ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate withdrawal and redeployment of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) officers previously assigned to VIP escort duties.

”Further strengthening the security architecture, the Nigeria Police Force has executed a large-scale redeployment of officers previously assigned to VIP escort duties nationwide.”

The move, announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Friday, marks a strategic pivot from protecting private individuals to safeguarding the general public.

The decision to pull officers from VIP details comes on the heels of a devastating terrorist attack in Kwara State, where 75 villagers were killed.
For years, the use of police personnel for private VIP protection has been a point of contention in Nigeria.
This latest “large-scale redeployment”, according to the minister, seeks to rectify that imbalance by returning thousands of officers to their primary mission: community policing.

Minister Idris confirmed that these personnel have already been integrated into frontline security structures.

Key states seeing immediate personnel increases include: Kwara and Plateau, Benue and Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
The minister also added that ”Security has also been strengthened around places of worship, including increased visible presence around churches during Sunday services, in coordination with community and faith leaders.”

According to Idris, President Bola Tinubu, the country’s counter-terrorism strategy remains Nigerian-led and sovereignty-driven.

However, the government said it remains open to strategic cooperation, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support from partners such as the United States, where such collaboration aligns with Nigeria’s national interests.

He also said the administration remains resolute in its commitment to restoring peace and ensuring that all Nigerians can live and worship freely without fear.

Gruesome Attack
Gunmen had attacked the Woro community and the neighbouring Nuku area in Kwara North at about 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, killing at least 75 people.

The attackers also set shops ablaze, torched the residence of a traditional ruler, and forced many residents to flee into nearby bushes.

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) condemned the killings in Kwara, Katsina and Benue states, describing them as “barbaric, senseless, and a direct assault on the collective conscience of the nation.”

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, also described the attack as a “pure massacre,” confirming that the victims had been buried.
In response to the violence, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kwara State to reinforce security operations.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Federal High court in Abuja has granted a request by an activist, Mr. Emorioloye Owolemi, to inquire into the academic qualifications of the current Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Justices Binta Nyako granted the permission while ruling in an ex-parte application brought before her by the social crusader, Owolemi.

Owolemi had approached the court where he sought an order of court to inquire into Secondary School Certificate said to have been issued to the Minister by the West African Examination Council, (WAEC).

The activist predicated his request against Olubunmi’s Secondary School Certificate on the ground that there were discrepancies in the academic claims.

However, in another development, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik also of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday refused a similar request by the activist to inquire into the discharge certificate said to have been issued to the Minister by the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

The activist through his lead counsel, Mr Philemon Yakubu SAN had argued a motion ex-parte brought pursuant to order 34 of the Federal High Court Civil Rules 2019, sections 1, 20 and 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 to seek for permission of the court to inquire into the legality or otherwise of the Minister’s NYSC discharge certificate.

Specifically , the activist applied for an order of mandamus to compel the National Youth Service Corps to supply to him, the information he requested in his letter of November 17, 2025 regarding the discharge certificate of the Minister of Interior in the custody of the organization.

Among others, the applicant also wants the NYSC to supply him monthly clearance records, where the Minister served before his alleged absconding, bank account details, and financial information submitted by the Minister through his 2006 NYSC registration and all monthly allowance payment logs, including dates, amounts, bank scheduled and the account to which payments were made.

Others are, official NYSC documentation detailing the date, nature and status of the Minister’s alleged absconding and all internal memos, queries, disciplinary reports or correspondence issued in relation to the alleged absconding as well as registration, posting, deployment and service documents associated with the Minister’s 2006 service year.

However, Justice Abdulmalik after taking argument on the ex parte application declined to grant the request.

The judge held that the applicant did not indicate that he was acting in the public interest as required by law.

Speaking with newsmen after the court ruling, Mr Philemon Yakubu SAN said that he will consult with his client to determine the next line of action in the legal battle.

He said that the desire of his client is to ensure transparency, accountability and probity among the public office holders in the country.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Finally, INEC has released 2027 election timetable; February 20 for presidential and national assembly, March 6 for gubernatorial and state assemblies.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, on Thursday formally set in motion the electoral process for the 2027 general election, announcing that the Presidential and National Assembly polls will hold on February 20, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on March 6, 2027.

Briefing journalists, the INEC Chairman said the announcement was in strict compliance with constitutional and statutory provisions guiding the conduct of elections in Nigeria.

“By virtue of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the tenure of the President, the Vice-President, the Governors, and Deputy Governors of states of the Federation, except Anambra State, Bayasa State, Edo States, Ekiti States, Imo State, Ogi, Kondo, and National States, will expire on the 28th day of May, 2027,” he said.

He added that, “membership of the National and State Assemblies will stand dissolved on the 8th day of June, 2021.”

Citing constitutional timelines, Amupitan explained: “Pursuant to Section 76(2), 116(2), 132(2), and 178(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, elections to the said offices shall hold not earlier than 150 days, and not later than 30 days, before the expiration of the term of office of the holders.”

Related News:
INEC Postpones March 11 Governorship Election, Fixes March 18 as New Date
APC Declares Edo Primary Election Inconclusive, Fixes February 22 for Completion
INEC Fixes June 20, August 8, 2026 for Ekiti, Osun Governorship Elections
He stressed that the Commission’s action was in line with the law.

“This action we are taking today is pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, and in particular, Section 28, subsection 1 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates the Commission to publish the notice of election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for the election,” he said.

Reaffirming INEC’s independence, the Chairman stated: “Let me reiterate that the authority and power to publish the date of election is that of the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

He outlined the scope of the 2027 polls, noting that, “The 2027 general election will hold nationwide for the following offices: President and Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Governors and Deputy Governors of the states of the Federation, except those states I had mentioned; members of the Senate; members of the House of Representatives; and members of the Houses of Assembly of states.”

Formally declaring the commencement of the process, Amupitan said: “Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred on the Commission by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, and the Electoral Act of 2022, and all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Commission hereby sets in motion the electoral process for the 2027 general election, and fixes the date of the 2027 general election as follows: Presidential and National Assembly election will come on the 20th February, 2027; Governorship and State Houses of Assembly will be on the 6th March, 2027.”

According to him, “The detailed timetable and schedule of activities have been uploaded to the Commission’s website this morning, and have been circulated to registered political parties and relevant stakeholders.”

He directed that, “All the 36 Resident Electoral Commissioners and that of the FCT are hereby directed to publish the notices in each constituency in respect of which an election is to be held.”

“These dates reflect our commitment to ensuring that our electoral processes are transparent, credible, and adhere to the provisions of our laws,” he added.

On the next steps, the INEC Chairman said: “In accordance with the approved timetable and schedule of activities, primaries will be conducted within the statutory period stipulated by law. Submissions of nomination forms by political parties will commence and close within the designated windows as provided in the schedule, which I will just release. Campaigns by political parties shall commence on the date specified by law and end 24 hours before the election.”

He also addressed the proposed changes to Nigeria’s electoral laws currently before lawmakers.

“I must also take a moment to address the current Electoral Amendment Bill that is pending in the National Assembly. This Bill has sparked important discussions and concern among the various stakeholders in our democracy,” he said.

“We recognise the necessity of enhancing our electoral framework to ensure that it meets the ever-evolving needs of our society and reflects our aspiration for free, fair, and credible election.”