The security situation in North-West Nigeria has taken a dramatic turn following reports of a joint military operation involving the United States.
Video footage has recently surfaced confirming the elimination of several terrorists in Sokoto State during precision airstrikes.
The strikes, which were reportedly carried out on Christmas Day and into early January 2026, targeted the newly emerged Lakurawa extremist group and ISIS-affiliated camps in the Bauni forest.
While US President Donald Trump described the operations as “perfect” hits against “terrorist scum” targeting Christians, local reports have noted the discovery of unexploded Tomahawk missiles in nearby farmlands, raising questions about the precision and long-term impact of the intervention.
In the world of sports, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have soared into the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a commanding 2–0 victory over Algeria at the Stade de Marrakech.
Star striker Victor Osimhen was the hero of the night, breaking a tense deadlock with a powerful header just two minutes after the restart before providing the assist for Akor Adams’ second goal.
This historic win marks the first time Nigeria has defeated Algeria in an AFCON knockout stage since 2013.
The Super Eagles are now set for a high-stakes showdown against the host nation, Morocco, this Wednesday, January 14, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
On a sombre note, a major medical controversy is unfolding in Lagos as Euracare Multispecialist Hospital launched an internal investigation into the death of the 21-month-old son of world-renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
The literary icon publicly accused the facility of “criminal negligence,” alleging that her son, Nkanu Nnamdi, was administered an overdose of propofol and left unmonitored during a routine MRI procedure.
While the hospital expressed its deepest condolences, it maintained that the child was already critically ill upon arrival and denied specific claims of negligence.
The tragedy has prompted the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists to monitor the probe, sparking a national outcry over healthcare accountability.
More details of the PUNCH Online Sunday morning recap are listed below:
Video confirms killing of terrorists in Sokoto US strikes
Many terrorists were killed, while their hideouts and vehicles were destroyed during United States airstrikes carried out in Sokoto State on December 25, footage sighted by Sunday PUNCH has revealed.
The footage of the operation, which is yet to be declassified by the military but was sighted by our correspondent on Saturday, showed three separate strikes conducted on terrorist hideouts between December 24 and 25, 2025.
A secondary explosion was observed shortly after the first strike, suggesting the presence of explosive materials at the location.
The video also captured movements of suspected terrorists fleeing the area following the initial bombardment.
Osimhen powers Eagles to AFCON semis against hosts Morocco
Victor Osimhen produced a commanding display as Nigeria defeated Algeria 2–0 to reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, sealing a historic quarter-final victory at the Stade de Marrakech and extending the Super Eagles’ remarkable run at the tournament, Sunday PUNCH reports.
The win marked Nigeria’s first-ever last-eight triumph over Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and ensured they became champions of five successive matches at a single edition of the competition for the first time in their history.
It also served as long-awaited redemption for the Super Eagles, who were eliminated by the Foxes in dramatic fashion at the semi-final stage in 2019.
After a tense and fiercely contested first half, Nigeria struck decisively early in the second period. Just two minutes after the restart, Osimhen rose unmarked in the six-yard box to power home a close-range header from Bruno Onyemaechi’s delivery, finally breaking Algeria’s resistance and sending the sizeable Nigerian support into celebration.
Hospital opens probe as Chimamanda blames facility for son’s death
The management of Euracare Multispecialist Hospital, Lagos, has begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, the 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie.
This comes amid outrage generated on social media after the popular writer, on Saturday, accused the hospital’s staff of medical negligence leading to her son’s death.
Adichie said her son was taken to the hospital on Tuesday for an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line.
In a statement shared via X (formerly Twitter), she explained that the ordeal began during yuletide when her son developed what was initially thought to be a cold but later turned into “a very serious infection.”
ADC woos opposition bigwigs with ‘secret’ committee
The leadership of the African Democratic Congress has set up a high-powered committee to engage political heavyweights in opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, Sunday PUNCH findings have revealed.
A highly credible party official, who spoke to our correspondent in confidence, said the committee was not limiting its engagements to any single party as the ADC was seeking to strengthen opposition collaboration before the next polls. The development comes amid reports that top political figures from other parties, particularly the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, are being wooed by the ADC to join the party.
This follows a public statement by Kwankwaso last Saturday in Kano, where he expressed his willingness to align with any opposition coalition prepared to offer him either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket.
Kwankwaso made the remarks while addressing his supporters over rumours of the defection of the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, during which he outlined a number of conditions for any possible opposition alliance.
FG vows to stop striking health workers’ salaries
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has directed the stoppage of salaries of members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Health Care Professionals following the commencement of their strike on November 14, 2025.
In a circular addressed to all Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of federal health institutions and dated January 8, the ministry said the directive was in line with the Federal Government’s “No work, no pay” policy and would take effect from January 2026.
The memo, signed by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr Abisola Adegoke, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister, instructed hospital managements to strictly enforce the policy against all striking JOHESU members and any other staff who might join the industrial action.
It partly read, “I am directed to convey to you the position of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on the current strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions & Assembly of Health Care Professionals, which commenced on Friday, 14th November, 2025.
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