Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to your Gossip News Now roundup of the major stories making headlines this Friday, 28 November 2025.
1. Tinubu Announces New Assignments for NSA Ribadu, Badaru, IGP Egbetokun, Others
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the formation of the Nigerian contingent of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group, a new initiative aimed at strengthening security cooperation between both countries.
This was revealed in a statement on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The decision follows the recent visit of a high-level Nigerian delegation to Washington, D.C., led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Ribadu will head the Nigerian side of the Joint Working Group, supported by a multi-agency team consisting of senior representatives from key government institutions.
2. ‘Arrest Him, Even If He’s My Son’ – Senator Sani Musa Demands Uncompromising Action Against Terror Suspects
Senator Sani Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in terrorism, insisting that neither family ties nor official positions should provide cover for suspects.
Speaking during Senate plenary, Musa linked his firm stance to the alarming rise in kidnappings and banditry across the country, noting that what started in a single local government has now engulfed multiple regions.
“No state is safe. I don’t want politics in this matter; it is reality. If my brother or my son is involved, he should be arrested. The law must take its course,” he declared.
Musa further condemned the pattern of criminals evading justice despite being tracked, disarmed, or confronted by security forces, stressing that accountability must be enforced without exception.
3. Goodluck Jonathan Returns to Abuja After Evacuation From Coup-Hit Guinea-Bissau
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has safely returned to Abuja after being evacuated from Guinea-Bissau in the wake of a renewed military coup that unsettled the nation.
Jonathan arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday evening, just days after soldiers announced a takeover while election observer missions were still active in the country.
He had travelled to Guinea-Bissau as the head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission to monitor last Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections.
Despite rising tensions over disputed results, Jonathan and his team continued their monitoring duties until the military abruptly seized power.
Reacting to the coup, Jonathan—alongside other regional and continental observer leaders—condemned the action, describing it as a deliberate attempt to derail the electoral process.
4. ‘Her Family Said It Was Impossible’ – BBNaija’s Boma Reveals How Marriage Plans Collapsed
Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Boma Akpore, has opened up about how family disapproval abruptly ended a relationship he had hoped would lead to marriage.
Speaking on the WithChude podcast with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Boma described the relationship as beautiful, despite its normal challenges. He disclosed that he had concrete plans to propose and was scheduled to travel to the United States in August to buy an engagement ring.
However, he said everything fell apart when his partner’s family rejected him, basing their decision on negative things they had heard about him.
Boma added that the rejection was largely fueled by the intense public scrutiny that comes with his celebrity status.
5. Finidi George Rallies Rivers United Ahead of Crucial Berkane Clash
Rivers United head coach Finidi George has expressed confidence that his team is fully prepared to battle for their first CAF Champions League group-stage points as they take on Moroccan giants RS Berkane in Uyo on Friday.
Gossip News Now recalls that the Nigerian side suffered a tough 3-0 defeat to Pyramids FC in Cairo in their opening match.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Finidi assured supporters that the team has learned from the loss and is ready to deliver a stronger performance.
“We owe it to our fans to rise to the occasion and get a result against RS Berkane,” he said. “We did well for 50 minutes against Pyramids but lost concentration. We cannot afford to repeat that tomorrow.”
The match is scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, where Rivers United hopes to capitalize on home advantage and fan support.
Finidi also revealed that the technical crew has thoroughly studied RS Berkane, a team widely regarded as one of Africa’s most formidable sides.
6. Senegalese Icon Aliou Cissé Names Nigeria Among Top AFCON 2025 Contenders
Senegalese football legend Aliou Cissé has listed the Super Eagles of Nigeria among the leading contenders for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
The tournament is set to begin on December 21 in Morocco, where Nigeria will be chasing a fourth continental crown. Speaking to WinWin, Cissé—who formerly coached Senegal and now manages Libya—highlighted Nigeria as one of the strongest sides heading into the competition.
“I hope it will be Senegal, because I am from Senegal and my whole heart is with Senegal,” he said.
“Apart from Senegal, there are plenty of teams capable of winning this AFCON. Morocco is also a strong candidate, as well as Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria.”
Cissé emphasized the unpredictable nature of AFCON, noting that unlike the World Cup where forecasts are easier, the African tournament is known for its surprises.
7. New Insights Emerge on Anita Joseph and MC Fish’s Broken Marriage
Nigerian celebrity journalist, Stella Dimoko Korkus (SDK), has confirmed that the marriage between Nollywood actress Anita Joseph and her husband, Fisayo Olagunju, popularly known as MC Fish, has ended.
According to Gossip News Now , SDK revealed in an Instagram post on Thursday that the couple has officially gone their separate ways and has chosen not to issue any public statement on the matter.
Sources quoted by the journalist claim the relationship reportedly deteriorated after MC Fish allegedly joined the Freemason fraternity, a development said to have created tension within the family. Despite their efforts to keep the marriage intact, the pair ultimately could not sustain it.
8. ‘The President’s Convoy Is Excessive’ – Senator Ndume Criticises Heavy Security Deployment
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has criticised what he described as the overuse of police officers and large security convoys assigned to top government officials, warning that such practices leave ordinary Nigerians without adequate protection.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, the senator argued that Nigeria’s security system should prioritise safeguarding the wider environment rather than focusing heavily on individuals.
He questioned why so many armed personnel are concentrated around politicians who, according to him, are not even at the highest levels of government protocol.
Ndume also extended his criticism to the presidential convoy, describing the level of security accompanying the President as unnecessarily large.
9. Bandit Leaders Relocate to Kogi Forests, Gov Ododo Raises Security Alert
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ahmed Ododo, has sounded a fresh alarm, revealing that commanders of notorious bandit groups have moved into forests in Kogi East with plans to intensify attacks on local communities.
Ododo made the revelation on Thursday during a media interaction at the Government House in Lokoja, shortly after an emergency State Security Council meeting and consultations with top security chiefs and traditional rulers.
The governor acknowledged that the security crisis extends beyond Kogi, noting that it reflects a wider national challenge. He vowed that his administration would not “submit to criminals” nor participate in ransom negotiations.
10. IGP Complies With Tinubu’s Directive, Recalls 11,566 Police Officers From VIP Protection
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has confirmed the withdrawal of 11,566 police personnel previously assigned to private individuals nationwide.
Speaking on Thursday during a meeting with senior police officers in Abuja, Egbetokun explained that the recalled officers will be redeployed across various states to strengthen national security operations.
He noted that the withdrawal of police personnel from private guard duties will be implemented in phases.
This move follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the immediate recall of police details attached to VIPs as part of a broader restructuring of security deployment.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the directive was one of the key decisions reached during the President’s high-level security meeting with Service Chiefs in Abuja.
That’s all for today’s top Nigerian newspaper headlines. For more updates, visit Gossip News Now . Join us again tomorrow.
