Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday declared that his administration would never negotiate with kidnappers or terrorists, insisting that Nigeria’s security forces would continue to confront criminal groups without paying ransom, even as he confirmed plans to establish state police and expand military formations to strengthen the country’s fight against insecurity. The President spoke while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by Oba Rashidi Adewolu Akanmu Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa. Tinubu said the recent security operation that led to the rescue of victims in Oyo State demonstrated the effectiveness of the country’s security architecture and credited the success to…

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc has reported profit after tax of N50.3 billion in the first half of the year ended June 30, 2026. The group released its unaudited results for the half-year, showing gains across revenue, deposits and capital. The group’s gross earnings rose 31.5 per cent to N279.6 billion over the corresponding period in 2025, led by a 33.7 per cent jump in interest income to N223.6 billion as the loan book expanded and asset yields improved. Net interest income climbed 41.0 per cent to N137.4 billion, while non-interest income grew by 23.3 per cent to N56.0 billion,…

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has assured that those responsible for the death of retired Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar will be brought to justice. The assurance was given yesterday when a high-powered military delegation paid a condolence visit to the Katsina State Government. The delegation, led by the Chief Administration Officer, Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. I.M. Abdullahi, conveyed the condolences of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the government and people of Katsina State over the death of the retired senior military officer. Abdullahi described the late Rabe as a distinguished officer whose service and sacrifice to the nation would remain indelible. He said the…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State, ordered the deployment of a specialised rescue unit and said he would consider requests for a military base after a high-level federal delegation visited communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State yesterday, May 31. According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa and the President’s media…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that he remains a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) saying no matter what happens his priority is the overall interest of the party. The governor spoke following speculations that he had defected from the APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the ongoing realignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 general elections. Fubara spoke after inspecting the newly constructed General Hospital and the fully remodelled Neuropsychiatric Hospital, in Rumuigbo, Obiakpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The governor said contrary to the erroneous reports in a section of the media, he…

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has chided President Bola Tinubu over his recent comments on re-election amid the escalating security crisis in the nation. Tinubu had reaffirmed his stance on seeking re-election against all odds on Wednesday, adding that those behind the country’s insecurity, attempting to use it to stop him, would not succeed. “You are playing into the hands of agents, including my own enemies, who want to use insecurity to get rid of me. “I’m a very stubborn politician. I just refuse to go. And I will campaign for my second term,” the president had stated. In his…

Fresh tension is building across the Niger Delta as youths and community leaders raise strong objections to plans by Italian energy giant, Eni to divest its five per cent stake in the Renaissance Joint Venture (JV), a move that has triggered fears of another controversial transfer of strategic oil assets. The stake, valued at between $400 million and $500 million, has reportedly drawn interest from both local and international investors. However, growing indications that the deal may favour the Sandesara brothers, owners of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company, have ignited outrage among host communities and civil society groups…

A federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of Linus Williams Ifejirika, the cryptocurrency entrepreneur known as Blord, at the Kuje Correctional Centre. Blord is charged with criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and unauthorised use of the identity of Martins Vincent Otse, the activist known as VeryDarkMan. The case arose from charges made by VeryDarkMan, who accused Blord of utilising his image in an illegal commercial. Following Blord’s court appearance, the judge ordered his remand to April 27, 2026. VeryDarkMan shared a video from the courthouse, celebrating the development. “LINUS WILLIAMS IFEJIRIKA A.K.A BLORD have been remanded at the…

Twenty-nine years after his death, Afrobeat pioneer and cultural icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is to be honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy, organisers of the world’s most prestigious music prize. The honour will be conferred at the 68th Grammy Awards ceremony holding in Los Angeles on January 31, 2026, ahead of what would have been his 88th birthday on October 15. The award will be received by his children, Yeni, Femi and Kunle Kuti, representing the Kuti family and the global Afrobeat community. The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, established in 1962, recognises performers who, during their lifetimes,…

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth, completing the deal on a long-term contract. In a statement on their website on Friday, the Premier League club announced that the 26-year-old had signed a five-and-a-half-year deal, which will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2031. “Manchester City are delighted to confirm the signing of Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth. The 26-year-old has penned a five-and-a-half-year deal, which will see him stay at the Etihad Stadium through to 2031,” the club said. Semenyo arrives after an impressive rise in the Premier League, having developed…