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Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has announced that herdsmen would pay for the services to be rendered by the proposed ranches or grazing reserves. The nation’s number two citizen made this known on Thursday at the opening ceremony of a two-day summit on national security organised by the Senate in Abuja.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.) and the service chiefs were also in attendance. Also, Osinbajo called on Nigerians to disregard insinuations that the central government plans to seize lands from state for the purpose of establishing grazing reserves.

“Let me reiterate that on no account will any land be seized or forcefully taken to create ranches or grazing areas. All insinuations to that effect should be disregarded. No one is giving land to herdsmen, as is being falsely alleged,” he said.“Instead, it is in our view that states that are willing and have set aside land for development should cooperate with willing investors in commercially-viable, government-supported ranches or livestock production centres for commercial use.”

“The ranches will have adequate water from boreholes, salt points and pasture. The locations would serve both as forage points and centres for providing extension services to boost animal care, feeding and veterinary facilities, and even abattoirs. Because the ranches are commercial ventures, cattle owners will pay for their use.“It is important to note that by and large, in consultation with stakeholders, all agree that where adequate provision is made on a commercial basis, there is no reason why there won’t be cooperation to use those ranches because there are both economic and social benefits for everyone, including herders.”

BIG STORY

100,000 US Visas Revoked Since Trump’s Return… 8,000 Students Affected —- State Department

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The US State Department says it has revoked over 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last January for a second term.

In November 2025, the State Department said 80,000 visas had been revoked since January.

The majority of the revocations involved business and tourist travellers who overstayed their visas.

In an X post on Monday, the State Department said 8,000 of the revoked visas were held by students, while 2,500 specialised workers also lost their legal status.

A department spokesperson added that most of the students and workers whose visas were revoked had criminal encounters with law enforcement.

Nearly 500 students lost visas for drug possession and distribution, while hundreds of foreign workers lost visas because they were believed to be abusing children, according to a department spokesperson.

Half of the revocations for specialised workers were based on drunken driving arrests.

Last August, the Trump administration announced it was reviewing all 55 million foreigners who have valid US visas.

“We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe,” the state department wrote in the X post.

When Trump began his second term, he declared a national emergency at the southern border in his inaugural address and promised to tackle “illegal” immigration.

The US has since tightened its visa requirements, announcing changes in its visa policies and implementing travel restrictions on multiple countries, including Nigeria.

 

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BIG STORY

Nigeria’s Resident Doctors Suspend Planned Strike, Give Reasons

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike, scheduled to begin today, 12 January. It said the suspension of the strike is due to fresh commitments from the federal government and key health sector stakeholders.

The association announced the decision after a virtual emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on Sunday, saying the suspension would last until 25 January, when it plans to review progress made on its demands.

The development comes days after the National Industrial Court of Nigeria issued an interim order restraining NARD and its members from embarking on the planned strike, pending the hearing of a substantive motion fixed for 21 January.

In a communique signed by its Secretary-General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD said the decision to suspend the resumption of the strike was “strategic and conditional,” allowing time to assess progress made through engagements with key government institutions.

The association said it resolved to halt the resumption of its Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0) following “firm commitments” from critical stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and other agencies involved in health sector administration.

It also cited the involvement of the National Assembly, the State Security Service, and direct presidential intervention led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

“This suspension is strategic and conditional, allowing room to objectively review tangible progress at the January NEC meeting commencing 25 January 2026,” the communique said.

On 9 January, the National Industrial Court, Abuja, restrained NARD, its members, agents and privies from embarking on the planned nationwide strike.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the interim order while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by the federal government and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The court barred the association from “calling, directing, organising, participating in or embarking upon any form of industrial action,” including strikes, picketing or work stoppages, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice fixed for 21 January.

NARD was granted liberty to apply to vary or discharge the order.

The association, however, did not reference the court order in its statement announcing the suspension of the strike resumption.

 

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BIG STORY

Ex-AGF Malami Faces Fresh DSS Probe Over Alleged Firearms Found In His Home

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Immediate-Past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), is facing a fresh investigation over the arms and ammunition found in his house.

The Nation learnt that the arms were uncovered at his Kebbi country home by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a search.

The anti-graft agency, it was further learnt, handed them over to the Department of State Service (DSS) for a comprehensive probe because it is not within its remit to do so.

The number of arms and ammunition could not be immediately ascertained, but it was gathered that they are high in number to attract a full DSS investigation.

Malami, who was granted bail last week along with his sons – Abdulaziz, Abiru-Rahman, and others – is still in the Kuje correctional centre, having been unable to perfect his bail conditions.

But, sources said he might be taking things slowly to stall the DSS investigation into the weapons found in his house.

“The former minister is being separately investigated for allegedly having arms in his house in Birnin Kebbi. The inventory of the shock find has been handed over to the DSS.

“It is now left to Malami to explain to the DSS how he came about the arms. That’s why he is yet to perfect his bail conditions. He is holed up in prison to avoid arrest by the DSS.

“DSS operatives are within the precincts of Kuje Correctional Service to invite Malami. He got wind of their presence and raised the alarm. But the law must take its course.”

Another source within the EFCC said Malami had yet to meet his bail conditions.

“By our records, the ex-AGF is still in custody. We saw all manners of fake clips on social media on his purported arrival and rousing reception in Kebbi State,” the source said.

The source added: “The investigation into Malami’s activities during his tenure began when former EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu was in office.

“Investigation continued through the administration of another Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Chukkol, to the present Executive Chairman. Chukkol, who works in the agency, was in charge briefly before Olukoyede’s appointment.

“There is nothing vindictive about his investigation since 2019. It is an inherited case, and the ex-AGF knows this.”

Olukoyede confirmed that he inherited the Malami case during an interview last night on a national television.

A Federal High Court in Abuja last week ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 assets linked to Malami and his two sons.

The assets have been valued at N213, 234,120,000.

The court has, however, given Malami and the sons or any other claimant a 14-day leave to show proof that the assets were legally acquired.

Failure to present legitimate claims within 14 days may lead to the permanent loss of the assets to the Federal Government.

The court’s order was based on the invocation of the Non-Conviction Asset Forfeiture Clause in the EFCC Establishment Act.

The EFCC had applied to the Federal High Court to seize the suspicious properties in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Birnin-Kebbi.

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