Taiye Ajayi

police
Exclusive News

18 Passengers Kidnapped on Benin-Akure Highway, 11 Freed as Security Forces Intensify Search

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Fear has gripped communities along the Benin-Akure highway after gunmen abducted approximately 18 passengers traveling in a commercial bus on Saturday. The attack happened near Obarenren village in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. Eyewitnesses said the armed men blocked the highway, fired warning shots into the air, and forced terrified passengers out of their 18-seater Big Joe bus before marching them into nearby bushland. Edo State Police spokesperson Eno Ikoedem confirmed that security forces immediately mobilized after the incident. Joint teams of police officers and Nigerian Army personnel have been conducting intensive bush-combing operations to locate the remaining victims. “The incident happened last Saturday. The passengers were in an 18-seater Big Joe bus. We have been combing the bush in collaboration with the Nigerian Army,” Ikoedem said. So far, 11 of the abducted passengers have been rescued, though no arrests have been made yet. Security operations are still ongoing in the area.

NYSC
Exclusive News

NYSC Gives Absconded Corps Members One Week to Register for 2025 Batch C Remobilisation

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The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has opened a one-week registration window for corps members who abandoned their service year. The portal will be available from December 16 to 23, 2025. This remobilisation exercise offers a final chance for absconded corps members to complete their mandatory one-year national service and regularize their status. NYSC Management emphasized in a statement on its official social media channels that this programme is exclusively for those who left service without proper discharge, not for corps members who already completed their service year. Corps members who previously received monthly allowances must refund these payments through their registration dashboard before proceeding. Anyone who started registration during the 2025 Batch B remobilisation but couldn’t complete documentation at state level needs to register again from scratch for this Batch C exercise. The scheme warned that missing this December 16-23 deadline means automatic exclusion from the current batch. There’s no room for late applications. “All absconded corps members must complete the registration process within the stipulated dates to participate in the 2025 Batch C Remobilisation exercise,” NYSC stated. This initiative is part of the organization’s ongoing effort to ensure all eligible Nigerians fulfill their service obligations as required by law.

Celebrity Gist

Temi Otedola and Mr Eazi Open Up About Planning Three Weddings in Three Months

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Temi Otedola and singer Mr Eazi have shared the behind-the-scenes chaos of planning destination weddings across three countries in just three months, a process they described as “insane.” The couple admitted the experience was filled with stress, disagreements, and constant back-and-forth as they tried to pull off multiple celebrations in a tight timeframe. Temi revealed their original plan was a simple court wedding in Nigeria, but privacy concerns quickly complicated things. “If we went to the courthouse in Nigeria, it wouldn’t be as private as we wanted,” she explained. At one point, someone suggested bringing court officials to their living room for a private civil ceremony. While Temi found the idea interesting, Mr Eazi wasn’t sold, sending them back to square one. They eventually settled on Monaco for their civil wedding, a choice Temi called more sentimental and meaningful. The UK was also on the table but didn’t feel personal enough. Beyond picking locations, the couple was shocked by the amount of paperwork and bureaucracy involved. “I thought getting married was just deciding and signing papers,” Temi said. “I didn’t know there was a mountain of administration.”

CAF
Sports

AFCON 2025: CAF Bans Alcohol, Drones, Weapons and 11 Other Items from Stadiums

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The Confederation of African Football has released a comprehensive list of banned items for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, as part of tightened security measures for the tournament. According to guidelines on CAF’s official website, all fans attending matches will undergo security checks before entry. Spectators are being urged not to bring prohibited items to ensure safety and smooth operations during the competition. Items banned from AFCON 2025 stadiums include: Alcoholic beverages Illegal substances and drugs Weapons and sharp objects Fireworks and pyrotechnics Glass bottles or containers Flammable materials Racist, violent, or discriminatory banners or messages Unauthorized political, religious, or commercial signs Drones and animals Large umbrellas and oversized hats Professional cameras and recording equipment Musical instruments and loud horns Radio-emitting devices (except mobile phones) Heavy or oversized bags CAF is urging fans to follow the guidelines strictly to avoid delays or being turned away at stadium gates. The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco on December 21 and runs until January 18, 2026, bringing together the continent’s best football nations for a month-long showcase of African football.

Actress Tonto Dikeh
Celebrity Gist

Tonto Dikeh Reveals 27-Year Battle With Smoking and Addiction Since Age 13

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Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has shared a deeply personal testimony about her decades-long struggle with addiction, revealing she started smoking at 13 and fought the habit for 27 years. The actress opened up during a Sunday service at Streams of Joy International Church, led by Pastor Jerry Eze, where she spoke about overcoming smoking, alcohol addiction, masturbation, and severe anger issues. “I smoked since I was 13. God healed me from masturbation too,” she told the congregation, explaining that many of her struggles began in childhood and persisted into adulthood. Tonto admitted she nearly kept quiet about her story because of concerns about her public image, but decided honesty mattered more. “The God that gave me the image is the same God that can take it away,” she said. Her turning point came after attending the Ghana Prayer Conference, where she experienced what she described as a profound spiritual breakthrough that started her healing journey. She also spoke about anger issues that damaged her relationships. “An anger that destroyed my life. Everybody had to feel it,” she said, crediting consistent prayer for finally bringing her peace. “I am 40 years old, and I have never known peace until now. I am living in it,” she told the church. Tonto revealed her smoking habit started because of early exposure at home, her father smoked. She used the moment to urge parents to be conscious of the habits their children might pick up. She said her cravings for cigarettes and alcohol have completely disappeared. “My body does not ask for it. Today, it is broken,” she declared. Pastor Jerry Eze prayed for the actress, declaring her free from addiction. After the service, Tonto posted on Instagram calling herself “a living testimony of mercy,” drawing thousands of reactions online.

Celebrity Gist

Peller’s Car Crash Linked to Carter Efe Rivalry, Not Jarvis Breakup, Says Commentator

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A social media analyst claims TikToker Peller‘s recent car accident stemmed from rivalry with fellow influencer Carter Efe, not relationship troubles with Jarvis as widely believed. Peller crashed his Mercedes-Benz shortly after an emotional video of him in tears went viral, sparking speculation that relationship issues with Jarvis triggered the incident. But commentator FrankEmeks has offered a completely different take in a video now circulating online. He claims Peller has been under immense pressure after fans started comparing him unfavorably to Carter Efe. According to FrankEmeks, Carter Efe’s rising dominance in entertainment and social media, especially during livestreams, has overshadowed Peller, leaving him struggling to stay relevant. He alleges this comparison pushed Peller into desperate, attention-seeking behavior as he tried to reclaim his position in the TikTok space. The commentator insists Jarvis is being unfairly blamed, arguing that claims about relationship distress are being used to hide deeper issues rooted in rivalry, insecurity, and competition among influencers. “Peller wanted to harm himself because of Carter Efe,” FrankEmeks said in the video. “Since fans started saying Carter Efe is doing better than him, he began doing everything possible to trend and reclaim his position in TikTok livestreaming. That’s why he used Jarvis as a scapegoat, claiming she wanted to leave him.”

Terrorist
Trending

Bandit Leader Bello Turji Accuses Former Zamfara, Sokoto Governors of Fueling Regional Insecurity

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Notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has publicly blamed two former northern governors for the ongoing violence and instability ravaging Zamfara and Sokoto states. In a video that went viral on Sunday, Turji claimed the roots of insecurity in both states trace back to decisions made by previous administrations. He said he personally attended multiple peace meetings with the Zamfara State government during one former governor’s tenure. Turji also dismissed allegations that he received N30 million or any material incentives to participate in peace talks, calling such claims completely false. Attempts to reach the former governors for comment were unsuccessful. However, sources close to them strongly rejected Turji’s allegations. “Why would anyone take the words of a terrorist seriously? He’s just trying to play victim. It’s all lies,” one source said. In the video, Turji accused past administrations of arming vigilante groups known as Yan Banga, claiming these groups targeted Fulani communities and escalated violence across the region. He called for the arrest and investigation of the former governors, holding them directly responsible for the crises that have devastated both states. “We openly state that the former governors of Zamfara and Sokoto are responsible for the calamities that befell these states,” Turji said in the footage.

Celebrity Gist

Prophet’s Viral Prediction Resurfaces After Peller’s Car Crash Amid Jarvis Relationship Drama

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A months-old prophecy about TikTok stars Peller and Jarvis has gone viral again following Peller’s car accident on December 14 along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. The crash has sparked intense speculation online, with unconfirmed reports suggesting the content creator, who recently bought a Mercedes-Benz, may have been dealing with relationship troubles involving his girlfriend Jarvis. These claims remain unverified. What’s caught people’s attention is a prophecy from February 23, 2025, when Prophet Abel Boma warned during a livestream that Peller could face serious emotional distress if his relationship with Jarvis ended. The cleric had urged viewers to pray for the young TikToker. The prophecy session itself became memorable when a viewer suggested the prophet use the word “allegedly” in his predictions, causing Prophet Boma to break into laughter mid-broadcast. Social media has exploded with reactions to the accident. One Nigerian woman sparked debate by defending Peller’s actions as genuine love. “That’s how it’s supposed to be. Women have been doing this for longer than I can even imagine. I see pure love. You can’t advise someone who is deeply in love,” she said, wishing him a speedy recovery and praising his devotion to Jarvis.

Tinubu
Exclusive News

Tinubu Promotes ADC Yusuf to Brigadier-General After Less Than a Year, Stirs Controversy in Nigerian Army

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the promotion of his Aide-de-Camp, Nurudeen Yusuf, to brigadier-general, barely a year after his last promotion, triggering widespread disquiet among Nigerian Army officers. According to report, the approval, contained in a December 12 letter to Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Wahid Shaibu and signed by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, has raised eyebrows across military ranks. Yusuf’s rapid rise is drawing criticism because he was promoted to colonel less than 12 months ago, making this his second major promotion within a year, a timeline many serving officers say violates standard military practice. Several of Yusuf’s colleagues and coursemates have privately expressed frustration over what they view as an unusually fast-tracked career progression. “This defies logic,” a senior military officer told PREMIUM TIMES anonymously. “How do you promote someone to brigadier-general barely a year after becoming a colonel?” But a Presidency source defended the decision, saying it was meant to align Yusuf’s rank with other senior security officials at the Presidential Villa. The source pointed to similar promotions across security agencies this year. In August, the President’s Chief Personal Security Officer, Usman Shugaba, moved from deputy commissioner to commissioner of police, while the Chief Security Officer in the State Security Services, Adegboyega Fasasi, was elevated to director, positions considered equivalent to brigadier-general. “These adjustments reflect the strategic importance of roles around the President,” the source explained. Yusuf was appointed ADC to President Tinubu on May 1, 2023, just weeks before the inauguration. At the time, he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

DANGOTE
Exclusive News

Petrol Price Drops to N739 Per Litre as Dangote Refinery Slashes Rates Nationwide

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Nigeria’s fuel market is set for a major shake-up starting Tuesday as MRS Oil and Gas, in partnership with Dangote Refinery, begins selling petrol at N739 per litre across the country. This follows Dangote Refinery’s decision to slash its gantry price from N828 to N699 per litre at its Lekki facility, a move aimed at bringing relief to millions of Nigerians struggling with high fuel costs. Speaking on Sunday, Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote revealed that some marketers have been resisting the price cut, continuing to sell at inflated rates despite the reduced supply costs. MRS filling stations will lead the implementation of the new pricing on Tuesday, with other partner stations expected to follow suit in the coming days. Dangote claimed that certain officials held meetings with marketers, urging them to keep prices high to undermine the planned reduction. But he vowed not to back down. “The price will start with MRS stations, likely on Tuesday in Lagos. That N970 per litre you’re seeing now, it won’t be there anymore,” he said. Independent marketers have also been invited to buy directly from the refinery at N699 per litre. Dangote emphasized that anyone with capacity to purchase at least 10 trucks can access the reduced rate. “We’re using all available resources to bring down the price. Within one week to 10 days, Nigerians will feel the difference. For December and January, petrol shouldn’t sell for more than N740 per litre anywhere in Nigeria,” he stated. He questioned why fuel is still being sold at nearly N900 per litre when transportation costs within Lagos add only N10 to N15 per litre, bringing total costs to around N715. Dangote also criticized the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for issuing what he called excessive import licenses that hurt local refining. He claimed 47 import licenses covering approximately 7.5 billion litres of petrol are being prepared for the first quarter of 2026, despite local capacity to meet demand. “Our tanks are full, yet import licenses are still being issued. This is damaging local refineries. Many modular refineries are struggling to survive,” he said. Addressing monopoly concerns, Dangote insisted the market remains competitive. “We didn’t stop anyone. If it’s profitable, let them build refineries or buy existing ones and operate them.” He assured Nigerians that the price reduction would be enforced starting Tuesday, with MRS stations selling at N739 per litre while the refinery sells directly to marketers at N699.

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