Switzerland booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 16 after a composed 2-0 victory over Algeria in Vancouver.   According to Channels Television, the Swiss side delivered a disciplined performance to seal progression and now await the winner of the round-of-32 clash between Colombia and Ghana. Johan Manzambi played a key role in the opening goal, making a strong run down the left flank before delivering a precise cross for Breel Embolo, who tapped home to give Switzerland the lead. Switzerland doubled their advantage immediately after the break. Dan Ndoye capitalised on a weak clearance from Rafik Belghali, controlling the ball before firing through a crowded box to make it 2-0. Luca Zidane was unable to keep out the effort as Algeria struggled to recover from the setback. The defeat ends Algeria’s World Cup campaign, with the Desert Foxes joining Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, and South Africa among African teams eliminated at the last-32 stage. Only Morocco remain as Africa’s sole representative in the tournament.

A 50-year-old traditional priest, Muritala Shodiya, has died after allegedly setting himself on fire in Adebiopon Village, located in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.   According to a report by Punch Newspaper, the tragic incident happened on Wednesday evening when Shodiya, popularly known as “Ifa”, reportedly poured petrol on himself inside an uncompleted building before setting himself ablaze. Residents rushed to the scene after noticing the fire and managed to extinguish the flames before taking him to General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta. However, he was pronounced dead on Thursday morning. Shodiya was known in the community for fortune-telling and Ifa worship. He had reportedly practised in Ijaye for several years before relocating to Adebiopon Village. A community source, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the case, said Shodiya had shown signs of emotional distress in recent months. The source alleged that his condition worsened after his wife reportedly left him for another man. Another resident, identified as Kazeem, said villagers acted quickly in an attempt to save his life. He said there were initial rumours suggesting foul play, but residents believed Shodiya set himself ablaze. The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident and said an investigation is ongoing. Police spokesperson Babaseyi Oluseyi said officers visited the scene, documented the incident and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The incident has left residents of the community in shock as authorities continue investigations.

The United States has withdrawn most of its troops deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin following the killing of a senior ISIS leader.   According to Punch Newspapers, the withdrawal comes months after a joint US-Nigerian operation eliminated Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of the global ISIS network, in Borno State. Speaking during a digital press briefing after the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026, Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson said the operation had achieved key objectives, prompting the drawdown of American forces. Anderson explained that although most US personnel involved in the operation have left Nigeria, security cooperation remains active through intelligence sharing and strategic support requested by the Nigerian government. He said the partnership between Washington and Abuja had delivered significant gains in disrupting ISIS operations, particularly through intelligence collaboration that enabled the successful targeting of senior terrorist leadership. According to Anderson, the operation demonstrated that targeted intelligence support and specialised capabilities can often be more effective than maintaining long-term foreign troop deployments. The US had deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to strengthen intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin amid rising concerns over ISIS-linked activities in the region. The deployment followed increased security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States under the administration of Donald Trump, who pledged stronger support for counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria. The partnership intensified after US air strikes targeted terrorist enclaves in Bauni Forest, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State on December 25, 2025. Anderson also called for stronger intelligence-sharing across African countries to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes. He cited a recent international operation involving United States Africa Command and partner nations that intercepted a record 31-tonne cocaine shipment moving from South America through West Africa, describing it as the largest maritime drug seizure on record. He stressed that continued collaboration among African nations, international partners and the private sector remains essential to tackling security threats while promoting economic stability across the continent.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of David Mark as National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, dealing a major blow to attempts to challenge the party’s leadership structure ahead of the 2027 general election.   According to Punch, Justice Musa Liman dismissed a suit filed by House of Representatives member Leke Abejide, ruling that the matter involved the internal affairs of a political party and was therefore beyond the court’s jurisdiction. The judge also held that Abejide lacked the legal standing to institute the suit and failed to exhaust the ADC’s internal dispute resolution mechanism before approaching the court. The case sought to nullify the July 2025 transfer of party leadership from former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu to the current leadership, which includes Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary. Justice Liman ruled that the leadership transition complied with both the ADC constitution and the Electoral Act 2026. The court awarded costs of N2 million each against Abejide in favour of the defendants and also ordered his counsel to pay N10 million in costs. Reacting to the judgment, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the ruling as a victory for constitutional democracy and vowed to remain focused on his 2027 presidential ambition. In a statement issued by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku praised the court for upholding legal principles on jurisdiction and internal party mechanisms. He said the judgment came at a critical moment when opposition parties were facing pressure and attempts to destabilise them through litigation. Atiku also defended the legitimacy of the Mark-led National Working Committee, insisting it emerged through a lawful and transparent process in line with the party’s constitution. Mark welcomed the ruling, describing it as a major victory for democracy and the rule of law. In a statement issued by his media adviser, Kola Ologbondiyan, the former Senate President said the judgment reaffirmed the right of political parties to operate without intimidation or undue interference. He said the decision was not only a victory for the ADC but also for democracy and every Nigerian who believes in a vibrant political system. The ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, also hailed the judgment, saying it reinforced the party’s position that leadership disputes remain internal matters and are not justiciable. The opposition party expressed hope that the ruling would end repeated legal attempts to destabilise its leadership as it positions itself as a major coalition platform ahead of the 2027 elections.