• Resign or shelve re-election bid, Obi tells President  
• Bandits, terrorists don’t deserve media publicity, FG tells journalists, others 
• Oyo govt raises hopes of Oriire families

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deploying emerging technologies, intelligence-driven operations and indigenous defence production to defeat terrorism and other security threats confronting the country.
 
But the presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, called on Tinubu to either resign or abandon any plan to seek re-election, accusing his administration of failing to address the country’s worsening insecurity and showing “lack of compassion” for victims.
 
Also, the Federal Government urged journalists and social media influencers to deny bandits and terrorists the publicity they crave against the state.
 
Meanwhile, the Oyo State government reassured residents of ongoing intensive efforts to secure the safe release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Council, saying security agencies were actively working to rescue the victims and apprehend the culprits.
 
Tinubu said his administration was accelerating the modernisation of the armed forces through investments in advanced military hardware, personnel training and operational capacity to improve combat readiness across all theatres of operation.
 
The President spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the grand finale of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration and the maiden African Land Forces Forum (ALFF), held under the theme, ‘Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army’.
 
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, the President declared that his administration would continue to strengthen the military’s capacity to confront evolving security threats through technology-driven, intelligence-led operations.
 
He added that the ongoing revitalisation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), alongside strategic partnerships such as the ALFF, would strengthen Nigeria’s defence manufacturing capacity and reduce dependence on foreign military supplies.
 
The President acknowledged previous attempts by successive administrations to reposition DICON, but said his government was determined to complete its transformation to meet the demands of modern warfare.
 
He described the establishment of ALFF as a significant milestone in strengthening regional defence cooperation and commended Great Minds Event Management for helping to promote Nigeria’s leadership in defence diplomacy.
 
Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, described the event as symbolic of the return of peace and stability to the state. He urged the Federal Government to sustain efforts to improve the welfare and working conditions of officers and men of the Nigerian Army.
 
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protecting the lives and property of citizens.

OBI, in a statement released on X, yesterday, following his visit to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo over the prolonged captivity of pupils abducted more than 50 days ago, said the Federal Government’s handling of the kidnapping and other security challenges reflected “a collapse of governance”, arguing that Nigerians were increasingly feeling abandoned.
 
According to him, the consequences of poor leadership were becoming more evident across the country. He expressed sympathy with the government and people of Oyo, saying they had every reason to feel disappointed over the continued captivity of the abducted pupils.
 
He decried the lack of communication between Tinubu and Makinde since the tragedy.
 
“To my utmost shock, I discovered that, contrary to my assumption that they had been in regular communication over the matter. Makinde had not received a single call from President Tinubu,” he stated.

MINISTER of Information and National Reorientation, Mohammed Idris, at the maiden edition of Arewa Media Summit yesterday in Kano, reminded journalists of their indispensable role of promoting unity, resilience and national integration, positing that denying violent extremists publicity “is cardinal” to fighting security threats.
 
The event was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz.
 
Although Idris believed democracy thrives when government remains transparent and citizens participate responsibly, he stressed the media’s constitutional responsibility for fair, balanced,  and accurate reporting in society.
 
Idris described media practice devoid of basic ethical standards of checking misinformation and fake news as a tool for violence in society.
 
He observed that the digital revolution transformed communication, making every smartphone a broadcasting platform, but warned that the same technology also amplified the spread of fake news and disinformation that can threaten national unity and public confidence.
 
Abdulaziz advised social media influencers with enormous followings to use their platforms responsibly by verifying information before publication and avoiding content that could sow division, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
 
He disclosed that over 100 APC social media communicators were trained ahead of the summit on effective communication of government policies and achievements.
 
Declaring the summit open, Kano Governor, Abba Yusuf, urged other states to emulate his ‘Special Reporters Initiative’, under which more than 150 young people were deployed across ministries, departments, agencies and the state’s 44 local councils to improve government communication and public enlightenment.

THE Oyo government gave the assurance in a statement posted on its official X handle, amid growing anxiety among residents and renewed calls for the swift rescue of the victims.
 
Expressing sympathy with the families affected by the abduction, the government acknowledged the emotional trauma and uncertainty they endured since the incident, while reiterating its commitment to ensuring the victims were reunited with their loved ones.
  
“The Oyo government remains committed to the safe return of our children and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Council. Our thoughts are with their families in these trying times,” the statement reads.