Abductors holding a traditional ruler in Kwara State, the Oniwo of Aafin, Oba Simeon Olaonipekun, his son, and other residents have demanded a total ransom of ₦450 million for their release, heightening concerns over the worsening security situation in the state. Sources confirmed on Friday, 2 January, 2026 that the abductors are demanding ₦150 million for the release of the monarch and his son, Olaolu, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, while an additional ₦ 300 million has been demanded for the release of eight residents abducted from Adanla-Irese, a suburb of Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
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By Temitope Ajayi Public debate on government finances in Nigeria is once again clouded by confusion, little knowledge, and deliberate misrepresentation. At the centre of the current controversy is a misunderstanding of the distinction between total revenue generated by government agencies and the portion that actually belongs to the federal government. The confusion has been amplified by commentators who should know better and by a media ecosystem increasingly driven by noise rather than nuance. As a result, statements by President Bola Tinubu on revenue performance and remarks by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale…
By Muhammad Iskeel Abdullahi, The scene at Idu Train Station in Abuja reflects an institution actively working to recover from a challenging year marked by a major derailment in August 2025. Visible repairs, coordinated efforts among staff, and a clear focus on restoration indicate that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is genuinely committed to revitalizing the Abuja–Kaduna train service (AKTS). However, while tangible progress is evident, deep-rooted structural issues ranging from limited rolling stock to funding constraints continue to hinder full recovery and long-term sustainability. On the ground, substantial repair work is underway following the August 26, 2025, derailment at…
Famous Nigerian cleric, Lawrence Onochie, has warned men against allowing their wives to carry the financial responsibility of the home for an extended period, saying such situations can quietly damage marriages if not properly handled. Onochie said that even the most supportive and loving wives are not naturally equipped to shoulder the primary financial burden of a household long-term, noting that the strain often shows up emotionally before it is openly expressed. According to him, many men facing financial hardship already go through intense internal pressure and women lack the emotional intelligence or communication skills to process or articulate the…
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Taraba State, Very Rev. Dr. Fr. Williams Awoshiri, on Saturday, 3 January, 2026 warned Christian leaders against turning the pulpit into a platform for division, hate, or political insults, urging them to uphold its sanctity as a place for peace, moral guidance, and responsible engagement with authority. Awoshiri, who gave the warning in his New Year message to Christians and residents of the state, described the pulpit as a sacred responsibility that must be handled with care and spiritual maturity. “The pulpit is a sacred trust, a holy platform entrusted to…
President Donald Trump on Saturday, 3 January, 2026 confirmed that that US forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a “large scale strike” on the South American country. “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump said on Truth Social, around two hours after explosions rocked Venezuela’s capital Caracas. There was no confirmation from Venezuela’s government of the fate of the leftist Maduro, in power since 2013. His government accused…
The Janaza (funeral) prayer service for Sina Ghami and Abdul Latif Kevin Ayodele, close friends of boxing star Anthony Joshua, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 4 January, 2026. The bodies of Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele were repatriated to the United Kingdom following the fatal crash in Nigeria. The service will begin at 10am at the London Central Mosque, 146 Park Road, London NW8 7RG. This was contained in statement issued on Saturday, 3 January, 2025 by Boxing King Media. The statement said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones.” Ghami and Ayodele…
operatives of the SWAT Tactical team in Ondo State have arrested two suspected of ritualists in Ile-Oluji town in the state, as they were nabbed by the police on Saturday, 27 December, 2025. The suspects were arrested after credible intelligence by operatives of the SWAT Tactical team, acting on a tip-off by a concerned citizen. The Ondo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed the incident on Saturday, 3 January, 2026, narrated how the suspects were apprehended. “The operation led to the arrest of two Suspects identified as Maria (female, 53 years) and Adewale (male, 28…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola The Regional Vicar of the Agbor Region and Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Boji-Boji Agbor, Very Rev. Fr. (Barr.) Stephen Chukwuma, collapsed and died while delivering his homily during the New Year’s Eve Mass on Wednesday, 31 December, 2025, bringing a sudden and poignant end to a distinguished 35-year priestly ministry. The tragic incident unfolded before hundreds of parishioners who had gathered to usher in the New Year, only to witness their spiritual father transition from the pulpit to eternity in what many have described as the ultimate act of “active service.”…
The Ogun State Police Command on Friday, 2 January, 2026 arraigned the driver of a Lexus SUV involved in the road crash of heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua. The suspect, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, was brought before a Sagamu Magistrate Court in the Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State on Friday, January 2, 2026. The command, which confirmed the development, said the 46-year-old driver was formally charged in connection with the accident. “I wish to inform the general public that the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the Anthony Joshua accident case, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode (male), aged 46, was…