By : Lloyd Mahachi An unspecified number of villagers residing in two communities in the Silame local government area of Sokoto state have been feared dead after a fighter jet bombed the communities around 7 am on Wednesday. The Guardian learned that the fighter jet was targeted at Lakurawa terrorists who have been terrorizing the communities. The affected communities have been identified as Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa. These two communities are reportedly located close to the Surame Forest. This forest has been identified as another hideout of Lakurawa and bandits. Residents of the community told the press that over 10…
Author: JOSEY AGENCY
By : Lloyd Mahachi Nigeria’s beloved “detty December” festivities, a month-long celebration of music, food, and merriment, are losing their luster this year. The economic downturn in Africa’s most populous country is taking a toll on the tradition, which is usually marked by concerts, carnivals, and lavish spending. For many Nigerians, the holiday season is no longer a time for indulgence, but a period of austerity. Fade Bey, a public relations consultant is one of many Nigerians who have had to scale back their holiday plans. She usually spends her December attending concerts, trying out new restaurants, and buying gifts…
By : Lloyd Mahachi A devastating plane crash in Kazakhstan has left 38 people dead, but dozens of others have miraculously survived. The Azerbaijan Airlines flight was carrying 67 people when it caught fire and crashed while attempting to make an emergency landing near the city of Aktau. The plane was en route to Grozny in Russia, but was diverted due to fog. Footage of the crash shows the aircraft heading towards the ground at high speed with its landing gear down, before bursting into flames as it lands. The airline described the incident as an “emergency landing”…
By : Lloyd Mahachi A suspected riot erupted inside a jail in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, leaving at least 33 people dead and 15 injured. The incident occurred amidst escalating civil unrest linked to the country’s disputed election in October, which saw the long-ruling party Frelimo extend its stay in power. The election results have been widely contested, with opposition groups claiming that the vote was rigged. The protests that have followed have been marked by violence, with at least 21 people killed during two days of unrest. The fatalities include two police officers, and the total death toll in…
By : Lloyd Mahachi The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) alerted of an alarming increase in Lassa fever cases and deaths in the last four weeks, signaling the outbreak’s severity. Meanwhile, the centre recorded 9,492 suspected cases of Lassa Fever,1,154 confirmed with 190 deaths across the country in 2024. Six states including Ondo (29.7%), Edo (22.7%), Bauchi (17.9%), Taraba (8.8%), Benue (5.6%), and Ebonyi (4%) make up 89% of the confirmed cases. At the same time, 10 LGAs (Owo, Etsako West, Esan West, Kirfi, Ardo-Kola, Toro, Ose, Akure South, Jalingo, and Idah) accounted for almost 59% of…
By : Lloyd Mahachi A NASA spacecraft is attempting to make history with the closest ever approach to the Sun. The Parker Solar Probe is plunging into our star’s outer atmosphere. Enduring brutal temperatures and extreme radiation, this is a momentous occasion. The spacecraft will be flying into the Sun’s outer atmosphere, a region that is still not well understood. The Parker Solar Probe launched in 2018, heading to the center of our Solar System. It has already swept past the Sun 21 times, getting ever nearer. But the Christmas Eve visit is record-breaking. At its closest…
By : Lloyd Mahachi The year 2024 has been an eventful one for African sports, with numerous triumphs and controversies making headlines. From the Africa Cup of Nations to the Paris Olympics, African athletes have shown their mettle and made their mark on the global stage. AFCON 2024 Surprise One of the major surprises of the year was the host nation Ivory Coast winning the Africa Cup of Nations. The Elephants overcame early setbacks in the tournament, including two group-stage losses and the dismissal of their coach, to stage a remarkable comeback. Interim coach Emerse Faé…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Mozambique’s Constitutional Council has sparked widespread controversy by upholding the ruling party Frelimo’s victory in the country’s recent election. The decision has been met with fierce opposition from various quarters, with many citing blatant irregularities and vote-rigging as the reason for Frelimo’s landslide win. As the country teeters on the brink of chaos, the international community is watching with bated breath, eager to see how the situation will unfold. The election, which took place in October, was meant to be a milestone in Mozambique’s democratic journey. However, the outcome has been…
By : Lloyd Mahachi France’s military presence in Chad is coming to an abrupt end. The Chadian authorities have demanded the total withdrawal of all French personnel from its base in N’Djamena by December 31. This demand has caught Paris off guard. Initially, France was planning to begin repatriating its soldiers from Tuesday, with negotiations underway for a gradual withdrawal ending in March. However, the situation has taken a dramatic turn, and France has had to accelerate its withdrawal plans. On Friday, the first 120 French soldiers departed from N’Djamena, marking the beginning of the end of France’s military presence…
By : Lloyd Mahachi Mozambique’s constitutional council is set to announce the validated results of the country’s presidential and legislative elections. The elections, held on October 9, saw the ruling Frelimo party extend its 49-year rule, but the opposition has disputed the outcome. The opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, has threatened to call for a “popular uprising” if the Constitutional Council approves the initial results. Mondlane claims that the result was rigged and that he won 53% of the vote, a stark contrast to the 20% reported by the election commission. The election commission’s results have been widely disputed,…