International

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has spoken publicly about the circumstances that led to his controversial departure from Napoli in 2024, alleging disrespect and unfair treatment during his final days at the club.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Nigerian forward said his relationship with the Italian side deteriorated after videos that mocked him were posted on the club’s TikTok page. He explained that the incident marked the beginning of the crisis between him and the club’s hierarchy.

Osimhen disclosed that he reacted by removing all photos of himself in Napoli colours from his Instagram account. According to him, the club then turned supporters against him.

Speaking on a penalty he missed during a Serie A match at the peak of the controversy, he said, “Anyone can miss a penalty, anyone can be mocked for it. Napoli only did it to me, and with certain innuendos, too. I was the victim of racist insults, and I made my decision: I wanted to leave. I deleted photos of me in a Napoli shirt from my Instagram, and they seized the opportunity to turn the fans against me.”

The striker further revealed that there had been an understanding that he would be allowed to leave the club the following summer. He alleged that the agreement was not respected.

“We had a gentleman’s agreement that I could leave the following summer, but the other side didn’t fully keep their promise.”

Osimhen said the club’s conduct afterward made the situation worse, claiming he was pushed around without regard for his career plans.

“They tried to send me to play everywhere, treating me like a dog. Go here, go there, do this, do that. I worked so hard to advance my career, I couldn’t accept that kind of treatment. I’m not a puppet,” he said.

Following the dispute, Napoli excluded the forward from their squad ahead of the 2024/25 season. He was not registered for Serie A action and was later sent out on loan to Galatasaray. He eventually sealed a permanent exit from the Italian side, completing a €75 million move to his current club last year.

Osimhen’s remarks have reignited debate among fans and analysts over the breakdown in relations between the Nigerian international and his former employers.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has announced the sighting of the crescent that signals the start of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH.

The confirmation came on Tuesday evening, 29 Sha’ban 1447 AH, corresponding to February 17, 2026. With this development, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, has been fixed as the first day of fasting in the Kingdom.

Following the declaration, Muslims across Saudi Arabia will observe the first Taraweeh prayers on Tuesday night shortly after the Isha prayer. The special prayers will take place in mosques nationwide, including the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

The court’s announcement emerged despite earlier projections by major astronomical institutions such as the International Astronomy Center (IAC), which had argued that sighting the moon that evening would be impossible across the Arab and Islamic world. The body explained that the crescent would set before sunset or only minutes after, making it difficult to observe either with the naked eye or telescopes.

Saudi authorities, however, acted in line with the Kingdom’s established practice, which gives precedence to verified physical sighting once credible witnesses present testimony. Reports submitted to the moon-sighting committee were reviewed and authenticated before the ruling was issued.

Based on the confirmed commencement date, Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is projected to fall on either Thursday, March 19, or Friday, March 20, 2026. The exact date will depend on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent.

Muslims in Saudi Arabia and several countries that follow the Kingdom’s moon-sighting decision will now begin the sacred month devoted to fasting, prayer, and spiritual devotion. Ramadan this year falls within the winter period, with fasting expected to last about 13 hours daily.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Human rights lawyer Audu Bulama Bukarti has called for transparency following the announcement by the Defence Headquarters that about 100 United States military personnel have arrived at the Bauchi Airfield.

According to the statement, the troops are in Nigeria to support the Armed Forces in training and intelligence-sharing operations.

Bukarti raised concerns over the lack of detail in the official release, noting that it did not indicate whether the US troops will be permanently stationed in Bauchi or are simply passing through to another location.

He said, “If they are going to stay in Bauchi, the public deserves to know why that location was chosen instead of frontline theatres of terrorism such as Zamfara, Niger or Borno.”

He acknowledged that there may be tactical or strategic reasons for the deployment but warned that the absence of clear communication fuels speculation. “Given the sensitivities surrounding foreign military presence on Nigerian soil, transparency is not a luxury – it is a necessity,” Bukarti added.

The lawyer further reiterated that Nigerians should be informed about the specific scope, duration, and limits of the mission. “The public deserves to know how long the US personnel will remain, the specific nature of the training they will conduct and mechanisms for Nigerian oversight,” he wrote.

Bukarti noted that if the partnership is lawful, limited, and in Nigeria’s best interest, a straightforward explanation would build public trust. “Silence or opacity, however, risks fuelling suspicion, speculation and misinformation at a time when clarity and candour are most needed,” he stressed.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A shooting disrupted a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, United States, leaving one person dead and several others injured.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at Lynch Arena, an ice rink known as the home venue of the hockey team of Johnson & Wales University, according to NYPost.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect involved in the daytime attack died at the scene. Officials, however, did not immediately provide a confirmed figure for the number of injured victims as emergency responders transported the wounded to nearby hospitals.

Eyewitnesses recounted moments of panic inside the arena. Students, parents, and other spectators ran for safety after gunshots suddenly echoed during a match between rival schools, Coventry and Blackstone Valley.

An employee of a nearby Walgreens store told local media that terrified individuals rushed into the shop in search of protection shortly after the shooting started. Staff members were asked to close the store and evacuate, while some people remained hidden inside as emergency services were alerted.

Branden Mello, a local sports editor who followed the situation, said the shooting started from the spectator stands behind the Blackstone Valley team’s bench. The development sparked fear across the facility.

He added that a parent at the venue reportedly confronted the attacker and succeeded in wrestling a firearm away from him. Reports indicated that the suspect possessed another weapon at the time, which heightened the danger before order was eventually restored.

The shooting has again raised concerns about gun violence in public places across the United States, particularly at school-related events where families and students usually gather.

Law enforcement authorities have opened an investigation into the incident. Officials are also monitoring the medical condition of those who sustained injuries.

By Kamal Alkasim

It began with hope. Like many young Nigerians chasing a better life, Sulaiman Abubakar left Kano with dreams of greener pastures. But four years after crossing into Algeria illegally, his journey has become a nightmare — one of arrest, detention, and silence that has left his loved ones pleading for help.

Sulaiman Muhammad, a native of Kano, fled his hometown’s rising cost of living and crossed into Algeria illegally. After four years abroad, he was arrested and has been detained there for more than four months.

In an interview with The Daily Reality, his fiancée Khadija Abubakar, 20, shared the untold story:

“I met him before he left for Algeria. The hardship at home forced him to go. We lost touch for a long time,” she said.

“When we reconnected, he sent ₦1 million to my family so my parents could buy marriage materials (Lefe) and prepare our wedding. A month later, back in Kano, he returned to his business, and I haven’t heard his voice since.”

Her words, spoken with sorrow, highlight the human cost of irregular migration.

His Kindness and Impact on My Life

“He is generous and very good to me. If I marry him, I know he will be a supportive partner. He sent me money as capital to grow my business, and in every situation he has never failed to support me. He always told me that if he had enough capital, he would return to Kano, start his own business, and stay home rather than travel again. Missing him is a great loss to me.”

“After he went missing, I contacted his boss on WhatsApp. We spoke, and he told me to stay calm and promised to do his best to rescue him. He thought the police might have arrested him. We talk every day, but the story remains the same. I don’t know what to do.”

A Mother’s Plea

Sulaiman’s mother, Aishatu Abubakar, who asked not to be photographed, shared her anguish: “My son is one in a million. He’s obedient. If I lose him, they will finish me. He always takes on my responsibilities. The whole family is proud of him. He promised to finish building my home. This tragedy ends that hope for me. But in my body, I feel my son will escape soon.”

Final Call for Help

“I called on people who can help me to rescue him,” Khadija said. His mother, Aisha Abubakar, added, “I call on anyone who can do anything to help us. We are ready to join hands.”

What Algerian law says about illegal immigration

Algeria’s main rule for people who enter the country without a visa or proper documents is set out in Law No. 08-11 of 25 June 2008 on the conditions of entry, residence and movement of foreign nationals. The law makes “illegal entry” a punishable offence, and once caught, migrants can be detained, fined, and then deported. 

In practice, authorities often place undocumented migrants in administrative detention centres while arranging removals, and they may also issue re-entry bans. Human rights bodies have repeatedly urged Algeria to decriminalise irregular migration and to use detention only as a last resort, but the 2008 law remains the legal basis for treating unauthorised entry as a criminal matter.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A review of court records has shown that judges across the United States have repeatedly ruled against the detention practices of immigration authorities under President Donald Trump’s administration.

According to Reuters, findings indicate that since October, courts have issued more than 4,400 rulings that deemed the detention of immigrants by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unlawful. The decisions represent a major legal setback for the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policy. Despite this, detentions have continued in many instances.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston of West Virginia criticised the government’s position in one of the cases. He wrote, “It is appalling that the Government insists that this Court should redefine or completely disregard the current law as it is clearly written,” while ordering the release of a Venezuelan detainee.

Many of the rulings stem from the administration’s shift away from a long-standing interpretation of federal law. For nearly three decades, immigrants already residing in the United States could seek release on bond while pursuing their cases in immigration courts. The policy change has triggered widespread legal challenges.

In response, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the administration is “working to lawfully deliver on President Trump’s mandate to enforce federal immigration law.”

Data shows that the number of people held in ICE custody has surged to about 68,000 this month. That figure represents an increase of roughly 75 percent since Trump assumed office last year.

However, the administration recorded a legal victory at an appeals court in New Orleans. U.S. Circuit Judge Edith Jones ruled that earlier administrations’ limited use of detention powers did not eliminate the authority to expand their application. She stated that prior restraint “does not mean they lacked the authority to do more.”

Government officials argue that the spike in lawsuits was expected. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the trend came as “no surprise” and added, “especially after many activist judges have attempted to thwart President Trump from fulfilling the American people’s mandate for mass deportations.”

Court filings show that detained immigrants have submitted more than 20,200 federal lawsuits seeking release since Trump took office. Judges have ruled in at least 4,421 of those cases that ICE held detainees unlawfully.

One example involved Joseph Thomas, an 18-year-old Venezuelan student arrested during a traffic stop in Wisconsin alongside his father. Both men were asylum seekers with legal work authorisation. Their lawyer, Carrie Peltier, argued they were targeted for “driving while brown.” Judges later ordered their release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz ruled that Joseph’s detention was illegal. He cited a lack of proof that ICE possessed a warrant at the time of arrest. In a separate decision, U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud affirmed that the teenager’s father qualified for a bond hearing. He wrote, “This raises an issue of statutory interpretation that courts in this District have repeatedly considered and rejected, and it will be rejected here as well.”

Legal experts say habeas corpus petitions have become the primary legal route for detainees seeking freedom. The constitutional mechanism allows individuals to challenge unlawful detention in court.

The wave of litigation has placed pressure on the justice system. More than 700 Justice Department attorneys are now assigned to immigration detention cases. Some have appeared in over 1,000 lawsuits each.

Judges have also faulted authorities for failing to comply with release orders. In Minnesota, Schiltz said the government violated 96 court orders across 76 cases. A federal prosecutor in the district later described the caseload as an “enormous burden” on government lawyers.

In New York, U.S. District Judge Nusrat Choudhury ruled that ICE violated two “clear and unambiguous orders” after transferring a detainee while misrepresenting his location to the court.

The Justice Department has defended its actions. Spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre said the administration “is complying with court orders and fully enforcing federal immigration law.” She added, “If rogue judges followed the law in adjudicating cases and respected the government’s obligation to properly prepare cases, there wouldn’t be an ‘overwhelming’ habeas caseload or concern over DHS following orders.”

Advocacy groups continue to assist detainees. Lawyers often wait outside immigration courts to file emergency petitions that prevent transfers to distant detention centres.

Still, many immigrants struggle to access legal relief due to cost or lack of awareness. Judy Rall, the U.S. citizen wife of a Venezuelan detainee, said she could not afford the legal fees required to file a habeas petition. Her husband remains in detention despite having no criminal record. Reflecting on their situation, she said, “Our home burnt down, and I had told them I needed him to come help,” adding, “I assume that is the reason.”

The growing number of lawsuits continues to test the capacity of the courts as legal battles over immigration detention intensify nationwide.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

An Indian teacher and activist, Rouble Nagi, has won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize for her groundbreaking work in bringing education to marginalized communities across India. The award was presented on Thursday at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, an event that attracts leaders from around the world.

Nagi, founder of the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, has established over 800 learning centers in India. These centers provide structured education for children who have never attended school and supplement learning for those already enrolled. She also paints educational murals across slum walls, teaching literacy, science, mathematics, and history.

Accepting the award, Nagi said the recognition was not just for her but for India. She recalled starting 24 years ago with 30 children in a small workshop, and now reaching over a million children.

> “I think every step has just motivated me, inspired me to take every child in India to school,” Nagi said. “You know when I was a child it was my dream to see every child at school and as you grow up fulfilling that for as many as we can reach, I think it’s a very humbling experience.”



Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, which awards the prize, praised Nagi’s dedication.

> “Rouble Nagi represents the very best of what teaching can be – courage, creativity, compassion, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential,” Varkey said. “By bringing education to the most marginalized communities, she has not only changed individual lives, but strengthened families and communities.”



Nagi plans to use the $1 million prize to establish an institute that will offer free vocational training. UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini, added that Nagi’s recognition highlights the crucial role teachers play in shaping lives.

> “Teachers matter,” Giannini said. “We are honoured to join the Global Teacher Prize in celebrating teachers like you, who, through patience, determination, and belief in every learner, help children into school — an act that can change the course of a life.”



Nagi is the tenth recipient of the Global Teacher Prize since it was established in 2015. Past winners include educators from Kenya, Palestine, Canada, and Saudi Arabia, all recognized for their efforts to improve access to education in challenging environments.

Her work continues to inspire and redefine what is possible in education for underserved communities worldwide.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Saturday that Beijing will remove tariffs on imports from nearly all African countries starting May 1, according to state media reports.

Currently, China maintains a zero-tariff policy for imports from 33 African nations. However, last year, the government pledged to extend the policy to all 53 of its diplomatic partners on the continent.

From May, the zero-tariff arrangement will apply to every African country except Eswatini, which continues to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Xi highlighted the move during the annual African Union summit in Ethiopia, describing it as a significant boost for development across Africa.

“This will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for African development,” he said, underscoring China’s role as Africa’s largest trading partner.

The country has been a major supporter of infrastructure projects across the continent through its expansive “Belt and Road” initiative.

African nations are increasingly turning to China and other international partners for trade, following the imposition of steep tariffs by US President Donald Trump last year.

The zero-tariff policy is expected to strengthen trade ties between China and Africa, giving African exporters greater access to Chinese markets while encouraging economic growth in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States military has conducted another lethal attack on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in the deaths of three people. This latest strike adds to a series of operations that have killed at least 133 individuals since September 2025.

US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which oversees military operations across Latin America and the Caribbean, confirmed that US forces “conducted a lethal kinetic strike” on Friday, killing three people.

The military repeated its claim that those targeted were suspected drug traffickers, describing the deceased as “narco-terrorists,” though it did not provide independent evidence to substantiate the allegations.

SOUTHCOM released a video showing a missile hitting the vessel, which exploded and was completely destroyed.

International law and human rights experts have frequently criticized such attacks, arguing they amount to extrajudicial executions even if the targets are allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

This attack follows an operation earlier in the week in the eastern Pacific Ocean. SOUTHCOM said it struck a vessel, killing two people while leaving one survivor. Officials notified the US Coast Guard about the survivor but did not provide details on the individual’s condition or likelihood of rescue.

The US first attacked vessels in international waters in September 2025. That initial strike included a follow-up attack that killed survivors clinging to the wreckage. US officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Admiral Frank Bradley, faced scrutiny over the decision to target the shipwrecked survivors.

Legal experts have warned that the US military could be implicated in a crime for killing individuals after a shipwreck.

Monitors and media tallies indicate that US forces have carried out approximately 38 attacks against 40 vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in at least 133 deaths, including the two killed earlier this week.

President Donald Trump has described the situation as an “armed conflict” with Latin American cartels, defending the operations as necessary to curb drug trafficking into the US.

Legal observers, however, have argued that the US has no authority to carry out strikes in international waters and that all alleged traffickers have a right to due process.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A report citing the Russian government’s denial of recruiting Nigerians to fight in Ukraine is facing direct challenge from evidence within Nigerian communities.

This follows an article published on 10 February 2026, which relayed the Russian Embassy’s statement refuting any state-sponsored recruitment program.

The rebuttal, provided by a Kaduna state resident, presents a concrete counter-narrative. The individual states that a neighbor, a Nigerian national, voluntarily enlisted in the Russian military, was deployed in connection with the Ukraine conflict, but he doesn’t detail his recruitment process and contract terms to family and community before leaving.

“This direct evidence renders the blanket denial incomplete and misleading,” the source wrote in a communication to the Daily Reality editorial team. The account suggests recruitment is operational through pathways potentially involving private military companies or intermediaries, even if not an official government scheme.

The source argues the situation of the four deceased Nigerians previously reported—Adam Anas, Akinlawon Tunde Quyuum, Abugu Stanley Onyeka, and Balogun Ridwan Adisa—may represent only the most tragic outcomes of a broader phenomenon.

The Russian Ambassador’s offer to investigate “illegal organisations or individuals” if provided details is cited as an implicit acknowledgment that the recruitment of Nigerians is occurring.

The challenge calls for amended reporting that separates diplomatic rhetoric from ground truth, proposing a revised summary.

The core issue, the source contends, is no longer if Nigerians are fighting, but how they are recruited, under whose authority, and with what safeguards. The families of those recruited and the Nigerian public, they state, require answers beyond a simple denial.