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The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to suspend the rollout of the proposed tax laws amid allegations of alterations that have sparked nationwide concern.

The demand for a pause comes despite the firm stance taken last week by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, who maintained that the commencement date for the Nigerian Tax Act and the Nigerian Tax Administration Act remains non-negotiable.

“The plan to commence the new laws on January 1, 2026, will go ahead as planned on schedule because these reforms are designed to provide relief to the Nigerian people,” he said after a meeting attended by the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacchaeus Adedeji, and the Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, Joseph Tegbe.

“Bottom 98 per cent of workers will see either no Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax or lower taxes to be paid, small businesses 97 per cent of them will be exempted from Corporate Income Taxes, Value Added Tax (VAT), and Withholding Tax, and large businesses will see a drop in the taxes that they pay.

“The whole idea is to try and promote economic growth, inclusivity, as well as shared prosperity for our people,” he added.

Despite this position, Oyedele expressed support for the National Assembly’s decision to probe the alleged alterations. He stated that the Federal Government is prepared to collaborate with lawmakers to resolve the issues raised by Nigerians, including those voiced by opposition leaders.

Meanwhile, a joint statement signed by Minority Leader Rep. O.K. Chinda, Minority Whip Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C., Deputy Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi urged the Federal Government to halt implementation of the tax laws pending the conclusion of investigations.

“…we call on the government to suspend the implementation of the tax laws until investigations are concluded and there is clarity and certainty of the law to be implemented.”

The caucus further stressed that Nigerians and the business community have a right to access the exact versions of the laws “they are expected to obey.”

The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to ensuring that any alleged irregularities in the gazetted tax laws are corrected in the national interest.

“We have noted with great consternation and an overwhelming sense of disappointment the current storm brewing over the Tax Reform laws that were duly passed by the National Assembly and properly signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

“Ordinarily, the controversy will have been dismissed as needless, but the gravity of the cause of the controversy is an issue of great concern to all Nigerians, especially since it borders on the accusations of unlawful alterations to the laws as passed by both Chambers of the National Assembly and subsequently signed by the President.

“We are also aware that this issue has been raised by a member of the House of Representatives during one of our recent plenaries, following which the House innugurated a high-powered committee to investigate the allegations made by the member that the tax laws have been fraudulently altered, gazetted and the altered copy circulated to the public.

“As such, we want to assure Nigerians that the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives will stand with the entire House to see that the circumstances surrounding this illegality is exposed and the culprits brought to book in the interest of justice for all Nigerians.

“We are aware that the legitimate procedure for gazetting laws begins with the Clerk to the National Assembly transmitting the authentic copies to the relevant federal agency, making the National Assembly the custodian of the genuine laws of the federation.”

The caucus advised Nigerians to disregard any tax laws circulating without the signatures of the Clerk to the National Assembly and the President and Commander-in-Chief.

“Any attempt to foist fake laws on Nigerians is an attack on the independence and constitutional role of the National Assembly in safeguarding our democracy.”

The controversy intensified after House member Abdussamad Dasuki raised concerns over discrepancies between the tax laws approved by lawmakers and the versions later gazetted and released to the public.

“Before you can say there is a difference between what was gazetted and what was passed, we have what has not been gazetted. We don’t have what was passed,” he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier signed four tax reform bills into law, which the government described as the most significant overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades.

The laws are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, and include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, all to be administered under a single authority, the Nigeria Revenue Service.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been hospitalised following a road accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, an incident that claimed two lives.

The crash occurred shortly after 11 a.m. on Monday in the Makun area, just before the Danco Filling Station and ahead of the Sagamu Interchange on the Ibadan-bound axis. A Lexus SUV conveying Joshua reportedly collided with a stationary truck.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that Joshua and other injured occupants were rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

Eyewitness Adeniyi Orojo said the convoy consisted of two vehicles, a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV carrying security personnel.

Joshua was seated in the back of the Lexus behind the driver, with another passenger beside him, while a fourth occupant sat in the front passenger seat.

According to Orojo, the passenger seated beside the driver and the individual seated next to Joshua died at the scene, while Joshua sustained minor injuries.

He added that bystanders initiated rescue efforts before officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived.

Confirming the development, Oluseyi stated that the accident occurred in front of Sinoma, before Danco, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, and assured that further updates would be provided.

Also speaking on the incident, Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, confirmed that the crash took place along the Sagamu Interchange axis of the expressway.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the collision.

Benin City witnessed widespread shock on Sunday, December 28, 2025, following the alleged violent abduction and public humiliation of veteran filmmaker Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki.

The respected Nollywood pioneer and former Managing Director of DAAR Communications was reportedly attacked in broad daylight by a group of armed men, stripped naked, and forcefully dragged through major parts of Benin City in Edo State.

The incident, which has since gone viral on social media, has sparked intense public debate and condemnation, raising serious concerns about human rights abuses, cultural enforcement, and the growing influence of non-state actors within the region.

The recent news on the Incident

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident began at about 11:30 am while Dr. Obaseki was playing a friendly football match with members of the Uwa All Stars at Uwa Primary School.

Without warning, a group of armed men reportedly stormed the football field, physically overpowered him, and forcefully abducted him in full view of players and onlookers.

Dr. Obaseki later recounted that he was brutally manhandled and dragged through several major streets, including Igbisawan Street and Akpapava, before being taken to the Ring Road area.

There, he was allegedly stripped of his clothing in public and subjected to further humiliation. He was then taken to the entrance of the Oba of Benin’s Palace, where he was reportedly forced to kneel before a gathering of people.

Following the incident, he was taken to a police station along Oba Market Road, where he was eventually released after the intervention of the Edo State Commissioner of police

The Alleged Reason Behind the Attack

The filmmaker disclosed that his attackers claimed they were acting on instructions connected to the Palace over what they described as a serious breach of traditional protocol. According to Dr. Obaseki, the alleged offense stemmed from a statement he made during a recent trip to London.

Instead of using the traditional salutation reserved for the Oba of Benin, which translates to “May the Oba live long,” he reportedly said, “May Edo people live long and prosper.”

This variation was allegedly interpreted as a sign of disrespect toward the revered monarch.

Dr. Obaseki, who has spent decades promoting Benin history and culture through iconic films such as Igodo, described the experience as deeply traumatic and degrading.

He stated that he had never felt so humiliated, adding that the incident struck at the core of his identity, heritage, and pride as a Benin man.

Demand for Accountability

The alleged assault has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups, legal practitioners, cultural commentators, and political figures across the country. Many have described the incident as barbaric, unlawful, and a direct violation of fundamental human rights.

Former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is related to the victim, issued a strong statement denouncing the attack.

He described it as a gross abuse of power and urged security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to ensure justice is served. He warned that allowing such acts to go unpunished could encourage lawlessness and undermine public confidence in the rule of

As public pressure mounts, attention has turned to the Edo State Police Command, which has been called upon to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those involved in the abduction and assault.

Human rights advocates have also demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, the Oba of Benin’s Palace and the Benin Traditional Council have yet to issue an official statement to confirm or deny any connection to the actions of the alleged attackers. This silence has further fueled speculation and calls for clarity.

In a bold move to break the core of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria’s hinterlands, the Federal Government has deployed more than 7,000 newly trained Forest Guards across seven frontline states.

The deployment follows their graduation on December 27, 2025, marking the first active phase of the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, a coordinated multi-agency security strategy designed to eliminate criminal sanctuaries in the country’s so-called “ungoverned spaces.”

Graduation ceremonies were held simultaneously in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi states, bringing to a close an intensive three-month training program.

The program was structured to transform locally recruited personnel into highly skilled field operatives capable of confronting armed groups deep within forested terrain.

Why the Forest Guards Were Launched

For years, Nigeria’s dense forest reserves, including notorious zones such as the Kamuku, Sambisa, and Kainji corridors, have been exploited by bandits and terrorist networks.

These groups converted the forests into operational headquarters, launching deadly attacks on nearby communities and retreating into areas that conventional security forces often find difficult to penetrate.

The urgency of the initiative is reflected in a grim record of violence and abductions. In states such as Kebbi and Niger, hundreds of schoolchildren were kidnapped from their classrooms and forced into remote forest hideouts.

In recent months, areas described as a “corridor of impunity” between Kwara and neighboring states witnessed worshippers abducted from churches and travelers disappearing along major highways.

Over time, these forests evolved into parallel power zones where criminals ran mass kidnapping rings, trafficked weapons, and carried out illegal mining, all shielded by difficult terrain and weak state presence.

President Tinubu’s decision to establish the Forest Guards is a direct response to this security breakdown, signaling a strategic shift from largely reactive, city-centered operations to proactive control and dominance of forest environments where criminal groups thrive.

Key Significance

The Forest Guards are far more than ordinary security personnel. Instead, they serve as an important support force within Nigeria’s security system, with their value built around three main strengths.

Knowing the land and local information is the foundation of the plan. The guards were recruited from their respective Local Government Areas, giving them deep familiarity with forest routes, hidden footpaths, caves, and water sources commonly used by bandits.

According to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, this ability to “read the forest” allows them to detect unusual movements and identify the covert arrival of criminal cells long before attacks are launched.

Holding Ground addresses one of the military’s longstanding challenges. Security operations have often followed a “clear and leave” pattern, where troops flush out bandits only for them to return once forces withdraw.

The Forest Guards are tasked with maintaining a continuous, armed presence within these areas, preventing criminals from regrouping and reclaiming territory.

Special training prepares the guards for real forest combat. Their training combined physical endurance with advanced tactical field skills, including ambush response, hostage rescue operations, and extended patrol simulations.

The curriculum was tailored specifically to the close-range, high-risk combat environment typical of bush warfare dominated by AK-47–armed groups.

How the Initiative Helps Nigerians

The deployment of the Forest Guards is expected to produce far-reaching benefits for national security and economic stability. By reclaiming forest territories, the government aims to revive rural livelihoods.

Farmers displaced by fear of kidnapping and violence can safely return to their farmlands, a development that could help reduce food inflation and stimulate local economies.

The initiative also strengthens trust between communities and the state. Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the move as a “game changer,” warning that terrorists now face a clear choice to abandon the state or face severe consequences.

As the guards begin sustained patrols, they offer long-awaited reassurance to rural communities that have endured years of insecurity and neglect.

With plans already in place to expand the program nationwide, the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative represents a long-term commitment to restoring territorial control and ensuring that no part of Nigeria’s landmass remains a safe haven for terror or organized crime.

A 15-year-old girl, identified as Endurance Sabo, has reportedly lost her hand following a violent attack linked to an alleged attempt to force her into marriage in Goska community, Kaninkon Ward, Kafanchan, Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident occurred on Friday, December 14, 2025, while Endurance was on her family’s farm with her mother and other relatives. According to family sources, a group of suspected Fulani herdsmen approached them at about 10:00 a.m. and demanded that the girl be handed over for marriage, reportedly calling her by name and commenting on her appearance.

Her mother initially dismissed the demand as a joke, but the men allegedly persisted. Family members said the suspects later trailed them from a distance and waited in nearby bushes until evening.

At about 6:30 p.m., as the family was returning home on foot while waiting for a motorcycle, the attackers allegedly ambushed them. A family member recounted that the assailants first confronted the group, checked the faces of the women present, and then forcefully seized Endurance after identifying her.

She was reportedly dragged into a nearby forest, where her hand was brutally severed. She was later rescued and rushed to the General Hospital in Kafanchan before being referred to a private medical facility for emergency treatment. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was subsequently transferred to the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, where she is currently receiving further medical care.

The family confirmed that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack, although they alleged that about nine men were involved.

Residents of Goska community have expressed growing concern over rising insecurity in the area, citing fears linked to forced marriages, banditry, and violent attacks. Community members say the incident has heightened anxiety among parents, particularly regarding the safety of young girls.

In response to the incident, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jama’a Local Government Area, Hon. Hassan Yaro Jashua, visited Endurance at the General Hospital in Kafanchan prior to her transfer to Jos. Photographs from the visit were shared publicly.

The family and concerned residents have called on the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and full prosecution of all suspects involved. They are also demanding comprehensive medical and psychological support for the victim, as well as compensation for her and her family.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

The Lagos State Government has announced a temporary traffic diversion on part of the Third Mainland Bridge ahead of the Eyo Festival scheduled to hold on Saturday.

In a travel advisory issued through the state government’s social media platforms, residents and motorists were advised to plan their movements in advance, as vehicular access would be partially restricted around Lagos Island.

“Vehicular movement on major Lagos Island streets, especially along the procession routes, will be restricted or fully closed to allow the traditional Eyo procession to move safely,” the advisory stated.

As a result, the government outlined several key routes on Lagos Island that will be temporarily shut to traffic.

These include the Third Mainland Bridge exit to Adeniji Adele Road; Adeniji Adele ramps both inward and outward at Oyebanji; and Adeniji Adele inward to the Third Mainland Bridge at Church Bus Stop.

“Descending the Simpson Bridge to Sura from Osborne; outward Sura inward Osborne by Simpson Bridge; outward Sura inward Obalende Bridge; and Third Mainland exit to Sura.”

Other locations expected to be affected by the traffic restrictions include Obalende, CMS, Marina, Apogbon and Idumota.

Commuters were therefore encouraged to make use of alternative routes during the period of the diversion.

“Motorists are advised to plan their journeys, as LASTMA officials will be deployed to all diversion points for a seamless flow of traffic,” the notice added.

The Eyo Festival, last staged in 2017, is widely known for its distinctive white-clad masquerades as well as its colourful chants, dances and rich cultural symbolism.

Regarded as a cultural heritage of the Lagos people, the festival is one of the country’s most recognisable traditional celebrations, and this year’s edition is expected to attract both local and international attention.

A building was destroyed in Offa, Kwara State, following a reported drone bomb incident that occurred just hours after the United States announced airstrikes on ISIS-linked terrorists in Nigeria’s North West.

Videos circulating widely on social media showed the damaged structure, with residents recording debris believed to be remnants of a drone bomb. Eyewitnesses said a loud explosion was heard moments before the building was struck.

The incident came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out airstrikes against ISIS terrorists in Sokoto State. As of the time of filing this report, Nigerian authorities had not confirmed whether the Offa incident was a separate attack or connected to debris from the airstrikes conducted in the North West.

Earlier on Friday, the Federal Government confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government said the collaboration had resulted in “precision airstrikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North West.”

The US military action followed weeks of warnings by President Trump, who had called on Nigeria to take stronger measures against terrorism, particularly attacks on Christian communities, or face possible unilateral intervention. He also redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

While the Federal Government has rejected claims of an ongoing genocide against Christians, it confirmed that high-level security engagements have taken place with US officials to address the concerns raised.

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has confirmed that all pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Schools, Papiri, in Niger State, have been successfully rescued and reunited with their families.

The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Rev. Fr. Bulus Yohanna, proprietor of St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School.

According to the statement, a total of 230 individuals, comprising 204 pupils, 14 students and 12 staff members were verified to have been abducted during the incident and were later rescued through the combined efforts of the Federal Government, Niger State Government and security agencies.

Yohanna said all rescued children have since returned to their families, noting that there is no report of any pupil or staff member still missing.

He explained that following the abduction on November 21, an initial headcount indicated that 315 persons were unaccounted for.

However, by November 23, about 50 individuals previously listed as missing escaped and made their way back to their families, reducing the number of unaccounted persons to 265.

“A joint verification exercise involving the state government, security agencies and school authorities later revealed that not all parents were present during the exercise,” he said.

Yohanna added that a second and final verification conducted by school authorities in collaboration with the Parents–Teachers Association revealed that an additional 35 persons had either not been abducted or had escaped earlier.

“As a result, out of the initial 315 persons reported missing, 85 were confirmed to have either escaped or not been abducted, bringing the verified number of abducted persons to 230,” Yohanna stated.

He attributed the discrepancies in the initial figures to the chaotic nature of the incident, explaining that some pupils fled into nearby bushes and did not return in time for the first headcount, while some parents were absent during the verification process.

Yohanna stressed that the discrepancies were not intended to mislead the public but resulted from the challenges of managing a rapidly evolving and emotionally charged situation.

He expressed gratitude to the Federal and Niger State governments, security agencies, parents, the Christian community, the media and members of the public for their prayers, patience and support.

He also offered prayers for healing and full recovery for all affected pupils, staff and families.