Author: straightnewsng.com

Aniefiok Christopher The BRICS group of emerging economies on Saturday blasted the use of sanctions not authorised by the U.N. to coerce countries as the leaders met in New Delhi to strengthen their position in global affairs seen as dominated by the West. The meeting, voiced concern over rising tensions in the Middle East and “deliberate attacks” on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under the U.N. atomic energy agency’s safeguards, saying nuclear safety and security must be protected during armed conflicts. The statement was seen as indirect criticism of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The leaders, which included Iranian…

Akakan Umoh The Nigerian Army has begun an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of a minor by one of its officers, Captain Etim Essien, in Taraba State, to establishing the veracity or otherwise of the crime.  The investigation follows a report that has been circulating online, linking Captain Essien to the alleged sexual abuse of a minor in the state. The report alleged that the 13-year-old victim, who is reportedly deaf and non-speaking, was subjected to repeated sexual abuse while in the care of the officer and his family. The Taraba State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development…

Aniefiok Christopher The National Assembly has suspended all official trips to South Africa and announced a boycott of South African-hosted legislative activities over continuing reports of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in the country. This directive follows intensive consultations between the leadership of the country’s Senate and the House of Representatives and is a response to reports of xenophobic violence, intimidation and the targeted destruction of property belonging to Nigerians and other African nationals living in South Africa. In an official communication conveying the directive, the Clerk to the National Assembly Kamoru Ogunlana, expressed the legislative body’s “profound concern”…

Our Reporters A pall of silence descended on New York as Americans marked 25 years since the 9/11 attacks of World Trade Centre by terrorists. At the solemn occasion, Americans remembered the dead at National Memorial in New York on Friday and the sixth bell chimed, marking the moment the center’s North Tower fell. The Oculus, a shopping centre that opened in 2016 near the 9/11 Memorial, was designed to resemble, on its exterior, a dove flying out of a child’s hands. Inside, two long strips of windows cut into the ceiling above an oval-shaped passageway offer a glimpse into…

Akakan Umoh About 30 have died following consumption of suspected herbal drinks in parts of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, while 50 others are receiving treatment in hospitals. The reported deaths occurred in Odigbo town, Newtown, Orita and Araromi-Obu communities, triggering mourning and concern among residents. The state government has consequently ordered a halt to the sale and consumption of locally produced alcoholic drinks and other suspected concoctions in the affected areas, as health and security authorities intensify investigations into the incident. Preliminary findings shared by the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, indicated that victims…

Aniefiok Christopher Diphtheria outbreak has killed 27 as cases surged to 303 in Nigeria’s central Plateau State, health authorities said Wednesday. Briefing journalists on Wednesday, the state epidemiologist, Maren Damulak, confirmed the number of suspected cases had increased from 149 to 303, while fatalities rose from 23 to 27. About “99% of the cases are in Jos North, with Rikkos community identified as one of the worst-hit areas,” Damulak said, adding that children constituted a significant proportion of those affected. He said most of those affected had not received diphtheria vaccination, while children accounted for a significant proportion of the…

Akakan Umoh The Akwa Ibom Police Command has begun hunting for suspects of a mob action for allegedly attacking and burning to death an unidentified male at Ikpe Ikot Akpan Village along the Ikot Ekpene–Uyo Road. The incident is said to have occurred on Wednesday, 9 September, 2026, at about 7:05 a.m., following an allegation that the deceased had attempted to steal a motorcycle belonging to one Idoroenyin Udo. Preliminary investigation revealed that the motorcycle owner allegedly resisted the attempted theft and raised an alarm, prompting some persons in the area to pursue and apprehend the suspect,” a statement by…

Aniefiok Christopher Akwa Ibom State has pledged its readiness to intervene and support the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) for the completion of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) located along Ikot Ekpene–Ikot Abasi axis of the state. Governor Eno made the pledge on Tuesday when he received NDPHC’s delegation, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, at Government House, Uyo. Eno said the intervention was aimed at facilitating the completion of the 330kV transmission line and improving electricity supply across the State. Also read Nigerian Govt Mandates States to Generate and Distribute Electricity …

Aniefiok Christopher Amnesty International has faulted blockage of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), from entering Benue State, describing the alleged use of political thugs to obstruct road as a serious concern ahead of the 2027 elections. The human rights organisation in a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Tuesday alleged that heavily armed youths blocked Gboko Road in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, in what it described as a coordinated action that put Obi’s entourage at risk. The NDC presidential candidate arrived at the Makurdi airport located at the Tactical Air Command Makurdi…

Akakan Umoh An Italian-born former Catholic priest, Father Sandro Ferretto, has broken celibacy vows to marry a Kenyan woman in a colourful traditional ceremony. Father Ferretto once served as a Catholic parish priest in Kasiela and Mochongoi in Baringo County, Kenya. According to Kenyan news outlet Tuko, while conducting mission work in the region, he met a young woman, Sharon Jepng’ok, the daughter of former councillor John Wendot. Also read US Jury Convicts Nigerian-born Catholic priest for sexually assaulting women  Again, gunmen Abduct two Catholic Priests in Edo Catholic Priest Arrested For Desecrating Church Altar Their relationship eventually led him…