Year: 2025

Zacch: No more climbing Sycamore tree! By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

It is unfortunate – though pleasant surprises can occasionally ‘crop up’ – that Zacch Adelabu Adedeji is unlikely to be among the recipients of the ubiquitous ‘Man of the Year’ awards. These accolades, jocularly referred to by the mischievous as being showered like confetti at a wedding, are often a poor reflection of true impact. That Adedeji – a modern reincarnation of the Biblical Zacchaeus – might be overlooked speaks volumes about the judgment and hidden motives propelling many of these awards.   A vantage strategist and fiscal architect, the…

FG clarifies US–Nigeria Airstrikes, says debris fell in Offa, Jabo

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Government has clarified details surrounding the recent joint airstrikes carried out by Nigeria and the United States against terrorist targets, stating that the actual strikes hit Islamic State (ISIS) enclaves in Sokoto State, while debris from the operation later landed in parts of Kwara and Sokoto states. The clarification followed public concerns and criticism over the operation, with some commentators alleging that civilian areas were targeted and questioning Nigeria’s role in the collaboration. In particular, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had demanded explanations on operational control, casualty figures…

MURIC seeks Federal Government’s clarification over Joint US–Nigeria Airstrikes in Sokoto, Offa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide clear explanations over the recent joint airstrikes carried out against suspected terrorist camps in Sokoto State and Offa, Kwara State. In a statement issued on Friday, December 26, 2025, and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights organisation said while it supported decisive military action against terrorists, such operations must not result in civilian casualties or destruction of private property. According to MURIC, the airstrikes, reportedly executed by the United…

FCT Police Commissioner leads festive security patrols across Abuja mosques, recreational centres

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, today personally led security patrols across mosques and recreational centres in the Abuja Metropolitan Area, reinforcing the Command’s commitment to public safety during the festive season. The patrol, described as a confidence-building exercise, allowed the Commissioner to assess security arrangements at key public locations and ensure that robust measures are in place to protect residents and visitors. It complements the Command’s ongoing operations, including intelligence-led initiatives, visible patrols, and close collaboration with other security agencies. CP Dantawaye…

FCT Police denies Army arrest of officers in Abuja, says report false

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that the Nigerian Army arrested police officers in Abuja for providing unauthorised VIP escort services. In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the Command described the report by Sahara Reporters as false, misleading, and malicious. She emphasised that no officer under the FCT Police Command was arrested, detained, or disciplined by the Nigerian Army for violating any presidential directive. SP Adeh said the report is a deliberate attempt to misinform the public, tarnish…

FG: Nigeria supplied intelligence, approved U.S. airstrikes on ISIS targets in Sokoto

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has confirmed that Nigeria provided actionable military intelligence and granted approval for the United States–led airstrikes against ISIS-linked terrorists in parts of Sokoto State and other areas in Northern Nigeria. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, made this known on Friday during an interview on Channels Television, described the operation as a joint security effort between Nigeria and the United States. According to Tuggar, Nigerian authorities maintained direct communication with the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, shortly before the airstrikes were carried out. He…

FRSC Corps Marshal praises Officers for outstanding service during Christmas travel operations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, mni, has commended officers and men of the Corps for their exemplary service and professionalism during the Christmas travel operations across the country. The Corps Marshal described the performance of FRSC personnel as exceptional and historic, noting that their resilience and strategic interventions played a key role in easing traffic congestion on major highways, including the notoriously busy Lokoja axis and other critical road corridors nationwide. According to him, despite intense traffic pressure, extended work hours, harsh weather…

Police arrest two notorious banditry, kidnapping kingpins in Kwara, recover arms, cash

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of two notorious bandits and kidnapping kingpins linked to violent crimes across Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara States. The suspects were arrested on Friday, December 19, 2025, by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT), working in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command, during a covert operation along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. Those arrested were identified as Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi ‘m’, aged 26, and Shehu…

CNS commissions Quick Impact Healthcare project in Ondo community

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), on 22 December 2025 commissioned an upgraded Primary Health Care Centre in Ikaram, Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, under the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Project. The project, executed in honour of Rear Admiral Adefemi Kayode, involved the renovation and remodelling of a block of the health facility, installation of a 10 kVA solar power system, and the provision of modern medical and diagnostic equipment aimed at improving healthcare delivery in the community. Speaking…

National Assembly orders urgent review, gazetting of 2025 Tax laws amid public controversy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Assembly has broken its silence on the growing public controversy surrounding the passage, presidential assent, and gazetting of four major tax-related laws signed in 2025, announcing an urgent administrative review and steps to ensure proper publication. In a statement issued on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, the Assembly’s management acknowledged widespread public commentary questioning the harmonisation process between the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as concerns over the versions of the laws assented to by the President and published in the Official…