Gen. Christopher Musa, the Minister of Defence, stated on Thursday that there should be no negotiations with, or ransom payments to, terrorists in the country.

He also said Nigeria’s fight against insecurity would remain ineffective until the country established a unified national database that captured every citizen and linked all security, banking and identity systems together.

General Musa stated these during his screening as minister by the Senate.

Musa’s screening happened on a day the House of Representatives sought open and transparent prosecution of all terrorism-related cases as an effective way of combating the high rate of violent crimes in Nigeria.

This is even as the Senate yesterday moved to tighten Nigeria’s anti-kidnapping laws by pushing for the de@th penalty for kidnappers and anyone financing, enabling or providing information to terrorists and kidnappers, as lawmakers debated amendments to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

Speaking during his ministerial screening in Abuja, General Musa maintained a firm stance that government at all levels must enforce a total ban on ransom payments and negotiations with terrorists, warning that such actions only empower criminals.

“There is no negotiation with any criminal. When people pay ransoms, it buys terrorists time to regroup, re-arm and plan new attacks. Communities that negotiated still got attacked later,” he said.

He added that ransom money could be digitally monitored, insisting that Nigeria’s banking system had the capability to trace financial flows connected to crime if fully activated.

The retired general stressed that military operations represented only 25–30 per cent of the counter-insurgency effort, adding that poverty, illiteracy, poor governance and weak local government structures continued to feed criminal activities.

He challenged state and local government administrators to take responsibility for community-level intelligence and early intervention, noting that security agencies alone could hardly shoulder the entire national burden.

Musa criticised Nigeria’s slow justice system, especially the prolonged trials for terrorism and kidnapping, saying the delays weakened morale within the armed forces.

“In some countries, terrorism cases are handled decisively. Here, cases drag for years. It discourages security forces who risk their lives to make arrests,” he said.

He recommended urgent legal reforms, including special terrorism courts, stronger penalties and accelerated hearings.

Maritime crime, cultism, illegal mining heightening threats

He raised alarm over renewed criminal activities across the maritime corridors linking Akwa Ibom to Cameroon, warning that sea robbery, piracy and coastal kidnappings were resurfacing.

He confirmed that Operation Delta Safe had been expanded to cover previously quiet zones now experiencing infiltration.

Musa also called for a total ban on illegal mining, which he described as a major financing stream for armed groups operating in forest belts across the country.

The screening committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has barred ex‑National Secretary Iyiola Omisore and six other aspirants from contesting the Osun State governorship primary set for December 13.

The decision was based on gaps and irregularities identified in their nomination documents.

The committee, chaired by Chief Obinna Uzoh, urged all stakeholders to reconcile differences and work toward party unity ahead of the primary.

In its report delivered on Friday, the committee said the disqualified aspirants failed to meet required standards in their nomination processes. While the identities of all barred aspirants were not immediately disclosed, Omisore is confirmed among them.

The committee insisted resolving internal disputes was essential for a credible primary and future electoral success in Osun State.

Though the primary is slated for December 13, the formal election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is scheduled for August 8, 2026.

The screening committee encouraged party members to rally behind valid aspirants and avoid fragmenting support ahead of the polls.

It stated that the aspirants, former Osun State Deputy Governor, Omisore, Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Benedict Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki, and Sen. Babajide Omoworare, did not submit proof of sponsorship from at least five fully registered and financially current party members from each Local Government Area in Osun State, as stipulated by Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the party guidelines.

Only Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji were approved to participate in the primary election.

The report read in part: “In carrying out its assignment, the Committee adopted the following screening process:

“Examination of documents and materials: All forms, declarations, supporting materials, and attachments submitted by aspirants were thoroughly reviewed to verify their authenticity and compliance with statutory and party requirements.

“Each aspirant underwent a structured interview session during which the Committee assessed their knowledge of party rules, personal preparedness, adherence to nomination requirements, and overall suitability.

“This methodology ensured a transparent, fair, and objective evaluation process.”

The report noted that the Committee received a petition from the Osun APC Renewal Group calling for the disqualification of the two aspirants who were said to have failed to meet the mandatory nomination requirements set out in the APC Constitution and the party’s guidelines for the governorship primary.

It stated: “Upon careful review, the Committee found the issues raised in the petition to be weighty, substantial, and relevant to the integrity of the screening process. In the interest of fairness, transparency, and uniform application of the Party’s rules, the Committee resolved that the concerns highlighted should not be applied selectively.

“The Committee found that two aspirants, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebanji, satisfactorily met all constitutional and guideline requirements of the APC, including proper nomination by the requisite number of fully registered, financially up-to-date party members from each Local Government Area.

“The Committee observed that seven aspirants, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, Mr. Oyedotun Babayemi, Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Adegoke Rasheed Okiki Adekunle, and Sen. Babajide Omoworare, failed to meet the mandatory nomination requirement of being sponsored by five fully registered and financially up-to-date members from each Local Government Area, contrary to Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution, as well as Paragraph 6(c) of the APC Guidelines for the 2025 Governorship Primary.”

The Committee noted that the Party’s structure in Osun State continues to be deeply divided.

The report added, “It is therefore recommended that the National Leadership immediately establish a robust reconciliation mechanism to unify all factions and groups. A harmonised party is essential for a credible primary and success at the gubernatorial election.

“To foster broad inclusion and minimise feelings of marginalisation, the Party should ensure that political appointments, party offices, and campaign roles are evenly distributed across all zones, blocs, and interest groups within the State.

“The Committee expresses its profound gratitude to the NWC and the leadership of the APC for the confidence reposed in us, the members, to undertake this important assignment. We affirm our unwavering commitment to the principles of fairness and credibility that define our Party.”

The Coalition of Federal Pensioners of Nigeria has announced plans for a nationwide n@ked protest to demand the payment of outstanding pension increment arrears and palliative allowances.

The demonstration is scheduled for December 8, unless the government meets their demands beforehand.

The coalition’s National Chairman, Mukaila Ogunbote, who also heads the pensioners’ chapter at NIPOST, disclosed the plan in a statement issued Friday in Lagos.

Ogunbote said pensioners have been left in limbo despite government approval in 2023 for a pension increment of ₦32,000 and a ₦25,000 palliative allowance.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General’s Office are not taking us seriously, so all pensioners must come out en masse to fight for the injustice,” he said.

The coalition demands that payments be made before the protest date, otherwise the demonstration will go ahead.

The planned protest will take place in the Federal Capital, Lagos and across all states. Key locations include the offices of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and the stations of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Ogunbote urged leaders and members of pensioner‑affiliated organizations nationwide to mobilize.