Author: News Room

Seven suspected criminals have been neutralised by troops of the Joint Task Force under Operation Enduring Peace during a raid on a criminal hideout in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while a kidnapped woman was rescued unharmed. The development was contained in a post shared on X on Wednesday by security analyst, Zagazola Makama. According to the post, the troops carried out the operation on Tuesday after receiving credible intelligence on the movement and activities of criminal elements operating within the area.  The soldiers reportedly stormed the hideout and engaged the suspects in a gun battle. During the…

Nigerian Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, has accused singer Wizkid of stealing his nickname. He made the claim during a recent livestream after a Wizkid’s fan urged him to change his nickname from “Big Bird” because Wizkid also bears “Biggest Bird”. Kuti told the fan to advise Wizkid to be original, stressing that he has been answering the name long before Wizkid. “Wizkid stole my name. Tell your fave to be original. Why are you telling me to change my name? Sorry, I can’t change it. This name has been here since. I am the first to come up with it.…

Super Eagles assistant captain, Victor Osimhen, has revealed the advantage Morocco has over Nigeria ahead of the AFCON semi-final tie on Wednesday night. Osimhen will hope to lead the Super Eagles to victory in the absence of captain Wilfred Ndidi, who is suspended for the encounter. Speaking ahead of the match, the Galatasaray striker admitted that the game won’t be easy because the Atlas Lions have the advantage of the home supporters. The former Napoli attacker, however, expressed belief that Eric Chelle’s side will go through. “They have a very good squad, talented players, but I think we are one…

Security analyst Kabir Adamu says the recent US airstrikes targeting terrorist camps in Nigeria have so far failed to achieve their intended outcomes. Speaking to ARISE News on Tuesday, Adamu said, “In simple terms, no. The fact that attacks have been ongoing after the military airstrikes simply says that the intended results are yet to be achieved.” He said there is no evidence showing the strikes significantly weakened terrorist groups. “Till date, pictures haven’t been matched of corpses of those killed, neither have we seen pictures of destroyed camps, equipment they use in fighting, their gun trucks or weapons. That…

Tragedy struck on Monday after a truck laden with sharp sand crashed into a church building, killing six worshippers in the Epe area of Lagos State. PUNCH Metro learnt on Tuesday that the incident occurred at about 8.30pm along Hospital Road in the community. It was gathered that several worshippers also sustained injuries in the incident. An eyewitness, Tinu Oduwale, who spoke to our correspondent on Tuesday, said the truck was descending the road towards a roundabout when its brakes suddenly failed. She added that the driver lost control of the vehicle and plunged into the church. She said, “The…

The Federal Government has tightened regulatory pressure on fuel suppliers and their wholesale customers in the downstream petroleum sector with the enforcement of the 0.5 per cent levy on the wholesale price of petroleum products and natural gas, as provided in the recently published Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Operations Regulations, 2025. Under the new regulations, suppliers of petroleum products are mandated to collect and remit the levy at wholesale points, making compliance a condition tied directly to licensing and continued operation in the sector. Section 47 of the Petroleum Industry Act stipulates that the NMDPRA shall maintain a fund (in…

Nigeria will attempt to write another significant chapter in their Africa Cup of Nations history when they face hosts Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2025 tournament at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday night, with a place in a ninth continental final at stake, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Victory would take the Super Eagles into their second consecutive AFCON final, repeating a feat last achieved between 1988 and 1990, and draw them level with Ghana on nine final appearances. Nigeria’s previous final appearances came in 1980, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1994, 2000, 2013 and 2023, and a…

Animoca Brands doubled down on digital collectibles by acquiring gaming and collectibles company Somo, expanding its footprint in Web3-native entertainment and adding Somo’s playable, streamable and tradable collectibles to Animoca’s portfolio of blockchain-based platforms. The company said Wednesday it plans to integrate Somo into its broader Web3 ecosystem, leveraging cross-promotion, shared infrastructure and its global network of partners to accelerate the growth of the brand.“SOMO is building the cultural operating system for collectibles, which complements our existing portfolio,” said Animoca Brands co-founder and executive chairman Yat Siu. “By bringing SOMO into the Animoca Brands ecosystem, we aim to connect it to…

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon really are best friends forever. Affleck, 53, and Damon, 55, reunited at the Tuesday, January 13, premiere of their new film The Rip in New York City, opening up about what they are learning and relearning about each other as they continue to work together over the years. “I keep relearning things about Matt that I already knew and I forget them,” Affleck, 53, joked to Us Weekly exclusively before getting serious about their decades-long friendship. “Honestly, I am continuously reminded of what a great father he is and what a fabulous actor he is.”…

A familiar heavyweight rivalry will be renewed on Wednesday when Senegal take on Egypt in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The encounter, scheduled for 6 p.m. (Nigerian time) at the Grande Stade de Tangier, will be the sixth AFCON meeting between the two sides and their second semi-final clash. Senegal, champions in 2021, are targeting a fourth AFCON final appearance, while Egypt are aiming to reach the final for a record 10th time. Senegal vs Egypt (CREDIT: CAF Media) Both sides have shared honours at AFCON, with two wins apiece and the only draw coming…