Author: Atoyebi Adenike

By Atoyebi Nike The People’s Republic of China has issued urgent evacuation advisories for its citizens in both Iran and Israel, as hostilities between the two Middle Eastern powers continue to escalate dangerously. In a public advisory posted online Tuesday, the Chinese Embassy in Iran urged all Chinese nationals still in the country to “leave as soon as possible.” The embassy said it had coordinated with Iranian authorities to assist in outbound travel arrangements. “The Chinese Embassy in Iran has coordinated with the Iranian side to facilitate outbound travel and reminds Chinese citizens currently in Iran to leave as soon…

By Atoyebi Nike Iran on Tuesday accused the Group of Seven (G7) nations of taking sides with Israel, following the bloc’s joint call for “de-escalation” in the ongoing military conflict between the two nations. In a strongly worded statement, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei criticized the G7 for what he described as “one-sided rhetoric,” insisting the blame for the five-day-old conflict lies squarely with Israel. “The G7 must give up its one-sided rhetoric and tackle the real source of the escalation Israel’s aggression,” Baqaei said during a press briefing. He claimed that Israel had “launched an unprovoked war of…

By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted widespread early morning thunderstorms and rainfall across various regions of the country from Saturday through Monday, urging citizens to prepare accordingly. In a weekend weather outlook released in Abuja, NiMet said the northern states will see early morning thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Adamawa. Later in the day, thunderstorms with rain are also expected in Kebbi, Taraba, Zamfara, Borno, Kaduna, Sokoto, Gombe, and Bauchi. For the North-Central region, the agency predicts morning thunderstorms over Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Afternoon and…

By Atoyebi Nike A large pro-Palestinian convoy named “Soumoud” has retreated to the Misrata region in western Libya after being blocked by forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar in the country’s east, according to organizers. The convoy—named after the Arabic word for “steadfastness”—set out from Tunisia on June 9, with more than 1,000 participants from Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, and Tunisia, aiming to reach Rafah at the Gaza-Egypt border to symbolically break Israel’s blockade on Gaza. However, on Friday, the group encountered a “military blockade” near Sirte, a strategic city under Haftar’s control. Organizers say the convoy was surrounded, denied access to…

By Atoyebi Nike Tension erupted in the Nyorhyungu area of Makurdi on Monday morning as angry youths forcefully drove out a herd of cattle allegedly belonging to Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, the federal lawmaker representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency. The unrest followed the arrival of the cattle on Sunday evening, reportedly accompanied by six Fulani herders and heavily armed escorts. “People couldn’t sleep. There was panic everywhere. We were shocked to see armed escorts with cows parading through our community,” said one resident who declined to be named. “It felt like an invasion. No one knew what was going on,” another added.…

By Atoyebi Nike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two senior executives of SunTrust Bank before the Federal High Court in Abuja. They are accused of laundering $12 million. The defendants are Halima Buba, the Managing Director/CEO, and Innocent Mbagwu, the Executive Director/Chief Compliance Officer. They were brought before Justice Emeka Nwite on Friday, June 13, on a six-count charge. One charge says the duo aided Femi Gbamgboye to make a $3 million cash payment to Suleiman Muhammed Chiroma and his associates. This allegedly happened on March 10, 2025, in Abuja, without using a financial institution. Another…

By Atoyebi Nike Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by the Federal Government seeking a bench warrant for the arrest of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in an ongoing defamation case. The defamation suit, filed by the government on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, is based on claims made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a live appearance on Channels Television on April 3, 2025. During the broadcast, she allegedly accused both men of plotting to assassinate her. When the case was called on Monday, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. D.D. Kasue,…

By Atoyebi Nike The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has acknowledged growing challenges to regional integration, pledging stronger unity and urgent reforms in response to recent setbacks. At the 37th Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) held Sunday in Abuja, Commission President Dr. Omar Touray — represented by Vice President Damtien Tchintchibidja — warned that the bloc is facing an “existential crisis.” The meeting reviewed progress on programmes and projects, including the impact of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s withdrawal from the bloc. Touray said ECOWAS must act quickly to safeguard 50 years of…

By Atoyebi Nike President Bola Tinubu has condemned the mass killings in Benue State, calling them “depressing” and unacceptable. He has directed security agencies to act immediately. Tinubu also asked Governor Hyacinth Alia to hold talks between warring groups. The attacks happened overnight between June 13 and 14 in Yelewata and Daudu, Guma LGA. Over 200 people were killed, many of them IDPs under care at a Catholic hospital. Security forces have now been deployed. Tinubu urged political and community leaders to stop making comments that could incite more violence. Pope, CAN React Pope Leo XIV spoke from the Vatican.…

By Atoyebi Nike Nigeria’s flagship crude oil grades experienced a significant price surge over the weekend, crossing the $77 per barrel mark amid escalating military tensions between Israel and Iran, which have renewed global fears of a broader Middle East conflict. According to market data from Oilprice.com, Bonny Light crude rose to $78.62 per barrel by late Sunday, while Brass River and Qua Iboe settled at $77.09 and $77.14 respectively. These figures represent a sharp spike from the sub-$65 average recorded just a few days prior. This upward price movement puts Nigeria’s oil earnings in a more favorable position, as…