Author: Vincent Osuwo

Two people were killed and several others abducted in Bargaja village, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following a terrorists attack on Monday. The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, told the press on Tuesday that the attack was suspected to have been carried out by gunmen allegedly loyal to bandit leader Bello Turji. He stated that a detailed account of the incident would be provided once the Divisional Police Officer in the area submits a field report. “Two were killed, and some people were kidnapped, but we don’t yet have the exact number. We…

Kidnappers who abducted eight residents of Imoga in Edo North on Friday and requested a N100m ransom have reduced their demand to N40m. The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Abudu, revealed this during an interview on Tuesday. The abductors had on Monday reduced the ransom from N100m to N70m. The monarch stated that negotiations were still ongoing to further reduce the ransom to N20m. Speaking about how the ransom would be paid, he added that all stakeholders and members of the community were prepared to gather the funds as soon as a definitive agreement was reached with the kidnappers.…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued extensive warnings to candidates taking part in the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry registration process regarding biodata integrity, biometric capture, and identity verification. The Board issued a statement on Tuesday, signed by Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, warning candidates against changing their biodata after registration. The registration for the UTME and Direct Entry forms for both Nigerian and foreign potential applicants will begin on Monday, January 26, 2026, and close on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The Board declared, “Once a candidate completes 2026 registration with biodata supplied by NIMC, subsequent changes of…

The US has delivered critical military equipment to Nigeria as part of ongoing efforts to improve bilateral security cooperation between the two countries. The delivery was confirmed by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which controls US military operations throughout the continent. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, AFRICOM stated that the supplies had been delivered to Nigerian partners in Abuja. “U.S. forces delivered critical military supplies to our Nigerian partners in Abuja. This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasizes our shared security partnership,” AFRICOM stated. The post, branded with US Mission Nigeria, did not specify…

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has asked Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to reconcile with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike rather than engage in political conflict. In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Fayose stated, “My own position is always clear. Fubara, my governor, and all of them got their strength from other people.” He made the remarks while discussing the ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which is causing political instability in Rivers State. Fayose emphasized the necessity of humility and reconciliation in governance, using examples from other states.…

Gabon has lifted the sanctions placed on the national football team and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the country’s unsatisfactory showing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The Panthers ended last in Group F, leading then-Sports Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula to suspend the team, dismiss coach Thierry Mouyouma, and remove Aubameyang and captain Bruno Ecuele Manga from the national squad on January 1. Mamboula labeled the team’s performance as “shameful.” As reported by BBC Sport on Tuesday, new Sports Minister Paul Ulrich Kessany lifted the sanctions on Monday, preventing a possible FIFA suspension of the Gabonese Football Federation…

The African Democratic Congress has intensified its attempts to broaden its political reach in preparation for the 2027 general election, inviting former President Goodluck Jonathan, ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki, and other notable political personalities to join the party. The appeal came after the establishment of the party’s North-East Zonal Congress Committee, which the ADC stated signifies a revitalized effort to enhance its internal frameworks, encourage internal democracy, and realign the party for national governance. ADC’s factional National Chairman, Nafiu Gombe, revealed this in a statement released on Tuesday following the inauguration event that took place in Gombe State on January…

Striker Kylian Mbappe was absent as Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa led his first training session on Tuesday since replacing Xabi Alonso. Arbeloa was named on Monday, and his first game will be against Albacete in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, in which French forward Mbappe is unlikely to play. Mbappe returned from a knee sprain as a late substitute in Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup final defeat on Sunday, but he will most likely continue his recovery until next Tuesday’s Champions League encounter against his former club Monaco. A Real Madrid insider told AFP that Mbappé’s absence from training…

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has stated that President Bola Tinubu will not sacrifice Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, despite the state’s ongoing political crisis. Fayose made the claim during an Arise Television interview that aired on Tuesday. He was responding to the power battle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, which has exacerbated political instability in Rivers State. According to Fayose, Wike remains more politically important to President Tinubu than Fubara, and the President has little reason to abandon the former Rivers governor. “But let me say this to Nigerians: the…

Kidnappers have released the abducted retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, who was kidnapped in Ora, Osun State. The ex-customs officer regained freedom after payment of an undisclosed amount in ransom. Ex-Nigeria Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, who is the Asiwaju of Ora-Igbomina, announced Owolabi’s release in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday. A very reliable source involved in the efforts to facilitate Owolabi’s release said his abductors released him in Oro Ago, a community in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, late on Monday. “He was freed by his abductors late on Monday. We got…