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Iran Vs Israel: Nigerians Stranded As Airlines Cancel Middle East Flights.

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Nigerians travelling to or from Qatar, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates have been stranded due to escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports indicate that the crisis has led several international carriers—including Air France, Air India, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian, Air Algérie, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Lufthansa—to cancel numerous flights.

The disruption followed U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, prompting Iran to launch retaliatory attacks on U.S. military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

Passengers scheduled to depart Nigeria via Qatar Airways on Saturday morning were barred from flying. Some travellers who had already boarded were reportedly asked to disembark after the airline announced that Doha’s airspace had been closed.

One passenger told Sunday Punch: “I had planned so many things around this trip. Suddenly, they announced that the airport in Doha is not responding, and I don’t even understand what that means. I’m wondering if they can reroute us through another destination without passing through Doha. This situation is really painful.”

Another traveller added, “With this development, only God knows when my sister will be able to return to school. We understand this is a genuine situation, but it is really painful.”

Across the Middle East, flights were widely cancelled on Saturday as countries closed airspace amid ongoing attacks and counterattacks.

Airline Responses

Qatar Airways announced a temporary suspension of flights due to the closure of Qatari airspace, stating: “The safety of our passengers and employees is always our highest priority, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Air India also suspended flights to all destinations in the Middle East, tweeting: “In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended.”

Kuwait closed its airspace, while Syria reportedly shut part of its southern airspace along the border with Israel for 12 hours. Russia’s aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, also cancelled all commercial flights to Israel and Iran until further notice.

Industry Officials Speak

The Chairman of the International Airlines Operators Committee, Damilola Ogunyeye, confirmed that outbound airlines had begun cancelling flights due to airspace closures. He said:

“It is an unfortunate situation affecting global travel. Safety is paramount in aviation, and airlines such as Qatar Airways and Emirates cancelled flights to avoid any risk. We hope normal operations will resume soon.”

Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents, also confirmed that passengers had been turned back. “Yes, airlines have started sending passengers home. Qatar Airways, for instance, asked passengers to disembark because airspaces have been shut. Safety is the top priority in aviation,” he said.

FAAN Advisory

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) warned on Saturday that international flights to and from Nigeria are being affected. Several scheduled flights to Middle Eastern destinations have been cancelled or delayed as airlines reroute to avoid conflict zones.

FAAN advised affected passengers to contact their airlines directly for updates on flight status, rebooking, and guidance. “FAAN continues to monitor the situation with relevant aviation authorities and airline operators and will provide updates as necessary. We regret the inconvenience and appreciate the cooperation of travellers,” the agency said.

The hostilities began after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations in Iran, including Tehran, described by U.S. President Donald Trump as “major combat operations.” Iran has retaliated with missile attacks targeting northern Israel and U.S. military bases in the region, further heightening tensions and disrupting international travel.

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Police Arrest NSCDC Officer With Pistol, 17 Bullets At Abuja Kubwa Market.

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An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.

Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.

Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.

According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.

He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.

“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.

The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.

Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.

He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.

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‘We Don’t Want Another Mohbad Case’ – Laolu Gbenjo Speaks On Toluwanisings.

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Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.

The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.

Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.

He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.

Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.

Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.

In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.

The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.

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El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Legal Battle Takes New Turn As Court Fixes Judgment Date.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.

However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.

Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.

During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.

When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.

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