Author: News Room

The pattern is troubling. When international actors portray Nigeria through a narrow religious-genocide frame, local extremists feel validated. But when global media question the credibility of those claims, it is suddenly labelled ethnic profiling. Public debate in Nigeria is increasingly shaped not just by facts but also by emotions, identity, and organised outrage. My recent short Facebook post reacting to The New York Times’ (NYT) report on an Onitsha-based trader and activist triggered an avalanche of hostile responses — many from individuals identifying as Igbo and largely sympathetic to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the quest for Biafra.…

Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria nearly two years after serving a jail term in the United Kingdom. Beatrice arrived Nigeria on Tuesday, January 21, touching down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where she was received by friends and relatives after the conclusion of a legal process that began in 2022. Mrs Ekweremadu was convicted alongside her husband over her role in an organ trafficking conspiracy that drew international attention. While her husband received a nine-year and eight-month prison sentence as the principal actor in the case, Beatrice was slammed…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has criticised the economic blueprint unveiled by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Oyebamiji. Governor Adeleke also warned that the proposals could undermine recent economic reforms in the state. In a statement issued by his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday in Osogbo, Adeleke said an assessment of the Oyebamiji’s document showed policy directions that differ sharply from the development framework currently being implemented by his administration. According to the statement, “The Adeleke administration’s strategy is anchored on local content utilisation, grassroots empowerment and reduced tax burdens, while the opposition blueprint allegedly…

The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended two suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate believed to have been responsible for a series of attacks in Eleko and surrounding communities. The suspects, identified as Peter Segun and Mufutau Lateef, are alleged to have specialised in robbing Point of Sale, POS, operators within the area. Their arrest was carried out by operatives of the Tactical Squad, popularly known as the Hyena Base, stationed at Elemoro, as part of efforts to support divisional police stations and the Area Command in curbing criminal activities. Security sources disclosed that the police swung into action…

Arsenal’s starting XI to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday evening has been unveiled. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted to start Gabriel Jesus ahead of Viktor Gyokeres to lead the Gunners’ attack against the Red Devils. This comes after Jesus scored a brace against Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek. The Brazilian will be assisted by Bukayo Saka and Leandro on the wings. In midfield, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard return to join Martin Zubimendi. Arsenal’s starting XI: Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Jesus. Substitutes:  Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, White, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Eze,…

Senegal’s Pape Gueye opened up about his team’s walk-off at the Africa Cup of Nations final and Morocco’s subsequent missed penalty in an interview on French television on Sunday. Gueye scored the winning goal as Senegal edged Morocco 1-0 in extra time in a controversial game in Rabat last week. Morocco were awarded a late penalty, sparking a walk-off from the eventual winners, leading to a 20-minute delay. When Senegal came back Brahim Diaz fluffed his penalty, while Gueye scored the winner in extra time. “We are only human, we realised our mistake and came back out,” said the 26-year-old…

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested seven persons over the theft of goods valued at ₦20.45 million from a commercial shop in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state. The command said three of the suspects were employees of the shop, while the remaining four were alleged receivers of the stolen items. Those arrested were identified as Oyineke Joseph, a storekeeper; Abioye Yusuf, a computer operator; Abdullahi Quadir; and the alleged receivers, Micheal Njoku, Agu Monday and Ikuemehin Oloruntimilehin. A driver identified as Ojewuyi was also implicated in the operation. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh,…

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has cautioned the Ogun State Government and stakeholders against framing oil exploration in the state as a contest between Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area and Eba Community in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, warning that such a narrative could create avoidable political and social tension. In an open letter on his official X handle on Sunday, and addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun and other political leaders, traditional rulers and community representatives across the state, Showunmi said the growing public conversation around oil exploration was taking “a direction that…

Enugu Rangers technical adviser Fidelis Ilechukwu has outlined a long-term vision for the club amid questions over his future, emphasising the importance of building a strong foundation through the academy while addressing speculation surrounding his contract, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Speaking at a pre-match conference ahead of Sunday’s Nigeria Premier Football League clash against Warri Wolves at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Ilechukwu was asked about reports of a possible four-year contract extension following his current one-year deal, which is set to expire in May. He declined to comment directly on the rumours, saying, “Is it not better to talk about…

The NBA has postponed a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 24. The league released a statement shortly before gametime to confirm that the Timberwolves and the Warriors would not be playing on Saturday night at the Target Center in Minneapolis, as originally scheduled. The decision was taken following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on Saturday morning, according to The New York Times. “The National Basketball Association game scheduled for today between the Golden State Warriors and…