Author: David Great

At least 18 people were killed in lightning strikes across western India’s Gujarat state during unseasonably intense storms on Sunday, officials said. Such big rainstorms are not expected in Gujarat during winter months, and fierce downpours caught many off guard. While flash floods and lightning kill dozens of people in India each year, scientists warn that rising global temperatures are unleashing a cascade of extreme weather events. India rescuers’ bid to free 41 tunnel workers fail At least 20 people were killed during the heavy rains, with at least 18 of them due to lightning, Gujarat state authorities said in…

Governor Dauda Lawal told Zamfara residents on Sunday to continue to pray and seek divine intervention to end insecurity in the state. Mr. Lawal said this in a message at the opening of Zamfara’s 27th Qur’anic recitation competition in Gusau, the state capital. Bandits kidnapped 100 men, women, and children from Mutunji in Maru LGA on Friday. The bandits reportedly raided the community after the villagers failed to pay a N50 million protection levy they demanded. Led by their kingpin, Damina, riding on motorbikes, the bandits surrounded the community after evening prayers on Friday. “On behalf of the state government,…

The military wing of Hamas said Sunday that the commander of its northern brigade and four other senior leaders had been killed during Israel’s offensive against the Islamist movement. In a statement, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades said Ahmed al-Ghandour was a member of its military council and named three of the others, among them Ayman Siyyam, head of its rocket division, while its West Bank branch confirmed another leader’s death. “We pledge to Allah we will continue their path and that their blood will be a light for the mujahedeen and a fire for the occupiers,” the statement said, without…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted over two tonnes of illicit substances in Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Anambra, Ondo, and Kogi last week. Its spokesman, Femi Babafemi, stated on Sunday in Abuja that the agency’s operatives stormed a warehouse at Obi Camp in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo on Monday, November 20. They seized 338kg of Indian hemp concealed in sacks of charcoal in the raid. NDLEA operatives also raided Ikhin Forest in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo on Saturday, November 25, and seized 235kg of the same psychoactive substance. “A suspect, Onah Ikechukwu…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the plot by some individuals to disturb the peace of Sierra Leoneans. The condemnation is contained in a statement issued by ECOWAS on Sunday in Abuja. “The bloc has learnt, with utter disgust, a plot by certain individuals to acquire arms and disturb the peace and constitutional order in Sierra Leone. “ECOWAS condemns this act and calls for the arrest and prosecution of everyone involved in the illegality,“ it said. Sierra Leone declares nationwide curfew after military breach The regional bloc reiterated its zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government.…

At least 150 people, including women and children, were abducted with one person killed in a coordinated attack by gunmen on four villages in Nigeria’s northwest Zamfara state, residents said on Saturday. Kidnapping for ransom has become rife in northwestern Nigeria in recent years where armed gangs, often referred to locally as bandits, have targeted villages, schools, and travellers, demanding millions of naira in ransom and making it unsafe to travel by road or to farm in some areas. Zamfara police spokesperson did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on the attack, which took place late on Friday.…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the World Bank President Mr Ajay Banga “to promptly, transparently and effectively conduct an investigation into spending of loans and other facilities by the country’s 36 state governors and to suspend any loans and funding if there is relevant admissible evidence of mismanagement or diversion of public funds by any of the states.” SERAP also urged the World Bank to “suspend further applications for loans and any other funding to the 36 states until these states can satisfactorily explain details of spending of loans and other facilities obtained from the Bank and…

Kai Havertz sent Arsenal to the top of the Premier League as the German’s last-gasp goal clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win at Brentford on Saturday. Havertz was a Champions League final hero for Chelsea in 2021, but he has endured a torrid time since crossing London to join Arsenal in the close-season. The 24-year-old midfielder finally gave a glimpse of why Mikel Arteta splashed out £65 million ($80 million) to sign him when he headed home in the closing minutes. Havertz’s second goal for Arsenal was his first in his last 10 appearances, moving his team one point clear of…

Troops of the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes rescued six hostages abducted by bandits in a forest in the Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi on Friday. Yahaya Sarki, Governor Nasir Idris’ media aide, stated in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday that the all-male hostages who were rescued in good condition had been reunited with their families. “Troops of 1 Battalion, Dukku Barracks, Birnin Kebbi, in conjunction with vigilantes raided Kogon Damisa Hill around Saminaka in Shanga Local Government Area, a border town between Kebbi and Niger on Friday. Kidnappers free wife of slain Kaduna pastor “The team dislodged a large…

Eight persons died in an auto crash at Oke-Onigbin on the Omu-Aran-Ilorin Highway in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara on Friday. An articulated vehicle and a bus were involved in the accident. Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Kwara, Stephen Dawulung, said in a statement issued by its spokesman, Busari Basambo, on Saturday in Ilorin that the accident happened in the night. “Preliminary investigations showed that the Ilorin-bound Mitsubishi bus was overtaking another bus when it had a head-on collision with the articulated vehicle. “The collision resulted in the deaths of eight persons on the spot.…