Author: Opalim Lifted

The US State Department says it is revoking the passports of Americans with significant outstanding child support debt. Passport revocations for unpaid child support of more than $2,500 are allowed under a rarely enforced 1996 federal law. Previously, the consequence was imposed only when people with such debt sought to renew their passports. However, in a statement on Wednesday, the department said it would coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to revoke the passports of Americans who have accumulated “significant” outstanding child support debt. A revoked passport may no longer be used for travel, even if…

Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, has directed traditional worshippers across Edo South Senatorial District to embark on a spiritual campaign against kidnappers, armed robbers, and other violent criminals operating in Edo State. According to NAN, the monarch gave the directive on Tuesday during a meeting with native doctors, priests, priestesses, and other adherents of traditional religion at his palace in Benin City. The Oba of Benin said the exercise would involve prayers and spiritual interventions aimed at restoring peace and security in the state. “The message is from the ancestors. Edo people at home and in the diaspora…

France has recorded its first confirmed case of Ebola virus disease, with health authorities tracing the infection to a doctor who recently returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The French health ministry announced the development on Tuesday, describing it as the first time the highly infectious viral disease has been detected in the country. According to AFP, the patient was identified shortly after arriving in France from the DRC, where an Ebola outbreak has been ongoing for months. Health officials said the doctor was isolated immediately upon arrival, before laboratory tests later confirmed the infection. The ministry…

The Senate has passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across the country. The bill was approved on Wednesday after lawmakers considered and adopted its 26 clauses during the Committee of the Whole. The proposed legislation seeks to create a constitutional framework for state-controlled police services alongside the existing federal policing structure. The bill aims to strengthen security, improve intelligence gathering, and enable faster responses to local security threats. ‘One of the Most Significant Constitutional Reforms’ Opening debate on the bill, Opeyemi Bamidele said the proposed legislation was an executive bill transmitted by Bola Tinubu. Bamidele described…

The Senate on Wednesday resolved to adopt manual voting for the consideration of the state police bill after its electronic voting device developed a technical fault. The decision followed concerns among lawmakers that some senators could be disenfranchised if the chamber proceeded with the faulty device. Under the arrangement, senators will stand individually, announce their names, and openly declare their positions on the proposed state police framework. Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate leader, moved the motion for the adoption of manual voting. “There is the need to also ensure transparency both within ourselves as people who will be performing this major…

The United States has released the identities of three individuals and six entities allegedly linked to Islamic State (ISIS) financing, including three Nigerian bureau de change (BDC) operators. On Monday, Tommy Pigot, US state department spokesperson, said a Nigeria-based operator was among the three individuals and entities accused of helping the ISIS move funds across borders through money exchange businesses. Pigot said the network spanned from France and Syria to Turkey and Nigeria. According to the US official, the Nigeria-based facilitator’s money exchange businesses served as conduits for ISIS financing. The other two individuals, said to be based in France…

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to score in six FIFA World Cup tournaments following a brace in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. He netted twice in the first half to continue his World Cup scoring streak that started on his debut in 2006 and he also found the net in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions of the competition. Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leao and an own goal also added to Ronaldo’s strikes to seal an emphatic victory against Uzbekistan and shrug off reports of internal crisis within the Portuguese team. Ronaldo scored the opener in the sixth minute…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has said he would support a nationwide ban on tinted vehicles if he had the authority to enforce it, citing growing security concerns across Nigeria. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Disu argued that heavily tinted vehicles have become a preferred tool for kidnappers, armed robbers and operators of “one-chance” scams, making them a significant security risk. The IGP said the country’s security challenges require stricter regulation of tinted vehicles and hinted that authorities are moving towards tighter restrictions. “If I have my way, there would be no vehicle that would be tinted in…

Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has directed officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to desist from unauthorised social media activities capable of undermining the integrity and professionalism of the force. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Anietie Edem, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), said the directive followed concerns over the growing trend of police personnel creating videos, conducting live sessions, and engaging in other social media activities while in uniform without official authorisation. Edem said serving officers are prohibited from creating or sharing unauthorised content while in police uniform, commenting publicly on official police matters, disclosing sensitive operational…

The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) has criticised the presidency’s reaction to calls for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation, arguing that true leadership is measured by accountability rather than attacks on critics. The exchange followed comments by Peter Obi, who on Monday urged Bola Tinubu to step down over what he described as a “monumental failure” in governance. Obi said his remarks were inspired by the resignation speech of Keir Starmer, in which the British leader acknowledged public dissatisfaction over economic difficulties and unfulfilled campaign promises. Responding on behalf of the presidency, Bayo Onanuga dismissed Obi’s position as misguided. He argued…