Taiye Ajayi

Nigerian Soldier
Exclusive News, Trending

Nigerian Army Denies Shooting Women Protesters in Adamawa Communal Clash

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The Nigerian Army has rejected claims that soldiers killed women protesters during a violent communal clash in Adamawa State on Monday. Captain Olusegun Abidoye, spokesman for Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai/23 Brigade, called the allegations “baseless and misleading” in a statement released Tuesday. He said the reports were a deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of the Brigade Commander and the Nigerian Army. The Army clarified that the Brigade Commander wasn’t even at the scene, he was attending the Chief of Army Staff’s weekly operational briefing virtually when the alleged shooting occurred. Troops from the 23 Brigade were deployed Monday morning with police, NSCDC, and DSS personnel after fresh fighting broke out between Bachama and Chobo communities in Lamurde Local Government Area. The violence stems from long-running land disputes and ethnic tensions. While working to restore order in Tingno, Rigange, Tito, Waduku, and Lamurde, soldiers came under attack from a militia group believed to be supporting one side of the conflict. Three gunmen were killed in the firefight, with several others escaping. Troops later discovered five more dead militia members and a motorcycle along the escape route. According to the Army, troops encountered women blocking the road to Lamurde Local Government Secretariat while armed Bachama men fired shots into the air nearby. Soldiers created a passage and proceeded without harming anyone. “No woman was shot or injured; otherwise, troops would not have been able to pass through the crowd,” Abidoye explained. Two women’s bodies were later brought forward by community members claiming soldiers killed them. However, the Army’s preliminary findings suggest they died from stray bullets fired by local militias using “unprofessionally handled automatic weapons.”

Governor Fubara
Politics

Governor Fubara Defects to APC as Political Crisis Deepens

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Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has switched from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), dramatically reshaping the political battle in Nigeria’s oil-rich state. Fubara announced his defection during a stakeholders’ meeting at Government House in Port Harcourt, telling political leaders and government officials: “Siminalayi Fubara has defected to the All Progressives Congress.” The governor cited ongoing internal conflicts within the PDP as his reason for leaving, saying the party’s turmoil had blocked his ability to govern effectively and deliver on campaign promises. His decision has sparked divided reactions across Rivers State, which has been experiencing political instability for months. APC leaders are preparing a formal reception ceremony, with party members calling the move a major win for the ruling party’s influence in the South-South region. The PDP has remained silent publicly, though sources indicate the party is holding internal discussions about losing a sitting governor. Fubara’s defection follows a Monday meeting with President Bola Tinubu that had already fueled speculation about a possible party switch. The timing suggests the talks may have influenced his final decision.

ECOWAS
Exclusive News

ECOWAS Declares Emergency as Coups and Instability Sweep West Africa

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The Economic Community of West African States has declared a regional state of emergency as the bloc confronts an unprecedented wave of coups, attempted takeovers, and deepening security crises. ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray made the announcement Tuesday during the 55th Mediation and Security Council session in Abuja, describing the situation as a direct threat to peace and democracy across West Africa. “This underscores the imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community,” Touray said. The declaration comes after a series of military coups that have rocked the region in recent years. Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea have all seen their governments overthrown by military officers, while other countries have faced attempted mutinies and growing internal tensions. These upheavals have fractured ECOWAS itself, with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger withdrawing from the bloc earlier this year to form their own alliance, further weakening regional unity. Beyond coups, West Africa is battling jihadist insurgencies, banditry, inter-communal violence, and massive displacement of civilians. The instability has left millions vulnerable and raised fears that democratic gains made over decades are slipping away. The state of emergency is expected to trigger coordinated action among member states, though details on specific measures remain unclear.

Sheikh Gumi
Trending

Sheikh Gumi Under Fire for Calling Child Kidnappings “Lesser Evil” Than Killing Soldiers

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Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has triggered widespread outrage after declaring that kidnapping schoolchildren is a “lesser evil” compared to killing soldiers, and insisting Nigeria should keep negotiating with bandits. In a BBC interview released Tuesday, Gumi doubled down on his controversial stance, acknowledging that abducting children is wrong but arguing it doesn’t compare to taking lives. “Saying that kidnapping children is a lesser evil than killing your soldiers is definitely correct,” he said. “Killing is worse. They are all evil, it’s just that one is a lesser evil. Not all evils have the same weight.” To back his argument, he pointed to past mass abductions in Kebbi State where victims were eventually released alive. “In Kebbi, they abducted children, and they were released. They didn’t kill them,” Gumi said, framing this as proof that negotiation works better than military force. Gumi has been one of the most vocal advocates for dialogue with bandits, consistently pushing for negotiation over confrontation. But his latest comments have crossed a line for many Nigerians who see his position as legitimizing criminal violence. Critics argue that treating kidnapping as acceptable, or even comparing it favorably to anything, emboldens armed groups and undermines efforts to restore security. Parents whose children have been traumatized or remain missing found his remarks especially painful. With bandit attacks, mass abductions, and killings continuing across northern Nigeria despite years of talks, many question whether Gumi’s approach has achieved anything beyond giving criminals more time and leverage.

Obasanjo
Exclusive News

Obasanjo: Nigeria’s Endless Insecurity Has Become a Money-Making Scheme for Insiders

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has made a damning assessment of Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, claiming the country’s prolonged security crisis has become “an industry” that benefits people both inside and outside the government. Speaking on the Toyin Falola Interviews alongside Bishop Matthew Kukah and former CBN Deputy Governor Kingsley Moghalu, Obasanjo didn’t mince words about why Boko Haram and other threats remain undefeated after more than 15 years. His comparison was striking: Nigeria’s civil war ended in 30 months. Yet the insurgency has dragged on for over a decade with no end in sight. “The whole thing is an industry. It is an industry,” Obasanjo said, suggesting that some people are profiting from the chaos. According to the former president, Nigeria keeps making the same mistake, using conventional military tactics against enemies who hide among civilians and disappear into communities. “The military is trained for conventional war. If the people you’re dealing with are fleeing targets or living among civilians, you need a different kind of training,” he explained. He pointed to Colombia’s successful fight against insurgents as proof that Nigeria could learn from others. “Should we invite them? There is no shame in that.” Obasanjo suggested the rot goes deeper than poor strategy. He hinted at internal sabotage, corrupt procurement processes, and compromised officers who allegedly have to buy their own equipment, a shocking claim that raises questions about where defence budgets actually go. He warned that Nigeria risks losing international support if foreign allies believe sensitive information gets leaked or compromised. Without proper intelligence gathering, technology, and specialized training working together, he said, defeating terrorism remains a pipe dream. Perhaps most revealing was Obasanjo’s account of a missed opportunity in 2011. He disclosed that after initial resistance, Boko Haram agreed to a 21-day ceasefire to negotiate peace. “They agreed to 21 days of ceasefire to negotiate. Government failed to reach out,” he said with visible frustration. That failure to act may have cost Nigeria years of bloodshed and countless lives. Despite pouring trillions of naira into security since 2009, insurgent attacks, banditry, kidnappings, and mass abductions continue ravaging the North-East and North-West. The question Obasanjo and many Nigerians are asking: Where is all that money going? And who benefits from keeping the war going?

Trending

Dele Momodu Blasts First Lady Over Public Confrontation With Osun Governor at Ooni’s Anniversary

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Media mogul Dele Momodu has publicly criticized First Lady Remi Tinubu following a tense exchange with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Ooni of Ife’s 10th coronation anniversary in Ile-Ife. The controversy erupted when Governor Adeleke took the stage and began his address with a worship song, something he’s known for doing. Video footage shows Mrs Tinubu approaching him mid-performance, asking him to skip the singing and proceed directly to his speech. When Adeleke continued, she returned to threaten to switch off his microphone. The incident quickly went viral, dividing public opinion on whether the First Lady crossed a line. Momodu, a close associate of Governor Adeleke, didn’t hold back in his response. He called her actions “inappropriate, disrespectful, and unbefitting” of someone in her position. According to Momodu, a member of his team who was at the event immediately called to report what had happened. He also shared a previous encounter where Mrs Tinubu confronted him at a church event over his lack of political support for her husband. In his criticism, Momodu raised several pointed questions: Why would a pastor object to praising God? He found it ironic that Mrs Tinubu, a Redeemed Christian Church of God pastor, would stop someone from worshipping before speaking. Would she do this to a Northern governor? Momodu questioned whether she’d interrupt a governor reciting Qur’anic verses the same way. What gives her the authority? He emphasized that the First Lady has no constitutional power to publicly rebuke an elected governor, especially on a global stage. Growing sense of entitlement? Momodu expressed concern about what he sees as the First Lady acting as though “the country belongs to her family.” He praised Governor Adeleke for keeping his cool and not escalating the situation. But Momodu saved his harshest words for Nigerians themselves. He argued that citizens have become “voluntary slaves” by tolerating such behavior from those in power. “Shame on the cowardly people who have sold their inalienable rights for power,” he wrote.

Prophet Odumeje
Entertainment

Odumeje Warns Critics: “Drag Me Online and I’ll Deal With You Spiritually”

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Controversial clergyman Odumeje has stirred up fresh debate after issuing a blunt warning to social media critics, claiming that anyone who “drags” him online will face serious spiritual consequences. During a recent sermon to his congregation, the outspoken pastor boasted about his spiritual influence dating back to 1996, insisting that people always return to him for help because no one else performs miracles like he does. He suggested critics only challenge him because they don’t understand the extent of his powers. Odumeje made it clear he doesn’t waste time arguing with people on the internet. Instead, he claims he simply checks the social media profile of anyone who insults him, and then takes spiritual action. He went on to make an even bolder claim: that he stores the sicknesses he allegedly removes from people in a “spiritual warehouse,” which he can tap into to afflict anyone who provokes him. In his own words: “If I don’t have power, none of you would come here. Since 1996, if you leave, you return, you don’t have a choice. Is there anyone who does miracles like I do? Nobody drags me. If you drag me on the internet, I kpai you. I won’t drag with you. I’ll just carry your profile, go to bed, and start dealing with you. All the sickness I remove, I keep them in a storehouse. If you trouble me, I’ll check for the one that fits you so your body will calm down.”

Trending

100 Kidnapped Niger State Schoolchildren Return Home After 19 Days in Captivity

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Relief and tears of joy flooded Niger State on Monday as 100 students kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara, were finally reunited with their families after 19 days of captivity. The children, ranging from five to ten years old, arrived at the Government House in Minna to scenes of raw emotion, parents embracing their kids, prayers of thanksgiving, and overwhelming gratitude that they made it home alive. Their return is a major breakthrough following the November 21 mass abduction, when armed attackers stormed the school and seized 227 pupils and staff members. Two days later, 50 pupils escaped on their own, but 115 children and 12 staff members remain missing. During the handover ceremony, a representative from the National Security Adviser’s office confirmed that rescue operations for those still held captive are actively continuing. Governor Mohammed Bago, visibly emotional seeing the frail condition of the children, thanked security agencies, development partners, and prayer groups who played crucial roles in the rescue. He assured parents that more children would be brought home soon. President Bola Tinubu praised the security forces for their progress and ordered them to intensify efforts until every abducted student and teacher is safely home. He emphasized that Nigerian schools cannot continue to be easy targets for criminals and promised stronger collaboration with state governments to secure educational institutions across the country. The rescue follows days of fasting and prayer organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), with faith leaders calling for unity as insecurity continues to worsen across the region.

Celebrity Gist

May Yul-Edochie Celebrates Daughter’s Graduation: “God Did It Despite All Odds”

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Influencer May Yul-Edochie has melted hearts across social media with an emotional tribute to her first daughter following her recent graduation. The proud mom shared the exciting news online, expressing overwhelming gratitude as her daughter reached this significant milestone, one May says came “despite all odds.” “May Yul-Edochie graduation party loading… Please join me in celebration. God did it,” she wrote, keeping her message heartfelt and genuine despite having so much she wanted to say. In a touching note to her daughter, May celebrated her intelligence, independence, and inner strength. “To my one and only darling daughter and my first child: As one chapter has just closed, a new one is open, filled with possibilities waiting for you to shape them. I’m incredibly proud of the beautiful and intelligent young woman you have become, with a mind of your own that cannot be negatively influenced,” she wrote. May credited her daughter’s achievement to hard work, passion, and resilience, traits she believes will carry her toward even bigger successes ahead. The post quickly drew an outpouring of love and congratulations from supporters: @qutelay: “Congratulations Darl” @rvtaddiva: “God did it baby. We are super proud of you girl. Go and conquer my love.” @bosealaoo: “Omg! Congratulations darling! Welldone momma.” @bensonokonkwo_official_: “Congratulations and we are proud of you our latest graduate… this is the beginning of many achievements to come.” @evelynzion: “Proud mom, Big Congratulations.”

Bella shmurda
Celebrity Gist

Bella Shmurda and Annie Macaulay’s Playful Interaction Goes Viral: What Really Happened?

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A weekend video showing singer Bella Shmurda and actress Annie Macaulay sharing a lighthearted moment at an event has set social media ablaze with speculation. The clip captures the two celebrities in close conversation, using hand gestures and laughing together. At one point, Bella leans in to whisper something to Annie, prompting genuine laughter from both, a brief interaction that quickly became the weekend’s hottest talking point. Social media users had plenty to say. Some read too much into the friendly exchange, with one person commenting, “The extreme junkie is always quick to go after widows or divorced women. Gross.” Another claimed Bella made a romantic advance through sign language that Annie politely declined. However, most people saw it differently. Many brushed off the speculation, pointing out it was simply two celebrities having a normal conversation at a public event. Some fans even joked that Bella might have been “shooting his shot” in his signature playful style. Bella Shmurda is known for his outgoing personality and has featured in several viral moments recently.

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