CAN Reveals It Has Not Been Officially Notified About Release Of 100 Abducted Niger State Students

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has clarified that it has not received any official confirmation about the reported release of 100 students abducted in Niger State. Bishop Bulus Yohanna, Chairman of CAN’s Niger State chapter, said in a statement on Monday that while news of the children’s freedom would be welcomed, the association has yet to receive any formal update on their whereabouts. “It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released. We have been praying and waiting for their return. If it is true, then it is cheering news. However, we are not officially aware and have not been duly notified. We hope and pray it’s true and will be looking forward to when the remaining will be released,” the statement read. The students were abducted on November 21, 2025, when bandits attacked St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in the remote community of Papiri, taking 315 people—303 students and 12 teachers. Fifty pupils managed to escape the same day and were reunited with their families. Last week, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu visited the school, assuring authorities and parents that the children were safe and would soon be returned. Commenting on the reported release on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, retired Major General John Enenche, a former director of media operations at the Defence Headquarters, praised the Federal Government and security agencies for their efforts. “My take is that the government and the security agencies have done a lot, and I believe that Nigerians will be happy for this. I can tell you that it is not easy, whichever way or means were used to get these children out,” Enenche said.

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Oluremi Tinubu Threatens To Switch Off Governor Adeleke’s Microphone Over Singing At Public Event

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, sparked reactions after she warned Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke over prolonged singing during a public event in Ile-Ife. The incident occurred on Sunday during Mrs. Tinubu’s installation as Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua. A video trending on social media shows Governor Adeleke singing worship songs while delivering a speech. At one point, the First Lady approached the stage and cautioned him to finish, signaling that she could switch off the microphone if he continued. She was seen mouthing words that read: “I give you five minutes to conclude your speech, enough with the music, or I will switch off the microphone.” The encounter has sparked debate online, with many questioning the appropriateness of verbally warning a governor at a public ceremony. Some users described the intervention as heavy-handed, while others saw it as a straightforward way to manage the event’s schedule. Social media continues to buzz with discussions over the incident, with reactions ranging from amusement to criticism of the First Lady’s conduct. Between Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, at an event yesterday in Osun State👀👀 pic.twitter.com/vzj85CDFjc — CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) December 8, 2025

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Court Rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s Ex Parte Bid For Transfer From Sokoto Prison

The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to consider an application filed by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking an immediate transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Facility to a custodial centre closer to the court. Kanu had approached the court through an ex parte motion, asking that he be moved either to Suleja or Keffi custodial centres to enable him pursue his appeal more effectively. The application was brought by a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Demdoo Asan. However, Justice James Omotosho ruled that such a request could not be granted without hearing from the respondents — the Federal Government and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The judge held that since the order sought would directly affect the agencies, they must first be properly notified and given the opportunity to respond. While reviewing the application, the judge specifically questioned the use of the word “compel” in the relief seeking to force the government and the correctional service to transfer Kanu. Following this, the lawyer agreed to withdraw that part of the request, and the court formally struck it out. Justice Omotosho also queried why the application was brought as an ex parte motion when judgment in the matter had earlier been delivered in the presence of both parties. The judge stressed that even a law school student should know such an application must be brought on notice. Asan admitted that the respondents ought to be served and heard before any decision could be made. He explained that he had only just taken over the case on instruction from his superiors while he was on leave. The court further discovered that Kanu’s notice of appeal was filed on November 10, before the judgment was delivered on November 20, making it ineffective. Based on this, Justice Omotosho held that there was no valid notice of appeal before the court. The case was subsequently adjourned to January 27, 2026, to allow Kanu to properly serve the relevant parties and regularise his application.

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Regina Daniels’ Mother, Rita Daniels Loses AGN Presidency To Abubakar Yakubu

Rita Daniels, mother of Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, has failed in her attempt to become the next president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). The election, held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, saw the guild’s current National Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu, clinch the top position, taking over from outgoing president Emeka Rollas. Although Daniels was widely regarded as a leading contender, she was defeated in the poll, a result that has sparked varied reactions online. Many social media users suggested that the outcome was not entirely surprising, citing internal political dynamics and past controversies within the guild as contributing factors.

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Davido Shows Off ₦200 Million “His And Hers” Watches With Wife

Davido has once again caught attention on social media after showing off a pair of ultra-luxury wristwatches belonging to himself and his wife. The singer revealed his Flying Tourbillon Grande Date Maserati MSG Racing Hybrid Limited Edition watch, reportedly worth about £74,250, estimated at roughly ₦150 million. Beside it was his wife’s stunning Franck Muller Color Dreams Diamond watch, valued at around £25,000, about ₦50 million. Sharing a photo of both luxury pieces on his Instagram story, Davido kept it simple and affectionate with the caption: “His n Hers 🥰”. The post quickly drew reactions from fans and followers, many of whom admired the couple’s love for fine luxury and their stylish display of wealth.

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US Lawmaker Riley Moore Calls Nigeria Visit “Very Productive” Amid Security And Counter-Terrorism Talks

US House of Representatives member Riley Moore has described his recent visit to Nigeria as “very productive,” highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts related to the country’s “Country of Particular Concern” designation by former US President Donald Trump. Posting on X on Sunday, Moore wrote, “I came to Nigeria in the name of the Lord and on behalf of the American people. Just ending a very productive visit to Nigeria and rounds of meetings. More details to come. Happy Sunday. God is Great!” While he did not provide immediate specifics about the purpose of his trip or the Nigerian officials he met, Moore promised to share further insights in the coming days. Earlier, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu confirmed that he hosted the US Congressional delegation as part of ongoing security consultations between Nigeria and the United States. Ribadu explained that the visit followed prior discussions in Washington, D.C., centered on mutual security interests. “This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities,” Ribadu said on his official X account. He added that US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, attended the meeting, emphasizing that it underscored the importance both nations attach to security cooperation. Discussions reportedly focused on counter-terrorism, regional stability, and ways to strengthen the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States. “I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to peace and security,” Ribadu added. According to previous reports, Moore met with a senior Nigerian delegation led by Ribadu to discuss concerns over rising attacks on Christians and the growing threat of terrorism in the country. The lawmaker had first confirmed the high-level meeting in Washington, D.C., via a statement on his X page.

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Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas To Officially Join APC In January 2026

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Ibrahim Tukur, has confirmed that Governor Agbu Kefas will formally join the party in January 2026. Governor Kefas had initially planned to defect on November 19 but postponed the move following the kidnapping of students in Kebbi State, saying it would be inappropriate to hold political events amid a national security crisis. Speaking at a press conference in Jalingo on Sunday, Tukur revealed that the governor had already completed his registration at the ward level, but the public ceremony will not take place this month. “December is full of activities. We don’t want people travelling across the state while families are busy preparing for Christmas and New Year,” he explained. Tukur added that Governor Kefas had met all the requirements to become an APC member. “The governor wrote to his ward executives, and they have accepted him. As far as our records show, he is now a full member of the APC,” he said. He also announced that 15 members of the Taraba State House of Assembly, along with all members of the state executive council, have joined the party. “What is happening is a natural political shift. Many key stakeholders have followed the governor, and more are expected. There is no cause for concern,” Tukur noted. He said party leaders had agreed that January would be the most suitable time for the official welcome. “We have met and decided that January is the best month. Once we pick a date, we will announce it to the public,” he said.

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TikTok Temporarily Blocks LIVE Feature In Nigeria During Late-Night Hours For Safety Review

TikTok temporarily restricted its LIVE feature for Nigerian users during late-night hours as part of an ongoing safety review, the platform confirmed in an in-app notification to creators. On Sunday at midnight Nigerian time, users received a system alert stating: “LIVE⚫ Notices TikTok LIVE Update in Nigeria We’re temporarily limiting LIVE late at night in Nigeria as part of our investigation to ensure our platform remains safe and our community stays protected.” Checks by PUNCH Online revealed that LIVE sessions, which had been accessible earlier, were blocked between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., with affected accounts showing a “No Access” label. The restriction also prevented creators from viewing LIVE broadcasts from other countries. Only creators with at least 1,000 followers—the minimum required to host a LIVE session—received the notice. Several users confirmed that all LIVE activities were suspended overnight. Despite the disruption, creators who earn through LIVE gifting retained their balances and previous earnings, easing concerns over potential financial losses. By Monday morning, LIVE access had been restored, sparking widespread speculation on social media about the cause of the nationwide pause. Late-night hours are typically peak periods for Nigerian streamers hosting gaming sessions, entertainment shows, trends, and other interactive content that draw viewers and virtual gifts. The move comes weeks after TikTok released updated safety data for West Africa. At its West Africa Safety Summit in Dakar, Senegal, the company reported taking action against 2,321,813 LIVE sessions and 1,040,356 LIVE creators globally in the second quarter of 2025 for violating LIVE Monetisation guidelines. In Nigeria alone, 49,512 LIVE sessions were banned during the same period. TikTok also disclosed that 3,780,426 videos in Nigeria were removed between April and June 2025 for breaching Community Guidelines, with 98.7% deleted before being viewed and 91.9% removed within 24 hours. TikTok LIVE allows users to broadcast in real-time, engage directly with viewers through comments and virtual gifts, and host interactive sessions such as Q&As, talent showcases, or casual chats. To go LIVE, creators generally need 1,000+ followers, be at least 16 years old (18 to earn money), maintain a clean account, and use the ‘+’ button to select LIVE, adding a title and effects before starting.

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