NEWS

A 73-year-old cleric, identified as Pastor Awolola, has died in a tragic fire outbreak in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State. The incident reportedly occurred around 11:58 a.m. on Monday along Cemetery Road in the Irewolede area of the city. Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said the victim had allegedly set fire to undergrowth on a piece of land he owned, which housed an unfinished building enclosed by a perimeter fence and gate. According to Adekunle, the fire spread rapidly and blocked the only exit, leaving the elderly man trapped inside the premises. He explained that the victim attempted to escape through the perimeter fence, but the flames had already reached that area, leading to his death. Firefighters wer...

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted three daughters of Director of the Plateau State Water Board, Engr. Apollos Simon Samchi.  The victims were reportedly kidnapped in the early hours of Monday, January 26, 2026 during an attack on Samchi’s residence in the Rantya area of Jos South Local Government Area. A source told security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:53 a.m. when a distress call was received that gunshots were heard around Dumac Suites in Rantya. The attackers also shot the family’s security guard, identified as Benard Makjwan, in the stomach.  He was rushed to Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, where he is currently receiving treatment. "On arrival at the scene, it was...

The Defence Headquarters on Monday said investigations into alleged misconduct by some officers revealed claims of a plot to overthrow the government. In October 2025, the DHQ announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. Sahara Reporters reported on October 18 that the officers — ranging in rank from Captain to Brigadier General — were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency for allegedly holding secret meetings to topple the government. The platform also linked the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade to the alleged plot. Reacting at the time, the former Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said the publication was intended to create tension and distrust among Nigerian...

A woman identified as Mrs Achue Lovelyn Makia, has d!ed of  postpartum Hamorrhage (PPH) after giving birth to twins at home due to lack of a medical facility in Balegete community, Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State. It was gathered that she bled to d3ath while being taken to another community for proper medical attention.   Reacting to the tragic incident on Monday, January 26, Hon. Peter Akpanke. Member, Representing Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra Federal Constituency, Cross River State, said he has reached out to the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivian to appeal for the urgent establishment of a more sustainable health care centre in the community. “My attention has been drawn to a tragic and unfortuna...

Tension erupted in parts of Abuja on Monday as protesting workers reportedly chased the convoy of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, amid an ongoing strike over unpaid salaries and unresolved welfare issues. The workers, who had gathered to press their demands, became agitated when Wike’s motorcade passed through the area. In a video seen by Naija News, protesters were heard chanting “ole” — meaning “thief” — while moving toward the minister’s vehicles and calling for immediate action on their grievances. The incident occurred during a broader protest by staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), supported by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The workers had earlier picketed the National Industrial Court in Abuja as part of a total a...

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has ruled that any Computer-Based Test centre whose registration activities cannot be monitored remotely will not be allowed to participate in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration. The Board announced this in its weekly bulletin published on its website on Monday. According to JAMB, the measure, tagged “No Vision, No Registration, No UTME,” is part of efforts to curb registration infractions and restore the integrity of its examination processes. The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, made the disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting with Peace Monitors, Chief Technical Advisers, Chief External Examiners, as well as zonal and state coordinators involved in monitoring CBT centres during the 2026 UTME regist...

The Police Service Commission (PSC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has extended the deadline for the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 police constables by an additional two weeks following an overwhelming response nationwide. The recruitment portal, which opened on December 15, 2025, will now close on February 8, 2026, after more than 400,000 applications were received. According to the PSC, the extension followed a review that revealed wide variations in the number of applications submitted across different states. While states such as Adamawa, Benue and Kaduna recorded strong participation, others including Lagos, Ogun, Bayelsa, Ebonyi and Anambra saw relatively low turnout. The commission explained that the decision to extend the deadline was taken to promo...

A member of staff of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), identified simply as Aliye Saka and popularly known as Baba Niye, d!ed in a toilet while using the facility within the hospital premises. It was gathered that the deceased, who was said to be an ambulance driver attached to the hospital’s ambulance bay, died on Monday, January 26, while using the toilet, Nigerian Tribune reported.  A food vendor at the hospital, who identified herself as Mama Bola, expressed shock over the incident, stating that the deceased did not show any signs of illness before his death. According to her, the deceased was found dead, seated on the toilet, several hours after he had entered the facility.“ “After he excused himself to use the toilet, his body was found t...

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has taken over the criminal case instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against senior lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN). The takeover stalled Ozekhome’s planned arraignment before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on a three-count charge filed by the ICPC, in which he is accused, among other allegations, of forgery. At the court proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), announced that he was appearing on behalf of the Attorney General and informed the court of the decision to assume control of the prosecution from the ICPC. Oyedepo said the Attorney General acted pursuant to the powers conferr...

The Federal Road Safety Corps has urged motorists across Nigeria to exercise heightened caution due to prevailing hazy weather, which has reduced visibility on major highways and increased the risk of road traffic crashes. The Corps explained that the current dust haze, caused largely by seasonal atmospheric conditions, significantly impairs drivers’ vision. In a statement signed on Monday, Assistant Corps Marshal and Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the conditions make adherence to traffic regulations crucial for safety. The statement read, “The Corps notes that the current dust haze, occasioned largely by seasonal atmospheric conditions, poses significant risks to road users, particularly drivers whose vision may be impaired while driving. “Reduc...