Author: News Room

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…

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have foiled a suspected cult initiation in Isara-Remo, arresting 30 suspects during a raid on an uncompleted building where the gathering was taking place. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday. According to him, the operation was carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit in collaboration with detectives from the Isara Area Command and Isara Division following credible intelligence. Babaseyi said the suspects allegedly converged at the location for an unlawful assembly involving cult-related activities, consumption of alcohol and initiation rites. He said,…

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to immediately discontinue the deduction of one per cent stamp duty from payments made to contractors, vendors, suppliers and service providers, citing the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025. The directive was contained in a Federal Treasury Circular dated June 15, 2026, and signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi. According to the circular, the new tax law makes it clear that stamp duty is imposed on chargeable instruments rather than on payment transactions, rendering the long-standing practice of deducting one per cent from government payments inconsistent…

Nigerian record holder in the women’s high jump, Temitope Adeshina, is still not certain about competing at the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, despite enjoying a successful season in the NCAA, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Adeshina ended the 2026 NCAA season unbeaten, winning all available indoor and outdoor titles. The 27-year-old capped a remarkable run in the U.S. collegiate system by winning the outdoor title last Saturday at the third attempt. The title had eluded her in two previous outings, but she left nothing to chance in Eugene, Oregon, clearing 1.97m to secure her first NCAA Outdoor title.…

A 56-year-old Florida resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business in connection with a $1.8 billion fraudulent crypto platform.According to a statement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Rodney “Bitcoin Rodney” Burton conspired to provide unlicensed money transmitting services to promote HyperFund, a global wire-fraud scheme.Kelly O. Hayes, US Attorney for the District of Maryland and agents from the Washington Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit and Homeland Security Investigations, New York, announced Burton’s guilty plea on Wednesday.HyperFund is one of the largest crypto fraud schemes, which…

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s fiancée, Jade Jones, broke her silence after late friend Makenzi Kern died during her bachelorette party trip earlier this month.  “Kenzi was the funniest, goofiest person I’ve ever met,” Jones, 28, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, June 17. “She was always making me belly laugh. She had such a gift of bringing happiness to every room she was in. Some of my favorite memories with Kenzi are the simple ones — spending a summer living in her city, leaving our mark on the capital district, running around our cars at stop lights, cheering on the…

The Kebbi State Police Command says it has arrested at least 11 persons suspected of involvement in activities linked to Lakurawa terrorists, bandits and alleged Boko Haram-affiliated groups during security operations conducted across the state within the last month. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Hadejia, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi, where he highlighted recent operational successes recorded by the command. Mr Hadejia said the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, vigilante groups and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). Among those…

Ghana became the second African nation to record a victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Caleb Yirenkyi’s dramatic stoppage-time goal secured a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto on Wednesday. The Black Stars looked set to settle for a point in their Group L opener before Yirenkyi struck in the 95th minute, handing Carlos Queiroz’s side a priceless victory and continuing Africa’s encouraging start to the tournament. The win came days after Côte d’Ivoire defeated Ecuador, giving the continent its second victory of the competition. Africa has also impressed with four draws against some of football’s biggest nations,…

Master Chimkamnayo Olisaemeka, a teenager who was rescued from severe assault by his guardians in 2022 through the intervention of the Anambra State First Lady, Nonye Soludo, is set to begin his university education after undergoing full rehabilitation. Soludo said that since Chimkamnayo’s rescue from severe abuse and neglect, he has remained under her care, receiving medical treatment, educational support, guidance, and the opportunity to rebuild his life. The Anambra first lady, who spoke in Awka on Wednesday, said the boy was preparing to enter the university and described his story as one of triumph rather than mere survival. She…

A United Kingdom court has ordered the deportation of a Nigerian man, Qudus Ajeyemi, after sentencing him to five years and six months’ imprisonment for attempted rape and sexual assault of a woman in Hull, England. PUNCH Metro learnt from a statement obtained on the website of the Humberside Police on Wednesday that 27-year-old Ajeyemi was also handed a seven-year restraining order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life following his conviction. The police said Ajeyemi, of May Street, Hull, was found guilty of attempted rape and sexual assault after a week-long trial that ended at Hull Crown…