Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, labelled Liam Delap’s red card as “very stupid” after the striker’s late dismissal overshadowed the Blues’ dramatic 4–3 Carabao Cup victory over Wolves.
Delap, making his return from a 10-week hamstring lay-off, was sent off just 26 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.
According to BBC Sports on Thursday, the 22-year-old picked up two yellow cards in quick succession, first for pushing Yerson Mosquera, then for barging into Emmanuel Agbadou, and will now miss Saturday’s London derby against Tottenham, with João Pedro already a fitness doubt.
When asked whether Delap deserved to be sent off, Maresca said, “Absolutely, yes. Stupid foul. We can avoid that.”
The dismissal came as part of a wider Chelsea collapse.
They built a 3-0 lead at the interval, but after the break Wolves scored three times, with Jamie Gittens’ sensational late strike enough to scrape the Blues into the quarter-finals to face Cardiff City.
Maresca added, “The three goals we conceded, I think all of them we can avoid. Certainly, we also received a very unnecessary red card today.
“After the first yellow card, I told him [Delap] four or five times to keep calm. But Liam is a player who, when he’s on the pitch, is probably playing the game for himself and struggles to realise and listen to those around him.”
It was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games, including Maresca’s own dismissal for celebrating a last-minute winner against Liverpool before the international break.
The Italian was asked to clarify whether he had wider concerns about indiscipline, with Chelsea also having received the highest number of yellow cards in the Premier League over the past three seasons.
He continued, “I completely understand when there are red cards like against Brighton [Trevoh Chalobah red] or Manchester United [Robert Sanchez red], that’s difficult, but the red cards against Nottingham Forest and today, both we can and have to avoid.
“It’s embarrassing when it’s a red card like today because it’s two yellow cards in five or 10 minutes. Both, I think, we can avoid. So it’s not good.”
Military investigation into the alleged coup plot has reportedly uncovered a trail of N45 billion disbursed from the bank accounts of the Niger Delta Development Commission to some politically exposed persons and the soldiers detained in connection with the rumoured conspiracy to topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Earlier this month, Sahara Reporters reported that 16 Nigerian Army officers were detained for allegedly planning a coup d’etat to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
The online newspaper had linked the alleged coup to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day by the Federal Government.
However, the military, in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, denied the report linking the detention of the16 military officers to a failed coup.
Multiple reports on Tuesday stated that some Nigerian Army personnel raided the Abuja residence of ex-governor Timipre Sylva, also a former Minister of State for Petroleum, in connection with the alleged coup plot currently under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Sequel to the discovery, the Defence Intelligence Agency investigators grilled some top NDDC officials about the sources of the fund, beneficiaries and how it was utilised.
The development has set off panic alarms at the NDDC headquarters over alleged links to the financing of subversive activities.
The Federal Government had also denied the coup plot against Tinubu’s administration. The Defence Headquarters described reports of a coup attempt as “false, misleading, and malicious” and stated that 16 military officers in custody are being investigated for professional misconduct, not a coup plot.
While details of the interrogation of the NDDC officials remain unclear, investigators are said to be scrutinising a series of high-value transactions carried out in recent months allegedly linked to politically-exposed persons.
They include a shoreline project awarded to a former governor in the South-South to the tune of N45bn, some of which allegedly found its way to the account of some of the detained officers.
Security sources with knowledge of the ongoing probe confirmed that the interrogation of the NDDC top shots was “part of a broader intelligence-based inquiry into the movement of public funds.”
Sources in the NDDC disclosed to The PUNCH that many top officials are apprehensive that the development may trigger a broader probe into the commission’s financial dealings.
They affirmed that the invitation of the top NDDC executives had triggered widespread anxiety among senior officials.
According to one insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “Since the news broke about the interrogation of the top shots, the atmosphere here has been uneasy. Many directors are being cautious about their movements and communications.”
Some executive directors who maintain close administrative ties with the embattled NDDC top shots are said to be worried about the development.
The development has sparked intense speculation within the commission, with staff expressing concern that the investigation could widen and implicate other senior officials.
The NDDC spokesperson, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, declined comments when asked about the quizzing of the commission’s officials.
Meanwhile, Sylva has denied alleged involvement in the coup plot.
His Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Julius Bokoru, said the rumour in some quarters is the handiwork of ‘’desperate and self-seeking politicians trying to actualise their ambitions in 2027.’’
On Wednesday, The PUNCH reported how Sylva’s Abuja home was raided by Defence Intelligence Agency operatives probing the controversial plot to forcefully change the government.
During the raid, which took place on Saturday, the operatives arrested Sylva’s younger brother, Paga, who is his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs and also took his driver into custody.
The former Bayelsa governor and All Progressives Congress chieftain was outside the country during the operation.
The media aide disclosed that the operatives did not remove anything from Sylva’s Abuja residence during the operation, noting that the two men that were arrested have yet to be released from custody.
Bokoru explained that no reason was provided for the raid. He further clarified that the former governor’s Yenagoa residence was not raided by the operatives.
He confirmed that Sylva and his wife, Alanyingi, were out of the country at the time.
Explaining their absence, Bokoru said Sylva was in the United Kingdom for routine medical checks and would soon be on his way to Malaysia to attend “a professional conference.”
He said, “It’s not true. It is the handiwork of people in the state APC who are concerned about their governorship ambition in 2027,” he stated.
“Those doing this are in the state APC. It is about the 2027 governorship ambition. They are appointees of the Federal Government and instead of focusing on their work, they are playing local toxic politics.
‘’Such wicked politicians took their desperation to a nauseating level following Sylva’s intimidating political presence and credibility that had continued to expose their self-serving ambitions and evil agenda.”
Bokoru also said Sylva’s driver, as well as his younger brother, Paga, who were whisked away by the operatives on Saturday, were yet to be released from custody.
He disclosed that the operatives of the Defence Headquarters did not remove anything from Sylva’s Abuja residence when they raided it last Saturday.
However, a close associate of Sylva told The PUNCH that several parts of the house were damaged following Saturday’s raid.
He said, “Expensive doors were destroyed while a number of other household appliances were ransacked and scattered during the raid but nothing incriminating was found.”
He dismissed allegations linking the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to Sylva as part of the coup plot.
Ogbuku was the Chief of Staff to Sylva while he was Bayelsa governor.
When contacted, Ogbuku denied he was arrested. In a short message to our correspondent, he said, “I’m not aware of such. Just the way you are seeing it is the same way I’m seeing it too on social media.”
Earlier, in a statement on Wednesday, titled, ‘Setting the record straight on recent false reports about Sylva,’ Bokoru denied Sylva’s reported involvement in the alleged coup plot.
He insisted that his principal was not involved in the planning or logistics of any coup.
The statement read, “In the past 48 hours, I have been inundated with calls from members of the press, political associates, and concerned individuals regarding a circulating report alleging that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, has “fled” the country in connection with certain purported matters.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters. During the said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property.
“Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. To the best of my knowledge, the officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently.
“It is important to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, and his esteemed wife, Her Excellency, Alanyingi Sylva, were both outside the country at the time of the incident.
“As at my last communication with His Excellency, he was engaged in a routine medical check-up in the United Kingdom, after which he was scheduled to proceed to Malaysia to attend a professional conference.
“The next development I was made aware of, regrettably, were reports circulating across social media and other platforms concerning the raid on his residence.
“While the Defence Headquarters has already debunked the swirling rumours of a coup in Nigeria, it is important to state emphatically that Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever—either in planning or in logistics—with any such plot.
“Chief Sylva is a thoroughbred democrat, whose entire political journey has been defined by his faith in democratic processes and institutions. From the 1990s, when he was first elected into the Old Rivers State House of Assembly, to his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State, Sylva has achieved every milestone through transparent, democratic engagement and the will of the people.’’
The statement further added, “His unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a matter of public record. It remains fresh in memory how he mobilized the entire Bayelsa APC structure to unanimously endorse President Tinubu at the APC Bayelsa Expanded Stakeholders’ Meeting.
“These rumours are nothing more than the handiwork of desperate and narcissistic politicians, already consumed by ambitions for 2027, who see Sylva as their last real obstacle—a man whose political presence and credibility continue to expose their dark, self-serving ambitions.”
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Tuesday, received 23 abductees rescued by troops of the Nigerian Army, warning that kidnappers and other criminal elements “have no place in Kwara State.”
The victims were handed over to the Governor at the headquarters of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, following their release by the Army after weeks in captivity.
Speaking during the brief handover ceremony, AbdulRazaq expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Armed Forces and President Bola Tinubu for their support in the ongoing military operations to clear out bandits and kidnappers from forests across the state.
“We thank God that you were all freed following pressure from the security forces. We also thank the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Nigerian Army for this success,” the Governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.
“We are glad to see 23 victims freed today. The government will support your rehabilitation. The challenges we are facing are temporary. It is either these criminals leave Kwara or they die here. This is a state of harmony.”
AbdulRazaq commended the General Officer Commanding and the new Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Nicholas Nemetne Rume, for their renewed onslaught against criminal elements in the state, adding that their deployment has restored calm to previously troubled areas.
He disclosed that the state government would immediately deploy forest guards once the ongoing Army “clean-up operations” are concluded to maintain peace and enable displaced farmers to return to their farmlands.
“The GOC has been on the ground for two weeks, and since he came, we’ve seen a turnaround. Many criminals have been arrested or neutralised. Peace is being restored to Kwara,” the Governor added.
On his part, Brigadier General Rume praised the Governor for his support of the Army, vowing to sustain pressure on the kidnappers until they are completely flushed out of the state.
“Your Excellency, without the state government’s support, most of our operations would not have been possible,” Rume said.
“The GOC’s order is clear it is either the bandits leave Kwara State or they die here. That’s the only mandate I have, and we will continue to do our best to achieve it.”
One of the rescued victims, Pastor Obafemi, recounted his ordeal in captivity, describing the experience as “traumatic.”
“It was a very painful experience being held against our will,” he said. “I thank the Governor and the troops for rescuing us. God will continue to strengthen them to overcome the people tormenting us.”
Kwara, once regarded as one of the most peaceful states in North Central Nigeria, has in recent months witnessed a surge in kidnapping and banditry, particularly in parts of Ifelodun, Edu, and Patigi local government areas.
The Nigerian Army and other security agencies have since launched coordinated operations to dislodge the criminal networks believed to have infiltrated the state from neighbouring Niger and Kogi states.
AbdulRazaq has repeatedly assured residents that his administration will continue to support security agencies with logistics, intelligence, and welfare packages to ensure that the state remains safe for residents and investors.
Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory have decried the high cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, popularly known as cooking gas, calling on the government to find a lasting solution to the persistent price hikes.
Residents who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja said the recent surge in gas prices is unsustainable and negatively affecting household expenses.
The PUNCH recalls that the prices of cooking gas rose recently from an average of N1,000 per kilogram to about N2,000/kg in some locations. This followed the recent strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria during the rift between it and the Dangote refinery.
A businesswoman, Mrs Tina Okojie, said she refilled her 12.5kg cylinder for N18,125, up from N15,000.
“I had to visit three outlets in my area before I finally bought at Shafa filling station. We are already struggling with other bills, and this is affecting my expenditure on other needs. I hope the government can address the issue because many Nigerians rely on gas for cooking,” she said.
A security guard, Mr Nura Idris, said he could no longer afford to refill his 5kg cylinder and called on the government to intervene.
“I usually fill my 5kg cylinder for between N5,500 and N5,800. Now it costs N8,000. I just bought 3kg at N4,800 and have been managing. I call on the government to please help Nigerians; we are going through a lot of hardship. Let them find a solution to the high cost of cooking gas,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs. Bose Ajibade, a tailor, said she could not refill her 12.5kg cylinder until the price comes down.
“I was refilling at N14,000; now it’s N21,000. The difference is too much. How many Nigerians can afford this? I just bought what N14,000 could give me because I’ve already budgeted that amount. Going beyond that will affect my expenses on other items. I have cautioned my children not to waste gas. I am calling on the government to come to our aid,” she said.
A civil servant, Mrs Beatrice John, said she resorts to charcoal whenever gas prices increase.
“Whenever gas goes up, I use my charcoal stove. It’s not convenient, but what can one do? I have a large family, and with the current price, it’s difficult to sustain its use alongside other bills. The government needs to find a lasting solution,” she said.
However, some residents are still able to access gas at lower prices. Mrs. Ese Okoro, a public servant, said she purchased her cylinder from major marketers amid long queues.
“I refrained from using roadside outlets due to the price surge and bought from NIPCO, which sells at about N1,120 per kg. I filled my 12.5kg cylinder for N14,000 after queuing for a few hours. The situation seems to be easing gradually. I urge the Federal Government to ensure full product circulation to restore normalcy and affordability,” she said.
Following the price hike, the Federal Government directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to intensify monitoring of LPG depots to prevent hoarding.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the surge was mainly caused by the PENGASSAN strike at the Dangote Refinery and ongoing maintenance at Nigeria LNG Train Four, which reduced LPG availability.
He assured that operations at the Dangote Refinery have resumed, with LPG now being loaded for the domestic market.
“Similarly, the Bonny River Terminal operated by Seplat Energy has commenced loading, while the Nigeria LNG is gradually restoring normal operations as maintenance nears completion,” Ekpo said.
He appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and assured that the situation is temporary. He also called on marketers, distributors, and stakeholders in the LPG value chain to be patriotic and desist from hoarding.
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government, through the relevant agencies, to provide relief materials to cushion the effects of the recent boat mishap that took the lives of five persons in the Nafada River, Gombe State, North-Eastern Nigeria.
The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by the member representing Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency, Gombe State, Abdullahi El-Rasheed.
The five persons, including four young girls and a boy, reportedly lost their lives on Saturday, October 25, 2025, onboard a boat sailing across the Nafada River.
Incidents of boat mishaps have been a regular occurrence across Nigeria’s waterways, continually claiming lives and heightening tension over maritime safety, particularly in rural areas.
El-Rasheed said, “The House is disturbed that unless relevant government agencies intensify their regulatory oversight and enforce strict compliance with maritime safety standards and operational guidelines, these devastating incidents will continue to occur.”
Shortly after the adoption of the motion, the House observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims and condoled with the families of the departed.
It thereafter urged the National Emergency Management Agency and the North-East Development Commission to, as a matter of urgency, “provide relief materials and necessary support to the affected families and the grieving communities.”
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Garba Muhammad, on Tuesday disclosed that the National Assembly has received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex and called for urgent fortification of the edifice as a proactive measure.
Garba disclosed this in Abuja at a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, which seeks to enhance security management, protect the lawmakers, staff members and visitors to the nation’s parliament.
The edifice housing the Senate, the House of Representatives and sundry offices, he said, has been facing security challenges, including cases of car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, fake identity cards, and infiltration by unregistered visitors.
PUNCH Online recalls a similar incident on May 4, 2021, a security alert warned lawmakers of a planned Boko Haram attack on the National Assembly complex and other VIP/government locations in Abuja. In response, security measures were intensified, including strict vehicle checks that caused significant congestion at the gates.
Lawmakers were advised to use the less-congested presidential gate for safer access. The alert underscored concerns over Boko Haram’s growing threat, with insurgents reportedly operating as close as Niger State, near the Federal Capital Territory.
Following the alert, the National Assembly limited members’ presence on the premises for safety, and security experts called for stronger federal protection of national infrastructure and assets.
Garba said, “We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly.
“Legislators are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access to their offices without any formal appointment.
“It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, it will truncate the legislative activities in the National Assembly. If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all — and that will destabilise legislative procedure, democracy, and the stability of the system, and our nation at large.
The Kano lawmaker noted that robust security management requires a holistic and coordinated approach, integrating multi-layered approaches to secure the National Assembly environment to enable lawmakers to discharge their duties in an atmosphere of peace.
“That is why this bill is important. It seeks to address all the challenges as aforesaid and adopt the world’s best practices of parliamentary security procedures and architecture.
“The need for effective security measures in the National Assembly cannot be overemphasised because parliament has to remain accessible to the public. However, this bill is committed to ensuring the best security architecture in the National Assembly — to protect legislators, staff, visitors, and property,” he said.
He urged State Houses of Assembly to take urgent steps to protect their complexes nationwide.
He called for support among stakeholders to ensure the quick passage of the bill, describing it as a major step toward securing Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“I wish us a peaceful and fruitful hearing that will ultimately bring a turnaround in the National Assembly’s security architecture,” he said.
Fresh pressure is mounting on former President Goodluck Jonathan to shelve his rumoured plan to contest the presidency in the 2027 general elections, as prominent figures in the Niger Delta intensify efforts to persuade him to instead support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
Findings by The PUNCH revealed that ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, is leading the regional movement urging Jonathan to drop his alleged presidential ambition and rally behind President Tinubu’s second-term bid.
It was gathered that Tompolo, accompanied by top associates including the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Kestin Pondi, and the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 Bayelsa State election, Joshua Maciver, among others, paid a private visit to Jonathan at his Otuoke home in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on October 16.
The meeting, which reportedly lasted several hours, was Tompolo’s first public appearance in nearly 10 years—an indication of the gravity of his mission.
Contrary to initial media reports suggesting that discussions centred on peace and security in the Niger Delta, multiple impeccable sources disclosed that the visit was primarily political.
According to sources close to both men, Tompolo’s visit was aimed at discouraging Jonathan from seeking the presidency and urging him to support President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
A top Jonathan associate, who was privy to the meeting but declined to be named for lack of authorisation to speak, confirmed that the meeting indeed took place.
“It is true, the meeting held,” the source said. “Niger Delta stakeholders feel Tinubu has done a lot for the region—look at the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the university he approved for Ogoni land, and several other projects. So everyone feels we should back President Tinubu’s second-term bid. That was what Tompolo came to discuss with the former President. He urged him not to run but to support President Tinubu.”
Pressed on whether Jonathan was nursing a presidential ambition, the associate added, “Yes, he was considering it.”
A source within Tompolo’s camp corroborated this, describing the visit as historic.
“It was the first time in a decade that Tompolo would visit anyone. That alone shows the importance of the meeting,” the source said.
Tompolo, who has been a staunch supporter of President Tinubu, currently enjoys the renewal of the multibillion-naira pipeline surveillance contract first awarded to him during the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Tompolo also leads a grassroots political structure known as the ‘PBAT Door-to-Door Movement’, mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election across the Niger Delta.
Further details from sources familiar with the meeting suggest that Tompolo told Jonathan that the psyche of Niger Deltans was not in favour of his rumoured ambition to return to power.
“Tompolo was very frank with him,” one source said. “He told the former President that his people were no longer disposed to supporting him for another presidential contest and that most Niger Deltans prefer Tinubu to continue till 2031.”
The source added that Tompolo advised Jonathan to “borrow a leaf” from his wife, Patience Jonathan, and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, who have both aligned themselves with the movement for Tinubu’s re-election.
“Tompolo pointed out that Mrs Jonathan had already publicly endorsed President Tinubu for re-election and that Governor Diri’s resignation from the PDP and his planned defection to the APC were indicators that the region was moving in that direction,” the source continued.
Another participant at the meeting said Tompolo urged Jonathan not to be swayed by politicians urging him to challenge Tinubu, warning that he would not get the needed “home support.”
“He told him point-blank that no one can defeat President Tinubu in a free and fair contest considering his performance so far,” the source said. “Tompolo stressed that most Nigerians, especially in the South, want continuity to allow Tinubu to complete his programmes.”
The ex-militant leader reportedly told Jonathan that he didn’t need to defect to the APC to support Tinubu, but could remain a statesman and use his influence to deliver the region to the President in 2027.
According to one of the sources, Jonathan listened attentively and promised to consider Tompolo’s advice carefully.
“President Jonathan appreciated Tompolo for his visit and acknowledged the wisdom in his submissions,” the source said. “He promised to review the counsel and make his decision known in due course.”
While Tompolo declined to speak to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Jonathan told reporters that the visit focused on maintaining peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
“Since I left office, we have not seen each other,” Jonathan said. “Tompolo is one young man who has played key roles in the unity of our people. We discussed issues people have been complaining about to ensure the Niger Delta remains peaceful. He has contributed significantly to peace and the protection of oil installations.”
Despite Jonathan’s diplomatic tone, multiple insiders insist that the political dimension dominated the discussions, especially as Niger Delta elites increasingly tilt towards Tinubu’s re-election.
Meanwhile, former Labour Party governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, dismissed claims that Jonathan was planning a return to power, describing such reports as speculative.
“I am not aware that Jonathan is running,” Eradiri said. “Until he himself comes out to declare, it’s just rumour. And as for Tompolo’s visit, it’s normal that he would pay respect to Jonathan as a leader in the Niger Delta.”
He explained that Jonathan remains a revered figure among Niger Delta stakeholders due to his pivotal role in the Amnesty Programme, which he helped midwife while serving as vice president under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“Any day, any time, Goodluck Jonathan is a leader respected by people like Tompolo,” he said. “So, it is natural that when Tompolo visits Bayelsa, he would first go to see Jonathan. Whether there was political persuasion or not, I cannot say. But I don’t think Jonathan has declared any ambition to be pressured in the first place.”
China said on Thursday it “opposes” recent sanctions slapped by the United States on the two largest Russian oil companies over Moscow’s war in Ukraine, saying they had “no basis in international law”.
President Donald Trump announced the measures on Wednesday after plans for a fresh summit with Vladimir Putin collapsed, complaining that talks with his counterpart “don’t go anywhere”.
China — a major Russian trading partner — has said it takes a neutral stance on the war and has refrained from condemning Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Asked about the new US sanctions at a daily press conference in Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said “China consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and are not authorised by the United Nations Security Council”.
In response to another question about Trump’s statement that Chinese President Xi Jinping could have a “big influence” on Putin in efforts to end the war, Guo said that “dialogue and negotiations are the only feasible way out of the Ukraine crisis”.
At the same press conference, Guo criticised sanctions on Russia agreed on Wednesday by the European Union, whose targets included Chinese companies, saying Beijing was “strongly dissatisfied”.
“China is neither the creator of the Ukraine crisis nor a party to it,” he said.
“The European side is in no position to make irresponsible remarks about the normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian enterprises.”
Guo urged Brussels to “stop making an issue out of China”, vowing that Beijing “will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests”.
The Energy Commission of Nigeria has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling electricity challenges in public hospitals and universities through increased investment in renewable energy.
The Director-General of the ECN, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday to mark his two years in office.
He said the Renewed Hope Solarisation Project under President Bola Tinubu’s administration has accelerated the deployment of two-megawatt solar hybrid systems in public institutions across the country.
According to Abdullahi, the first phase of the project has been successfully implemented at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano, General Hospital Bangi in Niger State, the Enugu Research Centre, and the University of Abuja.
The ECN boss added that several communities in Benue, Kebbi, Kaduna, Ekiti, and Osun States have also benefited, while more institutions have been listed for the second phase.
He noted that the Commission has led key initiatives promoting renewable energy and sustainable power development, signing several memoranda of understanding for solar mini-grid deployment, which are at various stages of implementation.
“The newly gazetted National Energy Policy and National Energy Master Plan were launched by the Federal Government to enhance coordination of projects and catalyse investment in the renewable energy sub-sector,” Abdullahi stated.
He further revealed that the ECN has established a pilot Green Hydrogen Plant to drive the domestication and localisation of green energy technologies, a move he said would strengthen Nigeria’s clean energy transition and institutional capacity for sustainable growth.
Brigadier-General Nicholas Rume has assumed duty as the 23rd Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ilorin, with a pledge to strengthen the fight against banditry and other forms of insecurity in Kwara and adjoining states.
His appointment followed the recent posting and redeployment of senior officers across the Nigerian Army, as approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede.
The development was contained in a press statement issued on Thursday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 22 Armoured Brigade, Captain Stephen Nwankwo.
According to the statement, the formal handing and taking over ceremony between Rume and his predecessor, Brigadier General Ezra Bawa Barkins, took place on Thursday at the Brigade Headquarters, Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin.
“The event featured the signing of the handing and taking-over notes, a farewell address to troops by the outgoing Commander, and the symbolic presentation of the command flag to the incoming Commander,” the statement read.
It added that the ceremony climaxed with the hoisting of a new Brigade flag at the Quarter Guard, symbolising the commencement of a new era in the leadership of the Brigade.
In his farewell remarks, the outgoing Commander, Barkins, expressed gratitude to the COAS for the opportunity to serve, while commending officers and soldiers of the Brigade for their loyalty and professionalism.
He said, “I appreciate every officer and soldier for their unflinching support throughout my tenure. I urge you to extend the same level of loyalty and cooperation to my successor to ensure continued operational success.”
He further urged troops to remain disciplined and focused, particularly as the Brigade intensifies operations to curb banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities within its area of responsibility, covering parts of Kwara, Kogi, and Niger States.
The statement also quoted the new Commander, Rume, as assuring that he would build on the achievements of his predecessor and further enhance synergy with other security agencies to strengthen internal security in the region.
“Fighting insecurity requires teamwork, discipline, and professionalism. I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure lasting peace and safety for our people”, Rume said.
Rume added that the 22 Armoured Brigade remains a key formation in the North Central region, actively involved in supporting counter-banditry, anti-kidnapping, and anti-illegal mining operations.
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to sustaining peace and protecting lives and property in Kwara State and beyond.
