Author: Opalim Lifted

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has explained that the recent escalation in attacks and killings by terrorists across various theatres in the North is a result of sustained pressure mounted on them by troops through aggressive operations. The Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this during a recent news briefing while responding to questions on the incessant attacks, killings and kidnappings by terrorists. Onoja, however, said scores of terrorists were being killed across the country, assuring that their decimation is ongoing. “You know, one of the things with terrorists is that when you put pressure on them,…

A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United. The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister. West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season. All three…

Aston Villa will play Lille for the second time in three seasons after the sides were drawn together on Friday in the last 16 of the Europa League, while Nottingham Forest have a rematch against Midtjylland of Denmark. Unai Emery’s Villa, who finished second in the league phase of this season’s competition, behind another French side in Lyon, will go to northern France for the first leg on March 12 before the return in Birmingham on March 19. Aston Villa, who lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of last season’s Champions League, defeated Lille on penalties in the last…

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has attributed the country’s poor electricity supply to inadequate gas availability. In a recent press statement, NISO said Nigeria’s current generation of about 4,000 megawatts (MW) is constrained by gas shortages, with only 692 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of gas supplied daily against a requirement of 1,630 MMSCF for thermal plants as of February 23, 2026. “We hereby notify the general public and all market participants that the current average available generation of approximately 4,300MW is primarily due to inadequate gas supply to thermal generating stations,” the statement read. “Given that thermal plants…

Political parties could be barred from fielding candidates in the 2027 general election if they fail to comply with Section 77 of the newly amended Electoral Act 2026. On February 18, President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act amendment bill into law after its passage by the national assembly. The law has since drawn fierce criticism from opposition parties, who describe key provisions as “obnoxious”. What Section 77 Requires Section 77(2) mandates all political parties to submit a comprehensive digital membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days before their primaries. The register must contain…

Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the South-South have unanimously endorsed the 2027 presidential ambition of Rotimi Amaechi. The endorsement was announced on Friday by John Odigie-Oyegun, former governor of Edo State, during the ADC South-South leaders’ consultative meeting in Benin City. Oyegun said Amaechi formally notified regional leaders of his intention to contest the presidency under the ADC platform. “We are glad that our son, Rotimi Amaechi, took advantage of this meeting to brief us formally of his intention to run for the presidency of our great nation,” Oyegun said. “I can report that a unanimous decision…

The coroner’s inquest into the death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-month-old son has been plunged into uncertainty after it emerged that the child was cremated, leaving the court without primary forensic evidence. Nkanu Nnamdi Esege died on January 7, 2026, following complications during preparatory medical procedures. The tragedy prompted the author to serve a legal notice on the hospital, alleging medical negligence and professional misconduct. At a preliminary sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed April 14, 2026, for the commencement of the inquest. The proceeding was initiated at the request of the Lagos State attorney-general. Counsel…

A team of federal medical pathologists has exhumed 105 bodies from 13 mass graves in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, as investigations intensify into the June 13, 2025 attack. The exhumation forms part of a federal probe into the killings that left dozens dead and forced many residents to flee their homes. According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the forensic team was led by Saad Ahmed from the office of the attorney-general of the federation. They arrived in Yelwata on February 23 alongside operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from Abuja. The delegation reportedly worked…

The United States (US) and Israel have launched coordinated missile strikes on Iran, in what Israeli officials describe as a “pre-emptive” operation to neutralise security threats. Initially believed to be an Israeli-only action, the mission was later reported as a joint operation involving Washington. According to Fox News, the attacks are a “combined US-Israeli mission”. Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said on Saturday the strikes were aimed at “removing threats against the State of Israel”. He declared a “special and permanent state of emergency” nationwide, warning that Iran could retaliate with drones and ballistic missiles. Explosions rock Tehran In Iran,…

Amnesty International has accused operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Imo state, known as Tiger Base, of systemic torture, extortion and unlawful detention. The rights group unveiled its findings on Wednesday in Enugu, detailing what it described as a pattern of grave human rights abuses at the Owerri-based facility. Tiger Base was originally established to combat kidnapping. However, Amnesty said the unit has “deviated from its core mandate” and now operates as a centre of abuse. Prolonged Detention Without Trial According to the Amnesty International Tiger Base report, detainees are routinely held for weeks, months…