No fewer than 80 militants in Cross River State surrendered voluntarily under the amnesty programme of the state government. The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Maj. Yemi Sokoya, who made this disclosure through a statement issued on Saturday, 17 January, 2026, said that the militants surrendered in the early hours of Friday, at Atimbo Rear Area, following Operation OKWOK, in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, within the area of responsibility of the 13 Brigade. According to him, the repentant militants emerged from two camps, with one group led by ThankGod Ebikontei, also known as Ayibanuagha, presenting 39 fighters.…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
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The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu on Saturday, 17 January, 2026 confirmed a successful rescue operation following an air incident at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday, 16 January, 2026, reports thegazellenews.com. Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed through a statement issued on Saturday, 17 January, 2026, said the agency activated the state’s emergency response plan after receiving distress alerts through its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines in the late on the evening of Friday, 16 January, 2026. According to him, a passenger aircraft experienced technical difficulties while airborne within the Nigerian airspace, forcing an…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sorrow at the passing of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the Chief Imam of Nghar village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who passed away at 92. The late Imam Abubakar shot into national and international prominence for hiding over 200 Christians in 2018, during the communal strife which ravaged Plateau State. President Tinubu described the late Imam as an extraordinary religious leader, whose lifetime represented a striking testament to faith, courage and a staunch belief in the sacredness of human life. “At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed…
The Lagos State Taskforce has observed with concern a series of misleading and unsubstantiated narratives purported by one Sheriffdeen Omo Eko on social media regarding its enforcement activities, particularly allegations of extortion, illegal sale of seized motorcycles, use of unauthorized persons, abuse of force, and compromise of leadership integrity. While the Agency respects the right of citizens to express concerns, it is necessary to place facts on record in the interest of public clarity and safety. Commercial motorcycles are apprehended only after due process through the Mobile Court for violations of the Lagos State Road Transport Sector Reform Law of…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola The Chief Imam of Yelwa community in Gindin Akwati, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of PlateauState, Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, who gained national and international recognition for sheltering hundreds of Christians during deadly attacks in 2018, is dead, reports thegazellenews.com The revered cleric passed away on Friday, 16 January,2026 drawing tributes from the Plateau State Government and residents who described his death as a significant loss to the state and the nation at large. Imam Abdullahi rose to prominence in June 2018 when armed attackers invaded several communities in Barkin Ladi. During the violence, he reportedly opened…
The Federal Government has moved to strengthen coordination between the Ministries of Defence and Interior as part of efforts to build a more unified and effective national security framework capable of responding to Nigeria’s evolving security threats. This followed a high-level meeting in Abuja on Friday when the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd) paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, at his office. Receiving the Defence Minister, Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a stronger, intelligence-driven security structure anchored on collaboration between internal and external security agencies. He described national security as resting…
The Ogun State Government has assured residents of adequate funding and logistics support for the forthcoming measles–rubella vaccination campaign scheduled to commence on January 27 and end on February 5, 2026. The Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who also chairs the State Task Force on Primary Health Care, gave the assurance during a meeting of the task force held at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. In her remarks, Engr. Salako-Oyedele commended the Ministry of Health, health sector stakeholders, and development partners—particularly UNICEF—for their continued support, including the provision of ambulance boats to enhance healthcare delivery in riverine communities. She praised their efforts…
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola A 19-year-old driver, Nsikak Okon, was arrested on Thursday, 15 January, 2026 after a high-speed, reckless chase in Benin City left three police officers injured and prompted the discovery of substances suspected to be hard drugs in his vehicle. The incident unfolded when Okon, driving a heavily tinted vehicle with no license plates, encountered officers during a routine patrol. According to CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Public Relations Officer for the Nigeria Police Force, Okon sped past the officers in a dangerous manner, prompting a pursuit. “You were driving a fully and heavily tinted vehicle without number plates.…
By Segun Adewale in Bauchi Members of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bauchi State Caucus in the House of Representatives, have unequivocally expressed their total and unwavering solidarity with the State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, in the face of recent spurious allegations of terrorism financing circulating in the public space. The Caucus, in a statement on Thursday, 15 January, 2026, stated that, “While the matter is sub judice, and we will not descend into the arena of conjecture or media trial, it is necessary to remind Nigerians of the unmistakable record of Governor Bala Mohammed as a…
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has felicitated with elder statesman and former National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, on the occasion of his 87th birthday, describing him as a priceless asset to the party and a towering figure in Nigeria’s progressive politics.Professor Yilwatda praised Chief Akande’s lifelong commitment to integrity, principled leadership, and democratic values, noting that his contributions were instrumental to the formation, growth, and stability of the APC. “At 87, Baba Bisi Akande represents the very best of progressive politics in Nigeria. His life is a testament to courage,…