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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renewed the appointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for another five-year term.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Friday.

Marwa was first appointed by late President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021, after serving as the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to December 2020.

The reappointment means the Adamawa-born former military officer will remain at the helm of the NDLEA until 2031.

Marwa, a former military governor of Lagos and Borno States, is a graduate of the Nigerian Military School and the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA.

After his commissioning as a second lieutenant in 1973, Marwa served as brigade major of the 23 Armoured Brigade, Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma, and academic registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He also served as Deputy Defence Adviser in the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, and later as Defence Adviser to the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

He holds two postgraduate degrees: a Master of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh (1983–85) and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University (1985–86).

His tenure in the NDLEA has been remarkable for many drug busts, including the arrests of 73,000 drug mules and barons and seizures of over 15 million kilogrammes of various hard drugs.

Under his leadership, the agency has also launched nationwide campaigns to address drug abuse.

“Your reappointment is a vote of confidence in your onerous efforts to rid our country of the menace of drug trafficking and drug abuse. I urge you not to relent in tracking the merchants of hard drugs, out to destroy our people, especially the young ones”, President Tinubu said.

An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has again extended its interim order restraining any interference with the planned National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scheduled to hold on November 15 and 16 in the Oyo State capital.

The presiding judge, Justice Ladiran Akintola, in his ruling on Thursday, ordered that the interim injunction earlier granted on an ex-parte motion filed by the claimant would remain in effect until Friday when the substantive case comes up for further hearing.

The order, which effectively shields the opposition party from disruptions ahead of its crucial convention, followed arguments by counsel representing both parties in the suit.

Justice Akintola, ruling on a separate application for joinder filed by another party in the matter, held that the document could not be entertained because it was unsigned by the deponent.

However, counsel to the defendant, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), maintained that the omission did not invalidate the application, arguing that the identity of the deponent was clearly established.

In his response, the judge ruled that while the application could not be accepted in its current form, it could be properly refiled.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, counsel to the claimant, Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN), said the interim injunction remains valid and enforceable pending the court’s decision on the substantive case.

“We were about to take the application for joinder when the Court discovered that the affidavit was not signed.

“However, the other party has indicated interest to file another one. That is what transpired in court today,” Adetunmbi explained.

It would be recalled that the court had earlier granted an order allowing the PDP to proceed with its National Convention in Ibadan, following an ex-parte motion filed by the claimant seeking to restrain the defendants — Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum; Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (for himself and members of the National Convention Organising Committee); and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — from truncating or frustrating the conduct of the event.

The court also directed the PDP leadership to strictly adhere to the guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities previously released for the convention.

Meanwhile, the PDP has reaffirmed its commitment to holding the convention as planned, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to derail the event through misinformation and legal distractions.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary and Secretary of the Publicity and Communication Sub-Committee of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the party dismissed reports of any postponement.

“The National Working Committee, NWC, and the 2025 National Convention Organising Committee of the PDP informs all party members and the general public that the 2025 National Convention of the PDP has not been postponed but will go on as scheduled on Saturday, 15th to Sunday, 16th November, 2025 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital,” Ologunagba said.

He accused the APC of sponsoring false narratives to mislead the public, describing the move as part of a “failed plot to weaken the opposition and destabilise democracy.”

“We are aware of the plots by the APC to destabilise the opposition and impose a one-party state in the country — a design that will be lawfully resisted,” Ologunagba added.

At least two persons died following a protest in the Danjanku, Dantashi, and Dayi communities of Malumfashi Local Government Area in Katsina State.

The protest followed a fresh bandit attack on Monday that left one person dead and 17 others abducted, despite an existing peace deal between the criminals and the government. Residents said Monday night’s attack was the third in less than a week, bringing the total number of abductions in the affected areas to over 30.

Eyewitnesses reported that bandits stormed Danjanku around midnight, scaling fences to enter homes before abducting residents and killing one individual.

Angered by the incident, youths took to the streets Tuesday morning, blocking the Funtua–Katsina highway to protest the ongoing attacks and what they described as the government’s failure to secure the area.

The initially peaceful protest reportedly turned violent when security personnel arrived to disperse the crowd, allegedly killing two protesters and injuring two others during the confrontation. Residents of Dantashi and Dayi later joined in solidarity, blocking roads and burning tires to express their frustration over the worsening insecurity.

Calm was eventually restored following intervention by traditional rulers and community elders.

The Village Head of Danjanku, Tanimu Almakiyayi, confirmed the attack. “They came last night, killed one of our people, and abducted several others. We are living in fear here,” he said.

A security source also confirmed the incident, stating, “The bandits invaded Danjanku last night, abducting 17 people and killing one in the process.”

Residents accused the deployed soldiers of shooting the two protesters dead and injuring two others. Attempts to reach the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

Locals noted that Malumfashi and neighboring Bakori areas continue to face renewed attacks despite the peace deal. “They still tax us to harvest our farm produce. Even after paying, there’s no guarantee we can farm or move freely,” one resident lamented.

Another added, “The bandits attacked two days ago, abducted people, and returned last night. That’s why the youths protested. Instead of calming the situation, the soldiers started shooting.”

Residents accused both the state government and security agencies of abandoning them, saying the peace agreement has failed to protect rural communities.

Policeman killed in Bakori attack

Relatedly, there was another attack on a Fulani settlement behind the Bakori Local Government Secretariat. Daily Trust learned that one policeman was killed, two others were wounded, while about nine suspected bandits were neutralized in the process. Unspecified numbers of animals were rustled. A combined team of military, police, and vigilantes responded swiftly to the attackers.

Ex-Army Chief Dambazau Laments Terrorists Now Collect Taxes, Make Laws For Northern Nigeria Communities

A former Minister of Interior and retired Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), has raised the alarm over the worsening insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

He warned that the situation has deteriorated to the point where bandits and insurgents have taken control of several communities, collecting taxes and enforcing their own laws.

Dambazau, who spoke on Monday at the First Media and Security Summit held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, said insecurity in the region has persisted for over two decades, claiming thousands of lives and displacing millions without decisive action from government authorities.

The summit, themed “Existential Threats and National Security,” drew top northern leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the governors of Nasarawa and Kebbi States.

“The North has suffered from herders-farmers clashes, terrorism and banditry. People were killed in mosques in Katsina, Borno, Zamfara and Kano. We have gotten to a situation where bandits and insurgents have taken some of our communities, taxing and making laws for them,” Dambazau lamented.

“Thousands have been killed and millions displaced. The number of widows and orphans has increased, farmers have lost their farmlands, and herders’ cattle have been rustled — all without any meaningful response from state actors,” he added.

The retired general urged northern governors to stop over-reliance on federal allocations by establishing Ministries of Mineral Resources in their states and working with relevant federal agencies to harness natural resources, create jobs, and reduce poverty — which he identified as one of the root causes of insecurity.

He also called for the restoration of the traditional institution’s authority, massive investment in agriculture, education for out-of-school children, and policies promoting social inclusion.

“Over 70 percent of those suffering from poverty occasioned by insecurity are from the North. Religious extremism is another major threat to security and has emboldened groups like Boko Haram, the ‘Lakurawa’ terrorists, and armed bandits to unleash violence on our people,” he warned.

Speaking earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, emphasized that security should not be left to government alone, stressing the need for unity and dialogue among Nigerians.

“Security is everybody’s responsibility. We were not like this before; Nigeria was not what it is today. We can solve the problem by coming together, understanding ourselves, and implementing decisions that will restore peace,” the Sultan said.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who also spoke at the summit, said the insecurity ravaging the North—particularly the North West—requires collective action and a deep understanding of its underlying causes.

“Insecurity in the North West is worrisome. The summit should examine the root causes — it may be linked to climate change and other socio-economic factors,” he said.

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State described the summit as a timely intervention aimed at tackling the region’s deepening security and developmental challenges.

“This gathering provides us with the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing the North and to find workable solutions,” Idris stated.

Terrorists Attack Passengers Bus On Ayere-Kabba Road In Kogi, Kill One, Injure Several Others

A terrorists attack on a commercial bus has left one passenger dead and several others injured along the Ayere–Kabba road in the Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Sources told SaharaReporters on Monday that the incident occurred around 5pm on Sunday when gunmen opened fire on travellers along the busy route.

According to a witness, some vehicles managed to escape the ambush, but several passengers were hit by bullets.

“One person was confirmed dead at the general hospital, while others are receiving treatment for gunshot injuries,” the source said.

Residents say the Ayere–Kabba axis has become increasingly dangerous for travellers, with frequent attacks by armed gangs believed to be operating between Kogi and neighbouring Kwara State.

In recent months, communities along the Kogi–Kwara border have faced a surge in terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and violent crimes, raising fresh concerns about security in the region.

SaharaReporters previously reported that residents of Yagba East Local Government Area in Kogi State took to the streets on Sunday to protest the rising wave of kidnappings and bandit attacks in the region.

The protest, which took place in front of the General Hospital in Isanlu, followed the brutal killing of an elderly, sick woman who had been abducted by bandits the previous day.

Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters that the demonstrators, frustrated by the persistent insecurity, blocked major roads in Ilafin-Isanlu, set tires ablaze, and chanted slogans demanding urgent government intervention.

Many residents gathered in groups, expressing anger over the lack of security and the seeming impunity of criminal elements in the area.

According to sources, the elderly woman, reportedly frail and unwell, was kidnapped during an attack in Ilafin-Isanlu on Saturday.
The bandits allegedly killed her after realising she could not keep up with them as they attempted to move her through the forest.

The act has left the community in shock and mourning.

Yagba East and West Local Government Areas have been experiencing a surge in kidnappings and armed robberies in recent months, with incidents occurring almost daily.

Communities bordering Kwara State have been particularly vulnerable, as bandits exploit the porous borders to carry out attacks and evade security forces.

Local leaders have called on the state and federal governments many times to deploy more security personnel to the area and provide adequate protection for residents.

Nigerian Government Turned Us To Terrorists — Bandits Say During Fresh 'Peace Deal' In Katsina


Community leaders and council chairmen from Charanchi and Batagarawa local government areas in Katsina State on Saturday signed a "peace agreement" with a group of armed men otherwise called bandits.

At the meeting, one of the armed men addressed residents directly, saying the insurgency and kidnappings were shaped by wider political decisions rather than only by local actors.

“It was the government that wanted us to engage in banditry, but now it has called us and told us to stop. Therefore, by God’s grace, we have stopped from today,” said one of the bandits during the peace meeting between Batagarawa and Charanchi held on Saturday.

“If the government wants all this insecurity to end, they have the power to end it — but they don’t want it to end. For the past two months, we have been trying to initiate a peace talk, but we were unable to because they didn’t know where we were hiding.

“But when they finally decided to meet us, they were able to find and talk to us today. Peaceful coexistence and the end of insecurity depend on the Nigerian leaders. If they want us to keep striking and attacking, we will. But if they want peace, we will also make it happen.

“We don’t have the power or wisdom to bring peace to the country except through the Nigerian government, because everything is under their control. Despite people saying that we are attacking, it is the government that made us do it.

“If they don’t want us to attack or kidnap people, they can stop it. However, today, they were the ones who called us, and by God’s grace, we have stopped from today. You oppressed citizens — if you want to cry, don’t cry with us, the ‘terrorists,’ but cry with your government, for they are the ones who made us do what we have been doing,” the terrorist said.

Previously, SaharaReporters reported that Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, defended bandits terrorising northern Nigeria, claiming they are on “revenge missions” rather than waging unprovoked violence.

Gumi, who has consistently courted public outrage over his sympathy for terrorists, made the remarks during an interview on Trust TV on Friday which SaharaReporters monitored.

The Sheikh argued that the Fulani herdsmen and bandit groups “do not attack people without any cause.”

“The former governor of Bauchi State, (Isa) Yuguda, was able also to go with a government delegation into the bush and they met more than 5000 bandits. They are all complaining — those who have lost their parents, those who have lost their brothers, those from hostility too,” Gumi said.

While admitting that the killings carried out by bandits were “wrong and obnoxious,” the cleric maintained that the attackers were motivated by grievances and vengeance, not sheer brutality.

“Yes, I know they have killed, and it’s wrong to kill anybody innocent. This is absolutely an obnoxious thing to do. We don’t support that. But you see, if you know their psychology, they are on a revenge mission,” he said.

Gumi, who has long advocated amnesty and negotiation for bandits, further claimed that Fulani herdsmen had lived peacefully with other ethnic groups for centuries and are only reacting to injustices they suffered.

“Everybody knows the herdsmen, as well as the Fulani herdsmen. They don’t just attack people. We have been living with them for centuries. They don’t attack people without any cause,” he insisted.

He urged the Tinubu administration to unify and rehabilitate the armed groups instead of launching military offensives against them.

Bishop Matthew Kukah, Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, has described the US President Donald Trump’s threat of military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians as a wake-up call to the Nigerian leaders.

Trump had claimed that Christians in Nigeria are facing systematic persecution and mass killings.

Subsequently, he declared Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, threatening to take some steps, including cutting all aid and possible military intervention to “save Christians” in Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu had rejected the claims, insisting that the country remained a democracy grounded in constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and belief.

But Trump, unconvinced, had asked the US Department of War to prepare for possible action in Nigeria, to which the military responded by drafting contingency plans for potential strikes in Nigeria.

Speaking formally on the issue for the first time, the president, shortly before the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday said: “The most important thing is the fact that despite the political headwinds and the fear of our people, we will continue to engage with partners.

“We are engaging the world diplomatically, and we assure all of you that we will defeat terrorism in this country.

“The task ahead is immense, but it is our resolve to move forward with unity and purpose, guided by the Renewed Hope Agenda to build a prosperous, inclusive and resilient Nigeria.”

Weighing into the conversation, Kukah said it was time for Nigeria to wake-up.

Speaking at the 60th birthday ceremony of Reuben Abati and the public presentation of his three new books, on Friday in Lagos, Kukah described Trump as a symptom of disease in Nigeria.

“So, if you find us being such a chaotic, quarrelsome, angry, whatever, we are in Nigeria. We lack the culture, the institutional, and the moral instillation to establish.

“All of us are confusing Trump with a sickness. Trump is a symptom of the disease that is in our country. I think it is going to happen later; it does not matter if a snake is dead or whether or not a woman killed it.” he said.

“Whether it is Trump or whoever that has given us this jab, it is time for Nigeria to wake up.”

Kukah further lamented shortage of tourist sites and national monuments in Nigeria, noting that the situation reflects the question or national identity.

“If somebody wants to visit this country today, where will I take them to? If somebody came to Nigeria today, where would they go?”

“In other places, you can go and see where the president is, but in Nigeria, you cannot see where the president is.

“We need to reload. You reload because either you did not fire your gun, or the object moved, or something has happened.

“But you ask yourself now, who are the prominent Nigerians, the Nigerian statesmen, that their names resonate across the length and breadth of Nigeria without contradiction?” Kukah said.

President Donald Trump's administration has revoked around 80,000 non-immigrant visas since its inauguration on January 20 for offenses ranging from driving under the influence to assault and theft, a senior State Department official said on Wednesday.

The extent of the revocations, first reported by Washington Examiner, reflects a broad immigration crackdown initiated when Trump came into office, deporting an unprecedented number of migrants including some who held valid visas.

The administration has also adopted a stricter policy on granting visas, with tightened social media vetting and expanded screening.

Around 16,000 of the visa revocations were tied to cases of driving under the influence, while about 12,000 were for assault and another 8,000 for theft.

"These three crimes accounted for almost half of revocations this year," said the senior State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

In August, a State Department spokesperson said Washington had revoked more than 6,000 student visas for overstays and breaking the law, including a small number for "support for terrorism."

The Department also said last month that it had revoked the visas of at least six people over social media comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in May said he has revoked the visas of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people, including students, because of involvement in activities that he said went against U.S. foreign policy priorities.

Directives from the State Department this year have ordered U.S. diplomats abroad to be vigilant against any applicants whom Washington may see as hostile to the United States and with a history of political activism.

Trump administration officials have said that student visa and green card holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza, calling their actions a threat to U.S. foreign policy and accusing them of being pro-Hamas.

Abuja Electricity Firm AEDC Lays Off 800 Workers Amid Power Sector Crisis

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has embarked on a large-scale retrenchment exercise, cutting about 800 jobs in a significant layoff in the power sector in recent years.

The exercise, which began on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, marks a major phase in the company’s ongoing internal restructuring.

AEDC, which supplies electricity to the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa States, has been grappling with operational inefficiencies and revenue shortfalls.

According to PUNCH, multiple sources within the company confirmed that the management had initially planned to dismiss 1,800 employees before scaling the figure down to 800 following intense negotiations with the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).

One of the affected workers disclosed, “management wanted to sack 1800, but after much pressure, they brought it down to 800. The unions initially insisted that nobody should be sacked,” the employee, who pleaded not to be named in order not to be victimised, stated.

Another insider added, “The unions first said nobody should be sacked, but later they allegedly agreed to 800. The affected staff were supposed to start receiving their letters from Monday, but it was delayed, and then yesterday, the affected staff started receiving letters.”

A sample of the disengagement letter titled “Notification of Disengagement from Service”, and dated November 5, 2025, was signed by AEDC’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Adeniyi Adejola. It confirmed that the retrenchment was part of an “ongoing rightsizing process.”

The letter read in part, “We regret to inform you that your services with the company will no longer be required, effective 5th November 2025. This decision follows the outcome of the company’s ongoing rightsizing exercise. Please be assured that this decision was made after careful consideration and in accordance with company policy.

“You are kindly required to complete the Exit Clearance process in your Zone and return any company property in your possession before your final exit to your HR Business Partner. Completion of these formalities will be required before the processing of your exit payment.

“Please note that applicable deductions, including PAYE, check-off dues, outstanding loans, and unretired advances (if any), will be made in accordance with company policy and relevant statutory provisions.

“AED acknowledges your contributions during your period of service and extends best wishes for success in your future endeavours.”

The layoffs highlight the worsening challenges in Nigeria’s electricity industry, where dwindling revenue, regulatory uncertainty, and infrastructure deficits have forced several distribution companies into restructuring or downsizing.

Analysts warn that the AEDC retrenchment could signal deeper trouble for the sector, as companies struggle to balance costs amid rising operational losses and unpaid consumer debts.