Author: Atoyebi Adenike
By Atoyebi Nike The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment following his conviction on multiple terrorism-related charges. Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho imposed life terms on counts one, four, five, and six, rejecting the prosecution’s request for the death penalty. The decision followed Kanu’s conviction on all seven counts brought against him by the Federal Government. The judge’s ruling marks a major turn in the long-running legal battle over Kanu’s activities and the violent incidents linked to IPOB operations in parts…
By Atoyebi Nike Bandits who abducted 38 worshippers from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have reportedly demanded a ₦100 million ransom for each victim. Information gathered on Thursday indicates that the kidnappers have begun reaching out to families of the abductees, days after the violent raid on the church during an evening service on Tuesday. A community leader and Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, confirmed the development, noting that four of his relatives are among the victims. Olukotun said he had been inside the church with five family members…
By Atoyebi Nike The Federal High Court in Abuja will deliver its sentence on Nnamdi Kanu at 4 pm today following his conviction on all seven charges against him. During the session, prosecuting counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) urged the court to impose the maximum punishment, insisting that Kanu showed no remorse for the “innocent lives” allegedly lost due to the activities associated with him and the Indigenous People of Biafra. Awomolo claimed that more than 75 security operatives and several civilians were killed, with public property destroyed during the group’s operations. With Kanu absent, the judge allowed a supporter to…
By Atoyebi Nike The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has disowned a pamphlet circulating online that advises corps members to pay ransom if kidnapped, describing it as fake and not an official publication. In a statement on Thursday via its X handle, NYSC management clarified that a similar document presented by a consultant in 2021 was never adopted. “Management wishes to make it clear that the document being circulated is not an official NYSC publication and does not represent the Scheme’s policy regarding security; it should be ignored,” the statement read. The NYSC reassured corps members and the public of…
By Atoyebi Nike The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of schools in four local government areas due to rising security concerns. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara State wing, disclosed the decision on Wednesday, announcing that schools in Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti LGAs will remain closed until further notice. NUT Chairman Yusuf Agboola said the directive came from the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development following fresh security threats in the Kwara South zone. He assured school authorities that updates would be provided as the situation develops. The closure follows a bandit attack on…
By Atoyebi Nike Turkey will host the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference following a compromise agreement with Australia that resolves weeks of deadlock over the summit’s leadership. Announced on Wednesday at COP30 in Belém, the deal allows Turkey to stage the physical event while Australia holds the COP31 presidency and leads all formal negotiations. As president, Australia’s climate minister Chris Bowen will appoint co-facilitators, draft negotiation texts, and issue the final decision document. A pre-COP meeting will be held in a Pacific Island nation to serve as a pledging event for the Pacific Resilience Fund. Bowen said the arrangement…
By Atoyebi Nike The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has raised alarm over water contamination in Lagos, Kogi, and Kebbi, calling for urgent interventions to protect public health. NiHSA Director-General Umar Mohammad revealed on Wednesday that the agency’s recent Water Quality, Flood Assessment, and Validation Report found high levels of heavy metals, microbial pollutants, and other contaminants in groundwater and wells across the three states. In Lagos, tests showed excessive nitrite, fluoride, lead, and cadmium, alongside significant microbial contamination, attributed to industrial discharge, sewage infiltration, waste leaching, and aging plumbing systems. Mohammad warned these could cause neurological, kidney, and bone-related…
By Atoyebi Nike The Sokoto State Government has completed its multi-billion naira Independent Power Plant (IPP) and is preparing for power evacuation. The announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Energy, Alhaji Sanusi Danfulani, during a tour of the facility with journalists. “The plant is completed and according to our technical experts, it is satisfactory. Our team and the contractor will now determine the next steps,” he said. The 38-megawatt plant was initially awarded in 2008 to US-based Vulcan Capital Energy at N3.8 billion with a six-month completion timeline, but the project faced repeated delays until 2019. Additional funds…
By Atoyebi Nike The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on three of seven terrorism charges brought by the Federal Government. Presiding Judge James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Thursday, citing prosecution evidence, including video recordings in which Kanu allegedly issued violent threats against Nigeria and its citizens, as the basis for his conviction.
By Atoyebi Nike Israeli air strikes in Gaza on Thursday killed four people, including three members of the same family, raising fresh fears over the fragile ceasefire. Qatar, a key mediator, warned that the renewed attacks threaten to derail the truce. Hospital officials in Khan Yunis said a one-year-old girl was among the dead, while another victim was killed in Abasan al-Kabira. Residents reported continued artillery fire despite the ceasefire in place since October 10. Israel confirmed a strike east of the “yellow line,” saying it targeted “terror infrastructures,” but offered no details on casualties. Gaza authorities say more than…