United States Vice President JD Vance has reiterated Washington’s commitment to disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza, describing the process as a tough but crucial task in achieving lasting peace in the region.

Vance, who met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday during his visit to Israel, said the United States remains focused on ensuring Hamas no longer poses a threat to Israel while improving living conditions for Palestinians.

“We have a very, very tough task ahead of us, which is to disarm Hamas but rebuild Gaza, to make life better for the people of Gaza, but also to ensure that Hamas is no longer a threat to our friends in Israel,” Vance said.

The visit is part of a diplomatic mission aimed at consolidating support for the US-brokered ceasefire plan that seeks to end hostilities, recover hostages, and begin reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

On Tuesday, Vance inaugurated the Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in southwest Israel, where US and allied forces will work with Israeli counterparts to monitor the truce and coordinate humanitarian aid.

Speaking after his meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem, the US Vice President confirmed that both Israeli and American officials are “working together to mediate this entire ceasefire process and get some of the critical infrastructure off the ground.”

He explained that the plan includes setting up an international security force to maintain peace in Gaza as Israel begins its withdrawal, in line with US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. The United States, however, will not deploy troops inside Gaza, but will instead coordinate operations from the CMCC in Kiryat Gat, Israel.

Reports suggesting that Turkey could contribute troops to the mission have stirred debate within Israel. Responding to questions about Ankara’s possible involvement, Netanyahu remarked, “I have very strong opinions about that. You want to guess what they are?”

Despite recent violence in which two Israeli soldiers were killed and airstrikes left several Palestinians dead, Vance expressed “great optimism” that the ceasefire would hold.

Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, hosted Vance and the US Second Lady, Usha Vance, for breakfast before a bilateral meeting and joint press conference.

The Israeli Prime Minister, who has faced criticism for accepting the ceasefire before Hamas was completely dismantled and all hostages recovered, defended his decision.

“We’ve been able to do two things. Put the knife up to Hamas’s throat — that was the military effort guided by Israel,” he said, praising President Trump for his diplomatic role in strengthening ties between Israel and its Arab neighbours.

Vance also noted that the Gaza ceasefire plan could serve as a “critical piece in unlocking the Abraham Accords”, further deepening relations between Israel and Arab nations.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military confirmed that the remains of two more hostages — Aryeh Zalmanovich, 85, and Master Sergeant Tamir Adar, 38 — had been identified after being returned earlier this week. Both men were taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 68,000 people have died in Gaza since the war began, while Israel’s losses from the initial Hamas assault stood at 1,221, mostly civilians.

Despite ongoing challenges, Vance maintained that the ceasefire agreement represents a turning point toward stability and rebuilding in Gaza.

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has been nominated for the 2025 CAF Men’s African Player of the Year award.

The Nigerian forward is among ten top footballers shortlisted for the prestigious honour in a list released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday.

Other nominees include Mohamed Salah of Egypt, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Oussama Lamlioui, as well as Seyrou Guirassy of Guinea. Also on the list are Fiston Mayele of Congo, Frank Anguissa of Cameroon, Denis Bouanga of Gabon, and the Senegalese duo Illmane Ndiaye and Pape Sarr.

Osimhen, who clinched the award in 2023, was instrumental in Galatasaray’s league triumph last season, scoring 26 goals to help the club secure the title. His outstanding form prompted Galatasaray to sign him permanently from Napoli in a record €75 million deal, the most expensive in Turkish football history.

The striker also played a vital role in Nigeria’s qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup playoffs, netting six goals in as many matches for the Super Eagles.

In other categories, Stanley Nwabali was nominated for the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, competing against Yassine Bounou, Ronwen Williams, and Andre Onana.

Similarly, Daniel Bameyi, captain of the Flying Eagles, made the shortlist for the Men’s Young Player of the Year award.

Last week, Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo of the Super Falcons were also announced among the contenders for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year honour.

Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has formally notified the Federal High Court, Abuja, of his decision to personally conduct his defence in his ongoing terrorism trial — a major twist in one of Nigeria’s most watched legal battles.

In a fresh motion reportedly filed and signed by Kanu himself, the separatist leader named 23 witnesses, among them some of Nigeria’s most influential political and military figures. The list includes Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd.), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.), Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Minister Nyesom Wike, Minister Dave Umahi, and former Abia governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Kanu is also seeking 90 days to prepare and conclude his defence, citing the number and status of witnesses he plans to call.

Court documents show he categorized his witnesses into two groups — “ordinary but material” (for factual testimonies) and “vital and compellable” (who can be subpoenaed under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011).

Interestingly, the motion was filed without the signatures of his lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), or his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, fueling speculation of internal rifts in the IPOB leader’s legal camp.

The decision follows the court’s dismissal of his no-case submission on September 26, 2025. Insiders say the move signals Kanu’s determination to take “strategic control” of proceedings and directly challenge the state’s case.

His filing coincided with a #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, which ended with the arrest of 13 persons, including Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother Emmanuel Kanu, and several IPOB supporters. They were later arraigned for conspiracy, disobedience to lawful orders, and public disturbance.

Medical reports from a Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) panel earlier confirmed that Kanu, though hypertensive, is fit for trial — a finding IPOB had dismissed as “compromised.”

The case, FRN v. Nnamdi Kanu (FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015), dates back to his 2015 arrest and controversial 2021 rendition from Kenya. The federal government is prosecuting him on 15 terrorism-related charges, including managing a proscribed group, inciting violence through Radio Biafra, and financing terrorism.

While the prosecution closed its case in June with five DSS witnesses and multimedia evidence, Kanu’s latest move could prolong the trial but also allow him to “speak for himself.”

Observers say his choice to represent himself is both symbolic and tactical — a bid to regain control of a courtroom drama that continues to test Nigeria’s judiciary, political tolerance, and human rights posture.

Justice James Omotosho is expected to rule on Kanu’s request for a 90-day defence window on Thursday, October 23, 2025, when proceedings resume at the Federal High Court, Abuja.