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Kamal Yalwa

Putin Responds To US Sanctions, Calls Them Unfriendly Act

Kamal Yalwa02 mins

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the latest US sanctions on Russia as an “unfriendly act,” but insisted that Moscow will not yield to external pressure. Speaking at the Russian Geographical Society in Moscow on Thursday, Putin said the sanctions would not have a significant impact on Russia’s economy, although he acknowledged that they strain relations between Moscow and Washington. “The sanctions are an attempt to put pressure on Russia, but dialogue is always better than war,” Putin was quoted as saying by Russian state media, TASS. The remarks come a day after US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, citing the Kremlin’s failure to make progress toward ending its war in Ukraine. Putin argued that replacing Russian oil on global markets would take time and likely trigger higher prices worldwide. Addressing Trump’s recent comments about cancelling their planned summit in Budapest, the Russian leader clarified that the meeting had been initiated by the United States and was more likely “postponed” than cancelled. Despite mounting tensions, Putin reiterated that Russia remains open to dialogue, saying both nations have “many areas for cooperation.”

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PDP Reacts To Senator Jarigbe’s Defection To APC

Kamal Yalwa03 mins

The Cross River State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finally responded to the defection of Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that his exit will not weaken the party but instead strengthen its unity and resolve. In a statement released on Thursday, the PDP described Jarigbe’s defection as a personal decision that holds no consequence for the stability or structure of the party in the state. It reaffirmed its commitment to rebuilding a stronger, more united organisation at all levels. According to the statement, the senatorial mandate currently held by Jarigbe was the product of the collective efforts and sacrifices of PDP members and supporters in Cross River North. The party expressed disappointment that the senator chose to abandon the platform that enabled his political rise. “His decision is regrettable, but it will only serve to strengthen our internal cohesion and renew our dedication to the principles that have sustained the PDP as the most organised and people-oriented political movement in Cross River,” the statement read in part. Under the leadership of the Caretaker Committee chaired by Rt. Hon. Bassey Ewa, the PDP reiterated its focus on restoring unity, deepening grassroots mobilisation, and strengthening structures ahead of future elections. The party also emphasised that it remains steadfast in its mission to serve the people of Cross River through credible leadership and inclusive governance. Dr Maurice Ekong, the PDP’s Director of Media and Communications, urged members and supporters to remain calm and confident, assuring them that the party is “moving forward — stronger, more focused, and more determined than ever.”

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Tinubu Swears In Amupitan As INEC Chairman

Kamal Yalwa03 mins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the beginning of a new leadership era for Nigeria’s electoral body. The ceremony took place on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, one week after the Senate confirmed Amupitan’s appointment on October 16, following a rigorous screening exercise. In his address, President Tinubu charged the new INEC Chairman to “protect the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and the entire electoral process” while building on the institutional strength and independence of the commission. Amupitan, who arrived at the State House in a white agbada and gold cap, was accompanied by presidential aides and several dignitaries. The professor of law’s nomination had earlier been endorsed by the National Council of State before Senate confirmation. The 58-year-old legal scholar succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure recently ended, becoming the sixth substantive head of INEC since its establishment. During his Senate screening, Amupitan outlined his plans to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s elections by strengthening the Electoral Act, harmonising election timelines, and improving transparency in result transmission. He told lawmakers: “We must conduct elections where even the loser will congratulate the winner and say, ‘You won fairly and well.’ When that happens, voters’ confidence will naturally be restored.” Addressing speculations linking him to President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria dismissed the claims, saying: “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any of the parties.” Following his swearing-in, Professor Amupitan is expected to assume duties immediately at the INEC headquarters in Abuja and begin the transition process at the commission.

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Trump Hits Russia’s Oil Giants With Sanctions as EU Bans Russian LNG

Kamal Yalwa05 mins

United States President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia’s largest oil companies, marking his first major punitive move against Moscow since returning to the White House. The decision comes amid growing frustration over Russia’s failure to make progress in ceasefire talks aimed at ending its war in Ukraine. On the same day, the European Union announced its 19th sanctions package, which includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions target Rosneft and Lukoil—Russia’s two biggest oil producers—along with dozens of their subsidiaries. He accused President Vladimir Putin of showing “a lack of serious commitment” to peace efforts and vowed to tighten restrictions further if Russia’s aggression continues. “Today’s actions increase pressure on Russia’s energy sector and degrade the Kremlin’s ability to raise revenue for its war machine,” Bessent said in a statement. The measures freeze US-based assets of the targeted firms and prohibit Americans from conducting business with them. However, China and India—Russia’s key oil customers—were notably excluded from the list. Trump told reporters he plans to raise concerns about China’s continued imports of Russian oil during his meeting with President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in South Korea next week. “Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, but they don’t go anywhere,” Trump said, expressing frustration over stalled truce negotiations. The Kremlin has yet to issue an official response to the sanctions. Rosneft, Russia’s state-controlled oil giant and its second-largest company by revenue, has been struggling under previous international restrictions and declining oil prices, reporting a 68 percent drop in net income for the first half of 2025. Lukoil, the country’s top private oil firm, also reported a 26.5 percent profit decline last year due to heavy taxation tied to Moscow’s war spending. The United Kingdom had already sanctioned both companies last week, with British officials declaring there was “no place for Russia in global markets” as long as it continues its war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, in Brussels, EU leaders formally approved a wide-ranging sanctions package that includes a phased ban on Russian LNG imports—ending short-term contracts within six months and long-term ones by January 2027. The decision followed last-minute negotiations to secure Slovakia’s support after its prime minister raised concerns about energy costs and climate policy impacts on heavy industries. The latest EU measures also impose travel restrictions on Russian diplomats, sanction 117 more ships from Moscow’s “shadow fleet” used to evade restrictions, and expand financial penalties to banks in Kazakhstan and Belarus. Welcoming the move, Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the EU’s decision would further cut Moscow’s war funding. “The logic is simple – less money in Russia means fewer missiles in Ukraine,” he wrote on Telegram, adding that a 20th sanctions package was already being prepared.

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Chelsea 5–1 Ajax: Blues Thrash 10-Man Dutch Side in Wild First Half to Claim Second Champions League Win

Chelsea 5–1 Ajax: Blues Thrash 10-Man Dutch Side in Wild First Half to Claim Second Champions League Win

Kamal Yalwa04 mins

Chelsea produced a stunning display at Stamford Bridge, dismantling 10-man Ajax 5–1 in a chaotic first half that featured five goals, three penalties, and a red card — securing their second Champions League victory of the season. Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor’s reckless tackle on Facundo Buonanotte in the 17th minute earned him a straight red card, setting the stage for a frenetic opening period that Chelsea completely dominated. With an average starting age of just over 22 years, Enzo Maresca’s youthful side became the first team in Champions League history to have three teenagers — Marc Guiu, Estevao, and Tyrique George — score in the same game. Chelsea made ten changes from their weekend Premier League win over Nottingham Forest, with only Romeo Lavia retaining his place. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez returned to the lineup, and both quickly made their presence felt. Guiu opened the scoring from close range before Caicedo doubled the lead with a deflected strike from distance. Ajax briefly fought back when Wout Weghorst converted a penalty after Tosin Adarabioyo’s foul on Raul Moro. However, the Dutch striker then conceded a penalty at the other end with a rash challenge on Fernandez, who calmly restored Chelsea’s two-goal cushion from the spot. The chaos continued as Estevao — one of Chelsea’s standout performers — won another penalty before confidently converting it himself after Fernandez handed him the ball. The first half ended 4–1, with the game effectively settled before the interval. Early in the second half, substitute Tyrique George added a fifth for the hosts, his deflected effort putting the result beyond any doubt. Chelsea continued to press, with Jamie Gittens and Estevao going close, but the damage had already been done in a relentless first 45 minutes. After the match, Maresca praised Estevao’s performance, drawing comparisons to former protégé Cole Palmer: “He reminds me of Cole at a similar age — playing wide now, but in time he’ll move inside. He’s humble, polite, and eager to learn, which makes him special.” Sky Sports’ David Richardson described the young side’s performance as a glimpse into Chelsea’s bright future. “It looked more like a Conference League lineup on paper, but the youngsters proved their worth on Europe’s biggest stage. The kids are alright,” he wrote. With four consecutive wins across all competitions, Chelsea’s momentum is growing — and they’re doing it without injured star Cole Palmer. Under Maresca’s guidance, the future looks increasingly bright for the Blues.

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Eintracht Frankfurt 1–5 Liverpool: Slot’s Men End Losing Streak With Dominant Champions League Win

Kamal Yalwa04 mins

Liverpool snapped their four-game losing streak in emphatic style with a 5-1 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, despite manager Arne Slot benching star forward Mohamed Salah for a second consecutive European match. The Reds endured a shaky start when former Leeds defender Rasmus Kristensen opened the scoring for Frankfurt in the 26th minute. However, Liverpool responded in devastating fashion, scoring three goals in nine minutes before halftime to turn the game on its head. Hugo Ekitike — playing against his former club — levelled in the 35th minute after a swift counter-attack, calmly slotting past the goalkeeper. Captain Virgil van Dijk (39’) and Ibrahima Konate (44’) both scored headers from corners to give Liverpool a 3–1 lead at the break. Liverpool continued their dominance in the second half despite losing Alexander Isak to a groin injury at halftime. Florian Wirtz set up Cody Gakpo (66’) for Liverpool’s fourth, before Dominik Szoboszlai (70’) sealed the win with a stunning long-range strike. It was a night of redemption for Arne Slot’s side, who had struggled in recent weeks. The Liverpool boss told TNT Sports: “We needed a win. More importantly, we needed a performance where we create chances and get the reward. That’s what happened. The main difference today was that we scored from set pieces instead of conceding from them.” Mohamed Salah came off the bench with 15 minutes left but couldn’t end his six-game goal drought, while Ekitike — named Man of the Match — impressed again, scoring his first Champions League goal for Liverpool. Slot confirmed post-match that Isak’s substitution was due to injury: “Alexander had to go off at half-time because he felt his groin a little bit. Let’s hope for the best, but it’s not an easy balance when a player has been out for so long.” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk praised the team’s response after a difficult run. “I don’t know if it’s a statement, but it’s a win and something to build on,” he said. “We’ve been disappointed with losing games, but the only way forward is to stick together, block out the noise, and keep working.” With the victory, Liverpool remain firmly in contention in their Champions League group, and attention now turns to their Premier League clash with Brentford this weekend — where Slot’s rejuvenated side will aim to maintain their newfound momentum.

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Alexander Isak Suffers Groin Injury In Liverpool’s 5-1 Champions League Win Over Frankfurt

Kamal Yalwa05 mins

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that striker Alexander Isak was withdrawn at half-time during the Reds’ emphatic 5-1 Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt due to a groin injury. The Swedish forward, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United for £125 million this summer, was replaced by Federico Chiesa at the break after feeling discomfort. Speaking after the game, Slot told TNT Sports: “Alexander had to go off at half-time because he felt his groin a little bit. That’s a pity. I’ve said many times it’s such a difficult balance to find with a player that missed three months. We’ve now played him for the second time in three days and unfortunately, he had to go off.” Isak’s fitness has been a concern since joining the club, with past records showing he missed one game in 2024/25 and twelve in 2023/24 due to similar issues. Slot expressed hope that the injury would not be serious, warning that a few weeks on the sidelines could set back the striker’s recovery progress. “Let’s hope for the best,” he said. “If he’s out for a few weeks, it will put him back, so let’s wait.” Meanwhile, Isak’s strike partner Hugo Ekitike, who also joined Liverpool this summer, said their partnership was still developing. “It was not our best half together, but we can improve. He’s a very good player, and with time, the links will come,” Ekitike said. The match also saw right-back Jeremie Frimpong suffer a hamstring injury, forcing him off for Conor Bradley in the first half. The Dutch defender is expected to be out for a few weeks, adding to Liverpool’s growing injury list. Despite the setbacks, Slot was relieved to see his team return to winning ways after four straight defeats. “We needed a win,” he said. “The difference today was that we scored from set-pieces instead of conceding from them. When you’re 3-1 up, you control the game differently.” Ekitike, who scored against his former club, refused to celebrate and expressed gratitude to Frankfurt for shaping his career. “It was special for me to come back. I have so much respect for them. They made me the player I am today,” he told TNT Sports. Captain Virgil van Dijk, who also found the net, said the win was an important morale boost rather than a statement. “I don’t know if it’s a statement, but it’s a win and something to build on,” he said. “We’ve been disappointed with losing games, but the only way forward is to stick together, block the outside noise, and keep working.” Liverpool will now turn their attention to their next Premier League fixture against Brentford, hoping to maintain momentum while monitoring Isak’s recovery closely.

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EXCLUSIVE: DIA Secretly Detains 16 Military Officers Over Alleged Coup Plot, Families Raise Alarm

Kamal Yalwa05 mins

At least 16 Nigerian military officers are being secretly detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Abuja over an alleged coup plot, multiple sources have told SaharaReporters. The officers have been held for more than three weeks without access to their families or legal representation, sparking widespread concern among relatives and security observers. Family members said they initially feared their loved ones had been kidnapped before learning of their detention through informal channels. “It’s been 18 days since those 16 officers were detained in an undisclosed location. At first, we thought our brother was kidnapped before finding out what transpired from his friend who works in the NSA office,” one family member told SaharaReporters. “No official explanation from the military till date. None of the families has been allowed to visit or even call them. Everyone is scared about their present condition.” The Defence Intelligence Agency, which operates under the Ministry of Defence, is primarily tasked with intelligence gathering and counter-espionage. However, sources say the agency’s role in detaining and interrogating military officers accused of misconduct is unusual and possibly outside its legal mandate. Normally, such cases are handled directly by the relevant service authorities — the Nigerian Army, Navy, or Air Force. A former military officer and security expert told SaharaReporters that the DIA’s involvement raises questions about due process and transparency. “In the military, if an army officer offends, he is to be charged by the Nigerian Army directly. The same applies to the Navy and Air Force,” he said. “We want to know when the DIA started handling cases of indiscipline. When did it become a military court?” He added that the selective detention of 16 officers, allegedly drawn from all three military branches, points to a deeper political motive. “Why only 16 officers? Why pick from all three services and then hand them over to the DIA? This doesn’t follow standard military procedure,” he said. The source also criticised the response of the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, accusing him of evading direct questions from journalists. “Only two questions about why the officers are with the DIA and why they’re being denied family access would have been enough to clarify things, but he avoided them,” he noted. Reports of the alleged coup plot first emerged in an earlier SaharaReporters exclusive published on Saturday, which revealed that the suspected officers were attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). The office is headed by Nuhu Ribadu, a retired police officer and lawyer serving as National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu. While the military has downplayed the situation — claiming the arrests were due to “repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived career stagnation” — sources maintain that the ongoing detention is directly linked to a suspected coup plot. The secrecy surrounding the officers’ whereabouts and the lack of official communication have only deepened public anxiety about the true nature of the case.

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