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EU okays 18th sanctions package on Russia over Ukraine war

EU countries on Friday signed off on a new package of sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, including lowering a price cap on Moscow’s oil exports.

The 18th round of economic punishment against Russia since its 2022 invasion was approved after Slovakia dropped a weeks-long block following talks with Brussels over separate plans to phase out Russian gas imports.

“The EU just approved one of its strongest sanctions packages against Russia to date,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.

“Each sanction weakens Russia’s ability to wage war. The message is clear: Europe will not back down in its support for Ukraine. The EU will keep raising the pressure until Russia ends its war.”

Slovakia’s Russia-friendly leader Robert Fico dropped his opposition after getting what he called “guarantees” from Brussels over gas prices as the bloc pushes to cut off Russian imports by the end of 2027.

As part of the new sanctions designed to sap Russia’s war chest, diplomats said the EU has agreed to lower its price cap on Russian oil exported to third countries around the world to 15 percent below market value.

That comes despite EU allies failing to convince US President Donald Trump to go along with the plan.

The cap is a G7 initiative aimed at limiting the amount of money Russia makes by exporting oil to countries across the globe such as China and India.

The oil price cap, set at $60 by the G7 in 2022, is designed to limit the price Moscow can sell oil around the world by banning shipping firms and insurance companies dealing with Russia to export above that amount.

Under the new EU scheme — which is expected to get the backing of G7 allies like Britain and Canada — the new level will start off at $47.6 and can be adjusted as oil prices change in the future.

In adddition, officials said the EU is blacklisting over 100 more more vessels in the “shadow fleet” of ageing tankers used by Russia to circumvent oil export curbs.

There are also measures to stop the defunct Baltic Sea gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2 from being brought back online.

Among other targets, sanctions will be placed on a Russian-owned oil refinery in India and two Chinese banks as the EU seeks to curb Moscow’s ties with international partners.

There is also an expanded transaction ban on dealings with Russian banks and more restrictions on the export of “dual-use” goods that could be used on the battlefield in Ukraine.

The new sanctions will be formally adopted by EU ministers later on Friday.

AFP

FG dismisses Turkish claim of new terror group in Nigeria

The Federal Government on Wednesday said that there is no new terror group in the country.

This comes on the heels of a warning by the Turkish government that members of a terrorist group known as the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation operate in Nigeria, as well as in other countries around the world.

The Turkish Ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, also claimed that the group was using schools and health services as a cover for its operations in the country.

Poroy disclosed this on Tuesday night in Abuja at a dinner organised by the Turkish Embassy to mark the country’s Democracy and National Unity Day.

“The presence of such an organisation poses a threat to every country in which it operates.

“Unfortunately, the FETO terrorist organisation still maintains its activities in Nigeria, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare.

“We consistently inform our Nigerian friends about the nature and dangers of this organisation, and urge them to remain vigilant and cautious,” Poroy said.

However, speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Maj Gen Adamu Laka, urged Nigerians not to panic, stating that no new terrorist group existed in the country.

“There is no new terrorist group in Nigeria.

There’s no need to panic,” he said.

FETO is allegedly affiliated with the late Turkish cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who died in 2024 at the age of 83 years.

Once an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Gulen was later accused of orchestrating a coup attempt in Turkey in 2016.

Gulen, who operated a global network of schools, charities, and organisations, was convicted in absentia of attempting to overthrow the Turkish state.

Though he denied the allegations, the Erdogan-led government classified his network as a terrorist organisation.

While Gulen-affiliated institutions reportedly exist in over 160 countries, including Nigeria, there has been no public evidence or official acknowledgement linking them to terrorist activities within Nigerian territory.

Policy violations: TikTok deletes over 3.6 million Nigerian videos

TikTok has removed more than 3.6 million videos from its platform in Nigeria between January and March 2025 for breaching its Community Guidelines, representing a 50 per cent increase from the previous quarter.

This was disclosed in the platform’s Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, which highlights TikTok’s commitment to keeping its online community safe, respectful, and trustworthy.

According to the report on Tuesday, TikTok achieved a proactive detection rate of 98.4 per cent, meaning most of the videos were removed before users reported them. About 92.1 per cent of the videos were taken down within 24 hours of being uploaded.

The platform said the removals represented a small fraction of the overall content posted by the Nigerian community during the period, stressing that the majority of content shared remained positive, educational, and entertaining.

As part of its regional enforcement actions, TikTok also removed 129 accounts in West Africa linked to covert operations in March 2025.

TikTok said it had intensified efforts to monitor LIVE broadcasts to ensure compliance with its rules. In the first quarter of 2025, the platform banned 42,196 LIVE rooms and interrupted 48,156 streams in Nigeria found to have violated its guidelines.

“LIVE content enforcement remains a priority as we continue to protect the integrity of real-time interactions on the platform,” the report stated.

Globally, TikTok removed over 211 million videos in Q1 2025, up from 153 million in the previous quarter. Of these, 184 million were removed through automation, with a global proactive detection rate of 99 per cent.

Despite the large-scale removals, TikTok said that harmful content accounted for less than one per cent of total uploads, underscoring its ongoing efforts to prioritise safety and well-being.

In June, TikTok Africa held the ‘My Kind of TikTok Digital Well-being Summit,’ bringing together experts, NGOs, creators, media, and industry leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa to discuss ways of improving digital well-being on and beyond the platform.

As part of new initiatives, TikTok announced the expansion of its in-app helpline to Nigeria, in partnership with Cece Yara, a child-focused non-profit organisation that supports youth safety. The helpline will provide expert assistance to young users dealing with issues like suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment.

TikTok also named Dr. Olawale Ogunlana, popularly known as Doctor Wales, as its Digital Well-being Ambassador for Nigeria, joining a group of healthcare professionals in the WHO Fides Network.

Alongside these efforts, TikTok continues to encourage users to report harmful content and participate in its ongoing #SaferTogether campaign, aimed at fostering a respectful and secure online environment.

Osun court jails six for electoral offences, firearms possession

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced six people arrested during the 2023 general election in the state to two-year jail terms for offences bordering on conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms.

The defendants, dragged before the court by the Federal Government represented by its counsel, Fatima Adesina, were arraigned on 3 counts of conspiracy to be in possession of firearms, unlawful possession of firearms, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

The offences committed were said to be contrary to and punishable under Sections 121 & 126 (1)(F); 126 (1) (f) and 125 (1) (i), respectively of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Justice M. Awe, in his judgement, Certified True Copy dated July 11, 2025, obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, found Yinusa Rahmon, Moshood Hamzat, Awotunde Gbenga, Adebayo Mutiu, Femi Taiwo and Najeem Omotuntun guilty of offences bordering on conspiracy and possession of firearms.

They were, however, discharged on count three, for engaging in conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

Going over the history of the case, Justice Awe said the 6 defendants, under cross-examination, admitted that they were arrested in the premises of a hotel on March 18, 2023, while the House of Assembly election was going on in Ila Orangun, Osun State, by men of the Department of State Service.

The Judge also held that the prosecution witnesses during the trial told the court that the defendants were arrested in possession of firearms that included: 2 locally made barrel guns, 2 cutlasses, one battle axe, one Fulani sword, and six cartridges on the day of the House of Assembly election in Ila Orangun.

Justice Awe, however, held that the prosecution could not prove that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace in any public place.

“In the circumstances, the prosecution has failed to prove the offence alleged in count 3 of the charge. Each of the defendants is accordingly discharged and acquitted on same,” the Judge said.

He continued, “In the circumstance, each of the defendants, having been found guilty and convicted on counts l & 2 of the charge, are accordingly sentenced as follows: On Count l of the charge, 1st defendant is sentenced to l year imprisonment with hard labour or

to a fine ofN100, 000:00 in lieu.

“The 2nd defendant is sentenced to one-year imprisonment (IHL) or N100,000:00 fine in lieu: The 3rd Defendant to 1-year imprisonment (IHL) or N100,000:00 fine in lieu: 4th defendant is sentenced to l year imprisonment (IHL)or N100,000:00 fine in lieu:

5th defendant is sentenced to l year imprisonment (IHL) or a fine of N100,000:00 in lieu: 6th defendant is sentenced l year imprisonment (IHL)or a fine of N100, 000:00 in lieu:

“On Count 2 of the charge, each of the defendants is sentenced as follows: The 1st defendant is sentenced to 2 years imprisonment (IHL) or a fine N200,000:00 in lieu: The 2nd defendant is sentenced to 2 years imprisonment (IHL) or N200,000 fine in lieu: The 3rd defendant is sentenced to 2 years imprisonment (IHL)or a fine of N200,000:00 in lieu: The 4th defendant is sentenced to 2 years imprisonment (IHL) or to a fine of N200,000:00 in lieu: The 5th defendant is sentenced to 2 years imprisonment (IHL)or to a fine of N200,000:00 in lieu:

“The 6th defendant is sentenced to 2 years imprisonment (IHL) or to a fine of N200,000:00 in lieu: The terms of imprisonment are concurrent, while the fine is cumulative.”

Disregard unauthorised skill acquisition training, NDDC warns public

The Niger Delta Development Commission has alerted members of the public to a fake skills acquisition training purportedly sponsored by the commission.

The commission urged the public to disregard such claims by a group that is accusing the NDDC of not keeping to its promise to pay trainees for the said training.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the NDDC stated that it had never engaged anyone or group to organise such training and urged the public, especially youths, to be cautious to avoid falling prey to swindlers.

The statement was signed by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, and sent to newsmen.

The commission said its skills programmes are well-advertised and open to scrutiny.

It reads, “The attention of the Niger Delta Development Commission has been drawn to a report circulating in the media, claiming that the NDDC has failed to fulfil its promise to pay trainees for a purported skill acquisition programme.

“The supposed skill acquisition programme, said to have been organised by a religious group, Victorious Prayer Network, allegedly took place in Bayelsa and Rivers states.

“The self-appointed organisers claimed that the NDDC promised to sponsor over 2,000 trainees and give them starter packs. They accused the NDDC of reneging on that promise.

“We wish to clarify that the NDDC approved no such training programme, and whatever training was organised under suspicious circumstances did not have the blessings and approval of the Commission.”

The statement continued that the individuals behind these allegations against the NDDC were never engaged by the Commission to carry out skills training.

“We wish to state unequivocally that the NDDC is not behind this particular skill acquisition training. Our programmes are usually well-advertised and open to scrutiny.

“We recently launched a comprehensive technical skills acquisition programme to equip participants with practical, in-demand skills in Port Harcourt.

“Members of the public, especially our youths, are advised to be cautious and circumspect in dealing with some questionable persons claiming to be acting on behalf of the NDDC.

“It is disturbing that some mischievous individuals are trying to take advantage of our youths who are genuinely eager to be gainfully engaged in legitimate activities,” the statement added.

The NDDC assured our stakeholders of its commitment to transparency and fairness in all its activities, including youth empowerment and skill acquisition programmes.

“In light of this unfortunate development, we urge our youth to be wary of desperate people seeking undeserved financial gains.

“All inquiries about our youth empowerment programmes should be channelled through our official communication platforms. We also encourage beneficiaries of our programmes to verify facts on the NDDC’s official website and our social media handles,” the statement said.

US citizen who spied on Ukraine gets Russian passport

An American who spied on Ukrainian troops to help Moscow’s military offensive in the country has been granted Russian citizenship, Moscow-installed authorities said Tuesday.

Daniel Martindale spent two years in Ukraine after Russia launched its offensive, transmitting coordinates of military facilities to Russia’s secret services, according to reports in Russian state media.

“By decree of our President Vladimir Putin, a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation was awarded to Daniel Martindale,” Denis Pushilin, the head of the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine’s Donetsk region said on Telegram.

Pushilin said that Martindale had “long since proven with his loyalty and actions that he is one of us.”

“He spent more than two years in the territory under enemy control. And not only did he survive — he helped. He supported our guys, passed on important information to our special services, risked his life,” he added.

Martindale received his passport from interior ministry officials at a ceremony in Moscow, according to state media and a video published by Pushilin.

Martindale thanked Russia for “accepting me”, and said becoming a Russian citizen was a “dream”.

“Russia is not only my home, but my family,” he said in Russian on the video.

After two years spying on Ukraine, he was extracted in “a complex evacuation operation” after Moscow started to fear his life was in danger if he stayed any longer, Pushilin said.

In November 2024, state media reported Russian security forces had taken him to Russia and Martindale lodged his application for Russian citizenship.

A Telegram account purporting to be his posted that same month: “Hello, I’m Daniel Martindale, the guy that Russian soldiers risked their lives to evacuate from the village where I had lived for two years.”

AFP

Abductors of Delta contractor demand N100m ransom

Suspected kidnappers have reportedly abducted a government contractor, Mr Lucky Ugbo, in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.

PUNCH Metro was informed on Monday that the victim was kidnapped around 8.45 pm over four days ago at his residence, along Isah Road in the community and was said to have made contact on Sunday, demanding N100m ransom.

Community sources, who lived close to Ugbo’s house, told our correspondent that the operation was carried out by heavily-armed gunmen, who invaded Ugbo’s residence and took him away at gunpoint.

“The gunmen were heavily armed and were dressed like security agents. They laid siege in an uncompleted building close to his house and waited.

“He went out and was just entering his house when they stopped him as his wife came out to open the front door for him.

“The gunmen fired shots into the air indiscriminately, before marching their victim into the darkness on foot.”

Also, he said, “Many of us who live close by watched the incident from afar. We thought the gunmen were security agents.

“Since the incident, the kidnappers have called his wife twice, they called on Sunday and demanded N200 million ransom, and today, Monday morning, they called again and demanded N100 million as ransom.”

When contacted, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.

He said, “Yes, it’s confirmed. The police are intensifying efforts to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victim.”

Okpebholo unveils special squad to tackle kidnappers, cultists

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has launched ‘Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists’ to combat insecurity in the state.

While launching the initiative on Sunday, the governor also approved the establishment of a special security squad to flush out kidnappers and cultists terrorising the state.

The move, according to a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, is a strategic initiative by the office of the Principal Security Officer to the governor and will be coordinated jointly by the PSO and the Chief Security Officer at the Government House.

Speaking after granting the approval, Okpebholo reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on violent crimes.

He said, “We will not allow criminality to dictate the future of our State.

“Edo State must be safe again for our children, for investors, and for those in the diaspora who want to come home and contribute.

“Security agencies have now been placed on red alert across the state.”

The governor has directed the PSO and CSO to ensure full implementation of the operation, noting that accountability, professionalism, and community engagement must remain at the heart of the new initiative.

PUNCH Online gathered that the squad would consist of a carefully profiled and recruited team of able-bodied men, including repentant cultists, hunters, and vigilantes.

These recruits will form local squads within each local government area, ensuring community involvement and swift operational response to security threats.

Israeli strikes kil 29 in Gaza – Civil defence

Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes on Sunday killed at least 29 Palestinians, including six children, near a water distribution point.

The attacks came with apparent deadlock in a week of indirect talks in Qatar between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas for a ceasefire in the territory.

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that Gaza City was hit by several strikes overnight and in the early morning, killing eight, “including women and children” and wounding others.

An Israeli air strike hit a family home near the Nuseirat refugee camp, south of Gaza City, resulting in “10 martyrs and several injured”, Bassal said.

In central Gaza, six children were among eight people killed when a drone “hit a potable water distribution point in an area for displaced people” in the Nuseirat camp, he added.

Several other people were wounded, he said.

In the territory’s south, three people were killed when Israeli jets hit a tent sheltering displaced Palestinians in the coastal Al-Mawasi area, according to the civil defence spokesman.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has recently intensified its operations across Gaza, more than 21 months into the war triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack.

On Saturday, the military said fighter jets had hit more than 35 “Hamas terror targets” around Beit Hanun in northern Gaza.

The vast majority of Gaza’s population of more than two million people have been displaced at least once during the war, which has created dire humanitarian conditions in the territory.

Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency and other parties.

VIDEO: NDLEA seizes lipsticks stuffed with drugs at Lagos airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted another shipment of factory-fitted female lipsticks packed with illicit substances at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a post shared via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday.

NDLEA seizes lipsticks stuffed with drugs at Lagos airport. Credit: X | Femi Babafemi

Babafemi also warned Nigerians, especially women, to exercise extra caution when buying or receiving cosmetic products, particularly from unknown sources or questionable online vendors.

The statement said, “Ladies beware! It does appear like female lipstick is becoming attractive as an instrument for concealment and trafficking now with yet another consignment of factory fitted female lipsticks stuffed with illicit substances intercepted at MMIA barely a week after #ndlea_nigeria officers uncovered a similar cargo at a courier company in Lagos.”

See Video Below:

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐀 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐩𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted another shipment of factory-fitted female lipsticks packed with illicit substances at the Murtala… pic.twitter.com/JhUAjgweOP

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) July 13, 2025