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Anti-terrorism Group Lauds Buhari, Military Counter Insurgency Efforts

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By Olufemi Lawson Akindele

As the Federal government intensifies its efforts towards finding a lasting solution to the insurgencies and violent clashes in some part of the country, an amalgamation of 42 Civil Society anti-terrorism campaign groups under the auspices of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups against Terrorism in Nigeria, has lauded the effort of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in achieving noticeable landmarks in the war against terrorism and other violent activities across the country.

The group stated this in Lagos today, while releasing its quarterly report for the first quarter of year 2018, which reviewed the progress of the war against Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast and incidents of farmers/herders clashes in the North central part of the country.

Speaking at the presentation of the reports to the general public, Convener of the Coalition, Comrade Odeyemi Oladimeji, commended President Buhari for the untiring commitment towards ensuring the security of lives and properties of Nigerians, and the commitment of his administration towards promoting peace and national cohesion.

Commenting on the report, on the performance of the Nigerian Military, the Coalition lauded the neutrality of the military in the conduct of its operations, while specially appreciating officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their patriotism and professionalism, in the line of discharge of their duties.

The report took a swipe at those it described at political ‘Boko Haram’, whom it accused of emboldening the activities of the remnants of the now decimated Boko Haram terrorist group, through their utterances, mostly politically motivated statements, aimed at destabilizing the incumbent administration.

The report also frowned at situations where some states chief executives have failed to take appropriate actions to promote peace among ethnic nationalities in their states. The group also condemn the activities of some state governments arming militias who are culpable in most of these heinous crimes.

The group said it carried out independent assessment of the security situation in selected states of the Northeast and the north central, where it assessed issues of clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

It said its investigation revealed that many of those clashes have become escalated due to the inability of some governors, particularly of Benue and Taraba States, to separate the sanctity of lives of their citizens from politics, thereby rather than cooperating with the security agencies resorted to sponsoring and recruiting armed militias in their states.

The report also noted that some desperate politicians have been exploiting the security situation in those areas as a cash cow to further exploit their people rather than take steps to mitigate the crisis in order to derive both political and financial benefits.

The group further stated that against the erroneous impression being created by certain persons in the country, it discovered that the federal government has ensured a consistent deployment of the military and other security agencies in the crisis areas across the states assessed.

These deployments, it said, have yielded commendable gains of restoring peace and orderliness with the arrest and neutralization of several criminal elements responsible for the violent clashes being witnessed in the affected areas.

“We want to specially acknowledge the impact of the various intervention activities of the Nigerian Army, which include but not limited to the Operations Python Dance, Ayam Akpatuma, Lafiya Dole in the troubled parts of the country, which has led to great improvement in the security and stability for the development in those areas.”

On the alleged connivance between suspected herdsmen militias and the Nigerian soldiers in some states where there have been violent attacks on communities, the group said its finding showed that only criminal elements and their agents in power who nurse the ambition of using the military for personal duties and were rebuffed, nurse such conspiracy theories in their reasoning.

It advised Nigerians to disregard such beliefs, as it only existed in the imaginations of the accusers of the Nigerian Military.

The report demanded thorough action from the federal government in ensuring that the armed militias operating across several parts of the country are immediately disarmed and arms thoroughly mopped up, since all indications have shown that some highly placed individuals have continued to thwart efforts by the Nigerian military to mop up these criminal elements.

It also condemned some politicians, who have consistently linked the Nigerian military with inability of the government to arrest the ugly situations.

In conclusion, the group urged the military to increase its presence and sustain its various special military exercises in the troubled parts of the country, especially those areas where ‘ethnic champions’ and criminal elements have continued to create tensions.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today

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Abuja Night of Glory

By Blaise Udunze

Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.

The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.

Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.

Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.

The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.

Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.

Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.

Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.

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Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC

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rivers speaker Martin Amaewhule defect

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.

This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.

The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.

This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.

A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.

Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.

It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.

Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN

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energy sector

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.

The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.

Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.

According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.

“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.

He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.

Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.

He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.

“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.

On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.

“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.

He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.

Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.

He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.

“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.

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