Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 3rd November, 2025

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has once again addressed the diplomatic friction between Nigeria and the United States following renewed allegations of Christian persecution.

Naija News reports that the tension deepened on Friday after US President, Donald Trump, announced that Nigeria had been redesignated as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)”, citing alleged killings of Christians.

Trump accused the Nigerian government of “turning a blind eye” to the violence and directed the US Department of War to “prepare for possible action.”

Reacting to the designation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected the claim of religious persecution, stating that Nigeria remains a multi-faith democracy anchored on equality and constitutional protection for all citizens.

The President maintained that violence in Nigeria was not religiously motivated, stressing that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of criminal and terrorist attacks.

In a post on 𝕏 on Sunday, Onanuga said President Tinubu had anticipated the political undercurrents behind the renewed international pressure, describing it as part of an “orchestrated campaign” against Nigeria.

He went on to share excerpts from the President’s address to military commanders, delivered shortly before Trump’s announcement.

In the speech, Tinubu urged the armed forces to take decisive action against emerging security threats in various parts of the country.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, has confirmed his decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Sunday at the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Diri said he is taking the difficult decision in the interest of the people of Bayelsa.

As earlier reported by Naija News, the Bayelsa State Governor will formally defect to the APC on Monday.

According to sources quoted by The Cable, Diri, who resigned from the PDP on October 15, has been engaged in weeks of discreet negotiations with key APC figures to finalise his defection plan.

Speaking on Sunday, the Governor, who spoke publicly about his defection for the first time, said that some persons might not understand why he is joining the APC, but with time, his reasons would become clearer.

He added that politics is about bringing development to the people and his government would ensure the people of Bayelsa continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

The Governor noted that the current peace and security in Bayelsa is enough reason for the people of the state to continue praising God.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has gone into extinction and there is no hope in sight for the party.

This is as he declared support for the faction of the PDP led by the PDP National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, who was chosen as the party’s Acting National Chairman by his factional colleagues.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Fayose submitted that the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee of the PDP have no good intention for the party and are only out to bury the PDP.

According to him, the PDP has no hope of returning to power in 2027 as many of its members are defecting to other parties and there is nobody ready to work on putting the party back together.

Speaking further, Fayose stated that Damagun, who was suspended as the PDP National Chairman by a faction of the party, would not return to the position before his tenure expires.

He alleged that Damagum was never meant to be the PDP chairman, but only manipulated the system to claim the office.

Former presidential candidate and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed concern over recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump, who described Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”

Naija News reports that in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, November 2, Kwankwaso said he was “deeply worried” by the tone of the U.S. President’s comments, urging Washington to offer constructive support rather than threats that could worsen tensions.

“I have noted with increasing concern the heightened pronouncements on Nigeria by President Donald Trump. This follows his designation of Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern,’” he wrote.

The former Kano State governor stressed that Nigeria’s ongoing security problems stem from criminality and lawlessness, not religious or ethnic differences.

Kwankwaso noted that careless foreign statements risk deepening division in an already fragile environment, calling for international understanding of Nigeria’s complex security realities.

Kwankwaso urged the United States government to provide technical and intelligence support to Nigeria in its fight against insecurity instead of making declarations that could strain diplomatic ties.

Barely three days after resuming operations, a Warri–Itakpe train derailed on Saturday night, raising renewed concerns about rail safety and vandalism along Nigeria’s major routes.

Naija News reports that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed that the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. at Kilometre 212+8m, Agbor, involving two out of the seven coaches of the Warri–Itakpe Standard Gauge train.

In a statement released on Sunday, the NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, attributed the accident to suspected track vandalism.

He confirmed that all passengers on board were safely evacuated and that no casualties were recorded.

The NRC said a recovery team, supported by security personnel, had been at the site since Saturday night to retrieve the derailed coaches and restore the track.

As a safety precaution, the NRC announced a temporary suspension of train services on the Warri–Itakpe corridor to enable a full security and safety audit.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have busted a clandestine laboratory producing Colorado, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, inside a residential building at Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos, arresting a 30-year-old man identified as Stephen Kelechi Imoh.

According to a statement by the NDLEA on Saturday, the discovery followed months of intelligence gathering after officers intercepted consignments of freshly produced Colorado (Colos) in March and May 2025, indicating that the drug, once imported, was now being locally manufactured.

“The breakthrough came on Thursday, October 30, when NDLEA operatives raided a residential apartment converted into a laboratory for producing Colos,” the statement said.

Recovered items from the building included 16.2kg of freshly cooked Colos, 1.7kg of ADB-CHMNACA Cannabinol, 4.5kg of Potassium Carbonate, and 91 litres of Dibromobutane, all chemicals used in producing synthetic cannabis.

In a separate operation on Saturday, November 1, NDLEA officers stormed the den of a 28-year-old drug dealer, Afeez Salisu (alias Malu), in Mushin, Lagos, seizing 16 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud (another cannabis strain) and designer sachets and bottles of Colorado weighing 16.4kg.

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has spoken about her love for Nigeria and her desire to see the country improve.

Naija News reports that she made this known while speaking on the 90s Baby Show, where she described how proud she is to be Nigerian.

Simi explained that the energy and uniqueness of Nigerians cannot be found anywhere else, adding that being Nigerian comes naturally to her.

The mother of one said that the Nigerian spirit stands out across the world, saying that even when foreign actors try to mimic African accents, they rarely attempt the Nigerian one because it carries a special identity.

Simi expressed sadness that many citizens are leaving the country in search of better opportunities.

She said if Nigeria provided a more comfortable and supportive environment, more people would choose to stay.

The artiste concluded that her wish for a better Nigeria comes from a place of deep love and pride for her country.

Popular TikTok creator, Jarvis has threatened to take legal action against fellow content creator Peller, over an allegation linking her to money laundering activities on TikTok.

Naija News understands that the controversy began after Peller, during a recent livestream, claimed that money laundering was being carried out through TikTok’s gifting feature and hinted that Jarvis might be part of it.

Peller also shared an experience where a supporter allegedly proposed splitting proceeds from TikTok gifts equally, which he claimed was a common method people use to disguise illicit funds.

Shortly after, the two creators were seen interacting online again, suggesting they might have reconciled privately.

However, Jarvis’s management, Aiso Entertainment, released a statement on Sunday dismissing the claims as false and damaging to her image.

The team stated that Jarvis had never been involved in any form of illegal financial activity and demanded that Peller issue a public apology within 48 hours.

The management warned that if Peller failed to retract his words, they would take legal steps to protect Jarvis’s reputation.

9. Haaland Fires Man City Up To Second In Premier League

Erling Haaland scored twice to propel Manchester City up to second in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday.

The Cherries started the day in second thanks to the longest unbeaten run in the English top flight.

But Andoni Iraola’s side were undone by the scintillating form of the Norwegian striker, who took his tally to 13 Premier League goals in 10 games.

Haaland’s relentless streak is maintaining City’s title challenge as they reduced the gap to leaders Arsenal back to six points and edged one point ahead of Liverpool, who they face next weekend.

Despite a first defeat in 10 games away to Aston Villa last weekend, Pep Guardiola remained confident his side can pose a threat to Arsenal come May.

10. Yamal, Rashford Fire Barcelona Past Elche

Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford struck for Barcelona as they earned a 3-1 win over Elche in La Liga on Sunday to bounce back from last weekend’s Clasico defeat.

Ferran Torres was also on target for the Catalan giants, who moved back into second place to trail leaders Real Madrid by five points.

Barca continued to struggle in defence and Elche had chances to cause an upset, scoring through Rafa Mir, with the striker also twice hitting the woodwork.

Hansi Flick’s Barca have failed to keep a clean sheet in six consecutive league games, in the midst of an injury crisis.

Rashford sealed Barca’s victory with a superb finish after Lopez picked him out with a cross, for his second league goal of the campaign.

Veteran goalkeeper Szczesny pushed a Mir effort onto the post to save Barca sweating over their advantage in the final stages.

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

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