June 2025 | Page 4 of 37

Mass Funeral Held in Tehran for Top Iranian Commanders, Scientists Killed in Israeli Strikes

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Tens of thousands of mourners filled the streets of Tehran on Saturday as Iran held funeral ceremonies for 60 individuals—including senior military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians—killed in Israeli airstrikes earlier this month. Beginning at 8:00 a.m. local time (04:30 GMT), state television broadcast live images of large crowds clad in black, waving Iranian flags and holding portraits of the deceased. The ceremony, one of the largest in recent years, took place along the capital’s Azadi Street and featured coffins draped in the national flag, some bearing the images of fallen commanders in uniform. The funeral comes after a 12-day escalation that began on June 13 when Israel launched a wave of strikes across Iran, targeting military installations and nuclear sites. Among those killed were General Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the IRGC’s ballistic missile programme. Both were reportedly killed on the first day of the conflict. Other high-profile casualties included Major General Mohammad Bagheri and top nuclear physicist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi. The state-run IRIB confirmed that four women and four children were also among the dead. The Israeli strikes, which reportedly received intelligence and logistical backing from the United States, prompted Iran to launch retaliatory missile attacks on Israeli positions and a U.S. military base in Qatar. The conflict concluded with a ceasefire earlier this week. During the funeral, mourners chanted slogans including “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” signaling continued public outrage over the deadly assault and subsequent U.S. involvement. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has since dismissed American claims that Iran’s nuclear programme was severely damaged, accusing U.S. President Donald Trump of exaggerating the impact of the strikes. Saturday’s public mourning marked the first large-scale ceremony for military officials since the end of hostilities, underlining both the scale of loss and the tense atmosphere that persists in the region.

Four Killed 21 Injured in Suspected IED Blast in Yobe State

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

A suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion has claimed the lives of four persons and injured 21 others in Yobe State. The incident occurred on Friday along the Katarko-Goniri Road in Gujba Local Government Area. The victims, mostly residents of the Gotala community, were en route to the Buniyadi market when their vehicle triggered the explosive device suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram insurgents. According to reports from Channels Television, the bodies of the deceased have been taken back to their community for burial, while the injured are receiving treatment at the Damaturu Specialist Hospital and the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital. The Gotala community lies on the outskirts of the Sambisa forest, an area notorious for insurgent activities over the past 15 years. A local source also disclosed that some vigilantes and military personnel encountered similar IEDs along the same route on Friday, resulting in additional casualties, though details remain unconfirmed. At the time of this report, the military has not issued an official statement on the incident. Relatives of the victims, speaking from the hospitals, appealed to the Yobe State Government to urgently rehabilitate the deteriorated Katarko-Goniri Road. They stressed that the current condition of the road poses a severe risk not only to civilians but also to military personnel stationed in the Goniri area.

Fubara Attends Burial of Wike’s Uncle in Rumuepirikom – Video

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Fubara appeared beside Wike and suspended Speaker of Rivers Assembly Martin Amaewhule, signaling a potential thaw in relations following a high-level reconciliation meeting facilitated by President Bola Tinubu earlier this week

Man Discovers His 22-Year-Old Airtel Number Reassigned, Now Holds Two NINs

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

Afeez Labode, a UK-based Nigerian businessman, has raised alarm after discovering that his 22-year-old Airtel line — long linked to his financial, personal, and official records — had been reassigned to a new user despite his continued use and maintenance of the number. Labode, who arrived in Nigeria on May 21, was shocked when he found his number inactive upon landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. He resorted to using WiFi at the airport to contact his driver. However, a visit to an Airtel service center in Gbagada confirmed his worst fears — the number had been reassigned to a new subscriber named Kenneth. According to Airtel officials, recharging a line periodically does not guarantee it remains active. Instead, the line must have been involved in a revenue-generating event (RGE) such as voice calls, SMS, data usage, or USSD transactions within 365 days. This policy contrasts with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) Quality of Service Business Rules issued in 2024, which stipulate that a number can only be deactivated after six months of inactivity in any RGE. Labode maintains he had regularly recharged the line and used it during his visits every few years. Recovery Negotiation and NIN Overlap In a bid to reclaim his number, Labode contacted Kenneth, who demanded ₦100,000 to return the SIM. After negotiations, they settled on ₦50,000, and the SIM was retrieved through a proxy. However, a deeper issue emerged at MMIA during his Hajj trip — immigration officers confirmed that Labode’s old number was still linked to his National Identification Number (NIN) and passport data. This discovery raised questions about the security and privacy implications of reassigning SIM cards still tied to valid national records. Labode had previously used the number to register his NIN and renew his passport in London in 2024. His experience illustrates the dangerous overlap of data where two individuals — himself and the new SIM owner — now effectively share the same phone number with distinct NIN records. Systemic Risks and NCC’s Response The incident underscores growing concerns about SIM recycling in Nigeria and its implications on national security, identity management, and financial safety. Labode, like others before him, had to swear an affidavit in court to declare loss of access to the number in order to update his records. The NCC has previously acknowledged the problem, stating it is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), security agencies, and other stakeholders to build a central database that will flag recycled numbers and alert sectors like banking and immigration of changes in ownership. The proposed cross-sector platform aims to prevent data misuse and fraud by ensuring that reassigned numbers are not wrongly linked to old users’ personal and financial information. Despite ongoing efforts, Labode’s case reveals the urgent need for better coordination between telecom operators, the Ministry of Communications, and identity management agencies to safeguard digital identities in Nigeria’s growing mobile ecosystem.

Trump Threatens to Bomb Iran Again, Slams Khamenei Over War Claims

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, vowing to bomb the country “absolutely” if it resumes nuclear weapons development. The remarks came in a fiery post on Trump’s Truth Social platform on Friday, in which he directly targeted Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for claiming victory in the recent 12-day conflict with Israel. Trump accused Khamenei of “blatantly and foolishly lying” and said the Iranian leader had narrowly escaped death during the war. “His country was decimated, his three evil nuclear sites were OBLITERATED, and I knew EXACTLY where he was sheltered,” Trump wrote. “I would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces, by far the Greatest and Most Powerful in the World, terminate his life.” The former president’s comments follow Khamenei’s public declaration that Iran had emerged victorious in the war and had delivered a “slap” to the United States by launching missile strikes at a U.S. military base in Qatar in retaliation for attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. Trump also revealed he had personally urged Israel to halt what he described as “the final knockout,” suggesting that restraint was exercised despite heavy damage inflicted on Iranian infrastructure. While Trump insists the strikes crippled Iran’s nuclear program, a leaked intelligence report casts doubt, stating that the damage set Iran back by only a few months—not years—as claimed. In the same post, Trump said Khamenei’s recent statements—“a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust”—prompted him to abandon efforts toward sanctions relief and economic engagement with Iran. “There was a path for sanctions removal, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery,” Trump stated. “But not with lies and threats.” The escalation of rhetoric comes just days after a fragile ceasefire brought a halt to open hostilities between Israel and Iran. Analysts warn that Trump’s comments risk reigniting tensions and could complicate diplomatic efforts moving forward.

Trump Demands Iran Allow Nuclear Inspections Following US-Israeli Strikes

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iran to allow international inspectors access to its nuclear facilities, just days after coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian sites believed to be linked to its nuclear program. Speaking at a White House press conference on Friday, Trump stated that any future diplomatic engagement with Tehran must include inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or another trusted entity. “We need the IAEA or somebody that we respect — including ourselves — to verify everything,” he said. The remarks follow heightened tensions in the region and come amid growing concern over the fallout from the recent strikes. In what many analysts view as a retaliatory move, Iran’s parliament has approved a bill suspending cooperation with the IAEA, despite its status as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The legislation is seen as a direct response to the U.S.-Israeli operation, which Tehran has condemned as a violation of international law and its sovereignty. Iran has yet to respond directly to Trump’s demand, but officials have warned that continued pressure and military aggression will only harden Tehran’s nuclear stance and reduce the likelihood of diplomatic compromise.

Egypt Sweeps Individual Gold Medals at 23rd African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Egypt continued its dominance at the 23rd African Fencing Championships, claiming five of the six individual gold medals on offer at the event held at Charterhouse, Lagos, Nigeria. The only interruption to Egypt’s clean sweep came from Kenya’s Alexandra Ndolo, who delivered a commanding performance to defeat Egypt’s Shirwit Gaber 15-8 in the final of the women’s épée. On Friday, June 27, Egypt added two more titles to its tally, with Abdelrahman Tolba and Alanoud Hegazy capturing gold in the men’s foil and women’s sabre events, respectively. These victories followed three earlier gold medals secured by the Egyptian team on the first two days of the championships. Tolba, who had previously won bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024, completed his ascent to the top of the podium with a 15-10 win over defending champion Mohamed Hamza in the men’s foil final. He had earlier cruised past Cape Verde’s Victor Alvares 15-4 in the semifinal. Reflecting on his journey, Tolba said: “It feels great to finally win gold. This shows that hard work pays off—starting with bronze in 2023, then silver in 2024, and now gold. I’m so happy, though it wasn’t easy facing my teammate in the final.” In the women’s sabre, Hegazy claimed her first continental title with a 15-8 victory over 2024 bronze medallist Nada Hafez. Her path to the final included a 15-10 quarterfinal win over defending champion Lorina Essomba of Cameroon and a 15-9 semifinal triumph against Algeria’s Chaima Benadouda. “I feel great and proud to win my first continental title at any level,” Hegazy said. “This is a big moment for me, and I hope to keep performing well in major competitions like this.” The team events, which begin on Saturday, June 28 to 29, with all eyes on the Egyptian side as the defending champions.

President Federation Cup: Four Governors, Gbajabiamila, Entertainment Icons to Grace Finale

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Nigeria’s National Cup final on Saturday in Lagos will bring together the crème de la crème of the nation’s political, football and entertainment industries, with four States chief executives already confirmed to be in attendance. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos will arrive the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in company with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State and the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas. Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Mr. Seyi Tinubu, SSA to Mr. President on Grassroots Sports Development, Mr. Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye, and a number of music and movie stars will also grace the grand finale. Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, President of NFF and President of WAFU B, will lead members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, while Alhaji Abubakar Lawal will lead the GTI team. Prominent members of the Lagos State cabinet and the Lagos State Sports Commission and Lagos State Football Association are also expected. One-time President of WAFU, Chief Jonathan Ogufere and Nigeria’s oldest practising football writer, Pa Segun Adenuga have confirmed their attendance. The Lagos State Football Association has concluded plans to honour Pa Biliaminu Thanni, the oldest living-winner of the Nigeria National Cup. The Mobolaji Johnson Arena hosted the very first edition of Nigeria’s Cup final, in its first incarnation as King George V Stadium, in 1945. It was the sole venue until it was re-christened as Lagos City Stadium in 1963. It continued to host until 1972, when the final between Bendel Insurance of Benin and Mighty Jets of Jos had to be replayed following a 2-2 draw, thanks to the heroics of Sam Garba Okoye. The replay was taken to the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan. This year’s grand finale will see Cup holders Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt take on Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia in the women’s final that begins at 1pm, while the men’s final, between Abakaliki FC and Kwara United, will commence at 4pm.