Zamfara Governor said he refused to pay N300m ransom, told kidnappers to k!ll my abducted brothers

 Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has revealed that he refused to pay a N300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers who abducted his brothers in 2019, saying he chose not to negotiate with criminals rather than encourage the growing menace of kidnapping for ransom.

Lawal said his decision was based on his conviction that paying ransom only emboldens criminal groups to continue abducting innocent people.

The governor disclosed this on Thursday, July 9, 2026 while speaking at the ARISE News and THISDAY Townhall Conference in Abuja, where he also renewed his call for the establishment of state police as part of broader efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.

40-year-old man found d3ad in Bayelsa guest house after alleged s3x romp

 A 40-year-old man identified simply as Felix, said to be from Cross River State, has been found d3ad in a guest house along Azikoro Road in the Ekeki area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, following an alleged s3x romp with an unidentified woman. 

The deceased was reportedly discovered n3ked in a room at the Guest House during the early hours of Wednesday, July 8, 2026 after a cleaner raised the alarm. 

The woman said to have been with him was, however, nowhere to be found.

Eyewitnesses said several sachets of alcoholic drinks were recovered from the room before police cordoned off the area and evacuated the body.

Iran targets US military sites in Bahrain

 Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait on Wednesday after the US launched a wave of military strikes on Iran in response to attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it carried out a joint missile and drone operation against key US military sites in Bandar Salman, Bahrain’s Fifth Naval District and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and shot down a US MQ9 drone attempting to interfere in the operation.

The US earlier unleashed fresh military strikes and revoked a license allowing Iran to sell oil in response to attacks on three tankers in the strait. 

The US Central Command said more than 60 small boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were among the targets hit, in a bid to impose a heavy cost on Iran for strikes on shipping in violation of the cease-fire.

Wearing my main chick crown forever - Actress Uche Ogbodo writes hours after estranged husband, Bobbymarris jab

 Two days ago, BobbyMaris, in an apparent post directed at Uche, wrote that not every woman deserves to wear the crown of a wife

Abimbola Olawuyi di£s nearly two decades after d£ath of her journalist husband, Kola Olawuyi (Nkan Nbe)

 Abimbola Olawuyi, widow of the late legendary investigative journalist and broadcaster, Kola Olawuyi, has di£d. ‎

Mrs. Olawuyi reportedly passed away yesterday, Monday morning, July 6, after a brief illness. ‎ ‎ 

A family source who confirmed the sad development disclosed that she di£d peacefully. They described her demise as a painful loss to the Olawuyi family, friends, and many who admired her strength after the passing of her husband. 

Her d£ath comes 19 years after the passing of her husband, Kola Olawuyi, the pioneering investigative journalist who became a household name through his popular radio and television programmes, 'Iriri Aye' and 'Nnkan Nbe', which exposed criminal activities, ritual k!llings, fraud, and other social vices. ‎ ‎

Portugal eliminated from the 2026 World Cup

 Portugal have been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after they lost 1- 0 to Spain.

A stoppage-time goal from substitute Mikel Merino sent Spain into the quarter-finals and condemned Portugal to a painful exit from the tournament.

The defeat also marks the end of an era for Cristiano Ronaldo, who is set to retire from international football after recently confirming that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be his final major tournament with the national team.

It also brings the curtain down on an extraordinary international career that saw the five-time Ballon d'Or winner captain Portugal to the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League titles, while becoming the nation's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player.

 

Sophia Momodu responds to allegation of selling her body

 Sophia Momodu has responded after a SnapChat user accused her of selling her body. 

"For how long would you keep selling your body to live?" Debby asked Sophia on SnapChat. 

Sophia, who is the mother of singer Davido's oldest child, responded: "Debby Adegoke I've just arrived please. Let me breathe before you start with your weird projections & stalking! Ah ah, una no dey tire???" 

 

UEFA slams FIFA over decision to reinstate banned USA star Folarin Balogun following Donald Trump's intervention for Red Card

 European football's governing body UEFA has condemned FIFA's decision to allow banned USA forward Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium in their last-16 World Cup showdown, describing the call 'unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable'.

FIFA overturned US star striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban, after a personal phone call from President Donald Trump.

Balogun had been set to miss Monday's last-16 knockout clash with the Belgians after receiving a straight red card following video review for stepping on the foot of a Bosnian defender in a round-of-32 clash that the US won 2-0. However, the player will now be available to play in the World Cup co-hosts' showdown with Belgium after the overturning of the red card decision.

Nigerian-British woman arrested with 13kg cocaine concealed in plantain peels

 A 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandma, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the discovery of 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed in peels of plantain which appeared as real plantains and packed among other food items in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

Ajayi Kanyinsola defeats world champion Seville to win 100m at Prefontaine Classic

Kanyinsola Ajayi delivered a stunning performance on Saturday to win the men's 100 metres at the 2026 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, defeating a field that included reigning world champion Oblique Seville.

The 21-year-old Nigerian clocked 9.84 seconds to equal his own national record in his debut appearance on the Diamond League circuit.

Competing at Hayward Field, Ajayi powered past Seville after the opening stages of the race to secure victory. The Jamaican finished second in 9.89 seconds, while American sprinter Christian Coleman claimed third place in 9.95 seconds. Fellow American Kenneth Bednarek placed fourth with a time of 9.96 seconds.

American businessman Michael Rubin’s annual White Party with A-list celebrities in attendance

 Yearly, American businessman Michael Rubin throws what is arguably the biggest celebrity party in celebration of July 4th and this year was no different. 

Michael Rubin's annual Fourth of July bash held a little early this year. 

On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the who-is-who in the entertainment industry in America gathered at Rubin's $50million oceanfront estate in Bridgehampton, New York, located in the Hamptons.