Author: Naija Daily News

Photo: Benin President, Patrice Talon A group of soldiers appeared on Benin’s state television on Sunday, declaring they had dissolved the government and removed President Patrice Talon from office in what officials later described as a failed coup attempt. The troops, calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), announced the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of all state institutions after seizing the national broadcaster. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, the group said Talon had been “removed from office” and promised a “new era” for the country. Flanked by helmeted soldiers, a spokesman said all political party…

Christmas returned to Bethlehem on Saturday as the city lit its Christmas tree for the first time since the Gaza war erupted more than two years ago. The towering tree, adorned with red and gold baubles, stood illuminated near the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square, drawing thousands of residents, pilgrims, and visitors. After a two-hour ceremony, the tree’s yellow lights flickered to life, capped by a glowing red star that shone against a cloudy night sky lit by a nearly full moon. The celebration marked the city’s first major Christmas event since the Hamas attack on Israel in…

An Alfa Jet aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force crashed on Saturday near Karabonde town in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, with both pilots safely ejecting before the aircraft went down. The incident occurred at about 4:10 p.m., a few kilometres from the community. No casualties were recorded, and no buildings or properties were affected. According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the aircraft developed an emergency shortly after take-off during a post-inspection functional check flight from NAF Base Kainji. The pilots were said to have “acted swiftly and…

A former UK doctor has been charged with 46 sexual offences allegedly committed against 38 patients — including children under the age of 13 — during his time working in hospitals across central England. Staffordshire Police announced on Friday that 38-year-old Nathaniel John Spencer, of Quinton, Birmingham, has been charged with a range of serious offences, including 15 counts of sexual assault, 17 counts of assault by penetration, nine counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and one count of attempted assault by penetration. The charges follow…

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has warned that it will blacklist fintech companies aiding the operations of unregistered Point of Sale (PoS) agents across Nigeria. The Commission issued the warning in a statement on Saturday, nearly a year after initiating enforcement measures that included shutting down PoS businesses that failed to meet its September 5 registration deadline. According to the CAC, it has observed a surge in PoS operators allegedly running without proper registration, in violation of CAMA 2020 and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) agent banking regulations. It noted that the trend, reportedly enabled by some fintech firms, poses…

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a notorious cult group in Enugwu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state. The suspects, identified as 21-year-old Oluebube Ifediorah and 25-year-old Offorbuike Emmanuel, were apprehended on Thursday by operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad following intelligence reports that a cult group was gathering in the community for a planned rival attack. Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Saturday that a locally-made double-barrel shotgun and two live cartridges were recovered from the suspects. The firearm was reportedly found inside a red bag carried by…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a medical doctor accused of transporting medical supplies from Sokoto State to armed kidnappers operating in parts of Kwara State. According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, the suspect was intercepted in the Jebba area after intelligence reports linked him to criminal gangs receiving medical support from outside the state. Security officials said the bandits have become increasingly desperate for medical attention, especially for gunshot wounds sustained during clashes with security operatives. “So, we are advising improved security measures in health facilities in thickly…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has linked the recent defection of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and 15 other lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to deepening internal divisions within the PDP. Speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing road projects in Abuja, Wike said he was not informed ahead of the lawmakers’ decision but maintained that they acted within their constitutional rights. “It’s unfortunate. I have always said everybody has the right to make a choice. The party is fully factionalized. And the Constitution requires…

Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, says fuel prices in Nigeria will keep falling as the company positions itself to compete favourably with imported products, despite ongoing smuggling across the country’s borders. Speaking to journalists on Friday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, Dangote said the price gap between Nigeria and neighbouring countries continues to drive smuggling, even though the practice has reduced. “Prices are going down. The reason why prices have to go down is that we also have to compete with imports. But you know, luckily for us, now smuggling…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), Michael Ango. The decision was announced on Friday in a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communication and Social Media. According to the statement, the most senior official in the FCT-IRS has been directed to immediately assume leadership of the revenue agency. While confirming the development, the statement did not disclose the reason behind Ango’s removal.