Abuja, Nigeria — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the deployment of 7,726 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines for the upcoming by-elections set to hold on Saturday, August 16, 2025, across 12 states. A senior INEC official confirmed to The PUNCH that the devices will be distributed across 16 constituencies in the…
Port Harcourt, Nigeria — The Rivers State Police Command has arrested the pastor of a new-generation church for allegedly assaulting about 20 children under the guise of “spiritual cleansing” in the Emeka community, Ohio/Akpor Local Government Area. The children, aged between five and nine, were reportedly stripped naked and subjected to severe flogging during a…
Ondo state, Nigeria –The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the death of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Kajola Police Station, located in Odigbo Local Government Area, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Nimrod Anaka. The confirmation was given on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Ayanlade Olushola, in a statement…
Abuja, Nigeria – Female personnel of the Nigeria Police Force have strongly condemned what they describe as targeted and misogynistic remarks made by activist Omoyele Sowore, following the recent promotion of some female officers by the Police Service Commission. The promotions, approved upon the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reportedly included officers…
Abuja, Nigeria–The Federal Government has announced a seven-year suspension on the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country. The decision was approved during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and chaired by President Bola Tinubu. According to the Minister of Education,…
Abuja, Nigeria –The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has explained the rationale behind the Federal Government’s decision to appoint Fuji music icon, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for airport security and proper passenger conduct. The move follows a series of recent incidents involving unruly behavior at…
Lagos, Nigeria– Afrobeats sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has opened up about how the tragic loss of his son, Ifeanyi, in 2022 marked a defining moment in both his personal life and professional journey. Ifeanyi, who was just three years old at the time, tragically drowned in a swimming pool at Davido’s Banana…
Abuja, Nigeria — The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has given its diaspora National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment partners 48 hours to activate their licences on a newly upgraded platform aimed at delivering more secure and efficient services to Nigerians abroad. In a statement on Monday, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, said the…
Ogun State, Nigeria — The Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and the wider Nigerian football community were thrown into mourning on Monday following the sudden death of the team’s assistant coach, Akin Olowookere, who collapsed during a morning training session in Ogun State ahead of a scheduled match later in the day. Confirming the incident,…
Lagos, Nigeria — Airport operations and road access around Murtala Muhammed Airport were thrown into chaos on Monday as hundreds of physically challenged protesters blocked major routes, demanding the reopening of a government-run school for people with disabilities. The demonstrators, carrying banners of the Farmcraft Centre for the Blind, caused a massive traffic gridlock that…
Abuja, Nigeria — Human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has dismissed speculation about former President Goodluck Jonathan making a political comeback ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that Nigeria’s problems cannot be solved by a change in leadership alone. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Farotimi argued that without tackling the country’s…
Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State — Governor Biodun Oyebanji has officially dissolved the Ekiti State Executive Council with immediate effect, signaling a significant cabinet reshuffle ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial primaries scheduled for October 2, 2025. The affected Commissioners and Special Advisers have been directed to hand over their responsibilities to the Permanent Secretary or the most…
Abuja, Nigeria— President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, as Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) reconciliation committee for Bauchi State. The appointment, confirmed by a statement from the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, outlines the committee’s mandate to resolve persistent internal disputes…
Karbala/Najaf, Iraq— More than 600 Shiite Muslim pilgrims were hospitalized with respiratory problems due to inhaling chlorine gas from a leak at a water treatment station on the route between the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. The incident, which occurred overnight on the Karbala-Najaf road, affected hundreds of pilgrims making their way to Karbala…
Ipswich, England — Nigerian-born striker Chuba Akpom has completed a season-long loan move to Sky Bet Championship club Ipswich Town from Eredivisie giants Ajax, marking his return to English football. The 29-year-old forward spent the latter half of last season on loan at Ligue 1 club Lille, where he scored three goals and provided one…
Ibadan, Oyo State— The Obidient Movement supporting Peter Obi is rapidly growing in Oyo State as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. The movement’s recent Oyo State Obidient Conference, themed “Going Forward 2027: A New Nigeria is Possible,” drew political analysts, grassroots organizers, and party faithful to the Empowerment Centre on Ring Road. Prof….
Balikesir, Turkey — A magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit the Balikesir province in northwestern Turkey on August 10, 2025, causing extensive damage including the collapse of 16 buildings and the death of one person. The quake struck at 7:53 p.m. local time with an epicenter in the town of Sındırgı, about 10 kilometers south-southwest of Bigadiç….
Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State — Former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has publicly refuted claims that he co-founded the African Democratic Party (ADC) coalition alongside former Rivers State governor Mr. Rotimi Amaechi. The controversy emerged following a Saturday X Spaces conversation during which Amaechi reportedly asserted that the ADC coalition began with himself and Fayemi…
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria — The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has affirmed that the Federal Government’s student education loan program is repayable but interest-free, while revealing that more than 760,000 students have applied for the scheme. Speaking during a one-day capacity-building event for students at the University of Port Harcourt, the Managing Director…
Akure, Ondo State — The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Ondo Sector Command has issued a stern warning to motorcyclists: riding on highways without crash helmets will lead to arrest, impoundment, and prosecution. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, State Sector Commander Dr. Samuel Ibitoye emphasized that failure to wear helmets drastically increases the…
Paris, France— Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star defender Achraf Hakimi has declared his belief that he deserves to win the prestigious 2025 Ballon d’Or award following an outstanding season. Hakimi played a pivotal role in PSG securing a remarkable treble—winning Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the UEFA Champions League—while also helping the club…
Lagos, Nigeria— Nigerian Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage has openly discussed her decision to freeze her eggs, explaining that she did so as insurance in case she chooses to have more children in the future. In a candid interview with British TV personality Zeze Mills, the 42-year-old singer expressed regret that she did not take this…
Southampton, England— Joe Aribo, the Nigerian international midfielder, is expected to depart Southampton this summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League last season. At 29 years old, Aribo is currently assessing his future at St Mary’s Stadium as he was notably absent from the matchday squad in Southampton’s 2-1 win over Wrexham and…
Abuja, Nigeria— The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning to the Federal and State Governments to urgently address its long-standing grievances, or face an imminent industrial action across Nigeria’s public universities. In a statement signed by ASUU President Professor Christopher Piwuna, the union expressed deep frustration over persistent issues including…
England and Germany— Brighton & Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest, and Leeds United are among several Premier League clubs interested in signing Nigerian international winger Nathan Tella from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. According to reports, scouts from these clubs, along with Brentford and Burnley, were present at a pre-season friendly between Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen at…
Abuja, Nigeria— The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the Federal Government to urgently address unresolved challenges in Nigeria’s university system to avert another industrial crisis. The appeal was made in a statement issued on Saturday by ASUU President, Professor Christopher Piwuna, in reaction to recent remarks by the Minister of Education,…
Yola, Nigeria — The Adamawa State Government has begun distributing relief materials to 4,000 households affected by recent floods across the state. The initiative, flagged off on Saturday by the Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, saw items donated by the state government, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the North East Development Commission (NEDC), and the National Emergency…
Lagos, Nigeria— Celebrity barman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has explained that long-standing U.S. visa issues prevented him from attending singer Davido’s white wedding in Miami, Florida. In an Instagram post on Saturday, Chief Priest expressed mixed emotions—joy for his friend’s union but disappointment over his absence. He revealed that persistent errors…
Lagos, Nigeria — Relationship commentator Stephanie Shaakaa has warned that some mothers are unintentionally damaging their sons’ marriages by forming deep emotional bonds that should belong to their sons’ wives. Speaking in a candid essay, Shaakaa described the pattern as “emotional incest,” a subtle dynamic where a woman, feeling neglected by her husband, begins to…
Lagos, Nigeria — In a landmark move to redefine its corporate identity and market positioning, 9mobile has officially rebranded to “T2,” signalling the start of a new era for the telecommunications giant. The announcement was made on Friday during a high-profile relaunch event in Lagos, attended by Obafemi Banigbe, Chief Executive Officer of T2; Dr….
Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says only the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) can determine the fate of Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, following petitions over his recent clash with ValueJet Airline officials at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International…
