The United States Coast Guard, in joint operation with the U.S. Navy, has intercepted a Nigerian-owned supertanker, Skipper, over suspected involvement in crude oil theft, piracy, and other transnational criminal activities. The 20-year-old Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), with IMO Number 930****, is reportedly owned and managed by Nigeria-based Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd., although its registered ownership documents list Triton Navigation Corp., based in the Marshall Islands, as the vessel’s official owner.

Sir Azuka Okwuosa, KSC, has extended warm felicitations to the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, on the occasion of his 67th birthday. In a heartfelt message issued on Thursday, Okwuosa described Governor Uzodimma as a “Renewed Hope Ambassador” whose life and leadership continue to inspire confidence and admiration across political and social spheres. He noted that the governor’s over four decades of service in politics and business have been marked by conviction, compassion, and tangible achievements that resonate across the nation.

Nigerian social media personality, VeryDarkMan, has debunked a viral photograph circulating online that appears to show him meeting with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. In a statement on Thursday, he dismissed the image as fake and likely created with artificial intelligence to damage his reputation. “This picture of myself and Aliko Dangote going viral is fake. Please disregard it,” he said.

Following the recent foiled coup in Benin Republic, President Patrice Talon on Wednesday hosted a high-level delegation from the Nigerian Army at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou. The delegation was received as part of regional efforts to show solidarity with Benin and strengthen security cooperation. According to officials, the Nigerian team visited to express support for the Beninese armed forces and to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding stability within the sub-region.

Human rights lawyer, Bar. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has issued a strong reaction to the ongoing Senate screening of social commentator Reno Omokri, warning that the outcome may have far-reaching political consequences for serving Igbo Senators ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement on Thursday, Ejiofor said that if Omokri successfully scales through the screening process, it would mark a turning point for the political landscape in the South-East.

The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), on Thursday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Brigadier General B. M. Uba, who was killed in the line of duty while defending the nation at Wajiroko in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. During the visit, the Minister expressed deep sorrow over the loss and described Brig.

Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have arrested one Sahabi Rabi’u suspected to be in connection with the gruesome murder of a 30-year-old nursing mother and her 10-month-old baby in Sheme village of Faskari Local Government Area of the state. Rabi’u, 35, according to a Thursday’s statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, lured the victims to the outskirts of Sheme village where they killed them.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday cleared former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former presidential aide Senator Ita Enang, and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. During the session held at the National Assembly complex, the lawmakers had questioned the nominees on Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities, bilateral engagements, and strategies for strengthening the nation’s diplomatic and economic relations.

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, is reportedly dead. It was gathered that the deputy governor died on Thursday in an undisclosed hospital at the age of 60. As of the time of filing this report, the Bayelsa State Government and his family have not released any information on the circumstances surrounding his death. Akelicious recalls that the deputy governor collapsed on Thursday and was rushed to the hospital. Ewhrudjakpo, born on September 5, 1965, was a former federal lawmaker and had served as the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State since 2020.

The Deputy governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, reportedly collapsed and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, the state capital today December 11. Vanguard reports that the incident occurred around 1:30 pm while the deputy governor was in his office, prompting an emergency response. Eyewitnesses described him as being in a serious condition when he was taken to the hospital’s emergency unit.

Nollywood actress and humanitarian, Tonto Dikeh, has shared an emotional reflection on her spiritual journey after relationship therapist Blessing CEO publicly praised her transformation. In a heartfelt message posted on her social media pages, Tonto said she was deeply moved by testimonies from others about her life, describing it as evidence of God’s transformative power. “This touched me in the most profound way.

The Lagos State Police Command has refuted claims circulating in a viral video alleging that an Inspector of Police was caught stealing and subsequently beaten by a mob. In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 11, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Adebisi, described the allegations as false and misleading, clarifying that the officer is attached to the Lagos State Taskforce.

Ghana has deported three Israeli nationals following reports that Ghanaian citizens were subjected to unfair treatment at the Tel Aviv Airport. In a statement released on December 10, 2025, the Ministry explained that the decision reflects Ghana’s duty to protect the dignity and rights of its people while preserving respectful diplomatic ties. The Ministry noted that Ghana values its relationships with all friendly nations and expects its citizens to receive the same respect and humane treatment that Ghana offers to foreign nationals. It added that the government will continue to take all necessary steps to safeguard the welfare of Ghanaians living or traveling abroad.

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen has been crowned the GQ Sportsman of the Year in Turkey. The former Napoli striker, 26, received the award at a black-tie ceremony held in Istanbul on Wednesday, December 10. The accolade, organised by the Turkish edition of GQ Magazine, a leading international men’s fashion and lifestyle publication, recognises outstanding achievers across various fields, including sports, music, and film.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attempted attack by Boko Haram terrorists on the newly resettled community of Delwa in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. Akelicious gathered that the terrorists launched the attack late Tuesday night from three different directions and also attempted to ambush motorists along the Molai–Delwa road. The source said soldiers of the 7 Division Garrison responded swiftly with superior firepower, forcing the insurgents to withdraw.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Nigeria is providing strong regional leadership under President Bola Tinubu. Its spokesman in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, in a statement on Thursday, said the country was playing a stabilising role as West Africa faces political instability, security threats and economic uncertainty. Mr Oladejo said Mr Tinubu’s role in ECOWAS had strengthened diplomatic engagement and promoted stability in the sub-region.

During a Senate screening on December 10, 2025, Emmanuel Adeyemi, a career diplomat and one of 65 ambassadorial nominees, faced intense questioning after failing to name all three senators representing his home state of Ekiti. Adeyemi, who currently serves as Acting Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and holds a PhD in International Relations from France, received praise for his extensive diplomatic experience, including postings in Addis Ababa and Hong Kong.

Anti-cultism platform, Naija Confra on Wednesday shared a video of two teenage girls arrested for being in possession of an automatic pump-action shotgun, with Breach No. 0230 in Edo State. It was gathered that the suspects identified as Believe Ehinor (18) and Ofoma Sofia (19), were arrested by operatives of Uromi Division of Edo State Police Command. The female suspects were intercepted and arrested at about 11.30 pm on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised two terrorists in an ambush at Shettimari general area of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. Sources told Akelicious that the operation, carried out under Operation Desert Sanity V, was executed by an ambush team in the early hours of Thursday. The source said the troops, intercepted the fighters around their crossing point at about 1:20 a.m.

Governor Malam Umar Namadi today presided over the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium of investors for the large-scale production of alfalfa, under which the Jigawa State Government has committed to providing up to 100,000 hectares of land to support the project, marking one of the largest alfalfa production initiatives in Africa. The MoU was signed following a visit by a high-level delegation led by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa.

A senior Beninese government official has revealed that Lt Col Pascal Tigri the alleged leader of Sunday’s failed coup attempt is taking refuge in neighbouring Togo, prompting plans for an official extradition request. The official, who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity, said Tigri is believed to be in Lomé, in the same district where President Faure Gnassingbé resides.

The United States is preparing major changes to its Visa Waiver Program, proposing that all applicants provide details of their social media activity from the past five years. According to a new notice from the Department of Homeland Security, the update to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization will soon appear in the Federal Register. US Customs and Border Protection said the revised system would make social-media disclosure compulsory rather than optional.

Ten years after the clash between soldiers and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the group, has said former President Muhammadu Buhari will give account on the day of judgement. The late president was at the helm of affairs when what was supposed to be a minor misunderstanding between soldiers and members of the sect degenerated to a full-blown crisis, which ultimately led to the proscription of IMN.

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation, has stated that the government has no authority to fix prices for private enterprises, including the aviation sector. Speaking on Arise TV, Keyamo said, “The government has absolutely no power to fix prices for private enterprises, including the aviation industry.” He explained that the recent hike in airfare ticket prices is beyond government control because the aviation industry has been fully deregulated.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has defended his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Accord Party, describing the move as necessary to safeguard his personal security and the stability of the state. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Adeleke said he did not abandon the PDP, which he still holds in high regard, but chose to prioritise continuity in Osun’s development.