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Trump’s Renewed Focus on Nigeria Driven by Oil, Minerals, Tech — Bakare
Trump’s Renewed Focus on Nigeria Driven by Oil, Minerals, Tech — Bakare
Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, has said the renewed attention of the Donald Trump administration on Nigeria is largely motivated by strategic interests in the country’s oil wealth, mineral resources and role in emerging technologies.
Bakare made the assertion on Sunday while delivering a State of the Nation Address in Lagos, noting that Nigeria’s natural endowments align with what he described as President Donald Trump’s transactional leadership style.
His comments followed the United States’ redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom concerns, as well as recent remarks by Trump on violent attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
According to Bakare, shortly after Trump’s victory in the 2024 US presidential election, he sensed what he termed a symbolic indication of Nigeria’s growing relevance in global geopolitics and the international economy.
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“Nigeria’s oil wealth and other mineral resources will be critical to the Trump presidency, as will our role in the value chain of emerging technologies,” Bakare said.
He warned that international pressure linked to religious fault lines could worsen internal tensions if poorly managed, urging the Federal Government to respond with a clear economic and security strategy rather than confrontation.
Describing Trump as a leader who uses pressure as a negotiating tool, Bakare said, “His threats are usually invitations to the negotiating table.”
The cleric lamented Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, particularly in the Middle Belt, North-West and South-East, saying persistent attacks have deepened feelings of abandonment among affected communities.
He criticised the National Assembly and foreign affairs officials for what he described as reactive responses driven by political considerations instead of national security priorities.
Bakare called for a holistic approach to stabilising the country, combining decisive military action with reconciliation efforts, including the creation of a victims’ register and a national apology led by President Bola Tinubu.
Other recommendations he outlined include community-based policing under federal coordination, expanded deployment of veterans and paramilitary personnel, increased investment in surveillance technology, and deeper security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
Trump’s Renewed Focus on Nigeria Driven by Oil, Minerals, Tech — Bakare
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Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash
Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested popular social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, following a viral video showing him driving recklessly and crashing his vehicle during a live-stream.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the arrest comes after public outrage over the dangerous road crash, which occurred on Sunday, December 14, 2025. The police described Peller’s actions as life-threatening, endangering both himself and other road users.
“The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained Habeeb Hamzat aka ‘PELLER’ for further investigation, following the viral video in which he was seen driving recklessly, resulting in a dangerous accident while live-streaming,” the statement partly read.
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The incident is now under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), with the outcome to be made public. The suspect is expected to face charges in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh, warned social media influencers and members of the public against using online platforms to engage in reckless or unlawful behaviour. “Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, and the full weight of the law will be applied on any offender,” he stated.
The crash has reignited debate over the rising trend of risky stunts by content creators, with many Nigerians calling for stricter enforcement to curb similar incidents.
Authorities continue to emphasize road safety, urging all drivers to comply with traffic regulations and warning that anyone endangering lives on the state’s roads, regardless of social status or online influence, will face prosecution.
This latest incident highlights the urgent need for responsible social media usage, public safety awareness, and stronger law enforcement against dangerous behaviour on Nigerian roads.
Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash
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Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration
Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration
LAGOS — Prominent human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of 10 soldiers accused of killing three police officers in Taraba State, as well as 400 alleged terrorism financiers whose cases were reportedly abandoned under the previous administration.
In his petition, Falana accused former AGF Abubakar Malami, SAN, of deliberately shielding the suspects from justice despite “overwhelming evidence.” Copies of the petition were also sent to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
“The withdrawal of terrorism charges against these soldiers and the failure to prosecute hundreds of terror financiers amount to a grave abuse of prosecutorial powers and a betrayal of public trust,” Falana said.
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Falana recalled that in August 2019, 10 soldiers led by an Army Captain ambushed and killed three police officers in Jalingo, Taraba State, after they had arrested notorious kidnapper Bala Hamisu, also known as Wadume. Although the soldiers were initially charged with terrorism offences at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the case was abruptly terminated after Malami entered a nolle prosequi, which Falana described as unconstitutional.
He noted that while the United Arab Emirates convicted six Nigerians for financing Boko Haram—two sentenced to life imprisonment and four jailed for 10 years—Nigerian authorities failed to bring a single financier to justice.
Falana accused Malami of failing to prosecute the 400 suspected terrorism financiers arrested after investigations by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and Department of State Services (DSS), despite assurances that trials would commence after a judicial workers’ strike.
“The case files of these suspected financiers are reportedly still in the Office of the Attorney-General, while many of the suspects have regained their freedom. Nigeria cannot win the war against terrorism while protecting those who finance and execute it. The era of impunity must end,” Falana added.
Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration
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Updated: Nationwide Electricity faces threat as Gas Companies Cut Supplies
Updated: Nationwide Electricity faces threat as Gas Companies Cut Supplies
Nigerians may experience power shortages this Yuletide as gas-to-power debt issues disrupt electricity generation across the country.
Gas companies have begun cutting supplies to thermal power plants over unpaid debts, forcing electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to reduce daily power supply.
On Tuesday, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) informed customers across the South-East that low system frequency, caused by gas supply constraints, had necessitated load shedding by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). EEDC subsidiaries affected include MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra, and EastLand.
Similarly, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that poor generation and allocation from generation companies (GenCos) were causing load shedding in its franchise areas.
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The Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) confirmed that gas producers had started cutting supply due to outstanding debts owed by the government, despite a recent approval of N185 billion by the Federal Government for payment of arrears to gas suppliers, announced on December 4, 2025, by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) further disclosed that gas pipeline vandalism in the upstream network has worsened the situation, causing reduced output from gas-fired power plants and a decline in national grid generation capacity. Emergency measures, including increased hydroelectric dispatch and voltage control interventions, have been activated to maintain system stability.
With over 80 per cent of grid-connected power plants relying on natural gas, the sector remains highly vulnerable to gas supply disruptions, raising fears of sustained power outages during the festive season unless liquidity issues and infrastructure vulnerabilities are urgently addressed.
The current development signals a critical need for government intervention, stakeholder coordination, and investment in gas infrastructure to prevent widespread electricity shortages across Nigeria.
Nationwide Electricity faces threat as Gas Companies Cut Supplies
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