IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Fenerbahce have accused Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk of acting "as if he had been shot" after a confrontation with their manager Jose Mourinho on Wednesday night. In a strongly-worded statement, Fenerbahce accused Buruk of having the "audacity to make disrespectful hand gestures" to provoke Mourinho, who then "briefly touched his nose" in response.

The Turkish Cup match, which Galatasaray won 2-1, came amid increased animosity between the two clubs. Following the match Galatasaray accused Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho of "physically attacking" their manager Buruk after he appeared to grab his nose following the fiery derby match. The incident occurred after the final whistle at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, when both managers were interacting with the match officials in the centre circle.

"This was a planned provocation [by Buruk] and as part of this plan the individual acted as if he had been 'shot' and fell to the ground in a professional manner, and his disrespectful words and actions are documented on video," Fenerbahce said in a statement. "The absurdity of someone who is touched on the nose immediately throwing himself to the ground and writhing for seconds is clear to the public.

"It is evident that this individual's tendency to fall to the ground, seen during his playing days, continues in his coaching career, showing that this behaviour is a characteristic attitude." Buruk sought to play the incident down at his post-match news conference, saying there was "nothing" between him and Mourinho. 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has thrown its weight behind Nigeria’s Single Window Trade Project—an initiative aimed at streamlining trade, boosting revenue, and driving economic growth.

The endorsement came during a meeting in Abuja between Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and an IMF Fiscal Affairs Department delegation led by Marco Antonio, Technical Assistance Advisor for Revenue Administration.

According to a statement by the ministry’s Director of Information, Mohammed Manga, Antonio commended the project alongside other ongoing reforms.

Edun noted that the initiative is already in motion, with necessary approvals secured, a dedicated team established, and a structured implementation strategy in place. He emphasized its potential to boost exports, particularly as Nigeria works toward maximizing daily oil output.

Describing it as a game-changing reform, Edun reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its success, crediting President Tinubu’s leadership and the backing of the Nigeria Customs Service as critical to its progress. 

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on European companies to suspend planned investments in the United States following President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping global tariffs on American imports.

Speaking with French industry leaders on Thursday, Macron described the tariffs as “brutal and unfounded”, warning that Europe must respond strategically, sector by sector.

He hinted at retaliatory measures, including the anti-coercion mechanism and potential actions targeting digital services and US financial systems, stating that Europe’s response would be stronger than its previous reaction to US steel and aluminum tariffs. 

Site engineer k!lled in Delta by employees after discovering he had large sum of money in his account

The police in Delta state have began an investigation after a site engineer identified as Chigozie Udalor was k!lled by his employees after discovering he had a lot of money in his account. 

In a statement released, the spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, said on December 12, 2024, one Hyacinth Nnalue reported to Akwu-kwu Igbo division that his cousin Chigozie Udalor had been missing since the 10th of December 2024. He also stated that the said Chigozie was his site manager at his fish pond in Bod camp Akwukwu Igbo community. 

Edafe said upon receipt of this information, the DPO commenced an investigation and later transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department. Edafe said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, directed the DPO Ekpan CSP Aliyu Shaba to carry out a technically driven investigation. The DPO detailed operatives who commenced an intelligence-led investigation, on 31st March 2025, they arrested one David Tacho ‘m’ who attempted to withdraw money from the victim’s account through his phone and also arrested Daniel Orshio who took part in the murder.

‘’Investigation also revealed that David Tacho is a brother to one Victor Tacho who conspired with Pius Daniel, (both presently at large) and Daniel Orshio, and murdered the victim. The two suspects are presently in custody. Preliminary investigation revealed that all four suspects were employed by the deceased who is the site engineer, but they discovered he had some money in his Moniepoint account and they conspired, used a hammer to hit him on his head, tied him and buried him in a shallow grave at the site. Two of the suspects David Tacho and Daniel Orshio are presently in custody while two other suspects Pius Daniel and Victor Tacho are still on the run. The body of the deceased has been exhumed and awaiting autopsy while efforts to arrest the other two suspects are ongoing.’’ Edafe said.

This is very sad 

The Nigerian naira recorded its steepest depreciation against the US dollar on Thursday, falling to ₦1,552.53/$1 at the official market — a drop of ₦21.28 from ₦1,531.25 on Wednesday.

This marks the sharpest single-day loss since March 22, when the currency fell by ₦18.96.

At the parallel market, the naira also weakened, dropping from ₦1,555 to ₦1,560/$1.

The depreciation follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariff measures, which have rattled global markets and sparked concerns over Nigeria’s $10 billion trade ties with the U.S.

Despite the slide, the Central Bank of Nigeria reported a Net Foreign Exchange Reserve of $23.11 billion — the highest in over three years.

Economic analysts, including Dr. Muda Yusuf of the CPPE, warned the tariffs could impact Nigeria’s economy and undermine the naira, especially with the end of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 

Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed confidence that he will be granted bail before the end of April 2025, marking four years in detention.

Kanu shared this optimism during a visit from the President-General of the Igbo Community Association (ICA) in Abuja, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility where he is being held.

Following the visit, Ezenekwe released a statement highlighting Kanu’s disappointment over the absence of strong Igbo leadership advocating for his release. He urged renewed efforts to champion the interests of the Igbo people.

Despite his prolonged detention, Kanu was described as being in high spirits, appearing healthier and more relaxed. He reaffirmed his call for a referendum on self-determination and maintained that he had committed no crime beyond urging his people to awaken to their rights.

Kanu also expressed unwavering confidence in his legal team, emphasizing his belief that his release is imminent.

Ezenekwe used the occasion to appeal to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to facilitate Kanu’s release as a demonstration of his commitment to justice and democracy.

“Let this moment mark a turning point in safeguarding the rights, dignity, and future of the Igbo people,” he stated.