Flowerbud News

Year: 2026

  • Alleged $9.7m terrorism financing: Court rejects Bauchi Finance commissioner, others’ bail plea

    Alleged $9.7m terrorism financing: Court rejects Bauchi Finance commissioner, others’ bail plea

     

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, declined to grant a bail application filed by Yakubu Adamu, Commissioner of Finance, Bauchi State, and his co-defendants who are facing alleged $9.7 million terrorism financing.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the offences with which the defendants are being charged threatened national security and public safety.

    Justice Nwite further held that terrorism related offences threatened social order and pre-trial release could endanger the public, hence, such bail cannot be granted.

    The judge, however, made an order for accelerated hearing of the matter.

    “I am not unmindful of the constitutional provision of Section 36(5) which provides that every person who is charged with criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until he is proven guilty.

    “But I must not hesitate to state that the said constitutional provision is not absolutely right.

    “In the consideration of application for bail, all factors have to be considered,” he said.

    Citing a 2001 case involving Bamaiyi and the State, the judge said the apex court held that “it is proper to consider the nature of the offence, the nature of the evidence in support of it and the severity of the punishment which conviction will entail.”

    He said the court took these critical factors as to availability to stand trial into consideration, hence, “these are not matters that should be glossed over.”

    Justice Nwite said: “I cannot say more than this erudite jurist.

    “Our criminal justice system has its stipulations and safeguards for the prosecutor, the accused and the victim.

    “In the proper operation of that system, it can be said that it is in the interest of the society and with those safeguards that if an application for bail pending trial, there is a good reason to believe or strongly agreed that the accused will not jump bail, thereby making himself available to stand his trial and /or will not interfere with witnesses thereby constituting an obstacle in the way of justice, the court will be acting within the undoubted discretion to grant bail.

    “I have carefully considered the affidavit evidence available before me in this point in time.

    “And I have also considered the proof of evidence, especially the statement of Dan Lawan Abdulmumuni and other prosecution witnesses together with grave threat to national security and public safety this case pose.

    “And I have also taking cognizance that terrorism related offences threatened social order and pre-trial release could endanger the public.

    “In my view, the prosecution/respondent has succeeded in raising a reasonable presumption of criminal responsibility on the part of the applicants (Adamu and co-defendants).

    “In view of the foregoing, I am of the humble view and I so hold that interest of justice will be met by giving the matter accelerated hearing.

    “Consequently, the application is hereby refused,” the judge ruled.

    Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until Jan. 13 for commencement of trial.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adamu and his co-defendants were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre following their arraignment on a 10-count charge on Dec. 31, 2025, and the judge fixed today for ruling on their bail applications.

    Adamu, the 1st defendant, was arraigned alongside Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed, who are 2nd to 4th defendants respectively and Bauchi State civil servants.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts preferred against them by the anti-graft agency.

    The charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/705/2025, was dated and filed Dec. 30 by EFCC’s lawyer, Samuel Chime.

    In count one, Adamu, Sirajo Jaja (while being Accountant-General of Bauchi State, now at large}, Samaila Irmiya Liman (now at large}, Balarabe Ilelah, Aminu Bose and Kabiru Mohammed (all being civil servants and signatories to Bauchi State Government’s accounts and/or payment instruments) were alleged to have committed the offence sometime between Jan. 2024 and May 2024.

    They were alleged to have conspired to provide funds in the aggregate sum of 2,300,000.000 U.S. dollars in cash for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him, pursuant to approvals granted by Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

    The said funds were alleged to be used, in whole or in part, to finance a terrorist or terrorist group.

    The offence is contrary to Section 26(1) and punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

    In count three, Adamu, Jaja (now at large), Liman (now at large), Ilelah, Bose, Mohammed (all being civil servants and signatories to Bauchi State Government’s accounts and/or payment instruments) were alleged to have, sometime between Jan. 2024 and May 2024, committed the offence.

    They were accused of involving in an arrangement which resulted in the sum of about 500,000.00 U.S. dollars being delivered in cash to Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him for the purpose of terrorism and for the benefit of a proscribed terrorist group pursuant to approvals granted by Gov. Bala Mohammed.

    The offence is contrary to Section 21(3)(b) and punishable under Section 21(4)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

    Count four accused the defendants, including Jaja and Liman (who are at large) to have conspired to disguise the origin of the 2, 300, 000. 00 U.S. dollars, being Bauchi State Government’s funds, routed through Bureau de Change (BDC) operators and other nominees and converting same to U.S. dollars, for the benefit of Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him.

    It said this was pursuant to approvals granted by Gov. Mohammed, having reasonable grounds to know that the said funds formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act.

    The offence is contrary to Section 21(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

    In count eight, the defendants, including Jaja and Liman (who are at large), were alleged to have, sometime in the year 2024, conspired to disguise the origin of the sum of about 6, 950, 000. 00 US dollars for the benefit of Yakubu Adamu, the Finance Commissioner, being proceeds of unlawful activity routed from Bauchi State Government’s funds through the BDC operators.

    The offence is contrary to Section 21(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, among other counts.

    Alhaji Bello Bodejo is the President, the Miyettti Allah Kautal Hore.

    Adamu, the 1st defendant, alongside a firm, Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, is also facing another money laundering charge involving N4.6 billion before Justice Nwite.

    He was, however, granted a N500 million bail with two sureties who must be owners of property within Maitama, Asokoro or Gwarimpa on Friday.

    In the six-count charge, Adamu was alleged to have committed the offence while acting as the Branch Manager of Polaris Bank Ltd, Bauchi, sometime between June 2023 to December 2023

    The defendants, alongside others, were alleged to have facilitated and agreed to the conversion, concealment and use of funds in the sum of about N4,650,000,000.00 availed by Polaris Bank under the guise of financing the supply of motorcycles to Bauchi State Government through Emmanuel Asomugha General Enterprises.

    However, they were alleged not to have supplied the motorcycles.

  • YES/NO Chairmen Defy Police Directive, Disrupt NULGE Resumption of Duty

    YES/NO Chairmen Defy Police Directive, Disrupt NULGE Resumption of Duty

     

    By Ariyo Seleem

    Reports from across local governments in Osun state showed that the APC Yes/No Chairmen defied police directives, instructing politicians of all sides to stay away from the council secretariats for peaceful resumption of duty by NULGE members.

    The police issued the directives two days ago with specific warnings to politicians to stop their evil plots to disrupt efforts by NULGE to resume duties after months of staying away FOR security reasons.

    Eye witness reports across the state however revealed that the YES/NO chairmen not only defied the police directives but also mobilised their supporters to storm the councils hours before resumption time for NULGE members.

    The APC members who were sacked by a subsisting court order in 2022 stormed the secretariats with all manners of theatrics.

    In some local governments, the police actually assisted the APC operatives to defy directives from police commands.

    In several other local governments, the police reportedly did not raise a finger to enforce its widely publicised directives to politicians to stay away from the councils.

    Checks showed that the development has created a dilemma for the NULGE members who are reportedly afraid of their safety following alleged plans to molest BY the APC members.

    It would be recalled that the APC operatives had sent out audio messages last night in which NULGE was allegedly smeared and tagged as anti- APC agenda.

    The YES/NO chairmen were therefore at the council secretariats with a mindset to reportedly deal with the civil servants.

    It is not clear what the police command will do now that its order has been floated and disregarded by the YES/NO chairmen.

    Meanwhile, the PDP elected chairmen were not spotted at any of the local governments.

    The chairmen were said to be acting on the earlier directives of the PDP leadership not to resume at the councils to avoid breakdown of law and ORDER

  • Low turnout as Osun council workers resume after 11-month hiatus

    Low turnout as Osun council workers resume after 11-month hiatus

     

     

    Local Government council secreatariats  in Osun recorded a low turnout of workers on Monday as they resumed duty after an 11-month sit-at-home directive.

    Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited some council offices in the state, report that only a few workers were seen on the councils’ premises.

    NAN reports that heavy police presence was observed in all the local government councils visited.

    When a NAN correspondent visited Olorunda Local Government Area,  only a handful of workers were seen.

    The Chairman of a local government, Mr Kunle Abdulmajid, while speaking with NAN, said he was happy that staff had resumed duty after almost 11 months of sitting at home.

    Abdulmajid said the resumption of workers would revitalise developmental activities at the grassroots, which he noted had suffered greatly in the past 11 months.

    “We are all from this state, and we are all working for the progress of the state.

    “With the resumption of workers today, I am very sure that Osun will move forward,” he said.

    At Ife Central Local Government secretariat, a few workers were also seen within the premises, with heavy security personnel stationed at the entrance and within the secretariat.

    Workers were screened by police personnel at the entrance of the council before they were allowed in.

    However, the workers declined to speak with the NAN correspondent when approached to share their experiences about the resumption.

    They said they had received strict instructions not to speak with the press.

    Similarly, at about 8:45 a.m. at the Ede North Local Government Secretariat, some workers were seen cleaning their offices, while others were chatting and exchanging greetings.

    Mr Kunle Ajao, a staff member of the council, said workers were happy to resume duty after spending months at home doing nothing.

    Ajao said workers were obligated to perform their duties without political influence, expressing optimism that the issues surrounding the local government crisis would be resolved.

    The Chairman of Ede North Local Government, Mr Elliot Adeyemi, told NAN that the resumption of workers would enhance development across the state.

    Adeyemi said the decision by workers to return to duty was in the overall interest of the people at the grassroots.

    He added that the resumption would improve service delivery and help address grassroots challenges in communities across the state.

    “I have been at work since Feb. 10, 2025; it was our workers who had been at home for the past 11 months that resumed today.

    “The atmosphere in the local government is calm, and nobody is harassing or sending the workers away,” he said.

    Adeyemi called for cooperation and collaboration among workers, saying synergy was needed for meaningful growth and development at the grassroots level.

    NAN reports that local government administration in the state had been embroiled in a crisis following the Feb. 10 judgement of the Court of Appeal in Akure.

    While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) maintained that the judgment did not reinstate the sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, the APC insisted that the ruling restored them to office.

    Consequently, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) directed local government workers to withdraw their services from Feb. 17, 2025, citing security concerns.

    However, on Dec. 29, 2025, the national leadership of NULGE directed workers to resume duty.

    Mr Nathaniel Ogungbangbe said that after extensive internal consultations, the union resolved that its members in Osun should resume work on Jan. 5, 2026.

    The directive, however, drew opposition from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state.

    In a statement, the ALGON Chairman in Osun, Mr Samuel Abiodun, urged security agencies to hold Ogungbangbe responsible should there be any breach of peace or breakdown of law and order across the state’s local government areas.

    The police in the state, however, warned politicians against disrupting the resumption of local government workers.

    A statement by the Police Deputy Public Relations Officer in the state, Giwa-Alade Emmanuel, said the command had received credible intelligence on plans by some persons to disrupt the workers’ resumption.

    Emmanuel said the command would not permit miscreants to undermine the peace and tranquillity that have been diligently sustained in the state.

    (NAN)

  • Trump will capture you if you rig 2027 election, PDP chieftain tells Tinubu, others

    Trump will capture you if you rig 2027 election, PDP chieftain tells Tinubu, others

     

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, has told President Bola Tinubu and other political actors not to rig the 2027 presidential election, saying that President Donald Trump would capture them.

    He said this in an interview on Arise Television on Sunday, adding that electoral malpractice could attract global consequences.

    According to Pearse, the era of unchecked election rigging is coming to an end, stressing that international institutions and powerful global actors would not ignore any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.

    He said: “The whole international world is watching.

    “If you rig the election the way you normally do, you may have Trump coming to get your war chambers.

    “Everybody should be careful.”

    Pearse added that the presence of international judicial mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) should serve as a deterrent to electoral misconduct.

    He said: “This is not the first time it has happened.

    “The International Criminal Court is there.

    “So be careful what you do with a rigged election in Nigeria.”

    Pearse expressed confidence that the 2027 elections would be different from previous ones, insisting that Nigerians would no longer tolerate electoral fraud.

    He said: “No, no, no — it will not happen again.

    “2027 is going to be different.”

  • 30.1 kg cocaine bust: Customs, NDLEA intercept foreign vessel at Apapa port

    1. èÓ
      The Customs Area Controller, (CAC) Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, with official of NDLEA at Greenview Terminal, Apapa Lagos while intercepting 30kg Cocaine on foreign vessel at Apapa port

       

    2. 30.1 kg cocaine bust: Customs, NDLEA intercept foreign vessel at Apapa port

    Lagos, Jan. 2, 2026, Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, in synergy with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted 30.1 kg of cocaine aboard a foreign vessel at the Apapa port.

     

     

    The Customs Area Controller, (CAC) Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos on Friday, through the Public Relations Officer,

    Apapa Port Command, Isah Sulaiman.

     

     

    Oshoba explained that the vessel was intercepted on Friday, being the first working day in the new year, at the Greenview Terminal, Apapa Lagos.

     

     

    He said that the illicit drugs were concealed on MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, highlighting the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by smugglers seeking to exploit Nigeria’s busiest seaport.

     

     

    The Customs Comptroller, lauded officers of both agencies for their vigilance, professionalism, and effective collaboration.

     

     

    He described the interception as a product of intelligence-driven operations and strong inter-agency cooperation.

     

     

    “This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to intelligence-led enforcement and the synergy among Federal Government agencies.

     

     

    “As the criminal networks continue to devise new tactics to outsmart law enforcement, our officers remain proactive and resolute.

     

     

    “No smuggling attempt,whether through import, export, or transit cargo, will succeed under my watch.

     

     

    “The seizure sends a strong signal at the start of 2026, reaffirming the command’s zero-tolerance stance against illicit trade.

     

     

    “In accordance with established procedures, the seized cocaine has been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.

     

     

    The latest interception represents the third major drug bust by the joint NCS–NDLEA team in recent weeks.

     

     

    “About two weeks ago, the agencies seized 25.5 kg of cocaine concealed in five bags aboard another vessel, following actionable intelligence,”he said

     

     

    He said that similarly, on Dec. 11, operatives intercepted 1,187 kg of “Canadian Loud,” a premium strain of cannabis, packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and concealed inside imported vehicles in a 40-foot container.

    A picture of a vessel that contained intercepted illicit drugs l MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel

     

    The Comptroller reiterated commitment of the command, to facilitating legitimate trade while maintaining a robust posture against threats to national security.

  • PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS MILITARY, POLICE, DSS TO HUNT DOWN TERRORISTS BEHIND KASUWAN DAJI ATTACK

    PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS MILITARY, POLICE, DSS TO HUNT DOWN TERRORISTS BEHIND KASUWAN DAJI ATTACK

     

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack, ensuring they are swiftly brought to justice.

    He also directed security agencies to rescue all the abducted victims urgently, a statement by Bayo Onanuga,Special Adviser to the President
    (Information & Strategy) disclosed on Sunday

    President Tinubu issued the directives on Sunday in response to the recent killings of villagers in Niger State by terrorists suspected to be fleeing from Sokoto and Zamfara following the United States’ air strike on Christmas Eve.

    The President strongly condemned the attack on the Kasuwan Daji Community and the abduction of women and children.

    He sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Government and people of Niger State.

    “These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must, therefore, face the full consequences of their criminal actions. No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. They, and all those who aid, abet, or enable them in any form, will be caught and brought to justice,” the President declared.

    President Tinubu assured the people of Niger State that security agencies have been mandated to intensify operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those near the forests that have served as hideouts for criminal elements.

    He urged Nigerians to remain united and resolute in the face of this tragedy and cautioned against divisive rhetoric that could undermine national security and cohesion during this challenging period.

    “These times demand our humanity. We must stand together as one people and confront these monsters in unison. United, we can and must defeat them, deny them any sanctuary. We must reclaim the peace and security of these attacked communities,” President Tinubu said.

  • Naval Chief reaffirms security drive in Lake Chad

    Naval Chief reaffirms security drive in Lake Chad

     

     

    Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to improving security around Lake Chad during a working visit to Borno State.

    During the visit, he assessed operations at the Lake Chad Naval Base and met with military commanders in Maiduguri before travelling to Baga.

    He said naval troops were making steady progress in clearing waterways and insurgents’ hideouts, reopening routes that were previously inaccessible.

    According to him, improved security has enabled fishermen, farmers, traders and transport operators to return safely, supporting the gradual revival of economic activities.

    Lake Chad, shared by Nigeria and neighbouring countries, has endured over a decade of insurgency, with security experts noting that sustained military dominance would significantly weaken terrorist activities in the region.

  • Ozomma Tony Nezianya and colleagues visit NAN Lagos office

    Ozomma Tony Nezianya and colleagues visit NAN Lagos office

     

     

     

    By:Monday

    Chief Tony Nezianya, the Ozomdioranma (Ozoma) of Onitsha Ado, on Saturday, made a brief stop over at the premises of his former employers, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), at the National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos.

    Accompanied by some of his former bosses, colleagues and friends, Chief Nezianya was received by the Acting Head of NAN Lagos office, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole.

    Ozomma Nezianya’s visit was sequel to the special “washing” ceremony of his chieftaincy, which was held at the timeless ABE IGI rendezvous at the National Theatre complex.

    Nezianya, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Public Relations Officer and former Director in NAN, applauded Omowole’s leadership qualities.

    “We are proud that you have tried to preserve the agency’s endearing legacies.

    “We recall with nostalgia that this is the place where we spent our youthful years and where we made sterling contributions toward the growth and development of the Agency.

    “We are proud that we left some colleagues who share our dreams and sentiments in the vision for the lofty ideals of the Agency . We are proud of you.

    “I pledge on behalf of my colleagues that we will always be ready to assist in realigning the younger elements in the Agency toward reawakening their consciousness toward its vision.”

    The former staffers of the Agency resolved to pay similar visit to some NAN legends, some of whom are now octogenarians and nonagenarians.

    They include the pioneer Editor-in-Chief of the Agency, Prof. Olufemi Adefela, Mr Chukwura Ezebube, a member of the original nine editors, Mr Dave igiewe, also a member of the Agency’s original nine editors, Engr. vitus Egwuagu, who was a long-time head of the Agency’s Engineering Department and NAN foremost head of the Account Department, Mr Ajayi.

    Present were Segun Adeyemi, former Special Assistant to the President, office of the Minister of information and Culture; Kingsley Kubenjie, former Southern Africa Correspondent of NAN, based in Zimbabwe; Edwin Nwachukwu, former Bureau Chief at the United Nations and North America Correspondent; Mr Isaac Ighure, former Editor-In-Chief, Olusegun Aribike, former Editor-In-Chief, Alli Hakeem, former Editor-In-Chief, Engr. Augustine Onoro, Director Engineering Department and Tajudeen Atitebi, former Head of Economic News Desk.

  • Venezuela Defence Minister Calls for ‘Anti-Imperialist Liberation War’

    Venezuela Defence Minister Calls for ‘Anti-Imperialist Liberation War’

     

    By Natalie Naidoo

    Caracas, Venezuela     –In a defiant stand against what he calls an imperialist attack, Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López has released a video message rallying the nation for an “anti-imperialist and liberation war” against the American empire.

    The statement, shared on January 3, 2026, comes amid chaos following U.S. military strikes on Venezuelan soil that targeted key installations and led to claims of President Nicolás Maduro’s capture.

    For ordinary Venezuelans waking to blackouts and uncertainty, Padrino’s words offer a call to arms but also deepen fears of a wider conflict that could worsen daily hardships like food shortages and power cuts.

    The minister, alive despite earlier false reports of his death, urged all social and political forces to activate mobilisation plans and repudiate the assault, framing it as a fight for sovereignty.

    This bold response from a key Maduro ally highlights the high stakes in a nation already strained by years of economic crisis and political division.

    As families huddle in darkened homes, wondering what comes next, Padrino’s message resonates with those who see the U.S. actions as overreach, while raising alarms about escalation in a region on edge.

    In South Africa, with our history of resisting external pressures, this story echoes calls for self-determination, reminding us how global power plays can upend lives far from the centres of decision-making.

    With no immediate U.S. response and international condemnation growing, the world watches as Venezuela braces for what could be a prolonged standoff in 2026.

    Padrino’s video, delivered with military precision, rejects U.S. claims and positions Venezuela as a defender against aggression, potentially rallying support at home but risking further isolation abroad.

    The Video Message: A Call to Arms Against Imperialism

    In the video released on January 3, 2026, Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López appeared resolute, dismissing reports of his death as false and urging Venezuelans to rise against the “American empire.”

    He called for an “anti-imperialist and liberation war,” emphasising the need to mobilise all forces to repel what he described as an unprovoked assault.

    Padrino stressed unity, saying the Bolivarian government urges all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilisation plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.

    The message, likely recorded from a secure location amid ongoing unrest, aims to boost morale among troops and civilians.

    Padrino, a key figure in Maduro’s inner circle, has long been a vocal defender of the regime, often framing external pressures as threats to Venezuela’s independence.

    His survival counters U.S. narratives and could galvanise loyalists, but it also heightens risks if clashes intensify.

    For families in Caracas facing blackouts and street fighting, this call brings mixed feelings – pride in resistance but fear of more violence. In 2025, similar rhetoric preceded crackdowns on protests, leaving thousands detained.

    Vladimir Padrino López: A Loyal Defender in Turbulent Times

    Vladimir Padrino López, 62, has served as Venezuela’s Defence Minister since 2014, a role that makes him a pillar of Maduro’s government.

    Born in Caracas, he rose through the military ranks, graduating from the Military Academy in 1984 and holding key posts like Chief of the General Staff.

    A staunch Chavista – follower of Hugo Chávez’s ideology – Padrino has navigated coups, sanctions, and internal purges, remaining loyal through crises.

    In 2019, he rejected U.S.-backed opposition attempts to oust Maduro, helping secure the regime. His 2025 speeches often condemned “imperialist” threats, aligning with Maduro’s anti-US stance.

    Despite rumours of his death in the January 3 strikes, Padrino’s video proves his survival, a boost for Maduro’s camp.

    As a family man with a military background, Padrino embodies the blend of duty and defiance that defines Venezuela’s leadership.

    His call for war reflects deep anti-imperialist roots, shaped by Latin America’s history of U.S. interventions.

    Background: U.S. Strikes and Maduro’s Reported Capture

    The video follows U.S. airstrikes on January 3, 2026, targeting military sites in Caracas, La Guaira, Miranda, and Aragua.

    Explosions at Fort Tiuna and La Carlota airport caused blackouts and chaos. Trump claimed the strikes captured Maduro and his wife, but Maduro denied this in an address, declaring emergency and mobilising forces.

    Maduro accused the U.S. of 25 weeks of aggression in 2025, likely blockades. Street fighting in Caracas suggests clashes, with unconfirmed U.S. troop landings.

    This escalation follows Trump’s 2025 re-election threats against Maduro for alleged drug ties.

    Venezuela’s response includes activating defences, with Padrino’s message part of rallying efforts. The strikes hit a nation in crisis, with 80 percent in poverty and 7 million fled since 2014.

    Regional and Global Fallout: Condemnation and Economic Ripples

    Brazil’s President Lula condemned the strikes as crossing “an unacceptable line,” calling for a summit. Colombia’s Petro slammed “bombing Caracas,” while Mexico urged calm.

    Latin America’s outcry highlights anti-US sentiments, fearing instability.

    Russia and China backed Maduro, vowing aid. The UN warned of humanitarian woes. Oil prices jumped 5 percent, hitting importers like South Africa with higher fuel costs.

    For SA, with BRICS ties, this tests neutral stances. Our call for UNSC meetings shows commitment to peace.

    Path Ahead: Escalation Risks and De-Escalation Hopes

    With Maduro defiant and Trump firm, escalation looms. Maduro’s emergency allows curfews and military moves, potentially drawing allies. Trump may push more strikes if goals unmet.

    Mediation calls grow – Lula’s summit could de-escalate. The UN and OAS urge restraint.

    For 2026, this could redefine US-Latin relations, risking proxy war.

    Venezuelans hope for peace, but mobilisation signals uncertainty. In a connected world, this affects all – from energy to migration – calling for wisdom over force.

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