In a speech last month, the head of the Catholic Church said God rejected the prayers of leaders who start wars and have their “hands full of blood” in a reference to the US president. He also called the conflict in Iran “atrocious” and urged Trump to find an “off-ramp” and “decrease the amount of violence”. Separately, he described the president’s recent threat to destroy Iranian civilisation as “truly unacceptable” and called for dialogue. He offered more thinly veiled criticism after the US raided Venezuela and abducted its president, Nicolas Maduro, saying in January that “war is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading”.Pope Leo has further questioned Trump’s “inhuman” immigration policies, saying he was uncertain whether they were “pro-life”. In response, the president gave the faith leader a withering assessment of his own overnight. Posting on his own social network, Truth Social, he accused him of being “WEAK on crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy”. He wrote: “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country.” He also said the Catholic Church had only elevated the Chicago-born cardinal in a bid to curry favour with himself. “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” he wrote. He concluded: “Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. “It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!” Share on FacebookShare on X

Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has reacted to the recent airstrike on Jilli Market along the Borno–Yobe border, describing the incident as both tragic and deeply regrettable. Reports indicate that the strike resulted in the deaths of over 50 people, with many others sustaining injuries, sparking widespread concern across the country. In a statement issued on Sunday, Buratai explained that the operation was based on credible intelligence. According to him, fighters from Boko Haram and ISWAP were allegedly using the market as a strategic base to collect levies, source supplies, and coordinate attacks. While expressing sympathy for the victims and their families, he commended the Nigerian Air Force for what he described as professionalism and bravery in carrying out the operation. Buratai further claimed that Jilli Market has long been identified as a hub for insurgent activities. He noted that the location had been targeted multiple times in the past due to its role in supporting terrorist logistics. According to him, the area came under military control during Operation LAST HOLD in 2018, during which troops engaged insurgents in several confrontations. Despite these efforts, the market reportedly continued to function, allegedly due to the involvement of individuals trading with militant groups. He acknowledged that civilian casualties are always unfortunate but attributed the situation to insurgents operating within civilian environments. Buratai emphasized that while the military does not intentionally target civilians, it remains obligated to act decisively when locations are repeatedly used for terrorist operations—especially after prior warnings have been issued.

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a Lagos socialite, Adedipe Adeyinka, popularly known as “Agali,” in a late-night shooting incident in Surulere. According to an official statement released via the command’s X (formerly Twitter) handle, the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on the National Stadium Bridge inward Iponri area. Police reports revealed that the victim was immediately rushed to Mainland General Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed him dead. Authorities stated that investigations are currently ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting. The police also acknowledged an eyewitness account circulating on social media, which provided additional details about how the incident allegedly unfolded. The command has assured the public that further updates will be communicated as more information becomes available. Efforts are also being intensified to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.