Author: Opalim Lifted

The United States President, Donald Trump, has claimed that Israel would not exist today without his intervention, dismissing suggestions that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu manipulated him into confronting Iran. Trump made the remark during an interview on the Pod Force One podcast while responding to claims that he had been drawn into the conflict by the Israeli leader. “He tricked me? No. I’m the one who started it,” Trump said. According to the US President, his decision was driven by concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “I started it because we can’t let them have a nuclear weapon. If it…

The Oyo State Police Command has said that a personal assistant attached to a member of the family of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, allegedly collaborated with kidnappers who abducted his sister and her two children in Ibadan. Police spokesperson, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that preliminary investigations indicate an insider role in the operation, suggesting that the abduction may have been facilitated by someone close to the family. According to the Command, the suspect allegedly provided support to the kidnappers, which led to the abduction of the victims in Ibadan, Oyo State. Security operatives said investigations are ongoing to…

The House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned the nation’s service chiefs and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to appear before Parliament over the worsening security situation across the country. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Sulaiman Gumi, who represents the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, during plenary on Tuesday. While presenting the motion, Gumi expressed concern over the escalating wave of insecurity in several parts of the country, particularly the persistent attacks by bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements. The lawmaker noted that despite ongoing military operations and…

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a direct face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an unusually personal appeal aimed at breaking the deadlock in the war. In a recent open letter, Zelensky urged both sides to set a clear date for negotiations and proposed a temporary ceasefire to allow talks to proceed. He said Ukraine was prepared to halt hostilities during any negotiation period, framing direct engagement as the only realistic path towards ending the conflict. The move came shortly after Putin acknowledged that Russia must improve and strengthen its air defence systems following a wave of…

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a self-styled native doctor, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo, and his wife, Awolegan Omolola, over an alleged contract scam involving more than N1 billion. The couple were arraigned before Justice Abubakar Usman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on a six-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and retention of proceeds of crime contrary to Section 17(a) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004. Taiwo and Omolola ran into trouble when a widow, Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, a proprietor of a private school in Delta State, petitioned…

At least 39 residents of Magamin Diddi village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been abducted by armed bandits while on a reconciliation mission aimed at restoring peace in the area. The victims, mostly community elders, reportedly travelled to Fadama Forest to meet with the parents of a notorious bandit leader known as Smally. The meeting was intended to improve relations between the village and the armed group and ease tensions that have disrupted daily life. However, the peace effort ended in tragedy when the bandit leader allegedly arrived with members of his gang and seized dozens…

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight foreign nationals over a staged abduction and ransom fraud scheme. In a statement on Monday, the command said the suspects, who are members of a transnational criminal syndicate, were involved in fake kidnapping schemes designed to extort ransom from unsuspecting families abroad. Five of the suspects — Suren Neta, Koffi Breno, Gondo Treso, Kougasi John, and Hemue Blinsi — are from Ivory Coast. Others are Zakaria Zawadogo from Burkina Faso, Cheik El-Mehdi from Mauritania, and Kunuji Ezekiel from the Republic of Benin. The police said they were arrested during an intelligence-led operation…

Rachael Alamu, the abducted principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle in Oriire LGA, Oyo state says the gunmen who kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers are neither demanding money nor calling for the implementation of Sharia law as a condition for their release. In a new video released on Monday, Alamu said their abductors are only demanding the release of some of their gang members who are in custody. The abducted principal said those spreading claims that the abductors are demanding N1 billion and the implementation of Sharia law are creating problems for the victims. She added that since they have been…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) faced a setback on Monday, June 8, 2026, as the re-arraignment of three National Assembly officials over alleged ₦337.06 million fraud could not proceed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jikwoyi, Abuja. The case is before Justice Muhammed Zubairu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the defendants were expected to take plea on an amended 23-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, criminal breach of trust, official corruption and illegal conversion of public funds. The defendants include Aishatu Bappa El-Nafaty, Director of Public Affairs in the Directorate…

Divock Origi has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 31, bringing an end to a career defined by decisive moments on some of the sport’s biggest stages. The former striker, best known for his spell at Liverpool between 2015 and 2022, lifted a remarkable collection of trophies during his time at Anfield, including the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Champions League. Origi became a cult hero among supporters for his habit of producing crucial late goals in high-pressure situations. One of his most memorable contributions came in the 2019 Champions League final, when…