News
Despite apology, Iran’s missiles still hit Gulf cities
Explosions and damage were reported Saturday evening across several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as Iran launched missiles and drones toward the region amid escalating hostilities tied to the broader war involving Israel and the United States.
In Bahrain, witnesses reported several loud explosions in and around the capital, Manama.
Authorities said the Iranian attack caused a fire and damage to a house and nearby buildings.
“Civil defence is taking steps to control the fire,” Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, journalists reported explosions in multiple locations.
CNN staff members in Qatar said they heard several loud bangs, while teams in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, reported at least three blasts.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence said a ballistic missile launched from Iran towards Prince Sultan Air Base struck an uninhabited area.
The UAE’s National Security Council said defensive systems had been activated in response to incoming threats.
In a message posted on X, the council said, “Air defence systems are currently responding to a missile threat,” and urged residents to “remain in a safe location.”
The UAE Defence Ministry said the country was under attack by drones and missiles launched from Iran.
United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed addressed the situation publicly for the first time since the war began, saying that “the United Arab Emirates is in good condition, the military has performed a praiseworthy role.
He added: “We are in a time of war and I pledge to fulfil our duty to defend our country and our people. I promise everyone that the United Arab Emirates will emerge stronger.”
A senior UAE official said Iran’s attacks on neighbouring Gulf states “create a huge trust gap that will persist for decades ahead.”
The statements from the UAE and other Gulf States came hours after Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, issued a statement that he regretted the strikes on the Gulf States and promised they would cease.
“I should apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran, on my own behalf,” said Pezeshkian, claiming that the strikes were the result of a lack of total control over the military.
“From now on, they should not attack neighbouring countries or fire missiles at them unless we are attacked by those countries. I think we should solve this through diplomacy.”
Tehran has claimed that its attacks directed at Gulf states were aimed at US bases and US-linked infrastructure as retaliation for the US-Israeli war against Iran launched last week.
Finally, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu said the decision would take effect from April 30, 2026, to allow for a smooth transition.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
By Gloria Ikibah
As part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture, President Bola Tinubu, has sent a formal communication to the House of Representatives on seeking legislative approval for the repeal and re-enactment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Establishment Act, 2025.
The request which was transmitted to the House for consideration and passage on Wednesday at plenary, underscores the need to improve the management and administration of the fund, enhance police training, and provide modern equipment for the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the letter,, the proposed amendment is aimed at boosting the operational capacity, accountability, and sustainability of the Police Trust Fund in line with current security challenges.
The President urged lawmakers to give the bill expeditious consideration, as the said the reform will improve the welfare of police personnel and support skill development across the force.
In another development, the House Committee on Rules and Business has moved to tighten legislative discipline, directing all standing and ad hoc committees to submit reports on bills and motions within set timelines in line with House procedures.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Francis Uwaive, reminded all committee chairmen to treat all assigned matters within 30 days, with the risk of losing such assignments after 60 days if no progress is made, except where a short extension is granted.
A firm deadline has also been set for all outstanding reports, with the end of April 2026 as the cut-off point, and non-compliance attracting automatic discharge.
Amid the formal proceedings, lawmakers briefly paused to celebrate two members marking their birthdays, acknowledging their contributions to public service and national development.
The mood later shifted as the House paid tribute to a former member of the Fifth Assembly, observing a minute’s silence in his honour following his passing after a prolonged illness.
He was remembered for his dedication and service to his constituents in Benue State, with colleagues noting that his death represents a significant loss to the legislature and the country.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to the territorial waters of the Islamic Republic.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,” the Guards said in a statement.
“The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.”
They identified one ship as “MSC-FRANCESCA”, which they said belonged “to the Zionist regime” in reference to Israel, and the other as “EPAMINONDAS”, which they said was “tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security.”
The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait “as well as activities contrary to the safe passage” through the waterway.
Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.
Source: AFP
BREAKING: Finally, Power Minister, Adelabu resigns from Tinubu’s cabinet
Reps Begin Review of Police Trust Fund Law, Tighten Timeline for Committee Work
Iran Seizes Two Ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz
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