Author: Vincent Osuwo

The family of the late Bilyaminu Bello opposed the presidential pardon of his wife, Maryam Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death for his murder. They called the move “the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through.” In a statement issued on Monday, Dr. Bello Mohammed, on behalf of the family, stated that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to include Sanda among the 175 inmates recently pardoned under the Prerogative of Mercy principle had reopened terrible wounds that had hardly healed. “To have Maryam Sanda walk the face of the earth again, free from any blemish…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed readiness to resume negotiations with the Federal Government to end the ongoing strike, saying it has received signals from government officials indicating willingness to restart talks. ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna revealed this on Monday during an interview with Channels Television, where he restated the union’s commitment to discussion as the best way to resolve the continuing industrial dispute. ASUU called a two-week strike on Sunday, stopping academic work at all public colleges, citing unfulfilled demands that had been hanging for years. In response, the Federal Government claimed that it had…

Multiple sources claimed on Monday that many individuals were killed over the weekend in Gaza City during deadly battles between Hamas security personnel and members of an armed clan. Skirmishes erupted last week between the Palestinian Islamist group and the Doghmush clan, following the implementation of an Israeli-Hamas ceasefire. Gunfights broke out on Sunday evening in Gaza City’s Sabra area, according to witnesses who spoke with AFP on the condition of anonymity because of concerns for their safety. “About 200 members of the (Hamas) security forces were present and fought until they completely subdued” the clan members, a local resident…

Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, has expressed profound sadness over the death of seasoned evangelist Dr. Uma Ukpai. In a post via X on Monday, Obi described Ukpai as one of Nigeria’s most esteemed clerics, noting his lifelong dedication to preaching the Gospel, healing, and uplifting souls across the country and beyond. Dr. Ukpai, who died at age 80, was an international evangelist, leader of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, and founder of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). Born in the small town of Asaga, Ohafia, in Abia State, Evangelist Ukpai…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of renowned evangelist Dr. Uma Ukpai, describing him as an anointed crusader of the faith filled with fire and ice for the gospel. Tinubu, in a tribute to Ukpai, said he was one of the leaders in the Lord’s army that brought the fervor of revival sweeping across Nigeria and parts of Africa in the 1980s. Tinubu, who called Ukpai a firebrand, stated that his mission was clearly to unite the Christian fold and different faiths and spread peace and harmony. The tribute read, “With a heavy heart, I mourn the…

Lecturers at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) complied with the two-week warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday. ASSU’s national secretariat had set the Federal Government a two-week deadline to meet its requests, which included increased money, better working conditions, and the payment of earned allowances, among other things. At the Bauchi Road campus on Monday afternoon, majority of the lecturers at the University of Jos remained off campus, leaving many students who had come for lectures stuck in their classrooms. In an interview with The PUNCH in Jos, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, chairman of…

Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, a renowned Nigerian evangelist and the spiritual leader of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, has died. His family revealed in a statement on Monday that he died on October 6, 2025, at the age of 80. The family hailed his death as a “glorious transition” from a life of selfless devotion to eternal rest. Ukpai, a spiritual general and founding father of faith, spent over six decades of his life evangelizing, teaching the Word dynamically, and demonstrating God’s power prophetically. His ministry touched millions of people in Nigeria and around the world, influencing destinies and encouraging…

The Lagos State Government on Monday re-arraigned convicted billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly called Evans. The High Court in Ikeja is hearing the murder case of two police officers by the kidnapper. He and his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, appeared before Justice A. O. Ogala on a five-count accusation of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to conduct kidnapping. Both suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. Details later…

Kano Pillars’ general manager Ahmed Musa has condemned the violent circumstances that occurred during their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) home game against Shooting Stars Sports Club on Sunday evening. In a poignant response, Musa called the occurrence “heartbreaking, shameful, and completely unacceptable,” adding that it does not reflect Kano Pillars Football Club’s true beliefs or historic history. “This club has always stood for community, passion, and respect—values that must never be overshadowed by violence or indiscipline,” Musa said. “Sadly, today, we fell far short of that standard.” The former Super Eagles captain issued an unreserved apology to Shooting Stars,…

Kano Pillars Fans caused chaos at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday evening after Shooting Stars (3SC) of Ibadan scored a dramatic 94th-minute equalizer to snatch a 1-1 draw against Kano Pillars in a Matchday 8 fixture of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL). Chronicle NG gathered that shortly after the away team scored, furious Kano Pillars supporters stormed the pitch, physically assaulting the referee, match officials, and Shooting Stars players. The development forced security operatives to fire tear gas in a desperate bid to restore order. Pictures of the incident obtained by Chronicle NG showed dozens of…