Pope Francis has been laid to rest at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome, following a private entombment ceremony attended by close associates. The entombment took place after a solemn funeral Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, where thousands of mourners — including world leaders, monarchs, and dignitaries — gathered on Saturday to pay their final respects. After the funeral Mass, the late pontiff’s coffin was transported from the Vatican to Santa Maria Maggiore, with crowds lining the streets to witness the historic moment. Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke,…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) fruit basket faction in Kano State, Senator Masud El-Jibril Doguwa, has announced plans to convene an emergency meeting following the recent defections of several key party figures to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Among those who defected on Thursday are Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (Kano South Senatorial District), Kabiru Alhassan Rurum (Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency and former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly), Sha’aban Sharada (former representative of Kano Municipal Federal Constituency), and Aliyu Gini (Dala Federal Constituency), among others. Speaking on Friday, Doguwa said the defections were not unexpected,…
Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday met with the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Abuja, fueling fresh speculation about Kwankwaso’s possible return to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The two political figures were sighted together after the Jumaat prayers at a mosque in the nation’s capital. According to a report by The Nation, El-Rufai was accompanied by his eldest son, Hon. Bello El-Rufai, during the meeting. The development comes amid growing rumours that Kwankwaso has struck a deal with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that could pave the…
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced significant achievements in ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-oil theft operations across the country, revealing that over 100 terrorists were killed, 100 suspects arrested, and 21 kidnapped victims rescued between April 17 and 25, 2025. Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, highlighting coordinated offensives across Nigeria’s key regions. “In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched aggressive offensives leading to the surrender of ISWAP/JAS elements and the elimination of dozens of terrorists,” Kangye stated. He added that in the North West, under Operation…
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest of 22 Nigerians accused of running extensive sextortion schemes that have been linked to the suicides of more than 20 teenage boys in the United States since 2021. The arrests were made following Operation Artemis, a major international operation involving law enforcement agencies from Nigeria, the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. According to a statement published on the FBI’s official website, the suspects were apprehended after an almost two-year investigation into online sextortion rackets that targeted teenage boys across various social media platforms. The FBI revealed that…
The Young Progressive Party (YPP) governorship candidate for the November 8 Anambra State election, Sir Paul Chukwuma, has named Chief Uzu Okagbue, a former aide to ex-Governor Willie Obiano, as his running mate. Chukwuma officially unveiled Okagbue during a ceremony held on Friday at the YPP state secretariat in Udoka, Awka. Speaking at the event, Chukwuma described Okagbue as a perfect fit for his vision of a progressive Anambra State. “Uzu is a fitting choice for my progressive vision for Anambra State. God has made it possible for us to agree in one voice on who should be our deputy…
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has raised alarm over what it describes as a pattern of lopsided federal appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the administration of favoring the Southwest region at the expense of Nigeria’s five other geopolitical zones. In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the NEF alleged that the president’s appointments since assuming office in October 2023 violate the Nigerian Constitution and undermine national unity. Citing Chapter 2, Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, the forum reminded the federal government that the composition of the government and its agencies must reflect Nigeria’s…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has addressed growing concerns over recent political realignments and defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming the democratic rights of association and expression. In a statement on Thursday, Atiku emphasized that these rights are non-negotiable pillars of democracy. “Freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy; they are fundamental rights,” he said, stressing that the rule of law, credible elections, and accountability must be upheld to sustain democratic governance. The PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 elections also responded to criticism surrounding his recent…
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits attacked a newly-wedded couple on Wednesday night in Akaleku village, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, shooting the husband and abducting his wife. The attack occurred at about 11:00 p.m. at the couple’s residence along the Lafia/Makurdi Highway, according to eyewitness accounts. An eyewitness told journalists that the assailants stormed the home under the cover of darkness, opened fire on the man, and whisked his wife away to an unknown destination. The couple, who were said to have married on April 12, were reportedly still in the early days of their honeymoon when…
A 30-year-old herder, Muazu Anaruwa, was reportedly killed by suspected bandits who also made away with 40 cows in Kogon Dutse village, located in the Old Muri district of Taraba State. According to security reports obtained by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred on April 22 but came to public attention after Muazu failed to return from grazing. His father, Alhaji Audu Anaruwa, raised the alarm by reporting him missing, prompting a search operation by security personnel. Muazu’s lifeless body was later discovered in a grazing field by police officers, bearing gunshot wounds. All the livestock under his care…
Former National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Salihu Lukman, has described the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Delta governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to the APC as “expected. Lukman, who made the remark on Thursday in Abuja while reacting to the development, said the coalition of opposition political parties would not be bothered by their defection or that of any other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor. According to him, the coalition had been aware that some PDP governors were already working closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “You also know the…
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has revealed that more governors from opposition parties are expected to defect to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Ganduje made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leaders from Kano State, led by Senator Kawu Ismailia, who represents Kano South. This comes a day after Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, along with his cabinet members, state legislators, federal lawmakers, and local government chairmen, formally joined the APC. Also defecting was Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the 2023 vice-presidential…
Former Senate President and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bukola Saraki, has expressed optimism that the main opposition party will bounce back stronger, despite recent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In a statement released on Thursday, Saraki reacted to the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, who formally joined the APC on Wednesday, describing it as a necessary moment of clarity for the party. “Those who wish to leave the party should leave now,” Saraki stated. “Let the faithful ones concentrate on rebuilding and refocusing the PDP to provide a better alternative for…
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the commencement of an investigation into a sexual assault allegation filed by Miss Ebunoluwa Mitchell Fatoyinbo against one Oscar Ilochi, a resident of the Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja. The development follows a viral social media report that claimed the victim, Fatoyinbo, is a relative of President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu. However, the police have clarified that no such connection was referenced in the official complaint or investigation. In a statement issued on Wednesday by the FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the Command stated that the matter is under active…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cautioned members of the public to be vigilant when dealing with land vendors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, following the arrest of a suspected fraudster, Nwobo Williams Chibuike. Chibuike was apprehended for allegedly defrauding several individuals through the sale of fictitious plots of land in Kurudu, Sabon Lugbe East Extension, Kpeyegyi, and Jikoyi Village Extension, all within the FCT. In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale warned against the activities of itinerant land marketers in the FCT. He revealed that Chibuike, posing as the Managing…
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection was confirmed on Wednesday following a closed-door meeting held at the Government House in Asaba. According to a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the decision to join the ruling party came after “wide consultations with political stakeholders and in the interest of Delta’s long-term development.” Governor Oborevwori, who was elected under the PDP platform in the 2023 gubernatorial poll, was formally received into the APC by senior party officials in a…
Former Governor of Delta State and 2023 Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The development was confirmed on Wednesday following a closed-door meeting held at the Delta State Government House in Asaba. Okowa, who addressed a gathering shortly before the formal announcement, spoke in his native dialect, assuring supporters that his political move was in the best interest of the people. “Be assured that we will not go in the wrong direction. We will take the best direction, the best path for our people,” Okowa…
A forum of former lawmakers from the 7th National Assembly under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to address what they described as the continued marginalisation of the CPC bloc within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The call was made during a press conference held on Wednesday in Abuja by members of the CPC Forum, which includes Senator Ibrahim Musa, Hon. Sanusi Aliyu, Hon. Mohammed Tukur, Senator Ahmed Sani, Hon. Ibrahim Chachangi, Hon. Yusuf Bala, and APC National Vice Chairman (North West), Hon. Garuba Datti. Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon.…
A Shari’a Court sitting in Rigasa, Kaduna, on Tuesday ordered the remand of a female spectator whose phone rang during an ongoing court session. Presiding Judge, Malam Muhammad Adamu, ruled that the woman be held for obstructing court proceedings and directed that she face appropriate charges. According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the incident occurred while the court was in full session. When her phone rang, the judge ordered her to hand it over to a court official, but she refused. The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, pleaded with the court, stating that it…
Tragedy struck on Monday evening in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, as a 30-minute rainstorm claimed the life of a Taekwondo coach, Musa Ismail, at the premises of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority. The rainstorm, which occurred between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., reportedly caused extensive damage to the Badminton court located within the Authority’s facility. Eyewitnesses said a section of the structure collapsed during the storm, falling directly on the late coach. Musa Ismail, a respected Ilorin-born Taekwondo coach, was said to have been training with friends at the facility when the incident occurred. Sources confirmed that…