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U.S. Embassy issues security alert ahead of #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja

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The United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a security alert to its citizens ahead of the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled to hold on Monday, October 20, 2025, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement released on its official website on Friday, the Embassy warned that the demonstration could lead to traffic disruptions, roadblocks, and potential violence in parts of the city.

“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens that the Free Nnamdi Kanu Now protest has called for peaceful demonstrations on Monday, October 20th, 2025, in Abuja,” the statement read.

“There may be roadblocks, traffic congestion, and confrontations between police and protestors that could turn violent around Eagle Square and the Central Business District. The Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to avoid this area and to severely limit all movement throughout the city on Monday, October 20th,” it added.

Read Also: IPOB Jewish community demands immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, slams FG over ‘unjust detention’

The Embassy further advised that children remain at home and that domestic staff commuting from outside Abuja should also stay away from work on the protest day.

“The Embassy recommends children in Abuja stay home from school and domestic staff who travel from outside of Abuja to stay home as well,” the statement emphasized.

It also urged all American citizens in Nigeria to exercise heightened security precautions and remain vigilant.

The planned protest was announced earlier by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who revealed on his X (formerly Twitter) account that the demonstration would take place on October 20 and be directed toward the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

Sowore described the protest as a “historic and peaceful” action aimed at demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu, who is currently facing terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, has been in detention since June 2021 following his controversial extradition from Kenya.

Police warn against protest in Aso Rock, environs

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 The Nigeria Police Force has warned intending protesters, agitating for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu against any form of protest around the Aso Rock and its environs.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin in Abuja said the warning followed an order of a Federal High Court, Abuja.

He said the court, in a suit between  the Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore & 4 others, on Oct. 17, restrained any form of protest around the Aso Rock and its environs.

“The order restrains the respondents and any other persons or groups acting under their instruction from staging protests within and around Aso Rock Villa and its environs.

“Other area are the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way.

“Accordingly, all intending protesters and counter-protest groups are strongly advised to avoid restricted areas and to refrain from any act, capable of provoking confrontation or disturbing public order,” he said.

The police spokesman said the force would ensure the free flow of traffic, protection of lives and property, and security of all law-abiding citizens.

Read Also: Police recover 75 stolen phones, others in Lagos

According to him, any person or group that uses protests as cover to incite violence, carry or use offensive weapons, vandalise public or private property, kidnap, or engage in acts likely to cause loss of life or serious injury will be dealt with decisively.

He said offenders would be arrested, subjected to full investigation, and prosecuted under relevant criminal laws, including laws relating to public order, violent conduct and terrorism where applicable.

Hundeyin said those who incite others via social media or other platforms would be investigated and prosecuted, using digital evidence.

He said the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and relevant operational commands to ensure strict enforcement of the court’s order.

Hundeyin said the I-G had directed the CP to maintain visible and strategic deployments across vulnerable locations, and ensure the safety of residents and lawful activities in the FCT.

He urged organisers of the protest and participants to avoid the restricted areas specified by the court and refrain from carrying weapons, engaging in provocative conduct, or encouraging others to breach the law.

Hundeyin also urged the protesters to channel their grievances through the courts and other lawful avenues rather than the streets.

The police spokesman said adequate security arrangements had been made to protect lives and property of law-abiding Nigerians.

He enjoined those, not engaging in the protest to go about their lawful businesses without fear as anyone found to be in breach of the court’s order or in contempt of the law and be arrested and prosecuted.

(NAN)

Chelsea lead race for Morgan Rogers as Real Madrid targets Guehi, Upamecano

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Chelsea are reportedly leading the race to sign Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers as transfer speculations intensify ahead of the January window.

According to Caught Offside, the 23-year-old England international has attracted strong interest from several Premier League clubs, but Chelsea are currently seen as frontrunners for his signature.

Meanwhile, TalkSport reports that Real Madrid have identified three defensive targets for potential free transfers next year — Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté. The trio are all highly rated and could strengthen Madrid’s defensive line-up as the club looks to plan for the future.

In South America, several English clubs — including Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal — are monitoring 18-year-old Argentine winger Ian Subiabre from River Plate. TBR Football notes that the teenager could make a move to the Premier League in 2026.

Read Also: Chelsea crushes Nottingham Forest 3–0 as Postecoglou sacked minutes after defeat

Elsewhere, The Guardian reports that Nottingham Forest are considering Fulham manager Marco Silva as a potential replacement for the recently dismissed Ange Postecoglou. However, the club is cautious about the £8 million buyout clause attached to Silva’s contract. Sean Dyche and Roberto Mancini are also being considered for the role.

Real Madrid’s 19-year-old Brazilian forward Endrick is said to be open to a loan move to Marseille due to limited game time at the Bernabéu, according to L’Équipe via Get Football.

In another development, Football Insider reports that Tottenham Hotspur are leading Chelsea and Manchester United in the race to sign Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, 25, as the Serbian forward remains a top target for Premier League clubs.

Additionally, Chelsea may activate a buyback clause to re-sign Belgian midfielder Diego Moreira, 21, from their sister club Strasbourg (TBR Football).

Finally, TalkSport adds that Real Madrid are keeping tabs on 17-year-old Mexican prodigy Gilberto Mora, who currently plays for Tijuana, as part of their long-term scouting strategy.

Top 15 most spoken languages in Africa

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Africa is home to over 2,000 languages, reflecting its vast cultural and ethnic diversity. From the bustling markets of Kenya and Lagos to the shores of Madagascar, language remains a key part of the continent’s identity.

These languages showcase Africa’s extraordinary linguistic wealth — a continent where diversity in speech mirrors its cultural richness.

Below are the 15 most spoken African languages based on the number of speakers:

1. Kiswahili (Swahili) – 230 million speakers

Widely spoken across East and Central Africa, Kiswahili serves as a lingua franca in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

2. Nigerian Pidgin – 121 million speakers

A blend of English and local Nigerian languages, it’s the everyday communication language for millions across Nigeria and West Africa.

3. Hausa – 120 million speakers

Predominantly spoken in northern Nigeria and parts of Niger, Hausa is one of Africa’s most influential trade and media languages.

Read Also: Gen Z innovators harness tech to tackle South Africa’s hunger crisis

4. Egyptian Arabic – 119 million speakers

The most widely understood form of Arabic in Africa, used primarily in Egypt and across parts of North Africa.

5. Amharic – 57 million speakers

Ethiopia’s official language, Amharic is one of the few African tongues with its own unique script.

6. Yoruba – 50 million speakers

Spoken mainly in southwestern Nigeria and neighboring countries, Yoruba has a rich cultural and religious heritage.

7. Sudanese Arabic – 48 million speakers

A variant of Arabic used across Sudan and South Sudan, blending classical Arabic with local influences.

8. Igbo – 45 million speakers

One of Nigeria’s major languages, Igbo is known for its tonal nature and deep literary traditions.

9. Fulani (Fula/Fulfulde) – 41.6 million speakers

Spoken by the nomadic Fulani people across West and Central Africa.

10. Oromo – 37.4 million speakers

The most widely spoken language in Ethiopia after Amharic, also used in parts of Kenya and Somalia.

11. Algerian Arabic – 31 million speakers

A North African dialect combining Arabic, Berber, and French linguistic elements.

12. Berber (Amazigh languages) – 32 million speakers

Spoken by indigenous North African communities across Morocco, Algeria, Libya, and Mali.

13. IsiZulu (Zulu) – 28 million speakers

The most spoken home language in South Africa and one of the country’s 11 official languages.

14. Moroccan Arabic (Darija) – 21 million speakers

A distinctive dialect of Arabic spoken in Morocco, incorporating Berber, French, and Spanish influences.

15. Malagasy – 20 million speakers

The national language of Madagascar, with roots in both African and Austronesian linguistic families.

Peter Obi is the ‘biggest threat’ to growth of Naira – Reno Omokri

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Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has described Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as the “biggest threat” to the growth of the Naira, accusing him of undermining local production through large-scale importation.

Omokri made the claim in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, alleging that Obi’s business activities contradict Nigeria’s economic agenda of promoting local manufacturing.

“As the single biggest individual importer, Peter Obi is the biggest threat to #GrowNairaBuyNaija,” Omokri wrote. “We cannot move from consumption to production and become a prosumer nation if people like Peter Obi, through his Next stores, do not stop their massive importation of goods that can be easily manufactured locally.”

Read Also: Peter Obi reaffirms 4-Year single-term pledge

He further claimed that Obi’s continued importation of consumables such as tomato paste, evaporated milk, cereals, toiletries, and other household products was harmful to Nigerian industries.

“As long as people like Peter Obi keep dumping cheap imported goods on the Nigerian market, domestic manufacturers will strive and not thrive,” he added.

Omokri also suggested that such practices could undermine the 4.3% GDP growth recorded under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting that excessive imports hinder the nation’s goal of self-reliance.

“Some of these guys even import toothpicks and toilet paper!” Omokri wrote. “I challenge Peter Obi to move from importing to manufacturing to show that he is fully committed to the economic growth of Nigeria.”

I’m open to being second wife, says Tiwa Savage

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Award-winning Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has revealed that she is open to becoming a second wife, saying her dating pool has become limited as she gets older.

Speaking on the American podcast Air Service, the 44-year-old mother of one said most of the men who show interest in her are either married or in their 50s.

“If I meet somebody who can really marry me, they are either in their 50s or already married. So, I don’t know. Maybe I can be a second wife. I think so. I could be a second wife,” Tiwa said.

Read Also: How I overcame my leaked s3x tape scandal – Tiwa Savage

The Somebody’s Son crooner added that if she ever becomes a second wife, she would not cause any trouble for her co-wife, explaining that she’s respectful and would mostly be focused on her career.

“I think I can get along with the first wife and she’s going to love me because I’m not going to be troublesome. I’ll be going on tours, I’m not really going to stress you. I’m very respectful, I know you are the first wife and I’ll accord you that respect,” she added.

Tiwa Savage was previously married to music executive Tunji Balogun, popularly known as TBillz, from 2013 to 2018. The marriage ended following mutual allegations of infidelity. The pair share a son together.

Barcelona snatch late win over Girona in Catalan derby

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FC Barcelona secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Girona FC in the final moments of the Catalan derby on Saturday at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium.

Ronald Araujo scored the winning goal deep into stoppage time, sparking wild celebrations among Barça fans after a tense and hard-fought match.

Barcelona took an early lead in the 13th minute through Pedri, who combined brilliantly with Lamine Yamal, returning to the starting lineup after recovering from injury. But Girona quickly responded, with Axel Witsel firing home a stunning equalizer just six minutes later.

Both sides created several chances afterward — Girona’s Portu struck the crossbar, while Barça’s Frenkie de Jong and Marcus Rashford came close to restoring the lead.

Read Also: Raphinha earns 10-man Barcelona 1-0 win at Benfica

Barça thought they had gone ahead early in the second half when Pau Cubarsí found the net, but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the buildup.

In a dramatic finale, Araujo sealed the win for Barcelona with a precise finish in the last minute of added time, ensuring three crucial points for Hansi Flick’s side.

However, the victory was marred by Flick’s red card in stoppage time for dissent toward referee Gil Manzano, ruling him out of El Clásico against Real Madrid on October 26.

Before kickoff, both teams observed a moment of solidarity with residents of Catalonia’s Terres de l’Ebre, recently affected by Storm Alice.

Separately, the match also saw a 15-second symbolic protest by players following a call from Spain’s footballers’ union (AFE) over LaLiga’s controversial plan to stage a Barcelona vs Villarreal league game in Miami.

The win keeps Barcelona’s strong domestic run alive as they prepare for a busy stretch of fixtures.

Chelsea crushes Nottingham Forest 3–0 as Postecoglou sacked minutes after defeat

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Chelsea handed Nottingham Forest a crushing 3–0 defeat at the City Ground on Saturday, a result that cost manager Ange Postecoglou his job just 19 minutes after the final whistle.

Postecoglou, 60, was dismissed only 39 days into his tenure, having failed to win any of his eight matches since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo last month. His brief and turbulent spell now stands as one of the shortest managerial reigns in Premier League history.

Despite Forest dominating the first half, the home side squandered several clear chances. Striker Taiwo Awoniyi — making his first start since recovering from a serious abdominal injury last season — missed an early opportunity, while Morgan Gibbs-White also failed to convert two good chances.

Read Also: Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech announces separation from wife after 26 Years

Chelsea, who were without injured midfielders Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández, struggled in the opening half but turned the game around after three decisive substitutions by manager Enzo Maresca, including the introduction of Moisés Caicedo.

Nineteen-year-old defender Josh Acheampong opened the scoring four minutes after the break, heading home Pedro Neto’s cross from close range. Neto doubled Chelsea’s lead moments later with a curling free-kick that beat Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, before captain Reece James sealed the win with a powerful volley following a poor clearance.

Frustration boiled over among home supporters, with chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” echoing around the ground after Postecoglou’s substitution of Callum Hudson-Odoi. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen leaving the directors’ box after 66 minutes, signaling growing discontent.

Chelsea defender Malo Gusto was sent off late on for a second yellow card, but the damage was already done. Forest’s missed chances — including efforts from Neco Williams and substitute Igor Jesus, who struck both the post and bar — summed up a disappointing night for the hosts.

Postecoglou departs with a record of six defeats and two draws in eight matches, leaving Forest hovering just above the relegation zone.

Nottingham Forest sack Postecoglou after 39 days in charge

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Nottingham Forest have dismissed manager Ange Postecoglou just 39 days after his appointment, following a 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea at the City Ground.

The Australian’s brief tenure, which began on September 9, marks the shortest managerial reign in Premier League history. Postecoglou, who previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, failed to secure a win during his time in charge, recording two draws and six defeats across all competitions.

Under his leadership, Forest collected only one point from five Premier League matches, leaving the club in 17th place — just one point above the relegation zone.

Read Also: Chelsea crushes Nottingham Forest 3–0 as Postecoglou sacked minutes after defeat

“Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect,” the club said in an official statement. “The club will make no further comment at this time.”

Postecoglou’s sacking means Forest are now looking for their third manager of the season, having already dismissed Nuno Espirito Santo after just three matches earlier in the campaign.

Reports suggest that Fulham boss Marco Silva is among the leading candidates to take over, with former Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche also under consideration.

Police nab five suspects for impersonating officers in Kano

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The Kano State Police Command has arrested five men for allegedly impersonating Police officers.

The suspects, Aliyu Abbas (35), Sani Iliyasu (47), Ashiru Sule (41), Abubakar Yahaya (45), and Adamu Kalilu (45), were apprehended on Thursday by operatives of the command’s Special Intervention Squad.

This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa in Kano on Saturday.

Read Also: Police detain tricyclist over officer’s death

Kiyawa said the suspects were found with a fake police warrant card, handcuffs, mutilated Naira notes, CFA2,500, and a blue Peugeot 406 vehicle.

He explained that already, the suspects had allegedly confessed to extorting citizens in Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna States.

Kiyawa quoted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, as reiterating the command’s unwavering commitment to combating crimes.

He said that the suspects would be charged to Court upon the completion of the ongoing discreet investigations.( NAN)