Author: Naija Daily News

Photo: Mojtaba Khamenei Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, a move that signals continuity in Tehran’s hardline posture as its conflict with Israel and the United States intensifies. The appointment was announced after Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts convened to select a successor to the late leader, who had dominated the country’s political and military decision-making for more than three decades. The swift transition is widely seen as an effort by Iran’s clerical establishment to demonstrate stability and unity during wartime. Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has long been regarded…

By Douglas Maha, Abuja Surging global crude oil prices triggered by the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran could bring both relief and fresh economic pain to Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer. Oil prices have climbed sharply in recent days, settling war above the $100 mark at press time, amid fears that the widening conflict could disrupt supply from the Middle East, a region that accounts for a significant share of global crude exports. Analysts say the rally could temporarily boost Nigeria’s oil revenues, but the broader economic impact on the country is likely to be mixed.…

The Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday screened nine commissioner nominees submitted by Siminalayi Fubara, confirming five and rejecting four after hours of questioning and debate in Port Harcourt. During the session, the nominees appeared before lawmakers one after another to defend their credentials and respond to questions regarding their qualifications and experience. Among the first nominees to be screened was Professor Datonye Alasia, a medical doctor and professor of medicine. Lawmakers raised concerns about discrepancies on his birth certificate and the absence of a tax clearance certificate. Responding, Alasia said the alteration on the birth certificate might have…

Lawyers to former Nasir El-Rufai have accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of spreading unverified allegations linking their client to multi-billion-naira properties in Egypt, describing the claims as part of a politically motivated campaign. In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, counsel Ubong Esop Akpan said the allegations were based on anonymous “leaks” and lacked verifiable evidence. Akpan argued that the claims were being circulated to justify what he described as the unlawful detention of the former Kaduna State governor. According to him, the ICPC’s claim was “a fabricated narrative, devoid of verifiable evidence…

The Ondo State Police Command has announced the arrest of 99 suspects following a coordinated inter-agency raid carried out across various parts of the state. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Monday in Akure. Jimoh said the operation involved a joint team comprising the Ondo State Police Command, the 32 Brigade Artillery of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Directorate of State Services (DSS), and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps. According to him, the intelligence-driven operation targeted identified criminal hideouts, black…

The Edo State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers, including a national of the Niger Republic, and neutralised another during separate operations across the state. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, explaining that one suspect was killed after a four-man gang engaged police operatives in a gun duel. She said three other members of the gang fled the scene, adding that operatives have already launched a manhunt to apprehend them. Arms were also recovered from the gang’s hideout in a forest. According to the statement, the operations followed earlier reports of…

Photo: DCP Anthony Okon Placid, new FPRO The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anthony Okon Placid, as the new Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force. Placid, a seasoned officer with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping, takes over the position following the exit of the outgoing spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin. Born on December 2, 1970, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Placid hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a former two-term councillor at the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Council in Lagos State, Sheleru Sadiq Olalekan, over alleged involvement in illicit drug sale and trafficking. The agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the 45-year-old former council official, who currently serves as a legislative aide, was arrested on Monday, March 2, 2026, at his residence in Ilado, Ibeju-Lekki. According to Babafemi, a search of the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of 40 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, concealed in one of the rooms. “In his statement, Sheleru admitted ownership…

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 48-year-old man, Bala Mato, for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in Burra, Ningi Local Government Area of the state. The incident was reported on February 25, 2026, by Danalami Umar, a resident of Bakin Kasuwa, Burra. Police said the victim was allegedly lured into a room by the suspect on February 17 at about 8pm, where the offence was committed. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement posted on the command’s Facebook page on Sunday. Habib said the suspect had been arrested…

Armed bandits reportedly disguised in women’s hijabs attacked Mallamawar Yari village in Gawakuke ward of Rabah Local Government Area in Sokoto State on Saturday night, killing several residents and abducting many others. The incident was disclosed in a post shared on Sunday by a security analyst, Bakatsine, on X. According to the post, the attackers stormed the village at night while dressed in women’s hijabs, a disguise that allegedly enabled them to move around the community without raising suspicion. During the attack, several residents were reportedly killed, while many others were abducted and taken to an unknown destination by the…