I deleted and blocked 90% of contact list because I grew tired of explaining to people who wouldn’t understand my choices. However, none of her posts explicitly stated that she was arrested, and the circumstances surrounding the police presence remain unclear. Messages sent to her social media inbox have yet to receive a response. There has also been no official statement from any police unit clarifying their involvement or the reason for their presence at her shop or the police station. Observers reacting to the post say the incident highlights growing tensions around social media expression, religious identity and online shaming, especially when viral content fuels speculation without verified facts.

The naira on Wednesday closed 2025 stronger against the US dollar, trading at N1,435.75 at the official foreign exchange market. Central Bank of Nigeria data showed that the currency gained N9.93, marking continued firmness at the year end. This followed Tuesday’s close of N1,445.68, translating to a 0.7 per cent day-on-day appreciation. A CBN official said the movement reflected improved liquidity and confidence, noting that “seasonal inflows supported stability during the yuletide.”Market analysts said the sustained gains capped a positive festive period, adding that cautious optimism would guide early 2026 trading.

No fewer than six passengers have been confirmed dead, while four others were rescued, following a boat accident along the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun Water Channel in Lagos. “As of the time of this report, four passengers have been successfully rescued and transported to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing to account for all persons involved,” the statement read in part. “LASWA and NIWA wish to assure the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and further updates will be communicated as more information becomes available. Joint search and rescue operations and intensified patrols were also introduced as part of the strategy to curb unsafe practices and enhance surveillance across key waterways.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government, on Wednesday, clarified that its annual N100,000 Christmas bonus is paid to all civil and public office holders in the state without discrimination. The lawmakers tagged the N100,000 cash transfer as unconstitutional and extra-budgetary, saying Governor Fubara refused to present the 2025 budget. He said the clarification followed recent commendation by the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress over the payment of the Christmas bonus. “Workers remain the greatest pride of the Rivers State Government’s development agenda,” he said. “While this bonus is meant to brighten the festive season, our long-term focus remains the continuous improvement of the working environment and the welfare of everyone serving Rivers State,” Sirawoo added.

Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, friends and trainers of Joshua, were killed earlier this week after their vehicle struck a stationary car. Joshua was involved in the accident and was helped from the wreckage before being taken to hospital. His promotion team, Matchroom, confirmed on Monday evening that Joshua was in a stable condition and would remain in hospital for observation into the new year. We just hope he gets better.”Super Eagles captain Ndidi also spoke of the mood within the Nigeria camp after learning of the tragedy. Paul Onuachu gave the Super Eagles the lead midway through the first half as head coach Eric Chelle pushed for a perfect start to the Africa Cup of Nations.

“The Nigerian Air Force recorded one of its most decisive operational years, neutralising no fewer than 2,351 terrorists through sustained, intelligence-driven air operations conducted across multiple operational theatres nationwide in 2025. The figures exclude hundreds of additional airpower missions involving ISR, close air support to surface forces, and armed reconnaissance operations,” the statement partly read. “In the maritime and energy security domain, precision air operations in the Niger Delta delivered equally strategic dividends. “The Nigerian Air Force will remain relentless and decisive in taking the fight to all enemies of the Nigerian state. Onoja further highlighted the successes of Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta, where troops disrupted oil theft valued at over N8.9 billion.

The British boxer Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital, Nigerian authorities said on Wednesday night. Show Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for 'The Guardian'. Just hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele posted clips on social media of them playing table tennis together. The west African nation recorded 5,421 deaths in 9,570 road accidents in 2024, according to data by the country’s federal road safety corps. View image in fullscreen An image released by the federal road safety corps in Nigeria showing the damaged car that Anthony Joshua had been travelling in.

It was a clear encapsulation of the US president’s approach to sub-Saharan Africa in his second term, in which human rights and democracy promotion have been de-emphasized in favor of a stated focus on trade and ending wars – though how that squares with the nascent air campaign in Nigeria remains to be seen. ‘Trade, not aid,’ a slogan we’ve seen thrown around for years, is now truly our policy for Africa”. In a statement, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said Trump “has treated Africa not as a charity case, but as a powerhouse partner. Trump’s visa restrictions against African nations and coarse language towards its people “will accelerate trends that were already there in terms of young people increasingly looking to the east for opportunities, particularly for higher education”, Mutiga warns. Trump’s dispute with South Africa appears to have been influenced by his erstwhile ally Elon Musk, who was born there and has alleged that the white Afrikaner minority is being persecuted.

The Nigeria Labour Congress on Wednesday called for an urgent review of workers’ wages in 2026, saying current earnings are no longer sufficient to meet basic living needs as inflation and hardship persist across the country. “Furthermore, given the escalating inflation and suffering, we demand anurgent wage review as a worker’s income must guarantee life, not meresurvival in furtherance of Mr President’s promise to pay living wages. He encouraged workers to remain united as the country enters 2026, saying labour would continue to advocate for fair economic policies and social justice. The change was formalised through the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 and was introduced in response to persistent inflation and rising living costs. The 2024 adjustment followed an earlier increase in 2019, when the minimum wage was raised from ₦18,000 to ₦30,000 after several years without review.

A former presidential flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress, Dumebi Kachikwu, on Wednesday appealed to President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the new tax reforms, warning that imposing additional tax obligations at the start of 2026 would further worsen the hardship faced by Nigerians. “Any reasonable Nigerian understands that upon assumption of office, our President was confronted with a comatose economy that needed urgent surgery. While conceding the need for reforms, the ADC chieftain insisted that the timing and burden of the proposed tax measures were ill-advised. Despite his criticism, he said he had previously supported some of the President’s initiatives and maintained that his position was driven by concern for ordinary Nigerians rather than political opposition. But I must tell him today that I am not in support of this tax reform or any other reform that further decimates the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.

The driver of the vehicle in which former boxing heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, lost two of his associates following an accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been discharged from the hospital. The Guardian learnt this following a visit to Duchess International Hospital, Lagos, where Joshua was initially taken for treatment of the injuries he sustained as a result of the accident. “Anthony Joshua’s driver has been discharged from the hospital, and he is currently giving his statement,” the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, told the Guardian. Also, according to an FRSC official, the truck driver fled the scene immediately after the crash involving Joshua, and he has now been declared wanted. That led to loss of control before the vehicle now swerved and rammed into the stationary truck that was parked.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, has decorated newly promoted officers of the command with the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police at the Command Headquarters, Lokoja, the state capital. Addressing the officers, Kankarofi congratulated them on their well-deserved promotion, describing it as a recognition of their dedication, professionalism, and sacrifices during their years of service in their former ranks. The Commissioner of Police reminded the newly promoted officers that elevation in rank comes with increased responsibility and expectations. Speaking on behalf of the newly promoted officers, CSP Alozie Chukwuemaka thanked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chairman, Police Service Commission, (PSC) DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), for finding them worthy of the elevation. He appreciated the leadership style of the Commissioner of Police, stressing that they will continue to do their best to make Kogi State the safest in Nigeria.

At the Nigerian Government Side-event of the just-concluded WSIS+20 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, it was agreed that there is a need to establish the Africa Digital Economy Accelerator Initiative to deepen collaboration and drive inclusion through multi-stakeholder processes. Further, WSIS+20 will establish a regular meeting period at the margins of the yearly national, sub-regional, and regional Internet governance forums. “Foster digital transformation and effective data governance in line with relevant frameworks under the African Union,” it stated. WSIS+20 will see Africa move from dialogue to action to close the digital divides through inclusive digital public goods and digital public infrastructure, aligned with national realities and regional agendas, operationalise the established follow-up and monitoring mechanisms in the outcome document with the appropriate statistical authorities. For Nigeria, the communiqué informed that NITDA is to serve as the coordination Secretariat for the country’s multi-stakeholder engagement, and to lead in the implementation of the enhanced digital cooperation Accelerator for Africa.

I will be a card-carrying member of the ADC – Aisha YesufuI will be a card-carrying member of the ADC – Aisha YesufuNigerian activist Aisha Yesufu has announced that she will formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking her first time as a registered, card-carrying member of any political party. Yesufu made the declaration in a statement aired on ARISE Television and shared on her verified X account. “I have never been a card-carrying member of any political party, but I will be a card-carrying member of the ADC” she said. Despite this involvement, she has consistently stated that she was never formally registered as a member of any political party. Yesufu did not announce any formal position within the ADC but said her decision to register as a member reflects a commitment to structured political participation.

Nonetheless, there are strong suggestions that Obi’s formal declaration to contest on ADC would trigger a fresh wave of cross-defections in the South-East region. His move to ADC will be less about being lured than about testing whether his organic support can be institutionalised. “If he refuses, it will be read as capitulation to APC power brokers, risking alienation from the Obidient base. Obi, who has for some time now been linked with various political parties for the 2027 contests, had at the weekend confirmed that he was leaving the LP for the ADC. Umahi asserted at his country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Council Area of Ebonyi State, while receiving various political, religious, and community groups who paid him a Christmas homage.