Wife and Daughter of Anglican Priest Released After Months in Kidnappers’ Captivity

The wife and daughter of the late Anglican priest, Venerable Edwin Achi, have been freed after spending three months in the hands of kidnappers. The family was abducted from their home in Nissi community, Kaduna State, on October 28, 2025, during a violent nighttime raid. The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦600 million, which they later lowered to ₦200 million, but the family was unable to pay. Venerable Achi was reportedly killed while in captivity. Authorities confirmed that his wife and daughter were released late last night, ending their traumatic ordeal. News of their freedom has been met with relief across Nigeria, though many continue to mourn the priest’s death. Social media users described the situation as “bittersweet,” celebrating the family’s safe return while acknowledging the heavy loss. The incident underscores the growing insecurity in northern Nigeria and the dangers faced by religious leaders in the region.

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Supreme Court Dismisses Aminu Sule Lamido’s Appeal, Confirms $40,000 Forfeiture

The Supreme Court has upheld the forfeiture of $40,000 belonging to Aminu Sule Lamido, son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, rejecting his appeal against the Federal Government. A five-member panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro ruled that the appeal had no merit, confirming the decisions of the lower courts. In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro and read by Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar, the apex court described the appeal as “doomed to fail” and formally maintained that the funds be forfeited to the government. The case dates back to December 11, 2012, when Aminu Lamido was arrested at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while preparing to travel to Cairo, Egypt. Although he declared $10,000 to the Nigeria Customs Service, authorities found him in possession of $50,000 in cash. He was arraigned on February 4, 2013, at the Federal High Court in Kano on a charge of false declaration of foreign currency under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. On July 12, 2015, the trial court convicted him and ordered that 25 percent of the undeclared cash be forfeited to the Federal Government. The Court of Appeal in Kaduna upheld the judgment on December 7, 2015. Dissatisfied, Aminu Lamido took the matter to the Supreme Court. At the final hearing, lawyers for both sides adopted their written submissions before the court reserved judgment. On Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, ruling that the lower courts had properly evaluated the evidence and applied the law. The forfeiture of the $40,000 to the Federal Government remains in effect.

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Anthony Joshua Resumes Training 19 Days After Tragic Car Crash That Killed Two Friends

Anthony Joshua has made a return to training just under three weeks after a devastating car accident that claimed the lives of two close associates. The 36-year-old former heavyweight champion was injured in the December 29 crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which killed his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and trainer Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele. Joshua shared a Snapchat video of himself hitting pads with the caption “mental strength therapy,” marking a step toward regaining normalcy. Additional clips showed him cycling on an exercise bike and swimming, all compiled into a short montage. Other posts included a photo of a cardio machine display, captioned “I am a fighter,” alongside a throwback image from his 2017 fight against Wladimir Klitschko. The boxer, of Nigerian descent, had been on holiday in Nigeria following his victory over Jake Paul in Miami just 10 days before the accident. At the time of the crash, Joshua’s driver, 47-year-old Adeniyi Kayode, did not hold a valid driver’s licence. The incident left Joshua hospitalized and led to criminal charges against Kayode. During a recent court session, Kayode pleaded not guilty to all charges, including dangerous driving, claiming the vehicle’s brakes failed. He was granted bail but taken to Sagamu Correctional Centre for documentation. Kayode’s lawyer, Olalekan Abiodun, said his client had recently renewed his licence and was cleared to drive pending the release of the updated document. He described the crash as an accident and explained that Joshua initially sat in the front seat but swapped places with the driver due to his size, while Latif Ayodele also moved seats before the collision occurred.

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Unai Emery Wins Premier League Manager Of The Month After Aston Villa’s Five-Win December

Unai Emery has been named Premier League Manager of the Month for December after masterminding a stunning finish to the year for Aston Villa. Under his guidance, Villa won five of their last six league games in 2025, defeating top teams including Brighton, Arsenal, West Ham, Manchester United, and Chelsea. The impressive form lifted Villa to third place in the league as the new year began. This is the third time Emery has claimed the Premier League Manager of the Month award, having previously won it in April and December 2023. He topped a competitive shortlist that included Mikel Arteta, Daniel Farke, and Pep Guardiola.

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Plateau Imam Who Saved 262 Christians During 2018 Clashes Dies At 90

Abubakar Abdullahi, the Imam of Nghar village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State who protected hundreds of Christians during violent communal unrest, has passed away. The death of the cleric was confirmed on Friday by his son, Salah Abubakar, who said his father died on Thursday night at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos. According to him, the Imam had been hospitalised for days after battling health challenges related to a heart condition. “He died ten days after he was admitted. He was initially diagnosed with a heart problem. He’d go for check-ups and return. His health hadn’t been stable since the heart disease diagnosis.” The late Imam reportedly died at the age of 90 and is survived by 19 children, comprising 12 boys and seven girls. Imam Abdullahi gained widespread recognition in June 2018 when religious violence engulfed 10 villages in Barkin Ladi. During the attacks, he sheltered 262 Christians inside a mosque and his private residence, keeping them hidden until the crisis subsided and their lives were spared. His actions attracted local and international praise, earning him several honours, including the International Religious Freedom Award from the United States Department of State in 2019.

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Hellen Ati Appeals To Davido To Adopt Anu Amid DNA Controversy

Hellen Ati, the woman linked to nightlife figure Cubana Chief Priest, has appealed to Afrobeats star Davido to show kindness to Anu, the 11-year-old girl at the centre of the ongoing paternity controversy. Reacting to the DNA dispute involving the singer and the child who claims to be his daughter, the Kenyan woman said Davido is known for his love for children and should consider supporting the girl regardless of the DNA outcome. She suggested adoption as an option, stressing that it would not diminish the singer in any way. “Please just help her. You can still adopt her, it doesn’t mean anything. I know you love children a lot, not like Pascal Okechukwu, big belle for no reason.”

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Panic as Part of Public School Collapses in Ikorodu, Lagos

Residents of Odo-Kekere Community in Ikorodu, Lagos State, were thrown into alarm on Thursday evening after part of a building at a local public school suddenly collapsed. The incident occurred after school hours, and many have described the outcome as a narrow escape. According to sources, a section of the school structure gave way with a loud crash, drawing neighbours to the scene. Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) arrived quickly, cordoning off the area to prevent further accidents. Preliminary reports indicate that no students were in the classrooms at the time of the collapse. Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident and the extent of the damage, while search and rescue teams continue to ensure no staff or security personnel were trapped under the debris. Mrs. Boluwaji Aderinto, a resident whose home is adjacent to the school, expressed concern over the state of local school buildings. “We heard a loud crack and then dust everywhere. We thank God it didn’t happen in the morning when the children were in their desks. This is a wake-up call for the government,” she said. A high-level delegation from the Lagos State Ministry of Education visited the site to assess the situation. A senior ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed, “We have officers on site, including the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, already assessing the situation for further action.” The collapse has intensified calls for urgent inspection, renovation, and overhaul of public and private school buildings across Lagos to ensure the safety of students and staff.

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Ugandan Opposition Leader, Bobi Wine Placed Under House Arrest as Museveni Leads Uganda Election

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was placed under house arrest on Friday, following elections that showed President Yoweri Museveni holding a commanding lead as he seeks to extend his 40-year rule. Museveni, who has governed Uganda since 1986, has faced widespread criticism for repressing opposition ahead of the vote, and his government imposed an internet blackout earlier this week. With roughly a quarter of votes counted, the Electoral Commission reported Museveni at 76.25 per cent and Wine at 19.85 per cent. Thursday’s voting was disrupted by technical problems, including malfunctioning biometric machines and delayed ballot deliveries in several areas. Final results for both presidential and parliamentary elections are expected by 0200 GMT on Saturday. Analysts say the outcome was largely predictable, given Museveni’s tight control over the state and security forces. The 81-year-old former guerrilla has routinely sidelined challengers during his four decades in power. Wine, 43, born Robert Kyagulanyi, has become Museveni’s most prominent opponent. The former singer, who grew up in Kampala’s slums, calls himself the “ghetto president.” “The military and police have surrounded the residence of President Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert, effectively placing him and his wife under house arrest,” his party, the National Unity Platform, said on X late Thursday. “Security officers have unlawfully jumped over the perimeter fence and are now erecting tents within his compound.” AFP journalists visiting Wine’s home on Friday described the scene as calm, though a military vehicle and several police officers were stationed outside. A heavy security presence was reported across Uganda on election day. The United Nations had warned that the elections were taking place in an environment of “widespread repression and intimidation” against opposition figures. Wine also alleged “massive ballot stuffing” and attacks on his party officials during the internet blackout, though these claims could not be independently verified.

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