Author: Opalim Lifted

Thirteen Nigerians deported from Mozambique without formal charges have sparked outrage and raised fresh concerns over the treatment of citizens abroad. The deportees were part of a group of 42 Nigerians earlier arrested in Maputo. Although Mozambican authorities cited documentation issues, most of those affected reportedly held valid travel and residence permits. Only one individual was said to have an expired visa, which lapsed just a day before the deportation. The returnees arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a South African Airways flight, where they were received by officials of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). Speaking on behalf…

Iran has barred its national and club teams from travelling to countries it considers “hostile”, in a move that could disrupt upcoming international fixtures and raise fresh concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Sports and Youth, which said the safety of Iranian athletes could not be guaranteed in certain countries. According to the statement, teams are now prohibited from competing in such locations “until further notice”. The directive follows reports that Iranian club Tractor was scheduled to face a team from the United Arab Emirates in Saudi Arabia as part of…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for the submission of political parties’ membership registers to May 10, 2026, from April 21, 2026, as originally stated in the revised timetable. Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, announced this in a statement released on Friday. In the statement titled “Re: Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for 2027 General Election,” Haruna reminded political parties that their membership registers must be submitted to INEC no later than 21 days before their respective primaries. The statement read, “At the meeting of the…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified efforts to ensure all 36 states sign the $500 million Subsidiary Loan Agreement tied to the World Bank Group-backed HOPE Governance Programme. The initiative is designed to strengthen service delivery in Nigeria’s basic education and primary healthcare sectors, two areas widely seen as critical to human development. Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Deborah Odoh, disclosed this in Abuja during a meeting with a World Bank delegation. Odoh revealed that her ministry is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Finance to accelerate state-level participation. She acknowledged existing…

The Ogun State Government has launched a large-scale demolition of shanties and makeshift structures at the Sango Tollgate border with Lagos State, in a bid to reduce persistent road crashes along the busy Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway. The crackdown follows a recent ban on street trading and the display of goods around the tollgate, an area long associated with traffic congestion and accidents. Leading the exercise, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Kafayat Lawal, said the action was necessary to safeguard lives amid rising reports of fatal crashes linked to roadside trading. She disclosed that affected traders were given multiple evacuation…

The Lagos State Government has stepped up enforcement of structural integrity checks in public schools following the discovery of unsafe buildings across the state. The move comes as authorities begin the demolition of distressed structures at Mainland Senior High School in Fadeyi, located within Yaba Local Council Development Area. Chairman of the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS), Hakeem Smith, said the action followed detailed structural integrity assessments, which revealed serious safety risks. According to him, a building initially marked for renovation had earlier been classified for demolition but was left standing. Fresh tests confirmed that the structure—and…

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports claiming the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) are showing leniency to repentant terrorists at the expense of justice for victims. In a statement, Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, said remarks by Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, on Operation Safe Corridor were misrepresented in an online publication. According to the DHQ, the controversial report distorted the CDS’s comments by taking them out of context and suggesting that the military prioritises rehabilitation of terrorists over justice for victims. Uba stressed that Operation Safe Corridor, established in 2015, is not an amnesty scheme but…

Demola Olarewaju, Senior Political Assistant to Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that Bukola Saraki indirectly endorsed Bola Tinubu for a second term. The remark followed Saraki’s appearance on Politics Today, where he addressed the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). During the interview, Saraki dismissed suggestions that his relationship with Nyesom Wike signalled support for Tinubu’s administration. He insisted their engagement was focused on preserving the PDP as a viable political platform. “You can’t extrapolate that,” Saraki said, stressing that both he and Wike remain committed to ensuring the PDP survives and continues to offer Nigerians a credible alternative.…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), of tolerating criminality instead of confronting it decisively. The opposition party based its criticism on remarks it attributed to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who was alleged to have described terrorists as “my brothers”. It also took aim at the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, over comments it claims referred to terrorists as “sons”. Reacting in a post on X, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said such language reflects a dangerous mindset. “First it was the NSA who referred to terrorists as…

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has confirmed that 8,453 delegates will take part in the upcoming national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The two-day convention is scheduled for March 27 and 28 at Eagle Square, drawing party members from all six geopolitical zones. Speaking during a world media briefing in Abuja, Idris said the large turnout reflects the party’s national reach and internal unity. According to him, the delegate list underscores the APC’s inclusiveness and organisational strength. “We are expecting a total of 8,453 delegates from across the country. This clearly demonstrates the national spread,…