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JUST IN: Trump, UK Government Told To Issue Travel Ban on Top Nigerian Governor
A civil society organisation, The Concerned Citizens of Nigeria (CCN), has petitioned US, UK to impose a travel ban and asset freeze on Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal
Group accused Lawal of complicity, citing his own admissions of knowing bandits’ identities yet failing to act
CCN urged global action, asking the US, UK, EU, and Commonwealth to deny him entry, freeze assets, and send a strong message against leaders linked to terror.

The group said the reason for the call boils down to what it described as his failure to end terrorism and banditry in the state
Recall that Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state declared that he could end banditry in the state within two months. The governor said this can only happen if given full control over security agencies.
In a petition dated 16 September 2025, signed by Dr Emmanuel Agabi, Executive Secretary of CCN, the group alleged that Governor Lawal’s inability to act, despite claims of having intelligence on bandits and terrorists, amounted to “incompetence and complicity.”
The petition cited by Legit on Wednesday, September 17, urged both the US and UK governments not only to deny the governor entry into their territories but also to freeze all assets linked to him. “If he has an iota of shame in him and he is truly powerless as he claims, then honour should have compelled him to resign,” Dr Agabi said.
The CCN argued that sanctioning Governor Lawal would be in line with international precedents where leaders complicit in terrorism were penalised.
“Not acting on Dauda Lawal would send a message around the world that the lives of Nigerian citizens are cheaper, and that their suffering is negotiable,” the petition read.
The organisation further called for collaboration with European Union allies and the Commonwealth to extend restrictions, saying democratic societies must not harbour leaders with alleged links to terrorism.
“Silence in this matter would be complicity. It would embolden other leaders to treat terrorism as a bargaining chip in political machinations,” Dr Agabi stated.
The petition accused the governor of admitting he knew the identities and locations of bandits but failed to act.
Dr Agabi concluded by urging swift action to send a message to leaders worldwide.
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What We Discussed With Tinubu On Trump’s Threats- Tinubu Minister
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that Nigeria will emerge stronger amid recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump, assuring that his administration is addressing the matter “with seriousness and depth.”
Naija News reports that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Tuesday after a routine meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Idris said the President remained calm and focused, adopting a multi-pronged diplomatic strategy to manage Washington’s concerns through dialogue, coordination, and transparency.
The minister said, “Of course, the issue of the U.S. threats came up, and we discussed that extensively with Mr President.
He is calm and looking for ways to ensure that the international community understands what Nigeria has been doing. Only two weeks ago, Mr President reinvigorated the hierarchy of the Armed Forces with the appointment of new service chiefs. These were steps already taken before the U.S. concerns, showing that he has been working assiduously to keep Nigeria safer for all.”
He explained that the government prefers constructive engagement over inflammatory rhetoric, noting that new communication channels have been opened with international organisations to foster a better understanding of Nigeria’s security reforms.
The minister revealed that President Tinubu has continued to meet with Christian and Muslim leaders to strengthen national unity and counter divisive narratives.
It is a multiple approach. Mr President has been meeting with religious leaders and will continue to do so because they are important stakeholders in the Nigerian project,” Idris said.
He added that relevant government agencies are actively working to address both domestic and international concerns through sustained dialogue and collaboration.
Idris strongly refuted claims of religious persecution in Nigeria, describing such allegations as “absolutely false.”
He further stated, “For us to be characterized as a country that is intolerant of religion is absolutely false. What we have are extremists trying to divide the country.
“Nigerians must look deeper and reflect on our unity. This is not the time for division or rhetoric but a time for nation-building.”
He assured that all relevant authorities are handling the situation “with the depth it requires,” adding that President Tinubu remains composed and determined to safeguard Nigeria’s image globally.
Trump had on Saturday threatened military action against Nigeria over the alleged killings of Christians.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the U.S. President said he had directed the Department of War to “prepare for possible action” and warned that the United States would immediately cut off all aid to Nigeria “if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians.”
The minister reaffirmed that President Tinubu will continue active engagement with the U.S., regional, and continental bodies to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism and correcting misconceptions about Nigeria.
Mr President is calm and taking the issue seriously. All relevant authorities are addressing it with the depth it requires, and we believe Nigeria will come out stronger,” Idris said.
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Issa-Onilu: FG Used N100bn Recovered Funds For Student Loan, Credit Schemes
Lanre Issa-Onilu, director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), says about N100 billion recovered from corruption cases has been reinvested by the federal government into the student loan and consumer credit schemes.
Issa-Onilu spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the October edition of the joint security press briefing — an inter-agency update on security, anti-corruption, and public communication.
He said the reinvestment reflects the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that funds recovered from corruption directly improve the lives of citizens through social and economic programmes.
“Every kobo recovered from corruption must work for the people — funding education, credit, and health reforms rather than lying idle,” Issa-Onilu said.
The NOA DG also gave updates on the performance of the country’s security and anti-corruption agencies in October, noting a marked improvement in inter-agency collaboration and measurable progress in transparency and accountability.
He said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) received 44 petitions in October, concluded 15 investigations, and secured two convictions, recovering N840 million and $919,000.
Under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede, he said, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered an estimated N566.3 billion and $411.6 million between 2023 and 2025, with 1,502 properties forfeited to the federal government.
According to Issa-Onilu, part of these recoveries is now being channelled to fund reforms that directly impact ordinary Nigerians, particularly in education and access to credit.
The government acknowledges the sacrifices of our security forces and reaffirms that data-driven collaboration and citizen intelligence are central to sustaining national peace and safety,” he said.
He added that the government’s “whole-of-government” approach — integrating intelligence, enforcement, and civic participation — was helping to build trust and enhance transparency.
Issa-Onilu also noted that the proactive use of both human and digital intelligence strengthened security responses, leading to a reduction in fatalities from violent crimes across the country.
The NOA DG said October recorded a 12 percent drop in fatalities, from 210 in September to 185, while arrests of major suspects rose by 33 percent and rescues of abducted victims increased by 40 percent.
He said the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) seized over 70 containers of counterfeit goods, while the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) dismantled 14 drug syndicates, arrested 1,378 suspects, and secured 251 convictions.
According to him, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) rescued 76 victims of human trafficking and processed 15,000 visa applications under its new digital system, while the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recorded an 11 percent reduction in fatal crashes.
Issa-Onilu said the NOA reached about 32 million citizens between August and October through television, radio, and digital platforms to promote civic awareness, public accountability, and national unity.
Accurate information saves lives; misinformation costs them,” he said, urging Nigerians to verify information before sharing and to report suspicious activities to relevant authorities.
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China Warns Against Interference In Nigeria’s Affairs After US Threat Of Military Action
China says it firmly supports the Nigerian government as it “leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions”.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Beijing, Mao Ning, spokesperson of China’s foreign ministry, said “as Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force”.
Ning was answering a question on US President Donald Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
She also responded to the report that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is seeking military equipment from China, Russia, and Iran to prepare for possible attacks by the US.
China has a clear-cut stance on the US cracking down on so-called ‘drug cartels’ by force in the Caribbean Sea,” Ming said.
“China supports the effort of combating cross-border crimes through stronger international cooperation, and opposes using or threatening to use force in international relations
We stand against moves that undermine peace and stability in the Latin America and the Caribbean region, and oppose unilateral and excessive ‘enforcement operations’ against other countries’ vessels. We hope the U.S. will engage in normal law enforcement and judicial cooperation through bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks.”
Trump warned the Nigerian government to act fast to end the “killing of Christians” in the country.
He had also called Nigeria a “disgraced country”.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing’, to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” the US leader said.
I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action.
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
The Nigerian government has repeatedly baulked at claims of a Christian genocide in the country.
In a riposte to Trump’s redesignation, President Bola Tinubu said: “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.
Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”
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