Ukrainian Intelligence Confirms Two Nigerians Killed While Fighting As Russian Mercenaries

Ukrainian Defence Intelligence (UDI) has confirmed that two Nigerian men, Hamzat Kazeem Kolawole and Mbah Stephen Udoka, were killed while fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine. The announcement comes amid repeated Russian denials that Nigerians are being recruited to fight on the frontlines. Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Andrey Podyolyshev, told reporters in Abuja on Tuesday that he had no knowledge of any government-backed programme involving Nigerians and insisted that any such activity, if it exists, is not connected to the Russian state. On Thursday, UDI released photographs showing the two Nigerians who died in the Luhansk region. The agency said both men served in the 423rd Guards Motor Rifle Regiment (unit 91701) of the 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division of the Russian Armed Forces. Kolawole signed a contract on August 29, 2025, while Udoka joined on September 28, 2025. According to UDI, Udoka received no military training and was deployed to Ukrainian territory just five days after signing. Kolawole’s training records are missing, but it is believed he also had minimal preparation. Kolawole leaves behind a wife and three children in Nigeria. Both men were killed in late November during an attempted assault on Ukrainian positions. UDI noted that “they never engaged in a firefight — the mercenaries were eliminated by a drone strike.” The agency warned foreign nationals against traveling to Russia, stating that doing so carries the risk of being forced into frontline combat and ultimately killed. This is part of a broader pattern. DAILY NIGERIAN previously reported that four other Nigerians — Adam Anas, Akinlawon Tunde Quyuum, Abugu Stanley Onyeka, and Balogun Ridwan Adisa — were killed in Ukraine after being recruited under the guise of “security jobs.” They underwent only three weeks of training before deployment between December 2025 and January 2026. Sources said the Russian Embassy in Abuja issued the recruits single-entry tourist visas without biometric capture or other standard requirements. Once in Russia, they were allegedly forced into military service, made to sign contracts in Russian without translation or legal counsel, and had their passports confiscated, preventing them from leaving.

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Raheem Sterling Signs With Feyenoord After Leaving Chelsea

Former Raheem Sterling has officially joined Dutch side Feyenoord on a contract running until the end of the season. The 31-year-old winger parted ways with Chelsea by mutual consent in January, agreeing on a settlement over the remaining 18 months of his contract, reportedly worth over £300,000 per week. After exploring multiple options, Sterling opted to move to Feyenoord, who sit second in the Eredivisie and are managed by former Robin van Persie. “As a free agent, I’ve had, for the first time in a long time, the opportunity to control the next step in my career,” Sterling said. “I wanted to take my time to speak with clubs and their head coaches to understand the role they envisioned for me and ensure I can add real value in this next chapter. Having spoken in detail with Robin, I’m confident that Feyenoord is a place I can be happy and establish myself as a valued member of the team. Playing abroad is a new challenge for me – one I’m ready to embrace. Honestly, I’m just excited to get started.” Van Persie expressed his delight at securing Sterling, saying: “It’s a fantastic achievement to convince a player of Raheem’s calibre to join us. His football resume speaks for itself – he can change the outcome of a game, and I am convinced he will be a valuable addition as we work towards our goals in the second half of this season.” Feyenoord currently trail league leaders PSV by 17 points in the Eredivisie.

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Old Man – Wizkid Slams 2Baba For Ranking Burna Boy Above Him On Global Stage

Nigerian Afrobeat superstar Wizkid has taken aim at music veteran 2Baba after the latter ranked Burna Boy above him on the global stage. In a recent interview with Seun Okinbaloye, 2Baba shared his view on Nigeria’s “Big 3” — Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy — acknowledging Burna Boy as the leading Nigerian artist internationally. Wizkid responded on Snapchat, dismissing 2Baba’s opinion and calling him an “old man,” while urging him to settle personal matters before commenting on music. “Make peace with your family first before having opinions about music. Old man. I’m never letting it slack in 2026,” Wizkid wrote.

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Atiku, Amaechi Visit El-Rufai After Airport Arrest Drama In Abuja

Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi have thrown their weight behind former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai following an attempted arrest at the airport in Abuja. The two political figures were said to have visited El-Rufai at his residence in the Federal Capital Territory late Thursday night. Amaechi’s visit was described as a show of solidarity, coming hours after security operatives tried to detain the former governor. The incident occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport shortly after El-Rufai arrived from Cairo, Egypt. According to accounts shared by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, security personnel approached him as he disembarked and attempted to take him into custody. El-Rufai reportedly refused to go with the operatives, insisting that he would not submit to arrest without a formal warrant or written invitation. “Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir El-Rufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo. Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal invitation.” Videos circulating online captured a tense standoff, with supporters and bystanders gathering around the former governor while operatives tried to enforce the move. Witnesses said the scene became chaotic as members of the public demanded that due process be observed. During the confrontation, operatives allegedly confiscated El-Rufai’s international passport before withdrawing from the airport when he declined to accompany them. “They, however, snatched his passport from an aide.” As of press time, it remained uncertain whether the action was initiated by the Department of State Services or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as neither body had issued an official statement. In a reaction issued through his media office in Abuja, Atiku criticised what he described as a “crude and unorthodox attempt” to arrest the former governor. “While I support the anti-corruption effort in the country (having been pivotal in setting up the commission), I am worried about the politicisation of arrests that disproportionately target opposition leaders, especially the ADC since it came into being”. “The fanatical zeal the EFCC has been going after ADC coalition figures” is a deviation from its constitutional mandate. He warned that the EFCC must not be reduced to a political instrument, adding, “if we continue on this path, the EFCC will lose credibility and compromise its independence.” Atiku also recalled recommendations by the Uwais Panel on Electoral Reforms, which proposed that the EFCC chairman should be answerable to the Chief Justice of Nigeria to safeguard the commission’s independence. He lamented that the implementation committee established under the administration of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua did not adopt that proposal.

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Lookman Inspires Atletico Madrid To 4-0 Rout Of Barcelona In Copa Del Rey Semifinal

Atletico Madrid produced a ruthless display to dismantle Barcelona 4-0 in their Copa del Rey semifinal showdown at the Metropolitano Stadium. Ademola Lookman delivered a standout performance, finding the net and setting up another as Diego Simeone’s men took full control of the tie. The hosts needed barely a minute to move in front after Barcelona defender Eric Garcia inadvertently steered the ball past his own goalkeeper. The early setback left the visitors rattled, and Atletico quickly capitalized. Antoine Griezmann made it two in the 14th minute, finishing calmly inside the area after a well-worked attacking sequence sliced through Barcelona’s backline. The third goal showcased Atletico’s fluid movement. Giuliano Simeone sparked the move before Julian Alvarez teed up Lookman, who slotted home confidently in the 33rd minute to continue his fine scoring run. Lookman capped a superb first-half display in stoppage time, turning provider for Alvarez, who rifled a precise effort from the edge of the box to send the home crowd into raptures at 4-0. The Nigerian forward has seamlessly transitioned his form from the Africa Cup of Nations into Spanish competition, contributing four goals in just three appearances for Atletico. His impact was also evident in his earlier Copa del Rey outing against Real Betis. Barcelona struggled to find rhythm throughout the encounter. Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo both tested goalkeeper Juan Musso, but Atletico’s defence remained composed under pressure. The second half saw the hosts maintain their intensity, with Alvarez and Lookman continuing to threaten on the break. The emphatic result leaves Barcelona with a daunting challenge in the return leg, while Atletico Madrid edge closer to securing a place in the Copa del Rey final.

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Arsenal Draw 1-1 With Brentford As Premier League Lead Slips To Four Points

Arsenal saw their lead at the top of the Premier League trimmed to four points after a 1-1 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Stadium on Thursday, despite a second-half goal from Noni Madueke. Mikel Arteta made four changes from the side that defeated Sunderland on Saturday, introducing Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze, and Viktor Gyokeres. William Saliba (illness) and Kai Havertz (hamstring) were absent, though Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard returned to the squad after injury. FIRST HALF The opening period was cautious, with Arsenal holding possession but struggling to create clear chances, while Brentford pressed effectively and protected key passing lanes. Both teams saw early bookings: Janelt for Brentford and Gabriel for Arsenal. Brentford had the first real opportunity when David Raya miscontrolled a routine pass, but quickly recovered with a reflex save from Igor Thiago’s powerful header. As the first half progressed, Brentford dominated possession, exposing Arsenal’s lack of rhythm and mistakes across the pitch. Arsenal managed their best move in the 41st minute when Leandro Trossard freed Hincapie on the left, only for his low cross to be cleared. Overall, the Gunners were sluggish, lacking sharpness or technical control to trouble Brentford, who defended well and looked comfortable on the ball. SECOND HALF Arteta made an early change at the break, bringing on Martin Odegaard for Eze, who had little impact in the first half. The substitution injected energy into Arsenal, with faster ball movement and sharper combinations around the box. Odegaard’s early attempt went over, but Arsenal took the lead against the run of play. After Kayode intercepted a quick Brentford throw, Hincapie delivered a deep cross that Madueke headed brilliantly across Kelleher into the net. 0-1. Arsenal then nearly doubled their lead when Odegaard dispossessed Janelt, passed to Rice, who squared to Gyokeres—but Kayode made a crucial goal-line interception. Brentford responded with chances of their own: Igor Thiago tested Raya, and Kayode’s central shot was blocked bravely by Gabriel. Brentford eventually equalized through a long throw from Kayode. Van den Berg flicked on the ball, and Lewis-Potter outmaneuvered Odegaard to head past Raya. 1-1. In the closing stages, Arteta shuffled his side, bringing on Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Martinelli for Hincapie and Trossard. Brentford looked the more likely winners late on, but Raya produced a stunning recovery save to deny them. Arsenal will rue the missed Gyokeres chance, while Brentford’s persistence earned them a deserved point, keeping the top-of-the-table race tight.

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Anthony Joshua Tattoos Names of Late Friends and Trainers to Honor Their Memory

Heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has honored his late friends and trainers, Sina Ghami and Kevin “Latif” Ayodele, who tragically died in a car accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria. Joshua, who survived the crash but sustained injuries as a passenger, recently had their names tattooed on his arm as a permanent tribute. The gesture comes just weeks after the loss, highlighting AJ’s commitment to keeping their memories alive. Fullham Tattoo in London, where Joshua got the ink, shared on Instagram that his visit was both a surprise and his first time getting tattooed at the shop. In an emotional video, the 29-4 fighter said, “I’m gonna do what’s right by them. I’m gonna do what’s right by their family,” underscoring his dedication to honoring his friends and supporting their loved ones. The tattoo stands as a poignant reminder of the bond Joshua shared with Sina and Latif, and the profound impact they had on his life both inside and outside the ring.

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Fubara Dissolves Rivers Executive Council, Directs Immediate Handover

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has officially dissolved the State Executive Council, with the directive taking immediate effect. All commissioners and special advisers are required to hand over their duties to the permanent secretaries or the most senior officials in their respective ministries. Governor Fubara thanked the outgoing members for their contributions and wished them success in their future endeavors. The development was confirmed on Thursday in a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi.

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