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Category: Investigation

  • One dead in Virginia university shooting being investigated as terrorism

    One dead in Virginia university shooting being investigated as terrorism

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 12, 2026 — FBI Director Kash Patel has confirmed that an armed individual opened fire at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, leaving one person dead and two others wounded.

    The shooter, whose identity has not been disclosed, was subdued and killed after a group of students bravely intervened. Their actions, alongside the swift response of law enforcement, helped contain the situation.

    In a statement on Thursday, Patel said the FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. “Earlier today, an armed individual opened fire at Old Dominion University, leaving one person dead and two others wounded. The shooter is now deceased, thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him – actions that undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement.”

    He added that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is working closely with local authorities and providing all necessary resources. Patel urged prayers for the victims, their families, and the Old Dominion University community.

  • ECOWAS Court pledges to protect women’s rights through effective justice delivery

    ECOWAS Court pledges to protect women’s rights through effective justice delivery

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) —March 10, 2026 — The ECOWAS Court of Justice has pledged its commitment to ensuring the protection of the rights of women and girls across the West African sub-region through effective justice delivery.

    President of the Court, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, made the pledge at the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the ECOWAS Court’s Women’s Forum on Monday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, which is celebrated on March 8 yearly, was sub-themed: “Break the Silence, End Gender-Based Violence Now.”

    “As we celebrate our women and their invaluable contributions to the achievements of the court, we also reaffirm our collective commitment to delivering justice, advancing the rule of law, ending violence and discrimination, and creating a future where every woman and girl in the ECOWAS region can thrive in safety and dignity.

    “We pledge to continue taking actions through our judgments, our outreach programmes, and our collaborative partnerships with member states and other stakeholders, to be able to build a region where justice and protection of the rights of women and girls is not an aspiration but a lived reality.

    “At the ECOWAS Court of Justice, we recognise that the protection of women and girls’ rights within the ECOWAS space is central to the advancement of justice, upholding human dignity, fostering inclusive development, and strengthening our community,” he said.

    According to him, the event’s sub-theme resonates deeply with the mission of the court and the past strides it has made in advancing the rule of law and protecting fundamental rights across West Africa.

    He said this year’s global theme: “Rights, Justice,  Action For All Women and Girls,” was a reminder that women are both participants in the pursuit and pillars of strength within the court.

    The court’s president said that the giant strides made by the court over the years reflected the court’s unwavering belief that the rights of women and girls must be protected, and justice must serve all without distinction.

    Gonçalves, represented by Mrs Marie Saine, the Court’s Acting Deputy Chief Registrar, stressed that protecting the rights of women and girls within the ECOWAS sub-region was central to justice advancement.

    “Through our jurisprudence, we have upheld fundamental rights of women and girls, challenged discrimination, and provided remedies for victims of sexual and gender-based violence and inequality.

    “These groundbreaking decisions have not only delivered justice to individuals but also set important legal precedents that reinforce the dignity and protection of women and girls throughout the region.

    “They have also contributed to the development of regional human rights jurisprudence, influenced national policies, and triggered cultural and legal reforms,” he said.

    He maintained that justice must be accessible and action must be taken to ensure that every woman and girl in West Africa can live free from discrimination and all forms of gender-based violence and be empowered to contribute fully to society.

    According to him, gender-based violence is not only a violation of human rights, but also a barrier to equality, justice, and sustainable development.

  • International Women’s Day: women hold just 64% of legal rights afforded to men worldwide — UN Women

    International Women’s Day: women hold just 64% of legal rights afforded to men worldwide — UN Women

    POLITICS (NPA) — March 8, 2026 — As the world commemorates International Women’s Day 2026, UN Women has raised alarm over the persistent global gap in legal rights between men and women.

    In a statement on Saturday, the agency revealed that women currently hold only 64% of the legal rights afforded to men worldwide. This means that, on average, women are entitled to just two-thirds of the protections and opportunities guaranteed to men under the law.

    UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment, urged global leaders to confront structural barriers to justice, including discriminatory laws, weak legal protections, harmful practices, and entrenched social norms that undermine the rights of women and girls.

    The agency further noted that conflict and instability exacerbate these inequalities, leaving women and girls more vulnerable to violence, exclusion, and discrimination. Reports of violations have emerged from Nigeria’s northeast, northwest, and north-central regions, where insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, alongside banditry, have displaced communities and subjected women to abuse. The ongoing war in Sudan was also highlighted as a flashpoint for widespread violations of women’s rights in Africa.

    In Nigeria, UN Women continues to push for gender equality by addressing violence against women, promoting women’s political participation, and supporting economic empowerment initiatives. However, progress remains slow, with women holding only 3.9% of parliamentary seats. The agency has warned that democracy itself is at risk if women remain excluded from decision-making processes.

    Nigeria also faces high rates of gender-based violence, with one in three women aged 15–49 experiencing physical or sexual abuse. Harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) persist, further eroding women’s rights.

    Beyond advocacy, UN Women’s programs in Nigeria include initiatives on economic empowerment, health, and social issues, with a particular focus on combating HIV/AIDS and supporting women’s access to education and vocational training.

  • Amnesty International Accuses Nigerian Police of Enforced Disappearance of Children at Tiger Base

    Amnesty International Accuses Nigerian Police of Enforced Disappearance of Children at Tiger Base

    OWERRI, NIGERIA (NPA), March 4, 2026 — Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian Police of enforced disappearances involving children detained at the Tiger Base facility in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.

    In its latest report, the global human rights organisation alleged that children arrested alongside their mothers by Tiger Base operatives were taken away by police officers and never returned. Amnesty stated: “These children are not simply separated but effectively disappeared — removed without any record, concealed from relatives, and never returned.”

    The report, based on testimonies from survivors, described a “disturbing pattern” in which children detained with their mothers were removed without documentation, while officers refused to provide information and obstructed attempts by relatives to locate them.

    “Testimonies from survivors detained at Tiger Base Owerri Imo state reveal a disturbing pattern in which children arrested alongside their mothers are taken away by police officers and never brought back.”

    “Amnesty International’s findings show that these children are not simply separated but effectively disappeared — removed without any record, concealed from relatives, and never returned. The absence of documentation, officers’ refusal to provide information, and the deliberate obstruction of mothers seeking their children all point to a systematic practice that amounts to enforced disappearance.”

    Amnesty concluded that the practice amounts to enforced disappearance.

    Last week, Amnesty International released findings that Tiger Base — originally established to combat kidnapping and armed robbery — has instead been implicated in serious human rights violations, including unlawful killings, torture, extortion, and arbitrary detention. The organisation reported that detainees are held in “filthy, windowless cells,” subjected to beatings, and in some cases shot or forcibly disappeared.”

  • Breaking: Netanyahu Announces Operation “Lion’s Roar” Against Iran

    Breaking: Netanyahu Announces Operation “Lion’s Roar” Against Iran

    JERUSALEM (NPA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Saturday the launch of a joint military operation with the United States, aimed at countering what he described as “an existential threat posed by the regime in Iran.”

    In a televised statement on February 28, Netanyahu said: “For 47 years, the Ayatollahs’ regime has chanted ‘Death to Israel, Death to America.’ It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people. This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity.”

    Netanyahu added that the operation, named “Lion’s Roar,” was intended to “create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands.” He urged unity among Iran’s diverse communities, including Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baloch, and Ahwazis, to “cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring freedom and peace-loving values to Iran.”

    The prime minister also called on Israeli citizens to follow Home Front Command instructions during the operation. “In the coming days, during Operation ‘Lion’s Roar,’ we will all be called upon to show patience and strength of spirit. Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel,” he said.

    No immediate response has yet been issued by Iranian officials.

    Further updates are expected as the situation develops.

  • UN Rights Chief Raises Alarm Over Executions in Iran

    UN Rights Chief Raises Alarm Over Executions in Iran

    GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (NPA): The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged Iran to halt the use of capital punishment, warning that many more individuals could face execution following recent unrest.

    Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, Türk expressed deep concern after reports emerged that at least eight people — including two minors — have already received death sentences linked to the January protests. He noted that another 30 individuals may be at risk of similar rulings.

    One case involves a man convicted of “enmity against God” by a revolutionary court in Tehran. If upheld, this would mark the first death sentence directly tied to the mass demonstrations earlier this year.

    Rights organizations say thousands were killed during the crackdown, which has been described as the most severe domestic turmoil since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The unrest also drew international attention, with warnings from Washington about possible military consequences should executions proceed.

    Türk cautioned that escalating tensions could destabilize the wider region, stressing the need for restraint and dialogue. Meanwhile, talks in Geneva between U.S. and Iranian officials — mediated by Oman — made some progress on nuclear issues, though no breakthrough was reported that might ease fears of military confrontation.

  • Tiger Base Owerri Accused of Killings, Torture of Detainees — Amnesty International

    Tiger Base Owerri Accused of Killings, Torture of Detainees — Amnesty International

    ENUGU, NIGERIA (NPA): Amnesty International Nigeria has released a new report alleging serious human rights violations by the police unit known as Tiger Base in Owerri, Imo State, southeast Nigeria. The report, launched on 25 February 2026 at the Carlton Swiss Grand Hotel in Enugu, accuses the unit of unlawful killings, torture, and extortion.

    According to Amnesty International, its investigation found that Tiger Base — originally established to combat kidnapping and armed robbery — has instead been involved in “unlawfully killing suspects, torturing and ill-treating detainees to coerce confessions to fabricated crimes, and arresting individuals for the sole purpose of extorting bribes.”

    The organization further stated that detainees “are kept in filthy, windowless cells and subjected to regular beatings. Many are held for weeks or months without charge. Others have been shot or forcibly disappeared.”

    The launch event was attended by civil society groups, activists, survivors, lawyers, and students. Amnesty International called on Nigerian authorities to “promptly establish an independent, impartial, and effective investigation into the atrocities committed by Tiger Base officers in Owerri.”

    In recent weeks, civil society organizations, lawyers, activists, and families of alleged victims have intensified advocacy efforts, demanding accountability for those who died or went missing in Tiger Base custody.

    The Imo State Police Command, however, rejected the allegations, insisting that Tiger Base is not a “slaughterhouse” or torture centre, but a legitimate anti-kidnapping unit contributing to public safety.

    Despite this official position, mounting allegations of torture, unlawful detention, extrajudicial killings, and extortion have fuelled fresh calls for investigations, reforms, and even the possible closure of the unit.

  • NAFDAC Issues Public Alert on Aptamil Infant Milk Over Contamination Risk

    NAFDAC Issues Public Alert on Aptamil Infant Milk Over Contamination Risk

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned consumers about potential health risks associated with certain batches of Aptamil, Cow & Gate First Infant Milk, and Follow-on Milk Formula produced by Danone Nutricia. The agency cited possible contamination with cereulide toxin, a heat-stable peptide produced by Bacillus cereus that can cause severe food poisoning.

    In a Public Alert (No. 08/2026) issued on February 25, NAFDAC confirmed that Danone Nutricia has recalled several batches of the affected products manufactured in Ireland and Hungary, which were distributed across the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other countries.

    The agency stressed that the recall does not affect Aptamil Infant Formula manufactured specifically for Nigeria, which complies with Codex standards and remains safe for consumption.

    NAFDAC clarified that not all Danone Nutricia products registered in Nigeria are impacted, but urged consumers to verify product details below and registration numbers to avoid purchasing unapproved, harmful items.

    The regulator added that Danone Nutricia had proactively blocked the affected consignments at its Nigerian warehouses as a precautionary measure. However, it remains unclear whether any of the recalled products have already reached retail outlets in the country.

    Cereulide toxin, linked to emetic food poisoning, is resistant to heat and cooking processes. Outbreaks are often associated with improperly stored starchy foods, but contamination in infant formula raises heightened public health concerns.

  • Ex-NNPC General Manager Sentenced in U.S. Over $2.1 Million Bribery Scheme

    Ex-NNPC General Manager Sentenced in U.S. Over $2.1 Million Bribery Scheme

    LOS ANGELES, U.S. (NPA): A U.S. District Court has sentenced Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo, a 58-year-old Nigerian-American and former General Manager of the Upstream Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to 87 months in prison for accepting $2.1 million in bribes from Addax Petroleum, a Switzerland-based subsidiary of Sinopec, China’s state-owned oil and gas conglomerate.

    According to a court statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, on Monday, 23 February 2026, obtained by Newpost Africa, Okoronkwo was convicted of corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud. He was also ordered to pay $923,824 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and to forfeit $1,039,997, representing the net proceeds from the sale of a home purchased with illicit funds.

    Court documents revealed that in 2015, Okoronkwo facilitated Addax Petroleum’s oil drilling rights in Nigeria in exchange for bribes. He concealed the payments by channeling them through his law firm’s trust account (IOLTA), falsely declaring them as legal fees. He also misled auditors, dismissed executives who questioned the transactions, and used the funds for personal expenses, including the purchase of a car and a home.

    In November 2017, Okoronkwo used part of the illicit proceeds to make down payments on a house in Valencia, California. His misconduct came under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and IRS Criminal Investigation, with support from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

    In January 2026, the State Bar of California suspended Okoronkwo’s law license, following the corruption probe that ultimately led to his prosecution and conviction.

  • Nigerian Immigration Officers Accused of Arresting and Extorting Youths En Route to Visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

    Nigerian Immigration Officers Accused of Arresting and Extorting Youths En Route to Visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA): Three Nigerian youths have alleged that officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) arrested, detained, and extorted money from them on 22 February 2026, while they were travelling from Kano to Sokoto to visit the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    According to a report and video obtained by Sahara Reporters, the youths claimed they were stopped at a checkpoint at the entrance of Zamfara State, detained for seven hours, and later abandoned after being forced to pay money.

    One of the victims, identified as Cruise Naija, recounted:

    “On our way to visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto, we were arrested and detained for seven hours, extorted, and left stranded in Zamfara State by Nigeria Immigration.”

    He alleged that the officers accused them of attempting to travel illegally to Libya, despite their explanation that they were heading to Sokoto. Their bags and phones were searched, and photographs showing him with activist Omoyele Sowore and other Nigerian activists were reportedly used to brand him an “activist.”

    The youths further claimed they were denied access to make phone calls and warned about the dangers of the area. They said they were taken into a room where other detainees were being held and told to pay ₦200,000, plus ₦30,000 for transportation to Sokoto.

    After allegedly paying ₦30,000 through a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator, they were placed on a truck. However, the driver later claimed he had only received ₦3,000, leaving them stranded without funds. They said they had to call friends and relatives to send money before continuing their journey.

    The Nigeria Immigration Service has not yet issued an official response to the allegations.