Author: Press Room

The operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad of the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at about 1 p.m., arrested five suspects in connection with a fake and stage-managed kidnapping in the state.The incident involved a schoolboy pleading for mercy in the fake kidnappers’ den. The suspects are 20-year-old Anyabike Kingsley; 17-year-old Kosiko Patrick; 15-year-old Victor Aligwo; 19-year-old David Odudu; and 19-year-old Umeh Victor. The suspects, who faked the kidnapping incident, were arrested and are now in police custody. Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident, which initially generated widespread public concern, was first reported as a case…

The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to 0.75% on December 19, marking the highest borrowing costs in three decades and triggering immediate speculation about implications for global crypto markets.Bitcoin climbed 2.5% to approach $88,000 following the decision, which came as policymakers balanced inflation concerns against mounting fiscal pressures from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s $117 billion stimulus package.Source: TradingViewThe central bank voted unanimously to lift short-term rates from 0.5%, stating that “real interest rates are expected to remain significantly negative,” and that “accommodative financial conditions will continue to firmly support economic activity.“Governor Kazuo Ueda emphasized the bank would “continue to…

Barack Obama has shared his favourite songs of 2025, with Nigerian music once again making a strong appearance. The former US President’s annual playlists have grown into a cultural moment over the years, and this time, Burna Boy and Olamide are holding it down for Nigeria. Obama shared the list on social media, explaining that he was continuing a tradition he started during his time in the White House — rounding up the music, books and films he enjoyed throughout the year and sharing them publicly. Burna Boy appears on the list with “TaTaTa,” his collaboration with Travis Scott. Released…

The Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has welcomed the defection of Governor Caleb Mutfwang from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pledging to support him to succeed in his new political journey. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Shittu Bamaiyi, stated this on Friday in an interview with The PUNCH in Jos. The All Progressives Congress on Thursday announced the defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling party. The announcement was made by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State…

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, under the aegis of Kwara Political Leaders of Thought (KPLOT), have disregarded the idea of zoning the governorship seat to a particular senatorial zone. KPLOT said it only stands for an ideal leader for the state in 2027. According to the group, the idea of a good and ideal leader can come from any district of the state, stressing that “the 2027 governorship should not be based on zoning.” Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Thursday, the group, led by Mohammed Mariam Alhassan, advised the party’s national leadership and the…

Christantus Uche produced a moment of magic at Selhurst Park on Thursday night, scoring a stunning goal that left English football experts in awe, even as Crystal Palace were held to a 2-2 draw by KuPS in the Europa Conference League, Soccernet.ng reports. Uche, handed his first start at Selhurst Park in a heavily rotated Palace side, opened the scoring inside five minutes with a stunning outside-of-the-boot finish that curled beyond goalkeeper Walter Benitez and into the top corner. It was Palace’s fastest start in the competition this season and a goal that instantly elevated the mood inside the stadium.…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed the defection of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party. This announcement was made on Wednesday by APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. Yilwatda noted that the defection means all states in the North Central geopolitical zone are now governed by the APC. President Bola Tinubu presided over the meeting, which was attended by six governors who recently switched from the PDP to the APC. On Monday, Mr. Istifanus Nwansat,…

Next year promises trips around the Moon, footballing spectacles and a battle for control of the US Congress. Here are five big events to watch out for in 2026. – Climate: Will the world act? – The world is already experiencing record heat — and things are likely to get hotter in 2026. Last year was the warmest on record, but the UN says there is an 80 per cent chance that at least one year will be even hotter by 2029. How will nations react? COP30 in Brazil recently showed that multilateralism in climate action is not dead, despite…

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has restrained the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other defendants from giving effect to a resolution allegedly aimed at removing or sidelining the Cross River State Chairman of the party, Alphonsus Ogar Eba. Justice J. E. Obanor issued the interim orders on December 18, 2025, while sitting at Court 26, Jabi, Abuja, in a suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/5197/2025, filed by Eba against the APC, Mr Ekum Ekok Ojogu, Mr Patrick Asikpo Okon and INEC. The claimant had approached the court through a motion ex parte, filed…

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has received a major boost to his Africa Cup of Nations preparations with the arrival of Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s training camp in Cairo, completing the squad ahead of their departure to Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports. The Galatasaray striker, Nigeria’s most recognisable attacking figure, reported to camp on Wednesday night at the Renaissance Hotel in Cairo, having adjusted his travel plans to link up with the squad earlier than originally scheduled. His arrival comes a day after the Super Eagles suffered a 2–1 friendly defeat to Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium. Victor Osimhen during…