Kwara State was thrown into mourning and fear on Sunday after gunmen carried out two coordinated attacks in Baruten and Ekiti Local Government Areas, abducting 25 people and killing three. The incidents, which happened in the early hours of May 25, 2026, have renewed concerns over rising insecurity in the North Central region. Attack on Yashikira Palace and Police Station In the first attack, armed men stormed the palace of the Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Umar Sariki, in Baruten LGA. According to local sources, the assailants opened fire indiscriminately, set parts of the palace ablaze, and abducted 10 people, including palace staff and relatives of the traditional ruler. The gunmen also targeted the nearby Yashikira Police Station, engaging officers in a brief gun battle before overpowering them. Several residents said the attackers operated for nearly an hour without immediate resistance, carting away weapons and abducting more victims. A community leader who sp...

The All Christian Practical Praying Ministry Band (ACPPB), Ufuma, celebrated its 69th anniversary with a strong appeal for forgiveness, national reconciliation, and a renewed sense of unity among Nigerians. The event took place at the ministry’s national headquarters in Ufuma, Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, and drew members from across the country and beyond. The anniversary was marked with prayer sessions, worship, testimonies, and the cutting of the anniversary cake. But beyond the celebration, the gathering served as a platform to address Nigeria’s deep-seated divisions and the path forward. A Call to Move Beyond Division Speaking at the event, the Leader General and Spiritual Director of the ministry, Elder Daniel Nwokolo, urged Nigerians to let go of bitterness and reject the politics of ethnicity, religion, and hatred. He said the country cannot make meaningful progress if citizens continue to hold on to acrimony and allow differences t...

A viral report claiming President Bola Tinubu plans to change Nigeria’s name to the “United States of Nigeria” and abolish Sharia law in the North has been making the rounds online. The Presidency has now responded, and it’s a flat denial. What the viral report claimed The story, which spread across WhatsApp and social media on May 21, 2026, alleged that Tinubu was preparing a constitutional amendment bill code-named “Project True Federation.” According to the report, the bill would: 1. Rename Nigeria to the “United States of Nigeria” 2. Abolish Sharia law in the northern region 3. Be sent to the National Assembly by December 15, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections It cited anonymous sources and framed the move as part of a broader constitutional restructuring. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga addressed the claims directly in a statement on Thursday. The Presidency wishes to inform Nigerians and state clearly that there is no truth to the viral fake story claiming ...

Six years after his last Premier League game, Semi Ajayi is back where he belongs. On May 23, 2026, the Nigerian centre-back played 90 minutes as Hull City beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at Wembley in the Championship play-off final. That win ends Hull’s nine-year absence from the Premier League and gives Ajayi his return to English football’s top flight.  For a player who’s spent most of the last decade grinding in the Championship, it’s the perfect ending to a long wait. This wasn’t pretty. It was tense, cagey, and looked destined for extra time. Middlesbrough had 68% possession and finished seven points above Hull in the regular season. But Hull defended like their lives depended on it.  Ajayi, operating in a back three alongside John Egan and Charlie Hughes, was everywhere. He cleared danger, won aerial duels, and kept Middlesbrough’s attackers quiet all afternoon. WhoScored gave him a 6.9, Sofascore a 6.8.  The winner came in t...

Cesc Fabregas has done it again. Two years after taking Como back to Serie A, he’s taken them to the Champions League for the first time in the club’s 117-year history. On May 24, 2026, Como smashed Cremonese 4-1 on the final day to lock up 4th place in Serie A. That result, combined with AC Milan’s failure to win, means Fabregas’ side are heading to the UCL next season. And Milan, with Christian Pulisic, are out. From Serie D to the Champions League in 6 years This is wild even by modern football standards. Como were in Serie D as recently as 2019. They got promoted to Serie A in 2024, finished 10th last season, and now they’re in Europe’s top competition. Fabregas took over as head coach in July 2024 and immediately changed the identity of the club. “We’re not Inter, Milan, Juventus or Napoli,” Fabregas said after sealing European qualification. “We’re a humble team, and we want to enjoy this moment.”  Humble or not, they’ve played like giants. Under Fabregas, Como em...

Ozonna Soludo, son of Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, has called on President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians across all regions to focus on unity, national dignity, and equal opportunities for every citizen.  The message, shared publicly on May 23, 2026, comes at a time when public discourse in Nigeria is centered on economic reforms, regional development, and the need for inclusive governance. A Call for National Cohesion In his statement, Ozonna emphasized that Nigeria’s progress depends on its ability to bridge divides across ethnicity, religion, and class. He argued that political and economic challenges cannot be solved in isolation, and that sustainable growth requires citizens to see themselves as stakeholders in one nation. “Unity is not just a slogan,” he said. “It is the foundation on which policy, investment, and social trust are built. When Nigerians feel seen and included, they contribute more to the country’s future.” He urged leaders at all levels to co...

After 22 years, Arsenal are champions of England again. The final whistle at the Emirates on May 18, 2026 didn’t just end a match. It ended two decades of “next year,” of “almost,” of watching rivals lift the trophy while Arsenal fans held on to memories of the Invincibles.  This one feels different. Not just because it’s a title, but because of how long it took to get here. The Weight of 22 Years The last time Arsenal won the league was 2003/04. A generation of fans grew up knowing Arsenal only as the team that played beautiful football and finished 2nd, 3rd, or 4th.  You felt it in the stadium on the final day. The nerves were different. Every clearance got a cheer like it was a goal. Every minute that ticked down felt like 10 years falling off. When the referee blew for full time, the place erupted like they’d won the Champions League. This wasn’t handed to them. It was earned through a season where Arsenal were the most consistent, the most resilient, and the m...

A man arrested in Nigeria has told police he raised a false alarm about a bandits’ attack because he wanted to gain followers on TikTok.  According to reports, the suspect posted a video claiming there was an ongoing attack in his area, which quickly spread online and caused panic among residents. Security operatives later tracked and arrested him after confirming the claim was false. During questioning, he reportedly admitted that the post was staged. “I only wanted to get TikTok followers,” he told police, according to the reports. Authorities say the video caused unnecessary fear and disrupted public order. Police have warned that spreading false information, especially about security threats, is a criminal offense under Nigerian law. The suspect is expected to face charges. This incident highlights the risks of using sensitive topics for online clout. Authorities urge the public to verify information before sharing.

Last night in Giza, Oleksandr Usyk walked out 24-0, undisputed, and untouchable. He walked out 12 rounds later still unbeaten, still holding the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles. But he didn’t walk out untouchable anymore. Oleksandr Usyk stopped Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round on May 23, 2026. On paper, it’s another win for the best heavyweight of this era. Watch the fight, and you saw something else: a 39-year-old legend pushed to the brink by a kickboxing legend fighting only his second pro boxing match. Here’s what went down, and what it means for what’s next. How it went down The first 3 rounds looked normal. Usyk used his footwork, landed jabs, and made Verhoeven miss. By round 4, Verhoeven adjusted. He cut the ring off, walked Usyk down, and started landing right hands to the body and head. From rounds 5 to 10, it was Verhoeven’s fight. He outworked Usyk, backed him to the ropes, and landed the cleaner shots. Usyk, at 233.25 lbs - the heaviest of his ...