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Terrorism not fueled by religion, stop your threats, bully against Nigeria – US Lawmaker tells Trump

US Representative Pramila Jayapal has sharply criticised President Donald Trump’s handling of claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria, describing his response as “misguided” and “incomplete.”

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Trump recently re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and warned that the US military could intervene “guns-a-blazing to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”

Speaking at a congressional hearing on Thursday in Washington, D.C., Jayapal challenged the president’s framing of the crisis.

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She argued that portraying the situation solely as Christian persecution was “simplistic” and ignored Nigeria’s “intersectional diversity” and the complex factors driving violence across the country.

“Certainly, religion is a contributing factor to the violence, but a review by the Search for Common Ground found that in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, religion was not a primary driver of conflict,” Jayapal said.

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“Instead, violence has been directed against both Christians and Muslims, regardless of religion, at the hands of armed terror groups like Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa, or fuelled by differences in lifestyle between farmer and herder groups compounded by climate change and governance issues.

“And so, I want to start by saying I’m very concerned that a day after President Trump saw a clip on Fox News about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, he threatened to go ‘guns-a-blazing’ in Nigeria and revoke all assistance.

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“Can you tell me under what authority would the US military strike inside of Nigeria?” she asked Jonathan Pratt, a senior official at the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, who testified at the panel.

Pratt disclosed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had directed the department to work with the Nigerian government on a coordinated action plan.

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“The secretary of state has directed us to put together a comprehensive plan that uses all tools at our disposal, including security and the Department of War, and this would be primarily focused on the security that we are providing to the government of Nigeria and how they are deploying their assets,” Pratt said.

“We can also share information and intelligence. We can talk about counterterrorism. And so those are the tools that we are primarily looking at in our strategy.”

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Jayapal questioned why these measures were not the first line of action, and Pratt responded that the State Department had long been engaged in efforts to address insecurity in Nigeria.

She stressed the importance of following a strategic approach rather than making threats. “I just wish we would actually stick to that playbook rather than a bully and threaten of a country that is extremely important to us and to the region,” she said.

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“I don’t think that’s the right way to go, to just go on Truth Social and threaten ‘guns-a-blazing’. I think what you’ve described is much more appropriate.”

At the same hearing, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs called Trump’s threat “reckless.” She emphasized that Congress had not authorised military action and warned that any unilateral strike without Nigeria’s consent would violate international law.

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BREAKING ; Atiku’s Son dumps PDP defects to APC, vows to work for President Tinubu’s reelection

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BREAKING ; Atiku’s Son dumps PDP defects to APC, vows to work for President Tinubu’s reelection

The Son of Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, dumped the PDP and pledged to work for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

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Abubakar, popularly known as Abba, formally announced his defection to the APC at the National Assembly, where he was received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, with APC leaders from the North-East.

Party leaders described the move as a significant boost to the APC’s consolidation efforts ahead of the next general election, given Abba’s political network and grassroots organisation.

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Announcing his resignation from the PDP, Abba said the decision was informed by his conviction in the leadership style of Senator Barau and the policies of the Tinubu administration.

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Eight persons killed, others injured in another fatal road accident

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Eight persons killed, others injured in another fatal road accident

Eight persons died while three others were injured in a road traffic crash along the Potiskum–Dogon Kuka carriageway in Yobe.

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The Yobe Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Andrew Longkam, confirmed the incident on Thursday.

He said the crash occurred around Gaggaba on the Potiskum–Dogon Kuka axis at about 12:40 hours.

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“Preliminary reports from Dogon Kuka Unit Command show the incident was promptly reported to the corps,” Longkam said.

FRSC operatives arrived within five minutes, enabling swift rescue, evacuation of victims, traffic control, road clearance and prevention of secondary crashes.

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The crash involved a white Howo trailer, registration DAL 963YY, and a white Mitsubishi Canter, registration NNR 437XA.

“Twelve adult males were involved, with eight fatalities and four rescued, including three injured and one unhurt,” he said.

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The injured and deceased were taken to Government General Hospital, Dogon Kuka, where the injured received prompt medical attention.

Longkam said the FRSC tow truck cleared the obstruction, restored traffic flow and notified the Police Motor Traffic Division in Dogon Kuka.

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“Preliminary findings indicate the Mitsubishi Canter, suspected to excessive speeding, committed a route violation and crashed into the trailer,” he said.

He said excessive speed and route violation were suspected causes, adding that investigations were ongoing to determine the exact circumstances.

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The sector commander urged motorists to avoid speeding, route violations and unsafe practices, assuring continued enforcement, emergency response and public education across the state. (NAN)

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Atiku finally breaks silence after his Son defects to APC

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Atiku finally breaks silence after his Son defects to APC

Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has addressed his son Abba Abubakar’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a personal choice.

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In a statement posted on his X handle, Atiku said, “The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal. In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect.”

He added, “As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians.”

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The former vice president also highlighted his concerns about the ruling party, saying, “What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people.”

“ I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope, and progress.”

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