Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Saturday morning, 27th December, 2025
Trump’s Christmas missiles strike fear in northern Nigeria
Residents of Sokoto and Kwara on Friday recounted moments of fear and confusion after missile strikes fired by the United States of America hit areas in the two states, triggering panic in the communities.
Saturday PUNCH, however, confirmed from military sources and residents that the strikes recorded no casualties.
Massive explosion was recorded on Thursday night in Jabo town, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, while two separate explosions rocked Offa, Kwara State, a few hours after the Sokoto strike.
Our correspondents gathered that there was another explosion at Tangaza LGA of Sokoto.
US President Donald Trump announced the strikes in a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday night
He disclosed that US forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria
States, LGs repay N547.5bn bank debts
States and Local Government councils reduced their bank borrowings by about N547.52bn in one year, as Federation Account inflows surge, according to findings by Saturday PUNCH.
Figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s latest Quarterly Statistical Bulletin reveal that the banking sector’s “claims on state and Local Governments” fell from N2.68tn in June 2024 to N2.13tn in June 2025.
This means sub-national governments collectively cut their indebtedness to commercial and merchant banks by 20.4 per cent year-on-year.
Further analysis shows that in January 2024, banks’ exposure to states and councils stood at N2.73tn.
One year later, in January 2025, the figure had dropped to N2.44tn, indicating that about N292bn was cleared during that period.
N’Assembly directs provision of tax laws CTC
The National Assembly has directed the provision of Certified True Copies of the Tax Reform Acts to stakeholders and members of the public upon request.
According to a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by the Director of Information for the Senate, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, the Assembly has also initiated an investigation into allegations that certain provisions of the tax laws were altered after approval by lawmakers and presidential assent.
The tax laws are: Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.
According to the statement, concerns had been raised publicly over the harmonization of the bills passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, the assent granted by the President, and the versions of the Acts subsequently published in the Official Gazette.
Remi, Seyi Tinubu’s chieftaincy titles renew Alaafin-Ooni supremacy row
The chieftaincy titles conferred on the wife of the President, Remi Tinubu, and his son, Seyi, by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, have sparked a fresh row over the supremacy of the two monarchs.
Supporters of both the Alaafin and Ooni have reignited arguments to prove the supremacy of each traditional ruler, following the conferment of the titles on Remi and Seyi.
Oba Ogunwusi, on December 7, installed the First Lady as the Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua as part of activities marking his 10th coronation anniversary.
The title was previously held by the late Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, wife of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Yuletide: Akpabio donates fishing boats to Akwa Ibom women
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Boxing Day, donated 10 outboard engine fishing boats to women and cooperative groups from Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District as part of his constituency projects.
The presentation took place at his country home in Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by his media team.
The beneficiaries were drawn from riverine communities of the state, where fishing is the major source of livelihood.
Speaking at the event, the wife of the Senate President, Dr (Mrs) Ekaette Akpabio, thanked her husband for remembering women from the riverine areas of Akwa Ibom State
She explained that the beneficiaries were selected from the Eket Senatorial District, noting that Akpabio, as Senate President, represents all Nigerians, irrespective of their senatorial districts.
In his remarks, Akpabio commended the women for their continued support, saying he decided to empower them because of the strong backing he has always received from women in the state.
Army supports families of fallen soldiers with Christmas gifts
Brig.-Gen Ahmed Balogun of the Nigerian Army in Benin has said that the distribution of Christmas food and monetary gifts to families of fallen officers was aimed at expressing gratitude.
Balogun noted that the gifts served as a reminder to the widows of fallen soldiers that the Nigerian Army had not forgotten the sacrifices of their late husbands, made in defence of their fatherland.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Balogun, Commander of the Brigade in Benin, had on Friday hosted a luncheon for widows and children of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The Commander had alongside Chief Medical Director of the Military Hospital in Benin, Brig.-Gen. Paulina Aburime presented the items to 50 widows and six Magajiyas (leaders of soldiers’ wives).
Balogun noted that the initiative aligned with the idea of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, which prioritises the welfare of soldiers and their families.
According to him, the luncheon was a reminder to widows that the Nigerian Army had not forgotten the sacrifices made by their late husbands in the defence of the nation.
“While others are celebrating and making merry, we recognise that some of us here paid the supreme price through their husbands.
Troops neutralise terrorists, recover arms, livestock in multiple operations — Army
The Nigerian Army says its troops across theatres have neutralised terrorists and arrested suspected gunrunners in coordinated operations nationwide.
A credible Army Headquarters source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the troops had sustained offensive operations with remarkable successes.
The source said the troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 3, under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, engaged terrorists at a crossing point near Magami village on Wednesday, while on a fighting patrol at Magami town, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara.
It added that two terrorists were neutralised during a firefight as well as recovery of two AK-47 magazines loaded with 39 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one belt of 7.62mm ammunition containing 54 rounds, and other sundry items.
Similarly, at about 3:30 p.m. the same day, troops engaged terrorists during a fighting patrol around Kangiwa, Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, forcing the criminals to flee.
Why House repealed and re-enacted 2024, 2025 Appropriation Acts — Spokesperson
The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has said the recent decision by the House to repeal and re-enact the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts was driven by the need to align Nigeria’s budgeting framework with global best practices, enhance transparency, and ease implementation challenges.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, Agbese said the lawmakers took the step to strengthen accountability at all levels of government while reducing the oversight burden that typically trails budget execution.
According to him, the repeal and re-enactment will help streamline the country’s fiscal process by ensuring a more coherent and predictable funding structure.
Basically, it is to align the nation’s budgeting system with global and international best practices.
It is also to ensure transparency and accountability at all levels, and to lessen the burden of oversight during implementation,” Agbese said.
He noted that the decision would also pave the way for a single national budget cycle after March 31, 2026, a move he described as critical to seamless execution by the Executive arm.
Banditry will be defeated in 2026, Akpabio assures Nigerians
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has expressed optimism that banditry and other security challenges confronting the country will be defeated in 2026 and beyond, urging Nigerians to work collectively towards a more peaceful and equitable nation.
Akpabio called on citizens to set aside their differences, embrace peace and foster unity within their families, states and the country at large, stressing that national development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.
He made the appeal during a prayer and fasting service organised in honour of the Akpabio family at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Ukana Ikot Ntuen, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media/Communication, Anietie Ekong, the Senate President was quoted as saying:
“I want to wish all Nigerians a very prosperous and peaceful new year.
I want to assure all Nigerians that the new year will usher in renewed peace in our country.”
“When God sends you a helper you didn’t expect, don’t be ungrateful” –
Nollywood actress Mary Njoku has sent a message to the public against being ungrateful.
In an Instagram post, she said, ‘When God sends you a helper you didn’t expect, take the help with gratitude and wisdom.’
She told them not to be ungrateful by placing the weight of their entire generation on that person.
Mary warned them against turning divine assistance into a subscription.
Telling them to use their head, she noted how they drain people to the point where once they stop helping, they rewrite history and dismiss all the good they ever did
“Whether God sends you a helper you didn’t expect, take the help with gratitude and wisdom.
Don’t be ungrateful by placing the weight of your entire generation on that person.
Don’t turn divine assistance into a Subscription.
Use your head.
You drain people to the point where, once they stop helping, you rewrite history and dismiss all the good they ever did.
