LIST OF REASONS

On Friday evening, a tragic event unfolded in the German city of Magdeburg when a man drove a car into a crowd of shoppers at a Christmas market, resulting in five deaths, including a nine-year-old child, and injuring over 200 people, many of whom are in critical condition. The suspect, who has been identified as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old psychiatrist from Bernburg, was apprehended and is currently being questioned by authorities. Police confirmed that he acted alone in this heinous act, which they described as a deliberate attack. The incident began at 19:02 local time when emergency services received the first call reporting that a car had ploughed into the crowd at the Christmas market. Initially, the caller assumed it was an accident, but it soon became apparent that the act was intentional. The driver had maneuvered the vehicle off the road and onto a pedestrian crossing, accessing the market area designated for emergency vehicles. Unverified footage circulating on socia...

In Anambra State, a tragic incident occurred in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, where 17 people were confirmed dead and several others injured during a stampede. The stampede happened during the annual distribution of Christmas rice by the Obijackson Foundation, an event eagerly anticipated by residents of Ihiala and surrounding communities. Eyewitnesses reported that the victims, primarily women and youths, had gathered at the distribution site as early as 5 a.m. on Saturday. According to  the reports, the stampede was because of the crowd that surged uncontrollably during the distribution of rice. The injured and deceased were rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala. Disturbing scenes were captured in a viral video, showing bodies, including those of pregnant women, around the hospital's mortuary. The video also depicted chaotic attempts by bystanders to revive the unconscious. The state police command has yet to officially confirm the incident, but the emotional di...

Justice Amina Augie, the sixth female justice of the Supreme Court, retired on September 22, 2023, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. Known for her incisive and analytical judgments, she has been highly praised by the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. At a recent event hosted by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Justice Augie expressed concerns about the perceived collapse of the judiciary. She shared harrowing experiences from her tenure, including threats from her own staff while serving as the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal in Lagos. Justice Augie recounted an incident where her staff threatened to kill her after she attempted to enforce discipline and integrity within her office. Despite these threats, she took decisive action by investigating and documenting the misconduct, leading to the transfer of several staff members who had been entrenched in their positions for decades. Her efforts were supported by higher judicial authoritie...

The United States has decided to drop its $10 million reward for the arrest of Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, following the recent uprising that ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The announcement was made by Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, after US officials visited Damascus to engage with the new administration. This visit marks the first time US diplomats have been in Syria since al-Assad was removed from power earlier this month by a rapid offensive led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group. Despite the US designating HTS as a terrorist organization in 2018, al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, has assured US officials that he will work to ensure that terrorist groups do not pose a threat. The United States via the diplomat, Leaf explained the decision to rescind the reward, stating it was based on "positive messages" received during the discussions with the new Syrian leadership. She emphasized the importance of an ...

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently seized over 1,600 bags of fake rice valued at an estimated ₦5 billion. This significant bust led to the closure of eight rice shops and a warehouse in Karu Local Government Area. NAFDAC gives reason for the seizure saying that investigations revealed that these facilities were involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit rice. Following this discovery, the agency conducted further raids in Wuse and Garki markets in Abuja, as directed by NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye. During the raids, officials found fake rice being repackaged in bags branded with well-known names such as Big Bull, Royal Stallion, and Tomato Aposo, aiming to deceive consumers. Additionally, empty rice bags bearing these popular brand names were discovered at the Karu facility, indicating the scale of the operation and the intent to mislead unsuspecting buyers. NAFDAC's swift action in shutting down...

Passengers on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Minneapolis on December 7 faced an unexpected scare when water started flooding the cabin midair. The flood came from a rear restroom, causing water to flow down the aisle, prompting panic among travelers. A video captured passengers trying to escape the water. Hilary Stewart Blazevic, a passenger, narrated that the flooding was caused by a leak from a restroom, which could not be stopped. This incident adds to a series of recent in-flight scares, including oxygen masks deploying unexpectedly on an Air Algerie flight and severe turbulence on an Avianca Airlines flight that left passengers in fear for their lives. In the first incident, on an Air Algerie flight from Algeria to Lyon, France, in August, passengers panicked as oxygen masks deployed unexpectedly. Another harrowing experience occurred in September on an Avianca Airlines flight to Colombia, where severe turbulence caused passengers to scream, grip their seats, and pray,...

In discussing the 2025 budget, the Senator representing Abia North, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu emphasized the importance of prioritizing defense and security, commending the President for recognizing these areas as crucial. He highlighted that without security, progress in other sectors, including agriculture, would be impossible. The focus on defense suggests a path to revitalizing agriculture, which in turn, should stimulate the economy. He stressed the necessity of supporting financial institutions like the Bank of Agriculture and the Bank of Industry. The Senator gives his reason saying that it is necessary   to inject stimulus into the economy. Dr Orji Uzor Kalu underscored that economic stimulation is essential for reducing the dollar's value and enhancing export production in agriculture. Dr Orji Uzor Kalu began by aligning himself with his colleagues, praising the President for prioritizing defense in the 2025 budget. He noted that ensuring safety and security is a fundamental prer...

President Bola Tinubu expressed deep condolences to the Government and people of Oyo State, as well as to the grieving families affected by the recent tragic stampede. Through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu conveyed his solidarity during this time of mourning and offered prayers for the souls of the over 35 persons, mostly children who perished.   President Tinubu also directed relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. According to the statement, he gave the directive because it is important to determine whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to the incident, stating, “It is imperative that we ensure a transparent and accountable process to uncover the truth.” The President's call for a thorough investigation underscores his commitment to accountability and justice. Furthermore in his statement, President Tinubu urged the Oyo State Government to take im...

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has made a grave accusation against Israel, alleging acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. They give reason for the accusation saying that Israel is depriving the people in Gaza of adequate water supplies. In a comprehensive report released on Thursday, HRW detailed how Israeli authorities, between October 2023 and September 2024, restricted Palestinians’ access to water, falling below the minimum standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for survival in prolonged emergencies. This deprivation, according to HRW, has led to thousands of deaths and the spread of numerous diseases, contributing to a humanitarian crisis. The WHO states that individuals require between 50 and 100 liters of water per day to meet their basic needs. In emergencies, this can drop to 15 to 20 liters per day. However, for the over 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza, even this minimal amount is out of reach. Most of the water available is unsafe to drink, further exa...

Azania Omo-Agege, the interim president of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), has voiced strong criticism against the International Olympic Committee (IOC), accusing it of discriminating against African nations through recent changes to Olympic boxing weight categories. According to Omo-Agege, the IOC's decision to reduce the number of weight categories has disproportionately affected the medal prospects of African nations at the Olympics. In an interview with The PUNCH, NBF speaking through the interim President, Omo-Agege highlighted that the removal of the weight categories has detrimental effect on African countries because they traditionally excelled in those classes. He pointed out that before the changes, African nations were consistently winning three to five boxing medals at the Olympics. However, since the introduction of the new weight categories, the continent has collectively managed only one to two medals per Olympics. “This has not been very good for Africa as most...

In a significant development, Russia appears to be preparing for a partial military withdrawal from Syria, as evidenced by recent movements of military equipment and personnel. Analysts have highlighted satellite imagery showing a buildup of military vehicles at key Russian-controlled sites, including a port and an airbase in western Syria. This movement is believed to indicate a strategic shift, possibly in response to the changing political landscape following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government. Satellite images have revealed a notable increase in military vehicles at the Russian-controlled port of Tartous and the Hmeimim airbase. Transport aircraft have been observed arriving and departing the country in recent days, suggesting the beginning phases of an evacuation or repositioning effort. BBC Verify has corroborated these observations, geolocating videos that show extensive columns of Russian military trucks moving north towards these bases. The Institute for the Study of...

A tragic stampede at a funfair in Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State, has resulted in the loss of multiple lives, casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a joyous event. The incident took place when a large crowd, eager to experience a popular attraction, surged forward unexpectedly, creating a wave of panic and chaos among the attendees of the funfair organized at Basorun Islamic School. The sudden movement caused many to fall, leading to the devastating crush that claimed lives and left several others injured. Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene, where they worked tirelessly to provide immediate medical aid to the injured. Those who required further medical attention were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals. The swift response of the emergency teams, however, was not enough to prevent the tragic loss of life, highlighting the unpredictable nature of such large gatherings and the critical importance of effective crowd control measures. Authorities, according to ...

Peter Obi recently visited the esteemed legal luminary Afe Babalola, which the sources close to him explained was to seek an alternative resolution to a defamation lawsuit brought against activist Dele Farotimi. This lawsuit centers on claims made in Farotimi's book, "Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System," which Babalola asserts has damaged his reputation by alleging unethical judicial practices and corruption within the Supreme Court. Obi's visit to Babalola's residence in Ado-Ekiti aimed to explore possibilities for an amicable settlement outside the courtroom, demonstrating a preference for dialogue over prolonged litigation. Farotimi’s controversial book accuses Babalola of manipulating Supreme Court judgments for personal gain, which Babalola's legal team vehemently denies. The suit, filed in Ekiti State, has sparked a wider debate on freedom of expression versus protecting individual reputations. As the case progresses, it is expected to test the boun...

  The Interior Minister, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo with a glee declared that the Nigeria Immigration Service  (NIS) was no longer business as usual as the Service detected some 14 persons of interest and blocked them from entering into Nigeria.  Nigeria Immigration Service gives reason for blocking the 14 noteworthy persons from entering into Nigeria saying that it was because those individuals were flagged internationally. In Abuja when he unveiled the NIS Career Progression and Training Policy Framework CPTF and Gender Mainstreaming Policy, the Minister of Interior revealed that the NIS was able to achieve this feat with the novel Advanced Passenger Information (API) system. According to him, the system now being manned by the NIS officials at the Service's command and control have changed the effectiveness of the Service. Prior to the API, the Minister said that the 14 persons nabbed with the system would have quietly entered Nigeria.  In this regard, he commended th...