Author: Naija Daily News

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday described peace in Ukraine as “an urgent necessity,” as the country prepares to mark four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Speaking during his regular Angelus address at St Peter’s Square, the American-born pontiff called for an immediate ceasefire and renewed dialogue to end the conflict. “Peace cannot be postponed. It is an urgent necessity that must find space in hearts and be translated into responsible decisions,” he told the crowd gathered at the Vatican. “I strongly renew my appeal: may the weapons fall silent, may the bombings cease, may a ceasefire be reached without delay,…

Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have clinched victory in the Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections, securing both contested seats in a decisive outing for the ruling party. APC Wins in Khana, Ahoada East In Khana State Constituency II, APC candidate Henrietta Bulabari emerged winner after polling 7,647 votes, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Returning Officer, Angela Briggs, declared Bulabari duly elected, stating that she “satisfied the requirements of the law.” Breakdown of the results showed that the Action Alliance (AA) secured 46 votes, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 37 votes, Young Progressives Party…

By Deborah Nnamdi Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have neutralized five terrorists belonging to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during operations at Sabsawa village in Borno State. The troops, under Sector 1 of Operation Hadin Kai, carried out offensive and aggressive operations on February 20 and 21, 2026, successfully foiling an attempted terrorist attack before engaging the insurgents in a gun battle. OPHK Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Maiduguri that ground troops responded with superior firepower after making contact with…

Photo: Senegal, Morocco clash during AFCON finals in Rabat The Senegalese Football Federation has condemned a Moroccan court ruling that sentenced 18 Senegalese supporters to prison terms following disturbances at last month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, describing the punishment as excessive and disproportionate. The supporters were arrested on January 18, 2026, after the AFCON final in Morocco and had remained in pre-trial detention since then. On Thursday, a court in Rabat handed them prison terms ranging from three to 12 months, along with fines. Reacting to the verdict, Bacary Cisse, president of the federation’s communications committee, expressed strong…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the suspected murder of a 62-year-old woman at Ori-Apata Oderemi area of Ido, Ibadan, and apprehended two other suspects over alleged robbery activities in a separate intelligence-led operation. In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command said the murder case was reported by a good Samaritan who discovered the lifeless body of the woman along a bush path within the community. According to the statement, the deceased was found lying in a pool of blood with…

By Deborah Nnamdi Tragedy struck Amaji village in Umuoyoro community, Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday after a man identified as Mr. Abuchi was arrested for allegedly killing his wife during a domestic dispute. Sources said the incident occurred on the couple’s farm in Amaji, where an argument reportedly escalated. In the heat of the confrontation, the suspect allegedly reached for a kitchen knife and slit the throat of his wife, a mother of two. A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the woman’s screams drew the attention of nearby residents. “People got to…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Department of State Services has fixed February 25 to arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, has been assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, who subsequently scheduled the arraignment date. The DSS on Monday filed a three-count criminal charge against the former governor, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. According to the secret police, El-Rufai’s alleged actions contravened provisions…

By Deborah Nnamdi US President Donald Trump has imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on imports into the United States, just hours after the Supreme Court struck down a central pillar of his sweeping trade policy in a 6-3 ruling. Trump signed the new tariff order in the Oval Office, announcing on social media that it would take effect “almost immediately.” The duty is scheduled to begin on February 24 and will last for 150 days, according to a White House fact sheet. The measure applies broadly, including to US trading partners that had previously negotiated tariff deals with the…

By Deborah Nnamdi An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday remanded a 35-year-old caterer, Garuba Emmanuel, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over allegations that he sexually abused his six-year-old daughter. Emmanuel, who resides at 22, Omowumi Amoche Street, Meiran, Lagos, is facing a charge of defilement. His plea was not taken at the arraignment. Chief Magistrate Omolara Kushanu ordered that the defendant be kept in custody pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions and adjourned the matter until April 2. The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Adegoke Ademigbuji, told the court that the alleged offence occurred in May…

By Deborah Nnamdi President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on the Supreme Court of the United States following its decision to invalidate a key pillar of his tariff policy, accusing several justices of lacking courage and suggesting they were influenced by foreign interests. Speaking during a press briefing at the White House hours after the ruling, Trump said he was “ashamed” of the six justices who voted against his sweeping tariffs. He described their decision as “deeply disappointing” and branded some members of the court a “disgrace to our nation.” In a 6–3 judgment delivered on Friday, the…