Posts

Chinese national nabbed for attempting to smuggle 2,000 queen ants from Kenya

Image
A Chinese national has been arrested at Kenya’s main airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 2,000 queen garden ants out of the country, according to a report by the BBC. The suspect, Zhang Kequn , was intercepted during a security check at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi after authorities discovered a large consignment of live ants hidden in his luggage and reportedly destined for China. Zhang has yet to respond to the accusations, but investigators told a court that he is suspected to be connected to an ant-trafficking network that was dismantled in Kenya last year. The ants involved are protected under international biodiversity treaties , and their trade is strictly regulated. Last year, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) warned about a growing demand for garden ants, scientifically known as Messor cephalotes , particularly in Europe and Asia , where collectors keep them as exotic pets. During a court hearing on Wednesday, state prosecuto...

2027: Obi, Atiku, Amaechi working together to stop Tinubu — ADC

Image
ABUJA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said that leading presidential hopefuls on its platform, Peter Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Rivers State governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi , are working together with a common goal of stopping President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from returning to power in the 2027 general election . The party made the disclosure during the unveiling of 1ADC , a political movement designed to unite members and supporters across different age groups, social backgrounds, and political interests as the party prepares for the next presidential race. The development signals an early attempt by opposition figures to rally around a common platform ahead of the 2027 contest, which is already shaping up as a potential showdown with Tinubu and the APC. Speaking during the unveiling, National Coordinator of the 1ADC Movement, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie , alongside former ADC National Chairman Dr. Ralp...

‘For your life, safety, don’t come to World Cup’ – Trump warns Iran

Image
United States President Donald Trump on Thursday warned Iran’s national football team that their “life and safety” could be at risk if they participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America . Trump made the remarks on his Truth Social platform, just two days after reportedly telling FIFA President Gianni Infantino that the Iranian team would be welcome to compete despite the ongoing war in the Middle East. “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” Trump wrote. The ongoing conflict, which began following US-Israeli strikes on February 28 , has raised concerns about Iran’s possible participation in the men’s World Cup scheduled to take place this summer in Canada, Mexico, and the United States . Earlier this week, Infantino revealed that he had discussed the situation in Iran during a meeting with Trump at the White House . “President Trump reiterated tha...

Lagos CP, Moshood, Ifeanyi Uche of NCCC, 11 Others Promoted To AIGs As PSC Approves 13 New CPs, Others

Image
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 13 Commissioners of Police (CPs) to the rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) following their successful performance in the recently concluded written examinations and oral interviews. The promotion exercise was conducted at the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja , and the list of successful officers has been forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police for immediate implementation. The newly promoted AIGs include: Emmanuel Ado Christopher (former CP, Yobe State) Joseph Eribo (former CP, Ekiti State) Dantawaye Miller (former CP, FCT) Uche Ifeanyi Henry, PhD (Director, NPF–National Cyber Crime Center) Olarenwaju Peter Ogunlowo (former CP, Ogun State) Muhammad Dahiru (former CP, Jigawa State) Dankombo Morris (former CP, Adamawa State) Bello Shehu (former CP, Katsina State) Ibrahim B. Maikaba (former CP, Zamfara State) Ahmed Musa (former CP, Sokoto State) Olohundare Mosh...

OPay denies office closure, says NRS notice affects entire industry

Image
OPay Digital Services Limited has denied reports claiming that its offices in Lagos and Abuja were sealed by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) over alleged tax non-compliance, describing the claims as false and misleading. Reports circulating on social media and some online platforms had alleged that the NRS shut down OPay’s offices for failing to comply with Value Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income Tax obligations under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025. However, the fintech company, in a statement released on Thursday, said its offices across Nigeria remain open and fully operational, adding that it continues to serve customers, partners, and merchants without any disruption. “Our attention has been drawn to recent reports circulating on online platforms and social media claiming that our offices in Lagos and Abuja were sealed by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) over alleged non-compliance with Value Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income Tax under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025. “Our offices acr...

Abaribe, Umeh, Kingibe, six other senators defect to ADC

Image
No fewer than nine senators from various political parties on Thursday formally announced their defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) , further altering the political balance in the Senate. The lawmakers who declared for the party include Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South), Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Lawal Usman (Kaduna Central), Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South), Austin Akobundu (Abia Central), and Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory). Their letters of defection were read during Thursday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio . In his letter, Senator Tony Nwoye explained that his decision was influenced by internal disputes within the Labour Party . “I wish to tender my resignation amid the ongoing multiple litigations within the Labour Party, which have significantly affected the cohesion and stability of the party. “Please accept, Your Excellency, the assuranc...

Again, Tinubu Govt Extends Student Loan Application Deadline For 2025/2026 Session

Image
The Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, has approved another extension of the Student Loan Application Portal for the 2025/2026 academic session through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The extension is aimed at giving more students the opportunity to complete their applications, particularly those in institutions that formally requested additional time. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi. According to the statement, the decision followed appeals from some tertiary institutions seeking more time to enable their students to finalise their applications. “The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has approved an extension of its Student Loan Application Portal for institutions that have formally requested additional time for the 2025/2026 academic session,” the statement read. NELFUND explained that the extension would provide students in the affected institutions with another oppor...