Author: Opalim Lifted

At least 43 people have died after inhaling toxic fumes during an alleged illegal fuel siphoning operation in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. The incident occurred around midnight on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Okari Jetty in Okrika Mainland, where a vessel was reportedly loading petroleum products for export. Sources in the community said more than 200 youths from neighbouring communities arrived in wooden boats and attempted to siphon fuel through an illegally connected tapping point on a pipeline linked to the facility. Witnesses said the victims were exposed to concentrated chemical fumes while loading the product into…

Two workers have been rescued alive from a tunnel linked to a hydropower station in Nepal, nine days after a devastating glacier collapse unleashed ice, rock and mud through the Trishuli River valley. The dramatic rescue on Friday offered a rare moment of hope as search teams continued looking for survivors following the August 26 disaster, which has killed more than 1,300 people and left thousands missing. Officials and rescue workers believe the collapse trapped at least 900 people inside tunnels connected to six hydropower projects along the Trishuli River. Kabir Maharjan and Sanjay Sah were pulled from a tunnel…

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has praised President Bola Tinubu’s democratic credentials, saying his administration has created an environment where a ruling party can lose a state election without “the sky” falling. Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday at Freedom Online’s seventh annual lecture held at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, where he discussed Nigeria’s democracy and preparations for the 2027 elections. The governor pointed to the August 15 Osun governorship election as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to democratic principles. The election was won by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, who contested on the platform of another party and defeated the All…

Argentina’s football authorities have announced a nationwide tribute to Lionel Messi following the superstar’s decision to retire from international football. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said all football matches across the country this weekend will be paused in the 10th minute of the first half for a 60-second round of applause in honour of Messi’s international career. The tribute will apply across men’s and women’s divisions and disciplines. “For the upcoming matchday across all men’s and women’s divisions and disciplines, matches will be paused in the 10th minute of the first half for a minute of applause in recognition of…

Nigerian journalist and public affairs analyst Oluwafemi Popoola says Atiku Abubakar’s fresh push on subsidy and economic relief is creating a new political headache for Tinubu ahead of 2027, while Peter Obi could be losing ground. Popoola, a Nigerian journalist and columnist who previously served on the media strategy team of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, made the observation in a recent viral article published by TheCable titled, “Atiku’s Subsidy Gambit: Tinubu Has a New 2027 Problem.” He argued that Atiku’s renewed focus on fuel prices, foreign exchange, transportation and the rising cost of living could give the former vice-president…

Nigeria has denied allegations that it backed the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic, describing the claims as baseless and mischievous. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made the clarification in a statement issued yesterday in response to social media claims that the coup attempt was backed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and, by implication, the Nigerian government. The government said the claims were “baseless, irresponsible” and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and damage Nigeria’s reputation. Enikanolaiye stressed that Nigeria is a peace-loving nation committed to constitutional order, democracy…

The Presidency has clarified that the ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation involving President Bola Tinubu in a United States federal court is a civil records-disclosure dispute, not a criminal case. The clarification followed what the Presidency described as speculative reports and public commentary suggesting that proceedings before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia amounted to a criminal case or a judicial finding of wrongdoing against Tinubu. In a statement on Thursday, the Presidency stressed that the court had neither charged nor convicted the President of any criminal offence. It said the dispute centres on…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering a comprehensive audit of its electoral technology systems and a mock presidential election ahead of the 2027 General Elections. The proposed measures are aimed at identifying weaknesses in the commission’s electoral technology and testing its readiness before the next general elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the 13th Annual International Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN). Amupitan, who was represented by National Commissioner, Prof. Sanni Adam, said the proposed technology audit would examine system redundancy, penetration…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Mahmud Abubakar before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over alleged retention and transfer of criminal proceeds totalling about N1.09 billion. Abubakar was arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Nwabulu Ngozika at the Maitama division of the FCT High Court on two counts bordering on alleged proceeds of crime. The EFCC alleged that Abubakar retained N795.36 million in an Access Bank account in his name between January and December 2024, knowing that the funds were proceeds of crime. He was also accused of transferring N303.616 million from the account to…

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has disowned a viral publication directing prospective constables to report for training on September 18, 2026, describing it as “fake”. The viral publication, which appeared online recently, directed newly recruited police constables to resume training on September 18 and come along with certain items. In a statement on Thursday, the police said the notice did not come from the force. The force asked prospective trainees to disregard the notice and rely only on information provided through their respective recruitment portals and the official communication channels of the police. “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state…