By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola The Defence Headquarters has dismissed concerns over the presence of United States military personnel in Nigeria, insisting that the counter-terrorism support being provided is routine, cost-free and does not undermine the country’s sovereignty. Speaking on Friday, 28 February,2026 during a media briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Micheal Onoja, clarified that the development followed the February 17 confirmation of the arrival of about 100 US military personnel and associated equipment after a working group engagement between Nigerian and American defence officials. The Defence Headquarters on Friday defended the presence of United…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has raised fresh concerns over escalating insecurity in his state, declaring that bandits have taken over several ungoverned spaces warning that the situation could degenerate into a humanitarian crisis if urgent action is not taken. Mohammed made the disclosure on Friday, 27 February, 2026 after an emergency meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he sought special federal intervention following renewed attacks in Alkaleri Local Government Area. Speaking to State House correspondents, the governor said the security situation in parts of Bauchi had deteriorated beyond the capacity…
The Federal Government has expressed concern over the politicisation of technical challenges in the power sector and has rejected allegations of incompetence against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, by members of the Oyo State House of Assembly. In a statement issued by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister, the Ministry clarified that the transmission challenges affecting Ibarapa predate the current administration. These challenges were largely caused by funding shortfalls and unresolved compensation issues linked to critical infrastructure of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). The statement described the politicisation of largely technical…
The Gombe State Executive Council on Friday, 27 February, 2026 approved the sum of N337 million for the training of 700 forest guards as part of efforts to strengthen security in the state. The state Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Magaji, who made this disclosure after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya in Gombe on Friday, 27 February, 2026, said, “Council ratified the approval of His Excellency for the payment of N337 million for the 700 trainees from Gombe that are to be trained under the national security arrangement by the Office of the National Security…
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday, 28 February, 2026 welcomed the newly appointed Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Peter Akpe, at his residence in Yenagoa,the state capital, reports thegazellenews.com. The visit followed Akpe’s recent appointment and assumption of office, marking a significant moment for the state’s leadership transition, following the passing of the former Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who died on Thursday, 11 December, 2025. Jonathan , who made this disclosure through a statement shared on his official X handle on Saturday, 28 February, 2026, said, “This morning, I had the pleasure of receiving the new Deputy Governor of Bayelsa…
Nigerian gospel music has been thrown into grief again following the death of Taiwo Adegbodu, one half of the celebrated gospel duo, Adegbodu Twins, reports thegazellenews.com Taiwo Adegbodu’s death is coming about eight weeks after the death of another prominent gospel artist, Bunmi Akinnaanu, aka Omije Oju mi. Thegazellenews.com recalled that Akinnaanu died in Lagos on Monday, 12 January, 2026. Adegbodu’s death was made public on Sunday, 1 March, 2026 through a post on the duo’s official Facebook page. The heartfelt message, reportedly penned by his twin brother and longtime music partner, Kehinde Adegbodu, expressed deep anguish over the loss…
The Benue State Epidemiologist, Dr. Msuega Asema, on Friday, 27 February, 2026 disclosed that at least 10 people have lost their lives as result of Lassa fever disease. Asema made this disclosure on Friday, 27 February, 2026 when the state Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh-Ogwuche, visited the isolation centres at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi and Federal Medical Centre, Apir where the affected victims are currently receiving treatments. Thegazellenews.com recalled that Ejeh-Ogwuche had earlier in the month formally declared the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state following the rise in figure of suspected…
Following escalating military actions in Iran, the Federal Government of Nigeria on Saturday, 28 February, 2026 issued an urgent advisory to Nigerians residing in the Islamic Republic and neighbouring Gulf countries, report thegazellenews.com The advisory comes in response to reported strikes by Israel and the United States on targets in Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions by Iran in some Gulf states. In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA/PR/2026/21) from Abuja, the government urged Nigerian citizens to exercise heightened caution and follow safety protocols amid the volatile situation. The statement was signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, ANIPR,…
A female officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has died after being struck by an operational vehicle during simulation exercise, reports thegazellenews.com. NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale, who confirmed the sad development, said that the incident occurred during a coordinated show-of-force drill. The name of the officer has not yet been officially released. Footage circulating on social media shows the moment the officer was knocked down and run over by a patrol vehicle making a turn during the exercise. Colleagues and onlookers quickly responded, lifting the vehicle to rescue her, and emergency responders later evacuated her…
The Lagos State Government has debunked the allegation that N4.2 billion is proposed in the Year 2026 budget for the purchase of furniture and 30 microphones for the Office of the Deputy Governor. In a statement issued and signed by the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, the State Government described the news report in some online media as inaccurate and a clear misinterpretation of the approved capital provisions. The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to reports alleging that ₦4.2 billion was proposed in the 2026 budget for the…