
News
Gunmen kill 22 villagers during baptism ceremony in Niger
At least 22 people were killed when armed assailants on motorbikes stormed a village in western Niger during a baptism ceremony, local sources and media reports confirmed on Tuesday.
The attack, which occurred on Monday in the Tillaberi region bordering Burkina Faso and Mali, highlights the persistent insecurity in an area plagued by jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
According to a local resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, the attackers also targeted the outskirts of Takoubatt village, killing an additional seven people.
Nigerien outlet Elmaestro TV described the incident as a “gruesome massacre” of innocent villagers, while human rights advocate Maikoul Zodi decried the killings as “barbarism that once again throws the Tillaberi region into mourning and despair.”
The Tillaberi area has long been a hotspot for jihadist violence. Despite the deployment of large numbers of troops, Niger’s military rulers, who came to power in a coup two years ago, have struggled to stem the wave of attacks. Just last week, around 20 soldiers were killed in the same region.
Human Rights Watch urged the authorities to strengthen protection for civilians, noting that the Islamic State has summarily executed more than 127 villagers and worshippers in Tillaberi since March.

Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) indicates that approximately 1,800 people have been killed in Niger since October 2024, with nearly three-quarters of the fatalities occurring in Tillaberi alone.

News
Terrorists kill kidnapped Zamfara teacher after collecting ransom
A teacher at Federal Government College, Anka, Mustapha Yahaya Maru, has reportedly been k!lled by armed band!ts despite the payment of ransom for his release.
Sahara Reporters reports that Maru was abducted early May while travelling to Anka in Zamfara State alongside several other passengers after their vehicle was intercepted by the attackers.
Following the abduction, the k!dnappers contacted his family and demanded a ransom far beyond their financial capacity.The report states that after intense efforts and negotiations, the family eventually raised and paid the agreed amount in hopes of securing his freedom.
Tragically, the bandits k!lled Maru on Tuesday instead of releasing him.
His de@th has thrown his family and the Maru community into mourning and has further heightened concerns over the worsening insecurity in the region.


News
VDM must face law over fake viral Tinubu Audio, Says Presidency
The Presidency on Wednesday said social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VDM, should face the law over the circulation of an alleged fake audio purportedly involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated this in a post on X, accusing VDM of disseminating false content on social media.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform,” Onanuga wrote.
The presidential aide was reacting to a post by an X user, identified as Aneex, who questioned why some people believed the voice in the audio belonged to Tinubu.
The user described the audio as “cheap propaganda” and alleged that VDM was exploiting emotions to spread misinformation.
In the viral content, VeryDarkMan allegedly used the audio to call on Nigerians to reject President Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.

The development comes just days after President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress at the party’s nationwide direct primary held on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
During the exercise, Tinubu reportedly polled 10,999,162 votes, defeating his sole challenger, APC chieftain Stanley Osifo, who secured 16,503 votes from over 12 million registered party members.
Meanwhile, opposition figures are already positioning ahead of 2027, with Peter Obi expected to fly the flag of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is also expected to lead the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket.

News
Eid-el-Kabir: Mbah preaches unity, tolerance, sacrifice, hope
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has felicitated Muslim faithful in the state and the nation as whole on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, urging unity, tolerance, sacrifice, and hope.
Mbah, in his Eid goodwill message on Tuesday, also called for charity, urging Nigerians to rise in solidarity with one another, especially the less privileged.
He said, “On the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, I extend warm felicitations to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Enugu State and across Nigeria as they commemorate this sacred festival of faith, sacrifice, and devotion to Almighty Allah.
“Eid-el-Kabir reminds us that sacrifice lies at the very heart of true service to God and humanity. It calls to mind the profound blessings inherent in the virtues of patience, obedience, trust, and unwavering faith – values exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and which remain timeless lessons for us all.
“At a time when our nation continues to navigate important political and economic transitions, the significance of this celebration becomes even more profound.
“Let us be reminded that we all belong to one shared humanity and our collective progress as a people depends on our ability to uphold unity, mutual respect, peace, and compassion above all divisions.

“This season, therefore, offers us another opportunity to recommit ourselves to the ideals of tolerance, sacrifice for the common good, and solidarity with one another, especially the vulnerable among us.
“As we celebrate, I urge all citizens to continue to pray for the peace, stability, and prosperity of our dear state and nation. Let us also continue to work together in harmony to build a society defined by justice, opportunity, and shared progress for all.”
He concluded by wishing the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

-
News1 day agoNigerian international found dead in Abuja shortly after return from Europe
-
News2 days agoTinubu congratulates Rangers International after ninth NPFL title win
-
News2 days agoAkani Landlords in Enugu raise alarm over alleged encroachment, urge buyers to exercise caution
-
News13 hours ago30,000 Fulani militants fuelling Nigeria’s insecurity – US report
-
Uncategorized2 days agoTerrorists kidnap 10, raid police station, raze Kwara emir’s palace
-
International1 day agoDozens of lranian fighters killed, as US resumes strike in Strait of Hormuz, targets IRGC Naval Boats in the Gulf
-
Business16 hours agoS/East companies shutting down over rising energy costs — MAN
-
News2 days agoINEC appeals ruling against Election Guidelines


