Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately release detained Nigerian critic Abubakar Salim Musa, accusing the Federal Government of intensifying repression against dissenting voices across the country, news.ng reports.

In a post on his X handle on Monday, Atiku said the arrest of Musa, as reported by Amnesty International Nigeria, reflects what he described as a troubling pattern of intolerance for criticism under the current administration.

“In the early evening of Sunday, January 11, 2026, the official X handle of Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) shared details of the arbitrary arrest of young Nigerian Abubakar Salim Musa,” Atiku stated.

According to the former vice president, Musa’s detention is emblematic of a broader clampdown on free expression. “This case is yet another stark example of the repressive nature of the President Bola Tinubu administration, which continues to bear its fangs against dissent, whether expressed through public protests or online criticism,” he said.

Atiku maintained that Musa committed no crime, stressing that his actions fell squarely within his constitutional rights. “Abubakar’s only ‘offence’ was his consistent and legitimate criticism of the deteriorating security situation in Northern Nigeria and across the country,” he noted.

He further faulted the government for failing to engage with the substance of such criticism, opting instead for coercion. “Rather than address these serious concerns, the government’s response has been to arrest him and subject him to what Amnesty describes as ‘bogus charges and a sham trial,’” Atiku said.

The former vice president warned that Musa’s case is not isolated, alleging a widening net of repression affecting various segments of society. “Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Numerous Nigerians, including journalists, schoolchildren, entertainers, and even National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, have faced arrest, assault, and intimidation by the police and other security agencies simply for criticising the President or members of his family,” he said.

Atiku cautioned that such actions pose a grave threat to Nigeria’s democratic foundations. “This dangerous trend undermines the very foundations of democracy, which rest on the protection of fundamental human rights and freedom of expression,” he stated, adding that, “Nigeria cannot claim to be part of the free world while its citizens are routinely arrested, assaulted, and intimidated for voicing criticism of their government.”

With the country approaching another general election cycle, Atiku argued that fear and repression could cripple democratic participation. “As the nation approaches a critical general election, neither the people nor the opposition can operate effectively in an atmosphere of fear and repression,” he warned.

He therefore issued a direct demand to the Federal Government. “I therefore call on the Tinubu administration to immediately and unconditionally release Abubakar Salim Musa and all others detained for exercising their constitutional rights,” Atiku said.

Beyond the immediate release of detainees, Atiku urged a complete halt to what he described as a pattern of abuse. “I also urge the government to halt the ongoing pattern of arbitrary arrests and intimidation targeting critics, journalists, and opposition voices,” he added.

The 79-year-old Nigerian politician also appealed to the global community to take a stand. “I urge the international community, particularly countries and organisations that champion democracy and human rights, to hold the Tinubu regime accountable and demand an end to these violations,” he said.

Concluding his statement, Atiku called on Nigerians to resist what he sees as a steady erosion of civil liberties. “I encourage fellow patriots, civil society groups, and all Nigerians of conscience to join this demand and stand firmly against any further erosion of our freedoms,” he declared.

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike following what it described as significant progress recorded on its demands through sustained engagements with the Federal Government and other key stakeholders.

The decision was taken at a virtual Emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on January 11, 2026, where the association reviewed the status of its demands and assessed recent developments.

The association said the suspension followed direct presidential intervention led by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

The suspension, the Secretary-General of NARD, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim, said, is strategic and conditional, allowing the NEC to review tangible progress at its January meeting scheduled to commence on January 25, 2026.

“The NEC unanimously resolved to suspend the resumption of TICS 2.0 based on firm commitments from critical stakeholders and the direct presidential intervention led by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement partly read.

NARD also expressed appreciation to its members and stakeholders for their support, stating that it remains confident that the Vice President’s intervention will lead to a lasting resolution of long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s health sector.

On the lingering crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, NARD said an earlier committee report had been implemented, while a new reconciliation committee has been constituted to ensure peace and harmony among medical professionals at the facility.

The association also reported progress on the payment of outstanding CONMESS arrears, accoutrement allowances, promotion and salary arrears, as well as steps toward resolving issues relating to entry-level placement, locum practice, specialist allowances, and house officers’ welfare.

The association had said that more than 2,000 of its members had yet to be paid arrears of the 25–35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), despite claims by the Federal Government that the outstanding payments have been settled.

Responding to the Federal Government’s assertion that seven out of the 19 demands by the association had been statutorily addressed, including the full payment of seven months’ arrears of the CONMESS adjustment, Suleman said some doctors were still unpaid.

“On the seven months’ arrears of 25–35 per cent, we still have over 2,000, almost 3,000 of our members who are yet to be paid those arrears,” he said.

To avert a shutdown of the health sector, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria stepped in last Friday, issuing an interim order restraining the doctors from commencing its planned “TICS 2.0” strike scheduled for January 12, 2026.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim made the order while ruling on a motion ex parte filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), following mounting tension between the government and resident doctors over unresolved welfare and professional concerns.

The Federal Government has inaugurated a ₦40 billion closed-circuit television (CCTV) control centre for the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

Speaking at the inauguration on Sunday, Minister of Works David Umahi said the project followed extensive rehabilitation works carried out on the bridge after the current administration took office in 2023.

Umahi said the CCTV system, first announced in 2025, was designed to curb dangerous driving, prevent suicide attempts, and strengthen security.

He added that security personnel would monitor live footage from the control centre and enforce speed limits on the bridge.

“When we came on board in 2023, we met a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge,” Umahi said, adding that the structure, along with Carter and Iddo bridges, required comprehensive re-evaluation and repairs both above and below water level.


According to him, the total rehabilitation of the bridge, including the replacement of expansion joints, was approved by President Bola Tinubu.

He noted that the completed work had improved driving conditions and extended the bridge’s lifespan.

The minister noted that the contract also included a surveillance boat and two Hilux vans, which would be handed over to the police to support monitoring and rapid response.

“The idea is that we can see everything that is happening on the bridge,” Umahi said, expressing concern over excessive speeding and urging motorists to comply with traffic regulations.

On his part, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, noted that the facility was the first of its kind on any bridge in Nigeria.

He said the system allows real-time monitoring of activities on the bridge and surrounding waters.

Dare said the project includes 240 solar panels, 10 inverters, a 300 kVA transformer, a standby generator, multiple monitoring screens, and full air conditioning for the control centre.

The contract also covers 1,268 solar-powered street lights and a borehole facility.

According to Dare, the project was awarded for ₦40.17 billion, with approximately ₦36 billion paid to the contractor so far.

He added that the current inauguration marked the first phase, with additional commissioning planned once work on the bridge’s extension is completed.