Author: News Room

A student, Nathan Gideon, from Kuyanbana, Kwassam Local Government Area of Kaduna State, tells GRACE EDEMA how his brother and nine others were kidnapped by bandits, who refused to release them despite collecting N30m ransom Where and when was your brother kidnapped? The kidnappers invaded our village on October 23, 2025, around 11:27 pm. That night, they abducted 10 people, including my brother. Can you describe how the bandits entered your village that day? From which direction did they come, and what were people doing at the time? It was at night, so we cannot clearly say the direction they…

The Nigerian Army has launched Operation Igbo Danu, also known as Operation Forest Flush, leading to the neutralisation of terrorists and rescue of kidnap victims across parts of Kwara State. This was disclosed in a statement published on the Nigerian Army’s X handle on Friday, which was signed by Captain Maureen Ogbuka, for the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division Nigerian Army. According to the statement, troops of the 22 Armoured Brigade, with support from the Office of the National Security Adviser, conducted sustained offensive operations within the Joint Operations Area between January 23 and 29, 2026. Soldiers…

The Executive Director, Commercial and Institutional Banking for Lagos and the South-West at The Alternative Bank, Korede Demola-Adeniyi, has called for stronger public-private collaboration and predictable policies to accelerate blended finance and mobilise private capital for inclusive growth. According to a press statement on Thursday, Demola-Adeniyi made the call at the Africa Social Impact Summit High-Level Policy Engagement held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. The session was hosted by the Office of the Vice President in partnership with Sterling One Foundation and the United Nations Nigeria, under the theme Scaling Action Driving Inclusive Growth Through Policy and Innovation.…

The Badminton Federation of Nigeria will conduct its elections in early March, with the process set to produce a new board under the supervision of the National Sports Commission. Federation President Francis Orbih disclosed this on Thursday during a board meeting at Check Inn Hotel, Abuja, where officials discussed governance transition, athlete development and funding challenges. “We are working in partnership with the National Sports Commission and under its guidance. The guidelines will be released by the Commission, and elections conducted strictly in line with them,” Orbih said. He added that the election would be held in early March, after…

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday granted bail to Nollywood actress Angela Okorie, who is facing charges bordering on cyberstalking, threats, and harassment of her colleague, Mercy Johnson, under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act. Justice Emeka Nwite admitted the actress to bail in the sum of N5m with one surety in like sum after she pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge. The court ruled that the surety must be a Grade Level 13 civil servant who would depose to an affidavit of means and submit relevant employment documents. The judge further ordered that Okorie remain…

Kraken-backed KRAKacquisition Corp has completed an upsized $345 million initial public offering, listing its special purpose acquisition company units on Nasdaq to pursue future mergers or acquisitions.According to a Friday announcement, the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) sold 34.5 million units at $10 each, including the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-quarter of a redeemable warrant exercisable at $11.50 per share.The units began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol KRAQU on Wednesday.KRAKacquisition was formed as a SPAC, also known as a blank-check company, which…

Macaulay Culkin’s bond with late Home Alone costar Catherine O’Hara endured for more than 30 years prior to her death at age 71 in January 2026. “Mama. I thought we had time,” Culkin wrote via Instagram when news of her death broke on January 30, 2026. A spokesperson for the actress confirmed to Us Weekly that she’d died following a “brief illness” but an exact cause of death remains unclear. Per a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson, paramedics transported O’Hara to a local hospital in “serious condition” after receiving a medical aid call to her Brentwood home. O’Hara leaves behind…

Tragedy struck on Friday as an 18-seater bus carrying passengers to the Bayelsa deputy Governor’s burial was involved in a crash along the Toru-Orua axis of the Sagbama/Ekeremor Road. News of the accident filtered in soon after it occurred, with claims of casualties. Seiyefs Brisibe, the Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, who confirmed the crash to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said two of the victims died on the spot. He dismissed rumours that more than 10 people died in the incident. “Our State Ambulance Services promptly responded and evacuated the victims to hospitals. “Seven were taken to Sagbama General…

High Chief Ambassador Sobomabo Jackrich, widely known as Egberipapa, a leading Niger Delta freedom fighter and political activist, welcomed Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and other top national leaders of the union to his residence in Usokun community, Degema Local Government Area, last night. The high-level courtesy visit was aimed at deepening cooperation among influential stakeholders across the country and reinforcing grassroots momentum in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid and that of Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara. Addressing the gathering, Egberipapa declared unwavering…

The Chairman of Rivers State Elders Council, Ferdinand Alabraba, has assured that the council will work with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike to ensure that President Bola Tinubu is reelected in 2027. Alabraba said the Rivers Elders Council with work with the rainbow coalition in the state for Tinubu’s reelection. The 86-year-old spoke at the inauguration of Senatorial and LGA Coordinators of the Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Port Harcourt, on Friday. He said: “Your Excellency, as far back as 2023, you guided us to identify with the family and at that time we…