Sunday, June 28, 2026
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Again, US-Israel strike eliminates Iranian intelligence chief Khademi

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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed the death of Major General Seyyed Majid Khademi, head of its Intelligence Organization, following what it described as a targeted airstrike carried out by the United States and Israel.

In a statement released on Monday through its public relations office and reported by the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency, the corps condemned the incident as a “criminal terrorist attack” by what it called an “American-Zionist enemy.” The IRGC added that Khademi “attained the exalted grace of martyrdom.”

 

The statement did not disclose the exact location of the strike or further operational details surrounding the attack.

 

Khademi, a long-serving intelligence official, was praised for his “significant, enduring, and instructive” role in strengthening Iran’s security apparatus and confronting foreign threats over the years.

 

The IRGC linked his death to the broader conflict it has referred to as the “Third Imposed War,” framing the incident as part of ongoing hostilities involving Iran and its adversaries.

 

Condolences were extended to Iran’s leadership, including the Supreme Leader and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, as well as to the late general’s family and associates.

 

Authorities said details of funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time, as tensions continue to escalate across the region.

Black Easter Sunday: Nigeria is bleeding- Peter Obi tackles Tinubu over multiple killings

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Former Labour Party presidential candidate and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Peter Obi, has raised fresh alarm over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, declaring that the country is “bleeding” amid persistent attacks across several states.

In a statement posted on his official X handle, Obi lamented the continued killings despite repeated assurances from the presidency.

He also criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that recent promises to end the violence have already been contradicted by new incidents.

“Less than 24 hours after Tinubu visited Jos, Plateau State, on April 2, 2026, and assured grieving citizens that this experience will not repeat itself, another deadly attack occurred in Nyamgo Gyel community in Jos South Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of several residents,” Obi said.

 

He noted that within days of that assurance, violence spread to other parts of the country. In Nasarawa State, gunmen reportedly attacked Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities.

 

“At least 11 people were killed, many displaced, houses burnt, and several persons declared missing,” he stated.

 

Obi also referenced reports from Zamfara State, where about 150 people were allegedly abducted in what he described as a major mass kidnapping.

 

“This represents one of the largest recent abductions in the country,” he said.

 

He added that in Borno State, suspected terrorists reportedly attacked Chibok.

 

“Four officers were killed and homes were set ablaze,” Obi said.

 

The former Anambra governor further decried violence in Benue State on Easter Sunday.

 

“More than 17 people were reportedly killed, with many others still unaccounted for,” he noted.

 

He also alleged that in Kaduna State, attackers targeted worshippers.

 

“Several worshippers were killed inside churches, while others were abducted in Ariko community of Kachia Local Government Area,” he said.

 

Describing the situation as a failure of leadership, Obi said Nigerians are paying the price with their lives.

 

“Yet we were told, ‘This experience will not repeat itself.’ This represents a failure of leadership and responsibility, and sadly, Nigerians are paying for it with their lives,” he stated.

 

He added that the continued attacks suggest that perpetrators feel emboldened by what he termed government inaction.

 

“The protection of lives and property remains the fundamental responsibility of any government,” Obi said, warning that the persistent killings signal a national emergency.

 

He concluded with a call for urgent action, stressing, “Nigeria is bleeding and requires immediate and decisive intervention to address the worsening security crisis.”

Tinubu, ICPC responsible for El-Rufai’s mother death- ADC’s Okonkwo

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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has claimed that the detention of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai contributed to the death of his mother.

 

El-Rufai was earlier detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) over alleged corruption during his time in office. He was later arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court and granted bail. During his detention, he lost his mother and was subsequently given administrative bail to attend her burial.

 

Reacting to the development, Okonkwo accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to manipulate the judiciary.

 

Speaking in an interview with Symponi TV, Okonkwo argued that the emotional toll of El-Rufai’s arrest may have affected his aged mother.

 

“As far as I’m concerned, it was the incarceration of El-Rufai that led to his mother’s death,” he said. “At that age, mothers can be very emotional. Hearing that her son had been arrested could have been devastating, and in my opinion, that contributed to her passing.”

 

He further alleged that authorities demonstrated selective adherence to legal processes, noting that El-Rufai was released without a court order only after his mother’s death.

 

“That shows they are trying to use the judiciary, because you cannot ignore court orders,” Okonkwo added.

Trump: Be ready for more devastating retaliation- Iran warns US

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Iran has cautioned former U.S. President Donald Trump to expect a far more severe response if any further attacks are launched against the country.

The warning follows reported threats by Trump to target key Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants.

 

A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the operational command of Iran’s armed forces, said any repeat of strikes on civilian facilities would trigger a significantly escalated response.

 

“If attacks on civilian targets are repeated, the next stages of our offensive and retaliatory operations will be much more devastating and widespread. Be ready for more devastating retaliation from us,” the spokesperson said.

 

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, had earlier threatened to hit Iran’s civilian infrastructure, suggesting coordinated strikes on power plants and bridges.

 

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” he wrote.

Lagos Govt drags AIT, ThisDay, 43 other companies to court over multi-billion naira tax defaults

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The Lagos State Government has initiated legal proceedings against 45 individuals and corporate organizations over alleged tax liabilities amounting to several billion naira.

 

The suits, filed before the state’s revenue court, are part of efforts to enforce compliance with tax regulations and recover outstanding revenues.

 

Among those named in the cases are Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two; DAAR Communications Plc, owners of Africa Independent Television; and Leaders & Company Limited, publishers of ThisDay newspaper.

 

Official figures indicate that Bi-Courtney is alleged to owe N38.7 million, while DAAR Communications has an outstanding liability of N22.4 million. Leaders & Company Limited is also accused of owing N67.1 million in unpaid taxes.

 

Other major defaulters listed include GMT Energy Resources Limited, with liabilities exceeding N145.8 million, and Sheriff Deputies Limited, which allegedly owes over N132.1 million.

 

Additional companies named in the suits include Heyden Petroleum Limited, AA Rescue, and Primero Transport Services Limited, alongside several others with varying tax obligations.

 

The list also features firms such as IENG Nigeria Limited, James Fisher Nigeria Limited, V Care Diagnostics Limited, Venture Garden Nigeria Limited, Saro Africa International Limited, and Barry Callebaut Nigeria Limited.

 

Media and tech-related firms, including Native Media Limited, First Consulting Media & Centre Limited, and Eyowo Integrated Payments, were also cited as defendants.

 

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, said the legal action followed repeated notices issued to the affected entities, which were ignored.

 

He noted that while individual tax liabilities range between about N13.5 million and N35 million, corporate organizations account for the bulk of the debt.

 

Pedro explained that the government resorted to litigation after the affected taxpayers failed to meet their statutory obligations or take advantage of opportunities to regularize their tax status.

 

He added that the move is part of broader efforts to boost internally generated revenue needed to fund infrastructure and essential public services in the state.

 

The attorney general, however, clarified that taxpayers who complied with pre-action notices and settled their debts would not be prosecuted.

 

He urged residents and business operators to adhere to tax laws by filing annual returns and paying assessed taxes promptly, warning that continued default could result in penalties, interest, and further legal action.

Blessing, CEO, IVD, deactivate X, Facebook, IG accounts

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Controversial self-acclaimed relationship expert Blessing CEO and her partner, IVD, have deactivated their social media accounts following intense backlash over her cancer claim.

The development comes days after Blessing, CEO, appealed to the public for financial support, claiming she was battling stage 4 cancer.

 

However, the appeal sparked outrage online after she was accused of falsifying medical reports belonging to a cancer patient.

 

Amid the criticism, Blessing, CEO, reversed her earlier statement during an interview, clarifying, “I don’t have stage 4 cancer. That was a miscommunication.”

 

Her admission further fueled anger among social media users, many of whom demanded refunds of donations made out of sympathy and condemned her actions.

 

In apparent response to the growing backlash, both Blessing CEO and IVD, a Lagos-based auto dealer, have now taken down their Instagram accounts.

 

A check confirms that the duo’s pages are no longer accessible on the platform.

‘I’m not afraid’—Channelstv’s Okinbaloye fires back at Wike

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Channels Television anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, has declared that he is neither afraid nor intimidated following controversial remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Wike had sparked outrage after saying he would have “broken his TV screen and shot” Okinbaloye over comments warning that a one-party system could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

 

The statement drew widespread criticism, with Amnesty International condemning it as “reckless and violent language.”

 

Responding on Sunday, Okinbaloye stood firmly by his position, stressing that violent rhetoric has no place in a democratic society.

 

“The fact remains that our democracy is in danger if we allow one-way traffic in balloting,” he said.

 

“This is not a warning to the opposition or ruling party, but to all Nigerians who believe in the development of our nation.”

 

He also revealed that Wike had reached out to clarify that his comments were not intended as widely interpreted.

 

“While that is noted, it is important that violent rhetoric or threats are never appropriate responses to dissent in a democratic society,” he added.

 

Okinbaloye maintained his stance on press freedom and accountability, declaring, “Let me be clear: I am not afraid and I will never be intimidated.

 

“We may disagree and as humans we may err, but dissent must never descend into hostility or harm.

 

“I will continue to do what I love—asking the necessary questions and holding power to account.”

War: Iran sets only condition for reopening Strait of Hormuz 

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Iran has declared that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will depend on compensation for damages resulting from the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel.

Mehdi Tabatabai, Deputy for Communications and Information at the Iranian President’s Office, made this known in a post on X on Sunday. He stated that Tehran would only allow the resumption of maritime activities in the vital oil route if a portion of transit revenues were allocated to offset losses incurred during the conflict.

 

“The Strait of Hormuz will be reopened only when part of the transit revenues are used to compensate for all damages caused by the imposed war,” said Mehdi Tabatabai.

 

Tabatabai also criticized the US president, Donald Trump, accusing him of escalating tensions in the region. He alleged that Trump had initiated a full-scale war and was now resorting to “insults and nonsense” out of frustration while continuing to boast.

 

According to reports, the conflict has resulted in more than 1,340 deaths, including Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

 

In response to the hostilities, Iran has carried out strikes against Israeli targets and US interests across the Middle East, while also restricting ship movements through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Power Sector: Tinubu approves N3.3tn Debt payment after Peter Obi’s criticism as GenCos Kick

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President Tinbu

Following criticism from former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a N3.3 trillion payment plan to clear longstanding debts owed to electricity generation companies (GenCos).

 

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, who said the figure was arrived at after a comprehensive verification of legacy debts in Nigeria’s power sector, accumulated over more than a decade.

 

According to the statement, the N3.3 trillion settlement is separate from the previously introduced N501 billion bond meant to offset part of the liabilities. GenCos, however, have put the total outstanding debt at about N6 trillion.

 

“Following verification, N3.3 trillion has been agreed as a full and final settlement, ensuring a fair and transparent resolution,” the statement said.

 

Implementation of the payment plan has already commenced, with 15 power plants signing settlement agreements worth N2.3 trillion. The government has reportedly raised N501 billion so far, with N223 billion already disbursed and additional payments ongoing.

 

The presidency noted that the intervention is expected to improve electricity generation and overall supply. “With payments reaching the power value chain, generation will be more stable. With power plants supported, electricity reliability will improve,” the statement added, highlighting prospects for increased investment, job creation, and better service delivery.

 

Also commenting, the president’s special adviser on energy, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, said the initiative goes beyond debt clearance.

 

“This program is not just about settling legacy debts. It is about restoring confidence across the power sector—ensuring gas suppliers are paid, power plants can keep running, and the system begins to work more reliably,” she said. She added that the move complements ongoing reforms such as improved metering and service-based tariffs.

 

However, the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) has criticized the government’s decision to reduce the recognized debt from N6 trillion to N3.3 trillion.

 

Reacting, the association’s chief executive officer, Joy Ogaji, questioned the process, asking, “Is verification unilateral in a bilateral agreement?”

 

The development comes days after Obi criticized the Tinubu administration’s handling of the power sector, arguing that persistent electricity challenges reflect unfulfilled campaign promises.

 

Despite government assurances, many Nigerians continue to grapple with erratic power supply, with no significant improvement recorded in recent months.

BREAKING: FA Cup semi-final fixtures confirmed [See Full List]

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The semi-final fixtures of the FA Cup have been officially confirmed following Sunday evening’s draw.

 

In one of the ties, Chelsea FC will battle Leeds United for a place in the final. Chelsea secured their spot in emphatic fashion, thrashing Port Vale 7-0 at Stamford Bridge, while Leeds advanced after edging past West Ham United on penalties.

 

The other semi-final will see Manchester City take on Southampton FC at Wembley. The city booked their place with a commanding 4-0 win over Liverpool FC as they continue their pursuit of an eighth FA Cup title. Southampton, meanwhile, earned their spot after knocking out Arsenal FC.

 

Both semi-final matches are scheduled to be played on April 25 and 26.

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