By Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President & Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
I am deeply saddened and outraged by the series of tragic events that have shaken our nation in recent days. From the cowardly suicide bombing in Konduga, Borno State, to the horrifying lynching of innocent travellers in Plateau State, and the deadly explosion in Kano, these attacks on innocent Nigerians are heinous, senseless, and must not stand.
In Borno, the suicide attack that claimed the lives of peaceful citizens was a cruel and desperate attempt to spread fear and chaos. I have directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide support to survivors and affected families. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Borno State. I also urge our security forces to intensify their operations to eliminate the remaining elements of Boko Haram and ensure they can no longer harm our people or destabilise our communities.
In Plateau State, the brutal murder of 12 wedding guests—peaceful Nigerians returning from a joyous celebration—is an unforgivable act of barbarism. I have ordered the Nigerian Police Force to work with relevant intelligence and security agencies to ensure those responsible are swiftly identified, apprehended, and brought to justice. I further call on the Plateau State Government to work with federal authorities to break this cycle of senseless violence and use this incident as a watershed moment to establish lasting peace.
Let me be clear: freedom of movement is a constitutional right, and no Nigerian should ever be afraid to travel, celebrate, or live freely anywhere within our nation. We will not tolerate any attempt to intimidate or terrorize Nigerians into submission.
In Kano, I mourn the tragic loss of lives caused by the explosion at a scrap metal facility. I offer my condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Kano State. This unfortunate incident underscores the urgent need for greater adherence to industrial safety standards. I have directed the appropriate federal agencies to investigate the cause of the explosion thoroughly and take steps to ensure such tragedies do not occur again.
To the families of the departed, to the wounded, and to the communities in Borno, Plateau, Kano, and Kaduna States, I stand with you in grief and resolve. These tragedies will not break our spirit. They will strengthen our unity, deepen our commitment to justice, and renew our dedication to peace.
We will not rest until justice is done. We will not be deterred until security is restored in every part of our country.
May the souls of all the departed rest in perfect peace.
May God continue to protect the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
![Five Key Takeaways from Trump-Starmer Meeting in the UK Aylesbury, UK – September 18, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented a united front on major global issues during a joint press conference at Chequers, wrapping up Trump’s three-day visit to the United Kingdom. Despite recent tensions between Washington and European allies, the meeting underscored strong transatlantic ties as the two leaders discussed Ukraine, NATO, Gaza, Afghanistan, and more. 1. Trump Says Putin ‘Let Him Down’ Over Ukraine President Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the prolonged war in Ukraine, admitting he underestimated the challenge of resolving the conflict. “I thought it would be easiest because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down,” Trump said. PM Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, vowing to increase pressure on Russia and push for a lasting peace deal. 2. Divergence on Gaza, But Unity Against Hamas While both leaders condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, they differed on the broader approach to the Gaza conflict. Trump avoided criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which has killed over 65,000 Palestinians, calling October 7 “one of the worst days in the history of humanity.” Starmer's previous pledge to recognize a Palestinian state was noted as a “point of disagreement,” but Trump praised the UK leader’s strong stance against Hamas. 3. Trump Praises NATO and Increased Defense Spending Once a vocal NATO critic, Trump struck a different tone, applauding the alliance’s commitment to boost defense spending. “I want to thank NATO and our wonderful head of NATO, Mark [Rutte]… They’ve done a great job,” he said, highlighting a new pledge for members to spend 5% of GDP on defense. Trump emphasized U.S. support in supplying weapons to NATO allies, stressing that the alliance was now “paying its fair share.” 4. Bagram Airbase Back in Focus Trump hinted at possible negotiations with the Taliban for the U.S. to regain access to the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, which was vacated in 2021 during the Biden administration’s withdrawal. “We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said, citing its strategic location near China’s nuclear facilities. The Taliban, however, quickly dismissed the proposal, stating they welcome engagement with the U.S. but will not allow any foreign military presence. 5. Trump Weighs in on Kimmel Firing Trump also addressed the firing of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC, following political controversy over remarks involving conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. “Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings… He’s not a talented person,” Trump said, dismissing concerns about free speech and framing the firing as a business decision. Conclusion: The Trump-Starmer meeting reflected a broad effort to reinforce U.S.-UK ties amid ongoing global crises. While areas of disagreement remain, particularly on Middle East policy, both leaders signaled alignment on Ukraine, NATO, and global security cooperation.](https://trendbrio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USA-TRUMP-BRITAIN-AND-KEIR-STARMER.webp)
