means for Nigeria’s Security Future Nigeria’s security architecture entered a defining new chapter today as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.) as the nation’s new Minister of Defence, replacing Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who resigned abruptly on Monday citing health grounds. The announcement—conveyed in a formal letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio—confirms widespread speculation following Musa’s closed-door meeting with the President at the State House last night. With insecurity escalating nationwide and a security emergency already declared, the move signals a decisive…

Depression and anxiety can feel like heavy shadows quiet, persistent, and draining. Yet even in the darkest moments, there is a truth that does not move: you are not alone, you are not forgotten, and you are stronger than you feel. Every sunrise reminds us that nothing stays dark forever. Your story is still being written and healing, though slow at times is possible. 1. Overcoming Depression and Anxiety Personally:You may feel tired, overwhelmed, or uncertain about tomorrow. But taking one small step at a time is enough. Healing rarely happens in leaps—it happens in inches. Allow yourself to breathe.…

A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has discharged and acquitted an MTN contractor, Mutairu Babatunde, and two former employees of MTN Nigeria, Victor Akintunde and Gani Mustapha, of allegations of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence involving an alleged ₦1 billion fraud. Justice Ismaila Ijelu, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, dismissed the criminal charge against the defendants and their companies — Primavera Engineering and Construction Limited and Mabo Dredging Limited — after confirming that the matter had been fully resolved through a civil settlement. The court also ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately…

By Peter Omopo The father of a bride kidnapped alongside her friends in Chacho village, Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, has confirmed that the abductors reached out to the community two days after the attack but made no ransom demand. Speaking on Monday, Malam Umaru Chacho said the gunmen, who seized 13 people—11 women and two men—during wedding preparations, insisted on speaking only with the village’s traditional ruler. “Yes, they have contacted us,” he said. “When they called, they said we should connect them with the traditional ruler of the town, but we refused. We asked them to…

By Peter Omopo Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing deepening crises within the party’s national leadership. The governor’s resignation was communicated in a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State. According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke formally withdrew from the party on November 4, 2025. Adeleke attributed his decision to the persistent turmoil engulfing the PDP at the national level, which has intensified in recent months. The governor expressed appreciation to the…