News
Union alleges targeted raid on Nigerian businesses in South Africa

By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian Union South Africa has raised the alarm over alleged systematic property damage and seizures during a by-law enforcement operation at the Navy House, Fatima Building in Pretoria Central.
The alarm was raised in a statement signed by the union’s National Publicity Secretary, Akindele Olunloyo, on Tuesday.
On January 17, 2025, NUSA President, Smart Nwobi, was notified by several Nigerian business owners operating in the building.
The incident reportedly occurred during a joint operation conducted by the Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Service, Metro Police, City of Tshwane authorities, and Gauteng traffic officers as part of the “Reclaim Our City” enforcement initiative.
“The notification described alleged systematic property damage and seizures during the Reclaim Our City by-law enforcement action, executed by a joint team of government representatives, including officials from the Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Service personnel, Metro Police forces, City of Tshwane authorities, and Gauteng traffic officers,” the statement narrated.
Responding, Nwobi convened key NUSA executives, including Vice President, Prof. Collins Potokri, Legal Adviser, Anthonia Ndubuisi, and Welfare Officer, Tonia Ozobu, to investigate.
Ndubuisi arrived at the scene to collect firsthand accounts from affected business owners.
“The business owners described the extensive seizure of their commercial assets, with officials allegedly taking numerous items of value. The confiscated items included expensive Brazilian hair extensions, quality hairpieces, electronics like TVs and microwaves, professional hair salon equipment including dryers and tongs, large sums of money, and drinks from their fridges.
“Based on detailed accounts from the shop owners, the officials’ conduct extended beyond seizures. They methodically destroyed surveillance systems throughout the building in what seemed to be a calculated move to remove evidence.
“This included removing and dismantling CCTV cameras installed in various shop locations, along with their recording equipment. The officials allegedly inflicted considerable damage to the building structure, particularly the ceiling sections, while attempting to remove the surveillance devices,” the statement added.
The affected business owners maintained contact with NUSA officials during the operation, seeking guidance and support.
NUSA’s Welfare Officer, Ozobu, facilitated communication with the victims to document their grievances.
Following the incident, the business owners filed a formal complaint with SAPS Pretoria Central Station under case reference CAS 385/1/2025.
“The complaint was officially documented under reference number CAS 385/1/2025, launching a formal investigation into these grave allegations of misconduct by government officials”, the union concluded.
News
Celebrity boxing: Speed Darlington wants rematch after losing to Portable

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Nigerian singer Speed Darlington is calling for a rematch against Portable after losing to him in a celebrity boxing match.
Speed Darlington was knocked out in the second round, and he’s unhappy about the outcome.
In a video, he claimed Portable didn’t deserve the win and the prize money, saying he had plans to use the money to build a swimming pool for his community in Imo State.
Portable, I want a rematch. E dey pain me say you dey carry all that money dey go. E dey break my heart.
” I want a rematch. It’s so unfair. You have up to two experience before me and you fight. I never enter ring before. I did not come from poverty,” he said.
“You don’t deserve that money. E dey pain me. I want to build swimming pool for my villagers. I need a rematch, Portable”, he said.
According to Speed Darlington, Portable had an unfair advantage due to his experience, accusing him of using supernatural means to win the fight.
He also claimed he suffered a shoulder injury during the match despite not feeling tired.
Speed Darlington, who wants a rematch, said he needs 30 days to prepare better
News
Israel’s remote controlled bulldozers breaking ground in Gaza war

At first glance, there is nothing unusual about the bulky bulldozer turning up soil at a testing site in central Israel, but as it pulled closer it became clear: the driver’s cabin is eerily empty.
This is the Robdozer, a fortified engineering vehicle manned remotely, and in this case operated from a military expo halfway across the globe in Alabama.
Army engineers and military experts say that the Robdozer — the robotic version of Caterpillar’s D9 bulldozer — is the future of automated combat.
The Israeli military has used D9 for years to carry out frontline tasks like trowelling roads for advancing troops, removing rubble and flattening terrain.
But since war in Gaza broke out in October 2023 and later in Lebanon, the Israeli military has increasingly deployed this robotic version in a bid to enhance its field operations and reduce the risks to its troops.
“The idea is to eliminate the person from the cockpit of the dozer,” said Rani, whose team at the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries developed the Robdozer.
An unmanned D9 bulldozer digs up a field during a demonstration to the press at the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) quarters near Tel Aviv on March 26, 2025. Israel’s increasing use of advanced technology on the battlefield, from air defence systems to a broad range of AI-driven intelligence tools, has been well-documented but also criticised for inaccuracies, lack of human oversight and potential violations of international law. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP)
During the Gaza war, the military has increasingly opted for the unmanned version, which can carry out a full range of tasks “even better than a human”, said Rani, using his first name only for security reasons.
While such vehicles and other systems are currently operated by humans, future versions could be autonomous, raising ethical and legal concerns over the unchartered future of warfare being shaped by the Israeli military in the Gaza war.
‘Changing the paradigm’
Israel’s increasing use of advanced technology on the battlefield, from air defence systems to a broad range of AI-driven intelligence tools, has been well-documented but also criticised for inaccuracies, lack of human oversight and potential violations of international law.
Analysts say the growing Israeli deployment of the Robdozer reflects broader global trends towards automation in heavy combat vehicles, like remote-controlled personnel carriers that operate much like drones.
An Israeli military official, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, told AFP that the army has been using “robotic tools for over a decade, but in very small numbers. Now it is being used in large-scale warfare”.
News
70-hour Chess Marathon: Onakoya reportedly breaks record set by Norwegians

Nigerian chess sensation and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has broken the chess marathon record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by two Norwegian players, Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, in June 2024.
Onakoya and his chess partner, Shawn Martinez, are currently aiming to complete a 70-hour chess marathon in Times Square, New York.
The marathon, a four-day non-stop gameplay, started on April 17.
In a post shared on X shortly after surpassing the current record, he expressed fulfillment and called for action to educate and create opportunities for street children in Nigeria.
For all the dreamers! We’ve officially BROKEN THE RECORD with my brother,” he wrote.
Although the official confirmation from Guinness World Records is still being awaited, Nigerians and chess lovers from different parts of the world have congratulated the chess master on his latest achievement.
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