Author: David Great

No fewer than 1,686 people have died in at least 909 recorded incidents of cult and gang violence across Nigeria between January 2020 and March 2025, according to a new report released by SBM Intelligence. The report, released on Tuesday, revealed that the South-South and South-West regions were the worst affected, with Rivers, Lagos, and Edo states leading in the number of fatalities. Rivers State topped the chart with 215 deaths, followed by Lagos with 197 and Edo with 192. These states are identified as strongholds of entrenched cult rivalries, with clashes often involving groups such as Vikings, Icelanders, Eiye,…

Serhou Guirassy’s first-half double secured Borussia Dortmund a 2-1 victory over Monterrey, booking their place in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals where they will face five-time champions Real Madrid on Saturday in New York. Making their Club World Cup debut, Dortmund came into the match unbeaten in 10 games (W8, D2), and that momentum was evident early on at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The German side wasted no time asserting dominance in their first-ever meeting with a Liga MX team. The opening goal came in the 14th minute, with Guirassy finishing confidently in a one-on-one situation after receiving…

Gonzalo Garcia’s powerful 54th-minute header proved decisive as Real Madrid defeated Juventus 1-0 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, securing a place in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarter-finals. The victory sets up a last-eight clash between Xabi Alonso’s side and the winner of the second Round of 16 match between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey of Mexico. Madrid’s performance was largely dominant, especially in the second half, and was capped off by the return of star forward Kylian Mbappe, who made his first appearance of the tournament after illness. The Frenchman was introduced as a 68th-minute substitute, drawing…

English striker Tammy Abraham is on the verge of joining Turkish club Besiktas, with the Istanbul side confirming negotiations with AS Roma, where Abraham is currently under contract. In an official statement, the club said, “Negotiations have begun with the player and his club AS Roma regarding the transfer of professional football player Kevin Oghenetega Tamaraebi Bakumo-Abraham.” The 27-year-old, who has a year remaining on his Roma contract, is reportedly in talks over a loan deal, according to Italian media sources. Abraham, appearing onboard the club’s private jet in a video shared on Besiktas’ Instagram, assured fans of his arrival,…

Troops of the Nigerian military under the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have eliminated 10 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in a coordinated offensive near the Nigeria-Cameroon border, specifically between Rann and Gamboru Ngala in Borno State. This was revealed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Headquarters, Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI, Reuben Kovangiya. According to Kovangiya, “Troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI have launched a series of offensives aimed at ridding the North East of ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists.” The military operation, which targeted terrorist hideouts…

Arsenal have signed Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from London rivals Chelsea on a three-year deal for a fee reported to be around £5 million. Kepa who joined Chelsea for a record fee of £71 million had spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, where he made 35 appearances in all competitions. Kepa had spent the 2023/2024 season on loan at Spanish giants, Real Madrid where he played cover for Thibaut Courtois. “Here to raise the levels,” Arsenal Football Club wrote on its social media channel along with a video of Kepa. The 30-year-old is still the world’s most expensive goalkeeper,…

Owolabi Salis, a Nigerian politician and lawyer, has made history as the first Nigerian to travel to space. He was a passenger aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, which launched from West Texas on Sunday, June 29. The suborbital flight lasted 10 minutes and reached a peak altitude of 105.2 kilometres, successfully crossing the Kármán line—the recognized boundary of space. Other participants on the mission included Carl Kuehner, Jim Sitkin, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., and Allie Kuehner. Ahead of the launch, Salis highlighted the deeper meaning of the journey, saying it was “more than just a trip into space.” He…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 26, 2025 presented its 10th and 11th witnesses in continuation of the trial of a former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika, his daughter; Fatima Hadi Sirika, son-in-law law; Hamma Jalal Sule and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited who are standing trial for alleged misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N2bn (two billion naira). EFCC counsel, A. O. Atolagbe presented 10th Prosecution Witness, PW 10, a public servant working with the Nigerian Upstream (Petroleum) Regulatory Commission, NUPRC and informed the court that he was employed as a staff of…

Students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, on Monday launched a protest against the recent decision by the Oyo State Government to rename the institution after the late former governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo. The protest, which began in the early hours of the day, caused a major disruption on the busy Sango-Eleyele Road, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded and resulting in a traffic gridlock. The unrest followed the announcement by Governor Seyi Makinde to rename the school Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic in honour of the former governor who passed away recently at the age of 89. Olunloyo holds a historical place in the…

The remains of renowned Nigerian business magnate and elder statesman, Aminu Dantata, have arrived in Madina, Saudi Arabia, ahead of his burial scheduled for Tuesday. This was confirmed in a statement on Tuesday morning by Mustapha Junaidu, spokesperson for the family of the late business tycoon and philanthropist. According to Junaidu, “The aircraft landed in Madina. We are now heading to the city for further preparations of the funeral prayer.” He added that the Janazah (funeral prayer) would take place “after the Asr (late afternoon) prayer in Madina, in line with Islamic rites.” Dantata, who was aged 94, passed away…