Author: Opalim Lifted

Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company of Saudi Arabia, has shut down its Ras Tanura oil refinery following a fire sparked by debris from an intercepted Iranian drone near the facility. According to a report by the Saudi Press Agency, the fire was caused by debris from the interception of two drones in the vicinity of the refinery. The publication stated that the Ras Tanura refinery, one of the largest in the world, suffered only minor damage, citing a source from the ministry of energy. “The incident resulted in a limited fire, which was immediately contained by emergency response teams,”…

Gunmen have released five worshippers abducted from a Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) in Uso, Owo LGA, Ondo State. The abduction occurred on February 25, when gunmen attacked the church during an early morning prayer session and took six worshippers. Jimoh Abayomi, police spokesperson in Ondo, said the command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes, immediately launched a rescue operation. One of the abducted worshippers was rescued, and one suspect was arrested. On Monday, the five remaining worshippers were released in the evening after their families reportedly paid a ransom of N9 million. The kidnappers initially demanded…

For the first time in nearly 37 years, Iran will have a new supreme leader. Until his death on February 28, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had dramatically shaped the Islamic Republic since succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. Khomeini was the country’s first supreme leader. “Ayatollah” is a high-ranking title in Twelver Shia Islam, meaning “Sign of God.” It is awarded to senior Shia clerics who demonstrate exceptional religious scholarship and have the authority to interpret Islamic law. In Iran’s political system, it carries immense weight. At the time he took office, Khamenei was an ayatollah. But shortly before his death,…

Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites, have staged protests in several states over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, during recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Demonstrators were seen in Lagos, Kano, Niger State, Sokoto, Gombe, and Kaduna, condemning the joint military action by the United States and Israel, which reportedly led to Khamenei’s death alongside members of his family. Similar protests were reported in Bauchi and Yobe states. The protesters waved Iranian flags, displayed portraits of Khamenei, and carried placards denouncing both the United States and Israel, while expressing solidarity with Iran.…

Riyadh has emerged as a critical escape route for wealthy individuals and senior executives fleeing the Middle East amid escalating tensions. According to Semafor, private security firms are arranging fleets of SUVs to transport clients from Dubai to Riyadh, where private jets chartered to Europe await. Those leaving include senior executives at global financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals visiting the region for business or leisure. Ameerh Naran, CEO of Vimana Private, said flights from Riyadh to Europe now cost up to $350,000 (N479 million). “Saudi Arabia is the only real option for people wanting to leave the region,” he added.…

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to ensure the National Gas Infrastructure Command Centre (NGCC) is delivered strictly under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The commission said the project will be fully funded by the private sector, with no public funding, sovereign guarantees or contingent liabilities for the federal government. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the NGCC project steering committee, Jobson Ewalefoh, director-general of the ICRC, stressed that presidential approval came with firm conditions. He said the NGCC conceived as a real-time national platform for monitoring and coordinating Nigeria’s gas infrastructure must comply with…

The United States (US) Department of State has issued a US global security alert warning its citizens in Nigeria and across the world to exercise heightened caution following escalating hostilities with Iran. In a statement released on Sunday, the department said evolving security conditions could affect travel plans and personal safety, particularly in the Middle East. The warning follows recent American combat operations against Iranian targets, which have intensified tensions between Washington and Tehran. According to the advisory, Americans may experience disruptions to international travel due to periodic airspace closures. “Following the launch of US combat operations in Iran, Americans…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced the commencement of exceptional flight operations across UAE airports to enable stranded passengers affected by recent regional developments to depart. The UAE closed its airspace, while Qatar Airways suspended all flights, after Iran launched reprisal missile attacks on United States military bases across the Middle East. Dubai Airports also shut down operations indefinitely, while several global airlines announced temporary suspensions of services to and from the Middle East. In a statement on Monday, the authority said flights would operate in line with schedules to be communicated by airlines…

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that the shooting down of three American fighter jets over Kuwait on Monday was the result of a friendly fire incident involving Kuwaiti air defence systems. Earlier, the Kuwait Ministry of Defence announced that several US military aircraft had crashed but did not disclose the cause or the number involved. The ministry stated that all crew members were safe. In a subsequent statement, CENTCOM clarified that three United States Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft were flying in support of “Operation Epic Fury” when they were mistakenly engaged by Kuwaiti air defences…

Several US warplanes crashed in Kuwait on Monday morning as Iran pressed ahead with a third consecutive day of retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region. Kuwait’s defence ministry confirmed the incident, stating that all crew members survived and were evacuated for medical evaluation. Authorities said the cause of the crash remains under investigation. “Search and rescue operations were immediately initiated,” a ministry spokesman said, adding that the crew were transported to hospital and are in stable condition. The crashes came amid intensifying Iranian attacks targeting American interests and regional allies. Black smoke was seen rising near the United States Embassy…