Author: Opalim Lifted

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has confirmed the kidnapping of two persons yesterday in Otu town, Oyo State, by gunmen. The Public Relations Officer of NSCDC in the state, Samuel Opabiyi, gave the confirmation in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Saturday. “Yes, it is true, but the police have taken over the investigation because it falls under their purview,” Opabiyi said. Otu is one of the towns in the Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state. NAN further gathered that the two victims were identified as Dayo Olayanju and one Mrs. Obasola,…

Arsenal reignited their Premier League title challenge by thrashing struggling Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners’ fight at the top had faltered towards the end of last year as they lost three of their past five Premier League games. But, after heading off to Dubai for a week-long winter break, Mikel Arteta’s side returned reinvigorated as a Gabriel header, Dean Henderson’s own goal, a Leandro Trossard finish, and two late Gabriel Martinelli strikes sealed the three points. The first two goals came from corners, with the opener coming in the 11th minute when Gabriel nodded in before the defender’s…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) probes ‘poisonous’ plantain chips allegation says it is investigating a viral social media post alleging a woman fried plantain chips using oil adulterated with polythene. In a statement on Saturday by NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the agency said it was taking a science-based approach to verifying the claim before taking any action. The agency assured citizens of its commitment to safeguarding public health amid the disturbing allegation. According to the viral post, a woman allegedly melted about five pieces of “olonka rubber” (polythene) into oil before grating…

Oil and gas-producing communities of Delta State (OGPC) yesterday urged the EFCC to hasten the investigation and prosecution of former Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on how he managed the 13 percent oil derivation funds for eight years. They alleged that Okowa has to account for over N1.2 trillion meant for the physical development of the oil-producing communities of Delta State to truncate the arm of justice. The communities represented by the Association of Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Delta State, at a press conference in Abuja, lamented the foot-dragging by the EFCC to invite Okowa for…

The acting director general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, said all private jets operating as charter operators will have their licences revoked. Najomo also disclosed that the agency will not be relocating its headquarters to Lagos. Speaking at an interactive session with journalists to unveil his vision for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, titled “NCAA Project 2024,” in Lagos, Capt. Najomo said NCAA headquarters remain in Abuja, expressed concern over the illicit activities of illegal private jet operators in the country, and said if private jets want to operate as commercial or charter operators, they…

The Operations Manager of BON Hotel Nest Ibadan, Tunde Solomon, has passed away due to a heart attack linked to an explosion near the hotel in Bodija. Chronicle NG reported the explosion, which rocked the Adeyi area at Old Bodija, Ibadan, on Tuesday night. According to reports, the explosion claimed five lives and inflicted serious injuries on 77 residents of the area. It also damaged about 58 houses. The management of BON Hotel Nest Ibadan, in a statement posted on the official Instagram account of the hotel on Friday, disclosed Mr. Solomon’s demise. Describing him as a dedicated worker with…

Kidnappers have seized Abuja, Nigeria’s capital sending residents into a frenzy and seeking self-help as the federal government led by President Bola Tinubu looks on unperturbed. Nigerians are no longer guaranteed the safety of their lives and property and in some instances, they have had to crowdfund to pay ransom to marauding gunmen who abduct people at will. Even worse, is that President Tinubu, the nation’s chief security officer and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and service chiefs have treated the menace as a priority. Abuja used to be regarded as one of the…

William Troost-Ekong penalty gave the Super Eagles of Nigeria a 1-0 victory over hosts Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday. The Nigeria captain struck from the spot early in the second half in Abidjan as the Super Eagles claimed their first victory of the tournament and leapfrogged the Ivorians in Group A. Ivory Coast spurned a host of chances and paid the price after Ousmane Diomande was adjudged to have fouled Victor Osimhen in the area following a review by VAR. The result meant Nigeria drew level with Equatorial Guinea on four points in the group,…

Former Middlesbrough and Birmingham full-back Emilio Nsue scored a hat-trick as Equatorial Guinea roared to a 4-2 Africa Cup of Nations win over Guinea-Bissau. Nsue, now 34 and captaining his national side as well as leading the attack, hit the first treble at an AFCON since 2008. The Elephants now have four points from their first two matches in Group A following Sunday’s surprise 1-1 draw with Nigeria. The opening goal arrived in the 21st minute following a poor clearance by Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Ouparine Djoco. Pablo Ganet lifted the ball over the back line into the path of Nsue, who…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has lamented the trend towards gratification and the quest for bribes by some of the commission’s investigators. He cautioned the perpetrators to discontinue such immoral acts or face sanctions. Olukoyede stated this on Thursday in his New Year’s address to staff members of the anti-graft agency at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. While noting that the preceding year threw up monstrous challenges for the corporate strength of the EFCC, he added that the commission has been able to stabilise the system and roll out fresh initiatives and policy direction for…