Sanusi, Bayero hold separate Eid prayers in Kano amid rift
For the first time in recent years, Kano State witnessed three separate Eid-el-Fitr prayers, reflecting widening divisions among the state’s traditional and political leadership. The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, led the first Eid prayer at Kofar Mata Eid Ground around 8:00 a.m. Meanwhile, the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, conducted a separate Eid prayer at Nasarawa Palace at roughly the same time. Simultaneously, the National Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Kwankwaso, held his Eid prayer at his residence mosque along Miller Road. Historically, Eid prayers in Kano served as a unifying platform where the Emir, political leaders, and residents gathered together at Kofar Mata Eid Ground.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 12:49 UTC
Anambra man kills lover’s son over relationship dispute
Tragedy struck Uli community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday night as a man identified simply as Gozie allegedly killed his lover’s only son for opposing their relationship. “The incident happened on Sunday night at a compound near the Uli campus of Anambra State University. He alleged that on the night of the incident, the suspect attacked the victim while he was asleep. “The situation escalated as some youths carried the corpse around the community before attacking the suspect’s compound and burning houses there,” he said. When contacted, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he could not immediately confirm the incident.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 11:21 UTC
US Seeks to Revoke Nigerian's Citizenship Over $11m Fraud
The United States Department of Justice says it has filed a lawsuit seeking to revoke the citizenship of a Nigerian, Emmanuel Oluwatosin Kazeem, who was jailed in 2018 over an $11m fraud. It continued, “At a Chicago residence, agents seized approximately 150 prepaid debit cards and $50,000 in money orders. “Refunds were withdrawn from the debit cards, and at least 2,000 wire transfers totalling over $2.1m were sent to Nigeria. “Kazeem used the proceeds to make a nearly $200,000 down payment on a newly constructed house and to purchase a $175,000 townhouse, both in Maryland. “The complaint alleges that Kazeem’s fraud scheme, committed before and after his naturalisation, along with the concealment of his crimes, precluded him from obtaining citizenship lawfully.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 10:52 UTC
2027 gov poll: Succession firestorm heats up in 10 states
But, beyond the permutations, the man to decide who gets the Lagos APC governorship ticket is the President. “The purported dissolution of the state party executives by the caretaker had since been withdrawn. Speaking on the party’s readiness, PDP state Organising Secretary, Mallam Obalowu Olaitan, expressed confidence in the party’s chances. Among them is Jibrin Barde, the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 election who has since become a chieftain of the ADC. Figures in the opposition that may likely be pushing for the seat include a former PDP governorship candidate, Kashim Ibrahim Imam; a former governorship aspirant, Alhaji Idris Mamman Durkwa, and Sheriff Banki.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 10:31 UTC
Morning recap: 2027 succession firestorm in 10 states, US moves to revoke Nigerian’s citizenship, other top stories
Top headlines in Nigeria on Friday morning highlight escalating political tensions as succession battles intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship elections in 10 states. The United States Department of Justice says it has filed a lawsuit seeking to revoke the citizenship of a Nigerian who was jailed in 2018 over an $11m fraud. The Federal Government is also pushing concrete measures to tackle the gas supply crisis responsible for worsening blackouts across the country. Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/2027-gov-poll-succession-firestorm-heats-up-in-10-states/Blackouts: FG moves to resolve gas supply crisisMinister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians of improved electricity supply soon as the Federal Government tackles the gas supply constraints causing persistent blackouts. Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/blackouts-fg-moves-to-resolve-gas-supply-crisis/$11m fraud: US moves to revoke Nigerian’s citizenshipThe United States Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit to revoke the citizenship of Nigerian Emmanuel Oluwatosin Kazeem over an $11 million wire fraud and identity theft scheme.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 10:24 UTC
Nigeria Power Crisis: FG Moves to Resolve Gas Supply Issues
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said Nigerians will soon begin to enjoy improved electricity supply as the Federal Government moves to resolve ongoing gas constraints affecting generation. According to him, the government is implementing concrete measures to ensure a reliable supply for homes and businesses. The PUNCH recently reported that gas suppliers halted supply to thermal power plants over an estimated N3.3tn debt owed by power generation companies, a development that had deepened the nationwide power shortage. The Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Dr Joy Ogaji, disclosed this, warning that the mounting debt across the power value chain is pushing the sector toward a major crisis. Several power generation companies have repeatedly appealed to electricity consumers for patience, stating that the worsening gas constraints are beyond their control.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 10:22 UTC
S.African town in uproar over renaming after anti-apartheid icon
A rebellion over the renaming of the historic country town of Graaff-Reinet has exposed deep-rooted fractures in South Africa as it grapples with its tormented history. In a government decree published recently, the nearly 250-year-old town of whitewashed Cape Dutch houses and red flamboyant trees was renamed after anti-apartheid icon Robert Sobukwe, born here and buried here. In the case of this normally calm oasis, deep in the semi-desert Karoo and about 650 kilometres (400 miles) from Cape Town, the renaming has sown discord among its population of 25,000, leading to protests, petitions and legal threats. “The renaming is taking us back,” he said, clutching stacks of objection forms, around 22,000 of which have already been delivered to the government. “I am not surprised by the opposition of a specific segment of the population who does not want to embrace change,” his grandson, Mangaliso Tsepo Sobukwe, told AFP.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 10:08 UTC
Kuwait refinery ablaze as Iran launches new wave of drone strikes
Fires broke out at Kuwait's Mina al-Ahmadi refinery after it was hit by Iranian drone attacks. Photo: AP/Al JazeeraFirefighters battled a blaze at a giant oil refinery in Kuwait on Friday after a fresh drone attack as Iran kept up a wave of strikes on its neighbours and vowed there was “no concern” about its missile production. Iran’s leaders, despite an Israeli assassination campaign and three weeks of bombardment, have vowed to end the conflict on their own terms. Moments after his message was shared by the agency, the Revolutionary Guards said he had been killed in US-Israeli strikes. Iran retains a stranglehold over the strategic Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of global oil and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) usually flows.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 08:45 UTC
One-punch attacker back in prison after victim's death seven years on | ITV News
A former football hooligan who was jailed for attacking a man at a party has been returned to prison following the victim's death seven years later. Simon Hackett was left brain damaged after being punched by Jordan Docherty at Buttershaw Lane Working Men's Club in Bradford in 2015. But Mr Hackett, who was 35 at the time of the attack, suffered a decline in health and died in 2022. Prosecutor Matthew Bean told the court the incident happened after a disagreement between Mr Hackett and Docherty's cousin. Docherty knocked Mr Hackett out with a single punch, causing him a fractured skull and swelling to his brain.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 08:06 UTC
Punch the viral baby monkey finds 'girlfriend' at Japan Zoo. Watch their viral cute cuddling video
SynopsisPunch Girlfriend: Punch, the baby Japanese macaque from Ichikawa City Zoo who became famous after being rejected by his mother and finding comfort in an IKEA plush orangutan toy called Ora-mama, has now formed a close bond with a female macaque. Videos circulating online show the two monkeys cuddling, playing, and displaying affectionate behaviour, leading many viewers to playfully call her Punch's "girlfriend".
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 07:36 UTC
Ex-Rep Eta Mbora defects to ADC, cites PDP internal crisis
Mbora, who represented Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, cited the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party as the reason for his action. He explained that the prolonged internal crisis rocking the PDP had continued to weaken the party. Mbora called on his followers and well-wishers to join him in the ADC and take part in the party’s ongoing registration and revalidation exercise across their wards. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the defection is gradually reshaping the state’s political landscape ahead of the next election cycle. Reports from the ex-lawmaker’s new party indicate that arrangements are already in place to host a reception rally in honour of Mbora and other defectors.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 03:40 UTC
Viral Baby Monkey Punch Has A Girlfriend? Adorable Kisses Caught On Camera
Tokyo: Is the viral Japanese baby monkey ‘Punch’ no longer single? Punch, who went viral for clinging to an orangutan soft toy after his mother abandoned him at birth, has now been spotted sharing adorable kisses with a macaque, who is named ‘Momo-chan’ and is slightly older than Punch. Punch and Momo-chan are inseparableAn Instagram channel named Beyond The Wildlife shared the video and said, “Exciting news! Recently, Punch found a girlfriend named Moe, and they have spent all their time together. AdvertisementBorn in July 2025 at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, Punch was rejected by his mother shortly after his birth.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 03:14 UTC
Three suspects nabbed over Kwara massacre
Combined security operatives have arrested three suspected bandits linked to the February 3, 2026 attack on Woro village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. The arrest was disclosed on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Ibraheem Abdullateef, in a Facebook post. Abdullateef said the suspects were apprehended in Kaiama while attempting to purchase a motorcycle, following actionable intelligence. “The suspects came into Kaiama under the guise of buying a motorcycle but were intercepted by security operatives acting on credible intelligence,” he said. He added that the suspects were currently assisting investigators in efforts to rescue abducted victims and restore peace in the affected communities.
Source:Punch
March 20, 2026 02:22 UTC
Pentagon seeks $200bn in Iran war funding
US President Donald Trump speaks during in a 9/11 observance ceremony at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Washington, DC on September 11, 2025. The Pentagon asked the White House to approve the request and forward it to Congress for consideration. The proposed funding is nearly double the total amount approved for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, The Washington Post reported. US President Donald Trump confirmed the request on Thursday during a White House event, describing the conflict as highly unpredictable. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not directly confirm the $200 billion figure but underscored the need for increased military funding.
Source:Punch
March 19, 2026 23:15 UTC
2027: APC confident, but Atiku, Obi, Amaechi not dismissed — Ndume
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Ndume said the opposition, led by Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, has failed to present anything substantial that could rival the APC’s platform. Everybody is talking about it is either Bola Ahmed Tinubu or Atiku or Amaechi, or Peter Obi. “Remember, that was how PDP was thinking about APC initially — that APC is not serious. So, I’m not writing Atiku, Obi or Amaechi off,” he added. While acknowledging that some Nigerians may be dissatisfied with the APC, Ndume insisted that the ADC does not currently pose a significant threat.
Source:Punch
March 19, 2026 23:07 UTC