Five men have been arrested in Bayelsa State in connection with the alleged killing of a 38-year-old man following an accusation of rape in Otuoke community, police have said. The suspects were picked up after officers from the Kolo Divisional Headquarters responded to a distress call on Kakatar Road, Otuoke, at about 3.30pm on 22 February.  A lifeless male body was found at the scene and later deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Otuoke. In a statement on Monday, the Bayelsa State Police Command said the deceased, identified as Samuel Ofiri, a native of Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area, was allegedly taken to an apartment on Kakatar Road where he was tortured by a group of men, leading to his death. READ ALSO :  Disu Confirmed by Police Council as Substantive Inspector-General Police named the suspects as Stanley Inemugha, 21; Ipagaro Memidin, 21; Kingsley Taribo, 25; Boye Easter, 22, all from Otakeme community in Ogbia LGA, and Preye Timbiri, 40, of Otuoke community...

FIFA has quietly reopened ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, just days after its president, Gianni Infantino, said that every match at the tournament was already sold out. Fans who had previously entered FIFA’s ticket lottery received emails advertising an “ exclusive additional chance to purchase ,” with the world governing body warning that availability was “ extremely limited .” However, supporters reported being able to buy tickets for at least 64 of the tournament’s 104 matches, according to information and screenshots shared with The Athletic. The unexpected sales window came less than a week after Infantino claimed global demand had exhausted supply, citing more than 508 million ticket requests. Ticketing experts say the move suggests not a lack of interest, but difficulties selling certain fixtures at current prices. “ When they say there’s incredibly high demand, that’s true. But that doesn’t mean every game will sell easily at those prices ,” said ticketing analyst Jim McC...

The National Police Council has confirmed Olatunji Disu as the substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP), with his name set to be transmitted to the Senate for screening and confirmation. President Bola Tinubu appointed Disu as acting Inspector-General on 25 February 2026, following the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun.  In a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President said a meeting of the Police Council would be convened to formally consider the appointment before forwarding it to the Senate. Disu, 59, assumed office last Wednesday and took over formally at a brief ceremony at the Louis Edet House, shortly after being decorated as acting IGP by the President. READ ALSO : Nigeria Police Tighten Security Nationwide amid Middle East Tensions Before his appointment, he served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.  Promoted to the rank of AIG last year, Disu h...

Netflix has confirmed that its streaming service will no longer run on Sony’s PlayStation 3 from today, 2 March, 2026, ending a near two, decade partnership with the ageing console.   RoundReports reports that users attempting to access the app are being met with a notification stating, “ Unfortunately, Netflix will no longer be available on this device after 2 March 2026. Visit netflix.com/compatible devices to see a list of supported devices .”   The decision has sparked a wave of nostalgia and frustration online as one user on X termed the move as an “ end of an era ,” and that “ PS3 really carried streaming and gaming before it was cool. Respect to the OG ”  Another quipped: “ Netflix survived three console generations and said I’m tired boss .”  On Reddit, longtime viewers voiced their disappointment. One wrote: “ Netflix on PS3 was the only way I could still share Netflix to my dad even though we live in different countries .”  READ ALSO : Radioh...

The United States (US) has confirmed that three of its service members have been killed during ongoing military operations against Iran, as the crisis in the Middle East deepens and fears of a wider regional war intensify. Iranian authorities earlier on Sunday announced the appointment of senior cleric Alireza Arafi as interim Supreme Leader, following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Saturday. Arafi, 67, is expected to oversee the leadership transition as Iran presses ahead with retaliatory attacks.  According to the US Central Command, five other American military personnel were injured in the latest strikes. Iranian state media reported that more than 200 people have been killed since hostilities escalated, while Israeli authorities said at least nine people have died following sustained missile attacks. READ ALSO :  Nigeria Police Tighten Security Nationwide amid Middle East Tensions The United St...

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan, has said the commission will work to deliver Nigeria’s “ best possible ” general election in 2027, while cautioning that a flawless process remains unrealistic. Speaking on Sunday at a Citizens’ Town Hall on the Electoral Act 2026, Amupitan acknowledged widespread public expectations for a perfect election but urged Nigerians to be pragmatic about the limitations facing electoral management bodies. He confirmed that INEC has the capacity to transmit results electronically and intends to do so in 2027, but raised questions over public demands for instantaneous, real-time transmission from every polling unit. " INEC will strive as much as possible to give this country the best election. But we will not be able to achieve a 100 per cent perfect election for now.  READ ALSO :  Why Collagen Supplements Offer Modest Skin Benefits but Fail to Erase Wrinkles "As far as electronic transmission o...

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has moved to reassure the public that security across the country remains stable, despite heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and fears over possible global repercussions. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, said the Force had strengthened intelligence-led operations nationwide to ensure the continued protection of lives, property and public order. Disu stressed that Nigeria’s internal security situation is firmly under control, but confirmed that commissioners in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been instructed to intensify surveillance and intelligence gathering.  Particular attention is being paid to the North West, North East and North Central zones, where officers have been directed to increase patrols and visibility around worship centres and other public spaces. The IGP also ordered closer engagement with traditional and religious leaders, warning that ...

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) staged street protests in parts of Niger State on Sunday following reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been assassinated in coordinated strikes by the United States (US) and Israel. News of Khamenei's death prompted swift mobilisation by supporters of the Shi’a movement, who described the alleged killing as an act of global injustice. According to reports, dozens of IMN members took to the streets shortly after news of the reported death spread on social media.  Protesters marched through several areas, chanting solidarity slogans, waving Iranian flags and holding placards reading “ We Stand With Iran ” and “ Free Iran ,” alongside anti-US and anti-Israel messages. READ ALSO :  Ayatollah Khamenei Killed in Airstrike as Iran Braces for Uncertain Future In a statement circulated among supporters, the group announced it was mourning what it described as the “ martyrdom ” of the Iranian leader and pledge...

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in a major airstrike blamed on Israel and the United States (US), an event that has jolted the Islamic Republic and intensified fears of a wider regional conflict. The death of the 86-year-old cleric was confirmed early on Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump announced it on social media, describing the killing as Iran’s “ greatest chance ” to reclaim its future.  Iranian television reported that Khamenei died after his compound in central Tehran was hit in what it described as a targeted attack. Satellite imagery released by Airbus appeared to show extensive damage to the site.  State TV said Khamenei was killed at his office, adding that his presence there symbolised leadership “ at the forefront ” against what officials routinely term foreign domination. In Washington, reportedly Trump hailed the operation and warned that further “ heavy and pinpoint bombing ” would continue as part of a campaign he said was ai...

A baby boy has become the first child in the United Kingdom (UK) to be born following a womb transplant from a deceased donor, in what surgeons have described as a medical milestone with the potential to transform fertility care. Grace Bell, in her 30s, who was born without a functioning womb, said her son Hugo, now 10 weeks old, is “ simply a miracle .” It was said that Hugo was delivered just before Christmas 2025 at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in west London, weighing nearly 7lb. Bell and her partner, Steve Powell, from Kent, paid tribute to the “ kindness and selflessness ” of the donor and her family, and thanked the medical teams in Oxford and London who supported their journey. Bell has MRKH syndrome, a rare condition affecting around one in 5,000 women in the UK, in which the womb does not develop properly.  Although she has normal ovaries, she does not have periods and was told at the age of 16 that she would not be able to carry a child. Her womb transplant to...

Western tourists fled for safety in Dubai on Saturday after Iranian missiles and drones struck the United Arab Emirates (UAE), hours after United States (US) and Israeli forces carried out air raids on Iranian cities.   The Dubai media office confirmed four people were injured when a Shahed drone hit the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel, setting part of the building ablaze with ambulances later dispatched to the scene.   Footage showed the missile cutting through the air before striking the hotel’s exterior. The Fairmont, located on Dubai’s man-made Palm island, is a popular destination for international visitors.   The attack followed strikes by the US and Israel on several Iranian cities, including Tehran, where explosions were reported near the offices of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israeli media said there were indications he may have been injured or killed.   READ ALSO :  US, Israel Launch Strikes on Iran Amid Rising Tensions Iran has since...

Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, has denied claims linking him to a simmering dispute between social media personalities Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, and content creator Mitchell Mukoro, also known as King Mitchy. In a statement shared on Instagram on Saturday, Seyi Tinubu described allegations of an improper relationship or secret arrangements with King Mitchy as false, saying his name had been drawn into a feud in which he played no role. Recall that the row escalated after King Mitchy announced that she had renovated a dilapidated school in six days, presenting the project as evidence that rapid change was possible with genuine intent.  Comments accompanying the announcement were widely read as veiled criticism of VeryDarkMan, who responded by accusing her of being deployed as a political pawn to polish the image of the Tinubu administration. VeryDarkMan subsequently tagged the President’s son in online posts and alleged that both Sey...

Collagen supplements can improve skin elasticity and hydration when taken consistently, but they do not eliminate wrinkles, according to the most comprehensive scientific review yet of the popular beauty product.   Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in England analysed evidence from 16 systematic reviews covering 113 randomised controlled trials and nearly 8,000 participants worldwide.  Their umbrella review, published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, concluded that while collagen offers “ legitimate ” benefits for skin quality, it should not be marketed as a quick fix for ageing.   What Is Collagen? Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein, providing structure and elasticity to skin, bones, cartilage and connective tissues. It also plays a role in blood clotting and organ protection.  Natural production declines from early adulthood, with smoking, sun exposure and menopause accelerating the loss. Women can lose up to a third of t...

The management of Prime Care Hospitals has denied viral reports online that popular content creator Mukoro Mitchelle, widely known as King Mitchy, died at its Abuja facility. In a disclaimer published on the hospital’s official Instagram page on Saturday, Prime Care said the reports were false, insisting that King Mitchy was never admitted to the hospital and did not die there. “ The management of Prime Care Hospitals wishes to inform the public that the announcement of the alleged death of Miss Mukoro Mitchelle, popularly known as King Mitchy, at our facility in Abuja is false. “King Mitchy was never a patient in our hospital and did not pass away here ,” the statement read. The hospital added that it was taking steps to address what it described as misinformation, including engaging relevant authorities and considering legal action against those responsible for spreading the claims.  READ ALSO :  Fake Soldier Arrested in Bayelsa POS Fraud Therefore, it urged members of the p...

President Bola Tinubu has reappointed Ahmed Abubakar Audi as Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), granting him a fresh five-year term. Audi's reappointment takes effect from Friday, 27 February 2026, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The NSCDC Chief was first appointed to the role in 2021 by former president Muhammadu Buhari.  His initial term formally ended last week, coinciding with activities marking the 2026 World Civil Defence Day at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja. He is expected to resume duties on Monday, 2 March, with what the Presidency described as a renewed mandate to strengthen the corps’ contribution to national security. Onanuga said Tinubu had tasked Audi with repositioning the NSCDC to play a more prominent role, particularly as the Nigeria Police refocuses on its core responsibility of protecting citizens from banditry, kidnapping...