Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested ten individuals suspected of involvement in illegal mining activities along the Ilorin – Ogbomosho axis. They were arrested on Sunday, February 1, 2026, following credible intelligence on unlawful mineral excavation and transportation in parts of Kwara and Oyo States. The suspects, comprising nine truck drivers and one escort were intercepted and taken into custody in a well -coordinated sting operation. Solid minerals arrested with the suspects include lithium, tin, and lepidolite. The suspects have no requisite licences, permits, or regulatory approvals for their mining…
Author: Khadijah Olowode
Troops of the Nigerian military have neutralised several suspected bandits in what was described as a ‘tactical ambush’ and recovered their operational motorcycles during a counterterrorism operation along the Kontagora road corridor in Niger State, PRNigeria reports. The encounter occurred on Saturday, 31 January, 2026, along the Dusai–Lioji axis in Mariga Local Government Area, as the armed group was reportedly moving through the area after operating within forest belts spanning parts of the North-West and North-Central. Defence intelligence sources familiar with the operation disclosed that the group had emerged from a forest enclave around Yauri and was believed to be…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has declared that the ruling party remains open to welcoming former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Presidential Candidate, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso. He made the remark on Sunday, 1 February, 2026 during an interview on Trust TV, against the backdrop of recent defections in Kano State politics. Governor Abba Yusuf, alongside members of the State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, recently left the NNPP for the APC, fueling speculation over Kwankwaso’s next political move. Yilwatda stressed that the former Kano governor…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has concluded arrangements to commence a 50-day rotational Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across all wards in the state, in a move aimed at expanding voter participation ahead of the 2027 General Elections. The Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Ayobami Salami, disclosed this on Sunday, 1 February, 2026 while addressing stakeholders at a meeting on the second phase of the CVR exercise. He explained that the initiative was introduced to curb voter apathy while bringing registration services closer to eligible voters across the state. Speaking…
The Lagos State Government has officially welcomed Africa and the global music community as the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) kicked off in Lagos, Nigeria. The Africa’s global music celebration holds from January 7 to 11, 2026, as the cultural fiesta commenced on Wednesday with a Welcome Soiree for nominees and guests, hosted by the British High Commission in Nigeria. Other highlights of the five-day event include the Africa Music Business Summit on Thursday, January 8; the AFRIMA Music Village, featuring performances by over 25 A-list artistes and DJs from across the continent on Friday, January…
The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken note of yet another alarmist outburst by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who now claims that Nigeria’s democracy is facing an “existential threat.” Coming from a political tendency that has repeatedly tested, stretched, and strained democratic institutions, this sudden affection for democracy is as ironic as it is convenient. It is instructive that this apocalyptic narrative is being amplified from the stable of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a political contraption that appears unsure of its ideological footing, uncertain of its leadership direction, and plainly afraid of its…
By Segun Adewale, Gombe Driven by a clear vision to build a resilient, inclusive and economically stable Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has reiterated the need for stronger collaboration between the Gombe State Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to effectively address current economic challenges and improve the livelihoods of citizens. The Governor made this known Wednesday, 7 January, 2026, while receiving the management team of the CBN, Gombe Branch, on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Gombe. Governor Inuwa Yahaya emphasised that governance, particularly in difficult economic times, must be anchored on innovative thinking,…
By Segun Adewale in Gombe Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has received two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Gombe State House of Assembly who have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further strengthening the ruling party’s dominance in the legislature. The lawmakers are Hon. Gabriel Galadima Fushison, representing Kaltungo West Constituency and Hon. Malon Nimrod Yari, representing Shongom Constituency. They were led to the Governor’s office by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, alongside his Deputy, Hon. Sadam Bello and other principal officers of the Assembly.…
By Tanimu Yakubu THE Emmanuel Orjih’s essay being circulated is rhetorically powerful, but its “simplicity” is achieved by subtracting the very provisions that determine the outcome. That is not clarity; it is selective accounting. Let’s dismantle the argument on its own terms—calmly, sequentially, and with arithmetic that actually follows the law. 1) The core confusion: pension and health insurance are not taxes—they are deductible contributions A tax is a compulsory payment to government for general public purposes with no direct ownership claim by the payer. A pension contribution is a deferred wage placed in a worker’s Retirement Savings Account—owned by…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popool The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to support the ninth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) 2026, highlighting the event’s importance to the creative economy, cultural diplomacy and the global promotion of African talent. The pledge was made on Wednesday, 7 January, 2026, in Ikeja by the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, during a press conference at the Alausa Press Centre. She explained that the briefing was organised to formally announce updates on the awards and to clearly outline Lagos State’s role as host of the continental…