The United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of having links to the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Yusuf was identified as having ties to Boko Haram and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport. He was identified as a Boko Haram leader and sanctioned under terrorism provisions. He was linked to Boko Haram and listed under several aliases, including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman. The United States officially designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013.

Troops of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with Ondo State Security Network Agency and local vigilantes, killed two terrorists on 14 February in an operation along the Akunu–Auga road. The spokesperson for 32 Artillery Brigade, Irabor Njoka, in a statement on 16 February, said the troops who were attached to Forward Operating Base (FOB) Auga in Ondo State, acted on human intelligence. “Troops acting on credible human intelligence regarding the movement of the suspected criminals within the area, swiftly mobilised and intercepted the suspects,” the spokesperson said, adding that a gunfight ensued between the terrorists and security forces. “The success of the operation highlights the Nigerian Army’s unwavering resolve to deny criminal elements freedom of action and movement, as well as to protect lives and property across Ondo State,” the spokesperson said. The commander, an Egbira man from Kogi State, said his unit which specialised in kidnapping and sometimes robbery, focused on Abuja, Kogi, Edo and Ondo.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday announced he was postponing a visit to Abu Dhabi because Emirati leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had a “health problem” — then deleted the message. The message, posted by Erdogan’s team on X, said he had talked with Al Nahyan by phone. “During the course of the call, President Erdogan expressed his sadness over the health problem experienced by (President) Al Nahyan and wished him a prompt recovery,” said the three-paragraph message. Turkey’s state broadcaster likewise took down its article on Erdogan that mentioned the Emirati leader’s health problem. The Emirati leader’s team on Saturday evening released photos taken the same day showing Al Nahyan, known as MBZ, smiling and apparently in good health, with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar.

Entrepreneur and automotive services executive, Ajilore Obafemi Samuel, has warned that rising insecurity is discouraging business investments in Nigeria, urging authorities to prioritise safety in order to restore investor confidence. “Insecurity is affecting business investments in Nigeria. Before launching DGW, he sold his car in Dubai to raise start-up capital — a sacrifice he described as necessary to build his vision. A Business Administration graduate of Gateway Polytechnic, Igbesa, he has since grown DGW from an automotive service brand into a broader business ecosystem. While focused on expansion and industry collaboration, Samuel stressed that sustainable growth in Nigeria’s private sector depends largely on improved security.

Troops of the 32 Artillery Brigade have neutralised two suspected armed terrorists and recovered weapons during a tactical operation in Ondo State. According to the statement, the troops acted on credible human intelligence regarding the movement of suspected criminals in the area. “The operation was carried out in conjunction with personnel of the Ondo State Security Network Agency and local vigilantes. The Brigade said the operation underscores the Nigerian Army’s resolve to deny criminal elements freedom of action and movement, and to protect lives and property across Ondo State. PUNCH Online reports that the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, arrested no fewer than 95 suspected criminals across the 18 local government areas of the state for various offences.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has urged Muslims across the country to search for the crescent of Ramadan immediately after sunset on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, corresponding to 29 Sha’aban 1447 A.H. Ramadan crescent is the first small visible new moon that marks the beginning of the Islamic month of Ramadan. Sighting it shows Ramadan has begun, and fasting should start. It encouraged Muslims to remain steadfast, calm and committed to virtues during Ramadan despite prevailing challenges, and prayed for peace, protection and tranquillity in Nigeria. It prayed that Allah would grant Muslims the opportunity to witness and complete the 1447 A.H. Ramadan in good health and devotion.

Australia now has the second-highest median wealth in the world and nearly 2 million millionaires – in US dollar terms. “So it matters whether you have a parent with an expensive house or not,” Debelle says. The Henry house wasn’t social housing, though. You’ll be able to – no question – afford a good house, have a good life. “It doesn’t just end at housing or acquiring wealth or building wealth in this generation but it can carry over to future generations,” she says.

It said the privatisation of the power sector has thrown more Nigerians into darkness and widened energy poverty in 10 years. He insisted that the state must return the power sector as a social service if it must make progress as a nation. Noting that electricity was not a luxury for the rich, the NLC boss said it was a social service essential for national development. While he called for a people’s power roadmap, Ajaero acknowledged the new Electricity Act, which devolves power to the states, warning that decentralisation alone was not a magic wand. He described it as a reversal of the failed privatisation model, service-reflective tariffs, not cost-reflective extortion and public investment in generation and transmission infrastructure.

VALENTINE’S Day arrives each year, wrapped in red. By Valentine’s Day, many are already emotionally exhausted from simply trying to survive January. We add to burdens we cannot see.This Valentine’s Day asks a different question. Love, this Valentine’s Day, might simply mean sitting down and asking, “Are you okay?” and waiting patiently for the real answer, not the politically correct one. This Valentine’s Day, the most meaningful gift may not be what you buy.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the swift implementation of the revitalised peace agreement in South Sudan, urging the immediate and unconditional release of the country’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, and other key opposition figures. The pledge was made in a statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, on Monday. The summit was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. “We wish to specifically call on the government to consider the immediate and unconditional release from detention of the Vice President and other key opposition figures. “It is also imperative to convene an all-inclusive South Sudan national dialogue and reconciliation forum.

Findings by our correspondent showed that the National Assembly may shift the presidential poll to February 13, 2027. “It is more of an extraordinary plenary session to review the 2027 presidential election date as stipulated in the Electoral Act amendment. That is why our recess has been cut short through the announcement made by the Clerk of the National Assembly,” a senator confided. According to the statement, INEC had initially slated Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections. The latest move by the National Assembly builds on prior proposals to adjust the timing of the 2027 elections.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, has been on a roadshow drawing support for the new national industrial policy scheduled for unveiling in Abuja tomorrow. There has been a lot of talk about a new national industrial policy. You need to talk about a mixed combination between grid power, power from gas and then from renewables. And what we hope is that through a concerted and serious implementation of the industrial policy, we will be able to achieve a double-digit growth by 2030. That is the only way we can achieve industrialisation.

On regional security, the Vice President commended the AU Peace and Security Council for endorsing the Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea as a standby force designed to deliver rapid and coordinated maritime responses to threats across the sub-region. He assured that Nigeria would meet its obligations toward the establishment of the force and the strengthening of the African Union Standby Force. On governance and institutional processes, Nigeria supported proposals to refine the criteria for membership of the AU Peace and Security Council, advocating clearer modalities for cooperation between the continental body and Regional Economic Communities to improve predictability and effectiveness in peace and security management. He also underscored the importance of closer coordination between the Peace and Security Council and the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on United Nations Security Council Reform. Addressing democracy and constitutional order, the Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria’s backing for reforms designed to strengthen democratic institutions across Africa, while commending ongoing AU efforts to confront unconstitutional changes of government and promote accountable leadership.

Since the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, which triggered a hike in petrol prices, transport fares have surged by over 100 per cent. All these factors have contributed to doubling transport fares, and in some instances, tripling. In Osun State, commercial drivers also linked the increase in transport fares to the high fuel prices. At Iwo Road Park, fares to Lagos range from N3,000 to N5,000, depending on the park section. Speaking for the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), senior official Usman Teslim said the fuel price hike affected not only pump prices but also vehicle spare parts and other operational costs.

The Enugu State Police Command has detained three male suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition and hard drugs from them. This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Sunday in Enugu. Ndukwe said that on January 19, police operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, acting on credible intelligence, detained Emmanuel Mba, 31, and Nnam Onukwube, 35, in Awkunanaw axis of Enugu South Local Government Area. According to him, the suspects confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, with Mba identified as the head and executioner of the unlawful group in Enugu South LGA as of December 2025. “Following screening, one suspect, Monday Ezeani, 32, was found in possession of dried substance suspected to be cannabis sativa and 39 pellets of suspected crystal methamphetamine (“Mkpuru-mmiri”).