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 ‘Empty barrels’ – Otti dismisses Uzor Kalu, Orji, Ikpeazu opposition gang-up Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has urged Abians to disregard recent remarks by some leaders of the opposition in the state. Governor Otti who was speaking on Saturday at Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Umuoriehi, Umuahia North LGA, during the dedication of the church building, said that those who are gathering against him were the same people that failed to develop the state in the past. Otti was reacting to an alliance formed against his re-election by former Abia governors Orji Uzor Kalu, Theodore Orji and Okezie Ikpeazu. The governor slammed the opposition members for pursuing personal interest above the collective development of Abia, declaring that every gathering they are making against him would collapse. He said, “Pastor Uguru made reference to the noise that you may have been hearing in the last few days. “I want us to just dismiss it as noise, you know, and it’s always the empty barrel that makes...

 Obasanjo, Jonathan at Tambuwal’s birthday, demand credible leadership in Nigeria Prominent Nigerian leaders, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as ex-vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday demanded credible leadership in Nigeria. They spoke at an event held in Abuja to mark the 60th birthday of former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal. Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of inclusive leadership, accountability and quality representation, which they described as critical pillars for strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system. Obasanjo and Jonathan, while speaking on how Tambuwal emerged Speaker of the House of Representatives, stressed the need for credible leadership in the country. The ex-presidents insisted that credible leadership was required to strengthen democracy in the country. Obasanjo, who was chairman of the occasion, shed light on how Tambuwal’s leadership led to his emergence as Speaker of the House of Repres...

 Calling Wizkid the ‘new’ Fela disrespectful, Seun Kuti blasts fans Afrobeats singer Seun Kuti has slammed Wizkid’s fans, telling them to stop bringing his late father Fela Kuti’s name into music debates.  Kuti, on Instagram live, called out their behavior as disrespectful and ignorant, saying they’re trying to claim modern musicians as “new Fela” despite not understanding his legacy. “Keep Fela’s name out of your (Wizkid FC) mouths. Why must you find a way to bring Fela always into your discussions? “You try to steal the man. You try to claim that this your artiste is the new Fela. Then, when you people saw that you couldn’t wear those pants, that the shoes were too big to fill, you now turn around. “If your lack of respect came from a place of defiance, I would respect it. But your lack of respect comes from a place of ignorance. Complete ignorance,” he said. Kuti criticised the fans for fueling unnecessary rivalry in the music industry and urged them to focus on appreciatin...

 Why I have 8 mad women living in my house - Rev Isaac Omolehin Renowned Nigerian pastor Reverend Isaac Omolehin has made a shocking revelation, saying he currently shelters eight mentally ill women, along with their babies, in his home. The respected cleric made the revelation during a recent interview shared by Lawrence Oyor, giving a vivid account of his efforts to care for the women and transform their lives. “You come to my house now and you will find eight mad women with their babies living with me,” he said. Omolehin recounted the story of one of them, Rashida, who had trekked from Ibadan to Ilorin over four years, wandering the streets naked. “We found her on the street, took her home, trimmed her hair, creamed her, and gave her a change of clothes,” he said. The pastor recalled how, after discovering Rashida was from Ibadan, he and his team set out to find her family. “When we finally located them, her father and mother, who already had three children, came weeping. They s...

 Why I'm done with ‘just content' - Mummy Wa Nigerian content creator and Nollywood actress Kemi Ikuseedun, popularly known as Mummy Wa, has announced that she will no longer accept projects that disrespect her time or compromise her personal values. Speaking during an interview with Punch, Mummy Wa said protecting her peace and principles has become a top priority in 2026, prompting her to be more intentional about the kind of work she undertakes. “I am no longer available for projects that will disrespect my time, disrespect or drain my values, and reduce whatever I do to ‘just content’,” she said. “That phrase, ‘just content’, is something I am no longer comfortable with.” The actress stressed that her peace now comes first, adding that any project that undermines her values or personal growth will no longer get her attention. “My peace is very important to me, so anything that disrespects my time or my values, I am no longer available for it,” she stated. Addressing her evo...

 ‘I’ll never marry a Nigerian’ – Peller vows after breakup with Jarvis  TikTok star, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, has vowed never to marry a Nigerian following his messy breakup with fellow Nigerian content creator, Jarvis. Speaking during a recent livestream, Peller opened up about his encounter with a demure lady from eSwatini, whom he described as his ideal woman. He explained that the lady is not only beautiful but also calm and collected. The 20-year-old added that he is ready to go to the Southern African nation and pay the lady’s bride price. “I recently encountered a lady from eSwatini, she’s not only very beautiful but also calm and collected. “I will never marry a Nigerian. eSwatini is my new target for finding a wife. I will go to the country and marry that lady. I will give her father 17 cows,” he said. Peller also warned fans to stop mocking him over his breakup with Jarvis, threatening to block them if they disregard his warning. He has previously st...

 Nigeria in peril, needs collective salvation, says Tambuwal at 60 Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and ex-Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Saturday, warned that Nigeria is in grave danger and urgently needs national salvation, calling on citizens across political, ethnic and religious divides to unite and rescue the country from its current trajectory. Tambuwal spoke at a high-profile colloquium organised in Abuja to mark his 60th birthday, an event that brought together former Presidents, vice presidents, political leaders and statesmen, who used the occasion to reflect on the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the future of governance. Lamenting the state of the nation, Tambuwal said Nigeria has fallen far short of the hopes and expectations that accompanied the return to democratic rule. He noted that many of the founding figures of the country’s democracy, both living and deceased, would be deeply unhappy with prevailing realities. “This is not w...

 I led war for Tinubu’s election victory in Rivers – Wike Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, said he led the war that delivered victory to President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State during the 2023 presidential election. Speaking in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike tackled former supporters of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar who are now backing Tinubu. Wike noted that they failed to give Atiku 10 percent during the 2023 presidential election but have chosen to support Tinubu. He warned that nobody would be allowed to lead Tinubu’s campaign in the state. Wike said: “In 2023, we led the war to deliver President Tinubu in Rivers State. Those who supported Atiku in 2023 and couldn’t give him 10% are now saying that they’re going to lead President Tinubu’s campaign in Rivers State. “Is it possible? Nobody in this state can push us out. We have led the war and don’t be bothered about the abuses.”

 GUNMEN ATTACK BENUE LINKS BUS ON MAKURDI-OTUKPO ROAD, 3 HOSPITALISED  10th January, 2026      A Benue Links Nigeria Limited bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo came under gun attack by suspected armed robbers/kidnappers today evening, leaving three passengers seriously injured. The affected passengers are currently receiving emergency treatment at the Teaching Hospital in Otukpo. Members of the public with relatives or acquaintances who boarded the Benue Links bus on the Makurdi–Otukpo route are advised to urgently contact them or visit the hospital for information. Security agencies have been alerted, while further details on the incident are awaited.

Reconcile With El-Rufai Before It’s Too Late, Nataro Urges Tinubu Salihu Isa Nataro, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kebbi State, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconcile with former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, and bring him back into the party ahead of the 2027 elections. Nataro said the ongoing political realignment in Northern Nigeria makes it imperative for the President to pay close attention to the North-West geopolitical zone. According to him, following the removal of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as APC national chairman, the zone currently lacks a strong political figure capable of effectively rallying support for Tinubu. He also expressed concern over reports that former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, may be aligning with a coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). “Even if the incumbent Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, defects to the APC, there would still be a major gap in terms of zonal politica...

 MISSING KANSHIO LADY REAPPEARS, FAMILY RAISES ALARM OVER CONFLICTING STORIES  11th January, 2026      The family of a young woman earlier reported missing in Kanshio, Makurdi, Benue State, has raised fresh concerns after she contacted them to say she was not missing and had travelled to Port Harcourt for work. A family source told Benue Info-pedia, that the woman reached out a day after alerts about her disappearance circulated on social media, urging relatives to stop searching for her and to discontinue further posts about the matter. However, the explanation has triggered suspicion within the family, following what they described as inconsistent details surrounding her movements. According to the source, the woman had travelled to Gboko during the Christmas period to stay with her elder sister, where she reportedly met a man and began interacting with him. She was said to have later complained to the man that her family was not treating her well and that she...

 Egypt signs renewable energy deals worth $1.8 billion Egypt has signed renewable energy deals worth a combined $1.8 billion, state TV reported on Sunday. Among the deals were contracts with Norwegian renewable energy developer Scatec and China's Sungrow. Egypt hopes to have renewable energy reach 42% of its electricity generation mix by 2030, but officials say the goal will be at risk without more international support. The first project will be the construction by Scatec of a solar energy plant to generate electricity and energy storage stations in Upper Egypt's Minya, an Egyptian cabinet statement said. It would have a generation capacity of 1.7 gigawatts supported by battery storage systems with total capacity of 4 gigawatt hours. A second project will be a Sungrow factory to manufacture energy storage batteries at the Suez Canal Economic Zone. A share of the factory's output would be supplied to the first project, the cabinet said. The deals also include power purchase...

Notorious New York City-area 'Torso Killer' admits to 1965 murder  Richard Cottingham, one of the New York City area’s most infamous serial killers, has confessed to another murder dating back to 1965. Authorities in New Jersey said Tuesday that Cottingham, dubbed the “Torso Killer,” admitted to killing 18-year-old Alys Eberhardt, who was found dead in her family home in Fair Lawn, about 12 miles northwest of Manhattan. The case had been reopened in 2021, and after years of extensive interviews, investigators secured a full confession from Cottingham, including details that had never been made public. Fair Lawn Police Chief Joseph Dawicki confirmed that no additional charges will be filed, officially closing the case. Cottingham, now 79, has been in prison since his 1980 arrest and is serving three life sentences at South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Dawicki described Eberhardt as a “vibrant young nursing student” and expressed hope that her family might find so...

 Nick Reiner's arraignment in parents' murder postponed after attorney requests replacement A judge on Wednesday postponed Nick Reiner’s arraignment in the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, after his defense attorney requested to be replaced by a public defender. Judge Theresa McGonigle approved attorney Alan Jackson’s request during a brief hearing and rescheduled the arraignment for Feb. 23. Jackson did not provide a reason for stepping down. Nick Reiner, 32, appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court wearing brown jail attire with his head shaved. The appearance came just over three weeks after his parents were found dead from stab wounds in their Brentwood home. Cameras were allowed in the courtroom, but photographs of Reiner were prohibited. He has been held without bail since his arrest hours after his parents’ deaths and was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Reiner did not enter a plea on Wednesday, nor had he during a previous appear...

 FCT police arrests three notorious ‘’one-chance’ robbery suspects over murder of Abuja lawyer The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested three notorious armed robbery suspects involved in “one-chance” criminal operations and the gruesome murder of a legal practitioner, Barrister Chigbo Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix. Nwamaka’s body was dumped on the street after she was attacked. The assailants carted away her personal belongings including her phone. In a statement released on Sunday January 11, the command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said between 5th and 10th January, 2026, operatives of the Command’s Scorpion Squad, led by ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, acting on reconstructive digital intelligence, tracked the victim’s mobile phone and conducted follow up operations which led to the arrest of two brothers namely Saifullahi Yusuf (Male, 22 years)and Ishau Yusuf (Male, 24 years)  alongside Minka’ilu Jibril, also known as Dan-Hajia.  ‘’Preliminary i...

  While in tears , The Traditional ruler of Lilu town of Anambra state Thanks his subjects for putting hands together to make sure peace returns to the once Ghost town of Lilu.  He recounted how he has been away for four years because of the high risk of staying in Lilu. Lilu was one of the numerous towns in Anambra state that was affected by the notorious activities of Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa Biafran agitators.  Congratulations to them and Ndi Anambra for taking the bull by the horn in regards to insecurity in Anambra state.

 Fubara, Deputy make first public appearance amid fresh Impeachment threat Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday attended a special church service to commemorate the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt. The governor was accompanied by his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, alongside other senior government officials. The service marked the first public outing of Governor Fubara and his Deputy since the Rivers State House of Assembly initiated fresh impeachment proceedings against the governor on Thursday. This latest development represents the third impeachment attempt against Governor Fubara in less than three years, further heightening political tension in the state. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day service was held in honour of Nigerian servicemen and women who lost their lives in the line of duty while defending the nation’s unity and sovereignty. Prayers were also offered for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes and...

 Tennessee officers make a heroic edge of your seat rescue of a man attempting to jump off a bridge.  Officers in Sevierville, Tennessee, were called to the Sky Bridge at approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 8th. The call was in reference to a man having a severe mental crisis. The department immediately dispatched  officers from the crisis negation team, the community resourse division, and the criminal investigation division.  Sergeant Deewese Milliron took the lead as the officers made their way towards the troubled man. They found the desperate man standing on the very small ledge on the other side of the bridge's safety rail.  They knew they had to act not only fast, but with extreme accuracy.  These officers showed up ready to save a life and were not willing to see any other outcome.  When attempting to negotiate failed and the man attempted to step from the bridge into oblivion, the officers on scene sprung into hero mode. With only litera...

 11th January, 2026 PRESS RELEASE ARREST OF DRUG SUSPECT, NOTORIOUS MOTORCYCLE SNATCHERS, MURDER SUSPECT, CULTIST/ARMED ROBBER; AND RECOVERY OF ONE LOCALLY FABRICATED GUN, TWO LIVE CARTRIDGES, AND ILLICIT DRUGS The Delta State Police Command has recorded notable operational breakthroughs across the State in its renewed drive to combat crime and criminality. These achievements, recorded shortly after the assumption of duty of CP Aina Adesola as the new Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, underscore the Command’s resolve to consolidate proactive, intelligence-led policing and reassure residents of enhanced security 1. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTIST/ARMED ROBBER AND RECOVERY OF ONE LOCALLY FABRICATED GUN AND TWO LIVE CARTRIDGES In line with proactive patrols and confidence-building operations across the State, on 10th January 2026, at about 0120 hours, operatives of Ekpan Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Labe Joseph, while conducting confidence-building ...

 MINISTRY OF HEALTH *PRESS STATEMENT* LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES, ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to the deeply distressing report by renowned Nigerian author, Ms. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, concerning the tragic death of her son, Nkanu, following a medical incident at a private healthcare facility in Lagos on January 6. On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, the Lagos State Government commiserates sincerely with Ms. Chimamanda Adichie and her family over this painful and irreparable loss. The death of a child is a profound tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this extremely difficult time. Lagos State Government extends its heartfelt condolences and assures the family of its concern and commitment to justice. The Lagos State Government places the highest value on human life and maintains zero tolerance for medical negligence or unprofessional con...

 Colombian singer-songwriter Yeison Jiménez died Saturday, January 10, in a plane crash near Paipa, in the state of Boyacá in Colombia.  He was 34. The crash claimed the lives of six people, including Jiménez and his manager, Jefferson Osorio. The charter aircraft took off from Juan José Rondón Airport but was unable to gain altitude and crashed in a field near the runway, where it was destroyed by fire. The artist had just performed in Boyacá and was flying to Medellín for another scheduled performance that evening. At only 34 years old, Jiménez had become one of the biggest names in Colombian popular music, or "música popular," a genre that blends traditional Mexican ranchera music with Colombian roots. Last year he fulfilled a dream by selling out Bogotá's El Campín Stadium, becoming the first Colombian regional artist to do so. Jiménez is survived by his wife Sonia Restrepo and three children. Colombia's transportation authorities have launched an investigation in...

 Veteran character actor Thomas Kent "T.K." Carter, best known for his role as Nauls in John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic "The Thing" and as Mike Fulton on "Punky Brewster," has passed away at age 69. Carter was found dead Friday evening at his home in Duarte, California. No foul play is suspected, though a cause of death was not disclosed. Born December 18, 1956 in New York City, Carter began his career in stand-up comedy at age 12 before transitioning to acting. His breakthrough role came as the roller-skating chef Nauls in "The Thing." He appeared in the first two seasons of "Punky Brewster" and voiced Monstar Nawt in the original "Space Jam." His other credits include "Southern Comfort," "The Sinbad Show," "Moesha," and "The Steve Harvey Show." His publicist said in a statement: "T.K. Carter was a consummate professional and a genuine soul whose talent transcended genres....

 AFCON 2025 Top Assists So Far Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)  4 assists Sadio Mané (Senegal)  3 assists *The following below has 2 assists each Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco) Anis Hadj Moussa (Algeria) Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia) Lyle Foster (South Africa) Akor Adams (Nigeria) Alex Iwobi (Nigeria) Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria) Emam Ashour (Egypt) Christopher Operi (Ivory Coast) Novatus Miroshi (Tanzania) Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso) #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 #AFCON2025 #afcon2025morocco

 Photo news As part of activities marking the 2026 Armed Forces Day celebration, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc minps Phd today 11th January 2026 joined His Excellency, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, alongside other security service commanders and top government functionaries at a special church service held at St Patrick Catholic Cathedral Awka, Anambra State. The church service, a key component of the Armed Forces Day commemoration, was organised to honour the sacrifices, patriotism, and gallantry of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces who have paid the ultimate price in defence of the nation’s unity and security. The CP noted the importance of inter-agency cooperation and community support in sustaining security operations in the state.  SP Tochukwu Ikenga Police Public Relations Officer Anambra State Police Command 11th January, 2026. More photos below. 

 Nicola Peltz has reportedly deleted all traces of the Beckham family from her Instagram account, including a birthday tribute to her mother-in-law Victoria Beckham, following reports that her husband Brooklyn Beckham has blocked his parents and siblings on social media. The deleted post dated back to April 2024, when Victoria celebrated her 50th birthday. Nicola had written: "Happy birthday to my beautiful mil @victoriabeckham I love you so much and love being your dance partner forever." The move comes after Brooklyn's younger brother Cruz clarified that the Beckhams had not unfollowed Brooklyn but rather "woke up blocked" by him. Cruz wrote: "My mum and dad would never unfollow their son… They woke up blocked… as did I." Nicola has also reportedly disabled comments on recent Instagram posts. The family tensions reportedly stem from issues surrounding Brooklyn and Nicola's 2022 wedding. Brooklyn has missed several major family milestones, instead...

 80-year-old ex-convict arrested as NDLEA uncovers illicit drugs in full body mannequins . Dispatch rider, others nabbed; tons of illicit drugs recovered in raids across Edo, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Oyo Barely three years after he was arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to two years imprisonment for dealing in illicit drugs, an 80-year-old grandpa Jeremiah Isaiah Nkanta has again been nabbed by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for returning to the criminal trade. Notorious for illicit drug business, Nkanta was first arrested by NDLEA on 14th December 2022, prosecuted and sentenced to two years in jail by a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. Not ready to let go the old habit, Nkanta returned to the illicit drug trade and following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 10th January 2025 tracked the Octogenarian ex-convict to his Mmanta - Abak village, Abak local government area of Akwa Ibom state, where he was arrested wi...

 China opposes foreign meddling in Tanzania in wake of contested election China's top diplomat on Saturday warned against foreign interference in Tanzania at the end of a visit to the East African country. Wang Yi is the first foreign minister to pay an official visit to Tanzania since post-election election protests late last year. China, which has invested heavily in Tanzania in recent years, did not comment on the protests. In a statement shared after the visit, Tanzanian authorities said Wang had congratulated the country for the "successful conduct" of the elections. "China reiterated its full confidence in Tanzania's leadership and institutions to manage internal affairs independently," they added, AFP reported. Tanzania’s sovereignty Meanwhile, a Chinese foreign ministry statement said Beijing "opposes any external force interfering in Tanzania's internal affairs" and stressed its support for the country's "national sovereignty ...