NEWS

Residents of Ogun State will observe a public holiday on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in celebration of the state’s 50th anniversary. The holiday was approved by Governor Dapo Abiodun to enable citizens to fully participate in activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee celebration. The announcement was conveyed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, who said the anniversary marks five decades of Ogun State’s political journey, consistent development, and meaningful contributions to national growth. The state government encouraged residents to take part in the celebrations in a peaceful manner, while also reflecting on the achievements recorded over the years and renewing commitment to future progress. According to the government, the Golden Jubilee programme fe...

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested four suspects and rescued 17 victims during a raid on a popular hotel in Onitsha, Anambra State. Two suspects allegedly involved in selling and buying babies within the South-Eastern States were nabbed during the raid, which was carried out with the support of the military. According to the Agency, the victims were recruited from Benue, Imo, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom States and trafficked to Onitsha for alleged prostitution. The Head of Press and Public Relations Unit of the Agency, Vincent Adekoye, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, February 2, 2026, said four of the victims rescued were infected with HIV and are currently being counselled by a Team of Caregivers from NAPTIP and voluntee...

South African authorities have restored electricity to the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria.  The development comes after the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Dr. Nasiphi Moya, announced that power was disconnected at the High Commission over unpaid utility services bills.  In a follow-up communication, Moya announced that the diplomatic mission has settled the outstanding debts. “We thank the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for honouring its debt to the city. The city will reconnect electricity,” she wrote. 

A mystery drone has reportedly crashed inside a Polish military base, landing just metres from an ammunition depot and prompting an urgent security investigation. The incident was said to have occurred at a base in Przasnysz, in north-central Poland, only months after drones linked to Russia entered Polish airspace in what officials described as a major NATO scare. Local broadcaster Radio Zet reported that the unmanned aircraft came down only a few metres from a weapons depot at a highly sensitive electronic warfare facility. The base is home to the 2nd Radioelectronic Center, a specialist reconnaissance and electronic warfare unit responsible for monitoring radio traffic in northeastern Poland, including activity around the strategically sensitive Suwałki Pass. Accordi...

At least 18 passengers have d!ed following a head-on collision between two commercial vehicles along the Dutsinma–Karofi–Radda Road in Katsina State. The accident occurred at about 8:00p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026 when two Golf commercial vehicles, traveling from opposite directions, lost control and collided.  According to the sources, one of the vehicles was conveying wedding guests from Dutsinma, while the other was coming from Kano with passengers.  The impact caused both vehicles to catch fire, resulting in three passengers being severely burnt.  The deceased were taken to General Hospital, Dutsinma.  Some of the victims have been identified as a groom, his bride and their friends. According to the groom's friend, Zakari Haradu Aboro...

British politician Dan Norris has been arrested on suspicion of r@pe, s£xual ass@ult, voyeurism, and upskirting. Mr Norris, currently the independent MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, was formerly a member of the Labour Party until he was suspended in April 2025 after being first arrested by Avon and Somerset Police. The force first announced that a man in his 60s had been arrested on suspicion of s£xual offences against a girl, r@pe, child abduction, and misconduct in a public office, but the force has said it is "no longer actively investigating any sexual offences against children". In an update today, officers said: "Following our enquiries, the man has been further arrested on suspicion of r@pe against a second woman, sexual assault against a third woman, as well as voye...

The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and three others from embarking on any form of industrial action or protest in the Federal Capital Territory. Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the interim order on Monday while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration. Those restrained alongside the labour unions are the spokesperson of the NLC, Benson Upah; the General Secretary of the TUC, Nuhu Toro; and the Chairman of the FCT NLC, Stephen Knabayi. The application, dated February 2, was brought pursuant to a suit marked NICN/ABJ/30/26 and filed by James Onoja (SAN) on behalf of the FCT Minister and the FCTA. After he...

The Medical Director of the Snakebite Hospital and Research Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, Dr Nicholas Amani, says anti-snake venom is not only a scarce commodity in Nigeria but also in many parts of the world. Amani stated this during an interview with Punch while reacting to the untimely de@th of aspiring singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, who d!ed after a snake bite in her Abuja apartment.  Speaking on the challenge of snakebite management in Nigeria and globally, Amani said ‘’The truth is that anti-snake venom is a scarce commodity all around the world. The reason is that snake bite mainly affects the less privileged, farmers, and rural dwellers — people who do not really have a voice. Everywhere we attend conferences and international meetings, it is the same issue, scarci...

Four Buddhist monks have been arrested after a stash of p0rn, s£x toys, penis pump, and an escort list  were found during a police raid at their temple in Thailand. The religious leaders are said to have violated their monastic vows as they kept the banned items at the Phrom Sunthon Monastery in Chonburi province. Police raided the property on January 27, following reports that the monks possessed firearms and drugs. During the raid, officers found £2,070 in cash, a pistol, a p£nis enlargement pump, a contact list of pr0st!tutes, and a DVD player with a p0rn disc still loaded inside. Three monks also allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine. Officers arrested Phra Supachai Jantawong, 35, Phra Wirat Mukdasanit, 45, and Phra Thanapol Maison, 59, and the templ...