The internet has totally changed the way in which politics is conducted. Future historians studying the role that fringe online ideas played in the US republic’s demise will be spoiled for choice. If you can cultivate online engagement, you can create new political styles and advance even the most extreme political ideas, such as total remigration. Reform UK – not so much a party as a corporation orbiting an influencer – understands the power of this politics well. This is why Joe Rogan and Tate were quick to link Labour’s digital ID scheme to the “great reset”.

We took a huge one-time hit of N748bn to admit old bad loans instead of pretending they do not exist. Painful headline, but it is a serious long-term move,” he wrote. It made N2.96tn in interest income and N1.91tn in net interest income, which gave it the strength to take the cleanup and still stay standing,” he stated. Otedola expressed optimism about the bank’s prospects, noting that the cleanup positioned First Bank favourably for the recapitalisation exercise and future growth. Bad loans cleared + strong income engine + long-term thinking = real value creation,” he concluded.

President Bola Tinubu has called for the reactivation of a regional standby force to strengthen collective security efforts in West Africa and the Sahel, urging countries in the region to leverage Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja as an intelligence and operations hub. “Nigeria is favourably disposed to more collaborative and multilateral approaches aimed at dealing with the security crisis in the Sahel,” Tinubu said. Tinubu said the security situation in large parts of West Africa remains volatile, with rising casualties of violence, including among women and children. He further warned that drug cartels may be relocating operations to weaker jurisdictions in West Africa, amid intensified anti-narcotics campaigns in South America, raising the risk of alliances between traffickers and insurgent groups. Tinubu expressed optimism that the deliberations of intelligence chiefs and strategic stakeholders at the Accra conference would provide a sustainable framework for an inclusive regional counterterrorism strategy

Soldiers during the Operation Igbo Danu in Kwara...Photo Credit: Nigerian ArmyThe Nigerian Army has launched Operation Igbo Danu, also known as Operation Forest Flush, leading to the neutralisation of terrorists and rescue of kidnap victims across parts of Kwara State. This was disclosed in a statement published on the Nigerian Army’s X handle on Friday, which was signed by Captain Maureen Ogbuka, for the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division Nigerian Army. The statement further revealed that troops cleared Garin Dandi, described as a major bandit enclave in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. Despite difficult terrain, the statement noted that troops maintained aggressive operations across forested areas, denying bandits freedom of movement. “The operation is ongoing to deal decisively with all terrorist networks operating within Kwara State,” the statement added.

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have killed a top Islamic State West Africa Province commander and foiled criminal operations, the force said on Saturday. The force in a statement signed by Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, revealed that the top ISWAP commander was killed in Borno State. This impressive development represents a major blow to the command and control structure of ISWAP in the region,” the statement said. The troops further revealed that, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force, they neutralised three terrorists during an ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno State. The Joint Task Force also reported successes in Adamawa State.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates victory over Italy's Jannik Sinner after their men's singles semi-final match on day thirteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026. “I’m lost for words right now, to be honest,” said Djokovic, who dropped to his knees and was emotional when the match ended. It has proved increasingly difficult with the emergence of Sinner and Alcaraz, who have shared every Slam title since then. – Hate giving up –Against Zverev, Alcaraz only narrowly avoided crashing out after a huge fright at 4-4 in the third set when he pulled up in pain with what appeared to be cramp. In another action, wildcards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki became the first team to retain the Australian Open mixed-doubles title since 1988-89.

PUNCH Online reports that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week, citing continued observance of the sit-at-home declared by IPOB since July 30, 2021. The governor had said the sit-at-home was crippling the state’s economy and warned against further compliance with the order. However, traders at the market said the sit-at-home was in solidarity with the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial on charges related to separatist agitation. IPOB reiterated its demand for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu and accused the Anambra State Government of escalating tensions through what it described as economic intimidation of traders. The Anambra State Government has yet to respond to the latest declaration as of the time of filing this report.

Saturday Beats exclusively gathered that the actor was arrested in Enugu, and his family and friends initially thought he was arrested by the Department of State Services. According to findings cited by Premium Times, the actor is alleged to have been involved in the media and messaging side of the coup plot. Details of the alleged coup attempt first emerged months ago following quiet arrests within the military. Around the same period, intelligence gathered by the State Security Service reportedly confirmed that some officers were exploring ways to destabilise the country’s democratic order. As the legal process unfolds, the case has drawn public attention not only because of its political weight but also because of the rare involvement of a figure from the entertainment industry in an alleged plot of such magnitude.

An Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo on Friday, issued leave to the United Bank for Africa in Suit HOS/M4/2026 to quash the criminal proceedings being held at a Magistrate Court in the state capital. The leave was granted in a motion ex-parte by Justice M. O. Agboola of the court, according to a statement shared with Saturday PUNCH. The statement said a Chief Magistrate, A. Adeyeba, who is a party in the suit, still issued a bench warrant against some officials of UBA, notwithstanding being aware of the leave granted earlier on the same day. Reacting to the development, Samuel Abiodun, identified as the Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, lauded the High Court decision, describing it as an affirmation of the supremacy of the rule of law. He advised members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding while the illegality is being lawfully contested in the court of law.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has extended his heartfelt condolences to teammates Samuel Chukwueze and Wilfred Ndidi following the recent passing of their parents, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Nigeria Football Federation issued a statement afterwards, offering their condolences to the Super Eagles star. Ndidi famously performed an Nwankwo Kanu-style celebration to honour his father during the recently concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. “Dear brothers, Chukwueze and Ndidi, may God grant your parents eternal peace and give you the strength and comfort needed during this difficult time,” Osimhen wrote. Reflecting on the emotional toll these losses have taken on the national team players, President Tinubu assured the grieving families of his personal support and spiritual solidarity.

The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan had, earlier on Friday, invalidated the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025. The court also directed Turaki and others to stop presenting themselves as national officers of the PDP. Justice Uche Agomoh further ruled that the caretaker committee headed by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu remains the only recognised National Working Committee of the PDP until a valid national convention is held. The PDP governors had supported the Ibadan convention, at which Turaki and other members of the NWC were elected for a four-year term. When asked if he was concerned about the PDP cases pending in the Appeal Court, Turaki clarified that he was not, noting that the lawyers on both sides had filed their briefs on time.

The pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) may rise to N1,000 per litre in the coming days due to the surge in crude oil prices on the international market. The increase in petrol prices came at a time when the Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised petrol prices from N739 to N839. Ukadike mentioned that petrol could hit N1,000 per litre if the crude price surge continues, especially in locations far from fuel depots. The price of petroleum products will come down if the crude price goes down, that’s the common principle of the market,” Ukadike said, admitting that the price of petrol may rise to N1,000, especially “in some other places that are not closer to the refinery or depots. With the increase in petrol prices, Ukadike said sales are becoming slow compared to the December festive period.

Akinnaanu, best known for her popular gospel song ‘Omije Ojumi’, passed away on January 12, 2026, after a prolonged battle with an ailment. In a viral video from the burial, a man said to be Akinnaanu’s estranged husband was seen on a video call declaring his love and requesting to speak with the children. The incident has since generated an outpouring of reactions on social media, with many users expressing sympathy for the children and questioning the timing and intentions of their estranged father. He firmly denied the claims, insisting that the family never begged for money and was financially capable of handling the burial privately. “Anyone who claims the family begged for burial funds must provide proof.”

The Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, has disclosed that at least 15 female students have been expelled for engaging in acts of indiscipline. The affected students were reportedly involved in making sex videos, an offence that contravenes the rules and regulations of the institution. He urged students to avoid behaviour that could lead to the loss of their studentship, emphasising that the university has zero tolerance for indiscipline. “Use the money you’re paying here wisely, not to make sex videos or take drugs. He further urged, “University life is a tapestry woven with threads of excitement, discovery, and inevitable challenges.

The case, marked MOS/601c/2025 and filed by the Osun State Government, was heard on Friday in Osogbo. In a Certified True Copy of the order titled “Warrant for Arrest of Defendant Who Has Disobeyed Summons (General Title – Form No. 1)”, addressed to the Osun State Commissioner of Police, the court stated in part, “Complaint has been made that the defendant(s) did allow unauthorised persons to operate and maintain 30 accounts opened in favour of the 30 Local Government Councils in Osun State with UBA Bank Plc. The prosecution said the action constituted an offence contrary to Sections 2 and 3(1) and (2), and punishable under Section 5(1) and (2) of the Osun State Local Government Accounts Administration Law, 2025. Court documents show that the remaining counts similarly relate to the alleged unlawful opening and operation of accounts connected to all 30 local government councils in Osun State.