International

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigerians resident in Norwich, United Kingdom, have commenced a fundraising drive to facilitate the return of the remains of Uchenna Okirie, popularly called “Common Man,” who was stabbed to death in his student residence in November 2025.

Okirie, a Nigerian citizen, was reportedly killed under circumstances that unsettled both residents of the area and members of the Nigerian community in the UK. A 27-year-old Congolese national, Benjamin Katabana, has been charged in connection with the incident.

To raise funds for his repatriation and burial in Nigeria, the Nigerian Community Norwich set up a GoFundMe campaign titled, “Rest in Peace, Uche: Help Us Return Him to His Family.”

As of Wednesday, the appeal had attracted £1,149 from 67 donors, out of a target of £7,000.

In the message accompanying the fundraiser, organisers paid tribute to Okirie, describing him as a kind-hearted and selfless individual who dedicated himself to helping others.

“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Uchenna Okirie, fondly known by many as ‘Common Man’… Uche was tragically stabbed to death in his home. He was a remarkable soul—steady, genuine, and deeply compassionate,” the statement read.


The community disclosed that Okirie earned a Master’s degree in Development Economics from the University of East Anglia during the 2021/2022 academic session. During his time at the institution, he also served as an international student ambassador.

He was said to be well known among students for assisting newcomers to the UK as they settled into their new environment.

“When friends arrived in the UK with nowhere to stay, he opened his home without hesitation… When someone needed help setting up a bank account, searching for a job, or navigating a new environment, Uche showed up,” the organisers stated.


They further noted that his calm nature, sincerity, and habit of placing others first earned him deep respect, adding that he would be remembered for his “unique smile, quiet generosity, and habit of placing others’ comfort above his own.”

According to the Nigerian Community Norwich, Okirie left behind friends, classmates, and colleagues who were deeply affected by his death. The group explained that the funds would cover the cost of transporting his body to Nigeria and support burial arrangements, as he had no immediate family members in the UK.

“This is our way of giving back to someone who gave so freely of himself. No contribution is too small, and every donation brings us closer to giving Uche the farewell he deserves,” the organisers added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Rap star Nicki Minaj has openly explained why she considers herself a steadfast supporter of United States President Donald Trump, a stance that has drawn both attention and controversy.

Minaj made the declaration on Wednesday during an event promoting “Trump Accounts,” a federal initiative intended to provide trust funds for children. During her remarks, she described her admiration for the American leader in strong terms.

“I will say that I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that’s not going to change,” the 43‑year‑old musician said. “And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more.”

Minaj also addressed the criticism aimed at the president, saying she would oppose what she interprets as mistreatment by his critics. “We’re not going to let them get away with bullying him and, you know, the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work, OK? He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him. Amen,” she added.

Her remarks followed an appearance on stage with Trump, where she stepped forward to express her backing for the president’s policies and the new trust account programme.

Minaj’s support for Trump, which she reiterated despite public disagreement from fans and observers, has reignited debate about her political alignment and public image.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Islamic Republic of Iran has dismissed claims that it sought negotiations with the United States amid rising tensions between the two countries. Tehran said it has not made any request for dialogue with Washington and has had no recent direct contact with U.S. officials.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, said he had not communicated with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in recent days. He stressed that Iran did not initiate any move toward talks with the United States.

“There was no contact between me and Witkoff in recent days and no request for negotiations was made from us,” Araqchi told state media. He explained that while some intermediaries remain in touch with Tehran, they are only “holding consultations” with various parties.

Araqchi further outlined Iran’s position on any potential engagement with Washington. “Our stance is clear, negotiations don’t go along with threats and talks can only take place when there are no longer menaces and excessive demands,” he said. His remarks underlined Iran’s refusal to enter discussions under pressure.

On the U.S. side, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that another “armada” was moving toward Iran. He also said he hoped Tehran would agree to a deal with Washington. The United States has recently increased its military deployments in the Gulf, following nationwide protests in Iran. Those protests triggered what observers have described as the bloodiest crackdown since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, also commented on the situation. He told Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Iran supports any effort that can prevent war, provided it aligns with international law. According to him, Tehran remains open to peaceful initiatives aimed at avoiding conflict.

The latest statements from both sides point to continued strain in relations. Iran insists that meaningful dialogue cannot happen under threats or excessive demands, while the United States continues to strengthen its military presence in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Islamic Republic of Iran has executed a man named Hamidreza Sabet Esmaeilipour after a court found him guilty of espionage on behalf of Israel, according to Mizan, the media outlet of the Iranian judiciary.

Mizan reported on Wednesday that Esmaeilipour was hanged following his conviction for spying and intelligence cooperation with Israel’s intelligence agency, the Mossad.

Judicial authorities said Esmaeilipour was arrested on April 29, 2025. They accused him of transferring classified documents and sensitive materials to a “hostile intelligence service.”

The report stated that the execution took place after Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence. Authorities also said all legal processes had been completed before the sentence was carried out.

Iran and Israel have remained engaged in a prolonged shadow conflict that has involved covert activities, assassinations, cyber operations and intelligence missions across the Middle East.

Tehran has repeatedly alleged that Israel has penetrated its security and military institutions, with particular focus on matters linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.

In recent years, Iranian authorities have executed several people accused of having ties to Israeli intelligence. These actions have attracted criticism from international human rights organisations, which have raised concerns about due process and Iran’s use of capital punishment.

Reports indicate that executions connected to alleged espionage for Israel have risen since last year. This followed a direct military confrontation in June, when Israeli and U.S. forces launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, a development that sharply intensified hostilities between the two rivals.

Iranian officials insist that such executions are essential for protecting national security. Critics, however, argue that espionage allegations often lack clarity and that court proceedings remain largely opaque.

By Anwar Usman

Nigeria has signed fresh security deal with Türkiye to help in its fight against insecurity.

The Daily Reality reports that nine fresh agreements were signed between Türkiye and Nigeria on Tuesday in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The agreements were signed following deliberations between the two countries and delegation-level meetings at the Presidential Palace in Türkiye’s capital, Ankara.

The two countries signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding MoU covering cooperation in diaspora policy, media and communication, higher education, halal accreditation, military cooperation, and cooperation with diplomatic academies. Both sides also adopted a joint declaration establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

While pledging support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism President Erdogan said Ankara reviewed options for closer cooperation in military training and intelligence during talks with President Tinubu.

President Bola Tinubu is on an official visit to Türkiye from January 26 to 28, during which the two countries are expected to sign cooperation deals and hold meetings with business and defence industry leaders to deepen bilateral ties.

“We are ready to share Türkiye’s significant experience in counterterrorism,” Erdogan said, noting that terrorist groups, particularly in Africa’s Sahel region, pose a threat to the continent’s stability.

While addressing a joint press conference on Tuesday, following the talks in Ankara, Erdogan said deliberations also covered trade, energy, investment, education and the defence industry, reiterating both countries’ commitment to achieving a $5 billion bilateral trade volume.

The two sides signed a defence agreement called “Protocol on Military Cooperation”. Türkiye has become a primary alternative to Western and Eastern arms suppliers for Nigeria with the two countries signing a Defence Industry Cooperation (Oct 2021) which provided the legal framework for Nigeria to purchase Turkish military hardware, including Bayraktar TB2 drones, T129 ATAK helicopters, and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).

The latest part of the deal was Military Training & Intelligence Agreement (2026) – officially categorised as a Military Cooperation Protocol- allows for Turkish experts to train Nigerian Special Forces and share satellite intelligence for counter-terrorism operations against groups like Boko Haram.

It was gathered that the protocol focuses on three primary areas designed to address Nigeria’s internal security challenges. The Intelligence Sharing (Real-Time) aspect focuses on establishing a direct “intelligence bridge” between the Nigerian National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT). This focuses on tracking the movement of illicit arms and monitoring the digital activities of insurgent groups in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former United States President Joe Biden has condemned the killing of two people by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis and has called for full, fair, and transparent investigations into the incidents.

In a statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday, Biden described the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good as actions that run contrary to America’s core values. He said the country is “not a nation that guns down our citizens in the street” and “not a nation that allows our citizens to be brutalized for exercising their constitutional rights.”

“We are not a nation that tramples the 4th Amendment and tolerates our neighbours being terrorized,” the former President said.

Biden also commended residents of Minnesota for what he described as their strength and unity in the face of hardship. He said Minnesotans have continued to support one another and speak against injustice despite difficult conditions.

“The people of Minnesota have stood strong — helping community members in unimaginable circumstances, speaking out against injustice when they see it, and holding our government accountable to the people,” he said.

“Minnesotans have reminded us all what it is to be American, and they have suffered enough at the hands of this Administration,” Biden added.

The former President stressed that violence has no place in the United States, especially when it involves state authorities.

“Violence and terror have no place in the United States of America, especially when it’s our own government targeting American citizens,” he said.

Biden urged citizens to protect democratic values and insisted that the foundations of the country cannot be destroyed by one individual.

“No single person can destroy what America stands for and believes in, not even a President, if we — all of America — stand up and speak out. We know who we are. It’s time to show the world. More importantly, it’s time to show ourselves,” he stated.

He concluded by extending condolences to the families of the victims.

“Jill and I are sending strength to the families and communities who love Alex Pretti and Renee Good as we all mourn their senseless deaths,” Biden said.

Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and registered nurse, was killed during an immigration enforcement operation on the south side of Minneapolis. Colleagues described him as a healthcare worker known for caring for critically ill veterans.

His death has intensified scrutiny of federal law enforcement actions and has widened mistrust between frontline healthcare workers and federal authorities.

The incident is the second fatal shooting linked to federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in recent weeks. It has sparked protests, renewed debate over enforcement methods, and growing calls for accountability.

The shootings occurred during a weeks-long deployment of immigration enforcement and other federal agents in Minneapolis. Authorities have intensified raids in the city as part of President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration agenda.

Minneapolis has also seen daily protests since the January 7 killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old resident who died after an ICE officer fired into her vehicle. In a separate incident last week, U.S. security operatives also shot a Venezuelan man in the city.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

More than half of Europeans now regard US President Donald Trump as an “enemy” of Europe, a new opinion poll has shown.

The survey, published on January 23, was conducted across seven European Union countries. It revealed that 51 percent of respondents hold a negative view of Trump’s relationship with the continent. By contrast, only eight percent described him as a “friend” of Europe.

The findings indicate a steady rise in distrust toward the US president since September last year. Public confidence has weakened over time, reflecting growing unease about his policies and rhetoric toward Europe.

According to TRT World, respondents in Denmark emerged as some of the most critical in the poll. This followed repeated statements by Trump in which he threatened to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty.

The poll highlights widening scepticism across Europe about the US president’s intentions and his approach to transatlantic relations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Donald Trump held a lengthy Oval Office meeting on Monday evening with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid rising criticism of his administration’s handling of the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident by federal agents.

According to two people briefed on the discussion, the president met with Noem and her top aide, Corey Lewandowski, for nearly two hours. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private. The session followed a request from Noem to see the president, the sources said.

According to New York Times, during the meeting, Trump did not indicate that the jobs of Noem or Lewandowski were in danger. Still, the talks highlighted growing concern within the White House over bipartisan criticism linked to the killing of Alex Pretti. Pretti was shot roughly 10 times by immigration agents on Saturday after he was reportedly filming them with his phone.

Noem has been the public face of the administration’s immigration crackdown. She has also drawn controversy for making false accusations about Pretti, including describing him as a “domestic terrorist.”

Several senior White House officials also attended the meeting. They included Susie Wiles, the chief of staff; Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary; and Steven Cheung, the communications director. Stephen Miller, a senior aide who oversees immigration strategy, was not present.

The meeting took place on the same day Trump announced that Tom Homan, his border czar, would be sent to oversee operations in Minneapolis. The decision was widely viewed as an effort to rely on an official associated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s traditional focus on targeted arrests, rather than broad raids that have taken place in cities across the country.

At the same time, the administration was preparing to move Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official whose aggressive tactics have attracted sharp criticism, out of Minneapolis. Two officials familiar with the matter confirmed the plan, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The developments reflect a shift in approach as the administration faces mounting scrutiny over the use of force by federal immigration agents and its broader enforcement strategy.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has said Washington has deployed what he described as “a big armada next to Iran” amid rising tensions, while insisting that Tehran’s leadership is still interested in reaching an agreement with the US.

Trump made the remarks during an interview with Axios late on Monday, shortly after the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln entered the US Central Command’s area of responsibility in the Middle East. The move marked a major escalation in the US military posture close to Iran.

Speaking on the deployment, Trump said: “We have a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela.”
He also emphasised that diplomacy remained possible. “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk.”

According to White House officials quoted by Axios, a military strike against Iran remains an option, although Trump has not taken a final decision. The officials added that the president is expected to hold further consultations this week and assess additional military choices.

Iranian authorities, on their part, have continued to warn of serious consequences if the US launches any attack. The warnings come amid ongoing arrests linked to deadly nationwide protests and a prolonged internet blackout across parts of the country, Aaljazeera reports.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also issued strong signals. In a report carried by Press TV, an unnamed IRGC official said the force is “closely monitoring” US and Israeli actions in the region. The official added that any belief that a strike on Iran would be quick and clean is based on an “incomplete understanding” of Iran’s capabilities. Last week, IRGC commander General Mohammad Pakpour said his forces were “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger,” and urged the US and Israel to “avoid any miscalculation.”

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has declared it would not remain neutral if Iran is attacked. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem made the position clear during a televised address delivered via video link at a solidarity event.

Qassem said Hezbollah fully supports Iran and its leadership. He added that any threat against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be treated as a threat against Hezbollah itself, according to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV. Qassem also accused Washington of long-standing hostility towards Iran, saying the US had plotted against the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and later pursued conflict through Iraq in the 1980s.

Regional reactions have also emerged. The United Arab Emirates announced that it would not allow its land, airspace or territorial waters to be used for any military operation against Iran. In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry said it would also refuse to provide logistical support for such an attack. The Gulf state maintains strong trade ties with Iran, despite regional rivalries and its 2020 normalisation agreement with Israel, which was brokered by the US.

In Tehran, tensions have spilled into public symbolism. Authorities unveiled a massive mural in Enghelab Square that shows a damaged US aircraft carrier with destroyed fighter jets and streams of blood. The caption on the artwork, written in both Farsi and English, reads: “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.” Enghelab Square often hosts state-organised gatherings, and officials regularly change its murals to reflect national events.

The developments underline the growing strain between Washington and Tehran, as diplomatic signals continue alongside military deployments and stark warnings from Iran and its allies.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Laken Hope Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student whose life was cut short during a morning jog at the University of Georgia, continues to be remembered across the United States for the profound impact her death had on her community and the national conversation on public safety and immigration.

Riley was attacked and murdered on February 22, 2024, while running near Oconee Forest Park on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia. Her body was later discovered near Lake Herrick. Medical findings confirmed that she died from blunt force trauma and asphyxiation after suffering multiple severe injuries.

On the morning of the incident, Riley sent her mother a text message at 8:55 a.m., writing: “Good morning, about to go for a run if you’re free to talk”. She placed a call to her mother minutes later. Security footage later showed Riley jogging with her phone at 9:05 a.m., before she turned toward the wooded park area at 9:06 a.m. That was the last time she was seen alive.

Investigators established that Riley’s phone placed an emergency call to 911 at 9:11 a.m. Her watch later indicated that her heart stopped at 9:28 a.m. Police believe the attack occurred between 9:06 a.m. and 9:32 a.m.

University police discovered Riley’s body at 12:38 p.m. after her roommate reported her missing earlier that day. Sergeant Kenneth Maxwell, one of the first officers on the scene, said Riley had visible injuries and no detectable pulse. Efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.

An autopsy conducted by Dr. Michelle DiMarco revealed that Riley suffered eight cuts to the left side of her head, a complex skull fracture, hemorrhaging, and multiple injuries to her ear, neck, torso, abdomen, hand, and leg. Petechiae were also found in her eyes and gums. Authorities described the killing as a “crime of opportunity”, noting that the attacker acted alone. It was the first murder recorded on the university campus since 1983.

Riley was born on January 10, 2002, in Marietta, Georgia, to Jason Riley and Allyson Phillips. She grew up with three siblings and graduated from River Ridge High School in 2020, where she ran on the cross-country team. Her former coach, Keith Hooper, remembered her as “a beautiful person, passionate about her health care studies and an unselfish teammate”.

At the time of her death, Riley was studying nursing at Augusta University in Athens and had previously attended the University of Georgia as an undergraduate. She was also an active member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

Police later identified the suspect as José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who had entered the United States illegally in September 2022. He was arrested after investigators linked him to the crime through surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and witness accounts. Riley’s hair was found on a jacket recovered from a dumpster near Ibarra’s residence, and police observed scratches on his arms and redness on his knuckles during questioning.

Ibarra faced ten criminal charges, including felony murder, malice murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault with intent to rape, false imprisonment, and concealing the death of another. He pleaded not guilty. After a bench trial that began in November 2024, Judge H. Patrick Haggard found him guilty on all counts on November 20, 2024, and sentenced him to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Riley’s death drew international attention and sparked renewed debate over illegal immigration policies in the United States. Lawmakers cited her case during deliberations on the Laken Riley Act, legislation that mandates federal detention of illegal immigrants arrested for burglary or theft. The bill was signed into law on January 29, 2025, becoming the first legislation approved during President Donald Trump’s second term.

Her funeral took place on March 1, 2024, at Woodstock City Church, followed by her burial at Enon Cemetery in Woodstock, Georgia. A memorial now stands near Lake Herrick in her honor. Her family later announced plans to establish the Laken Hope Riley Foundation.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Riley’s stepfather said: “She will be missed every day, but we promise to honor her life moving forward in a very big way”.

One year on, Laken Riley is remembered not only as a promising nursing student and devoted daughter, but also as a symbol of a life lost too soon and a tragedy that continues to resonate far beyond the University of Georgia campus.