Author: Opalim Lifted

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has dismissed reports claiming bandits attempted to hijack a plane at Akure Airport in Ondo State on Sunday. The claim originated from an X user, @Admiral_Cyborg, who posted that bandits tried to “seize and take control of a plane in Ondo State.” FAAN clarified on X that the agency’s official press release made no mention of a hijacking. FAAN’s statement explained that the arrests were part of a coordinated security operation. Suspicious individuals were seen behind the airport perimeter near Eleyewo community, prompting an immediate response from FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC), the Nigerian…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says four suspected bandits have been arrested near Akure Airport in Ondo State after a coordinated security operation involving multiple agencies. In a statement on Sunday, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said the arrests followed a distress alert that suspicious individuals were sighted behind the airport perimeter towards the Eleyewo community. According to him, the alert prompted an immediate response from security personnel stationed at the airport. “Security personnel comprising FAAN’s Aviation Security (AVSEC), the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and other local…

A suspected bandit intrusion caused a security scare at Akure Airport in Ondo State on Sunday after armed men reportedly approached farmland near the airport’s runway area. The incident occurred in the afternoon when farmers working behind the airport’s operational fence suddenly ran towards the runway shouting for help after spotting armed men on motorcycles believed to be bandits heading toward their farms. The unusual movement close to the runway quickly drew the attention of air traffic controllers in the control tower. The controllers immediately raised the alarm and alerted airport security operatives while notifying the leadership of the Nigerian…

The Federal Government has accused embattled mining firm Jupiter Ltd of planning a smear campaign against Nigeria during the upcoming visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom. Officials said the alleged move is aimed at discrediting Nigeria and undermining ongoing reforms in the country’s mining sector. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the company intends to circulate false allegations internationally following a dispute over revoked mineral titles. The ministry’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, said the government had already responded to similar claims published in an article titled “Nigeria…

The Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB) has announced an upward review in the prices of some products within its stock-keeping units (SKUs) to mitigate rising operational and input costs. In a notice to distributors, the company said the adjustments were driven by prevailing economic conditions that have significantly increased the cost of doing business. NB, in a letter dated March 13 and signed by John Oloche Ademu, zonal business manager (West), said the new prices would take effect from March 20. The company said the adjustment would apply to select SKUs — a unique identifier used to track inventory within a…

Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško struck in the final 20 minutes to give Manchester United a precious win over Aston Villa in the battle for UEFA Champions League qualification. A game low on quality before the interval came alive afterwards, with United captain Bruno Fernandes playing a pivotal role. After Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez turned away a goal-bound effort from Bryan Mbeumo, Fernandes delivered a textbook near-post corner, which Casemiro flicked over Martínez and into the net off the far upright. On his first Premier League start in 14 months, Ross Barkley levelled for the visitors with a snap shot…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned Bolaji Abdullahi to immediately stop issuing press statements or making public comments in the party’s name. The party’s leadership said any continued unauthorised use of the party’s name or logo could lead to legal action. In a statement released on Sunday, the party’s National Chairman, Nafi’u Bala Gombe, and Board of Trustees (BoT) Secretary, Rufus Ikanmi, said Abdullahi has no authority to represent the party. Party leadership issues warning The leadership said if Abdullahi intends to join the ADC, he must follow the party’s official membership process. According to the statement, the former…

Muhammadu Sanusi II has said his years away from Kano following his dethronement as emir helped him avoid possible humiliation and gave him the opportunity to pursue further academic work. Speaking at the Fola Adeola Annual Ramadan Lecture, the monarch reflected on resilience during difficult moments, stressing that power and life outcomes ultimately change by the will of God. Sanusi said many people wrongly attribute their success or failure to powerful individuals, forgetting that circumstances can change beyond human control. “Too often in our lives, we attribute things to human beings, but they are all created,” he said. According to…

Lanre Issa-Onilu, director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), is poised to enter the race for the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State. Sources familiar with the political manoeuvring in the state say the former spokesman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently holding extensive consultations ahead of a possible declaration. Although Issa-Onilu has not formally announced his ambition, insiders say he is engaging key political stakeholders across Kwara as momentum builds ahead of party primaries. According to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties are expected to conduct primaries for various elective…

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to hunt down and kill Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as tensions between Iran and Israel continue to escalate. In a statement published Sunday on Sepah News, the official website of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the group described Netanyahu as a “child-killing criminal” and vowed to pursue him. “If this criminal, the killer of children, is still alive, we will continue working to hunt him down and kill him with all our strength,” the statement said. The threat emerged amid growing speculation online about Netanyahu’s health and whereabouts. Some social media…