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Tag: US

Amanda Azubuike Makes History As First Nigerian Woman To Become US Army Brigadier General

Wale busari02 mins

Amanda Azubuike has broken new ground in a profession long shaped by male leadership, emerging as the first Nigerian woman to rise to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army. Now 57, her ascent stands as a powerful symbol of possibility, particularly for women and Black professionals pushing for representation at the highest levels of military command. Azubuike was born in London to Nigerian parents of Igbo heritage and a Zimbabwean mother. Her upbringing was shaped by constant change and perseverance. Her father relocated from Nigeria to the UK to study law, where he met her mother, who was training as a nurse. After her parents separated, Amanda and her sister moved to the United States with their mother, a transition that marked a new chapter in her life. She officially became a US citizen in April 1989. With over 30 years of service, Azubuike has built an impressive military career, taking on several high-impact leadership and strategic roles. She has served as Deputy Commanding Officer at the US Army Cadet Command, led communications as Chief of Public Affairs for the US Southern Command, and worked as a Senior Military Advisor at the Pentagon. Her promotion to Brigadier General crowned decades of dedication and excellence, cementing her place in history as the first Nigerian woman to achieve this milestone in the US Army and reinforcing her legacy as a trailblazer in global military leadership.

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US To Enforce Visa Bond Of Up To $15,000 For Nigerians From January 2026

Wale busari03 mins

The United States has unveiled new travel rules that may require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 business and tourist visas to pay visa bonds of up to $15,000. Information released by the US Department of State on Travel.State.Gov makes it clear that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval. It also stressed that any fees paid without a consular officer’s instruction will not be refunded. The policy affects 38 countries, with African nations making up 24 of those listed, including Nigeria. The visa bond is a financial guarantee imposed on applicants from countries the US classifies as high-risk and applies strictly to B1/B2 visa categories. For Nigeria, the bond requirement is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026, although implementation dates vary for other affected countries between August 2025 and January 2026. Under the directive, eligible applicants travelling on passports from the listed countries will be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The specific amount will be determined during the visa interview. Applicants must also submit the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352 and formally agree to the bond conditions through the US Treasury’s Pay.gov online payment platform. This requirement applies regardless of where the visa application is filed. The State Department added that visa holders who post bonds must enter the United States through designated airports, including Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Refunds will only be issued if the Department of Homeland Security confirms that the traveller left the United States on or before the end of their authorised stay, if the applicant does not travel before the visa expires, or if entry is denied at a US port of entry.

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BREAKING: US Executes Strike On Venezuela, Captures President Maduro And Wife

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President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that the United States carried out a major strike against Venezuela, resulting in the capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country.” CNN reporters in Caracas observed multiple explosions and heard aircraft flying overhead in the early hours of Saturday. Several areas of the city experienced power outages following the blasts, with the first explosion recorded around 1:50 a.m. local time (12:50 a.m. ET). In recent weeks, Trump had repeatedly warned that the US was preparing action against alleged Venezuelan drug trafficking networks, stating that strikes on land would commence “soon.” His campaign against Maduro has already targeted over 30 vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean as part of a counter-narcotics operation. Last month, Trump also imposed a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. Earlier, in December, the CIA reportedly carried out a drone strike on a coastal port facility in Venezuela, marking the first known US attack inside the country, CNN reported, citing sources.

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Trump Vows US Action If Iran Harms Protesters

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US President Donald Trump has warned Iran not to harm peaceful protesters, saying the United States “will come to their rescue” if they do. In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump wrote: “If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” He did not provide specifics on any potential action. The statement drew a quick response from Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Larijani warned that any US interference would destabilise the Middle East and undermine American interests. The warning comes amid ongoing protests across Iran sparked by worsening economic conditions. At least six people were reported killed on Thursday, according to semi-official media and human rights groups. Hengaw, a Kurdish rights organisation, said two of those killed in Lordegan were protesters, identified as Ahmad Jalil and Sajjad Valamanesh. Fars news agency reported additional deaths in Azna and Kouhdasht, though it did not clarify whether victims were protesters or security personnel. Video footage circulating on social media shows clashes between protesters and security forces, with cars set on fire in several cities including Lordegan, Tehran, and Marvdasht. BBC Persian has verified some of these clips. The protests began in Tehran on Sunday when shopkeepers demonstrated against a sharp drop in the value of the rial against the US dollar. By Tuesday, university students had joined in, and demonstrations spread to multiple cities, with many chanting against Iran’s clerical leadership. Some protesters have called for an end to Supreme Leader Khamenei’s rule, while others expressed support for a return to monarchy. Iranian officials reported a security personnel death on Wednesday in Kouhdasht, though protesters claim the individual was shot by authorities. The demonstrations are the largest since the 2022 nationwide uprising triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in custody, though they have not reached the same scale. President Masoud Pezeshkian said he is willing to listen to the “legitimate demands” of the protesters, while Prosecutor-General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad warned that any attempt to create instability would be met with a “decisive response.” The situation has heightened tensions internationally, with Trump’s warning and Tehran’s response underscoring the risk of a wider conflict.

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Mali and Burkina Faso Impose Retaliatory Travel Restrictions on US Citizens

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Mali and Burkina Faso have responded to the US travel ban by imposing restrictions on American citizens. In statements released separately and reviewed by AFP on Wednesday, both countries’ foreign ministries said they would apply “equivalent measures” after President Donald Trump expanded the US travel ban this month to nearly 40 nations based solely on nationality. The US restrictions targeted Syrian citizens, Palestinian Authority passport holders, and nationals from several of Africa’s poorest countries, including Niger, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan. The White House said the ban aimed to block foreigners who “intend to threaten” Americans. Burkina Faso’s foreign ministry confirmed it was introducing “equivalent visa measures” for US citizens. Mali announced that, “with immediate effect,” American nationals would face the same entry conditions and requirements that the US imposes on Malian citizens. Mali also expressed regret that the US implemented the decision without prior consultation. Both countries are ruled by military juntas and belong to a regional confederation that includes Niger. While Niger has not formally announced countermeasures, its news agency reported that such actions had been decided. Trump’s December 17 announcement also included partial travel restrictions on other African countries such as Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Senegal, as well as Canada and Mexico. Some of these nations are set to participate in next year’s football World Cup in the US.

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Sheikh Ahmad Gumi Urges US To Build Schools For Herders Instead Of Dropping Bombs

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Controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has urged the United States government to invest in schools and basic amenities for herders instead of deploying what he described as a “$2 million bomb.” Gumi argued that many herders lack education and enlightenment, saying they “need deliverance from ignorance.” His remarks came after a video circulated showing a Fulani man who had discovered the barrel of a missile allegedly fired by the US military in an open field. According to Gumi, the man appeared unaware of the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance. Posting on Facebook, he wrote: “Most herdsmen need deliverance from ignorance and themselves, not bombardment. He doesn’t even understand the basic creed of Islam and the serious danger of unexploded bombs. That’s why I built a school for them. Instead of dropping a $2m bomb that can build schools and amenities for them.” The comments followed reports that the US military, acting on orders from President Donald Trump, carried out airstrikes in Sokoto State on Christmas Day. The strikes targeted ISIS and Lakurawa terrorist groups but reportedly missed their intended targets. The Nigerian government confirmed the operation, stating it was a coordinated mission approved by President Bola Tinubu.

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Nigeria Gave Intelligence, Greenlight For US Terror Airstrike — Foreign Affairs Minister

Wale busari05 mins

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has disclosed that Nigeria supplied the intelligence that led to the recent United States airstrike on terrorist targets in the country and also gave formal clearance before the operation was carried out. Tuggar made the revelation on Friday during an interview on Channels Television, a day after the US confirmed it had conducted the strike as part of its counter-terrorism operations. He explained that the strike was the product of ongoing security collaboration between Nigeria and the United States and had no religious undertone. “It’s Nigeria that provided the intelligence. I was on the phone yesterday for 19 minutes with Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the United States. We spoke extensively, and we agreed that I was going to speak with President Tinubu for President Tinubu to give the go-ahead,” Tuggar said. “And I did speak with him and it was agreed also that the statements that would follow would be statements that would show clearly that it is a strike against terrorism and that it is part of the ongoing joint operations between Nigeria and collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.” The minister said Nigeria has consistently sought stronger partnerships with the US and other countries to tackle terrorism, describing the strike as evidence of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to security. “Nigeria has remained consistent in its approach, which is to work with all partners that are committed to the fight against terrorism, irrespective of what religion, who the victims are, whether they are Muslims or Christians, and irrespective of what type of terrorism, be it terrorism being carried out in the name of one religion or the other, or indeed even banditry. So this is an ongoing process.” He added, “We have been working closely with the Americans. This is what we’ve always been hoping for: to work with the Americans, work with other countries to combat terrorism, to stop the death of innocent Nigerians. So this is a vindication of the Tinubu administration. “For those who thought that there was some foot-dragging or the government wasn’t doing enough, it is a clear indication that we are committed and we are prepared to work with all countries.” Tuggar stressed that the operation had nothing to do with religion, noting that its sole objective was the protection of lives. “It is not to do with religion, it is to do with protecting Nigerians and the innocent lives of either Nigerians or non-Nigerians. This was clear. We spoke twice. “We spoke for 19 minutes before the strike, and then we spoke again for another five minutes before it went on.” The US President, Donald Trump, had earlier confirmed that American forces carried out an airstrike targeting suspected terrorist elements in Nigeria.

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BREAKING: US Confirms Airstrikes On ISIS Camps In Sokoto, Nigeria

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U.S. forces have carried out airstrikes on Islamic State targets in northwest Nigeria following weeks of intelligence operations and at the request of Nigerian authorities, according to the U.S. military’s Africa Command. The strikes, conducted in Sokoto State, killed multiple ISIS militants operating from known camps. The operation followed intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria that began in late November, Reuters reported. Footage released by the Pentagon showed at least one projectile launched from a U.S. warship, while a U.S. defense official said several militants were struck during coordinated attacks. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the strikes were part of ongoing security cooperation with Washington, involving intelligence sharing and strategic coordination. “This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the ministry said in a post on X. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also acknowledged the collaboration, thanking Nigeria for its support and adding: “More to come…” .@POTUS “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and… pic.twitter.com/ct7rUW128t — Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) December 26, 2025 Donald Trump announced the strikes on Christmas Day from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, saying on Truth Social: “Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries! “I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.” Trump has repeatedly accused Islamist militants in Nigeria of targeting Christians and previously warned of possible U.S. military intervention if the violence continued. However, Nigeria’s government has rejected framing the country’s insecurity as religious persecution, insisting that armed groups attack both Muslims and Christians and that the crisis is driven by broader security challenges. Nigeria, which is nearly evenly split between Muslims and Christians, has faced years of insurgency, banditry, and communal violence across several regions. Analysts say the conflict is complex, fueled by criminal activity, territorial disputes, and longstanding economic pressures, alongside extremist violence. The airstrikes came amid renewed attacks elsewhere in the country. Police said a suspected suicide bomber killed at least five people and injured 35 others in Nigeria’s northeast, another area plagued by Islamist insurgents. Earlier on Christmas Day, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appealed for unity and peace in a message posted on X, calling for harmony “especially between individuals of differing religious beliefs.” He added: “I stand committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect Christians, Muslims, and all Nigerians from violence.” The Nigeria operation follows recent U.S. strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria after a suspected ISIS attack on American personnel there. Despite campaigning as a leader opposed to “endless wars,” Trump’s return to office has been marked by a series of overseas military actions targeting extremist groups.

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