Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 10th December, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 10th December, 2025

1. Senate Takes Decision On Tinubu’s Request To Send Soldiers To Benin Republic

The Nigerian Senate has approved the request by President Bola Tinubu to deploy the country’s military forces to Benin Republic.

Naija News reports that the decision of the lawmakers was approved during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The approval follows the earlier consideration of the request by the Senate Committee of the Whole, in which the lawmakers unanimously backed the decision of the federal government to deploy troops to the Benin Republic to restore peace and stability following last weekend’s attempted coup in the West African nation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced this on Tuesday during plenary after lawmakers considered the request in the Committee of the Whole in line with section 5, Part 11.

“An injury to one is an injury to all,” Akpabio declared while announcing the decision of the Senate.

2. Fubara Dumps PDP For APC

The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News reports that Fubara announced this at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Fubara’s defection comes hours after he held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

He was dressed in a deep-blue long-sleeve shirt, black trousers, and a black flat cap, and was seen walking the corridors toward the President’s office at 5:01 p.m. after Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, had also been ushered in for a separate engagement.

Addressing the gathering of PDP and APC loyalists, Fubara explained that his decision was prompted by the PDP’s failure to protect him during the recent political crisis in the state, while the APC offered the support and protection he needed.

3. Army Denies Reports On Soldiers Escorting Brigade Commander Killing Protesting Women

The Nigerian Army’s 23 Brigade has refuted claims that its troops were responsible for shooting civilians during a communal clash in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Monday, December 8, 2025.

In a statement posted on its official 𝕏 handle on Tuesday, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai/23 Brigade, described the reports as “baseless and misleading.”

According to the statement, contrary to social media claims, the Brigade Commander and his escorts were not present during the incident.

The Army explained that its personnel, alongside operatives from the Nigerian Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS), were deployed to quell violence between the Bachama and Chobo communities. The clashes were said to stem from unresolved land disputes and ethnic hostilities.

4. Why I Joined Accord Party – Governor Adeleke Reveals

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has unveiled the Accord Party as his new political platform and announced his intention to seek re-election for a second term on the platform of the thumb up party.

The governor made the announcement today at the Banquet hall of the Government House in the presence of national and state leaders of the Accord Party.

This was disclosed in a statement to Naija News signed by the Spokesperson to the State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The governor spoke as follows: “I joined the Accord Party more than a month ago precisely November 6th as a platform to seek re-election in 2026. This was after weeks of consultation and deliberations with stakeholders and opinion leaders.

“Stakeholders and residents of Osun state are aware of why we are taking this important decision. We intend to pursue a second term in office on the platform of the Accord Party to complete ongoing delivery of good governance and democratic dividends which have been applauded at home and abroad.

“We opted for the Accord Party because its mission of welfarism aligns with our passionate focus on citizens and workers’ welfare.”

5. Burkina Faso Releases 11 Detained Nigerian Soldiers

Burkina Faso has released the eleven Nigerian military officers who were detained after their Air Force transport aircraft made an ‘unauthorized’ landing in the country on Monday.

The personnel were cleared to return home after Burkinabè authorities completed initial checks amid suspicions related to Nigeria’s intervention in the Benin coup attempt.

​The personnel were aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 that landed in the western city of Bobo-Dioulasso. Burkinabè security officials told the BBC that the officers were released after initial questioning and permitted to depart.

​While the NAF maintained that the aircraft was en route to Portugal on a ferry mission and was forced to make a “technical emergency landing” due to a fault, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – offered a contrasting, more aggressive account.

​The country’s Territorial Administration Minister, Emile Zerbo, stated the plane violated national procedures by flying into Burkina Faso “without authorisation,” prompting security agencies to intervene.

Despite the release of the personnel, regional tensions remain extremely high, especially between Nigeria (the regional powerhouse) and the AES breakaway bloc.

​The AES placed its air and anti-aircraft defenses on maximum alert, issuing explicit orders to “neutralise any aircraft” that breaches the confederation’s airspace in the future.

6. Military Can’t Defeat Bandits, Negotiation Only Way Out – Gumi To FG

Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has declared that the Nigerian military cannot defeat bandits through warfare, insisting that negotiation remains the only realistic approach to ending insecurity in the North-West.

Naija News reports that Gumi, who spoke during an interview with the BBC, argued that conventional armies around the world struggle against guerrilla fighters and that Nigeria is facing the same challenge.

According to the cleric, ongoing military offensives, though necessary, cannot deliver total victory against bandit groups whose operations are fluid and embedded within local communities.

Quoting military authorities, Gumi said: “But even the military says that in dealing with this civil unrest and criminality, only 25% is kinetic action; the rest depends on the government, politics, and local communities. The military cannot do everything.”

He further questioned the global success rate of military campaigns against insurgent groups, saying: “Where have you ever seen the military defeat guerrilla fighters? Nowhere.”

7. I Won’t Go Hungry – Peller Reacts As Tiktok Bans Night-time Livestream

Content creator Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, has reacted to TikTok’s temporary move to restrict night-time livestreaming in Nigeria, assuring that it will not affect his earnings.

Naija News reports that TikTok informed eligible Nigerian users about the restriction through an in-app notice on Sunday at midnight.

The update stops users from hosting or watching livestreams during late hours as the platform reviews content and safety measures.

This move comes amid concerns over explicit content and TikTok’s effort to ensure a safer environment.

Peller addressed the restriction in a video shared on Monday, saying it will not leave him financially affected.

He explained that his income is not limited to TikTok gifts, as he earns from brand endorsements that reach millions of naira.

He also said that creators often give back to their fans through giveaways.

8. Dayo Amusa Elected AGN National Vice President

Nollywood actress Dayo Amusa has been elected the National Vice President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria after the guild concluded its national election in Benin City, Edo State.

Naija News reports that the development was confirmed in a statement released by her media office on Monday, December 8, 2025.

The statement said that her new role reflects the trust members of the guild have in her long years of work and her dedication to the growth of the organisation.

Amusa said she plans to bring fresh ideas, order, and steady service to the AGN Secretariat as she steps into the national position.

She added that she hopes her experience in acting and film production will help her push for better opportunities for Nigerian actors and actresses across the country.

The actress, known for her roles in many Nollywood films and for producing works such as the Yoruba movie Dewunmi Iberu, said she wants the Nigerian movie industry to grow stronger and take its rightful place in national development.

9. Paul Scholes Dismisses Arsenal’s Title Hopes, Says ‘No Chance’ Of Premier League Glory

Paul Scholes has poured cold water on Arsenal’s title ambitions, insisting there is “no chance” of Mikel Arteta’s side lifting the Premier League trophy this season.

The former Manchester United midfielder believes the Gunners have fallen short when it matters most, pointing to recent results in games where they were widely expected to perform.

Arsenal sit two points clear at the top of the table despite Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 loss away at Aston Villa. Matty Cash fired Villa ahead in the first half, before Leandro Trossard levelled after the break. Villa stole the points in the final minute when Emiliano Buendia struck to send Villa Park into raptures.

Manchester City responded later in the day with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sunderland, a result that kept Pep Guardiola’s side close behind in the title race. Even with the setback in Birmingham, several pundits still regard Arsenal as the leading contenders. Scholes does not share that view.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, the United legend said Arsenal are not delivering when it matters.

10. NFF Faces Fresh Salary Row As Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Awaits Three Months Pay

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is facing renewed scrutiny after reports emerged that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has not been paid for at least three months.

The revelation was made public by BBC Sport journalist Oluwashina Okeleji on Tuesday, sparking fresh concerns over the federation’s financial management ahead of a major international tournament.

In a post shared on his 𝕏 account, Okeleji disclosed that Chelle has been working without receiving his full salary or due bonuses, even as preparations intensify for the Africa Cup of Nations. “Nigeria coach Eric Chelle is owed three months’ salary and bonuses ahead of the AFCON,” Okeleji wrote.

The news has fuelled debate among football supporters who believe that such off-field issues could undermine team morale and disrupt preparations.

The situation is made more sensitive by the timing, with the Super Eagles expected to take part in AFCON from December 1. Chelle is set to present his final 28-man squad on Wednesday, December 10, a key moment in laying out his strategy for the tournament.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.