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Swiatek claims Cincinnati Open title with win over Jasmine Paolini  Third-ranked Iga Swiatek captured her first Cincinnati Open title Monday night, defeating No. 7 Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-4. Swiatek, who had never advanced past the semifinals in six previous Cincinnati appearances, reached the semifinals in both 2023 and 2024 but fell to eventual champions Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka. “It means a lot to me,” Swiatek said. “This year I really wanted it. I’m just very happy. It’s nice to check off the list another tournament that I haven’t won. I have friends here. It’s a nice, relaxed tournament before New York.” Swiatek maintained her dominance over Paolini, extending her head-to-head record to 6-0, dropping only one set in their matchups. Paolini opened the first set with a 3-0 lead, but Swiatek rallied to take a 5-3 lead. Paolini broke back to tie at 5-5, yet Swiatek closed out the set in 56 minutes. In the second set, Swiatek’s eighth ace gave her a 5-3 advantage. Despite two ...

 British actor Terence Stamp, famed for General Zod in early Superman films, dies at 87 Terence Stamp, the British actor celebrated for his portrayals of complex villains—including the iconic General Zod in the early Superman films—has died at the age of 87. His passing on Sunday was confirmed in an online death notice, prompting tributes from fans and colleagues, including the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Born in London, Stamp launched his film career in 1962 with the seafaring drama Billy Budd, earning both an Oscar and a BAFTA nomination. Over six decades, his career included memorable roles such as the transsexual Bernadette in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994), which brought him a second BAFTA nod, but it was his portrayal of Zod in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980) that cemented his place in pop culture, bringing a darker, more human depth to the villain that influenced future superhero films. Edgar Wright, who directed Stamp...

 Man sentenced to life in prison for killing New Jersey pastor Rashid Ali Bynum, 31, of Portsmouth, Virginia, was sentenced Monday to life in prison for the fatal shooting of New Jersey pastor Eunice Dwumfour outside her home in 2023. The courtroom in New Brunswick was filled with Dwumfour’s family and friends as the sentence was handed down. Bynum’s attorney has indicated plans to appeal the murder and weapons convictions. Dwumfour, 30, was ambushed in her vehicle on Feb. 1, 2023, as she arrived at her apartment in Sayreville, where she also served as a council member. She was active in a Nigerian church, Champions Royal Assembly, and had married a fellow pastor in Abuja just weeks before her death. Prosecutors said Bynum had previously lived with Dwumfour and her child before returning to Sayreville and shooting her 14 times. He had been recruited into the church and a Bible study group that Dwumfour founded when they both lived in Virginia. Bynum later moved away after a falling...

NASA’s Webb telescope discovers a new small moon orbiting Uranus  NASA’s Webb Space Telescope has discovered a new tiny moon orbiting Uranus. The moon, revealed Tuesday by NASA, is estimated to be only six miles (10 kilometers) wide. It was detected by Webb’s near-infrared camera during observations conducted in February. Scientists believe the moon went unnoticed for decades—including during Voyager 2’s flyby roughly 40 years ago—because of its small size and faint visibility. Uranus now has 29 confirmed moons, with the new discovery adding to the 28 already known. All of Uranus’s moons are named after characters from Shakespeare or Alexander Pope, and roughly half are smaller moons that orbit closer to the planet. This latest moon has yet to receive an official name.

 Trump vows no US troops will be deployed to Ukraine after security discussions President Trump said Tuesday that the United States will not send troops to Ukraine as part of a proposed peace arrangement with Russia. Following meetings with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump indicated that security guarantees for Ukraine would come primarily from European nations, with the U.S. providing support without deploying ground forces. In an interview, Trump emphasized that no American boots would be stationed on the Ukrainian border, saying, “You have my assurance, and I'm president. I'm just trying to stop people from being killed.” He also suggested that relations between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin were improving slightly, adding that any resolution would require cooperation between both leaders. Trump reiterated that his focus was on ending the conflict without risking American lives. European countries, he said, would serve as the...

 Joe Caroff, the designer responsible for creating the iconic 007 logo for the James Bond franchise, has died at the age of 103. His passing was confirmed to The New York Times by his sons, Peter and Michael, on August 17th, just a day before he was due to celebrate his 104th birthday. That logo is iconic indeed.

 Two drug kingpins Emami, Akpomuai convicted, sentenced to 10 years imprisonment . Their conviction an indication NDLEA strategies are working, says Marwa Two notorious drug kingpins: 37-year-old Ajetsibo Emami popularly known as ‘Warri Kinsman’ and 51-year-old Solomon Akpomuai have been convicted and sentenced to a combined 10 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Lagos. Emami was arrested in Ikeja Lagos on Saturday 28th June 2025 after NDLEA operatives dismantled his drug trafficking network in a three-day operation leading to the arrest of three other suspects. Recovered from Emami’s network were 24 jumbo bags containing 681 pouches of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 414.2 kilograms. The bust of Emami’s drug ring followed credible intelligence on his attempt to move the shipment to Lekki area of Lagos, from where it will be distributed to other parts of the state and across the country. He was subsequently arraigned before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Feder...

 POLICE NAB EX-CONVICT FOR SUSPECTED CULTISM, RECOVER GUN HIDDEN IN TOILET PIPE Operatives of Ijede Division of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a suspected cultist/armed robber and recovered a locally made firearm. On 18th August, 2025, the operatives received complaints that an individual was brandishing a locally made gun and threatening members of the public at Sabon Kasuwa area of Abule Eko. Acting swiftly on the complaint, the operatives traced the suspect, one Onamade Kayode ‘m,’ to an uncompleted building, where he was arrested. Investigations revealed that the suspect, who was released from prison in 2022 for cultism related offences, is still an active member of a cult group.  He admitted to having a firearm and led the operatives to a toilet pipe within the uncompleted building from where the firearm was recovered. The suspect is currently cooperating with ongoing investigations to apprehend other cult members and recover weapons in their possession afte...

 NCAA Summons Ibom Air Crew and Passenger Over In-Flight Incident The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has summoned a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, and Ibom Air cabin crew member Juliana Edward for questioning following a reported incident aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025. The incident, which has garnered significant attention, prompted the regulatory body to launch a formal investigation to ascertain the details and ensure compliance with aviation safety protocols. According to a statement from the NCAA, the incident occurred during Ibom Air flight [flight number, if known, or "an Ibom Air flight"] en route from Uyo to Lagos. While the specifics of the altercation remain undisclosed, preliminary reports suggest a disagreement between Ms. Emmanson and Ms. Edward, which escalated during the flight. The NCAA has emphasized that the investigation aims to establish the facts, assess any breaches of aviation regulations, and ensure accountabilit...

 NYSC Condemns Brutal Assault on Corps Member in Anambra The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has strongly condemned the violent assault on one of its members, Edema Elohor Jennifer (AN/24C/0626), in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The incident, which occurred on Monday, August 18, 2025, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the safety of corps members serving in various parts of the country. According to a statement issued by the NYSC Anambra State Coordinator, Mrs. Ekene Ibe, the assault took place while Edema was carrying out her lawful duties at her place of primary assignment. The corps member reportedly sustained injuries and is receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital. The NYSC described the attack as "unacceptable" and a "gross violation" of the principles guiding the scheme, which emphasizes unity, service, and mutual respect. Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding b...

 President Tinubu Scraps 5% Telecom Levy in New Tax Law, Says NCC The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that President Bola Tinubu has eliminated the 5% excise duty previously imposed on telecommunications services as part of the newly enacted tax laws. The decision, confirmed by the NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, is expected to alleviate financial burdens on telecom subscribers across the country. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dr. Maida described the removal of the levy as a significant step toward reducing the cost of telecommunications services for Nigerians. The excise duty, initially introduced to increase government revenue, had faced criticism from consumers and industry stakeholders for contributing to higher call, data, and SMS charges. “This is a welcome development for both subscribers and the telecom industry,” Maida said. “The elimination of the 5% excise duty will not only ease the financial strain on Nigerians but also foster...

 EFCC Arraigns Man for Alleged N131.8m, $200,000 Fraud in Abuja The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, August 18, 2025, arraigned one Umar Abdullahi  before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for fraud. Abdullahi, an Information and Communication Technology, ICT, consultant is being prosecuted on four-court charges, bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, advance fee fraud and money laundering to the tune of N131.8 million and $200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars). One of the charges reads: “That you, Umar Abdullahi, sometime between July 2024 and August 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did accept and transact cash payment of $200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars) for allotment of shares in Multi Access Controls Limited, in excess of the Ten Million Naira threshold, without transacting through a financial institution, thereby committing a...

 Edo Court Jails Six Internet Fraudsters Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City has convicted and jailed six internet fraudsters.   The convicts are, Idemudia Destiny, Osifo Destiny, Nomanidobo Favour, Dauda Ahmed, David Samuel and Wisdom John. They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charges, bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents. The charge against Idemudia Destiny reads: "That you Idemudia Destiny (m) on or about the 1st of August, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession, on your iPhone 16 Plus, with IMEI Number 355648184280359, documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and pu...

 Internet Fraudster Bags Two Years Imprisonment in Kaduna Justice M.J. Zubairu of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna, on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, convicted and jailed Muhammad Kabiru for fraud. Kabiru was prosecuted by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a one-count charge that bordered on criminal impersonation. The charge reads: "That you Muhammad Kabiru, (a.k.a Jennifer Aniston) sometime in July, 2025, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, committed an offence to wit: falsely presented yourself as Jennifer Aniston (a citizen of United States of America) to several unsuspecting victims via 'Telegram' chat (an online social media application) in a bid to lure them into love scam, which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142(1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.” He pleaded “guilty”, following which the prosecution...

  Former Warriors and Orlando Pirates Star Tendai Ndoro Passes Away at 40 The football community is mourning the death of former Zimbabwe Warriors and Orlando Pirates striker, Tendai Ndoro, who has passed away at the age of 40. According to reports, Ndoro was found lifeless in his apartment in South Africa on Monday, 18 August 2025. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear at this stage. Ndoro, affectionately known as Tindo, enjoyed a celebrated career across Zimbabwe and South Africa. He rose to prominence at Chicken Inn before moving to the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), where he played for Mpumalanga Black Aces, Orlando Pirates, Ajax Cape Town, and Highlands Park. During his spell at Pirates, he became one of the league’s leading scorers and a fan favourite for his eye for goal and physical presence. On the international stage, Ndoro proudly represented Zimbabwe, including at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was part of the Warriors squad. Tribu...

 Mogalakwena municipality denies fake corruption claims against Premier Ramathuba The Mogalakwena Local Municipality in Limpopo has dismissed social media allegations linking Premier Phophi Ramathuba and Cooperative Governance MEC Basikopo Makamu to alleged corrupt transactions worth millions of rands The claims, posted under the name of municipal manager Morris Maluleka, alleged that the pair were involved in questionable dealings with certain companies. In a media statement released on its official Facebook page, the municipality clarified that Maluleka had no connection to the posts. Mayor Ngoako Tauetsoala said Maluleka does not have a Facebook account and has distanced himself from the allegations. Tauetsoala described the social media posts as “faceless cyberbullying” and “unfounded,” condemning them as fake and malicious. He added that the matter has been escalated to law enforcement authorities. Meanwhile, the Limpopo provincial government has also rejected the claims, sayi...

 LAGOS, OYO, OGUN DECLARE WEDNESDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY The governments of Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun States have declared Wednesday, August 20, 2025, as public holiday to celebrate this year’s Isese Day. Isese Day is set aside to celebrate cultures and traditions in Yoruba land. The day recognizes the vital role that heritage and practices play in the identity and cultural landscape of Yoruba people. The Head of Service in Lagos State, Bode Agoro; the Secretary to the State Government in Oyo State, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; and the Ogun State House of Assembly approved Isese Day for celebrating traditional values in Yorubaland.  One more photo below. 

 NIGERIA TO ALSO REQUIRE AMERICANS TO PROVIDE SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES Following the recent decision of the United States government to request for social media profiles of Nigerians travelling overseas, the Nigerian government has decided to reciprocate in kind. The US said visa applicants must include usernames, handles, email addresses, and phone numbers used across all social media from five years before or have their visa applications declined. “So, on things of this nature, the best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action," said Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa. "Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures. ‘’I think that’s what the government might do because anything visa is reciprocal. What you are mandating our nationals to do, we will also mandate your citizens applying for our visa to do,’’ he said.

 Morocco wildfires: Farm fields destroyed amid soaring temperatures Wildfires have destroyed acres of farms in Bani Qora in Morocco’s northern Taounate province amid soaring temperatures, according to officials from Morocco’s National Agency for Waters and Forests. Morocco’s state broadcaster 2M reported that the flames also spread to farmers’ fields in Bani Qora in the same province. No casualties were recorded in the blaze, which erupted in al-Ghararsa forest, according to officials. “The fire mobilised firefighting teams, local volunteers, authorities, and gendarmerie units, whose combined efforts worked to extinguish it,” the agency said, Anadolu Agency reported. Wildfire warning On Saturday, Morocco’s National Agency for Waters and Forests warned residents in forest-adjacent areas across several northern and eastern provinces of possible wildfires between Sunday and Wednesday, amid forecasts of a heat wave with temperatures reaching 46°C (114.8F). Morocco has been battling to ...

 In a related development and in furtherance of the Force's effort to combat cyber related crimes, operatives of the NPF-NCCC have arrested three suspects namely Gbenga Samuel, Dele Titus, Olalekan Oke in Abuja and Lagos for cyberstalking, identity theft, and online fraud. The suspects were found to have been involved in large scale digital impersonation schemes and other cyber related offenses. On the 18th of July, 2025, the suspects hacked a WhatsApp account belonging to an unsuspecting user, called the user and threatened to expose confidential data on the account if the sum of Three Million Naira (3,000,000) wasn't paid. Detailed forensic analysis of the account led to the arrest of the suspects, recovery of the account and discovery of an ongoing organized crime which is currently under investigation.  The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has again reiterated the commitment of his leadership to embracing modern and digitalized app...

 Nigeria spends $10bn annually on food imports, minister laments Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, says Nigeria spends $10 billion annually on agro-imports, including wheat and fish. Kyari disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos at the First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. 2025 Agric and Export Expo. The minister, represented by his Special Adviser, Mr. Ibrahim Alkali, decried the rising rate of food imports and stressed the need for increased financing in agriculture to boost local production and exports. “Nigeria spends over $10 billion annually importing food such as wheat, rice, sugar, fish, and even tomato paste. “Agriculture already contributes 35 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product and employs 35 per cent of our workforce. “We sit on 85 million hectares of arable land with a youth population of over 70 per cent under the age of 30. Yet Nigeria accounts for less than 0.5 per cent of global agro-exports. “Currently, the nation earns less than $400 million from agro...

 Fubara eyes Sept 18 comeback as Ibas pushes projects completion 19th August 2025.  With one month left before the expiration of the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State, the camp of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara says it has begun the countdown to his expected return on September 18, 2025. The governor’s media aide, Jerry Omatsogunwa, told The PUNCH that residents were eager to have Fubara back “to continue the good work he was doing.” “Expectations for the governor’s return are very high,” Omatsogunwa said. “He had been doing wonderfully well as head of the Rivers State Government. Several projects were ongoing, including the multi-billion-naira Port Harcourt Ring Road, which cuts across about six local government areas. “The expectation is that these projects will be revived immediately so they don’t suffer setbacks—projects like the Ring Road, the Omoku-Elele Road, the Trans Kalabari Road, and many more. I believe he will want to accelerate them to ensure people ...

 BRAZIL ASKS META TO REMOVE CHATBOTS THAT 'EROTICISE' CHILDREN.  Brazil’s government has asked US technology giant Meta to rid its platforms of chatbots that mimic children and can make sexually suggestive remarks, the attorney general’s office announced Monday. Users of Meta’s platforms, which include Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, can create and customise such bots using the company’s generative artificial intelligence, AI Studio. The AGU said in a statement that Meta must “immediately” remove “artificial intelligence robots that simulate profiles with childlike language and appearance and are allowed to engage in sexually explicit dialogue.” It denounced the “proliferation” of such bots in what it called an “extrajudicial notice” sent to Meta last week, adding that they “promote the eroticization of children.” The document cited several examples of sexually charged conversations with bots pretending to be minors. The AGU’s request does not include sanctions, but the agen...

 Ali Nuhu alive, NFC dispels death rumour 19th August 2025 The Nigerian Film Corporation has dismissed social media reports claiming that its Managing Director, Ali Nuhu, is dead. The rumours began when a Facebook user Ifeoma Chigbo shared a video alleging that Nuhu had passed away. In the clip, the user expressed hope that the news was untrue. Later, another post surfaced claiming the veteran actor and filmmaker had died in a fatal car accident. However, in a statement issued on Monday evening by its Director of Public Affairs, Brian Etuk, the NFC dismissed the social media reports as false and malicious.

Student loan forgiveness program faces backlog of 72,730 applications Student borrowers working toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) may have a way to get their debt erased sooner than expected — but the program is bogged down by delays. The PSLF Buyback option, launched in summer 2023, allows eligible borrowers who have completed 120 months of qualifying public service employment to retroactively “buy back” months they missed toward forgiveness due to periods of forbearance or deferment. These months typically don’t count toward PSLF, but under the Buyback program, borrowers can pay for them now and receive credit toward forgiveness. As of July 31, there were 72,730 Buyback requests pending with the Department of Education, up from 65,448 at the end of June, according to a recent court filing. Some borrowers report waiting six months or more for a response, even if they are just a few months short of qualifying. Under PSLF, created in 2007, certain nonprofit and government em...

 REVENUE MOBILISATION ALLOCATION AND FISCAL COMMISSION  PRESS RELEASE RMAFC SET TO REVIEW THE REVENUE ALLOCATION FORMULA The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission  has formally commenced the process of reviewing Nigeria’s current Revenue Allocation Formula (RAF) to ensure equity, fairness, and responsiveness to the changing social economic realities of the country Speaking at a press conference held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on Monday, August 18, 2025, the RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, described the exercise as a constitutional responsibility that has become imperative in light of Nigeria’s evolving socio-economic and political landscape. According to him, “This important press conference marks the formal unveiling of the exercise to review the current Revenue Allocation Formula for sharing revenue amongst the three tiers of government in Nigeria.” Dr. Shehu disclosed that the last comprehensive review of the RAF was carrie...

 18th August, 2025 PRESS RELEASE PROACTIVE POLICING:  AS  RRS OPERATIVES ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER/CULTIST AND RECOVERY OF ENGLISH BERETTA PISTOL DURING STOP AND SEARCH ARREST OF AN EX-CONVICT/RECOVERY OF A STOLEN MOTORCYCLE The Delta State Command, under the leadership of CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has recorded another success in the fight against crime and criminality. The Policing strategy of CP Olufemi is an intelligence-driven one who promotes police that promotes proactive and not reactive policing. All officers, DPOs, and heads of formations have been mandated to key into this policing strategy and ensure that their Areas of responsibility are adequately Policed. 1. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER AND RECOVERY OF BERETTA DURING STOP AND SEARCH: On 16/8/2025  at about 0511hrs, Operatives of Rapid Response Squad of Delta State Command, while on Stop and Search along DBS Road, Asaba, stopped one Bassey Udoh, age 39years  (m) of Custom Market, Asaba, carr...

 ANAMBRA POLICE CONDEMNS ASSAULT ON FEMALE YOUTH CORPS MEMBER IN OBA The Anambra State Police Command has  condemned in strong terms the alleged assault on a female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the State. The assault was reportedly carried out by vigilante operatives. Following the incident, the suspects involved have been identified. The Command, however, notes that the alleged victim's unavailability has temporarily stalled the ongoing investigative process. Meanwhile, the Command has reiterated that assault in any form remains a criminal offence under the Nigerian Law and reserves the right to take necessary legal action to aid the court proceedings while waiting for the victim. The Command hereby reassures Corps members serving across the State of its unwavering commitment to their protection, urging them to always report incidents of harassment, intimidation, or abuse for prompt intervention. The Command ...

 Anambra West Administration Initiates Road Repairs on Iyiora, Umudora Roads By Felix Igboanugo The Anambra West Local Government Administration has begun palliative work on the Iyiora and Umudora roads, providing much-needed relief to residents who have struggled with the poor condition of these routes for an extended period. This intervention involves grading, filling potholes, and repairing damaged areas of the road to ensure they remain passable, particularly during the ongoing rainy season. Discussing the palliative efforts, Hon. Fidelis Nnazor, the Executive Chairman of Anambra West, noted that this initiative is part of the council's larger strategy to improve infrastructure and enhance transportation within the local government area. "We understand the difficulties our people have faced on these roads, especially farmers and traders. While we continue to push for full rehabilitation, this palliative measure will offer immediate relief and improve accessibility," t...

 DAVIDO, HIS DAD & UNCLE PAYING WORKERS SALARIES IN OSUN Former Ondo State governor and PDP chieftain, Bode George, said the trio of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Afrobeats artiste Davido, and his industrialist father have been paying Osun workers salaries for six months. Chief George said the trio of Davido and his father and uncle have been paying state salaries out of their personal pockets because the federal government refused to release local government funds in the state. Bode George said the federal government is owing Osun State more than N5 billion and that the deprivation is affecting Governor Adeleke psychologically.

 MAN FINDS UNEXPLODED CLUSTER BOMB IN HIS FARM  A farmer identified as Babagana Kachalla in Borno State found a cluster bomb intact in his farmland. He notified police authorities and the undetonated bomb was safely removed. According to police spokesperson in Borno, Nahum Daso, the farmer discovered the bomb in his farmland in Dikwa LGA. On the orders of CP Naziru Abdulmajid, the explosive ordnance disposal team was deployed to the site.  “The UXO, identified as a cluster bomb unit (CBU) measuring approximately 2.2 meters in length and 30 centimeters in width, was found partially buried," Daso said. “The EOD-CBRN operatives conducted IN-SITU demolition before the extraction of the cluster munitions plates. The operation was carried out successfully without incident."

 RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE: Arrest of Murder Suspect, The Rivers State Police Command has achieved a significant breakthrough in combating violent crimes in the state. Following the gruesome murder of Miss Confidence Konebari Sunny, a 44-year-old woman who was brutally macheted to death by her boyfriend one, Kingsley Chinamezu, aka Power Sharp, a 23-year-old male from Ogbo-Hill, Abia State, on 30th. July, 2025, in the Umuebule Community, Etche Local Government Area, Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) utilizing technical intelligence, have successfully apprehended the suspect. After committing the heinous crime, the suspect fled to Egbeta village in Edo State and began issuing further threats to the victim's family members, boasting that he could still harm them without consequences. Upon a formal complaint by the victim's family and proactive efforts by the Operatives of the Command, the Commissioner of Police assigned the case ...

 Storm in Yorubaland: Alaafin gives Ooni 48 hours to revoke Chieftaincy title A storm is brewing in Yorubaland as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, demanding the revocation of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland chieftaincy title recently conferred on Ibadan business tycoon, Engineer Dotun Sanusi. In a fiery statement released on Monday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin described the Ooni’s action as an “affront” and a direct challenge to the revered authority of the Alaafin, whom he declared holds the exclusive right to bestow titles that cover the entire Yorubaland. “The conferment of a Yoruba-wide chieftaincy title by the Ooni is not only ultra vires but an insult to the Titan of Yorubaland. The Supreme Court itself has ruled that only the Alaafin has such authority. Yet, the Ooni continues to act above the law, trampling on both tradition and the courts,” the st...

By-election results proved no mandate was stolen- Okpebholo  Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo has said that last Saturday’s by-election results showed that he won last year’s governorship election. Okpebholo said the results represented a reflection of the love of Edo people for the All Progressives Congress. The Edo Governor spoke when he received the House of Representatives member-elect for Ovia Federal Constituency, Hon. Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion, who was led by her predecessor and Edo Deputy Governor, Hon. Dannis Idahosa on a thank you visit. He said the results showed the people freely voted for the APC and that no mandate was stolen. According to him: “This by-election results show that Edo people have spoken. They cried that we stole their mandate. I waited for this election to really know if we actually stole their mandate.  “See the results that came from Edo Central by-election. They show that their mandate was never stolen at all as APC won 51 wards out of 51 wards...

 From Jagun to Olubadan: How I survived 31-year ordeal to claim throne - Ladoja Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has described his path to the revered throne of Ibadanland as long, bumpy, and full of trials, spanning more than three decades. Addressing hundreds of jubilant residents who thronged his Bodija residence in Ibadan on Monday to welcome him, the former Oyo State governor reflected on his rise through the city’s unique traditional succession system, which requires aspirants to climb 36 carefully arranged steps, beginning from the title of Jagun Balogun. Oba Ladoja recalled that he was installed as Jagun Balogun on October 1, 1993, shortly before his election as Senator for Oyo South. Since then, he said, it had taken him more than 31 years of steady progression to emerge as the Olubadan-designate. “Many of those who began this journey with me are no longer alive,” he noted, listing the late MKO Abiola, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, Chief Dejo Raimi, former Governor Adebayo ...