At Least 10 Killed, Dozens Missing as Floods and Landslides Hit Indonesia’s Sumatra

Torrential monsoon rains have unleashed destructive floods and landslides across Indonesia’s Sumatra island, killing at least 10 people and leaving dozens more missing, local authorities said on Wednesday. Days of relentless rainfall forced rivers in North Sumatra to overflow, sending mud, rocks, and uprooted trees crashing into villages across six regencies. Rescue teams are struggling to reach isolated communities due to damaged roads, unstable slopes, and ongoing downpours. Officials reported that five bodies and three injured survivors were recovered in the coastal city of Sibolga, the hardest-hit area. Search teams are still looking for four missing residents as damage assessments continue. In neighbouring Central Tapanuli, landslides crushed several homes, killing at least four members of one family and submerging nearly 2,000 houses and public buildings. Further south, floods and falling trees killed one resident in South Tapanuli and injured another. A bridge in Mandailing Natal district was destroyed, cutting off access for nearby communities, while 470 homes were inundated. On Nias island, mud and debris blocked the main road linking several villages. Videos circulating online show torrents of water sweeping over rooftops as families scramble to higher ground. In some areas, flash floods surged so rapidly that streets turned into violent currents carrying tree trunks, household items, and rubble. Sibolga police chief Eddy Inganta said emergency shelters have been set up across the city, urging residents near unstable slopes to evacuate immediately. He warned that persistent rainfall could trigger further landslides. The disaster comes just as Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency ended a 10-day search in Central Java, where earlier storms killed 38 people. Authorities called off operations due to unstable ground and worsening weather, leaving 13 people still missing in Cilacap and Banjarnegara. Indonesia faces frequent floods and landslides during the rainy season from October to March, with millions living in flood-prone lowlands or on steep, unstable hillsides.

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Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim, Neutralise Bandit During Ambush in Kogi

Troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have thwarted a kidnapping attempt by armed bandits in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, rescuing one victim and neutralising a suspected bandit in the process. According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 12 Brigade, the operation was launched in the early hours of Tuesday around the Oshokoshoko–Obajana axis of Lokoja LGA following credible intelligence on the movement of bandits with abducted persons. “As part of ongoing intensified efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across Kogi State, troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have successfully foiled an ambush by armed bandits and rescued a kidnapped victim during a coordinated operation,” the statement said. Troops deployed at the Kabba Patrol Base, working alongside Other Hybrid Forces, mounted a special ambush after receiving reports of bandits crossing the corridor with captives. The soldiers made contact with the armed group, who opened fire, but were overpowered by superior firepower. “One bandit was neutralised while others fled with gunshot wounds,” the statement added. Soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle at the scene and rescued one victim, who was reportedly weak and distressed. The individual has since been taken to a medical facility for treatment. Pursuit operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects. The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal networks and ensuring the safety of communities across Kogi State. Residents were urged to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.

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NWFL Confirms Castmog Ladies’ Relegation

The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Secretariat has formally confirmed the relegation of Castmog Ladies from the 2025/2026 NWFL Premiership after the club failed to meet essential licensing and registration requirements for the new season. The decision, in a statement by its Media Director, Samuel Ahmadu, on Monday November 24, 2025, follows earlier issued clear warnings to three Premiership clubs, including Castmog Ladies, to comply with all registration and licensing obligations, but the Abeokuta-based outfit failed to meet the stipulated deadline despite the reminders. While confirming the development, NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Modupe Shabi, revealed that the Secretariat has begun adjusting competition logistics to reflect the revised structure. “We have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the league, and compliance with registration and licensing requirements is a non-negotiable part of that process,” she said. The NWFL COO emphasised that adherence to registration and licensing rules is essential to maintaining a credible and competitive league system while supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of women’s football across the country. She added that revised season schedule and operational details will be released in the coming days. “Our focus is to ensure the season proceeds smoothly on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Updated fixtures and communication will be issued to all clubs, and we remain committed to transparency and professionalism at every stage,” Shabi stated. According to the NWFL Secretariat, all other affected clubs complied with the stipulated requirements within the allocated timeframe, leaving Castmog Ladies as the only Premiership side unable to satisfy the compulsory standards. With the Ogun State based club now officially relegated, the Premiership season will proceed with the approved number of 19 teams. As a direct consequence, every club, including Rivers Angels originally scheduled to face Castmog Ladies in the opening and subsequent fixtures will now observe a bye on those matchdays. REVISED NWFL PREMIERSHIP MATCHDAY ONE FIXTURES – NOVEMBER 26, 2025 Group A Bayelsa Queens vs Edo Queens Adamawa Queens vs Pacesetters Queens Heartland Queens vs Ekiti Queens Naija Ratels vs Ibom Angels Group B Nasarawa Amazons vs Delta Queens Confluence Queens vs Abia Angels Sunshine Queens vs Robo Queens Ahudiyannem Queens vs Remo Stars Ladies Dannaz Ladies vs Osun Babes

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Federal Government Clarifies It Has Not Banned Open Grazing Nationwide

The Federal Government has moved to correct reports suggesting that open grazing has been outlawed nationwide, saying no such ban exists and that the country is only easing into modern ranching practices step by step. In a statement released on Tuesday by Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Livestock Development, the Ministry confirmed that the Minister, Alhaji Idi Maiha, has not announced any new policy prohibiting open grazing. The statement noted that the government is “implementing a gradual, structured transition from open grazing to modern ranching systems,” adding that Nigeria already has 273 gazetted grazing reserves covering more than 4.5 million hectares. According to the Ministry, the Federal Government is partnering with state governments to rehabilitate and equip these reserves so they can serve as functional hubs for pastoralists and other livestock businesses. It clarified that the transition plan is not an abrupt end to open grazing but a shift designed to improve productivity, reduce clashes, and build a more sustainable livestock economy. Maiha emphasised the need for pastoralists to operate within an organised economic framework, saying the grazing reserves “are meant to serve as business premises for all livestock activities,” and that the government’s focus is on upgrading them for proper use. The Ministry urged the public to disregard inaccurate reports and rely on official sources for updates on livestock policies. Past attempts to reform the livestock sector include the National Livestock Transformation Plan, which sought to promote ranching as a replacement for open grazing in order to stem violent farmer–herder crises and improve national productivity. The plan introduced the idea of RUGA settlements—designated rural grazing areas where herders could live and raise their cattle—but many southern states rejected the policy over land and security concerns. More recently, the re-established Ministry of Livestock Development has continued to advocate for a nationwide shift to ranching, stressing that the phase-out of open grazing will be gradual rather than enforced through an immediate ban.

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BREAKING: 24 Kebbi Schoolgirls Regain Freedom Following Terrorist Abduction

Twenty-four schoolgirls kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, have reportedly been rescued, according to security sources who spoke with TheCable on Tuesday. Details of the operation that led to their recovery are still unclear, but officials are expected to release a formal statement soon. The abduction, which drew nationwide condemnation, renewed fears about the safety of students in northern Nigeria amid recurring school attacks. On November 17, terrorists stormed the Maga school in the early hours, abducting an unspecified number of girls and killing a staff member. A school guard was also injured. The gunmen reportedly struck around 5:52 a.m., opening fire as the students prepared for morning activities. Witness accounts indicated that the attackers seized several girls and triggered widespread panic across the community.

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JUST IN: Federal Government Bans Open Grazing Nationwide, Declares It A Capital Offense

The Federal Government has formally declared a nationwide ban on open grazing, introducing one of its strongest measures yet to curb the persistent clashes between herders and farming communities. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Mukhtar Maiha, during the inauguration of the first National Council on Livestock Development in Yola, Adamawa State. Maiha said the decades-long conflict has left a trail of deaths, displacement and economic destruction, with many rural communities struggling to recover. He noted that both farmers and herders have suffered massive losses due to unchecked movement of cattle across farmlands. According to him, the government has now classified open grazing as a capital offense, insisting that herders must transition to ranching if the cycle of violence is to end. He argued that ranching not only prevents clashes but produces healthier cattle and better commercial returns. The minister also highlighted the financial potential of Nigeria’s livestock sector, saying the government aims to grow it into the country’s second-largest revenue generator after oil. He projected $74 billion in revenue within five years and disclosed that existing programmes have already generated more than $14 billion. Declaring the council open, Adamawa Deputy Governor, Professor Kaleptawa Farauta, described the state as one of Nigeria’s most significant livestock hubs and a suitable host for the event. The newly established National Council on Livestock Development, made up of livestock directors from all 36 states and the FCT, will coordinate reforms, track policy implementation and steer the transformation of the country’s livestock industry.

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Tinubu Orders 24-Hour Security Sweep of Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger Forests Amid Surge in Terror Attacks

President Bola Tinubu has directed a comprehensive security operation across the forests of Kwara State, extending the measure to Kebbi and Niger States in response to a recent spike in terrorist attacks and mass abductions. The President instructed the Air Force to intensify aerial surveillance over remote forest areas suspected of harboring terrorists, as part of a broader effort to curb kidnappings and violent incidents. According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, the operation will include 24-hour monitoring and close coordination with ground security units. “This directive also covers the Kebbi and Niger states axis, where many victims are expected to be rescued,” the statement noted. Local communities have been called upon to promptly report any unusual movements or activities to support the work of security forces.

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Fayose Reveals He Almost Hit Obasanjo with Microphone Over Birthday Remarks

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has recounted a tense encounter with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his 65th birthday, revealing he was so angered by the remarks that he briefly felt like hitting him with the microphone. During the Lagos celebration, Obasanjo addressed their long-standing political feud, calling Fayose “not the best” of his protégés while acknowledging his political accomplishments. In an interview with AF24 News posted on YouTube, Fayose said, “I was enraged. I felt like taking the mic from Obasanjo’s hand and hitting it on his head. This is being sincere.” Fayose explained that he had made efforts to reconcile with political rivals ahead of the event. “Whatever differences we have had in the past, let’s put them behind us. If I have offended you, if you have offended me, let us put it behind us,” he said. He reached out to Obasanjo through mutual friend Osita Chidoka, but stressed that the call was not an apology. “I never called to apologise to Baba. I did not offend him. He was the one who removed me from office. If anybody should apologise, it is he,” Fayose said. Obasanjo reportedly welcomed Fayose warmly before the celebration and confirmed his attendance despite another engagement in Rwanda. Fayose also arranged $20,000 for the former president’s travel logistics, questioning how someone could accept help and then make disparaging comments. The tension peaked when Obasanjo insisted on speaking last at the event, after the Vice President, and requested that Fayose and his wife stand beside him during a speech that lasted one hour and 14 minutes, which Fayose described as filled with subtle jabs. “How do you say such things to a man on his 65th birthday?” he asked, adding that he restrained himself out of respect for the Vice President’s presence. Fayose said his attempts at reconciliation were sincere, but Obasanjo’s actions showed no interest in peace. “If I knew this was how it would end, what do I need Obasanjo for? Am I contesting the election? Do I need his validation? No,” he concluded.

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