NEWS

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, rtd, has warned state governments to steer clear of any proposed peace deal with bandits. Musa issued this warning in an interview with BBC Hausa, saying that the Federal Government has consistently advised all levels of government against negotiating with armed groups. Describing such arrangements as dangerous, counter-productive, and a threat to national security, the minister stressed that bandits cannot be trusted to honour any agreement. According to him, negotiations only embolden criminal networks, weaken military operations, and prolong insecurity. “The Federal Government’s position is clear. There would be no negotiated settlements, no ransom payments, and no legitimisation of armed groups terrorising communities,” he ...

The Lagos state task force have arrested three impostors who unlawfully presented themselves as officers of the Nigerian Navy, thereby defrauding members of the public and obstructing lawful government operations. In a statement released, the spokesperson for the agency, Raheem Gbadeyan, said the suspects were apprehended by its chairman, Adetayo Akerele, following an incident linked to the demolition of illegal shanties and encroachments on government land in the Oworonshoki area of the state. \ While identifying the principal suspect as one James Robert, Gbadeyan stated that the suspect had allegedly been using a false military identity to evade justice, intimidate residents, and secure undue advantages. The statement added that the suspects were apprehended at the task force...

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine was under house arrest on Friday, a day after elections in which early results showed a commanding lead for President Yoweri Museveni as he seeks to extend his 40-year rule. Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has been accused of “brutal repression” of the opposition in the run-up to the vote, and his government imposed an internet blackout this week. With around a quarter of votes counted, the Electoral Commission said Museveni was on 76.25 per cent to Wine’s 19.85. Election day on Thursday was marred by significant technical problems after biometric machines — used to confirm voters’ identities — malfunctioned and ballot papers were undelivered for several hours in many areas. The final results of the presidential and parliam...

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the immediate dismissal of Ms. Tinyan Otuomagie from her position as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of New Edo Line Transport Services Limited. The announcement was made on Thursday in Benin City by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Uwuilekhue Saturday Idehen. According to the statement, the governor’s directive takes immediate effect, bringing Otuomagie’s tenure at the state-owned transport company to an end. “The Edo State Government wishes to inform the public that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Executive Governor of Edo State, has approved the termination of Ms. Tinyan Otuomagie’s appointment as Managing Director/CEO of New Edo Line Transport Services Ltd, effective immediately,” the sta...

The United States has earmarked about ₦587 billion ($413.046 million) for counter-insurgency and security operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026, as insecurity continues to worsen across West Africa. The funding is contained in the United States National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, obtained by The PUNCH on Thursday. The allocation falls under Title XLIII (Operation and Maintenance) and is designated for the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). The budget approval comes against the backdrop of recent U.S.-led operations targeting terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State on Christmas Day, under the administration of President Donald Trump. Earlier this week, AFRICOM also delivered military equipment to Nigerian security agencies as part of eff...

Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has declared that her administration will not be intimidated by the possibility of diplomatic friction with the United States, even after U.S. military forces removed her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, earlier this month in a controversial operation. Rodriguez made the remarks on Thursday as she navigates both international pressure and efforts to redefine Venezuela’s relationship with Washington. Speaking to lawmakers at the National Assembly, Rodriguez rejected concerns about a diplomatic clash with the United States. She emphasised that Venezuela is prepared to engage Washington through political dialogue rather than fear confrontation, despite acknowledging the U.S.’s global power. She also called on the U.S. to treat Maduro with ...

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has reaffirmed January 31, 2026, as the official deadline for all employers operating in the state to submit their annual tax returns for the 2025 financial year. In a statement released on Thursday, the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Dr. Ayodele Subair, said the directive is in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025. Dr. Subair explained that employers are required to file detailed records of emoluments, salaries, and other forms of compensation paid to employees, alongside payments made to service providers, vendors, and consultants. He added that all taxes due for the 2025 year must be fully paid and remitted. He stressed that filing annual tax returns is a compulsory legal duty, warning that employers w...

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he may invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy federal troops in Minnesota if state authorities fail to curb protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis. In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, January 15, Trump described the protesters as “professional agitators and insurrectionists,” accusing Minnesota officials of failing to protect ICE agents carrying out their duties. Trump’s comments followed recent violent incidents involving federal immigration officers in the city. Last week, an ICE officer shot and killed a protester, Renee Good, while another federal agent shot and wounded a man during an arrest attempt on Wednesday night. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the injured man was ...

Heavily armed bandits loyal to notorious kingpin, Bello Turji, on Wednesday launched a large-scale attack on Kyara community in Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.  The bandits, numbering in the hundreds, killed seven residents, injured two others and made away with a substantial number of livestock, leaving the community in fear and devastation.  A conflict and crisis journalist, Bakatsine confirmed the incident on Thursday.  The development comes a day after Turji's bandits raided Gajit village, where they shot some residents and kidnapped at least 20 others. “Given the persistent and escalating nature of these attacks across Sokoto State, what concrete and intelligence-driven measures are being implemented by security agencies to prevent...

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for failing to attend this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day activities. The party made its position known in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi. According to the ADC, Armed Forces Remembrance Day should go beyond symbolic ceremonies, stressing that national leaders must place the safety and welfare of Nigerians above image polishing, overseas trips, or political expediency. The party expressed concern over the President’s absence, noting that the physical and moral presence of the Commander-in-Chief at such an event is a powerful symbol of unity and support for military personnel and their families, particularly amid worsening security challenges. M...