NiMet Forecasts Hazy Weather, Thunderstorms Across Nigeria

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has projected a mix of dust haze, sunny conditions and isolated thunderstorms across different parts of Nigeria from Sunday through Tuesday, warning residents to take necessary precautions due to reduced visibility and unstable weather patterns.

In its weather outlook issued on Saturday in Abuja, NiMet said the northern region will experience moderate dust haze on Sunday, with horizontal visibility expected to range between two and five kilometres in most areas. The agency added that parts of Katsina, Kano and Jigawa States may experience even lower visibility levels of about 1,000 metres or less at certain times of the day.

The forecast for the North-Central region indicates that moderate dust haze will persist throughout the three-day period, maintaining generally dusty atmospheric conditions across the zone.

For the southern region, NiMet predicted mostly sunny conditions with patches of cloud cover, although there is a slight chance of afternoon or evening thunderstorms that may bring light rainfall to coastal and nearby states. Areas likely to be affected include Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

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Looking ahead to Monday, the agency said moderate dust haze would continue across both the northern and North-Central regions, with visibility challenges expected to persist in some locations. In the southern states, mostly sunny skies are anticipated, although isolated thunderstorms with light rain may occur later in the day in Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Edo States.

By Tuesday, NiMet projected a slight improvement in northern conditions, with slight dust haze expected across the region, while moderate haze is likely to persist over the North-Central states. In the southern region, sunny conditions with occasional cloud cover are expected, alongside a low chance of isolated thunderstorms in Lagos, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.

NiMet advised residents nationwide to take precautions due to the presence of dust particles in the atmosphere, which may affect air quality and visibility.

The agency specifically urged individuals with asthma, allergies and other respiratory conditions to be cautious and limit exposure to dusty environments where necessary.

Motorists were also advised to drive carefully, especially during rainfall or periods of reduced visibility, while airline operators were encouraged to obtain airport-specific weather updates from NiMet before flight operations.

The agency further urged Nigerians to stay informed through regular weather updates via its official website, www.nimet.gov.ng, and other verified communication channels.

NiMet reaffirmed its commitment to providing timely and accurate weather information to support safety in aviation, agriculture, transportation and disaster risk management across the country.

NiMet Forecasts Hazy Weather, Thunderstorms Across Nigeria

Nigerian Student Jailed 14 Years In Cyprus Over Sexual Assault Case

A Nigerian student in Northern Cyprus, identified as Obasi Chimezirm Princewill, has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a fellow student and secretly recording the incident without her consent.

The judgment was delivered by the Lefkoşa High Criminal Court following the conclusion of a widely followed trial involving charges of sexual assault and serious assault linked to an incident that occurred in March 2023 at a student dormitory in the Hamitköy area of Lefkoşa (Nicosia).

According to the court, the incident happened between 10:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. on March 25 and 26, 2023, after the defendant entered the victim’s room with her consent before allegedly attacking her.

Delivering the judgment, Senior Judge Vedia Berkut Barkın said the defendant assaulted the victim by strangling her before sexually assaulting her multiple times.

The court further heard that the defendant secretly recorded the incident without the victim’s knowledge or permission, a factor the judges described as particularly disturbing and aggravating.

Judge Barkın stated that the court found the defendant guilty on all charges after reviewing witness testimonies, forensic evidence, medical reports and digital materials obtained during the investigation.

“The defendant came to our country as a student. After becoming an illegal immigrant, he continued to reside here and committed such a grave crime,” the judge reportedly said during sentencing.

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The court noted that recent amendments to criminal laws in Cyprus introduced stricter penalties for sexual offences due to growing concerns over rising cases of violence and abuse.

According to the judge, crimes involving violence, coercion and non-consensual recordings leave lasting emotional and psychological trauma on victims and therefore require severe punishment.

In arriving at the 14-year jail sentence, the court considered several aggravating factors, including the secret recording of the incident, the defendant’s alleged lack of remorse during the trial, and claims that he attempted to evade authorities during investigations.

Reports from local media in Cyprus indicated that Princewill was studying law at the time of the incident and had allegedly violated immigration regulations before his arrest.

The case has since generated reactions online in both Cyprus and Nigeria, with many social media users supporting the court’s decision and calling for stronger measures to protect students in host communities.

The development has also renewed conversations around campus safety, student welfare and the conduct of international students abroad.

Nigerian Student Jailed 14 Years In Cyprus Over Sexual Assault Case

Nigerian Army Reveals Why Influencer Justice Crack Was Arrested

The Nigerian Army has revealed the reason behind the arrest of popular social media influencer and content creator, Justice Mark Chidiebere, widely known online as Justice Crack.

The military said the influencer was detained after preliminary investigations allegedly showed that he engaged serving soldiers in conversations that bordered on subversion and attempts to create discontent within the military system.

In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army explained that its attention was initially drawn to social media posts made by Justice Crack concerning complaints from soldiers over feeding conditions and welfare challenges.

According to the Army, the complaints raised by the soldiers were being reviewed internally before investigators allegedly discovered that the discussions between the influencer and some military personnel went beyond welfare-related issues.

“Preliminary report reveals that the soldiers discussed a wide range of issues with Justice Chidiebere, who seemed to be inciting soldiers to create discontent within the system,” the statement said.

The military further alleged that one of the conversations between the influencer and the soldiers touched on issues considered subversive and capable of undermining military discipline.

“An example was a chat bordering on subversion which Chidiebere had with the soldiers,” the Army added.

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The Nigerian Army stressed that attempts by civilians to influence military personnel against constituted authority could pose serious threats to discipline, operational effectiveness and national security.

“A situation where civilians cultivate vulnerable personnel towards acts of subversion has far-reaching implications on discipline and national security,” the statement noted.

The Army confirmed that Justice Crack was arrested alongside some soldiers connected to the matter.

While the military personnel involved remain in military custody, the influencer has reportedly been transferred to relevant civilian authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.

“Justice Chidiebere has been handed over to the relevant civil authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution,” the statement read.

The Army also linked the arrest to alleged violations of the Armed Forces social media policy, accusing the influencer and the affected soldiers of spreading information considered misleading and harmful to military operations.

The development came after widespread concern on social media over the influencer’s sudden disappearance.

Before the Army’s clarification, Justice Crack’s wife had publicly appealed to Nigerians and government authorities for help after she reportedly lost contact with her husband for several days.

In an emotional video shared online, she said repeated calls to his phone went unanswered, describing the situation as unusual because her husband had never spent nights away from home without informing the family.

“I tried everything. I called his line from that Tuesday and it rang once, but nobody picked. The messages delivered at the same time and I became confused,” she said.

She further appealed directly to the Federal Government and security agencies to release her husband, insisting that their children needed their father.

“Please Nigerian government, bring my husband back to me and my children. My daughter is just six years old. They do not deserve this,” she pleaded.

The arrest had earlier sparked criticism from activists and social media users who questioned the circumstances surrounding his detention before the Army issued its official response.

Popular activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, was among those who demanded transparency regarding the influencer’s whereabouts and treatment while in custody.

Justice Crack became popular on social media for posting commentary on governance, insecurity and welfare concerns affecting Nigerian soldiers and citizens.

However, the Nigerian Army maintained that its actions were lawful and necessary to protect national security and military discipline.

“The Nigerian Army remains committed to the rule of law and will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure justice is served,” the statement added.

Nigerian Army Reveals Why Influencer Justice Crack Was Arrested