By Sabiu Abdullahi

Tesla has showcased a prototype of its next-generation Roadster sports car, featuring technology designed to lift the vehicle briefly off the ground, as the company targets production in 2028.

According to CNN, the demonstration took place on Thursday at a SpaceX testing facility in Texas, United States. The 2-seater vehicle reportedly performed several manoeuvres, including driving upside down before making a brief airborne movement.

The prototype operated without a driver during the test. Tesla chief executive Elon Musk explained that the precaution was necessary to protect people during the demonstration.

“to make sure we don’t kill anyone.”

“Success is not guaranteed. I mean that. It’ll probably work, but if it doesn’t work, we’re at a safe distance,” he said.

CNN reported that the vehicle uses 10 nozzles and high-pressure air tanks to generate thrust. Musk also claimed it could accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than a second.

The project combines Tesla’s automotive technology with SpaceX’s rocket engineering capabilities, reflecting Musk’s ambition to introduce unconventional features to electric vehicles.

He described the development as “the results of what happens when you have a collaboration with the world’s best car company and the world’s best rocket company.”

Musk also told spectators that witnessing the demonstration in person would help establish its authenticity.

“We need an audience to prove that it’s not AI or SI. So you guys can tell people you saw it with your eyes, because what you see with your eyes, you will not believe.”

However, aviation experts have raised questions about whether the vehicle can achieve sustained flight and whether such technology would be practical for everyday transportation.

Roger Conner, curator for vertical flight at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, told CNN that designing a vehicle capable of operating both on roads and in the air presents significant engineering challenges.

“Aircraft are extremely sensitive to weight, whereas with ground vehicles you want them to have bumpers and crumple zones and all that,” he said.

“Inevitably, something that is a hybrid between the two is going to be a poor performing aircraft and a poor performing vehicle, and also quite expensive,” he added.

Conner also questioned whether the demonstration qualified as actual flight.

“We’re not talking about sustained flight. We are literally talking about hopping,” he said.

Jim Dukhovny, chief executive of flying-car startup Alef, expressed confidence in the feasibility of the technology but acknowledged the challenges involved in transitioning from vertical take-off to forward movement.

“It absolutely is 100% feasible,” he told CNN.

“That being said, the hardest part on all eVTOLs, and for us, it’s a transition from (rising) vertical to (moving) forward. It needs to be extremely careful, making sure you do not lose lift, and making sure it’s very stable,” he added.

CNN also reported that Alef’s prototype weighs approximately 254 pounds, is powered by 8 propellers and is designed to carry one person.

Tesla has set 2028 as its target for beginning production of the new Roadster. However, the latest demonstration has yet to establish whether the vehicle can function as a practical flying car capable of sustained flight.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigerian singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has ruled out supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election, despite his uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, declaring support for President Bola Tinubu.

The singer stated his position during an interview with News Central TV in a video circulating online following the Osun State governorship election.

Davido said his uncle’s political decision did not mean he had to adopt the same position, adding that he had no preferred presidential candidate at the moment.

Recalling his involvement in political campaigns, the Grammy-nominated musician highlighted his role in the campaign that led to his uncle’s electoral victory in Osun State.

“I defeated 17 governors with all their power, with all their immunity, escort commanders, DSS, with all their billions. I defeated them with just a phone.

“For now, I feel like I did what I had to do for the Osun people and my family.

“You can’t force me to have a presidential candidate. My uncle might have his personal reasons for the gain of the state.”

The singer said Governor Adeleke declared support for Tinubu shortly after winning the election, but stressed that he would make his own political decision.

“My uncle, immediately he won, came out to declare his support for President Tinubu. But as for me, I am not prepared to support anybody.

“I personally haven’t seen anybody in the past. Yes, I have supported Atiku before when we were in PDP, and I even supported in 2015 when APC first did the merger. My late uncle was part of the APC, so I campaigned then.

“But right now, I don’t have a presidential candidate. It might change, sha. It’s not going to be APC, but everybody should have their own,” he said.

Davido’s remarks indicate that he intends to maintain an independent political position ahead of the 2027 presidential election, despite his family’s political affiliations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have killed 2 suspected terrorists and recovered 4 AK-47 rifles and 8 motorcycles during clearance operations in Sokoto State.

The military operation, conducted on Thursday, October 15, 2026, also resulted in the recovery of ammunition, communication equipment and other items believed to belong to the armed groups.

The task force’s Media Information Officer, Aliyu Danja, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday.

According to Danja, troops of Sector 2 first engaged the terrorists in a gunfight at Waria Forest, where they killed one suspect and recovered 2 AK-47 rifles and 2 motorcycles.

The troops later encountered another group at Sarma Village, where a second suspected terrorist was killed while others fled, abandoning their equipment.

“In a subsequent encounter at Sarma Village, troops engaged another group of terrorists in a firefight, neutralising one and forcing others to flee, abandoning their equipment,” the statement said.

A further search of the area led to the recovery of 6 additional motorcycles, 2 AK-47 rifles, 4 magazines, 23 rounds of ammunition and a communication device.

The latest recoveries brought the total number of rifles seized to 4 and motorcycles to 8.

Danja said the operations reflected the military’s continued efforts to weaken terrorist networks and improve security across the North-West.

“These successes underscore the sustained commitment of troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to dismantling terrorist networks and restoring lasting peace and security across the Joint Operations Area,” he said.

The task force commended residents for their cooperation with security agencies and urged the public to report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security outpost.

The clearance operations form part of ongoing military efforts to disrupt armed groups operating across the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A private jet operated by Triton Aviation made an emergency landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after losing a door shortly after take-off while travelling to Lagos.

The incident occurred on Thursday at about 4:20 pm, involving a CL60 aircraft with registration number T7-SEI and flight identification DWC052.

According to an incident report obtained by PUNCH, the crew alerted air traffic controllers that a door had opened during the flight, prompting instructions for the aircraft to return to Abuja.

The report indicated that the jet had departed Runway 22 at 4:17 pm UTC. It was “about three nautical miles from the airport, climbing through 3,000 feet, when the crew transmitted a distress call: ‘Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.’”

Airport firefighters, emergency responders and medical personnel were immediately placed on standby as preparations began for the aircraft’s return.

At about 4:29 pm UTC, the crew contacted the control tower to ask whether officials could determine if the door was open.

“The duty air traffic controller attempted to observe the aircraft using binoculars, but could not establish the door’s condition because of the aircraft’s position. The crew was subsequently informed that the controller could not confirm the situation visually,” the report said.

The aircraft landed safely on Runway 22 at approximately 4:34 pm UTC, about 14 minutes after the distress call.

After landing, the air traffic controller observed that the door was missing from the aircraft’s fuselage. The jet was subsequently moved to the international apron extension with the assistance of a marshaller.

Meanwhile, a video obtained by PUNCH showed the missing door, which was reportedly found by farmers on a farm in the Abuja area.

In the footage, a man whose identity was not established said the farmers discovered the object while returning from their farm.

“This is what we found as we were returning from our farm. It fell from a plane, but we don’t know much about its identity. As I am sending it to you, sir, just check it.”

The number of passengers aboard the aircraft had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the incident but said the investigation fell under the responsibility of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

Although the NSIB had not issued an official statement at the time, a source within the agency confirmed the seriousness of the incident and said investigators had been deployed.

The source added that the bureau’s management would release an official statement in due course.

Triton Aviation could not be reached for comment before the report was filed.

By Hassana Abdullahi

A dispute over restrictions on Islamic headscarves in Azerbaijan has sparked criticism from Turkish officials and Islamist groups, raising tensions between the two countries known for their close political and military ties.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s chief adviser, Oktay Saral, condemned the restrictions as “unacceptable” and urged Azerbaijan to reverse the decision, insisting that wearing a headscarf was a requirement of Islamic faith.

Several lawmakers from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) also criticised the measures, while protests were held outside Azerbaijan’s diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.

The controversy has drawn a sharp response from Azerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party, which accused Turkish officials of spreading defamatory claims and warned against interference in the country’s internal affairs.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had earlier cautioned outsiders against interfering in the country’s way of life.

The disagreement is particularly sensitive because Turkey and Azerbaijan describe their relationship as “one nation, two states”. Turkey provided strong support to Azerbaijan during its 2020 war with Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

However, the headscarf controversy has also exposed differences over Azerbaijan’s close relationship with Israel. Baku buys Israeli weapons and supplies oil to Israel, while Ankara’s relations with Tel Aviv have deteriorated sharply over the war in Gaza.

The tensions became more visible on Thursday when delegations from Turkey, Iran and other countries reportedly walked out of a regional security summit in Baku during an address by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Azerbaijan has sought to maintain relations with both Israel and other regional powers, but the growing dispute highlights the diplomatic challenges facing its efforts to balance competing political and religious interests.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Presidential Working Group on Thursday said the National Policing Bill will be transmitted to the National Assembly within two weeks.

The Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Working Group, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this while speaking with journalists after the steering committee meeting at the State House in Abuja.

He said the bill was almost ready, adding that one more meeting would be held to “cross the t’s and dot the i’s” and ensure every area was covered.

“The National Policing Bill is more or less ready for transmission to the National Assembly. We will probably have one more meeting after this to cross the t’s and dot the i’s and make sure every area is covered. So, we are 90% ready,” he said.

“The governors have one or two observations, and we should be ready in about a week or so.”

Gbajabiamila described the bill as “the most consequential Bill of the administration so far,” saying it had undergone strenuous exercises since the working group’s steering committee began deliberations on August 3.

On the Sixth Constitution Alteration Bill (State Police), and concerns that only about six states had passed the amendment out of the 36 states and the FCT, Gbajabiamila said there was a “national consensus” among Nigerians on the need for the amendments.

“I see no reason why anyone will want to have a rethink on it,” he said.

Those at the meeting included the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRazak AbdulRahman; Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State; Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu; and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy Agba.

Others were Chairman, Policy Advisory Committee, Justice Abdullahi Liman (rtd); Head, Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat, Professor Olu Ogunsakin; Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Dr Lanre Smart; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research and Secretary of the Committee, Nnadubem Moghalu; a representative of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association; and AIG Abraham Nabhon Thomas, representing the National Security Adviser.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two men to life imprisonment and an additional 20 years each for offences linked to providing support to the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group.

Justice Salim Ibrahim handed down the sentences after the defendants pleaded guilty to charges of providing logistical support to the group and concealing information.

The convicts were identified as Abba Mustapha, from Bori village in Borno State, and 41-year-old Bukar Ibrahim, also from Borno State.

The judge sentenced each defendant to life imprisonment on the first count and 20 years in prison on the second count.

The convictions formed part of the Federal Government’s ongoing mass trials of terrorism suspects at the Federal High Court, which began on Thursday and are taking place across several courtrooms.

Other judges presiding over the proceedings include Justices James Omotosho, Binta Nyako, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, Hauwa Yilwa, Joyce Abdulmalik and Peter Lifu.

At least 34 defendants were listed before Justice Ibrahim, while 25 appeared on the list of cases before Justice Lifu.

In July, the Federal Government announced the resumption of trials involving suspects linked to terrorism and other serious offences against the state. It described the exercise as part of its commitment to social justice through a transparent judicial process.

The government said the Federal High Court was conducting the trials with support from the Complex Casework Group of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and other stakeholders, under the coordination and supervision of the National Counter Terrorism Centre in the Office of the National Security Adviser.

It also disclosed that more than 300 suspects were facing trial before five judges in five courts established to expedite the handling of terrorism-related cases.

In April, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted 386 defendants accused of terrorism following four days of mass trials. Their prison terms ranged from five years to life imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of their offences.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said 508 defendants had been arraigned before 10 courts during that exercise.

Fagbemi added that eight defendants were discharged, while two others were acquitted.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kano State Police Command has arrested two 19-year-old men over alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and recovered a locally made revolver pistol with two rounds of live ammunition.

The command announced the arrests in a statement issued on Thursday by its Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.

According to the statement, the first suspect, Rufai Ahmed, was arrested at about 10:30 pm on October 11 during an intelligence-led patrol along Sokoto Road in Kano.

Police operatives attached to the Farm Centre Police Division reportedly intercepted a tricycle, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, after suspecting criminal activity.

“A search reportedly led to the discovery of a bag containing a locally fabricated revolver pistol and two rounds of live ammunition in Ahmed’s possession,” the statement added.

The command said further investigation led to the arrest of the second suspect, Aliyu Ibrahim, a resident of Kawo Quarters, Kano, in connection with the case.

The police command’s Criminal Investigation Department has taken over the investigation following a directive from the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.

“The arrests were made in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s directives on intelligence-led policing and the ongoing efforts to recover illegal firearms.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation into the case, after which the suspects will be charged to court,” the statement said.

Bakori commended the officers involved in the operation and urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to support efforts to prevent crime.

The police said the suspects would be charged to court after the investigation is concluded.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have disagreed over when negotiations for a new national minimum wage should begin, as organised labour insists that preparations must start immediately.

The dispute followed an exchange of letters between the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, and NLC President Joe Ajaero over the review of the N70,000 minimum wage signed into law in July 2024.

In a letter dated October 13, 2026, Ajaero challenged the government’s position that beginning a fresh review at this stage would be premature. He argued that the timetable provided under the original National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, remained relevant despite the subsequent amendment.

The NLC president urged the government to initiate the process by inviting nominations and inaugurating the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee, which comprises representatives of the government, organised labour and employers.

“The time is now. The appropriate time is now,” Ajaero wrote, warning that further delays could worsen the economic hardship confronting Nigerian workers.

His response came a day after Dingyadi, in a letter dated October 12, acknowledged a communique issued after a joint meeting of the NLC’s Central Working Committee and National Executive Council.

The minister maintained that the current minimum wage would become due for review on June 1, 2027. He argued that opening another review barely two years after the implementation of the N70,000 wage could be premature and disruptive to industrial relations.

The disagreement comes amid growing labour concerns over rising living costs and the declining purchasing power of workers’ salaries.

In a statement issued on October 1 to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day, the NLC demanded an immediate reduction in petrol prices, a nationwide wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage.

The statement, signed by Ajaero and titled “Our Hope Depends on the Choices We Make and the Actions We Take”, highlighted the impact of rising transportation, food, rent and education costs on workers’ earnings.

The union also called for the implementation of tax relief measures agreed upon with the government in October 2023, arguing that workers needed additional support amid mounting financial pressures.

Among its demands, the NLC urged the government to reduce petrol prices to the levels that prevailed when the current minimum wage was signed into law in 2024, begin wage negotiations before the end of October and implement outstanding agreements with health and public sector workers.

It warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated period could lead to further action as directed by its relevant organs.

In his October 13 letter, Ajaero argued that the 2019 law, signed on April 18 of that year, had envisaged a review by April 2024. He maintained that the 2024 amendment did not erase the original timetable and argued that a new wage should take effect by April 17, 2027.

According to the NLC, negotiations should begin at least six months before the relevant deadline to allow sufficient time for preparations and prevent the accumulation of arrears. Based on its interpretation, the process should have commenced by October 17, 2026.

The union clarified that it was not demanding the immediate implementation of a new minimum wage but wanted the administrative and negotiation processes to begin.

Dingyadi, however, maintained that the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, as amended by the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024, provides for a review every three years.

The differing interpretations have left the timing of the next minimum wage negotiations at the centre of the dispute between the Federal Government and organised labour.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, has urged residents of the North-Central region to support President Bola Tinubu and the governor in the 2027 general elections.

Kula made the appeal during an appearance on TVC News on Wednesday, arguing that Tinubu’s re-election would allow his administration to continue implementing its Renewed Hope Agenda.

He defended the Federal Government’s economic reforms, describing them as necessary for sustainable growth and long-term prosperity. He also argued that states across the North-Central region could benefit from the policies.

The governor’s spokesperson linked Benue’s development efforts to cooperation between the state and federal governments, saying Tinubu’s economic policies had supported investments in agriculture, education and healthcare under Alia’s administration.

According to Kula, the policies had also contributed to economic growth and increased federal allocations to state governments.

He cited efforts to revive industrial activities in Benue, including the reactivation of previously dormant facilities such as Benue Brewery, Bensono Orange Juice Company and Taraku Mills.

Kula also highlighted the activities of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), which he said had expanded into the production of bread, nails and steel to promote local manufacturing.

On infrastructure, he pointed to urban renewal projects and road construction across the state as part of the administration’s achievements.

He disclosed that the state government had begun plans to construct three township roads in each of Benue’s 23 local government areas.

Kula further said the welfare of civil servants and pensioners remained a priority for the Alia administration.

He called on voters in Benue and other North-Central states to support both Tinubu and Alia at the polls, arguing that their continued leadership would sustain development efforts in the state and the wider region.