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Nigerians’ll enjoy improved security, new defence minister pledges
Newly sworn-in Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), on Thursday, vowed rapid gains against insecurity, saying Nigerians would see results in the shortest possible time as he rebuilds synergy across the security architecture.
He also pledged to do “whatever it takes” to protect the lives of Nigerians.
“I can assure you, within the shortest possible time, Nigerians will see results,” Musa told State House correspondents after taking the oath of office before President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
The new defense minister said he would restore and strengthen collaboration within the armed forces and among security agencies.
“My immediate priority is to make sure that defence takes its place fully in the country. The synergy between the armed forces and other security agencies is important, and [I will ensure that] all Nigerians are carried along.
“As I have always said, security is everybody’s responsibility. It is that synergy that we need to build on and work on, and that’s what we’re going to do,” he affirmed.
The former Chief of Defence Staff noted that he was returning to a familiar terrain, pledging to channel the goodwill he has received into tangible outcomes.
“I want to use this medium to appreciate all Nigerians. Nigerians have shown me love, and I will guarantee them that I am going to work whatever it takes to ensure that Nigeria is secured,” he said.
Musa also revealed that the President charged him with delivering security that is felt in homes, farms, and schools nationwide.
“I just met Mr President, and he reiterated his view that we must make sure that Nigeria is secured. Nigerians should go back and sleep with their eyes closed, go back to their farms, and schools should operate without being molested. Everyone will be carried along to ensure that Nigeria continues to grow in line with the Renewed Hope Programme of Mr. President,” he explained.
Musa’s remarks came barely 24 hours after his five-hour Senate screening and eventual confirmation on Wednesday.
He succeeds Mohammed Badaru, who served from August 28, 2023, until his resignation on December 1, 2025.
It was Musa’s second visit to the Villa this week. At 7:03 p.m. (local time) on Monday, our correspondent sighted him being ushered into the premises to see the President. Tinubu announced his nomination the next day, Tuesday. On Thursday, he arrived at the Villa at about 3:47 pm to be sworn in.
His appointment came barely two months after his retirement in a broad shake-up of the military high command on October 24, 2025.
General Musa, 58, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa completed his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.
Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a second lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career. His appointments include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.
In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3, Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region.
In 2021, Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.
In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu expressed confidence in Musa’s ability to lead the Ministry of Defence and further strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
His return to the security council comes a month after United States President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and threatened military action over alleged mass killings of Christians.
It also comes amid a sharp rise in mass abductions and attacks across several states. The PUNCH reports that, in the past fortnight, gunmen have stormed schools and worship centres in Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara, kidnapping at least 490 persons.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
VeryDarkMan, popularly known as VDM, has slammed Afrobeat musician Wizkid for disrespecting music legend Fela Kuti
In a viral video released on Thursday, VDM stated that Nigeria is the only county that do not recognize music legends, stating that while other countries honors great artists, Nigerians disregard theirs as “past glory”.
He further went ahead to say that some Nigerian music pioneers and veterans who voice out their concerns on national and industry issues are either insulted or ignored.
His comments came amid the ongoing clash between Seun Kuti and Wizkid.
Calling names like Eldee the Don, African China, Plantation Boiz, Psquare, Remedies, Tony Tetuila, Jazzman Olofin, 9ice, Vector, Sasha P, Asa, Weird MC, 2Face Idibia and Blackface, he said, “People you are supposed to idolise and respect are called ‘past glory’ in this country.”
The social media influencer and activist further criticized Wizkid’s comments, saying they caused his fabs to insult Fela.
He claimed that although disagreements are normal, Wizkid should have handled the situation better.
He address the ongoing comparisons between Wizkid and Fela Kuti, especially arguments centred on the Grammy Award.
He dismissed claims that Wizkid’s Grammy win places him above the late Afrobeat icon.
VeryDarkMan argued that the award was largely influenced by Beyoncé, not Wizkid’s solo artistry.
Wizkid had won a Grammy in 2021 for Best Music Video as a featured artiste on Beyoncé’s Brown Skin Girl, alongside Blue Ivy.
VDM pointed out that international music superstar, Beyoncé, has repeatedly celebrated the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, recalling how she once performed Zombie as a tribute and praised Fela in several interviews.
According to him, Zombie was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2025, while Fela Kuti is also expected to receive a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award.
In contrast, VeryDarkMan singled out Burna Boy and Tems as Nigerian artistes whose Grammy wins were based purely on individual musical contributions.
He referenced Burna Boy’s Best Global Music Album win for Twice As Tall, as well as Tems’ multiple Grammy awards, arguing that their recognitions were a direct reflection of artistic merit.
The activist also came to Fela Kuti’s defence over criticisms of his personal life, particularly his multiple marriages.
He questioned why historical figures such as King Solomon are widely revered despite similar controversies, while Fela continues to face harsh judgment.
VeryDarkMan insisted that Wizkid, musically and artistically, has not surpassed Fela Kuti or other members of the Kuti dynasty, including Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti and Made Kuti.
According to him, the Kuti family’s enduring influence on African music and global cultural discourse remains unmatched by many contemporary stars.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A faith‐based civil society organisation, CSO, Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has written a letter to the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, raising concerns over delays in refunding excess Hajj fare funds amounting to N437,000 per pilgrim who participated in the 2025 holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
In the letter dated January 19, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, the organisation said its independent monitoring revealed a significant financial surplus arising from exchange rate differentials during last year’s Hajj operations.
IHR noted that while pilgrims were charged at an exchange rate of N1,600 to the dollar, payments for services in Saudi Arabia were reportedly made at rates between N1,507 and N1,520.
According to the organisation, the exchange rate variation translates to an unutilised balance estimated at between N80,000 and N93,000 per dollar per pilgrim, with about N437,000 allegedly due for refund to each pilgrim who completed full payment by the February 10, 2025 deadline.
It stated that NAHCON had earlier assured pilgrims and stakeholders that refunds would be made after the completion of post-Hajj financial reconciliation, which it said had already been concluded.
The group, therefore, called for immediate action, including public disclosure of the total refund amount within seven working days and prompt disbursement to eligible pilgrims through the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards within 14 working days.
It urged NAHCON to act in the interest of transparency and accountability, stressing that timely refunds would help ease the economic burden on pilgrims and reinforce public trust in Nigeria’s Hajj administration.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Department of State Services (DSS), in a joint operation with Forest Guards, has successfully rescued seven individuals abducted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants during a fierce gun battle inside a forest enclave in Borno State.
Security sources revealed that the victims were kidnapped on January 19 while collecting firewood near Ajiri Camp on the outskirts of Maiduguri. Two of the abductees managed to escape and alert the community, while the terrorists later released another on a bicycle to demand a ransom of N20 million.
Acting on intelligence, DSS personnel and Forest Guards quickly mobilized to the area. To avoid detection, the operatives dismounted their motorcycles and trekked for nearly an hour before confronting the ISWAP elements, leading to a fierce gunfight.
The terrorists eventually fled, abandoning all seven victims, who were rescued unharmed and are now receiving support and undergoing profiling.
Mr. Hassan Modu, Commander of the Forest Guards, attributed the success to timely
intelligence and smooth collaboration with the DSS. “We moved quietly on foot and engaged them.
The terrorists fled once they realized we had closed in on their enclave,” Modu said. He also urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to help combat criminal activities.
The Forest Guards, a community-based auxiliary security unit, are trained, equipped, and supervised by the DSS, receiving instruction in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Regular drills and guidance from the DSS ensure professionalism, discipline, and effective coordination in joint operations against terrorists and criminal elements.
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VDM blasts Wizkid for insulting late afrobeat legend, Fela
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