Taliban release detained elderly British couple

An elderly British couple detained in Afghanistan for nearly eight months were freed on Friday, September 19, after international pressure mounted over concerns for their health. Taliban officials confirmed the release of Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbara, 76, but offered no explanation for their arrest in February.

Standing beside her husband at Kabul airport, Barbara said, “We’ve been treated very well. We’re looking forward to seeing our children. We are looking forward to returning to Afghanistan if we can. We are Afghan citizens.”

The couple, who married in Kabul in 1970, have lived in Afghanistan for almost two decades, running educational programmes for women and children. Despite advice from the British government to leave when the Taliban regained power in 2021, they chose to remain and later became Afghan citizens.

Their release followed negotiations brokered by Qatar. A statement from Taliban spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said, “Two British nationals named Peter and Barbara Reynolds, who had violated the laws of Afghanistan, were released from custody today following the judicial process.” He confirmed they were handed over to Richard Lindsay, the UK’s special envoy to Afghanistan.

Images broadcast on Sky News showed the couple preparing to depart Kabul for Doha alongside Lindsay, who said, “They are very relieved to be going home.”

The pair were initially held in a maximum-security facility and later kept in underground cells before being transferred to Kabul’s intelligence services, according to UN experts. In July, UN human rights officials warned their health was deteriorating rapidly, stating they risked “irreparable harm or even death” if not freed. Their family also made repeated appeals for their release.

Hamish Falconer, the UK’s minister for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, said he was “relieved… their ordeal has come to an end.” He also warned that it remains against government advice for British nationals to travel to Afghanistan, where consular support is “extremely limited.”

A Qatari official confirmed that the release followed months of mediation efforts conducted in coordination with the British government. The development comes shortly after a visit to Kabul by Washington’s special envoy on hostages, Adam Boehler, who discussed possible prisoner exchanges. At least one US citizen is currently in Taliban custody.

Dozens of foreign nationals have been detained since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Russia remains the only country to have officially recognised the Taliban government, while most embassies remain closed in Kabul.

I’m Tinubu’s agent – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described himself as a proud agent of President Bola Tinubu, saying he is part of the team working to address the challenges Nigerians face due to past governance failures.

Wike made the remarks during the official flag-off of the construction of Northern Parkway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III in Abuja. He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the president, highlighting Tinubu’s commitment to improving the country’s welfare.

“Give support to who needs to do well. Tinubu is doing well and is committed to improving the welfare of this country. He is committed to see that this country gets to the level where it’s supposed to be,” Wike said.

He acknowledged that Nigerians have been facing difficult times and urged patience as reforms take effect. “Yes, when you are coming from a bad period, you have been patient and patient and then now you require a miracle. You didn’t know that things were terribly bad. You knew that those were terribly bad but someone else has come to fix it. I know that you are impatient,” he added.

Wike reiterated the role of his team in supporting the president’s agenda, stating, “I want to appeal to you to continue to be patient, you see how things will turn around. Mr. President is working towards it through his agents like us. We are agents of Mr. President and we are very proud agents, very proud indeed.”

"The day Peter Obi surprised me with Ghana Must Go" Charley Boy shares details of a meeting with Peter Obi

Charley Boy has shared intimate details of a meeting with Presidential aspirant Peter Obi. 
 

The entertainer, whose real name is Charles Oputa, stated that he got a call from Obi at 1am, asking if he would be available to meet at 5:30am. 

Not minding the early hours, Charles Boy, aka Area Fada, said he agreed to the meeting and Obi arrived at his house with a Ghana-Must-Go back containing bottles of groundnuts, alligator pepper, kolanuts, and different fruits. 

He said the contents of the bag, packed by Obi himself, made him fall to the ground, laughing. 

Charley Boy wrote:

 "The day Peter Obi Surprised Me With Ghana Must Go. 

"My people, hear this one oh. One night so around 1am, Peter Obi call me say, ‘My Senior bros, I wan come see you, but I no too sure if u fit don wake about the time i for like come' like what time, i asked. 'Maybe around 5:30 or 6am' 

"Na so u wan disturb my early momo excersise parole and my scooter ride? I queried. Without over thinking it I said ok. Anything for my Presido.  

"Sharp sharp, by exactly 5:45am Obi show. No African time, a man of his words. 

"As I come downstairs to meet him, na so I see one big Ghana Must Go by the entrance of my sitting room. I look the bag, I just dey wonder, Wetin fit dey inside this bag? 

"We siddon gist about Nigeria, about politics, about family etc etc for almost 2hrs. 

"Na so Obi  come say, ‘See small thing I bring for you.’ I said, thank you sir, without even opening it. 

"As Obi waka go, I say make I peep inside this bag. My people, you can never imagine wetin full inside dis bag. 

"Inside the bag was 3 bottles of roasted groundnts. Many alegator pepper, kolanuts, pawpaw, oranges, agara, mangos, bananas etc etc. wey Obi pack by himself. 

"I just no know when i fall for ground begin laugh. 

"As i call am to thank am, He say, ‘senior I no fit give you money, but I fit give you this one, na my hand pick.’ 

"Which kin native intelligence pass dis one. Dis Peter na Okute. But I love the bobo no be here. 

"Na so I say, Obi thank you oh. I jump on my scooter, breeze dey slap my face, my belle filled with laughter. 

"Sometimes na the little things go remind you say life no too hard. Na kolanut and bitter kola wey Obi dash me sweet me  pass money. 

“Make una no vex, life no suppose too serious all the time. At least this one give me story wey  sweet una join. I can see you smiling. Happy weekend.” 

Anambra police arrests suspected fake madman cultivating marijuana farm in Awka

 

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 43-year old man, Patrick Ojele, who pretended to be mentally unstable while allegedly secretly cultivating a marijuana farm in Awka for over two years. 

A statement from SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson of the command, said the police operatives attached to the Operations Department, Awka, nabbed the suspect on 17th September 2025 during a routine patrol along the Awka–Enugu Expressway near Ngozika Estate. He later led the team to the hidden farm, where large quantities of weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa were recovered.

Ikenga mentioned that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, noted that the arrest reflects the Command’s renewed strategy of cutting off criminal supplies by targeting drug dealers who embolden cultists and violent offenders. 

He added that the CP has directed that the suspect should be handed over to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SPACS), Enugwu-Ukwu, for discreet investigation to trace his buyers and dismantle the wider distribution network.

Virtual assistant shares shocking experience on first day on a job she found on TikTok

A virtual assistant has shared her experience on the first day on a new job. 

She explained that she found the job on TikTok and applied for it. 

She passed the interview and resumed work only to realize that the job involves s£x chatting in the nude with clients. 

She shared her story on Facebook, writing: "I have been job hunting and I saw posts on TikTok where they said we would chat with people and get paid. I decided to give it a try and apply. 

"The lady went through my profile and confirmed that my content was good and that I could do the job. 

"On the day of the interview, as a desperate job seeker, I set up my workspace and was happily waiting. The interviewer (a man) and the lady who contacted me joined the call. 

"The interviewer: Angie, why are you dressed? 

"Me: How Sir? (I was so confused at this point) 

"The Lady: You should know this thing already. Remove your top so we can start the interview 

"Me: I thought it was a chat task, why do I need to undress 

"Interviewer: I don't think you are ready to work. You're wasting my time." 

With an emoji, she showed how shocked the interaction left her.
 

President Tinubu suspends emergency rule in Rivers, asks Gov Fubara to resume tomorrow

President Bola Tinubu has lifted the State of Emergency in Rivers State and has directed the governor, Sim Fubara, his deputy and members of the State House of Assembly to resume their duties on Thursday, September 18.

The President, in a statement, announced that peace has been restored in the state.

The statement in part reads

“It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today. The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025.”

Recall that the President imposed the emergency rule on the state and suspended the governor, his deputy and members of the state House of Assembly following the protracted battle between the governor and his

Benue state Governor Alia’s aide reportedly kidnapped

Terver Atu Joseph, a Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Youth and Media Mobilization, has been kidnapped by unknown persons.

 

The incident which occurred on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 has thrown his family and friends into panic.

 

According to Benue activist, Ukan Kurugh, Terver's wife said he called her before his phone line went off, saying he had been kidnapped and asked that his mother be informed.

 

Subsequent attempts to reach him and locate his whereabouts proved abortive. 

 

Details of the abduction remain unclear at the time of filing this report, 

 

Meanwhile, family members have appealed to security agencies to act swiftly to secure his safe release. 

 

2027: PDP says more aspirants eyeing Presidential ticket beyond Goodluck Jonathan, Peter Obi, Seyi Makinde

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed that several aspirants are quietly positioning themselves for its 2027 presidential ticket, beyond former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barrister Okechukwu Osuoha, revealed this on Sunday, September 14 that the party is currently engaged in intense internal negotiations and consultations to determine who will eventually emerge as its flagbearer.

His remarks followed comments by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, who listed Jonathan, Obi, and Makinde among those being considered. Moro also noted that other qualified contenders from the South could still enter the race as discussions progress.

“Those names you mentioned are still speculations. Right now, what is paramount in the party is negotiations and discussions, with people trying to identify who will be the most credible candidate,” Osuoha said.

He added that while public attention is focused on the three figures, other potential aspirants from across the South are already in private talks with stakeholders.

According to him, the PDP’s immediate priority is to hold its national convention to elect new officers who will lead the party for the next four years. After the convention, the party will move to streamline the list of presidential aspirants ahead of the primaries.

“It is during that period that we will narrow it down to those who are going to contest. The party will want to conduct a free and fair primary to maintain transparency and prove that when we talk about democracy, we live by it,” he said.

Osuoha explained that the PDP’s zoning arrangement will guide the process, noting that the presidency has been zoned to the South.

“Whoever will contest must come from the South-West, South-East, or South-South,” he stated, stressing that regional balance and party unity would be key considerations. 

Zookeeper, 58, e@ten alive by pack of lions in front of tourists after stepping out of truck at safari park

A zookeeper was dragged to the ground and e@ten alive by a pride of lions in Thailand. 

The attack happened at Safari World Bangkok when 58-year-old Jian Rangkharasamee stepped out of his jeep in the lion enclosure. 

Witnesses said a lion crept up from behind before pouncing on him. Several other lions then quickly joined in to tear at his flesh. 

Visitors honked their car horns and shouted in an attempt to scare off the lions, but the animals mauled Rangkharasamee to de@th as tourists looked on in horror. 

Professor Tavatchai Kanchanarin, doctor at a leading hospital, saw the tragedy unfold at around 11am on Wednesday. 

He said: "The lion attacked the zookeeper while he was getting out of his car. 

"It was about 10 metres away, then slowly approached and grabbed the zookeeper from behind, dragging him to the ground and biting him. 

"Three or four other lions then joined in with biting the zookeeper. 

"Many people witnessed the incident but didn't know how to help. They honked their own car horns and shouted for help." 

He added the ordeal lasted around 15 minutes before staff managed to reach the victim. 

Rangkharasamee, a veteran keeper who had worked with lions for nearly 30 years, was rushed to Intrarat Hospital but was pronounced de@d on arrival, according to Nation Thailand. 

Police believe the zookeeper broke strict safety protocols by leaving his vehicle. 

The drive-through safari zone has a no-exit policy for both staff and visitors, People reported. 

Pol Col Niruchphon Yothamat of Khannayao Police Station said: “Normally, he would stay in the vehicle, and the lion would move away once the engine was started, but in this case, the vehicle's door was still open.” 

A fellow keeper, Phanom Sitsaeng, was the first to try to help after hearing horns blaring, but the lions had already inflicted fatal injuries. 

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has since ordered the temporary closure of the safari zone while safety checks are carried out. 

“The incident will be further investigated to determine what happened,” said DNP director-general Atthapol Charoenchansa. 

A senior Safari World official told local media all 32 lions at the park are licensed, insisting: “We have rules and we repeat them often as we work with dangerous animals.” 

He described Rangkharasamee as “a kind man”.

Edwin Wiek of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand said: “This incident should serve as a stark reminder that these animals, even when raised by humans from birth, still pose a serious threat to human life that can be triggered without warning.”

Suspect in Charlie Kirk murder identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson

The suspect in the murder of American right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has been identified as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah.

The New York Post reported Robinson’s identity, while CNN revealed that he confessed to his father about shooting and killing Kirk during an event at the University of Utah. His father then contacted authorities and turned him in.

Robinson, described by neighbors as a quiet and withdrawn young man, had no significant prior criminal record. Sources say he had been struggling with personal issues, and investigators are now working to determine whether the shooting was politically motivated or linked to a personal grievance.

Charlie Kirk, 31, was the founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization that grew into one of the most prominent right-wing activist groups in America. Known for his outspoken views on college campuses, Kirk was scheduled to appear at the University of Utah as part of his “American Comeback Tour” when the fatal shooting occurred.

The murder has sparked nationwide reactions, with political figures and activists from across the spectrum condemning the violence. Authorities have stated that Robinson is cooperating with investigators following his father’s decision to alert police.

Robinson is expected to face formal charges in the coming days, as officials continue to piece together the motive behind the attack.