The Ondo State Police Command on Thursday said that it had arrested four persons over the abduction of a woman in the Ilu-Abo community in Akure North Local Government Area of the state. The victim, a school proprietor, Mrs Tomiola Oladehinde, was abducted by unknown gunmen at the entrance of her house in the community last Sunday evening. The incident reportedly occurred when the kidnappers stormed the area and attacked the victim’s vehicle, after which she was whisked away. He said, “On Thursday, January 29, 2026, acting on proactive and credible intelligence, vigilant members of the Ilu-Abo community apprehended one Abenaguna Muhammad, male, found in possession of various criminal charms. “This arrest followed intensive intelligence-driven operations launched by the command after the violent incident of January 25, 2026, during which armed assailants attacked residents at Liberty Avenue, Ilu-Abo, shot a victim, abducted another, and injured two others.

Ademola Lookman plays his debut in Copa del Rey quarter-final clash against Real Betis on February 5, 2026New Atlético Madrid forward, Ademola Lookman, marked his debut for the Spanish club with a goal on Thursday, netting the third strike in their Copa del Rey quarter-final clash against Real Betis at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Atlético coach Diego Simeone had hinted on Wednesday at the possibility of handing Lookman his debut in the fixture. We’re going to need them, and we’ll work together to finish the season in the best way possible,” Simeone said, via Spidy Atlético. As a result, the Copa del Rey represents Atlético’s most realistic route to silverware this season, although they must first overcome Betis. I’m happy to join Atlético de Madrid, a massive club with rich history and passion,” Lookman wrote on X.

The Edo State secretariat of the African Democratic Party in Benin was, on Wednesday night, attacked by suspected thugs. I immediately contacted security agencies to help put out the fire. Security agencies must remain neutral and do the needful,” he added. Confirming the incident, the Edo State Police Command spokesperson, SP Eno Ikoedem, said suspected hoodlums invaded the party’s premises and damaged property. The Obidient Movement in the state recently partnered with the ADC to strengthen the party’s structure and presence in Edo State.

The Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun (c), after regaining freedom from captivity in Kwara State. Photo: Dare AkogunThe Oniwo of Afin, Oba Simeon Olanipekun, who was abducted by gunmen in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, has regained his freedom after his family reportedly paid an additional N12m ransom to secure his release. A family source, who spoke with PUNCH Online on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, confirmed the development, saying prolonged negotiations led to the traditional ruler’s release. However, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the release of the monarch but denied knowledge of any ransom payment. Two weeks after the abduction, Olaolu was released following the payment of N20m ransom after prolonged negotiations between the family and the kidnappers.

The Federal Government on Thursday flagged off the distribution of the Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Intervention in Maiduguri, Borno State, aimed at supporting households affected by insurgency, rising costs, displacement, and economic hardship. “In response, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritised urgent action to address hunger and strengthen food security, especially for the most vulnerable,” Doro said. The intervention covers the 10 most humanitarian-affected states in northern Nigeria, including Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Niger, Plateau, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi. The acting Governor of Borno State said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to food security and humanitarian support under the Renewed Hope Agenda. In his address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya, explained that the goal is to address food insecurity and humanitarian needs among vulnerable populations, particularly in Borno State.

The Mohammed Abdulrahman-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed caretaker committees for the party’s Plateau, Kano, Yobe, and Zamfara State chapters, further widening the leadership crisis in the opposition party. Plateau has 13 members on its caretaker committee. The move came just days after an Ibadan Federal High Court nullified the PDP’s November 15, 2025, convention, which produced the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC). The Abdulrahman-led faction has since been emboldened by the judgment of the court, which recognised the caretaker committee as the leadership of the party for now. However, the Turaki-led NWC had appealed the judgment and also filed for a stay of execution of the decision of the lower court.

The United States and Russia have agreed to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue, the U.S. military said on Thursday, following talks held in Abu Dhabi, more than four years after the channel was suspended. In a statement, the United States European Command said the decision followed recent meetings in the United Arab Emirates’ capital between Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, Commander of U.S. European Command, and senior Russian and Ukrainian military officials. “This channel of communication was suspended in the fall of 2021, just prior to the onset of the conflict,” the command said, referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Military-to-military contacts between the two countries were largely frozen after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, further deepening the rift between the two nuclear-armed powers. The U.S. European Command did not provide details on when the next round of talks would take place or the specific agenda but said the restored channel would focus on maintaining communication and stability.

A final year student of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete on Wednesday lost his life in a fatal road crash. Tribune Online gathered that the deceased, identified as Idris Aremu Agboluaje was said to be on his way to campus to write an examination when the accident happened. The development, which was confirmed by the university’s Registrar, Dr. Kikelomo W. Sallee, described the incident as unfortunate. “Idris Aremu Agboluaje was said to be on his way to campus to write an examination when the accident happened. “The Management of Kwara State University feels very deeply pained by the loss of a promising young man and prays that God consoles his family, friends, loved ones, and the entire KWASU Community”.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced an audit exercise covering the state’s 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) as part of efforts to strengthen accountability at the grassroots. The exercise was formally declared open on Wednesday at the Lateef Jakande Hall, Assembly Complex, by the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (Local), Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Akinsanya said the audit was aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public funds across the local councils. ALSO READ: Reps quiz NBET over N4.099bn expenditureAccording to him, the audit would help identify lapses where they exist and guide council officials on the proper procedures for administering public resources. Epe Local Government, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Ifelodun LCDA, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, and Ojo Local Government were the first councils audited.

Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, has expressed regret over “every minute” he spent with Jeffrey Epstein, as renewed attention surrounds his past ties with the convicted sexual offender. One draft email included in the files contained claims by Epstein that Gates was involved in extramarital affairs. “Every minute I spent with him, I regret, and I apologize,” Gates said. Melinda French Gates, Gates’ former wife, said the latest document release reopened painful memories from their marriage. Gates said he first met Epstein in 2011 and attended several dinners with him over the next three years.

The Ogun State Government has shut two fuel stations in Abeokuta over their failure to provide public conveniences within their facilities. The two stations are Conoil Station, Ibara, and Moore Station, Asero. They were said to have violated the State Government Environmental Management (Miscellaneous Provision Law) 2006, as well as the Ogun State Public Health Law 2020. This is contrary to the state government’s directive that all fuel stations, eateries, markets, and other public facilities must provide functioning public conveniences within their premises as part of the government’s effort to eradicate open defecation in the state. He also reminded party organisers in the state to provide movable toilets at the venues of their events to contribute to the state government’s efforts to eradicate open defecation.

While there are many ways to underperform, the path to success is remarkably consistent: it is defined by a clear strategy to build economic complexity. Vietnam used global trade to build a resilient, complex economy, while the others remained dependent on natural resources or a single low-tech niche. “There are three big lessons here for us in Nigeria as we think about our roadmap. “Nigeria, on the other hand, remains a supplier of raw materials to these chains, not an active participant within them. If we want to move from potential to prosperity, we must stop being just a source of raw materials and start being a source of ideas, innovation, and complex products.

Troops of the Nigerian Army under 4 Brigade, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 13 suspected kidnappers and illicit drug peddlers during a coordinated clearance operations across communities in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State. The operations reportedly carried out on February 4, 2026, were conducted alongside personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, the Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Edo State Security Corps. The suspects and exhibits, which were scooped, were subsequently handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution. He warned that Edo State would be made hostile for terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal elements, stressing that criminality would not be tolerated. The latest operations underscore renewed efforts by security agencies to restore peace and security across Edo North and the state at large.

Barely two days after bandits attacked Worro rural community in Kaiama council area of Kwara State, the State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, met with President Tinubu at the State House on Thursday. President Bola Tinubu has since ordered the deployment of an army battalion to the local council. He said the new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate the barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities. President Tinubu, in a statement on Wednesday night, condemned the attack and described the gunmen as heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror. Thursday’s meeting with the Kwara State governor was part of ongoing consultations to improve security in the North Central state.

United States President, Donald Trump, on Thursday acknowledged Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during his remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. While delivering a speech at the event, Trump acknowledged the presence of the Nigeria’s First Lady, describing her as a respected woman of God. A very respected woman. The development comes a few days after the United States announced it had sent a small team of troops to Nigeria. “That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” General Anderson said.