• US bans Ivory Coat supporters from World Cup

    Ivory Coast home-based fans have been denied visas to the United States, the president of the national supporters’ committee told AFP on Thursday.The run-up to the World Cup, which kicks off Thursday, has been dogged by the visa policies of the main host nation, the United States. Somali referee Omar Artan was turned away Sunday and some support staff for the Iranian team have been denied entry.The Ivory Coast supporters group, said Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the National Committ
  • Man City’s £120m bid for Elliot Anderson rejected by Nottingham Forest

    By Adegboyega AdeleyeManchester City have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson after seeing an improved offer worth £120 million rejected.According to the BBC, City submitted a second bid for the England international worth an initial £106 million plus performance-related add-ons, but Nottingham Forest turned down the proposal.Pep Guardiola’s side have intensified efforts to strengthen their midfield following the departure of Ber
  • Democracy Day: Nigerian Muslims face ‘Double Jeopardy’ over insecurity narratives — NSCIA

    By Luminous JannamikeABUJA — The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has said Nigerian Muslims are increasingly subjected to unfair profiling in discussions surrounding insecurity, describing the situation as a “double jeopardy” in which they are both victims of violence and wrongly portrayed as perpetrators.The council made the assertion on Thursday in a Democracy Day statement, where it condemned terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, while calling for national
  • How legal battle with ex-girlfriend forced my music break — Ruger

    By Adegboyega AdeleyeThe management of Afrobeats singer Ruger has revealed that the singer’s prolonged absence from the music scene was caused by a legal battle with a former girlfriend who allegedly sued him for emotional distress and damages.In a statement released by Blown Boy Entertainment, the label founded by the singer, the management said Ruger had been dealing with a series of personal challenges after an ex-partner initiated legal proceedings against him, a situation that contri
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  • Video: Burna Boy, Shakira perform at opening ceremony of 2026 World Cup

    Global music stars Shakira and Burna Boy delivered a high-energy performance of “Dai Dai” during the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, thrilling fans with a vibrant display of music and dance.Shakira took to the stage following a performance by J Balvin and immediately energized the crowd with the opening verse of the tournament’s official song.
    | Shakira X Burna Boy. pic.twitter.com/QOvpbwHNEX— FÚTBOL HUB (@futbol_hubX) June 11, 2026
    The Colombian supe
  • Reno Omokri criticises Davido over advocacy for abducted Oyo schoolchildren

    Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has faulted Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, over his public advocacy for abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State, warning that global attention on terrorism cases could undermine rescue efforts.The controversy followed Davido’s appearance at the FIFA World Cup countdown concert, where he used his outfit to highlight the plight of pupils and teachers kidnapped in Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire
  • Delta court remands four over gun running, cultism charges

    By Egufe Yafugborhi & Ochuko Akuopha, AsabaA Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba has remanded four suspected members of a gun-running syndicate over alleged unlawful possession of firearms and involvement in cult activities.The suspects — Emmanuel Chukwuemeka, Clifford Boleyelefa, Amadi Princewill, and Amadi Felix Chibuike — were arraigned on a five-count charge following investigations by the Delta State Police Command.They were alleged to be linked to the recovery of a Ber
  • Oyo School Abduction: Activist begins 14-Day hunger strike

    By Nwabueze Okonkwo, OnitshaA Social Critic and Human Rights Activist, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, has commenced a 14-day self-imposed hunger strike in Onitsha, Anambra State, in protest against the abduction of teachers, students, and pupils from a school in Oyo State.Ezekwueme, who is Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Anambra State Branch, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday titled “Activist commences 14-day hunger strike over abduction of teachers, pupils and stu
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  • Israel releases Hamas co-founder after 2 yrs of detention, son says

    The son of a Hamas co-founder said that Israeli authorities released his father in the occupied West Bank on Thursday after holding him without trial for more than two years.Hassan Yousef, 71, was “freed near the southern West Bank city of Hebron” and taken to a hospital in Ramallah where he resides, his son Owais Yousef said.Yousef is a senior leader of Hamas in the West Bank, having co-founded the group in the 1980s along with Sheikh Ahmad Yassine and other Palestinian members of
  • Tinubu reaffirms commitment to investment-driven economy

    President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a stronger investment-driven economy through sustained collaboration with state governments.Mrs Zahrah Audu, Director-General, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), conveyed the President’s message on Thursday in Awka during the Nationwide Sub-national Engagement and Technical Reform Workshop.According to her, Nigeria’s economic prosperity will  be driven by coordina
  • “APC Must Go”: VDM leads Abuja protest over insecurity, kidnappings

    By Luminous Jannamike, AbujaHundreds of protesters on Thursday took to the streets of Abuja, led by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), demanding urgent government action over worsening insecurity, kidnappings, and economic hardship across Nigeria.The demonstrators marched through parts of the Federal Capital Territory chanting slogans such as “Terrorists Must Go,” “Kidnappers Must Go,” “Bandits Must Go,” and &ldq
  • Police launch probe as mother, son, man found dead in Ogun

    By James Ogunnaike, AbeokutaThe Ogun State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the mysterious deaths of a woman, her four-year-old son, and another man, identified simply as “Shanko,” whose bodies were discovered in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State.The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday in the Egbe Subair area of Ijebu-Igbo, throwing residents of the community into shock and confusion.Sources in the area disclosed that the lifeless bodies of the woman and the man were found
  • Senate calls for State Police, tightens security measures over rising insecurity

    By Henry Umoru, AbujaThe Senate has called for urgent consideration of a legal framework for state policing in Nigeria, as lawmakers expressed concern over rising banditry and the increasing targeting of schools and schoolchildren across the country.The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance titled “Urgent Need for State Governments to Complement the Role of the Federal Government in Nigeria’s Security Situation,” sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Ko
  • Troops rescue 119 kidnap victims, destroy bandit hideouts in Southern Kaduna

    By Kingsley OmonobiTroops of Sub-Sector 5, Operation Fansan Yamma, have rescued 119 kidnapped victims, neutralised several bandits, and destroyed multiple criminal hideouts during sustained military operations across Southern Kaduna.The Commander of Sub-Sector 5, Navy Capt. Patrick Onoja Ali, disclosed this on Thursday in Kachia, noting that the achievements were made possible through intelligence-driven operations, aggressive patrols, and collaboration with local communities and other security
  • Tinubu urges FCT residents, business owners to pay tax, ground rent

    President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, urged residents, business owners and developers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to pay tax, clear their ground rents and land fees.Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the call during the inauguration of Highway FCT 105 (Kuje Road) from Airport Expressway to Kuje Town, held on Thursday in Abuja.He assured that his administration would not rest until the dividends of democracy are equitably distributed across the FCT, its satellit
  • Senate extends 2025 Budget implementation to September

    By Henry Umoru, AbujaThe Senate has extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 budget by three months, shifting the deadline to September 30, 2026.The decision moves the previous deadline from June 30, 2026, and is aimed at giving Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) more time to complete ongoing infrastructure projects and fully utilise released funds.The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), dur
  • Senate orders Police, DSS to track online criminals

    By John Alechenu, AbujaThe Senate has directed security agencies to identify, track, and arrest bandits and terrorists who openly display criminal activities and ill-gotten wealth on social media platforms, including TikTok.The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on rising insecurity in Kogi West and other parts of the country, sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi during Thursday’s plenary session.During deliberations, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) moved an additio
  • Lockdown at Pentagon due to ‘hazardous materials incident’

    Part of the Pentagon went into lockdown on Thursday, a spokesman said, in response to what a local fire department described as a “hazardous materials incident” at the US military headquarters.The Arlington County Fire Department said in a post on X that it had units “including our Hazardous Materials Team” operating at the Pentagon during what it described as a “hazardous materials incident.”The fire department did not provide further details on the nature o
  • World Cup 2026: Influencers face deportation for monetised content, US warns

    By Adegboyega AdeleyeThe United States has warned foreign social media influencers and content creators attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup that earning money from content produced while on a tourist visa could lead to deportation and other immigration penalties.In an email statement to Spanish news agency EFE on Wednesday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that foreign nationals entering the country on B-2 tourist visas are not p
  • We gave Obi, Kwankwaso free hand to choose candidates, officials – Senator Dickson

    By Soni Daniel, Editor, Northern RegionNational Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson, declared on Thursday that the party gave both its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi and vice-presidential candidate, Eng. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso free hand to choose candidates and officials for various positions.Senator Dickson, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja, rejected claims in certain quarters that there was a conflict of interest between the leadership on one hand an
  • Nigeria oil output rises, meets OPEC quota

    By Obas Esiedesa, AbujaNigeria’s total oil production rose by 2.2 per cent in May, increasing to 1.70 million barrels per day (bpd), with crude oil output surpassing the country’s OPEC quota for the first time in 2026.Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission showed that combined crude oil and condensate production rose from 1.66 million bpd in April to 1.70 million bpd in May, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading oil producer.Crude oi
  • Nigeria no longer safe for drug cartels – Marwa

    The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa has warned international drug trafficking syndicates that Nigeria is no longer a safe corridor for cocaine and other illicit substances.This came following the conviction of 11 Indian sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, for trafficking 31.5 kilograms of cocaine.A statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Thursday in Abuja said that Marwa gave the warning afte
  • Terrorism: Five sentenced to 25 years in prison for roles in Papiri school abduction

    By Ikechukwu NnochiriABUJA — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced five persons to 25 years in prison for the roles they played in the November 21, 2025 attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village, Niger State.The convicts, among whom are two Nigeriens, admitted that they rendered assistance to terrorists who stormed the school on motorcycles and abducted students and teachers at gunpoint.While about 50 of the students who were take
  • Refuse Heaps: Agency donates 10 waste trucks to Lagos

    ….LAWMA evacuates 418,500 tonnes of waste in MayBy Olasunkanmi AkoniLAGOS — The Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority has donated 10 brand-new waste compactor trucks to the Lagos State Government in a move aimed at strengthening waste management operations across the state.Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known during a handover ceremony held on Tuesday, describing the gesture as a reflection of inter-ministerial collaboration and corpor
  • State Police Bill scales second reading at Senate

    By Henry UmoruABUJA — A bill seeking to establish state police and transfer policing powers to subnational governments, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture, has passed second reading in the Senate.The proposed legislation, titled A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration), 2026 (SB. 794), was sponsored by Senate Leader, Se
  • Police to impound vehicles without number plates in Lagos

    By Evelyn UsmanLagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, has ordered a statewide clampdown on vehicles plying Lagos roads without number plates or with concealed registration marks, warning that offenders would be arrested and their vehicles impounded with immediate effect.The directive, according to Fatai, formed part of measures to strengthen security architecture and prevent criminal elements from infiltrating the state through unregistered vehicles.The CP gave the order during a
  • Mandela, Tambo must be weeping over Xenophobia — Imo APC Youth leader

    By Emmanuel IheakaThe youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Franklin-Kennedy Ibeh, has condemned the ongoing xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals of African descent in South Africa.Ibeh, in a statement issued in Owerri on Thursday, accused the administration of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of failing to adequately address the recurring attacks.He said South Africa’s founding leaders, including Nelson Mandela,
  • Police rescue abducted Abia farmers, suspects flee

    By Steve OkoThe Abia State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of two farmers abducted by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ohuhu community, Umuahia North Local Government Area, following a swift joint operation involving police operatives, local vigilantes, forest guards and community youths.The rescue operation followed rising tension in the agrarian area, where residents had launched a community-led search for the fleeing suspects after the abduction sparked panic.The victims, natives of Akpa
  • Umahi jokes over private jet landing on Delta road, demands ‘landing fee’ from Aviation Ministry

    By Jeff Agbodo, AbakalikiThe Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, on Wednesday joked that the Ministry of Aviation should be made to pay “landing, parking and takeoff costs” after a private jet mistakenly landed on a concrete road under construction in Asaba, Delta State.Umahi made the remark during an inspection tour of the Abakaliki–Afikpo–Ndibe Beach Trans-Saharan Highway project in Ebonyi State, alongside a delegation from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Develo
  • Igboho offers to secure Oyo public schools

    …urges urgent preventive action against rising insecurityBy Adeola BadruAmid growing insecurity concerns in Oyo State and 24 days after the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area, Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has written to Governor Seyi Makinde, expressing readiness to provide security for public schools across the state.Igboho, founder of Iru Ekun Private Security Limited, conveyed the proposal through a lette

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