Wednesday, May 13, 2026

World Cup transport prices slashed after fan backlash

Transport prices for World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium have been reduced after fans criticised the original costs.

Human trafficking outfit disguised as online marketing company uncovered in Nasarawa

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has uncovered a suspected human trafficking syndicate involving foreign nationals operating within Keffi and Karu Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State.

Tiwa Savage reveals how Don Jazzy gave her a second chance in music

Tiwa Savage has opened up about the unexpected path that eventually led her into Nigeria’s mainstream music industry, revealing that she was never an official member of the former MoHits crew.

Naira gains ground against the Dollar

The Nigerian naira recorded a slight appreciation against the United States dollar across both the official and parallel foreign exchange markets on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, amid improving liquidity conditions and sustained market interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Actor Stan Nze Celebrates Wife Blessing Obasi In Heartfelt Birthday Message

Nollywood actor Stan Nze has celebrated his wife, Blessing Obasi, as she marks her 39th birthday today.

He described her as someone deeply connected to God, noting that he has experienced that divine presence through her in many aspects of his life. According to him, she embodies light in its truest form pure, genuine, and full of life.

Stan also praised her selfless nature, saying she is the kind of person who would willingly sacrifice her comfort to ensure others succeed. He appreciated her unwavering support, calling her a devoted and passionate partner who has taught him what deep love truly means.

His words:

“My Baby 🥰
Gbom baby mama yaaa 🤗
Lolo 1 of the Nzerian Kingdom 👑
Apu na anwu m, enenebe eje olo m 🙆🏾‍♂️
Nwanyi bu godi prayer point umu boys 🤓

Chimomso; God is indeed close to you cos I have experienced Him way more - felt Him close - in every situation, since you came into my life. You are the true definition of light- so pure, genuine and vibrant. Knowing you is knowing a woman who would literally give up herself is see others become. A true supporter. A reckless lover; You’ve taught me to love deeper. To be there for people. To be selfless. And I’m grateful to God for all of these virtues 🙏🏾

I pray that as you celebrate today, that God give you unusual peace. The kind of peace that only you and Him would understand. Tailor-made, specially for you. That you would rest in His love and have no course to worry in this year. Bask in His will and dwell in His courtyard. I sentence you to 365 days of God faithfulness, Him dynamic wonder and a daily revelation of Him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEETNESS ❤️❤️❤️
Cheers to amazing 39 🥂″.

The celebrant wrote;

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHINOMSO💝
Dear Lord you already exceeded so many of my dreams,
I know there is still so much more you have in store for me. Today, I’m simply grateful… for growth,grace,peace,answered prayers, and becoming the woman I once imagined".

Woman sets husband, co-wife and two children ablaze in Kano

A 28-year-old newly married woman, Firdausi Musa, and her two young children sustained severe burns after her co-wife, Maryam Muhammad, allegedly doused them with petrol and set them ablaze in the Hotoro area of Kano State.

Nigeria ranks third globally for students studying abroad

UNESCO has revealed that Nigeria ranked as the world’s third-largest source of international students in 2023, accounting for five per cent of global outbound student mobility.

Fake job offer led me to kidnappers’ den – UNIJOS graduate

A graduate of the University of Jos, John Arum Azi, has recounted his traumatic experience after spending 11 days in captivity following a fake job offer that allegedly lured him into the hands of kidnappers in Zamfara State.

Azi narrated his ordeal during a testimony at a church in Tudun Wada, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Sunday.

According to him, he was abducted on April 11, 2026, shortly after travelling from Jos to Zaria, Kaduna State, for what he believed was a legitimate welding job opportunity.


He explained that the suspected kidnappers had persistently contacted him by phone, offering him welding work and even sending him transport fare to convince him the offer was genuine.

“They kept calling me, asking me to come and work for them. They even sent transport money, so I believed it was a real job,” he said.

Azi said after arriving in Zaria, he contacted the individuals, who instructed him to board a motorcycle heading to a village.

Although he became suspicious during the journey, he ignored the warning signs because he desperately needed work.

“I started having doubts, but I told myself maybe it was a connection that could help me. I did not know they were kidnappers,” he said.

According to him, moments after arriving at the village, a man approached him claiming to be the person who had contacted him about the job.

He said he was then taken on a motorcycle into a remote forest where he noticed another heavily armed man waiting for them.

“I saw a gun I had never seen before in my life. The man told me not to be afraid and claimed the person was a hunter, but deep down I knew something was wrong,” he recounted.

Azi said he was immediately forced to kneel while the kidnappers searched him, seized his phone, bag and work tools, and handed him strange clothes and a face mask to wear.

He added that the abductors later moved him from Kaduna through Giwa Local Government Area into Zamfara State after several hours of travelling on motorcycles through forests and isolated routes.

“We spent almost six hours moving through the bush on motorcycles. There was no security anywhere,” he said.

According to him, upon arriving at the camp, the kidnappers tied his hands and legs before contacting his family and demanding a ransom of N30m.

“I gave them my elder brother’s number. They called him and demanded N30m,” he said.

Azi further narrated how he was repeatedly tortured and interrogated about his religion while in captivity.

“They were shooting guns everywhere and asking questions. Out of fear, I initially denied being a Christian because I thought they would kill me,” he said.

However, he said severe beatings by the abductors eventually forced him to confess his faith.

“While they were beating me, I suddenly shouted ‘Jesus.’ That was when they discovered I was a Christian,” he added.

According to him, the kidnappers thereafter nicknamed him “Pastor” throughout his stay in captivity.

Azi said constant prayers and faith in God kept him alive during the ordeal.

“The only thing I kept doing was praying and asking God to save me,” he said.

He explained that after negotiations, the kidnappers reduced the ransom demand from N30m to N6m.

However, even after receiving the money, the abductors allegedly delayed his release and demanded an additional N4m.

“They started beating me again and said my family should add another N4m. At that point, I thought I would not survive,” he said.

According to him, support from relatives, friends and sympathisers eventually secured his freedom after several days in captivity.

The UNIJOS graduate said he returned home traumatised but grateful to be alive.

Celebrity designer Veekee James and husband Femi Atere welcome baby girl

Celebrity fashion designer Veekee James and her husband, Femi Atere, have welcomed their first child together.

Abducted Nasarawa varsity students regain freedom

Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested two kidnappers that abducted students of the Faculty of Engineering, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Gudi campus last week.