NEWS

About 263 stranded Nigerians have voluntarily returned to the country, arriving in Kano on Thursday aboard two Sky Mali flights from Agadez in the Republic of Niger. The returnees were reported to have touched down at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in two batches. Represented by the Commission’s Kano State Coordinator, Mrs Lubah Liman, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Aliyu Tijani, explained that the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safe and dignified return of Nigerians stranded abroad. The first flight arrived at around 12:50 pm with 116 passengers, while the second landed at about 4:35 pm with 147 persons, the majority being young men, alongside a few women and children. To ensure the safe return of those affected, the exercise was f...

The Defence Headquarters has said that military training, intelligence sharing and operational support provided to Nigeria by the United States come at no financial cost, describing the arrangement as part of Washington’s global counterterrorism policy. Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, made the disclosure on Friday, February 27, while briefing journalists on military operations conducted against terrorists and criminal elements in February 2026. According to him, the support is channelled through the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) under a strategic partnership designed to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. “The presence of US troops in Nigeria is about partnership. They are here to assist the Nigerian military with training, intell...

Ghana’s Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that 55 Ghanaians have been killed while fighting in Ukraine, describing the situation as “depressing and frightening.” In a post on X on Friday, February 27, Ablakwa said the government had been informed that 272 Ghanaians were believed to have been lured into the conflict since 2022, with 55 confirmed dead and two captured as prisoners of war. “We cannot turn a blind eye to these heartbreaking statistics. These are not just numbers, they represent human lives, the hope of many Ghanaian families and our nation,” he wrote after meeting his Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv. Ukraine said earlier this week that more than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries had been identified among Russian forces. Ablakwa said Ghana’s governme...

Justice Jude Obiora of the Anambra state High court in Awka, the state capital, today February 27, sentenced Chidozie Nwangwu, the high-profile native doctor popularly known as Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, to 11 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges brought against him by the Anambra State Government. Recall that Nwangwu, along with two other native doctors—Onyebuchi Okocha (alias Onyeze Jesus) and Ekene Igboekweze (alias Eke Hit)—were arraigned under suit numbers A/40C/2025, A/41C/2025, and A/42C/2025. The government’s case against the defendants included: conspiracy to commit felony, specifically k!dnapping; obtaining by fraud through claims of supernatural powers; promoting “Oke Ite” rituals, which the state alleges involve the fortification of criminals and the use of...

Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, has sparked reactions after revealing that he practices Christianity while also using traditional charms. The activist made this known in a video going viral on social media. In the clip, he was speaking before a group of traditional rulers, where he talked about his religious background, family history, and spiritual life. He explained that being a Christian does not stop him from making use of charms. Igboho said he was born into a Christian home and grew up in the church. However, he also stated that he was trained in traditional practices from a young age. According to him, his father is a known babalawo based in Modakeke, and this influenced his knowledge of traditional spirituality. He added tha...

The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, has officially retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age and completing his tenure in office. Audi marked his final day on Friday during activities commemorating the 2026 World Civil Defence Day at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja. He assumed leadership of the corps on March 1, 2021, following his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari. His retirement concludes nearly five years at the helm of the agency responsible for safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure, as well as overseeing disaster management and civil defence operations. As of the time of this report, the Federal Government had not announced a successor. The retirement coincided with...

The Nigerian Senate has expressed concern over the fees charged by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), describing them as burdensome for many families. The issue was raised during a budget defence session where lawmakers reviewed the board’s financial estimates and operational plans. Senators noted that despite the reduction of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) fee to ₦3,500, the amount remains difficult for numerous households facing economic hardship. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions, Amos Yohanna, urged JAMB to further review the charges to promote fairness and wider access to higher education. He emphasised the need for policies that prioritise affordability, especially amid rising living costs. Beyond fees, lawmake...

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama on Friday granted ₦10 million bail each to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, following their arraignment on a 12-count criminal charge. The charges were instituted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation over allegations of document forgery, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, allegedly used to claim ownership of a London property said to have been unlawfully acquired by the late Jeremiah Useni. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications filed by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for Ozekhome and F.R. Onoja (SAN) for Useni. In her ruling, Justi...

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for removing fuel subsidy. Akpabio said that due to the subsidy removal, most current governors now get four times the amount he was getting from the Federal Government’s coffers when he was governor of Akwa-Ibom State. He added that he wished he was a governor under the present administration. about:blank He said: “They said we are rubber-stamp senators but we sit down to painstakingly go through everything that comes before us.us. “We meticulously review all submissions to serve the best interests of Nigerians, even when public perception initially differs. “We thank you for the tax reforms. Thank you for removing fuel subsidy. How I wish I was a governor under you. Most of them say they colle...

The National Identity Management Commission has issued a final advisory to parents and guardians, reiterating the mandatory requirement of the National Identification Number for all candidates. This, according to the commission, is coming in a move to ensure zero hitches during the upcoming 2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations. The advisory, posted on the commission’s official X platform on Friday, emphasised that the NIN is no longer just a luxury but a “critical academic tool” required for school registrations, scholarship applications, and other government-linked benefits. “Dear Nigerian parent, your child needs an NIN. NIN is now important for school registrations, exams, scholarships, and many other government benefits,” the commission stated in its public alert. ...