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Africa makes history, dominates World Cup knockout berths with 9 teams

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Africa makes history, dominates World Cup knockout berths with 9 teams

AFRICAN football has reached a milestone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as nine of the continent’s 10 representatives secured places in the Round of 32, shattering the previous record of just two African teams reaching the knockout stage of the tournament.

The historic feat was completed on Saturday after Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo booked the final African spots in the expanded 48-team competition.

DR Congo sealed their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory with a spirited 3-1 comeback win over Uzbekistan in Atlanta.

After falling behind early, the Leopards responded through a brace from Yoane Wissa and a goal by Fiston Mayele to finish among the tournament’s best third-placed teams and setting up a Round of 32 clash against England.

Algeria secured a place in the Round of 32 after battling Austria to a 3-3 draw in their final Group J match in Kansas City. The result was enough for the Desert Foxes to edge Iran out of the final qualification spot reserved for the tournament’s best third-placed teams, setting up a knockout clash against Switzerland.

Their qualification completed a historic feat for African football, with Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cape Verde, Ghana, Senegal, Algeria and DR Congo advancing to the next stage of the tournament. The nine qualifiers mark Africa’s best-ever representation in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, with Tunisia the continent’s lone casualty in the group phase.

Ghana also progressed despite a 2-1 defeat to Croatia, doing enough to finish among the best third-placed teams, meaning that the Black Stars will meet Colombia in the Round of 32, while Senegal will face Belgium.

The landmark performance underlines Africa’s growing competitiveness on the global stage, particularly under FIFA’s expanded 48-team format, which increased Africa’s allocation from five to 10 teams.

By qualification rate, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) emerged as the best-performing confederation at the tournament, with nine of its 10 teams, representing a remarkable 90 per cent, advancing to the knockout stage.

South America’s CONMEBOL followed with an 83.3 per cent progression rate, while Europe’s UEFA advanced with 81.25 per cent of its teams. CONCACAF recorded a 50 per cent qualification rate, Asia’s AFC managed 22.2 per cent, while Oceania failed to send a team into the Round of 32.

Round of 32 fixtures involving African teams in Nigerian time

  • South Africa vs Canada — June 28, 8:00 p.m.
  • Netherlands vs Morocco — June 30, 2:00 a.m.
  • Côte d’Ivoire vs Norway — June 30, 6:00 p.m.
  • England vs DR Congo — July 1, 5:00 a.m.
  • Belgium vs Senegal — July 1, 9:00 p.m.
  • Switzerland vs Algeria — July 3, 4:00 a.m.
  • Australia vs Egypt — July 3, 7:00 p.m.
  • Argentina vs Cape Verde — July 3, 11:00 p.m.
  • Colombia vs Ghana — July 4, 2:30 a.m.

The next stage of the tournament begins on Sunday across host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico as African nations seek to extend what has already become the continent’s greatest FIFA World Cup campaign.

NDC: INEC awaits CTC before deciding on registration

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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NDC: INEC awaits CTC before deciding on registration

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would not take a position on the recent Federal High Court judgment that nullified an earlier order directing the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling.

Speaking with PUNCH on Saturday, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said although the commission was aware of widespread reports about the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja on Friday, it could not comment on the substance of the decision without first examining the court’s certified order.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is aware of reports circulating in the media regarding the judgment delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier order concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. However, as of this moment, the commission has not yet received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s order,” Oketola said.

He explained that the commission’s legal department would review the judgment immediately after obtaining the certified copy before advising the commission on the appropriate legal and administrative steps.

“Once the commission’s legal department receives and thoroughly studies the CTC of the judgment, INEC will take an informed, lawful decision in line with the court’s directives.

“Until then, we cannot comment on the specifics of the ruling, and the public is urged to await the commission’s formal position on the matter,” he added.

INEC’s response follows Friday’s ruling by Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which set aside the court’s December 10, 2025 judgment that had compelled the electoral commission to register the NDC as a political party.

Dashen held that the earlier judgment was reached without joining the Peace Movement Party, whose legal rights were allegedly affected by the proceedings. The party had claimed ownership of the logo relied upon by the NDC in securing the registration order.

The court consequently restored all parties to the positions they occupied before the December 2025 judgment and directed that the substantive suit be heard afresh with all necessary parties joined in the proceedings.

The ruling has sparked fresh legal and political controversy.

Rejecting the decision, the NDC announced plans to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal. The party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, insisted that the judgment did not amount to the deregistration of the party and argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to reopen a matter after delivering a final judgment.

The development has also drawn criticism from leading opposition figures, including the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Dickson, and other opposition stakeholders, who described the judgment as a setback for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and vowed to pursue all available legal remedies.

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Why transparency, accountability matter in appointment of judges

Marcus FATUNMOLE  and  News Agency
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Why transparency, accountability matter in appointment of judges

THE appointment and discipline of judges remain among the most important processes in any democratic society.

They determine the quality, independence and credibility of the justice system.

A judiciary that commands public confidence depends largely on how judges are selected, assessed and held accountable.

In Nigeria, the process of appointing judicial officers has continued to generate discussions among legal practitioners and stakeholders.

The concerns mainly revolve around transparency, accountability, merit and possible external influence.

While the National Judicial Council (NJC) plays a major role, questions about openness remain.

The NJC recommends judicial appointments and handles disciplinary matters involving judicial officers.

Legal practitioners believe strengthening transparency will improve public confidence in the judiciary.

They argue that justice institutions must be protected from perceptions of interference.

Some lawyers, including Enitan Oluwa, a development practitioner, and Oluwole Kehinde, shared their views with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Kehinde is the Principal Counsel at OKC Attorneys and Editor of the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports.

Kehinde Nubi, Principal Counsel at Kehinde Nubi and Associates, also expressed his opinions in an interview with NAN.

The lawyers acknowledged that Nigeria had a constitutional framework for appointing judges.

However, they raised concerns about political influence and weak accountability mechanisms.

According to them, the NJC remains central to judicial appointments. The council receives applications, screens candidates, conducts interviews and recommends successful applicants.

They noted that superior court judges could not be appointed without NJC recommendations.

However, the final involvement of political office holders, including the president and state governors creates concerns.

The lawyers said this arrangement could allow political considerations into the process.

Oluwa said the process appeared merit-based but faced practical challenges. “On paper, appointments are based on competence, experience and integrity,” she said.

She added that personal relationships and political connections should not influence judicial selection.

“A judge should emerge through merit and professional excellence,” Oluwa stated.

According to Kehinde, vacancies are advertised and stakeholders contribute to the process. However, he argued that competence must remain the decisive factor.

“There must be confidence that appointments are based on ability,” Kehinde said, explaining that judges make decisions affecting citizens and institutions. Therefore, their selection must inspire public trust.

Nubi expressed concern about the executive role in final appointments. He said it could create doubts about judicial independence. “The judiciary must be seen as completely independent,” Nubi said.

The lawyers called for reforms to reduce political influence. They recommended a more transparent and accountable appointment system.

Nubi suggested establishing an independent Judicial Appointments Commission. He said such a body could strengthen confidence in the process.

“The appointment process should be managed through an independent structure,” Nubi added.

Kehinde recommended a system similar to the United Kingdom model. He said candidates should be assessed through records and professional achievements.

“Judicial appointments must not depend on personal connections,” Kehinde said.

The lawyers identified key qualities expected from judges. These include integrity, legal knowledge, experience and good character. They said judges must interpret laws fairly and without fear.

Oluwa also highlighted the importance of diversity on the bench. She advocated increased representation of women and persons with disabilities.

She also called for more judges with human rights experience. “A diverse judiciary is more likely to reflect society,” Oluwa said.

The lawyers also discussed judicial discipline and accountability. They acknowledged the NJC’s constitutional role in investigating complaints.

The council can sanction judicial officers found guilty of misconduct. Some judges have been suspended or compulsorily retired after investigations.

Nubi described recent disciplinary actions as positive developments. He said integrity checks showed commitment to accountability. “These steps demonstrate that misconduct can be addressed,” Nubi said.

However, the lawyers insisted that further improvements were necessary. Oluwa said disciplinary proceedings were sometimes not transparent enough.

She argued that citizens should understand how complaints are handled. “When processes are unclear, public confidence may decline,” she said.

Kehinde expressed concern about handling serious allegations against judges. He said investigations must be thorough and consistent. “No one in the judiciary should be beyond accountability,” Kehinde stated.

The lawyers identified challenges affecting judicial appointments and discipline. These include corruption, nepotism, political pressure and weak oversight.

They warned that such challenges could damage public confidence. A judiciary lacking trust struggles to deliver effective justice.

They called for greater public participation in judicial appointments. They also recommended stronger scrutiny of judicial candidates.

According to them, openness promotes fairness and credibility. They stressed that judicial independence must come with responsibility.

They said independence does not mean judges should operate without accountability. Rather, both principles must work together. The appointment of judges goes beyond an administrative process.

It determines who protects rights and resolves legal disputes. Therefore, every stage must be fair and transparent. Citizens must trust that judges are selected on merit,” they noted.

The lawyers urged authorities to strengthen judicial institutions. They called for reforms that promote integrity and public confidence.

According to them, transparency and accountability are essential pillars. A respected judiciary depends on fair appointments and responsible conduct.

Nigeria’s justice system can only thrive through trust and independence. The future of the judiciary depends on reforms that prioritise merit.

A transparent system will strengthen democracy and the rule of law, they added.

MTN chair blames xenophobia on governance failure

Marcus FATUNMOLE  and  News Agency
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MTN chair blames xenophobia on governance failure

THE MTN Group Chairman, Mcebisi Jonas, on Friday blamed South Africa’s recurring xenophobic attacks on governance failure.

Jonas said that immigrants were being unfairly scapegoated for deep-rooted national challenges.

He spoke at the funeral of Zimbabwean-born activist and public servant, Thokozani Damasane, where he urged South Africans to embrace humanity, continental solidarity and reject identity politics.

This is according to a statement by the Senior Manager, External Relations, MTN Nigeria, Funsho Aina.

Jonas said that rising hostility toward foreign nationals reflected governance failure, including weak border management, corruption, unemployment, inequality and poor public service delivery.

According to him, expelling foreign nationals will neither tackle unemployment nor reduce inequality, corruption and political opportunism confronting South Africa.

“The problem is the failure of the state. It does not manage immigration, borders, law enforcement, education or other critical responsibilities,” Jonas said.

He said that politicians were exploiting citizens’ frustrations by blaming foreigners instead of addressing governance failure responsible for the country’s socio-economic difficulties.

Jonas also traced tribalism and ethnic divisions to colonial rule, describing them as artificial identities created to divide Africans and sustain political control.

He urged South Africans to reject ethnic nationalism, saying identity politics had weakened national unity and fuelled intolerance against fellow Africans.

Reflecting on Damasane’s life, Jonas described him as a Zimbabwean who embraced South Africa’s struggles and became an integral part of its democratic journey.

He said Damasane demonstrated that humanity, integrity and commitment to justice mattered more than nationality or place of birth.

Jonas recalled Damasane’s warning that worsening inequality, corruption and exclusion could one day force more South Africans to seek opportunities beyond their country’s borders.

Calling for renewed national consciousness, Jonas said that South Africa’s prosperity remained inseparable from Africa’s collective economic growth and political stability.

“ We cannot judge people or determine their legal status by their origin,” he said.

Jonas said that MTN’s operations across 19 African markets reinforced the importance of stronger regional cooperation, peaceful co-existence and mutual trust among African nations.

His remarks come amid renewed concerns over recurring xenophobic violence targeting African migrants, which has strained South Africa’s diplomatic and economic relations across the continent. (NAN)

Connected by touch: Advocacy groups push for inclusion of deafblind people

Zainab ABDULRASAQ
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Connected by touch: Advocacy groups push for inclusion of deafblind people

June 27 started as a day to commemorate the birthday of disability rights advocate Helen Keller, who was the first deafblind person in the U.S. to earn a bachelor’s degree. Since then, the day has been dedicated to celebrating International Day of Deafblindness, also known as International Day of Persons with Deafblindness.

Deafblindness is a condition characterised by little or no useful hearing and little or no useful sight. Because of this, deafblind people require varied management plans to improve their outcomes in areas such as communication, education, work, and general life satisfaction.

According to the Helen Keller National Centre, the theme for this year is: “Connected by Touch: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges.” It highlights the fundamental role of touch in communication, connection, and access for deafblind individuals.

Touch is said to be the foundation of how deafblind individuals navigate the world. From protactile language, tactile sign language, and haptics to the use of braille, assistive technology, and everyday interaction. Through touch, deafblind individuals communicate, learn, work, and thrive.

In December 2023, James Lalu, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) revealed that 35.1 million persons are currently living with disabilities in Nigeria. This means that 16% of Nigeria’s 216.8 million population has some form of disability. The ICIR observed that no official statistics or census is tracking the number of people living with deafblindness or dual sensory impairments in the country.

Speaking with The ICIR in commemoration of the day, the Vice President of the National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities, Beatrice Awala Mube, called for unity and inclusion in the education sector, saying it will prevent deafblind children from being overlooked.

“The disability community strongly advocates for inclusive education, where children with disabilities and children without disability learn under the same roof but in a different classroom to promote inclusion,” she said.

“With this system, you can agree with me that deafblind children will be fully included under the principles of leave no one behind,”

Regarding the barriers to tracking this population, Mube pointed to national policy failures. Speaking from her perspective within the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), she explained that the inability to monitor and support deafblind individuals stems from a lack of policy enforcement rather than a lack of existing laws.

“The major barriers are the poor implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with disabilities prohibition Act 2018,” she said.

Given the high cost of communication tools and equipment, she emphasised that the government must take responsibility for learning tools.

“My take on this is, if the Government can input working tools and implement them for other organisations, learning instructional materials for deafblind children should not be an exception. We from JONAPWD have always advocated for import-free duties from all forms of assistive device mobility aids for all persons with disabilities,” she noted.

However, speaking from a perspective as a visually impaired leader who has managed these systemic gaps firsthand, Ishaku Adamu, former National President of the Nigeria Association of the Blind and the current National Secretary for JONAPWD explained that structured inclusion had begun for the deafblind, following a directive from the World Blind Union to identify and organise the population. The initiative, he said, led to the recent launch of a national association to ensure they can represent themselves.

“We received a letter from the World Blind Union instructing all member states to start mobilising, identifying those who are deaf-blind and trying to put them into a kind of formidable or well-organised structure or association, so that they can advocate for themselves,” he said.

Adamu acknowledged that deafblind individuals face severe neglect, even within the disability community, and said their ongoing integration into the national frameworks will better accommodate them.

“There is nothing we do in the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities that we leave them behind. We make sure they are part of the advocacy in whatever we do. We call them the most marginalised among the disability group, you know, even their voices are less heard, so we always try to give them a kind of opportunity, because deafblind and those with intellectual disability, they have been neglected for long, even within disability community.”

He also highlighted the mode of communication for them, where he mentioned the two trainings they undergo.

“One is the tactile mode, where we communicate by touching the body, and the other person also has to touch you to understand the communication. The second one is training them to understand technology. They can learn Braille. After learning braille, certain technologies will help them to adapt.”

He concluded by calling on the government to implement policies that provide support for visually impaired and deafblind individuals as they face the same economic exclusion. Adamu also urged the government to remove all import duties on assistive devices and support local manufacturing to make the tools both available and affordable. He stressed that government ministries must explicitly include these devices in their annual budgets so they can be purchased and distributed for free to those who need them.

ADC, Peter Obi raise fresh concerns over state police bill

Mustapha USMAN
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ADC, Peter Obi raise fresh concerns over state police bill

THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have criticised the National Assembly’s passage of the state police bill, warning that the proposed reform could be vulnerable to abuse if implemented without adequate safeguards.

In separate statements on Friday, June 26, they described the establishment of state police as a necessary constitutional reform but argued that the legislative process had been rushed and lacked sufficient public consultation.

The criticisms came days after the National Assembly passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

The ADC said while it had consistently supported decentralised policing, it could not endorse what it described as the Tinubu administration’s ‘panicky’ handling of the reform.

For Obi, one of his biggest concerns about the development is that President Bola Tinubu’s administration could use the new policing structure to influence the 2027 general election.

In its reaction, the ADC said state police had been a long-standing constitutional proposal that enjoyed broad national support and should not be presented as a new initiative or an immediate solution to the country’s security challenges.

“What we are witnessing is a hurried response to a worsening security crisis, not the careful institutional planning required to build a functional, accountable, and effective policing system,” the party said.

The party argued that the legislation was being rushed through the National Assembly without the broad consultation required for a constitutional amendment of such significance.

“It is too important, and the security of Nigerians too urgent, to be reduced to a quick legislative fix or rushed through the National Assembly without the broad consultation such a far-reaching reform demands,” the party stated.

The opposition party questioned why Tinubu’s administration waited until the latter part of its tenure before pursuing the constitutional amendment if it was genuinely committed to decentralised policing.

It also warned that passing the law would only mark the beginning of a much more complex process involving recruitment, training, funding, operational guidelines, command structures and oversight mechanisms.

The ADC further raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards to prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation.

Similarly, Obi described the passage of the bill as a significant legislative milestone but expressed concerns over what he called a disorderly legislative process.

He said decentralised policing had long been advocated by security experts and stakeholders because Nigeria’s centralised policing system was ill-suited to a country of its size and diversity.

However, Obi faulted the manner in which the bill was passed, saying there was no public hearing on such a sensitive constitutional amendment.

“The process should involve greater community participation. Policing should be more visible at the local government and community levels,” he said.

According to him, the speed with which the legislation was enacted had fueled suspicion about possible political motives.

Obi said the greatest concern was not logistics but the possibility that governors could weaponise state police against opponents.

“There is a widespread, justifiable fear that state police forces could become instruments in the hands of governors,” he said, adding that such forces could be used to suppress opposition, disrupt political rallies and influence elections.

He called for the establishment of independent state Police Service Commissions insulated from executive control to oversee recruitment, discipline and operations.

Court sentences Boko Haram member to death by hanging

News Agency  and  Esther Tomo
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Court sentences Boko Haram member to death by hanging

THE FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has sentenced a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group, Alkali Yarima, popularly known as La’ari, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of taking part in the 2015 attack on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The judgement was delivered on Friday by one of the court justices, James Omotosho, who also imposed several prison terms on the convict for other terrorism-related offences.

Apart from the death sentence, the court ordered that Yarima serve life imprisonment for undergoing weapons and arms training in preparation for terrorist activities. He was also sentenced to 35 years in prison for belonging to the outlawed Boko Haram sect, while another charge earned him a 30-year jail term. In addition, the judge handed him 10 years’ imprisonment on each of three separate counts.

The seven-count case, marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026, was brought before the court by the Federal Government. The charges were dated May 26 and filed on May 29 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, a senior advocate.

According to the prosecution, Yarima, identified with Chest Number 1636 from the Lawanti area of Mafa Local Government Area in Borno State, remained a member of Boko Haram between 2009 and the time he was arrested in 2015.

The government further alleged that he accepted “Da’awah from Mohammed Yusuf (founder of Boko Haram)”, an offence punishable under Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

On the count that resulted in a life sentence, prosecutors told the court that the convict engaged in conduct in preparation to commit acts of terrorism when he travelled to an Arab country for training on arms and weapon handling. The offence is punishable under Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

The court also found him guilty of participating in the 2015 assault on Maiduguri, an offence under Section 2(1) of the same law. That conviction attracted the death penalty.

Although terrorism trials are commonly conducted at the Federal High Court in Kainji, Niger State, this particular case was heard and concluded in Abuja.

Speaking after the judgement, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, a senor advocate, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling terrorism across the country.

He said, “We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe place for everybody.”

The minister added that the government would continue to pursue individuals involved in terrorism and other violent crimes to strengthen national security and protect the lives of citizens.

(NAN)

Court overturns judgment recognising NDC as political party

News Agency  and  Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Court overturns judgment recognising NDC as political party

A FEDERAL High Court in Lokoja on Friday set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

The presiding judge, Isah Dashen, held that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision could be made in the matter.

The court upheld the application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that the party was a necessary party to the suit.

According to the judge, the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective as it was delivered without hearing from all interested parties.

He declared that such an omission rendered the entire process null and void.

Dashen further ruled that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 2025 judgment, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He also observed that certain material facts were suppressed in the earlier proceedings, which justified the decision to set aside the judgment.

Consequently, the court ordered that the substantive suit should begin afresh, with INEC, the PMP and the NDC as parties to the case.

Counsel to the applicant, Chikezie Ekeocha, told journalists that the PMP approached the court after discovering that NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had previously submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.

According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected and consequently vacated the earlier judgment.

“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” he said.

He explained that the implication of the ruling was that every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment stands reversed.

“The recognition of the NDC, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha stated.

He, however, clarified that the substantive case remained before the court and had not been decided.

“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.”

Ekeocha also dismissed suggestions that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically directed a restoration of the position that existed before the December 10, 2025, judgment.

The ruling effectively returns the dispute over the registration of the NDC to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties expected to participate before a new determination is made. (NAN)

The ICIR reports that former Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, led the process for the party’s registration and has since been its national leader.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is running as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 poll, alongside his running mate, former Kano State governor, Musa Kwankwaso.

 

Rescuers race against time as Venezuela earthquake death toll climbs to 235

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Rescuers race against time as Venezuela earthquake death toll climbs to 235

RESCUE teams are working around the clock to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings in Venezuela after twin earthquakes killed at least 235 people and injured about 4,300 others.

According to CNN, Venezuelan authorities said many people remain missing following the powerful earthquakes, which struck on Wednesday and devastated large parts of Caracas, La Guaira and surrounding communities, flattening homes and leaving thousands homeless.

Emergency responders are racing to save those still trapped before the critical 48- to 72-hour “golden window” for finding survivors closes.

International search-and-rescue teams from Chile, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico and Switzerland have arrived in Venezuela to support local emergency workers, according to state broadcaster VTV.

The Chilean Air Force said it transported 30 members of the Chilean Fire Brigade’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) unit to the disaster zone, while Venezuelan authorities released footage showing Mexican rescue personnel and specially trained search dogs arriving to assist recovery efforts.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said rescue operations had become a continuous, 24-hour effort as humanitarian workers struggle to reach those trapped beneath the rubble.

The IFRC’s Regional Director, Loyce Peace, told CNN that the search and rescue effort was constant and is 24 hours around the clock, noting that they lacked enough time and people necessarily to reach everyone.

Peace warned that while emergency rescue remains the immediate priority, the humanitarian consequences would persist long after global attention fades.

The disaster has prompted a broad international response despite longstanding political tensions involving Venezuela.

The United States announced a $150 million humanitarian aid package, deploying elite rescue teams, medical resources and military assets, including the amphibious transport ship USS Fort Lauderdale and transport aircraft to support relief operations.

The United Nations said it was coordinating the deployment of additional urban search-and-rescue teams.

Neighbouring Colombia is sending more than 60 rescue personnel and trained search dogs, while El Salvador has dispatched 300 rescuers and paramedics alongside 50 metric tonnes of humanitarian supplies, including medicines and essential relief materials.

Spain is deploying a field hospital, funding emergency assistance and sending 58 search-and-rescue specialists, firefighters and canine units. France, the Czech Republic, Panama, Cuba, Mexico, China, Japan and several other countries have also pledged personnel, medical teams, equipment or humanitarian support.

Mexico said it had deployed 261 military personnel, doctors, nurses and National Guard officers aboard two Air Force transport aircraft carrying rescue equipment and medical supplies, with additional shipments expected.

The European Union said it was ready to provide assistance if requested by Venezuelan authorities, while Pope Leo donated an initial emergency relief package worth €100,000.

In a temporary easing of sanctions, the United States Treasury Department authorised all transactions related to earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela from June 26 through October 23, allowing the transfer of humanitarian funds and resources to support emergency operations.

Meanwhile, frustration is growing among many Venezuelans over what critics describe as the government’s slow initial emergency response.

Emergency officials continue to warn that the death toll could rise as rescue workers gain access to heavily damaged neighbourhoods and more victims are recovered from the rubble.

Insecurity: Oyo govt extends curfew in 10 LGAs by 24 hours

Marcus FATUNMOLE  and  News Agency
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Insecurity: Oyo govt extends curfew in 10 LGAs by 24 hours

OYO State government has extended the 48 hours curfew imposed on the 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park by 24 hours.

This was announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde, a professor, in a memo issued on Thursday evening in Ibadan.
The state government had, on Tuesday, announced a 48-hour curfew from 4.00p.m. to 8.00a.m. in the 10 local government areas.
With this extension, the 48-hour curfew in the first instance, will continue till Saturday.
The affected local government areas are: Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo and Atiba LGAs.
The curfew is part of government’s efforts to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
The pupils, numbering 39, and seven teachers have since been with their captors. The attackers reportedly killed at least one teacher during the operation before marching the victims into the forest. Reports also showed that they beheaded another teacher in captivity.
The ICIR reported that the victims had remained with their captors 40 days after they were whisked away.
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