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 LAGOS NSCDC SMASHES BABY FACTORY IN BADAGRY, ARRESTS 2 SUSPECTS, RESCUES 28 VICTIMS, RECOVERS EXHIBITS. The renewed charge of the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, PhD., mni, OFR to all State Commandants to deploy technology - driven intelligence towards combatting criminalities across the country has begun to yield immediate positive results particularly in Lagos State Command. The State Commandant, NSCDC, Lagos State Command, Mr Adedotun Keshinro while addressing newsmen today, Friday, 17th April, 2026, in Badagry disclosed that the Command's operatives in the axis during a strategically mounted surveillance which lasted for three ( 3 ) weeks eventually  smashed a baby factory in an overnight operation between Wednesday, 15th and Thursday, 16th April at Okuju, Ilado, Road 1, Zone 1 Area of Olorunda, Badagry. He disclosed that the overnight operation, which was successfully carried out by the Command's oper...

Minibus taxi fire on Zimbabwe highway kills about 18 people, police say    A minibus taxi fire in southwestern Zimbabwe has killed about 18 people, according to police, after the vehicle burst into flames on a highway near the country’s second-largest city, Bulawayo. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said authorities were still working to confirm the exact death toll but estimated that approximately 18 people died in the blaze. In a separate statement, police said the vehicle “exploded into fire” along the highway, though the cause of the incident has not yet been determined. Minibus taxis are a widely used form of public transportation in Zimbabwe and are often overcrowded beyond recommended capacity, which has raised ongoing safety concerns.

 Former Arsenal and Austria goalkeeper Alex Manninger dies in train collision in Salzburg  Former Arsenal and Austria goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died after his car was struck by a train at a level crossing in Salzburg on Thursday morning, according to reports and local authorities. He was 48. Police said a car was hit and dragged by a local train while crossing the tracks in Nußdorf am Haunsberg around 8:20 a.m. The driver, who was alone in the vehicle, was pulled from the wreckage by first responders and given emergency medical treatment at the scene. Despite CPR efforts and attempts to revive him using a defibrillator, he was pronounced dead. The train driver was not injured. Manninger played for several major European clubs during his career, including Arsenal, Juventus, and Red Bull Salzburg, and earned 33 caps for Austria. He is best known for being part of Arsenal’s 1997–98 Premier League and FA Cup double-winning squad, as well as winning Serie A with Juventus during...

 85-year-old French woman released from US immigration detention after 16-day hold, returns to France  An 85-year-old French woman who spent 16 days in U.S. immigration detention has returned to France, where she was reunited with her family at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport on Friday. French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed her return, telling reporters that the case involved “acts of violence” that raised concern for French authorities. He said officials were relieved she was back in France. She was greeted at the airport by her three adult children. According to family members, she appeared physically and emotionally exhausted after the ordeal and was still wearing clothing from detention when she arrived, including orange shoes, sweatpants, and a gray sweater. The woman, identified as Marie-Thérèse Ross-Mahé, is a French citizen who had moved to Alabama after marrying a former U.S. Army serviceman she had known decades earlier in France while they were ...

 Celine Dion returns with first new single since 2023, announces comeback amid health battle Celine Dion has released her first new single in years, marking a return to music with the debut of “Dansons,” which dropped Friday. The new track, whose title translates from French as “Let’s dance,” is Dion’s first release since 2023, when she contributed songs to the “Love Again” film soundtrack. Her last studio album was 2019’s “Courage,” her 27th overall. “Dansons” runs just over three minutes and is a soft ballad featuring reflective lyrics about movement, resilience, and a world in disarray, including lines that translate to imagery of dancing above abyssal depths and spinning because “the world no longer spins right.” The single arrives shortly after Dion announced plans for a 16-date comeback concert series in Paris scheduled for the fall. In a statement at the time, she described the upcoming shows as a deeply emotional return to the stage, expressing gratitude and excitement abou...

 France and UK back Strait of Hormuz reopening but push for permanent maritime security mission amid US-Iran tensions PARIS - France and the U.K. have welcomed reports that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened to commercial shipping following announcements by U.S. and Iranian officials, while stressing that freedom of navigation in the critical oil route must be made permanent. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said planning would continue for an international maritime security mission, with military planners set to meet in London next week. Starmer said the deployment would go ahead “as soon as conditions allow,” while Macron called for the “full, immediate and unconditional reopening” of the strait by all parties following a meeting of roughly 50 countries and international organizations. The developments came as oil prices fell sharply after Iranian and U.S. officials signaled that commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz would resume u...

 Saraki, Abdulfatai Ahmed, others face culpable homicide trial on June 4 The Kwara State Government has filed a 20-count charge of culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy and other offences against former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, former Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed, and two of Ahmed’s former aides. The defendants Saraki, Ahmed, Yusuf Abdulwahab (Chief of Staff to the then Governor), and Alabi Olalekan (a former aide) will be arraigned before Hon. Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, on Wednesday, June 4, 2026.  The charge number is KWS/114C/26. The case stems from the bloody Offa armed robbery of April 2018, in which several people were killed.  The state government alleges that the accused armed and sponsored some of the convicted robbers. Key evidence cited by the prosecution includes: Confessions by Ayo Akinnibosun, one of the convicted robbers, who said he was a “hit man” for Saraki’s political structure. Akinnibosun claimed he receive...

 VeryDarkMan: Court grants Blord bail Celebrity Nigerian cryptocurrency entrepreneur Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as Blord, has been granted bail after spending weeks in Kuje prison over alleged impersonation of social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan. Activist and former presidential candidate Omolere Sowore made this known in a terse statement on his official Facebook account on Friday. According to him, Blord was bailed on his own recognizance after his arraignment in Federal High Court, Abuja. He, however, said the court ordered Blord to deposit his international passport as part of his bail conditions. “Bail has been granted to Linus Williams, popularly known as @mrblordofficial BLORD, on self-recognizance. The court, however, ordered that he deposit his international passport as part of the bail conditions,” he wrote. Recall that Blord was ordered to be remanded in prison on April 1, 2026

 Wike visits PDP Secretariat, urges calm, asks NWC members to lure defectors back The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has appealed to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Working Committee called to redouble efforts towards luring defected members and strengthen the party’s position as a formidable opposition force. Wike made this statement during a courtesy visit to the National Working Committee led by Abduraham Mohammed at the PDP headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Friday. The FCT minister also reaffirmed that the PDP remains the principal opposition force, stressing that the African Democratic Congress could not lay such a claim, having not secured electoral victories. He acknowledged that it would not be easy for the PDP, but expressed confidence in the leadership’s ability to restore the party to its former glory. He continued, “Yes, we had a crisis, and we have almost come out of the crisis. It is not going to be easy. It requires a lot of hard work...

 The Nigerian government banned the use of the title “Ambassador” by unauthorized individuals. The federal government, by so doing, said the ambassador title is strictly for individuals formally appointed and accredited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja. Ebienfa raised concerns over what he described as growing confusion caused by individuals presenting themselves as ambassadors without official authorization. He explained that the ministry had continued to receive inquiries from foreign diplomatic missions seeking to verify the status of Nigerians claiming ambassadorial credentials, a situation he said was straining official communication channels. “The Ministry has been receiving inquiries from diplomatic missions asking us to verify the status of Nigerians parading themselves as ambassadors,” he said. According to him, the trend is being driven by organizati...

 Abia APC Declares All Decisions Taken at Governor Otti’s Private Residence Null and Void The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has strongly condemned Governor Alex Otti for allegedly relocating government activities and meetings to his private residence at Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, instead of the state capital, Umuahia. The party described the practice as unconstitutional and warned that all policies and decisions taken at the governor’s private home are “null and void” and unacceptable to the APC. State APC Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, made the declaration while addressing party members during an empowerment programme organised by Chief Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr. in Obingwa Local Government Area to mark his birthday. Chukwu alleged that the continued hosting of government functions at the Nvosi residence has negatively affected economic activities and livelihoods in Umuahia, the recognised seat of power. “The Governor has taken the Abia Stat...

 Lindsay Lohan's stepmother arrested for allegedly punching and throwing a knife at Michael Lohan Lindsay Lohan’s stepmother, Kate Major Lohan, was arrested in Harris County, Texas, after allegedly assaulting her husband, Michael Lohan.  According to inmate records, she was booked on April 14 on suspicion of assaulting a family or household member with a prior conviction and is scheduled for arraignment Thursday. Court documents allege Kate punched Michael, leaving him with a bloody nose, and threw a steak knife at him during a physical altercation at her home.  Reports also claim she was intoxicated at the time. The couple, married since 2014, share two sons, Landon and Logan, and have had a turbulent relationship with multiple arrests on both sides. Earlier this year, Michael was charged in Texas with felony “continuous violence against the family” after Kate accused him of flipping her out of a chair, leaving visible bruises.  He was also arrested in Florida for v...

 Bride breaks down after sister-in-law throws paint on wedding dress before aisle walk A wedding day in Kent was thrown into chaos after a bride’s sister-in-law poured black paint over her dress just moments before she was due to walk down the aisle. Gemma Monk, 35, had been preparing to marry her childhood sweetheart Ken Monk at Oakwood House in Maidstone on May 24, 2024, when the incident unfolded, forcing a last-minute change of outfit and delaying the ceremony by around two hours. The attack was carried out by Antonia Eastwood, following a strained relationship between the families that had escalated after earlier disputes linked to Eastwood’s own wedding the previous year. Court proceedings heard that tensions had been building for months, with accusations and misunderstandings contributing to a growing rift. On the day of the ceremony, Eastwood arrived at the venue and carried out what was described in court as a revenge act before leaving the scene. The paint covered parts o...

 My life has been very hard - Meghan tells paying guests at private retreat Meghan Markle made a brief but high-profile appearance at a women-only event in Sydney, where guests paid premium fees for a chance to meet her, ask questions, and take photos. The session lasted about two hours and formed part of a retreat branded as an “ultimate girls’ weekend.” Attendees arrived earlier in the day under tight security, with checks in place before the evening programme began. During her time on stage, Meghan spoke candidly about life in the spotlight. She acknowledged the positive moments, including marriage and motherhood, but also admitted that the past decade has come with constant public scrutiny. “My life has been very hard,” she told the audience, explaining that much of the criticism directed at her felt like projection. She added that her children, Archie and Lilibet, remain her biggest motivation, and that motherhood has taught her patience. Prince Harry was present at the event ...

 Is the baby in the womb with us? - Rihanna responds to pregnancy rumors Rihanna has addressed recent speculation suggesting she may be expecting another child, responding directly to an online video that sparked the conversation. The discussion began under a clip posted by blogger @everybodyhatekrissy, which referenced old images and claims about a possible baby bump. Rihanna joined the comments herself and dismissed the suggestion in a playful tone, writing, “is the baby in the womb with us?” Her response quickly spread across social media, effectively ending the speculation. The conversation comes only months after Rihanna and partner A$AP Rocky welcomed their third child, a daughter named Rocki. The couple also share two sons, RZA, born in 2022, and Riot, born in 2023. Following Rocki’s arrival in September 2025, a source close to the family described Rihanna as especially joyful about expanding their household, noting that she had long hoped to experience raising a daughter. “...

 Twins, two others jailed 14 years for armed robbery in Lagos A Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced twin brothers, Ojomo Taiwo and Ojomo Kehinde, alongside two others, Emmanuel Bamidele (also known as DPO) and Peter Samuel (also known as Mogaji), to 14 years’ imprisonment each for armed robbery.  The trial judge, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, delivered the sentence following a plea bargain agreement entered into by the defendants on an amended two-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery, contrary to Section 298(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.  The convicts—Taiwo, a driver; Kehinde, a security guard; Bamidele, a technician; and Samuel, a cobbler—were initially arraigned in 2020 and pleaded not guilty. They later changed their plea to guilty after entering into a plea bargain agreement filed on April 14, 2026, which reduced their potential sentence from 21 years to 14 years’ imp...

 Man stabs his girlfriend, kills her sister and shoots young man in Abia community A man, identified as Chinedu Anamelechi, has allegedly shot dead his girlfriend’s sister, Ezinne Ariwodo at Umuanga Amakama community in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.  It was gathered that the suspect, said to be a local security personnel, also stabbed his girlfriend and shot a young man before fleeing the community.  The motive behind the attack remains unclear.  The spokesperson for the Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, who confirmed the incident said that the injured victims were rushed to the hospital where they are currently receiving treatment while the deceased was confirmed d3ad by medical personnel. The PPRO said that the body of the slain woman has been deposited in the mogue for autopsy and preservation, adding that exhibits were also recovered from the scene. “Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the command swiftly move...

 LAGOS HOSTS NETHERLANDS DELEGATION AHEAD OF INVESTMENT 3.0 SUMMIT, RECEIVES COASTAL PROTECTION REPORT Lagos State Government has received a delegation from the Republic of the Netherlands, led by the Consul-General, Lagos, Michael Deelen, on a courtesy visit aimed at establishing a functional relationship with Invest International of the Netherlands ahead of the forthcoming Invest in Lagos Summit 3.0. The State Government also received the report on Coastal Protection and Presentation of Feasibility Studies by CDR International, a Dutch Coastal, River and Port Engineering and Consultancy Firm. Welcoming the delegation to her office, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, described the summit, being organised in partnership with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), and scheduled to hold from 8th to 9th July, 2026 at Eko Hotel and Suites, as a deliberate programme to project Lagos as the investment ga...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE  President Tinubu congratulates ex-IGP Musiliu Smith on his 80th birthday  President Bola Tinubu rejoices with Alhaji Musiliu Adeola Kunmi Smith, former Inspector General of Police, on his 80th birthday on April 17, 2026. The President joins family, friends and associates to celebrate the remarkable police officer for his integrity, humility, professionalism and outstanding contributions to the nation and the police force.  Smith joined the Nigerian Police Force in Enugu in 1972 as an Assistant Superintendent. He later served as an Instructor in the Police College, Ikeja and a Divisional Police Officer in Mubi, Adamawa State.  He served in various capacities in the force until he reached the zenith as Inspector General of Police on May 29, 1999. In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari recalled Smith from retirement to serve as chairman of the Police Service Commission, a body that oversees police appointments, promotions, and discipline. He...

 First deportees from US arrive in Congo capital, sources say The first migrants deported from the United States ​under a recent bilateral agreement arrived in Democratic Republic of Congo early on Friday, according ‌to one of the migrants, a lawyer in contact with the group and two airport sources. The plane carrying the deportees — from Colombia, Peru and Ecuador — landed in Kinshasa at around 1 a.m. (0000 GMT), flight tracking data showed. A Colombian woman among ​the group, who spoke to Reuters, said there were 16 migrants — nine men and seven women. ​An airport source put the number of arrivals at 15. Reuters reported on Wednesday that ​more than 30 migrants were expected to be deported to Congo this week. Alma David, a U.S.-based lawyer representing ​one of the migrants, said the lower number of arrivals could be due to last-minute interventions by U.S. federal judges. She said she was aware of at least three cases in which judges halted removals.

 IGP DISU RECEIVES NIPSS DG, EXPLORES AVENUES FOR STRATEGIC COLLABORATION The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, on Thursday, 16th April 2026, received the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, to explore areas of mutual collaboration. The Director-General was accompanied by DIG ‘Leye Oyebade (Rtd), mni, and Dr. Garba Malumfashi. The meeting focused on strengthening institutional partnership between the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and the Nigeria Police Force, particularly in the areas of national security, strategic leadership, capacity development, and policy support. In his remarks, the Director-General noted that NIPSS, being under the direct supervision of the Presidency, remains Nigeria’s foremost policy think tank and centre for policy formulation. He described the Institute as the nation’s apex platform for strategi...

 81 DIVISION TROOPS FOIL ILLEGAL BUNKERING OPERATION, ARREST 14 SUSPECTS AND RECOVER TANKER, VEHICLES, AND EQUIPMENT IN LEKKI FREE ZONE Troops of 81 Division Nigerian Army have successfully foiled an illegal petroleum bunkering operation and arrested 14 suspected oil thieves at the Lekki Free Zone general area near the Dangote Refinery in Lagos State. Acting on credible and actionable intelligence, the troops conducted a swift and coordinated operation in the early hours of 16 April 2026 at about 0130 hours. During the operation, the suspects were apprehended while actively siphoning petroleum products. The criminals had illegally connected a long pipeline from the high sea to a tanker concealed in a bush location and were using a generator-powered pumping machine to transfer the products into the vehicle. On sighting the approaching troops, the suspects attempted to flee but were swiftly overpowered and arrested by the vigilant and gallant soldiers. Items recovered from the scene ...

 Kaduna South Senatorial Aspirant, Engr. Ciroma Joseph Denies Stepping Down For Senator Danjuma La’ah A Kaduna South senatorial aspirant, Engr. Ciroma Joseph, has dismissed claims that he has stepped down for Senator Danjuma La’ah, describing the reports as false and misleading. In a statement, Engr. Ciroma clarified that he remains fully in the race and has not authorized anyone to speak or act on his behalf regarding any withdrawal or endorsement. He also disowned a social media post attributed to one Pompo Poposiya Jonah, stating that the individual is neither his spokesperson nor a member of his media team. He urged the public to disregard any information not officially communicated by him or through his verified channels. He emphasized the importance of truth, integrity, and respect in politics, calling on all stakeholders to promote a healthy and credible political environment. The aspirant reaffirmed his commitment to his ambition and appreciated his supporters for their con...

 11 drug kingpins bag 254 years in prison as NDLEA secures 974 convictions in 3 months - Marwa commends Judiciary, NDLEA officers; says swift justice the most potent deterrent to drug syndicates  No fewer than 974 offenders have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms including 11 drug kingpins who bagged 254 years imprisonment in the first quarter of 2026 as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) ramped up the arrest, prosecution and forfeiture of the assets of drug traffickers and their collaborators across the country. Of the 974 drug traffickers convicted between January and March, 899 of them are male and 75 females, while a further breakdown of the conviction figure shows that 265 were secured in January, 316 in February and 393 in March. Top on the list of the 11 drug kingpins who were successfully prosecuted and convicted within the period include a notorious Italy-based 42-year-old businessman, Adegbite Solomon (a.k.a Obama) who was arraigned on 1...

 NACA WARNS AGAINST UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE OF HIV FIGURE; REJECTS 2026 1ST QUARTER PUBLICATION The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has raised alarm over the unauthorised  publication of purporting  statE by-state HIV figures for the first quarter of 2026. The director General  National Agency for the Control of AIDS Dr Temitope Ilori, describes  the data as misleading and not officially approved. In a statement, the NACA boss   clarifies that the publication did not follow established procedures for requesting, validating, and disseminating HIV-related data, and therefore lacks authorisation from the agency. The agency stressed that HIV data is highly sensitive and cannot be independently extracted or published without due process, noting that strict protocols are in place to ensure proper analysis, contextualisation, and accurate communication to the public. She explained that HIV positivity rates alone cannot be used as a measure of prev...

 NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION COMMISSION  WARNS ON ESCALATING THREATS OF CYBERSECURITY  The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has issued a nationwide advisory warning of  escalating cyber threats targeting financial systems and critical digital infrastructure. It therefore directs all data controllers and processors to urgently strengthen security measures, including enhanced access controls, encryption, system monitoring, and regular vulnerability testing. NDPC also called for the appointment of certified data protection officers and full compliance with regulatory standards, warning that failure to act could result in legal consequences. Citing recent technical assessments, Head, Legal, Enforcement & Regulations NDPC, Babatunde Bamigboye in statement on behalf of National Commissioner, Vincent Olatunji reveals that coordinated activities by malicious actors pose growing risks to data security referencing a directive by President Bola Tinubu, who underscored the imp...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE   PRESIDENT TINUBU ASSENTS TO 2026 APPROPRIATION BILL AND 2025 BUDGET EXTENSION   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion. He has also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.   The N68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and N15.8 trillion for debt service.   It allocates N15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and N32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure.   With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.   The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and cap...