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The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has clarified that Israel’s proposed support for the protection of Christian communities in Nigeria is a collaborative effort based on intelligence sharing and cooperation with the Nigerian government. Appearing in an interview with ARISE News on Monday, Freeman addressed the global reaction to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent announcement of an “eighth front” against radical Islamist violence. He emphasised that the initiative is intended to support persecuted communities while fully respecting Nigeria’s national sovereignty. “What Prime Minister Netanyahu said, and it was very clear, was that he wants to make sure that all…

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has played down reports of a rift between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, insisting that a recent on-field incident was simply the result of a shared competitive mindset. Speaking to ESPN after Monday’s game, the Besiktas midfielder explained that the moment stemmed from two players pushing for more during the game, rather than any underlying issue. “It was just a competitive mindset. We wanted more, and that moment was made possible by two people who wanted more. That was what really happened at that moment,” Ndidi said. He added that the situation had already been…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. The EFCC stated that Bello’s trial is still ongoing and that it is the responsibility of the court, not the EFCC, to determine his guilt or innocence. This followed public criticism over Bello’s declaration to contest the Kogi Central, senatorial seat in 2027. Recall that Bello is being prosecuted by the EFCC before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, for alleged diversion and misappropriation of Kogi State funds…

A group of students staged a peaceful protest on Monday, demanding an end to what they described as the rising spate of kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. Recall that last week, a group identified as students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, had announced plans for a mass peaceful protest over rising kidnapping within the university community. They said the decision to protest followed the recent abduction of one Akhabhe Favour and an unnamed former student union leader of the institution. Addressing journalists during the protest, Andrew Oziegbe, who led the protest, said it…

As the new year begins, many people reflect on their aspirations and hopes for the future. In the hills around Benin, our correspondent ventured out to gather insights from locals about their expectations for 2026. Residents expressed a mix of optimism and realism, highlighting their desires for personal growth, community development, and national progress. Many shared their hopes for improved educational opportunities for the youth, emphasizing the importance of equipping the next generation with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. In conversations with farmers, there was a strong desire for better access to resources and technology…

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has claimed that he was informed he had been listed for elimination as a Boko Haram figure on the same morning a US military air strike occurred in Nigeria. Gumi made the claim while addressing his congregation in a video that has gone viral and was posted by X user #General_Somto on Sunday. The cleric said he received an early-morning call from an unnamed source in Abuja who briefed him about a national security meeting. According to him, the caller said his name was among those allegedly identified for assassination. I received a call from…

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says he wouldn’t allow himself to be buried politically. Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Okrika LGA of Rivers State, Wike told his supporters to work for President Bola Tinubu’s success in the next general polls. He canvassed support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 polls, stressing that a decision has been made on Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s second term ambition. “We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one [Fubara] — no way. Because if we make…

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commended road contractors delivering quality jobs across Edo South Senatorial District, while warning firms lagging behind to sit up or risk losing their contracts. The governor gave the commendation during an inspection tour of ongoing road construction projects in Edo South, as part of his administration’s push to ensure timely delivery and value for public funds. Governor Okpebholo said the inspection was necessary to separate serious contractors from those failing to meet agreed standards and timelines. “We’ve gone round several places today. We were at Church Road, Upper Ekenwan road and we were…

Over 30 people have been killed in a deadly attack by suspected terrorists at the Kasuwan-Daji market in the Demo community, located in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The attack which happened on Saturday also led to the abduction of many people. The gun-wielding attackers also carted away foodstuffs and other valuables worth millions of naira before setting the market ablaze. The terrorists were said to have invaded the community on Saturday evening and operated until the early hours of Sunday. A resident of the area said about 42 people were tied and killed by the terrorists,…

The national vice chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress for the North East region, Mustapha Salihu, has dismissed the notion that those joining his party will escape prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. While speaking to journalists at his Yola private residence on Saturday night, he said the notion is designed to blackmail the administration of President Bola Tinubu, who, he claimed, has zero tolerance for corruption. Salihu’s declaration came two months after the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, labelled APC as a new haven for fugitives fleeing from the EFCC. “It…