Foreign Affairs - Abia ThinkTank News

May

2026

Straight Of Hormuz: Any Ship That Pays Toll To Iran Will Feel Our Wrath – US Issues Strong Warning

Foreign Affairs, International, News Flash

Strait Of Hormuz: Any Ship That Pays Toll To Iran Will Feel Our Wrath – US Issues Strong Warning AttNews reports that the United States has issued a strong warning that any ship that pays toll to Iran would feel its wrath. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC, gave the warning on Friday. It stated that fulfilling any demand for an Iranian toll in exchange for passage through the Strait of Hormuz risks exposure to US sanctions. “Any ships that pay toll to Iran will feel our wrath. OFAC is issuing this alert to warn US and…

May

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

US To Review Aid, Humanitarian Assistance To Nigeria Over Insecurity

Foreign Affairs, International, News Flash

US To Review Aid, Humanitarian Assistance To Nigeria Over Insecurity The US government is moving to place stricter conditions on financial assistance to Nigeria with the House Committee on Appropriations recommending a 50 percent cut in aid and developmental assistance to the Federal Government over escalating insecurity and religious violence across the country. If passed into law, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, 2027, would see Nigeria lose access to billions of dollars already earmarked by Washington for aid and development programmes for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2028 The bill, which made appropriations for national…

Mar

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Iran Lowers Minimum Age For War Support Roles To 12 Years Old

Foreign Affairs, News Flash, War, World News

Iran Lowers Minimum Age For War Support Roles To 12 Years Old An official from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the minimum age for participation in war-related support roles has been lowered to 12, according to remarks aired on state media. Rahim Nadali, a cultural official with the Guards in Tehran, said an initiative called “For Iran” was recruiting participants to assist with activities such as patrols, checkpoints and logistics. “Given that the age of those coming forward has dropped and they are asking to take part, we lowered the minimum age to 12,” he said, adding that 12- and 13-year-olds…

Mar

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

Nigeria Signs UK Deal To Receive Deported Failed Asylum Seekers, Criminals

Foreign Affairs, Immigration, News Flash

Nigeria Signs UK Deal To Receive Deported Failed Asylum Seekers, Crim¡nals Nigeria and the United Kingdom signed a major new migration partnership on Thursday, March 19, 2026, designed to fast-track the deportation of failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals. The agreement was formalized during President Bola Tinubu’s historic state visit to the UK—the first by a West African leader in 37 years. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood. The deal specifically targets individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK, including thousands of…

Mar

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

First Lady, Remi Tinubu To Preach At Lambeth Palace During UK Visit

FGN, Foreign Affairs, News Flash

First Lady, Remi Tinubu To Preach At Lambeth Palace During UK Visit The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is scheduled to preach at Lambeth Palace in London on Thursday as part of activities lined up for President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom. Lambeth Palace serves as the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury and is a central site for the Church of England. According to details of the official itinerary published by AFP, the First Lady will also meet with representatives of the Church of England during the visit. The visit marks Nigeria’s first state visit…

Mar

2026

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Maiduguri Bombing: Presidency Debunks Fake Trump Post On Tinubu

Abuja, FGN, Foreign Affairs, International, News Flash

Maiduguri Bombing: Presidency Debunks Fake Trump Post On Tinubu The Presidency has dismissed as false a viral social media post attributed to U.S. President, Donald Trump, which criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the recent bombings in Maiduguri, Borno State. The post, widely circulated online, claimed Nigeria was witnessing “massive, coordinated suicide bombings” while Tinubu was away on an official visit to the United Kingdom, accusing him of neglecting national security. Reacting, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the message as fabricated and misleading, warning Nigerians against falling for disinformation. “Enemies of Nigeria are always…

Mar

2026

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The Collapse Of The Permanent Process – By Prof Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Foreign Affairs, War

The Collapse of the Permanent Process This moment should not be understood through the language of old habits or outdated comparisons. It is not enough to say that this is merely a repetition of the past, nor is it responsible to force every present decision into the framework of earlier failures. History offers lessons, certainly, but it also demands discernment. Not every exercise of power is the same. Not every conflict is born of the same logic. And not every assertion of national purpose should be dismissed as a return to past error. What is clear, however, is that the…

Mar

2026

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Iran Sends Strong Message To Nations Against Joining War With US, Israel

Foreign Affairs, News Flash, War

Iran Sends Strong Message To Nations Against Joining War With US, Israel Iran on Sunday warned other countries against getting involved in its war with the United States and Israel, as Rome reported a base in Kuwait hosting US and Italian troops was hit by a drone attack. It also came after Tehran sent a stern message to its neighbours that it had “ample evidence” US bases on their territory were being used to launch attacks. Iran’s warning to keep out of the war came a day after President Donald Trump had called on other countries to work with the…

Mar

2026

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Iran Commander Who Vowed To ‘Hunt Down And Kill’ Israeli PM Reportedly Killed Two Hours Later

Foreign Affairs, News Flash, War

Iran Commander Who Vowed To ‘Hunt Down And K¡ll’ Israeli PM Reportedly K¡lled Two Hours Later Brigadier General Mohammad Karami, the Commander of the IRGC Ground Forces, was reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes in Isfahan. These reports emerged just hours after he allegedly issued a public threat to “hunt down and kill” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Brigadier General Mohammad Karami, was appointed as the Commander of the IRGC Ground Forces in June 2025. According to reports, the strike that killed Karami reportedly took place in Isfahan, Iran. The reported elimination occurred roughly two hours after Karami’s public vow against…

Mar

2026

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Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Says He’s Accepted ‘Call’ To Lead Iran After Khamenei’s Death

Foreign Affairs, News Flash, World News

Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Says He’s Accepted ‘Call’ To Lead Iran After Khamenei’s Death Reza Pahlavi, exiled Iranian crown prince, says he has accepted the call to be the country’s next leader. Pahlavi is the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran and is widely regarded as the most prominent figure in the opposition to the Iranian government. He has repeatedly called for protests against the Islamic Republic and advocated for the removal of the current regime from power, as well as closer relation with the Western world and Israel. Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, was…