WHALEXTRA

Suspected  Boko Haram insurgents have released a video showing a large group of women and children allegedly abducted from Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, claiming that 176 persons are in captivity and accusing the Nigerian government of misrepresenting the figure. The one-minute, 17-second video, published by Sahara Reporters, shows dozens of female captives and minors gathered in an open area while an unidentified speaker, whose face was not visible, interrogates them. In the footage, the speaker asked the victims, “Where were you abducted?” The group responded, “From Woro.” He further asked, “Which local government?” and they replied, “Kaiama.”

  Ex-Big Brother Naija housemate and comedian,  DeeOne,  has called out former presidential candidate of the Labor Party, Peter Obi, for his lack of willingness to spend money on his political ambition. DeeOne spoke in a viral Instagram video on Saturday morning, while reacting to the emergence of the City Boy Movement – a political support group for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. The movement which was established by the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, has some top supporters of Peter Obi as its coordinators and directors in most of the South-East states. Reacting to the development, comedian DeeOne advised Peter Obi to step up his game by being willing to spend money, noting that some of his agents in the 2023 election were being fed by other political parties at the poling unit. While condemning his popular slang of “We no dey give shishi”, DeeOne noted that Peter Obi cannot win 2027 presidential election with sympathy votes.

The NBA is forging ahead with plans for a European league and expects initial responses from potential investors by the end of March, the league's deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said Thursday. " We've told the potential investors we need to know their level of interest by the end of March ," Tatum told a group of journalists in Los Angeles ahead of the NBA's All-Star weekend. " That's the timeline where we're expecting these dozens of investors to come back and say, 'Yes, we're interested in this market, at this price,' " Tatum added. The league aims to finalize the project by autumn 2027, Tatum said. The proposed competition would feature 12 permanent franchises and four qualifying teams, created in partnership with FIBA, basketball's global governing body.

  Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey has been formally charged with two additional counts of rape by the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the Ghana international. The new charges stem from an earlier complaint to police alleging offences dating back to 2020, before those previously reported, and involve an additional woman.  The Metropolitan Police said the latest accusations are being treated as “non-recent offences” following a fresh investigation.  Partey  is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on March 13th, 2026, in relation to these new counts. The 32-year-old, who now plays in Spain’s LaLiga with  Villarreal , had already been facing a separate set of serious charges. 

Federal Government, through the National Social Investment Programme Agency, says no fewer than 22,000 farmers will benefit from interest-free loans under its FarmerMoni Dry and Wet Season Programme. The National Programme Manager, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme under NSIPA, Mr Hamza Baba, said this at the inauguration of the Renewed Hope GEEP 3.0. and the FarmerMoni Technical Working Group in Abuja on Wednesday. Baba, who described the loan as interest and collateral-free, said that the loans aimed to strengthen agricultural productivity and would be given to farmers across the country. “Under this particular scheme, we are expecting that from today our portal will be open for eligible farmers, to go and register, to access our loans. And these loans are interest-free and collateral-free. “The total sum per beneficiary is N300,000, and we arrive at this by looking at the economic production of each farming activity. So, we are targeting the vulnerable, poor farmers a...

  The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued and repatriated 23 Nigerian youths suspected to be victims of human trafficking from Thailand. The Director-General of  NAPTIP,  Binta Adamu Bello, disclosed this on Wednesday while alerting the public to a new trend of trafficking to the South Asia region for cyber-enabled crimes. The Head of Press and Public Relations Unit of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, conveyed the development in a statement titled ‘DG NAPTIP alerts on new trend of trafficking to the South Asia region for cyber-enabled crimes as the agency rescues 23 victims from Thailand.’ According to the statement, the operation was carried out with the support and collaboration of Eden (Myanmar), with critical assistance from the British Government.

The federal government has commended the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, for his strategic role in securing Nigeria’s election into Category C of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for the 2026–2027 biennium. According to a statement by the Agency’s spokesperson, Osagie Edward, obtained by The Nation at the weekend, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, acknowledged Mobereola’s instrumental leadership and effective campaign coordination in a letter dated January 28, 2026. The statement indicated that the commendation letter addressed to the Director General highlighted his pivotal role in Nigeria’s victory at the IMO Council elections held in London. According to Edward, the minister noted that Mobereola’s strategic engagement with IMO Member States and effective campaign management were pivotal to Nigeria’s resounding success, reflecting a high level of dedication...

  The   Oyo State   Police Command has recovered various quantities of suspected  illicit drugs  from a criminal hideout in Ibadan. The Command said the seizure followed credible intelligence provided by a strategic partner, which led operatives to the location. In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the information indicated that an apartment on Abanise Street in the Academy area of Olomi, Ibadan, was being used to store a large consignment of suspected illicit drugs. According to the statement, the apartment was allegedly linked to one Oluwadamilare Adedayo, a male resident of the address, who was believed to be using the premises for illegal activity. The Command said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and curb the circulation of illicit substances.