Trump Threatens to Kill Hamas Over Gaza Gang Clashes, Demands Immediate Disarmament

United States President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Hamas, threatening military action if the group continues its crackdown on Gaza-based gangs and alleged Israeli collaborators — a statement that appears to mark a sharp reversal from his earlier stance supporting Hamas’s actions. In a post shared on social media Thursday, Trump wrote: “If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the Deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Speaking later to reporters, the U.S. president clarified that American troops would not enter Gaza directly but suggested that nearby allies — an apparent reference to Israel — could take action “under U.S. auspices.” “It’s not going to be us. We won’t have to,” Trump said. “There are people very close, very nearby that will go in and they’ll do the trick very easily.” The comments represent a dramatic about-face for Trump, who earlier in the week appeared to condone Hamas’s violent campaign against Gaza gangs accused of looting aid and collaborating with Israel. “They did take out a couple of gangs that were very bad… and that didn’t bother me much, to be honest with you,” he told reporters on Tuesday. The latest tensions follow deadly clashes between Hamas fighters and armed clans in Gaza, which have left several people dead. Local reports say gang members armed by Israel were behind the killing of prominent Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi earlier this week. In June, Israeli officials admitted to arming certain Gaza gangs, some with ties to ISIL (ISIS), in an attempt to destabilise Hamas’s rule. The Interior Ministry in Gaza has since offered a general amnesty to gang members who did not take part in the fighting. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Hamas’s alleged execution of suspected Israeli collaborators, calling the acts a “heinous crime” and a violation of human rights. Under Trump’s ceasefire plan, Hamas is expected to fully disarm and relinquish control of Gaza’s administration — terms the group has yet to publicly accept. “They will disarm, and if they don’t, we will disarm them,” Trump warned, “and it’ll happen quickly and perhaps violently.” The truce, brokered earlier this week, has so far held despite continued Israeli violations that have killed several Palestinians. Israel has also delayed reopening the Rafah crossing with Egypt, citing Hamas’s alleged failure to return the bodies of Israeli captives. While Trump has touted the ceasefire as ushering in “a new Middle East,” his latest threats have cast serious doubt on the future stability of the fragile truce — and on Washington’s shifting role in Gaza’s postwar order.

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Colonel Michael Randrianirina Sworn In as Madagascar’s New President After Military Takeover

Madagascar has sworn in Colonel Michael Randrianirina as its new president, following a military takeover that ousted President Andry Rajoelina, who has since fled the country amid widespread protests and deadly unrest. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the High Constitutional Court in Antananarivo, officially confirming Randrianirina’s leadership after Rajoelina was impeached earlier in the week for “desertion of duty.” The new leader, dressed in a civilian suit instead of military uniform, sought to project an image of constitutional order and civilian inclusion. “Madagascar has not chosen a military regime,” Randrianirina told reporters, adding that his government “belongs to civilians” and that a consensus prime minister would soon be appointed. Randrianirina, 51, commander of the CAPSAT military unit, has pledged to hold elections within 18 to 24 months and said consultations are underway to form a transitional government blending civilian and military figures. His rise to power follows weeks of mass demonstrations over severe power and water shortages, which left at least 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations. Foreign diplomats from the United States, European Union, and France attended the inauguration ceremony, signaling cautious international engagement with the new administration. The ousted president, Rajoelina, reportedly fled to Reunion Island aboard a French military plane before travelling to Dubai, citing fears for his safety. His supporters have condemned the court’s decision, calling it “procedurally illegal” and warning of further instability. Madagascar now joins a growing list of African nations that have recently experienced military transitions, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea. Despite its natural wealth, Madagascar remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with nearly 80% of its 32 million citizens living in poverty, according to World Bank data. Regional and international bodies — including the African Union and Southern African Development Community (SADC) — have called for a swift return to constitutional democracy and the inclusion of youth and civil society in shaping the country’s political future.

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Activist Mahdi Shehu Raises Alarm Over ‘Victory Parade’ by Armed Bandits in Katsina

Prominent activist Mahdi Shehu has sounded the alarm over what he described as a “victory parade” staged by armed bandits in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, warning that criminal groups now operate with alarming impunity across parts of Northern Nigeria. In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Shehu said heavily armed bandits, clad in full combat uniforms, recently gathered in Bakori under the guise of a “peace deal” with a local community they had earlier subdued. He lamented that over the past decade, banditry has claimed countless lives and left hundreds of thousands killed, maimed, raped, or displaced, devastating rural economies and pushing many communities into poverty and fear. According to Shehu, many residents have been forced to submit to the bandits’ authority just to survive, agreeing to their conditions to gain temporary safety, access farmlands, or carry out basic trade in local markets. “The bandits have effectively carved out their own state within a state, where their rules override those of the government,” Shehu wrote. He further warned that similar patterns of control and coercion are now evident in several other parts of Northern Nigeria, where state presence is weak and local populations are left vulnerable. The activist’s revelations have sparked widespread concern online, with many Nigerians expressing outrage over the deepening insecurity and the growing influence of non-state armed groups in rural communities. Observers say the situation underscores the urgent need for stronger security operations, community resilience programs, and sustained government intervention to reclaim territories under bandit control.

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FG Launches National Job Centre Project to Tackle Unemployment, Boost Decent Work Opportunities

The Federal Government has unveiled the National Job Centre Project, a nationwide network of employability hubs designed to combat unemployment and promote dignified, inclusive, and transformative work for Nigerians. Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, announced the initiative during the Mastercard Foundation Annual Nigeria Partner Convening held in Lagos yesterday. According to her, the project is a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at connecting trained Nigerians to real job opportunities while strengthening the country’s labour market infrastructure. “The National Job Centres will integrate digital job matching, data tracking, and career advisory services to create a harmonised and inclusive system,” Onyejeocha said. She explained that the centres form part of a national labour framework intended to empower young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to local industries and compete confidently on the global stage. The minister also introduced the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) — a flagship initiative of the Ministry focused on improving youth employability and bridging the gap between training and employment. “Our goal is not just to create jobs but to build systems that protect workers’ rights, ensure fair wages, and strengthen labour market governance,” she added. Onyejeocha praised the Mastercard Foundation for its continued collaboration with Nigeria through the Young Africa Works strategy, which has supported job creation, entrepreneurship, and skills development for thousands of young Nigerians over the past six years. She noted that the Foundation’s approach aligns with the government’s effort to turn skills into sustainable employment, emphasizing the need for partnerships between the public and private sectors, development partners, and civil society. “Building an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem for work requires collective effort. We invite partners to collaborate with us in driving job access through these platforms and accelerating economic outcomes across Nigeria’s labour ecosystem,” she said. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision, Onyejeocha assured that the Ministry will continue to advance policies that promote employment creation, social inclusion, and economic stability. “The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment stands ready to continue working with the Mastercard Foundation and all stakeholders to build a future where work is dignified, inclusive, and transformative,” she concluded.  

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Wike Mocks Peter Obi, Says He’ll Keep Contesting For President On Social Media

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has mocked former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, saying he will remain a “social media presidential candidate” rather than one taken seriously in Nigeria. Wike made the remark on Thursday while commissioning newly constructed roads in the Mabushi District of Abuja, responding to Obi’s recent comments about the poor state of public schools in the FCT. Obi had visited LEA Primary School in Kapwa on Wednesday, where he described the condition of the school as a “national disgrace” and a reflection of the government’s neglect of education. He lamented the lack of chairs, toilets, and other basic facilities, blaming the situation on leadership failure. In a sharp response, Wike accused Obi of politicising the issue and using emotional gestures to gain sympathy on social media. He said his administration was already addressing infrastructure challenges in the FCT, insisting that Obi had no moral ground to criticise anyone’s performance. “I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to a local school and claimed the government has abandoned public education. His name is Mr Peter Obi. It’s not everything you must play politics with,” Wike said. The minister also took aim at Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, alleging that he ignored key infrastructure projects during his eight-year tenure. “Peter Obi, you were governor for eight years. If you had completed all the necessary work in Anambra, nobody would still be talking about development there today. And why did you fall out with your successor?” Wike questioned. He further compared Obi’s tenure to his own record in Abuja, saying: “We’ve only been in office for two years. You served eight years. Compare what we’ve done in two years in the FCT to what you did in Anambra in eight years. Can you really say you love this country or Ndi Anambra? Certainly not.” Wike concluded with a taunt: “You will continue to contest for President on social media, but never as President of Nigeria. You couldn’t manage your own party, yet you want to manage a country of over 200 million people. It’s not possible for people like you.”  

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Eve Esin Set To Wed This Weekend, Keeps Partner’s Identity Hidden

Nollywood star Eve Esin is preparing to walk down the aisle this weekend and has thrilled fans with a beautiful pre-wedding photo shared on Instagram. The actress, who has chosen to keep her partner’s identity private, expressed her joy and gratitude in the caption: “Mercy!! Take control, Lord! Love found me.” Following her post, fans and colleagues have flooded her page with congratulatory messages and warm wishes ahead of the big day. Eve’s upcoming wedding comes after years of public curiosity and speculation about her love life and relationship status.

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Sarah Martins Cries Out After Alleged Assault By KAI Officials While Feeding Homeless In Lagos

Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has accused officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) of assaulting her while she was cooking for homeless people in Lagos. The actress took to Instagram to share a video of her bruised hand and express her pain over the incident. She alleged that the uniformed men harassed her, seized her food, cooking gas, and other equipment she was using to feed the less privileged. Martins, who often organizes free feeding programs for vulnerable people, said she was heartbroken that her charitable act was met with violence. She wrote: “My heart aches. Today, as I was cooking free food for the vulnerable and homeless people on the streets of Lagos, like I always do, some uniformed men came there, harassed me, bullied me, and took away the food I was cooking, took away my cooking gas and everything I was making free food with. My only offence was serving love on a plate through my healthy meals. I am not a chef, and I do not cook for a living. My heart aches.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Chukwukere sarah ujunwa (@officialsarahmartins)

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Saudi Arabia Cuts Nigeria’s Hajj Camp Slots For 2026 Over Unused Quota

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has revealed that Saudi Arabia has significantly reduced the number of camp slots available for Nigerian pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj, following the country’s underutilisation of its quota during the 2025 exercise. In a statement released on Thursday by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Fatima Usara, NAHCON said Nigeria, which was allocated 95,000 slots, now has only 66,910 approved spaces on Saudi Arabia’s NUSUK Masar portal for camp accommodation. According to the statement titled “NAHCON, States Discuss Hajj Costing and Other Critical Issues; Ministry Briefs NAHCON on Tour Operators,” the commission warned that the cut would have serious implications for states and licensed tour operators. “The Mashair space reserved for Nigeria’s pilgrims on the NUSUK Masar portal is actually 66,910 slots for the 2026 Hajj. This means that out of the 95,000 slots allocated, only 51,513 are available for state pilgrims and officials, while 15,397 will go to licensed tour operators,” the statement read. The commission explained that the reduction was imposed by Saudi authorities as a penalty after Nigeria failed to fill its full quota in 2025. Although NAHCON had secured 52,544 spaces for state pilgrims in 2025, only 41,218 pilgrims were airlifted under the government quota. An additional 18,000 travelled through private tour operators, leaving more than 35,000 unused slots. During a meeting with State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, disclosed that future allocations would be based on each state’s utilisation during the last Hajj. “States that failed to use their full quota in 2025 will be most affected,” Elegushi warned. NAHCON added that it has held discussions with Saudi authorities, who instructed that each group of tour operators should be allocated a minimum of 2,000 slots and registered on the NUSUK platform. The NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Usman, urged all stakeholders to work in unity to avoid disruptions, saying “unity in this assignment is key to the success of Hajj 2026.” He also stressed the importance of proper medical screening, given Saudi Arabia’s strict health regulations. To reduce the financial burden on intending pilgrims, the commission said negotiations were ongoing to cut some cost components such as cargo handling fees. However, it warned that service providers’ rates would not be arbitrarily reduced to avoid compromising service quality. A board member representing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Adetona Adedeji, promised to relay NAHCON’s appeal for a reduction in the 2% transaction fee charged on pilgrims’ payments. The commission also reminded states of the December 21 remittance deadline and urged them to set earlier internal cut-off dates to avoid delays. It added that a nationwide sensitisation campaign would soon begin to stress the urgency of meeting the deadline. NAHCON confirmed that the 2026 Hajj would adopt the international aviation luggage policy, which allows each pilgrim two 23kg checked-in bags and one backpack as hand luggage. It also reiterated Saudi Arabia’s health restrictions, warning that persons with organ failure, psychiatric disorders, active cancer, pregnancy, tuberculosis, or other communicable diseases will not be allowed entry into the Kingdom.  

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