Author: Daily Post Nigeria

A 59-year-old farmer identified as Aminu Yusuf has been rescued from a kidnapper’s den by operatives of the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC.

DAILY POST gathered that the victim was reportedly abducted on his way to the farm in the Iddo area of Okpella community, Etsako East Local Government of the State by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

The Edo State Security outfit’s Deputy Commander, in charge of Operations, Richard Balogun, who confirmed the incident commended the operatives for the rescue.

“The kidnappers inflicted machete cuts on the victim, it was in the process that my men stormed the bush and rescued him. He is at the hospital receiving treatment” he said.

It was learnt that the abductors after a few hours of kidnapping, the victim contacted his family demanding a ransom of N20 million.

The abductors, were alleged to have given the victim’s family 24 hours ultimatum to pay the ransom or have him slaughtered, the head severed and dumped by the roadside.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that the family members were making efforts to raise the money when the kidnappers started inflicting machete cuts on the victim starting from the hand.

He alleged the action of the kidnappers was to pressure him to pay the ransom before the deadline of the ultimatum.

He added that operatives of the Edo State Security Corps, however, rescued the victim while at the process of being killed by kidnappers.

The source said operatives in collaboration with the local hunters rescued the victim during bush combing.

He said the kidnappers abandoned the victim during a gun duel with the operatives in the forest during the rescue operations, assuring that he has been rushed to the hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.

Security operatives rescue 59-year-old abducted farmer in Edo

Chelsea playmaker, Cole Palmer, has debunked speculations claiming he will leave for Manchester United this summer.

Palmer is being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge amid rumours he is now unsettled.

The 23-year-old joined the Blues in 2023 in a £40 million move from Manchester City.

But Palmer, speaking to the UK Guardian, insisted he will stay at Chelsea.

Palmer is confident the club can challenge for “serious trophies” next season if “the right players in the right positions” are signed this summer.

Chelsea currently sit in sixth place on the Premier League table, four points off Liverpool in fifth place.

EPL: Cole Palmer breaks silence of leaving Chelsea for Man Utd

Former Argentina striker, Sergio Aguero, has predicted Sunday’s Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal.

The Gunners go into the game six points ahead of City, who have one game in hand.

Aguero has said he is expecting “a strange game” as both Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola are familiar with each other.

However, Aguero has tipped his former club to see off Arsenal, in the top-of-the-table affair.

“It’s a strange game. Both coaches know each other perfectly, they know where to attack and where the opponent is weakest,” Aguero told Stake.

“Sometimes these games have very few goals, sometimes they open up and become a great spectacle for the fans.

“I think City will come out strong in the first 10-15 minutes, accelerate and take control of the ball.

“It could finish 2-0 or 2-1 to City. Hopefully City don’t suffer too much, but if it’s only a one-goal lead I think in the last minutes City will have to suffer a bit.”

EPL: Aguero predicts Man City vs Arsenal

United States Ambassador to the Holy See, Brian Burch, on Friday in Rome decried the recurring attacks on Christians and churches in Nigeria.

He spoke at a conference on threats to religious freedom in Nigeria, organized by Solidarity with the Persecuted Church (SPC) and the U.S. Embassy.

The envoy told EWTN News that the purpose of the event is to draw attention to the plight of Christians who are being “targeted and killed in Nigeria.”

Burch said extremist Islamic groups have been attacking Christians in churches and homes, adding that “The scale and size of the persecution of Christians there is intolerable.”

In response to Abuja’s denial that Christians are specifically targeted, he said the level of violence prompted President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern.

Burch cited President Trump’s remark that Christians “face an existential crisis in Nigeria,” adding that America is working with the authorities on necessary protective measures.

SPC President Steven Wagner observed the critical situation of internally displaced persons, declaring that more Christians “are martyred in Nigeria than in any other country on earth.”

Wagner urged the Vatican to increase public awareness of the problem and to continue to encourage the government of Nigeria to make progress in protecting its people.

The 119th U.S. Congress has introduced several actions to tackle the crisis, including H.Res.866 by Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) and 39 cosponsors, which condemns the persecution of Nigerian Christians.

Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced H.Res.860, which applauds the CPC designation and calls for sanctions against individuals supporting the violence.

In February, the H.R.7457 bill (Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026) was introduced, mandating the Secretary of State to submit a report on U.S. efforts to address atrocities in Nigeria.

Persecution of Christians in Nigeria intolerable – US Ambassador

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has mourned Dr. Uzoma Nwaubani, a US-based urogynecologist, who died while volunteering on a medical mission in the state.

Nwaubani, a board-certified urogynecologist and obstetrician-gynecologist based in Wildwood, Florida, had travelled to Abia as part of a medical outreach organised by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA).

She was accompanied by her husband and her daughter, a final-year medical student in the United States.

Otti, in a condolence message on Friday, said the physician developed a medical emergency during the mission and was rushed to hospital, where a combined team of ANPA and local doctors tried to save her life.

“However, despite the gallant efforts of the highly skilled medical team to resuscitate her, she could not make it,” said Otti.

The governor described Nwaubani’s decision to return to Nigeria to offer free medical services as a mark of exceptional character.
“She had returned from the United States with her husband — a true son of Abia — and her daughter… to offer her medical expertise free of charge to citizens of our dear state, a sacrifice that marks her out as a compassionate and exemplary medical practitioner,” he said.
The governor extended condolences to the family and the ANPA leadership and pledged his administration’s support.

“We are in communication with her family and the ANPA leadership and remain committed to providing support to her family as well as the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas during this trying time,” he said.

Otti also commended the family and ANPA for allowing the mission to continue in spite of the loss.

“The government will stand with the family and provide all necessary support to ease their grief at this unfortunate period,” he added.

Nwaubani, who obtained her medical degree from the University of Nigeria Faculty of Medicine in 1995, was the founder of the Nwaubani Urogynecology and Women’s Academy (NUWA World) in Wildwood, Florida, where she specialised in female pelvic medicine, reconstructive surgery and women’s wellness.

She held double board certifications in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with over two decades in practice.

She was known for her community service and had received a chieftaincy title in Nigeria for her philanthropic work.

Otti Mourns As US-Based Doctor Dies During Abia Medical Mission is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Alex Iwobi, has talked about how he chose to play for the Super Eagles.

On the Beast Mode On podcast, Iwobi talked about how former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger told him to think carefully about his choices, like maybe waiting to play for England’s senior team.

Although Iwobi played for England in various youth teams, his development slowed because he didn’t get much chance to play for Arsenal’s main team.

However, his career changed when Nigeria invited him to join their Olympic team. After talking with his family, Iwobi decided to look into the opportunity.

He said, “I began playing for Nigeria when I was 19. I was playing for the England Under-16, Under-17, and Under-18 teams, but then my opportunities slowed down because I wasn’t getting regular first-team action at Arsenal, which is tough.

“Everyone else who played for the England U21 team was usually playing first-team football in the Championship or League One regularly, starting games and building their reputation. And I wasn’t really that person back then.

“Then I started playing for Arsenal. At that time, Gareth Southgate was the manager of the U21 team. The Arsenal first-team manager talked to him and said, ‘We are considering bringing you up to the first team, but we want you to play for the U21s.’

“That’s when Nigeria got in touch, saying they wanted him to play in the Olympics. I talked to my dad and uncle, and they said at least give Nigeria a try. If you don’t enjoy the training or the facilities, you can just say you tried it out.”

The former Everton midfielder talked about his first experiences in the Nigerian team, mentioning that the conditions were basic but that he felt a strong sense of being part of the group.

“I then went to Nigeria… you have to wash your own kit. The pitch was half grass, and the AstroTurf was outside the playing area, as if it had just been set up. The coach, if you make one bad pass, he’ll say, ‘What’s wrong with you now?’ I remember one guy passed the ball off the pitch and they made him run two laps. I was thinking, “This is mad.”

“I was having a good time. The food was clearly jollof rice; we had yam and egg for breakfast. I just felt I was at home. I hadn’t even established a reputation at Arsenal, but they already knew about me. I was stopped at the airport and celebrated. The love for the game was high.”

The key moment happened when he got called up for a match against Egypt.
Wenger, according to Iwobi, let him make the final decision.

“I was still working on getting the FIFA clearance sorted. I wasn’t able to play in the knockout games to get a spot in the Olympics, but I still went to watch and be part of the team. The away fans came with instruments and started making a lot of noise. I felt like I was back home—this is where I’m meant to be,” he said.

“There came a point when I was needed for Nigeria’s senior team, so they invited me to play against Egypt. Wenger said, ‘What do you want to do? You can delay it so you can think about England, or you can go and represent Nigeria.’

“Because of the experience I had, I wanted to go and represent Nigeria. He (Wenger) said they would support me and wished me all the best.

“I enjoy playing for England because the team has a strict system, stays disciplined, and has some of the top players in the world. But Nigeria is always fun. You never know if something will turn out well or not.”

Iwobi first played for the Super Eagles in October 2015, during a friendly match against the DR Congo national team in Visé, Belgium.

Since that time, he has become an important player for Nigeria, playing 98 matches and scoring 10 goals.

Super Eagles: How I chose Nigeria over England – Iwobi opens up

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has assured airlines, operators and the public of robust aviation fuel supply across the country, while dismissing reports suggesting supply challenges and excessive pricing in the market.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Authority said it had taken note of media reports alleging difficulties in the supply and pricing of Aviation Turbine Kerosene, commonly known as aviation fuel.

According to the regulator, current stock levels show strong product availability nationwide, with inland stock sufficient for 12 days and refinery stock covering 62 days, bringing total national sufficiency to 74 days.

The NMDPRA stated that aviation fuel, like other petroleum products, has been fully deregulated, with prices now determined by prevailing market forces.

It disclosed that the ex-gantry price of aviation fuel at Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Company stood at N1,879 per litre, slightly below the international indicative supply cost of N1,980 per litre in Lagos as of April 16, 2026.

The Authority added that its nationwide price survey conducted on April 17 showed retail prices ranging between N1,969 per litre and N2,809 per litre.

It therefore rejected reports claiming aviation fuel was selling at N3,306 per litre, describing such figures as speculative and inconsistent with prevailing market realities.

“The speculated N3,306 per litre price of Aviation Fuel being peddled in the media does not reflect current market reality,” the statement said.

The regulator said it would continue to monitor supply conditions closely and deploy appropriate measures to prevent disruptions and profiteering in the downstream petroleum sector.

The NMDPRA also commended stakeholders in the aviation fuel supply chain for their continued efforts in ensuring adequate distribution of the product nationwide.

It reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining energy security and stable supply of petroleum products across the country.

NMDPRA Assures Robust Aviation Fuel Supply, Rejects Price Speculation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Global oil prices dropped sharply on Friday after Iran signalled that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to commercial shipping during a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East.

Benchmark crude prices fell by more than 10 per cent, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slipping below $85 per barrel, while Brent crude declined to about $89 per barrel.

The decline follows comments by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, who said commercial vessels would be allowed to transit the strait for the duration of a 10-day ceasefire involving Israel and Lebanon.

The truce, which began on Thursday, is reported to include the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.

Oil prices had surged above $100 per barrel in recent weeks amid heightened tensions in the region, with WTI reaching nearly $113 per barrel earlier this month and Brent climbing above $119 in late March.

Analysts say the reopening of the key shipping route has eased supply concerns in global energy markets.

Brian Therien, a senior investment strategist at Edward Jones, noted that oil futures are now trending lower, with projections suggesting prices could fall to the low $70 range by the end of the year. He added that a sustained drop in prices could help reduce inflationary pressures globally.

The Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, accounting for roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Shipping through the passage had been disrupted during the conflict due to security concerns, including threats of attacks and the presence of naval mines.

An Iranian official told Reuters that vessels moving through the strait during the ceasefire would be required to use designated safe lanes approved by Iranian authorities, while military ships would not be permitted to pass.

Despite the announcement, some shipping firms remain cautious. German carrier Hapag-Lloyd said it is still reviewing the situation before resuming operations in the area.

Meanwhile, Knut Arild Hareide of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association welcomed the development but warned that uncertainties remain, particularly regarding maritime safety, operational guidelines, and the potential risks posed by unexploded sea mines.

Oil prices drop after Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz

Imo State Governor and Director-General/National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on Friday announced the appointment of directors to head the various directorates of the organisation. President Bola Tinubu had, in November 2025, designated the RHA as a vehicle to disseminate the activities and achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda across […]

Road users and traders around the Sango Motor Park along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway have lamented the slow pace of reconstruction work on the road. They called on the Federal Government to prevail on the contractors handling the project to speed up work, adding that the delay is putting pressure on businesses in the corridor. Some […]