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We All Remember The Mistakes Of Iraq – Starmer Reacts As Iranian Drone Hits UK RAF Base In Cyprus.

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the United Kingdom will not participate in offensive military action against Iran, emphasizing that the “mistakes of Iraq” have been learned. His remarks came hours before an Iranian drone reportedly struck a UK air force base in Cyprus.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking late Sunday, Starmer highlighted that Britain had deliberately stayed out of the initial strikes carried out by the United States and Israel.

“I want to be very clear: we all remember the mistakes of Iraq. And we have learned those lessons,” he said. “We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and we will not join offensive action now.”

Reports indicate that shortly after his statement, a drone believed to have been launched by Iran hit the runway of RAF Akrotiri, a key British military base in Cyprus.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed the attack occurred just after midnight. “A Shahed unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the military facilities of the British Bases in Akrotiri, causing minor material damage,” he said, noting that the impact affected the airport runway.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper verified the location of the strike, saying the government is assessing the damage and considering ways to assist British nationals in the region. The base, near the southern coastal city of Limassol, is part of a British overseas territory and serves as a strategic hub for UK operations in the Middle East.

‘UK Is Not at War’

Despite the attack, UK officials have emphasized that Britain is not a party to the conflict. Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer said the government deliberately chose not to participate in the initial wave of US-Israeli strikes.

“Let me be really clear: the UK took a deliberate decision not to be part of the first wave of strikes conducted by the United States and Israeli governments. But in the face of reckless attacks from Iran on a range of allies in the region… we decided, as the Prime Minister announced last night, to support the US request to use our bases strictly for defensive actions,” he said.

Starmer had earlier confirmed that Britain agreed to Washington’s request to use UK bases only for a “specific and limited defensive purpose.”

Cooper added that around 300,000 British citizens are currently in Gulf countries affected by Iranian strikes, with some airspace closures complicating evacuation efforts. “There’s an estimated 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries targeted by Iran, including areas where airspace is now closed,” she told Sky News. She urged citizens to register with UK authorities and follow local safety guidance, noting that more than 100,000 UK nationals have already done so.

Scottish teacher Felicity Flanagan, living in Dubai, described hearing loud explosions while at the beach. “Moments later, we saw what we believed to be shrapnel from the missile fall into the water in front of us,” she told BBC Radio Scotland. She said she has since stayed indoors following British embassy advice.

Different From Iraq – Expert View

Addressing comparisons with the 2003 Iraq war, Rosa Freedman, an international law expert at the University of Reading, said the current situation is “materially different.” She noted that tensions follow the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and ongoing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.

“The Iranian people have tried for many years to overthrow this regime, with tens of thousands of young people killed in recent weeks. Regime change is necessary for domestic and international stability and security,” Freedman added.

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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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