The Sun Reporters

11/20/2025

Justice Omotosho sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life Imprisonment

11/20/2025

FG Demands Death Sentence For Nnamdi Kanu After His Conviction

11/01/2025

Trump Declares Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” Over Alleged Killings of Christians

United States President Donald Trump has officially designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” following reports of widespread attacks and killings targeting Christians.

In a statement shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday, Trump claimed that Christianity is under severe threat in Nigeria, describing the situation as a “mass slaughter” allegedly carried out by radical Islamists.

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump wrote.

The US president stressed that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening” and directed Congressman Riley Moore and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to launch an investigation into the issue.

“I am hereby designating Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’ But that is only the beginning. When Christians—or any group—are being killed in such large numbers as we’re seeing in Nigeria (3,100 compared to 4,476 worldwide), action must be taken,” he stated.

Trump further added, “I have instructed Congressman Riley Moore, alongside Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately investigate this matter and report back to me. The United States cannot remain silent while such atrocities continue in Nigeria and other nations. We stand ready, willing, and able to defend our great Christian population across the world.”

09/26/2025

Lekki Flood: Residents Accuse Sanwo-Olu of Protecting Developers, Neglecting Drainage Plan

Residents of Ikota and parts of Lekki on Lagos Island have raised concerns after Tuesday’s heavy downpour turned their neighbourhoods into flood zones, submerging homes, shops, and entire streets.

Images and videos showed residents wading through knee-deep water, trying to salvage personal belongings while businesses were left in ruins.

“This is no way to live,” one distraught resident lamented. “Every rainfall is a disaster. We are losing everything while the government watches.”

The residents blamed the recurring flooding on man-made causes, particularly illegal structures erected on canals and drainage systems such as the System 156 and 157 channels. They accused developers of blocking waterways and faulted the Lagos State government for failing to enforce planning regulations.

“Until the government restores this area according to the original master plan, the flooding will not stop,” another homeowner said, speaking while standing in knee-deep water.

Urban planners confirm that Lagos’ master plan prohibits construction on waterways, but enforcement has been weak and, at times, selective. Many residents believe powerful developers are shielded from sanctions, leaving ordinary citizens to suffer the consequences.

The impact of the flooding goes beyond property damage. Families are displaced, livelihoods destroyed, and stagnant water raises the risk of disease outbreaks. Environmental advocates warn that Lagos faces a looming disaster unless canals are urgently cleared and illegal encroachments removed.

“Every illegal structure is a ticking time bomb for nearby communities once the rains return,” an activist cautioned.

The Lagos State government also attributed Tuesday’s flooding in Lekki to infractions such as illegal construction and indiscriminate waste disposal. The Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, acknowledged the situation in a statement on his X account, sympathising with affected residents.

Traffic chaos worsened the crisis, with many commuters unable to reach their destinations until late at night—some as late as midnight. Frustrated residents took to social media to lament their plight and urged the state government to take decisive action.

09/14/2025

Emir Sanusi: Nigeria Stuck on Tribe and Religion While Others Debate AI, Climate Change

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has criticized Nigeria’s leadership, saying the country has suffered from poor governance for too long. Speaking at the second Kano International Poetry Festival (KAPFEST) on Saturday, Sanusi lamented that Nigeria remains entangled in ethnic and religious divisions while other nations focus on pressing global issues.

He stressed that good governance is the only way to rescue Nigeria from its current state. According to him, “A nation rises and falls with the quality of its leadership, and Nigeria has endured ineffective leaders for a long time. In many cases, when you look at those in power, you wonder how we got here. Every day, the newspapers and legislature reflect petty debates and wasted time on irrelevant matters.”

Sanusi contrasted Nigeria’s political discourse with global conversations, noting that while other countries are addressing challenges like climate change and artificial intelligence, Nigeria is still debating ethnicity and religion—issues that dominated discussions as far back as the 1960s.

He urged young Nigerians to take charge of the nation’s future, arguing that with determination, they could replace the older generation currently in control. He also warned that the government’s reckless borrowing and spending habits could have damaging long-term effects on the economy.

Earlier, PWI Creative Director, Nasiba Babale, explained that this year’s KAPFEST, themed “Poetry in a Time of Crisis”, was organized to remind poets of their role in using art to advocate for peace amid the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.

09/11/2025

Tinubu Declares Hospital Blackouts a National Emergency, Promises Swift Action

Tinubu Declares Hospital Power Crisis a National Emergency

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described Nigeria’s persistent electricity shortages in hospitals as a life-threatening emergency, warning that constant power cuts in operating theatres, maternity wards, intensive care units, and laboratories have endangered patient safety for too long.

Speaking at the first National Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector in Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu—represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume—stressed that fixing electricity in health facilities must now be treated as a top national priority.

“In surgical theatres, maternity wards, ICUs, laboratories, and emergency rooms across the country, power outages too often compromise safety, interrupt care, and cost lives. These outages cannot continue. Lives are at stake. We must act now,” Tinubu declared.

The President noted that solving energy challenges in hospitals is central to his Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on tackling energy poverty, decentralising power supply, and encouraging private sector participation. He explained that the government’s Energy Transition Plan and ongoing power sector reforms aim to deploy solar and hybrid systems to health facilities, attract private investment, and use blended financing in partnership with development agencies.

Tinubu also urged health institutions to adopt sustainable, community-owned energy systems rather than short-term fixes and challenged stakeholders to ensure the dialogue delivers measurable results. “This must not be a talk shop. It must produce actionable outcomes—policy alignment, hospital energy audits, mobilisation of green financing, and accountability frameworks,” he said.

Congratulating the Ministers of Health and Power for convening the dialogue, Tinubu pledged his full support. “The success of this initiative will not be measured by speeches but by uninterrupted power in hospitals, functional equipment, and renewed confidence in public healthcare,” he added.

Other speakers echoed the urgency. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, noted that reliable power and connectivity are crucial for health sector transformation. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, citing a BudgIT survey, described unreliable electricity as the second biggest barrier to healthcare after funding gaps, warning that every blackout in hospitals puts lives at risk.

“This is the time to be innovative, adopt smart energy solutions, and strengthen our health system to deliver better outcomes,” Salako emphasised.

09/09/2025

Katsina Governor Opens Up on Ongoing Negotiations With Bandits

Katsina State Governor, Umar Radda, has confirmed that his administration is engaged in ongoing peace negotiations with bandits, despite previously distancing himself from such talks. He admitted that the truce has already brought a measure of stability to parts of the state.

Radda made the disclosure while launching an 18-month European Union–funded initiative titled Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience in Katsina, implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Mercy Corps. The project is designed to promote peace and socio-economic stability in Katsina and Zamfara states.

According to the governor, the approach is “community-owned, locally led, and culturally sensitive,” with active participation of women, youths, and persons with disabilities in its planning and ex*****on. He explained that through grassroots peace initiatives, crises have been resolved in four out of Katsina’s eight frontline local governments, while negotiations are ongoing in two others.

Radda also highlighted the devastating toll of banditry across communities such as Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Safana, Sabuwa, Faskari, and Dandume—where schools remain closed, farms deserted, markets shut, and many families displaced after years of violence.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military has distanced itself from any form of financial settlement with bandits. Speaking on Channels Television, Chief of Defence Operations, Maj.-Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, stressed that the Armed Forces do not support ransom payments, which he described as ineffective.

Instead, he pointed to the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme under Operation Safe Corridor, currently active in Gombe and Zamfara states. The initiative, coordinated with the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the National Security Adviser, is aimed at rehabilitating repentant criminals who surrender their weapons, undergo profiling, and renounce violence. Those found guilty of serious crimes, however, face prosecution.

09/06/2025

Enugu Govt Dismisses Sujimoto CEO Ogundele’s Viral Video, Alleges N5.7bn Fraud

The Enugu State Government has accused Olasijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, of orchestrating a “premeditated fraud” that allegedly cost the state nearly N6 billion.

In a statement released on Friday by Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, the government explained that Ogundele was awarded a contract worth over N11.4 billion on July 2, 2024, to build 22 Smart Green Schools within six months. The state paid him N5.76 billion—representing 50 percent of the contract sum—to accelerate the projects.

However, instead of delivering quality work as specified, Ogundele allegedly engaged unqualified workers, produced substandard construction, and ultimately abandoned the sites. According to the government, “none of the structures met the required integrity standards,” and Ogundele subsequently disappeared, ignoring invitations for meetings, project briefings, calls, and messages.

The government also noted that although Ogundele had presented a bond from Jaiz Bank for the contract, he received the funds through a Zenith Bank account linked to his company, making it impossible to hold Jaiz Bank accountable. This, it said, demonstrated his clear intention to defraud from the outset.

Following the collapse of talks, the government petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). A joint inspection by EFCC and state officials in May 2025 revealed that little to no real work had been done on the sites, with some projects showing no proper excavation.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has declared Ogundele wanted for alleged fraud and money laundering. In a viral video, Ogundele dismissed the accusations and promised to present himself to the anti-graft agency.

The state government, however, maintains that he abandoned the project and misused public funds. It has since reassigned the school projects to new contractors and pledged to recover “every penny fraudulently taken from Ndi Enugu.

06/21/2025

BREAKING: Armed Herdsmen Strike Again in Benue, Just 48 Hours After Tinubu’s Visit

A youth corps member currently serving in the Wannune community, Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, described a scene of utter panic as residents fled into nearby bushes to escape an attack by armed herdsmen. The assault occurred just 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state, which was aimed at addressing escalating insecurity.

Eyewitnesses told SaharaReporters on Friday evening that the assailants set houses and properties ablaze, leaving destruction in their wake and forcing residents to abandon their homes.

“It’s terrifying—everyone is running into the bushes,” the corps member said in a distress message, appealing to Nigerians for prayers and urging security agencies to intervene swiftly. “The herdsmen are wreaking havoc right now.”

This new wave of violence raises fresh doubts about the effectiveness of President Tinubu’s recent visit and the directives he issued to combat insecurity in the region.

During his trip, Tinubu met with local stakeholders and instructed the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff to apprehend those behind recent killings. His visit followed the tragic massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, where an estimated 200 people lost their lives.

The Yelewata incident drew national outrage, with many questioning the federal government’s capacity to safeguard its citizens. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also criticized Tinubu’s visit, describing it as a “political performance” lacking genuine commitment to solving the crisis.

“True leadership is about compassion and solidarity with the people in times of grief, but the visit was overshadowed by political posturing,” Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, remarked.

The renewed attack in Wannune underscores the persistent security threats facing Benue State and the urgent need for lasting solutions. Citizens and advocacy groups have called on the government to address the root causes of the violence and implement decisive actions to protect lives and property.

05/07/2025

VDM is OUT!

https://thesun.com.ng/news/breaking--vdm-is-finally-out

05/06/2025

https://thesun.com.ng/news/breaking--efcc-reveal-why-they-arrested-verydarkman

EFCC and VDM Arrest

05/05/2025

**EFCC Confirms Arrest of Social Media Activist VeryDarkMan Following Multiple Petitions, Plans Court Charges Soon**

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of popular social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), following several petitions lodged against him.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale told BBC News Pidgin on Monday that Otse was taken into custody to respond to a series of allegations from various complainants. When asked whether the arrest was related to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), Oyewale clarified that the complaints came from different individuals and that the agency was duty-bound to address them. He also revealed that the EFCC intends to charge the activist in court.

“We arrested him to respond to several allegations from petitioners. He’ll be released once he meets bail conditions, and we’ll take the case to court as soon as possible. We are law-abiding,” Oyewale said.

The Take It Back (TIB) Movement has condemned the arrest, demanding Otse’s immediate and unconditional release. According to the group, he was apprehended on Thursday, May 2, 2025, just after leaving the GTBank branch in Area 3, Garki, Abuja, where he had gone with his mother and a colleague to address unauthorized withdrawals from his mother’s account.

CCTV footage of the arrest, now circulating widely online, has triggered public outrage, with many seeing it as a deliberate move to silence a vocal critic of government and institutional abuse.

In a statement signed by Lagos State Coordinator Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek (Scotty Aluta), the TIB Movement described the arrest as unlawful and preplanned, accusing both the EFCC and GTBank of being complicit in what they termed a misuse of power.

The group also expressed deep concern over the disappearance of Otse’s mother, who has been missing since the incident and whose whereabouts remain unknown.

“This is not the first time Mr. Otse has been targeted for speaking out against injustice and corruption,” the statement noted. “We strongly condemn the illegal arrest and continued detention of VeryDarkMan. His case is part of a worrying trend of using state security forces to intimidate and suppress dissenting voices.”