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Nollywood Star Joseph Momodu Completes US Army Training After Relocating from Lagos

Actor cites late father’s police service as inspiration; joins growing list of Nigerian entertainers enlisting in US military

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Actor cites late father’s police service as inspiration; joins growing list of Nigerian entertainers enlisting in US military

Nollywood actor Joseph Momodu has completed Basic Combat Training with the United States Army, marking a significant career change after relocating from Lagos to the US. The development was made public by Momodu on Wednesday, who explained that his decision was motivated in part by a desire to honour his late father, a former officer in the Nigeria Police Force.

Momodu, whose full name is Abubakar Sadiq Momodu, spent more than ten years in Nigeria’s film industry, earning credits in popular movies such as ‘Coming to Nigeria’, ‘Play 2 Kill’, and ‘A Fool for Trust’. He also featured in long-running TV series like ‘Tinsel’, ‘Soul Sisters’, and ‘The Johnsons’, and gained wider attention after appearing in Simi’s music video for ‘Joromi’. The actor twice won Best Body Male at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, in 2018 and 2019.

His enlistment comes amid a trend of Nollywood personalities seeking new opportunities through military service abroad. In December 2024, actress Princess Chineke joined the US Army after relocating, stating on Instagram that she had answered “the call of service to my country, to serve the people of the United States of America.” Mayowa Dosu, another Nollywood actress and producer known for works such as ‘Fears’ and ‘Compromise’, also announced her enlistment around the same period. Meanwhile, Grace-Charis Bassey (formerly Belinda Effah) joined the US Navy in May 2025 and was granted citizenship after completing boot camp. Bassey dedicated her service to her late father, a former naval commander.

These developments highlight a growing pattern among Nigerians abroad who are turning to military careers as pathways to new professional experiences and citizenship. The news has drawn significant attention from Nigerian fans who followed these entertainers’ careers before their transition into military service.

With Momodu’s move now confirmed, he stands as one of the first male Nollywood actors to publicly make this shift. While some observers view this as evidence of changing aspirations among Nigerian creatives overseas, official reactions from industry associations have not yet been issued as at press time.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/joseph-momodu-joins-us-army-2026062615020152117

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Nigeria News (Standard)

NCAA Slams Saudi Airlines With ₦6 Million Fine Over Alleged Aviation Violations in Lagos

Regulatory agency moves to enforce compliance as airline faces penalty for reported breaches of Nigerian aviation standards

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June 26, 2026

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Regulatory agency moves to enforce compliance as airline faces penalty for reported breaches of Nigerian aviation standards

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a ₦6 million fine on Saudi Airlines for alleged violations of aviation regulations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The sanction was announced on Friday, 26 June 2026, following an investigation by the agency into recent operational lapses reportedly linked to the airline.

According to the NCAA, the fine is part of efforts to ensure that all airlines operating within Nigeria adhere strictly to established safety and operational standards. The regulatory body stated that Saudi Airlines was found in breach of certain requirements, though specific details of the infractions were not disclosed at the time of this report.

This action comes at a time when Nigerian authorities are stepping up oversight of foreign carriers amid increasing concerns about passenger safety and service quality. The NCAA has previously warned that non-compliance by any airline—local or international—would attract strict penalties to protect Nigerian travellers and uphold the integrity of the country’s aviation sector.

Efforts to obtain comments from representatives of Saudi Airlines were unsuccessful as at press time. The NCAA, however, reiterated its commitment to transparent enforcement and called on all airlines to respect Nigeria’s aviation laws. “Any operator found violating our regulations will face appropriate sanctions,” an official said.

The latest move is expected to send a strong signal to other airlines operating in Nigeria about the seriousness of regulatory compliance. Aviation stakeholders say sustained enforcement will help boost confidence in air travel and encourage higher standards across all operators.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/890968-ncaa-fines-saudi-airlines-%e2%82%a66-million-for-alleged-violations.html

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Rivers Police Seize Browning Pistol Hidden in Bread, Arrest Suspect in Port Harcourt

Command says weapon was discovered during routine stop-and-search on Azikiwe Road; investigation ongoing into firearm’s origin

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June 26, 2026

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Command says weapon was discovered during routine stop-and-search on Azikiwe Road; investigation ongoing into firearm’s origin

Rivers State Police Command has intercepted an alleged attempt to smuggle a firearm through Port Harcourt, arresting a male suspect after officers found a Browning pistol concealed inside a loaf of bread. The incident occurred along Azikiwe Road near Red Cross Junction during a routine stop-and-search operation on Friday, according to police authorities.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, stated that the recovery was made by operatives acting under the directive of Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju. Officers stopped a vehicle for security checks and conducted a thorough search of its occupants. During the search, the pistol was found ingeniously hidden inside bread belonging to one Braya Nanas, identified as a resident of New Road, Borikiri.

The discovery has raised fresh concerns over the creative methods employed by criminal elements to evade law enforcement in Rivers State and across the South-South zone. The command noted that the Browning pistol had no visible serial number, complicating efforts to trace its origin and raising questions about its intended use within the city.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the firearm had no serial number,” Kaborlo said in an official statement issued on Friday. The suspect reportedly admitted ownership of the weapon during interrogation and claimed he bought it in Okrika. Police said further investigation is ongoing to uncover potential accomplices and determine how widespread such tactics may be among criminal networks in the region.

The Rivers State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly. Authorities assured that efforts would continue to clamp down on illegal arms trafficking and pledged increased patrols around key entry points into Port Harcourt. No further details about possible charges or court proceedings were provided as at press time.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/police-foil-gun-smuggling-attempt-in-port-harcourt/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Sokoto High Court Sentences Three Boko Haram Terrorists to Death by Hanging for Terrorism Offences

Judgement comes as Nigeria ramps up terrorism prosecutions; DSS seized assets linked to arms trafficking syndicate

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June 26, 2026

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Judgement comes as Nigeria ramps up terrorism prosecutions; DSS seized assets linked to arms trafficking syndicate

A High Court in Sokoto State has sentenced three men—Yusuf Muhammad (alias Sallau), Jabbi Alhaji Yalle, and Kabiru Muhammad—to death by hanging after convicting them on multiple terrorism and arms trafficking charges. The ruling was delivered by Justice Bello on Wednesday, following their arrest by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives during a counter-terrorism operation on 13 June 2025.

According to the judgement, the court found all three defendants guilty on every count related to terrorism activities and illegal proliferation of firearms. The presiding judge also ordered that all funds and assets traced to the convicts be forfeited to the Federal Government. DSS officials attached to the Counter-Terrorism Unit apprehended the suspects based on intelligence reports linking them to cross-border arms dealings in Sokoto, North-West zone.

This verdict is part of a wider judicial push across Nigeria targeting suspected members of Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, ISWAP. In recent weeks, courts have handed down several death sentences for terrorism-related offences—including a Federal High Court in Katsina, which sentenced Hauwa’u Mukhtar to death after she was allegedly caught transporting 438 rounds of ammunition for a bandit leader. In Abuja, four men were also condemned for their roles in the 2022 Owo church attack that left over 40 worshippers dead.

Justice sector officials say these convictions demonstrate Nigeria’s renewed commitment to addressing a backlog of terrorism cases—many involving suspects held since military operations intensified in the North-East. “The government remains committed to bringing all those who threaten national security to justice,” said an official familiar with ongoing prosecutions.

The latest ruling coincides with the Federal Government’s ongoing mass trial of more than 500 suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP members, which authorities describe as one of the largest terrorism cases in Nigerian history. Security experts argue that consistent convictions may help deter future attacks while rebuilding public confidence in the country’s justice system.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/sokoto-court-sentences-three-terror-suspects-death-2026062614092884209

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