MAJFID News

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has declared a state of emergency across the region in response to growing political instability and security threats. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, made the announcement on Tuesday during the 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level in Abuja. The meeting was convened to address recent coups and failed mutinies affecting several countries in the sub-region. Touray stated that these developments highlight the urgent need for “serious introspection on the future of our democracy” and emphasized the “imperative to invest in the security of our community.” The declaration signals a heightened level of regional vigilance and coordinated action to preserve democratic governance and stability across West Africa. ECOWAS did not provide immediate details on the specific measures that will be implemented under the state of emergency, but the move is expected to include intensified sec...

The United States Air Force has resumed its high-level Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions over Nigeria, with a renewed focus on identifying and tracking the movements of ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters in Borno State and surrounding regions. Security analyst Brant Philip, who monitors United States security activity across West and East Africa, confirmed that the surveillance flights are active again. According to him, United States aircraft departed from Accra, Ghana, to conduct the operations, continuing the long-standing practice of not taking off from Nigerian airports. Philip disclosed that the resumed flights followed a short interruption earlier in the week. Before the pause, the United States Air Force had conducted twelve consecutive days of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions over several Nigerian states. These included Borno, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kwara, Niger and parts of Ekiti and Kaduna. A significant portion of the missions focuse...

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 25 year old man, Orlu Chukwuemeka, over his alleged involvement in a violent one chance kidnapping and armed robbery operation in the Enugu metropolis. The arrest comes at a time when security agencies across the state are intensifying efforts to curb criminal activities, especially during the festive season when such incidents tend to increase. The Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday. According to him, the suspect was apprehended after police officers from the New Haven Division and operatives of the Distress Response Squad responded swiftly to a distress call received at about 6 a.m. on December 6. Ndukwe explained that initial investigations revealed that Chukwuemeka and an accomplice, who is currently on the run, operated an unregistered white mini bus and posed as legitimate commercial transporters. The duo allegedly picked up a female passenger at Fourth Dimension, alo...

The schoolchildren abducted from St Mary Catholic School, Papiri in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State have shared frightening details of their time in captivity after being rescued by security operatives. The children, one hundred in total, were released on Sunday evening in an operation coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser. Their release followed weeks of efforts by the military, the Department of State Services and local authorities. It also came after about fifty pupils managed to escape earlier in the incident. Speaking to journalists, some of the rescued children described the fear and intimidation they endured from their captors. A young girl, identified as Florence Michael, explained how the kidnappers marched them deep into the forest before settling near a river where they were forced to sleep on trampolines. “We were taken into the forest and bushes before they camped us near a river, and we were made to sleep on a trampoline. They said if ...

A major security breach has shocked the criminal justice system in Essex after prison staff at HMP Chelmsford were deceived by a fake email, resulting in the accidental release of a convicted fraudster. The email, which appeared to come from the Royal Courts of Justice, was in fact part of a calculated scheme orchestrated by inmate Junaed Ahmed and his network. Ahmed, thirty six, masterminded the plot while awaiting sentencing for fraud. Using a cleverly disguised .org email address rather than an official .gov domain, he managed to convince staff that the communication was legitimate. Prosecutor Jerry Hayes told Chelmsford Crown Court that while the forgery "was not very good," it was convincing enough to trick the prison staff into releasing Ahmed. The inmate remained at large for forty three hours before he was found hiding in his loft. The scheme was part of a broader effort to free multiple inmates from custody. The plot was uncovered when staff received additional fo...

A Nigerian woman identified as Adasu has advised men to allow their children to remain with their mothers when a marriage ends, especially when they plan to remarry. Her appeal came after a tragic incident involving a 16 year old girl who died by suicide in her neighbourhood. The chemical engineer, who shared the incident on Tuesday December 9, 2025, revealed that the teenage girl consumed a poisonous substance known as Otapiapia on Saturday while her father and stepmother were at church. She died the following morning. According to Adasu, the girl left a heartbreaking note for her father before taking the substance. The note read, “Your mistake is no more dad. I erased it.” She added that the girl had been living with her father and stepmother, a situation she believed contributed to the tragedy. “We just lost a very young, pretty girl in the neighbourhood this morning. Yesterday, while her parents were in church, she drank Otapiapia. The note she left on the table for her dad rea...

A wealthy American student, Joshua Michals, has been found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering his girlfriend, Zhe Wang, after a disagreement over a suspected sexually transmitted infection. The tragic case has drawn international attention for its brutality and the circumstances leading up to the killing. Zhe Wang, 31, a student from China, was pursuing an MA in Creative Writing and Education at Goldsmiths, University of London. She aspired to become a teacher and later complete a PhD. Described by her tutors as quiet, reflective, and organized, Wang was known for her gentle personality and dedication to her studies. She had an interest in mindfulness, meditation, and writing, and colleagues remembered her as insightful and talented. Wang met Michals while collecting her student ID card at the university, and the pair began a relationship. The couple dated for six months, but their relationship remained largely casual. They had only been intimate once in February 2024, as Wang was...

The widow of the late Alphonsus Nweze, former correspondent for Champion Newspapers and Apex News, has cried out against the alleged actions of her late husband’s brothers, who reportedly sold a family land for N12 million just three days after his burial , without informing her or their children. The widow, Mrs. Chioma Nweze, spoke out during a condolence visit by members of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Anambra State, who came to console the family following the death of the veteran journalist. She expressed shock and distress at the rapid disposal of the property, which she said was meant to secure the future of her four children. Alphonsus Nweze tragically died in a motor accident while returning to his base in Asaba from Onitsha. His death sent shockwaves across the journalistic community, with colleagues, friends, and family members mourning the loss of a committed reporter. He was laid to rest on November 14 in his hometown of Oka, Ichi, in Igboeze South Local Government Are...

The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban Memsem, has challenged critics accusing judges of corruption to present concrete evidence to support their claims. She spoke on Monday in Abuja at a special court session marking the official commencement of the Court of Appeal’s 2025 to 2026 legal year. Dongban Memsem expressed dissatisfaction with persistent allegations of corruption against judicial officers. She insisted that no one has submitted proof to back such accusations. She said that people keep hearing of corruption among judges and that those who make the claims should provide evidence. She stated that since no one has produced any proof, she believes the Judiciary is not corrupt and that judges are doing their best. The Appeal Court President criticised the practice of lawyers filing petitions against judges simply because they feel dissatisfied with court rulings. She emphasised that disagreement with a judgment should be addressed through the appeal proce...

Burkina Faso’s military regime has detained 11 Nigerian soldiers and seized a Nigerian Air Force aircraft after accusing the jet of violating the country’s airspace. In an official statement issued on Monday and signed on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States by junta ally and head of state Assimi Goita, authorities said the aircraft was forced to land in Bobo Dioulasso after what was described as an in flight emergency. Burkinabe aviation and security officials reported that the aircraft had no clearance to enter or fly over Burkina Faso’s territory. The statement said that an investigation by the competent Burkinabe services revealed the lack of authorisation for the aircraft to fly over the country. AES Condemns Airspace Violation The Confederation of Sahel States, which includes Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, described the incident as a serious breach of sovereignty and international aviation protocols. The junta stated that it strongly condemned the violation of its ai...

A popular Nigerian doctor, Aproko Doctor, has warned Nigerians about the circulation of dye adulterated palm oil, highlighting the health risks posed by unscrupulous traders who mix harmful dyes into the oil to make it appear bright red. In a video that has gone viral on social media, Aproko Doctor explained that some traders deliberately add synthetic dyes to fake or low quality palm oil to make it look like authentic red palm oil. He cautioned that some of these dyes are carcinogenic, potentially increasing the risk of cancer among consumers. "People are wicked. What do you mean you are putting dye in palm oil so it looks red and selling it to unsuspecting people? What people are actually consuming is not real palm oil but something mixed with dye," Aproko Doctor said in the video. "This is one of the reasons our life expectancy in Nigeria is low. These chemicals can be very harmful over time." To protect consumers, Aproko Doctor shared practical tips on how t...

The Abia State University community has been plunged into grief following the sudden and tragic death of a first year student, Michael Wonderful Nikeur, who was found lifeless in her room at an off campus residence on Wednesday, November 26. Wonderful, a 100 level student in the Department of Food Science and Technology, was discovered at Las Vegas Lodge, a popular student accommodation near the university. Her death has sent shockwaves across campus, especially among fellow first year students who described her as gentle, quiet and focused. Residents of the lodge said concern grew when Wonderful had not stepped out of her room for an unusually long period and was not responding to knocks on her door. A neighbour who preferred to remain anonymous recalled the moment they realised something was wrong. "As the day passed and there was still no sign of her, we knew something was wrong. We kept knocking and calling her phone, but there was no response," the resident said. Af...

A severe and deeply unsettling attack took place in Anambra State on Sunday when gunmen stormed Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Lilu Town, in the early hours of the morning. The attackers killed the wife of the resident pastor and set several properties on fire, including the pastor’s home, church vehicles and private vehicles belonging to members of the community. Residents who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES explained that the pastor, Venerable Obiese, was inside his residence when the attackers arrived. Witnesses said the gunmen appeared to have targeted him specifically. He managed to escape, but his wife was shot and killed during the assault. Members of the congregation described her death as painful and deeply traumatic for the entire community. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the attackers set fire to the pastor’s residence and burnt it completely. Video clips recorded by local residents show the ruins of the house, along with two destroyed cars and a motorcycle. Church vehicl...

A yet-to-be-disclosed number of people are feared dead following a violent attack by unknown armed men near the Afor Market Junction in Nawfia community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday. Residents described scenes of sheer panic and chaos as the attackers reportedly opened fire on unsuspecting members of the community. Some victims were fatally injured, while others fled desperately for safety. One local source said, “The armed hoodlums invaded Afor Market Junction and immediately opened fire, killing a lot of people. Nobody knows the reason behind the attack, the attack has left our community shaken.” Other residents who spoke to reporters expressed shock, fear, and confusion over the sudden violence, calling for an increased security presence to protect lives and restore a sense of normalcy. An eyewitness at the scene recounted, “It was chaos. The attackers came out of nowhere this evening in a commando like fashion and started shooting indiscriminately. ...

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has projected a bold vision for the nation’s economic future, declaring that Nigeria will soon achieve such financial strength that it will be able to lend to other countries. She made the statement in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where she was honoured with the chieftaincy title Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua during celebrations marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. The ceremony drew a large gathering of political leaders, former heads of state, governors, and esteemed traditional rulers from across Nigeria, highlighting both the importance of the title and the Ooni’s enduring influence within and beyond Yorubaland. Among the dignitaries present were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the wife of the Vice President Nana Shettima, former First Lady Patience Jonathan, Governors Ademola Adeleke, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Dapo Abiodun, as well as former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Banko...

Fear and uncertainty have gripped the sporting community in Benue State after the Benue Buffalos Handball Team survived a violent ambush along the Otukpo Enugu road. The team was returning from the Ardova Premier Handball League in Lagos when the attack occurred in the early hours of Friday. According to accounts from players who endured the ordeal, their journey had been smooth until armed assailants suddenly emerged from the surrounding bush. The attackers, armed with rifles and machetes, fired gunshots into the air to force the team bus to stop. The situation became more frightening when the driver stepped out and was immediately stabbed in the leg. Players reported that they were ordered to lie on the ground while the gunmen searched them one by one. Their belongings were taken, including mobile phones, cash, team jerseys, sports shoes, a JBL speaker and other valuables. Some of the stolen devices reportedly contained personal and professional information, causing further concern...

A deeply tragic incident has shaken the Ezimo community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State. One of the recently freed kidnap victims, Agnes Obetta, has passed away only hours after regaining her freedom. According to a report by The Whistler, the fifty year old woman died from complications linked to severe shock and trauma following her release. Family members recall that the kidnappers had already collected the ransom for her release when sudden gunshots erupted near the area where the victims had been held. The unexpected gunfire caused the newly released captives to run for their lives in panic, scattering them across the bush at night. When the group later gathered again to begin their journey home, Agnes was missing. Darkness had already set in, and those who delivered the ransom, along with the freed victims, were forced to leave the area and return home. The next morning, the son of the deceased led a search party back into the bush. They found her lying unconsci...

Nigerian dancer and content creator Korra Obidi has stirred controversy online after a video of her dancing at the gravesite of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti surfaced on social media. The viral clip has sparked intense debate, with many Nigerians accusing her of disrespecting the late icon. The video, which Korra posted on her Instagram page, shows her performing an energetic routine beside Fela’s tomb during her visit to the Kalakuta Museum. Korra described the dance as a heartfelt tribute, saying it was her way of celebrating the legendary musician’s bold, expressive and rebellious spirit. She explained that Fela was known for embracing confident and vibrant women and that her lively dance was meant to reflect the joy, energy and freedom associated with his music. Korra added that Seun Kuti, who was present during her visit, appreciated the gesture and considered it a fitting reflection of his father’s artistic identity. Despite her explanation, the video has drawn criticis...

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has urged former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to make a clear decision about joining the party led coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections. While recognising Obi as an influential political figure, the ADC stressed that it would not pressure him into joining. The party says its focus remains on proving itself as a credible alternative to the current political establishment, rather than debating zoning arrangements at this stage. The call comes after Obi, in an interview with Advocacy for Good Governance on YouTube, reportedly expressed concerns about the stability of the ADC led coalition, citing unresolved issues, including zoning arrangements. Despite his reservations, he reiterated his belief in the coalition’s potential and urged the ADC to address these structural matters to ensure a credible alliance. Obi reportedly praised the quality of leadership within the coalition, pointing to figures such as former Senate Pr...

A tragic incident has occurred at the Yola campus of the Nigerian Law School, where a student, Ayomiposi Ojajuni, reportedly took his own life after being denied the opportunity to sit for the Bar Final examinations. Ojajuni, a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, was said to have become visibly distressed on the morning of Saturday, December 6, upon learning that he had been barred from participating in the professional exam scheduled for that day. Sources familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters that the decision to prevent him from taking the exam was a disciplinary action, following multiple queries previously issued to him by the institution. Shortly after receiving the news, Ojajuni allegedly ingested a harmful substance in what has been described as an apparent act of desperation. He was immediately rushed to the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital in Yola, where medical personnel attempted to save him, but he unfortunately passed away on Sunday. The incident...

A young Nigerian woman has shared a terrifying firsthand account of a violent bandit attack during a night journey from Lagos to the East, describing how her bus came under heavy gunfire in what many passengers believed would be their final moments. Her emotional testimony, posted on TikTok, has gone viral and revived nationwide concern about the escalating insecurity on major highways. According to her narration, the attack happened in the middle of the night at a point along the highway where the road was completely deserted. She said the bus passengers were already half asleep when gunmen suddenly emerged from the darkness and began shooting at the vehicle without warning. The shots were aimed directly at the front, a clear attempt to force the bus to stop by targeting the driver. She recounted that the first few bullets struck the bonnet and windscreen, sending passengers into panic. People screamed, ducked and held on to their seats as the gunfire intensified. She described hear...

A newly married woman in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district has ended her marriage only a day after the wedding ceremony, claiming that she felt deeply uncomfortable with the behaviour of her in laws from the moment she arrived at their home. The unusual incident was reported by The Indian Express and Bhaskar English, and it has quickly gained attention across social media, sparking discussions about modern relationships, family expectations and the pressures surrounding traditional Indian weddings. The couple had tied the knot on November 25 in a ceremony attended by relatives from both sides. The celebrations included the customary Jaimala, Dwar Puja and other rituals that marked the beginning of their married life. However, the happiness proved short lived when tensions surfaced the very next day. On November 26, during the bride’s first formal introduction to her new family, she reportedly found something about her in laws behaviour unsettling. The situation escalated when she abrup...

Grief and outrage have engulfed Amangwo Umuigu, a community in Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, following the gruesome discovery of the headless and decomposing body of 25-year-old Solomon Ikoku, who had been abducted over a month ago. Ikoku, a resident of the community, went missing on September 27, 2025, during the early hours of the community’s New Yam Festival, also known as Iriji. Eyewitnesses reported that armed men, allegedly members of a local vigilante group, stormed Ikoku’s family home around 5 a.m. They reportedly beat him severely and dragged him away to an unknown location. Weeks of searches by the community and local authorities initially failed to locate him. On October 27, 2025, however, a renewed search led by local youths uncovered his mutilated remains in a shallow stream between Amangwo Umuigu and a neighboring community. Further searches revealed additional body parts, including a leg, in a nearby bush, intensifying outrage and grief among resid...

The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has once again warned its personnel against providing illegal escorts to Very Important Personalities, VIPs, following a presidential directive ordering the withdrawal of all police escorts from VIPs. The move is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that police personnel are redeployed to core policing duties aimed at enhancing security, preventing crime, and protecting lives and property across the country. A special monitoring team, led by Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, conducted a nationwide surveillance exercise to assess compliance with the directive. Strategic locations were closely monitored, including the Lekki Ikoyi Link Bridge in Lagos, the domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, and other key points across the country. Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin reported that the exercise recorded a satisfactory and commendable level of compliance, noting that no unauthorized VIP escorts were obser...

A major breakthrough in crime fighting was recorded on Saturday as the Imo State Police Command intensified its clampdown on criminal networks allegedly involved in organ harvesting, kidnapping, and related violent activities. The development followed a disturbing discovery at a private mortuary in Umuhu, a community along the Owerri, Aba road in Ngor Okpala LGA. The operation, which drew public attention across the state, uncovered gruesome evidence pointing to possible illegal human organ dealings and gross mishandling of corpses. Shocked relatives, upon arriving at the scene, were forced to retrieve the decomposing bodies of their loved ones under tense and emotional circumstances. According to Trumpeta, the raid was led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, who personally spearheaded the operation to unravel ongoing criminal activities linked to the wanted suspect, Stanley "Morocco" Oparaugo. Oparaugo, believed to be the owner of the property, is currently evad...