Nigeria News Today, 14 November 2026 (Evening): Tinubu Mosque Video Row, Zamfara Vigilante Clash, Makinde Alliance Call
Last updated: 14 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Evening roundup · Saturday 14 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Saturday’s news was dominated by the fallout from President Bola Tinubu’s Friday prayer visit in Abuja, a deadly vigilante clash in Zamfara and a fresh round of sharp words between the campaigns. Here is what has happened since our morning edition, explained in plain language for Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
Today at a glance
- Videos of worshippers chanting against President Tinubu at Abuja’s central mosque spark a battle of clips; the Presidency says the opposition is spreading a false story.
- Residents in Zamfara say more than 50 people died when vigilantes ambushed a kidnapping gang; police say they have no details yet.
- Governor Seyi Makinde calls for an opposition alliance and accuses the federal government of using the EFCC to pressure governors.
- The NDC hits back at FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over his criticism of Peter Obi in the national anthem row.
- Kano confirms 12 diphtheria cases at a girls’ boarding school and asks for more vaccines.
- Malaysia says 53 Nigerians were among 112 Africans arrested for immigration offences this year.
1. Tinubu mosque visit turns into a battle of videos
What happened
Clips that spread online from Friday evening showed some worshippers and young men chanting “Tinubu must go” and the Hausa phrase “ba ma yi” (roughly, “we don’t want you”) as the President’s convoy left the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, after Juma’at prayers. Some reports said objects were thrown towards the convoy; eyewitnesses quoted by several papers blamed heavy security restrictions that kept many worshippers out of the mosque and then held them inside until the President left.
The Presidency disputes the framing. Presidential aides Otega Ogra and Bayo Onanuga posted their own footage showing Mr Tinubu waving and leaving calmly, with Mr Ogra accusing opposition supporters of using “paid thugs” to stage the scene. On Saturday, a coalition of FCT youth groups that backs the President also alleged that the protesters were brought in from other states. Opposition figures, including former senator Dino Melaye, described the chants as a genuine protest. None of the competing claims about who organised the crowd has been independently verified.
Why it matters
With about nine weeks to the 16 January presidential election, both camps are fighting hard over public mood, and short viral videos are now a key weapon. Readers should treat clips from either side with care and look for footage from neutral sources.
Source: The Point; Vanguard; Daily Post.
2. Zamfara: residents say over 50 dead in vigilante ambush
What happened
Residents of Zoma village in Bukkuyum district, Zamfara State, told AFP on Saturday that local vigilantes ambushed an armed gang on Thursday, 12 November, as it passed through after kidnapping several people in neighbouring Gummi district. A village chief, speaking anonymously for his safety, said 44 gang members and nine vigilantes were killed, and that a gang commander known as Jijji died in the fight. Two other residents gave the same account. A Zamfara police spokesman said the command had not yet received details, so the toll is unconfirmed. There was no word on the fate of those kidnapped.
Why it matters
Communities in the North-West increasingly rely on local vigilantes, and residents are again asking government to arm them. That raises hard questions about accountability, reprisals and whether the state can protect rural villages on its own.
Source: AFP via The Daily Observer; Seneweb.
3. Makinde calls for opposition alliance, alleges EFCC pressure
What happened
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), said in an interview reported on Saturday that opposition parties should unite behind whichever candidate has the best chance of winning, and that he was open to working with Atiku Abubakar of the ADC or Peter Obi of the NDC. He also accused the federal government of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to push opposition governors towards the APC, and said his relationship with President Tinubu broke down over an unfulfilled unity-government agreement from 2023. ThisDay noted that he did not present evidence for the EFCC claim. The Presidency, the APC and the EFCC had not publicly responded to the allegation at the time of writing; the EFCC has in the past denied acting on political instructions.
Why it matters
Talk of an opposition alliance could change the shape of the race if it moves from interviews to a formal deal, though party primaries and court cases make any late merger complicated. Our 2027 Nigeria Election Hub tracks every candidate and key date.
Source: ThisDay; New Telegraph.
4. National anthem row: NDC replies to Wike
What happened
At a Rainbow Coalition town hall in Ogu-Bolo, Rivers State, on Friday, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who is campaigning for President Tinubu’s re-election, said Peter Obi stayed seated during the current national anthem at a Lagos event but stood for the old anthem, and called this lawless and divisive. On Saturday, the NDC campaign council, through spokesperson Dr Chiogo Ikokwu, said Mr Wike had no moral authority to lecture anyone on unity, citing his record in Rivers politics. The party said the old anthem was sung spontaneously by supporters, not planned, and that the crowd also sang the current anthem. It urged a focus on the economy and living costs.
Why it matters
National symbols are an emotive issue, and rows like this can draw attention away from policy debates. Voters may want to watch whether campaigns return to concrete plans on prices, jobs and security.
Source: Channels TV; AIT.
5. Diphtheria outbreak at Kano girls’ school
What happened
The Kano State Centre for Disease Control confirmed 12 diphtheria cases at First Lady’s College, Mariri, an all-girls science and technical boarding school in Kumbotso LGA with more than 2,000 students. Director-General Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas said the agency got the report on Wednesday, screened 313 suspected cases, gave medication to contacts and educated students. He warned that the school needs mass vaccination but that vaccine supply is currently short.
Why it matters
Diphtheria spreads quickly in crowded settings and is preventable by routine childhood vaccination. Parents should check their children’s immunisation records and seek care quickly for a severe sore throat, fever or swelling of the neck.
Source: Voice of Nigeria; TheCable; Leadership.
6. Malaysia: 53 Nigerians among 112 Africans arrested
What happened
Malaysian immigration authorities arrested 112 African nationals for immigration offences between 1 January and 31 October, according to figures reported by the Malaysian newspaper Utusan Malaysia. Nigerians were the largest group at 53, followed by Ugandans (13), Kenyans (10) and Ghanaians (8). Most were held for lacking valid permits, while others were detained for overstaying or breaking permit conditions.
Why it matters
For Nigerians studying or working in Asia, the figures are a reminder to keep visas and permits current and to carry proof of status. Anyone detained abroad can ask for consular help from the Nigerian mission.
Source: Daily Post; The Trumpet.
What to watch next
- Whether police in Zamfara confirm the Zoma death toll and give news of the kidnapped victims.
- Any formal step towards an opposition alliance, and responses from the APC and EFCC to Governor Makinde.
- Whether INEC publishes Ladi Adebutu’s name following Friday’s court order.
- INEC’s nationwide mock accreditation and voting exercise on 28 November.
- Vaccine supplies for the Mariri school in Kano.
Frequently asked questions
Was President Tinubu booed in Abuja?
Videos show some worshippers chanting against him as his convoy left the central mosque on Friday. The Presidency says the opposition misrepresented the visit and released footage of him leaving calmly. Who organised the crowd remains disputed.
When is the 2027 presidential election?
The presidential and National Assembly elections are on Saturday, 16 January 2027. Governorship and State Assembly elections follow on 6 February 2027.
Is the Zamfara death toll confirmed?
No. The figure of more than 50 dead comes from residents speaking to AFP. Zamfara police said they had not yet received details.
This roundup summarises reporting by the outlets credited under each story, in our own words. Follow Naijatipsland Updates on WhatsApp for the next edition. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it under our editorial policy.
