Ondo Attack: Governor Orders Statewide Security Patrol
Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered intensified security patrols across communities and forest areas of the state. The directive was issued on Thursday during a meeting with security chiefs in Akure, the state capital. The governor noted that security operatives, including members of the Joint Operations Task Force and Amotekun Corps, were already on patrol across the state and in forested areas. “Somehow, they were able to breach security, but the swift response of the security agencies helped greatly to curtail the situation. He explained that the emergency meeting with security chiefs focused on reviewing the incident, assessing the security response and ensuring that similar acts do not recur.
Source:Punch
January 02, 2026 13:37 UTC
The Living Legacy of the Alaafin of Oyo and the Oyo Empire
On the matter of the Oyo Empire and its legacy, we make no apologies for our pride. The Oyo Empire was built by the sweat, sacrifice, sword, and blood of our forefathers. So long as the Alaafin of Oyo sits upon the sacred throne of his ancestors, the Oyo Empire lives on. On the legacies of the Oyo Empire, we need not overburden history with lengthy explanations. The Yoruba story answers for itself:Awa la lédeAwa la l’asaAwa la l’orinAwa la ní ìlúAwa la ní ìlúAwa la l’ọba.
Source:Punch
January 02, 2026 13:16 UTC
Bandits attack police station in Ondo community
Panic erupted as bandits attacked a police station in the Ipele-Owo community, located in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Reports indicate that the suspects set the police station on fire. The attackers, numbering about 20, came into the Ipele community in a commando style and began to shoot sporadically before attacking the Police Divisional Station in Ipele. The sounds from the attack were terrifying, and none of us could withstand it,” the eyewitness said. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed the attack but said details were still sketchy.
Source:The Guardian
January 02, 2026 12:37 UTC
Navy Chief hails troops, reaffirms commitment to security
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has commended troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), for their courage, resilience, and sacrifices in safeguarding the nation. Addressing troops, Abbas extended New Year greetings and commended their courage, resilience, and sacrifices in safeguarding the nation. The Nigerian Navy is committed to maintaining a strong presence on the Lake Chad waterways to support peace, security, and economic revival in the region,” he said. He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to maintaining a robust presence on the Lake Chad waterways to support peace, security, and economic revival in the region. He stressed that sustained naval presence and coordination with other services remain crucial for maintaining security and supporting local communities.
Source:Punch
January 02, 2026 11:44 UTC
Coalition urges Niger Rep to step down after five terms
A coalition of the people of Kontagora, Mariga, Mashegu and Wushishi Federal Constituency of Niger State has resolved to zone the 2027 member of the House of Representatives to Mashegu Local Council. Its coalition, Aliyu Jibrin Matene, disclosed this at a news conference in Minna yesterday. He said the decision was due to alleged marginalisation of the council area for over 25 years. Matene noted that the coalition, comprising youths, women, elders, and prominent stakeholders, insists that the Mashegu council area, which has been reportedly marginalised since 1999, should be given a chance in 2027. Consequently, Matene said the coalition had advised the current member representing the federal constituency in the National Assembly, Abdullahi Idris, from Kontogora, to step aside for proper zoning after serving five consecutive terms.
Source:The Guardian
January 02, 2026 10:12 UTC
Naval chief commits to securing Lake Chad
The Chief of Naval Staff (CoNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has said the Lake Chad and its adjoining waterways will be secured by the military to enable fishing, transportation and other socio-economic activities in the North-East. According to him, effective collaboration between the military and other security agencies is critical to securing the lake and insurgency-affected communities and ending the war. Abbas made the commitment yesterday in Maiduguri during a working visit to naval formations in the Lake Chad Basin, including those in Baga and along the lake’s shores. Earlier, Abbas inspected the ongoing construction of the Maiduguri Naval Base (MNAB), located about 10 kilometres east of the city along the Monguno Road, before proceeding to the naval base in Baga, Borno State. After returning from Baga, the Chief of Naval Staff, accompanied by senior officers from the Theatre Command, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Babagana Zulum at the Government House in Maiduguri.
Source:The Guardian
January 02, 2026 10:12 UTC
FirstBank completes N500bn capital raise
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown remarkable courage and clarity in steering our country through difficult but necessary reforms. In that same spirit of boldness, the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Yemi Cardoso, has been nothing short of exceptional. FirstBank, the commercial banking arm of First HoldCo Plc, has met the ₦500 billion minimum capital base required by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for an international banking licence. The shareholders of FirstHoldco are committed to injecting additional capital into its existing subsidiaries and new business adjacencies. I say this without hesitation: Yemi Cardoso is the best Central Bank Governor Nigeria has ever produced.
Source:Punch
January 02, 2026 07:47 UTC
EPL: Rosenior emerges as leading candidate for Chelsea manager role
Chelsea have begun the process of appointing a new head coach following the departure of Enzo Maresca, with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior emerging as the leading contender for the role. Maresca, 45, left his position on Thursday after just one season in charge amid reported internal tensions with Chelsea’s hierarchy and ownership. As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Rosenior, 41, is understood to be the frontrunner to succeed Maresca, although sources stress that other candidates remain under consideration. With speculation growing over his potential move to west London, Strasbourg are already understood to be considering possible replacements should Rosenior depart. Porto head coach Francesco Farioli has also been mentioned as a possible option as Chelsea assesses the market.
Source:Punch
January 02, 2026 07:19 UTC
Swiss Investigators Identify Victims of Crans-Montana Fire
Several dozen people are presumed dead and around 100 injured after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, Swiss police said on January 1, 2026. (Photo by MAXIME SCHMID / AFP)Investigators raced on Friday to identify the victims of a fire that ripped through a bar in the Swiss Alps town of Crans-Montana, turning a New Year’s celebration into one of the country’s worst tragedies. Swiss police warned it could take days or even weeks to identify everyone who perished, an agonising wait for family and friends. Le Constellation had a capacity of 300 people, plus another 40 people on its terrace, according to the Crans-Montana website. – ‘The apocalypse’ –The fire broke out around 1:30 am (0030 GMT) Thursday at Le Constellation, a bar popular with young tourists.
Source:Punch
January 02, 2026 07:14 UTC
Nick Jonas Rings in New Year With Emotionally Charged ‘Gut Punch’ Single: Listen
On Thursday (Jan. 1), the 33-year-old singer released his emotionally charged new solo single “Gut Punch,” along with an accompanying lyric video on YouTube. “Gut Punch is out now everywhere,” Jonas wrote on Instagram. Love you.”The Jonas Brothers member shared a short clip of himself performing the song live as the crowd sang along. He was joined onstage by his younger brother Franklin Jonas (who is not part of the Jonas Brothers), as well as album collaborator JP Saxe. Check out the lyric video for Nick Jonas’ “Gut Punch” below.
Source:Punch
January 02, 2026 06:58 UTC
Tax Reforms Spark Tension & Shipping Line Fare Hike Plans
There appears to be palpable tension among freight forwarding practitioners in the nation’s maritime sector over the tax implementation that kicked off on Thursday, January 1, 2026. “They are meeting with plans to increase their freight charges because they wouldn’t like to be caught unawares. They haven’t implemented the law, and they have already started manipulating it, so nobody would want to be caught unawares. You know most of the money we spend on clearing goods comes with receipts, like shipping, terminal, and other charges. Duyile also kicked against the planned freight increase by some shipping companies.
Source:Punch
January 02, 2026 06:52 UTC
Realign loyalty to Wike, Borno PDP elders tell Makinde, Bala
The Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders in Borno State has urged the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to sheath their swords, embrace party unity, and realign their loyalty to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Speaking at a press briefing in Maiduguri on Monday, the Chairman, PDP Borno State stakeholders who is also a member of the National Working Caretaker Committee Grema Kyari commended the FCT Minister for his commitment to discipline and institutional intergrity. “For the avoidance of doubt, the only legitimate and legally recognised leadership structure of the People’s Democratic Party in Nigeria today is led by Honourable Abdulrahman Muhammed as National Chairman and Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyawu as National Secretary” he stressed. The group further commended the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Caretaker Committeefor its bold, timely, and lawful decision to dissolve the Borno State PDP Executive Committee and approve the constitution of a Borno State PDP Working Caretaker Committee, pointing out that the action has brought renewed hope to party members across the state just as it reflected theaspirations of PDP faithful in Borno State who have long awaited justice and internal democracy. The group’s chairman warned that any attempt to resist the directive would be legally challenged.
Source:Punch
January 02, 2026 06:52 UTC
I’m not a coward, I won’t join APC — Gov Bala
The defendants are facing a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and terrorism financing, contrary to Sections 2(1) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Reacting to the development, Mohammed said the allegations were politically motivated. He accused the EFCC and the federal government of attempting to intimidate him for refusing to defect to the ruling party. The governor vowed not to remain silent, insisting that Bauchi State had continued to deliver good governance and infrastructure despite limited resources. Pix: Bauchi Gov Bala Mohammed.
Source:Punch
January 02, 2026 05:41 UTC
Fatal crash: Police arrest Joshua’s driver after boxer discharged
Anthony Joshua is helped out of his Lexus SUV following a crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday. The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Kayode Adeniyi, the 47-year-old driver of the ill-fated Lexus SUV that crashed on Monday, killing two of Anthony Joshua’s closest friends, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Adeniyi, a long-standing member of Joshua’s Nigerian logistics team, was discharged from the hospital in Lagos late on New Year’s Eve and driven two hours north to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, where the fatal crash occurred. “The driver was released after treatment for minor injuries and was then taken to the state police headquarters for questioning. Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State expressed deep appreciation to members of the public for the overwhelming concern, prayers and show of love following the sad incident.
Source:Punch
January 02, 2026 05:40 UTC
Truck driver killed by hit-and-run motorist in Lagos
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has announced a fatal road traffic occurrence at Shangotedo inward Eleko, along the Lekki–Epe Expressway involving an overturned, fully-laden 40-foot containerised truck (T-7740-LA). Preliminary security findings indicate that the articulated truck lost balance and capsized at the location. In a deeply distressing turn of events, while the truck driver was conscientiously attempting to deploy a “C” caution sign to alert oncoming motorists, a recklessly speeding vehicle struck him. The force of the impact led to the instantaneous demise of the truck driver. LASTMA reaffirms its unwavering resolve to enforce road safety regulations and passionately appeals to all motorists to uphold patience, vigilance, and reverence for human life, especially during emergency situations on the highways.
Source:The Guardian
January 02, 2026 05:14 UTC