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War: Iran brought down another US jet on rescue mission

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Efforts by United States forces to rescue the crew of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle in Iran faced renewed danger on Friday, as additional American aircraft involved in the mission were attacked, U.S. officials have confirmed.

 

According to two officials who spoke to CBS News, an A-10 Warthog deployed for the combat search-and-rescue operation was struck during the mission, forcing its pilot to eject over the Persian Gulf. The pilot was later safely recovered.

 

In a separate incident, a helicopter participating in the recovery effort came under small arms fire, leaving some personnel on board injured. Despite the attack, the aircraft managed to land safely, and the wounded crew members are currently receiving medical attention.

 

The F-15E Strike Eagle had earlier been shot down around 06:45 ET over southwestern Iran, reportedly near Khuzestan Province.

 

Rescue teams have so far recovered one of the two crew members aboard the jet, with helicopters deployed for the operation. Search efforts are ongoing to locate the second crew member.

 

The developments underscore the growing risks faced by U.S. forces conducting rescue missions in contested airspace amid ongoing hostilities.

2027: What will happen if ADC goes ahead with congresses— INEC Chairman, Amupitan

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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, has explained the implications that await the African Democratic Congress if the oppositional party proceeds with its planned congresses and convention despite the electoral body derecognizing David Mark-led leadership.

He warned that ADC risks severe legal consequences if it proceeds with its planned congress and convention in defiance of a court order.

Speaking during an Arise Television exclusive interview, Amupitan cautioned that disregarding judicial directives could ultimately invalidate any electoral victory secured by the party.

According to him, Nigeria’s electoral history offers clear precedents. “If they decide to go ahead, let me tell you what happened in Zamfara: it happened in the past. At the end of the day, after you have won, the court will declare the election invalid, and the implication is that the person with the second-highest number of votes will be declared the winner,” he said.

He further noted that a similar situation had occurred in Plateau State, reinforcing the judiciary’s readiness to nullify outcomes where due process is ignored.

Amupitan stressed that failure to comply with court orders carries significant legal risks, regardless of a party’s intentions. “Failure to obey the court order has consequences. They have liability to do whatever they want to do, but INEC doesn’t want to face a situation again where there is an order not to do anything or take any steps,” he added.

INEC chairman maintained that the court’s judgment on the matter is explicit and leaves little room for ambiguity, underscoring the importance of adherence to the rule of law in Nigeria’s electoral process.

This comes amid a crisis that thrilled ADC after INEC derecognized its leadership.

ADC leaders including formerleaders, Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, and others, had demanded the removal of Amupitan on Thursday.

Also, supporters of ADC had stormed INEC headquarters to demand Amupitan’s removal on Thursday.

ADC had vowed to continue with its planned congresses and convention despite INEC delisting.

 

Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressive Party and Presidency in separate statements dismissed ADC criticisms.

Plateau Killings: Presidency explains why Tinubu addressed victims at Airport

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President Tinbu

The presidency has explained that logistical and scheduling challenges informed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to address victims of the recent attacks in Plateau State at the Jos airport rather than visiting the affected communities.

In a statement issued on Friday, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the president’s tight schedule on Thursday made it difficult to proceed directly to the crisis-hit areas.

According to the statement, Tinubu had earlier hosted Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa in Abuja before plans were made for him to travel to Iperu in Ogun State.

However, following a briefing by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang on the security situation, the president cancelled his Ogun trip and arranged an emergency visit to Jos.

The presidency noted that the bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader, which focused on strengthening security cooperation, lasted longer than expected and delayed the president’s departure.

“President Tinubu’s itinerary for Thursday included two main engagements: receiving the Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, and proceeding to Iperu, Ogun State. After Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s briefing, President Tinubu suspended the trip to Ogun. Overnight, the Presidential Villa made arrangements for the visit to Jos, with presidential assets quickly deployed. However, the president could not postpone the scheduled visit by the Chadian leader.

 

“The President of Chad was at the Presidential Villa for a very important bilateral meeting focused on strengthening security collaboration between the two countries. The meeting ran longer than expected, affecting President Tinubu’s scheduled departure for Jos,” the statement read.

 

It further explained that upon arrival in Jos, additional logistical constraints prevented the president from traveling to the affected communities, noting that the airport runway does not support night operations due to the absence of navigational aids.

 

As a result, representatives of the affected communities were brought to a hall near the airport to meet with the president.

 

The Presidency added that top security officials, including the minister of defense, Chief of army staff,chief and inspector general of police, had earlier visited Rukuba, identified as the epicenter of the violence.

 

During the meeting, Tinubu condoled with victims, engaged key stakeholders, and discussed strategies to end the recurring violence in the state.

 

He also assured residents of the federal government’s commitment to justice and lasting peace, while promising the deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled cameras to strengthen security and help identify perpetrators.

Good Friday: Daniel Regha raises concerns on Easter

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Nigerian social media commentator Daniel Regha has stirred conversation among Christians with a thought-provoking question about the timeline of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.

Posting on X, on Friday, Regha raised concerns over what he described as a discrepancy between the traditional Good Friday–Easter Sunday observance and the biblical account of “three days and three nights.”

 

“I have a question for we Christians. Sincerely asking,” he wrote. “24 hours make a day, and 72 make up three days; since this is common knowledge, how come Good Friday to Easter Sunday is just two days and a few hours?”

 

Citing Matthew 12:40, Regha noted that Jesus had said He would be in the tomb for “three days and three nights.” He also referenced Leviticus 23:32 to support the argument that, in ancient Hebrew tradition, a full day was counted as 24 hours—from sunset to sunset.

 

He questioned whether Jesus rose “on the third day” or “after three days” and whether the crucifixion may have occurred on Thursday rather than Friday. He further asked if the Church’s long-held calculation of the Easter timeline could be inaccurate.

 

Regha clarified that his inquiry was “for the purpose of learning,” but the post has since generated widespread reactions, with many users offering theological explanations and differing interpretations of biblical texts.

 

What We Know

 

Christian scholars often explain the timeline using the concept of inclusive counting, a Jewish cultural practice in which any part of a day is considered a full day. Under this interpretation, Friday (day one), Saturday (day two), and Sunday (day three) fulfill the “third day” prophecy, even if the total time is less than 72 hours.

 

Others, however, continue to debate alternative timelines, including the possibility of a Thursday crucifixion, reflecting longstanding discussions within biblical scholarship.

 

The post highlights how social media continues to serve as a platform for religious dialogue, especially during significant periods such as the Easter season, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

BREAKING: Many feared trapped as hotel under construction collapses in Abuja

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Several persons are feared trapped after a hotel building under construction, identified as Ugo West Hotel, collapsed in the Jikwoyi area of Abuja on Friday.

The incident triggered panic among residents, as people in the area, including passersby, rushed to the scene in an attempt to assist with rescue efforts.

 

Eyewitnesses said the structure suddenly caved in, leaving construction workers and others at the site buried under the debris.

 

As of the time of filing this report, the number of victims trapped or injured has not been confirmed. Emergency responders were still being awaited at the scene.

 

Meanwhile, local volunteers have commenced initial rescue operations, clearing rubble in a desperate effort to reach those believed to be trapped.

 

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident or its possible cause.

 

 

 

 

Jos killing: US sends powerful message to Tinubu 

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The United States Department of State has condemned the recent killings in Plateau State, describing the attacks as unacceptable and urging the Nigerian government to strengthen security measures ahead of the Easter celebrations.

In a statement shared on Thursday by the Bureau of African Affairs, Principal Advisor for Global Religious Freedom, Mark Walker, called on Nigerian authorities to take immediate action.

“We call on the Nigerian government to significantly ramp up security for Christians ahead of and during Easter. We recognize and appreciate the steps the government of Nigeria has taken to improve security; however, the targeted killing of Christians, especially on Christian holidays, is unacceptable. We urge the Nigerian leadership to engage and to do so now,” he said.

The condemnation follows a fresh wave of violence in Jos and surrounding communities on Palm Sunday, where gunmen reportedly attacked predominantly Christian areas, killing several residents and injuring many others.

The attacks disrupted activities marking the start of Holy Week and heightened fears among residents.

Local sources said the assailants struck in the early hours, firing sporadically and setting homes ablaze, forcing many people to flee their communities.

 

On Thursday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the state and assured residents of maximum security.

 

However, his visit sparked controversy, with some residents criticizing the president for addressing them from the airport rather than visiting affected communities.

2027: Alex Otti more popular than Peter Obi, APC rigging machines will fail—Monye blasts Deputy Speaker Kalu

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A former director of mobilization for the Obidient Movement, Morris Monye, has alleged that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, is placing undue confidence in the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 Abia State governorship election.

 

Monye made the claim on Friday via his X handle while reacting to reports suggesting that Kalu is preparing to contest the governorship seat currently held by Governor Alex Otti.

 

According to him, Kalu appears to be banking on the perceived electoral strength of the APC, a strategy he argued would ultimately fail.

 

Monye further described Otti as the most popular politician in the South-East, insisting that any attempt to unseat him through such means would be unsuccessful.

 

“I think Ben Kalu trusts the APC rigging machine so much that he wants to cash in on it,” he wrote.

 

“Otti is the most popular politician in the South-East. The machine will fail Kalu.”

Jos killings: You’re insensitive—Nigerians berate Tinubu for addressing attack victims at the airport

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President Tinbu

Some residents of Plateau State have criticized President Bola Tinubu over his visit to the state on Thursday to sympathize with victims of the Palm Sunday attack in Gari Yawaye, a community in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, where over 30 people were killed and several others injured.

 

The president visited in response to the violence but delivered his address at the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang, located about 100 kilometers from the scene of the attack, before departing the state.

 

His approach has drawn backlash from many residents, who argued that the visit lacked the empathy expected from a national leader. Several expressed disappointment that the president neither visited the affected community nor met victims receiving treatment in hospitals.

 

Many of the aggrieved residents took to social media to question why the president chose to address stakeholders at the airport while victims remained far from the venue.

 

One resident, Kacholom Luka, wrote on Facebook:

“Welcome to Heipang Airport of Plateau State, Mr. President. Are the injured victims of the attack, currently receiving treatment in the hospital, being transported there for your viewing? Should you not be visiting the victims in the hospital? It is well with all of us in this country.”

 

Other residents echoed similar sentiments.

 

Comrade Bright Gyang criticized the move, describing it as insensitive and questioning the decision to address victims from an armored vehicle at the airport.

 

Joel Poret also faulted the visit, calling it “insensitive” and arguing that the president could have addressed the nation from Abuja if he had no intention of meeting the victims directly.

 

Rhoda Daniel expressed disappointment, saying she expected more compassion from the president and criticized the decision not to visit Jos.

 

Kefas Habila noted that the presence of leaders during difficult times often provides hope and reassurance, lamenting that the president’s actions fell short of that expectation.

 

Joey Shekwonuzhibo pointed out that the stakeholders’ meeting held at the airport was far from the actual site of the March 29 attack.

 

Aaron Azi compared the visit to previous instances, alleging a pattern in which affected communities were not directly visited during times of crisis.

 

Others, including Ibrahim Yakubu and Emma Jando, described the development as typical of Nigerian political leadership, accusing leaders of prioritizing politics over the welfare of citizens.

 

The criticism underscores growing frustration among residents, many of whom believe the president’s visit missed an opportunity to provide direct comfort and solidarity to victims of the attack.

BREAKING: 2027: ADC demands INEC Chairman’s resignation

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan.

The demand was made on Thursday by the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, during a world press conference in Abuja.

 

Speaking to journalists, Mark urged President Bola Tinubu to remove the INEC chairman from office if he fails to step down voluntarily, citing a lack of confidence in his ability to oversee credible elections.

 

According to him, the current leadership of the electoral body has demonstrated incompetence and cannot be trusted to conduct a free and fair general election in 2027.

 

“We demand the immediate resignation or removal of the INEC chairman. We also call on Prof. Amupitan and all national commissioners to step down without delay,” Mark stated.

 

He added that the party no longer has faith in the commission’s leadership, insisting they are incapable of delivering credible electoral outcomes.

ADC Crisis: Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, others storm Abuja to address Nigerians

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Top figures of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and David Mark, on Thursday arrived at a press conference venue in Abuja to address the media amid the party’s deepening leadership crisis.

 

The emergency briefing comes in the wake of a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

 

INEC also stated that it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is pursuing a court declaration as national chairman.

 

In addition, the electoral body announced the suspension of recognition for all factions within the ADC, declaring that it would not monitor any conventions or congresses organised by groups linked to the affected leaders.

 

According to INEC, the measures will remain in place pending the final ruling of a substantive case before the Federal High Court.

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