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Many feared dead as bomb explosion hits Kwara

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A suspected bomb explosion has struck Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, with fears that several people may have been killed.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident as of filing the report, but residents believe the device may have been an improvised explosive linked to suspected Boko Haram elements.

The explosion comes weeks after a deadly attack in Woro and nearby Nuku communities, where at least 75 residents were reportedly killed and homes destroyed by suspected terrorists.

Following that assault, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the deployment of an army battalion to the affected area to strengthen security.

Efforts to contact the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, for official confirmation were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

NNPCL filling stations Increase petrol price above $1/Liter after Dangote Refinery Hike

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Retail outlets operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have increased petrol prices in the wake of a fresh gantry price hike by Dangote Refinery.

Findings by Nigerian Newssphere on Monday showed that NNPCL stations across Abuja and nearby areas adjusted pump prices over the weekend to N1,367 per liter, up from N1,261.

 

The N106 increase pushes the cost of petrol beyond $1 per liter, based on the official exchange rate of N1,353.90/$ published by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

 

The adjustment follows Dangote Refinery’s latest upward review of its petrol gantry price last Friday, citing rising global crude oil prices, which have climbed above $110 per barrel.

 

The refinery’s decision has triggered a ripple effect across the country, with several marketers raising pump prices. MRS and other affiliated stations had earlier increased their retail prices to between N1,367 and N1,440 per liter.

Tinubu wants to sell NNPCL JV assets—Atiku

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised an alarm over an alleged report that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to sell up to 30 percent of Nigeria’s Joint Venture assets under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

The Atiku Media Office made this known in a statement at the weekend.

 

Atiku warned that such assets are critical to the country’s revenue base and should not be disposed of without full transparency and accountability.

 

He also raised questions about the reported relocation of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services to Lagos, with an alleged annual rental cost exceeding N9 billion.

 

“We are alarmed by credible reports suggesting a planned sale of up to 30 percent of Nigeria’s Joint Venture assets under NNPC Limited. These assets are not mere commercial instruments; they are strategic national holdings—the backbone of Nigeria’s revenue architecture. Any attempt to dispose of them without full transparency, competitive valuation, and public accountability would amount to the quiet auctioning of Nigeria’s future.

 

“We call on PENGASSAN, NUPENG, and all stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to remain vigilant. The Nigerian people must not be shortchanged through opaque transactions carried out under the cover of reform.

 

“Equally concerning are reports surrounding the relocation of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services back to Lagos at an alleged annual rental cost exceeding N9 billion. At a time when Nigeria is grappling with an unprecedented debt servicing burden—rising from nearly N7 trillion in 2023 to about N16 trillion—such expenditure raises serious questions about fiscal discipline and priority setting.

 

“Even more disturbing are allegations, yet to be credibly refuted, that the property in question may be linked to interests associated with the President’s family. In public service, perception matters. Silence in the face of such weighty allegations only deepens suspicion and erodes public trust. This is how institutions are weakened—not always by overt illegality, but by a steady erosion of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.

LaLiga: Simeone praises Nigeria’s Lookman after Atletico’s 3-2 loss to Real Madrid

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Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has praised Ademola Lookman’s display despite his side’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Lookman gave Atletico the lead in the 33rd minute with a close-range finish, marking his second league goal of the season.

Speaking after the match, Simeone commended the Nigerian winger’s progress and impact on the team.

 

“Ademola Lookman is improving, working very well, and giving us different things. We’re helping him grow defensively because he has that work ethic. He’s a player with a big heart and a desire to learn. Hopefully he keeps giving us important things like today,” he said.

 

The 28-year-old joined Atletico Madrid from Atalanta in January and has contributed five goals and three assists in 14 appearances across all competitions.

Former Nigerian senator Nyako dumps ADC for APC months after joining party

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Former senator who represented Adamawa Central in the 8th National Assembly, Abdulaziz Nyako, has officially left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nyako announced his defection on Sunday, months after aligning with the ADC, attributing his exit to internal divisions within the party’s Adamawa State chapter.

 

Speaking to journalists, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri said the move followed efforts to consolidate the party’s structure in the state by bringing influential figures like Nyako into the APC.

 

Fintiri also confirmed that Nyako has completed his registration and is now a bona fide member of the ruling party.

Carabao Cup Final: Arteta explains Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Man City

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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said missed opportunities and key moments cost his side in their 2-0 loss to Manchester City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

Nico O’Reilly netted two second-half headers to hand City their first trophy of the season at Wembley Stadium.

Speaking after the match, Arteta admitted his team failed to make the most of their dominance in the first half, despite creating the clearest chance of the game.

According to him, taking that opportunity could have significantly altered the outcome of the encounter.

The Spanish coach also pointed to difficulties after the break, noting that his players struggled to build from the back, press effectively, and maintain control of possession.

He added that Arsenal conceded the opening goal unexpectedly before allowing a second in similar fashion just minutes later.

Arteta, however, acknowledged Manchester City’s clinical edge, stating that the opponents made the most of their strong spells, unlike his team.

Ndigbo remains solidly behind Nnamdi Kanu despite life imprisonment—Aloy Ejimakor

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Aloy Ejimakor, a lawyer and legal consultant to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has declared that the Igbo people remain firmly united in support of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, following his life imprisonment.

Ejimakor made the assertion in a post shared on X  on Sunday, stressing that Kanu’s imprisonment symbolizes a collective burden borne by the Igbo nation.

“For avoidance of doubt, Ndigbo remains solidly behind MAZI NNAMDI KANU. The chains on his wrists are chains on the wrists of every Igbo. He’s the single factor that unifies Ndigbo in this era,” Ejimakor wrote.

The lawyer further stated that the Igbo people would not forget the circumstances surrounding Kanu’s incarceration, hinting at a future moment of reflection and accountability.

“That said, when time comes for reckoning of things (good or bad), Ndigbo will remember,” he added on X.

 

Kanu, who leads IPOB, has remained a central figure in Nigeria’s separatist tensions, particularly in the Southeast, where calls for the independent state of Biafra have persisted for years.

 

Ejimakor’s latest remarks are expected to further stir conversations around Kanu’s continued incarceration and its implications for peace and political stability in the region ahead of the 2027 general election.

 

Nigerian Newssphere reports that Nnamdi Kanu is currently in Sokoto Correction Centre serving his life imprisonment meted out to him by the Nigerian government over terrorism-related offenses in November 2025.

 

 

Blackout in Lagos after fire incident

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The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has confirmed a widespread power outage in parts of Lagos State following a fire incident along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

In a statement, the company said the disruption was caused by an accident involving a moving vehicle that collided with a stationary gas tanker, sparking a fire that severely damaged critical power infrastructure.

 

EKEDC disclosed that the blaze affected the Ibeju and Medallion 33 kV feeders, destroying key conductors and overhead line components and cutting off electricity supply to several communities.

 

“Please be informed that the current outage resulted from a fire incident that occurred last night after a vehicle collided with a stationary gas tanker,” the company said.

 

“The fire caused significant damage to the Ibeju and Medallion 33 kV feeders, including essential conductors and overhead line equipment. Our technical teams are currently working to replace the affected components and restore supply as quickly and safely as possible. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience,” it added.

 

Communities impacted by the outage include those served by the Medallion feeder, such as Medallion Company, as well as Sangotedo, Majek, Fidiso, Awoyaya, Container, Eputu, Lagasa, Losoro, Kajola, and Onisan, all connected to the Ibeju 33 kV feeder.

 

The development comes shortly after a gas explosion in the Ajah area of Lagos earlier on Saturday, which reportedly claimed two lives and caused significant damage to warehouses and roadside shops near the Tera Ahmed bus stop in Sangotedo.

 

Residents in affected areas have been urged to remain cautious while repair work continues, with EKEDC assuring that electricity supply will be restored once it is safe to do so.

Ozoro festival: Police give update, say seven more suspects arrested

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The Delta State Police Command has arrested seven additional suspects in connection with disturbing reports of alleged sexual assaults in Oramudu Quarters, located in the Ozoro area of the state.

According to Nigerian Newssphere, outrage erupted on Friday after videos surfaced on social media showing men assaulting women during what was described as a “raping festival.”

 

The footage triggered widespread condemnation, with many Nigerians demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those involved.

 

In response, the police swiftly launched an operation, leading to the arrest of the alleged organizer and four other suspects.

 

Providing an update on Saturday, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed that more arrests had been made.

 

He stated, “Acting on this directive, operatives of CP-SAT conducted a thorough analysis of available video evidence and intelligence. This led to the arrest of eleven additional suspects: Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others. These latest arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the incident to fifteen (15).

 

“The Command reiterates that preliminary findings indicate the unfortunate incident was perpetrated by criminal elements who exploited the situation to engage in acts of sexual violence, which are in no way representative of any legitimate cultural practice.

 

“The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, condemns these acts in totality and reassures the public that the command remains resolute in its determination to ensure that all those involved are identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

 

“Members of the public, particularly victims and witnesses, are once again encouraged to come forward with credible information that will aid ongoing investigations. The Command assures that all information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.”

Where are Dangote paid influencers—Adeyanju asks as fuel price hits N1450 per liter in Nigeria

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Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has criticized supporters of the Dangote Refinery over their silence following the latest spike in petrol prices across Nigeria.

 

Fuel stations in Abuja have raised pump prices to between N1,370 and N1,440 per liter, marking another increase that has intensified pressure on consumers.

The hike comes after the Dangote Refinery announced yet another adjustment in its fuel price—the fourth increase recorded in March alone.

 

The rising cost of petrol has further strained transportation and other sectors of the economy, worsening the burden on Nigerians already grappling with high living costs.

 

Reacting via his official Facebook page, Adeyanju questioned the absence of voices that previously defended the refinery and its operations.

 

“Fuel is 1450. Where are the influencers of Dangote who kept insulting me?” he wrote.