By: Fabian Apechihin

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has paid a visit to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto correctional centre.

The visit was disclosed on Thursday by Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, who described the gesture as a show of compassion and solidarity.

“Thank you so much, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for taking the time to visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today. As the distinguished Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, your visitation symbolises your solidarity and that of the Sokoto Diocese with #MNK in this time of distress,” Ejimakor wrote on X.

Kanu was convicted on November 20, 2025, by the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Following the conviction, he was transferred to the Sokoto custodial centre on November 21, in line with a court order that ruled out his detention at Kuje prison.

Since his relocation, Kanu’s legal team has filed motions seeking his transfer back to Abuja.

The IPOB leader faced seven counts bordering on terrorism, including incitement and unlawful broadcasts. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court found him guilty on all charges and handed down the life sentence.

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has approved the immediate redeployment of officers attached to the No. 24 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Presidential Escort Unit at the State House, Abuja, directing them back to their respective state commands nationwide.

The directive was contained in a police signal dated December 16, 2025, with reference number CH:5660/WEL/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.96, and issued by the Department of Finance and Administration (Welfare) at Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The signal, addressed to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Assistant Inspectors-General overseeing PMF and zonal commands, as well as Commissioners of Police across the country, ordered that the redeployment be carried out without delay.

According to the directive, the affected officers were those assigned to close protection duties at the Presidential Villa. They are to return from Abuja to their various state commands, including Adamawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe and the Federal Capital Territory.

Other states listed include Imo, Jigawa, Kogi, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe. Redeployments were also ordered to police zones, including Zone 1 (Kano), Zone 3 (Yola) and Zone 7 (Abuja).

Copies of the signal were forwarded to the Chief Personal Security Officer to the President, the Commander of No. 24 PMF Abuja, and police formations in several state capitals.

The move follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive in November ordering the withdrawal of police officers from VIP escort and guard duties nationwide. The president had instructed that the officers be reassigned to core policing responsibilities to strengthen security across the country.

The directive has since triggered enforcement measures, including the deployment of special police teams to monitor compliance and the use of civil defence personnel to replace withdrawn police escorts.

By: Fabian Apechihin

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development was announced on Thursday night by the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Yilwatda said Mutfwang’s defection means the entire North Central geopolitical zone is now under APC control.

President Bola Tinubu presided over the caucus meeting, which was attended by top party leaders and government officials. Tinubu arrived at the venue around 7:41 p.m. alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.

Also in attendance were the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen; APC governors; members of the party’s National Working Committee; and principal officers of the National Assembly.

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was also present, alongside several governors who recently defected from the PDP to the APC. They include Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; and Taraba State Governor, Kefas Agbu.

Meanwhile, Naija News had earlier reported that former Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, also attended the APC caucus meeting on Thursday.