78 Nigerian girls rescued from human trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire return home (Vanguard)
No fewer than 78 Nigerian girls trafficked to Côte d’Ivoire was safely repatriated home in the early hours of yesterday.
The victims, some of whom were pregnant, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at approximately 1:00 a.m., and were received by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons NAPTIP.
Speaking at the airport’s arrival wing, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr. Binta Bello, described the rescue as a powerful symbol of national responsibility and resilience in the face of transnational trafficking crimes. Read more
I’m not going back to Aso Rock, says Patience Jonathan (Tribune)
Amid swirling speculation that former President Goodluck Jonathan is being courted by powerful northern interests for a possible return to Aso Rock in 2027, his wife and former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has firmly ruled out any comeback ambitions – either for herself or, by strong implication, her husband.
Speaking at an awards event in Abuja Saturday night, where she received the Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award from Accolade Dynamics Limited, Mrs. Jonathan declared her full support for First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and pledged to campaign with her ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I’m not running. I’m not going back to the Villa. If you call me, I will not go,” she said pointedly. Read more
Iran-bound lady nabbed with cocaine in private part, stomach, bag at PH airport (Sun)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have nabbed a woman, Miracle Obehi, who disguised with hijab to export large consignments of cocaine concealed in her private part, stomach and false bottom of her handbag to Iran.
Obehi,who was dressed in hijab to beat security checks was intercepted at the departure hall of the Port Harcourt airport on Sunday May 3, 2025,while trying to board a Qatar Airline flight to Iran via Doha following credible intelligence.
A statement by Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA ,Femi Babafemi, disclosed that during her search, she was found to have inserted three wraps of cocaine in her private part, and two large parcels hidden in false compartments of her handbag, while she swallowed 67 pellets of the Class A drug. Read more
I’m not desperate to return as Rivers gov – Fubara (Punch)
Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he is not desperate to return to office, revealing that his “spirit left the Government House long ago.”
Fubara, however, acknowledged the immense support he had received from many people and emphasised the importance of standing by those who have made sacrifices for him.
He made the remarks on Sunday during a Night of Tributes organizsd by the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark. Read more
1-party controversy: Ganduje, Damagum, Gabam clash (Nation)
The one-party state controversy, which arose after a spate of defections into the All Progressives Congress (APC) since the tsunami in Delta State, deepened at the weekend.
Many commentators and opposition figures have accused the APC of plotting a one-party state by wooing and winning over opposition political office holders – governors, federal and state lawmakers.
But the APC has consistently said those joining it are doing so willingly, having been attracted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s performance and plans for the country. Read more
Residents of north west communities flee over Turji’s fresh threat (Leadership)
Fresh threats from notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, have triggered widespread fear and panic across some communities in the North West, especially in Sokoto.
With killings and kidnapping still ongoing in Zamfara State, it was gathered that in Sokoto East Senatorial Zone, particularly in the Isa local government area, many people have deserted the area as a result of Turji’s threat.
Residents of Bafarawa town have reportedly fled their homes following Turji’s latest threat. Read more
Q1: MTN, Nestle, NB, Cadbury Shake Off FX Losses, Report N367.4b Profit (ThisDay)
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, and four other multinational companies recovered from 2023 & 2024 financial losses, fuelled by foreign exchange revaluation burden to declare N367.4 billion profit before tax in the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2025.
MTN Nigeria Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, and International Breweries Plc foreign currency exposure led to a whooping N937.17 billion loss before tax in Q1 2024.
These five multinational companies experienced substantial foreign exchange losses in 2023 & 20024 financial year, primarily due to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exchange rate liberalisation in June 2023. Read more
Playboi Carti’s next album is reportedly finished (Hiphopvibe)
Playboi Carti fans know how to wait. After all, the Atlanta rapper kept fans on edge for over four years before finally releasing MUSIC in March 2025. But when it did arrive, it exploded onto the charts, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200, garnering praise for its raw energy and genre-blending creativity.
Featuring collaborations with Travis Scott, The Weeknd, and Kendrick Lamar, MUSIC felt like the culmination of everything Carti had been building toward since Whole Lotta Red.
Now, less than two months later, there’s already a new buzz brewing—and it’s all centered around a project titled BABY BOI. Read more
Fragile truce holds between India, Pakistan after days of fierce exchanges (AlJazeera)
A ceasefire between India and Pakistan appears to be holding, after both sides accused each other of initial violations, as an uneasy calm has taken hold following days of the worst eruption of fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours in decades.
The Indian military sent a “hotline message” to Pakistan on Sunday about violations of an agreed-upon ceasefire, informing it of New Delhi’s intent to respond if this was repeated, a top Indian army officer said.
India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) was speaking on Sunday as a fragile 24-hour-old ceasefire appeared to be holding after both sides blamed the other for initial violations on Saturday night. Read more
Hamas announces imminent release of Edan Alexander, last known living American hostage (CNN)
Hamas has announced the imminent release of Edan Alexander, the last known living American hostage held in Gaza.
The head of Hamas’ negotiating team said they had been in contact with the US administration “during the past few days” in talks that “showed high positivity.”
Following the communications, Hamas announced it will release Alexander as part of the steps toward a ceasefire that will see the crossings into Gaza opened and humanitarian aid brought into Gaza following an Israeli blockade that has lasted more than two months. Read more
Putin offers new peace talks as West demands ceasefire and threatens sanctions (Standard)
Vladimir Putin has proposed restarting direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next week, but stopped short of agreeing to a Western-backed ceasefire due to begin on Monday.
Speaking from the Kremlin in the early hours of Sunday, the Russian president said: “We propose the Kyiv authorities resume the negotiations they interrupted at the end of 2022… to resume direct negotiations… without any preconditions… to begin without delay next Thursday 15 May in Istanbul.”
The proposal came as European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, warned that Russia would face further sanctions if it did not agree to an immediate and unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Read more
White House reaches deal with China after trade war (Metro)
Donald Trump’s government has reached a trade deal with China, top officials revealed.
Two days of ‘tough’ talks between the US and China have ended with Trump officials announcing they reached an agreement today after the US President caused global upheaval with sweeping tariffs.
Trump had issued unprecedented 145% tariffs on Chinese products, which disrupted trade between the countries. Read more
Canada’s Liberal Party one seat closer to majority after Quebec recount (BBC)
Supporters react at an election night event for Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Mark Carney.
A single vote in a Quebec riding has brought Canada’s Liberal Party one seat closer to holding a majority in parliament.
A judicial recount in the Terrebone riding declared Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste the victor with 23,352 votes, ahead of Bloc Québécois incumbent Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, who received 23,351.
The result gives the Liberal Party 170 seats in the House of Commons, two seats shy of the 172 required for a majority. Read more
Chinese Embassy refutes AFN’s claim on why Nigeria pulled out of the World Relay (ThisDay)
The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has refuted Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) claims that it pulled out of the 2025 World Athletics Relays which began in Guangzhou, China yesterday because the Asian country’s consular delayed issuing visas to its athletes to the world meet.
AFN had claimed that the Chinese Embassy delayed the issuance of the visas till few hours to the kickoff of the two-day event scheduled for May 10 and May 11, 2025.
But in a swift response to AFN’s claim, the Chinese embassy had said in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday morning that there was clear misunderstanding over the visa processing timelines. Read more
Italian Open: Jack Draper eases into last-16 in Rome as Emma Raducanu sets up Coco Gauff showdown (Standard)
Jack Draper admitted his frustration had boiled over after he smashed a racket en route to beating Czech qualifier Vit Kopria in straight sets at the Italian Open in Rome.
The British number one and world number five was a set and a break up but had passed up the chance to break Kopria again to make it 4-1 when he angrily struck his racket a number of times against the clay court.
Draper, whose 6-4 6-3 victory saw him advance to a last-16 clash with Frenchman Corentin Moutet, told Sky Sports: “It was a tough match definitely against a guy who is a bit unknown, but he’s won a lot of matches here. He’s feeling good. Read more
Lamine Yamal takes swipe at Jude Bellingham after Barcelona beat Real Madrid in Clasico thriller (Metro)
Lamine Yamal couldn’t resist taking a swipe at Jude Bellingham after Barcelona ran out 4-3 winners over Real Madrid in a pulsating Clasico at Camp Nou.
Kylian Mbappe scored a 14-minute brace as Madrid stormed to an early 2-0 lead to silence the Catalan crowd.
But the La Liga leaders responded emphatically in a breathtaking end to the first half as Eric Garcia and Yamal both netted before Raphinha scored twice to the space of 11 minutes. Read more
George Russell pays back £1.5m debt after Mercedes drop new (PlanetF1)
Mercedes driver George Russell has revealed that he has repaid the £1.5million put aside by his parents to fund his racing career.
Russell has made a fine start to his fourth full season with Mercedes, claiming four podium finishes across the first six races of the F1 2025 campaign.
It follows the most successful season his career in 2024, when he claimed two victories in Austria and Las Vegas and dominated seven-time World Champion team-mate Lewis Hamilton in qualifying conditions. Read more
Nikola Jokić helps Denver Nuggets to overtime playoff win over Oklahoma City Thunder (CNN)
Nikola Jokić lived up to his nickname on Friday, arriving at Ball Arena wearing a Joker-inspired purple and green suit before helping the Denver Nuggets to a dramatic, overtime 113-104 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of their playoff series.
That win ensured the Nuggets take a 2-1 lead in the series. Despite fans predicting that “the Joker” would deliver one of his extraordinary performances after arriving in such a manner, Oklahoma effectively stifled Jokić, who missed 17 of his 25 shots, including all 10 of his three-pointers, and had eight turnovers.Still, he finished with 20 points, 16 rebounds and six assists – a respectable return for almost any other player who doesn’t have his own lofty standards. Read more