Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football match between Nigeria and Tanzania at Fez Stadium in Fes on December 23, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles in a pivotal Group C match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Fès, Morocco, on Saturday, 27 December 2025. Historically, Nigeria and Tunisia have faced each other 21 times, with Tunisia winning seven, Nigeria six, and eight matches drawn. Notable past fixtures include Nigeria’s 4–2 victory in the 2000 AFCON group stage and Tunisia’s penalty shootout win in the 2004 semi-finals. With both teams in strong form and historical rivalry adding intensity, the Group C match in Fès promises to be a contest that could shape the trajectory of Nigeria and Tunisia in AFCON 2025.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has explained why the fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, took several hours to contain. PUNCH Online reports that the fire started in the 25-storey building around 5 p.m. on Wednesday and continued into Thursday despite the early deployment of firefighting crews. Adeseye explained that the affected buildings were predominantly warehouses with poor storage arrangements, containing highly combustible materials that fuelled the fire’s rapid spread and complicated suppression efforts. The statement read, “The affected buildings are predominantly warehouses with poor storage practices involving highly combustible materials, which facilitated rapid fire spread and complicated suppression efforts. “So far, five adjoining buildings have been affected — two partially and three severely — including the old Lagos Central Mosque,” the statement said.

Former senator Shehu Sani has described the reported military airstrikes on terrorist targets in North West Nigeria as a “conscionable action,” while stressing that Nigeria must ultimately take responsibility for its own security. Sani reacted in a statement shared via his verified X handle on Friday, following comments by United States President, Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that US forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria. The former lawmaker also rejected claims that terrorist violence in Nigeria targets only one religious group, describing such narratives as misleading. “The narrative that the evil terrorists only target one faith remains absolutely false and misleading,” Sani stated. “Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power,” he said.

This image grab from a video filmed on December 23, 2025 and provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Office shows Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing in Kyiv. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE / AFP)Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he plans to meet United States President Donald Trump in the near future as part of renewed efforts to bring an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level – with President Trump in the near future. According to Zelensky, the proposal includes freezing the current frontline and dropping a requirement that Kyiv formally renounce its bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The Kremlin has not commented in detail on the new proposal, saying only that it was reviewing it.

Chinua Soludo with one of the patients after paying her hospital bill. So we should always express our love and care towards their welfare.”Soludo’s outreach at St. Joseph Hospital impacted more than five patients whose bills were cleared. At the Nnobi General Hospital, a patient who had been treated for acute malaria was billed over N120,000. In Ekwulobia, Soludo extended his Christmas hospital outreach to Ekwulobia General Hospital, where almost 10 women were assisted with their bills and transportation fare, in the spirit of the season. Around this time last year, Soludo was at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka, on a similar outreach and cleared the hospital bills of tens of patients.

The Managing Director of Coleman Technical Industries Limited, George Onafowokan, has projected that the relative macroeconomic stability will lead to sustained growth in the manufacturing sector in 2026. While assessing the transition from the current year to 2026, the Coleman boss described 2025 as a period of recovery, during which the industry found its footing despite significant headwinds. The Coleman MD identified the 2026 budget’s focus on capital expenditure, infrastructure, and security as the primary drivers of his positive projections. Onafowokan argued that these investments, combined with renewed foreign direct investment and stable exchange rates, will determine the success of the 2026 fiscal year. Addressing the new tax laws set to take effect in January 2026, Onafowokan urged the government to clear the air regarding misinformation that currently clouds the reforms.

Banks have warned their customers to be wary of fraudulent activities during the seasonal festivities. Warning bank customers against falling for the tricks of the fraudsters, FirstBank, in an email to its customers, said it has observed new fraud trends. Advising its customers to stay safe, the bank said, “Never share your OTP, PIN or account details, not even with someone claiming to help you. Report suspicious activity immediately to [email protected].”Stanbic IBTC Bank, in a social media post, warned its customers to “Stay cyber-safe this festive season. Keep your account safe this season by staying alert to scammers.” Seeking collaboration with its customers, the bank said, “Help us fight fraud.

The Benue State Police Command successfully foiled a kidnap attempt on Christmas Day and rescued one Geoffrey Akume. “Upon receipt of the distress information, operatives of the Benue State Police Command swiftly swung into action and commenced intensive patrols and a coordinated search of the area. “On sighting the police team and hearing the sirens, the perpetrators abandoned the victim and fled into the forest. “The police patrol team successfully rescued the victim who escaped from the fleeing kidnappers, unhurt and with no ransom paid. “He was subsequently taken to Abinse Police Station, where the Benue State Commissioner of Police debriefed him and later reunited him with his family,” she said.

(Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday that US forces conducted deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria, and vowed more attacks if the militants keep killing Christians. The president stated this on his Truth Social platform, adding that the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes. “The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Last week, the Trump administration recalled more than two dozen ambassadors from posts around the world, including Nigeria and several other African countries, appointed by former President Joe Biden. Since taking office in January, Trump has conducted military strikes in Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has said Nigeria provided the intelligence that led to the United States’ airstrike on terrorist targets in the country and formally approved the operation before it was carried out. According to the minister, the operation was the outcome of ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States and was not motivated by religious considerations. I was on the phone yesterday for 19 minutes with Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the United States. “We spoke for 19 minutes before the strike, and then we spoke again for another five minutes before it went on,” he said. The US President, Donald Trump, on Thursday confirmed the US carried out an airstrike targeting suspected terrorist elements in Nigeria.

A hit-and-run driver has killed a yet-to-be-identified male pedestrian along the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway on the morning of Christmas Day. PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday from the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, that the accident occurred at about 8am. Multiple pictures from the scene of the incident, sighted by our correspondent, showed the lifeless body of the deceased by the roadside. The pictures also showed the impact of the vehicle run-over on the head of the deceased. “The earlier reported hit-and-run at Odogbolu Junction has been evacuated by his family members for burial,” Akinbiyi added.

Shaibu commended the officers and soldiers for their resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to duty in the face of evolving security challenges across the country. “Remain loyal to constituted authority, uphold the highest standards of discipline, and continue to conduct yourselves professionally in all engagements,” he urged. The COAS reassured the troops of the Army Headquarters’ commitment to improving their welfare, training, and operational effectiveness, noting that these remain critical to sustaining morale and enhancing mission success. He also encouraged them to maintain harmonious relationships with host communities and to remain vigilant during the festive period. The event featured interactions with the troops and the exchange of goodwill messages, underscoring the Nigerian Army’s resolve to remain a united, disciplined, and professional force committed to the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

The NDLEA Jigawa State Command has issued a stern warning to drug peddlers and users amid heightened patrols across the state during the Christmas season. The agency’s stance comes as Christian faithful celebrate Christmas worldwide, including in Jigawa State. In an exclusive telephone interview with the PUNCH correspondent on Thursday in Dutse, the state capital, the Public Relations Officer of the NDLEA Jigawa State Command, CSN Abdullahi Wada, outlined the command’s robust strategy for the festive season. The PRO stated that under the leadership of the State Commander, CN Hassan K. Kabaju, the NDLEA Jigawa team is fully prepared to tackle drug and substance abuse during the Christmas period and beyond. “Let’s celebrate responsibly, avoid harmful substances, and be aware that the consequences of getting caught will be severe,” the Jigawa NDLEA PRO advised.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria has said the recent airstrikes in the North West demonstrate the Federal Government’s unwavering resolve to confront terrorism, carried out in collaboration with the United States. “The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in conjunction with the United States of America, has successfully conducted precision strike operations against identified foreign ISIS-linked elements operating in parts of North West Nigeria,” Uba said. “This action clearly demonstrates the unwavering resolve of the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with strategic international partners, to confront transnational terrorism and prevent foreign fighters from gaining any foothold within our borders,” he said. Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Nigeria remains engaged in structured security and intelligence cooperation with international partners, including the United States, in addressing terrorism and violent extremism. In a separate social media post, United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington acted with the cooperation of the Nigerian government, expressing gratitude for Nigeria’s support during the operation.

At least two people were confirmed dead after a fully loaded 33,000-litre petrol tanker exploded along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos in the early hours of Christmas Day. PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident occurred at about 4 a.m. on Thursday near the Oto-Ijanikin axis, close to the Lagos State University of Education. Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said the accident involved a fully loaded tanker, which reportedly lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle. The agency also alerted the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (Ojo Unit), the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Ijanikin Police Division for emergency response and security reinforcement. Also reacting, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, attributed the incident to negligence, noting that emergency responders had successfully contained the fire.