Pope urges release of journalists detained for ‘seeking truth’

Pope Leo XIV called for the release of journalists jailed “for seeking and reporting the truth”. 

He said this on Monday, May 12, while speaking at an introductory audience with the media just days after being elected by cardinals in a secret conclave. 

He also warned reporters against using their words to fan hatred. 

The Pope, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, told assembled journalists at the Vatican’s vast Paul VI audience hall: “Peace begins with each one of us — in the way we look at others, listen to others and speak about others. 

“In this sense, the way we communicate is of fundamental importance. We must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images. We must reject the paradigm of war. 

“Let me, therefore, reiterate today the Church’s solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for seeking and reporting the truth, while also asking for their release. 

“The Church recognises in these witnesses — I am thinking of those who report on war even at the cost of their lives — the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices. 

“The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the international community, calling on all of us to safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press.” 

According to Reporters Without Borders, 550 journalists were detained in 2024, as of December 1. 

Pope Leo also reminded journalists of their responsibilities. 

“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression,” he said. 

“We do not need loud, forceful communication but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice. 

“Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world.” 

For those on the forefront of reporting conflicts, injustice and poverty, he said, “I ask you to choose consciously and courageously the path of communication in favour of peace”.

Kidnappers demand N500,000 ransom for abducted five-year-old Lagos girl

 

Suspected kidnappers who abducted a five-year-old girl, Memunah Abdulrahman, in Lagos State have demanded a ransom of N500,000 from her family. 

Memunah was abducted on March 9, 2025, while returning home from an Islamic school in the Ejigbo area of the state.

 

The suspect was reported to have approached Memunah and her sister near a well-known supermarket in the Ejigbo community and lured them inside.

While pretending to purchase items for them, the suspect reportedly vanished with Memunah, leaving her sister behind.

The girl’s father, Abdurrahman Alimi, who confirmed the latest development in an interview with Punch said that the suspects contacted him via a private number last month (April) to demand the payment.

“It was almost a month after my daughter was abducted that they called us. They hid their phone numbers and asked us to pay N500,000 before they would release my daughter. They hung up the phone and have not called back since then. I believe my daughter is still alive," he explained.

"We told the police about this development. They said we should ask them to contact us via WhatsApp.

“We don’t know what the police are doing about it. On Friday, it will be exactly two months since my daughter was abducted."

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the Commissioner of Police, Owohunwa Jimoh, had ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case.

Although the family acknowledged that SCID operatives visited the community shortly after the directive was issued, Alimi told the publication that they had since been left in the dark regarding the progress of the investigation. 

Bill Gates accuses Elon Musk of k!lling children with USAID cuts

Bill Gates has accused Elon Musk of “k!lling the world’s poorest children” after the Tesla billionaire scrapped America’s overseas aid agency. 

The Microsoft founder, who was formerly the world’s richest man, said Musk’s decisions would result in children in Africa being infected with HIV. 

He also criticised a decision by Sir Keir Starmer to cut Britain’s overseas aid budget, calling it “surprising and disappointing”. 

Gates said Musk’s decision to strip USAID, the US government’s overseas aid agency, of funding in February would lead to a surge of diseases such as measles, HIV and polio in some of the world’s poorest nations. 

“The picture of the world’s richest man k!lling the world’s poorest children is not a pretty one,” he told the Financial Times. 

USAID managed more than $40bn in US international aid but Mr Musk cut the organisation, which he branded “a viper’s nest of radical-Left Marxists who hate America” and a “criminal organisation”. 

Officials from Musk’s Department for Government Efficiency (Doge) took control of USAID’s offices in early February, sacking nearly all of its staff or placing them on leave. Overseas projects were left in limbo, with staff ordered to return home. 

Gates said Musk had cancelled hospital funding to Gaza Province, in Mozambique, falsely claiming that the funding was sending condoms to Hamas in Gaza in the Middle East. 

“I’d love for him to go in and meet the children that have now been infected with HIV because he cut that money,” Gates told the Financial Times. 

Elon Musk later admitted Doge had made some “mistakes”. 

The two billionaires have clashed previously. Mr Musk originally signed Mr Gates’s Giving Pledge, in which billionaires promise to give away half their wealth. However, the Tesla chief later called most philanthropy “bull****”, according to Walter Isaacson, his biographer.

White smoke seen above Sistine Chapel, signaling election of new pope

The chimney above the Sistine Chapel.

White smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating that cardinals have successfully elected a new pope.

The identity of the pope has yet to be revealed.

The 133 voting cardinals deliberated in the Sistine Chapel since Wednesday, the first day of the conclave.

Suspected herdsmen k!ll APC chieftain and three others in Benue

 

Gunmen suspected to be armed herders k!lled a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Akaabo Johnson and three other people in Mbatsada communities in Mbalom and Mbasombo council ward in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

The suspected armed herders invaded the communities around 4:35 pm on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in a commando way and shot indiscriminately, resulting in the death of four people.

The Chairman of Gwer-East LGA, Timothy Adi, who confirmed the incident to the punch on Wednesday, said the attack was unprovoked.

Adi, who decried the activities of armed herders in the council, said that the Tuesday attack was the second within the last two weeks

He said that security men had been deployed to the area to secure the boundary lines of the local government area, in a bid to prevent further attacks.

“Four dead bodies among them an APC elder in the ward were recovered and there bodies taken to St. Gregory Hospital morgue,” he said. 

“I urge residents, particularly the youth, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to relevant security agencies

“We must remain united and steadfast. This attack is a tragedy, but we will not allow fear to rule us. Governor Alia is not resting—plans are underway to put an end to these unprovoked attacks." 

The chairman commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his prompt intervention and timely support that had facilitated the rapid deployment of security forces to contain the situation.

FG plays Nnamdi Kanu’s broadcast, videos in court to establish alleged terrorism charge

The ongoing trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, continued on Wednesday May 7, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja with the Federal government prosecution counsel playing some of the ”Radio Biafra”’ broadcast and videos made in open court to establish the allegation of terrorism preferred against him.

The broadcast and video documents, which were marked as exhibits, were tendered through the 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2), identified as BBB, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The recordings were said to have featured statements allegedly made by Kanu during periods of national unrest, including the 2020 EndSARS protests and various security incidents in the South-East.

According to reports, in one of the broadcasts, Kanu was reportedly heard lamenting Fulani herders’ attacks and accusing Nigerian governors of betraying the South-East region. 

He also reportedly made controversial remarks about prominent political figures, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The content of the broadcasts reportedly ranged from calls for self-defense to direct criticisms of perceived government failures.

It was gathered that a key point of contention was the interpretation of the broadcasts, as while the prosecution argued that the statements incited violence and promoted secessionist agendas, Kanu’s defense team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), maintained that the broadcasts were political expressions protected under constitutional rights & travel guides

The prosecution’s witness, under examination, confirmed Kanu’s identity in the videos and attempted to link the broadcasts to violent incidents, including attacks on security facilities.

However, when questioned on certain charges, the witness admitted being unaware that some of the said charges had been previously struck out by the court.

A notable portion of today’s hearing also centered around the 2017 proscription of IPOB.

The defense made no objections to the admission of the proscription document but pointed out that the ban was imposed through an ex parte order without IPOB’s legal representation.

The court was also presented with a letter from the former Attorney General of the Federation directing Kanu’s arrest, a document which the defence insisted was not initially served to them.

Justice Omotosho had earlier insisted that all evidence must be duly served to the defence in the interest of fair hearing.

The trial was adjourned to Thursday, May 8, for continuation of the examination of prosecution witnesses.   

US media stocks tumble after Trump’s 100% tariff threat

 

American media stocks dropped on Monday, May 5, following President Donald Trump's announcement of a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the United States, a move that could significantly impact Hollywood's global operations and the broader entertainment industry. 

The proposed tariff, though lacking in specific details, raises uncertainty about whether it will apply to films on streaming platforms, theatrical releases, or if it will be calculated based on production costs or box office revenue.

In 2023, American movies generated $22.6 billion in exports, contributing to a trade surplus of $15.3 billion, according to data from the American Motion Picture and Television Industry. The potential impact of the tariff comes at a time when Hollywood increasingly relies on international production hubs. A recent survey by ProdPro revealed that the top five preferred production locations for studio executives planning for 2025 to 2026 were all outside the U.S., driven largely by tax incentives and cost efficiencies.

Streaming services, particularly Netflix, may be the most vulnerable to the tariff policy, analysts told Reuters. Netflix has built its content model around a global production network aimed at delivering localized and international content. Following the announcement, Netflix shares fell 4.9% in premarket trading, leading the decline in media sector stocks.

Despite Los Angeles’s reputation as the center of the movie industry, none of this year’s top ten Oscar contenders were filmed in the city, highlighting the extent to which production has shifted overseas. Many studios now operate through a global supply chain, with filming in Europe, post-production in Canada, and visual effects work outsourced to Southeast Asia. A forced return of production to the U.S. could drive up costs substantially.

Shares of major entertainment companies, including Walt Disney Co, Warner Bros, Discovery, and Universal-owner Comcast, also declined on Monday, dropping between 0.8% and 2.7% amid investor concerns over the financial implications of the proposed tariffs.

Bandits reportedly k!ll NSCDC officer attached to Zamfara First Lady

 

Suspected bandits have k!lled an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Isah Yunusa, in Kaduna State.

The incident occurred on Sunday night, May 4, 2025, when the bandits set up a barricade on the Kaduna to Kachia road, attacking travelers.

Security analyst and conflict journalist, Bakatsine, who disclosed this on Monday, said the late officer was attached to the First Lady of Zamfara State, Huriyya Dauda Lawal.

Kano NNPP will follow Kwankwaso wherever he goes - Governor Abba Yusuf

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has reaffirmed his loyalty to former governor and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, declaring that he will continue to follow the political path laid by his predecessor.

Speaking on Sunday, May 4, at the Kano Government House while addressing 484 local government councillors from the state’s 44 LGAs, Yusuf said, “We will continue to follow the path of our leader. Wherever he goes politically, we will follow. He is our leader and we are proud of him.”

His statement comes amid increasing defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), fueling speculation that some governors may soon switch allegiances. Yusuf’s remarks were seen as a firm reaffirmation of loyalty at a time when party alignments are under pressure.

The governor also urged councilors to strengthen grassroots engagement and serve as a crucial link between the government and their communities.

“You are the eyes and ears of government at the grassroots,” Yusuf was quoted as saying by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. “Go back to your wards, listen to the people, and present their most urgent needs. Once you do that, we will act.”

He announced that nearly N5 billion has been earmarked for ward-level projects to address local infrastructure needs, including classrooms, drainage systems, and other community-specific priorities.

“We must be sincere, transparent, and committed in the way we use public funds,” the governor said. “Every kobo must go into projects that directly benefit our people.”

Nigerian lady seeks help to find her mother who was banished from their village 20 years ago after being falsely accused of stealing N5,000 by her aunt

A Nigerian lady, Princess Nkem Azodo, has embarked on a search for her mother, Obioma Maria Ezike Azodo, who was banished from their village, Nawgwu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, 20 years ago after being accused of stealing N5,000 by her aunt.  

Nkem, who disclosed this in a Facebook post on April 30, 2025, said that her mother visited them secretly after the banishment.

Nkem said she left the village in 2018, but her mother continued seeing her younger siblings until 2011. Since then, all efforts to locate her whereabouts have proved abortive. 

“Life is strange and painfully private. Many don’t know that back in 2005, my mother was falsely accused of stealing N5,000 by my aunt. No one believed her innocence. She was banished from our village—her own home—without any chance to defend herself,” she wrote.  

I remember clearly that day, she had just returned from the farm with firewood. She went to Nkwo market to sell them. When she came back, my aunt showed up at our house with the vigilante group. Everything changed from that moment. 

Even after the banishment, she kept visiting us quietly still checking in on her children. She came often until I finally left the village in 2008. She continued seeing my younger siblings until around 2011. During those years, she kept asking about me, but we couldn’t speak. There was no communication. No phone. No way to connect.

As I grew older and came of age, I began to search for her but I still haven’t found her. Her own family doesn't seem to know her whereabouts either. I don’t know if she’s still alive. I don’t know where to look anymore. And the pain of not knowing never goes away. 

Please help us find my mother.

Name: Obioma Maria Ezike Azodo

From: Nawgwu, Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State

She has been missing, and we are very worried. If you have seen her or have any information about her whereabouts, please contact me immediately. Kindly share this post to help spread the word. Thank you.