The office of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has cleared the air over his rumoured death.

It dismissed viral social media claims suggesting the Prime Minister had been assassinated following the escalating conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran.

“These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine,” the Prime Minister’s office said

DAILY POST reports that the rumours gained traction after a video shared by Netanyahu on his X account on Friday showed him addressing a press conference on the ongoing Israel-US-Iran conflict.

Some social media users, immediate after the video was posted, claimed they had spotted what appeared to be six fingers on Netanyahu’s right hand when he briefly raised it during the speech.

The speculation spread further after US conservative commentator, Candace Owens raised questions on X.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced the death of Mr. Ifeanyi Izeze, a pioneering member of his media team.

The development was announced in a statement issued by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Sunday.

The statement said Izeze joined Atiku’s media team in 2006, moving from the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, in Ikot-Abasi, where he served as office manager.

Bringing extensive experience from both journalism and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, he played a key role in shaping media strategies and campaign policies for Atiku, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

Trained as a geologist at the University of Port Harcourt up to postgraduate level, Izeze later transitioned into journalism, reporting extensively on the oil and gas industry for publications including Sunray, Anchor and NewAge newspapers before joining ALSCON.

Beyond his professional life, Izeze was known for his prodigious sense of humor and devout Christian faith.

He was an ordained preacher in the Christ Embassy denomination and also active in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and his elder brother, Pastor Emeka Izeze, known for his work with The Guardian Newspapers..

The Atiku Media Office expressed condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, praying for God’s comfort and eternal rest for his soul.

Atiku said: “A man with a prodigious sense of humour and a born-again Christian of the Christ Embassy denomination, Ifeanyi was an ordained preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

“May God give his family, friends, and colleagues the fortitude to bear his demise.”

I mourn the loss of one of the prominent and pioneer members of my media team, Mr Ifeanyi Izeze.

Ifeanyi joined my media team in 2006, from Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Ikot-Abasi, as Office Manager. He brought to bear on the work of the media team, at that… pic.twitter.com/XvbrDQwTFu

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) March 15, 2026

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in food items while travelling to the United Kingdom.

The septuagenarian was apprehended at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082, bound for Heathrow, London, on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, a search of Emeka’s luggage revealed blocks of cocaine wrapped in foil papers and balloons and concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper.

“A 74-year-old grandpa, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, has been arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after a large consignment of cocaine was discovered in foil papers and balloons concealed in his luggage. The septuagenarian, who claimed he was travelling to London, United Kingdom, for vacation, was arrested at the departure hall while attempting to board British Airways flight BA082 to Heathrow on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

“During a search of his luggage, blocks of cocaine weighing 11 kilograms were discovered concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper, carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons,” the statement partly read.

The agency also reported a series of arrests and seizures across other parts of the country.

In Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives arrested a woman, Maryam Olalowo, at Ikad Hotel and Suites while allegedly attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis. She was with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest.

“In Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of Monday, March 9, arrested Mrs. Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel and Suites on Etim Inyang Street, Victoria Island, while attempting to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud. She was found with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest. She confessed the illicit drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later taken into custody the same day while his wife was immediately released.