By Hadiza Abdulkadir

At least six inmates have died within a week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the 115-year-old Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano, with Amnesty International Nigeria calling on the authorities to declare an emergency and take immediate action to prevent further deaths.

The rights organisation said a number of inmates are currently receiving treatment as the suspected disease continues to spread within the prison. It warned that the actual number of deaths could be higher.

Amnesty particularly raised concern over the condition of critically ill inmates and called for their immediate transfer to hospitals for appropriate medical treatment.

The organisation also expressed concern about the large number of awaiting-trial inmates held at the facility, noting that some prisoners can spend years behind bars without being convicted of a crime.

According to Amnesty, overcrowding, poor sanitation, inadequate food and limited access to healthcare remain serious problems in Nigeria’s correctional facilities.

It warned that failure by the authorities to respond urgently to the situation at Kurmawa Prison could result in additional deaths and potentially amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, a serious human rights violation under international law.

Amnesty called for urgent measures to contain the suspected outbreak and improve conditions in Nigerian prisons, stressing the need for the country to ensure that the treatment of inmates complies with human rights obligations and international standards.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken about how young people view him and the influence he believes he has on their lives, saying he understands why many children and youths love him.

Ronaldo said he believes young people see him as a role model, adding that this is part of what motivates him to continue being an example to those who look up to him.

“I know why young children love Cristiano. They see me as a role model, and I will continue to do that,” Ronaldo said.

The Portugal star also made it clear that this is not something he plans to stop soon. According to him, even after he hangs up his football boots, he wants to remain someone young people can look to and learn from through his life and career.

“Even after I retire in 10 years,” said CR7.

Ronaldo has spent years as one of the world’s most prominent footballers, and over that time he has built a huge fan base, especially among children and young people who grew up watching him as a player to emulate.

Now, Ronaldo says his ambition is not limited to what he does on the pitch; he also wants to remain an example for a new generation, even when the day comes for him to say goodbye to football.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised concerns over the scale of alleged corruption involving public officials in Nigeria.

Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Thursday at an event organised to mark the 80th birthday of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi.

According to the EFCC chairman, the commission receives more than 20,000 petitions concerning alleged public-sector corruption each year. He said some of the cases reveal disturbing levels of financial misconduct.

“I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files you will weep.

“The way people take national resources and Nigerians are victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders,” Olukoyede said.

He alleged that some public officials enter government with less than N100,000 in their bank accounts but accumulate substantial wealth within a few years of assuming office.

Olukoyede said investigations by the commission had traced millions of dollars to some officials who allegedly had modest financial resources before taking public positions.

He also alleged that some officials acquire hundreds of houses while still serving in government.

The EFCC chairman said the alleged misuse of public resources was having serious consequences for the country and described corruption as a major threat to Nigeria’s development.

He called on public officials to account for their activities and decisions while in office.

Olukoyede further stressed the need for accountability and transparency across the public service, saying those entrusted with public resources must be prepared to explain how they handled them.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has returned N84 million to an Edo State businessman, Ekhahon Abraham, after recovering the money from a woman accused of diverting the funds.

The EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate presented a draft for the recovered amount to Abraham, according to a statement issued by the commission.

The commission said its operatives recovered the money from Anita Eborome after an investigation into a petition filed by the businessman.

According to the EFCC, Abraham had paid Eborome N84 million for a parcel of land measuring 115ft by 135ft in a community in Edo State.

The businessman reportedly constructed a perimeter fence on the property after making the payment. However, the fence was later demolished by a man who claimed to be the rightful owner of the land.

The development prompted Abraham to seek a refund of his money from Eborome, but he reportedly failed to recover the funds.

The EFCC said its investigation later established that Abraham transferred the money to Eborome, who allegedly diverted it for personal use.

The commission quoted Abraham as saying:

“Abraham said after making payment, he erected a parameter fence on the land but it was pulled down by a man who claimed to the be rightful owner.

“Based on that incident, he sought for a refund of his money but met a brick wall as Eborome came evasive hence he was advised to petition the Commission.

“During investigation, it was discovered that Abraham transferred the money to Eborome but she diverted the money for her personal use.”

The draft was presented to Abraham by the acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Deputy Commander Sa’ad Hanafi.

Hanafi said the commission would continue to carry out its responsibilities professionally and prevent fraudsters from benefiting from funds that do not belong to them.

The EFCC said the recovery followed its investigation into the complaint and the tracing of the funds transferred to Eborome.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 out of 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations.

The verdict was reportedly reached by an independent panel after a lengthy hearing into the club’s financial affairs.

The charges relate to allegations that City failed to provide accurate financial information across nine seasons, from 2009-10 to 2017-18. The Premier League formally brought the case against the club in 2023 after a four-year investigation.

The independent hearing concluded in 2024, but the outcome was delayed for almost two years before reports of the verdict emerged.

Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing and are expected to appeal the findings. The club has also indicated that the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed.

No punishment has yet been announced. Possible sanctions under the Premier League rules include a points deduction, financial penalties and removal from the competition.

There has also been speculation about the possible effect of any points deduction on previous seasons. However, no decision has been made to strip Manchester City of any Premier League titles.

The reported findings cover alleged breaches involving financial reporting and other financial regulations. City’s position remains that it has not breached the rules and the club is expected to challenge the verdict through the available appeal process.

The case is one of the most significant financial disputes in Premier League history, with the final sanctions and outcome of any appeal still to be determined.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

US President Donald Trump has urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to stop any form of Chinese assistance to Iran, according to the US ambassador to China, David Perdue.

Perdue disclosed the matter after Trump and Xi met at the White House, saying Washington considers any support from Beijing to Tehran unacceptable.

The ambassador said Trump “did a great job making sure China knows this is unacceptable,” and indicated that the US had observed some movement from China on the issue.

“We’ve seen movement on that already,” Perdue told Fox News. “That’s what commitment is. They assured us they aren’t doing that.”

Trump and Xi met again at the White House on Friday before visiting the National Archives, as the Chinese president concluded a three-day conference.

During remarks over tea in the White House Red Room, both leaders spoke positively about relations between the two countries.

“America is very happy about this visit,” Trump stated. “I’m sure China is very happy also.”

Xi described China-US relations as having reached a state of “strategic stability”.

The Chinese president also said he looked forward to meeting Trump at the APEC summit in China and the G20 summit in Miami.

Xi’s visit took place amid the ongoing 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. However, the Chinese president did not attend the gathering of world leaders.

The reported discussion over Chinese assistance to Iran comes amid heightened tensions involving Tehran and the United States and its allies.

By Anwar Usman

British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has come under criticism after he was photographed shaking hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

According to GB News on Friday, Miliband met Araghchi on Thursday as the two discussed the conflict in the Middle East, the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and threats linked to Iran on British soil.

The meeting prompted criticism from Shadow Foreign Office Secretary Tom Tugendhat, who described the encounter as “legitimising a regime that has often tried to harm our people.”

He said: “The Iranian regime has done nothing to justify any senior British minister meeting their envoys.

“They are murdering protesters, threatening our allies and arming terror groups, including the Houthis. As well as threatening communities in the UK. Shaking hands gives them a credibility they have failed to achieve through violence.

“This is just grandstanding. Iran’s civilian government isn’t even in charge. Today, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is running the country.

“Our foreign policy should be about protecting Britain’s interests, not legitimising a regime that has often tried to harm our people, fund terror groups, and destroy the freedoms that keep us safe.

“Our government fundamentally misunderstands the challenges we face, using old tactics to fight new threats. Our enemies are organising, so we need to show strength and unity with our allies.”

Shadow Foreign Office minister Alicia Kearns also criticised the meeting in a post on X.

She said: “How dare Miliband shake Araghchi’s hand. He owes Parliament, British Jews, and the Foreman family an explanation and an apology.

“A propaganda win for Tehran, that’s what Miliband has given Iran. This is not an ally who’s misbehaving, so you make a stern face while shaking their hand.”

However, the UK Foreign Office said Miliband used the meeting to warn Araghchi that Britain would not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on British soil from groups linked to Iran.

The Foreign Office said the discussions also covered the war in the Middle East and the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The meeting came as world leaders and senior officials gathered in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly.

By Anwar Usman


Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said it is up to the United States to decide whether to end the ongoing war with Iran, stressing that Tehran does not want the conflict to continue. Pezeshkian made the remarks during an interview with a US television station on Thursday.

Pezeshkian took a defiant stand at the UN Wednesday, for which he travelled to New York, telling the world that Iran would not “bend at the knee” to Washington — even as US President Donald Trump acknowledged ongoing US-Iran talks.

“When we can resolve issues through dialog, we shouldn’t resort to killing one another. But with the instigations conducted by Israel, they have imposed this war on us,” he said on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier.”

“But we do not wish to continue. It’s America that must choose whether it wants to end this or not,” he remarked.

Pezeshkian insisted Iran was ready to strike a deal with Trump to end the conflict.

“Why is it that within two weeks after the signing of an agreement, they chose to blow it up?” he said of the collapse of a shaky ceasefire.

“If the current American government, within international legal frameworks, wishes to reach an agreement, fine. If not, before the (US midterm) elections or after the elections, what difference does it make for us?”

Recall tht, the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took part in a meeting with Trump’s roving envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Their talks did not immediately yield a breakthrough.– Houthi backers?

As violence raged between Yemen’s Houthi militant movement which is widely seen to be Iran-backed and Saudi Arabia and its Yemeni allies, Pezeshkian insisted the Houthis do not take direction from Tehran’s government.

Washington and its allies, including Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, accuse Iran of backing the Houthi militant movement that is raining ballistic missiles on the kingdom, and battling Riyadh-backed forces for control of Yemen.

AFP reports that, Saudi Arabia intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles on Thursday after issuing warnings for several regions including Mecca.

The Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, hitting its tankers and territory and seizing swathes of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, which is vital for Saudi oil exports, causing energy prices to jump.

Their gains cemented the hold of Iran and its allies on the two waterways that the wider Gulf, including top crude exporter Saudi Arabia, relies on to ship out its oil and other fuel products.

By Uzair Adam

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested seven suspected members of a cattle-rustling syndicate allegedly operating across Garki, Jahun and Miga Local Government Areas of the state.

The Daily Reality reports that the suspects were arrested during routine patrols following actionable intelligence and information from members of the public about their alleged activities.

The operation also led to the interception of two vehicles allegedly used by the suspects and the recovery of eight cows suspected to have been rustled.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

According to him, the arrests and recoveries followed sustained intelligence gathering, community engagement and intensified patrols in identified flashpoints and vulnerable areas across the state.

The suspects were identified as Sulaiman Tijjani, 20, of Gunka Village, Jahun LGA; Abdullahi Musa, 40, of Chai-Chai Village, Ringim LGA; Bala Muhammad, 30, of Ayama Village, Auyo LGA; Isah Adamu, 27, of Tagwai Village, Miga LGA; Yusuf Sa’idu, 32, of Kukui Village, Taura LGA; Mansur Usaini, 29, of Majiyawa Village, Ringim LGA; and Kaku Abubakar, 27, of Jajimaje Village in Yobe State.

The command said the vehicles recovered were a dark blue Golf car with registration number WRA 158 FU and an ash-coloured Golf 3 Wagon with registration number ABJ 493 HN, Abuja.

The eight cows were also recovered and are being kept as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, CP Tijjani Murtala, commended the officers involved in the operation for their vigilance, courage and professionalism.

He also appreciated members of the public whose timely information contributed to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the livestock.

The police said the seven suspects remain in custody and are assisting investigators with useful information.

It added that efforts were ongoing to identify other alleged members of the syndicate and recover additional rustled livestock.

The command urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to help combat cattle rustling and other criminal activities across the state.

By Muhammad Abubakar 

The Ulama Forum in Northern Nigeria has strongly condemned the killing of 37 young Nigerians, including teenagers as young as 16, by personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State.

In a press release signed by Convener Aminu Inuwa Muhammad and Secretary Engr Basheer Adamu Aliyu, the Forum described the killings as “shocking, disgusting and dastardly” and called for a thorough, independent and transparent investigation.

The Forum also raised alarm over reports of armed tribal militants attacking Fulani settlements in Mbamnga, Mambilla, Taraba State, particularly Wuro Geroji, where several people and livestock were reportedly killed, homes burnt, and hundreds of women and children forced to flee to Cameroon.

The Ulama Forum urged the Federal Government to ensure appropriate compensation and relief (diyyah) for victims’ families, strengthen security in vulnerable communities, prosecute those found culpable, provide humanitarian assistance to displaced persons, and facilitate the safe return of those who fled to Cameroon.

It emphasised that the protection of human life remains a fundamental responsibility of government and security institutions, stressing that every Nigerian deserves protection regardless of ethnicity, religion or location.

The Forum extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for eternal rest for the departed, healing for the injured and displaced, and lasting peace, security and justice for Nigeria.