Author: Opalim Lifted

Businesses and residents along Mississippi Street in Maitama, Abuja, are counting their losses after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) demolished structures built along waterways. The demolition began on Tuesday following an order by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to remove structures obstructing waterways across the capital. The directive came after flash floods affected parts of Wuse 2, Gudu and Lokogoma on Saturday. According to reports in the area, some affected business operators and residents said they received little or no notice before the exercise. At Xpresso Café and Resto-Bar, parts of the property were demolished,…

At least 24 bandits have reportedly been killed after security operatives foiled an attempted mass abduction in Gidan Bawa village, Kandarawa Ward, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State. According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, about 40 gunmen loyal to notorious bandit kingpin Isiya Kwashen Garwa invaded the community on Tuesday, targeting residents, particularly women and children. The publication said the attack was thwarted after intelligence uncovered the planned operation by the bandits. The operation involved the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Katsina Community Watch Corps and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members from Guga camp. Zagazola Makama…

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcasters, online publishers, bloggers and other media practitioners against spreading misinformation, hate speech and inflammatory content as campaigns for Nigeria’s 2027 elections get underway. Presidential and National Assembly campaigns officially began on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. In a statement issued by Moses Jolayemi, Technical Adviser to NBC Director-General Charles Ebuebu, the Commission said the commencement of political campaigns places greater responsibility on information disseminators to uphold accuracy, fairness and professionalism. The NBC urged radio and television stations to ensure fair, balanced and equitable political coverage, warning them against using their platforms to promote…

The governments of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo have declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a public holiday to celebrate the 2026 Isese Day. The announcements were conveyed in separate statements issued by officials of the Lagos, Ogun and Oyo governments. Idris Aregbe, the special adviser to the Lagos governor on tourism, arts and culture, announced the public holiday in a statement released on Wednesday. Aregbe said Isese Day is more than a public holiday but a “living expression” of Yoruba spirituality. The special adviser said the public holiday would allow residents to fully participate in the traditional celebration. “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved an amendment to the National Mental Health Act 2021 to remove attempted suicide as a criminal offence in Nigeria. Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC meeting. Pate said the proposed amendment would be transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and passage. Under Nigeria’s existing criminal laws, attempted suicide remains an offence under provisions inherited from the colonial-era Criminal Code and Penal Code. The minister said this conflicts with the National Mental Health Act, which provides protection, treatment…

President Bola Tinubu has joined the United States Department of Justice’s request for additional time to respond to a court order concerning the release of records linked to allegations of drug trafficking against him. Christopher Carmichael, one of Tinubu’s lawyers, filed a notice of joinder at the US District Court on behalf of the Nigerian president, supporting the government’s request for a 10-day extension. “Intervenor joins Defendants’ motion for a 10-day extension of time to file response to the motion for summary judgment (DE 92), in as much as Intervenor requests that the responses remain on the same schedule,” the…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate preparation of a National Threat Assessment and a five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan aimed at improving coordination among Nigeria’s defence, intelligence and security agencies. The President gave the directive on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja, stressing the need for a unified strategy to address Nigeria’s changing security challenges. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said in a statement that Adeyinka Famadewa, special adviser on homeland security, would coordinate the nine-member committee constituted by Tinubu to prepare the strategic defence operations plan…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met with the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, at the State House, Abuja. The meeting focused on the management and disposal of houses seized nationwide by the anti-graft agency, with emphasis on transparency and accountability. The State House media office disclosed the meeting in a statement and photographs released on Tuesday night. It said Olukoyede and Darma briefed Tinubu on “the management and disposal of seized houses nationwide, under the rules of transparency and Accountability” at the…

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint more “mad men” into his administration — individuals he says are willing to challenge entrenched interests, confront broken systems and deliver measurable results. Murray-Bruce, a former Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, made the call in an open letter to Tinubu published on his X account on Wednesday. The former senator said his support for the administration should not prevent him from criticising its policies or offering suggestions aimed at improving the country. “Mr President, I write this as a supporter of your administration and as a Nigerian who wants you…

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is set to perform two concerts at St Petersburg’s 70,000-capacity Gazprom Arena in October, marking his most significant return to Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Tickets for both shows reportedly sold out within hours of going on sale on Monday, with prices ranging from 9,000 roubles (£78) to 160,000 roubles (£1,394). The concerts come as West attempts to rebuild his career after years of controversy surrounding antisemitic and pro-Nazi statements. The rapper apologised for his remarks in January, attributing his behaviour to a brain injury and bipolar disorder. He said he was…