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The Nigeria Police Force has refuted reports claiming that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, ordered officers to shoot anyone found with illegal firearms, insisting that the report is entirely false and a misrepresentation of the IGP’s actual comments. In  a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police high command said the report, which had since gone viral on social media, was taken out of context and twisted to mislead the public. According  to the police spokesperson, the IGP at no time issued any “shoot-on-sight” order during the stakeholders’ meeting held in Makurdi, Benue State. The statement read: “The Nigeria Police Force has noticed a misleading report claiming that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, ordered police officers to ‘shoot anyone with illegal firearms.’ This claim is false and does not reflect what the Inspector-General said. “During the stakeholders’ meeting held in Makurd...

The United States has slapped Nigeria and seven other African countries with a 12.5 percent tariff on their exports to America over alleged failure to curb forced labour in supply chains. The action,  taken under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), was part of a sweeping measure against 38 economies that the US accused of failing to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour after launching an investigation into 60 economies. Aside from Nigeria, other African countries affected are Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and South Africa. The USTR said the affected nations have not put in place or enforced measures strong enough to block goods made with forced labour from entering their  markets. Unlike that broad measure aimed at correcting trade imbalances, the new tariff is targeted specifically at labour-related practices. According to th...

  Former Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has reportedly declined the opportunity to become the new head coach of the Italian national team, citing family reasons. Italian Football Federation president, Giovanni Malago confirmed earlier this week that talks had taken place with the 55-year-old Spaniard. Pep Guardiola, who left Manchester City at the end of last season after a highly successful 10-year spell that included six Premier League titles and the Champions League, is said to have prioritised his personal life after an intense period at the top level of club football. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Guardiola turned down the Italy position. A source close to the coach reiterated to ESPN that discussions about taking over immediately were not feasible due to his desire for a break. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager is understood to be open to stepping into international football in the future, with several other national teams having expressed interes...

  American music mogul, Sean Combs, popularly known as Diddy, has reportedly been placed in solitary confinement after being involved in a fight with another inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fort Dix, where he is serving a 50-month prison sentence. According to a source familiar with the incident, it was gathered that the altercation began after another inmate made a remark to Diddy, prompting the confrontation. Following the fight, prison authorities placed the music mogul in solitary confinement, the source. It remains unclear whether the solitary confinement is a temporary disciplinary measure or if Diddy will remain in isolation for a longer period. Diddy is currently serving a 50-month sentence after being convicted of transporting prostitutes.  The report did not provide further details about the nature of the altercation or whether either inmate sustain injuries.

  Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has directed police officers across the country to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms, as part of intensified efforts to curb insecurity. Disu issued the directive on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, saying the move followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s instruction that the lingering security crisis in the state must be brought to an end. The police chief maintained that only authorised security personnel are legally permitted to carry firearms, warning that law enforcement agencies would no longer tolerate the unlawful possession of weapons. “You cannot cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” he said. Disu explained that the directive was backed by Force Order 237, which empowers police officers to respond immediately to armed threats without waiting for approval from s...

  The Lagos State Special Offences Court has granted bail in the sum of ₦20 million to social media influencer and self-acclaimed relationship therapist, Blessing Nkiruka Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, who is standing trial over alleged fraud involving ₦69 million. The court, in its ruling, fixed bail at ₦20 million with two responsible sureties in like sum. Justice Oshodi, who granted the bail, ordered that each surety must provide a three-year bank statement or evidence of a fixed deposit worth not less than ₦20 million. The court also directed that Blessing Okoro and her sureties be subjected to verification through the Lagos State Judiciary’s Bail Information Management System. Earlier during proceedings, the court requested the defendant’s international passport as part of the bail conditions. However, her counsel presented an affidavit of loss and a copy of a public notice, explaining that the travel document had been misplaced. The court subsequently directed that t...