News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Newly released emails attributed to the late Jeffrey Epstein allege that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates contracted a sexually transmitted disease after encounters with Russian women.

In a memo Epstein wrote to himself and dated July 18, 2013, the convicted sex offender made a series of claims about Gates. The memo reads: “To add insult to the injury you them [sic] implore me to please delete the emails regarding your STD, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda and the description of your penis.”

Epstein later sent himself another email, which he composed in the voice of a different person. In that message, the writer described alleged tensions in the Gates household and his purported role in assisting Gates. The email states: “I have been caught up in a severe marital dispute between Melinda and Bill…

In my role as his right-hand man, I have been asked and wrongly acquiesced into participating in things that have ranged from the morally inappropriate, to the ethically unsound and have been repeatedly asked to do things that get near and potentially over the line into the illegal…

From helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with Russian girls, to facilitating his illicit trusts [sic], with married women, to being asked to provide Adderall for bridge tournaments, as I am a medial doctor, but have no presriptions [sic] writing ability.”

The allegations outlined in the emails have not been independently verified. Gates has not issued any public response to the claims as of the time of filing this report.

The released files also contain undated photographs that show the Microsoft billionaire in the company of Epstein at undisclosed locations. One image includes a woman whose face has been redacted.

The materials were released by the United States Department of Justice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 22 Armoured Brigade, with strong support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), have recorded major successes in sustained offensive operations against terrorist elements in Kwara State.

This is contained in a statement signed by Captain Maureen Ogbuka, for the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operations FANSAN YAMMA, on 30 January 2026.

The military said the coordinated actions, carried out within the Joint Operations Area, took place between 23 and 29 January 2026 under Operation Igbo Danu, also known as Operation Forest Flush.

The operations were led by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Chinedu Nnebife, alongside the Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume. The Army noted that the leadership demonstrated strong operational drive and commitment to dismantling terrorist networks in the area.

During the engagements, troops working with ONSA carried out fighting patrols across several known bandit enclaves. The Army confirmed that one terrorist was neutralised, while others escaped into surrounding forests with suspected gunshot injuries. Their camps and hideouts were destroyed, forcing the criminals to abandon the locations.

In a related operation, troops cleared Garin Dandi, identified as a major bandit enclave in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The action led to the destruction of logistics bases and supply structures used by the criminals.

The military also moved into remote camps that had previously been inaccessible to security forces. Several abandoned camps and logistics facilities were destroyed, a development the Army said significantly weakened the terrorists’ ability to sustain their activities.

Despite difficult terrain, troops maintained an aggressive presence across forested areas and restricted the movement of bandits. Soldiers intercepted fleeing suspects at multiple blocking points, which led to arrests. The operations also resulted in the rescue of several kidnap victims from different camps across the state.

According to observations from the field, some bandits received assistance from collaborators within nearby communities who supplied intelligence on troop movements. This support, the Army said, allowed the criminals to withdraw early from targeted areas.

The Nigerian Army stated that the outcomes of the operations highlighted the resolve and effectiveness of 2 Division in degrading terrorist elements and restoring security in Kwara State.

The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, appealed to members of the public to continue to provide credible and timely information on bandits and their collaborators to support ongoing operations. The Army added that Operation Igbo Danu remains ongoing, with troops determined to decisively deal with all terrorist networks operating within the state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Federal High Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has dissolved the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.

The court, presided over by Justice Uche Agomoh, also voided a major congress the party planned to hold.

Furthermore, the court recognized the caretaker leadership faction led by Mohammed Abdulrahman as the party’s legitimate leadership. This faction is reported to enjoy the support of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, pending the conduct of a proper party congress.

However, the Tanimu Turaki faction has vowed to appeal the judgment.

“We have contacted our lawyers to explore all legitimate avenues to appeal and protect our position,” said Ini Ememobong, the publicity secretary for the faction’s executive committee.

He added that despite the court’s ruling, the Turaki-led leadership remains valid in their view.

By Uzair Adam

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested seven suspected bandits and recovered five firearms with live ammunition in separate intelligence-driven operations across the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Kaduna, saying the arrests followed credible intelligence on the activities of armed suspects.

According to Hassan, the first operation was carried out on January 28 at about 5:45 p.m. after security operatives received information that some individuals were in possession of prohibited firearms.

He explained that detectives attached to the Anti–Car Theft Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department promptly acted on the intelligence, leading to the arrest of five suspects.

He said the operation resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle with two fully loaded magazines, two Beretta pistols with one fully loaded magazine, as well as a locally fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with seven rounds of live ammunition.

The suspects, he added, are currently in custody while investigations continue to track other criminal networks linked to them.

In a related operation on January 29, Hassan said the Divisional Police Officer of Zaria City Division led a team of 47 Police Mobile Force operatives on stop-and-search duties following intelligence reports on the movement of armed bandits.

“The operation led to the arrest of two suspects, Adamu Lawal and Abdulhadi Lawal, both from Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, with a locally fabricated firearm recovered from them,” he said.

Hassan noted that the suspects are cooperating with investigators and providing information that could lead to further arrests.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the officers for their professionalism and swift response, while reaffirming the command’s zero tolerance for banditry and other forms of criminality in Kaduna State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command have taken into custody a pastor, Elijah Oro, over an alleged plan to assassinate a rival prophet in the state.

Police sources disclosed that Oro, who hails from Delta State, is accused of contracting a 21-year-old man, Samuel Daniel, to carry out the attack. Daniel is suspected to be a member of a cult group known as the Greenlanders.

The alleged plan was said to have stemmed from a disagreement related to church membership and property ownership.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Bayelsa State, DSP Musa Mohammed, said the arrests followed actionable intelligence received by the command. He noted that the suspects were apprehended in connection with a plot to kill a prophet, whose identity was not disclosed, and that investigations remain in progress.

“On 28th January, 2026, at about 1035 hours, operatives attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, acting on credible intelligence, swung into action and arrested two suspects namely; Samuel Daniel ‘m’ 21 years old, from Nembe Ogbolomabiri Community, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and Pastor Elijah Oro ‘m’, 59 years old, from Ozoro Community, Delta State both involved with an alleged plot to kill prophet name [withheld],” the statement read.

The police spokesman further revealed that initial findings pointed to a direct link between the two suspects and the alleged assassination attempt.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects, Samuel Daniel ‘m’ 21 year was arrested in the premises of the prophet and have confessed to being a member of the Greenlanders Confraternity and was allegedly hired by Pastor Elijah Oro ‘m’ to assassinate prophet (name withheld). Investigation is ongoing to unravel the motive behind the alleged plot.”

DSP Mohammed reassured residents of the state of the command’s resolve to ensure public safety and called on citizens to cooperate with the police.

“The Bayelsa State Police Command assures members of the public of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges citizens to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information,” the statement added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old man over the alleged killing of his friend and former classmate following a disagreement linked to internet fraud proceeds.

The arrest was disclosed in a video statement by the police spokesperson in the state, Bright Edafe, a superintendent of police. In the clip, the suspect identified himself as Oghenegare and admitted involvement in online fraud, popularly called “Yahoo Yahoo”.

According to the police spokesperson, the victim, identified as Courage, aged 25, lost his life after a dispute broke out between him and the suspect during their fraudulent online activities.

“The suspect murdered his friend and former classmate,” Mr Edafe said.

He explained that both men were engaged in internet fraud when a transaction disagreement escalated into violence.

“They went into the business of internet fraud, and somehow, they had a transaction conflict resulting in a fight where he used something that looks like a small shovel or a battle axe on the head of the deceased,” Mr Edafe stated.

Speaking in the video, the suspect openly acknowledged his role in internet fraud. When asked about his occupation, he said, “I am an internet fraudster, Yahoo boy.”

He told investigators that the victim introduced a “job” expected to generate close to $1,000. He alleged that the victim later refused to share the WhatsApp login details connected to the deal, which prevented him from accessing the transaction.

According to a report filed by Premium Times, the suspect said the disagreement led to a physical confrontation. He explained that he used a broken “sharp shovel” kept in his home for security to attack the victim.

“I kept it (the shovel) at home in case a thief visits,” he said.

He further told the police that he cut the victim’s head with the tool and later disposed of the weapon while attempting to evade arrest.

Mr Edafe said the police are still searching for the murder weapon.

The suspect also claimed that both he and the deceased belonged to a cult group known as Black Axe. He said the victim was known within the group by the alias “Vikings”.

When questioned about any benefit from cult involvement, he responded, “Nothing.”

The incident comes amid continued concern over the spread of internet fraud in Nigeria. Law enforcement agencies have sustained efforts to curb the crime across the country.

In September last year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested 28 suspected internet fraudsters in Ilorin. The operation led to the recovery of luxury vehicles and electronic devices linked to the illegal activities.

Previous reports have shown that internet fraud remains deeply rooted in parts of Nigerian society, with many young people attracted by promises of quick wealth and an affluent lifestyle.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

US President Donald Trump has dismissed claims that he fell asleep during a cabinet meeting, saying he only closed his eyes because the session was dull.

The 79-year-old leader faced renewed scrutiny over his health after video footage from a December cabinet meeting appeared to show him dozing off. The incident sparked online debate, especially because such meetings are often broadcast live and tend to last for hours.

Cabinet meetings under Mr Trump are known for their length. One session in August reportedly ran for more than three hours. The meeting held on Thursday, however, ended after one hour and 20 minutes.

During the gathering, Mr Trump departed from the usual practice where cabinet members take turns praising the president and outlining progress in their ministries. After delivering an opening speech that lasted about 25 minutes, he limited the number of officials allowed to speak.

“We are going to ask a couple of people to say a few words, and we’re not going to go through the whole table,” he said.

He referred to criticism from a previous press conference, stating: “Because the last time we had a press conference, it lasted for three hours, and some people said ‘he closed his eyes.’”

Mr Trump then explained his action, saying: “Look, it got pretty boring. I love these people, but there’s a lot of people.” He added: “But I didn’t sleep. I just closed them because I wanted to get the hell out of here.”

The president has repeatedly rejected suggestions that his age affects his performance. In an interview with New York Magazine published on Monday, he again defended his health, blaming what he described as “boring as hell” cabinet meetings for appearing sleepy.

In the interview, Mr Trump said he is in “perfect health” and feels “the same as [he] did 40 years ago”. A senior staff member quoted in the report claimed that the president’s decision to stop dyeing his hair was his “only concession to age”.

Attention also turned to those who were not invited to speak during Thursday’s meeting. Mr Trump did not call on Kristi Noem, the US homeland security secretary, despite her presence in the room.

Ms Noem is facing heavy criticism over the conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers following recent deadly incidents in Minneapolis. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was killed during a protest on Saturday. Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, was killed on January 7 during a confrontation with officers carrying out immigration raids.

Amid rising tension, Mr Trump has reshuffled his immigration leadership. He sidelined Ms Noem and dismissed Gregory Bovino, the head of border control.

Other senior officials also did not speak during the session, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, although the president praised both men.

In a move that surprised reporters, Mr Trump declined to take questions at the end of the meeting. As a result, he avoided direct queries about his confidence in Ms Noem and the ongoing controversy surrounding immigration enforcement.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Security forces have rescued a kidnapped reverend after a gunfight in Enugu State, leaving one of his abductors dead.

Reverend Johnson Anayo Onugwu was taken from his home in Ezimo community, Udenu Local Government Area, around 1:00 am on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Troops from the 82 Division Garrison, part of the Joint Task Force South East (Operation UDO KA), acted on intelligence and tracked the kidnappers to the Okpakeke community following a trail through the Itabolo area.

A fierce firefight ensued, resulting in the neutralization of one criminal and the safe recovery of Reverend Onugwu.

The operation also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 20 rounds of ammunition.

The Nigerian Army, in a statement, affirmed its continued collaboration with sister agencies to safeguard lives and property and deny criminals freedom of action in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The European Union has officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist organisation”, a move that further deepens tensions between Tehran and Western powers amid rising military threats from the United States.

The decision followed a meeting of EU foreign ministers and was announced by the bloc’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas. The designation came as US President Donald Trump renewed warnings of possible military action against Iran.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, responded with a sharp warning, saying the country’s armed forces were ready to respond “immediately and powerfully” to any attack by the United States. His remarks came hours after Trump said Washington was prepared to act with “speed and violence”.

In recent days, the US has strengthened its military presence in the region. Among the assets deployed to the Arabian Sea is the USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Alongside the terror designation, EU foreign ministers approved fresh sanctions against Iran. The measures include travel bans and asset freezes targeting Iranian officials accused of involvement in the killing of thousands of antigovernment protesters since late December last year.

From Tehran, the General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces condemned the EU’s decision. In a statement, it described the move as “illogical, irresponsible and spiteful”, and accused the bloc of acting in line with US and Israeli policies. The statement warned that “the dangerous consequences of this hostile and provocative decision will be directly borne by European policymakers”.

Iranian officials noted that the United States had already taken a similar step in 2019, when it designated the IRGC as a foreign “terrorist organisation”.

International reactions quickly followed the EU’s announcement. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged restraint and called for diplomacy to prevent further escalation.

“We believe that it’s important that there is a dialogue allowing for an agreement in relation, namely, to the nuclear question and that we can avoid a crisis that could have devastating consequences in the region,” Guterres told reporters.

In Washington, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran still had an opportunity to reach an agreement with the United States, but warned that the Pentagon stood ready to act if talks failed.

“They have all the options to make a deal,” Hegseth said. “They should not pursue nuclear capabilities.”

He added: “We will be prepared to deliver whatever this president expects from the war department, just like we did this month [in Venezuela].”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also engaged regional leaders as tensions rose. According to a statement from the Iranian presidency, Pezeshkian spoke with the emir of Qatar and the prime minister of Pakistan, stressing “the importance of strengthening unity among Islamic countries” and the need for continued diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions.

The statement added that Iran had chosen “the path of dialogue and dignified diplomacy”, while warning that the country “will not hesitate to defend itself if necessary”.

Germany welcomed the EU’s decision, with its Foreign Office calling the move “overdue”.

“The decision taken today sends a strong political message,” the ministry said. “We as the EU are thus showing that we see what is happening in Iran. We stand side by side with the Iranian people. We stand up for humanity and we oppose repression.”

Germany also confirmed that new individual sanctions had been imposed on officials accused of responsibility for what it described as the “brutal suppression of the protests”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed that position, calling the designation “long overdue”.

“‘Terrorist’ is indeed how you call a regime that crushes its own people’s protests in blood,” she said. “Europe stands with the people of Iran in their brave fight for freedom.”

Israel also praised the EU action. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described it as an “important and historic decision”, claiming it would deal a “powerful blow” to the legitimacy of Iran’s government.

Meanwhile, Tehran summoned Germany’s ambassador after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the Iranian government’s “days are numbered”.

“It could be a matter of weeks, but this regime has no legitimacy to govern the country,” Merz said.

Iran has also issued warnings of upcoming military drills in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which about 20 percent of global oil supplies pass, raising further concerns over regional stability.

The IRGC, established after Iran’s 1979 revolution, operates alongside the regular army and reports directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It plays a central role in Iran’s defence strategy and regional influence and remains deeply embedded in the country’s political and economic structures.

As diplomatic pressure mounts and military posturing continues, analysts warn that the situation carries high risks, with the potential for serious consequences across the Middle East if tensions spiral further.

By Uzair Adam.

The Federal Government has approved a N1 trillion Metropolitan Rail Service for Kano State, a move expected to modernise urban transportation, ease traffic congestion and stimulate economic activities across the metropolis.

The approval was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

According to the statement, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the development while addressing members of the Kano State contingent that participated in the 2025 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition held in Borno State.

Governor Yusuf said the decision of his administration to realign with the Federal Government under the All Progressives Congress (APC) was informed by the need to attract critical development projects capable of accelerating growth in the state.

He explained that the Kano Metropolitan Rail Service would provide a modern, efficient and affordable mass transit system linking key districts within the metropolitan area, thereby improving mobility for residents and encouraging trade and investment.

Describing the project as a landmark intervention, the governor said it would significantly enhance the quality of life of the people and reposition Kano as a major transportation hub in Northern Nigeria.

He assured that the state government would collaborate closely with relevant federal agencies to ensure smooth implementation of the project, transparency in execution and maximum benefits for residents.

The governor also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for approving the project and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to complement federal efforts through supportive policies and infrastructure development.