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ACF Refutes Claims of Endorsing Amnesty for Terrorists and Bandits

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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has strongly refuted claims circulating on social media that it endorsed amnesty and payments to terrorists and bandits, similar to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s amnesty program for Niger Delta militants. The organisation described the reports as misleading and mischievous.

In a statement issued on Sunday, November 30, 2025, by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, the ACF said the insinuations stemmed from a video clip trending online, which distorted comments made by Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse and Chairman of the Forum’s Board of Trustees, during a recent interview with Arise News.

According to Prof. Muhammad-Baba, the viral clip was “taken out of context, truncated and mischievously abstracted to reach predetermined conclusions,” and was being circulated by “clandestine and shadowy individuals or groups.” He stressed that the full interview remains available on digital platforms for anyone interested in hearing Dalhatu’s complete remarks.

The ACF clarified that Dalhatu spoke largely in his personal capacity during the interview, only occasionally referencing official perspectives. Prof. Muhammad-Baba noted that Dalhatu had “assertively and emphatically condemned the spate of terrorist activities in Nigeria and West Africa” and called for the “total annihilation of terrorists and bandits” to end insecurity in the country.

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The Forum further explained that Dalhatu’s reference to the Niger Delta Amnesty Program was not an endorsement of payments to bandits, but rather an illustration that government should consider both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to tackling insecurity. “He did not categorically propose the unadulterated application of the same pathway,” Muhammad-Baba said, adding that any suggestion otherwise was merely opinion.

Prof. Muhammad-Baba also stressed that Dalhatu never attributed terrorism or banditry to ethnicity, religion, or other primordial characteristics. He described contrary interpretations as “vile reactions of mischievous, clandestine and shadowy groups or individuals.”

Reaffirming its position, the ACF declared: “At no time has the organisation called for any amnesty in favour of terrorists or bandits and therefore rejects, in its entirety, any insinuation to the contrary.”

The Forum pledged continued support to the Federal Government and security agencies in their efforts to eradicate terrorism and banditry. “As always, ACF pledges full and unalloyed support to the Government and the security agencies in their various endeavours to stamp out the scourge of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria,” Muhammad-Baba concluded.

 

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JUST IN: National Assembly to Re-gazette Tax Laws Amid Controversy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The National Assembly has directed the Clerk to re-gazette four major tax reform acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions officially passed by parliament, following public controversy over discrepancies in the published laws.

In a Friday statement, House Spokesman Akin Rotimi said the leadership of both chambers authorized the move to “protect the integrity of the legislative record,” describing it as an administrative step to accurately reflect parliamentary decisions.

The directive addresses growing scrutiny over the Nigeria Tax Act (2025), Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025), Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act (2025), and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (2025)—particularly concerning harmonization of bills, documentation sent for presidential assent, and the versions eventually published in the Official Gazette.

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Rotimi emphasized that the legislature is addressing the matter within its constitutional authority. Last week, the House formed a seven-member Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the legislative and administrative handling of the acts.

“The Committee, alongside relevant National Assembly bodies, is conducting an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and identify any contributing factors,” he stated, noting the review will examine potential “lapses, irregularities, or external interferences.”

The process, he added, complies fully with the Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act, and parliamentary standing orders.

While the re-gazetting aims to “clear any ambiguity,” Rotimi clarified that the review “does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority.” He also stated the action is without prejudice to other arms of government and does not affect existing rights or legal processes.

Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, the House pledged to take “appropriate corrective measures” if procedural refinements are needed.

The public was urged to allow the institutional process to proceed “without speculation or conjecture.”

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Airstrikes: Activist Sowore Decries Reckless Breach of Sovereignty By the U.S Government

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has issued a fierce condemnation of a confirmed U.S. military airstrike inside Nigeria, labeling the action a dangerous breach of sovereignty and an “imperialist move” by President Donald Trump.

Sowore’s warning follows President Trump’s announcement on Truth Social that he had ordered a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS fighters in northwest Nigeria. Trump justified the operation, stating the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians” and that he had delivered promised retribution: “there was hell to pay.”

While the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strike was conducted “at the request of Nigerian authorities,” Sowore argued that direct foreign military intervention is a catastrophic precedent.

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“Nobody should be rejoicing about this,” Sowore stated. “The U.S. could help the Nigerian military, but U.S. military carrying out an attack inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless, and bad.”

He described the event as “a sad day for the so-called African liberation and Independence.”

The strike triggered panic on the ground in Sokoto State. Residents of Jabo village reported a sudden, loud explosion on Christmas night, with many fearing an imminent attack. “It happened suddenly… The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” one eyewitness said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for “Nigerian government support & cooperation” and ominously added there would be “more to come.”

The operation marks a sharp and controversial escalation of U.S. counter-terrorism activity in West Africa, raising urgent questions about sovereignty, foreign intervention, and the future of regional security partnerships.

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Nigeria Aides U.S in Sokoto Airstrike Against ISIS

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Donald J. Trump has announced that the United States carried out targeted military strikes against ISIS–affiliated militants in north-west Nigeria, marking a sharp escalation in American counter-terrorism operations in West Africa.

In a late-night statement published on Truth Social, the U.S. President said the operation was conducted under his direct orders as Commander-in-Chief, describing it as “a powerful and deadly strike” aimed at extremist elements responsible for repeated attacks in the region.

According to Mr Trump, the militants had been involved in brutal assaults on local communities, particularly targeting Christian populations. He said he had previously warned the group of consequences if the violence continued.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians… I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” the statement read in part.

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He added that the “Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes,” asserting that the U.S. would not allow extremist groups to flourish under his leadership.

While the President praised the American military, he also issued a stern warning to the militants, saying there would be further consequences if attacks on civilians persisted.

Confirming the development, the Nigerian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that it provided the intelligence needed to the United States government concerning the airstrike.

“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security,” said the ministry.

It further stated 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.

On the particular location of the strike in the northwestern part of the country, netizens, particularly from Sokoto State, have confirmed that a rocket landed in Jabo Ward, under Tambuwal LG of Sokoto State, Nigeria this same night.

Similarly, the United States Africa Command(AFRICOM), an organization responsible for the United States military operations in the continent, in a series of posts on X, said the airstrikes were launched based on requests of the Nigerian government.

“AFRICOM conducted a strike at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State killing multiple ISIS terrorists. Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” the statement reads.

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