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Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has drawn attention to the abduction of school children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State during his performance at the FIFA World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

The ‘OBO’ crooner donned a custom-made jacket with the names of the 39 abducted children and their seven teachers pinned on it. On the back of the jacket, Davido also boldly wrote; “Bring Them Home.”

Davido performed his hit song ‘Fall’ and kept flaunting his jacket throughout the performance to draw attention to the abducted school children and teachers in captivity. 

This is not the first time the singer has called for the release of the abductees. He has previously called on the relevant authorities to ensure the victims are rescued without further delays in a social media post.

He stated that the current insecurity must not be allowed to continue. 

Meanwhile, Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy is billed to perform at the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony in Mexico City alongside Shakira. 

Burna Boy was featured in the official 2026 World Cup song ‘Dia Dia’ with Shakira. The duo are expected to perform the song at the opening ceremony. 

Another Nigerian singer, Rema, will also perform at the US opening ceremony in Los Angeles along with Lisa and other international pop stars.

Davido draws global attention to abducted Oyo schoolchildren at World Cup Concert

Governor Uba Sani’s decision to trek for six kilometers, in order to felicitate with Kaduna State pilgrims at Mina, and offer prayers to end the insecurity bedeviling the country, have further confirmed him as “The People’s Governor”
The Head of Kaduna State Hajj Delegation, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, said that the Governor’s twin-gestures have demonstrated  that he is a statesman whose conduct is guided by empathy and patriotism.

A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Ibraheem Musa on Thursday, recalled that the entire roads leading to the tent city of Mina were cordoned off on the night of 13th Dhul Hijjah, and Governor Uba Sani had to trek to where Kaduna pilgrims were residing.
The statement quoted Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha as saying that the Governor did not only commend the pilgrims and their officials for a seamless Hajj, but also gifted each pilgrim with 300 Saudi Riyals to supplement their Basic Travelling Allowances.

According to him, Governor Uba Sani’s personal visit to the pilgrims in Muna was more important than the monetary gifts that he gave them, adding that “he was the only Governor who went to see his pilgrims in their tents and offered them words of encouragement.”

“The Governor did not pray for himself. Rather, he asked the pilgrims to pray for the end of the security challenges facing Nigeria and to resist the antics of conflict entrepreneurs who will hide under the banner of politics to foment trouble.
“As an individual, I am praying to Allah(SWT) to grant him his heart’s desires,” Alhaji Abubakar further said.

The Head of Delegation also showered praises on the Malam Salihu S Abubakar-led Special Hajj Committee for its prudence, probity and accountability.

He said that the pilgrims’ accommodation is close to the Al Masjid Haram or the Grand Mosque at Makkah, which is located along Ibrahim Khalil Street in the Misfala district.
Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha said that the meals served pilgrims are delicious, adding that the only complaint   centered around inadequate sauce, which has been addressed.

The Head of Government Delegation also pointed out that the management of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency was assisted by able officials who eased the burden of Hajj operations.
“The Sheikh Haliru Maraya sub-Committee on Preaching sensitized pilgrims on acceptable Hajj rituals. Listening to the learned sheikh reminded me of my Islamic Religious Knowledge class in Barewa College in 1964,” he clarified.

Abubakar Mustapha who is a former Head of Kaduna State Civil Service, recalled that he first performed in 1981 and was made Amirul Hajj in 1999, confessing that this year’s pilgrimage is the best.

Hajj: How Uba Sani won hearts of Kaduna pilgrims 

Concern has continued to grow within media circles in Osun State following the reported arrest of the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, Olalekan Akindoju, by police officers in Osogbo, on Thursday morning.

The development was confirmed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, Adeyemi Aboderin in a post on the official Osun NUJ WhatsApp platform.

Aboderin said, “IMPORTANT NOTICE. Policemen reportedly arrested Hon.Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, Olalekan Akindoju at his residence on Thursday morning.

“His apartment was allegedly raided by policemen, and he was taken to the State CID, Osogbo. More details coming.

The Osun NUJ chairman, in a chat with DAILY POST, also said, “Yet to ascertain the reason. I have gotten in touch with the PPRO. Reason for arrest not yet ascertained.”

Also, Daniel Odeyemi, the Chairman of the Rave FM Chapel of the NUJ, where Akindoju is a member, also confirmed that police officers reportedly arrived at his residence and took him away.

He said, “Lekan called the Head of Station this morning and said police officers stormed his house and they are taking him to the state CID.”

Odeyemi also said the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Rave FM, Mr Femi Adefila, has gone to the Osun State Police Command headquarters on the matter.

He also added that the whereabouts of Akindoju was not yet known as authorities at the police command headquarters claim not to be in the know of his whereabouts.

Also, sources within the NUJ said Akindoju’s whereabouts were initially unknown following the arrest, while attempts to reach him by telephone proved unsuccessful.

In another update, the Osun NUJ chairman said, “UPDATE ON AKINDOJU’S. ARREST. We have been able to track him to the cells of Police PRU unit at the Police Headquarters.

“It was probably a case of mistaken identity.

We’re working on his immediate release.

Thanks for your concern.”

Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Osun State Police Command were unsuccessful as of press time.

The police are yet to issue a statement explaining the circumstances that led to Akindoju’s arrest or confirming the reasons for his detention.

Concerns mount over arrest of Osun NUJ Secretary

The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese in Enugu State, Prof Godfrey Onah, has described the politicians from the Nsukka Cultural Zone of Enugu State as “deceivers”.

According to him, the politicians confuse the government by lying that all is well “when indeed all is not well in the zone”.

THE WHISTLER reports that the cultural zone is made of the local governments of Nsukka, Udenu, Isi-Uzo, Igbo-Etiti, Igboeze South, Uzo-Uwani and Igboeze North.

Bishop Onah spoke during a sermon at the Nsukka Cathedral. He lamented the neglect of the zone by successive governments. He specifically bemoaned human and material losses caused by the demolition of some parts of Ogige Market, the hub of commercial activities in the zone.

Quoting him, “Nsukka politicians have continued to deceive the government, claiming that everything is in order in the cultural zone. People have been hurt. What do we have? The only thing we have is Ogige Market. How many more people will die before our politicians rise up and tell the government that it was wrong, and that nothing can repay the death of those that lost their lives? Something can be done to prevent more deaths, and to console the living: build another market and assign them freely to all those whose shops were destroyed without compensation. Nothing short of that is justice. I don’t belong to those telling the government that it is doing well in this regard.”

He said the location of the University of Nigeria at Nsukka by the federal government does not confer the ownership of the university to the cultural zone. He also expressed sadness over a recent recruitment exercise in the university.

In his words, “Does the University of Nigeria belong to Nsukka? I learnt that UNN is recruiting! How many Nsukka sons and daughters were employed? The only thing is that we have an Nsukka man as the vice chancellor. Our politicians are busy dancing around the ruling party, and our nation is sinking. What has Nsukka achieved in this government?”

It would be recalled that Gov Peter Mbah during a political rally at Nsukka Township Stadium last month promised to compensate Ogige Market traders whose shops were demolished. The demolition was to pave way for the construction of a mega bus terminal by the state government.

Our correspondent gathered that since the inception of the operations of the university in 1960, a vice chancellor from the cultural zone only emerged in 2025.

Catholic Bishop Labels Nsukka Politicians As “Deceivers” is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Evacuated Nigerians from South Africa have arrived in Lagos after recent xenophobic tensions that left many residents in fear.

The evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday, aboard an Air Peace aircraft.

Their return followed efforts by the Federal Government in response to renewed attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier said that the first group would return on Thursday morning.

BREAKING: Xenophobia: Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrive in Lagos

Popular social media critic, Martins Vincent Otse,, popularly known as Verydarkman, VDM on Wednesday night led a mass protest in Abuja over the deteriorating security crisis across the country.

VDM, who arrived in Nigeria from China at about 4:pm on Wednesday, led the Ratel Movement to the Nigerian Air Force Base in Abuja, where they protested against the worsening security situation in Nigeria.

In a video clip going viral on social media, the protesters could be heard chanting “Tinubu must go, APC must go, bandits must go, terrorists must go” while heading to the Air Force Base.

VDM, a staunch critic of the President Bola Tinubu administration has been vocal on the recent surge in kidnapping and killing by the bloodthirsty assailants in many parts of the country.

While in China, VDM declared the Tinubu government incompetent, urging Nigerians to sack the president and the All Progressives Congress, APC via the 2027 presidential elections.

The activist had raised the alarm, alleging a plot by authorities to get him apprehended upon arrival in Nigeria, a claim that created tension amongst his supporters.

Several members of the Ratel Movement were gathered at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, before his arrival.

Watch protest video

VDM leads ‘Tinubu must go’ protest in Abuja after arrival from China [VIDEO]

Twenty-two countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and several major European nations, have jointly condemned Iran for allegedly using criminal gangs to carry out killings, kidnappings and harassment campaigns targeting dissidents, journalists and Jewish communities abroad.

In a joint statement, the countries denounced what they described as “lethal plotting” and other “malign actions” by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its affiliated groups, accusing Iranian security services of increasingly collaborating with international criminal organisations to target journalists, dissidents, Jewish citizens, and current and former officials across Europe and North America.

The governments also raised concern over a recent wave of attacks in Europe targeting Jewish communities, Iranian journalists and US interests, claimed by a previously unknown group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI), which the statement says operates through intermediaries linked to wider networks.

HAYI, whose name translates as The Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, was not known before the attacks began.

The statement described it as “deplorable” that the IRGC allegedly uses international and local criminal gangs to conduct operations, citing incidents in Sweden, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.

It further alleged that Iran has leveraged organised criminal groups, including Foxtrot, Hell’s Angels and Rumba, to carry out attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets across Europe.

In Sweden, an unexploded grenade was discovered at the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm. Swedish and Israeli intelligence later linked the attack to the Foxtrot gang, allegedly acting on Iran’s instructions.

Britain’s domestic intelligence service MI5 has also warned of a growing Iranian threat, saying it disrupted more than 20 potentially lethal Iran-linked plots in the UK between January and October 2025.

The Iranian embassy in London rejected the allegations, saying they “lack credible evidence” and appear to serve “narrow political agendas.”

The statement was signed by the United States, the United Kingdom, Albania, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal and Sweden.

It added that “attempts to kill, kidnap, harass, intimidate, or otherwise attack people on our soil undermine national sovereignty and international norms,” stressing that such actions must stop immediately.

The joint condemnation comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and Western nations, with both Iran and the United States reportedly exchanging strikes for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, further straining an already fragile ceasefire reached in April.

22 Nations Accuse Iran Of Using Gangs For Killings Abroad is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The former Chief Financial Officer, CFO, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Umar Ajiya, says the company and its workers are not thieves.

Ajiya made this remark during a session by the Senate Public Accounts Committee investigating alleged misappropriation of funds.

His remark followed the allegation by a lawmaker representing the Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, who declared the NNPCL a house of thieves.

He alleged that N2.9 billion was used for the incorporation and rebranding of the company, and explicitly denied that N5.8 billion was spent on the registration process itself.

“We are not thieves. N2.9 billion was used to register NNPC, not N5.8 billion. I have been presenting and defending the company’s reports to this committee over the last five or six years.

“I need to give assurance to Mr Chairman and distinguished Senators present here today, and in fact all Nigerians, that there is no money missing. Let me make it very clear that if money was actually missing in NNPC during our period, we would not have had the courage to publish the audited accounts in the past 44 years.

“The accounts were prepared and never kept hidden from the public, and even sometimes with the Auditor-General of the Federation. So we made it a duty upon us not only to give to the Auditor-General, but also to put it on our website, let Nigerians criticise and scrutinise to get out of the opaqueness and that lack of trust that the public had on NNPC,” he said.

‘We are not thieves – NNPC replies Oshiomole, gives clarifications

The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has welcomed former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Reagan Ufomba, into the Labour Party, describing his decision to join the party as a significant development for both the party and the state’s ongoing transformation efforts.

Ufomba, a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), formally defected to the Labour Party on Wednesday at a gathering held at the Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Secretariat in Okpuala Ngwa. He also announced the dissolution of his political movement, the Change Abia Organisation, into the Labour Party.

Speaking at the event, Otti said the Labour Party remains a platform that offers equal opportunities to all members regardless of when they joined.

“One thing that distinguishes the Labour Party is that everybody is treated equally. There is no segregation between old and new members.

“Once you become a member, you enjoy the same rights and privileges as every other person in the party,” the governor said.

He commended Ufomba for what he described as a commitment to the progress of Abia State and noted that the former APGA governorship candidate had consistently shown support for initiatives aimed at repositioning the state.

According to Otti, the decision by Ufomba and his supporters to join the Labour Party reflects growing confidence in the administration’s policies and developmental strides.

The governor also reiterated his administration’s resolve to deliver critical infrastructure projects across the state, including the proposed airport project at Nsulu.

He assured residents that efforts were progressing steadily and revealed that contracts for access roads connecting the airport to different parts of the state would soon be awarded.

“The airport project is no longer a dream. In the near future, Abians will be able to depart from and arrive in their own state through the Nsulu Airport,” he said.

Reflecting on the administration’s journey so far, Otti explained that the first phase of governance was dedicated to stabilising key sectors and addressing long-standing challenges inherited from previous administrations.

“Before laying a solid foundation, you must first clear away the weak structures. We had to resolve issues such as unpaid salaries, pensions and other obligations before embarking on the larger task of rebuilding the state,” he stated.

He assured Ufomba and members of his political structure that they would be fully integrated into the Labour Party and enjoy the same opportunities available to every member.

In his remarks, Ufomba described his move to the Labour Party as a carefully considered decision inspired by the visible changes taking place across Abia State.

He thanked Governor Otti, party leaders and members for the warm reception and pledged to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the party and the development of the state.

The former governorship candidate disclosed that the Change Abia Organisation, which has now been absorbed into the Labour Party, comprises 197 affiliate groups operating across the state.

He explained that the organisation was founded on the principles of good governance, accountability and sustainable development, adding that its members decided to align with the Labour Party because of its people-centred approach to governance.

“We have chosen to identify with a movement that is committed to improving the lives of the people and delivering measurable results,” Ufomba said.

Hon. Collins Iheonunekwu, the member representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency, described Ufomba’s defection as a major boost for the Labour Party, attributing the party’s growing popularity to the performance of Governor Alex Otti’s administration.

“The government has proven that good governance does not require magic but commitment and visionary leadership,” he said.

Iheonunekwu expressed confidence that Ufomba’s entry into the party would further strengthen the Labour Party ahead of future elections.

Also speaking, the member representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Collins Ugochukwu Iheonunekwu, Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Matthew Ekwuribe, and the Mayor of Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, Hon. Innocent Uruakpa, described Ufomba’s defection as a welcome development.

They credited the growing support for the Labour Party across the state to the performance of the Otti administration, noting that residents were increasingly identifying with the party because of its governance style and development-oriented policies.

The event drew a large crowd of government officials, party faithful, traditional rulers, community leaders, political stakeholders and supporters from different parts of the state who gathered to witness Ufomba’s formal entry into the Labour Party.

Ex-Abia APGA Governorship Candidate Defects To LP is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) through the Industry Wide Security Architecture (IWSA) and Nigerian Pipelines & Storage Company (NPSC) in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Special Prosecution Team (SPT), the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, the Nigerian Army and other security stakeholders, conducted a joint inspection of a vandalized section of the NPSC crude oil pipeline at Pai Community in Kwali Area Council of the FCT, Abuja.

The high-level inspection was undertaken to assess the extent of damage to critical national asset, advance ongoing investigations, and reinforce coordinated efforts to combat economic sabotage and safeguard Nigeria’s strategic energy infrastructure.

The visit followed the arrest of three suspected pipeline vandals in the Piri and Pai communities through a joint operation involving the ONSA Special Prosecution Team, the FCT Police Command, and the NNPC Ltd’s Industry-Wide Security Architecture (IWSA).

NPSC, a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd, owns more than 5,000 km of crude oil and petroleum products pipeline network. Pipeline theft across NPSC’s network has been on the increase since 2024.

Well-equipped criminals disguising as “NNPC/Federal Government Taskforce for Recovery of Abandoned Pipelines” connive with locals to dig out and steal those pipelines.

In 2025, a total of 19 cases were reported with about 9km pipeline section stolen along Enugu-Makurdi-Yola and between Piri & Izom along Warri – Kaduna pipeline corridors.

So far in 2026, five cases were reported at Piri-Kwali & Gwagwalada, along Warri-Kaduna crude oil pipeline segment and at Badanga, along Jos-Gombe pipeline corridor.

Speaking during the visit, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Chief Interface Officer, NNPC Ltd., Dahiru Sani-Gwarzo, described the arrests as an important step in a broader effort to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for attacks on the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure.

“The industry-wide security architecture has been actively pursuing criminal elements involved in the sabotage of our energy infrastructure. Those apprehended are only a small part of a larger network. Our focus remains on identifying and bringing to justice the masterminds and sponsors behind these criminal activities.

” Beyond the significant economic losses they cause, such acts undermine national development, energy security and investor confidence. We will continue to work closely with our security partners to ensure these crimes are decisively addressed,” he said.

Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, stated that the operation demonstrated the resolve of security agencies to protect critical national infrastructure and dismantle criminal syndicates involved in pipeline vandalism.

He disclosed that the suspects were apprehended following intensive intelligence gathering, surveillance operations and targeted patrols after reports of interference with sections of the pipeline.

According to him, investigations have already generated valuable leads regarding the sponsors and receivers of the vandalized materials, adding that all individuals connected to the crime would be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Also speaking, the Director of Energy Security at ONSA, Mr. Goodluck Ebele, called on Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist in preventing pipeline vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage.

He emphasized that public vigilance and cooperation remain critical to the protection of national assets and strengthening of Nigeria’s energy security.
Representing the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. J.O. Ajongbo reaffirmed the military’s commitment to working with NNPC Ltd. and other security agencies to safeguard oil and gas infrastructure across the country.

Similarly, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. Sesi Whingan, pledged continued legislative support to strengthen deterrence against pipeline vandalism through enhanced legal and regulatory measures.

NNPC, Security Agencies Uncover Fresh Pipeline Vandalism Site In Abuja is first published on The Whistler Newspaper