Author: Vincent Osuwo

Enugu State police officers stopped an abduction attempt on the Adani-Nsukka Road, killing one armed suspect and recovering an AK-47 rifle during a heated early-morning fire battle with suspected kidnappers. According to our correspondent, the confrontation took place around 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 18, at the Ngene-Ukwu axis of the highway, when officers from the Adani Division, working with members of the Neighborhood Watch Group, apprehended the suspects as they allegedly emerged from a nearby bush to abduct occupants of a passing vehicle. SP Daniel Ndukwe, spokesperson for the Command, confirmed the incident on Monday, saying, “During the exchange…

The Federal Government has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund Overseas Scholarship Scheme, (PTDF) which would enable Nigerian postgraduate students to study in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia. On Monday, Dada Olusegun, the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, verified this in a post on X. “FG has announced the commencement of applications for 2026 Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Scholarships overseas,” the post said. According to a statement on the scholarship board website, the initiative is aimed at MSc and PhD candidates in oil and gas-related…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sternly condemned behaviour by some players and officials during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 final between hosts Morocco and Senegal in Rabat on Sunday night. In a statement on Monday, CAF said, “The Confédération Africaine de Football condemns the unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night,” the statement read. The continental football body mentioned that it strongly condemns any form of inappropriate conduct during matches, particularly actions directed at match officials…

Top chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have ruled out the granting of automatic tickets to governors, including Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who joined the party recently. A member of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that defection from another political party to the APC does not guarantee an automatic ticket. Supporting this sentiment, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, described the APC as democratic and progressive, stressing that all members…

FIFA President Gianni Infantino blasted “some Senegal players” for the “unacceptable scene” that clouded their triumph in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, when they walked off the field in protest of a penalty granted to Morocco. “We strongly condemn the actions of some ‘supporters,’ as well as Senegalese players and technical personnel. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner,” Infantino told AFP. “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport; it is simply not right.” The African football pinnacle event was…

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a complete investigation into the gruesome murder of a housewife, Fatima Abubakar, and her six children in Kano State. In a statement made on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President condemned the attack, calling it cruel, and expressed condolences to the dead family. “The President condemned the action as barbaric and condoled with the bereaved family over the tragedy,” the statement said. Tinubu also applauded the police for the swift arrest of the principal suspects and directed security agencies to ensure diligent prosecution. “The President commended the police…

Staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Area (FCDA) began an indefinite strike action on Monday, shutting down offices and halting operations across the territory. Employees of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority began a strike on Monday, halting governmental operations throughout Abuja. Our reporter, who arrived at the FCTA Secretariat at 8:10 a.m., noticed a strong security presence at the entrance, with members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police Force positioned at the gate. Employees were prohibited from accessing the site. The strike…

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) stated that the people of Rivers State are against the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, warning the state Assembly loyal to ex-governor, Nyesom Wike, to shelve the plan. In the same vein, the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council strongly condemned the Martin Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly over its ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. The groups warned that the plot is likely to fail and accused the lawmakers of pursuing selfish interests under the guise of constitutional procedure. The INC described the impeachment as an exercise in…

Marcus Rashford came off the bench and netted for Barcelona, but the La Liga leaders were defeated in a thrilling match against Real Sociedad. The England striker leveled the score with a header in the 70th minute in San Sebastian—marking his eighth goal in total since arriving on loan from Manchester United—to negate Mikel Oyarzabal’s volley. However, Barcelona were equal for under a minute before Goncalo Guedes netted the decisive goal. In a thrilling match, Barcelona received a penalty that was later revoked and had three goals ruled out, while Dani Olmo struck the post on two occasions. Fermin Lopez,…

Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea has refuted allegations of unfair officiating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal between hosts Morocco and Nigeria. Laryea, who talked in a viral video of himself receiving flowers after landing at Ghana’s Accra airport, called the match the tournament’s most difficult due to the huge stakes involved. Morocco overcame Nigeria 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw for 120 minutes in the semifinals in Rabat, advancing to the championship against Senegal. The setback terminated the Super Eagles’ fourth AFCON title bid, but they went on to win bronze in the third-place match. Speaking to…