Nine soldiers have been reported killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated along the Maiduguri–Gubio road in Borno State. The troops were travelling from Maiduguri through Gubio town for an operation in the Sasawa Forest, in neighbouring Yobe State, when the explosion occurred near Gubio, the headquarters of Gubio Local Council. A senior military source said several other soldiers sustained injuries from shrapnel, including burns to their limbs and heads. Clarifying the circumstances of the incident, the source said the attack was not an ambush, but the result of an IED planted along the road overnight. As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, including details of investigations and the number of casualties.

Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms have been widely mischaracterised as revenue tricks, mostly through epistemic closure and motivated reasoning, solely focusing on revenue figures, tax rates, and who pays what. A transparent, rules-based tax system reduces discretion, rent-seeking, and arbitrariness which are long-standing deterrents to investment in Nigeria. Perhaps, the most forward-looking aspect of the Tax Reform Acts is the emphasis on digitalisation and technology driven tax administration. Conclusion: A reform for the long termThe Tax Reform Acts are best understood as part of Nigeria’s long-term economic strategy. As earlier stated by President Tinubu, these tax reforms will be implemented with human face and full consideration of the Nigerian citizenry.

Constant price data are adjusted for inflation, meaning they strip out the effect of rising prices to measure actual changes in economic activity. The fact that nominal spending rose while real spending plunged shows that Nigerians are spending more money but getting less value, with inflation swallowing a large share of household budgets. The steep fall in real household spending is consistent with the sustained double-digit inflation that characterised the year. While employers may have raised salaries on paper, those increases were not enough to keep pace with rising prices. In this case, the slump in real household spending signals weakening domestic demand, which is a key engine of economic growth.

Tata Motors is gearing up to launch the Punch facelift on 13 January 2026. As indicated in the previous teasers, the new Punch gets revised exterior styling. At the rear, the Punch facelift gets a new connected LED taillight setup with new detailing seen in the cluster. The 2026 Tata Punch will borrow the same interior layout as the Tata Punch EV offering a dual-tone theme comprising a light blue-charcoal upholstery, along with a new dashboard with a white insert. 2026 Tata Punch Facelift: Powertrain specsIt was recently revealed that the Tata Punch facelift will also be offered in a new iTurbo iteration, which will receive a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine from the Tata Atroz Racer and Nexon.

The diplomats gave the commendation at a press conference in Abuja while presenting an Assessment Report on the Ongoing War Against Terrorism in Nigeria. Unveiling the report, the UN-WCD Secretary-General, Prof. Tunji Asaolu, lauded the expanding partnership between the Nigerian military and the United States, describing recent joint operations as precise, disciplined and effective. According to him, the assessment revealed that despite the scale of recent military engagements, no civilian casualties were recorded, a development he said underscored professionalism and strict adherence to international rules of engagement. “We commend the United States military and the Nigerian Ministry of Defence for the progress recorded so far in degrading terrorist networks,” Asaolu said, adding that the collaboration has weakened insurgent strongholds across several regions. Although the United States has consistently supported Nigeria through intelligence sharing, training and military assistance, direct US airstrikes on Nigerian territory are rare and often attract public scrutiny.

Basiru, in a statement, asked the ex-Rivers State governor to resign his ministerial position and focus on what he described as his obsession with Rivers State politics. “I say it here, take this message to your National Secretary, leave Rivers State alone. Fubara’s switch effectively ended his long-standing ties with the PDP and positioned him as the APC’s leading figure in Rivers State. The letter was submitted through the party’s ward office at Bob-Manuel’s Compound, Abonnema, the council headquarters in Rivers State. He doesn’t own Rivers State, and he doesn’t own the people of Rivers State.

In a surprising move, Tata Motors has unveiled the 2026 Punch facelift through official images ahead of its launch on January 13, 2026. 2026 Tata Punch – What’s New? ExteriorFor 2026, Tata Motors has updated the Punch with significant design changes, especially at the front & rear end. Towards the rear, the SUV gets a slightly revamped tailgate, along with new connected LED tail lamps and a restyled rear bumper. 2026 Tata Punch Price and RivalsTata will announce the prices of the Punch facelift on January 13, 2026.

Kalu made the remarks while reacting to comments attributed to the Abia State governor, which he described as “vitriolic and desperate political attacks” aimed at undermining the growing influence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. In a statement issued by the Head of Media, Senator Kalu Media Office, Sunday Maduka, the senator accused the governor of resorting to personal insults rather than addressing the challenges facing Abia residents. According to Kalu, the comments reflected insecurity and fear over the increasing presence of the APC ahead of the 2027 polls. In doing these, I am fulfilling my duty to my party and the people of Abia State,” he stated. The senator urged Governor Otti to concentrate on addressing pressing issues such as healthcare delivery, youth unemployment and security, rather than engaging in political confrontations.

Victor James Osimhen of Nigeria and Ademola Olajide Lookman of Nigeria gestures during the AFCON Group C match between Mozambique and Nigeria at Fes stadium, Fes, Morocco on January 5, 2026. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto)Nigerian football fans have criticised Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen for his angry outburst at teammate Ademola Lookman during Monday’s 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Lookman had already created two chances for Osimhen at that point, with one being a direct assist and the other coming through Akor Adams. The incident sparked widespread criticism on social media platform X, with fans questioning Osimhen’s attitude despite the team’s dominant performance. Social media influencer Emma Ik Umeh (@emmaikumeh) wrote, “Victor Osimhen had a quarrel with his teammate Lookman.

-The new Tata Punch Facelift is set to go on sale on January 13. Tata Motors has unveiled the Punch Facelift ahead of its launch in India on January 13, 2026. Here’s everything you need to know about the changes in the Tata Punch Facelift. Also Read: Tata Punch Facelift to Get Turbo-Petrol Engine Option: Here's What to ExpectInside, the Tata Punch Facelift has also seen an array of thoughtful updates. Tata Punch Facelift: EngineThe Punch i-Turbo will likely use the 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine sourced from the Altroz Racer.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have arrested eight suspected members of a suicide bombing network and intercepted a large cache of suspected terrorist logistics during separate operations in Adamawa State. According to the military, OPHK troops conducted a coordinated operation in the Yan Lemo area of Mubi South Local Government Area in the early hours of January 5, 2026, after sustained surveillance of identified locations. All suspects remain in military custody and are undergoing interrogation to aid further intelligence gathering before being handed over for continued investigation. In a related operation on January 4, 2026, OPHK troops intercepted a consignment of suspected terrorists’ logistics in Mayo Nguli, Maiha Local Government Area. No casualties were recorded during the operation, and the seized items are now in military custody pending further action.

Kidnappers who abducted two brothers on January 2 at their residence along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, Estako Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, have killed the younger one amongst the victims. He noted that the corpse was discovered on Monday morning and was buried the same day according to Islamic rites. The elder brother is still with the kidnappers. The elder brother, who happens to be a medical doctor, is still with the kidnappers. Ibrahim was abducted along with his brother while they were trying to enter their compound, and they were taken into the bush.

Tata Motors has fully revealed the exterior and interior of the Punch facelift, ahead of its launch on 13 January. As we await the full details, this is what the latest show:2026 Tata Punch Facelift: ExteriorFrom the pictures released today, we can see that the Punch has undergone a major makeover for its exterior design. 2026 Tata Punch Facelift: InteriorInside the Punch facelift, we get to see a dual-tone light blue-charcoal upholstery, along with a new dashboard with a white insert, also from the Punch EV. 2026 Tata Punch Facelift: Features And SafetyNow that we have a closer look at the Punch facelift, we can confirm that it will get features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with a new user interface and a fully-digital instrument cluster (shared with the Altroz). While we await the official launch, we expect the Punch facelift to be priced between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom).

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is seriously considering retirement from boxing, according to his uncle, Adedamola Joshua, who exclusively told our correspondent, The PUNCH reports. The pair had travelled to Nigeria with Joshua to visit his family when tragedy struck. Joshua attended an emotional funeral service at the London Central Mosque on Sunday, joining other mourners to pay his respects. One of the indigenes in Sagamu, Adeniji Taiwo, expressed relief that Joshua survived the crash while mourning the loss of the two friends. He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s licence.

President Tinubu had on December 19, 2025, presented the N58.18 trillion budget, themed “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” to a joint sitting of the National Assembly. Key allocations include N5.41tn for defence and security, N3.56tn for infrastructure, N3.52tn for education, and N2.48tn for health. The budget also provides N26.08tn for capital expenditure, N15.25tn for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and N15.52tn for debt servicing. During the presentation, the President vowed that 2026 would mark a decisive shift toward stronger discipline in budget execution and results-driven governance. Describing the proposed 2026 appropriation as strategic, the minister said:“Our ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ is critical.