David Rives

In recent decades, a subtle and sinister revolution has occurred in our scientific and educational institutions. It's not the kind of revolution that makes headlines or sets off protests in the streets.

No, it was a quiet shift: an erosion, not an eruption. One classroom, one textbook, one policy at a time, faith was quietly displaced by a dogmatic secularism masquerading as neutrality.

It’s time we return to a posture of humility — a recognition that science, at its best, is the study of God’s handiwork.

Science and faith once walked hand in hand in this great nation, but they have since parted ways — to our detriment.

Our founding fathers, many of whom were devout Christians, believed that the natural world was a testament to a supernatural Creator. In declaring the 13 colonies’ independence from England, the founders sought to build a nation that honored “the laws of nature and nature’s God.” They signed one of the most iconic and carefully thought-out documents stating that “our Creator” gave us the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — not our government.

Traditionally heralded as the most elite of educational institutions, Harvard and Yale were once proud of the fact that they taught Christian and biblical morals along with the sciences.

Today, representatives of prominent scientific institutions speak as if they are the sole gatekeepers of truth. But science is a process of discovery, not a guaranteed path to certainty. And truth, by its very nature, is not limited to what can be placed under a microscope or replicated in a laboratory.

For centuries, some of the most brilliant minds — Newton, Kepler, Faraday, Pasteur — understood that the wonder of creation points us back to the Creator. Yet in much of modern academia, the mention of God is not only unfashionable, it’s taboo. A “scientism” has replaced true scientific pursuit, where ideas are acceptable only if they are in vogue and aligned with an atheistic agenda of naturalism.

This calculated extraction of faith from science is not merely an academic shift; it’s a symptom of America’s spiritual crisis.

When a culture teaches its children that they are nothing more than biological accidents in a purposeless cosmos, should we really be surprised when those children grow up uncertain about their identity, worth, and purpose?

Like our scientific and university institutions, our public schools used to operate on a foundation of faith. Public school classes once opened with prayer. Scripture served as a moral compass. But everything changed in 1962 when the Supreme Court banned prayer in schools with the Engel v. Vitale decision.

Traditional government-funded education traded the pursuit of eternal truths for moral confusion, and it’s not just our culture that pays the price — so do our children.

The statistics speak for themselves. Depression, suicide, and social isolation rates among adolescents are rising at unprecedented levels. At the same time, belief in God, church attendance, and biblical literacy are plummeting. The two trajectories are connected. We are reaping the fruit of a generation taught to look to the stars without ever learning to look beyond them, to the One who placed them there.

Let me be clear: I love science. I’ve spent my life exploring the wonders of the earth, sea, and sky. But science, when divorced from faith, becomes sterile. It loses its soul.

Science can tell us how something works, but it can never tell us why. It can explain how to split atoms and sequence DNA, but it cannot explain beauty, justice, or love. It cannot answer the questions that ache in our hearts: Who am I? Why am I here? What happens when I die?

Only God can answer those fundamental questions.

That’s why it’s so important that we revitalize a faith-based perspective of science, one that acknowledges not only natural laws but the lawgiver. We — along with our scientific and educational institutions — need to affirm the laws of nature and nature’s God.

Let’s celebrate the harmony between Genesis and genetics, between Scripture and cell structure, between faith and fact. Such harmony will not plunge us back into the Dark Ages nor suppress discovery. It will deepen our scientific curiosity.

It’s time we return to a posture of humility — a recognition that science, at its best, is the study of God’s handiwork.

That harmonious vision is alive and well at the Wonders Center & Science Museum in Dickson, Tennessee. It unapologetically views science through the lens of biblical faith. Like the museum, we shouldn’t shy away from scientific exploration. Instead, we ought to embrace it as a form of worship.

We need not choose between being people of faith and people of reason. God calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. That includes a mind that inquires, a heart that wonders, and a soul that seeks meaning.

We’ve spent too long teaching our children to marvel at creation while denying the Creator. It’s time for pastors to speak boldly about the harmony of science and Scripture and for parents to ask what kind of worldview their children are being taught in school. It’s time for believers to stop ceding the realm of science to those who say faith has no place in the lab.

Let’s let God back into the lab and watch scientific discovery catapult to new heights.

The more we learn about the universe, the clearer it becomes: We were made on purpose, for a purpose, by a Creator who calls the stars by name — and He knows yours, too.

The Blaze

Kenyan President William Ruto has stirred up a storm on social media with his provocative question about the romantic prowess of Kenyan men, as an increasing number of the country’s women are choosing to marry Nigerians.

To add a personal touch to the story, it’s worth noting that Mr Ruto’s daughter, June, married a Nigerian, Alexander Ezenagu, an assistant professor of taxation and commercial law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Qatar, in 2021.

Ruto, who previously served as Kenya’s first elected deputy president, made the remark that went viral as a guest at his friend’s daughter’s wedding on 2 June.

In the video obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, he jokingly warned of the consequences of the growing trend.

He said, “My daughter is married to a Nigerian, and this one (referring to his friend’s daughter) is again marrying a Nigerian, and our guys (men) around, I don’t know. Are you too slow?”

“We need to balance this scale; at this stage, we will have a brain drain from Kenya. I think there’s something between Kenya and Nigeria, we should pick it up further.”

Nigerians

Additionally, Ruto teased Nigerian guests at the wedding, particularly the groom.

He added that the groom arm-twisted his friend into accepting extravagant gifts in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage.

“Nigerians are very complicated people, and you intimidated him into accepting all this. So, that is why I proposed to come. Although my diary was full, I wanted to see this Nigerian who had come to harass my friend. But I was told you have been well-behaved since this morning.

“I have asked whether you have done what was needed, and he has given me a brief. Consider yourself lucky I was not here, because you would have been in trouble. But because it’s done and I can’t reverse it anyway,” said Mr Ruto.

Reactions

Ruto’s comments sparked a wave of positivity among netizens, with many praising Nigerian men for their global representation.

Some attributed the appeal to Nigerian men’s romantic nature, sweetness, and attractiveness, leading Kenyan women to marry them.

Below are some of the comments.

PT

Mohammed Uwais, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has passed away at the age of 88. He died in the early hours of Friday.

Born in Zaria, Kaduna State, Uwais had a distinguished judicial career that spanned several decades. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1979 by then military Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo, becoming a Justice of the apex court at the age of 43. In 1995, he was elevated to the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria, a role he held until his mandatory retirement at age 70 in 2006.

Uwais was Nigeria’s ninth CJN and holds the record as the longest-serving Justice of the Supreme Court. His 27-year tenure on the bench, including 11 years as CJN, was marked by service under five military governments and two civilian administrations.

After his retirement, Uwais continued to contribute to national development. In 2007, he was appointed by then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to chair the Presidential Electoral Reform Committee. The committee’s report, submitted on December 11, 2008, proposed sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s electoral system. Among its key recommendations were the establishment of separate commissions for electoral offences, constituency delimitation, and political party regulation.

A hallmark proposal of the Uwais panel was to strip the President of the power to appoint the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Instead, the panel suggested that the National Judicial Council (NJC) should shortlist qualified candidates, with the National Assembly confirming the final choice. The President’s role would be limited to administering the oath of office. The panel also advocated for financial autonomy for INEC.

However, on March 9, 2009, the Federal Executive Council under President Yar’Adua rejected the recommendation to change the INEC appointment process. Despite this, the Uwais report remains a landmark document in Nigeria’s democratic journey, with ongoing calls for its full implementation.

Uwais is remembered as a principled jurist and a reform-minded public servant whose legacy continues to shape Nigeria’s legal and electoral systems.

Overcrowding forces halt to Gaza aid distribution, Eid holiday marked by violence

Aid distribution in Gaza was halted on Friday after the U.S. and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said overcrowding had made it unsafe to continue operations, in the latest disruption to its troubled relief effort.

With severe food shortages plaguing the coastal enclave, fighting continued in many areas of the Gaza Strip.

Local health authorities said 16 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes, mostly in northern Gaza, while the Israeli army said four of its soldiers were killed and five were wounded by an explosion in a building in Khan Younis to the south.

In a day of confusing messaging, the GHF first announced its distribution sites in southern Gaza were closed, then it revealed that it had actually handed out food, before saying that it had had to close its gates as a precautionary measure.

"The distribution was conducted peacefully and without incident; however, it was paused due to excessive crowding that made it unsafe to proceed," it said in a statement.

As Palestinians across the war-ravaged Gaza Strip marked the start of one of Islam's most important holidays, Eid al-Adha, Israeli forces continued military operations that they say are needed to root out and destroy Hamas militants.

The Israeli military was rocked by the deaths of four soldiers in a booby-trapped building, which brought the army death toll to eight since the start of June.

"It is a sad and difficult day," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

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The army earlier issued new evacuation orders for areas in and around Gaza City, warning of an imminent attack.

With many residential areas of Gaza reduced to rubble by months of fighting, locals held Eid al-Adha prayer services in the open, next to bombed-out mosques and homes.

"As you can see, we are holding Eid prayers, while the bombing, shelling and planes are ongoing," said one woman, Umm Mahmoud, in Khan Younis.

The United Nations has warned that most of Gaza's 2.3 million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade of the enclave, with the rate of young children suffering from acute malnutrition nearly tripling.

The GHF began distributing food packages in Gaza at the end of May, overseeing a new model of aid distribution which the United Nations says is neither impartial nor neutral.

It suspended operations on Wednesday and asked the Israeli military to review security protocols after hospital officials said more than 80 people had been shot dead and hundreds wounded near distribution points between June 1-3.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Six killed, 80 wounded in intense Russian air attacks on Ukraine

Russia launched an intense missile and drone barrage at the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in the early hours of Friday, killing at least six people, Ukrainian officials said, as powerful explosions reverberated across the country.

The attacks followed a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveyed via U.S. President Donald Trump, that the Kremlin would hit back after Ukrainian drones destroyed several strategic bomber aircraft in attacks deep inside Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said three emergency responders were killed in the missile and drone salvo against the capital.

Two died in an attack on the northern city of Chernihiv and at least one more in the northwestern city of Lutsk.

"Those killed in Kyiv were rescue workers who arrived at the scene of an initial strike and, unfortunately, were killed in a repeat Russian strike," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, writing on X, said Russia had "'responded' to its destroyed aircraft... by attacking civilians in Ukraine.... Multi-storey buildings hit. Energy infrastructure damaged."

Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had carried out the strike on military and military-related targets in response to what it called Ukrainian "terrorist acts" against Russia.

"They gave Putin a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them last night," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, when asked about how Ukraine's earlier drone strikes had affected the conflict.

Zelenskiy said 80 people nationwide had been injured in the attacks, which also struck several other towns and cities. He said residents could still be trapped under rubble.

In Chernihiv, the national emergency services said two bodies were recovered from the rubble of a wrecked industrial enterprise.

In Lutsk, the body of a man was found in the ruins of an apartment block, while emergency crews kept searching for his wife. Thirty people were hurt in the city, where educational institutions and a government building were also hit.

Russian forces also struck industrial facilities and infrastructure in the western city of Ternopil, leaving parts of it without power, Mayor Serhii Nadal said.

The regional administration said the attack had injured 10 people and asked residents to temporarily stay inside due to a high concentration of toxic substances in the air after a fire.

The air force said Russia had used 407 drones, one of the largest numbers recorded in a single attack. It said 45 cruise and ballistic missiles were also fired.

ATTACKS HIT KYIV TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Kyiv's metro transport system was disrupted by a Russian strike that hit and damaged tracks between stations, the military administration said. The state rail company said it was also diverting some trains due to rail damage outside the city.

Reuters witnesses reported a series of booming explosions powerful enough to rattle windows far from the impact sites.

Some Kyiv residents sought shelter in metro stations, or in underground car parks.

In the capital's Solomianskyi district, a Russian drone slammed into the side of an apartment building, leaving a gaping hole and burn marks, a Reuters photographer at the scene said.

Falling concrete blocks from the building crushed cars parked below. Two police investigators were examining what appeared to be the drone's engine.

Earlier in the night, Reuters reporters heard the sound of Russian kamikaze drones buzzing in the sky, accompanied by the sounds of outgoing fire from Ukrainian anti-aircraft batteries.

Zelenskiy called for concerted pressure on Russia.

"If someone is not applying pressure and is giving the war more time to take lives – that is complicity and accountability. We must act decisively," he wrote on X.

The Ukrainian military said it had launched a pre-emptive strike overnight on the Engels and Dyagilevo airfields in the Russian regions of Saratov and Ryazan, in addition to striking at least three fuel reservoirs.

In one of the most audacious attacks of the three-year-old war between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian spies last weekend destroyed some of Russia's strategic bomber aircraft on the ground using quadrocopter drones hidden in wooden sheds.

After a phone conversation with Putin on Wednesday, Trump said the Kremlin was planning an unspecified response to the Ukrainian attack on the Russian air bases.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Most Ukrainians will tolerate conflict ‘as long as necessary’ – survey

A majority of Ukrainians are prepared to endure the conflict with Russia for “as long as necessary,” a survey released on Thursday by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) shows.

Past KIIS surveys had indicated a steady decline in support for an open-ended conflict – from a peak of 73% in 2022 to a low of 54% in March 2025 – suggesting growing war fatigue. Recent data, however, shows a reversal of the trend.

The latest poll, conducted between May 15 and June 3, indicates that 60% of respondents are ready to endure the war indefinitely. Another 6% said they are prepared to continue for one more year, while 20% are willing to tolerate it for several more months or up to half a year.

The survey was carried out by telephone and included 1,011 respondents who were selected through a random sample of mobile phone numbers. KIIS stated that such surveys typically have a margin of error of up to 4.1% under normal conditions. 

However, it admitted that additional deviations are also likely due to certain wartime factors, such as response bias – where participants may provide answers they believe are expected or acceptable rather than their true opinions.

The sudden rise in support for an open-ended conflict with Russia comes against a backdrop of wartime restrictions introduced by Vladimir Zelensky, who has banned opposition parties, centralized media under a unified information policy, and implemented increasingly draconian mobilization measures to sustain the armed forces.

The KIIS survey results also contrast with ongoing efforts to find a political settlement to the conflict. Earlier this week, Russian and Ukrainian delegations held their second round of direct peace talks in Istanbul, agreeing to a record prisoner swap and exchanging draft memorandums on reaching a peace deal. Both sides indicated that direct contacts would continue.

At the same time, Russian officials have repeatedly claimed that Kiev is not truly prepared to end the conflict. The Kremlin has pointed to ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory and sabotage operations as evidence that Kiev is committed to a military solution and is willing to engage in “terrorist acts.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has also stated that the “illegitimate regime in Kiev” is “gradually turning into a terrorist organization.”

Reuters/RT

Caroline C. Boyle

If you’re after a nutrient-dense breakfast, boiled eggs are a quick and easy way to pack in a few essential nutrients –from antioxidants to B vitamins to choline. 

Because you’re not adding extra oils or fats into the cooking process, boiled eggs are considered to be one of the healthiest kinds of eggs to eat, says Jeremy O'Neal, a board-certified specialist in obesity and weight management, and licensed dietitian nutritionist specialist in the UI Health Bariatric Surgery Program. 

All around, boiled eggs are a low calorie, protein-rich food. What else is there to know about this breakfast staple? We asked the experts to break down all the nutrients found in boiled eggs, how much protein they actuallycontain and why (for most people) they’re a great food to incorporate into an everyday, balanced diet.

How many calories in an egg?

One large boiled egg contains 72 calories, nearly 5 grams of fat and around 1.5 grams of saturated fat, says O’Neal. Eggs, and egg yolks in particular, pack a punch with vitamins and minerals. They’re a good source of vitamin A, B vitamins, riboflavin, folate, iron and zinc, he says. 

Eggs are also one of the best sources of choline, a mineral that’s especially important during pregnancy because it supports the production of acetylcholine, which helps with muscular contractions, he says. Choline has also shown to be important in promoting cognitive function in older adults, says Dr. Amar Dave, a lifestyle medicine specialist with MedStar Health.

How much protein is in an egg?

There’s around 6 to 7 grams of protein in one large boiled egg, says O’Neal. Boiled eggs are protein-rich, though you can’t rely on them alone to meet all your daily protein needs (which is essential for muscle growth and recovery). 

Your protein intake depends on two factors: your body weight, and how much you exercise. For adults, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of protein is at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, according to Harvard Health. 

So, if someone weighs 180 pounds, it’s recommended they eat around 65 grams of protein a day, says O’Neal. If you’re someone who’s very active, you’re going to need to consume a bit more protein than the average person, somewhere between 1.2 grams to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. If you're pregnant, it’s also recommended your protein intake be higher than average, around 1.1 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, he says. 

How often can I eat boiled eggs?

In the context of a balanced diet, for most people, it’s perfectly fine to eat two to three boiled eggs per day if you wanted to, says O’Neal.

The Dietary Guidelines for America 2020-2025recommends eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy (or soy as an alternative), healthy oils and protein-rich foods. It’s especially important to diversify your protein sources, says Dave. To help meet your protein goals, consider incorporating a mix of lean meats, poultry and eggs. As for plant-based protein sources, he recommends eating foods like steel cut oats, legumes, seeds, lentils and tofu. 

Can I eat boiled eggs if I have high cholesterol?

If you have high cholesterol, you may have heard you should either limit your intake of eggs, or avoid eating them entirely. The concern surrounding eggs and cholesterol is mainly to do with eating the egg yolk, where the majority of the dietary cholesterol is concentrated, says O’Neal. One large egg contains approximately 200 milligrams of dietary cholesterol, according to the USDA’s Food Data Central. 

“Eggs are definitely a larger source of dietary cholesterol, but the association between regular dietary cholesterol consumption, and then high (blood) cholesterol and coronary artery disease, has not been well proven,” says Dave. The relationship between dietary and blood cholesterol has been up for debate for decades, and according to a 2022 review published in Nutrients, recent research still hasn’t been able to establish a direct link. 

So, if you’re someone who’s at risk for high cholesterol, it’s probably more important to turn your attention to the amount of saturated fat that a boiled egg contains. That’s because diets high in saturated fat are strongly correlated with high blood cholesterol, which increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, says Dave. However, even if you have high cholesterol, it still doesn’t mean you need to avoid boiled eggs full stop. If you’re following a balanced dietary pattern that limits your intake of saturated fat in other areas, like swapping red meats for lean meat, avoiding ultra-processed foods and instead eating lots of vegetables, boiled eggs could (in moderation) could be a nutritious, protein-rich addition to your diet, O’Neal says.

And as always, if you have any dietary concerns, talk to your healthcare provider to discuss an eating pattern that supports your individual health needs. 

USA Today

Nigeria has transformed from being the world’s second-largest cement importer to becoming Africa’s leading cement exporter, according to Aliko Dangote, chairman of the Dangote Group.

Speaking at the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers event in Lagos on Wednesday, Dangote highlighted Nigeria’s remarkable shift away from import dependency across multiple key industries, including cement, fertilizers, and petroleum products.

From Importer to Export Leader

The industrial transformation represents a complete reversal of Nigeria’s previous trade position. The West African nation previously ranked as the second-largest cement importer globally but has now achieved export leadership across the African continent.

Beyond cement, Nigeria has made substantial progress in fertilizer production. The country now operates the world’s second-largest fertilizer plant and exports 37% of its production to the United States, addressing previous challenges that had affected local farmers.

Energy Sector Breakthroughs

In the petroleum sector, Dangote announced significant achievements for Nigeria’s refining capacity. The country’s new refinery operates at 650,000 barrels per day, exceeding even Saudi Aramco’s 430,000-barrel capacity to become the world’s largest single refinery.

The facility has already begun making an impact on Nigeria’s trade balance. In May alone, the country exported 400,000 metric tonnes of petroleum motor spirit (petrol), marking a complete departure from its previous 100% import dependency.

Nigeria has also addressed its polypropylene import requirements, previously bringing in 350,000 tonnes annually. The country now plans to meet domestic demand while exporting 600,000 tonnes to other African nations.

Health Sector Partnerships

Dangote also referenced successful health initiatives developed through partnerships with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, including Nigeria’s achievement in ending polio transmission and advancing nutrition programs.

Vision for Healthcare Transformation

Drawing parallels between industrial and healthcare development, Dangote suggested that Nigeria’s business sector successes could serve as a template for transforming healthcare delivery. He emphasized the potential for developing local pharmaceutical manufacturing and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on medical tourism by ensuring quality healthcare access domestically.

The achievements outlined by Dangote reflect Nigeria’s broader economic diversification efforts and movement toward greater self-sufficiency in critical sectors.

The United States is preparing to provide Nigerian businesses with unprecedented access to its massive $120 trillion capital market, offering new pathways for financing innovation and business expansion across Africa’s largest economy.

Strategic Partnership for Economic Growth

US Ambassador to Nigeria David Greene Mills outlined the initiative during a fireside chat at Lagos Business School, describing America’s financial system as a crucial source of venture capital and long-term investment opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs.

The ambassador emphasized that the liquidity and efficiency of US financial markets position them as ideal platforms for supporting Nigerian business growth and innovation across multiple sectors.

Strong Foundation of Existing Trade Relations

The announcement builds on an already robust economic relationship between the two nations. Nigeria currently ranks as America’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade in goods and services reaching nearly $13 billion in 2024.

US foreign direct investment in Nigeria has shown consistent growth, rising to $6.5 billion in 2024—a 5.5% increase from the previous year. This investment flows through more than 80 major American companies currently operating across Nigerian sectors including pharmaceuticals, technology, and manufacturing.

American Business Presence Expanding

Several prominent US corporations have established significant operations in Nigeria, particularly in the Lagos Free Zone and Alaro City. Major brands including Kellogg’s, Colgate-Palmolive, and Caterpillar have set up facilities in these strategic locations, demonstrating growing confidence in Nigeria’s business environment.

The venture capital landscape already shows strong US involvement, with American firms providing 60% of Nigeria’s venture capital funding. Mills indicated this percentage could increase significantly as access to US capital markets expands.

People-to-People Connections Drive Partnership

The economic relationship is reinforced by substantial human connections between both countries. Over 750,000 Nigerians currently live in the United States, representing the largest African diaspora community in America. Additionally, more than 20,000 Nigerian students are enrolled in US universities, strengthening educational and cultural ties.

Future-Focused Investment Strategy

Mills highlighted Nigeria’s demographic trajectory as a key factor in the partnership’s long-term potential. With Nigeria projected to become the world’s third most populous country by 2050—surpassing the United States with over 375 million people—the ambassador sees enormous growth opportunities ahead.

“We will continue to invest in development through expanded trade and private investment because it is the private sector that drives economic growth,” Mills stated, emphasizing the shift toward market-driven rather than aid-based economic cooperation.

Creating Enabling Environment

The ambassador stressed that success will depend on fostering a business environment that encourages high-impact investment and collaboration. He identified increasing trade, investment, and business linkages between the two nations as a central priority of his diplomatic mission.

The initiative represents a significant evolution in US-Nigeria economic relations, moving beyond traditional trade partnerships toward comprehensive capital market integration designed to fuel mutual economic growth.

The Kwara State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the killing of two policemen and the abduction of a Chinese national and one Nigerian in the Oreke-Okeigbo community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday night.

The incident which took place at a mining site in the community at about 6.30 pm on Wednesday, saw two policemen: an Assistant Superintendent of Police and an Inspector being shot dead by a group of unidentified gunmen who attacked it.

According to a statement e-signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in the command on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo on Thursday, the gunmen also abducted two individuals; a Chinese national and a Nigerian from the mining site.

The statement said, “The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Police confirms a deadly attack and abduction incident that occurred on June 4, 2025, at about 1830hrs. This heinous act was done at a mining site located in Oreke-Okeigbo of the state.

”Information received from the Divisional Police Officer in Oreke indicates that a group of unidentified armed assailants invaded the said mining facility, where they tragically shot and killed two operatives of the Nigeria Police Force —ASP Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah, both attached to the 45 PMF, Abuja, who were on official protective assignment at the location.

The attackers also carted away the rifles of the deceased officers.

”In addition to the heinous killings, the assailants abducted two individuals: Sam Xie Wie, a Chinese national, and David Adenaiye, a native of Kogi State who was working at the mining site at the time of the incident,” the statement added.

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Adekimi Ojo, strongly condemned the act of brutality and assured the public that the command had since swung into decisive action to bring the perpetrators to book and rescue the abductees.

“Tactical and intelligence-driven efforts are currently underway to ensure the swift rescue of the abducted victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this cowardly attack.

“The command is working in close synergy with other security agencies and community stakeholders to strengthen its presence in the area and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

”Residents of Kwara State are urged to remain calm and law-abiding, as the command remains fully committed to the protection of lives and property across the state.

“We appeal to members of the public to provide credible and timely information that could aid the ongoing investigation and recovery efforts,” the statement further said.

Punch

US group distributing aid in Gaza reopens sites after deadly shootings

A U.S.- and Israeli-backed organisation distributing aid in Gaza reopened two sites on Thursday, a day after halting work in response to a series of deadly shootings close to its operations.

The U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said 26 truckloads of desperately needed food were handed out at two sites in southern Gaza's Rafah area.

The GHF, which has been fiercely criticised by humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations, for alleged lack of neutrality, began distributing aid last week and had been running three sites earlier this week.

GHF's interim director John Acree said in a statement that the group was looking to open more sites, including in north Gaza, and "ensure safe and more efficient delivery of lifesaving aid".

The U.N. has warned that most of Gaza's 2.3 million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade of the enclave, with the rate of young children suffering from acute malnutrition nearly tripling.

"The failure to provide urgent therapeutic feeding and health services for children places thousands of lives at immediate risk, and could result in unnecessary and continued loss of life," U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher told the Security Council in a note, seen by Reuters.

Meanwhile, Israel announced it had recovered the bodies of two dual-nationality Israeli-American hostages from Gaza. Gadi Hagi and his wife Judy Weinstein-Hagi were killed and taken to Gaza after Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. Fifty-six hostages remain in captivity, with fewer than half still believed to be alive.

The Israeli military has intensified operations in Gaza since breaking a fragile ceasefire with Hamas in March, taking more territory with the government pushing to wipe out the Islamist militant group.

At least 20 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza on Thursday, including four journalists in a hospital in the enclave’s north, local health authorities said. The military said that it had targeted an Islamic Jihad militant who was operating a command-and-control centre.

The Hamas-run government media office says that 225 journalists in Gaza have been killed since the war began.

The renewed military campaign has further isolated Israel amid mounting international pressure. On Wednesday, a U.S. veto blocked a U.N. Security Council draft resolution, backed by the 14 other members, demanding an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and full, unrestricted aid access to Gaza.

Under global pressure, Israel allowed limited U.N.-led aid deliveries to resume on May 19. A week later, the relatively unknown GHF started a new aid distribution system that bypasses traditional relief agencies.

Reuters