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US explains deployment of Troops to Nigeria 

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The United States military has explained the rationale behind the deployment of its forces to Nigeria, describing it as part of expanded cooperation between Washington and Abuja to tackle terrorism and other security threats in the country.

Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, made this known on Tuesday during a briefing with journalists. He said both Nigeria and the United States had agreed on the need for closer military collaboration to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts.

According to Anderson, the renewed cooperation follows directives from US President Donald Trump, who in December ordered airstrikes on what he described as Islamic State targets in Nigeria, adding that further US military action could follow if necessary.

While declining to disclose the exact size and mission details of the deployed personnel, Anderson described the force as a small contingent equipped with “unique capabilities” from the United States.

“This has led to increased collaboration between our nations, including a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” he said.

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, also confirmed that a US military team is currently operating in the country but did not provide additional details about its activities.

Rivers: Why Tinubu will always place Wike ahead of Fubara—Lawyer

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A legal practitioner and human rights activist, Festus Ogwuche, has said President Bola Tinubu is likely to place the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at an advantage in the ongoing political crisis with the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.

 

Ogwuche made the assertion on Tuesday during an interview on Prime Time, a program on Arise Television.

 

According to him, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara should have been more strategic and diplomatic in his political decisions, particularly regarding his alleged move to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

The lawyer argued that Governor Fubara may have underestimated the depth of the relationship between President Tinubu and Wike.

 

“Fubara should have been a little more calculative and diplomatic, considering what he is going through now. This suggests that he does not quite understand the depth of the relationship between Wike and President Tinubu,” Ogwuche said.

 

He added that the bond between the President and the former Rivers governor goes beyond a typical godfather-godson relationship.

 

“Wike and Tinubu’s relationship goes far beyond that. It runs deeper, with certain undercurrents that many cannot fully grasp. In this crisis, the President will always place Wike at an advantage,” he stated.

 

Ogwuche further noted that extraordinary measures had already been taken to position Wike favorably in the political standoff, insisting that the FCT minister would continue to enjoy the president’s backing as the Rivers crisis unfolds.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader assassinated

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Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been assassinated.

The 53-year-old was reportedly shot dead in the western Libyan city of Zintan, where he had been based for the past decade.

His death was confirmed on Tuesday by the head of his political team, according to the Libyan News Agency.

Saif al-Islam was widely regarded as the second most powerful figure in Libya before the fall of his father’s regime in 2011. Following Muammar Gaddafi’s death during the uprising that ended his 42-year rule, Saif al-Islam remained one of the country’s most influential and controversial figures.

Born in 1972, he played a prominent role in Libya’s rapprochement with Western nations from 2000 until the collapse of the Gaddafi government in 2011.

Carabao Cup: Arsenal reach final after late win over Chelsea

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Arsenal have booked their place in the 2025/2026 Carabao Cup final following a dramatic victory over Chelsea in the semi-final clash on Tuesday night.

The Gunners sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal from K. Harvest in the 97th minute, sparking celebrations among the Arsenal faithful.

The result confirmed a 4–2 aggregate triumph for Arsenal over their London rivals, sending them through to the final of the competition.

Arsenal will now face the winner of Wednesday’s semi-final encounter between Manchester City and Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.

Trouble for US tech billionaire Elon Musk as France probes X, Grok AI

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Prosecutors have filed requests for voluntary interviews of Elon Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino as the authorities in France scrutinize X, formerly Twitter, and its Grok AI.

A team of French police officers, alongside Europol operatives, searched the social media platform’s office in Paris, the French capital, on Tuesday.

 

Musk and Yaccarino are expected to appear on April 20 for questions about the use of the company’s AI chatbot to create sexualized images of women and children, among others.

Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau explained that the aim was to ensure that X “complies with French law, as it operates on the national territory.”

A list of allegations released by the government includes defamation of a person’s image (deepfakes of ​a sexual nature), denial of crimes against humanity (the Holocaust), and operating an illegal online platform by an organized group.

Others are complicity in the possession of images of minors (pornographic); complicity in the distribution of or offering minors’ images (pornographic); and fraudulent extraction of data from an ⁠automated data processing system.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has not directly responded to the raid and investigation, but the world’s richest man has reposted comments critical of the French operation.

Musk often accuses Europe of information censorship and election interference, yet more countries on the continent, including Spain and the United Kingdom, have indicated a probe of X and Grok.

Respite as Lagos Assembly orders suspension of Makoko demolitions

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Respite for affected residents as the Lagos State House of Assembly has suspended the proposed demolition of houses and other structures in the Makoko area of the state.

The decision was announced on Tuesday evening by the Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, in a statement made available to Nigerian Newssphere.

 

The suspension follows sustained protests by civil society groups, activists, and residents of Makoko, who had strongly opposed the planned demolitions. Recall that the proposed exercise had earlier drawn widespread condemnation, with critics describing it as unjust and illegal.

 

Adams, who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers, said the directive to halt the demolitions was reached after a meeting between members of the Assembly and representatives of the Makoko community.

 

He explained that the Assembly would now work with relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to review the issues surrounding the planned demolitions, adding that all stakeholders would be adequately consulted going forward.

 

“In line with our responsibility to the people, we are taking this matter seriously,” Adams said. “On behalf of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, and honorable members of this House, all ongoing demolitions should be stopped.”

 

He assured residents that the Assembly would ensure proper engagement and due process in addressing concerns related to the area.

Pandemonium in Rivers LG as Councillors beat up Council Chairman [Video]

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Tension gripped the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday following a reported confrontation between the council chairman, Hon. Onengiyeofori George, and the leader of the local government legislative assembly, Hon. Ibifiri.

The exact cause of the clash could not be immediately confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Sources, however, disclosed that a heated exchange between the two officials escalated, prompting councillors to reportedly side with the assembly leader. In the ensuing chaos, the council chairman was allegedly assaulted by some councillors.

A video clip circulating on social media shows moments of confusion, with the council chairman seen fleeing the scene amid the unrest.

The incident comes amid a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State, which has persisted since 2023 following a fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political ally, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

 

A video of the incident has since surfaced on Facebook, further fueling public reactions to the development.

Watch video on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18675de5dJ/

 

 

 

Carabao Cup Semi-final: Arsenal two key players absent in Chelsea clash

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Arsenal will be without key midfielders Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard when they face Chelsea in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Saka was ruled out after picking up an injury during the warm-up ahead of Arsenal’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Leeds on Saturday. Odegaard, who featured as a second-half substitute in that match at Elland Road, has also been left out of the squad for the Chelsea encounter.

In Saka’s absence, Noni Madueke has been handed a starting role, continuing from his appearance against Leeds, while Eberechi Eze steps into midfield to cover for Odegaard.

Up front, Viktor Gyokeres leads the line after netting four goals in his last six outings. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are named among the substitutes.

Between the posts, Kepa Arrizabalaga gets the nod ahead of David Raya, who starts on the bench.

DSS arraigns Ex-AGF Malami, Son over alleged Terrorism financing

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The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday arraigned former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.

The defendants appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where Malami was charged in Count One with knowingly abetting terrorism financing by allegedly refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers whose case files were submitted to his office during his tenure as AGF.

 

Malami and his son were jointly charged in Counts Two to Five for alleged offenses bordering on unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. According to the charges, the defendants were accused of possessing a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 live rounds of Redstar AAA 5.20 cartridges, and 27 expended cartridges without a valid license.

 

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all five counts.

 

Following their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Dr. C. S. Eze, applied for the remand of the defendants in DSS custody pending the commencement of trial. However, the defense counsel, S. A. Alua, SAN, made an oral application for bail.

 

Justice Abdulmalik ruled that as a court of record, the Federal High Court could only entertain a written bail application. Consequently, the matter was adjourned until February 20 for the hearing of the bail application and possible commencement of trial.

 

The charges are said to be contrary to and punishable under relevant provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.

 

 

 

 

Christian genocide: US lawmaker Moore meets Nigerian Gov

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A United States lawmaker, Rep. Riley Moore, has met with the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, to discuss concerns over the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Moore disclosed the meeting in a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, describing the engagement as productive and focused on strengthening bilateral ties between Nigeria and the United States.

 

According to the US congressman, discussions centered on security and economic issues, with particular attention to claims of attacks against Christian communities in parts of Nigeria.

 

“I remain committed to working with the Nigerian government in coordination and cooperation to address these security and economic challenges, especially the persecution our Christian brothers and sisters face,” Moore said.

 

He also commended Governor Mutfwang for his efforts to protect vulnerable groups in the Middle Belt region. “God bless you, Governor, for what you do to protect Christians and other vulnerable populations in the Middle Belt,” he added.

 

While the Nigerian government has consistently denied claims of genocide or targeted persecution of Christians, some US lawmakers continue to allege that Christian communities are being killed in large numbers by Islamic extremists.

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