Author: Opalim Lifted

Troops of Operation UDO KA of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected informant of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Anambra State. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the suspect was apprehended on Saturday afternoon during a routine patrol along the Owerre-Ezukala axis in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. Citing security sources, Makama said the patrol was conducted in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSS), and local…

Gabriel Magalhaes skied the decisive spot-kick as Arsenal were denied a first Champions League triumph in a penalty shootout defeat by Paris St-Germain (PSG), who won the competition for a second successive year. Mikel Arteta’s side lifted the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last weekend, but were denied a league and European double in the most heartbreaking of fashions in a hot and humid Puskas Arena. The Gunners made a dream start to the final in Budapest when Kai Havertz, who scored the winning goal in the Champions League final for Chelsea against Manchester City…

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki has announced former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The decision was ratified on Saturday during a special national convention held at the party’s office in Area 10, Garki District, Abuja. Jonathan was not present at the event, but his certificate of return was received on his behalf by Fred Agbedi, a member of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa State. The convention had initially been scheduled for the A-Class Park and Event Centre, but plans changed after the Federal Capital Territory…

State governors under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) are proposing a new national minimum wage of ₦100,000 as discussions continue on measures to ease the economic burden facing Nigerian workers. The proposal was disclosed by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who chairs the NGF. He said the move was driven by the sharp rise in living costs, persistent inflation and growing financial pressure on workers across the country. According to AbdulRazaq, state governments recognise the need to improve workers’ welfare in line with current economic realities. He said governors are already consulting with the Federal Government and organised labour to…

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, has warned that anyone contemplating a coup against the government is “wasting their time”, describing those accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu as “a bunch of confused individuals”. Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Musa said the military officers and civilians currently facing prosecution over an alleged coup plot had been identified and investigated by security authorities, stressing that they are being given the opportunity to defend themselves in court. The alleged plot first came into focus after the federal government cancelled the military parade planned for Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration in…

Andoni Iraola has emerged as the leading candidate to become Liverpool’s next manager following the dismissal of Arne Slot after two seasons in charge at Anfield. Liverpool confirmed on Saturday that Slot had been relieved of his duties despite guiding the club to their 20th league title in his debut campaign. However, a disappointing second season, which ended with a fifth-place Premier League finish, prompted the club’s hierarchy to make a change. The Reds have already approached Iraola to discuss the vacant position, with the Spaniard now considered the frontrunner to take over. Iraola recently left Bournemouth after enhancing his…

Liverpool parted ways with Arne Slot on Saturday after the Dutch manager, who won the Premier League title in his first season, failed to live up to expectations in a roller-coaster second campaign that ended with the club finishing fifth. The former Feyenoord boss replaced Jürgen Klopp in 2024 and impressed in his first season as Liverpool won the Premier League title, powered by Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah’s 29 goals and 18 assists in the league. However, his second season at Liverpool transformed from a title defence into a desperate scramble for Champions League qualification. The Reds also failed to…

Former Rivers State governor and ex-minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has denied reports that he was offered the vice-presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the party’s controversial 2027 presidential primary. Amaechi, who contested the primary alongside Atiku Abubakar and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, finished second in the exercise. Atiku was declared winner with 1,846,370 votes, while Amaechi secured 504,117 votes and Hayatu-Deen polled 177,120 votes. On Tuesday, Amaechi formally rejected the outcome of the primary, alleging irregularities and voter disenfranchisement. He argued that the results did not reflect the democratic values the party had promised to uphold and described…

Teachers and civil society groups took to the streets of Ibadan on Friday, demanding urgent action to secure the release of dozens of teachers and schoolchildren abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The protesters, led by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group and supported by the Nigeria Teachers Congress (NTC), called on authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the victims, who were kidnapped during coordinated attacks on three schools in Ogbomoso on May 15. Gunmen reportedly stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School, abducting at least 45 pupils and…

Nigeria’s Safe School Initiative, launched in the aftermath of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, is facing renewed scrutiny as a fresh wave of kidnappings and attacks on schools continues to threaten students and teachers across the country. The programme was introduced to improve security in schools, support vulnerable communities and ensure uninterrupted education in high-risk areas. However, recent incidents have reignited concerns about its effectiveness, with reports indicating that more than 100 students were kidnapped in May alone. Among the latest attacks was the abduction of students and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State…