Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Friday morning, 26th December, 2025
FG confirms US airstrikes on terrorists, cites intelligence cooperation
The Federal Government has confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States following airstrikes that hit terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North West.
“This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.”
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed by spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Nigerian authorities remain engaged in “structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America,” to address terrorism and violent extremism in the country.
The ministry said the collaboration, which led to precision airstrikes on terrorist targets, involves intelligence sharing, strategic coordination and other forms of support in line with international law, respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and shared security commitments.
2026 budget: Anambra, Enugu, Kano lead in education funding
As governors across the country present their 2026 appropriation bills to state Houses of Assembly, an analysis by The PUNCH shows wide disparities in funding for the education sector, with Anambra, Enugu, Kano and Jigawa emerging as the leading states, while others trail far below recommended benchmarks.
So far, 34 governors have laid their 2026 budget proposals before lawmakers.The analysis reveals that Anambra tops education funding nationwide with 46.9 per cent of N757bn allocated to education.
Enugu State follows, allocating N522bn out of its N1.62tn 2026 budget to the sector, representing 32.3 per cent.
Enugu has maintained this strong commitment, having consistently earmarked over 30 per cent of its total budget for education in both 2024 and 2025.
For 2026, the allocation is expected to fund infrastructure upgrades, teacher recruitment and flagship initiatives such as Smart Green Schools, including N30bn dedicated to school feeding programmes.
Kano State follows closely, with N405.3bn set aside for education out of a total budget of N1.368tn, amounting to 30 per cent.
Christmas Day tanker explosion claims two lives in Lagos
At least two people were confirmed dead after a fully loaded 33,000-litre petrol tanker exploded along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos in the early hours of Christmas Day.
According to Punch Metro the incident occurred at about 4 a.m. on Thursday near the Oto-Ijanikin axis, close to the Lagos State University of Education.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said the accident involved a fully loaded tanker, which reportedly lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle.
According to the agency, the tanker crashed and immediately went up in flames.
LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this in a statement posted on the agency’s X page.
“Preliminary findings from security investigations indicate that the unfortunate incident was precipitated by excessive speed, as the tanker driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake another road user,” the statement read.“
The vehicle subsequently crashed and erupted into a raging inferno, trapping and claiming the lives of the driver and an adult female occupant.”
Gunmen shoot Catholic priest on Christmas Day in Imo
Gunmen suspected to be fleeing an undisclosed incident on Christmas Day shot an assistant parish priest of Saint Kelvin Catholic Church, Ogbaku, in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
The priest, whose identity had yet to be officially confirmed as of press time, was reportedly shot at about 8am on Christmas Day while approaching the church gate for morning Mass.
A source, who pleaded anonymity, said the priest was hit in the right hand, adding that the assailant was not seen at the scene.
According to the source, the gunmen appeared to have fired from a concealed and distant location, making it difficult for anyone around to identify the shooter.
The priest was said to have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where he is currently receiving medical care. Prayers are reportedly ongoing for his recovery.
The source narrated the incident thus: “The shooting happened on Christmas day when everyone was in a joyous mood.
PMAN national executive suspends Pretty Okafor, appoints acting president
The National Executive Council of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria has announced the appointment of Mr Sydney Sparrow as the association’s Acting National President following the suspension of its substantive President, Mr Pretty Okafor.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by PMAN’s National Treasurer, Mr Baba Ojonugwa, and made available to journalists in Owerri on Friday.
Ojonugwa said Sparrow’s nomination and appointment were the outcome of an emergency NEC meeting held to address what he described as serious governance and constitutional concerns within the association.
He said,
“The decision was reached at an emergency NEC meeting convened on the night of Dec. 25, 2025, to address serious governance and constitutional concerns affecting the Association.
Nigeria confirms US strikes, says ‘partnership targets ISWAP terrorist sites in North West
The Federal Government on Friday confirmed that Nigeria remains engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States, to address terrorism and violent extremism, following air strikes on terrorist targets in the North West.
In a press release issued Friday morning by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government said the action resulted from ongoing intelligence collaboration and strategic coordination with partners.
According to the Ministry, the cooperation has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.
It explained that the collaboration follows international practice and bilateral understandings, including intelligence sharing and strategic coordination, while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and international law.
It reads in part,
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria confirms that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.
FRSC confirms 11 dead, 12 injured in Jigawa auto crash
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has confirmed 11 persons dead and 12 others injured in a lone auto crash that occurred along Ringim-Sankara-Beguwa road in Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa.Mr Ado Adamu, the Ag. Commander in charge of the Ringim Local Government Unit of the FRSC in Jigawa confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
Adamu said the incident which involved a Volkswagen car conveying 23 passengers, was caused by tyre burst and excessive speeding.
He explained that 23 passengers, consisting of seven males and 16 females, were involved in the incident that occurred on Thursday at 4:45 p. m.
The unit commander added that 11 of the passengers, including five males and six females lost their lives, while 12 of them – seven males and five females sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to him, the bodies of the deceased and the injured persons were taken to Ringim General Hospital.
Six serving Zamfara lawmakers dump PDP for APC, cite constitutional breaches and legislative marginalisation
Six serving members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing alleged disregard for constitutional provisions, prolonged suspension, and what they described as the erosion of legislative independence in the state
The lawmakers announced their defection late on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, in Gusau, the state capital, following what they said were extensive deliberations on the state of affairs within the Zamfara legislature.
According to them, the Assembly has been poorly managed and reduced to what they described as an extension of the executive arm, functioning largely as a rubber stamp for Governor Dauda Lawal.
They alleged that the situation has undermined democratic principles and silenced the voices of their constituents.
The lawmakers disclosed that they had been illegally suspended for nearly two years, a development they said effectively disenfranchised the people who elected them.
As a result, they said they formed a parallel House of Assembly through which they have continued to challenge what they described as illegal actions of both the executive and the government-recognised faction of the legislature.
Those who defected include the factional Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi (Gummi I); Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North); Barr. Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North); Hon. Bashir Bello (Bungudu West); Hon. Amiru Ahmad Keta (Tsafe West); and Hon. Muktar Nasir Kaura (Kaura North).
“This year has been a memorable and blessed year” – Rita Dominic says as she shares lovely photos with her husband
Nollywood actress Rita Dominic is reflecting on the year as she celebrates Christmas with her husband, Fidelis Anosike.
Sharing lovely photos of herself and her husband in matching black outfits, she stated that this year has been memorable and blessed.
Rita said she is thankful for God’s grace and mercy.This has been a memorable and blessed year.
Thanking God for his grace and mercy.Merry Christmas from Mr and Mrs A”.
“This time last year, we were on admission” – Kunle Remi reflects as he and wife celebrate their first Christmas with their bundle of joy
Nollywood actor Kunle Remi and his wife are celebrating their first Christmas as parents.
Sharing photos of his beautiful family in matching yellow, Kunle noted how last year, they were on admission.
Kunle Remi and wife celebrate first Christmas as parents
He said he was believing God for the lives of both women in his life, and God worked wonders.
Sending a message, Kunle said his testimony is for those who believe in God for a miracle; he assured them that it will end in praise.
“Merry Christmas To All – May Today Be Smooth As Butter.
This time last year, we were on admission, believing God for the lives of both women in my life, and God worked Wonders!
So this is for those believing God for a miracle of any kind! It will end in praise!Season’s Greetings.
SignedK.T.W. O”.
