Author: Safiu Kehinde

Two cases of hantavirus have been confirmed after three people died and another was left seriously ill in a suspected outbreak onboard a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean. A Dutch husband and wife and a German passenger died, with the Dutch woman testing positive for the virus, the MV Hondius ship’s operator Oceanwide Expeditions said. The rare virus was also confirmed in a 69-year-old British national who was evacuated to a hospital in South Africa for intensive care. Two crew members – one British and one Dutch – with unconfirmed cases and a close contact of the German national…

Sudan has accused neighbouring Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of orchestrating drone strikes on its main airport, describing the assault as “direct aggression”. The international airport, located in the capital, was hit on Monday, along with military installations in the Greater Khartoum area. Recent drone strikes have shattered a period of relative calm in Khartoum, which came after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was pushed out by the Sudanese military last year. Ethiopia has said accusations that it was involved in the airport attack are “baseless”. The UAE has not yet commented, but has previously denied involvement…

Mali’s military leader Gen Assimi Goïta has taken over as defence minister after the officer who previously held the post was killed in a wave of surprise attacks. The West African country remains in a security crisis more than a week after an alliance of jihadists and separatist rebels launched their nationwide raids. During the offensive, Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide truck bombing on his residence near the capital, Bamako. A decree read on state television on Monday said Goïta would replace Camara as defence minister. He will be assisted by army chief ​of staff Gen Oumar…

Suggests Sanctions Against MTN, DSTV Safiu Kehinde The Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomole, has called for the Federal Government’s retaliation of South Africans xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in their country.  Oshiomole charged the government to take firm economic action against South African companies over the treatment of Nigerians abroad. He suggested the sanction of MTN and DSTV as he accused them of exploiting Nigeria. The former Edo state governor stated this during the Senate’s plenary session on Tuesday. Addressing the red chamber when the issue of the xenophobic attack was raised, Oshiomhole demanded the revocation of all…

Safiu Kehinde President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate, seeking confirmation of key ministerial and regulatory appointments in line with constitutional and statutory provisions. The first request is for the confirmation of Mr Joseph Tegbe as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pursuant to Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Tinubu in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary urged the red chamber to consider the ministerial nominee for approval. “In compliance with the provisions of Section 147(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I am…

Odibo Victory A rainstorm has killed two people and destroyed over 50 houses in Dokan Mai-Jama’a, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. This was confirmed by the Village Head of Dokan Mai-Jama’a, Alhaji Hamisu Tukur who added that the storm caused widespread destruction and displaced many residents. Tukur said that over 50 houses were affected, with several completely destroyed. According to the residents, the storm started at 6:41 p.m. on Monday and lasted for more than 40 minutes. A correspondent who visited the area reports that many families have been rendered homeless and are making efforts to salvage their…

Safiu Kehinde The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has awarded N100 million in damages against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) group over a defamation filed against the organisation by two officials of the Department of State Service (DSS). NPO Reported that the N5.5 billion suit had stemmed from SERAP’s allegation of invasion of its premises by the DSS officials. SERAP had on the 9th of September 2024, alleged that DSS officials unlawfully entered its Abuja office following the organisation’s call on President Bola Tinubu to investigate corruption allegations in NNPCL and reverse fuel price increases. Delivering judgement…

Safiu Kehinde The 2023 Labour Party’s Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has affirmed his membership with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ruling out speculations of possible defection to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) with the former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi. Rhodes-Vivour acknowledged the decision of Obi and others to leave the ADC for NDC. He however maintained his stance with the ADC, describing it as a party that will take him to victory. “To those who have made the difficult decision to move on to a new platform, I offer my genuine respect and best wishes. “These are hard…

Odibo Victory A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the arrest of a lawyer and others over allegations of financial fraud by false pretence. Justice Yellin Bogoro issued the order following an application by prosecutor ACP M.S. Usman, as the defendants, Ayo Adelaja, Quattro Architects Ltd, and Ejeta Etuoniyo are being prosecuted by the Special Fraud Unit. The defendants were alleged to have conspired to obtain the sum of N115 million from one Barbara Komolafe and Olukemi Fetoga, under the pretence that same represents amount for a four-bedroom luxury terrace located at Alma beach estate in Ikate Lagos. When…

Safiu Kehinde A fatal multiple crash in Abuja has claimed the lives of three people with several others injured. The tragic incident, involving a commercial tricycle and two cars, occurred on Tuesday in Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to reports, the accident occurred after a taskforce vehicle lost control and veered into oncoming traffic. Video of the incident shared on X showed the severely damaged vehicles and bodies of victims lying motionlessly by the roadside. Some first responder could also be seen attempting to evacuate another victim from of the crushed cars. An eyewitness confirmed that…