Governor Umo Eno Secures Federal Approval For International Airport Operations

Governor Umo Eno secures federal approval for international airport operations. The Federal Government has approved the commencement of full international flight operations at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The approval was granted on Thursday during a meeting in Abuja between Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

The development places the airport among the few in Nigeria authorised to process international passenger traffic. It is expected to boost regional connectivity, strengthen tourism, stimulate business activity and attract greater foreign investment into the state.

With the new status, the airport will be able to receive international carriers, operate cross-border flights and function as a direct gateway between Akwa Ibom and destinations across Africa and beyond. Full international operations are projected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

Governor Umo Eno Secures Federal Approval For International Airport Operations

Governor Eno, who has been pursuing the upgrade through sustained engagement with federal authorities, described the approval as a major step forward for the state.

His administration has positioned Akwa Ibom as an emerging aviation hub, driven partly by the expansion of airport infrastructure and the growth of the state-owned airline.

Senate Tells FG To Review Firearm Law To Allow Responsible Citizens Own Guns

Senate tells FG to review firearm law to allow responsible citizens own guns. The Senate has called on the federal government to review the country’s firearm laws to allow responsible citizens to own guns, citing the escalating insecurity across Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States.

The call followed the adoption of a motion titled ‘Urgent Need To Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger States’, which highlighted recent attacks on schools, worship centres, and rural communities.
The motion, sponsored by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South), noted the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, Kwara State, where two worshippers were killed and 38 others abducted.

Senators urged immediate federal government’s action to curb the rising wave of banditry, kidnappings, and violent crimes, warning that mass school abductions and persistent raids have forced closures of schools, including all 47 unity schools nationwide, disrupting the education of thousands of children.

The Upper Chamber commended President Bola Tinubu for cancelling foreign trips to coordinate security responses, which led to the release of 38 abductees in Kwara and 51 students in Niger State.

Senate Tells FG To Review Firearm Law To Allow Responsible Citizens Own Guns

The Senate also called on communities in the affected states and across Nigeria to remain vigilant, united, and supportive of security agencies while resisting internal collaborators who undermined national safety.

Senators emphasised that Nigeria’s firearm laws should reflect current security challenges, similar to over 175 countries where responsible citizens were permitted to legally own guns.

President Tinubu Declares Security Emergency, Orders Massive Police, Army Recruitments

President Tinubu declares security emergency, orders nassive police, army recruitments. President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency, unveiling sweeping measures that include the largest police and military recruitment drive in recent years.

The move comes as Nigeria grapples with a resurgence of violent attacks across several states.
In a national statement released on Wednesday night, the President said the scale and intensity of recent security breaches demand an urgent, coordinated response, adding that “the times require all hands on deck.”

Under the new directive, the Nigeria Police Force (NPC) has been authorised to recruit an additional 20,000 officers, raising its ongoing recruitment drive to 50,000 personnel.
The Nigerian Army has also received approval for expanded enlistment to reinforce troops across various theatres of operation.

To speed up the process, President Tinubu has permitted the police to use National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as temporary training depots, in addition to the training facilities he previously approved for nationwide upgrade.

He also ordered all police officers recently withdrawn from VIP guard duties to undergo crash reorientation courses ahead of deployment to vulnerable communities and high-risk environments.

The President further directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy all trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forests across the country. The agency has also been authorised to recruit additional personnel specifically for forest security operations.
“This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” Tinubu said. “There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.”

The President commended security agencies for their coordinated efforts, particularly the rescue of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 worshippers abducted in Kwara State.
He assured that operations are ongoing to secure the freedom of students still held hostage in Niger State and others in captivity elsewhere.

To further strengthen national security, Tinubu called on the National Assembly to begin reviewing the legal framework that would allow states interested in establishing state police to do so. He also urged governors to reconsider the operation of remote boarding schools without adequate protection and advised places of worship in vulnerable areas to seek constant security support.

Tinubu

The President emphasised that his administration will support states that have created local security outfits to protect their citizens, noting that the newly established Livestock Ministry remains central to resolving long-standing herder–farmer conflicts.
He urged herders to embrace ranching, end open grazing and surrender illegal firearms.

Tinubu extended condolences to families who lost loved ones in recent attacks in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe and Kwara States, and paid tribute to fallen security personnel, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, who died in the line of duty.
Reassuring Nigerians of the government’s resolve, the President said: “Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness. This administration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe.”

He urged citizens to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with security agencies, saying Nigeria will overcome its current challenges through unity and shared responsibility.
“Let us stand together in purpose and strength to defend our freedom and values,” the President said. “Together we shall win.”