April 24, 2026 – Page 3 – Standard Focus News

Police Bust Terror Financing and Bandit Informant Network in Sokoto, Arrest Suspects

April 24, 2026 (updated April 24, 2026) Published by Standard Focus

By Adamu Yunusa, Sokoto The Sokoto State Police Command says it has arrested suspected bandit informants and terrorism financiers in a series of coordinated operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks behind insecurity in the North-West. Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing in Sokoto, where he highlighted recent operational successes against banditry,... Read more

Supreme Court Ends 21-Year Jega Chieftaincy Dispute, Upholds Arzika Bawa Karaye as Sarkin Kabin

April 24, 2026 (updated April 24, 2026) Published by Standard Focus

Yahaya Bawa The Supreme Court has brought final closure to a 21-year-long dispute over the traditional stool of Jega in Kebbi State, affirming Alhaji Arzika Bawa Karaye as the rightful Sarkin Kabin Jega. In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Appeal No. SC/CV/413/2010, the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by Haruna Haruna III, Haliru Haruna... Read more

Manchester United’s appeal against Lisandro Martínez red card rejected over hair-pulling incident

April 24, 2026 (updated April 24, 2026) Published by Standard Focus

Manchester United have failed in their appeal to overturn Lisandro Martínez’s three-match suspension following his sending off for hair pulling during their defeat to Leeds United, the Football Association (FA) has confirmed. The 28-year-old defender was shown a straight red card in the second half of United’s 2-1 loss at Old Trafford last Monday after pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair during... Read more

NMA Denies Factional Crisis, Warns Against Impostors Ahead of AGM

April 24, 2026 (updated April 24, 2026) Published by Standard Focus

By Julius Eze The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has dismissed reports suggesting internal divisions within its ranks, insisting that there is no factional leadership in the body and warning against what it described as impostors attempting to disrupt its constitutional order. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the association’s Secretary-General, Dr. Benjamin Egbo, said the NMA remains united under... Read more

FG unveils ₦10bn housing loan scheme to boost home ownership for civil servants

April 24, 2026 (updated April 24, 2026) Published by Standard Focus

By Clement John The Federal Government has approved a ₦10 billion housing loan scheme aimed at expanding access to affordable home ownership for civil servants nationwide. The announcement was made on Friday in Abuja by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, who said the initiative forms part of broader reforms designed to improve welfare and... Read more

World Cup final tickets listed for over $2.2 million on FIFA resale platform

April 24, 2026 (updated April 24, 2026) Published by Standard Focus

Tickets for the final of the upcoming FIFA Men's World Cup are being listed on FIFA’s official resale platform for more than $2.2 million each, highlighting growing controversy over soaring matchday costs ahead of the tournament. According to listings on FIFA’s “resale/exchange marketplace,” four Category 1 seats for the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19 are... Read more

Barcelona confident Lamine Yamal will be fit for World Cup despite season-ending hamstring injury

April 24, 2026 (updated April 24, 2026) Published by Standard Focus

Barcelona have expressed confidence that teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will recover in time for the upcoming FIFA Men's World Cup, despite confirming that the winger has suffered a season-ending hamstring injury. The 18-year-old forward was forced off during Barcelona’s 1-0 La Liga win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday after scoring the decisive penalty. He went down in discomfort shortly after... Read more

Iran’s 2026 World Cup Participation in U.S. Draws Visa Restrictions and Political Tension

April 24, 2026 (updated April 24, 2026) Published by Standard Focus

Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is facing fresh complications amid tightening U.S. visa rules and rising geopolitical tensions. While U.S. officials have indicated that Iran’s national team will be allowed to compete in the tournament, restrictions are expected to affect members of its delegation with... Read more

US Special Forces Soldier Arrested Over Alleged $400,000 Profit from Maduro Capture Betting Scheme

April 24, 2026 (updated April 24, 2026) Published by Standard Focus

A U.S. Army Special Forces master sergeant has been arrested and charged after allegedly using classified information from a covert military operation to place predictive bets on the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, earning about $400,000 in profits.According to federal prosecutors, the soldier—identified as Gannon Ken Van Dyke—was directly involved in planning and execution of a secret mission that... Read more

U.S. Deploys Third Aircraft Carrier Near Iran as Military Pressure Intensifies in the Region

April 24, 2026 (updated April 24, 2026) Published by Standard Focus

The United States has positioned a third aircraft carrier strike group closer to the Middle East, significantly escalating its military presence amid rising tensions with Iran. According to reports from U.S. Central Command, the USS George H.W. Bush has moved into waters within the command’s area of responsibility in the Indian Ocean, joining two other American carriers already operating in... Read more

Day: April 24, 2026