Author: Opalim Lifted

The Department of State Services (DSS) has recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki, a wanted terrorist and one of the notorious escapees from the July 2022 Kuje prison break in the FCT. Over 800 inmates, including Boko Haram suspects  fled when insurgents overran the facility. Obadaki, a member of the Ansaru terror group, was arrested on Friday morning. He is accused of orchestrating the 2022 bank robberies in Uromi, Edo State, and the fatal shooting at Deeper Life College in Okene, Kogi State. His arrest adds to the string of breakthroughs announced earlier by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who in August confirmed…

Mexico this week unveiled its plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will kick off on June 11 with the opening match at the Estadio Azteca, the country’s most iconic venue with a capacity of more than 80,000 spectators, reports upi.com. Thirteen matches are scheduled for Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey in an event the government says will be “inclusive,” coordinated with FIFA and supported by a broad infrastructure and tourism-promotion programme. The 2026 World Cup will be held for the first time across three countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada. The tournament, organised by FIFA, will feature…

Google has agreed to pay more than $40 million to support South African news media after an inquiry by the country’s Competition Commission (CompCom) found that the company reduced search-engine monetisation opportunities that traditionally sustained these outlets. CompCom disclosed the payment agreement in a final report detailing the inquiry and its findings, published on Thursday. According to the report, the inquiry found that Google—alongside major global platforms like Meta and Microsoft—dominates key gateways through which South Africans access information. The inquiry noted that the tech giant maintains a dominant position, where news represents 5–10 percent of queries and drives user…

The mother of Imisi Ayanwale, the BBNaija Season 10 winner, has sparked speculation about a deepening family rift following a recent video she shared on social media. In a TikTok post, she expressed gratitude to her friends, the Ebute-Metta community in Lagos, and her church members for supporting Imisi during her time on the reality show. She also addressed personal allegations that resurfaced after her daughter’s victory, denying claims that she neglected Imisi before the show. “I want to sincerely appreciate all those who stood by me during Imisi’s time on Big Brother. My friends, everyone in Ebute-Metta, the church,…

The co-founder of Paystack, Ezra Olubi, is facing intense backlash after old tweets referencing paedophilia and bestiality went viral.  The controversy began when Max ‘Makispoke’ Obae, a US-based entrepreneur, alleged misogynistic behaviour by Olubi during an X Space session titled “My Piece.” Obae claimed she met Olubi in Ikeja, Lagos, when she was 19 through a mutual friend. For years they remained distant X (Twitter) mutuals. The relationship shifted in 2016 when Olubi visited her in New York. She said she believed he was queer and feminist based on his “presentation.” At that time she was mainly dating women and…

Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra, is alive and well despite rumours circulating in some sections of the media claiming he had died in London. Don Adinuba, former commissioner for information and public enlightenment in Anambra, confirmed on Friday that Obiano is “healthy, strong, and residing in Texas, US”. “The Nigerian media have been abuzz in the last couple of hours over a rumour that the immediate past Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has passed on in London. This rumour has no basis. Chief Obiano lives in Texas, United States, not London,” Adinuba said in a statement. “He is…

High Chief Ikechi Emenike, a prominent publisher and long-time ally of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been reportedly whisked away from his DER Publications office in Surulere, Lagos, by men believed to be operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). Eyewitnesses said on Thursday that about six men, some visibly armed, arrived at the premises around 2:30 p.m. They reportedly claimed to be from the DSS Shangisha office but presented no arrest warrant before escorting Emenike into waiting vehicles. The agency has yet to comment publicly on the operation, according to Empowered Newswire report. The dramatic manner of his…

Rap icon Olamide has declared Wizkid the greatest Afrobeats artiste of all time, second only to the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. The YBNL boss made the remark during a media briefing in Toronto, Canada, ahead of his highly anticipated show on November 14. A video from the conference has since gone viral on social media, capturing the moment of high praise. The declaration came in response to a question about the prolific and successful musical partnership between the two artistes. Rather than simply discussing their collaborations, Olamide used the moment to laud Wizkid’s impact on the global music scene.…

Former Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is set to chair the 10th House of Justice Summit and Orange Ball Banquet holding on Friday, 28 November 2025, at the Epitome Events Centre in Barnawa, Kaduna. This year’s summit, themed “From Camps to Justice and Communities,” aims to push Nigeria beyond temporary humanitarian relief and into long-term justice for victims of insurgency. The gathering seeks to set a bold agenda for ending more than two decades of conflict-driven insecurity by prioritising justice, resettlement, and the rebuilding of shattered communities. Prof. Dakas C.J. Dakas, Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, will deliver the…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final of the African playoffs for the 2026 World Cup. DR Congo defeated Cameroon 1-0 in their semi-final at the Al-Barid Stadium in Rabat on Thursday. Chancel Mbemba’s late goal was the difference in a cagey encounter that was decided at the death. The Congolese defender spiked the ball past Andre Onana in Cameroon’s goal off a corner in the 91st minute. DR Congo moved a step closer to their first World Cup since 1974 — the country was still known as Zaire when it featured…