The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has dealt a major blow to drug trafficking and organised crime in the coastal community of Ibaka, following a coordinated night raid that led to the arrest of 23 suspects and the recovery of large quantities of illicit drugs and other criminal materials. The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue. “Investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and to track other individuals connected to the drug network operating within the Ibaka axis,” DSP John said. He assured residents that the area remains calm, with enhanced patrols and surveillance already deployed to prevent a resurgence of criminal activity. The Police Command reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on drug abuse and trafficking, warning criminal elements that no area of the state would be allowed to serve as a safe haven for illegal activities.

“The killings in Woro have demonstrated how easy it is for any group of deranged men to take hundreds of lives without resistance,” he stated. He raised concerns over the absence of aerial intervention during the attack, arguing that Nigeria’s air capabilities should render claims of remoteness untenable. Hashim warned that repeated delays in security response were emboldening attackers while widening the trust gap between citizens and the government. He cautioned that persistent failure to protect rural communities could push residents toward self-help measures, including vigilante reprisals, ethnic profiling, and the emergence of unregulated armed groups. He also advocated reforms aimed at strengthening rural security through rapid-response systems, enhanced aerial surveillance, helicopter deployment, and forward operating bases in vulnerable border areas.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has petitioned the Code of Conduct Bureau to investigate members of the Senate and other public officers over alleged irregularities in the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and the Tax Reform Laws. “Similarly, the National Assembly recently alleged that there are unlawful alterations and some material differences between the tax reform bills passed by the legislative body and the tax reform laws gazetted by the Federal Government. Similarly, the National Assembly had initiated investigations into the alleged discrepancies in the tax bill and released a “certified” version of the Acts to address the contradictions. It alleged that the processes leading to the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and the signing of the Tax Reform Laws were marked by alterations to bill provisions without debate and due process of law, as well as alterations to the Tax Reform Bill without the approval of the National Assembly. Citing the Constitution, SERAP noted that public officers must not place themselves in situations where personal interests conflict with official duties.

The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced medical screening for intending pilgrims registered for the 2026 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia, as part of preparations to comply with strict health guidelines issued by the Saudi authorities. The screening exercise is designed to assess the health status of pilgrims and ensure compliance with Saudi Arabia’s medical requirements for the pilgrimage. It includes general medical tests and the administration of mandatory immunisations. The Director-General of the Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, disclosed that the screening exercise, which began on Monday at designated health centres across the state, involves comprehensive medical tests, routine immunisation, and pregnancy tests for female pilgrims. He further urged Kano pilgrims to devote adequate time to the sensitisation courses, which are designed to familiarise them with activities, procedures, and regulations in Saudi Arabia.

President Bola Tinubu will embark on a historic two-day state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an invitation from King Charles III. President Tinubu will be accompanied by his wife and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. “First state visit of a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years confirmed. President Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu will be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla from 18 to 19 March 2026,” Onanuga said. President Tinubu and King Charles, both of whom assumed office in May 2023, have met on several occasions.

The Senate has announced that it will hold an emergency plenary sitting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. In the statement, Odo indicated that all senators have been kindly requested to attend the emergency plenary sitting. “The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has directed the reconvening of plenary for an emergency sitting on Tuesday, February 10th 2026,” the statement read. The emergency sitting, Odo announced, will commence at 12 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon. This follows the Senate’s February 4 rejection of a proposed amendment for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act.

The Lagos State Government has sealed Ladipo Spare Parts Market along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road (Apapa–Oshodi Expressway) over alleged repeated environmental infractions. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the development in a post shared on X on Sunday. He wrote, “Lagos State government, this morning, sealed Ladipo Spare Parts Market along Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road (Apapa–Oshodi Expressway) over repeated environmental infractions; indiscriminate refuse disposal on the median/highway and illegal street trading. #ZeroToleranceLagos.”The popular spare parts hub in Mushin was shut as part of the state’s ongoing enforcement drive to ensure compliance with environmental laws and discourage street trading and improper waste disposal. PUNCH Online reported in 2023 that the Lagos State Government reopened Ladipo Market after it met stipulated environmental and sanitation requirements.

The factional Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Mao OhuabunwaThe factional Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, says Governor Alex Otti’s administration has reshaped the philosophy and narrative of infrastructure development in Abia State within three years in office. Ohuabunwa stated this at his Amuvi, Arochukwu country home in Arochukwu Local Government Area on Saturday during the 2026 annual conference of members of his Follow Better Organisation in Abia North Senatorial District. “Today, the members of Follow Better and indeed the PDP are not blind to the fact that the present governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, is doing well, especially in infrastructure. Also speaking, the Director-General of the Follow Better Organisation, Ndubuisi Eke, and the Chairman of the organising committee, Sir Owo Eleke, said the essence of the conference was to reaffirm their loyalty and support for the leadership of Ohuabunwa. They described the senator as a household name in the political landscape of the state and commended him for his passion for the growth and development of the Follow Better structure, Abia State and Nigeria in general.

“The prices of vegetable crops will drop further this Ramadan because the cultivation of most vegetable produce may increase due to the need for some vegetables to break the fast. When there is a high supply, the prices always go down,” Zuntu said. The demand will reduce, and there’s still a high supply of tomatoes in the northern market,” he added. “As a chapter, we would like to appreciate the national leadership of the tomato farmers’ association for all their efforts to ensure that the government intervened to reduce the hardship of vegetable farmers. “We also appeal to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to come to the aid of vegetable farmers in the 2026 planting season, especially in the provision of farm inputs,” he said.

The Nigeria Police Force has promoted a total of 74,352 officers across various ranks nationwide since January 2025, dismissing claims of irregularities in the promotion process. The Force also promoted 156 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners, 1,014 Superintendents of Police to Chief Superintendents, and 270 Chief Superintendents to Assistant Commissioners. Other promotions include 980 Assistant Superintendents of Police I to Deputy Superintendents, 615 Deputy Superintendents to Superintendents, and 30,828 Inspectors to Assistant Superintendents of Police I. Reacting to public criticism, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, dismissed allegations of a promotion scandal, insisting that the exercise was based strictly on merit and professionalism. There is no promotion scandal in the Nigeria Police Force,” Egbetokun said.

A former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Ayoade Adeseun, on Sunday, disclosed that he facilitated about N500 million in federal funding for the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, in Ogbomoso. “So, we reasoned that wherever there was a conventional federal university, there should also be a technically-oriented institution,” he stated. He stressed that polytechnic education remains crucial to economic growth in a technology-driven world. “I told Kabiyesi I was bringing a federal institution but wanted it sited in Ayede. He added that the community provided about 100 acres of land for the project, after which he secured federal approval and funding.

Tata Motors has officially revealed the exterior design of the upcoming Punch EV facelift, ahead of its scheduled launch later this month. The Punch EV facelift will launch on February 20, 2026, following the recent launch of the Punch ICE facelift. Revised Front DesignThe most noticeable change on the Punch EV facelift is at the front. New Colour and Updated Alloy WheelsThe Punch EV facelift introduces new aero-optimised alloy wheels, inspired by those seen on the larger Nexon EV. The Punch EV facelift is likely to receive a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, similar to the one introduced on the Nexon EV, running updated software.

Tata Punch EV facelift revealed with updated front design, closed-off grille and revised bumper details. Also Read: Tata Sierra Crosses 1 Lakh Bookings Milestone; Production Set to Ramp UpTata Motors will launch the updated Tata Punch EV in India on February 20, 2026. Tata Punch EV Facelift: PowertrainThe Punch EV will likely continue with two battery options. Since its launch in January 2024, the Punch EV has become a common choice for first-time EV buyers and small families. With the Punch EV facelift set for a February 20 launch, Tata looks ready to keep its compact electric SUV in the spotlight.

The Integrity Youth Alliance (IYA) has dismissed reports linking the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to an alleged $2.5 million fraud, describing the claims as baseless, false and malicious. IYA also rejected claims of an internal crisis at the Force Headquarters, insisting that there is no turmoil within the Nigeria Police Force. Clarifying reports that the IGP abruptly cut short an official trip to Lagos, the group said Egbetokun completed his engagements as scheduled before returning to Abuja. It also denied claims of emergency meetings involving information technology officials, noting that ICT matters are handled through established command and administrative structures. Challenging the publishers of the report to present verifiable evidence, IYA said there was no proof of any financial transaction linking the IGP to the alleged fraud.

Tata Motors has officially revealed the facelifted Punch EV ahead of its launch scheduled on 20 February 2026. This will be the first significant update to the battery-powered Punch ever since it was first introduced in early 2024. The image released by Tata Motors reveals a redesigned front fascia featuring a completely sealed-off front grille flanked by slim LED daytime running lights (DRL) signatures. A Level 2 ADAS suite is also likely to be included as part of the Punch EV facelift’s safety package. Tata Punch EV Facelift: Expected PowertrainThe powertrain on the Tata Punch EV will most likely remain unchanged.