2025 | Page 10 of 262 | Trendbrio.com

Drug Bust: Nigerian arrested with high-quality cocaine during raid in India

Two African Nationals Arrested in Delhi With ₹70 Lakh Worth of Cocaine

New Delhi – Delhi Police arrested two African nationals on Wednesday and seized 355 grams of high-quality cocaine worth approximately ₹70 lakh in the international market. The accused have been identified as Benjamin Izuchukwu (43), a Nigerian national, and Coulibaly Mariam (29) from Ivory Coast. The arrests took place on September 10 during a police raid at a residence in Chattarpur, South Delhi, following a tip-off regarding their alleged involvement in cocaine distribution. Police recovered the cocaine along with an electronic weighing machine and packaging materials. A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Mehrauli police station. “During interrogation, accused Izuchukwu disclosed that he came in contact with another African national living in Dwarka in 2021. He used to procure cocaine from a man named Joseph at ₹8,000 per gram and sell it in Chattarpur and nearby areas for ₹10,000 per gram, assisted by Mariam,” said Ankit Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South). Izuchukwu told investigators he had recently purchased 600 grams of cocaine. Of this, around 250 grams had already been sold, while the remaining 355 grams were recovered during the raid. The investigation is ongoing to trace the source and wider network involved in the drug supply chain.

US Condemns Beijing’s South China Sea Nature Reserve Plan at Scarborough Shoal

Fola Badmus6 days ago6 days ago05 mins

The United States has condemned China’s plan to establish a so-called “nature reserve” at the disputed Scarborough Shoal, backing the Philippines in what Washington described as yet another act of regional coercion by Beijing. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a strong statement on Friday, saying the proposal was “yet another coercive attempt” by China to assert sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea. “The US stands with our Philippine ally in rejecting China’s destabilising plans to establish a ‘national nature reserve’ at Scarborough Reef,” Rubio posted on X. “This is another example of Beijing using pressure tactics to push expansive territorial claims, disregarding the rights of neighbouring countries.” China’s State Council announced earlier this week that it intends to create a protected ecological zone of 3,500 hectares at Scarborough Shoal, describing the move as essential for “biodiversity and sustainability”. But the announcement has triggered sharp responses from Manila. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said it would file a formal diplomatic protest, calling China’s move “illegitimate and unlawful”. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año described the plan as a violation of multiple international agreements, including: “This is not about environmental protection,” Año said, “but about reinforcing China’s illegal control of a maritime feature that lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.” Ongoing Tensions and Regional Pushback Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island in China, lies just 240km off the coast of Luzon. Though it falls within the Philippines’ EEZ, it has been effectively under Chinese control since a 2012 standoff. Beijing has since deployed coastguard and militia vessels to monitor the area, frequently blocking Filipino fishermen from accessing the shoal’s rich fishing grounds — a traditional livelihood for generations of coastal communities in Luzon. Analysts in Manila suggest China is using the “nature reserve” designation as a pretext for occupation. “Beijing is testing the Philippines’ resolve,” said Julio Amador III of Amador Research Services. “If there is no strong pushback, we can expect similar tactics to be used elsewhere.” In recent weeks, the Philippines has held joint naval exercises near the shoal with allies including Australia and Canada, simulating responses to aerial and maritime threats in disputed waters. Meanwhile, China has reiterated its claim to “sovereignty” over the shoal, saying it would “resolutely defend” the area. Beijing continues to assert control over almost the entire South China Sea, despite competing claims from Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The disputed waterway remains one of the world’s most strategically vital corridors, with over $3 trillion in annual trade transiting through it. The latest escalation adds further strain to the already fraught US-China relationship and highlights the growing strategic alignment between Washington and Manila in countering China’s influence in the region.

Arsenal Sweep Aside Ange’s Forest with Convincing Win

Fola Badmus6 days ago6 days ago02 mins

Arsenal cruised to a comfortable victory over Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest, delivering a performance that reflected just how well their summer signings have settled in. It wasn’t just the goals from Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyökeres that caught the eye. At the back, Cristhian Mosquera was rock-solid once again, showing composure and control in a performance that made William Saliba’s absence barely noticeable for the second match running. Further forward, Arsenal’s attacking shape looked refreshed and dangerous. Noni Madueke was sharp and direct on the right wing, while Eberechi Eze offered equal threat on the left — a far cry from last season when the Gunners leaned heavily on Bukayo Saka for attacking inspiration. The new front three of Eze, Gyökeres, and Madueke gives Mikel Arteta tactical flexibility and genuine depth in attack. With Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard only needed for late cameos, Arsenal’s squad strength is starting to show — even amid a handful of injuries. It’s early days, but this performance suggests Arsenal are not only stronger but more balanced across the pitch. The signs are promising, and the new arrivals are already delivering.

Tax ID not mandatory for ordinary Nigerians to open bank accounts – FG

Fola Badmus6 days ago7 days ago04 mins

The Federal Government has moved to calm public anxiety over reports that every Nigerian must obtain a Tax Identification Number (Tax ID) before opening or maintaining a bank account. Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, clarified that the new policy applies only to taxable persons and businesses — not to ordinary citizens without taxable income. In a statement posted on his official X handle, Oyedele said the recently enacted Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) simply consolidates existing provisions and does not impose fresh obligations on low-income Nigerians. He stated that banks and financial institutions are required to request a Tax ID from taxable persons. However, individuals who do not earn income and are not taxable are not required to obtain one. The NTAA builds on the Finance Act of 2019, which first introduced the requirement for businesses to present a Tax Identification Number when opening accounts. According to Oyedele, the NTAA now replaces multiple identifiers with a single, harmonised Tax ID to reduce duplication and loopholes. He explained that individuals’ National Identification Number (NIN) and companies’ Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration numbers will automatically serve as their Tax IDs. Existing TINs remain valid, while new applicants can obtain theirs online or at tax offices free of charge. Oyedele emphasised that the Tax ID is not a physical card but a unique number linked to your identity, cautioning Nigerians to avoid touts or unofficial agents claiming to issue Tax ID cards. The law also covers non-resident companies doing business in Nigeria, as well as government-owned enterprises and agencies. Nigerians in the diaspora may also obtain a Tax ID using their NIN for banking or investment purposes. From January 1, 2026, taxable persons who fail to register may find themselves unable to operate bank accounts, insurance policies, pension accounts, or investment portfolios. Penalties will also apply under the NTAA for non-compliance. He added that for most ordinary Nigerians, there is no extra burden because their NIN or CAC number will serve as their Tax ID. The goal is to ensure that those who earn taxable income contribute their fair share while low-income citizens remain protected. The committee advised citizens to rely strictly on official government channels for updates on the new tax laws to avoid misinformation and exploitation. The Federal Government hopes the new system will improve compliance and transparency, while protecting citizens outside the tax net from unnecessary bureaucracy.

After shock Israeli attack on their city, Doha’s residents voice unease

After Shock Israeli Attack Doha Residents Grapple With Fear and Uncertainty

Fola Badmus7 days ago7 days ago05 mins

Doha, Qatar – Six coffins, five draped in Palestinian flags and one in the maroon and white of Qatar, were laid before a packed congregation at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque. Standing in the front row was Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, paying respects to those killed in an unprecedented Israeli drone strike in the heart of Doha. Among the dead was 22-year-old Lance-Corporal Badr Saad Mohammed al-Humaidi al-Dosari, a Qatari Internal Security Forces member. His death, along with five Hamas members, came during an Israeli airstrike targeting a Hamas meeting held in a residential villa in the upscale West Bay Lagoon area — an attack that has left residents stunned and deeply unsettled. The Tuesday strike, carried out in broad daylight, marked the first direct military assault on Qatari soil in the nation’s modern history. For many, the very idea of such an attack within the capital was once unthinkable. Mohammed Asim, a 40-year-old food wholesaler from Bangladesh, lives less than a kilometre from the blast site. “I thought a house was being demolished,” he said. “Only after seeing the news did I realize what had happened.” Emergency crews responded quickly, while drones hovered over the compound late into the evening, illuminating the debris-strewn courtyard with their searchlights. The air around the scene was thick with smoke and tension, as officials sealed off surrounding roads and families peeked from windows, unsure if the threat had truly passed. The targeted building was reportedly used by members of Hamas’s political bureau, who were discussing a U.S.-brokered proposal for a Gaza ceasefire at the time. While the intended targets survived, the attack claimed civilian and security lives and sent shockwaves through a city known for its calm and neutrality in the region’s conflicts. In the days since, regional leaders have poured into Doha, offering condolences and pledging solidarity. Notable among them were UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Even U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in, describing the attack as unacceptable and promising such strikes would not happen again — though he maintained that “eliminating Hamas” remained “a worthy goal.” But among Doha’s residents, that reassurance has done little to ease the prevailing sense of vulnerability. “Israel behaves however it wants, and after a bit of harsh language, things go back to before,” said a local man who identified himself only as Mohammed. “We’ll see what Trump actually does.” The unease in the city is visible — from the increased security presence to the billboards across the capital carrying messages of resilience. At the City Centre Mall in West Bay, a massive sign bears the words of the Prophet Abraham: “Our Lord, make this land secure.” For a city that has long served as a mediator in regional conflicts — and hosts a major U.S. airbase — the Israeli strike represents a dangerous escalation. What was once a distant war in Gaza has, for many Qataris and residents alike, come crashing violently to their doorstep. Now, the question many in Doha are quietly asking: Is this the beginning of something far more dangerous — or just a warning shot in a conflict that knows no borders?

Qatar PM Meets Trump After Israeli Strike on Doha Amid Heightened Tensions

Fola Badmus7 days ago7 days ago05 mins

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, is holding high-level talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump in New York, following Israel’s deadly strike on the Qatari capital earlier this week. The Israeli air raid, which targeted a Hamas meeting in Doha on Tuesday, killed five Hamas officials and a Qatari security officer. The meeting was reportedly convened to discuss a new ceasefire proposal brokered by Trump aimed at ending the Gaza war. Sheikh Mohammed’s diplomatic efforts in the U.S. come at a tense moment in regional and international relations. Prior to his dinner meeting with Trump on Friday, the Qatari leader met U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House. According to reports, discussions centered on the fallout from the Israeli strike and the future of U.S.-Qatar security cooperation. Al Jazeera’s correspondent Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Washington, noted that the meetings are part of a broader attempt to navigate the increasingly complicated relationship between Qatar and the U.S. following Israel’s actions. “The concern is that the relationship between Qatar and the United States has become increasingly complicated as a result of those strikes,” Halkett said. “They’re looking for a path forward on both of those issues.” While the exact location and time of the Trump meeting remain undisclosed, sources confirmed the former president is currently in New York, staying at Trump Tower. The attack on Doha has drawn rare international condemnation against Israel, including from the U.S., which typically stands as one of Israel’s staunchest defenders. In a rare move on Thursday, the U.S. joined other United Nations Security Council members in condemning the strike, which many see as an effort to derail ceasefire negotiations. Despite this condemnation, the Trump administration is continuing to walk a diplomatic tightrope. Secretary of State Rubio is scheduled to visit Israel this weekend for a two-day visit, signaling continued U.S. support. The visit comes ahead of a pivotal UN summit on September 22, where several Western nations are expected to back formal recognition of a Palestinian state. According to State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, Rubio will reaffirm U.S. commitment to Israel’s security and oppose unilateral moves seen as legitimizing Hamas. “He will also emphasise our shared goals: ensuring Hamas never rules over Gaza again and bringing all the hostages home,” Pigott said. Meanwhile, momentum appears to be building globally for a renewed push toward a two-state solution. At a UN General Assembly meeting on Friday, a resolution calling for “collective action” to end the war in Gaza received strong backing, led by France and Saudi Arabia. The Gaza conflict has already claimed more than 64,000 lives, and pressure is mounting on all parties to reach a sustainable political resolution. As tensions escalate, the outcome of Sheikh Mohammed’s meetings in Washington could play a crucial role in shaping the next phase of diplomacy in the region.

NIDCOM Dismisses Allegations of Ethnic Bias as Spurious and Fabricated

Fola Badmus7 days ago7 days ago05 mins

By Kamal Yalwa | Abuja, Nigeria The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has strongly denied allegations of ethnic bias in its operations, describing recent claims that the agency discriminates against the Igbo community abroad as “spurious and fabricated.” In a statement issued on Thursday, NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the allegations—made by one Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who claims to be the Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo—are “mere conjecture based on a calculated machinery aimed to distract the NIDCOM boss.” The statement defended the Commission’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, calling her leadership “dynamic” and her track record “unprecedented” in promoting the welfare of Nigerians abroad regardless of ethnic, religious, or political affiliations. “NIDCOM was established to engage and see to the welfare of all Nigerian citizens abroad—irrespective of sex, age, ethnic group, religion, or political affiliation,” the Commission stated. “The false and ignorant claims of selective treatment toward Ndigbo are not only misleading but dangerously divisive.” NIDO Chairman Backs Dabiri-Erewa Also reacting to the allegation, Chief Chibuzo Ubochi, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Europe and Coordinating Chairman of NIDO Worldwide, described the claims as unfounded and harmful. “Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa is affectionately known in the diaspora community as Mama Diaspora, a name earned through her consistent care and advocacy for Nigerians abroad, regardless of tribe or state of origin,” Ubochi said. He added that the reshared post by Isiguzoro risks sowing unnecessary division within the diaspora community. “Speaking from direct experience, I can affirm that she has always championed unity, inclusion, and the empowerment of all Nigerians in the diaspora,” he said. NIDCOM’s Record of Engagement The Commission listed several instances where it had intervened on behalf of Nigerians in distress across various countries—regardless of ethnic or regional origin. These include rescue and repatriation missions in the Central African Republic, Libya, Lebanon, Iraq, South Africa, the UK, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, and Sudan, among others. The Commission also emphasized that it celebrates Nigerians excelling globally and does not shy away from highlighting crimes committed by Nigerians where necessary—stressing that crime “has no federal character.” Call for National Unity Quoting American writer Mark Twain—“A lie can make its way around the world before the truth can even put on its shoes”—the Commission warned against the dangers of ethnic bigotry, calling on Nigerians to reject divisive narratives. “We cannot remain trapped in archaic ethnic rivalries and divisions,” the statement read. “We are not crabs in a barrel—we are proud Nigerians, at home and abroad, with a duty to join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a united and prosperous nation.” NIDCOM reiterated its commitment to serving all Nigerians in the diaspora with fairness and dignity, while urging citizens to focus on what unites the nation rather than on ethnic or regional differences. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo group has yet to issue a formal response to the statement at the time of this report.

Charlie Kirk Shooting: Suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, in Custody, Says Utah Governor

Fola Badmus7 days ago7 days ago03 mins

Authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist and media personality Charlie Kirk, Utah Governor Spencer Cox announced Friday. The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was taken into custody less than 48 hours after Kirk was shot and killed during a public event at Utah Valley University. According to law enforcement, a single round was fired from a rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck in what officials are describing as a targeted assassination. “This photo released by the Utah Governor’s Office shows Tyler Robinson,” read a statement accompanying a mugshot of the suspect. The FBI had previously offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters in New York, confirmed the development. “I think we have him,” Trump said. He went on to blame what he described as the “radical left” for the killing and hinted at potential punitive actions against political opponents, although he urged his supporters to remain nonviolent in the wake of the assassination. Kirk, a polarizing figure and founder of Turning Point USA, had been delivering remarks at a debate forum before the gunshot rang out, prompting chaos and an immediate lockdown of the venue. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at a nearby hospital. The killing has further inflamed political tensions in the U.S., already strained by election season rhetoric and deepening ideological divisions. Law enforcement has yet to release a motive or confirm whether Robinson acted alone or as part of a broader plot. The investigation remains ongoing, with federal and local agencies working in coordination. Authorities have not yet confirmed when Robinson will be arraigned or whether additional charges or suspects are expected. As tributes pour in from conservative leaders and activists nationwide, Kirk’s death is being mourned as a major loss within right-wing political circles, while also sparking renewed debate over political violence and security at public events.