Author: Opalim Lifted

The identities of 177 worshippers abducted on Sunday at three churches in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state have been revealed. On Sunday, gunmen attacked three churches in the community and whisked away more than 100 worshippers. However, on Monday, the Kaduna police command dismissed the report as falsehood spread by “conflict entrepreneurs” seeking to disrupt the state’s relative peace. Speaking during a press briefing in Kaduna, Muhammad Rabiu, commissioner of police, challenged persons spreading the reports to provide names and details of the victims, insisting that there was no record of such abductions. Their denial drew criticism from Nigerians, including…

Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey have been named in the team of the tournament for the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The best XI of the 2025 AFCON was announced by CAF on Wednesday. Osimhen scored four goals and provided two assists for the Super Eagles as Nigeria won AFCON bronze for the ninth time. Lookman had the most goal contributions in the tournament. He scored four goals and assisted three more to be named among the best AFCON players for the second consecutive tournament. Bassey was one of the standout performers for the Eagles,…

Hilda Baci, the celebrity chef, has become a three-time Guinness World Records (GWR) holder after achieving the record of largest serving of rice. In an Instagram post, Baci shared an email from Andrew Fanning, a member of the GWR creative team, informing her that during her June attempt to set the record for the largest serving of Nigerian jollof rice, she also broke the record for the largest serving of rice. Fanning said the record was achieved “proactively”, as the additional milestone was identified during the review of her original attempt. “It has come to our attention when comparing record…

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the abduction of over 100 worshippers in the Kurmin Wali community in the Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state, 24 hours after denying the report. On Sunday, gunmen attacked three churches in the community and whisked away about 167 worshippers. However, on Monday, the Kaduna police command dismissed the report as a falsehood spread by “conflict entrepreneurs” seeking to disrupt the state’s relative peace. Speaking during a press briefing in Kaduna, Muhammad Rabiu, the state’s commissioner of police, challenged those spreading the reports to provide names and details of the victims, insisting that there…

Christian Solidarity Worldwide–Nigeria (CSW-N) has insisted that over 100 worshippers were abducted by suspected bandits in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru LGA of Kaduna, despite denials by the police and local authorities. On Sunday, assailants in large numbers attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru LGA, Kaduna abducting more than 100 worshippers during Sunday services. However, Mohammed Rabiu, Kaduna state commissioner of police, and Dauda Madaki, chairman of Kajuru LGA, dismissed the reports as “falsehoods” being spread by “conflict entrepreneurs”. Speaking at a press conference on Monday at the government house in Kaduna, Rabiu and Madaki challenged those making the…

The Presidency has insisted that the long-debated claim of Christian genocide in Nigeria was falsely originated by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). A report published earlier this month by The New York Times had accused Emeka Umeagbalasi, a trader and leader of an Onitsha-based NGO, Intersociety, of masterminding the genocide claim that prompted the action of U.S. President Donald Trump and some lawmakers. Reacting to the report, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, said the facts are beginning to emerge. In a statement on his official X handle yesterday, Bwala recalled a series…

Holders Paris St-Germain (PSG) missed the chance to all but mathematically secure their place in the Champions League knockout stages as they suffered a shock defeat to Sporting in Lisbon. PSG enjoyed more than 70% possession and had 28 shots during a dominant showing, but fell behind to Luis Suarez’s close-range finish with 16 minutes left to play. Substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia equalised five minutes later with a curling strike into the top corner. But the French side were stunned in the 90th minute when Colombian striker Suarez struck after PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier spilled a long shot. Luis Enrique’s side…

Gabriel Jesus scored twice as Arsenal won at Inter Milan to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League and guarantee themselves a top-two finish in the league phase of the competition. The Gunners were all but certain of a top-eight finish coming into this match and set their longest ever winning streak in the competition with an impressive seventh success. They had Inter pinned back from the beginning before Jesus’ poked finish from close range put them ahead in the 10th minute. Inter built up their own period of pressure after going behind and Petar Sucic levelled when he…

Kylian Mbappe scored twice with Jude Bellingham also on target as Real Madrid thrashed Monaco in Alvaro Arbeloa’s first Champions League game in charge of the Spanish side. Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso on 12 January after Real Madrid lost to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, saw his side run out comfortable winners to boost their chances of reaching the last 16. The 15-time European champions only needed five minutes before they took the lead against Monaco, whose former player hurt them yet again. Franco Mastantuono made a bright run down the right and fed captain Federico Valverde,…

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has accused some local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of exploiting the Makoko community for financial gain, insisting their opposition to recent demolitions is driven by profit rather than genuine concern for residents. Speaking recently, during the signing of the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law at Lagos House, Ikeja, the governor pushed back against mounting criticism over the ongoing clearance of structures in the waterfront settlement. Sanwo-Olu said the Lagos State Government has no interest in arbitrarily demolishing homes, stressing that the exercise is solely about public safety and the protection of critical infrastructure. “Of…