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   APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, Reply Wike Demands Resignation of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Over Interference in Party Affairs The APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru has called on Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to immediately resign from his cabinet position. The demand follows Wike's stern warning earlier today to Basiru to "leave Rivers State alone" and steer clear of its politics, amid accusations of meddling. Wike, speaking during a thank-you visit to supporters in Oyigbo Local Government Area, described Rivers as a "no-go area" for external interference, cautioned against taking his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granted, and alleged that some APC leaders were scrambling for alleged N600 billion "largesse" in the state. He warned that meddlers could "burn their hands," referencing past political consequences. In a statement released in Osogbo, Osun State, Basiru des...

 PRESS RELEASE  TROOPS DISMANTLE SUICIDE BOMBING NETWORK, INTERCEPT TERRORISTS’ LOGISTICS IN ADAMAWA Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded significant operational successes in Adamawa State, continuing intensified cordon-and-search operations targeting perpetrators and facilitators of the Gamboru Market Mosque suicide bombing. Following sustained surveillance on identified locations, OPHK troops executed a coordinated cordon-and-search operation in the Yan Lemo area of Mubi South Local Government Area in the early hours of 5 January 2026. Eight suspects were apprehended, including two principal suspects believed to be key facilitators within the suicide bombing network. A search of the suspects’ residence led to the recovery of cash, mobile phones, identification documents, ATM cards, jewellery, and other personal effects, which are currently undergoing forensic analysis to support ongoing investigations. During identification procedures, a suspect already in cust...

PRESS RELEASE: The Abia State Government has noted with interest the statement attributed to the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial Zone, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, vowing to capture and deliver the Abia State Government House to his party, the Abia APC in the 2027 General Election.  While acknowledging Senator Kalu's entitlement to project and support his younger brother as the Abia APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2027 general election, he must be reminded that the people of Abia will decide who governs them as they won't be swayed by attempts to turn the State into a family fiefdom where a single man and family wants to retain and produce a Senator, a Governor, Commissioner representing Abia State in the National Assembly Service Commission and an Ambassador. As the ruling party in Abia State, our great party, the Labour Party has over 3 strong, vibrant and prepared aspirants ready to contest for the ticket to represent Abia North Senatorial Zone in the Red Chamber of...

 Maduro brought to U.S courthouse for first appearance on drug trafficking charges  Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to make his first appearance Monday in a U.S. courtroom on narco-terrorism charges, the basis the Trump administration cited for capturing him and bringing him to New York. Maduro and his wife are expected to appear at noon before a judge for a brief procedural hearing that could mark the start of a lengthy legal battle over whether he can face trial in the United States. The couple was transported early Monday under armed guard from their Brooklyn jail to a Manhattan courthouse. The journey was swift. A motorcade departed the jail around 7:15 a.m., taking Maduro to a nearby field where he boarded a helicopter. The chopper crossed New York Harbor and landed at a Manhattan heliport, from which Maduro, limping, was transferred to an armored vehicle and brought inside a courthouse garage. Outside, law enforcement separated small groups of pr...

 FG INTRODUCES NEW MEASURES TO ELIMINATE WAEC, NECO EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE IN 2026 The Federal Government has announced a comprehensive set of measures aimed at eliminating examination malpractice in the 2026 examinations and beyond in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations, as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen credibility, transparency, and public confidence in Nigeria’s assessment system. A statement by Boriowo Folasade, director, Press and Public Relations  indicates that the disclosure was made by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, alongside the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmed, who stated that the Federal Ministry of Education is intensifying oversight and deploying targeted strategies to safeguard the integrity of national examinations. Among the key measures is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation mechan...

 Angola floats 'proposals' to end fighting in eastern DRC Angola said on Monday it had floated to President Felix Tshisekedi proposals to end the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and that the Congolese leader had found them "interesting." The resource-rich region, which borders Rwanda as well as Burundi, has been beset by decades of continual violence. The conflict has flared since 2021 following M23's rebellion despite a flurry of diplomatic efforts, including a US-brokered peace deal signed last month. Tshisekedi met his counterpart Joao Lourenco in Angola's capital Luanda, the Angolan presidency said in a statement after the visit, which lasted "a few hours." Previous efforts failed "The Congolese statesman said that President Joao Lourenco put forward 'some proposals' which he found 'very interesting' and which, in terms of the search for peace in his country, could 'contribute significantly',...

Man accused of breaking windows at Vance’s Ohio home taken into custody, Secret Service says A man was taken into custody early Monday after breaking windows and causing other damage at Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio residence, the U.S. Secret Service reported. Agency spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said the suspect was detained shortly after midnight at Vance’s home east of downtown Cincinnati. The man has not been publicly identified. According to two law enforcement officials speaking on the condition of anonymity, Secret Service agents responded to a loud noise around midnight and discovered the individual attempting to enter the house with a hammer. The suspect had also vandalized a Secret Service vehicle while approaching the property. Vance and his family were not in Ohio at the time, and the home, located in the Walnut Hills neighborhood overlooking the city, was unoccupied. The Secret Service is working with the Cincinnati Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office as the...

 2026 ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY: SANWO-OLU DONATES ₦100m, HOUSES, VEHICLES, FOOD ITEMS TO NIGERIA LEGION •Governor launches Appeal Fund, Emblem, promises better welfare As part of events to mark the Year 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has donated the sum of ₦100 million, four units of two-bedroom apartments in Ajara, and two pick-up utility vehicles to the State Council of the Nigerian Legion.  He also donated four cows, 500 bags of rice and other food items to members of the Nigerian Legion as part of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of Legionnaires and families of the fallen heroes. Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the donations on Monday at the State Executive Council meeting during the Appeal Fund and Launching of the Year 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem at the Lagos House, Ikeja. The Governor said the launching of the Emblem Appeal ahead of the January 15, 2026 commemoration of Arme...

 5th January 2025. PRESS RELEASE CP AINA ADESOLA ASSUMES DUTY AS 23RD COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, DELTA STATE COMMAND; AIG OLUFEMI ABANIWONDA TRANSFERRED TO FORCE HEADQUARTERS CP Aina Adesola has assumed duty as the 23rd Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, succeeding Assistant Inspector-General of Police Olufemi Abaniwonda, who was recently promoted and posted as Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja. CP Aina Adesola was born on 2nd  September 1968 to the family of Mr and Mrs Aina Ajana and hails from Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Ondo State Univerisity in the year 1990 and was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a member of course 4 Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) on 10th June 1994. He attended the elite Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State. Upon completion of his training, he was deployed to Delta state in th...

 Terrorism Financing: Court Denies Bauchi Commissioner, Three Others Bail Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Monday, January 5, 2026, turned down bail applications of Yakubu Adamu, Bauchi State’s Commissioner of Finance and three others. The three others are Balarabe Abdullahi Ilelah, Aminu Mohammed Bose and Kabiru Yahaya Mohammed. They were arraigned on Wednesday,  December  31, 2025 on a ten-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing contrary to Section 2(1) and Section 19(1) (d) and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”   One of the counts reads; “That you Yakubu Adamu (being Commissioner for Finance, Bauchi state Government), sometimes in the year 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did receive cash payments in the sum of Six Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars( USD 6,950,000) otherwise than through a financial institution, a...

 “Come get me, coward, I’m waiting for you here” - Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro dares Donald Trump after the US president said he’s next to be captured. Watch video below. 

 OFFICIAL: Man United sacks Amorim  “Ruben Amorim has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United”. “With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish”. “The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future”.

 Calm Returns to Okon-Aku Community in Abia State After Violent Clash Claims One Life Normalcy has been restored to Okon-Aku community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State following a violent incident on January 2 that resulted in one death and injuries to four others. Swift intervention by security agencies and clarifications from state authorities have helped ease tensions and counter misinformation surrounding the event. The Abia State Police Command confirmed a rapid response to reports of unrest in the community. Under the directive of Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa, officers from the Ohafia Divisional Headquarters, supported by two tactical teams, were deployed to contain the situation, restore order, and prevent further escalation. Police sources reported that the injured victims were promptly rushed to hospital and are responding to treatment. Security forces have maintained a strong presence in the area, with ongoing patrols to ensure lasting peace. In a state...

 INTELLIGENCE-DRIVEN RAID: TROOPS OF OPERATION WHIRL STROKE STRIKE DECISIVE BLOW AGAINST CRIMINAL SYNDICATES RECOVERS ARMS CACHE IN TARABA Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have recorded a major operational success following a well-coordinated intelligence-led operation that led to the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition in Takum LGA, Taraba State. The operation, conducted on 04 January 2026, was initiated after actionable intelligence was received regarding the movement of an associate of a notorious criminal kingpin, John Ngata. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, OPWS troops deployed at Zaki-Biam immediately established a snap roadblock along the suspected route. The suspect was successfully intercepted at Zaki-Biam without incident. Upon preliminary interrogation, the suspect voluntarily led the troops to a concealed armoury belonging to the criminal network at Amadu Village in Takum Local Government Area. Subsequent exploitation of the location resulted in the reco...

 PRESS RELEASE   Tinubu’s Reforms Yielding Positive Results, 2026 Budget Planned to Solidify Gains – Information Minister The 2026 budget is a well-planned instrument to solidify the gains of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda, already yielding positive results, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated in an op-ed published on Monday in newspapers, titled “A Defining Moment for Nigeria: Why Staying the Course Matters.” “Our 'Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ is critical. It is a commitment to double down on what is working, to solidify gains, and to ensure that the shared prosperity we speak of becomes a lived reality for more Nigerians, faster,” Idris stated.  According to the Minister, the last 31 months have been a period of difficult but necessary change, beginning with key economic decisions taken to end long-standing stagnation and build a more stable future.    He noted that sig...

 Wisconsin judge resigns after conviction for blocking immigrant arrest as GOP threatens impeachment Embattled Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan has formally resigned, sending a letter to the governor on Saturday after her recent felony conviction for obstruction stemming from a confrontation with federal immigration officers. Her resignation came as Republican lawmakers were openly preparing impeachment proceedings following her Dec. 19 conviction. The governor’s office confirmed receipt of her letter and indicated the process to fill the vacancy would begin promptly. In her resignation, Dugan reflected on more than a decade on the bench, saying she presided over thousands of cases with a commitment to dignity, fairness, consistency, and courtroom safety, but acknowledged that the criminal case against her had grown into a significant distraction for the court and the public. She argued that the ongoing federal proceedings present serious challenges that, in her view, threaten judicial...

 Small plane crash at Cape Cod airport kills pilot A small plane crashed Sunday at Provincetown Municipal Airport on Cape Cod, catching fire and killing the lone pilot on board. Emergency responders quickly extinguished the blaze at the crash site near the coastal community at the tip of the Cape, where the pilot was pronounced dead, officials said. The aircraft, identified by the National Transportation Safety Board as a Cessna 172N, is under investigation, though no preliminary cause has been released. Following the incident, the airport was closed. Provincetown sits about 50 miles southeast of Boston at the end of the Cape Cod peninsula in southeast Massachusetts.

South Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki, known as ‘The Nation’s Actor,’ dies at 74  Ahn Sung-ki, one of South Korea’s most celebrated actors whose 60-year career and warm, gentle public persona earned him the title “The Nation’s Actor,” passed away Monday at the age of 74. He had been battling blood cancer for several years and died at Seoul’s Soonchunhyang University Hospital, officials and his agency, the Artist Company, confirmed. In a statement, the Artist Company expressed deep sorrow over his passing and offered condolences to his family. President Lee Jae Myung also paid tribute, noting that Ahn brought comfort, joy, and reflection to countless people, adding, “I already miss his warm smile and gentle voice.” Ahn’s acting journey began in 1957 as a child actor in the film The Twilight Train. Over the next decade, he appeared in roughly 70 films before briefly stepping away from acting to pursue a normal life. In 1970, he studied Vietnamese at Seoul’s Hankuk University of Foreign Stud...

 Cuba reports 32 of its officers killed in US operation in Venezuela   An American military operation in Venezuela over the weekend killed 32 Cuban officers, the Cuban government confirmed Sunday, providing the first official casualty count from the U.S. strikes. Cuba said the military and police personnel had been operating in Venezuela at the request of that country’s government, though the exact nature of their mission was not disclosed. Cuba has long been an ally of Venezuela, sending personnel to assist in military and security operations for years. Rumors of Cuban casualties circulated over the weekend before the official announcement. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, confirmed the deaths, stating there were no American casualties. The U.S. operation targeted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, seizing them to face prosecution on charges of involvement in a narco-terrorism conspiracy. Venezuela’s government ackn...

Lizzy Anjorin blames Anthony Joshua’s mother for fatal accident Lizzy Anjorin Questions Anthony Joshua’s Mother Over Why She Allowed Him to Return to His Hometown  Nollywood actress Lizzy Anjorin has stirred reactions online after criticising the mother of British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua over his recent visit to his hometown in Nigeria.  In a video that has gone viral on social media, Anjorin questioned why Joshua’s mother allowed him to travel to his village during the festive period instead of placing him in what she described as a more secure area, such as Lekki, Ikoyi, or Banana island She suggested that a safer location would have reduced potential risks during the high-profile visit.  In the clip, she said, “Anthony Joshua’s mother is to bl@me. She didn’t put her son in a better place like Lekki or Ikoyi, she watched him go back to his village for the festivities. What reasonable mother would watch her son go back to that kind of place? Why couldn’t she put hi...

 AFCON 2025: Four teams qualify for quarter-finals Cameroon became the fourth team to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Indomitable Lions held on following a late fight back to beat South Africa 2-1 in Rabat on Sunday night. Junior Tchamadeu opened the scoring in the 34th minute of the match. Two minutes after the restart, Christian Kofane doubled Cameroon’s advantage, as they seemed to be strolling to victory. But Evidence Makgopa’s controlled finished in the 88th minute for Bafana Bafana provided a tense ending. Cameroon now joins countries like Morocco, Mali and Senegal in the last eight of the tournament.

Awka South Mayor Joins Aguleri Monarch To Celebrate 165th Ofala, Congratulates APGA National Chairman On Chieftaincy Honour. The Mayor of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Edu Okafor, has extended warm goodwill messages to the traditional ruler of Aguleri, HRM Igwe Dr. Michael C. Idigo (Eze Idigo V), as the revered monarch marked this year’s Ofala Festival.  The Mayor described the celebration as a profound symbol of Aguleri’s rich heritage, unity, and enduring leadership, commending the Igwe’s wisdom, stability, and commitment to the cultural values that continue to inspire the people. Prince Okafor praised Igwe Idigo for his decades of purposeful reign, noting that his leadership has strengthened peace, progress, and cultural pride across Aguleri and beyond.  He emphasized that the Ofala Festival remains a unifying platform that reinforces identity, tradition, and community cohesion, while projecting Aguleri’s cultural significance on the national stage. In the same v...

 Tensions have erupted within the National Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following sharp exchanges between two top party officials over the comments directed at Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara. The National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, on Sunday, condemned remarks by the party’s South-South National Vice Chairman, Hon. Victor Giadom, who described Fubara as a “so-called governor of Rivers State” during a thank-you visit to Gokana LGA of the State by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, last week. Taking to his verified Facebook handle to react to Giadom’s outbursts against Fubara, Basiru described the language as “unbecoming” of a senior party officer and “disrespectful” to an elected state governor. “I find it unfortunate that a member of the NWC, who is the Vice Chairman of the South-South zone of the APC, was referring to a governor in our party as a ‘so-called governor of Rivers State’,” Basiru said. “No matter what his allegiances are t...

 Nnamani debunks apology rumours to Peter Obi, pledges to "focus on what matters" Former Enugu State Governor State Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has dismissed a claim that he apologized to former presidential candidate, Peter Obi over past remarks he made about his presidential ambition. Nnamani said this in a statement by his media office, reacting to what he called a fabricated statement circulating in the media and on social platforms. In the build up to the 2023 election, Nnamani had criticised and opposed Obi’s presidential ambition. Reacting to the claim that he apologized to Obi for alleged past remarks, the former Enugu State governor said  it is entirely false, misleading, and a deliberate act of misinformation. He added; “At no time, in any forum, public or private, did Senator Chimaroke Nnamani make such an apology or utter the words being attributed to him. “The statement is a complete fabrication, clearly designed to mislead the public and advance a political narrat...

 "We will pay our 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 church 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐍𝟓𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬"- Pastor Bolaji Idowu. The Senior Pastor of Harvesters International Church, Bolaji Idowu, has announced that the church will pay N50,000 monthly for three months to members who serve in the church but are currently unemployed. Idowu made this known during a church service on Sunday. The cleric said the financial support was aimed at helping the affected members stabilise while they search for new employment opportunities.

 Peter Obi's decision to join ADC is not out of Political desperation but motivated by a genuine commitment to building a better Nigeria rather than a mere quest for power.- Ibrahim Abdulkarim  An entrepreneur and staunch supporter of Mr. Peter Obi, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, has said that the former Anambra State governor’s decision to align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was not taken lightly or out of political desperation. According to Abdulkarim, Peter Obi did not “just wake up and join ADC like many politicians do,” but rather embarked on wide consultations with his associates, Obidients, and stakeholders across the country before taking the step. He noted that the process was open, inclusive, and people-driven, reflecting Obi’s respect for collective decision-making. He further stated that Peter Obi has been actively involved in coalition-building efforts for over 20 months, right from the onset, stressing that his participation is motivated by a genuine commitment...

 Igwe Idigo Holds 126th Ovala Aguleri Festival The one hundred and twenty-sixth Ovala Aguleri Festival has once again accorded Ndi Aguleri, Ndi Igbo in general, and non-Nigerians alike the opportunity to witness the ancient Aguleri culture and traditions at their peak. The annual Ovala Aguleri fiesta, which holds every first Saturday of the year, as usual, began with a pontifical Holy Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Cathedral, Aguleri, officiated by the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Reverend Dennis Isizoh. At the Amaigwe Square, where the main Ovala fiesta took place, activities marking the event began with the appearance of maidens of chastity known as Ndi Mkpowaogbo, followed by Ndi Amanwulu, after which the wife of the traditional ruler of Aguleri, Mrs. Mediatrix Idigo, entered the arena to welcome Ndi Aguleri and their visitors as she was flanked by royal daughters of the Idigo dynasty, Inyom na Umuada Umuala, wives of Aguleri cabinet chiefs, as well as Ndi Iyom Aguleri, as they danc...