Headline

Deborah: Knocks As Atiku Condemns German-based Nigerian’s Murder

Published

3 years ago

January 13, 2023

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday came under fire on social media after he condemned the murder of a Nigerian man, Abdulsamad Lawani, in Germany.

The former vice president’s action angered Nigerians, who referred to the gruesome killing of Deborah Samuel, a Christian 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto, who was killed by fellow students in May 2022, for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.

Atiku had condemned Deborah’s death but later deleted the tweet hours after and took to his Facebook page to justify his actions.

Condemning Deborah’s death, a tweet via Atiku’s verified page had read, “There cannot be a justification for such gruesome murder. Deborah Yakubu was murdered and all those behind her death must be brought to justice. My condolences to her family and friends.”

However, in a message on his verified Hausa page, the former Vice President distanced himself from the deleted tweet. He also stated that any message on social media without the initials “A. A.” was not his.

“This evening I received information that a post was made that doesn’t agree with my orders. I use this to announce that any post without A. A. is not from me. May God protect us,” he wrote in Hausa language.

In a swift turn of events, Atiku on Friday, took to both his Twitter and Facebook pages to condemn the death of the German-based Nigerian, Lawani, although the circumstances surrounding the death were not revealed.

The former vice president wrote, “It is with deep pain that I learnt of the gruesome murder of a young Nigerian in Germany, Abdulsamad Lawani. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends and the Diapora at this time of grief. May his soul rest in peace, -A.A.”

Following his condemnation message, a tweep, S.Kabiru wrote, “Every four year looking for votes empathy. Once you lose now you’ll shut down again like Ajaokuta. May the soul of the faithful departed find repose.”

Another tweep, Sochi, wrote, “What about the gruesome murder of Deborah?? Your account is usually active every for years.”

A tweep, Akparawa Wilson, wrote, “I personally cant take you serious except you bring back this tweet (the deleted tweet condemning Deborah’s death),” sharing a picture of the now deleted tweet.

Another tweep, Savage God, who wrote in Pidgin English said, “Make una dey see hypocrite of the highest order. See…way dey form him care, same man who deleted tweet about the murder of DEBORAH some few months ago. Baba…Nigerians eye don open reach back.”

However, Atiku during the Channels Television people’s town hall meeting in December, explained why he deleted the tweet where he condemned Deborah’s murder.

He again stated that he deleted his tweet condemning the murder of Deborah because the tweet was shared without his approval.

Headline

Again, Russia Claims Another Village In Ukraine’s Region

Published

10 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The Russian army Monday claimed to have captured another village in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, moving deeper into Ukrainian territory as peace efforts stall.

Russian forces are slowly but steadily gaining ground in costly battles for largely devastated areas in eastern and central Ukraine, normally with few inhabitants or intact buildings left.

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had seized the settlement of Zaporizke in the region, which Russian troops recently advanced into for the first time in the three-and-a-half-year offensive.

Kyiv denies that Russian troops have gained a foothold in the Dnipropetrovsk region, an important industrial hub.

After another push by US President Donald Trump to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit, hopes for peace dimmed when Russia last week ruled out any immediate meeting between presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

The central region of Dnipropetrovsk has previously been largely spared from fighting that has ravaged swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine, until Russia said its forces broke through in July.

Dnipropetrovsk is not one of the five Ukrainian regions — Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea — that Moscow has publicly claimed as Russian territory.

Ukraine said Russia had launched over 100 drones Monday, killing a 37-year old civilian driver and wounding two people in the northeastern Sumy region.

Moscow said Kyiv had launched about two dozen drones targeting western Russia

Headline

US Comedian Reggie Carroll Shot Dead In Mississippi

Published

10 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

A United States comedian, Reginald “Reggie” Carroll, has been shot dead in Southaven, Mississippi.

The 52-year-old Carroll, widely known as the Knockout King of Comedy, was reportedly killed on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

The Southaven Police Department confirmed the incident in a Facebook statement on Saturday.

“Southaven officers located one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

“The officers and medical personnel provided life saving techniques but the individual succumbed to his injuries,” the statement partly read.

The victim was later identified as Carroll, a Baltimore native.

Police said one suspect was arrested and charged with his murder.

“One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder of Reginald Carroll.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Carroll.

“Thank you to the community for their patience and understanding,” the department added.

The police further assured that there was no ongoing threat to residents, describing the case as “an isolated shooting.”

Carroll, who built his career in stand-up comedy, gained national recognition touring with Katt Williams and headlining his own showcase, Knockout Kings of Comedy.

He also featured in the 2000 edition of Showtime at the Apollo, appeared on the UPN sitcom The Parkers alongside Mo’Nique and Countess Vaughn, and starred in the 2022 television film Rent & Go.

In 2023, he produced the stand-up special Knockout Kings of Comedy.

The Southaven Police Department disclosed that an investigation into his death is ongoing.

Headline

US Defends New Social Media Vetting For Nigerian Visa Applicants

Published

10 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria on Monday reaffirmed that the safety and security of the United States remain the cornerstone of its visa application and decision-making process.

The US said this following its directive last week that mandates Nigerians to disclose all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of the visa application process.

US Mission said Nigerian visa applicants must provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 visa application form, and warned that omitting the information could lead to visa denials.

Reacting to the development, the Federal Government said US citizens intending to visit Nigeria will be subjected to the same measures.

“The best we can do is to carry out reciprocal action. Some people from the US might want to apply for a visa, and we will adopt the same measures,” spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said last Monday.

However, in a statement released Monday on X, the US Mission said prospective visa applicants undergo careful vetting to maintain a safe and welcoming environment in the US.

It said, “The safety and security of the United States is at the heart of every #USVisa application and decision process.

“That’s why prospective applicants undergo careful screening to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”

The Mission added, “These measures help protect American citizens and communities while supporting secure and responsible travel.”