Author: Naija Daily News

Photo: Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum By Sadeeq Kamsela, Abuja Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, has demanded a $500,000 to free the wife of Justice Haruna Mshelia, a Borno State High Court Judge, his driver and police orderly. The terrorist group abducted Justice Msheila and his wife, Justice Binta Othman, who is a magistrate at the Wulari Court in Maiduguri in June 2024. He was later released after paying a hefty ransom, but his wife, driver and police orderly were kept by the terrorists who are now demanding $500,000 (N746.72m) A Daily Trust quoted family that the terrorists rejected an…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that at least four persons sustained gunshot injuries during the gunmen’s attack at Elele roundabout at the Port Harcourt/ Owerri road, Ikwerre Local Government Area, on Wednesday morning. According to a statement by the State’s Police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko, one of the hoodlums was arrested after the others fled the scene. Iringe-Koko said: “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a violent attack at Elele Roundabout on the morning of March 5, 2025, at about 7 am. “Acting on credible intelligence regarding the unlawful…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) has declared that the Local Government (LG) elections in the state will take place on August 9, 2025. Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), the chairman of the commission, made this announcement at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. During the meeting, Enebeli also officially presented the election guidelines and explained that the election process was being initiated following the Supreme Court’s annulment of the October 5, 2024, LG elections. He said that the political parties that would field candidates in the election must complete and submit an Expression…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Hiitom in Ikyor community of Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State has been thrown into mourning over the death of a middle-aged widow, and her newborn quadruplets. Reports indicate that the woman and her babies passed away on Tuesday, March 4, during childbirth at the St. Francis Primary Healthcare Centre in Ikyor, Ushongo LGA due to alleged lack of medical care. She was said to have become weak and restless after giving birth, leading to her death with the babies dying one after another. The Officer in Charge of St. Francis Primary Healthcare Centre, Isaac…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, has denied rumors regarding her resignation amid the current political tensions in the state. The Office of the Deputy Governor on Wednesday rejected online claims that Professor Odu had resigned. In a statement signed by the Head of Press at the Deputy Governor’s Office, Owupele Benebo, Odu reaffirmed her commitment to her role and to working alongside Governor Siminalayi Fubara. “Contrary to these baseless claims, Her Excellency remains committed to her duties as Deputy Governor, a position she was duly elected to serve alongside His Excellency, Sir…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday refuted the sexual harassment allegations made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Speaking during plenary, Akpabio stated that he has never sexually harassed Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan or any other woman at any time. He said: “I did not harass Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan sexually and I have never harassed any woman sexually. “I and my siblings were raised very well by my late single mother, who died in the year 2000 through very difficult times, and I, therefore, have the highest regard for women. Even after her demise, I still cry when I remember her. “I…

Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Wednesday revealed his decision to take a well-deserved break after the successful completion of his multi-billion-dollar refinery project. It would be recalled that Dangote’s wealth jumped to over $28bn in the latest Bloomberg’s billionaire Index after the completion of his 650,000-barrel per day refinery, a monumental investment of over $20 billion, that is seen as a game changer in the Africa’s oil and gas industry. With the capacity to export refined products to countries across Africa and the Middle East, the refinery marks a major milestone in…

China issued a stark warning that it is prepared to engage in “any type” of conflict with the United States in response to President Donald Trump’s escalating trade tariffs on Chinese imports. The tension intensified on Tuesday when President Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 20%, prompting China to retaliate with its own set of tariffs—15% on American agricultural products. In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), the Chinese Embassy in Washington declared:  “If war is what the U.S. seeks— whether it be a tariff war, trade war, or any other type of confrontation—we are prepared to fight until the end.” The Embassy also addressed the ongoing fentanyl crisis, accusing the United States of using it as a pretext to justify tariff increases. The statement said, “If the U.S. genuinely wants to resolve the fentanyl issue, it should engage with China as equals and through dialogue.” China dismissed the U.S. stance as a “flimsy excuse” to impose further tariffs on Chinese imports,  reaffirming that its countermeasures are legitimate efforts to protect its national interests.  The Embassy insisted that the U.S. is primarily responsible for the fentanyl epidemic within its borders, noting that China has already taken significant steps to assist the U.S. in combating the issue. “In the spirit of humanity and goodwill towards the American people, China has been proactive in helping address this crisis,” the statement said. Despite these efforts, China expressed frustration at what it characterized as Washington’s ungrateful and coercive tactics. “Rather than acknowledging our contributions, the U.S. has attempted to shift blame to China and used tariff hikes as a tool of pressure. This approach not only fails to resolve the  U.S.’s problems but undermines our cooperation on counter-narcotics,” the Embassy stated. The Embassy issued a firm warning to the U.S., emphasizing that intimidation and coercion would not be effective in dealing with China. “Bullying and threats will not work on us,” the statement declared.  “Anyone who thinks they can apply maximum pressure on China is miscalculating and will find  themselves on the wrong side of history.” Canada imposes 25% tariffs on US imports Meanwhile, Canada also joined the trade fray. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Tuesday that Canada would impose 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of U.S. imports in response to Washington’s recent trade measures. This move comes in retaliation to the U.S. decision to implement similar tariffs  on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. Trudeau confirmed the Canadian response on X, stating, “As soon as U.S. tariffs went into effect this morning, so did Canada’s countermeasures. We will impose 25% tariffs on $155 billion of American  products.” ‘ He further noted that $30 billion worth of goods would be targeted immediately, with the remaining  $125 billion set to follow in 21 days. Global Implications of the Trade War As trade disputes between the U.S., China, and Canada intensify, the global economic landscape continues to shift. The ongoing tariff escalation reflects a broader struggle for influence in international trade, with each country seeking to protect its economic interests while navigating the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.

The Rivers State Government has informed the State House of Assembly of its inability to honour Monday’s ultimatum for the presentation of the 2025 budget to Rt Hon Martins Amaehule-led House. The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, in a letter to the assembly said the government was yet to be furnished with the summons containing the ultimatum. Besides, the SSG revealed that the government’s legal team were yet to get the Supreme Court judgment and was therefore unable to digest it to provide a framework for their response and action. The government said: “As at the close…

By Didimoko A. Didimoko The raging political feud between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his erstwhile godfather and predecessor, Nyesom Wike is threatening to plunge the state into a tribal war, investigation has revealed. Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, is locked in an intense battle with his estranged godson over control of the political structure of the state, and its resources. An investigation by Naija Daily revealed that the battle is degenerating into a tribal war between the Ikwerre (upland) and Ijaw (riverine) areas. The faceoff between the two sides heated up after the Friday,…