Author: Vardiafrica

A fire outbreak has disrupted activities at the oncology unit of the National Hospital, Abuja, forcing the emergency evacuation of patients and medical personnel from the facility. The incident, believed to have been triggered by an electrical fault, was however swiftly contained before it spread to other sections of the hospital. Patients receiving treatment at the oncology department on Monday, including those undergoing emergency care and chemotherapy sessions, were moved to safer units within the hospital as a precautionary measure. Although the fire was extinguished without casualties, traces of smoke continued to linger around the affected area hours after the…

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has said the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin was aimed at defending democracy, ensuring security, and supporting peaceful electoral processes in the West African sub-region. Shaibu disclosed this on Monday while speaking at the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference held in Abuja. According to him, the deployment under Operations Atileyin Alaafia 1 and 2 reflects Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening regional security architecture and promoting collective responses to emerging threats across neighbouring countries. “Consequently, we have continued to disrupt criminals’ networks, degrade adversary capabilities and restore…

THE  Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the continuation of coordinated military operations with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in Nigeria’s North-East, with fresh airstrikes reportedly killing more than 20 militants in the Metele area of Borno State. In a statement on Monday, May 16, the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, said the strikes were carried out following intelligence on the “convergence and migration” of terrorist fighters within the region. According to the military, the latest operation formed part of sustained offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and denying insurgents safe havens across the…

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of ₦100 million with one surety in like sum. Delivering the ruling, Justice Abdulmalik imposed a series of stringent conditions the defendant must meet before perfecting the bail. The court held that the proposed surety must reside in either the Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja and must deposit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property at the court registry. The surety is also required to be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level…

FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom has expressed confidence that Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite ongoing regional tensions and concerns surrounding visas and entry arrangements. Speaking after a meeting with Mehdi Taj in Istanbul on Saturday, May 16, Grafstrom described the talks as “excellent” and “constructive”. “We’ve had an excellent meeting and constructive meeting together with the Iran football association,” Grafstrom told Reuters. “We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup.” Iran are scheduled to play all three of their Group G matches in the United States during…

President Museveni has endorsed plans for a proposed East African regional refinery championed by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, saying the project aligns with Uganda’s long-standing position against exporting raw materials without value addition. The development happened on Sunday after Museveni met Dangote at Nakasero State Lodge. After the meeting, Museveni said the discussions focused on the proposed refinery and the wider need for regional industrial cooperation. “Today at Nakasero, I met Mr. Aliko Dangote and we discussed the proposed East African regional refinery,” Museveni said The President said Uganda had deliberately delayed crude oil production because government wanted to first…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. In a statement issued on Saturday, the WHO said the outbreak does not yet meet the threshold for a pandemic emergency under the International Health Regulations. The agency said the declaration followed consultations with authorities in DR Congo and Uganda over the escalating spread of the virus and the risk of cross-border transmission. According to the WHO, as of Saturday, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths had been recorded in…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday conducted House of Representatives primary elections across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections, producing a mix of elected and consensus candidates in different federal constituencies. The primaries were initially scheduled for Friday but were later postponed to Saturday by the party. Ahead of the exercise, President Bola Tinubu cautioned party members against infighting and “do-or-die” politics, urging aspirants, delegates and party leaders to conduct themselves peacefully while upholding the principles of internal democracy, fairness and sportsmanship. In Katsina State, Yusuf Muhammadu Buhari, son of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, defeated…

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed aircraft maker Airbus’ proposal to establish maintenance and hangar facilities in Nigeria. President Tinubu also urged the accelerated delivery of attack helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to strengthen security operations and national development priorities. The President spoke during a meeting with a delegation from the global aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, led by the Head of Regional Business Growth for Africa and the Middle East, Mr. Thierry Cloutet, on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda. President Tinubu emphasised Nigeria’s urgent need for modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft capable of supporting security operations, logistics and…

At least five persons have been confirmed dead, while 10 others were rescued alive after a three-storey building under construction collapsed on Saturday morning in the Durumi 3 area near Gudu Market in Abuja. The Federal Capital Territory Administration confirmed the incident in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Mr Lere Olayinka. According to the statement, emergency responders are still carrying out rescue operations at the site amid fears that more victims may remain trapped beneath the rubble. “At least five persons have been confirmed dead…