NEWS

UFC heavyweight, Josh Hokit has come under fire after using his post-fight interview at the White House to repeat a long-debunked conspiracy theory about former First Lady Michelle Obama following his victory over Derrick Lewis on Sunday. Hokit defeated Lewis by technical knockout at UFC Freedom 250 and used his interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan to thank President Donald Trump for hosting the event. However, he sparked controversy when he ended the interview by saying, “Michelle Obama is a man, am I right, America?” ] Rogan responded, “Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Hokit,” before the interview concluded.  The remark echoed a false and widely discredited conspiracy theory that has circulated online for years targeting Michelle Obama. Hokit’s comments quickly drew cri...

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has commenced an early retirement scheme that is already attracting significant interest from employees, with officials confirming that more than 70 per cent of eligible staff have indicated willingness to participate in the voluntary exit arrangement. The initiative, structured under the Accelerated Exit Scheme and the Voluntary Exit Scheme, is being positioned by the company as a strategic and non-coercive reform designed to align its workforce with long-term transformation goals, improve efficiency and create space for younger professionals. The AES targets employees with up to one year left before retirement in 2026, while the VES covers staff due for statutory retirement in 2027, as well as SS1-grade employees with about two to fiv...

Iran has executed at least 40 people, including 18 protesters, on “national security grounds” since the start of 2026, the United Nations said Monday. UN rights chief Volker Turk expressed that he felt “deeply for the people in Iran, caught between war and cruel repression” during his address to the UN Human Rights Council.Rights groups note that Iran executes more people annually than any other nation besides China. Turk lamented that Tehran had ramped up repression since a deadly crackdown on protests in January, which came on top of the Middle East war sparked in February by US and Israeli attacks on Iran. He welcomed the announcement on Sunday that the United States and Iran had agreed to a peace deal, stressing that “it is clear all sides need to exercise maximum restraint and work to...

The Federal Government has commenced the prosecution of more than 400 individuals accused of terrorism-related offences in a series of court proceedings at the Federal High Court complex in Abuja. The suspects are facing various charges, including terrorism, financing terrorist activities, and providing support to insurgent groups. The prosecution is being spearheaded by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo. To facilitate the hearings, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, constituted a special panel of judges to oversee the cases. While the Federal Government is leading the prosecution, legal representation for suspects unable to afford co...

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has postponed the orientation programme for prospective corps members posted to Niger State under the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream due to ongoing renovation work at the state’s orientation camp. According to the scheme, the decision was necessitated by repairs being carried out at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Paiko, which sustained significant damage following a recent windstorm. The announcement was made in a statement issued by the NYSC's Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu. She explained that the current condition of the camp makes it unsuitable for hosting the orientation exercise as originally scheduled. Embu disclosed that the management of the scheme is already taking steps to secure a suitable alternative venue wh...

Men of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested a couple and one other person in connection with the physical ab#se of a 10-year-old boy in Odume layout in Isiowulu part of the state. Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested a married couple and a teenager in connection with the severe physical abuse of a 10-year-old boy in the Odume Layout area of Isiowulu. The arrests followed widespread outrage after a video surfaced on social media on Sunday, June 14, showing the victim with extensive physical injuries. The footage captured the moment concerned neighbors raised the alarm, leading to the boy's rescue by local residents. The video also showed community members confronting and assaulting the suspected couple before law enforcement intervened. In a statem...

The Anglican Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Oyo South, Dr. Olufemi Familoni, has urged the government to equip local vigilance groups with sophisticated weapons in the face of the prevailing insecurity in the country. ​He gave the advice on Sunday shortly after the ordination service for deacons, canons, archdeacons, and the sub-dean in the diocese. ​The bishop, who was worried about the increasing loss of lives due to banditry and kidnapping, said the government should increase its support for these local vigilance groups because they have proved to be more effective in their fight against insurgency. ​”The Amotekun security force, from reports, has helped to curb many cases of banditry. These local vigilance groups should be equipped and trained to use sophisticated weapons...

The Presidency has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to eradicate terrorism and other forms of violent crime across the country, insisting that terrorists have only two options: surrender or face decisive action from security forces. Speaking on the administration’s security efforts, Presidential Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, praised the military and other security agencies for their continued operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, and criminal networks. According to Dare, recent successes recorded by security personnel, including arrests and offensives against criminal groups, demonstrate the progress being made under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He stressed that President Tinubu remains unwavering in his commitmen...

There has been public outrage following reports that a kidnapped individual died while in the custody of armed kidnappers, who later contacted the victim’s family to inform them and hand over the corpse. According to the account circulating on social media, the abductors had earlier kidnapped the victim under unclear circumstances. It was later alleged that the victim died while still being held by the criminals. Disturbingly, the bandits were said to have subsequently reached out to the victim’s family to disclose the death and arrange the release of the body. The incident has sparked anger and renewed criticism of the prevailing security situation, with some members of the public describing the development as deeply alarming and unacceptable. Authorities have yet to issue an ...

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has strongly condemned the reported abduction at the Vegetable Market located along Airport Road in Benin City, describing the incident as a serious threat to public safety and an attack on innocent citizens. In a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, the governor directed the Edo State Commissioner of Police to launch an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the incident. Okpebholo instructed security agencies to ensure the swift rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for the crime. The governor stressed that his administration would not tolerate criminal activities capable of undermining peace and security in the state, reaffirming his commitment to safeguarding...