Author: Opalim Lifted

Ollie Watkins scored two goals and set up another as Aston Villa swept aside Liverpool to secure Champions League football next season. Morgan Rogers gave Villa a first-half lead with a wonderful strike before Virgil van Dijk headed home an equaliser for Liverpool shortly after the break. But five minutes later, Watkins capitalised on a slip by Dominik Szoboszlai to restore Villa’s advantage, before getting another from close range in the 73rd minute. And there was still time for John McGinn to bend home a belter as Liverpool fell to their 19th defeat of the season in all competitions, with…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ordered an investigation into the conduct of its operatives following an incident at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State. The development follows public backlash over an operation on Tuesday in which EFCC officers reportedly entered the hospital premises, where Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and other staff were present. Videos shared online showed panic among patients, staff, and visitors after tear gas was reportedly discharged within the hospital environment. The incident drew widespread criticism on social media, with concerns raised over the use of force in a…

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate climbed to 15.69 per cent in April 2026, according to fresh data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). NBS disclosed on Friday that the inflation rate on a month-on-month basis stood at 2.13 per cent for April. The NBS also stated that food inflation rose to 16.06 per cent year-on-year during the review period, driven by increases in the prices of staple food items across the country. According to the bureau, the rise in food inflation was linked to the changing prices of products including millet, yam flour, fresh ginger, beef, garri, pepper, crayfish,…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fined a plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, ₦1 million over delays in a lawsuit seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election. Justice Peter Lifu, while ruling on Friday, criticised both the plaintiff and his lawyer, Ndubuisi Ukpai, for what he described as a lack of diligence and repeated actions that stalled proceedings in the matter. The judge said the conduct of the plaintiff and his counsel was “unacceptable,” noting that the suit was filed on October 6, 2025, yet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of…

Suspected terrorists have reportedly abducted a yet-to-be ascertained number of students from a school in Mussa village, Askira/Uba LGA of Borno state. Quoting residents, Reuters reported that insurgents attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School at about 9am on Friday while classes were ongoing, abducting several students. A teacher at the school told Reuters that the attackers arrived on motorcycles. “Despite some students escaping into the bushes, I can tell you many were taken away,” the teacher said. Reuters reported that Midala Balami, a lawmaker representing Askira-Uba/Hawul federal constituency of Borno in the house of representatives, described the attack as…

Barely one month after a chemical odour incident at schools in Ijebu-Ode, another suspected chemical emission has affected more than 90 students across several schools in the ancient town, triggering panic among residents, parents and school authorities. Parents and guardians reportedly rushed to various schools on Thursday to evacuate their children as a strange odour spread across parts of the city. Dozens of affected students were rescued and taken by emergency responders to the State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode for treatment after complaining of abdominal pain and other health-related symptoms. Some of the affected schools include Our Lady of Apostles Girls…

President Bola Tinubu has revealed that Nigeria is considering granting Rwandans a 30-day visa-free entry, in what officials described as a move aimed at deepening African unity and regional cooperation. Tinubu made the disclosure during bilateral talks with Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa CEO Forum in Kigali. The development was announced on Friday by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, through her official X account. According to the minister, both leaders agreed to revive the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission originally signed by Nigeria and Rwanda in 2021 to strengthen bilateral relations and accelerate…

Manchester United have reportedly confirmed Michael Carrick as their permanent head coach, bringing an end to uncertainty over the club’s long-term managerial position at Old Trafford. According to posts shared on X by sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, the decision has been approved by senior leadership, including co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with a new contract expected to be signed shortly. Carrick, 44, had been in interim charge since January following the departure of Rúben Amorim. He is now set to take the role on a permanent basis under a proposed deal structure running for two years, with the option of a…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 29 for the adoption of final written addresses in the alleged N3.1 billion fraud trial involving former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, and his former commissioner for finance, Omodachi Okolobia. Justice Peter Lifu scheduled the date after the defence concluded its case in the long-running trial filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency is prosecuting Suswam and Okolobia on an amended 11-count charge bordering on the alleged diversion and laundering of public funds belonging to the Benue State government. According to the EFCC, the money was…

Panic swept through the Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Thursday after gunmen reportedly invaded a secondary school and abducted an unspecified number of students alongside the school principal. The attack reportedly occurred between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, leaving residents and parents scrambling for information about the victims. Sources in the community said the abductors also kidnapped the school principal, Mrs Rachael Alamu, during the raid. The gunmen were further alleged to have shot a teacher before fleeing the area. According to residents, the attackers later drove away in…