News

By Muhammad Abubakar

In response to recent media reports suggesting a potential easing of Saudi Arabia’s longstanding alcohol prohibition, a senior Saudi official has categorically denied any plans to lift the ban.

Princess Haifa bint Mohammed Al Saud, the Assistant Minister of Tourism, addressed the issue during a panel session at the World Economic Forum in Davos. She emphasized that the Kingdom remains committed to its laws prohibiting alcohol consumption.

“The short answer is that we’re going to continue with our current laws,” she stated, highlighting that Saudi Arabia has successfully attracted tourists without altering its cultural and legal frameworks.

The clarification comes amid speculation fueled by the recent opening of a liquor store in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, exclusively serving non-Muslim diplomats. While this move marks a controlled exception, it does not indicate a broader policy shift regarding alcohol availability in the country.

Furthermore, Saudi officials have reiterated that the alcohol ban will remain during major upcoming events, including the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, the Saudi ambassador to the UK, confirmed that alcohol will not be available to fans during the tournament, aligning with the Kingdom’s cultural and religious values.

As Saudi Arabia continues its Vision 2030 initiative to diversify the economy and promote tourism, officials stress that modernization efforts will proceed without compromising core cultural principles.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has revealed that Saudi Arabian authorities barred him from participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage despite granting him a valid visa.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Sheikh Gumi wrote: “Alhamdulillahi, I’ve already completed my Hajj 2025 and I’m at home in our beloved country Nigeria.”

He referenced a verse from the Qur’an (Q2:196) to explain that being prevented from performing the pilgrimage due to external circumstances frees one from the obligation after offering a sacrifice, in line with Islamic teachings.

The cleric attributed his denial of entry to his political views, stating: “For some obvious reasons—my views about world politics—the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable about my presence in Hajj after giving me the Hajj visa.”

He expressed gratitude to Nigerian authorities. He said, “Thanks to the Nigerian authorities who have pledged to take up the matter immediately with Saudi authorities. That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy.”

Sheikh Gumi was among several Islamic scholars sponsored by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for this year’s pilgrimage.

He reportedly arrived in Medina on Saturday night via Umza Air, but was denied entry by Saudi immigration officials.

Now back in Nigeria, Sheikh Gumi said he would focus on his health and farming activities while urging continued prayers for the safe return of all pilgrims and for peace and prosperity in the country.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Spain has called for international sanctions against Israel following its ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has led to heavy civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian situation.

At a high-level summit in Madrid, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares proposed suspending the EU’s cooperation agreement with Israel, imposing an arms embargo, and targeting top Israeli officials with sanctions. 

Mr Albares also called on world powers to recognise the State of Palestine as a step toward peace.

Spain has joined South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide, further escalating diplomatic pressure. 

Meanwhile, public protests across major Spanish cities have amplified demands for an end to arms sales and more decisive action against Israel.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A high-stakes coalition meeting involving prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, was thrown into chaos after delegates from Jigawa State protested over representation.

The meeting, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel and organized by the National Political Consultative Group (North), was temporarily halted when former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, announced a delegate to speak on behalf of Jigawa State.

Angered by the selection, several Jigawa delegates stormed the stage, blocking the nominee and insisting they would not accept an imposed representative.

The confrontation prompted security personnel including police, DSS operatives, and private guards—to swiftly form a protective cordon around Atiku, Amaechi, and other leaders.

After tense moments, order was restored following appeals, with Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, and another delegate chosen to represent the state.

The incident highlights rising tensions within opposition ranks as key figures negotiate alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.

By Anas Abbas

In the recently released results of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), 17,025 candidates, representing 0.88% of the total 1,931,467 participants, scored 300 and above. 

This information was disclosed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Sunday, coinciding with the announcement of results from the resit examination.

This year’s performance marks a notable improvement compared to previous years since the introduction of the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format in 2013. The latest figures surpass the 1,842,364 results released in 2024, reflecting a consistent increase in UTME participation over time.

For context, only 8,401 candidates (0.46%) achieved similar scores in 2024, while just 5,318 candidates (0.35%) reached this benchmark in 2023.

The Christian community in Nigeria has been thrown into mourning following the death of Reverend Azzaman David, a popular Kaduna-based preacher and staunch Christian faith advocate.

Rev. Azzaman, who was the senior pastor of The King Worship Chapel and Ministry, Inc., died on Saturday in a fatal car accident while traveling from Makurdi, Benue State, back to Kaduna.

His death has caused deep shock through the religious community, particularly among young Christians and scholars who followed his theological discussions online.

Though details surrounding the incident are still emerging, Rev. Mohammed Mohammed, a close associate of the late cleric, confirmed his passing via a Facebook post.

“REV Azzaman Azzaman had an accident on his way back from Makurdi. He died alone in the car. May he rest in peace. May the Lord comfort us in the name of Jesus,” the post read.

Known for his strong presence on Facebook, Rev. Azzaman gained widespread recognition for his approach to religious debates, often engaging Muslim scholars and atheist thinkers.

Tributes have continued to pour in since news of his passing broke.

He is survived by his wife and children. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made public.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointments of several prominent Nigerians to head key federal agencies and institutions. The appointments, which reflect a mix of political, professional, and regional considerations, aim to strengthen governance and service delivery across sectors.  

Among the notable appointees are former Senate President Sen. Ken Nnamani (Enugu) as Chairman of the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), and former Edo Deputy Governor H.E. Philip Shaibu as Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports.

Other appointments include Omobolanle Akinyemi Obe (Ondo) as DG of the National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr. Segun Aina (Osun) as DG of the Academic Staff College of Nigeria,

and former Senate President Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim (Ebonyi) as Chairman of the National Merit Award Committee. 

Additionally, Hon. (Dr.) Asabe Vilita Bashir (Borno) was named DG of the National Centre for Women Development, while Sen. Jalo Zarami (Yobe) and Hon. Dr. Joseph Haruna Kigbu (Nasarawa) were appointed as Federal Commissioners in the National Population Commission

The President expects the new appointees to bring their expertise and commitment to advancing Nigeria’s developmental goals in their respective roles.

By Anas Abbas

The Niger Police Command has announced the successful rescue of four individuals who were kidnapped from Sarkin-Pawa in the Munya Local Government Area of the state.

The announcement was made in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, on Saturday in Minna.

According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria, the kidnapping incident occurred on February 20 at approximately 10 PM, when armed assailants targeted Hayin-Dogo and Dangunu villages.

During this attack, one Usman Daina and four others were taken hostage. Daina was released after two days, but the remaining victims were held captive until their recent escape.

Following the incident, a joint security team launched a series of operations aimed at rescuing the abducted individuals.

Their efforts culminated in success on May 22 around noon, when the victims Deborah Daina, Gambo Amos, Cyprus Titus, and Satti Iko managed to escape from their captors due to the sustained pressure from the security forces.

The rescued individuals were promptly taken to a medical facility for evaluation and treatment before being reunited with their families.

Commissioner of Police for Niger State, Adamu Elleman, praised the joint security team’s bravery and commitment, which led to the successful rescue operation.

He reiterated the police’s dedication to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens in the region.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Federal Government has expressed concern over the creation and circulation of deepfake videos depicting the President in a negative light, aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, cautioned citizens against using artificial intelligence to manipulate images and videos of the country’s leaders for malicious purposes.

In a report by The Nation, an independent newspaper, the minister stated, “We have observed the use of AI-generated content in both appropriate and inappropriate ways. Imagine sitting somewhere, and someone takes your image, edits it onto another body, and spreads it to damage your reputation.”

He further noted the trend of distorting statements made by the President or other officials, saying, “We’ve seen situations where the President’s words are twisted to mean something entirely different, or where a minister’s statement is misrepresented.”

The minister assured that the government is closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing, “We are exploring ways to sanitize social media platforms without infringing on freedom of speech.”

The warning comes amid growing global concerns over the misuse of AI to spread disinformation and manipulate public perception.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has released a chilling video confirming its deadly attack on a military base in Gajibo, Borno State, on Thursday.

The footage, published by the Islamic State’s Amaq News Agency, shows two military vehicles engulfed in flames and six motorcycles seized by the terrorists.

Local sources report that six members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed in the assault.

The attack appears to be part of a coordinated operation, as another ISWAP unit was simultaneously headed toward Damboa.

Security experts warn that ISWAP is growing increasingly bold, capitalizing on security vulnerabilities in northeastern Nigeria.

The latest assault highlights the persistent threat posed by the terrorist group in the region.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident as tensions remain high in the area.