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Tag: Qatar

  • Qatar summons Iranian ambassador over missile attack

    Qatar summons Iranian ambassador over missile attack

    The Qatari Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said it has summoned the Iranian ambassador in Doha to reiterate its condemnation of Iran’s targeting of a military base in the Gulf country.

    On Monday evening, Iran carried out a retaliatory missile attack on the U.S. military’s al-Udeid base in Qatar, which came days after the U.S. struck three key nuclear sites in Iran in support of Israel.

    Qatar told the ambassador that this violation is inconsistent with the principle of good neighbourliness and the close relations between Qatar and Iran, as Qatar has always been an advocate of dialogue with Iran and has made strenuous diplomatic efforts in this regard, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

    Earlier, Doha said it sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council, informing the members and UN chief António Guterres of the extremely dangerous escalation, which poses a direct threat to regional peace and security.

    Qatar also urged the Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities and take urgent measures to impose an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire throughout the Middle East to prevent the region from sliding into further dangerous escalation.

    The al-Udeid base, which normally hosts around 10,000 soldiers and civilian personnel according to reports, had been previously evacuated.

    Qatar re-opened its airspace after closing it shortly before the attacks.

    Bahrain and Kuwait also closed their airspace as a precautionary measure, but reopened it a short time later. All three countries host U.S military facilities.

  • U.S. attacks on Iran: Americans told to stay indoors in Qatar

    U.S. attacks on Iran: Americans told to stay indoors in Qatar

    The U.S. Embassy in Qatar on Monday recommended Americans to stay indoors until further notice for safety reasons amid the Israel-Iran conflict.

    “Out of an abundance of caution we recommend American citizens shelter in place until further notice,’’ the advisory said during the event.

    The advisory came after the U.S. strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz, Fordo and Isfahan in the early hours of Sunday.

    U.S. President Donald Trump said after the attack that Tehran “must now agree to end this war’’ or face far more serious consequences.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the door to diplomacy should always be open but added that now was not the time.

    He accused the U.S. of undermining diplomatic efforts and affirmed Iran’s commitment to safeguarding it’s security and interests.

    The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran said that the attacks would not halt its nuclear industry’s progress.

    While the U.S. strikes drew widespread international condemnation.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described them as a dangerous escalation and a threat to global peace.

    Russia strongly denounced the attacks, calling them a gross violation of international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions, and urged the IAEA to respond impartially.

    Cuba and China also condemned the U.S. operation.

  • BREAKING: Wanted “killer” extradited from Qatar to Nigeria over murder of Lead City University student

    BREAKING: Wanted “killer” extradited from Qatar to Nigeria over murder of Lead City University student

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has successfully completed the extradition of one Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, popularly known as “Killaboi”, from Doha, Qatar to Nigeria.

    The police disclosed that Killaboi had been on the run for the murder of Miss Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe, a first-class student of Lead City University.

    ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, confirmed in a statement that the fugitive was returned to the country in the early hours of today, Saturday, 19th April 2025.

    ACP Adejobi stated that Killaboi was extradited through the coordinated efforts with the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Force Headquarters Abuja and the Qatari Judicial Authorities.‎

    “‎The extradition followed a petition from the family of the deceased, submitted through their legal representatives dated 29th September 2024.  The matter was assigned to INTERPOL NCB Abuja for  investigation.

    “Investigations revealed that the suspect, Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, murdered Miss Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan, at his residence located at No. 24A Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos, on 13th July 2023.

    “After committing the crime, he fled Nigeria and later released an online video purporting to confess to the act, a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts,” the police disclosed.

    TNG gathered that after Killaboi was declared wanted by the NPF Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on 13th October 2023, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his global apprehension.

    “He was initially arrested in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 20th October 2023 under the false identity “KANU PRINCETON SAMUEL,” but escaped custody during a prison break on 26th November 2023 in Freetown,” the police stated.

    ‎‎Further intelligence gathering revealed that the suspect continued to evade law enforcement, traversing multiple regions including West Africa, East Asia and the Middle East, under forged identities before eventually relocating to Doha, Qatar on 24th January, 2025.

    Operating under the alias “TOURE ABDOULAYE” with a fraudulent Guinean passport, he secured illegal employment and concealed his identity.

    ‎“‎Through robust international cooperation and the use of advanced biometrics, INTERPOL NCB Abuja, in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Doha, confirmed his identity, leading to his arrest by Qatari authorities in February 2025.

    “An official extradition request, processed via the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, was subsequently approved by the Qatari judicial authorities, resulting in his repatriation to Nigeria,” the police added.

    ‎Meanwhile, following the extradition, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has recognised the strength in the synergy amongst nations to curb trans-border crimes.

    IGP Egbetokun commended the diligence of INTERPOL NCB Abuja and extended sincere appreciation to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar for their invaluable collaboration in securing the fugitive’s return.

    ‎“‎The Inspector-General of Police further assured the general public of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring that the suspect faces diligent prosecution, as part of the NPF’s dedication to justice and the safety of all Nigerians,” the statement added.

  • UK, Italy, Turkey, Qatar-bound cocaine, meth consignments intercepted in Lagos, Abuja

    . .how NDLEA nabbed masterminds at MMIA, Abuja hotel; foils bid to smuggle opioids into Lagos from Ghana

    Attempts by drug syndicates to export large consignments of cocaine, methamphetamine and opioids through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja to the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey and Qatar have been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, who in series of intelligence led operations recovered the illicit drugs and arrested the masterminds.

    A total of 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.40kg cocaine going to the United Kingdom via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa Airlines flight were intercepted by NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport on 5th November 2024 while a businessman linked to the consignment, Ekeocha Anayo Nelson, was tracked and arrested on 8th November.

    The bid by another businessman, Adegbite Solomon (aka Obama) to export 7,800 pills of tramadol, 180 tablets of rohypnol, and 60 bottles of codeine to Italy was also foiled at the departure hall of the Lagos airport on Monday 11th November when NDLEA operatives arrested him after recovering the opioids concealed in food and other items while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Italy. He claimed to have travelled to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea and earned a living as a street beggar before delving into logistics business.

    Also related is the arrest of another businessman, Anoke Kingsley Roomy with 1,100 pills of tramadol 225mg hidden in his luggage while attempting to board his Ethiopian Airlines flight going to Istanbul, Turkey at the terminal 1 of the Lagos airport on Friday 15th November.

    Following credible intelligence, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, and their counterparts from the FCT Command of the Agency on Friday 15th November raided a hotel room at the Federal Housing Authority estate, Lugbe, Abuja, where they arrested two suspects: Omeh Uchenna Jude, 36, and Anene Valentine Chigozie, 34. Recovered from them was 1.8kg methamphetamine, which they were preparing to travel with to Qatar.

    Another suspect, Akande Moruf Olasunkanmi, was arrested with 1.8kg methamphetamine by operatives of a Special Operations Unit in NDLEA at his 9 Durojaiye street, Lawanson area of Surulere, Lagos home after weeks of intelligence and surveillance.

    In another intelligence led operation, officers of an NDLEA task force on Saturday 16th November foiled the attempt by a trans-border trafficker, Emmanuel Okechukwu Okeke to smuggle 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg from Ghana into Lagos.

    The pills were concealed in the body compartments of a Toyota Hummer Bus belonging to GUO Transport Company, driven by the suspect.

    The vehicle was intercepted at Ijanikin area of the Lagos-Badagry expressway while coming from Ghana.
    In Edo state, not less than 997kg cannabis was recovered during raids in parts of the state.

    While 680kg cannabis and a Sienna bus marked FST-320 AE were seized at a bush path to Oghada forest in Oghada, Orhionmwan LGA, 180.5kg of same substance was recovered from a suspect, Cecilia Ibe, 31, at Ofosu forest, Ovia South West LGA and 136.5kg evacuated from a building in Otuo community, Owan East LGA on Thursday 14th November.

    A suspect, Ifejimagha Chinonso was on Wednesday 13th November nabbed with 88.3kg cannabis by NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway while personnel of Kano Command of the Agency on Friday 15th November arrested Ahmed Goni, 30, at Gadar Tamburawa, Kano- Zaria road where they recovered from him 65,730 capsules of tramadol.
    In Kwara state, NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect Adio Sulaiman with 120.8kg cannabis and some litres of codeine at Gaa Odota in Ilorin West LGA, while Kelechi Obichere, 42, was nabbed with 75kg cannabis at Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, Imo state on Thursday 14th November. A total of 563.74 kilograms of same psychoactive substance were recovered from a 60-year-old suspect Anthony Anakabi, following his arrest at Iyalode, Iyana church area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

    With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

    These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Government Day Secondary School, Bazza, Adamawa; Community Secondary School, Ogan-Ama, Rivers state; NKST Secondary School, Adikpo, Benue state; Government Secondary School, Tambuwal, Sokoto state; Government Girls Secondary School, Kunchi, Kano; Ebele Chu Group of Schools, Nkpor Onitsha, Anambra; and Army Cantonment Senior Boys High School, Ojo, Lagos state, among others.
    While commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, DI, Oyo, Lagos, Imo, Kwara, Kano, and Edo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

  • Rodri flying to Qatar after Al Arabi offer accepted

    Rodri flying to Qatar after Al Arabi offer accepted

    Real Betis midfielder Rodri Sanchez is flying to Qatar to complete his move to Al Arabi SC.

    Rodri has seen Betis accept an €8m offer from the Qataris for him. The midfielder has also accepted a three-year contract.

    In total, Rodri will earn €12m – with the terms quadrupling what he is earning at Betis.

    The move will allow Rodri to return to Europe – should he play out his contract – at 27 years of age.

    Betis found the offer irresistible and were eager to see Rodri accepts terms.

    Tribalfootball

  • Qatar, Morocco to host Male, Female U-17 World Cups for the next five years

    Qatar, Morocco to host Male, Female U-17 World Cups for the next five years

    Oil rich Qatar has been given the hosting rights to stage the next five editions of the  Under-17 World Cup from 2025 to 2029, while the girls’ tournament is set to be played in Morocco, FIFA  announced on Thursday.

    FIFA has also announced that the U-17 tournaments  for both boys and girls will be held annually starting next year, with the boys’ event expanding from 24 to 48 teams. The number of girls’ teams involved will also increase, from 16 to 24.

    World football’s governing body said in December that both youth tournaments would be held annually starting next year, with the boys’ event expanding from 24 to 48 teams. The number of girls’ teams involved will also increase, from 16 to 24.

    World football’s governing body’s   decision to choose a single host nation for multiple editions centred on the ability to make “use of existing footballing infrastructure in the interest of tournament efficiencies and sustainability”.

    Qatar was the venue for the 2022 men’s World Cup and hosted this year’s Asian Cup after stepping in to replace the original host, China.

    Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, with three matches to be played in South America to celebrate its centenary.

    Qatar and Morocco have both held the Club World Cup on multiple occasions. Morocco is also scheduled to stage the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The expansion of the Under-17 World Cup reflects a general FIFA trend, with the men’s 2026 World Cup to feature 48 teams for the first time. Last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand saw the field grow from 24 to 32 countries.

  • Tinubu returns to Abuja after two-day visit to Qatar

    Tinubu returns to Abuja after two-day visit to Qatar

    President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Abuja after a two-day official visit to the State of Qatar.

    The presidential jet, NAF 001, that conveyed the President landed at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around 7pm.

    The president was received by top government officials including Vice President Kashim Shettima; his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, among others.

    On the first day of his visit, the Nigerian leader toured Qatar’s National Museum where he stressed the importance of accurate documentation of a nation’s history, cultural evolution and challenges.

    During his visit the President ssured the international business community that Nigeria is ready for serious business as his administration will deal decisively with any and all entrenched interests in the country who undermine investor confidence in the Nigerian economy.

    He also pledged to remove all bottlenecks standing in the way of profitable and legitimate enterprise saying, “Do not let perceptions become a hindrance to your will to invest. Nigeria is serious about revolutionizing investment promotion.”

     

  • President Tinubu jets to Qatar on Thursday for Business summit

    President Tinubu jets to Qatar on Thursday for Business summit

    Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu is billed to travel to the Asian country of Qatar on a two-day official visit on Thursday.

    Ajuri Ngelale, president media aide, made this known via a statement on Wednesday, saying that the visit which is on invitation of His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, is to further strengthen cooperation between the two nations in several areas, including security, cultural exchange, and economic development.

    According to him, President Tinubu will witness the signing of several agreements focused on boosting Nigeria’s real sector and creating value-additive investments across the fields of trade, education, culture, solid minerals, digital economy, agriculture, and gas, as well as fostering cooperation on counter-terrorism.

    He added that the President will also participate in a business and investment forum that will bring together top-level executives in both the private and public sectors of Nigeria and Qatar to advance cross-sectoral opportunities for mutually beneficial growth and development.

    He mentioned further that the President will be accompanied on the trip by senior government officials for the signing of agreements.

     

  • Tinubu’s planned visit to Qatar: Leaked memo rattles Presidency

    Tinubu’s planned visit to Qatar: Leaked memo rattles Presidency

    The Presidency on Saturday in Abuja debunked insinuations that Qatari authorities had stopped the scheduled state visit by President Bola Tinubu to the country.

    Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated that the state visit would still hold between March 2 and March 4.

    Onanuga explained that a leaked memo focused on a private sector-led Business and Investment Forum to be held on the margins of the president’s state visit.

    “We are aware of a leaked diplomatic correspondence between the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding President Tinubu’s visit between March 2 and March 3, 2024.

    “The leaked diplomatic paper by mischief makers about an investment forum is not in any way a snub on Tinubu by the Qatari government.

    “The business meeting is being put together by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Qatar’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

    “Business people from Nigeria planned to engage their counterparts from Qatar on commercial and investment opportunities available in both countries,’’ Onanuga stated.

    He added that NACCIMA and Qatari Chambers of Commerce and Industry were collaborating to take advantage of the president’s visit to Doha.

    He stated also that the collaboration was to mobilise the business communities from the two countries to explore opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

    They also planned to explore opportunities in manufacturing, agro-business, construction, real estate, ICT, renewable energy, solid minerals and service sector, among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the leaked memo stated that the Qatari authorities had turned down Tinubu’s request to visit and hold a business and investment forum in Doha.

    The leaked memo indicated that a letter from the Qatari government to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday stated that it would not be able to welcome President Tinubu.

    It stated that Qatar’s position was based on the lack of a legally-binding agreement between Qatar and Nigeria for the promotion of investments.

    “​The letter sent to the foreign affairs ministry on Feb. 22 reads: “the embassy has the honour to inform that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar apologises that it will not be able to hold a business and investment forum as proposed by the Nigerian side.

    “This is because there is no agreement signed between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Investment Promotion and Protection,’’ Onanuga stated.

    He stressed that President Tinubu was expected to proceed to Qatar on the state visit as scheduled.

    ​He added that during the visit, the Nigerian leader would engage in high-level bilateral discussions with the Qatari leader on important matters, covering diplomatic and economic issues.

    “It is incorrect to insinuate that the Qatari authorities have snubbed the Nigerian leader over a business and investment forum which is tangential to the state visit.

    “President Tinubu and His Highness Al-Thani are both committed to maintaining and building on the existing cordial and special relationship between Nigeria and the State of Qatar​,’’ Onanuga also stated.

  • Qatar sends medicine for Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip

    Qatar sends medicine for Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip

    Following an agreement brokered by Qatar between Israel and the Palestinian militant organisation Hamas, the Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip will receive medication.

    In addition, aid supplies for civilians will be brought to the sealed-off coastal strip, the Qatari Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday.

    The office of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said the medicines purchased in France will initially to be flown to Egypt on board two Qatari military aircraft on Wednesday.

    While from there they would be transported to the Gaza Strip.

    “Prime Minister Netanyahu conveys his appreciation to all those who have assisted in the endeavor,” said Netanyahu’s office in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

    Around 240 people were abducted from the Gaza Strip during the attack and massacre by the Islamist Hamas and other Palestinian organisations on Israel on October 7 2023.

    Currently, 136 people are still being held in the coastal strip.

    Israel assumes that around two dozen of them were no longer alive, some have been killed in Israeli bombardments and some have been shot by Israeli soldiers during rescue attempts.