Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 20th June, 2025
1. Over 35 Aircraft Procured, 13,500 Terrorists Eliminated Under Tinubu – FG
The Federal Government on Wednesday disclosed that more than 35 aircraft have been acquired and over 13,500 terrorists neutralised since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, as part of sweeping efforts to curb Nigeria’s escalating insecurity.
This was made known by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.
Responding to concerns over the government’s capacity to handle the worsening security crisis, Idris said the challenges predate the Tinubu administration but are being tackled with “unprecedented resolve.”
Naija News reports that the Minister reeled out figures to highlight the government’s commitment to strengthening security across the country.
Idris also revealed that over 13,500 terrorists have been eliminated, 120,000 fighters have surrendered, and 17,000 displaced persons have been reunited with their families as part of recent military operations.
Insisting that the president is not out of touch, the minister said Tinubu is actively engaged and determined to restore order.
2. Benue Killings: How Community Members Gave Food, Women, Accommodation To Attackers – CDS Musa
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has alleged that some community members in Benue State were accomplices to the attackers who killed several residents recently in Yelwata community of Benue State.
CDS Musa made the allegation while speaking on Thursday during an expanded media interaction at Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The military chief alleged that some local informants provided accommodation, food, and even women to the bandits and terrorists who carried out the recent deadly attack.
He added that the informants also helped the attackers to identify the location of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Yelwata.
Naija News reports that General Musa further disclosed that the troops had received intelligence about potential attacks in various communities across Benue State and were mobilised accordingly. However, upon arrival at the initially mentioned locations, it turned out the information was misleading, as the real attack had already been executed in Yelwata using a hit-and-run approach.
3. Insecurity: APC Governors Back Tinubu, Weigh State Police Option
The Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), amid mounting security challenges across the country, has declared its unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to tackle insecurity while urging state governments to intensify community policing and consider the adoption of state police as a long-term solution.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting that lasted over three hours, Imo State Governor and PGF Chairman, Hope Uzodimma, said the governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were united in backing the President’s security initiatives.
He added that the forum was open to Governor Hyacinth Alia’s recent call for state police, and discussions are ongoing among members to assess the feasibility of implementing such a strategy at the subnational level.
During President Tinubu’s visit to Benue State earlier in the week, Governor Hyacinth Alia had made a passionate appeal for the creation of state police to combat insurgency and rural violence.
While acknowledging concerns about possible abuse of power, Alia proposed that the Federal Government create “state-specific guidelines and regulatory frameworks” to ensure transparency and prevent misuse.
4. FG Closes Case As Court Admits DSS Report Linking Nnamdi Kanu To #EndSARS Violence
The Federal Government on Thursday closed its case in the ongoing trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, over charges bordering on terrorism and treason.
Naija News reports that the prosecuting counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), announced the closure after the fifth prosecution witness (PW5), codenamed EEE, concluded his testimony before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“I therefore close the case,” Awomolo declared, expressing confidence that the evidence tendered—including video broadcasts and intelligence reports—had sufficiently established a prima facie case against the IPOB leader.
Following the prosecution’s announcement, Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of their intention to file a no-case submission, signaling that the defence believes the prosecution has failed to establish a case worth answering.
5. Wike Opens Up On Reason He Is Cracking Down On Ground Rent Defaulters
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that the allocations received from the Federal Government are not enough, hence, his reason for aggressively pushing for the payment of ground rent.
Wike disclosed this on Thursday during the commissioning of the newly constructed Collector Road CN2 (Zakari A. Kyari Street) from the Arterial road N11 (Ahmadu Bello Way) in Mabushi to Judges Quarters in Katampe and other roads.
He explained that the money earned from ground rent is channelled toward projects that benefit all residents of the capital city.
The Minister also disclosed that the support of President Bola Tinubu has helped him in achieving all he has done since he became a minister.
6. Benue Killings: It’s Heartbreaking, The President Arrived Like It Was An Occasion Of Joy – Peter Obi Knocks Tinubu
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized the manner of reception organized for the visit of President Bola Tinubu to Benue State over the recent massacre in the state.
Peter Obi said that instead of a solemn event to mourn the victims of the violence, which resulted in the death of several Nigerians, “the President arrived not in mourning cloth but in celebratory agbada attire, like it was an occasion for joy.”
The former Anambra State Governor lamented that the Wednesday visit failed to reflect a spirit of deep national mourning and lacked compassion for the families affected by the massacre in Benue and the flooding in Niger State.
The Labour Party chieftain further criticized the Benue State government for declaring a public holiday and lining up school children in the rain to dance and sing for the President.
According to him, such an action lacks compassion and empathy, adding that condolence visits have now been turned into carnivals and campaign rallies.
7. Kylian Mbappe Hospitalized
Real Madrid has announced that their star forward, Kylian Mbappé, has been admitted to the hospital due to acute gastroenteritis.
The club made this announcement in an official medical statement published on Thursday on its official website.
It is still uncertain how long Mbappé will be sidelined from future matches, as the club is actively monitoring his health status.
Our player Kylian Mbappé presents an acute case of gastroenteritis and has been hospitalised to undergo various tests and receive the appropriate treatment,” Real Madrid announced.
8. Eric Chelle To Scout Talent At President Federation Cup Final
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will be in the stands when Kwara United and Abakaliki FC lock horns in the final of the President’s Federation Cup scheduled for Saturday, June 28 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.
Eric Chelle, a Malian tactician, who recently named 10 home-based players for the Unity Cup invitational tournament in London, is expected to use the opportunity to scout more local talents ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The CHAN tournament, exclusive to players playing their trade in domestic leagues, will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania this August.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group D alongside Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan.
9. Nollywood Actor Opens Up On How He Overcame Body Shaming
Nollywood actor, Abimbola Kazeem, popularly known as Jigan Babaoja, has revealed how he overcame body shaming in the industry.
Speaking in an interview on Oyinmomo TV, the thespian stated that he does not consider himself physically challenged because he can perform various physical activities, such as running, jumping, and playing football.
He stated that he has developed a strong mindset that allows him to brush off insults and mockery from a tender age.
Growing up, the comic actor said he faced harsh name-calling from peers, but by age eight, he had learned to overcome body-shaming.
He encouraged others with disabilities to embrace their uniqueness and recognise their inner strength.
10. When Are You Going To Confess To Nigerians That You’re Broke? – DeeOne Knocks Kiddwaya
Former Big Brother Naija Housemate, Aderombi Adedayo Martin, better known as Deeone, has tackled his colleague, Kiddwaya, over his reaction to the recent killings in Benue State.
Naija News recalls that the billionaire’s son, a few days after the tragic incident in Benue State, took to social media to call on Nigerians to donate to his foundation to provide help to the victims in Benue.
The BBNaija star said people could donate as low as ₦500 because every naira mattered to his foundation.
Reacting, DeeOne, in a post via Instagram, urged Kiddwaya to admit to being broke instead of soliciting support on behalf of Benue citizens.
The reality TV star recalled how Kiddwaya once paid $30,000 for a plate of jollof rice and lost €70,000 in Ibiza, but was unperturbed about it.
Deeone further claim that Kiddwaya was only trying to be like social media critic, VeryDarkMan, after seeing that he made a lot of money with his NGO.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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