Author: News Room

The United States will partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals from January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation on border and national security. The US Mission in Nigeria announced on Monday that the restriction will take effect at 12:01 am Eastern Standard Time in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.” According to the statement, Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by the measure. Others include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi,…

No fewer than 821 suspects were arrested for various offences by operatives of the Edo State Police Command in 2025. The state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, stated this on Monday at the command’s year-end security review and measures put in place to guarantee a peaceful Christmas and New Year celebration in the state. Agbonika said the arrests cut across major crime categories, including 39 armed robbery suspects, 171 kidnapping suspects, 117 murder suspects, 62 linked to rape and sexual offences, 239 cultism suspects, 36 arrested for unlawful possession of firearms, and 157 others for various offences. He said the…

Ahead of CES 2026 getting underway in early January, Birdfy has announced two new camera-equipped smart bird feeders that can identify and capture visitors in slow motion. The Birdfy Hum Bloom is specifically designed to attract and record hummingbirds using a nectar bulb that mimics flowers they’re naturally attracted to, while the Feeder Vista introduces a 360-degree camera and a bottom-up feeding system that doesn’t obstruct views. Both feeders are expected to be available in Q2 of 2026 but pricing hasn’t been announced.The Birdfy Hum Bloom is built around an 8MP camera that can capture 4K video of hummingbirds at…

Strategy added $747.8 million in net proceeds from the sale of common stock last week to its cash reserves and paused its Bitcoin purchases, as the company rebalances its assets amid the crypto downturn. According to a post by Strategy executive chairman Michael Saylor, the company’s cash reserves now stand at $2.19 billion, while its crypto stash is at 671,268 Bitcoin (BTC). Source: Michael Saylor A filing with regulators shows Strategy sold 4.535 million shares of its Class A common stock (MSTR) during the Dec. 15-21 period, generating $747.8 million in net proceeds through its at-the-market offering program. The company did…

Former Dancing With the Stars pro Peta Murgatroyd is speaking out after her husband, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, made major headlines for sharing his thoughts on the show’s latest season. “I knew that I wanted somebody in my life that was strong and passionate. Whatever he says, it really does come down to the passion behind it,” Murgatroyd, 39, said on the Friday, December 19, episode of the “Pod Meets World” podcast. “Yes, he may say things in the wrong tone. They may come out the wrong way. That’s his heritage, that’s his culture.” Murgatroyd made it clear that she respects and…

Two suspected fighters of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were arrested in Lagos State on Sunday, 21 December, PREMIUM TIMES can report. The suspects—Modu Gana and Ibrahim Dugge—were apprehended by operatives of the State Security Services (SSS). A security source with direct knowledge of the arrests told this newspaper that Messrs Gana and Dugge were arrested in Apapa, Lagos. “They were arrested around 8:45 am on Sunday,” the source said, adding the suspects have been detained for interrogation. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the arrests followed intelligence that the suspects fled from the insurgency-ravaged North-east to Lagos. When contacted, an…

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has confirmed that it will partially suspend visa issuance from January 1, 2026. This was confirmed in a post on its official X page on Monday night. Nigeria is one of 19 countries affected by President Donald Trump’s new directive on immigration. The tweet read: “Effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on ‘Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,’ the Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries – Angola, Antigua and…

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced bye-elections for the Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies in Rivers State, scheduled for February 21, 2026. The commission disclosed this during its extraordinary meeting held on Monday, where it also reviewed preparations for the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, set for the same date. DAILY POST reports that under Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), INEC is empowered to conduct bye-elections to fill vacancies in state assemblies. Recall that the Ahoada East II seat became vacant following the resignation of its former member, while the Khana…

The Jigawa State Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has vowed to investigate a suspected trafficking case involving six persons handed over by the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, in the state. The agency’s commander, Mr Abdulkadir Turajo, gave this assurance on Monday in Dutse while receiving the victims. Turajo said the agency received the six victims from NIS personnel at the Babura Plantation Border Patrol Base in Babura Local Government Area of the state. He explained that the suspects comprised two males and four females, aged between 32 and 36. The commander added…

Bayelsa United head coach Meremu Okpara has attributed their Matchday 17 defeat to Kwara United to a loss of concentration. The Prosperity Boys went down 2-0 to Kwara United at the Rashidi Yekini Mainbowl Stadium in Ilorin on Sunday. Strikes from Babatunde Bright and Ini Emmanuel were enough to secure maximum points for Kwara United. Okpara commended Kwara United for their resilience in securing the victory. “We started the game well. Worst would have been a draw as we had the first half; Kwara United had the second half where they got the goals,” Okpara stated after the game. “Kwara…