NEWS

Niger Republic has officially submitted a request to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), further advancing the military government's move away from Western-backed international institutions. The Hague-based court confirmed on Tuesday that it received Niger’s formal withdrawal notice on June 18. The decision follows a joint announcement made by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso nine months ago, in which the three countries declared their intention to leave the ICC, accusing the court of advancing foreign interests. According to the ICC, Niger’s withdrawal will become effective on June 18, 2027, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the court. Until then, the country remains subject to all obligations associated with its members...

A young boy identified as Umar, from Magami town in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, has vowed to join the Nigerian Army and seek justice for his father, who was allegedly killed by suspected bandits. This emerged from a video shared on X on Tuesday by Bakatsine, a journalist who reports on conflict and insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West region. In the video, the boy narrated how he witnessed the killing of his father, an experience he said inspired his desire to become a soldier. Speaking in Hausa during the interview, Umar said his father was attacked and killed shortly after returning from the market. According to him, his father had harvested seven baskets of red pepper, sold them, and used the proceeds to purchase food items, including rice, for the ...

Former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Alhaji Muhammadu Besse, has reportedly died while being held by bandits. The development was disclosed on Tuesday by security and conflict analyst Bakatsine in a post shared on X. Besse was abducted earlier this month by armed bandits operating in the North-West region. His kidnapping attracted public attention after a video emerged online showing him and another captive being subjected to harsh treatment by their abductors in the Birnin Gwari forest. According to reports, his death has now been confirmed, ending hopes of his safe return to his family and community. The update also indicated that the second victim seen alongside him in the viral footage has likewise died w...

The United States has designated a Nigerian national and three companies operating in the country as alleged financial facilitators of activities linked to the terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. They were designated in the latest action, which targeted a total of three individuals and six entities accused of facilitating the movement of funds for ISIS operations globally. In a statement issued on Monday and sighted on Tuesday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, said designations cut across France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria. He described the network as one that enables ISIS to move money across borders. “Today’s designations target three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa who have...

A new photograph circulating online highlights the visible physical recovery of a 10-year-old boy who was rescued from an abusive household in the Odume Layout, Isiowulu area of Anambra State.  The minor was rescued last week after local residents intervened upon discovering his injuries. Graphic images and videos documenting the severity of the abuse previously triggered widespread public outcry across Nigeria.  Law enforcement officials swiftly arrested the boy's guardian alongside two other individuals, and all three suspects remain in police custody pending formal charges.  The child is currently under the protection of the Anambra State government. Officials note that his condition has stabilized significantly, and he appears much healthier than at the time...

US President Donald Trump said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon outweighs the risk of triggering a global economic depression, warning that military action remains firmly on the table if Tehran fails to honor its commitments. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump argued that a nuclear-armed Iran poses a far greater threat than any economic fallout from resumed military strikes, directly addressing concerns that a return to active conflict could tip the global economy into a deep recession. “Nuclear weapon supersedes depression,” Trump said.“Depression is real bad but a nuclear weapon will cause depression much more quickly.” Asked whether he was willing to risk a worldwide economic downturn by launching strikes against Iran if the current interim deal ...

Manchester United have decided not to participate in the EFL Trophy and National League Cup during the 2026-27 season as part of changes to the club’s youth development programme. The move comes after the club secured a return to the UEFA Youth League through qualification for the Champions League and due to a smaller group of players transitioning between the Under-18 and Under-21 teams. United joined the EFL Trophy in 2019 after the competition was expanded to include Premier League academy sides. However, the club’s youngsters struggled in both tournaments last season, failing to progress beyond the group stages. With at least eight matches guaranteed in the UEFA Youth League, club officials have opted to focus on other development pathways, while retaining participation in the...

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on senators to be fully present at Wednesday’s plenary session as the National Assembly prepares to debate and vote on the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police across Nigeria. Akpabio described the bill as a historic step toward strengthening the country’s security framework, stressing that constitutional amendments require broad participation from lawmakers. He urged senators to take their legislative responsibilities seriously and support the reform. The Senate President noted that the proposed law would create a legal framework for state police while including safeguards against abuse. He added that the reform would promote community-based policing by involving local governments, traditional rulers, youth ...

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has barred serving officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force from engaging in unauthorised social media activities, including creating videos, live streaming, posting skits, and monetising content on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and other similar platforms while identifying themselves as police officers. In a circular dated June 22 and signed by his Principal Staff Officer, the police boss warned that any officer found violating the directive must face severe disciplinary measures, including immediate suspension from duties, forfeiture of salary, demotion, dismissal from the Force, and possible criminal prosecution. The IGP expressed concern over the growing and most disturbing trend of police personn...

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested police officers captured in a viral video allegedly extorting money from motorists in the state. The spokesperson for the command, ASP Agabe Kaborlo, who confirmed this to newsmen, said the command had seen the viral video recorded by an activist, Comrade Phils, in which he accused a team of officers from the Old GRA Police Station, near the Rivers State Government House and close to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s residence, of systematically targeting motorists, particularly those with tinted windscreens. According to the complaints, the officers, allegedly led by ASP Geoffrey, disregarded valid tinted glass permits, including factory-fitted ones, and demanded cash payments starting from N100,000. The command in its state...