Edo: Troops nab 13 suspected kidnappers, recover arms, drugs
Troops of the Nigerian Army under 4 Brigade, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 13 suspected kidnappers and illicit drug peddlers during a coordinated clearance operations across communities in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State. The operations reportedly carried out on February 4, 2026, were conducted alongside personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, the Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Edo State Security Corps. The suspects and exhibits, which were scooped, were subsequently handed over to the Edo State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution. He warned that Edo State would be made hostile for terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal elements, stressing that criminality would not be tolerated. The latest operations underscore renewed efforts by security agencies to restore peace and security across Edo North and the state at large.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 05, 2026 20:54 UTC
Insecurity: Tinubu meets Kwara Gov
Barely two days after bandits attacked Worro rural community in Kaiama council area of Kwara State, the State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, met with President Tinubu at the State House on Thursday. President Bola Tinubu has since ordered the deployment of an army battalion to the local council. He said the new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate the barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities. President Tinubu, in a statement on Wednesday night, condemned the attack and described the gunmen as heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror. Thursday’s meeting with the Kwara State governor was part of ongoing consultations to improve security in the North Central state.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 05, 2026 20:54 UTC
‘Very respected woman,’ Trump acknowledges Tinubu’s wife at National Prayer Breakfast
United States President, Donald Trump, on Thursday acknowledged Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during his remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. While delivering a speech at the event, Trump acknowledged the presence of the Nigeria’s First Lady, describing her as a respected woman of God. A very respected woman. The development comes a few days after the United States announced it had sent a small team of troops to Nigeria. “That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” General Anderson said.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 05, 2026 20:53 UTC
Court orders probe of evidence deletion in N10bn fraud case
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to investigate alleged tampering with exhibits in an ongoing N10bn fraud trial. In open court, Oyewale said Justice Omotosho played an audio recording of Zubairu’s confession and directed him to explain what transpired between him and the second defendant. The witness further informed the court that he came across the chat in the course of the investigation. Reacting to the testimony, Oyedepo urged the court to order a full investigation, citing “an urgent irresistible suspicion” that crucial evidence had been tampered with. In his ruling, Justice Omotosho directed the Police and the DSS to investigate the alleged tampering and submit their findings to the court.
Source:Punch
February 05, 2026 20:35 UTC
2027: Waste no money on campaigns, Abia pensioners tell Otti
Pensioners in Abia State, under the aegis of the Concerned Abia Pensioners, have urged Governor Alex Otti not to spend funds on campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying his performance has already earned him overwhelming support. The pensioners made this known on Thursday during their biweekly meeting held at the Sub-Treasury premises in Umuahia. Also speaking, a former Permanent Secretary, Ochu Ochu, reaffirmed the pensioners’ support for the governor and expressed optimism that all promises made to them would be fulfilled. He prayed that God would provide the resources required for the state government to clear the backlog of gratuities owed to pensioners. The pensioners, who turned out in large numbers, concluded the meeting by offering prayers for the governor, the Abia State Government, and members of the governor’s team.
Source:Punch
February 05, 2026 20:10 UTC
Senate didn’t reject e-transmission of results, Abaribe clarifies
The Senate Minority Caucus clarified on Thursday that the Senate did not reject the electronic transmission of election results before passing the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, contrary to widespread media reports. “Since yesterday, the media has been awash with reports suggesting that the Senate rejected the electronic transmission of election results. “At the end of those retreats, everyone agreed that electronic transmission of results was the way to go. Following the submission of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters’ report, Abaribe said an Ad hoc Committee was constituted to further review the report. He reiterated that what the Senate passed was the electronic transmission of results in real time.
Source:Punch
February 05, 2026 19:53 UTC
Nigeria’s First Lady, a very respected woman – Trump
US President Donald Trump bows his head in prayer during the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC on February 5, 2026. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)US President Donald Trump on Thursday described Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, as a very respected woman. Trump gave the acknowledgement while speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. He said he was honoured to have Mrs Tinubu, who he described as a pastor in Nigeria’s largest church, in attendance at the prayer breakfast. The remarks came amid continued international attention on Nigeria’s security situation following recent claims by Trump and some US lawmakers that Christians in Nigeria face widespread violence.
Source:Punch
February 05, 2026 19:39 UTC
Gov: Military presence to restore calm and Kwara security
The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Thursday in Abuja, said Operation Savannah Shield in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State would deter further terrorist attacks and restore calm. “I’m confident because, as I speak to you, the force commander for Operation Savannah Shield has reported to Kwara State in Ilorin today and is hitting the ground running. “We rely on the military to do what they do best,” AbdulRazaq told journalists after closed-door talks with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. Thursday’s meeting came days after suspected jihadist fighters killed about 100 people in communities within Kaiama Local Government Area of the state. The Emir had reportedly alerted military authorities to the terrorists’ activities in the area before the attack.
Source:Punch
February 05, 2026 19:37 UTC
VIDEO: Phone snatcher left dangling after failed theft attempt in traffic
A viral video has captured the moment a suspected phone snatcher narrowly escaped serious injury after a failed theft attempt in slow-moving traffic. The footage, which began trending on Thursday, shows the suspect, reportedly riding a motorcycle, stretching into a vehicle through an open window in an apparent attempt to snatch a mobile phone. The incident has once again sparked conversations online about the growing menace of phone snatching in traffic, particularly in congested areas. It has also reignited debates over the dangers faced by motorists and commuters, especially when victims attempt to resist such attacks. Click the link to watch the videohttps://x.com/MobilePunch/status/2019378710197993486?s=20
Source:Punch
February 05, 2026 19:36 UTC
Internal wrangling: NUP places General Secretary on compulsory retirement leave
…sets up committee to probe GS, TreasurerThe Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has placed its General Secretary, Elder (Comrade) Actor Zal, on compulsory retirement leave following escalating internal wrangling within the union, citing his over 42 years of service and attainment of the approved retirement age. “One of the anomalies we discovered was that the General Secretary was answering Chief Executive Officer, which meant he was effectively the boss of the President,” Abumisi said. The NUP President revealed that instead of complying, the General Secretary reported him to the police, leading to his brief questioning by security operatives. Abumisi said the Union subsequently issued a formal notice of compulsory retirement to the General Secretary, directing him to hand over all administrative responsibilities and Union assets to the Deputy General Secretary. Abumisi also addressed allegations that he forged the General Secretary’s signature on the amended NUP constitution, describing the claim as false and misleading.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 05, 2026 19:29 UTC
Sokoto APC slams Tambuwal, welcomes PDP defectors
The All Progressives Congress in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State has criticised former governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, accusing him of neglecting his home community during his time in office, while commending the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu for prioritising grassroots development. The Chairman of Tambuwal Local Government, Naigari Tambuwal, who was represented by the Speaker of the Council, Nasiru Jabo, pledged the council’s commitment to surpass its performance in the last election. Also speaking, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Ala, disclosed that no fewer than three mega schools had been approved for Tambuwal Local Government to expand access to education. He disclosed that 83 indigenes of Tambuwal Local Government had been appointed to various political offices, including commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries, and board members. However, the spokesperson for the PDP in the state, Hassan Sanyinnawal, said the party would respond at the appropriate time.
Source:Punch
February 05, 2026 19:16 UTC
Money can’t buy happiness, Elon Musk sparks global debate
Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk has sparked a global conversation on wealth and wellbeing after declaring that money does not guarantee happiness. “Whoever said ‘money can’t buy happiness’ really knew what they were talking about,” the billionaire wrote. While some users agreed with Musk, noting that money does not shield individuals from emotional struggles or personal challenges, others argued that financial security significantly improves quality of life and access to opportunities. On December 16, 2025, Musk became the first person in history to reach a net worth of $638 billion. Data from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index showed that his wealth increased by 42.7 per cent within a year from December 2024.
Source:Punch
February 05, 2026 19:16 UTC
Reps quiz NBET over N4.099bn expenditure
Abiodun James Faleke who spoke in Abuja during the 2025 budget performance, expressed grave concern over series of expenditures incurred by the Company including the sums of N377.031 million spent on welfare packages out of N377.658 million approved budget; Other expenses worth N76.939 million out of N78.838 million approved budget; among others. Other lawmakers who spoke during the review of the 2025 budget performance, demanded explanation on the directive issued by the Chief of Staff to the President, banning overseas travels, N470.122 million spent on international travels and transport: training out of N479.845 million approved budget. “For the revenues of 2025, regulatory income for participants in the electricity market are provided for them to run their operations. He added that the regulatory revenue to cover their operations now makes them to be excluded from appropriation for the current. He explained that, in line with extant rules, NBET funds the capital component of the annual budget from the Appropriation Act.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 05, 2026 19:14 UTC
Judicial housing projects not compromising Judges, Wike dismisses critics
The minister made this known on Thursday in Abuja after conducting another inspection tour of ongoing judicial projects, including the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, 40 residential units for the Court of Appeal, and new facilities for the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court. He confirmed that the Court of Appeal division project is between 85 and 90 per cent complete, while 40 residential units are under construction: 20 for the FCT High Court, 10 for the Court of Appeal, and 10 for the Federal High Court. Addressing concerns about possible delays due to last year’s heavy rainfall, Wike expressed optimism that the projects would be completed on schedule. “All these allegations that we are trying to buy judges should be ignored. The projects, once completed, are expected to significantly enhance the living and working conditions of judges and justices in the FCT.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 05, 2026 19:04 UTC
Abducted Kwara monarch regains freedom
Tribune Online gathered that the monarch regained his freedom on Tuesday and has returned to his palace in the Afin community. Recall that Oba Olanipekun and his son were abducted by gunmen on December 31, 2025, while the kidnappers released Prince Olaolu Olanipekun on January 19, 2026. “It is true the monarch was released on Wednesday night after we paid ₦12 million and two phone power banks, in addition to the initial ₦20 million ransom. The source added that the monarch is currently receiving medical care at an undisclosed hospital after suffering physical and psychological trauma during his ordeal. Recall that the monarch, popularly known as Aniwo I of Afin community in the Ile-Ire District, was abducted during a violent attack on his palace.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 05, 2026 19:03 UTC