Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Neymar Returns To Brazil Squad For World Cup Qualifiers. Neymar has been recalled to the Brazil squad for the first time in 17 months ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina. The Santos forward has not featured for the national team since suffering a knee injury against Uruguay in October 2023. However, after an underwhelming spell at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, Neymar has rediscovered his form since rejoining his boyhood club in January. The 33-year-old has impressed in the Brazilian top flight, registering three goals and three assists in seven appearances. With 128…

Conference League: Chelsea Edge Closer To Quarter-Finals With Victory Over Copenhagen. Chelsea took a significant step towards the Europa Conference League quarter-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Copenhagen in their last-16 first-leg clash in Denmark. Despite a sluggish first half in which Enzo Maresca’s side failed to register a shot on target, the visitors made an immediate impact after the restart. Substitute Marc Cucurella, on for the injured Malo Gusto, surged down the left and set up captain Reece James, who unleashed a stunning low strike from 30 yards to open the scoring. Copenhagen came close to…

Tensions Rise In Rivers State As Militants Threaten Oil Installations. Tensions have escalated in Rivers State as a militant group, the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, has threatened to attack oil installations in response to the alleged seizure of the state’s allocation. The group has also issued a warning for non-indigenes residing in the state to leave for their safety, citing imminent hostilities. A viral social media video surfaced yesterday, showing about eight armed militants in an undisclosed forest, chanting war songs and expressing their discontent. The group accused the Martin Amaewhile-led faction of 27 lawmakers of attempting to destabilise…

Disclosed: Dr Doyin Okupe Passes Away At 72 After Battle With Cancer. Dr Doyin Okupe, a renowned Nigerian physician, politician, and former presidential aide, has passed away at the age of 72. According to sources close to the family, Dr Okupe had been critically ill in the weeks leading up to his demise. His health reportedly deteriorated significantly, prompting concern among his loved ones and supporters. It was confirmed that his death was linked to cancer, marking the end of a long struggle with the illness. In October 2023, Okupe was hospitalised with prostate cancer and was flown to…

Nnamdi Kanu Files Fresh Lawsuits Over Alleged Rights Violations. Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has initiated fresh legal action against the government, citing persistent violations of his constitutional rights. Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed that the lawsuits aim to compel authorities to grant his client a fair hearing and ensure that his trial is transferred to the Southeast, where it was originally intended to be held. According to Ejimakor, Kanu has been unlawfully detained for nearly four years without due process. He described the government’s handling of the case as a “grave…

DHQ Questions Terrorism Ranking As Government Cracks Down On Terror Financiers. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has challenged Nigeria’s latest ranking in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), questioning the credibility of the report, even as the Federal Government (FG) intensifies efforts to combat terrorism financing. DHQ Disputes GTI Report According to the GTI 2025 report, Nigeria has risen to sixth place globally in terms of terrorism impact, up from eighth position in previous years. The report, released on Wednesday, ranked Burkina Faso as the most terrorism-affected country, followed by Pakistan, Syria, Mali, and Niger. Nigeria’s GTI score of 7.658 was…

Sanwo-Olu Commissions New Roads, Cautions Landlords Against Rent Hikes. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated the construction of Demurin Road, Agidi Road, and Church Street in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Kosofe Local Government Area. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, Sanwo-Olu urged landlords not to exploit the development by increasing rent, emphasising that the project was aimed at improving residents’ quality of life, not creating a financial burden. “Please do not increase your house rent because we are not doing this for you to put a burden on your tenants. The value of your…

Reactions As Senate Suspends Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) for six months has sparked widespread condemnation, with legal experts and political figures criticising the decision as unjust and politically motivated. The Senate had adopted the recommendations of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which investigated a petition against Akpoti-Uduaghan filed by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti). As part of the sanctions, she was stripped of her security details and barred from representing the Senate in international engagements. The dispute stemmed from a confrontation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill…

Gospel Star Mercy Chinwo Sues VeryDarkMan For Defamation, Seeks N1.1 Billion In Damages. Nigerian gospel singer Mercy Chinwo has launched a defamation lawsuit against social media commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), demanding a staggering N1.1 billion in damages. The suit, filed on 3 March at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, accuses Otse of making false and damaging statements that have tarnished the singer’s reputation. The legal action follows a series of social media posts by VeryDarkMan in February, in which he alleged that Chinwo diverted funds from performances without remitting payments to…

Customs Seizes Over N51 Million Worth Of Smuggled Goods In Adamawa. The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its anti-smuggling operations, seizing contraband goods worth over N51.9 million within the last three weeks. Speaking at a press briefing at the Customs House in Yola, the Area Comptroller, Garba Bature Bashir, highlighted the command’s sustained efforts, which were bolstered by intelligence-sharing and inter-agency collaboration. These efforts led to the interception of smuggled goods along various borderlines. Among the confiscated items were 29,825 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) packaged in 1,149 jerry cans and four 220-litre…

Senate Committee Recommends Six-Month Suspension For Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has recommended a six-month suspension for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central. The recommendation, announced during Thursday’s plenary session, follows allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment and abuse of office. The committee has also advised that her salary and security details be withdrawn. Presenting the committee’s findings, Chairman Senator Neda Imasuen stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan was found guilty of all allegations against her, particularly for failing to appear before the panel to…

Journalist And IKEDC  Staff Assaulted As Air Force Personnel Storm Power Company Headquarters. A group of armed Air Force personnel from the Ikeja Air Force Base stormed the headquarters of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) on Thursday morning, assaulting journalists and company staff in a shocking display of force. The military officers arrived at the IKEDC office, opposite MITV in Ikeja, at around 7:40 a.m., reportedly in response to the disconnection of their military base from the power supply. Among the victims of the assault was PUNCH correspondent Dare Olawin, who had arrived at the premises to join…