CRIME
Insecurity: We’ve Made Progress in Tackling Challenges – Buhari
By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Nigerian military in collaboration with armed forces of neighbouring countries has made tremendous progress in the war against insurgency since the inception of his administration.
Speaking Friday at the graduation ceremony of Course 27 at the National Defence College in Abuja, President Buhari said: “This occasion affords me another opportunity to briefly reflect on the state of the Nigerian nation, particularly regarding national security.
At the inception of our first tenure in 2015, Nigeria was at a critical crossroad. The Boko Haram Group was at the height of its infamy and virtually held Nigeria hostage. It constituted a clear and present danger to our corporate existence as a nation.“After four years of gruelling work, I can report the progress that we have made in tackling the security challenges, with the combined efforts of our regional coalition partners, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, diverse government agencies, national and international development partners as well as local traditional leaders.
“We have spared no effort to rid the nation of terrorism and insurgency and associated national security and humanitarian challenges. I particularly thank the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their patriotic efforts. I also thank all our development partners and foreign governments for their invaluable contributions.”
He also restated the determination of his administration to promote national security and development: “We remain committed to promoting a vision of a secure, safe, just, peaceful, prosperous and strong nation. Indeed, we shall be employing all elements of our national and human resources to ensure security, a just society, peaceful co-existence, national unity, prosperity and sustainable development, while promoting our good standing abroad.”
The President however acknowledged that there were prevailing security matters that the administration was battling with.
“In spite of the commendable progress, the Nigerian state is still beset with some existential and fundamental challenges. The Boko Haram for instance, having lost their insurgency campaign, now factionalised and mutated into a new form of terrorist threat.
“Armed banditry and vandalism, kidnapping, pastoralist/farmers conflicts, cultism and political violence have become the new threats. Other issues such as proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, drug trafficking, drug and substance abuse and communal conflict, all add up to the security mix.
“Furthermore, the state of education, the youth bulge, unemployment, socio-political and ethno-religious divisions, fake news and hate speeches all help to quicken and compound the security challenges.”
President Buhari commended the graduands for the hard work they have put in to become worthy of the certificates they have been awarded:
“I congratulate the National Defence College Course 27 graduands and their spouses for your hard work, endurance and deserved success.
“You have gone through the crucible, you have endured short nights and long arduous days, you have passed the test of fire and today is surely your day of glory. Let me specially congratulate graduands from friendly nations for consolidating the bilateral relationships between our nations. Your participation in the course is a further testimony of our national security policy aspirations to promote international peace, friendship and cooperation.”
The Nigerian President enjoined them to see their graduation as a call to duty in the service of their countries, stressing that their nations required the newly acquired knowledge for developmental plans.
He equally praised the leadership of the National Defence College for keeping the flag flying after 27 years, training senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and strategic Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as military officers from friendly nations.
CRIME
Enugu Police Arrest 25-Year-old Man over Alleged Kidnapping, Armed Robbery
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command attached to the New Haven Division and the Distress Response Squad (DRS), on 6th December 2025 at about 6 a.m., swiftly responded to a distress call and arrested one Orlu Chukwuemeka (male, 25).
Investigations revealed that the suspect and his accomplice, who is currently at large, disguised as commercial operators of an unregistered white mini bus and abducted their female passenger in a one-chance-styled operation at Fourth Dimension, along Chime Avenue, Enugu.
During the incident, the suspects stabbed the victim, pushed her out of the moving vehicle along the same Chime Avenue, and escaped, after robbing her of an Android phone and ATM card.
Police operatives immediately trailed and intercepted them within Independence Layout, Enugu, leading to the arrest of Orlu, while the other suspect fled.Ina press statement sent by the Police public relations officer Enugu State Command, Daniel Ndukwe stated that the victim was promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention, where she regained stability and was able to positively identify the arrested suspect as part of the criminal gang.
The suspect has since been arraigned in court and remanded in custody, while intensive efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing accomplice and ensure every person involved is brought to justice.
The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, appreciates the timely support from public-spirited citizens that aided the swift arrest. He reiterates the Command’s unwavering resolve to combating violent crimes across Enugu State this festive season and beyond, urging residents to continue providing credible and timely security information.
CRIME
We Say No to killings of Christians in Nigeria – Group
By David Torough, Abuja
The Future Platform, a Nigeria-based organization headquartered in the United States, has expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks and killings of Christians in various parts of Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its President, Mr.
Austine Dafe, the group condemned the ongoing violence and called on the Nigerian government to take decisive steps to ensure the safety of all citizens.The organization cited recent incidents in Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Jigawa, Anambra, and Kaduna States, where Christian communities have come under repeated attacks, leading to loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of families.
It described the situation as deeply troubling and urged authorities to act swiftly to bring perpetrators to justice.“The government must address the root causes of these violent attacks and prioritize the protection of human life,” the statement said. “Every Nigerian, irrespective of religion, deserves to live in peace and worship freely without fear.”
The group further noted that the persistent killings have drawn international attention, with calls from the United States and Canada for urgent intervention to halt the violence.
The Future Platform appealed to Federal and State Governments, as well as religious and community leaders, to speak out against hate and intolerance while working together to promote peace, unity, and justice.
“This is a time for leadership and moral courage,” Mr. Dafe stated. “The killings must stop, and the lives of innocent Nigerians must be protected.”
CRIME
Police Arrest Seven Suspects Linked to Murder of IBBUL Student
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Following the killing of a 300 level Student of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), Abdulwahab Jafar that led to a massive protest, the State Police Command has arrested seven persons linked to the crime.
The Niger State Police Command in a Statement on Tuesday by the police public Relations officer, Wasiu Abiodun said a total of 19 persons were initially arrested, but after screening 7 were detained.
He said the breakthrough is coming almost four months after the 23yrs old was killed from wounds he sustained while been stabbed at his lodge.
“It could be recalled that on June 23, 2025 at about 3am, there was a report of an unfortunate attack on a student of the IBBUL identified as Abdulwahab Jafar 23yrs of Paiko at his lodge in the school, among other attacks leading to loss of life of the said student”
He recalled that, the incident led to other crises in Lapai community and Police tactical teams were deployed to the town through which normalcy was restored.
“However, in a follow up investigative effort of the Command, jointly carried out by TST and FID STS, a total of 19 persons were arrested in Lapai and other locations in the State based on intelligence and other information at the disposal of the Police Command
“The investigation activities were narrowed down to seven suspects for criminal conspiracy, robbery, unlawful society, internet fraud, having in possession of dangerous weapons and suspected culpable homicide “
The Command named the seven suspects as ; Idris Hamza 27yrs of Maikunkele, Suleiman Damilare 27yrs of Maikunkele, Abdulsemiu Bashir 23yrs of Lapai,Bawa Aliyu 27yrs of Suleja and Yakubu Musa – Pypa 24yrs of Maikunkele .
Others are Samson Abbah, Small 28yrs Rafin /Yanshi, Solomon Musa – Cabella 28yrs of Maitumbi.
Acvording to SP Wasiu Abiodun, based on credible intelligence, Idris Hamza and Suleiman Damilare were arrested on June 27 at Fadikpe with cannabis, charms, and local black soaps with a Toyota Corolla vehicle at one Abdullahi Ahmed a.k.a catch-up residence.
The suspects confessed to members of Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM) and further confessed to having carried out a series of cultist activities in IBBUL such as initiation of members’ e.g Jolijoli and other members.
“Their confessions led to the arrest of Abdulsemiu Basir, who is reasonably suspected to be a rival member of the group known as VIKINGS.”
He explained that, upon his arrest in Lapai at a motor park on June 29, a spot search was carried out on him, he was found in possession of 16 SIM cards, POS machine and sum of seventy-seven thousand naira.
“He claimed that he bought the SIM cards from one Audu, another member of VIKINGS presently at large, and the SIM cards were confirmed to be from stolen/robbed phones of victims”.
Bawa Aliyu, before his arrest, was said to have admitted that he was a butcher with axe in NBM Lapai while Yakubu Musa a.k.a PYPA (protect your peace) was arrested on August 14, also a member of NBM, they confirmed to have carried out several attacks and robberies in students lodges to finance their dues, with internet fraud.
Samson Abbah a.k.a Small of Rafin-Yanshi was a student of Federal Polytechnic Bida, graduated in 2017, but joined NBM in 2015, he was also mentioned as the group Admin officer of their WhatsApp platform for Minna zone.
The platform was named as “Men that matters” before he changed it to “Football News”, where they discussed their nefarious activities. Solomon Musa known as Cabella, a close friend of Bawa and Yakubu, the three of them with others attempted to attack another student in the school in August, but met his absence and destroyed the student’s apartment over an alleged rude attitude of the student to them as they claimed.
The Command said investigation is still ongoing and effort to identify either VIKINGS or NBM members responsible for the attack of the deceased is intensified, as it was established that the attack was cultists related.

