By Uzair Adam

The Ummah Movement has condemned what it described as an unprovoked and premeditated joint military attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran by the United States and Israel, warning that the action could trigger a wider regional and global conflict.

In a statement signed by its National Amir, Prof. Muhammad Babangida, on Sunday, the group expressed shock over the reported simultaneous strikes carried out on Saturday, 28th February 2026.

The movement said it was saddened that U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly chose the holy month of Ramadan to launch what it termed “criminal aggression” against Iran.

It also referenced the ongoing war in Gaza, claiming that more than 70,000 lives had been lost in previous joint military actions.

According to the group, the attack on Iran was launched despite what it described as ongoing negotiations in Geneva, which it alleged were used as a cover for regime change.

The Ummah Movement said the action was capable of igniting a broader regional confrontation with “unlimited disastrous consequences.”

The statement further condemned what it called the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Kharana’i, and other senior officials.

“This is a cowardly act which sets a dangerous precedence in conflicts between nations,” the group stated, accusing the United States and Israel of disregarding international laws and conventions in pursuit of expansionist goals.

The movement called on the Nigerian Federal Government to publicly denounce the strikes and review any existing military agreements with the United States and Israel.

It also urged Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East to shut down U.S. military bases within their territories and expel American troops as a step toward restoring peace in the region.

The group warned that failure by Muslim countries to act promptly could lead to a wider global confrontation, potentially drawing in Russia and China on the side of Iran, particularly if the conflict disrupts global fuel supplies in the Gulf.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The presidency has dismissed reports circulating online that kitchen workers at the Presidential Villa attempted to poison Bola Ahmed Tinubu or were arrested over such an incident.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, rejected the allegation in a post shared on his X account on Sunday. He described the report as false and urged the public to disregard it.

The claim had alleged that some staff working in the kitchen at Aso Rock were involved in a poisoning attempt targeting the president.

Reacting to the development, Onanuga said:
“No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video,”

He maintained that the story lacked any basis and should not be taken seriously.

Further details are expected as the situation develops.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The presidency has dismissed reports circulating online that kitchen workers at the Presidential Villa attempted to poison Bola Ahmed Tinubu or were arrested over such an incident.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, rejected the allegation in a post shared on his X account on Sunday. He described the report as false and urged the public to disregard it.

The claim had alleged that some staff working in the kitchen at Aso Rock were involved in a poisoning attempt targeting the president.

Reacting to the development, Onanuga said:
“No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video,”

He maintained that the story lacked any basis and should not be taken seriously.

Further details are expected as the situation develops.

By Uzair Adam

The Republic of China has firmly opposed and strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, describing the attack as a serious breach of international norms.

A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry made the statement on Sunday while responding to questions about the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was said to have been killed during military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel in Tehran on Saturday.

According to the spokesperson, the attack represents a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, undermining the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter as well as the basic norms guiding international relations.

China called for an immediate halt to the military operations and urged all parties to avoid further escalation of tensions.

The spokesperson also stressed the need for collective efforts to safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East and across the world. (Xinhua)

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Prominent Nigerian Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has reacted to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, describing him as “a lucky soul.”

In a Facebook post, Gumi said Khamenei died in what he described as a jihad against those killing innocent women and children in Gaza and other places.

He stated that Khamenei’s blood would inspire change within the Muslim ummah, adding that the late leader stood firmly for justice and did not hide in bunkers.

Gumi also warned those he accused of being involved in Khamenei’s killing, saying time would reveal what they would live to witness in this world.

His remarks come amid ongoing global reactions following the reported death of Khamenei, which has sparked debate across political and religious circles.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran was announced shortly after the passing of the country’s former leader, Ali Khamenei.

The new leader assumes the position at a time of significant challenges in the Middle East, amidst severe tensions between Iran and other nations, including Israel.

In his inaugural address to the nation, Mojtaba Khamenei stated that Iran’s policies regarding its nuclear program and its firm stance in defending its regional interests will remain unchanged. He emphasized that Iran will continue to follow the path inherited from the previous leadership.

He also indicated that the country is in a state of full readiness, portraying Iran as a resilient nation equipped with sufficient strategies and strength to defend itself against any external threats.

Political analysts observing international affairs view this transition as a new chapter in the history of Iran’s leadership, particularly at a time when the Middle East is grappling with conflicts and disputes.

By Anas Abbas

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has died, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday following an unprecedented military offensive by the United States and Israel.

The joint strikes, which targeted key leadership and strategic sites across Iran, mark an escalation in the long-standing tensions between Tehran and its Western and Israeli adversaries.

Iran’s state television and official news agencies reported the 86-year-old leader’s death and announced 40 days of national mourning along with seven days of public holidays as the nation comes to terms with the loss.

Reports confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier stated that Khamenei was killed in coordinated military action, describing the outcome in stark terms on social media. Israeli officials also indicated that Khamenei’s compound in Tehran had been destroyed during the strikes.

Reports from Iranian media further indicate that members of Khamenei’s immediate family, including his daughter, son-in-law, and a grandchild, were also killed in the attack.

Khamenei had led the Islamic Republic since 1989, succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and guiding Iran’s hardline theocratic system for more than three decades. As supreme leader, he exercised ultimate authority over the country’s political, military and religious institutions and was a defining figure in shaping Tehran’s domestic and foreign policies.

The strikes have prompted swift retaliatory action by Iranian forces, with missile and drone launches directed at U.S. and allied positions across the region. Analysts warn that the developments could trigger broader instability across the Middle East.

Under Iran’s constitution, a transitional council composed of senior officials including the president, the judiciary chief and a Guardian Council cleric will temporarily oversee state affairs while the Assembly of Experts, a body of clerics, convenes to select a new supreme leader.

Observers say the power vacuum left by Khamenei’s death and the sweeping geopolitical fallout from the U.S. Israeli military operation will have far-reaching consequences for Iran and the wider region in the weeks and months ahead.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.07% in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking the second time in a decade, excluding the post-pandemic rebound, that quarterly growth has surpassed the 4% threshold, according to new data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, welcomed the figures on Tuesday, framing them as evidence that the economic reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration are gaining traction.

The Q4 performance builds on the momentum of the 4.23% growth recorded in the second quarter of 2025 and represents a significant uptick from the 3.76% growth reported in the third quarter of 2024. It also surpasses the 3.52% growth recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The growth in the final quarter of the year was driven by expansion across Nigeria’s three main economic sectors.

1· The Agriculture sector grew by 4.0%, a sharp rise from 2.54% in Q4 2024. The ministry attributed this improvement to enhanced security in food-producing regions and better access to essential inputs for farmers.

2· The Industrial sector expanded by 3.88%, compared to 2.49% in the same period of the previous year. Officials cited improved foreign exchange liquidity, ongoing energy sector reforms, and a rebound in investor confidence as key drivers.

3· The Services sector, the largest contributor to the economy, recorded a growth rate of 4.15%, fueled by continued expansion in finance, telecommunications, trade, and other technology-driven activities.

The ministry highlighted the breadth of the expansion, noting that approximately 30 sub-sectors across the economy recorded growth rates above 3%.


For the full year 2025, Nigeria’s real GDP growth stood at 3.87%, an improvement from the 3.38% recorded in 2024. The nominal size of the economy also increased significantly, rising to ₦441.5 trillion from ₦372.8 trillion in the prior year.

In his remarks, Minister Edun stated that the latest figures reinforce confidence among both domestic and international investors. He reiterated the Ministry of Finance’s commitment to sustaining the implementation of structural reforms, maintaining disciplined expenditure management, and improving revenue mobilization to ensure macroeconomic stability continues to strengthen.

By Uzair Adam

Saudi Arabia has condemned what it described as direct military aggression by Iran, confirming that Iranian forces targeted Riyadh and the Kingdom’s eastern region in a sharp escalation of tensions across the Gulf.

In a statement issued by the Saudi Foreign Ministry and carried by Al Jazeera, the Kingdom said its air defence systems successfully intercepted the incoming missiles and drones.

“These attacks cannot be justified under any pretext or in any way,” the statement said, adding that Tehran had been aware that Saudi Arabia would not allow its airspace or territory to be used for operations against it.

The acknowledgement represents a significant shift in Riyadh’s posture, moving from expressions of solidarity with Gulf allies to confirming that it was itself a direct target.

The escalation followed coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on multiple locations inside Iran. Washington and Tel Aviv described the operation as aimed at weakening Iran’s military capacity and countering perceived threats.

Tehran, however, denounced the attacks as violations of its sovereignty and pledged a decisive response.

Within hours, Iran launched missiles and drones toward Israeli and American assets across the region.

Air defence systems were activated in several Gulf capitals amid reports of explosions and intercepted projectiles.

Iran had earlier warned that any assault on its territory would result in American bases in the region being treated as legitimate targets.

Despite calls for restraint from some Middle Eastern states, the United States proceeded with its military operation.

Confirmation that Riyadh and the eastern region were also targeted has intensified fears of a wider regional conflict.

Saudi Arabia now finds itself navigating a delicate strategic balance. As a longstanding security partner of Washington, the Kingdom remains aligned with the United States’ defence framework.

At the same time, it has in recent years sought to ease tensions with Tehran after decades of rivalry.

The confrontation builds on deep-rooted disputes over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and proxy conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, alongside recurring flare-ups between Israel and Iran.

Diplomatic efforts to calm tensions have repeatedly faltered, leaving the region exposed to sudden escalation.

Analysts warn that continued hostilities could disrupt energy supplies, unsettle global markets, and strain an already fragile regional security environment.

Several air routes to and from parts of the Middle East have already been suspended amid the rising tensions.

With military exchanges intensifying and rhetoric hardening, the region faces a defining moment, as uncertainty grows over whether diplomacy can regain momentum and prevent a broader conflict.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the renewal of Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi’s appointment as the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for a second term of five years.

The new tenure, which took effect on Friday, February 27, comes just as Dr. Audi’s initial five-year stint in office came to an end. He was first appointed to the position in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to a statement from the State House on Saturday, Dr. Audi’s reappointment was announced as he participated in the 2026 World Civil Defence Day activities at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja. He is expected to resume his duties with a renewed mandate on Monday.

In a charge to the veteran security chief, President Tinubu directed him to reposition the service to play a more significant role in the nation’s security architecture. This directive comes as the Nigeria Police Force refocuses its efforts on its primary mandate of protecting citizens from the threats of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

Dr. Audi, a native of Nasarawa State, brings decades of experience to the role. He began his journey with the Corps in November 1996 as a volunteer and was deployed as a Divisional Officer in Obi Local Government Area in 1997 following his basic officer training. Rising through the ranks, he was promoted to Commandant in 2007 and served in various capacities at the National Headquarters in Abuja.

He holds an extensive academic portfolio, including a PhD in Public Administration from Nasarawa State University, Keffi (2014), and a Master’s in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2019).