NEWS

Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria following her release from a United Kingdom prison, The Punch has reported. Mrs Ekweremadu arrived in the country on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, after serving the custodial part of her sentence linked to a widely publicised organ-harvesting case. She was welcomed by family members and close associates at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, marking her first return to Nigeria since her legal troubles began in mid-2022. Her arrival has reportedly triggered celebrations in her hometown of Mpu, located in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, even as her husband continues to serve his sentence in the UK. Mrs Ekweremadu was convicted in May 2023 by the Old Bailey ...

The Lagos State Government has defended the demolition of structures in Makoko and other waterfront communities, describing the action as a necessary measure to protect lives and property. Government officials made the defence during Ask Lagos, a weekly X-space discussion designed to engage residents on governance issues. Participants at the session included the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Olajide Abiodun Babatunde. Addressing the controversy surrounding the demolitions in Makoko and similar communities, the officials said the exercise was carried out for security, environmental, and safety reasons, and forms part of broader efforts to make Lagos a safer and more sustainable megacit...

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two masquerades and their leader for the alleged breach of public peace in Etinam Local Government Area of the state. The spokesperson of the command, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, January 26, 2026 said the suspects are currently assisting the police with ongoing investigations. “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammad Azare, fsi, in its sustained efforts to maintain peace and public order across the State, has arrested three individuals for their alleged involvement in violent and disorderly conduct carried out under the guise of masquerade activities in Etinan Local Government Area,” the statement read.  "On Friday, January 23,...

A 30-year-old Brazilian lady, Ms. Ingrid Rosa Benevides, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja for bringing into Nigeria a total of 30.09 kilograms of white heroin concealed in factory sealed coffee packs worth over N3 billion in street value. The suspect who works as a private security officer in Brazil was arrested at the Abuja airport on Friday 23rd January 2026 upon her arrival on a Qatar Airways flight QR1431, following processed intelligence. After her arrest, a search was conducted on her two checked-in bags where 21 factory-sealed packets of Brazilian coffee were found. Confirming her arrest to newsmen, Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the agency, said when the coffee bags we...

A Plateau State corps member, Joyce Abakume, has d!ed weeks after completing the 2025 Batch C National Youth Service Corps orientation exercise in Jos, the state capital. Her brother, Iorwuese Abakume, announced her d3ath on Facebook.  Speaking with Punch, Abakumen, who is currently serving in Jigawa State, said his sister had completed the orientation camp in December 2025 and returned home for the Christmas break. "She left Benue, where our parents live, for Jos two weeks ago,” he said. He added that upon her return to Plateau, Joyce began complaining of fever, prompting their mother to ask her to come home for medical attention. According to him, Joyce was admitted to the hospital last Friday after returning home on Wednesday.  “The doctor said s...

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the passing of Miss Chika Jewel Okparaeke, widely known as Ada Buhari. According to Naija News, the party expressed profound sadness over her death, describing her as a committed supporter and a prominent advocate of the APC on social media. In a statement issued on Saturday, January 24, 2026, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said Okparaeke was a bold and dedicated defender of the policies of APC-led administrations, noting her strong presence and active engagement in promoting the party’s ideals online. The party highlighted her courage, outspoken nature, and unwavering loyalty, stating that her passion and consistency distinguished her among APC supporters in the digital space. APC also described her as a dil...

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will commence on January 26 and run until February 28 at all accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country. The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this known on Saturday in Lagos during a meeting with Commissioners for Education ahead of the 2025 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) exercises. He explained that the sale of UTME application documents, known as e-PINs, would begin before the official registration period. According to him, the sale of e-PINs will run from January 19 to February 26, while actual UTME registration will take place between January 26 and February 28 at approved CBT centres nationwide. Prof. Oloy...

Two women arrested over a disruptive anti-ICE protest that interrupted a church service in Minnesota last weekend have been released from custody, and their release was captured on video. Footage from Friday, January 23, shows Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Allen walking free from detention in St. Paul, raising their fists as supporters cheered. Addressing the crowd, Armstrong said: “Thank you all for being here. Glory to God!” Earlier the same day, a federal judge ordered their release, ruling that the federal government failed to show sufficient grounds to keep them detained. Journalist Don Lemon was present at the protest and reported live from the scene. He also faced scrutiny from federal authorities but has not been charged. Another protester, William Kelly, who ...

Indian health authorities are responding to a Nipah virus outbreak after five confirmed cases of the incurable disease were detected in West Bengal, near the state capital Kolkata. Officials said three new infections were confirmed this week, involving a doctor, a nurse, and another health worker, according to the Press Trust of India. Two nurses, a male and a female, had earlier tested positive after working at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital in Barasat, about 15 miles north of Kolkata. West Bengal’s principal secretary for health and family welfare, Narayan Swaroop Nigam, said one of the nurses is in critical condition and currently in a coma after developing high fever and respiratory complications between New Year’s Eve and January 2. Authorities believe the nurse contracte...

The Chairman of Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, Chinedu Enwereuzo, has cautioned residents against releasing their Permanent Voter’s Cards, National Identification Numbers, Bank Verification Numbers, and bank account details to individuals or groups. He said no government agency has authorised the collection of such information from the public. According to the council chairman, sharing personal data with unauthorised persons exposes individuals to fraud, identity theft, and other criminal activities. Similarly, the Chairman of Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Chinedu Ekeke, said he received reports about individuals allegedly demanding sensitive personal information from residents in the name of a political party’s registration. In a statement signed by his...