Author: Opalim Lifted

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified reports surrounding the presence of United States troops in Nigeria, stressing that any engagement is rooted in a long-standing, mutually agreed security partnership between both countries. In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Major General S. Uba, dismissed speculation of unauthorised troop deployment, assuring Nigerians that all defence collaborations are transparent, policy-driven and constitutionally compliant. According to the DHQ, Nigeria’s security cooperation with the United States focuses on capacity building, intelligence sharing, professional military education, logistics support and strategic dialogue, particularly in tackling terrorism and other transnational threats.…

The Federal Fire Service has dismissed reports claiming that officers commissioned at the Passing Out Parade held in Jos on Wednesday were part of the 2025 recruitment intake. In an official statement, National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services, Deputy Controller of Fire, P.O. Abraham clarified that the ceremony at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, Plateau State, was strictly for officers recruited during the 2022 and 2024 intakes who have now completed their mandatory training. According to the Service, none of the officers commissioned at the event belongs to the 2025 recruitment exercise, which it stressed is still…

The Ikorodu High Court has ordered three independent DNA tests to finally determine the paternity of Liam, the son of late singer Mohbad, in a move aimed at ending months of family dispute and public controversy. The fresh directive follows complications that stalled earlier DNA testing plans, prolonging a case that has divided the Aloba family and played out loudly on social media. At the latest court sitting, Mohbad’s father, Mr Joseph Aloba, appeared alongside his lawyer, Barrister Oladayo Ogungbe, who explained why the initial DNA arrangement failed. According to him, although the court had earlier approved an independent DNA…

A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to investigate alleged tampering with key evidence in the ongoing N10bn fraud trial involving Ali Bello. Justice J.K. Omotosho issued the directive on Thursday after revealing that a court registrar, Nasiru Onimisi Zubairu, allegedly colluded with the second defendant, Daudu Sulaiman, to delete crucial WhatsApp messages from a mobile phone tendered as evidence. The judge disclosed in open court that the registrar confessed to him that Sulaiman approached him with a request to erase specific messages contained in Exhibits N…

Former Anambra state governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Chieftain, Peter Obi has strongly condemned the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results, describing the move as a deliberate attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democracy and manipulate the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi said the decision confirms Nigeria’s “now disgraced status” as a nation unwilling to embrace transparency and reform. He linked the Senate’s action to the persistent electoral controversies that have plagued the country, particularly during the 2023 general election. Obi said he delayed responding to the Senate’s decision due to the tragic…

Elon Musk, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Tesla, has stirred debate on wealth and wellbeing after declaring that money does not guarantee happiness. Musk made the comment on X on Thursday. “Whoever said ‘money can’t buy happiness’ really knew what they were talking about,” the billionaire posted. The post has since garnered more than 33 million views, about 26,000 reposts and thousands of comments, sparking widespread engagement and mixed reactions online at the time of this report. While some users agreed that wealth does not insulate people from personal struggles, others argued that money significantly improves quality of life.…

A controversial proposal to create a so-called Ministry of Sex has sparked outrage in Armenia, as politicians and academics accuse an opposition party of sexism and political provocation ahead of June’s general election. The idea was floated by Strong Armenia, an anti-establishment party currently polling second behind the ruling Civil Contract Party, as part of its strategy to address the country’s declining birth rate. Armenia, a former Soviet state in the Caucasus region, has struggled for years with falling fertility levels, a challenge shared by several Eastern European and post-Soviet nations. However, the proposal has been widely condemned for its…

Fear has tightened its grip on communities across Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas of Niger State, as coordinated attacks, killings, kidnappings and arson continue to escalate along the state’s northern corridor. What residents once dismissed as banditry is now widely described as organised terrorism, with armed groups operating from dense forest corridors and the Kainji National Park, which borders Kwara State and the Republic of Benin. From Papiri in Agwara LGA to Wawa and Babanna in Borgu Emirate, attackers have targeted farms, schools, markets, churches and security formations, striking swiftly before retreating into forest hideouts. Many residents say they…

Manchester City booked a tantalising Carabao Cup final against Premier League leaders Arsenal by hammering holders Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate in a one-sided semi-final. Trailing 2-0 heading into the second leg, Eddie Howe’s side needed something special in Wednesday’s return game at Etihad Stadium but endured the worst possible start as Omar Marmoush’s sixth minute goal set City on their way to a 10th final in the competition. Marmoush, starting in place of Erling Haaland, nipped in and saw a deflected strike loop over Aaron Ramsdale and into the back of the net, while the Newcastle goalkeeper denied Tijjani Reijnders…

Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, the Nigerian cleric popularly known as Odumeje, has offered words of encouragement to Afrobeats star Davido following his recent loss at the Grammy Awards. Speaking during a recent church service, the controversial cleric dismissed the significance of the Grammy, asserting that Davido’s impact and success in music transcend awards and trophies. In his characteristically bold style, Odumeje reframed the singer’s identity itself as the highest honour. He called Davido a “generational and living award,” declaring that the singer’s achievements and influence make him an accolade in his own right. “There is one of our brothers that I love…