Author: straightnewsng.com

Edi Umoh Argentine football legend, Lionel Messi announced, on Monday, his retirement from international football after earning 207 caps. Messi, who debuted for Argentina in 2005, won the World Cup in 2022 and was a runner-up in 2026 and 2014. In addition, the 39-year-old had secured two Copa América titles. Wiring in an Instagram, he said: “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all – not just in these last few years when we won everything,…

Press Release As part of the proactive security measures ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has conducted a major Show of Force and Confidence-Building Operation in Uyo, the State capital, to reassure residents of the command’s preparedness, operational capacity and determination to maintain peace throughout the elections period. The exercise witnessed the deployment of Police personnel, patrol vehicles and other operational assets across major roads, strategic locations and identified areas within the Uyo metropolis. The operation forms part of the Command’s deliberate strategy to enhance Police visibility, strengthen public confidence, deter criminal activities and…

Press Release A 29-year-old man, from Akai Ubium Village, Nsit Ubium Local Area of Akwa Ibom State, was arrested by police over alleged kidnapping and murder of a man. The suspect, Otuekong Enoidem was arrested while allegedly attempting to collect a N3 million ransom from the victim’s family, following the kidnapping and murder of one Koffi (male) whose tragic death was reported to the Command on 24 August 2026. The Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, who stated this in a statement, noted that the arrest followed a sustained intelligence-led operation to identify and apprehend those responsible…

Aniefiok Christopher Families of four remaining members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the kidnappers’ den are demanded to pay N20 million ransom each. Initially, the gunmen abducted 15 corps members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja after their three-week orientation exercise along Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The incident occurred on 26 August at about 4:40 p.m. near the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction, when armed men emerged from the bush and blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions. Related news Auto Crash: Four NYSC members and soldier Burnt to d3ath in Adamawa  Akwa…

Press Release Two persons have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a refuse dump at Ikot Effanga, along Old Odukpani Road in Calabar, Cross River State. The spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, who announced this in a statement, said the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026, when the collapsed refuse impacted a building reportedly constructed within a valley. “The Cross River State Police Command is aware of a reported incident involving the collapse of a refuse dump at Ikot Effanga, along the Old Odukpani Road, Calabar, in the…

Edi Umoh President Bola Tinubu has directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football following a major shake-up in the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).  Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stating  this in a statement issued on Thursday, explained that the move became necessary to overcome repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments. “The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football,” quoted Tinubu. Related news NFF Loses N13bn Bonus as Nigeria Crashes Out of 2026 World Cup Race Obi seeks NFF…

Israel Umoh A retired Akwa Ibom High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Ifiok Ukana has advocated the democratisation of the Judiciary as an arm of government to enhance free flow of information to the public. Speaking during a one-day symposium organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom Council, in collaboration with Akwa Ibom Judiciary, on the theme:  Effective Crime and Court Reporting: The Role of the Media in the Administration of Justice. Justice Ukana described the Judiciary as a closed and mystery organization. Not much is known about it.’’ Justice Ukana, who presented a paper on the topic: Navigating…

Agency Report Canadian Prime Minister, ​Mark Carney Thursday, said that Lake Ontario will continue to ​be called by ​that name, daring U.S. ⁠President Donald Trump ​after he renamed ​it as “Lake America.” “The name is more than 400 years ​old, predating ​both the Confederation of Canada ‌and ⁠the Declaration of Independence of the United States of ​America,” Carney ​said ⁠on X. “Canadians also know that ​naming reality ​means ⁠calling it Lake Ontario – then, now ⁠and ​always.” Earlier in the day, Trump had signed documents ordering that Lake Ontario be renamed “Lake America” as he and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney…

Aniefiok Christopher The Akwa Ibom State Government has criminalised the use of ambulances to transport corpses for burial across the state. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem John, announced the new measure during the Ministry of Information’s monthly media briefing organised by the Ministry of Information on Thursday, August 27, 2026. John said the regulation applies to all ambulances, whether privately owned, operated by religious missions or owned by the government, warning that any ambulance caught conveying a corpse could be impounded. Also read: Gov Umo Eno to Partner Youths in Boosting Blue Economy and Tourism “His Excellency has…

Israel Umoh Journalists in Akwa Ibom State have been urged to verify allegations and anonymous messages before publication to protect the credibility of their media and avoid tarnishing the reputation of people.  The Regional Editor of Premium Times, South South and South East Regions, Mr. Cletus Ukpong made the call during a one-day symposium organised by Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom Council, in collaboration with Akwa Ibom Judiciary, on theme:  Effective Crime and Court Reporting: The Role of the Media in the Administration of Justice. Ukpong reasoned that ‘‘Everybody can publish. But you know what? Not everybody can…