SOUTH-WEST NGR NEWS

The Vatican has issued a strong warning against the rising acceptance of polyamory, firmly reiterating the Catholic Church’s teaching that marriage is defined as a stable, lifelong, and exclusive partnership between a man and a woman. This new doctrinal document, titled “One Flesh – In Praise of Monogamy” and signed off by Pope Leo XIV, was written in response to the growing trend of “various public forms of non-monogamous unions, sometimes called ‘polyamory’ –... growing in the West.” The 40-page document addresses both polyamory, which involves multiple consensual romantic relationships at once, and polygamy (one man with multiple wives), which has been a “pastoral challenge” discussed by Roman Catholic bishops in Africa. The note states clearly that non-exclusive relationships are based on a fallacy:“Polygamy, adultery, or polyamory are based on the illusion that the intensity of the relationship can be found in a succession of faces,” the note declares. “Our age, in fac...

At least 11 persons including a pregnant woman, children and others have been abducted from bandits who stormed Isapa, a community close to Eruku in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara state.   The attack happened barely 24 hours after victims abducted during a church service in Ekuru community last Tuesday were released. DailyTrust reports that the fresh attack, which occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Monday November 24 was carried out by an estimated 20 to 30 bandits. They reportedly fired sporadically as they advanced, forcing residents to flee for safety. An elderly woman was reportedly hit by a stray bullet during the incident. A community leader, who confirmed the development under strict anonymity, said “eleven people were kidnapped, seven of them from the same household. “The victims include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several young children”, he said. Those abducted were identified as Talatu Kabiru, 20; Magaji, 6; Kande, 5; Hadiza, 10; Mariam, 6...

The UK government has rejected a request by the Nigerian government to deport former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who was convicted of organ trafficking, TheGuardian UK reports on Monday.  Recall that a high-level delegation sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with officials at the UK Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on November 10, 2025 to discuss Ekweremadu’s case.  Ekweremadu, 63, is serving a sentence of nine years and eight months after being found guilty in 2023 of conspiring to exploit a man for his kidney. Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice, and a co-conspirator, Dr Obinna Obeta, trafficked a young man to London with a view to harvesting his kidney, which they planned to transplant to Ekweremadu’s daughter Sonia in a private unit of an NHS hospital. It was the first conviction for organ trafficking under the Modern Slavery Act. According to The Guardian, the Nigerian government delegation, led by the foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, requested h...

A Nigerian Master’s degree graduate has di3d in the United Kingdom one year after he travelled there to further his education. Hammed, who has a Master’s degree in Business and Management from the University of Plymouth, passed on after his health “deteriorated suddenly from advanced cancer.”  A GoFundMe appeal was created last week by Mariam Ajibola and Mohammed Chaanda for Piety Mosque. The appeal was initially created to seek support for Hammed’s medical care. However, after he passed on suddenly, it was updated to solicit funds for his burial.  According to the organisers, Hammed, a 36-year-old from Ayete in Oyo State, travelled to the UK in September 2024 to begin a Master’s degree.  Despite a cancer diagnosis earlier this year, the organisers said he pushed through to complete his programme. The organisers described him as the last born in a family of four children, “the joyful heart of his home”, cheerful, friendly, and deeply committed to others. ...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said insecurity in Northern Nigeria remains his deepest concern, stressing that the crisis threatens national progress and stability. The President, represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, stated this during the 25th Anniversary (Silver Jubilee) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna state today November 22.  In his address titled ‘A Generation Summoned by a Crisis’, President Tinubu acknowledged that his administration inherited multilayered security challenges but now addressing them with renewed urgency. “Nothing troubles me more gravely than the security crisis bedevilling Nigeria, especially Northern Nigeria. Affliction in any part of the country is a setback for every part. We cannot prosper when one limb of the national body is paralysed. The layers and sophistication of the security challenges we inherited are daunting, but what should inspire confidence is the urgency with whi...

The Federal High court in Abuja has dismissed reports claiming there was an ass@ssination attempt on James Omotosho, the judge who convicted and sentenced Nnamdi Kanu.  In a statement released, the chief registrar of the court, Suleiman Hassan, said its attention was drawn to the report posted by a blog. Hassan described the report as “completely false and unfounded”, adding that it is “fake news” deliberately crafted to mislead the public and sow distrust in the judiciary. “The public is advised to treat this publication as fake news and refrain from further dissemination to prevent the spread of misinformation,” the statement reads Justice Omotoso on Thursday, November 20 found Kanu guilty of terrorism offences and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security for Very Important Persons in the country. A statement from presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, said the directive was issued at the security meeting President Tinubu held on Sunday November 23 with the police, Air Force, army chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja. Henceforth, police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties  According to the Presidential directive, VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.  ‘’Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult. In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.  Already,...

Owing to the rising insecurity in some parts of the state and across the country, the management of the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) has ordered the immediate closure of all junior and senior schools in the state. In a statement released today November 21, PSUBEB described the decision as a preventive measure to protect students from any unforeseen “security threats”. The board said the closure is temporary but necessary, calling on all local government education authorities, administrators, and community leaders to comply. The statement reads  “The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) has directed the immediate closure of schools across the state. Government Junior Model Secondary Schools (GJMSSs) will close effective Saturday, 22 November 2025. Primary and Day Schools will close effective Monday, 24 November 2025. This decision is underscoring the urgent need for preventive action. The Board assures parents, guardians, and s...

The Niger State Government has confirmed the abduction of students and staff from Saint Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. The assailants stormed the school at about 2am today November 21 and carried out their attack. In a statement released. the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman, said following prior intelligence, the government orderd the closure of all boarding schools in the area but the Catholic school affected defied the warning and reopened. “The Niger state government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area. The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation. The state received prior intelligence report indicating an increased threat level in parts of the northern senatorial district. In response to these credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier i...

The bandits that abducted some 38 worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku in Ekiti local government area of Kwara State have placed N100 ransom on the head of each abductees. LEADERSHIP gathered that the kidnappers have started contacting the families of the victims who were abducted during a church service on Tuesday. A community leader and Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun whose four relatives were among the kidnapped victims confirmed this to LEADERSHIP on Thursday. Olukotun, who said he was in the church with five of his family members when the incident occurred, said he and one of his wards escaped the attack around 6:06 p.m through the church’s window. He confirmed that the kidnappers have made contact with the people of the community and are demanding N100m as ransom on each of the 38 victims. “From what we gathered from the kidnappers camp, they (kidnappers) have grouped the victims according to their relations and are now calling our peopl...

Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, of the proscribed separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on the offence of engaging in act of terrorism. Justice James Omotosho, in his ongoing judgment in Kanu’s terrorism trial, found him guilty in relation to counts one and two of the seven-count charge being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS). Justice Omotosho held that the threats of violence and k!llings, including the declaration of sit-at-home in the SouthEast states, in his many broadcasts constitute acts of terrorism. The judge has now moved on to the third count.

Seven Senior Chiefs in Ibadanland are set for elevation along the Olubadan Chieftaincy Line as His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Sen.) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusagun I), the Olubadan of Ibadanland, performs another round of promotions on Friday, 21st November 2025. The ceremony will be held at the Banquet Hall, Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan. A statement issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga, listed the Senior Chiefs to be elevated as follows: Chief Rasheed Olalekan Alabi: from Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland to Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland Chief Ismaila Akinade Fijabi: from Ekefa Olubadan to Maye Olubadan Chief Saka Fola Lapade: from Agbaakin Olubadan to Ekefa Olubadan Chief Teslim Folarin: from Aare Alaasa Olubadan to Agbaakin Olubadan Others to be elevated include: Chief Muibi Ademola Adewuyi: from Ikolaba Olubadan to Aare Alaasa Olubadan Chief Raufu Yesufu Delesolu: from Asaaju Olubadan to Ikolaba Olubad...

Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja today November 19 sentenced an ISWAP leader, Hussaini Ismaila, to 20 years in prison for carrying out terrorist attacks in Kano State. The court said Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, was guilty after he changed his plea from “not guilty” to “guilty’’. According to the DSS, Ismaila helped plan and coordinate several attacks in 2012. These attacks targeted the Police Headquarters in Bompai, the Mobile Police Base on Kabuga Road, and police stations at Pharm Centre and Angwa Uku in Kano. Many people were injured during the attacks. He was arrested on 31 August 2017, at a village called Tsamiyya Babba in Gezewa Local Government Area of Kano. The DSS charged him under Nigeria’s Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act. The trial took several years because of appeals and a “trial-within-trial,” which the court used to decide whether Ismaila’s statements to investigators were made voluntarily. During the trial, the prosecution cal...

The Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, Hussaini Aliyu, has released the names of all 25 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive School, Maga. Aliyu also refuted claims by U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore that the incident occurred in a Christian enclave. Aliyu stated that all the abducted students are Muslims and urged the lawmaker to refrain from making unverified statements that could inflame religious or ethnic tensions, especially while efforts are ongoing to rescue the girls. He emphasized that the Zuru Emirate, under which the Maga community falls, has a longstanding record of religious harmony. The names of the abducted schoolgirls are as follows: Senior Secondary School 2A 1. Fatima Sani Zimri 2. Hafsat Ibrahim 3. Nana Firdausi Jibril 4. Masauda Yakubu Romo Senior Secondary School 2B 5. Hauwa Saleh 6. Hauwau Umar Imam Senior Secondary School 3A & 3B 7. Salima Garba Umar 8. Salima Sani Zimri 9. Amina G. Umar 10. Rashida Muhammad Dingu 11. S...

Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi has been named the 2025 African Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).  The Paris Saint-Germain football star beat  Liverpool  striker Mohamed Salah and Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen to become the first defender to win since former TP Mazembe and Zaire centre-back Bwanga Tshimen in 1973. The defender is also the first Moroccan to claim Africa’s top player prize since midfielder Mustapha Hadji in 1998. “It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award,” Hakimi said in his acceptance speech.   “This trophy is not just for me, but all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in Africa. “And for those that always believed in me since I was a child, that I would be a professional footballer one day. I would like to thank them all.” Hakimi capped off a remarkable 2025, winning the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Su...

President Bola Tinubu has asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Kebbi State on Wednesday to sympathise with the state government and assure parents and guardians of the k!dnapped schoolgirls that the government will ensure their quick release. A statement released by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, says President Tinubu also sent his condolences to the military over the death of the gallant soldiers and Brigadier General Musa Uba, who paid the ultimate price while on active duty fighting insurgents in Borno state. The President, who the military authorities have fully briefed about the two incidents, said he is depressed over the abduction of the schoolgirls, despite intelligence warnings of a possible strike by the bandits.   Sponsored Ads  “As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and ...

The FCT police command has reacted to online reports claiming their was an ‘’ass@ssination attempt’’ on the life of Lt. A.M Yerima, the naval officer who clashed with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over a disputed piece of land. On Sunday, November 16, reports were rife online that Yerima was trailed by some unknown men clad in black and riding in two unmarked Hilux vans with no number plates. The vehicles allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Line Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.  According to the report, Yerima noticed the men trailing him and executed a “strategic maneuver,” successfully evading the suspected assailants. It was also reported that the matter is under investigation and is receiving “the seriousness it deserves.”  Sponsored Ads Reacting to the report. the spokesperson of the FCT police command, SP Josephine Adeh, said no such incident has been reported or recorded anywhere within the Federal Capital Territory. The publi...

Police in Kenya have arrested three Nigerian nationals alleged to be in the country illegally and engaging in criminal activities, including cyber fraud.    The suspects were apprehended on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at their hideout in Mwihoko village, Ngurubani town, Mwea East sub-county, following a joint operation by police and immigration officers.    Kirinyaga County Criminal investigations Officer (CCIO) Justus Imana said the operation was launched after a tip-off from members of the public.   Officers recovered 21 mobile phones, 79 SIM cards, a Dell laptop, and 37 credit cards from different banks, seven different currencies, a white powdery substance and paraphernalia suspected to be used in witchcraft.    Imana said investigations revealed the suspects entered Kenya on different dates between 2021 and January 2025 and have since overstayed their visas.   Sponsored Ads  “Their passports show they are in the ...

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, says the faceoff between the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer, LT A.M Yerima, over a parcel of land in the FCT was unnecessary and avoidable. In an interview with DCL Hausa, Matawalle revealed that Wike had earlier contacted both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, who advised him to allow the military to investigate the matter but however, he refused listen to them but instead chose to go to the land to confront the officers who were acting on the order from their superiors.    “What happened between Minister Wike and the officer is unfortunate. When he got there, the officer explained that he was simply obeying orders given to him. Wike should not have exchanged words with the officer; he ought to have addressed his concerns through the officer’s superiors. He (Wike) is our colleague, and Wike could have reached out to us to resolve whatever issue. The officer’s action w...