N’Assembly begins internal review of disputed tax laws
The National Assembly has initiated an internal investigation into allegations that certain provisions of the recently passed tax reform laws were altered after approval by lawmakers and presidential assent. “The Leadership and management of the National Assembly are addressing these matters strictly within its constitutional and statutory mandate,” the statement said. It added that the relevant committees of the National Assembly, working with its management, had commenced an internal review to clarify the issues raised. “Accordingly, the relevant Committees, in collaboration with the Management of the National Assembly, are conducting an internal review,” it stated. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee investigating alleged discrepancies in Nigeria’s gazetted tax laws pledged to submit its report as soon as its work is concluded.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 19:06 UTC
AFCON 2025: Musona rescues Zimbabwe in 1-1 draw with Angola
Gelson Dala put Angola ahead midway through the first half and recalled Musona levelled deep in first half added time. Angola recovered quickly to establish control and took the lead after 24 minutes through Qatar-based striker Dala. Hugo Marques, the 39-year-old Angola goalkeeper, had his head heavily bandaged before continuing after a collision with an opponent. After Angola were dispossessed in midfield, Zimbabwe counterattacked swiftly and a superb pass found Musona inside the box. As both sides sought a second goal and the lead, Marques rescued Angola 12 minutes from the end of regular time with an acrobatic one-hand save from substitute Tawanda Chirewa.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 18:35 UTC
You can’t satisfy everyone, Lagos Imam tells Tinubu
National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Chief of Staff to the President, Rt-Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Principal Private Secretary to the President Hakeem Muri-Okunola during the Jumat Prayer at the Lekki Central Mosque, Lagos State. President Bola Tinubu joined Muslim worshippers on Friday at the Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos for Jumat prayers. “You cannot satisfy everyone at the same time,” Dr Arriyadhi told Tinubu. Femi Gbajabiamila, and National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, was welcomed at the mosque by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and the mosque management.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 18:35 UTC
NAHCO equipment damages Air Peace aircraft, disrupts flight operations
NAHCO equipment and an Air Peace Embraer 195-E2 aircraft at the Lagos airport following a ground handling incident. Photo: Air PeaceFlight operations involving a newly acquired Embraer 195-E2 aircraft belonging to Air Peace were disrupted on Friday following a ground handling incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. According to Air Peace, the aircraft, with registration number 5N-BYH, was scheduled to operate Flight P47750 from Lagos to Accra at the time of the incident. Air Peace added that the Embraer 195-E2 involved is part of its new fleet acquisitions, describing the damage as significant. Achimugu said, “Air Peace has suffered a lot of these technical issues through no fault of theirs.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 18:31 UTC
Couple killed as gunmen storm Niger church
A couple were killed in South-West Niger this week after armed individuals fired into the air inside a church, locals told AFP on Friday. ACLED, a non-governmental organisation monitoring conflicts around the world, said nearly 2,000 people had died as a result of such violence in Niger this year. Christians were attending mass in the church when armed individuals came in and fired into the air. Relations between Christians and Muslims in Niger are generally peaceful. Suspected jihadists are nonetheless blamed for attacks on churches in the western region of Tillaberi between 2018 and 2021, and the killing of 111 Muslim worshippers in Tillaberi this year.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 18:22 UTC
Israel recognises Somaliland as sovereign state
(Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP)Israel on Friday formally recognised Somaliland as an “independent and sovereign state” and signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties, as the region’s leader hailed its first-ever official recognition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “announced today the official recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state”, his office said, making Israel the first country to do so. The president of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, hailed the move, saying it marked the beginning of a “strategic partnership”. Israel has been trying to bolster relations with countries in the Middle East and Africa. Historic agreements struck late in Trump’s first term in 2020 saw several countries, including Muslim-majority United Arab Emirates and Morocco, normalise relations with Israel.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 18:14 UTC
Trump supporters hail US strikes in Nigeria as ‘amazing Christmas present’
The US’s Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State targets in Nigeria have been met with praise by Donald Trump supporters who for months had been agitating for the president to respond forcefully to the killings of Christians in the country. Death to all Islamic terrorists! North Carolina senator Ted Budd, a Republican, said that IS “is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Christians & religious minorities in Nigeria”. “I said, ‘Nope, let’s give a Christmas present,’” Trump remarked to the outlet. Hegseth on Friday warned of additional US strikes against IS targets in northern Nigeria.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 18:11 UTC
Three rescued as fire destroys three bungalows in Oyo
Members of the state Fire Service during the operation at Amosun Compound, Aremo in Ibadan. Three persons were rescued with minor injuries after fire destroyed three bungalow residential buildings at Amosun Compound, Aremo, in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday. In a statement, Akinwande said, “The agency received a distress call at exactly 00:15 hours today (Friday) from Mr Mayowa about a house on fire at Amosun Compound, Aremo, Ibadan. In a related development, the Oyo State Fire Service said it had doused a fire at Ajibade Street, opposite Guarantee Trust Bank, Mokola, Ibadan. “On arrival, we found heaps of refuse burning and threatening nearby buildings.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 17:44 UTC
Soldier & Children Injured in Nasarawa Grenade Explosion
A female soldier, identified as Mohammed and two children were injured in an explosion involving a hand grenade at Maraba, Abacha Road, Nasarawa. The grenade reportedly detonated while being handled, injuring the soldier and two children belonging to the woman who presented the device. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the grenade was brought by a yet-to-be-identified soldier serving in the North East three years ago. The soldier left the grenade in his sister’s room, who is living in the same compound as Mohammed. Also, two children of the woman who brought out the grenade were severely injured,” the report said.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 17:39 UTC
Forex trading in Nigeria expands as market liquidity and access improve
A practical first step is to learn the basics of forex trading and then align a simple plan with current liquidity patterns. What Better Liquidity Means For TradersHigher liquidity does not remove risk. Execution Tips For A More Liquid MarketA better market still punishes poor planning. ConclusionNigeria’s forex market is expanding because liquidity and access are moving in the right direction. The edge still comes from a simple plan, firm risk rules, and steady review.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 17:04 UTC
US Airstrikes in Nigeria Were a Joint Effort, Says Minister
The president stated this on his Truth Social platform, adding that the Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes. Speaking during a CNN interview after the Christmas Day strikes, Tuggar said the operation was a joint, collaborative effort between Nigeria and the US, approved at the highest level of government by President Bola Tinubu. Addressing concerns about the possible future deployment of US troops to Nigeria, Tuggar clarified that such decisions fall under the authority of Nigeria’s defence and security institutions, not foreign governments. The foreign minister emphasised that Nigeria’s approach to counterterrorism prioritises practical results over abstract debates, noting that the country is focused on stopping terrorist violence rather than engaging in philosophical arguments. “It is not about religion, it’s about the protection of lives and property of Nigerians and our neighbours as well,” Tuggar stated.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 16:54 UTC
NAF C-130 aircraft arrives in Portugal after Burkina Faso detention
The soldiers and the aircraft in Portugal. Credit: NAFThe Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the safe arrival of one of its C-130 aircraft, NAF 913, at a maintenance facility in Lisbon, Portugal, its final destination. Burkina Faso had earlier detained the personnel and aircraft over alleged airspace violations, describing the incident as a breach of sovereignty on December 8. The statement read, “The Nigerian Air Force confirms that its C-130 aircraft (NAF 913) arrived safely at the maintenance facility, OGMA, in Lisbon, Portugal today, 26 December 2025. “The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the cooperation and support of host authorities throughout the transit, while reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the highest standards of safety, professionalism and operational accountability.”
Source:Punch
December 26, 2025 16:37 UTC
Eight Yoruba Republic agitators arrested in Ogun
Police in Ogun State have arrested eight persons for alleged breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, and serious assault on police officers on Christmas Day. The suspects, under the aegis of the Democratic Republic of Yoruba, were arrested for causing disturbance at Temidire Junction and Under-Bridge in the Sango-Ota area of Ogun State. The suspects are Adewale Sosanya, ‘M’, aged 48; Opeyemi Oladotun, ‘M’, aged 31; Zara Gabriel, ‘F’, aged 22; Ajoke Gabriel, ‘F’, aged 19; Adewale Adebomojo, ‘F’, aged 48; Yusuf Tanimowo, ‘M’, aged 40; Olurotimi Ademola, ‘M’, aged 52; and Toyin Gabriel, ‘F’, aged 40. Babaseyi said that upon receiving the information, the police immediately mobilised, moved to the scene and dispersed the group of agitators. He said, “The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight (8) suspects for breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, and serious assault on police officers following a disturbance caused by the group in parts of Sango-Ota, Ogun State.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 16:10 UTC
US warns of more Nigeria strikes as Abuja talks of ‘joint ongoing operations’
Hegseth wrote on X: “The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. “And I said, ‘nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’ They didn’t think that was coming, but we hit them hard. Every camp got decimated.”Nigeria is officially secular and its population is almost evenly split between Muslims (53%) and Christians (45%). Nigeria provided intelligence for the airstrikes in Sokoto state, Tuggar told the country’s Channels Television on Friday. The state of Katsina, another Muslim-majority state two states to the east of Sokoto, had the highest number of incidents at 706.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 15:07 UTC
Nigeria authorised US strike — Foreign Affairs Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has clarified that Nigeria not only provided the intelligence that led to the recent United States airstrike on terrorist targets within the country but also formally authorised the operation before it was carried out. I was on the phone yesterday for 19 minutes with Secretary of State Marco Rubio of the United States. The minister stressed that Nigeria has consistently sought deeper collaboration with international partners in the fight against terrorism. US President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that the strike targeted suspected terrorist elements in Nigeria. While the United States has long supported Nigeria through intelligence sharing and military assistance, direct strikes on Nigerian territory remain rare and often attract public scrutiny.
Source:The Guardian
December 26, 2025 14:27 UTC