₦airaland Forum

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, in accordance with the President’s proclamation.

The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.

Additional information will be provided to commercial mariners through a formal notice prior to the start of the blockade. All mariners are advised to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and contact U.S. naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches.

Members of the community where kidnappers abducted worshippers during Easter Service have denied the claim that 31 victims were rescued.

Daily Trust had reported how bandits invaded a branch of The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Arikon community, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing five persons and abducting worshippers.

The incident had generated reactions amid the widespread insecurity in the country.

The Nigerian Army had issued a statement, narrating how its troops purportedly compelled terrorists to abandon “dozens of abducted worshippers”.

In a statement, the Army said troops who responded to distress call engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.

“The pressure mounted by the advancing troops forced the terrorists to abandon 31 hostages,” the Army said, adding that one of the rescued victims sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical attention.

But in a counter statement, on Monday, Kuturmi Unity Development Association, described Army’s claim as false.

In the statement signed by Dr J D Ariko, President of the association, and Hon. Manasseh Samuel, Publicity Secretary, the association said kidnappers have contacted families and representatives of the victims who are in captivity.

“Our attention has been drawn to reports alleging that the Nigerian Army has successfully rescued 31 persons who were abducted by bandits during the Easter service in Ariko, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.”

“We wish to categorically state that this claim is entirely false, misleading, and does not reflect the current situation. Contrary to the reports being circulated, all the abducted persons are still in captivity with their abductors. The families and representatives of the victims remain in contact with the bandits, who have confirmed the safe arrival of the victims at their camp. This clearly invalidates any claim of a successful rescue operation.

“While we recognize and appreciate the efforts of security agencies in tackling insecurity across the country. it is deeply troubling that such inaccurate information is being disseminated to the public. False reports of this nature create unnecessary confusion, give families false hope, and undermine public trust in official communications.

“We therefore call on the Nigerian Army and all relevant authorities to ensure that only verified and factual information is released to the public, especially on sensitive matters involving human lives.

“The safe return of the abducted persons remains our utmost priority, and we urge all stakeholders to intensify genuine and coordinated efforts toward securing their immediate and unconditional release.”

Sources from the community had identified those killed during the as Tanko Haruna, Waziri Agunu, Aminu Soba, Joseph Audu and Adamu Jatau.

Those who were abducted were listed as Garba Tanko, alongside with his wife Lami Garba, and one of their daughters, Rachel Garba as well as a grand child, Moses Yakubu.

Others are Rahab Usman, and his daughter, Victoria Rahab. Sunday Ayuba, Dantani Alhaji alongside his wife, Mrs Mary Dantani, including their three daughters all identified as Helen, Rejoice and Ahmadu, were among those kidnapped.

Do not let your hearts fail you over INEC’s recent decision. By choosing to remain neutral while waiting for the courts to resolve the leadership dispute between David Mark and Nafiu Bala, INEC is playing a standard WAIT and SEE game. In the world of politics, such maneuvers are common. The road is undoubtedly rough, especially when facing a regime determined to cling to power at any cost, but we must remain undeterred.

We must recognize that those currently in power will not simply step aside. They are prepared to deploy every tool at their disposal the judiciary, the DSS, the police, and even vast financial resources to suppress any movement that challenges them. They have attempted to hollow out the opposition and keep governors in their pockets, but do not let this display of force intimidate you.

This is not a sign of true strength, it is a clear symptom of desperation. The reality is that these heavy-handed tactics are backfiring. Instead of garnering affection, they are fueling bitterness among Nigerians. When you block a people’s path to freedom and push them into a corner, they eventually reach a breaking point where they will fight back with everything they have. This pressure is mounting from the North to the South, and it will not stay quiet forever.

Furthermore, the ADC must expose the truth as I believed must hold an evidence of receipts to which the MOLE has formally resigned. These people are nothing more than tyrants who want to destroy our hard-earned democracy from the inside out. We see their games, and we must reject them entirely! To the leaders and members of the ADC: do not retreat, and do not back down. The current hurdle presented by INEC is merely temporary and will eventually pass. This is only the beginning of the true contest, hold your heads high.

Consider the irony: despite controlling nearly every state and the National Assembly, the ruling class is still panicking. They possess all the structural power, yet they are terrified because they know the heart of the people has turned against them. You can exert all the force in the world, but you cannot force a citizen to vote for a leadership they no longer want. If they truly revere Almighty Allah and love this country, they should allow for a fair election. Let the people cast their ballots, and let us see who truly stands with the citizens of Nigeria.

I firmly believe that every political party in Nigeria deserves the space to breathe, grow, and compete. We are a multi-party nation, and we must defend that diversity. We must remain steadfast in our conviction that everyone has a right to their own political opinion. By God’s grace, the truth will prevail, and no amount of interference can stop what is destined to be.

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 election, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,
Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on his supporters to intensify political mobilisation and be “battle ready” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking to members of the Kwankwasiyya movement in Hausa, the former Kano State governor emphasised the importance of preparedness to safeguard votes during the elections.

He urged his loyalists to remain at polling units until votes are fully counted, stressing vigilance throughout the electoral process.

Kwankwaso also encouraged supporters to register with his new political platform, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and obtain their voter cards.

He made the remarks on Monday at his Miller Road residence while receiving his ADC membership card, shortly after defecting from the NNPP.

“You must make sure you register… and also complete your voter registration with INEC. You must prepare for the worst-case scenario to defend your votes,” he said, urging full participation in both party membership registration and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter registration process.

The former senator representing Kano Central further called for aggressive mobilisation to strengthen the ADC’s structure, particularly in Kano State, as part of efforts to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kwankwaso’s defection comes despite previous reservations about the ADC, citing political differences with some party figures, including Nasir El-Rufai, Atiku Abubakar, and Aminu Tambuwal.

However, he was seen at the event interacting with key party leaders.

Earlier, ADC National Chairman David Mark described Kwankwaso’s entry into the party as a significant development for Nigeria’s democratic space.

Mark said the move reflects growing efforts among opposition leaders to build a united front, adding that it is a response to what he described as increasing pressure on Nigeria’s multiparty system.

“There is no doubt that the ruling party represents a serious threat to multiparty democracy,” Mark said, urging Nigerians to support efforts aimed at preserving democratic participation.

Donald Trump has just told reporters in the Oval Office that Iran has "agreed they'll never have a nuclear weapon."

Iran is talking to Washington and "they're talking sense", the US president said.

Asked if he'd send his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss peace with the Iranians, Trump said: "We're in negotiations right now. They're doing it along with Marco, JD.

"The other side, I can tell you, they'd like to make a deal.

"Who wouldn't if you were them? Their navy's gone, their air force is gone, their communications... all of their anti-aircraft, their missiles.

"Can you name a single thing that's not gone? Or one thing that's doing well?"

Trump added: "We are roaming free over Tehran. We can do whatever we want."

The UK approves the use of its bases for the US to launch strikes on Iranian sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rebuked the move, saying, "Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence"

The UK's decision on the bases has been a "very late response", Donald Trump says, after he previously called Nato allies "cowards", for being reluctant to help open the vital shipping lane which transports around 20% of the world's oil

Energy fears have kept oil prices high, hovering around $109 a barrel; the head of the International Energy Agency tells the BBC the world faces the "greatest global energy security challenge in history"

Boko Haram terrorists have detonated a twin bomb in Maiduguri, including an explosion at the main gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in Borno State.

Local residents and security personnel have evacuated several injured victims to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Breaking News: Multiple Bomb Explosions Rock Maiduguri, Borno State Capital

Maiduguri, Nigeria – March 16, 2026 – At least three bomb explosions were reported in central areas of Maiduguri this evening, sending shockwaves through the city and prompting widespread panic among… pic.twitter.com/otQSeu0piN

— Big Sman.🍥 (@MR__Sulaiman1) March 16, 2026

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is unaware of any suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe, the distinguished Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory.

.BREAKING: Iranian state media announces that new Supreme Leader has been chosen, but does not disclose name.

Anyone here who is more loyal to Iran than to Bahrain should go and live there.”

“Anyone here who is more loyal to Iran than to Bahrain should go and live there.” - Bahrain's Minister of Interior Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. pic.twitter.com/W9ijB76x5R

— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) March 3, 2026

BREAKING:
Israel has struck the HQ of the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for picking Khamenei’s successor.

Iran's Supreme Leader is chosen by an 88-member body of senior Shiite clerics.

The process is outlined in the Constitution and has only occurred once before. Ali Khamenei was selected in 1989 after Ruhollah Khomeini's death.

The interim powers have been temporarily transferred to a three-person council (leadership council) consisting of:

- The President (Masoud Pezeshkian)

- The head of the judiciary (Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei)

- A senior cleric from the Guardian Council (Ayatollah Alireza Arafi)

This council handles duties until the new Supreme Leader is named.

The Assembly of Experts Convenes must meet "as soon as possible" according to the Constitution to select a successor.

Members are popularly elected every eight years, but candidates are strictly vetted and approved by the 12-person Guardian Council to ensure loyalty to the regime.

Potential candidates must be male Shiite clerics and are evaluated based on:

- Deep knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh)
- Political and social insight
- Administrative capability
- Piety, courage and other qualities

The Assembly holds an internal vote on who should become the next Supreme Leader, picking the new leader through a simple majority.

The selected individual becomes Supreme Leader for life (unless removed by the Assembly for incapacity or other reasons).

Khamenei’s son Mojtaba Khamenei (if still alive) or Ayatollah Alireza Arafi (on the interim Leadership Council) are believed to be the two top contenders for the next Supreme Leader.

BREAKING:

Israel has struck the HQ of the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for picking Khamenei’s successor.

Iran's Supreme Leader is chosen by an 88-member body of senior Shiite clerics.

The process is outlined in the Constitution and has only occurred once before.… pic.twitter.com/G2YUn7TVMd

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 3, 2026

🔴ELIMINATED: Hussein Makled, the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters was eliminated in a precise strike in Beirut.

Ayatollah Khamenei’s wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, has died from her injuries

She had previously fallen into a coma following Israeli and U.S. strikes.

"The attack was so successful it knocked out most of the candidates (to replace Khamenei)," President Donald Trump told ABC.
"It's not going to be anybody that we were thinking of because they are all dead. Second or third place is dead," he added.

Pres Trump told me tonight the US had identified possible candidates to take over Iran, but they were killed in the initial attack.

"The attack was so successful it knocked out most of the candidates," Trump told me. "It's not going to be anybody that we were thinking of because they are all dead. Second or third place is dead."

❗️An additional barrage of missiles was launched toward Israel.

The Aerial Defense Array is currently identifying and intercepting threats.

🇳🇬SOUTH EAST NIGERIA EMERGED AS THE SAFEST GEOPOLITICAL ZONE OVER THE LAST MONTH — 2026

Fatalities (27th Jan — 26th Feb):
North East — 380
North West — 354
North Central — 233
South West — 16
South South — 12
South East — 8

Despite dominant narratives surrounding regional insecurity, the South East emerged as the safest geopolitical zone in Nigeria over the past month.

Between January 27 and February 26, 2026, the region recorded just 8 fatalities—the lowest nationwide.

It wasn't Ai-generated, but believe your Senator - lady spotted with Oshiomhole

We Say Our Goodbye 🇳🇬🌶️

Your senator is the problem, go be mad at him. Not me.”

Atlético de Madrid and Atalanta have agreed on the transfer of Ademola Lookman, who has signed for us until 30 June 2030.

A versatile and dynamic right-footed player at 28 years of age, he is capable of playing both as a second striker and as a winger on either flank - either cutting inside or staying on his natural side - where he makes the most of his pace and dribbling ability.

Born on 20 October 1997 in Wandsworth (London, United Kingdom), although a naturalised Nigerian, he was brought up in the youth ranks of Waterloo FC and Charlton Athletic, the latter being where he made his first senior debut on 3 November 2015. He later continued to add to his professional experience, wearing the colours of Everton, Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester City, before arriving at Atalanta in the summer of 2022.

At Atalanta, Lookman re-established himself as one of the leading attackers on the world stage and he was a key part of the club's first-ever continental trophy: the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League. In the final, Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, with Lookman scoring all three goals and handing the German side their only defeat all season. As a 'nerazzurri', Lookman played in a total of 137 matches, scored 55 goals and made 27 assists.

An England international at youth level, he won the Under-20 World Cup with the Three Lions in 2017. On 25 March 2022, he made his debut for the Nigerian senior national team, with whom he has played 41 games and scored 11 goals.

Our new signing passed his medical at the Vithas-Invictum High-Performance Sports Medicine Centre at Arturo Soria University Hospital in Madrid, before heading to the club offices at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. There, he was greeted by our Chief Executive Officer, Miguel Ángel Gil, with whom he signed his contract with our club.

U.S. forces delivered critical military supplies to our Nigerian partners in Abuja. This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasizes our shared security partnership. @USinNigeria

Morocco are unbeaten in their last 23 games.

They won 19 games in a row before Mali held them to a 1-1 draw on December 26, 2025.

They haven't lost a home game in official competitions in 16 years. They have played 38 home games since then.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU LEAVES FOR EUROPE

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Lagos on Sunday, December 28, for Europe, continuing his end-of-year break and ahead of his official trip to Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, has invited President Tinubu to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) Summit, which will take place in the emirate early in January.

The weeklong summit is an annual event that mobilises leaders from government, business, and society to chart the next era of sustainable development.

With the theme "The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go", ADSW will connect ambition with action across innovation, finance, and people, showcasing how the world can move forward with confidence.'

The President will return to the country after the Summit.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

December 28, 2025

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission rejects any recognition of Somaliland and reaffirms the African Union’s unwavering commitment to the unity and sovereignty of #Somalia.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has taken note, with deep concern, of recent developments relating to Somaliland.

In this regard, the Chairperson of the Commission unequivocally reaffirms the longstanding and consistent position of the African Union, grounded in the principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union, in particular the respect for the intangibility of borders inherited at independence, as affirmed by the 1964 decision of the Organization of African Unity.

The Chairperson of the Commission @ymahmoudali firmly rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity, recalling that Somaliland remains an integral part of the Federal Republic of Somalia. Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia runs counter to the fundamental principles of the African Union and risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent.

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the African Union’s unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia, as well as its full support for the efforts of the Somali authorities to consolidate peace, strengthen State institutions, and advance inclusive governance.

The United States will partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals from January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation on border and national security.

The US Mission in Nigeria announced on Monday that the restriction will take effect at 12:01 am Eastern Standard Time in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”
According to the statement, Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by the measure.

Others include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe

The proclamation provides for a partial suspension of visa issuance covering nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas. It also applies to immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.

The US Mission clarified that the suspension does not apply to everyone.

Exemptions include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with a passport from a country not affected by the suspension, and Special Immigrant Visas for eligible US government employees.

Other exempted categories include lawful permanent residents of the United States and participants in certain major international sporting events.

The US government stressed that the proclamation only applies to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not hold a valid US visa as of January 1, 2026.

“Foreign nationals, even those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998. No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation,” the statement read.

Visa applicants from affected countries may continue to submit applications and attend interviews.

However, the US Mission noted that such applicants “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States” under the new rules.

Recent weeks have seen a series of restrictive measures by the United States that have heightened concerns among Nigerians seeking to travel, study or migrate to the country.

In October, Washington added Nigeria back to its list of countries accused of violating religious freedom, a move that officials linked to persistent insecurity and attacks on Christian communities.

This was followed by Nigeria’s inclusion on a revised US travel ban list, imposing partial entry restrictions on Nigerian nationals.

The US has also tightened immigration and visa policies affecting Nigerians.

Earlier this year, the US government reduced the validity of most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians to single-entry visas with a three-month duration.

More recently, reports indicated that applications for certain immigrant visas, including green cards, could face suspension under a new presidential proclamation, although US authorities have clarified that lawful permanent residents and holders of valid visas issued before January 1, 2026, are exempt and will not have their status revoked.

Putindbutt:
Lol, the shooter is originally from Portugal. A Christian bandit from a Christian country has triggered the suspension of green card program and travel ban that has affected thousands of people across the world in which Nigeria is also being listed but wailers have quickly, in their usual misinformed, hateful, bitter and low HighQ manner, blamed it on Nigerian Government.

The Brown University shooter, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente entered the United States through the diversity lottery immigrant visa program (DV1) in 2017 and was granted a green card. This heinous individual should never have been allowed in our country. 

In 2017, President Trump fought to end this program, following the devastating NYC truck ramming by an ISIS terrorist, who entered under the DV1 program, and murdered eight people. 

At President Trump’s direction, I am immediately directing USCIS to pause the DV1 program to ensure no more Americans are harmed by this disastrous program.

PRESIDENT TINUBU SEEKS SENATE CONSENT ON TROOPS DEPLOYMENT TO BENIN REPUBLIC

President Bola Tinubu this Tuesday transmitted to the senate a request seeking its consent to deploy Nigerian troops on peace mission to Benin Republic.

In the communication the President explained that the deployment is to provide support in the country as requested by President Patrice Talon, following the recent failed coup attempt.

The deployment is in line with the protocol of the regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

Nigeria had earlier provided air intervention following the unconstitutional breach in Benin.

All these air assets scrambled from neighboring countries for less than a dozen amateur putchists?

An unknown tactical aircraft is also entering Cotonou airspace coming Abidjan, currently five military aircrafts are operating above Cotonou, Benin.

It appears three Nigerian Air Force aircrafts entered Benin, two of them entered together and are quite fast, the stranger maneuver was both of them coming together as one is from Abuja and the other from Lagos

Three (very likely) Nigerian Air Force aircrafts over Cotonou, Benin, these moments, along with a French Air Force ISR aircraft, all working together looking for the putchists.

NAF ALPHA JET PILOTS DISPLAY COURAGE AND PROFESSIONALISM DURING POST-INSPECTION TEST FLIGHT EMERGENCY

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) commends the exceptional bravery and professionalism of its Alpha Jet pilots who safely ejected following an in-flight emergency during a post-inspection functional check flight today, 6 December 2025, at Nigerian Air Force Base Kainji. Shortly after take-off, the aircraft developed an emergency, prompting the pilots to act swiftly and with remarkable composure. They expertly manoeuvred the aircraft away from populated areas before executing a safe ejection. The crew is currently undergoing routine medical evaluation.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has praised the pilots for their courage, discipline and sound judgement, which prevented loss of life. He has also directed the immediate constitution of a Board of Inquiry to investigate the incident. The Nigerian Air Force reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to stringent safety standards and operational excellence. The NAF remains dedicated to safeguarding its personnel while protecting the lives and property of citizens in line with its constitutional mandate.