The Chairman of the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Umar Abdullahi, and four other kidnap victims have escaped from terrorists’ captivity and been received by troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

The five victims escaped in the early hours of Thursday in the general area of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt Col Aliyu Danja, the victims escaped during an intelligence-led military operation targeting a suspected terrorists’ location in the area.

Danja said the victims were received by troops deployed in the vicinity after regaining their freedom.

“Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANAN YAMMA, have received and secured the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Abdullahi, and four other kidnap victims who escaped from terrorists’ captivity in the early hours of Thursday in the general area of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area,” the statement said.

Abdullahi was abducted from his residence in Bungudu town in July 2026. The Theatre Command had previously issued a statement concerning his abduction.

The military said the victims were provided with security cover and evacuated to a military medical facility after they were rescued.

“They were provided with security cover and evacuated to a military medical facility, where they are responding to treatment and undergoing evaluation and routine debriefing,” Danja said.

The victims are expected to undergo further assessment as part of the military’s routine process following their recovery from captivity.

The Joint Task Force also disclosed that one of the five victims had already been reunited with their family, while arrangements were being made to reunite the remaining victims with their families and the Zamfara State Government.

The Theatre Command commended the victims for their conduct during their captivity and their efforts to regain their freedom.

“The Theatre Command commends the courage, resilience and determination of the victims in regaining their freedom after a prolonged period in captivity,” the statement said.

It also praised the troops involved in receiving and securing the victims following their escape.

The command described the return of the victims as “a welcome relief” to their families, residents of Bungudu Local Government Area and the wider Zamfara State.

“The return of the victims is a welcome relief to their families and the people of Bungudu Local Government Area, and Zamfara State as a whole,” the statement said.

The development comes as security forces continue military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist activities and improving security in parts of Zamfara State and the wider North-West.

The Theatre Command said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA would sustain clearance and dominance operations across the general area to disrupt terrorist activities and protect communities.

“Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA will sustain clearance and dominance operations across the general area to disrupt terrorist activities and protect communities, and remain committed to securing the safe return of any other persons still held or missing,” Danja said.

Earlier in July, SaharaReporters reported that suspected bandits abducted the Chairman of the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Bungudu, after attacking his residence in a late-night raid that left four security personnel dead.

The attack occurred in the Zango area of Bungudu town, less than 20 kilometres from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

According to residents, the gunmen stormed the council chairman’s residence, where they engaged security personnel in a fierce gun battle before abducting the chairman.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the assailants killed two police officers and two vigilantes assigned to protect the chairman’s residence.

“They killed two policemen and two vigilantes, including one volunteer vigilante who had been actively helping to protect the town from bandit attacks,” the source said.

By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and the European Union have renewed efforts to conclude the long-pending EU-Nigeria Re-Admission Agreement as both sides seek to deepen cooperation on migration, legal mobility and security.

The issue featured prominently during a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The  .

In a statement by the Nigerian Foreign Ministry the proposed agreement which was initiated in 2016, was also extensively discussed during the eighth Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue in March 2026.

Brunner stressed the importance of concluding the agreement, saying its finalisation would provide a basis for broader cooperation between Nigeria and the EU on migration.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, however, emphasised that any migration partnership should address Nigeria’s development interests, including support for the reintegration of returnees, infrastructure development and expanded legal pathways for Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.

She also stressed the need for structured and lawful mobility opportunities for Nigeria’s large and youthful population.

The EU delegation indicated that Nigeria’s concerns had been incorporated into a proposed broader migration and security cooperation framework.

The framework is expected to cover strategic dialogue on talent partnerships, legal migration pathways, reintegration of returnees, border management and support from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex.

The proposed cooperation will also explore an arrangement for information exchange with Europol to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat transnational organised crime.

Brunner said the EU was interested in developing legal migration pathways through talent partnerships, which could help address skills shortages in Europe while creating opportunities for Nigerian professionals.

The initiative is also expected to address concerns surrounding brain drain by creating more structured opportunities for Nigerians to work abroad while maintaining links with their home country.

The two sides further discussed cooperation against irregular migration, with Brunner indicating that progress in tackling irregular migration could help create greater opportunities for legal migration.

The European commissioner expressed interest in continuing discussions during a proposed visit to Abuja in November 2026, although the specific date is yet to be agreed by both sides.

The renewed engagement comes as the EU continues work towards formalising the readmission agreement. EU Council documents published in July 2026 also showed proposals for the signing and conclusion of an agreement with Nigeria covering the return and readmission of people who no longer meet the conditions for entry, presence or residence in the territories of either party.

The Nigeria-EU discussions therefore seek to address irregular migration and return while also expanding legal mobility, reintegration assistance, border management, security cooperation and opportunities for Nigerian professionals and young people.

By Gloria Ikibah

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has said Nigeria’s grassroots development and mobilisation are central to the country’s foreign policy projection and international image.

The Minister stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering a goodwill message at the 2026 maiden National Conference of the 774 Local Government Chairmen and Chairmen of Traditional Rulers’ Councils at the State House Banquet Hall.

The conference, convened by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, was themed, “Cascading President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to the Grassroots.”

Enikanolaiye said policies implemented at the local level could have implications for Nigeria’s image and relations with other countries.

He said: “For us in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we believe that every aspect of our government policy at home has implications for foreign policy and Nigeria’s international relations. Which is why we are interested in everything that goes on domestically because foreign policy is also a projection of domestic policy. And in this context, grassroots mobilization and development is critical to what we do abroad”.

He argued that inclusive governance should be built from the grassroots upwards, rather than imposed from the top, while describing traditional rulers as an important component of Nigeria’s governance structure.

Enikanolaiye commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the conference and for recognising the roles of local governments and traditional rulers in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

Linking his remarks to President Tinubu’s four-D foreign policy doctrine of demography, development, democracy and diaspora, the minister said the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda would ultimately depend on its impact at the grassroots.

On demography, he said Nigeria’s youthful population across the 774 local government areas represented a major asset that could strengthen the country’s position globally if properly empowered.

“On Demography, Nigeria’s youth in the 774 LGAs is our greatest global asset – empower the LGAs, convert numbers to power,” he said.

On development, Enikanolaiye said productive local governments were essential to achieving Nigeria’s economic ambitions, citing agriculture, mineral resources and major infrastructure projects as areas with potential to attract foreign investment.

“On Development, a $1 trillion economy is impossible without productive LGAs. With agriculture booming, 44+ minerals across 500 sites, and massive infrastructure like the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry highways, grassroots stability is what attracts FDI,” he stated.

The minister also linked stronger local governance to democracy, saying empowered local governments and traditional institutions would demonstrate the practice of participatory governance.

“Speaking On Democracy, empowering LGAs and traditional rulers proves Nigeria practises real, bottom-up democracy,” he said.

On the diaspora component of the doctrine, Enikanolaiye said improved conditions at home could encourage Nigerians living abroad to invest in the country and promote a positive image of Nigeria internationally.

“On Diaspora, when home is secure and working, the Diaspora will invest and sell the Nigerian story with confidence,” he noted.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would support the foreign policy component of grassroots development through investment matchmaking via Nigeria’s 110 diplomatic missions abroad and partnerships with Nigeria’s international partners.

The ministry, he added, would also leverage the community-level knowledge of traditional rulers in support of national security.

In a separate goodwill message, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, represented by Dr Vitalis Obi, said local governments remained the closest tier of government to the people and were central to service delivery.

He also described traditional rulers as important actors in peacebuilding and reaffirmed the commitment of the civil service to accountability and measurable results.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Dr Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, said the government lacked timely and verifiable data on interventions at the local government level.

He said the ministry had consequently developed an E-Tracking Framework to monitor projects, including their locations, values, timelines and verification status.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that the visible achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration will secure victory for the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in the FCT during the 2027 general elections.

Wike, who stated this after inspecting the ongoing Apo-Karshi and Bwari-Kubwa road projects, stressed that good governance remains the most reliable metric for political success.

He said that the administration’s performance in infrastructure delivery, particularly in long-neglected satellite towns, leaves the opposition with nothing to offer voters beyond empty stories.

He argued that the tangible results on the ground make an unassailable case for President Tinubu’s re-election, including Sen. Philip Aduda (FCT) and House of Representatives candidate John Gabaya (Bwari Federal Constituency).

He said; “If good governance is a barometer to measure whether a government has succeeded or not, then we have nothing to fear.

“Now, the Tinubu administration has come and it’s not only listening to you, it’s not only caring for you, it’s solving your problems. Why will they want to change their mind?”

Dismissing opposition rhetoric, the minister said; “This is the campaign. The people who will come, what will they come with?

“They will tell them stories. But we have not come with stories, we have come with facts, verifiable facts. I can beat my chest, I can close my eyes and go home and sleep with my two eyes closed, that Tinubu will emerge. I have no fear at all.”

The minister pointed out that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has shifted development priorities beyond the city centre to directly touch satellite communities.

“The Renewed Hope administration has redefined infrastructure delivery as far as FCT is concerned, not just within the city, but also within the satellite towns.

“We thank God Almighty that has given us a President who has come to listen and to change the narrative that development must not only be concentrated within the city centers, but also spread in the satellite towns,” he said.

Speaking on the projects, Wike said the long-delayed Apo-Karshi road project was on course for completion in November.

He also said that the dualisation of the Bwari-Kubwa road, where residents turned out in large numbers to welcome his delegation, would also be delivered in December.

“Work on site is set to intensify by the first week of October as seasonal heavy rains abate,” he said.

. Dismantling the syndicate is another proof transnational drug networks won’t have any space to operate in Nigeria, says Marwa

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has once again struck a decisive blow against transnational organised crime with the dismantling of a Nigerian-Mexican drug cartel operating a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Eziama community in Obeagu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Two kingpins: 45-year-old Chukwu Obumneme Christopher, alias Brown, and 60-year-old Chukwu Georginus Monday, alias George, were arrested in connection with the operation of the meth lab in partnership with a notorious Mexican drug cartel member, Rodriguez Villanueva, based in Mexico City, Mexico, after several months of intelligence and surveillance on the syndicate.
As a result, they were arraigned before Hon. Justice Mabel Taiye Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court, Enugu Judicial Division, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, the organisation, management and financing of a Drug Trafficking Organization, and unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, contrary to the NDLEA Act. After their plea, Justice Segun-Bello has now scheduled their trial for 21st October 2026, following an application by the Agency for an accelerated hearing.

Also named in the charge, and currently at large, are Uchenna, alias Uche; Celestine Ikemefuna Iwuchukwu; and Rodriguez Villanueva, who is a notorious member of a Mexican drug cartel.

Investigations by a Special Operations Unit (SOU) of NDLEA revealed a sophisticated, transnational operation by the Nigerian-Mexican cartel. Surveillance activities by NDLEA between 1st and 4th December, 2025, tracked Brown’s movements between Lagos, Enugu and Anambra States, ultimately leading operatives to a compound in Obeagu where a clandestine laboratory capable of producing methamphetamine in commercial quantities was uncovered. The lab, fitted with improvised reactors and distillation apparatus, mirrored similar facilities recently dismantled in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi.

A search of the premises led to the recovery of vast quantities of precursor chemicals, including 690 litres of methylamine, 1,000 litres of isopropyl alcohol, 300 litres of hydrochloric acid, 290 litres each of toluene and acetone, 400 litres of liquid sodium hydroxide, 125 kilograms of N-phenylacetamide, 414 kilograms of lead acetate, and 769.6 kilograms of tartaric acid, among other controlled substances, a haul consistent with a high-potency, P2P-based methamphetamine manufacturing operation.

A related search of George’s family residence yielded eight large fuel tanks, four commercial gas burners, four dehydrators, and 11 kilograms of ephedrine, further underscoring the scale of the cartel’s operations.
Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), reaffirmed the Agency’s unwavering resolve to track down every fleeing suspect connected to the cartel, and ensure that they all face the full weight of the law.

He
commended all NDLEA officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and doggedness in cracking yet another international drug syndicate. He described the Enugu lab bust as further proof that Nigeria will not be allowed to become a haven for transnational drug cartels, warning that the Agency’s intelligence-driven operations and international partnerships would continue to close every loophole exploited by drug barons, whether local or foreign. He reiterated his charge to all NDLEA personnel to sustain the momentum of relentless enforcement until the nation is rid of the scourge of illicit drug production and trafficking.

By Gloria Ikibah

A delegation of international journalists has been given the rare honour of ringing the market-closing bell at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), bringing to a close a familiarisation visit to Asia’s oldest stock exchange.

The symbolic ceremony was led by BSE Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sundararaman Ramamurthy, who hosted the visiting media representatives at the exchange’s historic headquarters in Mumbai.

The bell-ringing followed a briefing during which Ramamurthy traced the 151-year-old institution’s remarkable journey from its beginnings under a banyan tree to its emergence as one of the world’s leading stock exchanges.

The journalists were also taken through the historic trading hall where brokers once conducted transactions through open outcry, relying on hand signals and shouted bids before the introduction of electronic trading.

Ramamurthy told the delegation that India’s capital markets had undergone a dramatic transformation, with trading now carried out electronically and increasingly through smartphones, enabling investors to access the market from virtually anywhere.

He also highlighted the growth in investor participation in India, the development of modern settlement systems and the expanding role of technology in promoting transparency and protecting investors.

The visiting journalists were briefed on the BSE’s contribution to capital formation and economic development, as well as India’s growing role in global derivatives and options trading.

The ceremonial closing bell provided the international media representatives with a firsthand experience of one of the longstanding traditions associated with stock exchanges around the world.

The visit was part of efforts to familiarise international journalists with India’s financial markets and the evolution of one of the country’s most important economic institutions.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has signaled a strategic shift in the nation’s political landscape, predicting a decisive victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking during the state’s 39th-anniversary celebrations, Akpabio, who is the country’s third-highest-ranking official—touted the political stability achieved in the oil-rich Niger Delta region as a blueprint for the national electoral roadmap. He explicitly called for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the incumbent state governor, Umo Eno and himself

Addressing a diverse crowd of stakeholders, Akpabio framed the 2027 election as a referendum on continuity and structural reform. He argued that the economic policies initiated by President Tinubu, while demanding significant sacrifice from the populace, are vital for Nigeria’s long-term industrialization and infrastructure development.

“The case for re-electing President Tinubu rests on national stabilization and long-term economic reforms,” Akpabio said. “The ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda is a trajectory that Nigeria must maintain to achieve sustained prosperity.”

For international observers, the Senate President’s endorsement of Governor Eno—a member of the opposition who has cultivated a non-partisan, pragmatic approach to local governance—highlights a growing trend of “developmental governance” where state-federal collaboration is being prioritized over traditional partisan combat. Akpabio lauded the governor for bridging historical political divides, effectively creating a unified front that local analysts believe is essential for regional stability in the Niger Delta.

Beyond the ballot box, Akpabio utilized the anniversary platform to advocate for greater regional integration. Drawing on the cultural and historical ties between Akwa Ibom and neighboring Cross River State, the Senate President urged for enhanced formal cooperation between the two states.

“We are one people, one history, and one future,” Akpabio declared, suggesting that the South-South zone’s economic potential could only be fully unlocked through cross-border collaboration and institutionalized regional partnership.

The anniversary served as both a political rally and a moment of historical reflection. Founded on the dreams and advocacy of local leaders, Akwa Ibom has transformed from a modest administrative territory into one of Nigeria’s most consequential states.

Akpabio paid tribute to the pioneers of the state, noting that its development has been driven primarily by the resilience and intellectual capital of its citizens. “Our greatest resource has always been our people,” he remarked, citing their achievements across sectors ranging from academia and sports to the global professional services industry.

By framing re-election not just as a partisan victory, but as a commitment to a unified national development strategy, the APC leadership is clearly aiming to preemptively consolidate support ahead of a contentious 2027 cycle. As Akwa Ibom prepares to hit the four-decade milestone next year, the alignment between the local government in Uyo and the federal administration in Abuja appears to be the primary pillar of the party’s upcoming campaign strategy.

By Gloria Ikibah

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State has suffered a setback following the defection of its former state youth leader, Hon. ABM Jacob Alebura, to the Labour Party (LP) alongside several other party members.

The development is expected to strengthen the Labour Party’s structure in the state, particularly ahead of the 2027 governorship election, in which Hon. Jonathan Gbefwi Gaza is the party’s governorship candidate.

Gaza, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, represents the Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State in the National Assembly.

Alebura formally expressed his intention to join the Labour Party in a letter sighted by Naijablitznews.com, stating that he had also registered as a member under the Doma Local Government Area structure of the party.

He said his decision was driven by his commitment to the ideals of the Labour Party and his desire to contribute to building a stronger political movement.

“I’m writing to formally express my intent to join the Labour Party LP and to officially register myself as a full member of the Labour Party, under the Doma Local government area structure Nasarawa state, effective from today.

“I’m committed to upholding the ideals, values and constitution of the Labour Party and I look forward to actively participating in the activities of the party at the ward level, towards building a stronger, more inclusive, and people-oriented political movement for the progress of our community and our nation,” the letter read.

Alebura had on September 19, 2026, resigned from the PDP, citing what he described as marginalisation by party leaders and stakeholders.

He also pointed to an unresolved dispute between him and the PDP chairman in Doma Local Government Area as one of the reasons for his departure from the party.

The former PDP youth leader was received into the Labour Party alongside other defectors by the state chairman and the leadership of the party in Doma Local Government Area, as well as other party stakeholders.

The latest movement adds to the political realignment taking place in Nasarawa State ahead of the 2027 elections, with the Labour Party seeking to consolidate its structures across the state.

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government has reduced the interest rate charged on late payment of taxes, with the new regime taking effect from October 1, 2026.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, issued the Nigeria Tax Administration (Interest on Late Payment of Tax) Order, 2026, under Section 65 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025.

The new order applies uniformly to federal, state and FCT tax authorities and links the interest charged on late tax payments more closely to prevailing market rates.

Under the new arrangement, interest on tax payable in naira will be charged at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Rate plus one percentage point.

However, the rate will not fall below the yield on 364-day Treasury Bills, reflecting the government’s cost of funding when tax payments are delayed.

The new spread represents a reduction from the previous five percentage-point margin.
For taxes payable in foreign currency, the interest rate will be based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus six percentage points. Where SOFR is discontinued, its official successor rate will apply.

The applicable rate will be reviewed monthly and fixed on the last business day of the preceding month.

The Nigeria Revenue Service has been directed to publish the applicable rate on its website by the third business day of every month.

The interest will be calculated as simple interest on a daily basis, running from the tax due date until payment is made.

Explaining the rationale behind the new order, Oyedele said the cost of delaying tax payments should reflect the cost to government of making up for the shortfall.

“Tax that is due belongs to the public. When it is paid late, Government may have to borrow to fill the gap, and the cost falls on everyone. This Order ties the cost of late payment to real market rates, so that delaying tax does not become a cheaper form of credit than the market itself,” he said.

The minister said the new system would also provide taxpayers with greater certainty by ensuring that the applicable rate is published regularly and applied consistently by tax authorities.

“Just as important is certainty. Every taxpayer, whether dealing with the Nigeria Revenue Service or a State revenue service, will know the rate in advance, see it published every month, and be charged in the same way. Clear rules make compliance easier and support a fair, predictable tax system,” he added

The order covers tax payments made through self-assessment, as well as assessments administered by the Nigeria Revenue Service and the State and FCT Internal Revenue Services.

The ministry said the new rates will apply to interest arising from October 1, 2026, including interest on tax liabilities that became due before that date.

However, interest that arose before October 1 will remain subject to the rules in force at the time, where specifically provided for under those rules.
The order also supersedes the 2017 notice on interest on unpaid taxes and other earlier notices on the matter.

The ministry clarified that the new order does not alter the 10 per cent penalty for late payment provided under Section 65 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act.

It added that relevant tax authorities retained powers under Section 66 of the Act to waive penalties or interest where good cause was established.

The Federal Ministry of Finance advised taxpayers to file their returns and pay applicable taxes on time, while those with outstanding liabilities were encouraged to settle them promptly or engage the relevant tax authority.

The Trump administration must immediately reinstate White House access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico, a US federal judge ordered Thursday, after their reporters were banned from the premises.

Trump has long attacked media outlets that have aired critical coverage of his campaigns and administrations, repeatedly blasting the press as the “enemy of the people.”

The three outlets were barred from the White House by the billionaire former reality TV star on Friday as punishment for distributing what he branded “fake news” and “fiction and lies.”

CNN, MS NOW and Politico filed a joint lawsuit asking for a temporary restraining order against the ban on the grounds that it violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which upholds the right to a free press.

Judge Timothy Kelly found that the revocation of press passes “likely violated their constitutional due process rights,” according to the eight-page ruling issued Thursday.

“The ‘general rule’ is that ‘individuals must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Government deprives them’ of a constitutionally protected interest,” Kelly wrote.

A reporter looks at his phone in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2026.

The judge said that press credentials held by employees of the three outlets will be reinstated “until further Order of the Court or the expiration of this Temporary Restraining Order”, which is to remain in effect for 14 days.

Kelly added that the order cannot be immediately appealed.

Ahead of the ruling, the Department of Justice had argued Trump can “control reporters’ access to restricted presidential areas, such as the Oval Office.”

“Access to the White House is a privilege — not a right,” it said.

‘National security’

The White House Press Office accused CNN in a letter to the cable news outlet of “trafficking in verifiable falsehoods about national security and other issues, and publishing sensitive or classified information,” with similar accusations leveled against MS NOW and Politico.

The letter to CNN cited several stories about the US-Iran war and a story on Trump’s plans to build a military bunker below the planned East Wing ballroom which allegedly “disclosed ‘top-secret’ construction details.”

Theodore Boutrous, representing the media outlets in court on Wednesday, told the judge that in Trump’s Truth Social post announcing the bans, the president “didn’t say anything about national security.”

Boutrous argued that being punished for reporting on national security issues “that the government would rather have not be reported on is just contrary to First Amendment principles.”

Kelly said the stories identified in letters to the outlets were “routine”.

“The Court is skeptical — at least on this record — that Defendants’ interest in safeguarding national security is the actual motivation for, or is even advanced by, the revocation of Plaintiffs’ hard passes,” Kelly said, referring to the White House press credentials.

Journalists for the three news organizations were denied access to the White House grounds on Saturday and had their passes confiscated, in the latest flare-up of the 80-year-old Republican president’s assault on mainstream US media.

‘Shouldn’t be here’

In a previous case involving CNN during Trump’s first term, Kelly, a Trump appointee, ordered the White House to temporarily restore access for a CNN reporter whose pass had been revoked.

In a rare move, the top five US broadcasters said Monday that they were halting pool coverage of the White House — where a broadcaster films on behalf of all television outlets for the day — in solidarity with CNN.

“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government. No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting,” ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC said.

The White House Correspondents’ Association and nearly 50 news organizations also filed a brief with the court calling for the bans on CNN, MS NOW and Politico to be reversed.

Trump appeared to suggest on Tuesday that CNN should not be covering him outside of the White House either.

“I’m surprised that CNN is here covering me. You shouldn’t be here,” Trump told a reporter at the UN General Assembly in New York.

The White House launched a streaming channel, Trump TV, on Monday which it said would show “top videos, major remarks, and must-see highlights streaming 24/7 and updated in real time.”

The ban came at a time when Trump’s approval ratings are at record lows, his Republican Party risks losing control of Congress in November’s midterm elections, and the Middle East conflict drags on with no end in sight.

AFP