Compilations of top 10 latest updates that you need to know this Thursday morning, 27th November, 2025
Bandits Abduct 20 Farmers, Including Pregnant Women In Niger State Community, Days After St. Mary School Kidnappings
Five days after the abduction of over 300 St. Mary Catholic School children in Niger State, another tragedy has unfolded as 20 farmers, including pregnant women, were taken from their farmlands during a routine harvest.
Bandits reportedly kidnapped 20 farmers, among them four pregnant women and several children, in Unguwan-Kawo, Erena Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area.
Daily Trust reported that the victims were abducted from their farm at about 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26, while harvestingOne resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said his nephew was among those kidnapped.
He stated that the farm is located just about 500 metres from Erena town, where a military camp is situated.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said he would verify the report.
NDA begins admission into 78 Regular Course Friday
The Nigerian Defence Academy has announced the commencement of online applications for admission into its 78 Regular Course, opening on Friday, November 28, 2025, and closing on April 30, 2026.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Academy Registrar, who said the application is open to eligible male and female Nigerians.
According to the statement, prospective candidates are required to visit the application portal at www.ndaapplications.net to purchase an access code and complete their registration.
Candidates should log on to the application portal, select ‘Purchase Access Code’ and fill in their details to pay for their application via REMITA after first obtaining their Order ID and REMITA Retrieval Reference (RRR) Code in the sum of N7,000,” the Academy said.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, November 27, 2025
The naira traded in a two-tier market on Thursday, November 27, 2025, with the official Daily Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) fixing hovering in the mid-₦1,400s while the parallel (black-market) dollar remained notably weaker at roughly ₦1,460–₦1,465 to the dollar.
NFEM (official, volume-weighted average): About ₦1,446 per US$1 (latest NFEM figures show the mid-₦1,400s).
Parallel / black-market: Dealers quoted around ₦1,460–₦1,465 per US$1 in major trading hubs such as Lagos.
Official market data and market dashboards show the NFEM fixing remained around the mid-₦1,400s on Thursday, following minor intraday fluctuations earlier in the week.
Trading in the NFEM is derived as a volume-weighted average and is published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Army Chief orders tougher, battle-ready training for NDA Cadets, seeks curriculum overhaul
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has directed the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to intensify cadet training with a stronger emphasis on discipline, character, courage and strategic thinking to meet the demands of modern warfare
He gave the directive on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the Commandant of the academy, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, to the Army Headquarters in Abuja
Shaibu said developing a new generation of officers capable of responding effectively to evolving security threats requires tougher, battle-hardened training models and a curriculum that reflects present-day operational realities.
He called for the strengthening of the academy’s research institutions—particularly the Department of Military Science—noting that they are critical to advancing the nation’s defence industry and improving indigenous capacity for military innovation and self-reliance.
Dbanj celebrates Don Jazzy with prayerful note as he marks birthday
Nigerian music star Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, better known as Dbanj, is celebrating his friend and music producer, Don Jazzy, as he marks his birthday.
Taking to his Instagram page to share a clip of them, he described Jazzy as his brother and prayed for more life, blessings and greatness.
Happy Birthday, Brother LEE, It’s Don Jazzy Again! More life, more blessings, more greatness. OooSssHhhEeee
Customs Board confirms 5 DCGs, 8 ACGs
The Board of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has confirmed the appointments of five Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs) and eight Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACGs).
The approvals were issued at the Board’s 64th Regular Meeting held on Tuesday.
According to a statement released last night by the Ministry of Finances The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, the statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Mohammed Manga, said.
According to the ministry, the promotions were made in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the Federal Character policy.
They also included special promotions for ten officers recognised for exceptional professionalism and their contributions to national revenue generation and security operations.
CAN to Fed Govt: strengthen security structures
The Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) yesterday pleaded with the Federal Government to explore every means to curb insecurity.
Its President, Archishop Danial Okoh, made the plea at the opening ceremony of the 32nd Triennial General Assembly of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Wuse II, Abuja.
Speaking on the Assembly’s theme: ‘Demand for Justice and Righteousness,’ Rev Okoh said the current security situation threatens the nation’s soul and places fresh moral
He said:
“The government has a constitutional, moral, and sacred responsibility to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians; without discrimination, without delay, and without excuses”.
The CAN President urged the CCN to continue standing with CAN in pushing for stronger national action, adding that the church must remain firm and consistent in demanding justice for affected communities.
Atus backs Tinubu for second term, says only continuity can defeat insecurity
The Director-General of the Atum Humanitarian, Anti-Corruption and Charitable Initiative (AHACCI), Hon. Ismaila Yusuf Atus, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the country needs continuity in leadership to finally overcome terrorism, banditry and other persistent security threats.
He believes a second term for the President will solidify the gains of ongoing reforms and put Nigeria on a firmer path to stability
In a statement he personally signed, Atus, who leads the humanitarian and anti-corruption organisation, said Nigeria’s security challenges did not begin today.
He argued that the situation had worsened under previous administrations, stressing that Tinubu has shown the readiness and political will needed to reverse the trend.
Okpebholo declares war on criminals
With a charge to ensure that criminals do not turn Edo to a safe haven, Governor Monday Okpebholo, yesterday met with heads of security services in the state.
The meeting followed a viral video in which a self-acclaimed terrorist threatened to attack Edo Central Senatorial district.
In the video, the individual claimed presence around Ekpoma and adjoining communities, issuing threats.
Confirming the meeting in a statement, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Fred Itua, said the security chiefs briefed the governor on the issue.
Itua assured Edo residents that security was top-tier priority for the Governor, adding that emerging threats were being confronted.
“I Would Have Been A Teacher If Not For Music”- Tems Reveals Alternative Career
Nigerian artist Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, has shared what career path she might have pursued if she hadn’t ventured into music.
In a recent Q&A with her fans on X, Tems revealed that she would likely have become either an accountant or a mathematics teacher.
When a fan asked,
“If music didn’t work, what else do you think you would be doing today?”, she replied, “I might have been an accountant or a mathematics teacher.”
