Author: News Room

The Borno State Police Command has deployed over 1,000 officers across major streets, flashpoints and churches as Christians celebrate Christmas, following a bomb blast that killed five people and injured 35 others at a mosque on Wednesday evening. PUNCH Online had reported that the blast occurred around 6pm when worshippers had gathered at the Al-Adum Mosque for prayers in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri. Speaking exclusively to our correspondent on Thursday morning, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, said that although security measures were already in place, Wednesday’s incident necessitated heightened security arrangements. Daso said the police, in…

Nigerian football fans have forgiven Semi Ajayi for his crucial penalty miss against DR Congo in the World Cup play-offs after the defender scored the opening goal in the Super Eagles’ 2-1 victory over Tanzania at AFCON 2025, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Ajayi rose highest to head home Alex Iwobi’s corner in the 36th minute at the Complexe Sportif de Fes on Tuesday, becoming the first Nigerian player to score at the tournament and earning the Man of the Match award. The goal sparked an outpouring of support on social media platform X, with fans declaring the 32-year-old had redeemed…

Bitcoin (BTC) institutional outflows continued into Christmas as the US gained the title of biggest BTC seller.Key points:Bitcoin ETF netflows stay negative for Christmas Eve as the institutional investment vehicles lose another $175 million.Tax obligations and the quarterly options expiry are blamed for the poor performance.Hope remains for a broad rebound after the holiday season.Analysis: Bitcoin institutional bid to return “soon”Data from UK-based investment company Farside Investors confirms that on Christmas Eve, net outflows from the US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) totalled over $175 million.Bitcoin institutional capital saw no reason to wrap up for the holidays while Wall Street…

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the bomb blast that occurred in Borno State on Christmas Eve, describing it as a clear indication of the federal government’s failure to safeguard lives and property. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the party’s spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, expressed sympathy with the families of victims of the attack, which reportedly occurred at a mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, during the Maghrib (evening) prayers. According to reports, the explosion happened around 6:00 p.m., when worshippers had gathered for evening prayers. Several people were reportedly killed or injured, although the exact number of casualties had…

Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has filed a criminal complaint before the Chief Magistrate Court of Kaduna State against two Facebook users over alleged death threats and defamatory publications against him.  The case, with suit number KMD/685/25, was filed on December 24, 2025, following a series of Facebook posts which Gumi said falsely portrayed him as issuing threats and inciting violence, thereby endangering his life and damaging his reputation. According to court documents, the defendants, George Udom and Bello Isiaka, allegedly published a Facebook post on December 23, 2025, attributing to Sheikh Gumi a statement threatening the…

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tanimu Turaki, has urged Nigerians to embrace love, sacrifice and humility during the Christmas celebration. Turaki, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, extended warm felicitations to Christian members of the party and the wider Nigerian Christian community. He said the values exemplified by Jesus Christ were “timeless principles” capable of transforming Nigeria’s national life and stimulating economic prosperity. According to him, Christmas remains a reminder of collective resilience and shared responsibility in building a stronger and more united nation. “These are not merely seasonal virtues but timeless principles that can transform…

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that four people were killed and 32 others injured following a bomb explosion at a mosque inside Gamboru Market in Maiduguri, Borno State. The incident happened on Tuesday evening during Maghrib prayers. The confirmation was made by the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), through its Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, in a statement issued on Wednesday. Uba said the explosion occurred at about 6:00 p.m. while worshippers were observing prayers at the mosque. According to him, initial investigations showed that the blast was caused by a suspected Boko Haram suicide…

Former Chelsea player, Chris Sutton has predicted the Premier League match-day 18 fixtures taking place on Christmas Boxing Day and this weekend. Manchester United will welcome Newcastle United to Old Trafford on Boxing Day. On Saturday afternoon, Nottingham Forest will take on Manchester City in an early match, followed by Liverpool facing Wolves at Anfield in the evening. Later that evening, Arsenal will play Brighton at the Emirates Stadium, and Chelsea will go head-to-head with Aston Villa. On Sunday, Crystal Palace will square off against Tottenham Hotspur, while Sunderland will host Leeds United. Here is Sutton’s predictions via BBC Sport:…

Capital spending by Federal Government ministries, departments, and agencies has remained severely constrained over the last three fiscal years, even as retained revenues expanded and debt service absorbed an overwhelming share of available resources, according to findings by The PUNCH. An analysis of data from the Budget Office of the Federation’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper reports covering 2023, 2024, and the January–July period of 2025 showed that MDAs’ capital expenditure votes were persistently underfunded, leaving a cumulative gap of N15.21tn over the three-year period. Despite successive increases in headline capital budgets, actual releases and spending failed to…