The Confederation of African Football has delisted the Group D second-leg fixture of the ongoing 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. The game was earlier scheduled to take place in Libya by 8 pm after the first leg took place in Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday. The Super Eagles beat the Mediterranean Knights by a lone goal in the dying minute of the game. However, the return leg has been greeted with controversy after the Super Eagles players and officials narrated their over 14 hours ordeal at the Libya airport leading them to return home. Meanwhile, CAF said it had launched an investigation into the incident after the Libya Football Federation alleged sabotage and threatened legal action against Nigeria. The African football body further updated games that would be played on Tuesday without including the Libya versus Nigeria game on its X handle.

Wednesday 16 October 2024 Fresh crisis hits Rivers as pro-Fubara, Wike lawmakers clash NNPC sells PMS to IPMAN at N995/litre NAFDAC urges vigilance against counterfeit drugs N’Assembly condemns Eagles maltreatment in Libya, demands apology LP kicks as Soludo rejects absolute LG autonomy Only Nnamdi Kanu’s release will stop Monday’s sit-at-home – IPOB FG mandates foreign airlines to use local caterers for on-board meals Ondo guber: PDP’ll take over state —Damagum, Adeleke, others Nigeria’s Foreign Reserves Rose To $39bn In October, Says Cardoso Amaewhule, 24 Rivers Assembly Members’ Seats Vacant, Oko-Jumbo Insists Five Killed In Fresh Plateau Attack Court Orders VeryDarkMan To Bring Down Defamatory Video Against Falana, Falz Grid Collapse National Shame, Says Peter Obi World Bank’s Stance On 15-Year Reform For Nigeria Deadly – Action Aid Gov Yusuf Jets Out Of Kano As NNPP Crisis Deepens EFCC Invades Radio Station, Arrests Presenter During Live Programme PDP Govs Ask Damagum’s Rival To Vacate Office Rivers crisis: Police acted professionally — IGP Excitement as Sanwo-Olu launches Red Rail Line commercial operation Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has restored bulk power availability to 90 percent of its substations, in an effort to recover the electricity grid which suffered a system failure on Tuesday. Ndidi Mbah TCN’s spokesperson, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday. Earlier today, the national electricity grid collapsed for the seventh time, leading to a nationwide blackout. The incident occurred within 24 hours after the grid collapsed on October 14. Giving a situation update on Tuesday, Mbah said efforts to fully recover the grid are still ongoing. “Although the recovery of the grid commenced immediately, with Azura power station providing the blackstart, grid recovery reached advanced stages at about 10.24 am, today when it encountered a challenge that caused a slight setback in the recovery process,” she said. “The slight setback notwithstanding, TCN continued with the grid recovery process, which has reached an advanced stage, ensuring bulk power availability to about 90 per cent of its substations nationwide.” Mbah said supply has been restored to the Abuja axis and other major distribution load centres nationwide. “The partial disturbance did not affect the Ibom Gas generating station which was islanded from the grid yesterday and continued to supply areas in the South Southern part of the country such as Eket, Ekim, Uyo, and Itu 132kV transmission Substations during the period,” the TCN spokesperson said. Mbah said an investigation into the cause of the incident would be carried out as soon as the grid is fully restored.

The International Press Centre, IPC, has called for the immediate investigation and prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, officials who stormed Urban Radio Station (94.5FM) in Enugu on the evening of Monday, October 14, 2024. The demand which came on Tuesday via a statement, was made through its Safety and Protection of Journalists, SPJ, hub. Signed by the IPC Executive Director, the group described the incident as “a despicable assault on the media and a blatant abuse of power.” “The recent spate of attacks on journalists suggests that the EFCC and other security agencies have resorted to extra-judicial, jungle tactics to address whatever grievances they may have.” Said the statement. He said, “the officials overpowered the staff of the station who they alleged intimidated with arms, forced them to sit on the bare floor, took their phones, and went straight into the live studio of the station and whisked away the anchor of the interactive programme, PRIME TIME, that was going on live at the time of the invasion.” They called on the EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoye, to launch a thorough investigation into the invasion and to ensure that the officers involved are prosecuted and held accountable for their unprofessional conduct. The group who stressed that the incident should serve as a warning to other officers, urged the EFCC to provide additional training for its personnel on the constitutional boundaries of their authority. They also condemned a recent attack on journalists in Bayelsa State, which according to them, occurred during a press briefing organized by the Sagbama Local Government Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Yenagoa. In the attack, thugs were reported to have attacked the venue, leaving several journalists injured. IPC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the protection of journalists and holding those responsible for attacks on the press accountable.

Nigeria’s power grid has once again collapsed, less than 24 hours after its previous failure. The collapse occurred around 9:17am on Tuesday, plunging many parts of the country into another round of power outages. Confirming the system collapse, the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), in a post via X said: “Dear Valued Customer, Kindly be informed there was a system collapse at 09:17hrs which has resulted to a loss of power supply across our network. “We are currently working with our partners as we hope for speedy restoration of the grid. We will keep you updated as soon as power supply is restored.” This is the second grid collapse in less than 24 hours. A check on the website of the Independent Service Operator (ISO), an independent arm of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) that monitors the transfer of electricity on the power grid, showed that electricity transmission on the grid dropped to 0.00 megawatt by 7pm on Monday, meaning no electricity was transmitted from electricity generation stations to the 11 electricity distribution companies in the country. The drop was from 3,566 megawatts around 6pm.

A Divisional Police Officer attached to Agbarho police division has been killed by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. A spokesman for the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident on Monday. He said the gunmen also shot at the DPO of Ororoekpe Division who sustained injury and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Edafe said the two DPOs were on an operation with some officers when hoodlums laid ambush and shot at them, adding that the police are already on the trail of the hoodlums, promising that they will be apprehended. The police spokesman also reported a security breach in Onitcha Olona, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state where youths went on rampage setting structures and other properties ablaze. According to the police, violence erupted after a community member was allegedly beaten to death by an alleged land grabber whom they claimed forcefully took possession of community land. Some community leaders opposed this move which eventually led to the violence that has claimed one life. Edafe explained that three persons have been arrested in connection with the crime and investigations are ongoing.

HELL was let loose on Sunday afternoon in Agenebode, the headquarters of Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State as several persons were reportedly killed over allegations of kidnappings and killings in the area by suspected criminals, Tribuneonline reports. This was even as the police station in the area, alongside vehicles in the station, was set ablaze by irate youths who claimed the police were providing cover for the suspected hoodlums. The people claimed that the criminal elements were kidnapping and killing people in the area for suspected organ harvesting, hence their protest. The incident that led to the violence, according to a resident, was the case of a young boy who was said to have been kidnapped some weeks ago and after ransom was paid, he was still not released. It was gathered that the community youths were able to track the phone and the user was arrested and handed over to the police, and that in the process, the user was traced to the head of a community in the area. Apparently not satisfied with the way the police were handling the matter, the youth were said to have stormed the police station and took away the suspect, who it was gathered, led them to the house of the community leader where, on prodding, allegedly confessed that several kidnapped victims had been killed and buried in shallow graves after parts of their bodies were harvested. The infuriated youths dug out the decomposing body of a young man in the compound of the community leader, who it was gathered, reportedly fled with his family. It was also learnt that while the youth were digging the compound, several bones believed to be those of humans were recovered. In anger, the youths were said to have burnt down the building and then the business centres of several people, killing some of them, before storming the police station to set it ablaze. When contacted, chairman of the council area, Mrs Benedicta Atoh, was said to be too shocked to talk as claimed by one of her aides. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 5, Arungwa Udo, and the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, have visited the area to restore order. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, replied through a text message that: “I will get back to you ASAP [as soon as possible].”

The Super Eagles have threatened not to take part in the 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya as they are still at Al Abraq Airport more than 12 hours after landing in the country. A statement by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Communications Department on Monday, said the delegation of Nigeria to the game remained at the Al Abraq Airport. A video posted by the Eagles media team also confirmed the development, as the players and officials, along with their luggage, were left stranded at the airport, with the Libyan airport officials indifferent to their plight. The Eagles departed for Libya on Sunday morning, ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday 4 clash against the Mediterranean Knights. Libya will host the three-time African champions at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, located just 10 kilometres from Benghazi, but reports emerged that they were diverted to another city. “The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport. We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations. “Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi. “The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft,” the statement read in part. It added that the players have resolved not to play the match any longer, as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home. Nigeria secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in

The presidency has clarified that Nigeria was not among those who competed in the 2024 United Nations Human Rights Council elections, which were held on October 9, 2024. According to the press statement signed by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Nigeria was not snubbed. The statement states that any votes mistakenly attributed to Nigeria during the recent election were likely cast in error by other nations. In line with such elections into international bodies, countries vying for positions usually receive regional endorsements, and Nigeria’s focus has been on supporting these endorsed candidates to strengthen collective African representation on the global stage. The presidency urged media outlets to verify their information before publication, and cautioned against damaging narratives that could undermine the nation’s reputation in international affairs.