Fire guts pharmaceutical store, other shops in Taraba
A fire outbreak has razed the popular Moore Pharmaceutical Store and several other shops in the Michelin area of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital. The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, January 1, 2026, along Hamaruwa Way, where the affected shops were located within the same building. A staff member of Moore Pharmaceutical Store confirmed that no drugs or medical supplies were salvaged from the premises, saying the building was completely consumed by the fire. Although no casualties were recorded, shop owners affected by the incident described it as devastating and appealed to the Taraba State Government, as well as well-meaning individuals and organisations, for urgent assistance to help them rebuild their businesses. Some of the traders disclosed that they had taken loans to stock their shops, warning that without timely intervention, they could face serious financial hardship.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 19:04 UTC
Police suspend tinted glass permit enforcement
The Nigeria Police Force has suspended the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy nationwide following an interim order of court restraining the move. HOR/FHR/M/31/2025, restraining it from proceeding with the enforcement pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit or the vacation of the order. The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force was served with an interim order of court in Suit No. According to the statement, the suspension of enforcement is in strict compliance with the subsisting court order. “Accordingly, and strictly in compliance with the subsisting court order, the Nigeria Police Force has placed the enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit policy on hold nationwide, pending the decision of the court,” the police stated.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 18:35 UTC
Soldiers harass The Guardian, Punch reporter, seize AIT camera during coverage
While soldiers threatened to beat up reporters of The Guardian, Eniola Daniel, and Punch, Dayo Oyewo, the soldiers seized the camera of African Independent Television (AIT) and sent others away. An officer of the Nigerian Army, Gaktong G. J., armed with a cane, threatened to flog journalists who were at the scene to report. He shouted that nobody invited journalists to the scene and that he had the right to do anything. While reporters were trying to explain further, he invited other soldiers to send them out of the area. “Unfortunately, there was no water in the Arena Market, and it contributed to the spread of the fire.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 17:36 UTC
One dead, others injured in Oshodi car accident
One person has been confirmed dead, while several others sustained injuries in a road accident on the Oshodi–Isolo Expressway in Lagos. The accident occurred at 6:10 am on Wednesday when a Siena car rammed into a passenger bus. “One person died, with many others injured, but the driver of the Siena did not sustain any injury. The injured victims have been rushed to the hospital,” an LNSC official said. The driver of the passenger bus explained that he was attempting to change a tyre when the Siena car hit the bus from behind.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 17:10 UTC
Tinubu promises better economy, security amid opposition’s knocks
FG to intensify security operations, decentralised policing, inclusive growth agendaOn security, the President said economic progress must be matched by peace and stability, acknowledging ongoing threats from criminal and terrorist groups. Tinubu said security and intelligence agencies would deepen cooperation with regional and global partners in 2026 to eliminate threats to national security. The President also prayed for the safety of Nigeria’s troops and the defeat of those threatening national peace, security and stability. From tax reforms to electoral and constitutional adjustments, the groundwork has been laid for a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria,” Bamidele said. Addressing national security, the Senate Leader said public hearings for the National Security Summit had been concluded across the six geopolitical zones.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 17:07 UTC
2026: Saraki, Amaechi harp on unity, responsive leadership
Similarly, former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, urged Nigerians to demand responsive and accountable leadership as part of efforts to achieve a national turning point in 2026. Also, former President Goodluck Jonathan said citizens and leaders must match patriotism with a renewed sense of duty as Nigeria enters 2026. “A united Nigeria just needs peace and proper coordination to rise and fulfil its manifest destiny as a global leader. That is why all Nigerians, young and old, should avoid any drift towards issues that could threaten the country’s unity. He stressed that meaningful progress would only be possible if Nigerians collectively insist on leadership that is responsible, transparent and people-oriented.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 17:07 UTC
Traders enter New Year in despair after Arena market fire
• Blaze destroys 20 shops as traders allege lack of waterIt was a shattered dream for traders at the popular Nigerian Army Shopping Complex, Bolade-Oshodi, also known as Arena, after a section of the market was engulfed in fire. The Arena fire occurred eight days after a train collision in the same area, where a driver and others narrowly escaped death. The incident also came as fire continued to damage what remains of the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance Company building on Martins Street, Lagos Island. “Unfortunately, there was no water in Arena Market, and that contributed to the spread. The inferno at the Great Nigeria Insurance Company building broke out at about 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, December 25, 2025.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 17:07 UTC
We’ll soon disclose Tinubu-brokered peace accord, says Wike
Wike disclosed this yesterday during a “thank-you visit” to Tai Local Council Area of Rivers State. Tinubu had, in June, brokered a peace deal between Wike and Fubara in a bid to resolve the protracted political crisis in the state and restore stability. “Very soon, we will let the people of Rivers State know what we agreed on before the President,” Wike said. Wike made this assertion during a “thank-you visit” to Eleme Local Council Area of Rivers State, saying the resolve was firm and non-negotiable. However, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly reportedly rejected the bonus and returned the funds, describing the payment as unsolicited.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 17:07 UTC
Plateau governor Mutwang resigns from PDP
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has resigned as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This is contained in a letter dated Dec. 30, 2025, addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman in Ampang West Ward, Mangu Local Government Area of the state. The letter, personally signed by the governor, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Jos. The governor, who thanked the PDP for providing him with a platform to participate in the democratic process, also thanked leaders of the party at all levels for their support and solidarity. Nigeria is looted into poverty,” Obi said.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 16:59 UTC
Russia blames Ukraine for deadly New Year Kherson drone stri
This handout photo released by Russia-appointed governor of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, shows the site of a drone attack on a hotel in Khroly on January 1, 2026. (Photo by The Governor of Kherson region Vladimir Saldo / AFP)Russia on Thursday said Kyiv was behind a deadly drone strike on a hotel in the Moscow-held part of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region that killed at least 20 people celebrating the New Year. According to a Russia-appointed governor of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, “the enemy” fired three drones that “struck a cafe and hotel on the Black Sea coast in Khorly” where “civilians were celebrating the New Year”. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of carrying out a “terrorist” attack against the civilian population. An AFP analysis based on Ukrainian air force data showed a slight fall in overnight Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine in December.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 16:45 UTC
Police arrest Anthony Joshua’s driver over Lagos-Ibadan expressway crash
Anthony Joshua is helped out of his Lexus SUV following a crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday. The Ogun State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the arrest of the driver of the ill-fated Lexus SUV conveying the World boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, and two of his close friends before it crashed on Monday around Danco, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. “The driver of the Lexus SUV in connection with the Anthony Joshua accident case is currently in custody. The Lagos and Ogun state governments, however, on Wednesday, announced the discharge of Anthony Joshua from the hospital following the tragic road accident. The two state governments once again commiserated with the families of the deceased, describing the incident as painful and deeply unfortunate.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 16:31 UTC
Star-studded AFCON last 16: Key matchups & players
After 36 matches spread across six groups, the 16 survivors from 24 hopefuls clash in eight second-round matches over four days. Fit-again Hakimi is set to lead title favourites Morocco against Tanzania, Salah will captain Egypt against Benin, and Osimhen-inspired Nigeria tackle Mozambique. Morocco v TanzaniaA mismatch on paper as Morocco, whose only previous title came 50 years ago, are 101 places above Tanzania in the world rankings. South Africa v CameroonSouth Africa debuted in the AFCON 30 years ago by hammering Cameroon 3-0 in Johannesburg. Nigeria v MozambiqueLivewire Osimhen is a huge aerial threat and could have scored hat-tricks against Tanzania and Tunisia in Group C, but managed just one goal.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 16:20 UTC
Face your problems, leave me alone, Wike slams Bauchi gov
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has fired back at Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, over comments where the governor blamed the minister for the political troubles in his state. “I watched what the Bauchi governor is saying, that all the problems he’s having, that I’m the one because I said I would put fire in his state. “So this is just to tell Nigerians, tell them to leave me alone; go and face your problems. He also addressed Bala’s tenure as FCT minister between 2010 and 2015, challenging the Bauchi governor to account for his own record in Abuja before criticising the current administration. They are in Lagos, Wike; they are in Bauchi, Wike.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 16:16 UTC
AFCON: Gabon suspends national team, bans Aubameyang
Gabon's forward #09 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang controls the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group F football match between Gabon and Mozambique at Grand Stadium in Agadir on December 28, 2025. An injury-time winner by Bazoumana Toure condemned Gabon to a 3-2 defeat against defending champions Ivory Coast at the AFCON on Wednesday. “Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the AFCON, the government has decided to dissolve the technical staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and remove players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” Minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula said on Gabonese television late on Wednesday. “The national team highlights two major problems: the lack of method and the dispersion of resources,” he added. That could, however, land Gabon in trouble with football’s world governing body FIFA, which bans government interference in the affairs of its member associations.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 16:02 UTC
Lagos dumpsites record 576 trips daily during festive period
The Lagos State dumpsite operations witnessed an unprecedented average of 576 trips per day during the festive period, highlighting the volume of waste generated and the scale of operations by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) at the time. “Together, these resources facilitated an average of 576 trips per day to the dumpsites, with operations running continuously throughout the festive period. Beyond routine operations, LAWMA also played a pivotal role in supporting cultural activities. “This intervention allowed for faster waste evacuation, minimised delays, and supported the overall effectiveness of the festive period operations. Gbadegesin stressed that LAWMA’s festive period activities demonstrated a comprehensive and coordinated approach to waste management.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 15:47 UTC