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JUST IN: Presidency Rejects Claims of Tinubu’s Upcoming US Trip

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The Presidency on Monday dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu is set to visit the United States on Tuesday to meet with US Vice President J.D. Vance, describing the report as false and misleading.

Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said in a post on his official X handle that the report had sparked unnecessary speculation and “uninformed commentaries.” He clarified that if President Tinubu were to visit the White House, he would meet with President Donald Trump, not the Vice President.

“There’s a Sahara Reporters story that President Tinubu is going to the U.S. on Tuesday to see U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. That story is not true. If President Tinubu is going to the White House, he won’t be going to see a Vice President,” Ajayi stated.

The clarification comes amid heightened international attention following allegations of persecution of Christians in Nigeria and a controversial statement by former US President Donald Trump. In a post on his Truth account over the weekend, Trump warned that the United States might “go in guns blazing” if Nigeria fails to halt attacks on Christians, threatening to stop aid and even engage militarily against perpetrators of violence.

Reacting to growing international concern, President Tinubu denied claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria. In a statement via his X handle, he reaffirmed that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and highlighted his administration’s ongoing efforts to foster interfaith dialogue and security across the country.

“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said. He emphasized that since taking office in 2023, his government has maintained active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike, addressing security challenges that affect citizens across all regions and faiths.

Tinubu also rejected narratives portraying Nigeria as religiously intolerant, describing them as inaccurate and unreflective of the nation’s diverse population. He stressed that religious tolerance has always been central to Nigeria’s national identity and remains a core principle of his administration.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” the President said.

In addition, Tinubu assured the international community of Nigeria’s commitment to collaborate with the United States and other partners in protecting citizens of all faiths. “Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths. Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths,” he stated.

The Presidency’s clarification underscores Nigeria’s stance on upholding religious freedom while also emphasizing that diplomacy—not confrontation—remains the cornerstone of its foreign policy. Officials stress that external reports should be carefully verified to avoid inflaming tensions or misrepresenting the country’s internal affairs.

This development comes amid heightened global scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation, particularly regarding attacks in the country’s northern and central regions, and the political significance of Tinubu’s engagements with international partners.

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I’d Ban All Tinted Vehicles If I Had My Way – IGP Olatunji Disu

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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Ridwan Disu, has expressed strong support for a complete nationwide ban on tinted vehicles, stating he would implement one immediately if the decision rested solely with him.

Speaking in Abuja while responding to concerns raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), the IGP highlighted the serious security risks posed by heavily tinted vehicles. He noted that such vehicles are frequently used by criminals, including kidnappers, armed robbers, and operators of the notorious “one-chance” scams.

“I have a different view about it entirely. We have a security situation in the country now. If I have my way, there would be no vehicle that would be tinted in the country. And we are moving towards it,” Disu said.

The IGP drew from his experience as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where investigations into “one-chance” syndicates showed that most vehicles used in these crimes had fully tinted windows. Out of 27 vehicles recovered from such operations, a large proportion featured darkened windows, making it difficult for security operatives to identify occupants during stop-and-search exercises.

Disu criticised the trend of extremely dark tints on windscreens and rear windows, describing it as unacceptable and dangerous. He stressed that only individuals with genuine security or medical reasons should be allowed tinted glass — and even then, not to a level that completely obscures visibility.

The remarks come amid ongoing debates over the administration of tinted glass permits, which the NBA has opposed on grounds of commercialisation and repeated renewals. While the association supports police regulation of tinted vehicles for security reasons, it objects to turning the permit process into a revenue-generating venture outsourced to private firms.

The IGP assured that enforcement against illegally tinted vehicles would be intensified nationwide soon, adding, “We are not going to accept fully tinted vehicles in this country, and we are going to come out at a particular time to start enforcement of it.”

This development aligns with recent police actions in various commands, including the FCT, where enforcement against tinted vehicles — regardless of permits — has already begun in a bid to curb crime.

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IGP Bans Officers from Unauthorized Social Media Content Creation and Live Streaming

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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has issued a strict directive prohibiting serving officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force from engaging in unauthorized social media activities, including creating videos, live streaming, posting skits, and monetizing content on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and others.

In a circular dated June 22, 2026, and signed by his Principal Staff Officer, the IGP highlighted concerns over officers producing and posting videos while in police uniform or identifying themselves as members of the force. These activities—often for entertainment, personal promotion, or financial gain—have been deemed capable of bringing the Nigeria Police Force into disrepute.

The directive specifically targets officers operating accounts under real names or pseudonyms, publicly commenting on official operations, disciplinary matters, internal affairs, or national security issues without approval, and aspiring to become full-time content creators while still in service.

Violators face severe consequences, including immediate suspension, forfeiture of salary, demotion, dismissal from the force, and possible criminal prosecution. Officers are also barred from creating, publishing, or sharing videos, photographs, skits, live streams, or other content in police uniforms or on police premises without written approval from the IGP or an authorized representative.

This move comes amid a growing trend of police personnel using social media for personal visibility, which authorities say undermines public confidence in the force. The circular has been circulated to all commands, formations, departments, and units.

No further comments were immediately available from the police spokesperson as of press time.

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President Bola Tinubu Writes Senate, Seeks Constitutional Amendment for State Police

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally written to the Senate, urging lawmakers to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish State Police across the country as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity.

In a direct appeal during an interfaith breakfast meeting with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu described the move as urgent and necessary to strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering, and enable faster responses to threats at the state level.

“What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the State Police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” the President said.

The request aligns with ongoing legislative efforts. The National Assembly is fast-tracking a constitutional alteration bill that would decentralize policing, allowing states to establish and manage their own police formations while maintaining coordination with the federal Nigeria Police Force.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has indicated strong support for the initiative, noting broad consensus among President Tinubu, state governors, and other stakeholders. The Senate is expected to prioritize the amendment in its sessions.

If passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, the bill would require approval by at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s state assemblies before it can be transmitted to the President for assent.

The push for State Police has been a long-debated reform aimed at addressing the limitations of the centralized policing system, which many critics argue is overstretched and ill-equipped to handle region-specific security challenges such as banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency.

This development marks a significant step in President Tinubu’s administration’s security architecture overhaul.

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