Author: Vincent Osuwo

Hussaini Ismaila, a leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), has been sentenced to 20 years in prison on terrorist charges brought against him by the Department of State Services. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued the ruling on Tuesday, after Ismaila’s decision to modify his plea from not guilty to guilty on the four-count charge brought under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013. Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, was accused of organizing various attacks against police installations in Kano State in 2012. According to the prosecution, Ismaila orchestrated attacks on the…

Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak has been crowned the CAF Women’s Player of the Year over Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday. Chebbak, who has been an outstanding player for both club and nation, pleased voters with her leadership and consistency throughout the season. She contributed significantly to Morocco’s great international performances and proceeded to flourish for her club with a string of commanding midfield displays. Nigeria’s Ajibade, who had an outstanding season with the Super Falcons and PSG, nearly missed qualification. Her important contributions helped Nigeria win a record 10th WAFCON title. The honor…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Moroccan sensation Achraf Hakimi its 2025 African Footballer of the Year, capping an outstanding season for both club and country. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back won the prize for the first time, which was chosen by a council of specialists and renowned African football journalists. Hakimi entered the ceremony as the clear favorite after a spectacular season with PSG, which saw the club win four major titles: Ligue 1, the UEFA Champions League, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions. He also finished sixth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings. Hakimi…

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, claims that recent remarks by US President Donald Trump have inadvertently strengthened violent groups attempting to exploit international storylines to justify attacks on soft targets. Akume declared this in a press release issued on Wednesday, in response to the country’s continuous security issues, including the rise of violent extremism and banditry. On October 31, Chronicle NG reported that Trump listed Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” due to reports of Christian genocide. Trump threatened that if the alleged massacres of Christians continued, he may deploy the American military to…

President Bola Tinubu condemned the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the deaths of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other troops in Borno State. In a message released on his X account on Wednesday, the President remarked, “I am heartbroken by the abduction of our daughters in Kebbi and the painful loss of Brigadier General Musa Uba and the brave soldiers who fell in Borno. Their families and the families of the kidnapped schoolgirls are in my prayers.” Tinubu added that he is “depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty” and prayed for…

Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, has asked President Bola Tinubu to take strong action against Nigeria’s rising insecurity. Amaechi chastised the Federal Government for a lack of political will to combat deaths, terrorist attacks, and mass kidnappings throughout the country. In a message made on his X Twitter on Wednesday, the former minister of transportation from 2015 to 2022 stated that the failure to protect individuals has empowered terrorists and undermined public faith. “The government has failed to provide adequate protection for its citizens, as evidenced by the surge in terrorist attacks and mass kidnappings…

President Bola Tinubu has postponed his trip to South Africa for the G20 Leaders’ Summit until he receives additional security briefings from Vice President Kashim Shettima on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State. Tinubu also ordered the deployment of more security personnel “to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of the state and directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers,” according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday. The directive was “in response to the…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Garki, Abuja, was sealed off by armed police operatives on Wednesday. In the early hours of the day, security personnel in various patrol vans took positions around the facility, blocking passage in and out. Officers turned back staff personnel, journalists, and party sympathizers who arrived for routine tasks, citing “orders from above.” The development comes amid an intensifying leadership struggle inside the opposition party, with various groups vying for control of the National Working Committee (NWC). Details later…

Premier League leaders Arsenal will end their partnership deal with Rwanda at the conclusion of the season, the African country’s development board stated Wednesday. The Visit Rwanda pact, which was struck eight seasons ago, had come under growing scrutiny as conflict escalated in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which borders Rwanda. The DRC accuses Rwanda of equipping and backing the M23 militia, which has captured large portions of DRC territory since taking up weapons in 2021. The fighting has killed thousands of people and caused a humanitarian crisis, despite the fact that the DRC and M23 have recently…

Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District and was elected on the Labour Party platform, died in the United Kingdom while receiving medical treatment. He was the only LP member from Enugu State in the 10th National Assembly. This is the second serving senator from the South-East to pass away in two years, following Senator Ifea. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North, said he got the news “with profound shock and deep sorrow,” characterizing Ezea as “my dear brother and colleague.” Kalu added, “His death is a painful blow that has left me personally devastated. Senator…