”Feels like you’re addicted to me,” Kudrati sparks online frenzy

Rising Indian television actress The Mumbai-based actress, known for her role as Shalu in the hit series Fans responded almost instantly, flooding the post with heart and fire emojis, alongside comments such as “Beauty overload,” “So cute,” and “coring her growing popularity among younger audiences.

The rapid engagement highlights Kudrati’s rising influence beyond television, as she continues to build a strong digital presence through fashion-forward and expressive posts. Observers note that such brief yet bold captions often drive high engagement, especially when backed by a loyal fan base and strong visual appeal.

Kudrati, who has steadily gained recognition in India’s entertainment scene, has been leveraging social media to connect more directly with her audience, blending her on-screen persona with a relatable and playful online identity.

11 dead as bandits stage reprisal assault in Katsina community

BBy Abbas Bamalli

No fewer than 11 people were killed in a reprisal attack by suspected bandits in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attackers had earlier on Saturday attempted an assault, but security operatives repelled them and reportedly neutralised several bandits.

Dr Nasir Mu’azu, Katsina Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Sunday.

Mu’azu said intelligence reports revealed a notorious bandit leader, Mohammadu Fulani, was advancing with armed men toward strategic bridges.

“A joint security team, led by Kankia’s Divisional Police Officer, intercepted the gang and engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

“Several bandits were killed, while eight motorcycles and rustled cattle were recovered during the operation,” he said.

Mu’azu said the attackers later regrouped and launched another assault around midday on Gwalgoro Village in Gyaza/Kunduru Ward.

He said the fresh attack left 11 civilians dead in what authorities described as a retaliatory strike.

“The attack was a cowardly act of terror against innocent residents,” the commissioner said while condoling affected families.

Mu’azu praised security personnel for their professionalism, noting that community intelligence helped frustrate the initial attack.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and share timely information with security agencies to prevent further violence.

“The government remains committed to restoring peace and protecting lives and property across Katsina State,” he added.

(NAN)

Party will persuade, not punish defiant aspirants, Ebonyi APC insists

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi says it will not sanction aspirants who still obtain nomination forms for various political offices in defiance to its adopted consensus arrangement.

The state Chairman of the party, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, made the disclosure on Sunday while speaking with newsmen, noting that “every house has stubborn children”.

Okoro-Emegha said that the party expected that some aspirants who were not favoured in the consensus arrangement would still purchase nomination forms possibly from the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

“We will use dialogue to make such aapirants see reason with the decisions of the leaders and stakeholders of the party.

“We will let them know that though it is their right to contest and they believe in their capabilities, they should allow those endorsed to contest.

“You cannot sanction your son who wants to engage in a wrestling bout to defend your home but will only persuade if you think otherwise of such engagement,” he said.

The state APC chairman said that it could not presently ascertain whether any of such aspirant obtained form until lists of aspirants were published from the headquarters.

“We however, believe that no one work against the party’s interest because we are serving the people.

“Any person who wants to contest any position should consult the governor because he is the father and leader of the party.

“The governor knows the strength of everyone and can advise appropriately in the best interest of the party,” he said.

He urged the media to offer restraint in its reportage of events surrounding the consensus arrangement as the party needed to be united for the task ahead.

“Overzealousness can make some persons write what leaders have not said and that is why we want people to know their boundaries.

“Our leaders participated actively in the consensus process and none of them was not carried along,” he said.

(NAN)

NDLEA recovers large consignment of illicit substances in 6 states

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recovered large consignments of illicit substances in Lagos, Borno, Kaduna, Jigawa, Edo, and Osun raids.

The NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Giving a breakdown, Babafemi said that a 65-year-old driver was on Thursday, April 30 arrested at Ile-Ife toll gate along Ibadan/Ilesha expressway, Osun, conveying a carton containing seven kg skunk and 15 grams of methamphetamine in his vehicle with registration number LES 114 AG.

“A follow up operation in Ilesha town led to the arrest of the actual owner of the consignment,” he said.

Meanwhile, a 27-year-old suspect was arrested on Wednesday, April 29 by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Damaturu-Maiduguri Road, Borno.

Babafemi said the arrest followed credible intelligence, leading to seizure of 76,440 pills of Tramadol 225mg.

In another operation in Borno, a truck driver, was arrested following interception of 14,000 capsules of Tramadol while a follow up operation in Biu led to the arrest of the owner.

Babafemi also said that a total of 393 blocks of compressed blocks of skunk, weighing 290 kilograms were recovered from two suspects on Saturday, May 2.

This, he said, was when their Honda Ridgeline vehicle marked KSF 65 EQ was intercepted by NDLEA officers on patrol along Abuja/Jos highway, Kaduna state.

“No fewer than 49,800 capsules of Tramadol were seized from another set of two suspects along Bauchi Road, Hadejia, Jigawa, on Friday, May 1.

In Lagos state, NDLEA officers on Saturday, May 2, raided Awolowo market, Mushin, where they recovered 740kg skunk.

Babafemi said that an intelligence led operation at Idogbo community, Benin city, Edo, on Thursday, April 30, led to the arrest of a suspect.

“Assorted illicit drugs seized from him include: 57grams of Loud; three grams of Colorado; eight grams of Tramadol; three grams of Swinol and five grams of methamphetamine,” he said.

Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.- Gen. Buba Marwa as commending the officers and men of Borno, Kaduna, Jigawa, Oyo, Osun and Lagos commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures.

Marwa noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitisation activities.

He charged them and their compatriots across the country to continue to build on the current tempo.

2027: Enugu North zone pledges 100% votes for Tinubu, Mbah

By Alex Enebeli

The Enugu North Senatorial Zone in Enugu State has endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Peter Mbah for second terms in office, pledging 100 per cent votes for them.

The zone which donated N102 million for Mbah’s nomination form also cited infrastructure development and increased political inclusion of the zone as reason for their endorsement.

The zone made the endorsements on Saturday during a mega rally held at Nsukka Township Stadium.

The Enugu North Senatorial Zone comprises Nsukka, Igbo-Eze South, Igbo-Eze North, Udenu, Uzo-Uwani and Igbo-Etiti Local Government Areas.

Moving the motion for the endorsement, the member representing Udenu/Igbo-Eze North Federal Constituency, Mr Dennis Agbo, said the zone had witnessed a turnaround under the current administration at the federal level.

Agbo noted that the Federal Government had addressed longstanding concerns of marginalisation by appointing indigenes of the zone into strategic positions, while also initiating projects aimed at improving connectivity and economic growth.

He added that ongoing infrastructure, including integration into national development frameworks and access to key energy projects, had positioned the state for greater economic opportunities.

According to him, the establishment of regional development initiatives such as the South-East Development Commission signaled a renewed commitment to inclusive growth and regional integration.

“The assembly believes that our interest as a people is anchored on fairness, equity and inclusion. These efforts by the Federal Government require strong support to ensure continuity,” he said.

Agbo said the zone resolved to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, stressing that continuity would consolidate the gains already recorded.

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr Ezenta Ezeani, moved a motion endorsing Mbah for a second term.

Ezeani said the endorsement was based on what he described as “visible and measurable achievements” recorded within a short period.

He highlighted key achievements of the Mbah administration to include infrastructural development across urban and rural communities, investments in smart schools, improved security architecture, and economic reforms aimed at attracting investment.

He did painful, but necessary things Mimiko backs Tinubu’s re-election

By Ayodeji Alabi

Dr Abbas Mimiko, candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the 2024 Ondo State governorship election said President Bola Tinubu had recorded notable achievements that could secure him another term in office

Mimiko said this while explaining why he would support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 while speaking with journalists in Akure on Sunday.

Mimiko listed removal of fuel subsidy by Tinubu as a courageous leadership decision, adding that previous administrations had failed to take such a step.

Mimiko, the younger brother of a former governor of the state, Olusegun Mimiko, said no president since 1999 had taken such a politically risky decision, despite widespread recognition of the subsidy’s unsustainability.

“Tinubu chose to do the painful but necessary thing.

“All those who came before him knew subsidy was unsustainable but lacked the courage to remove it. It was a do-or-die situation for the economy,” he said.

He acknowledged that the increase in fuel prices had worsened economic hardship but urged Nigerians to pay closer attention to how state governors were utilising increased federal allocations.

“The percentage increase in what states now receive is multiple times the percentage increase in fuel prices.

“Nigerians should be asking their governors what they are doing with these resources. Why are these monies not visibly improving the lives of ordinary citizens?” he asked.

Mimiko also credited Tinubu with playing a significant role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, particularly in the recovery of electoral mandates in some states.

“Without people like him, the mandates of former governors of Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Edo States may never have been recovered.

“People conveniently forget his sacrifices for democracy because he is now president.

“Perhaps my elder brother would not have become governor if people like Tinubu had not stood up for Ondo State. We owe him that debt.

“I had supported him before he became president and I will still support him again,” he said.

Mimiko maintained that although he remains a member of the ZLP, he would work for Tinubu’s re-election, describing political parties as mere vehicles.

“I am in the ZLP, which I have been for years, and I will remain there because I don’t look at party the way many people do.

“Parties are just a vehicle. That is why it is easy for me to support the President, despite being in the ZLP while Tinubu belongs to the APC,” he said.

He added that he supports any leader, regardless of party affiliation, who he believes is delivering dividends of democracy.

“One good term deserves another,” he said.(NAN)

You must be a fighter to be a leader

By Olufemi Adegbulugbe

Ogwute Peter Obi has confirmed his exit from ADC, with less than 4 months membership and less than 8 months to a presidential election.

Presidential candidate Bola Tinubu was rejected by his political party, APC in 2023.

The incumbent President, Late Buhari did not support him or endorse him at the initial stage.

But Bola Tinubu did not change his political party. He did not move on or run away from political challenges.

He stayed in APC and fought like a wounded lion.

The odds against him were massive.

Virtually all ex-Presidents were against his nomination as presidential candidate but he did not give up.

He stood his ground, rightly or wrongly and emerged victorious.

You cannot be a leader if you arw not a fighter.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo was a fighter in the race to political succession in 2023.

His boss did not endorse him but he was not deterred.

He set aside the tag “Betrayer” and followed his conscience and put Nigeria first.

You simply cannot become a leader if you are not a fighter.

HOW do you solve problems when you run away from problems or move on.

Thomas Edison conducted roughly 1,000 failed experiments to find a working filament for the electric light bulb.Thomas Edison did not move on and that is why we have electric bulb today.

Nigeria is loaded with a myriad of problems and challenges and requires a man with appetite for problem solving. Nigeria needs a fighter.

Jumping from one political party to another every 3 months is not leadership. It is a sign of weakness because there are no easy pathways to the Presidency.

Nigeria does not need opportunistic nomads at this crossroad in our political lithosphere.

We send a confusing message to followers and supporters when we change political parties with thr same frequency we change pants and underwear.

We need a strong opposition AND not a congregation of conspirators to seize political power.

There is a difference between Opposition and Conspiracy to seize power.

Will all the National Assembly members that followed Ogwute to ADC now also move again to NDC.

Is this now a follow-follow movement?

Let it not be said that Tinubu rigged the 2027 presidential election in the likely or unlikely event that he is reelected.

Nigeria needs fighters like DJ Trump, Nelson Mandela, Thomas Edison, Senator OUK, Yemi Osinbajo and Senator Babafemi Ojudu.

States where 3-day hazy weather, thunderstorms are expected

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast haziness and thunderstorms from Sunday to Tuesday in some states of the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Saturday in Abuja, predicted moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility between two kilometres and five kilometres over the northern region on Sunday.

It anticipated localised visibility of less than or equal to 1,000 metres over parts of Katsina, Kano and Jigawa States throughout the forecast period.

The agency anticipated moderate dust haze over the North-Central region throughout the period.

NiMet predicted sunny skies with a few patches of cloud over the southern region, with slim prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall over parts of Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

According to NiMet, moderate dust haze is expected over the northern and North-Central regions throughout the forecast period on Monday.

It forecast sunny skies with few patches of cloud over the southern region, with slim chances of isolated thunderstorms and light rainfall over Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Edo States later in the day.

The agency predicted slight dust haze over the northern region during the forecast period on Tuesday.

NiMet anticipated moderate dust haze over the North-Central region throughout the period.

The agency predicted sunny skies with few patches of cloud over the southern region, with slim chances of isolated thunderstorms and light rainfall over Lagos, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States later in the day.

NiMet advised the public to take necessary precautions as dust particles would remain in suspension.

It advised the people with asthma and other respiratory conditions to be cautious under the prevailing weather conditions.

It further advised motorists to drive with caution during rainfall and the airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for effective operational planning.

The agency advised the residents to stay informed through regular weather updates by visiting its website at www.nimet.gov.ng.

Mainoo strikes late as Man. United stun Liverpool in five-goal thriller

United struck early, with Matheus Cunha firing home from outside the box in the sixth minute before Benjamin Sesko doubled the advantage in the 14th minute following a goalmouth scramble.

With momentum swinging in Liverpool’s favour, United regained control late on when Kobbie Mainoo struck from the edge of the box in the 77th minute, drilling a low shot into the bottom corner to restore the lead.

Despite late pressure from Liverpool, including attempts from Federico Chiesa and Cody Gakpo, United held firm to secure all three points in front of a crowd of 74,027.

The closing moments saw Diogo Dalot miss a clear chance to extend United’s lead, but it proved inconsequential as the final whistle confirmed a hard-fought victory for the hosts.

Nigeria’s wrestling success signals new era in sports development, says Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Team Nigeria on its commanding performance at the 2026 African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, where the nation secured a record 15th continental title in the women’s category.

The President described the victory as a statement of consistency, discipline, and national pride, noting that Nigeria’s wrestlers have once again demonstrated why they remain a dominant force on the African continent.

With 8 gold and 2 silver medals from 10 events in the women’s division, and an overall tally of 9 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals across categories, President Tinubu said the result reflects both excellence at the top and strength in depth across the team.

He paid tribute to Mercy Genesis, Adijat Idris, Esther Asaolu, and Mercy Adekuoroye for performances that combined skill with composure.

The President also commended Harrison Onovwiomogbhwo for a confident and assured victory in the men’s freestyle category.

He acknowledged the contributions of Ebierelayefa Andrew, Stephen Akintewe, Dideikemei Erefagha, Solomon Ulabo, and Saviour Egoli, noting that championships are won not only by standout moments but by collective effort.

President Tinubu observed that the outcome reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s sports ecosystem, with renewed focus on structure, preparation, and long-term athlete development. He noted that the work of the National Sports Commission, under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko, Bukola Olopade and their team alongside federations and coaches, is beginning to take firmer shape through a philosophy that rewards discipline, consistency, and high performance.

“This is how a sporting nation grows, not by accident, not by chance, but by design. By building systems that identify talent early, nurture it patiently, and prepare it deliberately for moments like this,” President Tinubu said.

He added that the performance in Alexandria speaks to an emerging pipeline of athletes who are not only winning today but are being prepared to compete and succeed at even higher levels in the years ahead.

The President commended the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, led by its President, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for bringing renewed vigour into the sport and sustaining Nigeria’s continental leadership.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports as a platform for national cohesion, youth opportunity, and global representation, noting that victories such as this carry meaning beyond the podium.

“Our athletes remind us of what is possible when focus meets preparation. They compete as individuals, but they win as Nigeria,” he said.

President Tinubu urged the team to remain disciplined and continue to carry the nation’s hopes with confidence as they prepare for future competitions.

Nigeria’s wrestling success signals new era in sports development, says Tinubu