Suspected suicide bomber arrested, IED materials seized in Borno
The Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has arrested a suspected suicide bomber and recovered materials used in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Bama Local Council of Borno State. The arrest followed sustained joint operations based on credible intelligence by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, working with other security agencies to secure Banki and four other border communities with Cameroon. Uba said preliminary investigations revealed that Mustapha hails from Bama Local Council and was also found with additional incriminating materials linked to terrorist activities in border communities with Cameroon. Further intelligence exploitation led to the arrest of the fertiliser dealer and the recovery of an additional six bags of urea fertiliser, bringing the total seized to 12 bags. He added that troop morale and fighting efficiency remain high as operations continue to restore lasting peace and security in the North-East.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 15:47 UTC
New Year: Nigeria’s priorities in 2026
As is the case at the beginning of every New Year, Nigerians are exchanging pleasantries at the start of 2026. Given our experiences in the year that has just ended, the task before Nigerians is to ensure that the year 2026 is different. The task before Nigerians is to use 2026 to prepare for a transparent, credible electoral process in 2027, a process in which the votes of Nigerians will count. The outcome of an electoral process lacking in transparency cannot be said to reflect the will of the people. Our priority in 2026 must be the creation of a new Nigeria where the people and their leaders will practise politics as an ethical project.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 15:47 UTC
Photos: The Ipele Divisional Police Station attacked by the gunmen
With the suspected bandits numbering about 30, storming the community on New Year’s Eve around 10:00 p.m. with a barrage of sporadic gunshots and detonation of dynamite, the Divisional Police Station was set ablaze. The residents, who were stunned by the incident, stated that the gunmen, armed to the teeth, targeted the police facility with heavy firepower before eventually razing it. The attackers, numbering about 20, came into the Ipele community and began to shoot sporadically before attacking the Police Divisional Station in Ipele. While confirming the situation, the state police command stated that the attackers set the station ablaze, leading to the destruction of the building and several exhibits. “The Command clarified that, contrary to reports circulating on social media, no church was attacked during the incident.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 15:42 UTC
Akpabio withdraws all defamation suits after priest’s sermon
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass. Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo on Thursday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him. In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court. Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti‑Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation. With Thursday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 15:09 UTC
NASS clarifies alleged discrepancies in gazetted tax acts
The National Assembly said it has taken steps to address public concerns over alleged discrepancies in the Tax Acts, promising to make available certified copies of the bills signed by President Bola Tinubu. The Director of Information, Mr Bullah Bi-Allah, in a statement on Thursday, said the Assembly has directed the Clerk to release the transmitted tax bills. He said the management had taken note of the alleged discrepancies between votes and proceedings of the National Assembly and the gazetted versions of passed tax acts. To strengthen institutional processes, he said the National Assembly would review procedures for the transmission and gazetting of bills. “No request for gazetting an act of the national assembly will be entertained by the printing press, unless initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or his authorised representative.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 15:08 UTC
Gunmen Kidnap Kwara Monarch and Son from Palace
A family source who was inside the palace when the attack unfolded told The PUNCH via telephone on Thursday that panic ensued as the assailants opened fire. They used their guns to break down the door, gained entrance and requested for the Kabiesi, and he came out. “We were about 10 in the palace around that time to come spend the holiday with Kabiesi, so everyone was hiding during the incident. The reported abduction comes amid a disturbing rise in insecurity in Kwara State, particularly in Ifelodun and other rural communities. The monarch was held in captivity for weeks before being released after community-led negotiations and payment of a substantial ransom.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 14:44 UTC
Hijab-wearing TikToker apologises over controversial posts
Adeola also known as #niqabprintertondoyati in a TikTok video post in front of an undisclosed police stationThe hijab-wearing TikTok creator, Adeola, who recently faced backlash over controversial posts, has issued a public apology, admitting that the content was inappropriate and contrary to Islamic values. In a video shared on her Tiktok page, Adeola, who uses the handle @niqobprintertondoyati said, “I’m making this video to sincerely apologise for my recent videos. May Almighty Allah forgive my shortcoming and guide me to always do better. Please accept my sincere apology.”She added, “I’m really sorry. Please forgive me.”The apology comes after her earlier posts sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many users describing the content as inappropriate for a hijab-wearing Muslim influencer.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 14:32 UTC
Governor Otti Pledges Economic Boom for Abia in New Year
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has assured residents of a stronger economic future for the state in 2026, announcing that the government will begin offsetting accumulated gratuity arrears dating back to the early 2000s. Mistakes may have been made in times past, but the New Year is an invitation to begin again, this time on a clean slate. In the New Year, we shall consolidate the gains of the last 31 months to further expand our system of advantages. As we did in the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, we have also committed 20 per cent of our entire budgetary outlay to the education sector in 2026. Our objective is to consolidate the gains we have made in the last two and a half years in repositioning the education sector for relevance in the new age,” he said.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 13:17 UTC
Abia budgets N5bn for manpower training in 2026 under Otti
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said the state government will commit N5 billion to manpower training and development in the state civil service in 2026. Otti disclosed this in his New Year broadcast on Thursday, noting that the only guarantee for the sustainability of any public sector reform is the readiness of institutions to effectively interpret and execute their service mandates. The governor revealed that across ministries, departments, and agencies, his administration has introduced the adoption of a new work ethic through the introduction of multiple layers of incentives. “Our target is that by the end of the New Year, we shall have 100 electric buses covering all the major urban and semi-urban routes in the State. Beyond the introduction of electric buses, 2026 will also see new levels of commitment to the development of critical transport infrastructure.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 13:17 UTC
Chelsea FC and coach Enzo Maresca mutually part ways
Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have mutually agreed to part ways, the club announced on Thursday. The statement read, “During his time at the Club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Those achievements will remain an important part of the Club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the Club. Although Maresca enjoyed success in cup competitions, concerns over Chelsea’s league form and overall performances continued to mount, increasing pressure on both the coach and the club’s leadership. Those issues reportedly strained relations behind the scenes and raised doubts about his ability to continue in the role.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 12:57 UTC
ADC faction rejects Obi, disowns Enugu registration
The faction, which described itself as the authentic national leadership of the ADC, said the exercise violated the party’s constitution and established membership procedures. He said the ADC is founded on order, discipline and strict adherence to its constitution, adding that its membership registration process is clearly defined. “It has come to our attention that a certain Mr Peter Obi was reportedly registered at a party zonal office in Enugu. The NWC wishes to categorically state that this action does not align with the constitutional and stipulated procedures for membership registration into the African Democratic Congress. “Therefore, the office of the national chairman distances the original, constitutionally-governed ADC from the reported registration of Mr Peter Obi at the Enugu Zonal office.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 12:52 UTC
Plateau Gov Caleb Mutfwang officially dumps PDP
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party. Mutfwang explained that his decision was guided by his commitment to purposeful leadership, clarity of direction, and service delivery. The letter, which Mutfwang personally signed, read, “I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect. “I sincerely appreciate the PDP for providing me the political platform to participate in the democratic process. The National Working Committee of the APC has welcomed him, with party officials pledging support for his new political journey.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 12:41 UTC
Confusion mounts over police presence at controversial Lagos hijab-wearing printer’s shop
I deleted and blocked 90% of contact list because I grew tired of explaining to people who wouldn’t understand my choices. However, none of her posts explicitly stated that she was arrested, and the circumstances surrounding the police presence remain unclear. Messages sent to her social media inbox have yet to receive a response. There has also been no official statement from any police unit clarifying their involvement or the reason for their presence at her shop or the police station. Observers reacting to the post say the incident highlights growing tensions around social media expression, religious identity and online shaming, especially when viral content fuels speculation without verified facts.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 12:07 UTC
Naira Exchange Rate Ends 2025 Stronger at Official Market
The naira on Wednesday closed 2025 stronger against the US dollar, trading at N1,435.75 at the official foreign exchange market. Central Bank of Nigeria data showed that the currency gained N9.93, marking continued firmness at the year end. This followed Tuesday’s close of N1,445.68, translating to a 0.7 per cent day-on-day appreciation. A CBN official said the movement reflected improved liquidity and confidence, noting that “seasonal inflows supported stability during the yuletide.”Market analysts said the sustained gains capped a positive festive period, adding that cautious optimism would guide early 2026 trading.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 06:32 UTC
Six killed, four rescued in Lagos boat crash
No fewer than six passengers have been confirmed dead, while four others were rescued, following a boat accident along the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun Water Channel in Lagos. “As of the time of this report, four passengers have been successfully rescued and transported to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing to account for all persons involved,” the statement read in part. “LASWA and NIWA wish to assure the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and further updates will be communicated as more information becomes available. Joint search and rescue operations and intensified patrols were also introduced as part of the strategy to curb unsafe practices and enhance surveillance across key waterways.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 04:48 UTC