Author: Opalim Lifted

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has been restored after a global outage. The outage, which began on Monday afternoon, affected both the mobile app and the desktop website, leaving users worldwide unable to access the service. When attempting to visit the site, users were greeted by a blank page displaying only the platform’s X logo, with no timeline or posts loading. According to outage-tracking website Down Detector, the problem appeared to be global, with users across multiple continents reporting access issues. Unlike many major tech companies that operate dedicated status pages to keep users informed during…

The United States (US) has frozen the assets of eight Nigerians over alleged links to extremist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The action was detailed in a 3,000-page publication released on February 10 by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the sanctions arm of the United States Department of the Treasury. The document, titled the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List”, outlines individuals and entities whose assets have been frozen under US counter-terrorism sanctions. Among those listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. OFAC…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has apologised after mistakenly listing a deceased Army General and a serving Supreme Court Justice among stakeholders invited to a meeting with Governor Bassey Edet Otu. The party admitted the error following public outrage over the controversial invitation list circulated ahead of its pre-congress stakeholders’ meeting. In a statement dated February 15, 2026, and signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Edem Inyang, the APC acknowledged that several names were published in error and have now been withdrawn. Those affected include the late Major General Edward Ushie Unimna, whose death and…

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness on Monday linked a series of fund transfers traced to the Kogi State Government to Ali Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of the state, in the ongoing N10.2 billion fraud trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Ahmed Abubakar, the 17th prosecution witness and an EFCC investigator, told the court that financial records recovered during the investigation detailed inflows and outflows allegedly connected to Bello and his co-defendant, Dauda Sulaiman. Ali, a nephew of Yahaya Bello, former Kogi governor, and Sulaiman are standing trial on a 16-count amended…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a three-count charge against Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, for allegedly intercepting the telephone conversation of Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA). The charge was filed by DSS counsel on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. DSS said the alleged offences contravene the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. According to the charge, El-Rufai allegedly admitted during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja on February 13, 2026, that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the phone…

Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says the privatisation of Nigeria’s electricity industry has failed and plunged workers, households, and businesses into deeper energy poverty. He said that more than a decade after privatisation, the sector remains characterised by frequent grid collapses, poor supply, and rising tariffs. Ajaero spoke at the annual conference of women and youth of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) in Abuja, where he called for a comprehensive review of the electricity sector. ‘Privatisation Was a Grand Deception’ Ajaero said electricity generation has remained largely stagnant at between 4,000 and 5,000 megawatts,…

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced a temporary shutdown of its offices in Abuja and Lagos to mark Presidents’ Day. In a post on X on Sunday, the mission confirmed that both the embassy in Abuja and the United States Consulate General Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, in observance of the US federal holiday. Presidents’ Day is celebrated every third Monday in February in the United States. The holiday creates a long weekend, with federal offices, banks, post offices and many schools and businesses shutting down across the country. The day was originally set aside…

African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Peter Obi, has declared that 2027 votes must count, warning that anyone who frustrates the electoral process will face the full weight of the law. Obi said Nigerians must remain vigilant before, during and after casting their ballots in the 2027 general election. He urged voters to stay at their polling units to witness the counting and transmission of results. According to him, the era of disputed mandates must end. “Unlike in the past, in 2027 our votes must count,” Obi stated. “All those who are there not to count the votes will be counted…

The Presidency on Sunday dismissed former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai’s recent correspondence to the National Security Adviser (NSA) regarding the alleged procurement of thallium sulphate as a calculated attempt to stir political tension and divert attention from corruption allegations levelled against him in Kaduna State. Specifically, it referenced the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s reported unanimous endorsement of a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking an investigation into alleged financial improprieties amounting to N432 billion during his tenure. It added that the anti-graft agencies…

The Oyo State Police Command says two suspected bandits were killed during a gun battle with operatives in Elebe village, Aleniboro area, via Irawo Mine. In a statement on Sunday, Ayanlade Olayinka, the police spokesperson in the state, said the suspects were among about 10 armed men who allegedly planned to attack the community under the cover of darkness. Olayinka added that the police received intelligence from a resident that the assailants had concealed themselves in a farm settlement within the village. He said the suspects were armed with two AK-47 rifles, single-barrel guns, and locally made pistols. According to…