Israel recognises Somaliland as sovereign state
(Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP)Israel on Friday formally recognised Somaliland as an “independent and sovereign state” and signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties, as the region’s leader hailed its first-ever official recognition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “announced today the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state”, his office said, making Israel the first country to do so. The president of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, hailed the move, saying it marked the beginning of a “strategic partnership”. Israel has been trying to bolster relations with countries in the Middle East and Africa. Historic agreements struck late in Trump’s first term in 2020 saw several countries, including Muslim-majority United Arab Emirates and Morocco, normalise relations with Israel.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 18:14 UTC
Trump supporters hail US strikes in Nigeria as ‘amazing Christmas present’
The US’s Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State targets in Nigeria have been met with praise by Donald Trump supporters who for months had been agitating for the president to respond forcefully to the killings of Christians in the country. Death to all Islamic terrorists! North Carolina senator Ted Budd, a Republican, said that IS “is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Christians & religious minorities in Nigeria”. “I said, ‘Nope, let’s give a Christmas present,’” Trump remarked to the outlet. Hegseth on Friday warned of additional US strikes against IS targets in northern Nigeria.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 18:11 UTC
Three rescued as fire destroys three bungalows in Oyo
Members of the state Fire Service during the operation at Amosun Compound, Aremo in Ibadan. Three persons were rescued with minor injuries after fire destroyed three bungalow residential buildings at Amosun Compound, Aremo, in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday. In a statement, Akinwande said, “The agency received a distress call at exactly 00:15 hours today (Friday) from Mr Mayowa about a house on fire at Amosun Compound, Aremo, Ibadan. In a related development, the Oyo State Fire Service said it had doused a fire at Ajibade Street, opposite Guarantee Trust Bank, Mokola, Ibadan. “On arrival, we found heaps of refuse burning and threatening nearby buildings.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 17:44 UTC
Soldier & Children Injured in Nasarawa Grenade Explosion
A female soldier, identified as Mohammed and two children were injured in an explosion involving a hand grenade at Maraba, Abacha Road, Nasarawa. The grenade reportedly detonated while being handled, injuring the soldier and two children belonging to the woman who presented the device. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the grenade was brought by a yet-to-be-identified soldier serving in the North East three years ago. The soldier left the grenade in his sister’s room, who is living in the same compound as Mohammed. Also, two children of the woman who brought out the grenade were severely injured,” the report said.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 17:39 UTC
Forex trading in Nigeria expands as market liquidity and access improve
A practical first step is to learn the basics of forex trading and then align a simple plan with current liquidity patterns. What Better Liquidity Means For TradersHigher liquidity does not remove risk. Execution Tips For A More Liquid MarketA better market still punishes poor planning. ConclusionNigeria’s forex market is expanding because liquidity and access are moving in the right direction. The edge still comes from a simple plan, firm risk rules, and steady review.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 17:04 UTC
US Airstrikes in Nigeria Were a Joint Effort, Says Minister
The president stated this on his Truth Social platform, adding that the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes. Speaking during a CNN interview after the Christmas Day strikes, Tuggar said the operation was a joint, collaborative effort between Nigeria and the US, approved at the highest level of government by President Bola Tinubu. Addressing concerns about the possible future deployment of US troops to Nigeria, Tuggar clarified that such decisions fall under the authority of Nigeria’s defence and security institutions, not foreign governments. The foreign minister emphasised that Nigeria’s approach to counterterrorism prioritises practical results over abstract debates, noting that the country is focused on stopping terrorist violence rather than engaging in philosophical arguments. “It is not about religion, it’s about the protection of lives and property of Nigerians and our neighbours as well,” Tuggar stated.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 16:54 UTC
NAF C-130 aircraft arrives in Portugal after Burkina Faso detention
The soldiers and the aircraft in Portugal. Credit: NAFThe Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the safe arrival of one of its C-130 aircraft, NAF 913, at a maintenance facility in Lisbon, Portugal, its final destination. Burkina Faso had earlier detained the personnel and aircraft over alleged airspace violations, describing the incident as a breach of sovereignty on December 8. The statement read, “The Nigerian Air Force confirms that its C-130 aircraft (NAF 913) arrived safely at the maintenance facility, OGMA, in Lisbon, Portugal today, 26 December 2025. “The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the cooperation and support of host authorities throughout the transit, while reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the highest standards of safety, professionalism and operational accountability.”
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 16:37 UTC
Eight Yoruba Republic agitators arrested in Ogun
Police in Ogun State have arrested eight persons for alleged breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, and serious assault on police officers on Christmas Day. The suspects, under the aegis of the Democratic Republic of Yoruba, were arrested for causing disturbance at Temidire Junction and Under-Bridge in the Sango-Ota area of Ogun State. The suspects are Adewale Sosanya, ‘M’, aged 48; Opeyemi Oladotun, ‘M’, aged 31; Zara Gabriel, ‘F’, aged 22; Ajoke Gabriel, ‘F’, aged 19; Adewale Adebomojo, ‘F’, aged 48; Yusuf Tanimowo, ‘M’, aged 40; Olurotimi Ademola, ‘M’, aged 52; and Toyin Gabriel, ‘F’, aged 40. Babaseyi said that upon receiving the information, the police immediately mobilised, moved to the scene and dispersed the group of agitators. He said, “The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight (8) suspects for breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, and serious assault on police officers following a disturbance caused by the group in parts of Sango-Ota, Ogun State.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 16:10 UTC
US warns of more Nigeria strikes as Abuja talks of ‘joint ongoing operations’
Hegseth wrote on X: “The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. “And I said, ‘nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’ They didn’t think that was coming, but we hit them hard. Every camp got decimated.”Nigeria is officially secular and its population is almost evenly split between Muslims (53%) and Christians (45%). Nigeria provided intelligence for the airstrikes in Sokoto state, Tuggar told the country’s Channels Television on Friday. The state of Katsina, another Muslim-majority state two states to the east of Sokoto, had the highest number of incidents at 706.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 15:07 UTC
Nigeria authorised US strike — Foreign Affairs Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has clarified that Nigeria not only provided the intelligence that led to the recent United States airstrike on terrorist targets within the country but also formally authorised the operation before it was carried out. I was on the phone yesterday for 19 minutes with Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the United States. The minister stressed that Nigeria has consistently sought deeper collaboration with international partners in the fight against terrorism. US President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that the strike targeted suspected terrorist elements in Nigeria. While the United States has long supported Nigeria through intelligence sharing and military assistance, direct strikes on Nigerian territory remain rare and often attract public scrutiny.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 14:27 UTC
Explosion rocks Sokoto’s Jabo community
A loud explosion suspected to have been caused by an explosive device has been reported at Jabo village in the Tambuwal Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State. Sources said the unidentified object allegedly landed in the community and detonated with a loud bang. Trump further said the United States would not allow radical Islamic terrorism to thrive under his leadership, ending the post with a Christmas message. “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. U.S. Africa Command also confirmed the operation, stating in an X post that multiple ISIS terrorists were killed in Sokoto State.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 14:23 UTC
PMAN national executive suspends Pretty Okafor, appoints acting president
The National Executive Council of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria has announced the appointment of Mr Sydney Sparrow as the association’s Acting National President following the suspension of its substantive President, Mr Pretty Okafor. The development was disclosed in a statement issued by PMAN’s National Treasurer, Mr Baba Ojonugwa, and made available to journalists in Owerri on Friday. He added that the NEC also took several far-reaching resolutions aimed at restoring order and transparency within the association. According to him, the council resolved to void all unilateral appointments, reinstate the National Treasurer, commence a forensic audit of PMAN accounts and joint venture agreements, and appoint an Acting National President in accordance with the association’s constitution. He stated: “In the meantime, Sydney Sparrow, PMAN Governor, FCT, has been nominated as the Acting National President of PMAN National.”Ojonugwa reassured PMAN members across the country that the NEC’s actions were corrective rather than punitive, stressing the council’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of the collective interests of Nigerian musicians.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 14:13 UTC
Nigeria’s Yakubu sets Guinness record for longest programming lesson
Abel Yakubu, a Nigerian-born cloud engineer with NexEdge Technologies in Germany, has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records for leading the longest computer programming lesson. Yakubu was supported by 30 participants and observed by 20 independent witnesses during the marathon lesson. “I, Abel Yakubu of NexEdge Technologies, with the support of 30 committed participants and 20 independent witnesses, have been approved as the Guinness World Record title holder for the Longest Computer Programming Lesson,” Yakubu said. “I undertook this challenge to inspire young tech enthusiasts to develop strong tech skills, especially as AI adoption continues to rise globally,” he said. Guinness World Records’ confirmation of the feat underscores the importance of strategic planning, perseverance and collective effort, while spotlighting Nigeria’s growing role in global technology education.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 14:10 UTC
Nigeria signals more strikes likely in ‘joint’ US operations
Nigeria on Friday signalled more strikes against jihadist groups were expected after a Christmas Day bombardment by US forces against militants in the north of the country, which it said was a joint operation with its military. Nigeria’s military said in a statement that its forces, in conjunction with the United States “conducted precision strike operations against identified foreign ISIS-linked elements” in northwest Nigeria. Residents in the far-flung villages of Sokoto state which borders junta-ruled Niger, said they were shocked by the blasts. “We initially thought it was attack by Lakurawa (an armed group linked to ISIS in the Sahel),” he said. Nigeria’s jihadist groups are mostly concentrated in the northeast, but have made inroads into the northwest.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 14:07 UTC
Nigerian cloud engineer sets Guinness programming record
Nigerian-born cloud engineer, Abel Yakubu of NexEdge Technologies, based in Germany, has been officially confirmed by Guinness World Records as the holder of the Longest Computer Programming Lesson. “I, Abel Yakubu of NexEdge Technologies, with the support of 30 committed participants and 20 independent witnesses, have been approved as the Guinness World Record title holder for the Longest Computer Programming Lesson,” Yakubu announced in the statement. The three-day programming lesson, which was streamed live across major social media platforms, brought together 60 students and more than 25 official witnesses. With over 10 years of experience in cloud engineering, Yakubu focused the lesson on major cloud computing platforms, including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. The Guinness World Records confirmation underscores the impact of strategic planning, collective effort and perseverance, while highlighting Nigeria’s growing potential in global technology education.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 14:06 UTC