Compilations of Top 10 latest happenings you need to know in Nigeria today, Tuesday 18th November, 2025
Defence Minister Matawalle: “Most Bandit Leaders Have Been Killed, What Remains Are Few Scattered Element
The Minister of State for defence, Bello Matawalle, has claimed that most bandit leaders and their foot soldiers have been neutralised, adding that “what remains now are a few scattered elements.”
He added that President Bola Tinubu has directed troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to eliminate the remaining bandit elements in the North-West.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State Matawalle said this during a visit to the Theatre Command Headquarters.
This was in a statement issued in Abuja by the minister’s Director of Information, Ibrahim Sule.
Lagos offers free HIV testing for World AIDS Day
The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency has announced the commencement of its statewide free HIV testing services, scheduled to run across all Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas from 18th November to 1st December 2025.
The initiative forms a major part of activities marking the 2025 World AIDS Day, aligning with LSACA’s ongoing commitment to expand access to HIV testing, enhance early diagnosis, and strengthen linkage to care for residents across the state.
LSACA on its X handle on Tuesday, said the statewide exercise is designed to close existing testing gaps while deepening community awareness on HIV prevention, management, and stigma reduction.
Trained counsellor-testers, adequate testing kits, condoms, and Information, Education, and Communication materials have been deployed to ensure smooth implementation across all communities.
Police arrest man for armed robbery, defilement in Anambra
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old suspect in Umuezeiyi Village, Achina, Aguata Local Government Area of the state for armed robbery and defilement.
It was gathered that the suspect allegedly invaded a shop in the same community on October 29, with a locally made single-barrel gun and a small axe and stole the sum of N30,000.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Tuesday by the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
Ikenga added that the command will arraign the suspect in court on November 19, 2025.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, November 18, 2025
The naira traded broadly steady on Tuesday as liquidity in the formal Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) kept the official dollar rate below parallel market levels.
The NFEM closing (volume-weighted) rate was ₦1,448.03 to the US dollar on November 18, 2025, down about ₦5.60 (-0.39%) from the previous session.
Parallel (black-market) prices remained richer, with popular market trackers reporting rates near ₦1,455–₦1,460 per dollar on Tuesday, a gap of roughly ₦7–₦12 to the NFEM rate.
Traders and bureaux de change continue to quote higher local cash rates for immediate physical dollars than the NFEM indicative price used for large transactions.
What the quoted rates meanNFEM / NAFEM:
The NFEM (sometimes shown as NAFEM or the I&E/NAFEM window on market platforms) is the official daily volume-weighted exchange rate derived from interbank and FX market trades and is widely used as the reference price for corporate and institutional flows.
US lawmaker reacts as gunmen kidnap 25 schoolgirls, Kill vice principal in Kebbi
A United States lawmaker, Riley M. Moore, has expressed deep concern after 25 schoolgirls were abducted and a vice principal was killed during a violent attack in Kebbi State.
Moore reacted on X (formerly Twitter), urging prayers for the victims and calling for stronger action against rising insecurity in Northern Nigeria.
In his post, Moore wrote:
“Please join me in praying for the 25 girls who have been kidnapped and for the repose of the soul of their vice principal who was killed.
While we don’t have all the details on this horrific attack, we know that the attack occurred in a Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria.
First Lady urges collective action to protect children from sexual abuse
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians to ensure adequate protection for all children against sexual exploitation and abuse.
She made the call in Abuja on Tuesday to mark the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse 2025.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the theme for this year’s commemoration is,
“Strengthening the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse Through Evidence-Based Policy Making.”
Mrs Tinubu urged parents and the wider society to prioritise the safety of children and make it a collective responsibility to protect them from any form of sexual abuse.
2026: Adeleke searching for platform to contest poll – PDP Deputy National VC, Southwest
The National Deputy Vice Chairman, Southwest, of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Kamorudeen Ajisafe has disclosed that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, is faced with the dilemma of a political platform to contest for the 2026 governorship poll in the State.
Speaking on a private radio programme tagged ‘Frank Talk’, which was monitored on Monday by Vanguard, the party chieftain disclosed that the present crisis in the party would not allow it present a candidate for next year poll.
He said the party suffered similar faith in Ekiti State due to Senator Samuel Anyanwu rebellion against the party, hence, the need for Governor Adeleke to find a platform to exercise his right to retain power.
His words,
“Let me tell you that if anything happens in Osun, it has to do with looking for a platform to contest, I am telling you.
Where is the platform to contest now? If you are a very good party man will you be happy loosing someone like Taraba State Governor?
Osun state, like you rightly said he is planning, I dont know about planning, I am sensitive for the need for a political platform to contest.
“It shall not be well with you” – Iyabo Ojo blasts critics, shuts down arrest rumours
Veteran Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, has strongly dismissed viral reports claiming she was arrested by the Nigerian police.
Taking to her TikTok live, the actress expressed deep frustration over the rumour, describing it as fake, misleading, and intentionally crafted to cause panic among her fans.
In a fiery address, Iyabo called out those spreading the misinformation, saying their actions were harmful and unnecessary.
“To you all rumour mongers that spread fake news about me, it shall not be well with you.
Who did they arrest? Your fake news always makes my fans worried, and they start calling to check on me, she said.
Africa must rethink its strategy for fair global trade — FG
Nigeria has called on African nations to rethink their collective approach to global trade, warning that no country on the continent can thrive in isolation amid shifting economic pressures.
Speaking at the 2nd African Cassava Conference in Abuja on Monday with the theme, “Building Sustainable & Quality Driven Cassava Industries in Africa,”
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, noted that while Nigeria is investing heavily in grassroots economic expansion, Africa must simultaneously confront the realities of global trade, where collective action remains essential for sustainable growth.
Bagudu emphasised that leaders of African countries at different platforms have always maintained that Africa is committed to a fair trading ecosystem in the world.
“Africa, while thinking like this, needs to spare thought about those areas where no country in Africa can succeed alone, which is the area of international trade.
”If you like gym; It’s not by size” – Mr Jollof tells Verydarkman following clash
Popular comedian, Mr Jollof speaks out following his drama with Verydarkman on a plane, throwing a hot shade at the activist.
Recall that the duo who have been insulting themselves online finally met on a plane.
Following their encounter on a commercial plane, the duo had descended into fisticuffs, throwing punches at each other while other passengers tried to separate them.
The two of them were reported to have been deboarded and taken to the police station.
A video of social critic Mr Jollof, recorded shortly after his release from the Delta State Airport Police Command, has surfaced on social media.
