Author: Vincent Osuwo

Russia claimed on Monday that it had downed 39 drones fired by Ukraine overnight, primarily targeting border regions. “The anti-air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 19 drones in the Kursk region, nine above Belgorod, three over Voronezh, and five over Bryansk,” all bordering Ukraine, the Russian defence ministry said on Telegram. Three more people were killed in an “attempted terrorist attack” in the northern Leningrad region near Saint Petersburg, according to the report. Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian fuel depots, refineries, and energy installations are common, particularly along the border. Russia has also conducted huge attacks on Ukrainian power installations,…

Terrorists reportedly ambushed a Nigeria Customs Service patrol camp in Koko, Kebbi State, killing one officer and abducting another.  Mohammed Tajuddeen Salisu, the Public Relations Officer of Kebbi Area Command, said in a press statement released to journalists on Sunday evening that the attack occurred on Thursday. “With deep regret, we announce a distressing incident that occurred at our Koko Besse patrol base on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at approximately 2100 hours. “A group of hoodlums attacked the patrol base, destroying properties and targeting our officers in a contest to the recent boost to anti-smuggling activities in the area. “The…

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is rallying Abuja youths and other stakeholders against participating in the planned statewide hunger and hardship protests from August 1 to 10.  During a ministerial engagement with FCT youths from Abuja South Federal Constituency in Kwali Area Council of the FCT on Sunday, Wike stated, “Youths and other stakeholders in Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils will also be engaged on the same issue in the coming days.” According to the News Agency of Nigeria, a similar meeting with stakeholders took place on Saturday at the Abuja Municipal Area Council. The minister added…

The Labour Party candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has warned Labour Party members and supporters not to abuse Kenneth Okonkwo, the party’s ex-Presidential Campaign Council spokesman, for his differing views.  A few hours after Okonkwo announced his departure from the LP, the party’s leadership referred to him as one of its moles. Okonkwo quit the LP on Sunday, citing continuing internal discord and a leadership crisis that threatened to split the party. In response to the statement, Obi, who was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2014 general election, stated that despite leaving the Labour Party, Okonkwo…

The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to cut fuel prices and the rising cost of food in the markets.  This call comes ahead of Nigerian youths’ planned statewide hunger protest from August 1 to 10. Dr. Bulus Yohanna, the State CAN Chairman, issued the request in a message to the Catholic faithful on Sunday and also urged youths to postpone the planned statewide hunger strike, claiming that protests and violence have never generated positive results. In his statement titled ‘Let Us Shun Protest and Violence’, the cleric said, “Christian faithful…

The Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit stormed a narcotics hub in the Agbado-Oke-Odo LCDA of Alimosho Local Government Area.  During the raid conducted by CSP Adetayo Akerele on Saturday, the team was alleged to have captured 124 people accused of drug trafficking, abuse, and criminal activity. Tokunbo Wahab, the state commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, confirmed this in a statement posted on X on Sunday. The statement read, “Acting on credible intelligence received in the form of SOS, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit led by CSP…

An Inspector of Police was killed during an attack at the Jakaan Police Station, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, by terrorists in the early hours of Sunday, July 28, 202g The state police public relations officer, Nahum Kenneth, confirmed the incident to our correspondent in a telephone interview on Sunday. Kenneth said, “We recorded a foiled attack by unknown gunmen at the police base in Jakana town. The gunmen tried to infiltrate into the police parameters, but the efforts of the Police Mobile Force attached to the police station in Jakana were able to repel the gunmen who…

Dirichukwu Patrick Nweke, a 49-year-old Nigerian immigration detainee, and his accomplice have been charged with running a drug ring after police raided the alleged $9 million narcotics operation at Sydney’s Villawood Immigration Detention Centre.  According to New South Wales Police on Saturday, organised crime investigators claim Nweke used an encrypted messaging service and formed a network of runners outside the detention centre, whom he coordinated and tasked with dealing large amounts of methylamphetamine and cocaine throughout Sydney. On July 11, officers discovered three cell phones while searching a unit at the correctional institution. Subsequent searches discovered 2 kg of methylamphetamine…

Spokesperson for the 2023 Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Kenneth Okonkwo, has stated that Nigeria cannot become great under the leadership of the All Progressive Party, APC, and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Okonkwo, in a statement on Sunday, mentioned that Nigeria has “no hope for the future” under the leadership of the two main political parties in the country. “It is obvious that the APC and PDP, as presently constituted, do not have what it takes to lead us to a great Nigeria,” he said. Kenneth Okonkwo criticizes Peter Obi, calls him ‘weak, indecisive leader’ The actor-turned-politician noted…

Kenneth Okonkwo, a spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, has criticised Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in 2023, for his approach to party problems.  Okonkwo, who joined the LP in 2022, accuses Obi of neglecting to address the party’s internal crisis. According to the filmmaker-turned-politician, Obi did not do enough to strengthen the party and resolve the leadership dilemma. “Every member of the Labour Party is confused today as to the future of the Labour Party because of lack of leadership from PO over the party, and unfortunately, when they look up to me to tell…