The Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has directed
all political appointees to hand over their duties with immediate effect.

The directive was conveyed in an official circular issued on
March 18, 2026, by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),
instructing affected appointees to transfer responsibilities to Permanent
Secretaries or, in their absence, the most senior civil servant in their
respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

According to the memo, the handover is to be completed on or
before the close of work on the same day, pending the constitution of a new
cabinet.

“I am directed to inform all political appointees to hand
over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior civil servant in the
various MDAs on or before the close of work today… until a new cabinet is
constituted,” the statement read.

The government further directed that all first-term cabinet
members are to meet with the governor on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
at the ANSEC Chambers.

The circular was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Office
of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Nwabufor Nwankwo.

The development signals the formal dissolution of the
existing cabinet and marks the beginning of a fresh administrative cycle under
Governor Soludo, as he prepares to reconstitute his executive team for the new
term.

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Mohamed Salah will miss Liverpool’s trip to Brighton on Saturday with a muscle injury — a major blow for manager Arne Slot as he chases a Champions League place next season.

The Egypt forward was forced off at Anfield on Wednesday after scoring in Liverpool’s 4-0 victory against Galatasary, a result that took them through to the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League.

In-form Salah, 33, has scored in three of his past four starts after a lean spell.

“It’s unusual,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “As a result of that I think you can expect the outcome. So, (he’s) not available for tomorrow.”

Slot gave no timeframe for Salah’s recovery.

“The good thing for Liverpool and for us is that we go to an international break,” he said.

“The bad thing for Egypt is that he can’t go there.

“We are hoping also with what Mo has shown in the past that he can recover faster than other players might in similar situations because he takes such good care of his body. History has shown that he can be earlier back than some others.

“But it’s only two weeks until we go again so let’s hope in that period of time he can be back.”

Reigning champions Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League table, two points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, with the top five teams almost certain to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

They face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on April 4.

AFP

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Nigerians have reacted
with outrage following the circulation of disturbing videos showing assault and
alleged gang r*pe of women in Ozoro, a community in Delta State.

The videos, which surfaced on social media on Friday, March
20, show several women crying and calling for help as groups of men harassed
and attacked them in public.

In one of the clips, a male voice was heard
claiming that any woman who stepped outside during the period risked being
r*ped.

Another clip showed a lady being
dragged on the ground, with men attempting to tear her clothes, while also
manhandling her. She was later seen to be rescued by another person. However,
several other ladies were chased down the street by men numbering hundreds.

The incidents have been linked by online sources to what has
been described as a so-called ‘festival’ in Ozoro, where young women were
allegedly targeted by men.

Reports also suggested that warnings had circulated within
the community advising girls and women to remain indoors for their safety.

Ozoro hosts part of Delta State University.

Police condemn act, launch investigation

Reacting to the development on Friday, the Delta State
Police Command described the incident as “alarming, disgusting and
embarrassing,” stressing that no cultural practice could justify such acts.

The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the state
Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, had ordered an immediate investigation
into the matter.

The police condemned the acts in strong terms, noting that
“no custom or tradition is superior to the rights of citizens.”

The police further assured residents that those responsible
would be identified, arrested, and prosecuted, while calling on witnesses to
come forward with useful information to aid the investigation.

Public outrage trails incident

The videos have triggered widespread condemnation across
social media, with many Nigerians expressing shock and anger over the attacks.

Travel content creator, Tayo Aina, described the incident as
“the sickest” thing he had seen, questioning what kind of tradition could
permit such acts. He called on the Delta State Government to intervene.

“This is the sickest shit I ever seen. What kind of
disgusting tradition is this? Even animals can’t be doing this shit. Shame to
all the men in this video. The government of Delta state needs to intervene and
shut down whatever culture or tradition this is,” he wrote.

Another user, Tyson.nie, criticised the
practice, noting that warnings for women to stay indoors instead of arresting
perpetrators reflected a failure of local security structures.

Others described the acts as barbaric and inhumane,
highlighting the trauma associated with s#xual violence.

Also, popular social media influencer, Dickson said any
practice that violated consent could not be considered tradition. He called for
the arrest of all those involved, stressing that customs that contradict
Nigerian law and basic principles of justice should not be tolerated.

“There is no such thing as a raping festival. That is not
culture. Any s#xual practice that removes the right of women to be willing
participant, is not culture. That is simply gang r*pe and s#xual assault.

“The police need to pack everybody involved if they are not
also involved in this madness. Culture is not absolute. Man made culture.
Therefore, man can undo it. Any culture that is repugnant to natural justice,
equity and good conscience is not binding. Any culture that is incompatible
with extant Nigerian law is not binding. Any culture that contravenes public
policy is not binding,” he wrote.

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There is tension in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State as workers staged a protest over the non-payment of their salaries for seven months.

The aggrieved workers took to the streets carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, expressing frustration over what they described as prolonged neglect and hardship.

Protesters said “the situation has left them unable to meet basic needs, including feeding, rent, and school fees for their children”.

Some protesters accused the local government leadership of insensitivity, insisting that despite repeated appeals, nothing concrete had been done to address their plight.

“We have families to take care of, Seven months without salary is unbearable,” one of the workers lamented during the protest.

In response, the council chairman, Dr. Chidi Llyod, defended the delay, attributing it to an ongoing staff verification exercise aimed at eliminating ghost workers and reducing financial leakages within the system.

“The process is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in salary payments,” he said, adding that only verified and legitimate workers would be paid.

He, however, assured that payments would be made once the verification exercise is concluded, urging workers to remain calm and cooperate with the process.

Despite the assurances, the protest highlights growing discontent among local government workers, raising concerns over welfare and governance at the grassroots level.

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Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has urged the Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to sustain the virtues of unity, peace, and sacrifice that defined the Holy month of Ramadan.

Mbah made the call in his Eid-el-Fitr message to Enugu and Nigerian Muslim Ummah on Thursday.

In a message he personally signed, the governor said, “I extend my warmest greetings to the Muslim Ummah in Enugu State in particular and Nigerians in general as they celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr, marking the successful completion of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

“The sacred period of Ramadan, defined by sacrifice, discipline, and deep spiritual reflection, typifies the rebirth that we fervently pray for and look forward to as a nation.

“As we mark this special day, may the enduring lessons of brotherhood, compassion, and the shared humanity that prevailed throughout Ramadan usher in a new season of unity and progress in our country.

“May these virtues inspire us to rise above every challenge and strengthen our bonds to work together towards a more peaceful, just, and prosperous Nigeria.

“In Enugu State, we remain committed to building an inclusive society where every citizen can thrive and contribute meaningfully to our shared future irrespective of religious and ethnic backgrounds.

“I pray that this Eid-el-Fitr celebration brings joy to every home, rekindles hope in our hearts, and reinforces our common resolve to build a Nigeria of our dreams.”

Mbah wished Nigerians, especially Muslims a happy Eid-el-Fitr.

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has appointed veteran journalist Onyekwere Nwobodo as Special Adviser on Media, making him the chief spokesperson of the state government.

The appointment, which took effect last Monday, places Nwobodo at the helm of government communications, overseeing press relations and strategic messaging across all platforms.

A seasoned media professional, Nwobodo rose through the ranks at The Punch newspapers, serving as Judiciary Editor, Assistant News Editor, and Bureau Chief for the South‑East and South‑South.

He later led the state-owned Daily Star as General Manager and Editor‑in‑Chief.

A member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, he brings extensive experience in journalism, political communication, and public engagement to his new role.

Nigeria has signed a new deal with the United Kingdom (UK)
which will allow Britain deport thousands of failed asylum seekers and
criminals to the West African country.

The agreement was signed by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of
interior, and Shabana Mahmood, home secretary, during President Bola Tinubu’s
state visit to the UK, the Home Office announced on Thursday.

Tinubu’s two-day state visit spanned Wednesday and Thursday.

The new deal will also allow Britain to send visa
overstayers to Nigeria and comes with wide flexibility for the English country.

Under the agreement, the Nigerian government will, for the
first time, allow undocumented deportees to use UK letters, an alternative
identification certificate issued to individuals without a valid passport and
used to support the return of people with no right to remain in the UK.

Nigeria uses emergency travel documents as supplementary IDs
for undocumented travellers.

The Home Office said Nigeria’s willingness to accept UK
letters as an alternative removes one of the major administrative hurdles to
returning individuals to their countries.

The start date and duration of the deal were not specified.
It is also unclear if there will be any financial incentives.

In 2022, the UK struck a similar deal with Rwanda, agreeing
to pay at least £370 million to the East African nation as part of its plan to
relocate asylum seekers there. But that deal later went sour after British
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the pact “dead”.

It is also uncertain if the deportees will include other
nationalities or be restricted to Nigerians.

Currently there are 961 Nigerian failed asylum seekers in
this country who have exhausted their rights of appeal, Daily Mail reports.

There are also 1,110 foreign national offenders from Nigeria
who the Home Office is waiting to deport.

Both groups are now more likely to be kicked out speedily.

Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s signatory to the deal shows that
“we are totally committed to being a responsible country in fulfilling our core
obligations”.

“And for us to sustain that relationship, we must remember:
‘He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.’ So, we need to be as open
and as fair as possible,” the minister said.

Alex Norris, UK minister for border security and asylum,
said Nigeria is a key partner in tackling illegal migration as the UK’s largest
African visa market.

“We owe everyone across the system fairness,” Norris said,
adding that “anyone who abuses our systems, breaks our laws or tries to cheat
their way into Britain will be stopped and removed”.

A further agreement to launch joint operations and share
information on criminal gangs abusing visa routes was also reached, the Home
Office added.

The deal was prompted by a string of high‑profile
cases involving fake job sponsorships, sham marriages, and forged financial or
employment records.

Nigeria is also set to review its laws to tackle immigration
crime, ensuring the toughest possible sentences are handed down to offenders.

The Home Office noted that a new partnership targeting
online scammers involved in romance fraud, investment scams and cryptocurrency
schemes would also deliver stronger protections for the UK public.

The new “fusion cell” model will bring together public‑sector
bodies, banks, tech firms and communications companies to rapidly share
intelligence on criminal tactics so swift action can be taken.

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Many African countries are only weeks away from fuel
shortages, as larger and more powerful economies move ahead of them in the
queue amid the war in the Middle East.

According to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday, the war has
sparked a scramble by African nations to secure new sources of petroleum,
putting strained budget and fragile economic recoveries at risk.

Bloomberg said although the Dangote refinery has ramped up
quickly after initial construction delays, it will not be able to fully replace
supplies from the Gulf, particularly after meeting its domestic obligations in
its Nigeria.

“The Persian Gulf was once a dependable, steady and
conveniently located fuel supplier to meet Africa’s steadily rising demand,”
the publication said.

“Most of the diesel that’s shipped out of the Strait of
Hormuz usually headed to the continent.

“The US-Israel strikes on Iran have changed all that —
effectively closing the crucial maritime chokepoint and leaving a gigantic fuel
hole for developing nations to fill.”

Bloomberg said countries in eastern and southern Africa
depend on the Middle East for three-quarters of their supply.

The report also highlighted Kenya’s vulnerability, noting
that it renewed contracts last year with major Gulf players Aramco, Adnoc, and
Enoc.

Compounding the challenging outlook, Bloomberg said numerous
refineries — from Mombasa and Lusaka to Durban and Limbe — have closed over the
past decade, reflecting a long-standing lack of investment.

“Several projects have been pitched in recent years to build
new capacity, but plants have remained closed. South Africa stands as the most
severe example, with domestic refining being cut in half,” the report said.

“Prices will soon be — or have already been — hiked, driving
inflation and setting back hopes of lower interest rates. Costs are set to
climb sharply when South Africa does its monthly adjustment in April — diesel
is seen spiking to a record — and there’s not much the Treasury can do about
it.”

The publication said smaller nations also face persistent
foreign-exchange shortages, which can delay fuel shipments, while investing in
strategic oil reserves remains a luxury that few governments can — or are
willing to — finance.

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Nigeria ranked fourth in the global terrorism index (GTI)
2025 as attacks increased by 43 percent compared to 2024.

Pakistan topped the index, followed by Burkina Faso in
second position and the Niger Republic, which is third in the ranking.

The GTI 2026, which measures the impact of terrorism in
countries in 2025, was released by the Institute for Economics & Peace
(IEP), a non-profit think tank headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

According to the report, terror attacks in Nigeria increased
by 43 percent in 2025, with 171 incidents recorded during the year, compared to
120 in 2024.

Nigeria moved up two places in the ranking, from sixth in
2024 to fourth in 2025.

The report stated that Islamic State West Africa Province
(ISWAP) and Boko Haram were responsible for most of the terror attacks in the
country in 2025.

Civilians were the most targeted groups in 2025, accounting
for 67 percent of the attacks, while the military accounted for 19 percent,
according to the report.

“In 2025, Nigeria rose two places in the index, reflecting
the significant increase of terrorist activity in the country,” the report
stated.

“Terror attacks in Nigeria increased by 43 per cent this
year, from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025.

“Deaths from terrorism have continued to rise, increasing by
46 per cent to 750 in 2025. This marks the highest death toll since 2020,
driven by internal instability as well as ongoing conflict between ISWAP and
Boko Haram.

“Together, fatalities attributed to these groups accounted
for 80 per cent of all terrorism-related deaths in the country in 2025.

“Terrorist activity this year was heavily concentrated in
the northeastern state of Borno, which experienced 67 per cent of attacks and
72 per cent of deaths in 2025.

“Civilians continued to be the most targeted group in 2025,
accounting for 67 per cent of fatalities, while military forces represented 19
per cent.

“This percentage has been steadily increasing over the last
five years, highlighting a clear shift in terrorist targeting patterns in the
country.”

The report also stated that 750 people died and 243 were
injured in 171 terror attacks in Nigeria in 2025, while 12,581 deaths have been
recorded since 2007.

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