Saudi strike in Yemen targets alleged drone shipment bound for UAE-linked forces

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December 31, 2025

2025-12-31 09:56:00

Reporting by PUNCH indicates Saudi Arabia carried out an airstrike on Yemen’s coast, alleging it was targeting a shipment of drones and weapons destined for UAE‑aligned separatist forces.

The incident adds a new layer to the already complex regional proxy dynamics in Yemen, where shifting alliances and rival security agendas often collide despite nominal anti‑Houthi alignment.

Observers say the development could raise tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi and complicate ceasefire and de‑escalation talks moving into 2026.

AP News reported “Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port city over weapons shipment from UAE for separatists,” while Reuters reported the UAE said it “ends mission of counterterrorism units in Yemen voluntarily,” underscoring the sensitivity around Emirati-linked deployments.

Echotitbits take: If Riyadh is publicly striking supply lines tied to UAE‑backed actors, it signals frictions that could redraw Yemen’s power map. Watch for official Saudi/UAE messaging and whether shipping lanes or port access face new restrictions.

Source: yahoo — December 30, 2025 (https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/saudi-arabia-bombs-uae-weapons-092806312.html)

yahoo December 30, 2025

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Meta moves to acquire Manus as it races to build advanced AI agents

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:49:00

According to PUNCH, Meta has reached a deal to buy Manus, a Chinese‑founded AI‑agent startup, as the tech giant intensifies its push into advanced autonomous agents and enterprise AI tools.

The report said the acquisition is part of Meta’s broader strategy to accelerate product delivery in AI assistants, workflow automation and agentic systems that can execute tasks across apps and services.

Industry watchers expect increased scrutiny around cross‑border tech deals and how Meta integrates Manus’ team and intellectual property into its AI roadmap.

A Reuters video headline stated “Meta to buy Chinese-founded startup Manus to boost advanced AI,” while TechCrunch wrote “Meta just bought Manus, an AI startup everyone has been talking about.”

Echotitbits take: The real value is likely talent and agent infrastructure. Watch for how quickly Meta ships ‘agent’ features into WhatsApp/Instagram products, and whether regulators flag data‑sovereignty issues.

Source: Tribune — December 30, 2025 (https://tribune.com.pk/story/2584667/meta-buys-china-founded-ai-agent-manus?amp=1)

Tribune December 30, 2025

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Tinubu appoints Rotimi Oyedepo as Director of Public Prosecutions

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:42:00

In an update published by PUNCH, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Oyedepo is widely known for high‑profile prosecution work, including corruption and financial‑crime cases, and the appointment is seen as a signal about prosecutorial priorities heading into 2026.

The move comes amid renewed debates about justice-sector reforms, case backlogs and the credibility of anti‑corruption enforcement.

A State House statement said the president “approves appointment of Rotimi Oyedepo as Director of Public Prosecutions,” while Premium Times reported Tinubu “gives top EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo new appointment.”

Echotitbits take: The DPP role is pivotal for consistency across sensitive cases. Watch the first 100 days: guidelines for plea bargains, asset-recovery priorities, and how prosecution teams coordinate with EFCC/ICPC/Police without politicising decisions.

Source: PUNCH — December 31, 2025 (https://punchng.com/tinubu-appoints-oyedepo-director-of-public-prosecution/)

PUNCH December 31, 2025

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Kwara passes harmonised taxes bill to curb multiple levies and boost collections

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:35:00

Reporting by The Nation indicates the Kwara State House of Assembly has passed a harmonised taxes and levies bill aimed at streamlining revenue collection and reducing multiple taxation across the state.

Lawmakers said the legislation is designed to clarify approved charges, cut leakages, and improve compliance for businesses and residents, with next steps focused on transmitting a clean copy for executive assent.

The move aligns with broader sub‑national efforts to expand internally generated revenue while keeping the tax environment predictable for investors.

New Telegraph reported the assembly “passes harmonised taxes, levies bill into law,” while Western Post also said lawmakers “pass Harmonised Taxes and Levies Bill into law.”

Echotitbits take: Harmonisation only works if enforcement is disciplined—no parallel ‘task forces’ or informal collectors. Watch implementation rules, dispute‑resolution mechanisms, and how the state balances revenue goals with SME survival in 2026.

Source: The Nation — December 31, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/kwara-assembly-passes-harmonised-taxes-levies-bill-into-law/)

The Nation December 31, 2025

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Zamfara to raise pay for 11,300 Juma’at imams from January 2026

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:28:00

According to Vanguard, the Zamfara State Government says it will upgrade salaries for 11,300 Friday‑prayer imams and other clerics beginning January 2026 as part of a wider welfare push.

Governor Dauda Lawal was quoted as linking the planned review to recommendations from an integrated e‑payment system, alongside ongoing spending on clerics’ stipends.

The announcement comes as the state seeks stronger community engagement and social stability amid persistent security pressures in the North‑West.

Daily Trust reported the governor “announced plans to upgrade the salary scale of 11,300 Juma’at Imams,” while Leadership said the government “promised to upgrade the salaries of Imams of Jummat Mosques and other Islamic clerics with effect from January 2026.”

Echotitbits take: If properly funded and transparently implemented, this could strengthen community‑level social support and messaging against extremism. Watch for fiscal sustainability and whether similar welfare moves extend to broader public‑sector and frontline security workers.

Source: Vanguard — December 31, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/11300-zamfara-imams-to-enjoy-salary-upgrade/)

Vanguard December 31, 2025

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Lagos scraps Greater Lagos Fiesta hours to New Year, urges residents to pray

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:21:00

Figures cited by PUNCH show the Lagos State Government called off the Greater Lagos Fiesta 2025 scheduled for December 31, directing residents to mark the period with personal prayers for the nation and the state instead.

The decision was communicated in a statement attributed to the governor’s media team, positioning the cancellation as a shift from mass celebration to reflection and prayer ahead of 2026.

The annual event is one of Lagos’ flagship end‑of‑year entertainment programmes, so the abrupt cancellation has sparked debate in the city’s creative economy and among residents.

Vanguard reported that the government “announced the cancellation of the 2025 Greater Lagos Fiesta,” while Guardian Life quoted the statement: “Lagos State Government cancels Greater Lagos Fiesta 2025.”

Echotitbits take: The optics matter—Lagos is Nigeria’s entertainment capital and the fiesta is a tourism/creative‑economy signal. Watch whether the state replaces the lost economic activity with alternative programmes, and whether security or governance concerns drove the decision.

Source: The Punch — December 31, 2025 (https://punchng.com/lagos-cancels-greater-lagos-fiesta-2025/)

The Punch December 31, 2025

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Rivers assembly rejects N100,000 Christmas credit, cites due‑process breach

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:14:00

In a report published by PUNCH, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly said they rejected—and moved to return—N100,000 credited to each lawmaker’s account as a Christmas bonus, arguing it did not follow proper authorisation.

The lawmakers framed the transfer as an ‘unapproved’ payment and linked it to the wider political standoff in the state, insisting the executive must adhere strictly to constitutional and budget processes.

The development adds another flashpoint to Rivers’ tense political climate, with analysts watching for how it affects governance, budgeting and the executive‑legislature relationship in early 2026.

Vanguard reported that assembly members “have returned the N100,000 Christmas bonus given to them by the governor,” while Leadership said lawmakers “have rejected the N100,000 Christmas Bonus credited to their personal bank accounts.”

Echotitbits take: Beyond the headline, this is a proxy fight over legitimacy and control of state institutions. Expect more legal manoeuvres and competing public narratives. Watch whether public finance processes (appropriation, releases, oversight) become the next battleground.

Source: The Punch — December 31, 2025 (https://punchng.com/rivers-lawmakers-reject-fubaras-n100000-christmas-bonus/)

The Punch December 31, 2025

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Ondo Amotekun arrests 39 suspects after Sokoto airstrike spillover scare

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:07:00

Reporting by PUNCH indicates the Ondo State Amotekun Corps arrested 39 suspects it says fled Sokoto State and moved into forest reserves in Ondo following recent airstrikes targeting extremist hideouts in the North‑West.

The corps said the arrests were made near the Elegbeka axis in Ose LGA during an operation that also netted other suspects linked to kidnapping and armed robbery, as the state tightens security around forest corridors.

Officials said profiling is ongoing, including possible prosecution or handover to relevant authorities depending on the outcome of investigations.

Channels Television reported that the suspects “confessed that they are fleeing from the northern part of the country due to the recent attacks launched against them,” while TheCable wrote Amotekun “has arrested 39 suspected terrorists who allegedly fled Sokoto and relocated to forest reserves in the state.”

Echotitbits take: This is the ‘balloon effect’ of counter‑terror pressure—fighters scatter into softer targets and forest belts. Expect more inter‑state coordination in the South‑West and tighter controls on forest reserves; watch how prosecution is handled to avoid recycling suspects.

Source: The Punch — December 31, 2025 (https://punchng.com/us-strike-39-fleeing-sokoto-suspects-arrested-in-ondo/)

The Punch December 31, 2025

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CBN flags 2026 growth at 4.49%, expects inflation slide to 12.94%

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:00:00

According to The Nation, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s latest macro outlook projects real GDP growth of about 4.49% in 2026, while average inflation is expected to ease to roughly 12.94% as reforms, forex stability and improved output begin to bite.

The outlook points to a mix of stronger non‑oil activity and a steadier external position, with the apex bank signalling that structural reforms and better macro coordination could support a more durable recovery.

Markets will watch whether the assumptions—especially oil output and FX conditions—hold into Q1 2026, and how the forecast shapes monetary-policy expectations.

Reuters also reported that the CBN “forecasts 4.49% economic growth” and sees inflation “easing to an average 12.94% in 2026,” while BusinessDay similarly wrote that Nigeria’s economy is “projected to expand by 4.49 percent in 2026.”

Echotitbits take: The headline numbers look optimistic versus Nigeria’s recent inflation experience. The real test is whether disinflation is driven by supply (food, logistics, energy) and FX stability—not just base effects. Watch Q1 inflation prints and CBN messaging on rates/liquidity.

Source: Guardian — December 31, 2025 (https://guardian.ng/business-services/cbn-projects-4-49-growth-lower-inflation-in-2026-outlook/)

Guardian December 31, 2025

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AFCON 2025: Nigeria finish group stage perfect after 3–1 win vs Uganda

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:03:00

In a dispatch by PUNCH, Nigeria beat Uganda 3–1 to close the group stage with a perfect points haul, with Paul Onuachu scoring and Raphael Onyedika netting twice as Uganda’s game collapsed after a red card.

The result reinforced Nigeria’s depth, coming amid squad rotation, while also underlining the tournament’s fine margins—one dismissal can swing the entire tactical balance.

For Uganda, the loss confirmed elimination, while Nigeria’s momentum now carries into the knockout phase with confidence and options.

Validation: Reuters said “Onyedika nets twice for Nigeria with Onuachu also on target.” and Al Jazeera reported “Raphael Onyedika has scored twice, and Paul Onuachu has netted his first international goal in four years.”

Echotitbits take: Nigeria’s biggest advantage is depth—if the team avoids suspensions and manages minutes well, they can outlast most opponents. Watch for injury updates and how the coach balances rotation vs rhythm in the last-16 tie.

Source: The Punch — 31 December 2025 (https://punchng.com/afcon-2025-nigeria-beats-uganda-3-1/)

The Punch 31 December 2025

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