Worsening Insecurity: What security chiefs discussed with Tinubu — NSA Ribadu (Tribune)
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has disclosed what the high-level security meeting alongside the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other security chiefs discussed with the President, Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The security officials arrived at the Villa around 3pm. and proceeded into a closed-door session with the President at his official residence, amid mounting concerns over a resurgence of deadly attacks in the Middle Belt region, particularly in Plateau and Benue States, as well as Borno State.
The meeting, described by sources as “crucial,” comes against the backdrop of a series of violent assaults by unidentified assailants that have left dozens dead in the last three weeks. Read more
Lagos Assembly summons LASIEC officials over LG polls (Guardian)
The Lagos State House of Assembly has issued a summons to the Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, and Commissioners of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), demanding they appear before the House to provide detailed explanations regarding their plans and preparations for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for July.
During a plenary session on Thursday, concerns were raised by lawmakers regarding the perceived rushed nature of LASIEC’s processes and the inadequacy of the released electoral guidelines.
Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Petitions, Human Rights and LASIEC, Oladipo Ajomale, voiced strong reservations, stating, LASIEC is just rushing the process. Read more
Alleged $1b fraud: Court gives EFCC go-ahead to arrest, detain six CBEX staff (Vanguard)
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday gave the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the go-ahead to arrest and detain six promoters of Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) over alleged investment fraud to the tune of over one billion dollars.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who gave the order after the EFCC’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, moved an ex parte motion to the effect, said the detention would be pending the conclusion of the investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution.
“I have listened to the submission of the learner counsel for the applicant (EFCC). Read more
Rivers Administrator Ibas attends 1st NEC meeting (Channels)
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was among state governors attending the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Thursday.
Ibas made his debut appearance at the NEC meeting after his appointment as Sole Administrator for Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in March 2025.
Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over the meeting which had in attendance many governors and some deputy governors from across the 36 states of the federation. Read more
Aviation minister meets with striking unions (VON)
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is in a closed-door meeting with the Aviation Unions and NiMET officials over a strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and aviation unions that led to the closure of flight operations by some airlines in Nigeria.
Government officials present at the meeting include; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, the Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Captain Chris Najomo, the Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency NiMET Professor Charles Anosike, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation Dr Ibrahim Kana.
The unions present at the meeting include; the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees. Read more
OPay extends N1.2b 10-year scholarship to Kwara Poly (DailyTrust)
OPay, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, has extended its 1.2 billion 10-year scholarship initiative to Kwara State Polytechnic.
It said the gesture is part of its unwavering commitment to youth development and academic excellence in Nigeria.
With the development, 20 outstanding students from the institution will be awarded scholarships worth ₦300,000 each, becoming some of the latest beneficiaries of OPay’s admirable long-term scholarship programme. Read more
Zulum flags off empowerment to 3,092 constituents in Borno Central (ThisDay)
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has flagged off the second phase of the empowerment programme initiated by the Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan.
The initiative is set to benefit a total of 3,092 constituents across the eight local government areas of the senatorial district.
Out of the toxqtal beneficiaries, 2,592 individuals will receive various empowerment items including Hijet mini trucks, tricycles (Keke Napep), deep freezers, sewing and grinding machines, solar-powered and mechanical water pumps, fertiliser, rice harvesters, and other agricultural equipment. While the remaining 500 beneficiaries will receive a cash support of N100,000 each. Read more
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck at odds over $68m Beverly Hills mansion months after settling divorce: report (PageSix)
Jennifer Lopez wants that dinero.
The “Let’s Get Loud” singer and her ex-husband Ben Affleck are reportedly in a disagreement over how to handle the sale of their $68 million marital home in Beverly Hills, Calif., which has been sitting on the market for nearly nine months.
The “Good Will Hunting” star is looking to drop the steep price of the mansion to get the property off their hands, while Lopez is still holding out for a buyer, sources told TMZ Wednesday.
According to the outlet, there hasn’t been serious interest in the house since the beginning of the year. The pair settled their divorce in January. Read more
Cardinals converge in Rome as second General Congregation gathers 103 prelates (CNA)
The College of Cardinals saw a significant increase in attendance at Wednesday’s General Congregation, with 103 cardinals now present in Rome — nearly double the approximately 60 who participated in Tuesday’s initial gathering.
The cardinals began their second meeting with prayers for Pope Francis before making several key decisions regarding the sede vacante period, including finalizing the schedule for the Novendiales — the nine-day mourning period that begins with Saturday’s Requiem Mass.
According to the Office for Papal Liturgical Celebrations, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the funeral Mass for Pope Francis on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Rome time. Read more
Al-Shabab battles Somalia’s army for strategic military base (AlJazeera)
Al-Shabab fighters have battled Somali troops and allied forces for control of a strategic army base in southern Somalia, according to the government and a military official.
Capturing the base in Wargaadhi town in the Middle Shabelle region, which houses soldiers, special forces and clan fighters, would enable the al Qaeda-linked group to sever a crucial road between the capital, Mogadishu, 200km (124 miles) to the southwest, and the central Galmudug State as it tries to extend recent gains made in the region.
Al-Shabab has been fighting the Somali government for more than 16 years and frequently targets government officials and military personnel. It said in a statement that its fighters had captured the base and Wargaadhi town – a claim the government denied. Read more
Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman could be subpoenaed in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battle: source (People)
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ famous friends, Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman, could be served with subpoenas as part of the It Ends with Us legal battle, a source tells PEOPLE.
“Anyone that had any knowledge of this situation will be subpoenaed, no matter of their celebrity status,” the source says.
However, another insider says Swift and Jackman are “not privy to anything going on,” adding that claims they will be subpoenaed are “smoke and mirrors and trying to distract from the allegations against Baldoni.” Read more
India urges its citizens to leave Pakistan immediately (APA)
India Thursday suspended all visa services for Pakistani nationals effective April 27, APA reports citing Indian Express.
The decision is part of the five measures announced on Wednesday after a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs announced that all Indian visas issued to Pakistani nationals have been revoked, effective April 27. Medical visas will remain valid only until April 29. Pakistani nationals currently in India have been directed to leave the country before their revised visa expiry dates. Read more
NATO Fighter Jets Scrambled After Russian Long-Range Attacks (Newsweek)
NATO member Poland scrambled fighter jets overnight after Russia launched long-range strikes on western Ukraine, Warsaw’s military said on Thursday.
Ukraine’s defense ministry said that Russia had launched a “massive attack” overnight involving cruise and ballistic missiles, along with drones. At least nine people were killed in Kyiv and more than 70 others injured, Ukrainian officials said.
Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine have occasionally spilled over into NATO nations like Poland and Romania, which border Ukraine. NATO members are collectively obliged to respond to attacks on alliance nations with full force. Read more
Nigeria names strong team for 2025 World Relays (Channels)
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has confirmed that the country’s contingent will compete in the men’s 4×100 metres, women’s 4×100 metres, 4×400 metres mixed relay and the newly introduced 4×100 metres mixed relay, making up four of the six events at this year’s 2025 World Athletics Relays.
The World Athletics Relays scheduled to take place in Guangzhou, China, from May 10th to 11th.
According to the AFN, the men’s 4×100 metres squad comprises Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ashe, Karlington Anunagba, Folawiyo Olaoye and Usheoritshe Itshekiri, while the women’s 4×100 metres team includes Rosemary Chukwuma, Success Umukoro, Tiana Eyakpobeyan, Favour Ofili, Jennifer Obi and 100 metres hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan. Read more
Camavinga to miss rest of season with groin injury (Vanguard)
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is set to miss the rest of the season after he was diagnosed with a groin injury on Thursday.
The French international sustained the injury during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Getafe in La Liga on Wednesday.
“Following tests carried out today on our player Eduardo Camavinga by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with a complete rupture of the left adductor tendon,” said Madrid in a statement. Read more
Warriors’ Jimmy Butler suffers pelvis contusion after taking hard fall vs. Rockets (USAToday)
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler exited Game 2 against the Houston Rockets after landing hard on his backside and was ruled out of the contest.
Amen Thompson undercut Butler on a rebound attempt with 2:28 left in the first quarter as the Warriors trailed the Rockets 22-15 on Wednesday night in Houston. Butler landed hard on his tailbone and remained down on the court at Toyota Center as he writhed in pain. Thompson was called for a loose ball foul, his third of the first quarter. Read more
Lewis Hamilton to cut the ribbon on first-of-its-kind new store in London (PlanetF1)
Fanatics Collectibles will open its new flagship store in London on Friday April 25, and Lewis Hamilton is to play a key role.
And that is because the seven-time World Champion will be on hand to officially open the new shop, and hurl packs of Topps trading cards into the anticipated bumper crowd which will witness the grand opening of the store at 54 Regent Street, London.
Hamilton will be joined by Fanatics founder Michael Rubin, as the firm launches its very first permanent global flagship store. Read more
NBA Playoffs: Warriors lose despite Curry heroics; Celtics beat Orlando (AlJazeera)
Bloodied and bruised, defending champions Boston Celtics have outlasted Orlando to seize command of their NBA playoff series while the Cleveland Cavaliers maintained their series lead over Miami Heat.
Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 36 points as the Celtics overcame the absence of leading scorer Jayson Tatum to beat the visiting Magic 109-100 on Wednesday in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the second-seeded Celtics, who have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Read more