Senate orders crackdown on bandits flaunting crime cash on TikTok

Abuja, FCT – By Prime Brief Media

Nigeria has assumed the chairmanship of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the month of May 2026, positioning Africa's most populous nation to steer high-level deliberations on some of the continent's most pressing security challenges.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a press statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Friday in Abuja. According to the ministry, Nigeria last chaired the Council in December 2022 and remains the only AU member state to have served continuously on the Council since its establishment in 2004.

"During the month of May, 2026, Nigeria will lead the Council on discussions around a number of thematic and country-specific issues of interest to both the West African/Sahel Region and the continent in general," Ebienfa said.

The ministry outlined an ambitious agenda for the month-long chairmanship. Key items listed for deliberation include the impact of climate change on the crisis situation in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel regions; African strategies for combating transnational organised crime; the draft five-year AU Continental Counter-Terrorism Strategic Plan of Action; the operationalisation of the African Standby Force; and the operationalisation of the Combined Maritime Task Force in addressing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, among others.

The African Union Peace and Security Council consists of 15 members elected by the Executive Council and endorsed by the AU Assembly, serving either two- or three-year terms based on regional representation. The current membership includes Nigeria, Benin, Gabon, Algeria, Lesotho, Morocco, Somalia, South Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Eswatini.

Nigeria's assumption of the chairmanship comes at a time of heightened security challenges across West Africa and the Sahel, where terrorism, banditry, and transnational organised crime continue to threaten stability. The country's continuous presence on the Council since 2004, the ministry noted, will bring valuable institutional memory to the leadership of the body during the month.

The PSC is the standing decision-making organ of the African Union for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts. It is a collective security and early warning arrangement intended to facilitate timely and efficient responses to conflict and crisis situations across the continent.

Prime Brief Media will continue to track security and rescue efforts across the state as this story develops.

#AU #PeaceAndSecurity #NigeriaDiplomacy #AfricanUnion #CounterTerrorism #PrimeBriefMedia

Sports
Part 1 – Facebook Main Post (Feed)

NIGERIA SWEEPS FOUR GOLD MEDALS ON OPENING DAY OF AFRICAN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

02 May, 2026

Nigeria made a dominant start to the African Senior Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, sweeping four out of five available gold medals in the women's events on Friday. Reigning African champion Esther Kolawole led the charge, securing her fifth continental title in the 62kg category with a 10-0 superiority victory over South Africa's Katelyn Swan. Nigeria also claimed one silver medal, setting an early pace in the race for a 15th African women's title.

Full story in comment

#AfricanWrestling #TeamNigeria #EstherKolawole #Alexandria2026 #Wrestling #PrimeBriefMedia

Part 2 – Full Story (Comment)

NIGERIA SWEEPS FOUR GOLD MEDALS ON OPENING DAY OF AFRICAN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Alexandria, Egypt – By Prime Brief Media

Nigeria delivered a commanding performance on the opening day of the African Senior Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, sweeping four gold medals in the women's events and setting an emphatic tone in their quest for continental dominance.

Leading the charge was reigning African champion Esther Kolawole, who put on a masterclass in the 62kg category. She overwhelmed South Africa's Katelyn Swan with a 10-0 superiority victory, securing her fifth African title in emphatic fashion and reinforcing her status as one of the continent's leading wrestlers.

Nigeria's golden run began earlier in the 53kg division, where Christianah Ogunsanya claimed the nation's first gold of the competition. She defeated Ivory Coast's Nogona Bakayoko 7-1 with a controlled and disciplined performance. The momentum continued as Jumoke Adekoye triumphed in the 57kg category, dispatching Algeria's Achouak Tekouk 8-4. In the 73kg division, Hannah Ojo showcased tactical brilliance to outwit Cameroon's Pelagie Wilita 3-1, sealing Nigeria's fourth gold medal of the day and reinforcing the team's ambitions of securing a 15th African women's title.

Adding to the celebratory mood, Hannah Reuben earned a silver medal after her bout against Benin's Kawiyatou Issifou, further boosting Nigeria's medal tally.

Reacting to the performance, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the achievement as a moment of national pride. "It's a great time to be in Alexandria. Five times the national anthem was played, and Nigeria's anthem was played four out of the five times," he said. "We feel very proud to be flying the flag of Nigeria very, very high. I say congratulations to the girls who have done us proud".

Adeniyi, who is attending his first African Wrestling Championships as federation president, also dedicated the victories to Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her role in inspiring young women across the country to pursue excellence. "I must say congratulations to Her Excellency, First Lady of Nigeria, Remi Tinubu, for the inspiration she has given to Nigerian women to excel in whatever they do. These women have chosen sport as an avenue for transformation. I want to also congratulate all Nigerians for this feat".

The results ensured Nigeria ended the opening day with four gold medals and one silver, setting an early pace in the women's wrestling competition. Wrestling action continues on Saturday, with the men's freestyle events set to begin alongside further women's bouts as Nigeria aims to extend their strong start to the championship.

Prime Brief Media will provide further updates on team performances and competition standings throughout the season.

#AfricanWrestling #TeamNigeria #EstherKolawole #Alexandria2026 #Wrestling #PrimeBriefMedia