Author: Opalim Lifted

The Kaduna police command and local authorities have dismissed reports that over 100 worshippers were abducted in Kajuru LGA, describing the claims as falsehoods spread by “conflict entrepreneurs” seeking to disrupt the state’s relative peace. Earlier today, BBC reported that armed gangs kidnapped dozens of people attending two churches in Kurmin Wali, a forest community in Afogo ward of Kaduna. The report quoted a senior church leader as saying more than 160 worshippers were abducted by gunmen during Sunday service. However, speaking on Monday after a state security council meeting at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, Muhammad Rabiu, the…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked the federal government to immediately clarify the contents of the health cooperation memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently signed between Nigeria and the United States, citing concerns over alleged conflicting framings. In December, the US signed a five-year bilateral health MoU with Nigeria to strengthen the country’s health system with a strong focus on supporting Christian faith-based healthcare providers. The agreement is expected to expand access to essential preventive and curative services, including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio interventions. Under the MoU, the US government intends to commit nearly $2.1…

Senegal stormed off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before returning to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time and win the Africa Cup of Nations amid farcical scenes in Sunday’s final. Midfielder Pape Gueye netted the 94th-minute winner after Morocco’s star player Brahim Diaz had squandered the chance to win it for the home side by fluffing the last-gasp penalty in normal time following a 14-minute delay amid chaotic scenes. Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered his players off and it was talisman Sadio Mane who persuaded them to return. The penalty was awarded following…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) say they have arrested Lekan Jimoh, a wanted “drug kingpin” popularly known as ‘Kanmo-Kanmo’, 12 years after the murder of three NDLEA officers. Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the NDLEA, in a statement on Sunday, said Jimoh was apprehended on Friday, after operatives tracked him to his hideout in Owode town, Ogun state, following credible intelligence. The agency said 69 kilogrammes of skunk and a strain of cannabis were recovered from the suspect at the point of arrest. NDLEA said Jimoh had been on the run since June 15, 2014, when he…

The Federal Fire Service has delivered a timely safety reminder, urging households to treat their gas cylinders like VIPs. The message, light-hearted in tone but serious in intent, highlights everyday habits that can prevent fires, explosions and needless loss. According to the service, a gas cylinder is a pressure-holding device and should always be handled with respect. First rule is posture. Cylinders must be kept upright at all times. Laying them down increases the risk of leaks and instability. Ventilation is equally critical. Cylinders should never be locked inside tight cabinets or airless corners. Fresh air helps disperse gas quickly…

The United States (US) relied on information and reports from Emeka Umeagbalasi, a screwdriver trader in Onitsha, Anambra state, to launch air strikes in Nigeria, New York Times reports. In October, US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” in response to allegations of a Christian genocide in the country. “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Trump said, blaming radical Islamists for the “mass slaughter”. A month later, he threatened that the US department of war would invade Nigeria “guns-a-blazing”, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists if…

The Kano state police command has arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of a housewife and her six children at Dorayi Chiranchi quarters in Kano municipal LGA. The arrests followed a directive from Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police, and were carried out in an intelligence-led operation overseen by Ibrahim Bakori, Kano commissioner of police. In a statement on Sunday, Abdullahi Kiyawa, police spokesperson, identified the suspects as Umar Auwalu, 23; Isyaku Yakubu (also known as Chebe), 40; and Yakubu Abdulaziz (also known as Wawo), 21. The trio was nabbed during a sting operation that ran from 10…

The Deputy President-General of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has urged President Bola Tinubu to pardon the jailed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, as part of measures to secure his 2027 re-election. He also called on the President to take steps to neutralise opposition forces against his second term, warning that failure to do so could endanger his ambition. Isiguzoro said pardoning Kanu, suspending the newly introduced tax law, and fully implementing the 2014 National Conference report would help stabilise the polity, Punch News said. The Igbo leader added that Tinubu also…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has dragged all 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to court over their refusal to account for billions of naira spent as ‘security votes’ since May 29, 2023. The lawsuit comes amid rising insecurity across the country, including the recent massacre in Benue State, despite more than ₦400 billion reportedly budgeted annually as security votes nationwide. SERAP disclosed that at least 10 governors alone earmarked about ₦140 billion for security votes in their 2026 budgets. Filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja…

Kebbi State is set to host the world-famous Argungu International Fishing Festival from February 11 to 14, with organisers promising a colourful celebration of history, culture and unity. The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, announced the dates after an expanded meeting of the State Festival Main Committee and the Emirate Local Organising Committee at the Deputy Governor’s Office in Birnin Kebbi. Tracing the roots of the festival, the Emir said it began as a peace initiative between the Sokoto Caliphate jihadists and the Kanta Kingdom, before evolving into a globally recognised cultural event. Its historical value later earned it…