USA

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Venezuelan authorities have announced that no fewer than 100 people lost their lives during a United States military operation that led to the removal of President Nicolás Maduro from office.

The country’s interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, disclosed the figure late on Wednesday. This marked the first official confirmation of the death toll since the operation took place on Saturday.

According to Cabello, “100 people died in the U.S. attack which removed President Nicolas Maduro from power on Saturday.” Officials had previously refrained from releasing a comprehensive casualty count.

Earlier, the Venezuelan military had released the names of 23 personnel who were confirmed dead. Government officials later stated that a significant portion of Maduro’s security detail was killed “in cold blood.”

Cuba also announced that some of its military and intelligence officers deployed in Venezuela died during the operation.Cabello further revealed that injuries occurred during the raid. He said that Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, who was detained alongside him, sustained a head injury. He also stated that Maduro suffered an injury to his leg.

The operation followed prolonged diplomatic and political tensions between Washington and Caracas. Over the years, the two countries have exchanged accusations over governance, security concerns, sanctions and diplomatic pressure. United States officials have repeatedly accused Maduro’s administration of failures in leadership and public security, claims that Venezuelan authorities have consistently rejected.

On Saturday, U.S. forces carried out a controversial mission in Venezuela that resulted in the arrest of President Maduro and his wife. American authorities later justified the action by linking Maduro to allegations of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.

Federal indictments alleged that his administration aided the shipment of large quantities of cocaine into the United States. These allegations were presented as the legal grounds for his arrest.

After the operation, President Donald Trump publicly stated that the United States intended to assert control over Venezuela’s oil sector. He argued that the industry was built with American investment and accused Maduro’s government of taking over U.S. energy assets. In a post on social media, Trump said the United States would “run Venezuela and take over its oil” after Maduro’s arrest.

In his first public remarks following his transfer to the United States, Maduro described himself as “kidnapped” and maintained his innocence.

During a weekly broadcast on state television, Cabello announced that Venezuelan authorities had declared a week of mourning for members of the armed forces who were killed in the operation. He referred to the fallen personnel as “courageous.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A suspected missile warhead has been discovered in a bush in the Zugurma area of Mashegu Local Government, Niger State.

The device was found by local residents on Monday afternoon, who immediately alerted security forces. Authorities have cordoned off the area.

Confirming the incident, Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit has been deployed to the scene for investigation and safe recovery.

“The item is under investigation and further development will be made public,” Abiodun said.

While unconfirmed local sources speculated the object could be a Tomahawk missile warhead linked to U.S. military operations, official identification is pending the EOD unit’s assessment.

Security forces are currently securing the area.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigeria emerged as Africa’s largest exporter of crude oil to the United States between January and August 2025, shipping 33.23 million barrels valued at $2.57 billion, according to the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.

The disclosure was made on Tuesday through a post on the Mission’s official X handle, @USinNigeria. The Mission stated that Nigeria’s shipments during the eight-month period represented more than half of total African crude oil exports to the American market.

The U.S. Mission said the figures highlight Nigeria’s strong position among African oil-producing countries supplying crude to the United States and reflect the depth of economic ties between both nations.

“#DidYouKnow that Nigeria was the leading African exporter of crude oil to the United States between January and August 2025, shipping 33.23 million barrels worth $2.57 billion? That’s more than half of all African crude oil exports to the United States during that period,” the Mission stated.

The Mission added that the ongoing trade relationship continues to deliver economic value to both countries. “Our strong trade ties create jobs and drive prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic,” the statement said.

Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest oil producers and a key supplier to the global energy market, despite recent output challenges linked to oil theft, pipeline vandalism and operational constraints.

The strong trade performance comes against the backdrop of shifting diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United States in 2025. During the latter part of the year, bilateral ties experienced tension linked to immigration, security and religious freedom concerns, before easing toward the end of the year.

On December 16, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a proclamation titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”

The order, which takes effect on January 1, 2026, expanded an existing travel restriction list to 39 countries. Nigeria was among 15 countries subjected to partial entry limitations, including a halt to new F, M and J visa issuances.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States has unveiled a major financial commitment to Christian faith-based healthcare providers in Nigeria following the signing of a new five-year bilateral health cooperation agreement valued at $5.1 billion.

The development was announced in a statement released on Sunday by the US Mission in Nigeria through its official X handle. The agreement, formally known as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), was presented as part of broader efforts to advance Washington’s America First Global Health Strategy.

“The United States signed a five-year, $5.1B bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Republic of Nigeria to advance the America First Global Health Strategy,” the statement said.

According to the US Mission, a central feature of the agreement is the provision of direct financial support to Christian faith-based health institutions operating across Nigeria.

“The MOU includes approximately $200M in dedicated support to more than 900 Christian faith-based healthcare facilities, expanding access to integrated HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal and child health services,” it said.

The Mission stressed that Christian healthcare providers play a significant role in Nigeria’s health system, especially in communities that remain difficult to access.

“Christian faith-based clinics represent about 10% of providers in Nigeria but serve more than 30% of Nigeria’s 230 million people, often in underserved areas,” it said.

The statement further explained that the funding intervention comes at a critical time, as Nigeria continues to struggle with serious public health concerns affecting women and children.

By Uzair Adam

Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin has condemned recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump, describing his comments labeling Nigeria as “a disgraced country” as offensive and undiplomatic.

Trump, during a White House press briefing, had threatened to “take decisive action” if the alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria continued.

In a viral video where the Deputy Senate President addressed members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth wing, Jibrin said the statement was unacceptable and contrary to international law.

“For Trump to come and say, ‘We are going to attack you, Nigeria is a disgraced country,’ is quite unacceptable. We feel he should understand and retract that statement. It is against international law,” Jibrin stated.

He further emphasised that no world leader has the right to threaten military action without following proper international procedures.

“It’s against international law. Whatever you feel about our country, follow the legal route. Go to the United Nations, get a resolution there, and then anything can come later. To bypass that route is quite unacceptable. It’s un-American,” he added.

Addressing a cheering audience, the Sardaunan Kano maintained that Nigeria would not be intimidated by Trump’s rhetoric.

“We are not scared to say the truth. If Trump were here, I would tell him he has gone against international law and that the route he’s taking is not the best,” Jibrin said.

He called on the United States to embrace diplomacy and mutual respect in its engagement with Nigeria, noting that such principles remain vital to maintaining global peace and cooperation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced today that he has held a constructive phone conversation with the United States President Donald Trump, aiming to de-escalate recent diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

In a national address following the call, President Tinubu stated that both leaders agreed on the priorities of “peace over conflict, hope over fear, and unity over division.”

He acknowledged the “genuine” concerns that led to the tensions and confirmed that both sides would take necessary time to address them.

The President sought to reassure Nigerians, pledging that his administration, in collaboration with the United States, would leverage existing security cooperation to prevent any recurrence of incidents that threaten individuals based on faith, origin, or other constitutional rights.

“Under my leadership, the Government of Nigeria… will leverage existing security cooperation and mutual interests to prevent any recurrence,” Tinubu stated.

He promised a decisive shift from the “unfulfilled promises of the past,” assuring citizens that they would “witness tangible actions and results in the coming days.”

The address emphasized the government’s commitment to the security and dignity of every citizen, urging Nigerians to continue their lawful activities with confidence.

Tinubu also reaffirmed the enduring diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the United States alongside President Trump.

He concluded by calling on citizens to uphold the national motto: “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.”

By Anas Abbas

A bill introduced into the United States Congress proposes visa restrictions and asset freezes on individuals associated with the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

The legislation, presented by U.S. Representative Christopher Smith, names the groups among “entities responsible for or complicit in severe violations of religious freedom,” under the framework of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).

In the bill, the “Fulani-ethnic militias” operating in Nigeria’s Benue and Plateau states are explicitly designated as Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs), a classification previously applied to organisations such as Boko Haram, ISIS‑West Africa, the Taliban and the Houthis.

Under the terms of the bill, if passed, U.S. authorities would be empowered to bar visas and freeze assets of individuals linked to the listed organisations.

The move comes amid mounting concern in Washington over reported attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria. Representative Smith applauded the U.S. government’s re-designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious freedom violations.

The Nigerian federal government has rejected these claims, pointing to constitutional guarantees for freedom of worship.

Nevertheless, U.S. officials appear to be advancing this legislative effort following agitation from American lawmakers and evangelical groups.

This development signals an escalation of U.S. pressure on Nigeria over human rights and religious-freedom concerns, raising the stakes for Nigeria’s domestic and international stance on such issues.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” following allegations of widespread killings of Christians across the nation.

Trump made the announcement in a post shared on his Truth Social platform on Friday, which was later reposted on the White House’s X account.

This is coming at a time when the larger percentage of the victims the killings in Nigeria are Muslims.

According to the Family Research Council, such a designation is usually made by the US government—particularly by the Secretary of State—under American laws that identify countries violating human rights or engaging in actions that contradict US interests.

In his post, Trump wrote, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’

”He added, “But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done! “I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter and report back to me.”

Trump further declared that the United States would not remain passive in the face of such violence, saying, “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”

FG Reacts

Reacting to the allegations, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the claims as “misleading and unreflective” of Nigeria’s complex security situation.

Speaking on CNN, Idris said some US lawmakers were relying on inaccurate and misleading data to accuse Nigeria of Christian genocide.

His media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, released a statement reaffirming that the Nigerian government remained committed to religious freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.

Idris said, “Some of the claims made by officials of the United States are based on faulty data and the assumption that victims of violence are largely Christians. Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not target one religion; they attack both Christians and Muslims, especially in the northern part of the country.”

The minister also cautioned that spreading such narratives could embolden criminal groups that seek to ignite religious tension and animosity among Nigerians.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Omar Yaghi, a Palestinian-born scientist whose journey began in a refugee family in Jordan, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the honour earlier today, recognising his pioneering work in designing and developing new classes of materials that have revolutionised the field of chemistry.

Speaking to reporters while in transit between flights, Yaghi reflected on his humble beginnings: “My parents could barely read or write. It’s been quite a journey. Science allows you to do it.”

Born to Palestinian refugees who fled to Jordan, Yaghi’s journey to scientific excellence was far from straightforward. As a young student, he was drawn to the beauty of chemistry, a fascination that eventually led him to develop metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), materials now vital in energy storage, clean water production, and environmental sustainability.

Yaghi described his motivation as both artistic and intellectual: “I set out to build beautiful things and solve intellectual problems.”

For many across the Arab world, especially Palestinians, Yaghi’s achievement serves as an inspiring reminder that brilliance can arise from the most difficult beginnings.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has denied claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, calling such reports misleading and lacking a consistent pattern, as reported by The Guardian (Nigeria).

The claims gained attention after U.S. comedian Bill Maher and Senator Ted Cruz accused Islamist groups and Nigerian officials of persecuting Christians. Cruz even proposed sanctions through the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act. 

At the same time, U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore urged the U.S. government to halt arms sales and label Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.”

In response, Nigeria’s Presidency denied any religious war, stressing that the violence affects all citizens regardless of faith.

CAN’s Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, acknowledged widespread killings but said they were not targeted solely at Christians. He noted that both Christians and Muslims have fallen victim to terrorist attacks, adding that bullets “don’t look for a Christian or spare a Muslim.”

Ayuba cautioned against foreign interference and urged Nigerians to work collectively to end the insurgency through local institutions rather than seeking sympathy abroad.