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The ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza was holding Saturday, as humanitarian aid began to enter the Israeli-blockaded enclave ravaged by 11 days of bloodshed. As thousands of displaced Palestinians returned to their homes, and Israelis began to resume normal life on Friday, international focus turned to the reconstruction of the bomb-shattered Gaza Strip. In Jerusalem, however, Israeli police cracked …

Late Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru was determined to end Boko Haram, Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, said today at the funeral of the Nigerian fallen soldier. Governor Zulum, Senator Kashim Shettima and Senator Abubakar Kyari joined other top dignitaries and hundreds of sympathizers for the jana’iza (funeral prayers) of the late Chief of Army …

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated his commitment to sustaining the unique biological diversity in Edo forests, promising to sustain partnerships with investors to protect forest reserves and sustain the ecosystem. The governor said this in commemoration of the International Day of Biological Diversity, marked by the United Nations on May 22, every year. According to the governor, …

Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has said that the death of the nation’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers in an air crash yesterday while in active service is a reflection of the depth of sacrifice to the country. Osinbajo said he received the news of the tragic accident with great sadness, in …

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has described as stupid, a Senate bill that seeks to prohibit the payment and receipt of ransom for the release of any person kidnapped, imprisoned or wrongfully confined. Falana, who spoke on a PUNCH Live interview programme on Friday, said the National Assembly should rather focus on ensuring they make laws that guarantee adequate security for …

The Nigerian Communications Commission has said that subscribers do not have to submit their International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers to the agency as the data will be captured automatically. Respomding to The PUNCH story on Friday that the regulatory agency would require subscribers phone IMEIs in three months, the commission said it would rather automatically capture the phone identifying numbers without reference …

Nigerian state governors have reached an agreement with the striking judiciary and parliamentary workers on the autonomy of the arms of government, according to a statement by the federal ministry of labour, Friday. The resolution followed a “stormy” conciliatory meeting with the leaderships of the workers’ unions on Thursday, the statement said. The statement signed by Charles Akpan, the Deputy …

The days-long siege by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on one of the locations where Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), lived, following several months of trailing, seems to have paid off for his former associates turned arch-rivals. The details trickling in so far surrounding his death are conflicting. However, one line remains consistent, “Shekau is …

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, has died in a plane crash with some of his aides. Military source said Gen. Attahiru was on a trip to Kaduna. Efforts were on to locate the wreckage of the plane and evacuate remains of the victims. His mission to Kaduna was said to be “official.” Meanwhile, the Nigeria Army …

Nigerians have reacted with outrage after the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) said in a new report that it will collect the identification numbers of their phones. The IMEI number allows phones to be tracked and monitored, and allows access to sensitive data of users. The NCC said President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the compilation of IMEIs for all registered mobile phones before the end of …