The Eket people, under the auspices of Ekid union, had reportedly opposed Senator Akpabio’s billboard, questioning the rationale behind such billboards since Senator Akpabio is not from the senatorial district. “Senator Akpabio is not just a senator for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District; he is the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. By virtue of that office, his impact is national,” Akpanika said, noting that Akpabio’s position as the Senate President is a strategic advantage to Akwa Ibom State and should attract support from home rather than hostility. What is driving this hatred is envy of Senator Akpabio’s influence, acceptance and national relevance. He urged Eket interest groups to eschew bitterness, embrace political maturity and hold their own leaders accountable.

Armed bandits killed several people, including a police officer, during an attack on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack occurred near the Cameroon border during market day, when armed bandits stormed the community, looted stalls, and set the market on fire. A former councillor, Akerigbe Lawrence, told our correspondent that the attackers struck on a market day, killing several people. In a statement on Wednesday, State Command spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet said, “On 3 February 2026, at about 17:30 hours, the Divisional Police Officer, Jato-Aka, received a distress call that suspected armed herder bandits, in large numbers, had attacked police personnel stationed at Abande community as well as members of the community. “During the ensuing confrontation, while police operatives were responding to the distress call, one Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to 13 Police Mobile Force, Makurdi, who was on special duty at Abande Community, was fatally injured.

A former Governor of Benue State and ex-Senator, Gabriel Suswam, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, citing persistent internal crises and a lack of cohesion within the opposition party. Suswam’s resignation was contained in a letter dated Wednesday, February 4, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in Mbagber Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. He said, “I write to formally resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with effect from the date of this letter. “However, the party that once stood as a symbol of cohesion, internal democracy, and progressive opposition has, regrettably, become plagued by persistent and unresolved internal conflicts. As of the time of filing this report, the PDP leadership had yet to react to Suswam’s resignation.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and a civil society group, the Eagle Crime Awareness and Prevention Initiative, have vowed to intensify the seizure of assets linked to drug trafficking and properties used to harbour drug dealers across Lagos State. Landlords who allow their properties to be used for drug sales should know that such assets risk forfeiture. Adams described the partnership with the NDLEA as productive, noting that similar collaborations had been extended to other security and anti-graft agencies. He stressed that properties used to harbour drug dealers would no longer be spared, noting that asset forfeiture was a powerful deterrent in the fight against illicit drugs. Experts have repeatedly called on individuals in society to join the fight against drug abuse, stressing that collective responsibility was essential to ending the menace.

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has emphasised the need for a collective effort to eliminate violence against women and the vulnerable. Speaking Wednesday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the monarch highlighted that Onitsha has already established specific community guidelines designed to safeguard these groups from harm. “It is about coming together within our community, the way we organize, and taking care of each other. People oftentimes misunderstand that dynamism, but it must be there because culture exists to serve the people,” the Obi of Onitsha said. So, first of all, it is about education to enlighten our people regarding the true core elements of our cultural traits”, he added.

Foundation Cricket Club have climbed to the top of the Club Cricket Committee Lagos Premier League Division following an impressive showing last weekend, recording wins over Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club and Island Titans Cricket Club, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. After FCC posted 91 runs all out, Ibeju Lekki were set a target of 92 to win. As the CCC Lagos League approaches the Super 6 and Super 4 play-offs in both divisions, other teams are also raising their level in a bid to secure qualification. With FCC, Ibeju Lekki and Island Titans occupying the top three positions, they are followed by Government College Ibadan, defending champions Rising Stars and Federal Government College Warri in the top six. Rising Stars Cricket Club and Rocks of Abeokuta emerged as champions of the Premier Division and Division One, respectively, last season.

They wanted to arrange Lionel Messi for Galatasaray from the USA,” Tüzemen told A Spor. “Messi says that the tempo in the American league is too demanding for him and he does not want to go to the World Cup injured. It remains unclear whether Messi would be willing to play the away leg against the Serie A side if the deal materialises. While Messi guided Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup title in 2025, Osimhen powered Galatasaray to a domestic double in the 2024/25 season, scoring 37 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions. Will we see Messi wearing the Galatasaray shirt one day?

“Religious freedom is now one of our primary weapons against the dark alliance gathered against us,” Brownback said in his prepared testimony. “Both have what were previously designated as Entities of Particular Concern operating within their borders,” he wrote. “If we are to take the International Religious Freedom Act as our measure, then the United States is not doing enough. “The State Department has still not made its designations of Countries of Particular Concern, Special Watch List, or Entities of Particular Concern. “International religious freedom, as defined in human rights law, is universal,” Schneck stated.

The Edo State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers during patrol along the Auchi–Igarra Highway in Edo North, authorities said on Wednesday. In a statement by the state command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, on Wednesday, the suspects were identified by a vigilante member as members of a kidnapping syndicate. “Upon recognition, the suspects attempted to escape into the bush but were quickly intercepted and arrested. The PUNCH had earlier reported that 13 suspected kidnappers and vandals were arrested while three abductees were rescued. Edo State Police PPRO explained that the operations are part of sustained security measures ordered by CP Monday Agbonika to dismantle criminal networks and deny offenders safe haven.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has pledged to compensate residents of Makoko and adjoining communities in Yaba Local Government Area affected by recent demolitions, as it ordered an immediate halt to the exercise. The directive followed a meeting on Tuesday between lawmakers and representatives of the affected communities at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium, Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja. PUNCH Metro had exclusively reported on Monday that the Assembly convened the meeting after receiving a petition from the affected communities. He said, “All demolitions in Makoko and its waterfront communities should stop with immediate effect until further notice. However, the Lagos State Government has continued to defend the demolition, insisting it was carried out in the interest of the waterfront communities.

Snakebites kill one person every five minutes globally – up to 138,000 every year, and leave 400,000 more with permanent disabilities. Many cases and deaths are thought to go unrecorded, particularly where victims seek care from traditional healers rather than hospitals. View image in fullscreen A boomslang, one of the most venomous snakes in Africa – most snakebite deaths are preventable if antivenom is administered quickly. According to the World Health Organization, most deaths from snakebites are “entirely preventable” if safe and effective antivenoms are available and administered swiftly. Shortages of antivenom due to manufacturing problems have been reported across Africa, along with quality concerns about some products.

The Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School Old Girls Association unveiled a digital initiative as part of activities marking the school’s 70th anniversary. Founded in 1956, Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Yaba, Lagos, hosted former students who returned in their old school uniforms, showcasing styles worn across different generations. Chukwuma noted that one of the highlights of the celebration was a debate on technology between alumnae and current students. She disclosed that the alumni association was working to improve the school’s digital facilities, including equipping the computer hub with desktops, internet access and solar power. Activities marking the 70th anniversary include a “Thanksgiving Mass and Prize-Giving Day”, a gala night themed “A Night of African Elegance”, a visit to a women’s correctional centre, career day, the launch of mentorship programmes and the unveiling of the school’s 70th anniversary project.

According to him, first aid response is critical in snakebite cases. He reiterated the danger of tying the affected limb, saying, “Tying a piece of cloth will localise venom in the affected part. He explained that the reported reduction in snakebite cases in recent years does not necessarily reflect improved outcomes. “The reduction in snakebite cases reported in recent years is likely due to the unavailability of free antivenoms. Also speaking, Dr Abe Musa, a member of the Toxinological Society of Nigeria, berated patients for tying snakebite wounds, warning that the practice could worsen the condition.“They are playing with their health.

Profit after tax climbed to £5.7 billion ($7.8 billion) compared with profit of £2.6 billion in 2024, GSK said in a statement. “GSK delivered another strong performance in 2025, driven mainly by Speciality Medicines,” said chief executive Luke Miels, who took over from Emma Walmsley at the start of the year. GSK forecasts a low double-digit increase in revenue for its speciality medicines this year, but it expects revenue from vaccines and general medicines to decline. GSK, along with several other pharmaceutical giants, agreed in December to lower the cost of its prescription medicines for American patients, in exchange for tariff exemptions for three years. The United States accounted for more than half of GSK’s total revenues last year.

One of the officials of the state Fire Service trying to recover the corpse from the well in Saki. The Oyo State Fire Service has recovered the corpses of a 30-year-old man, Shina Adedeji, and another 45-year-old man, whose name was withheld, from two separate locations in the state. One of the victims was trying to rescue a goat when he was trapped in the well. The man in the Saki incident was trying to rescue a goat when he met his death. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a man of about 45 years was trapped inside a deep well.