Good morning, Nigeria! Dive into today’s Gossip News Now roundup featuring the major headlines for Monday, 24th November 2025.
1. 38 Abducted Worshippers in Kwara Regain Freedom After Five Days
Thirty-eight members of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, who were kidnapped last week, have regained their freedom after five days in captivity.
The development was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye, on behalf of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
According to the statement, the victims’ release was made possible through the coordinated efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and various security agencies.
“After many days of relentless work by security forces and government representatives, His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) is delighted to announce the release of the 38 persons abducted during the attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, Ekiti LGA, Kwara State,” the statement read.
The governor expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for personally leading the initiative that resulted in the safe return of the abductees. All victims were freed on Sunday, November 23.
2. DHQ Responds to Claims Troops Withdrew Before Kebbi Schoolgirls’ Abduction
The Defence Headquarters has opened an investigation into reports that troops were withdrawn—or their deployment delayed—prior to the abduction of 25 students from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State.
The inquiry follows concerns raised by Kebbi State Governor, Mohammed Nasir Idris, who revealed that security agencies had earlier received intelligence from the Department of State Services warning of an imminent attack.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the military has begun a comprehensive review of troop movements and deployment in the area leading up to the abduction.
The statement, titled “DHQ Reassures Nigerians Amid Rising Insecurity, Addresses Alleged Troop Withdrawal in Kebbi State,” affirmed that the Armed Forces remain “deeply concerned” about the kidnappings in Kebbi and Niger states and are working to prevent further occurrences.
3. Niger School Announces Escape of 50 Kidnapped Pupils, Confirms Safe Return
Fifty pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, Niger State, have escaped from their captors and safely reunited with their families, the school management confirmed on Sunday.
This development comes just days after armed men stormed the school and kidnapped 303 pupils and students, sparking national outrage and renewed demands for tighter school security.
According to school officials, the children escaped between Friday and Saturday but did not return to the school compound. Instead, each pupil either found their way home or was located within nearby communities.
To verify their safety, the school contacted parents and conducted home visits, confirming that the 50 children had indeed reunited with their families.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, affirmed the development in an electronically signed update released by his media aide, Daniel Atori.
Yohanna said the escape brings some relief but stressed that the situation remains critical, as many more students are still in captivity.
4. 2Baba and Natasha Osawaru Welcome Baby Boy
Legendary Nigerian musician Innocent “2Baba” Idibia and Edo State lawmaker Natasha Osawaru have welcomed their first child together—a baby boy.
Speculation about the birth began early Friday after reports surfaced that Osawaru had been seen at a hospital. The rumour was confirmed hours later when she posted on her official Facebook page, announcing that she and 2Baba had been “blessed with a baby boy.”
The news quickly drew an outpouring of congratulatory messages from fans and well-wishers across social media.
The newborn’s arrival marks a new milestone in the couple’s widely followed relationship. 2Baba and Osawaru formalised their union earlier this year, following the singer’s separation from Annie Idibia in January. Their relationship has remained in the public eye, from the Valentine’s Eve proposal to family visits and traditional rites that followed.
5. Eze Nets Hat-Trick as Arsenal Cruise to 4–1 Derby Victory Over Spurs
Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze produced a stunning hat-trick on Sunday as the Premier League leaders dismantled Tottenham Hotspur 4–1 in a dominant north London derby at the Emirates Stadium.
Eze, who turned down a move to Spurs before joining Arsenal in the summer, delivered his finest performance since his £60 million transfer from Crystal Palace, extending the Gunners’ unbeaten streak to 15 matches across all competitions.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring before Eze added a second. The England international then struck twice more after the break to complete a historic treble — only the fourth hat-trick in derby history, following Ted Drake, Terry Dyson, and Alan Sunderland.
Despite arriving with the league’s best away record, Spurs were thoroughly outplayed as Mikel Arteta’s side overwhelmed Thomas Frank’s men with superior movement, intensity, and passing.
The emphatic win marks Arsenal’s biggest derby victory since 2012 and allows them to take advantage of Manchester City’s loss to Newcastle, opening a six-point lead at the top as they continue their push for a first Premier League title since 2004.
6. Brother Clarifies Circumstances Surrounding Chief Kanran’s Death, Says Actor Lived a ‘Make-Believe Life’
Yemi Remi, elder brother of late Nollywood veteran Segun Remi, popularly known as Chief Kanran, has addressed lingering rumours about the actor’s life and the circumstances of his death.
Speaking in an interview with Agbaletu TV, Yemi described his brother as “a lovable person,” but noted that his biggest flaw was his tendency to conceal the truth about his personal struggles — a habit he said contributed to widespread public misconceptions.
He debunked reports claiming the actor died from injuries sustained in a house fire, insisting that Kanran was “in good health” before his sudden passing. According to him, the 62-year-old actor slumped and died in his bathroom.
The 70-year-old further revealed that several dramatic stories associated with the late actor — including claims that his house and car were burnt — were actually fabricated by Kanran himself.
7. Tinubu Reacts as Abducted Kwara Worshippers and Niger School Students Regain Freedom
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Nigeria’s security agencies following the successful rescue of 38 worshippers kidnapped from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The victims were confirmed freed on Sunday, November 23.
Similarly, authorities also announced the recovery of 51 students abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State, part of a larger kidnapping incident that sparked national outrage.
In a statement reacting to both developments, President Tinubu revealed that he cancelled his planned trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to personally coordinate security efforts across the country.
He reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding all citizens and ensuring that those responsible for these attacks are apprehended.
8. Court Denies Alleged Assassination Attempt on Judge Who Jailed Nnamdi Kanu
The Federal High Court has dismissed as false a viral social media report alleging that Justice James Omotosho survived an assassination attempt just days after sentencing Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment.
The rumour, shared by a Facebook blogger, claimed the judge was attacked by unknown assailants and rushed to a hospital on Saturday morning. However, in a statement issued on Sunday, Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Sulaiman Hassan, described the publication as completely fabricated and intended to mislead the public.
The statement, titled “Rebuttal to False Publication by ‘Celebrity Blogger’ on the Alleged Assassination Attempt on Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court,” urged Nigerians to disregard the claim and refrain from spreading misinformation.
Hassan expressed concern over the motive behind the false report and called on security agencies to investigate and prosecute the individuals responsible for the misleading content.
9. PDP Demands Tinubu’s Resignation, Faults School Closures Over Insecurity
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slammed the Federal Government and several state governments for shutting down schools in response to escalating cases of kidnapping, warning that the decision could deepen the country’s education crisis.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, argued that closing schools effectively hands victory to terrorists.
“If schools are closed, then the terrorists’ goal has already been achieved,” he said.
Ememobong criticised the Tinubu administration’s “simplistic solution” of shutting institutions to prevent further abductions, insisting that the government must instead adopt a comprehensive, intelligence-led security strategy built on community vigilance and rapid response mechanisms.
He stressed that the urgent and full implementation of the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools is crucial, as insecurity has become a major deterrent to education—particularly in Northern Nigeria.
The PDP spokesman noted that the decision to shut schools will worsen the already alarming situation in the North, where a majority of the country’s 18.3 million out-of-school children reside.
10. Tinubu Orders Immediate Withdrawal of Police Escorts From VIPs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs) nationwide, marking a major overhaul in Nigeria’s security deployment structure.
The directive was announced on Sunday by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who said the decision was part of the key resolutions reached during the President’s high-level security meeting with Service Chiefs in Abuja.
According to Onanuga, the policy aims to return police personnel to their “core responsibilities,” ensuring stronger security presence in communities struggling with rising insecurity. Many remote areas, he noted, have been left exposed due to a shortage of officers at local police stations.
Under the new system, VIPs who still require armed escorts must now apply through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
To further address manpower shortages, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The Federal Government is also collaborating with state governments to upgrade police training facilities across the country.
That’s all for today’s top Nigerian newspaper headlines. For more breaking stories and updates, stay tuned to Gossip News Now . See you tomorrow.
