Author: News Room

Officers of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have re-arrested a suspected receiver and distributor of stolen mobile phones, Musa Idris, who was found in possession of 34 assorted Android phones and two button phones linked to robbery activities within and outside the state. The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan-Abia, Uyo, on Wednesday. Azare also highlighted other achievements of the command within the period, including the enforcement of vehicle registration regulations and a crackdown on false security information. He said the suspect was arrested along the Calabar–Itu Road axis…

The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has declared its readiness for the 2027 general elections, insisting that no form of intimidation or adverse judicial action would prevent the party from participating in the polls. The party’s stance was made known in a statement issued on Wednesday by its State Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Basambo, following its State Executive Committee meeting held at its secretariat in Ilorin, the state capital. Speaking during the meeting, the State Chairman of the party, Babatunde Muhammed, expressed confidence in the ADC’s chances in the next election cycle, saying the party remained focused on…

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s ambition to transform its payment ecosystem through biometric-driven and “invisible” transactions may redefine how millions of citizens pay for goods and services, but the bank has warned that the country’s preparedness on data privacy, identity management and consumer protection will determine whether the initiative succeeds. This was highlighted in the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028, a strategic roadmap designed to build a secure, innovative and inclusive payments ecosystem. Recall that the bank recently launched the Payments System Vision 2028 to build on Nigeria’s progress in digital payments and provide a roadmap for developing a payment…

Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez has emerged as one of the most sought-after Nigerian players in this summer’s transfer window, with Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal among the clubs monitoring his situation at Rangers, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Fernandez only joined the Scottish club from Peterborough United last summer in a deal worth €2.9m, but he has quickly established himself as one of the standout defenders in the Scottish Premiership. The 24-year-old played a key role in Rangers’ third-place finish last season, contributing five goals in 33 appearances across all competitions while impressing with his commanding displays at the…

Stablecoin issuer Tether is winding down Alloy by Tether and its gold-backed, overcollateralized aUSDT stablecoin after just two years to focus on products and areas with stronger demand. Tether announced its “strategic changes” on Wednesday following a review of user activity, market demand, and the company’s “broader priorities.”Tether said it has decided to focus resources on areas where it is seeing “stronger user demand, deeper liquidity and broader long-term market opportunity,” including its gold-backed digital asset XAUT and other core products across its ecosystem.While stablecoins remain Tether’s core business, the company has shown a growing interest in technology outside stablecoins. Its…

University of Kentucky football player Nic Smith exhibited worrying behavior in the days before his death by suicide at age 20. A Fayette County Coroner’s Office report exclusively obtained by Us Weekly on Monday, June 15, determined that the defensive lineman from Loganville, Georgia — who redshirted his first season — took his own life on June 8, 2026. Investigators discovered his body in his dorm room at around 10:40 a.m local time. Law enforcement’s subsequent investigation revealed that Smith had previously spoken to friends about suicide and allegedly crashed his car while driving drunk in the days before his…

The United States has proposed a massive $300 billion reconstruction and economic development package for Iran as part of a sweeping peace framework designed to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and pave the way for a comprehensive agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme. The commitment was contained in the officially released text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, making it one of the largest economic components of any US-Iran agreement to date, according to Reuters. Under the 14-point memorandum, which was first published by CNN, the United…

First HoldCo Plc (“FirstHoldCo” or “the Group”) hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), its shareholders, and the investing public that it has successfully completed the ₦45 billion second tranche of its ongoing ₦350 billion Private Placement programme, having secured all requisite approvals from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The proceeds will be injected into First Bank of Nigeria Limited (“FirstBank”), the Group’s flagship subsidiary, as part of its capital restoration plan and broader balance sheet strengthening programme. This capital action further enhances FirstBank’s financial resilience, expands balance sheet capacity, and reinforces…

Nigeria’s leading shot put athlete, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, continued his impressive 2026 campaign with a strong second-place finish at the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike meeting, delivering a season’s best throw to underline his status as one of the most consistent performers on the international circuit. Competing against a world-class field in the Czech Republic, Enekwechi produced a best mark of 21.43 metres in the third round to secure the silver medal and extend a run of results that has seen him regularly challenge for podium places this season. The event was won by Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri, whose throw of 21.91 metres…

Petrol imports rose sharply by 59.5 per cent in May after months of decline, as oil marketers increased purchases from foreign suppliers despite rising output from domestic refineries, according to data obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. The latest Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Statistics released by the NMDPRA, on Thursday, showed that average daily imports of Premium Motor Spirit increased from 3.7 million litres per day in April to 5.9 million litres per day in May. The increase came as crude oil supply to domestic refineries declined during the period, raising concerns over the sustainability of…