Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Monday assured that British-Nigerian boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, and another passenger involved in a road traffic accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway are receiving the best possible medical care, as investigations into the incident commence. “As the Governments of Ogun and Lagos States, we are closely monitoring the situation and will ensure that all affected persons receive the best possible medical care. “We pray that Almighty God grants them the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the Ogun governor prayed. According to the governor, Joshua and another passenger were taken to a specialised medical facility in Lagos, where they were assessed by medical professionals. “Anthony Joshua and another passenger were promptly evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos.

A United States congressman, Riley Moore, has defended President Donald Trump, stating that the recent US air strikes in Nigeria were intended to bring peace and security, not war, to the country. “President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria; he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death. “The strikes against ISIS on Christmas, in coordination with the Nigerian government, have given hope to the Christians in Nigeria,” Moore said. Moore countered these criticisms, arguing that the action was necessary to halt attacks on Christians, stating that Trump had previously warned about the “slaughter” of Christians. The strikes follow Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious violence and the alleged persecution of Christians in the country.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has appealed to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to remain in the party and abandon any plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), over growing speculation over his possible defection. The appeal was made by the NNPP chairman in Kano State, Suleiman Hashim Dungurawa, who said the plea is the collective position of party leaders and members in the state. He urged Governor Yusuf and other party members reportedly considering defection to reflect on the mandate given to them by voters during the 2023 general elections, stressing that the NNPP remained committed to the ideals on which it campaigned in Kano. The NNPP chairman also dismissed claims that some party officials were plotting to pitch the governor against Senator Kwankwaso. Governor Yusuf, who won the governorship election on the NNPP platform, is currently the party’s only serving governor nationwide.

A Nigerian hotel owner has reported that three of his staff were hospitalised after debris from munitions fell on his hotel following US airstrikes targeting militants in northwest Nigeria. The federal government had acknowledged that debris from the munitions fell in various locations, including “in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel,” but stated that there were no civilian casualties. “It landed inside the hotel building, caused a little bit of damage, injured three staff,” he added. Kwara State police told AFP that “as of this moment, there are no details yet. On Saturday, presidential spokesman Bwala told AFP that the strikes targeted Islamic State militants working with the Lakurawa jihadist group and “bandit” gangs.

“Seyi Makinde has never called me Wike. “Why did Seyi Makinde not come up all this while to tell the party, see what Wike is doing? “I have told everybody, frustration — if you can see it, if you watch Seyi Makinde, you can see frustration. According to Makinde, Wike voluntarily pledged to undermine the PDP to aid Tinubu’s re-election bid, without any prompting from the president. “Wike said he was going to hold the PDP down for President Tinubu,” Makinde claimed during a public address, explaining the root of their fallout.

Photo: FRSCThe Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed that excessive speed and wrongful overtaking led to the crash involving British-Nigerian boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday. The Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, stated this in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Monday. The statement disclosed that one sustained injuries, while two others escaped unhurt., noting that Joshua was rescued alive with minor injuries. The statement added, “The injured victim was evacuated for medical attention, while the remains of the deceased were conveyed to Livewell Morgue, Ajaka, Sagamu. It als reaffirmed its commitment to safer highways through enforcement, rescue operations and public education.

SummaryBandai Namco Filmworks confirms One-Punch Man Season 3 Part 2 will air in 2027Despite animation criticisms, J.C. Staff remains the production studio for the next phaseNew teasers highlight the long-awaited showdown between Saitama and GarouImmediately following the finale of One-Punch Man Season 3 Part 1 on December 28, Bandai Namco Filmworks announced that Part 2 is scheduled to air in 2027. Season 3 Part 1, which aired from October 12 to December 28, unfortunately faced criticism from fans regarding inconsistent animation quality and potential production hurdles at J.C. Staff. Despite these concerns, it has been confirmed that J.C. Staff will remain the production studio for Part 2. However, the 2027 release window—a relatively long production timeline—suggests that Bandai Namco may be prioritizing more time to address the technical issues that hindered Part 1. Both of them are pointing to the long-awaited showdown between Saitama and Garou, a definitive clash that fans of the series have been eagerly anticipating.

While Tata Motors is yet to officially disclose details, here’s all that we know about the 2026 Tata Punch. What will the exterior of the Tata Punch facelift be like? In terms of its exterior styling, the 2026 Tata Punch will look a lot more modern than the existing (pre-facelift) model. What engine options will the Tata Punch facelift get? The primary rivals of the 2026 Tata Punch include the Citroen C3, Maruti Suzuki Ignis and Hyundai Exter.

Wike also dismissed the notion that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) automatically confers party leadership on him in Rivers State, arguing that there are exceptions to political conventions. Wike described the allegation as a “blatant lie,” stressing that no such meeting ever took place. Why did Makinde not come out to tell the party that this is what Wike said? Wike clarified that the only meeting involving Makinde and some PDP governors after the 2023 general election was a courtesy visit to President Tinubu, not a political negotiation. “Myself, former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom; former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Seyi Makinde went to see the President after the elections.

Anthony Joshua after being rescued from the car crash | Photo redit: Adeniyi OrojoWorld-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua was involved in a road accident today in Makun, Ogun State. Watch videos below:The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated. “It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. The passenger beside the driver and the person beside Joshua died on the spot,” he said. Joshua, born to British-Nigerian parents, attended a boarding school in Ikenne, just a few miles from where the crash occurred.

No fewer than 34 lawyers nominated for appointment as Judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria (FHC) have failed the integrity test for appointment as judicial officers in Nigeria and have been dropped from the race. The 34 legal practitioners were part of the 62 applicants nominated for the bench of the High Court but were knocked out by various petitions against them during the integrity test. The publication of nominees’ names on 17 September 2025 invited members of the public to submit feedback on nominees’ integrity, reputation, and suitability for judicial appointment. Our correspondent gathered that the 28 nominees would be presented to the NJC at its meeting scheduled for January 2026. “You are all aware, like the general public too, that transparency and judicial integrity have remained a top priority for the Kekere-Ekun-led administration.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested two men alleged to be key members of the gang responsible for the 2023 abduction and killing of Professor Ekanem Philip Ephraim, a neurologist in Calabar, Cross River State. Security sources said the suspects were arrested on December 27, 2025, during an operation in Cross River State, where they were allegedly planning another kidnapping targeting a medical practitioner. The suspects were arrested at a medical facility in the state, where operatives reportedly moved in after receiving intelligence on their movements. Professor Ephraim, a neurologist, was abducted on July 13, 2023, when gunmen reportedly entered her clinic disguised as patients. Her disappearance triggered widespread outrage across Cross River State, particularly within the medical community.

A clash between security operatives and youths suspected of being social miscreants has left three people dead and several others injured in the Katsina State metropolitan area. The situation was said to have resulted in a violent clash. During the chaos, one of the police officers fired a shot that hit Uzairu, who later succumbed to his injuries. The next day, December 29, another violent clash occurred between police officers and the youths at the graveyard where Uzairu was being laid to rest. During the clash, the youths set fire to an outpost belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and were almost successful in doing the same to a police outpost in the area.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Olufemi Oluyede, alongside the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, on Thursday, December 26, 2025, feted frontline troops of Operation Fansan Yamma at a special Christmas luncheon held at Giginya Cantonment, Sokoto State. The operational visit to the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North West), Operation Fansan Yamma, was aimed at boosting morale, appreciating the sacrifices of troops and reinforcing strategic directives for ongoing operations across the North West. Oluyede praised the operational gains recorded under Operation Fansan Yamma, noting that the efforts of the troops have contributed significantly to restoring public confidence and stabilising the North West geopolitical zone and adjoining states. He also charged the troops to maintain heightened vigilance during the festive period, warning that criminal elements often exploit such occasions to undermine security. “It gives me a deep sense of fulfilment to celebrate Christmas with you, our gallant troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, alongside the Chief of Defence Staff.

About 1,000 widows across three local councils in Rivers State have benefited from Christmas palliatives distributed by the Tekena ThankGod Ikpaki Foundation. The distribution covered the nine clans of the Kirikese nation in Ogu/Bolo, Okrika and parts of Port Harcourt City local councils. Ikpaki said his passion for charity, especially supporting widows, motivated the initiative, adding that his actions were guided by biblical principles. What I’m doing today is my heartbeat and I do it every day. One of the beneficiaries, Tamunoboma Aberemieka, thanked the foundation for sponsoring the cataract surgery that restored her sight after years of blindness, saying she was identified during a previous widows’ outreach by Ikpaki.