news afd

Nigerian billionaire and Chairman of First HoldCo, Femi Otedola, has explained why the firm’s profit crashed by 92 per cent in its 2025 financial year performance ahead of the 2026 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recapitalisation deadline. In a statement on his X account on Saturday, Otedola said the company was affected by ₦748 billion in old bad loans. According to him, the firm took the decision to recognise the losses rather than pretend “they do not exist.” He further explained that the Central Bank of Nigeria, under Olayemi Cardoso, is “pushing banks to stop kicking problems down the road.” Otedola, who recently increased his stake in the firm to 18.12 per cent, said the company is “still strong.” He noted that First HoldCo recorded ₦2.96 trillion in interest income and ₦1.91 trillion in net interest income, which gave it the strength to undertake the clean-up and remain standing. He added that the firm would enter 2026 better and stronger ahead of the March 31 recapitalisat...

The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child abuse, and all forms of exploitation, announcing stricter enforcement, coordinated prosecution, and uncompromising accountability for offenders. This is just as the government reaffirmed its commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence in public service as a strategic pillar for effective social development, institutional integrity, and sustainable governance. The policy direction was unveiled by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, at the 3-in-1 New Year Programme held in Abeokuta on Friday. She described the event as a deliberate convergence of policy reflection, capacity building, and celebration, designed to align stakeholders, sharpen institutional focus, and set a firm policy tone for the year, with women’s empowerment, child protection, and inclusive social development as central priorities. Reflecting on achievements re...

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has condemned comments by the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, who called on the deputy governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, to resign. In a statement issued by the party’s Kano State spokesman, Ibrahim Karaye, the NNPP said the constitution still allows the deputy governor to remain in office. The party explained that the commissioner’s remarks followed Gwarzo’s decision not to defect with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and some aides to the APC. According to the NNPP, Gwarzo has the right to continue performing his duties because he and the governor were elected on the same ticket. The NNPP urged the state executive arm to refrain from political interference and focus only on responsibilities assigned by the constitution. “It is important for the deputy governor to continue holding his position in the interest of better leadership in the state,” the statement added. The party also noted that the Information Commissioner was ...

A financial analyst, Kalu Aja, alleged that the Nigerian government intends to borrow N2 trillion monthly to finance what he described as a “wasteful” 2026 budget. He disclosed this in a statement on X on Wednesday, noting that the N58.47 trillion 2026 budget is currently before the Nigerian Senate. According to Aja, the budget focuses largely on solar streetlights, motorcycles, cash grants, and other wasteful expenditures. “I literally read every page of the 2026 budget. “It’s a wasted opportunity, again. “Just like the 2025 budget, it’s all about solar streetlights, motorcycles, cash grants, and more wasteful spending. “This is a nation where we are borrowing N2 trillion every single month, and you believe the best use of those borrowed funds is solar streetlights on bad roads?” he wrote on X. Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in December last year presented a N58.47 trillion budget before a joint session of the National Assembly, with a projected budget deficit of N23...

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has rejected the decision of the National Industrial Court. Recall that on Tuesday, the court ruled on an injunction filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Administration, compelling workers under the Joint Union Action Committee to suspend their ongoing strike. The Industrial Court ruling ordered FCTA workers to suspend the strike action. Reacting in a statement, Benson Upah, NLC Acting Secretary, said Nigerian workers are dismayed by the court’s decision. The NLC decried that the court failed to consider the injustice faced by Nigerian workers under the FCTA. “We are dismayed by the ruling of the National Industrial Court today, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in the matter between the Minister of FCT/FCTA versus workers or employees of FCT. It is in light of this that we find it distasteful that the court did not think it necessary to do justice to workers by way of even a tokenistic injunctive relief. Th...

An FCT High Court sitting in Apo Abuja, on Monday granted a further adjournment in the ongoing trial of Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, over alleged forgery and impersonation, despite strong opposition from the prosecution. The latest adjournment marks the seventh occasion on which the first defendant, Giwa, has sought to delay proceedings since the trial commenced, and the fourth time he has changed his legal representation. Giwa and Bukola are standing trial for allegedly forging official documents and impersonating a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Awa Kalu, with the purported aim of misleading the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) into withdrawing an earlier criminal charge against Giwa. At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel T. Y. Silas appeared for the Inspector-General of Police, while Ogbu Aboje represented the second defendant. Levi E. Nwoye held a watching brief for the complainant. The first defendant ...

Nasarawa United recorded the only away win on matchday 22, edging past Abia Warriors 2-1 at the Umuahia Township Stadium. Abia Warriors led 1-0 in the first half courtesy of Emeka Obioma’s 42nd-minute strike. Nasarawa United fought back after the break with goals from Habibu Alakija and JoFrank Istifanus. At the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasinga, Ibadan, Shooting Stars ended Bendel Insurance’s nine-game unbeaten run with a 1-0 win. Qamar Adegoke netted the winner for the home team 11 minutes from time. Nasarawa United moved to second position on the table with 38 points. Record champions Enyimba lost 2-0 against Niger Tornadoes in Minna. Abdulrasheed Shehu Dabai and Rickson Mendos scored for Tornadoes. FULL RESULTS Barau 1-1 Bayelsa Utd Wikki 2-0 Kano Pillars Rangers 4-2 Wolves 3SC 1-0 Bendel Insurance Tornadoes 2-0 Enyimba Abia Warriors 1-2 Nasarawa Utd El-Kanemi 0-0 Ikorodu City NPFL: Shooting Stars halt Bendel Insurance nine-game unbeaten run 

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of positioning himself as an “emergency opposition mouthpiece” following what he described as a cold reception from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a recent visit to the Presidential Villa. In a statement dated Sunday, Fayose alleged that Makinde’s recent critical remarks against President Tinubu, made at the birthday event of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, were borne out of frustration after an unsuccessful attempt at reconciliation with the President. “That Seyi Makinde’s derogatory comment against President Tinubu at Osinbajo’s birthday further confirmed that he got a cold shoulder from the President during his last visit to the Villa,” Fayose said. He claimed that Makinde had earlier sought to manage the fallout from his public comments against the President but was allegedly disappointed by the outcome of his visit. “In his attempt to do damage control on his public speech aga...

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, for the first time since the controversies surrounding his defection to the All Progressives Congress, has stated that he believes in Allah as the ultimate source of power and guidance. “In 2023, it was God who gave me power, not anybody else, and I still thank and appreciate Him as the only one who will allow me to continue in 2027,” Governor Yusuf declared while presenting motorcycles to his social media handlers on Saturday. Governor Yusuf added, “Even all the talk about 2027 is a misplaced priority, because who knows whether he will make it to tomorrow, let alone 2027.” He emphasised that his major concern at present is Kano, saying, “We have to get it right to have our full peace and security before talking about anything, and that is my major concern now, not anything else. “Let me remind everybody that, to me, Kano comes first, not loyalty to anybody. Everyone should know that no one is bigger than Kano; we shall all be loyal to Kano...

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has arrested five suspects with a truck loaded with vandalised rail tracks in Bauchi State. ASC Saminu Yusuf, the Bauchi State Command’s Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, in a statement on Friday, said the Corps received intelligence on January 12, 2026, at about 3 am around Gital town in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, and immediately, personnel swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspects. “NSCDC personnel on patrol along Miri, Jos Road intercepted a Dangote truck with a registration number MDB 360 XA loaded with vandalised railway track and slippers covered with bags of chicken feeds, heading to the Eastern part of Nigeria,” the statement said. It said that one of the suspects, identified as Mr. John, the mastermind of the intercepted vandalised railway track, and Auwal, the truck driver, were at large, adding that the command is intensifying efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects. It named the five ...

Ambassador-designate Femi Fani-Kayode has called for an uncompromising military approach to combating terrorism in Nigeria, insisting that all terrorists must be eliminated. Fani-Kayode said no form of negotiation or engagement should be extended to terrorist groups. He stated that terrorists responsible for the deaths of thousands of Nigerians, both Christians and Muslims, over the years have forfeited any claim to leniency. Posting on X, the former Minister of Aviation reiterated a position he said he has maintained for more than 15 years, rejecting dialogue, mercy, or concessions of any kind. He added that international cooperation, including support from the United States or other partners, would be welcome, provided it comes without conditions. According to him, only overwhelming force would be effective, asserting that individuals involved in terrorism, as well as those who support them directly or indirectly, should be completely eliminated. He wrote: “Together we must an...

Over 1,000 civil society organisations (CSOs) have thrown their weight behind the ongoing protest by indigenous contractors against the Federal Government. The groups, operating under a broad-based coalition, accused the Minister of State for Finance,  Doris Uzoka-Anite.of frustrating efforts to settle outstanding debts owed to local contractors and warned that her continued stay in office could deepen Nigeria’s economic challenges. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the coalition said its position followed weeks of engagement and concern over what it described as the failure to implement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on the prompt payment of verified debts. The statement was signed by representatives of several organisations, including the National Vanguard for Accountable and Transparent Democracy (NVATD), Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), Movement for Accountable and Good Governance (MAGGo), National Coalition for Peace, Unity and Progress (NCPUP), ...

Former Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Mr Wafarinyi Theman, has said the Social Democratic Party, SDP, is repositioning to offer the state a dependable alternative by 2027. Theman, a former Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Adamawa and ex-lawmaker for Hong Constituency from 2011 to 2015, made this known during a media engagement on Tuesday in Yola. He said the SDP would soon become visible and competitive across the state, driven by a sound political ideology and a strong commitment to human development. According to him, the party’s ideology provides a solid foundation that can be harnessed to deliver better governance in Adamawa and Nigeria at large. “With the right ideology and commitment to human development, the SDP is ready to offer Adamawa a dependable alternative by 2027,” he said. The former lawmaker announced his defection from the APC to the SDP, describing the move as a major political realignment ahe...

Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has been taken into custody by the Department of State Services, DSS. DSS officials took the former minister shortly after he left Kuje Prison, following the completion of his bail conditions. DAILY POST understands that the former attorney-general is facing a fresh probe by the secret police. It was gathered that arms were discovered at his Kebbi country home by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a search. The former AGF had recently alleged a plot by the DSS to re-arrest him from Kuje Prison. A Federal High Court on Wednesday granted Malami, his wife, and his son bail in the sum of ₦500 million each, with two sureties. However, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, the former minister alleged that the DSS was carrying out surveillance at the correctional centre in a bid to re-arrest him. The former minister is said to have met his bail cond...

Indigenes of Ogwu Ikpele in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have protested the activities of oil exploration company, Sterling Petroleum Energy Exploration Company (SPEECO) in their community. The indigenes chose the 10th anniversary of SPEECO in their community to stage a protest, calling for government attention over their plight, which mostly bother on lack corporate social responsibility by the company and of basic amenities. In a two-day protest held on Friday and Saturday, members of the community who trooped out with placards lamented lack of tarred roads, hospitals, electricity, pipe borne water and others. Youths, women, children and elderly people marched through the community in protest, saying SPEECO’s 10 years of oil exploration on their community has put them in agony, denial, rejection and degradation. President General of the community, its traditional prime minister and other important personalities who spoke to journalists during the protest stated ...

Suspected herders have reportedly killed two people in a fresh attack on Sham-Ior community, the headquarters of Guma Local Government Area in Benue State. Residents said the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, prompting the community to be deserted as people fled to nearby areas for safety. A community source said the assailants invaded the area and opened fire, killing two people on the spot, while several others reportedly sustained injuries. The source added that farmlands and properties were destroyed during the attack, further worsening the humanitarian situation in the area. As of the time of filing this report, normal activities in Sham-Ior had been disrupted, with residents urging the state and federal governments to strengthen security and protect vulnerable communities from recurring attacks. When contacted, security operatives confirmed the incident and said efforts were ongoing to restore calm and apprehend the perpetrators. Suspected herdsmen kill two i...

President Donald Trump on Saturday levied tariffs on eight European nations that have voiced their opposition to the United States’ control of Greenland. Those affected are Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Most are widely regarded as U.S. allies. Trump stated that America has been subsidizing Denmark, Europe, and countries on other continents for many years by not charging them any form of remuneration. “It’s time for Denmark to give back after centuries…World Peace is at stake!” the President wrote in a post on Truth Social. The U.S. leader reiterated his comment about China and Russia wanting Greenland, declaring there’s not a thing that Denmark can do about it. Trump vowed nobody would be allowed to touch the “sacred piece of land,” citing the national security of the United States and the world at large. He criticized recent trips to Greenland by the leaders and officials of Denmark, Norway, Sweden...

Osborne, son of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has obtained the chairmanship form for Ohaozara Local Government Area, LGA in the forthcoming Ebonyi council polls. Osborne was among aspirants endorsed by Governor Francis Nwifuru as the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidates for the election in the 13 LGAs of the state. The endorsement drew diverse reactions from political watchers across the state, with Umahi describing it as the height of appreciation by the governor. Osborne, accompanied by well-wishers and supporters, obtained the N30million form at the party secretariat in Abakaliki on Friday. He,however, declined comments when approached by newsmen. The State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Francis Ori, who was  present at the secretariat when the form was obtained, said that Osborne would be a worthy representative of the people. “He is a chip of the old block and will replicate his father’s wonders in Ebonyi as former governor and as...

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has announced the appointment of caretaker committees to oversee party affairs in Delta, Enugu, Imo, Rivers, and Osun States. The appointments were made by the National Working Committee (NWC) acting on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC), in line with Section 29(2)(b) of the PDP Constitution (2025, as amended). The announcement was signed on Thursday by Theophilus Dakas Shan, National Organizing Secretary of the PDP. Delta State Caretaker Committee Prof. Sylvester Monye – Chairman Dr. Michael Tidi, Esq. – Secretary Ujor Ucheonny – Member Pharm. Victor Ofobrukueta – Member Comdr. Johnbull Aghogho Kenairu – Member Jackson Agbor – Member Onajega Mike – Member Chief Ekiyor Charles – Member Hon. Mrs. Vero Egbuna – Member Chukwunonso Alex Ndah – Member Walter Uguoye – Member Enugu State Caretaker Committee Barr. Steve Oruruo – Chairman Martin Ugwuamadieze – Secretary Ugwu Uchenna Godswill – Member Lilian C. C. Ugwuoke –...

Nigeria will take on hosts Morocco in a semi-final clash at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday evening. Both teams are yet to lose any game so far at the tournament. The Super Eagles defeated Algeria 2-0 to qualify for this stage. On their part, the Atlas Lions saw off Cameroon by the same scoreline, to make the final four. The winner of this semi-final match will face Senegal in Sunday’s final. Kick-off is 9pm WAT in Rabat, Morocco. DAILY POST will provide live updates from Nigeria’s match against Morocco. ___________________________________________________________ Nigeria XI: Stanley Nwabali (goalkeeper), Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Frank Onyeka, Victor Osimhen (captain), Bruno Onyamaechi, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Calvin Bassey, Akor Adams. Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; Al Aynaoui, Saibari, El Khannouss; Brahim, El Kaabi, Ezzalzouli. ___________________________________________________________ FIRST HALF: HALF TI...

The Kebbi State Government has reopened Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, months after 24 students were abducted and later rescued. The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Halima Bande, announced the reopening on Tuesday following a security meeting with school principals and heads in Birnin Kebbi. The school had been closed after the November abduction. Bande stated that parents and students have regained confidence due to counselling and the full deployment of security personnel, allowing academic activities to resume. She added that the government is committed to implementing all necessary measures to protect students and staff. According to her, Governor Nasir Idris has ordered security awareness programmes for principals and school staff to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. Similar sessions, she said, have already taken place in Zuru, Yauri, Jega, Bunza and Argungu, with the final session held in Birnin Kebbi. The commissioner emph...

Former Manchester United midfielder, Michael Carrick, has reached a verbal agreement with the Premier League club, to return as an interim manager. Carrick has been picked by the Red Devils ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. “Michael Carrick has accepted all conditions of Manchester United contract proposal,” football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X on Monday evening. “The agreement is almost done and it will be sealed THIS week, as expected.” Carrick will take over from Ruben Amorim, who was sacked two weeks ago. The 44-year-old’s first fixture in charge will be the Manchester Derby in Saturday’s early kick-off. EPL: Man Utd reach agreement with Carrick to replace Amorim

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has suspended its plan to commence strike on January 12. The suspension was announced in a statement issued on Sunday by Shuaibu Ibrahim, secretary-general of NARD. The association had earlier announced the strike in an update issued after its emergency national executive council (E-NEC) meeting held on January 2. NARD said it wanted to embark on the strike to press home their demands from the Federal Government. BREAKING: Resident doctors suspend planned strike

The Federal Government has dismissed speculations that it plans to introduce tolling on the recently rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, made this clarification on Sunday while responding to questions from journalists after inaugurating a N40 billion Closed Circuit Television, CCTV, Camera Control Centre on the bridge. Umahi explained that tolling the bridge was neither feasible nor advisable, citing structural and traffic-related concerns. “We will not engage in any form of tolling on this bridge because it will involve construction activities that could introduce additional static load on the structure,” he said. He further noted that the bridge’s location within a densely populated urban area makes tolling impractical, as it would create traffic congestion and operational challenges. “The bridge is within the city, and tolling it will introduce unnecessary bottlenecks. That is why we are not tolling the Third Mainland Bridge...

Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has said that Calvin Bassey’s first-half attempt against Algeria in the quarter-final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco was a goal. The former Nigeria attacker hit out at the Confederation of African Football, CAF, for its failure to introduce the goal line technology in African football. There is no goal line technology in the Africa Cup of Nations despite calls for the installation of such an important technology in African football. Fifa rule states that the ball must cross the goal line to be ruled as goal. Replays show that almost all parts of the ball have crossed the line but the Senegalese referee’s on-field decision was upheld by the VAR thereby denying Nigeria what would have been the first goal. The Super Eagles dominated the first half of the game and missed some golden opportunities to take the lead in the first forty-five minute. Speaking on SuperSport, Ighalo, who was a member of the Super Eagles team when t...

Nigeria—and indeed Kaduna State—is on the rise. The combined efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani over the last two and a half years have translated into a journey of transformation, marked by improvements in security, infrastructure, agriculture, and the general welfare of the people. Across the length and breadth of the country and Kaduna State in particular, communities that were once neglected and steeped in despair are gradually regaining hope. At the same time, terrorists and bandits who for years threatened peace and challenged the authority of the Nigerian state are, for the first time, facing the full weight of the law. There is a growing sense of optimism among a majority of Nigerians that the present administration is steering the country in the right direction. In barely two years, the Tinubu administration has targeted and neutralised over forty notorious bandit leaders, killed or arrested more than four thousand of their followers, and secured th...

A meeting between the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and striking judiciary workers has ended in a deadlock. DAILY POST reports that the workers, who embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday over poor welfare and the government’s failure to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary, met with the governor on Thursday. However, after the meeting, the striking workers vowed to continue the indefinite strike until all their demands are met. Governor Aiyedatiwa, described by aggrieved judicial officers as an “ungrateful beneficiary of the judiciary,” had earlier held talks with leaders of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and other judicial stakeholders. The move, however, collapsed as magistrates, Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts, and JUSUN leaders unanimously rejected what they described as half-measures and empty assurances. “At the end of the meeting, our position was clear: no financial autonomy, no work,” a top member, who preferred not to be named, ...

The judge handling the N8.7 billion money-laundering prosecution of former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has issued a firm caution, warning that nobody associated with the case should attempt to approach him privately. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the warning on Wednesday while ruling on the bail request filed by Mr Malami alongside his co-defendants, his wife, Asabe Bashir, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami. Stating his stance on judicial integrity, the judge declared: “Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with any case, do not approach me. The law cannot be bent as far as this court is concerned,” the judge cautioned. He added that his calmness in court should not be misconstrued as weakness. Addressing the EFCC prosecution team, defence counsel, and the defendants, Justice Nwite further stated, “So, I want to warn each and every litigant and lawyer appearing before this court that they should und...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Dr Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote as the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School. His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. According to the statement, the appointment takes effect on January 10, 2026, for a four-year term. The 54-year-old Odusote is currently the Deputy Director-General and Head of the Lagos Campus and will become the first woman to lead the institution since its establishment in 1962. She will succeed the current Director-General, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, whose tenure expires on January 9, 2026, after eight years of service. Titilayo Odusote obtained her LL.B. degree from  Obafemi Awolowo University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988. She holds an LL.M from the same university, specialising in company and commercial law. She later obtained a PhD in Law from the University of Surrey, in the United Kingdom, with research interests in Publi...

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has condemned the Nigerian government, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of embarrassment and moral cowardice over the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the United States. The statement was released on Monday by ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. The party criticized Nigeria’s lack of response more than 48 hours after the US operation, describing the government’s silence as “reeking of fear” and “a further indication that Nigeria has lost both voice and standing on the international stage.” In addition, the statement highlighted the widely condemned 2024 Venezuelan elections as evidence that regimes surviving on fraud and repression cannot rely on international doctrines of sovereignty for protection. “Let’s be clear,” the statement said, “the Nigerian government’s silence has nothing to do with neutrality. It reveals a government that lacks confidence simply because it lacks int...

Former Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, has called on the United States of America to commence air assaults in Benue over the large presence of armed herdsmen attacking farmers in the state. He stated this over the weekend during a consultation dinner organised for political stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Makurdi. Chief Aondoakaa said armed herdsmen are in control of more than 15 of the 23 Local Government Areas in the state, and the people have come under sustained attacks under the current administration. He said these attacks have led to the mass displacement of residents from their ancestral homelands, with women and children living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the state under very difficult conditions. “There are terrorists in Benue State. US airstrikes should have started here before going to Sokoto. These airstrikes are long overdue in Benue. “Those who came to Benue unde...

Senegal avoided a shock elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, after they came from behind to beat Sudan 3-1 in their Round of 16 fixture on Saturday evening. The Teranga Lions were behind as early as the sixth minute after Aamir Abdallah Yunis curled in the opening goal. But they went into the break in front, thanks to two goals from Papa Gueye in the 29th and 45th minutes of play. In the second half, Ibrahim Mbaye added a third as Senegal progressed into the next round. They will now take on the winner of the Tunisia vs Mali last-16 clash for a place in the semi-final. AFCON 2025: Senegal beat Sudan, become first team to qualify for quarter-final

Former Morocco international, Mustapha El Haddaoui has named six teams that have stood out to him in the 2025 AFCON tournament so far. The 2025 AFCON Round of 16 stage is set to begin this weekend in various stadiums across Morocco. Notably, eight nations, including Gabon, Botswana, and Angola, have already exited the tournament. But El Haddaoui has now identified Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon, Senegal, and Egypt as the teams that have made an impression thus far. When asked about the standout teams, the ex-OGC Nice midfielder stated on CAF’s official website: “Morocco, Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Senegal, and Nigeria have all made strong starts. Each of these teams has something important to contribute to this competition, which will make the upcoming Round of 16 exciting and intense. “After this level of organization, we will be prepared to host the 2030 World Cup in Africa, where we hope all teams will excel.” AFCON: Ex-Morocco midfielder, Mustapha El Haddaoui names 6 tea...

Cyriel Dessers will play no part  for Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations due to a thigh injury, reports Completesports.com. Dessers, according to the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, has returned to his Greek club, Promise Efoghe for treatment. The former Rangers star sustained the injury during training. The striker is yet to make an appearance for the Super Eagles in Morocco. Right-back Ryan Alebiosu did not participate in the team’s training session on Friday as he continue his recovery from the leg injury he sustained against Uganda on Tuesday. Zulte Waregem of Belgium midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi also sat out of Friday’s session  due to illness. The Super Eagles will take on the Mambas of Mozambique in a Round of 16 fixture in Fès next week Monday. AFCON 2025: Dessers out with injury, returns to club side