Category: News

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark Eid al-Fitr, celebrating the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, extended warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

The minister, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, urged Muslims to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice, which were emphasised during the holy month.

He also called on all Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the continued peace, unity, and prosperity of the nation.

While wishing the Muslim faithful a joyful Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, the minister encourages citizens to celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged in society.

“The federal government remains committed to fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians,” the statement added.

Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, raising fresh concerns for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.

The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed on Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.

In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.

It added that the attacks left six people de@d and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.

“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.

“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran.”

According to the ministry, those k!lled in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.

Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.

The development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.

Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.

Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.

“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.

In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.

“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.

Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.

The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.

Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.

The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.

Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.

Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.

The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.

It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.

Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

Two people — including a 22-year-old Nigerian international student — d!ed after donating blood plasma at a Winnipeg collection centre that pays individuals for their donations.

The d£aths are under review by Health Canada, which confirmed it received two reports of fatal adverse reactions in plasma donors — one in October of last year and another on Jan. 30, 2026.

The federal regulator says it is still assessing these reports and has not made a link between the plasma collection and d£aths, and the company that runs the centre says it has “no reason to believe” they are connected.

Rodiyat Alabede di£d on Oct. 25 after friends say the 22-year-old went to an appointment at the Grifols Plasma Donation Centre on Taylor Avenue to give plasma.

“She was always happy. She had so many dreams, especially when she came to Canada,” said one of her close friends, Mary Ann Chika. “She held a big place in my heart.”  

Originally from Nigeria, Alabede moved to Winnipeg in 2022 to study at the University of Winnipeg, with the goal of becoming a social worker.  She had a passion for helping people and wanted to work with people with disabilities, Chika said.

Chika wasn’t there when her friend went to Grifols, but was the one to identify Alabede in hospital after she was pronounced d£ad.

She said doctors didn’t have much information to share, but told her Alabede’s heart stopped beating while she was giving her plasma at the centre.

“And before she arrived at the hospital, she had already passed,” Chika said.

According to Health Canada, the second reported fatal adverse reaction happened on Jan. 30 after a donation at Grifols’ Innovation Drive location. The spokesperson couldn’t provide any more details on the identity of the person, citing privacy laws.

Grifols, a Spanish-based company which specializes in producing plasma medicines, has over a dozen plasma collection centres in Canada. The for-profit company has operated in Winnipeg since 2022 after acquiring Canadian Plasma Resources. It runs two centres locally — one on Taylor Avenue and one on Innovation Drive — where people are paid for their plasma.

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson representative for Grifols said an internal review was conducted and “based on the information available at this time, we have no reason to believe that there is a correlation between the donors’ passing and plasma donation.” 

Plasma donors receive payments of up to $100 per donation, according to Grifols’ website. They also offer larger payments based on the frequency of donations. This includes a $50 bonus for every 10 donations made within six weeks.

All establishments that collect plasma are regulated by Health Canada and must report to the federal regulator if a donor has experienced a serious reaction during donation or within 72 hours following a donation.