Author: Opalim Lifted

Saudi Arabia launched multiple covert strikes on Iran in retaliation for attacks carried out in the kingdom during the Middle East war, Reuters reports. Citing two Western officials and two Iranian officials, Reuters said the attacks were launched by the Saudi air force and were believed to have been carried out in late March. The attacks had not previously been reported, as Saudi Arabia, a United States ally, had publicly distanced itself from the conflict. This marks the first time the kingdom is known to have directly carried out military action on Iranian soil. It remains unclear what the targets…

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has described nurses and midwives as the “true backbone” of Nigeria’s healthcare system, praising their resilience and sacrifices in keeping the sector functional despite mounting challenges. In a statement issued to mark World Nurses Day, Obi said nurses are not just participants in healthcare delivery but the “very foundation upon which patient care rests.” According to him, hospitals would struggle to function, communities would find it harder to heal, and countless lives could be lost without the dedication of nurses and midwives. Obi reiterated his longstanding position that no country can build a…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of diverting Federation Allocation Accounts Committee (FAAC) funds to finance his 2027 re-election campaign, describing the alleged action as “shameless, cruel, and criminal.” Reacting to reports alleging that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress diverted funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition, the opposition party said millions of Nigerians were sinking deeper into poverty and hopelessness due to the policies of the ruling party. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said allegations that more…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has commenced a trial-within-trial in the case involving six persons accused of plotting to overthrow the Nigerian government, with prosecutors seeking to prove that statements obtained from the defendants were made voluntarily. The special proceeding, which began on Tuesday, is aimed at determining whether the extra-judicial statements allegedly obtained by military investigators were freely given or extracted through coercion, torture or inducement, as claimed by defence lawyers. At the start of proceedings, the trial judge directed both parties to limit their arguments strictly to the issue of voluntariness and avoid discussing substantive matters already…

The United States has warned that parts of Africa are facing renewed extremist threats as remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS) regroup across the continent following their defeat in Iraq and Syria. ISIS was declared defeated in 2017 by the governments of Iraq and Syria after years of military campaigns backed by US-led coalition forces. However, by late 2014, militant factions claiming allegiance to ISIS had already emerged in several conflict zones across Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. In a newly released counterterrorism strategy, the US said the jihadist group splintered and relocated to Africa and Central Asia,…

Troops of Sector 2 under Operation HADIN KAI have intercepted and recovered more than 400 Starlink communication devices allegedly used by Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters across Nigeria’s North-East. The Sector Commander, Brigadier General Beyidi Martins, disclosed this while briefing defence correspondents on ongoing intelligence-led “strangulation operations” targeting terrorist logistics and communication systems. According to Martins, the devices linked to Starlink were recovered during military operations in Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle and other insurgent hideouts across the theatre of operations. He said the recoveries are part of broader efforts to cut off terrorists from operational support systems, including communication…

Popular Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo has died at the age of 40 after a private battle with cancer, throwing Nigeria’s entertainment industry into mourning. News of his death emerged on Tuesday evening, with colleagues and close associates confirming the tragic development. The actor had reportedly been battling cancer away from the public eye for months. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief across social media, with fans and celebrities paying tribute to one of Nollywood’s most recognisable stars. Concerns about Ekubo’s health had intensified in recent months after his prolonged absence from public life and social media. His last…

France has announced a $27 billion (€23 billion) investment initiative focused on clean energy, artificial intelligence, digital technology, agriculture and the maritime economy across Africa. The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi. The summit, organised to strengthen economic and political ties between France and African nations, brought together dozens of African heads of state and top business leaders, including Bola Tinubu and Aliko Dangote. Macron said €14 billion of the investment package would come from French public and private institutions, while €9 billion would be contributed by African investors.…

At least 81 members of the United Kingdom’s Labour Party have publicly demanded that Prime Minister Keir Starmer either resign or announce a timetable for his departure, deepening the biggest internal crisis of his leadership so far. The MPs, including Shabana Mahmood, represent around 20 per cent of Labour’s 403 lawmakers in parliament, the threshold required to trigger a formal leadership contest within the party. Despite the mounting pressure, Starmer has insisted he will remain in office. “The past 48 hours have been destabilising for government and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families,” Starmer…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has filed an appeal against the judgment delivered on May 5, 2026, by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, which awarded ₦100 million in damages to officials of the Department of State Services over alleged defamation. SERAP described the ruling as “a travesty and a miscarriage of justice” and said the decision was legally flawed and procedurally defective. The appeal was filed on May 8, 2026, by senior advocate Tayo Oyetibo on behalf of the organisation. SERAP also filed an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending the…