Author: Vincent Osuwo

The British High Commission condemned the weekend execution of 38 kidnapped hostages in Zamfara State, even after a ransom of over N50 million was paid. Over the weekend, no fewer than 38 kidnapped victims were killed by terrorists in Zamfara, despite the payment of ransom. In response to the killing in Abuja, British Deputy High Commissioner Ms. Gill Lever, who lamented that only 18 of the hostages were released following the ransom payment, said, “Very frankly, I want to express my condolences to the people of Zamfara State over that horrible kidnap where even when ransom was paid, only a…

The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) has denounced the alleged murder of two Nigerians, Mr. Austin Amarachukwu from Imo state and Mr. Owolabi Ayotunde of Lagos State, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The President of NICASA, Frank Onyekwelu, issued a statement on Wednesday expressing deep shock, sadness, and anger over the violent and senseless assassination of the two Nigerian nationals. Onyekwelu stated that the cause of the alleged killing had yet to be unravelled as of the time of filing this report. “We condemn this barbaric act in the strongest terms and call on both the South African and Nigerian…

Hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) residing at the Maga IDPs Camp in Mbayongo, on the outskirts of Makurdi, took over the Makurdi-Lafia highway Wednesday in protest of an alleged lack of food and other essential amenities. Angry IDPs barricaded the highway near the camp’s junction, holding tree branches and singing solidarity songs such as “We are hungry” and “We want to go back home,” among others. The demonstration came just 24 hours after Nigeria’s First Lady visited the state and donated N1 billion to support displaced families in Benue. One of the demonstrators, Rebecca Awuse, claimed that they staged…

Former US Vice President Kamala Harris ruled out running for governor of California on Wednesday, in a statement that provided no reason for her decision but warned that the country was in “a moment of crisis.” The Democrat, who was defeated by Donald Trump in a stormy presidential election last year, had been considering a run for governor of her home state of California in 2026, when Democratic incumbent Gavin Newsom steps down. She had set a late-summer timetable for announcing her plans after leaving Washington in January. “I love this state, its people, and its promise. It is my…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Ministry of Finance of illegally withholding 40% of monies intended for the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), stating that the action endangers workers’ wellbeing and breaches current labour regulations. In a strongly written letter addressed to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), NLC President Joe Ajaero demanded an immediate restoration of the withheld amounts within two weeks, plus interest. The NLC’s letter dated July 22, 2025, reads in part: “We write to bring to the attention of the management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund…

Abduljabbar Rufai, a two-time member of the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, has stated that the party is in active talks with former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to bring him back ahead of the 2027 general elections. Rufai said this while addressing journalists in Abuja, adding that the action is part of the PDP’s larger goal to unite its members and improve its position against the ruling All Progressives Congress. He described Obi’s potential comeback as a strategic’ move that might boost the PDP’s chances, particularly in the Southeast and South-South regions, where Obi has considerable…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has berated the All Progressives Congress (APC) for claiming that there will be “no vacancy in Aso Rock” in 2027, describing it as arrogant and contemptuous of Nigerians’ reported difficulties with hunger, insecurity, and unemployment. In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC emphasised that the Nigerian president is not a birthright, but rather a position that must be earned and renewed via performance. Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman, declared on Tuesday during a meeting at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja that there would be…

Laura Dahlmeier, a double Olympic champion, died at the age of 31 after a fatal mountaineering accident. On Monday, the former biathlete was struck by falling pebbles at an altitude of approximately 5,700 meters at Laila Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountains. Dahlmeier’s mountaineering partner notified emergency services of the event, and an international rescue team was rushed to the scene. However, a helicopter only arrived at the isolated site on Tuesday morning, and rescue workers battled to approach the German athlete due to the fear of another rockfall. The search for Dahlmeier continued until Wednesday, when she was discovered dead.…

Several residents of Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital, on Wednesday, were displaced by a flash flood triggered by a torrential downpour that lasted more than three hours. Our correspondent discovered that some of the victims in portions of Damboa Road, Moduganari Ngomari, and other places had abandoned their homes to seek sanctuary with relatives and friends. A resident on Damboa Road, beside Indimi’s house, told reporters that they expect further flooding as the rainy season continues. “Before now, what we do experience is just a minor water gathering in one place whenever there is rain, but the one this morning is…

President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Deputy Controller-General Olumode Samuel Adeyemi as the Federal Fire Service’s new Controller-General, beginning August 14, 2025. On Wednesday, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board issued a statement on behalf of the President, signed by its Secretary, Major General A.M. Jibril (retd.). “This appointment follows the imminent retirement of the current Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji, on August 13, 2025, upon attaining the age of 60,” the statement read. The CDCFIB stated that Olumode brings “a wealth of experience” to the role, having transitioned from the FCT Fire Service to the Federal…