Former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, has died at the age of 69.   The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria announced on Thursday that Archbishop Akubeze passed away on July 9, 2026. In a statement signed by the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Fr. Michael Banjo, the Church said the late cleric dedicated his life to the spiritual and human development of the faithful. According to the statement, Archbishop Akubeze’s leadership transformed the Archdiocese of Benin City through sustained pastoral care and development initiatives. The Secretariat said he believed the Church’s mission extended beyond spiritual renewal to the holistic growth of its members. The Church also highlighted his commitment to the welfare and formation of priests, noting that he considered well-trained clergy essential to the future of the Catholic Church. As a former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Akubeze was recognised for defending the teachings of the Church and upholding orthodox Catholic doctrine throughout his tenure. The Secretariat described him as a humble and compassionate leader whose ministry was defined by service, patience and generosity. It added that his episcopal motto, “Ut Testimonium perhibeam veritati” (“That I may bear witness to the Truth”), reflected his lifelong commitment to proclaiming the Gospel. The Catholic Secretariat concluded by praying for the repose of his soul and asking God to grant him eternal rest.

France secured a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Morocco 2-0 in their quarter-final clash at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Thursday.   According to AFP, as published by Channels Television, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele scored second-half goals to end Morocco’s impressive World Cup run and keep France’s hopes of winning a third world title alive. Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 60th minute with a superb curling strike after earlier seeing his first-half penalty saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The France captain, who now has eight goals at the tournament, later turned provider, setting up Dembele to double Les Bleus’ advantage in the 66th minute with a composed finish. The victory sends Didier Deschamps’ side into the last four, where they will face either Spain or Belgium in Dallas next Tuesday. France, champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, are aiming to reach a third consecutive World Cup final in what is expected to be Deschamps’ final tournament in charge. Mbappe continued his remarkable World Cup scoring record, taking his tally to 20 goals in 20 appearances at the tournament. His international total also rose to 64 goals in 104 matches for France. Despite enjoying strong support inside the stadium, Morocco struggled to create clear-cut chances, missing the attacking threat of injured forward Ismael Saibari. However, the Atlas Lions exit the tournament after another impressive World Cup campaign and will now turn their attention to co-hosting the 2030 edition alongside Spain and Portugal. France’s disciplined defensive display earned them a third consecutive clean sheet in the knockout rounds as they advanced comfortably into the semi-finals.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday convened a closed-door security meeting with military commanders, intelligence chiefs and senior security advisers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid growing criticism over the monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers.   The meeting came as veterans and serving military personnel criticised the disclosure by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, that the minimum monthly salary for soldiers is now ₦100,000, describing the amount as inadequate in the face of Nigeria’s rising cost of living. According to a report by Punch Newspapers, retired and serving personnel accused the Federal Government of failing to implement the salary increase President Tinubu announced in March 2026. Retired soldier Abdul Isiak said ₦100,000 could no longer meet basic living expenses, arguing that improved welfare would motivate troops to perform better. Another retired sergeant, Zaki Williams, questioned whether soldiers were even receiving the amount announced by the minister, describing the figure as insufficient for personnel risking their lives daily. The Coordinator of the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, Abiodun Herbert-Durowaye, also faulted the salary, saying it could not adequately cater for accommodation, feeding, education and other essential needs of military families. During an interview with News Central, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar acknowledged that the defence budget remained inadequate but said the Federal Government had increased the minimum monthly salary for soldiers from ₦49,000 to ₦100,000. The minister also called for the introduction of the death penalty for kidnappers, arguing that tougher punishments would serve as a stronger deterrent against the growing wave of abductions across the country. He further dismissed allegations of poor feeding in the military, insisting that reports circulating on social media misrepresented the quality of meals served to troops. Serving military personnel, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly, urged the Federal Government to immediately implement the salary review announced by President Tinubu earlier this year. One officer said poor remuneration had weakened morale and contributed to an increasing number of personnel abandoning service, while another warned that low pay was discouraging many Nigerians from joining the Armed Forces. The personnel appealed to President Tinubu to fulfil his promise, noting that many military families were struggling with the country’s high cost of living. President Tinubu had announced plans for a salary increase during an interfaith breaking of fast with Service Chiefs on March 7, 2026, assuring members of the Armed Forces that his administration would prioritise their welfare, accommodation and family benefits. Thursday’s security meeting brought together National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Isa, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, intelligence chiefs and other top security officials. The meeting followed recent military operations against terrorists and bandits in Zamfara, Katsina and the North-East, including airstrikes that disrupted a large terrorist convoy and operations targeting notorious bandit leaders. The Presidency had not released details of the meeting at the time of filing the report.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Bello Bodejo, president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering involving $2.63 million.   According to TheCable, Justice Inyang Ekwo on Thursday ordered that Bodejo remain in EFCC custody pending the determination of his bail application. The court adjourned the matter until July 20 for a ruling on the bail request. Bodejo pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court. Following the arraignment, EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant. However, Bodejo’s lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ahmed Raji, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the alleged offences are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Raji told the court that the bail application, filed on June 30, was supported by several grounds. Opposing the request, Shittu relied on a 28-paragraph counter-affidavit, arguing that Bodejo had previously been questioned by the Department of State Services (DSS) over other matters and could commit further offences if released. The prosecution also challenged the defendant’s claim of ill health, stating that the injury cited was not recent and that he did not appear to be medically unfit. Shittu further argued that Bodejo could interfere with witnesses if granted bail, while urging the court to impose strict conditions should bail be approved. According to the charge, the EFCC alleged that Bodejo accepted $200,000 in cash from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, on January 21, 2022, in a transaction exceeding the legal threshold. The commission also alleged that he later received another $100,000 in cash from Abubakar on October 26, 2022, as well as an additional $980,000 through separate cash transactions. The EFCC said the alleged offences contravene Section 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.