Tag: military

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‘I found safety here,’ Tinubu recounts UK’s protection during pro-democracy struggle

President Bola Tinubu has recalled how he found refuge in the United Kingdom during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, stating that British authorities once placed his residence under police protection amid threats from agents of the military regime.

Tinubu made the remarks on Wednesday during a state banquet hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle.

In his address, the Nigerian leader expressed gratitude to the UK for its support during the years of military rule.

“Your Majesty, I wish to express Nigeria’s deep gratitude to this great nation for the refuge and support it extended during the dark years of military dictatorship.

“Like many Nigerians involved in the pro-democracy struggle, I found safety here, and I recall that my residence was placed under Metropolitan Police surveillance for protection following threats from agents of the junta,” he said.

He added that such solidarity remains significant, noting it was “deeply humbling” to return as President of a democratic Nigeria.

igeria’s pro-democracy struggle reached its peak in the 1990s following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Moshood Abiola under the regime of Ibrahim Babangida. The decision triggered widespread protests and resistance.

Repression intensified during the rule of Sani Abacha, marked by arrests, assassinations, and the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine, drawing international condemnation.

Sustained pressure from pro-democracy groups, including civil society organisations and the media, eventually paved the way for a transition to civilian rule under Abdulsalami Abubakar in 1999, ushering in the Fourth Republic with Olusegun Obasanjo as President.

The legacy of the struggle endures, notably through the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day and ongoing efforts to honour its key figures.

Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria’s current security challenges, particularly terrorism linked to instability in the Sahel, stressing the importance of continued cooperation with the UK.

“Our West African region faces complex terrorism challenges with roots in the Sahel. Nigeria carries an enormous responsibility to help safeguard regional stability.

“In confronting these threats, partnership with the United Kingdom remains essential,” he said, adding that he looked forward to meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The President further expressed confidence in the future of bilateral relations, noting that both countries share a commitment to progress, mutual respect, and common values.


He also pointed to Nigeria’s role within the Commonwealth of Nations as a platform for strengthening ties.

Reflecting on historical and institutional links, Tinubu acknowledged the influence of British legal and political traditions on Nigeria’s governance system, including its courts, parliamentary structures, and civil service.

He also praised the contributions of Nigerians in the UK, describing them as the “strongest bridge” between both nations, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, business, technology, and the arts. (Channels)

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20 killed as bandits ambush security patrol in Plateau

No fewer than 20 security operatives and vigilantes were reportedly killed when heavily armed bandits ambushed a joint patrol team in Wanka and surrounding communities of the Garga area in the Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The Kanam Development Association (KADA) disclosed this in a statement signed by its Secretary, ND Shehu Kanam, and Chairman, Garba G. Aliyu, issued on Saturday in Dengi, Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The association said the victims included 12 security personnel, among them two senior military officers, and eight vigilante members who were assisting security forces to protect the communities.

According to the statement, the patrol team—made up of military personnel and local vigilantes—was travelling in two vehicles on routine security operations across the communities of Garga, Kyaram and Gyambau when they were suddenly ambushed by hundreds of heavily armed bandits on their way to Wanka at about 2:00 p.m. on Friday.

“In the unfortunate exchange of gunfire that followed the ambush, our nation lost brave defenders who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty,” the statement read.

KADA described the deaths of the security personnel and vigilantes as “deeply painful and unacceptable,” noting that the fallen operatives died while defending rural communities that have long faced repeated attacks.

The association added that after the ambush, the bandits reportedly stormed the Kyaram community, where they looted properties worth millions of naira and rustled a large number of cattle belonging to residents.

KADA warned that the incident was not isolated, stressing that communities around Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and neighbouring settlements located along the borders of Plateau, Taraba and Bauchi states have endured persistent attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling for the past three to four years.

The association said it had previously issued several appeals to authorities over the deteriorating security situation but lamented that the crisis had continued to escalate.

It therefore called on the local, state and federal governments to urgently intervene to prevent further bloodshed in the affected communities.

Among its demands, KADA urged the immediate deployment of additional military and security personnel to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka and neighbouring communities, as well as the establishment of a permanent security presence in the border areas.

The group also called for coordinated security operations along the Plateau–Taraba–Bauchi border corridor, which it said bandits exploit due to the difficult terrain.

In addition, it appealed for relief support for affected residents, many of whom have reportedly lost homes, livestock and other sources of livelihood as a result of the attacks.

“The people of these communities are law-abiding citizens whose only desire is to live peacefully, farm their land, raise their families and contribute to the development of our nation. They cannot and must not be abandoned to the mercy of armed criminals,” the statement added.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation of the incident from security authorities were unsuccessful, as both the military and the police did not respond to calls and messages seeking confirmation as of press time.

KADA also extended condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the families of the fallen soldiers and vigilantes, and the affected communities, saying their sacrifice would not be forgotten. (Channels)

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Insecurity: DHQ confirms arrival of 100 US military trainers, equipment in Nigeria

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the arrival of 100 US military personnel and equipment in Nigeria, saying they arrived at Bauchi airfield.

Defence spokesman, Samaila Uba, in a statement on Monday, said the deployment follows a recent security agreement between Nigeria and the US.

Uba noted that the Federal Government had made a formal request to the US for assistance in terms of military training, technical support, and intelligence sharing with the members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“The collaboration will provide access to specialised technical capabilities aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to deter terrorists’ threats and enhance the protection of vulnerable communities across the country,” the statement reads.

Uba said the US personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory and training capacity.

Noting that the US personnel are not combat forces, the defence spokesman noted that all training activities will be conducted under the authority, direction and control of the federal government and in close coordination with the Nigerian military.

Uba said Nigerian troops, alongside the US trainers, will commence a series of joint training engagements and intelligence-focused cooperation initiatives in the coming days.

“These activities are designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian troops to effectively identify and neutralize extremist terrorist groups seeking to destabilize the nation,” he added.

Uba said the military remains fully committed to degrading and defeating terrorist groups that threaten the country’s sovereignty, national security, and the safety of its citizens.

He also assured Nigerians of continued transparency and the provision of clear, accurate, and timely information regarding the military cooperation efforts.

The deployment comes after months of mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has strongly criticised Nigeria’s government for what he describes as its failure to adequately protect Christians from deadly attacks carried out by Islamist militants and armed groups.

He declared Nigeria a country of particular concern (CPC). But the Nigerian government has since rejected Trump’s claim, insisting that violence in the country affects people of all faiths and not only Christians.

Trump ordered airstrikes in Nigeria on Christmas Day, saying they targeted Islamic State terrorists in the North-west who are responsible for killing Christians.

He and Nigerian authorities later confirmed that the action was a collaborative effort.

Following discussions with Nigerian authorities in Abuja, the head of US Africa Command, General Dagvin Anderson, confirmed that a small team of US military officers was in Nigeria, focused on intelligence support.

Critics questioned the move, which they claim undermines Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

However, the DHQ clarified that the partnership with the US primarily focuses on capacity building, professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support, and strategic dialogue.

According to Uba, all engagements with the US are done with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and existing bilateral frameworks.

Nigeria is facing a protracted fight with dozens of local armed groups increasingly battling for turf, including the homegrown Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the ISIL affiliate in West Africa Province (ISWAP).

There is also the ISIL-linked Lakurawa, as well as other “bandit” groups that specialise in kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining.

Several thousand people in Nigeria have been killed, according to data from the United Nations. (Channels)

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Takaichi says U.S.-Japan alliance would collapse if Tokyo ignored Taiwan crisis

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the alliance between Tokyo and Washington would collapse if Japan failed to act in the event of an attack on the U.S. military during a conflict in Taiwan.

Detailing the Japanese response to a hypothetical Taiwan crisis, Takaichi appeared to dial back on her remarks in November that suggested Tokyo could intervene militarily during a potential attack on the island.

That comment provoked the ire of Beijing, which regards the democratic island as its own territory.

Ahead of a snap election in February, Takaichi was asked during a news program Monday about her remarks in November that suggested Tokyo could intervene militarily during a potential attack on Taiwan.

Takaichi pointed out that in the event of conflict, Japan and the United States might jointly conduct an evacuation operation to rescue Japanese and American nationals.

“If the U.S. military, acting jointly with Japan, comes under attack and Japan does nothing and runs home, the Japan-U.S. alliance will collapse,” she said on the TV Asahi program.

“If something serious happens there, we would have to go to rescue the Japanese and American citizens in Taiwan. In that situation, there may be cases where Japan and the U.S. take joint action,” the prime minister said.

She added: “We will respond strictly within the bounds of the law, making a comprehensive judgment based on the circumstances.”

In the wake of Takaichi’s comments in November, China has discouraged its nationals from traveling to Japan, citing deteriorating public security and criminal acts against Chinese nationals in the country.

Beijing is reportedly also choking off exports to Japan of rare-earth products crucial for making everything from electric cars to missiles. (JapanToday)

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Across Nigeria, governors urge support for armed forces on remembrance day

As Nigeria marked the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, governors across the country paid tribute to fallen heroes, commended serving and retired personnel, and called for strengthened support for the nation’s military.

In Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal, represented by Secretary to the State Government Malam Abubakar Nakwada, assured security agencies of the state government’s unwavering cooperation in discharging their duties. Speaking at the ceremony held at the Domestic Trade Fair Centre in Gusau, Lawal pledged to improve logistics, welfare, and intelligence-driven strategies aimed at safeguarding lives and property.

Highlighting the sacrifices of security personnel in restoring peace to communities, he said, “Many brave sons and daughters have paid the ultimate price in the course of ensuring stability. Today, we salute their courage and reaffirm our collective resolve to build a safer and more prosperous Zamfara State.”

He further commended the fallen heroes of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and other security agencies, pledging continued government support for initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of their families.

In Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri urged corporate organisations and private individuals to support Nigeria’s armed forces through contributions and partnerships, citing the need to enhance conditions of service. The governor made the call during the remembrance ceremony at Peace Park, Yenagoa.

Paying tribute to serving, retired, and fallen soldiers, Diri stressed that “the Armed Forces are the bedrock of national security. Without them, the very fabric of our country would be torn apart.” He also highlighted his administration’s recent completion and handover of residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele and invited the Armed Forces to collaborate with the state on agricultural initiatives to boost food security and sustainable livelihoods.

The ceremony featured wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by Governor Diri, the Speaker of the State Assembly, service commanders, representatives of widows, and traditional leaders.

In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s security architecture during the ceremony at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. He emphasized the importance of security for economic growth and social stability, assuring that his government would continue to work closely with security agencies to protect lives and property.

Makinde also announced plans to implement a welfare scheme for the families of five forest guards recently killed at the Old Oyo National Park, describing them as heroes who died in service. He commended security personnel for their professionalism and dedication, assuring residents that their welfare and operational needs would remain a priority.

The Commandant-General and Chairman of the Nigerian Legion in Oyo State, Julius Alabi, lauded both federal and state governments for improving welfare for ex-servicemen and urged sustained support for families of fallen heroes to preserve their legacy.

Across all states, the remembrance events underscored the sacrifices of Nigeria’s armed forces and the continued responsibility of government, communities, and private citizens to support their welfare. The ceremonies combined solemn tributes with public reflection on the courage and dedication of men and women who risk their lives to ensure national security. (Vanguard)

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Explosion rocks crowded mosque in Nigeria, killing at least five

An explosion has ripped through a mosque in northeastern Nigeria as worshippers gathered for their evening prayers, killing at least five people and wounding dozens more, police said.

The blast took place at about 6pm on Wednesday (17:00 GMT) in the city of Maiduguri in Borno State, witnesses told the media.

Police said five people died and 35 were injured in the attack, which it said is likely a suicide attack.

“Preliminary investigations further suggest that the incident may have been a suicide bombing, based on the recovery of fragments of a suspected suicide vest and witness statements recorded, while investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause and circumstances,” Nahum Daso, spokesperson for Borno state police command, said in a statement.

Daso said police were conducting a sweep of the area in Maiduguri’s Gamboru market in search of secondary devices.

Mosque leader Malam Abuna Yusuf earlier told the AFP news agency that at least eight people had died in the attack, while a militia leader, Babakura Kolo, put the figure at seven.

Another witness, Musa Yusha’u, told AFP that he saw “many victims being taken away for medical treatment”.

The cause of the blast was not immediately known, but it occurred ‍in a ⁠city that has been at the heart of an armed rebellion waged by Boko Haram and ISIL’s (ISIS) offshoot in the region, the Islamic State West Africa Province, for nearly two decades.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the use of suicide bombers has been heavily attributed to Boko Haram.

The conflict in northeast Nigeria has killed at least 40,000 people and displaced about two million from their homes since 2009, according to the United Nations.

Though the violence has waned since its peak about a decade ago, it has spilt into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

Concerns are also growing about a resurgence of violence in parts of the northeast, where armed groups remain capable of mounting deadly attacks despite years of sustained military operations.

Maiduguri itself – once the scene of nightly gun battles and bombings – has been calm in recent years, with the last major attack recorded in 2021. (AlJazeera)

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Trump says US launched strike against ISIL in northwest Nigeria

The United ‍States ‍says that it has carried out an air strike against ISIL (ISIS) fighters in northwest Nigeria that residents say caused buildings to shake and the sky to glow red.

“Tonight, ⁠at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and ​deadly strike ‌against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria,” ‌President Donald Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday evening.

Trump, who has previously threatened greater US intervention in Nigeria over dubious claims that a “genocide” of Christians is taking place there, said ISIL fighters had been “viciously” killing and targeting Christians at levels unseen for “centuries”.

“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” Trump said.

The US military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM), which is responsible for operations in Africa, said in a post on X that the air strike was carried out “at the request of Nigerian authorities” and had killed “multiple ISIS terrorists”.

Residents of Jabo have said that the strikes caused alarm and that their village has never experienced an attack by ISIL.

“As it approached our area, the heat became intense,” Abubakar Sani, who lives just a few houses from the scene of the explosion, told the news service Associated Press.

“Our rooms began to shake, and then fire broke out,” he said. “The Nigerian government should take appropriate measures to protect us as citizens. We have never experienced anything like this before.”

Another resident, 40-year-old farmer Sanusi Madabo, said that the attacks made the night sky glow red and appear “almost like daytime”.

“Grateful for Nigerian government support and cooperation,” US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wrote on social media, warning also of “more to come”, without providing details.

In a statement, AFRICOM said the strike occurred in “Soboto state,” an apparent reference to Nigeria’s Sokoto State.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Yussuf Tuggar confirmed on Friday that the strike had been carried out in coordination with the country’s authorities, but said it was not aimed at targeting members of any particular religious community.

“Nigeria is a multi-religious country, and we’re working with partners like the US to fight terrorism and protect lives and property,” Tuggar told Nigeria’s Channels Television.

The US military action comes weeks after Trump said he had ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria following claims of Christian persecution in the country.

Nigeria’s government had dismissed Trump’s assertions, saying armed groups target both Muslim and Christian communities in the country, and US claims that Christians face persecution ‌do not represent a complex security situation and ignore efforts by Nigerian authorities to safeguard religious freedom.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement shortly after Trump announced the US strike, confirming early on Friday that Nigerian authorities were “engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism”. (AlJazeera)

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Supreme Court rejects Trump’s military deployment in Chicago area, for now

The U.S. Supreme Court refused on Tuesday to let Donald Trump send National Guard troops to the Chicago area as the Republican president expands the use of the military for domestic purposes in a growing number of Democratic-led jurisdictions, a ‌policy critics call an effort to punish adversaries and stifle dissent.

The justices denied the Justice Department’s request to lift a judge’s order that has blocked the deployment of hundreds of National Guard personnel in a legal challenge brought by Illinois state officials and local leaders. The department had asked to allow the deployment while the litigation plays out.

The ⁠National Guard serves as state-based militia forces that answer to state governors except when called into federal service ‍by the president.

Trump ordered troops to Chicago, the third-largest U.S. city, and to Portland, Oregon, following his earlier ‍deployments to Los Angeles, Memphis and ‍Washington, DC.

The case has been characterized by starkly different portrayals of the protests against Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement in and around Chicago.

Trump and his ⁠allies have described Democratic-led cities as lawless, crime-ravaged and plagued with vast, violent protests. His administration has said troops are needed to protect federal property and personnel.

Democratic mayors and governors, along with other Trump critics, have said these claims ​are a false account of the situation and a pretext for sending troops, accusing Trump of abusing his power.

Federal judges have expressed skepticism over the administration’s dire view of protests that local law enforcement officials have called limited in size, largely peaceful and manageable by their own forces – far from the “war zone” conditions described by Trump.

Trump has relied on a law that lets a president deploy state National Guard troops to suppress a rebellion, repel an invasion or if he is “unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the ⁠United States.”

Illinois and Chicago sued after the administration federalized 300 Illinois National Guard troops and also ordered Texas National Guard troops into the state, calling the actions unlawful. Officials have since announced the administration was sending home hundreds of National Guard troops who were dispatched to Portland from California, and to Chicago from Texas.

Chicago-based U.S. District Judge April Perry temporarily blocked the move on October 9, finding that the claims of violence during protests at an immigration facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Illinois, where a small group of demonstrators had gathered daily for weeks, were unreliable.

Perry, an appointee of Democratic former President Joe Biden, found that there was no evidence of rebellion or that the law was not being enforced, faulting officials for “equating protests with riots and a lack of appreciation for the wide spectrum that exists between citizens who are observing, questioning and criticizing their government, and those who are obstructing, assaulting or doing violence.”

A National Guard deployment would “only add fuel to the fire,” Perry said.

A three-judge panel of the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to lift Perry’s order blocking the deployment, concluding that “the facts do not justify the president’s actions in Illinois.” Two of the three judges were appointed by Republican presidents, including one by ​Trump.

The Justice Department told the Supreme Court that the assessment by local officials of the protests was “implausibly rosy,” and that federal agents “have been forced to operate under the constant threat of mob violence.”

Lawyers for Illinois and Chicago told the justices that the local protests have “never hindered ⁠the continued operation” of the Broadview facility, and that state and local authorities have responded to every request for assistance and contained any sporadic disruption.

Officials from Portland and Oregon are pursuing a separate legal challenge to Trump’s planned deployment to that city. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, permanently blocked that deployment in a November 7 ruling. The ‍administration has appealed that ruling.

The Supreme Court in October asked the administration as well as Illinois and Chicago to provide written arguments over ‌how to interpret the words “regular forces” in the law ‌at issue in the case.

In an October 10 written ruling, Perry said ‍that historical sources indicate that “regular forces” means only members regularly enlisted in the military, including the Army and Navy, as opposed to the National Guard.

Trump’s administration “made no attempt to rely ‌on the regular forces before resorting to federalization of the National Guard,” Perry said, adding that there are ‍other limits on the use of the military for domestic law enforcement purposes.

The administration repeatedly has sought the Supreme Court’s intervention to allow implementation of Trump policies impeded by lower courts. The Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, has sided with the administration in almost every case that it has been called upon to review since Trump returned to the presidency in January. (JapanToday)

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Tinubu, NASS, Wike pledge N320m to support Nigerian Legion on Armed Forces Remembrance Day

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday donated N200 million to the Nigerian Legion, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military personnel, injured officers, and the families of fallen heroes.

The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, contributed N100 million on behalf of the National Assembly, while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, donated N20 million.

The donations were made at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem Appeal launch held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. During the ceremony, President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Senate President, the Deputy Speaker, and service chiefs were decorated with the remembrance poppy by the Chairman of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion, Morenike Grace Henry.

President Tinubu urged government institutions, businesses, and public-spirited individuals to donate generously to the legion, which caters to retirees and widows of fallen military heroes.

“As a grateful nation, we must honour the fallen, support the wounded, and care for all who answered the call to serve,” the President said. “Armed Forces Remembrance Day, marked every 15th of January, is a reminder of the call to peace and the importance of unity.”

He commended the Armed Forces for their courage in securing communities, noting that tens of thousands of insurgents have surrendered, key terrorist leaders neutralised, and many captives freed. He also highlighted improved maritime security, including reductions in oil theft, piracy, and illegal fishing, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equipping and motivating the military.

President Tinubu added that his government has enhanced allowances, upgraded barracks, strengthened healthcare services, expanded the Defence Health Maintenance Services Limited, and modernised pensions verifications through BVN and NIN integration.

Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, described the emblem as a symbol of support for fallen heroes and their families, thanking the President for improving military welfare and resources.

“When we wear this emblem, we say to our veterans, Nigeria remembers you,” Oluyede said. “When we support the appeal fund, we affirm that Nigeria cares. When we stand together today, we declare that Nigeria will never abandon those who serve in her name.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, said the Remembrance Day honours the bravery and sacrifice of men and women who gave their lives defending the nation. He commended the President for enabling the reopening of schools, markets, and communities in formerly conflict-affected areas, noting that these restored moments are “victories that often go unsung but remain deeply felt across our nation.”

Armed Forces Remembrance Day is observed annually on January 15 to honour fallen soldiers and recognise living veterans. (Vanguard)

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Tinubu orders Police to recruit more officers

President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency in response to escalating insecurity across the country, directing the military and police to immediately recruit additional personnel.

Under the new directive, the Nigeria Police Force is to recruit 20,000 additional officers, raising the total approved recruitment figure to 50,000. The president also authorised the temporary use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as police training depots, complementing the ongoing upgrade of police training facilities nationwide.

Tinubu further ordered that officers withdrawn from VIP security duties undergo accelerated retraining before deployment to security-challenged areas.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has also been instructed to deploy all trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits operating from forested areas. The agency is to recruit additional personnel to strengthen security across these locations.

The President commended security agencies for their coordinated efforts that led to the rescue of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers in Kwara State.

He urged them to sustain momentum in rescuing the remaining abducted students of a catholic school in Niger State and other citizens still in captivity.

Tinubu warned that there must be “no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence,” promising full federal support to ensure operational success.

Tinubu called on the National Assembly to commence legislative reviews enabling states that seek to establish state police to do so.

On education and religious gatherings, the President advised states to reconsider operating boarding schools in remote, unsecured areas and urged mosques and churches in vulnerable locations to prioritise security and work with law enforcement.

Addressing herder farmer conflicts, Tinubu emphasised that the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development aims to end recurring clashes.

He urged herder associations to embrace ranching, discontinue open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons, noting that the federal and state governments will collaborate to implement lasting solutions.

The President expressed condolences to families affected by recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara states. He also paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

He urged Nigerians to remain resilient, avoid fear and despair, and stand united to defend the nation’s freedom and values, assuring that his administration remains committed to national unity and peaceful coexistence. (RadioNigeria)