Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

JNIM Claims 200 Soldiers Killed In Devastating Burkina Faso Attack. The Al Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has claimed responsibility for a deadly assault on a military base in Djibo, northern Burkina Faso, asserting that 200 soldiers were killed. The attack, which occurred on Sunday morning, saw hundreds of fighters overrun and destroy the base, according to security sources cited by Reuters. The assault also targeted a police station and a local market, intensifying the chaos in the town. On Tuesday, the SITE Intelligence Group, a US-based organisation monitoring Islamist militant activities online, reported JNIM’s claim of…

EU’s Proposed ‘Safe Third Country’ Reform Sparks Outrage. The European Commission is set to unveil a controversial reform of the European Union’s ‘safe third country’ concept today, triggering fierce criticism from migrants’ rights experts and EU lawmakers. The proposal seeks to dismantle the ‘connection criteria’ and eliminate the suspensive effect of appeals, meaning individuals could be deported to countries with which they have no ties, and appeals would not delay their removal. Critics have branded the move a “lethal blow to the right to asylum,” warning it undermines the fairness and safeguards of the asylum process. The reform is…

Ibadan Man Jailed For Illegal Naira Trading. In a landmark ruling, Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Oyo State Federal High Court in Ibadan has sentenced Ayorinde Festus Morakinyo to six months in prison for illegally trading naira notes, reinforcing the judiciary’s commitment to upholding Nigeria’s financial regulations. Morakinyo was arraigned on 26 March 2025 by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a single-count charge related to the illicit sale of naira notes. The charge stated that in December 2023, Morakinyo sold N1,000,000 in N1,000 and N500 denominations, issued by the Central Bank…

Lagos Governor Approves New Apapa Business Office To Boost Infrastructure And Commerce. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has authorised the creation of the Apapa Central Business Office to address infrastructure challenges and cultivate a thriving business environment in Lagos State, according to the Special Adviser on Central Business Districts (CBD), Bola Olumegbon-Lawal. Speaking on Thursday at the ongoing ministerial press briefing marking the second anniversary of Sanwo-Olu’s second term, Olumegbon-Lawal praised the governor’s transformative leadership, which has significantly enhanced Lagos’s infrastructure and economic landscape. She outlined the Lagos CBD’s efforts to foster a business-friendly atmosphere through effective traffic management, improved environmental…

Senate Forms Committee For National Security Summit, Pushes For Tougher Oil Theft Laws. The Senate has established a 20-member committee to organise a national summit to address Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced during Thursday’s plenary session. The decision, backed unanimously through a voice vote, reflects growing concerns over insecurity across the country. The committee, chaired by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) with Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) as vice chairman, includes senators such as Austin Akobundu (Abia), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), and Shuaib Salisu (Ogun), alongside the Clerk of the Senate, Andrew Nwoba. Tasked with…

Coalition Demands DSS Transparency On Alleged Corruption Probe Of Former EFCC Chairman Bawa. The Coalition of Activists Against Corruption in Nigeria (CAACIN) has urged the Department of State Security Services (DSS) to disclose the findings of their investigation into alleged corrupt practices by Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a statement issued on Thursday, CAACIN’s spokesperson, Comrade Ahmed Aliyu, expressed concern over the DSS’s silence regarding the probe, which followed Bawa’s detention and interrogation for over four months in 2023. Aliyu argued that if the allegations against Bawa warrant legal action,…

Mexican Influencer’s Murder On TikTok Live Sparks Femicide Probe And Cartel Speculation. The tragic death of a 23-year-old Mexican influencer, shot dead while live streaming on TikTok, has sent shockwaves through Mexico, prompting a femicide investigation and fuelling speculation about cartel involvement. Valeria Márquez, a rising social media star, was killed on Tuesday at Blossom The Beauty Lounge, her beauty salon in Zapopan, a town in Jalisco state. The state prosecutor’s office has classified the crime as a femicide, indicating that the attack was likely motivated by her gender. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the incident, stating, “We’re…

Thirteen Injured As Car Ploughs Into Crowd Outside Espanyol-Barcelona Derby. Thirteen people were injured when a car crashed into a group of football fans gathered outside the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona during Thursday’s derby match between Espanyol and Barcelona, local authorities have confirmed. The incident occurred as Espanyol supporters assembled to greet their team’s coach ahead of the La Liga clash, which saw Barcelona secure the league title with a 2-0 victory. Police in Barcelona reported that four of the injured were taken to hospital, though none are believed to be in serious condition. The most severe injury reported…

Cristiano Ronaldo Retains Crown As World’s Highest-Paid Athlete For Third Year Running. Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes, securing the top spot for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in his illustrious career. The business magazine reports that the 40-year-old Portugal forward, now plying his trade with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has boosted his estimated total earnings by $15m to a staggering $275m (£206.6m). This figure places Ronaldo among the all-time elite, surpassed only by former world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300m (£194m) in 2015…

Real Madrid To Sign Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen In £50m Deal. Real Madrid are poised to secure the signature of Bournemouth’s highly-rated centre-back Dean Huijsen after agreeing to meet his £50m release clause, BBC Sport understands. The 20-year-old Spain international is nearing an agreement on personal terms with the La Liga giants, having rejected several offers to remain in the Premier League. Huijsen, who joined Bournemouth from Juventus for £12.6m last summer, has made 34 appearances for the Cherries this season, scoring three goals. His standout performances, including a towering header in a 1-0 victory over Tottenham in December, have…

Homa Bay Grandmother’s Chicken Payment Sparks Heartwarming Community Support. In a touching display of determination and love, a grandmother from Adiedo, Homa Bay County, Kenya, made headlines after bringing six live chickens to Adiedo Mixed Secondary School as partial payment for her grandchildren’s outstanding school fees. The grandmother, Consolata Aoko Oduya, took the unconventional step after her grandchildren, Hillary Omondi and Mitchell Akoth, were sent home due to an unpaid fee balance of KSh 245,000 (£1,450). Her heartfelt gesture not only highlighted the challenges faced by many families but also inspired an outpouring of support from across the region. …

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu To Attend Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration In Rome. In a significant diplomatic and religious engagement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rome, Italy, this Saturday, 17 May 2025, to attend the inauguration of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church. The invitation, extended by the Vatican, underscores the global importance of the event and Nigeria’s prominent role on the world stage. According to a statement released by the Presidency, President Tinubu will join world leaders and Catholic dignitaries at a solemn mass in St. Peter’s Square,…