Politics
Tinubu Reiterates Commitment To Peaceful, United Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his commitment to a peaceful and united Nigeria, where all the citizens would coexist without rancour.
President Tinubu, represented by Mohammed Badaru, the Minister of Defence, said this at the 2024 Nigerian Army Day Celebrations on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State.
The president expressed his administration’s readiness to support the military and other security agencies toward safeguarding the nation.
President Tinubu commended the army for its role in stemming the tide of insecurity in the country and described it as a critical element toward nation-building.
“With the increasing security challenges in the last one and a half years, the Nigerian Army is playing a key role toward the protection of lives and property.
“With the display of equipment and physical fitness of personnel I have seen today, I’m convinced that the Nigerian Army is ready to protect our territorial integrity.
“We are committed to providing all that is needed to enable the Nigerian Army to play its role professionally and effectively,” he said.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, thanked the president for the confidence and support for the army in its bid to tackle insecurity in the country.
Lt Gen. Lagbaja, who said the army had demonstrated deep commitment toward addressing insecurity, noted that his troops had achieved significant progress in the fight against insurgency and other forms of security challenges.
“The Nigerian Army under my watch is committed to improving our operational effectiveness to meet the ever-changing violent and complex threats to the nation.
“The army has also expanded and deepened its training activities for operational effectiveness. These measures have enabled us to successfully contain the activities of bandits in the North-West while the heinous crimes of Boko Haram terrorists have been brought to an all-time low.
“The incidences of farmers-herders conflict in the North-Central has equally been curtailed, and we have gained the upper hand against the criminal groups in the South-East, South-West as well as the South-South zones,” he said.
Lt Gen. Lagbaja added that the army had adopted measures toward the total elimination of all threats to the nation and the people within the shortest practicable time.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Kefas Agbu of Taraba, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, serving and retired senior military officers, among other top government functionaries, attended the event.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.