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Arewa Christian Leaders Decry Alleged Marginalisation in Top Civil Service Appointment, Call for Urgent Correction
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By Gloria Ikibah
The Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) has raised alarm over what it describes as yet another case of “persecution and systemic discrimination” against Northern Christians within Nigeria’s civil service.
In an open letter addressed to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, and the National Assembly, ACIPA condemned the alleged sidelining of a qualified Christian candidate in favour of a less-qualified counterpart during the recent selection process for Federal Permanent Secretaries.
This was contained in a statement signed by Chairman of ACIPA, Rev. (Dr) Luke Shehu, on Thursday, 6th November 2025, calling for “urgent correction of the abnormality and travesty.”
According to ACIPA, a Northern Christian candidate who scored 83% in the recent interview for the position of Permanent Secretary was bypassed, while Mohammed Musa Isiyaku, who scored 54%, was announced as the successful candidate by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on 4th November 2025.
ACIPA described the development as “an outright persecution against a Christian from the North-East who came first”, insisting that the selection process has once again exposed the entrenched marginalisation of Northern Christians at both state and federal levels.
“For the avoidance of doubt, despite government’s denial of persecution and systematic genocide against Christians, especially in Northern Nigeria, it is evident that Northern Christians, and Hausa Christians in particular, have been and are still denied rights of employment, scholarships, and appointments.
“In the usual perpetuation of denial of rights and persecution of Northern Christians and indigenous people experienced in states like Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Sokoto, Kebbi and at the Federal level, one Mohammed Musa Isiyaku who scored 54%, emerging fifth position, was announced as Permanent Secretary,” the statement read.
Rev. Shehu further noted that ACIPA was “aware of the ongoing process to swear in the Permanent Secretary,” describing it as “a travesty that must be corrected immediately.”
“Once again, true to our calling as advocates of peace, unity, social justice and development, we are not only renouncing and rejecting this persecution, but we are calling on all concerned to correct this abnormality and travesty with immediate effect”, he added.
ACIPA’s open letter was copied to all religious leaders, monarchs, legislators, ministers, commissioners, media organisations, security agencies, NGOs, and indigenous groups.
Troops of the Nigerian Army have, in the last 24 hours, rescued 34 kidnap victims, apprehended suspected ISWAP informants and recovered arms and ammunition in coordinated operations nationwide.
This is contained in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.
The report said that troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 31 kidnap victims from terrorists along the Buratai-Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.
It said the rescue followed a swift response after troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion detected ISWAP/JAS terrorists abducting civilians from four vehicles through CCTV surveillance.
According to the report, troops immediately deployed a quick reaction force, engaged the terrorists and forced them to abandon the victims and flee, with one motorcycle left behind.
“In another operation, troops of 145 Battalion conducted a fighting patrol to the Turoh general area of Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area.
“The terrorists reportedly fled on sighting the troops, leaving behind two motorcycles and illicit drugs recovered during exploitation of the area.
“Also, troops of 232 Battalion Tactical apprehended a suspected ISWAP informant at Garaha Market in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa,” it said.
In the North-West, the report revealed that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists moving with rustled cattle in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara.
It added that the troops’ superior firepower forced the terrorists to withdraw in disarray during the encounter.
The report also revealed that troops of Operation MESA rescued a kidnapped woman and her two children along the old Obajana-Jakura-Tajimi road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi.
According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted on July 29 from a Ruga settlement in the Gada-Biyu area of the same local government.
“In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to reports of an attack on a herder in Bassa Local Government Area.
“The assailants had fled before the troops arrived, while the deceased and recovered cattle were handed over to the victim’s family,” it added.
In the South-East, the report said the troops of Operation UDO KA recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of three suspected terrorists linked to the ambush of troops in Imo on May 4.
It added that the operation, conducted in Delta and Imo states, followed intelligence obtained from earlier arrested suspects.
According to the report, troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, one FN rifle, a pistol, 11 AK-47 magazines, two FN magazines, 239 rounds of assorted ammunition, a fragmentation jacket and other military items from terrorist camps.
“The recovered weapons included rifles earlier carted away during the May ambush on troops, while further exploitation led to the discovery of another terrorist camp containing additional arms and ammunition,” it said.
A joint military task force has rescued a senior Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Col. Ofor Amobi, and a civilian, Mr. Ikechukwu Onwuanra, after an intensive 10-day search-and-rescue operation across forests and communities in Enugu State.
This was contained in a military operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, August 1, 2026 in Abuja.
The breakthrough came in the early hours of Saturday following sustained operations by troops of Sector 1, Operation UDO KA (OPUK).
The search mission involved personnel of the 82 Division Garrison, 103 Battalion (Rear), the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NN SBS), and the 197 Special Forces Battalion, operating under the leadership of the Commander, 82 Division Garrison, with support from the Air Component.
According to the report, between 6:00 p.m. on July 31 and 6:00 a.m. on August 1, the joint troops continued search operations using actionable intelligence across Inyi, Awlaw and Akpugo-Eze forests and adjoining communities in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.News
At about 2:00 a.m., the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Inyi Division alerted the troops to the suspected location of the kidnapped victims.
The troops immediately mobilised and launched a fighting patrol into the area, where they discovered Lt. Col. Amobi and Mr. Onwuanra abandoned at the edge of a forest. The civilian was found with a gunshot wound.
The victims were successfully rescued and evacuated to Inyi before being moved to the 82 Division Medical Hospital for medical treatment and comprehensive evaluation.
During preliminary debriefing, the victims disclosed that they had been blindfolded shortly after their abduction and transported to an unknown location.
They said they were later abandoned in a forest around the Enugu–Anambra border as the kidnappers came under sustained operational pressure.
The military attributed the successful rescue to the relentless pressure mounted by the joint force, supported by the Air Component, which maintained continuous dominance of the suspected hideouts and denied the abductors freedom of movement throughout the 10-day operation.
The sustained search-and-rescue mission ultimately forced the kidnappers to abandon the captives and flee.
Further investigations and follow-up operations are ongoing to identify, track and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
Fire has engulfed Lagos airport’s Terminal 2.
FAAN said its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service (ARFFS) had been deployed to contain the fire.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to inform the public that a fire incident has occurred at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,” the statement read.
“The FAAN Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service (ARFFS) is currently responding to the incident and working diligently to contain the situation.”
FAAN said there were no reported casualties or loss of life.
“There have been no reported casualties or loss of life,” the authority stated.
It added that further updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
Troops rescue 34 abductees, nab ISWAP informant, recover arms
Joint military task force rescue kidnapped Lt Col, civilian after 10-day search operation
JUST IN: Fire engulfs Lagos airport’s Terminal 2
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