NEWS

States across Nigeria earmarked a combined N525.23bn for security votes and related operations between 2023 and 2025, according to an analysis of figures extracted from their approved budget documents. The states’ budgets are contained in Open States, a BudgIT-backed website that serves as a repository of government budget data. The massive vote, intended to bolster security nationwide, raises critical concerns about the efficacy of these measures, as citizens remain increasingly vulnerable to the tide of violence. Although the responsibility for ensuring the safety of lives and property lies with the Federal Government, the increasing wave of kidnapping, robbery, and other forms of violence has compelled many state governors to set up their own internal security strategies to com...

Veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch magazine, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, has died. His death comes less than two months after the passing of fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died on November 17, 2025. The development was confirmed by multiple sources, though the family was yet to issue an official statement at the time of filing this report. Mohammed, who had been ill for some time, recently launched his memoir titled Beyond Expectations on November 4, 2025. Born on April 4, 1950, in Ologba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, he was a distinguished journalist with decades of experience in the media industry. Throughout his career, Mohammed held several key editorial positions, including roles at New Nigerian Newspapers, National Concord, and Newswatch ...

Trump caught on camera giving middle finger to heckler. Photo: X/Screenshot US President Donald Trump was caught on camera Tuesday responding obscenely to a heckler during a visit to an auto plant in Michigan, according to a video circulating on social media. During a tour of the Ford F-150 factory in Detroit, Michigan, Trump is seen on an elevated walkway overlooking the factory floor dressed in a long black overcoat. After some shouting, Trump appeared to point at the heckler on the factory floor, scowling and saying a few choice words, before raising a middle finger. The heckler has not been identified, but White House spokesman Steven Cheung told AFP they got what they deserved. “A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President g...

The first set of seven students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were arrested by the police in connection with a recent protest, have been released. The students were handed over to the Edo State Commissioner for Education following interventions by the state government aimed at easing tensions and restoring calm in the university community. The arrests had sparked concerns among students, parents, and stakeholders, prompting calls for dialogue and the release of those detained. Government officials said the release of the students reflects the administration’s commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes and the protection of students’ welfare. Authorities assured that efforts are ongoing to address the issues that led to the protest, while urging students to remai...

The United States on Tuesday, Jan. 13, designated the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt as well as Lebanon and Jordan as terrorist organizations. Founded in 1928 in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood, a pan-Islamist movement, once spread across the Arab world but it has been in retreat as it comes under concerted pressure from major Arab powers. “Today, as a first step in support of President Trump’s commitment to eliminate the capabilities and operations of Muslim Brotherhood chapters that pose a threat to the United States as described in Executive Order 14362, the United States is imposing terrorist designations against the Lebanese, Jordanian, and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. “These designations reflect the openin...

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has strongly warned applicants over biodata integrity, biometric capture, and identity verification, ahead of the 2026 UTME and Direct Entry registration exercise. In a Tuesday statement signed by the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Board warned candidates against post-registration biodata changes. The registration for UTME and Direct Entry form for both Nigerians and foreign prospective applicants will commence on Monday, January 26, 2026 and end Saturday, February 28, 2026. The Board declared, “Once a candidate completes 2026 registration with biodata supplied by NIMC, subsequent changes of biodata would not be effected by JAMB for the 2026 admission. No Change Will Be Tolerated.” JAMB explained that updates from the Nat...

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed it is aware of intelligence surrounding recent U.S. airstrikes against terrorists in Sokoto State but says it will not discuss the operation publicly, describing it as a defence matter. Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, made the disclosure on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He explained that while the police possess information about the strikes, details would be left to the defence authorities to address. Hundeyin also confirmed that the operation involved cooperation between Nigerian security agencies and the United States and was fully authorised by President Bola Tinubu. According to reports, the U.S. government carried out the strikes on December 25, 2025, targeting terrorists in Soko...

The Umuada (women of the lineage) have flogged a young woman accused of beating her brother's wife and enabling abuse.   The incident happened in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.  According to an eyewitness, Nwanya Chiamaka Esther, the marriage has been plagued by domestic violence, with the young woman and her mother often joining her brother to beat his wife.  Esther said the lady threatened the leader of the Umuada with a machete and passed a message to the women, saying they can't do anything to her.  In reaction, the women stormed the house to show her what they are capable of doing.  According to the witness, the mother-in-law was fined and issued a stern warning for biting her son's wife.  Her son was ...

State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate release of students arrested during recent disturbances, a move that has helped calm rising tensions on campus. The governor’s directive followed growing concerns from students, parents, and stakeholders over the arrests, which had sparked protests and anxiety within the academic community. By intervening swiftly, Okpebholo emphasized his administration’s commitment to dialogue, fairness, and the protection of students’ rights. Following the release order, normalcy gradually returned to the campus as security presence was reduced and students resumed academic activities. Government officials said further engagement with school authorities and student leaders would continue to prevent a recurrence of unrest. The governor u...