Recalled Indomie Noodles Not in Nigerian Market, Says NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has clarified that the recalled Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour by the French authority, Rappel Conso of France, due to the presence of undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs, did not originate from Nigeria. Recall that in 2023, Indomie Special Chicken Flavour was also implicated in an international food safety alert following concerns raised by health authorities in Taiwan and Malaysia. At the time, NAFDAC ordered investigations and assured the public that all noodles produced in Nigeria were safe for consumption. “In light of this development, NAFDAC has undertaken some proactive measures as a responsive regulator by ensuring increased vigilance actions to guard against the possible entry of the recalled product into Nigeria. “The public is hereby informed that the Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour in question is not registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for sale in Nigeria.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 15:32 UTC
Soldiers Kill 21 in Boko Haram Ambush in Borno State
Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation HADIN KAI have ambushed a Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province logistics convoy in Borno State, neutralising 21 terrorists during operations in Sojiri and Kayamla communities. “Acting on this intelligence, troops, working in close synergy with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes, swiftly mobilised to intercept the terrorists. “Subsequent aggressive exploitation deep into the forest confirmed the neutralisation of 21 terrorists, with several others believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds,” the statement added. It added that the operation highlighted the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint security efforts in degrading terrorist networks and disrupting their logistics and sustainment capabilities. PUNCH Online reported on Saturday that the troops of Operation Hadin Kai also uncovered an improvised explosive device planted along the Damboa–Komala road and arrested two suspected logistics suppliers to Boko Haram terrorists operating around Kirawa in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 15:30 UTC
NASA’s PUNCH Watches Comet Lemmon Respond to the Sun’s Powerful Influence
As Comet Lemmon brightened while swooping through the Sun's neighborhood in late 2025, images recorded by NASA's PUNCH mission revealed rare views of how solar forces shape a comet moments before it is pulled apart. From orbit around Earth, the mission witnessed as the comet traversed its vast field of view, providing a moving waypost of solar wind activity. More solar activity on November 1 and November 4, stronger solar activity appeared to disrupt the tail, which later regrew as conditions settled. PUNCH Tracks Comet Lemmon as Solar Wind Actively Reshapes Its Fading TailPUNCH's four small spacecraft continuously observe the region where the Sun's outer atmosphere transitions into the solar wind. Though still visible in PUNCH data, Comet Lemmon is fading and is expected to leave the spacecraft's view by mid-January 2026.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 15:09 UTC
One-Punch Man Season 3 Aims for Redemption With Special Climax Trailer
One-Punch Man Season 3, one of the most highly anticipated anime of the year, is now heading toward its conclusion. To celebrate the climax of the current arc in the final two episodes, a new trailer has been released to build excitement. These final episodes will depict the climax of the current arc, and the anime has highlighted this by releasing a recap trailer. One-Punch Man Season 3 Prepares For ClimaxPlay videoThis season of One-Punch Man has focused on the heroes confronting the monsters who plan to take over the human world. This makes the final two episodes the last chance for even a small redemption of an otherwise poorly produced season.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 14:07 UTC
No democracy in a vote-buying system -Obi
He said that expectation was dashed when the House declined to address inducements at the level of party primaries. The House of Representatives recently considered relatedals linked to electoral reforms, including pregardingelating to party primaries and campaign conduct. Party primaries, which determine candidates for general elections, are largely regulated internally by political parties, though monitored by INEC. Obi said the refusal to criminalise inducements at the primary stage amounted to protecting what he described as a broken system. The 2023 general elections were marked by allegations of inducement at polling units in several states, with security agencies confirming arrests in isolated cases.
Source:The Guardian
December 21, 2025 12:07 UTC
US, Nigeria Sign $2.1bn Health Agreement for Faith-Based Car
The United States has signed a five-year bilateral health agreement with Nigeria aimed at strengthening the country’s health system, with a focus on expanding faith-based healthcare services. Nigeria is also expected to increase its domestic health spending by nearly $3 billion over the life of the agreement. The agreement was announced by Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, and is part of the America First Global Health Strategy. Nigeria currently has about 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, which the State Department said serve more than 30 per cent of the population. US officials said investment in these facilities is intended to complement public healthcare services and improve the country’s overall health infrastructure.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 12:02 UTC
Anglican Bishop urges govt action to improve rural welfare, curb urban migration
The Bishop of the Anglican Missionary Diocese of Oyo South, Rt. Revd Olufemi Familoni has urged governments at all levels to prioritise the welfare of rural dwellers, warning that continued neglect of rural communities could intensify urban migration and create wider social and humanitarian challenges. Outlining the direction of the new diocese, Familoni said its mission was to build a Christ-centred, Spirit-filled and mission-driven church committed to the proclamation of the gospel. Rural-urban migration is a widely recognised socio-economic challenge in Nigeria, driven largely by disparities in infrastructure, basic services and economic opportunity between rural and urban areas. Studies on migration in Nigeria have found that poverty, lack of social amenities, inadequate access to education and employment prospects in rural communities are major push factors prompting especially youths to relocate to urban centres in search of better conditions.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 11:09 UTC
The Dangote Refinery: A Monumental Challenge to Nigeria
I saw the Dangote Petroleum & Petrochemicals (The Dangote Refinery) plant in Ibeju-Lekki. My conclusion is that Aliko Dangote has built something even bigger than the refinery: he has built the Aliko Dangote Question. Your journey to the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Dangote Refinery continues on the 37-kilometre Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road (formerly Dangote Refinery Access Road). I arrived at the Dangote Refinery armed with a general knowledge of its size and complexity. His Dangote Refinery has emerged at once as a masterpiece and a showpiece of the highest human standards, competitiveness and ambition.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 11:00 UTC
Troops uncover IED, arrest terror logistics suspects
Nigerian troops operating under Operation HADIN KAI have discovered and neutralised an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers during separate operations in Borno State, the army said on Saturday. In one incident, troops of the 25 Brigade discovered an IED while conducting a main supply route patrol along the Damboa–Komala axis on December 17. The device was secured and subsequently detonated by military personnel, the army said, preventing potential harm to troops and civilians using the route. The army said the suspects, along with the vehicle and recovered items, had been handed over to the appropriate military intelligence unit for further investigation and necessary action. Nigeria’s military high command commended the troops for the operations and urged them to sustain the current tempo, according to the statement.
Source:The Guardian
December 21, 2025 09:18 UTC
‘You’re barred!’: Labour’s battle with pubs promises a new year headache
But those hoping to pitch up at their local pub for a restorative pint with colleagues and constituents may find festive cheer is in short supply. The campaign means, for many Labour MPs, there is one less place to escape the bruising reality of their party’s unpopularity. “The local pub is where we used to go with the kids and just be a normal family. Whitbread, which owns pubs, restaurants and the Premier Inn hotel chain, says it will have to pay between £40m and £50m in tax as a result. “We’re protecting pubs, restaurants and cafes with the budget’s £4.3bn support package.
Source:The Guardian
December 21, 2025 09:01 UTC
Forest Guards Recruitment Stalled by Inter-Agency Rift
Bureaucratic hurdles and inter-agency disagreements may be slowing down the recruitment of forest guards approved by President Bola Tinubu, Sunday PUNCH has learnt. He directed each state to recruit between 2,000 and 5,000 forest guards. A senior official of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that the optimism generated by the presidential announcement had faded. Without trained forest guards on the ground, criminals continue to exploit these gaps.”The official also dismissed reports that recruitment had secretly commenced. He said the uncertainty had affected existing forest guards, hunters and other local security actors expected to be integrated into the scheme.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 07:19 UTC
Yuletide Travel in Nigeria: High Fares & Kidnap Fears
Checks over the past few days revealed a rush for seats at major transport companies, even as fares climbed far above last year’s levels. During the last Yuletide season, fares for 15-seater buses averaged about N32,000 before the festivities, rising to around N41,500 during the peak period in December 2024. A review of booking platforms for several transport companies over the week showed what could be described as an astronomical increase in fares. He, however, appealed to transport companies to ensure adequate security on their buses to justify the high ticket prices. Efforts to get reactions from some of the transport companies, particularly GUO, proved abortive, as their mobile lines rang out with no response.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 05:53 UTC
Gunmen kill 10 in South Africa shooting near Johannesburg
Unknown gunmen killed 10 people and wounded 10 others in an attack at a township outside Johannesburg, police said in Sunday, in the second mass shooting in South Africa this month. “Some victims were randomly shot in the streets by unknown gunmen,” a police statement said. The shooting took place near a tavern or informal bar in Bekkersdal, an impoverished area near some of South Africa’s major gold mines. On December 6, gunmen stormed a hostel near the capital Pretoria, killing a dozen people including a three‑year‑old child. South Africa, home to 63 million people, suffers from a high crime rate, including one of the highest murder rates in the world.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 05:23 UTC
APC Schedules National Convention for March 2026
Photo: APC / XThe All Progressives Congress has scheduled its national convention for March 2026. The party on Saturday released comprehensive activities for its 2025/2026 nationwide ward, local government, state and zonal congresses, culminating in the party’s national convention. Ward congresses are fixed for February 18, 2026, while appeals arising from the ward congresses will be heard on February 19. It said they zonal congresses across the six geopolitical zones will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The timetable shows that the APC National Convention is scheduled to hold from Wednesday, March 25, to Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 05:08 UTC
FULL LIST: US stops Nigerians, others from applying for green card, citizenship
A US government official has revealed that the Trump administration has directed the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to suspend green card and citizenship applications filed by Nigerians and nationals of other countries newly added to the expanded US “travel ban,” citing national security concerns and an ongoing review of immigration vetting processes, CBS News reported on Thursday. Among the 15 additional countries newly subjected to partial restrictions is Nigeria. Trump had earlier, on October 31, declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern” following allegations of a Christian genocide in the country. Below is the full list of countries revealed to be affected by the suspension of green card and citizenship applications:Countries affectedFull travel banBurkina FasoMaliNigerSouth SudanSyriaLaosSierra LeonePartial travel restrictionsPreviously affected countriesAfghanistanBurundiChadCubaRepublic of the CongoEquatorial GuineaEritreaHaitiIranLibyaMyanmarSomaliaSudanTogoTurkmenistanYemenVenezuelaThe latest suspension expands earlier restrictions announced in June, under which nationals of several countries faced partial limits on immigration processing. In the most recent proclamation, Laos and Sierra Leone — which previously faced partial restrictions — were upgraded to a full entry ban, prompting USCIS to extend the freeze on immigration petitions, including green card and citizenship applications.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 00:06 UTC