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Tinubu Acted Ahead Of Trump’s Military Threat, Reorganised Security To Protect Nigeria’s Sovereignty — Onanuga

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Tinubu Acted Ahead Of Trump’s Military Threat, Reorganised Security To Protect Nigeria’s Sovereignty — Onanuga

The Presidency has said that President Bola Tinubu anticipated and acted ahead of the emerging diplomatic tension with the United States administration of President Donald Trump, following Washington’s renewed focus on Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated on Sunday that President Tinubu’s recent reorganisation of the military hierarchy and his firm directives to newly confirmed service chiefs demonstrated foresight and a commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty against external interference.

Onanuga’s remarks came hours after President Trump suggested possible military consequences for Nigeria, shortly after designating the country as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” — a move that Abuja has since denounced as politically motivated and inaccurate.

In a post on X, Onanuga said Tinubu had “been well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America,” referencing the President’s speech during the decoration of the new service chiefs last Thursday.

“President Bola Tinubu was well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America as he told the new service chiefs on Thursday what Nigerians expect of them. No more excuses, he said. Nigerians want results,” Onanuga wrote.

He emphasised that Tinubu’s charge to the military — urging decisiveness, proactiveness, and the use of technology to counter threats — was evidence of Nigeria’s readiness to prevent both internal insecurity and external threats.

During the ceremony, Tinubu told the service chiefs:

“Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South. We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head. Nigerians expect results, not excuses.”

He added that the Federal Government would continue to provide the military with all necessary support to ensure peace and stability.

Onanuga’s statement followed mounting reactions to President Trump’s warning that the U.S. “will act with force if necessary” against nations accused of religious persecution — a remark that has been widely condemned in Nigeria as “unwarranted and intrusive.”

The Nigerian government reiterated that the country guarantees religious freedom and is actively confronting terrorism and banditry without bias to any faith group, while urging Washington to engage diplomatically rather than through threats.

US Judges Order Trump Administration To Resume Food Aid For 42 Million Americans Amid Government Shutdown

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US Judges Order Trump Administration To Resume Food Aid For 42 Million Americans Amid Government Shutdown

Two federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have ordered the Trump administration to immediately resume food assistance payments to millions of Americans, ruling that the government cannot suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the prolonged shutdown.

The courts directed the administration to tap into emergency contingency funds to ensure that over 42 million low-income Americans continue receiving monthly food aid despite the funding halt caused by the shutdown, now entering its second month.

SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, provides reloadable debit cards that help families purchase groceries. The average household of four receives about $715 monthly, or roughly $6 per person per day. Federal funding for the program has been frozen since October 1, when the budget impasse began.

In her ruling, Judge Indira Talwani of Massachusetts said the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their claim that Congress intended for SNAP to continue “at a reduced rate if necessary” when federal funds run out. She ordered the government to draw from its $6 billion emergency fund and report back by Monday on whether at least partial benefits would be issued for November.

Similarly, Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island ordered the administration to make full SNAP payments by November 3, using either the contingency fund or a separate $23 billion reserve under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935. If full payments are not possible, he instructed that partial disbursements be made by November 5.

President Donald Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, said he had asked government lawyers to seek court guidance on legally funding the program but warned of potential delays.

The shutdown — triggered by a budget standoff between Republicans and Democrats — has disrupted several federal programs and left millions uncertain about access to essential services.

Advocacy groups, including the National Parents Union, condemned the administration’s attempt to halt benefits, describing it as “a moral disgrace and a direct assault on America’s working families.”

While the rulings offer temporary relief, experts caution that the contingency fund would only sustain about 60 percent of beneficiaries for one month, underscoring the urgency of a resolution to the fiscal deadlock.

Soludo To Trump: Christians Killing Christians In South-East, Nigeria’s Crisis Not Religious

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Soludo To Trump: Christians Killing Christians In South-East, Nigeria’s Crisis Not Religious

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has faulted US President Donald Trump’s claim that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria, stressing that the country’s security challenges are not rooted in religion.

Speaking during a live media chat broadcast on several national television stations on Sunday, Soludo said the violence in the South-East was not a case of Christians versus Muslims but rather internal conflicts among people of the same faith.

“The people in the bushes are Emmanuel, Peter, John — all Christian names — and they have maimed and killed thousands of our youths. It has nothing to do with religion,” he said. “People are killing themselves, Christians killing Christians.”

Soludo maintained that if the United States intends to assist, it must do so at Nigeria’s invitation and in line with international law.

“As a country, America has its own rights to have its views about what is going on elsewhere, but its actions must also remain within the realm of international law,” he stated.

The governor dismissed Trump’s threat of military intervention as misplaced, drawing a parallel with America’s own racial tensions.

“When police officers were killing blacks in America and the #BlackLivesMatter protests erupted, should Africa have threatened to invade the US? That’s the same logic being applied here,” he said.

Soludo urged for a “deeper conversation” and a “robust diplomatic response” from the Nigerian government, describing Trump’s statement as oversimplifying a complex national issue.

“In this part of the country, we are 95 percent Christian. Nigeria’s insecurity is not about Christians and Muslims; it’s broader and more complicated,” he noted.

He added that Nigeria could seek foreign assistance in areas such as military technology and intelligence, but only through sovereign cooperation — not external threats.

“Nigeria will overcome this challenge, and it will end in dialogue, not division,” Soludo affirmed.

Gunmen Abduct Consultant Neurosurgeon In Anambra After Performing Multiple Brain Surgeries

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Gunmen Abduct Consultant Neurosurgeon In Anambra After Performing Multiple Brain Surgeries

Gunmen have abducted Dr. Tochukwu Mbanugo, a consultant neurosurgeon with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) in Nnewi, Anambra State.

According to hospital sources, Dr. Mbanugo was attacked and kidnapped around Omatha Junction, Uruagu, Nnewi, shortly after performing several complex neurosurgical operations.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare confirmed the incident in a statement signed by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, describing the abduction as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”

“His abduction occurred at the very point where he should have been safest — returning home from serving humanity,” the ministry said, adding that the kidnappers later contacted some of his colleagues using his phone.

Dr. Salako noted that the surgeon had just completed multiple life-saving procedures, including the removal of a complex brain tumour, before the attack.

The incident has been reported to the Anambra State Police Command, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, while NAUTH management and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) are collaborating with security agencies to ensure his safe release.

Salako warned that the abduction of a medical specialist represents “a direct assault on the nation’s health security and collective wellbeing,” stressing that Nigeria has fewer than 150 practising neurosurgeons for over 220 million citizens — far below the WHO benchmark of one per 100,000 people.

The Ministry condemned all attacks on health professionals and urged authorities to intensify efforts to rescue Dr. Mbanugo.

“They must be protected and respected, not harmed or hunted,” Salako said, reaffirming government solidarity with the victim’s family, NAUTH, and the medical community.

Kwankwaso Urges U.S. to Support Nigeria With Technology, Not Military Threats

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Kwankwaso Urges U.S. to Support Nigeria With Technology, Not Military Threats

Former Kano State Governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged the United States to assist Nigeria with advanced technology to combat insecurity rather than issuing military threats over alleged religious persecution.

In a post on his X handle Sunday evening, Kwankwaso said the U.S. should help strengthen Nigeria’s security capacity through “cutting-edge technologies” to track and defeat criminal networks.

“The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarise our country,” he said.

His remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” alleging a “Christian genocide.” Trump had warned that the U.S. could deploy troops to Nigeria if the killings of Christians continued.

Kwankwaso, however, cautioned against inflammatory rhetoric, stressing that Nigeria’s security challenges are not defined by religion but stem from broader issues of lawlessness across regions.

“It is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country. The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs,” he stated.

He advised the Nigerian government to adopt a diplomatic approach by appointing special envoys and permanent ambassadors to engage the U.S. government on the matter.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu’s administration dismissed Trump’s claims of a Christian genocide, affirming that Nigeria remains committed to religious freedom and constitutional democracy.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said, reiterating his government’s respect for all faiths.

Trump Hints at Possible U.S. Ground and Air Strikes in Nigeria Over Christian Killings

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Trump Hints at Possible U.S. Ground and Air Strikes in Nigeria Over Christian Killings

U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his threat of possible military action in Nigeria, warning that both ground operations and air strikes could be part of a U.S. response to what he described as widespread killings of Christians in the country.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said he had directed the Pentagon to map out a potential plan of attack in Nigeria, one day after declaring that Christianity faced “an existential threat” in Africa’s most populous nation.

“They’re killing the Christians and killing them in very large numbers. We’re not going to allow that to happen,” Trump said, adding that several military options “could be” on the table.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump warned that if Nigeria failed to stem the killings, the U.S. would strike “fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians.”

Responding, Presidential Spokesman Daniel Bwala said Nigeria remained a key U.S. partner in the global fight against terrorism and welcomed American support “as long as it respects our territorial integrity.”

Bwala downplayed Trump’s remarks, describing them as “his own style of communication,” and suggested that they could serve as a prelude to a meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Trump to discuss mutual security concerns.

He added that any differences over the nature of terrorism in Nigeria — whether faith-based or otherwise — would likely be addressed “when the two leaders meet in the coming days, either at the State House or the White House.”

Trump’s comments have drawn mixed reactions globally, as Nigeria insists that terrorist attacks in the country are not religiously motivated but rather part of a broader security challenge.

Court Halts PDP’s 2025 National Convention Over Constitutional Breaches

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Court Halts PDP’s 2025 National Convention Over Constitutional Breaches

The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the planned 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, pending compliance with the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and other statutory requirements.

In his ruling on Friday, Justice James Omotosho held that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must not recognize or give effect to any convention conducted in violation of the law or the party’s internal regulations.

“The INEC is not entitled to give effect to a convention of a party not done in accordance with the Constitution, Electoral Act, and the guidelines or regulations of political parties,” the judge ruled.

The decision followed a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members, who argued that preparations for the convention breached the party’s constitutional provisions.

The nine defendants in the case include INEC, the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.

The court’s injunction effectively halts all plans for the convention where new national officers were expected to emerge, pending further compliance and legal clarification.

King Charles Strips Prince Andrew Of Royal Titles, Evicts Him From Windsor Estate

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King Charles Strips Prince Andrew Of Royal Titles, Evicts Him From Windsor Estate

King Charles III has stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of all royal titles and ordered him to vacate his long-time residence within the Windsor Castle estate, following renewed outrage over sexual assault allegations linked to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

In a statement on Thursday, Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew will henceforth be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, adding that the King has begun formal proceedings to withdraw his remaining royal privileges.

“Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor,” the palace said. “These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”

The palace also confirmed that Andrew has been instructed to move out of his Royal Lodge residence, with plans underway for him to relocate to “alternative private accommodation.”

The decision followed public outrage after Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s principal accusers, detailed in her posthumously released memoir how she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew on multiple occasions, including when she was just 17. Giuffre died by suicide in April at age 41.

“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse,” Buckingham Palace added.

Giuffre’s family welcomed the development, describing it as “a victory” for her lifelong pursuit of justice. “Today, an ordinary American girl brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage,” the family said in a statement.

Prince Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, has consistently denied the allegations but in 2022 reached an out-of-court settlement reportedly worth millions of dollars to end Giuffre’s civil lawsuit.

Recent revelations have further fuelled public anger, including reports that Andrew paid minimal rent for his Windsor residence under a 2003 agreement with the Crown Estate, and that he once hosted Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein at the property.

With mounting pressure, the King’s decision also aligns with plans for Prince William and his family to relocate to a nearby residence, accelerating Andrew’s eviction.

It is understood that the 65-year-old will move to Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with his relocation to be privately funded by the King. His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will make separate arrangements, while their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their royal titles.

Emefiele’s Naira Redesign Inflicted Severe Hardship On Nigerians, EFCC Witness Tells Court

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Emefiele’s Naira Redesign Inflicted Severe Hardship On Nigerians, EFCC Witness Tells Court

A prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Chinelo Eneanya, has told an FCT High Court that the naira redesign policy introduced by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele caused widespread hardship for Nigerians.

Eneanya, an EFCC investigator, stated this while being led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), noting that video evidence presented in court showed citizens struggling to meet basic needs and sustain their businesses during the nationwide cash scarcity.

According to her testimony, the investigative team reviewed various forms of evidence, including documents, electronic materials, and audiovisual recordings, to assess the effects of the controversial policy.

“We looked at the documentary, electronic and audiovisual evidence of the effect of the naira redesign on the public,” Eneanya said.

The court admitted several exhibits tendered by the prosecution, including certified true copies of delivery notes, notices of meetings, bills of settlement for the redesigned naira notes (2022–2023), and six video clips produced by national television stations.

Eneanya told the court that the videos revealed widespread public frustration, highlighting how millions of Nigerians faced extreme difficulties in accessing cash for daily transactions during the redesign period.

She further disclosed that the investigation revealed that members of the CBN Board and Committee of Governors were only informed of presidential approval for the redesign after the policy had already been implemented.

“In the course of the investigation, we set out to determine how the laws on changes to the naira policy were applied or abused,” she added.

When defence counsel Olalekan Ojo (SAN) objected to the witness’s attempt to comment on the Supreme Court judgment regarding the redesign, Justice Maryanne Anenih overruled the objection, holding that the witness could testify based on documentary evidence.

Eneanya confirmed that Emefiele was interviewed by EFCC investigators, and his extra-judicial statements were tendered as part of the evidence.

The case was adjourned to November 26 to allow the defence counsel time to cross-examine the witness.

Nearly 50 Dead As Hurricane Melissa Devastates Caribbean, Heads Toward Bermuda

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Nearly 50 Dead As Hurricane Melissa Devastates Caribbean, Heads Toward Bermuda

At least 50 people have been confirmed dead as Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, tore through several Caribbean islands, leaving widespread devastation in its wake before turning toward Bermuda.

According to regional officials and the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), the Category 5 hurricane tied the 1935 record for the most intense storm to make landfall when it slammed into Jamaica on Tuesday, bringing destructive winds, torrential rainfall, and catastrophic flooding.

Jamaican Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon confirmed 19 deaths across the island, including nine in Westmoreland and eight in St. Elizabeth, two of the hardest-hit parishes. Communication and transport networks remain crippled, hindering rescue and relief efforts.

In Haiti, authorities said at least 30 people were killed, 20 injured, and 20 others reported missing, with more than 1,000 homes flooded and 16,000 people now in emergency shelters.

The storm also battered Cuba, where officials reported severe flooding, power outages, and massive infrastructural damage. More than 735,000 residents were evacuated from the eastern provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, and Guantánamo.

“Melissa killed us, because it left us destroyed,” said Felicia Correa, a resident of La Trampa near El Cobre, describing the destruction left by the storm. “We were already going through tremendous hardship. Now we are much worse off.”

The NHC reported that Melissa, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h (100 mph) as it moved toward Bermuda late Thursday, was still expected to bring life-threatening storm surges and heavy rainfall across parts of the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

According to a study by Imperial College London, human-induced climate change made the hurricane four times more likely, underscoring growing concerns about extreme weather in the Caribbean.

The United States has deployed disaster assistance and urban search-and-rescue teams to Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic, with additional personnel en route to Haiti. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was also “prepared to offer immediate humanitarian aid to the people of Cuba affected by the hurricane.”

The United Kingdom announced £2.5 million ($3.3 million) in emergency support and has begun chartering limited evacuation flights for British nationals stranded in the region.

In Jamaica, UN Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu described the damage as “tremendous and unprecedented,” citing extensive destruction of infrastructure, road networks, and communication systems.

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell warned that Hurricane Melissa was a “brutal reminder of the urgent need to step up climate action on all fronts.”

Local officials across the Caribbean say it could take weeks to assess the full scale of the destruction and years for many communities to recover.

Police Rescue 23 Foreign Kidnap Victims In Abuja, Arrest 14 Suspects

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Police Rescue 23 Foreign Kidnap Victims In Abuja, Arrest 14 Suspects

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued 23 foreign nationals and arrested 14 suspected kidnappers in a major operation that uncovered a transnational human trafficking and kidnapping ring.

According to a statement by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the intelligence-led operation was conducted by the Command’s Scorpion Squad around 8:00 p.m. on October 22, 2025, at Angwan Adamu Ruga Fulani Zone B, Riverside, Ado Mararaba in Nasarawa State.

The victims—comprising 14 men, eight women, and one child—were reportedly lured into Nigeria under the guise of lucrative job offers before being held hostage by the suspects, who demanded ransoms from their families through WhatsApp and other online platforms.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate was led by Abubakar Jigiba, described as a transnational criminal kingpin operating across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, and Nigeria. His younger brother, Sougule Zoubere, allegedly coordinated the recruitment, abduction, and smuggling of victims from Mali into Nigeria, where they were detained pending ransom payments.

Police said the victims were trafficked into the country through illegal border routes over a three-day journey and confined in two fortified two-bedroom apartments under inhumane conditions.

“Acting on actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence, operatives traced the hideout and rescued the victims unhurt, except one who sustained a minor ear injury and has been taken to the National Hospital, Abuja, for treatment,” the statement read.

Authorities said investigations are ongoing to dismantle the entire network and bring all perpetrators to justice.

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