President Bola Tinubu has submitted a fresh list of non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

The nominees announced during Thursday’s plenary include the immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State and former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former presidential aide, Ita Enang; former Imo State First Lady, Chioma Ohakim; and former Minister of Interior and former Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the President’s letter on the floor of the chamber, in which Tinubu requested expedited consideration to facilitate the filling of vacant diplomatic posts.

Akpabio referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and directed the committee to screen the nominees and submit its report within one week.

READ ALSO:NUC Gets €3m Loan To Start ICT Projects In Varsities

Recall that Tinubu, less than a week ago, submitted 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate, expanding on the earlier list of three announced. The list, released in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, comprises 15 career and 17 non-career nominees.

The nominees include former Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Mahmud Yakubu, and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri. Others on the non-career list are former Ekiti State First Lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo; former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Lagos Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro; former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode; and former Oyo State First Lady, Florence Ajimobi.

The statement urged the Senate President, Akpabio, to “do quick to consider and confirm them”, noting that nominees are expected to be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains significant bilateral relations, including China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa and Kenya. Others will be assigned to Nigeria’s permanent missions to the United Nations, UNESCO and the African Union. Posting details will be released after Senate confirmation.

The list includes ten women—four career and six non-career nominees—and features former governors, former ministers, former commissioners and former senators.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Appoints Non-Career Ambassadors For US, UK, France

Non-career nominees include Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu; Reno Omokri; Mahmood Yakubu; Erelu Angela Adebayo; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Tasiu Musa Maigari; Yakubu N. Gambo; Professor Nora Ladi Daduut; Otunba Femi Pedro; Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu; Fatima Florence Ajimobi; Lola Akande; Grace Bent; Victor Okezie Ikpeazu; Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; and Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu.

Career ambassadors and high commissioner–designates are Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia); Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba); Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa); Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi); Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa); Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi); Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun); Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo); Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah (Edo); Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger); Shehu Barde (Katsina); Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno); Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna); Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara); and Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun).

Ambassadors serve as the President’s representatives abroad and are responsible for overseeing Nigeria’s activities in their host countries. Career ambassadors are trained diplomats with professional experience in the Foreign Service, while non-career ambassadors are appointed for political or strategic reasons, often based on the expertise they bring rather than prior diplomatic training.

President Tinubu at the time indicated that more ambassadorial nominations will follow.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has deployed additional 300 troops to strengthen security in the North Central region of Nigeria

In a sustained effort to disrupt the activities of non-state actors, troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), currently conducting Operation Peace Shield, have raided the hideout of a suspected gunrunner in Plateau State.

A statement on Thursday by the Media Information Officer of JTF OPEP, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, said the operation was carried out on December 3, 2025, by troops of Sector 2 (Sub-Sector 3) deployed at Gashish, following credible intelligence on the suspect’s activities in Ranbiri Village, Kafi Abu, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Although the suspect fled the area before the troops’ arrival, a thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and communication equipment, according to the statement.

READ ALSO:Nigerian Troops Rescue 17 Kidnap Victims, Including Four Chinese Nationals

It said all recovered items are currently in safe custody, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing gunrunner.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace remain highly motivated and will continue to employ all legitimate means to protect innocent civilians while dismantling the supply chains of criminal elements within the joint operations area, the statement added.

In other news, two suspected kidnappers have been killed by the operatives of Agwa Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Imo State Police Command.

According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, who briefed newsmen at its headquarters in Owerri, the deceased kidnappers were gunned down as the Agwa Division officers engaged their gang while on routine patrol along Obudi–Mgbala Road on Tuesday.

READ ALSO:Troops Kill 10 Terrorists Near Nigeria, Cameroon Border

Okoye disclosed that while other gang members fled with injuries, two pump-action rifles, seven live cartridges, and two Android phones were recovered from the suspects. The officers rescued a yet-to-be-identified female victim, who later died in an undisclosed hospital while receiving treatment.

Okoye said, “The Imo State Police Command has recorded notable successes in its ongoing operations against kidnapping and violent crimes across the State.

“On 02/12/2025 at about 2022hrs, operatives of Agwa Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Agwa, while on patrol along Obudi–Mgbala Road, engaged a gang of kidnappers using a white Keke bus, Reg. No. EHM 542 XL.

“Two of the suspects were neutralised, while others fled with injuries. Recovered items include two pump-action rifles, seven live cartridges, two Android phones, and the body of an unidentified female victim. The recovered items and bodies have been deposited at the mortuary as investigation continues.

READ ALSO:Troops Kill 27 Terrorists, Arrest 62 Others, Rescue 44 Hostages

“In another development, on the same date at about 1800hrs, operatives of Nekede Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Nekede Division, acting on credible intelligence, raided Umuezeruokam Forest linking Avu Forest.

“The operation led to the arrest of twelve (12) suspects and the recovery of twelve (12) phones, two daggers, one cutlass, assorted hard drugs, one saw blade, and one bunch of arrows. The case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police assures residents of sustained efforts to eliminate criminal elements and maintain public safety,” he added.

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence following a rigorous five-hour screening by lawmakers.

During the confirmation hearing, Musa faced tough questions on recent security lapses, including the withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, shortly before the abduction of schoolgirls on November 17.

The incident sparked national outrage.

Musa assured the Senate that he would immediately set up a full-scale investigation into the troop withdrawal once he assumes office.

He also vowed to probe the recent killing of a brigade commander in Borno State, Brigadier General Musa Uba, and other attacks targeting military officers.

READ ALSO:Senate Confirms New FCC Chairman, Approves 37 Commissioners

He said, “It is very unfortunate and really painful. I want to assure Nigerians that we will not stand by and have terrorists have the capacity to do such.

“We are going to go after them fully, working together with all the security agencies and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (of government). We are going to investigate fully.

“The Armed Forces have a way, and then from the defence, we are going to make sure that we continue with the oversight over their activities.”

The nominee highlighted gaps within the armed forces and called for enhanced funding, strengthened community engagement, and coordinated inter-agency operations.

READ ALSO:Senate Backs Death Penalty For Kidnappers, Informants, Others

He also emphasised the need to protect schools through the Safe Schools Initiative and a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and banditry.

The screening session saw moments of tension in the chamber.

Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) suggested Musa be allowed to “take a bow and go,” prompting protests from lawmakers, including Senator Garba Maidoki (PDP, Kebbi South).

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, intervened, urging a thorough screening and noting that Nigerians and the international community were closely watching the process.

READ ALSO:Senate Recommends Death Penalty For Kidnappers

Musa, nominated on Tuesday by President Bola Tinubu following the resignation of Defence Minister, Badaru Mohammed, on health grounds, pledged to prioritise the protection of lives and national territory.

“I pledge to do my best to ensure that Nigeria is secure and safe.

“We need the support of everyone, every Nigerian, working together as a team, because it’s going to be a team effort.

“The enemies we are dealing with are evil forces that don’t mean well for this country and have no respect for human lives… If we don’t work together, we will allow them to perpetrate the evil acts they have been doing,” he said.

His confirmation comes amid heightened concerns over nationwide kidnappings, insurgency and mass abductions.