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El-Rufai Alleges Kaduna Government Paid ₦1 Billion To Bandits, Sparks Outcry

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused the current state administration of paying ₦1 billion to bandits, igniting a political controversy. Speaking at a recent public event, El-Rufai claimed the government has been not only making payments but also negotiating with and issuing apologies to criminal groups responsible for ongoing attacks across the state. “One billion naira was paid to bandits by the current Kaduna government. They are paying bandits and apologizing to them. If the governor or anyone disagrees, let them come out and deny it — we have the evidence and proof,” El-Rufai said. The allegations have drawn strong public reactions amid Kaduna’s persistent security challenges, which include killings, mass abductions, and attacks on schools and highways. Security experts warn that if the claims are confirmed, they could severely damage the credibility of the government’s security strategy. Residents and political observers are now calling for transparency and an official response from the state government regarding the handling of Kaduna’s security situation.

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2Baba And Natasha Osawaru Welcome Baby Girl As Congratulations Flood In

Congratulations have continued to trail music legend 2Face Idibia, widely known as 2Baba, and his wife, Natasha Osawaru, after reports emerged that the couple have welcomed their first child together. Speculation started late Friday when Natasha — who also represents Edo State in the House of Assembly — was seen at a hospital, sparking talk that she was set to give birth. Not long after, she confirmed the news herself. In a brief Facebook post, Natasha announced the arrival of their baby girl with the simple message: “It’s a Girl.” Her post immediately triggered a wave of reactions online as fans, colleagues and well-wishers sent in their heartfelt congratulations. Social media users praised the couple, with one person writing, “Love this for 2Baba and Natasha. God bless their new home,” while another joked, “2Baba doesn’t waste time… Aww, welcome baby girl.” The child’s arrival comes months after 2Baba officially ended his marriage to Annie Macaulay. Their separation, announced earlier in the year, was later confirmed by Annie during the 17th Headies Awards. Following the split, 2Baba and Natasha publicly formalised their relationship and later sealed it with a traditional wedding ceremony, moving forward as a new family.

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Fifty Children Escape From Niger School Abductors As CAN Confirms 315 Taken

Fifty children who were among the hundreds abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, have successfully fled from their captors and returned to their families, according to a fresh update from the Christian Association of Nigeria. The children escaped in two waves between Friday and Saturday, prompting CAN officials to begin contacting parents directly to verify their return. The confirmation followed visits to several homes, where families reported that their children had shown up on their own after wandering away from the abductors. CAN explained that the primary section of the school has 430 pupils, including 377 boarders. After accounting for those who escaped and those who were never taken, authorities now say 236 pupils remain in captivity. They are being held alongside three children of staff members, 14 secondary school students, and 12 staff — a total of 253 people still missing. Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who oversees the school, urged residents to remain calm and prayerful, noting that the situation is still unfolding. He assured the public that church leaders are working closely with security agencies, community heads and government officials to secure the release of every remaining hostage. The mass abduction happened on Friday when armed attackers overran the school. While early reports estimated 227 victims, a detailed verification carried out by CAN revealed that 315 people were actually taken — 303 students and 12 teachers. The corrected figure emerged after parents who initially believed their children had escaped later returned to report them missing. CAN’s checks showed that 88 of those students were captured while attempting to flee during the chaos of the attack.

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Obesere’s Show Turns Violent As Thugs Invade Okitipupa Burial Ceremony

Fuji star Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere found himself at the centre of a violent disturbance during a burial ceremony in Okitipupa, Ondo State, after a group of suspected thugs stormed the event and attacked his entourage. The clash happened on Friday at the Government Field, where Obesere had been invited to perform. The gathering was already underway when troublemakers reportedly pushed their way into the venue and confronted members of his band, turning the atmosphere tense within minutes. Amid the disorder, one member of the band was said to have been stabbed while trying to protect the rest of the team from the attackers. His condition was still uncertain as at the time of the incident. Guests were thrown into panic as the violence spread. One attendee, Bosede Akinyemi, who witnessed the scene, said the ceremony collapsed into confusion as people ran for safety. She recalled that the intruders damaged the band’s instruments and assaulted some of Obesere’s crew. “I was at the party. It was a very shameful act as a group of boys—known thugs in the community—caused trouble. They attacked Obesere and his band while they were performing. They descended on some of his boys and destroyed his musical equipment,” she said. Local Government chairman Hon. Andrew Ogunsakin denounced the incident, expressing displeasure over the treatment of the musician and his crew. He described the attack as unacceptable and out of character for the community. “I received the news of the unfortunate mistreatment meted out to Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere and his team at the Government Field, Okitipupa, with deep disappointment and utmost distaste. This incident is unacceptable and does not reflect the values we uphold as a people,” he noted. He added that he would reach out personally to Obesere and promised a full review of the incident to prevent a recurrence.

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Harvey Barnes Scores Twice as Newcastle Beat Manchester City 2-0

All the talk before the match centered on Erling Haaland chasing Alan Shearer’s record for the fewest games to reach 100 Premier League goals. But it was Harvey Barnes who stole the spotlight, scoring twice to become the first Newcastle player to net a Premier League brace against Manchester City since Shearer in November 2003. It was a frustrating day for City, who had hoped to close the gap on Arsenal, who won’t play until Sunday, after gaining two points on them before the international break. Guardiola kept faith with the same starting XI for a third straight Premier League match—the first time he had done so since August and September 2021—seeking continuity and momentum. The game was wide open from the start. Both sides created numerous chances, yet opportunities were repeatedly wasted. Haaland failed to get a shot off after Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope rushed out, while Nick Woltemade was denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Barnes missed a sitter from Jacob Murphy’s cross, and Haaland later fired straight at Pope from close range. Phil Foden then missed arguably the best chance of the half. By the break, seven big chances had been created (four for Newcastle, three for City), generating a combined 2.59 expected goals (1.18 for Newcastle, 1.41 for City), but the score remained 0-0. It was the most big chances in a goalless first half since 2010-11 and the second-highest non-penalty xG recorded in a goalless Premier League first half since 2012-13.  

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FG Denies Claim Of Nationwide Unity School Shutdown

The Federal Ministry of Education has debunked viral claims that all schools nationwide were instructed to shut down on November 24, 2025, describing the message circulating on social media as entirely unfounded. In a statement released on Saturday, ministry spokesperson Folasade Boriowo stressed that no closure directive was issued by the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education, any State Ministry of Education, or any recognised security agency. She urged the public to rely strictly on verified information. According to the ministry, “Any announcement, advisory, or notice coming from unofficial or unverified sources should be ignored and not shared.” It advised Nigerians to confirm the authenticity of any message before circulating it to help curb the spread of misinformation. The clarification follows the Federal Government’s decision a day earlier to temporarily shut down 41 federal secondary schools located in high-risk areas after recent abductions in Niger and Kebbi states. Several state governments — including Kwara, Plateau, Katsina and Niger — have also closed some schools due to rising security concerns. In Taraba State, Governor Agbu Kefas ordered all public and private schools to immediately deboard their students as a precautionary safety measure.

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Terrorism: Rema Says Nigeria Cannot Be Great Until Its Youth Are Protected

Rema has weighed in on the escalating wave of terrorist attacks across Nigeria, warning that the nation cannot achieve true progress while its young people remain exposed and undervalued. Taking to his X page, he wrote: “Until they protect the youths and allow them to grow into their full potential, Nigeria will never be truly great. 💔🇳🇬” His remark comes at a tense moment for the country following recent terror strikes in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger that have triggered heightened security alerts nationwide. The attacks — ranging from assaults on communities to targeted strikes on schools — have deepened public anxiety and renewed calls for urgent action.

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Nottingham Forest Shock Liverpool With Comprehensive 3-0 Victory To Deepen Reds’ Premier League Crisis

Nottingham Forest produced a stunning upset at Anfield, cruising to a 3-0 victory that further damaged Liverpool’s fading title push and secured Forest’s first consecutive league wins on the ground in more than six decades. Murillo opened the scoring in the 33rd minute after Liverpool failed to clear a corner. The hosts protested that Dan Ndoye was offside and obstructing Alisson’s view, but the goal was allowed to stand. Forest struck again almost immediately after the restart, with Neco Williams pulling the ball back for Nicolo Savona to drive beyond Alisson. Liverpool’s misery deepened in the 78th minute when the goalkeeper parried Omari Hutchinson’s effort, only for Morgan Gibbs-White to pounce and finish from the middle of the box. The defeat marked Arne Slot’s sixth loss in seven league matches, leaving Liverpool provisionally 11th on 18 points, eight behind leaders Arsenal. Forest climbed to 16th with the emphatic win.

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