In a Father’s Day message on Sunday, Obi said he found himself asking “a difficult question” about the country’s trajectory.

“Are we cursed or are we the cause?” he asked.

Obi said he grew up in a Nigeria that was more united and peaceful, where students interacted freely without divisions based on religion, ethnicity or region.

“I grew up in a Nigeria that was more united and peaceful. In my primary, secondary school and university days, students related freely without divisions of religion, ethnicity, or region. We simply saw ourselves as Nigerians,” he said.

He added that during his early business years, partnerships were based on trust and competence rather than ethnic or religious considerations, noting that the naira commanded respect internationally and Nigerians enjoyed greater global mobility.

The former Anambra state governor also recalled a time when travel across the country was safer, and roads connected communities more effectively.

“I also lived in Nigeria, where I travelled across the country—from Onitsha to Lagos, Maiduguri, and Calabar—without fear. Roads connected people, and life was more secure,” he said.

Obi further said public institutions enjoyed stronger trust in the past, including confidence in elections, accountability in governance, and more stable universities, healthcare systems, and infrastructure.

According to him, Nigeria’s Armed Forces and police were also widely respected for their roles in peacekeeping and international stability.

The former presidential candidate lamented that many of these gains have eroded over time, pointing to worsening insecurity, reduced opportunities for young people, and declining national unity.

“Today, as a father reflecting on Nigeria, I am pained that much of this has changed. Insecurity has grown, national unity has weakened, and many citizens no longer feel safe,” he said.

Obi also expressed concern over Nigeria’s perceived decline in global influence, citing the country’s absence from recent international gatherings such as the G7 summit, where countries like Egypt and Kenya were reportedly invited.

He, however, urged Nigerians not to remain passive, calling for greater civic participation and responsibility.

“As fathers, we must not only lament. We must not bequeath this reality to our children. We owe them a better Nigeria built on security, opportunity, fairness, and national pride,” he said.

Obi stressed the importance of voter participation, urging citizens to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs), vote responsibly, and protect the integrity of their votes.

“Change will not come from complaints alone but from citizens who choose and defend accountable leadership,” he said.

He concluded by expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future, saying a better country remains possible with unity and determination.

The post “Are we cursed or are we the cause?” — Peter Obi laments Nigeria’s challenges first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

In a statement issued on Thursday to mark Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day anniversary, Abbas Jimoh, NSCIA public affairs officer, said insecurity remains a major challenge affecting all Nigerians.

Jimoh noted that criminal activities continue to claim innocent lives, destroy livelihoods, displace communities, and hinder national development.

He said the council is concerned about what it described as attempts by some individuals and groups, both within and outside Nigeria, to associate Nigerian Muslims with crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, and other violent acts.

“The Council reiterates that Islam, like other divinely revealed religions, neither condones nor permits the shedding of innocent blood, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, or any form of criminal conduct,” the statement reads.

The council said such religious profiling is false, misleading, and unfair to millions of Nigerian Muslims who contribute positively to national development.

The NSCIA referenced the recent kidnapping of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, alleging that some individuals sought to portray the incident as evidence of criminality linked to Islam and Muslims.

According to the council, subsequent developments have disproved those claims.

The organisation cited an article by Farooq Kperogi titled “Don’t Add Lies to the Terrorist Horror in Oyo”, which argued that the kidnapping was already tragic and did not require what it described as falsehoods, conjecture, or propaganda.

The council also criticised ethnic profiling in the reporting of criminal activities, noting that suspects arrested in connection with the Orire incident were not identified as Fulani despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise.

“It is enough that Nigerian Muslims themselves are victims of not only terrorism but also discrimination and persecution. It is also sad that they are being falsely criminalised as the perpetrators,” the statement said.

The NSCIA called on media organisations, opinion leaders, and other stakeholders to exercise professionalism, accuracy, and fairness in public commentary and reporting.

It warned against narratives capable of inflaming tensions or deepening mistrust among Nigeria’s diverse communities.

“Criminality should neither be given ethnic nor religious coloration, as such narratives deepen divisions and undermine collective efforts to address insecurity and achieve lasting peace,” the council said.

The organisation commended the efforts of the federal government, security agencies, and community leaders in tackling insecurity and called for greater collaboration to restore peace and stability across the country.

The council also congratulated Nigerians on the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, describing June 12 as a reminder that democracy thrives where justice, accountability, inclusion, and respect for human dignity prevail.

It urged Nigerians to renew their commitment to peace, security, and national development while honouring those who fought for democracy and constitutional rule.

The post NSCIA: Islam does not support kidnapping, banditry, terrorism — Muslims are victims of insecurity first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

The attackers, said to be dressed in military uniforms, stormed the school at about 10am while senior secondary school III students were writing their examination.

Witnesses said the gunmen arrived on more than 40 motorcycles and opened fire, causing panic among students, teachers and residents, who fled for safety.

The attack led to the death of the vice-principal and two other persons, while several students and residents were initially feared abducted.

However, the Kogi state police command said a swift intervention by security agencies foiled what appeared to be a planned mass abduction.

Saliu Afusat, the command’s spokesperson, said in a statement that the divisional police officer (DPO) of Kabba ‘A’ Division mobilised a joint security team immediately after receiving distress calls.

She said the team comprised operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Police Mobile Force, military personnel, tactical units and local vigilantes.

According to her, the security operatives engaged the attackers in a prolonged gun battle, forcing them to retreat into nearby forests.

She added that preliminary investigations showed there was no conclusive evidence that students or residents were successfully abducted during the attack.

“Upon receiving distress calls, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately mobilized a joint security response,” the statement reads.

The Kogi state government also confirmed the incident and expressed sorrow over the killing of three residents of Iluke community.

Kingsley Fanwo, commissioner for information and communications, said the attackers attempted to abduct students writing the WASSCE but were repelled by security personnel.

According to him, reports available to the government indicated that the gunmen had begun marching some students into the bush before security operatives intervened.

Fanwo said the students were rescued unharmed following the operation.

He added that one of the attackers was killed during the exchange of gunfire, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The commissioner said security agencies had launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects and vowed that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice.

Fanwo commended the military, vigilantes, hunters and other security operatives involved in the rescue effort, describing their intervention as crucial in preventing a mass abduction.

He assured residents that the state government was working closely with security agencies to strengthen security in the area and protect lives and property.

The state government reiterated its commitment to combating criminal activities and maintaining peace across the state.

The post Vice principal, two persons killed as bandits attack Kogi school during WAEC examination first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Adeyeye spoke while expressing concern over the rising cases of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, which he described as a major threat to peace and development.

The traditional priest said the security challenges confronting Nigeria required a collective response that includes drawing lessons from the values and communal systems upheld by past generations.

According to him, Yoruba society was historically guided by principles of justice, peace and communal harmony, making it difficult for criminal elements to thrive.

He argued that the erosion of traditional values and the increasing embrace of foreign cultures had contributed to the challenges currently facing society.

“We must return to the values and principles that guided our forefathers. Our ancestors stood for justice, peace and communal harmony, and it was difficult for bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements to operate in Yorubaland,” he said.

Adeyeye urged traditional priests and cultural custodians across Yorubaland to work together in promoting values that encourage social order and peaceful coexistence.

He also called for stronger efforts to combat banditry and kidnapping, stressing that residents deserve to live and move freely without fear.

The traditional priest further advocated closer cooperation among local security groups, including Agbekoya and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), as well as collaboration with national security agencies to improve security across the region.

While commending President Bola Tinubu for policies aimed at strengthening the country, Adeyeye identified insecurity as one of the major challenges confronting the administration.

He expressed optimism that greater collaboration among traditional institutions, community-based groups and security agencies would contribute to efforts to restore peace and stability in Yorubaland and across Nigeria.

The post Traditional priest urges return to ancestral values to tackle insecurity in Yorubaland first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Makinde spoke on Friday when he received a delegation led by Abubakar Suleh, the air officer commanding, logistics command, who represented Sunday Aneke, the chief of the air staff, on a courtesy visit to the governor’s office.

He said the visit provided an opportunity for the state government to appreciate the air Force for its assistance during the current security challenges facing Oyo state.

According to him, surveillance missions carried out by air force personnel have provided valuable insights into the activities of ground troops and the broader security situation in affected areas.

“The surveillance missions carried out by officers of the Nigerian Air Force have given us tremendous insights into what the ground troops are facing,” Makinde said.

The governor also recalled that the surveillance aircraft procured by the state government is currently stationed at the Air Force Base in Lagos, expressing optimism that it would soon be fully assembled and deployed for operational use.

“As I said during one of my updates, the surveillance aircraft which our administration procured for Oyo State is currently at the Air Force Base in Lagos,” he added.

“We look forward to receiving the assembled aircraft very soon so that it can be used for the purpose for which it was procured.”

Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security collaboration with federal security agencies to address the worsening insecurity in parts of the state, including the recent abduction incident in Oriire.

The post PHOTOS: Makinde hosts air force delegation, receives update on abducted Ogbomoso students, teachers first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

The directive, which takes immediate effect, was contained in an internal circular issued on Friday and signed by Temitope Olawale, director of administration at the church’s international headquarters and Nigeria.

According to the circular, all church activities, including worship services, meetings and other programmes, must now end by 8 pm until further notice.

The church said the measure was introduced as a precautionary step to safeguard worshippers and church workers amid the prevailing security situation across the country.

Under the new guidelines, principal regional overseers, senior regional overseers, mega regional overseers, zonal pastors, branch pastors and other church leaders have been directed to ensure strict compliance across all assemblies.

MFM also announced the suspension of all vigils, overnight prayer meetings and similar programmes nationwide.

However, the church said such programmes could be converted to evening prayer sessions where necessary, provided they end on or before 8 pm.

The ministry stressed that the decision was not intended to disrupt spiritual activities but to enhance the safety and well-being of members.

It further directed mega regional overseers to immediately communicate the directive to all regions, zones, branches and departments under their supervision for prompt implementation.

The church said the directive would remain in force pending a review by its leadership.

The post MFM suspends vigils, overnight prayers nationwide over security concerns first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

In an internal memo issued on Tuesday and signed by Aishatu Sani Alhassan, director of school services, the board said the approval for early closure was granted by the secretary for education.

“All academic activities are expected to end accordingly, and students should be properly dismissed in an orderly and safe manner,” the memo reads.

Schools have been directed to notify students, parents and staff immediately, adjust all scheduled activities, and ensure proper communication of the directive.

The board added that schools are expected to resume on the next official academic day unless new instructions are issued.

The memo urged all principals and heads of schools to treat the directive as “important and urgent.”

The post JUST IN: FCTA orders early closure of public secondary schools over security concerns first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

The comprehensive list, dated 24 November 2025, is the first full documentation of those taken during the attack.

On Sunday, Bulus Yohanna, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger state, proprietor of the school, and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora diocese, said 50 of the abducted students escaped from the bandits.

The school also released the names of 50 pupils and students who escaped from bandits.

Yohanna said 253 individuals remain in captivity, including 236 pupils, three children of staff, 14 secondary students, and 12 staff members.

In a statement on Monday, the diocese confirmed the breakdown of those in captivity as follows:

12 staff (teachers + non-academic workers)

14 secondary school students

239 nursery & primary pupils

Bringing the total to 265 abductees.

Below is the full list

FULL LIST OF ABDUCTED PERSONS

A. Teachers & Non-Academic Staff (12)

1. Bitrus Yohanna – Teacher

2. Cyril Bagudu – Teacher

3. Mercy Yohanna – Teacher

4. Justina Yakubu – Teacher

5. Yohanna Daniel Dogonyaro – Teacher

6. Agnes Joseph – Non-academic staff

7. Anna Terry – Non-academic staff

8. Terry Francis – Non-academic staff

9. Emmanuel Ibrahim – Non-academic staff

10. Godwin James – Non-academic staff

11. Lydia Andrew – Non-academic staff

12. Hannatu Bulus – Non-academic staff

B. Secondary School Students (14)

1. Amos Kiloybas – JSS1

2. Onah Benedict – JSS1

3. Bulus Ezra – JSS1

4. Anthony Linus – JSS2

5. Dauda Zacharia – JSS2

6. Bulus Gustave – JSS2

7. Ejeh Mathew – JSS3

8. Iliya John – JSS3

9. Joshua Philip – SS1

10. Samaila Habila – SS2

11. Simon Christopher – SS3

12. Yohanna Cephas – SS3

13. Christopher Justice – SS3

14. Samuel Michael – SS3

C. Nursery & Primary Pupils (239)

Nursery Pupils

1. Natherniel Andrew

2. Shalom Terry

3. Ajikovi Andrew

4. Zacharia Sabastine

5. John Lois

6. Yohanna Veronica

7. Emmanuel Ibrahim

8. Ayuba Linus

9. Bulus Christopher

10. Ibrahim Micah

11. Joshua Dogara

12. Marcus Stephen

13. Samuel Peter

14. Simon Wisdom

15. Yahaya Vincent

16. Yakubu Yahaya

17. Yohanna Micah

18. Ibrahim Agnes

19. Musa Celestina

20. Timothy Rejoice

21. Serah James

22. Tanko Bitrus

23. Christopher Yunusa

24. Julius Dimas

25. Godwin Sunday

26. Joseph Samuel

27. Silas Timothy

28. Habila Bulus

29. Anthony Godwin

30. Alheri Sunday

31. Lovina Samuel

32. Naomi Zacharia

33. Goodness Elisha

34. Habiba Sunday

35. Redeemer Iliya

36. Joy Ibrahim

37. Rejoice Luka

38. Sarah Luka

39. Samson Luka

40. Amos Gabriel

—

Primary Pupils (Primary 1–6)

41. Ayuba Josiah

42. Bitrus Linus

43. Bulus Ayuba

44. Hanna Daniel

45. Ezekiel Shedrack

46. Peter Julius

47. Yakubu Joseph

48. Philip Iliya

49. Juliet Alex

50. Patricia Ayuba

51. Ishaya Libiya

52. Simon Iliya

53. Theresa Ibrahim

54. Veronica Michael

55. Patience Musa

56. Victoria Sunday

57. Gloria Yohanna

58. Veronica Iliya

59. Pius Yakubu

60. Lois Samaila

61. Nagode Augustine

62. Abednego Ishaya

63. Ayuba Blessed

64. Emmanuel Cleopas

65. Emmanuel Godwin

66. Emmanuel Dauda

67. Emmanuel Habila

68. Jonathan Ishaku

69. Michael Augustine

70. Michael Sunday

71. Mathew Nathaniel

72. Samuel Philip

73. Yohanna Ezra

74. Yohanna Samson

75. Yusuf Samson

76. Yakubu Stephen

77. Yakubu Caleb

78. Yakubu Andrew

79. Yakubu Pius

80. Yohanna Caleb

81. Habila Alheri

82. Musa Helina

83. Okoye Praise

84. Patrick Felicity

85. Samaila Blessing

86. Samaila Lois

87. Samuel Stephen

88. Yunusa Margret

89. Dauda Samaila

90. Anthony Maikai

91. Habila Micah

92. Ishaku Mathew

93. Joshua Nicodemus

94. Musa Yusuf

95. Yakubu Lazarus

96. Ayuba Zafaniya

97. Luka Musa

98. Ishaku Anthony

99. Yohanna Lawrence

100. Michael Friday

101. Yohanna Benjamin

102. Anthony Philip

103. Ezekiel Yahaya

104. Samaila Jonathan

105. Yohanna Emmanuel

106. Yohanna Jonathan

107. Philip Ishaya

108. Emmanuela Amos

109. Benedicta Anthony

110. Murna Ezra

111. Christiana Nuhu

112. Blessing Musa

113. Rose Peter

114. Biskila Yahaya

115. Hope Johnson

116. Anthony Simon

117. Bitrus Cephas

118. Ezekiel Shedrack

119. Ishaku Samuel

120. Joshua Gabriel

121. Joshua Habila

122. Miachael Imirya

123. Nuhu Eli

124. Sunday Philip

125. Timothy Isah

Primary 2

126. Yusuf Joel,

127. Samson James

128. Habila S. Cephas

129. Mathew Yahaya

130.Mercy Daniel
131.Patience Ezekiel
132.Rose Iliya
133.Rejoice Joshua
134.Rita Markus
135.Clementina Oluwasegun
136.Blessing Paul
137.Fibi Samuel
138.Grace Sunday
139.Roseline Markus
140.Musa Nehemiah
141.Yohanna Dominic
142.Divine Yohanna
143.Musa Shedrack
144.Samson Sarah
145.Dominic Sabina
146.Ishaya Jonathan
147.Daniel Anthony
148.Njikonge Joseph
149.Ezekiel Francis

Primary 3
150.Isah Julius
151.Ishaya Sunday
152.Luka Ebenezer
153.Luka Samaila
154.Markus Peter
155.Samuel Joseph
156.Iliya Paul
157.Madubueze Favour
158.Theresa Zacharia
159.Rebecca Bulus
160.Justina Daniel
161.Saraya Ezekiel
162.Grace Irmiya
163.Jannet Ishaku
165.Jannet John
164.Naomi James
166.Veronica Luka
167.Grace Mlathew

168.Happy Samaila
169.Faith Yohanna
170.Victoria Yohanna
171.Agnes Yusuf
172.Isa Julius
173.Moses Simon
174.Cikarfe Timothy
175.Ezra Jonathan
176.Irmiya Habila
177.Iliya Dominic
178.Magaji Mathew
179.Amos Istifanus
180.Chime Onyeaka
181.Daniel Lawrence
182.Ezekiel Cleopas
183.Joel Philip
184.Nuhu Genesis
185.Peshe Yakubu
186.Peter Irmiya
187.Yakubu Omega
188.Yohanna Linus
189.Felicia Andrew
190.Eunice Bitrus
191.Victoria Bulus
192.Onyebuchi Chime
193.Felistina Dauda
194.Rejoice Emmanuel
195.Jessica Ishaku
196.Sabina Ibrahim
197.Blessing Luka
198.Paulina Peter
199.Felicia Musa
200.Grace Yakubu
201.Lawrence Yohanna
202.Esther Yusuf
203.Chikumachi Peter Jagaba
204.Amos Yahaya

205.Ayuba Zacharia
206.Bulus Saminu
207.Jeremiah Ezra
208.Isah Jemilu
209.Samuel Pius

210.Samuel Stephen
211.Iliya Dominic
212.Donald Yusuf
213.Agnes Amos
214.Grace Emmanuel
215.Blessing Joshua
216.Suzanna Musa
217.Dorcas Mathew
218.Patience Yusuf
219.Mary Yohanna
220.Ruth Yakubu
221.Goodness Daniel
222.Lois Emmanuel
223.Biskila Peter
224.Daniel Caleb
225.Emmanuel Amos
226.Emmanuel Joseph
227.Ishaya James
228.Ishaya Shedrack
229.Nufi Nathan
230.Yohanna Christopher
231.Yohanna Prosper
232.Nwaolisa Chijioke
233.Mathar Iliya
234.Happy Jeremiah
235.Precious Okoye
236.Ketura Sunday
237.Salomi Sunday
238.Susan Zacharia
239.Florence Michael

The post FULL LIST: St Mary’s Catholic school publishes names of 265 abducted staff, pupils, students  first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

The victims, aged between 15 and 20, were seized while harvesting crops on communal farmlands in the Mussa district on Sunday.

Abdullahi Askira, deputy speaker of the Borno state house of assembly, confirmed the attack.

Askira said the girls were among displaced residents originally from Huyim and resettled in Mussa by the government due to persistent insecurity in the area.

“One of the victims managed to escape and has since been reunited with her family,” he said. “But the remaining 12 are still in captivity, and the abductors’ whereabouts remain unknown.”

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, called on security agencies to intensify search-and-rescue efforts and ensure the safe return of the missing teenagers.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant, pray for the victims, and promptly report suspicious movements.

The abduction adds to a troubling rise in mass kidnappings across Nigeria, particularly in the north.

Nigeria has faced more than a decade of sustained insurgent violence, with the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction marking a turning point.

In recent weeks alone, multiple large-scale kidnappings have shaken the country.

On November 21, 2025, over 300 students and teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger state—the biggest abduction since Chibok.

Days earlier, 25 schoolgirls were taken from a government school in Kebbi state. On November 18, armed men stormed Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Kwara state, abducting 38 worshippers and killing the pastor and several others.

The surge in attacks has intensified calls for decisive action to address Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.

The post ISWAP abducts 13 teenage girls in Borno  first appeared on The Times of Abuja.