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Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, Is Dead The Akran of Badagry Kingdom, His Majesty De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I (OFR, LLD, DLitt, JP), has passed on. The revered monarch, who reigned for decades, was a paramount ruler of the Badagry Kingdom and a respected voice within the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE:  AKRAN OF BADAGRY, DE WHENO AHOLU MENU-TOYI, JOINS HIS ACESSTORS  Badagry Kingdom has been thrown into deep mourning following the passing of its revered paramount ruler, His Majesty De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I (OFR, LLD, DLitt, JP), the Akran of Badagry. The departure of the highly respected monarch marks the end of an era. For decades, he stood as the custodian of Badagry’s rich heritage, a symbol of unity, wisdom, and royal authority, and a towering traditional voice within the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Beyond Badagry, his reign earned him reverence across Lagos State and Nigeria, where he was widely acknowledged ...

Chimamanda’s lawyers write Lagos hospital, doctor suspended Solicitors acting for renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie, have written to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos, over the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi. This comes as the Lagos State Government confirmed the suspension of the anaesthesiologist at the clinic as probes continue into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, solicitors acting for Chimamanda and her partner, Dr Ivara Esege, alleged that the hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and attending medical personnel breached the duty of care owed to their son, who died in the early hours of Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The notice was issued on behalf of the parents by PINHEIRO LP and signed by the founding partner, Prof Kemi Pinheiro (SAN). My Name, Opeifa, Triggers Stigma, Name-Calling - Ifa Priest’s Daughter0:00 / 0:00 According to the notice, the child was referred to the hospital on January 6, 202...

 Katsina defends release of 70 bandits The Katsina State Government has justified its plan to facilitate the release of 70 persons facing trial for alleged involvement in banditry, describing it as part of efforts towards consolidating peace deals with armed groups operating across the state. The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, said the decision was aimed at sustaining peace accords reached between affected communities and “repentant bandits.” The commissioner explained this in an interview with DCL Hausa on Saturday amid public outrage over a leaked government letter seeking judicial intervention to secure the release of the suspects currently undergoing prosecution. He said the peace agreements had resulted in the release of about 1,000 abducted persons across several communities. According to the commissioner, at least 15 local government areas were involved in the peace arrangement, which, he said, had led to the release of about 1,000 ...

 Resident Doctors Suspend Planned Strike The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike, earlier scheduled to commence today Monday 12th of January 2026, Following fresh engagements with the Federal Government, The North-Central caucus of the association announced the suspension after a series of consultations with government representatives, saying the decision was taken in the interest of patients while discussions continue. The caucus leader, Dr Fanen Dogoh, however, said the suspension does not mean the issues that prompted the strike threat have been resolved. The resident doctors had planned to embark on industrial action over the continued failure of the government to honour a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). Among the key demands is the immediate reinstatement of doctors sacked from the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, over alleged unauthorised protest and union...

 ‘Friend Of A Thief Is A Thief’, Defence Minister Warns Terrorist Sponsors The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has cautioned Nigerians against aiding terrorists, insurgents, bandits, or other criminal elements, stressing that anyone who supports criminal activities will face the full weight of the law. General Musa made the warning on Saturday while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2026 Golf Tournament held at the TYB Golf Resort and Country Club, Yar’Adua Barracks, Abuja. He urged citizens to continue supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies, noting that the Federal Government has given them a clear mandate to deal decisively with all threats to national security. “I call on all Nigerians to stand with the Armed Forces and security agencies in the quest for peace,” Musa said.  “Those who continue to support bandits, insurgents, terrorists, or criminals must desist immediately. As th...

 A Tennessee woman had to have her leg amputated after being attacked by her own dog. This terrifying incident occurred in the Murfreesboro, Tennessee home of 42-year-old Amanda Mears.  On the evening of December 10th, Amanda was preparing to take her dog, a Pit Bull/ American Staffordshire mix, named "Dennis" out for a walk.  As the two were making their way to the door, Amanda's other dog Ralphie, an American Bully, escaped from the room she was keeping him in.  In the blink of an eye, a vicious dog fight erupted. Amanda, who fosters dogs that have been abandoned, is no stranger to dog fights and jumped between the battling dogs in an attempt to stop the fight.  However, this turned out to not be your typical situation. For some reason, Dennis turned his ire towards Amanda. In the following attack, Amanda would end up with a bite to her left hand and a bone crushed in her left arm. However, these injuries were only a prelude to the traumatic injury she would u...

 Sudan war: Hundreds of civilians displaced in latest South Kordofan's violence A total of 570 civilians were displaced from Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan, over a three-day period due to deteriorating security conditions, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. The organisation said in a statement that its tracking teams recorded the displacement of 570 people from Kadugli between 8 and 10 January, as insecurity escalated in the city. The displaced families headed toward areas in White Nile State, southern Sudan. The situation in Kadugli remains “tense and volatile,” the agency said, adding that its teams are continuing to closely monitor developments on the ground. Last week, IOM reported that the number of displaced people across Sudan’s three Kordofan states, North, West and South, had risen to 64,890 between 25 October and 30 December 2025. Areas of control Fighting has intensified in recent weeks across Sudan’s three Kordofan states, where clashes ...

 High stakes in Morocco showdown as Nigerian billionaire puts $500,000 on the line. Nigerian billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu has pledged significant cash bonuses to motivate the Super Eagles ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash against host nation Morocco. Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, announced a $500,000 reward for a victory, with an additional $50,000 promised for every goal scored in the match. The pledge was disclosed in a message posted on X following Nigeria’s 2–0 victory over Algeria in Marrakech, a win that secured the Super Eagles a place in the last four of the tournament. Rabiu further revealed that he would reward the team with $1 million if Nigeria goes on to win the AFCON title, alongside a bonus of $100,000 for each goal scored in the final. Nigeria, three-time AFCON champions, will take on Morocco on Wednesday, January 14, as the tournament enters its semi-final stage.

 Federal Government Announces Demolition of 355 Buildings in Anambra for Alaoji–Onitsha Transmission Line Upgrade The Federal Government, through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has revealed plans to demolish approximately 355 buildings across parts of Anambra State to facilitate the reconstruction and upgrade of the Alaoji–Onitsha 330kV transmission line, a key project funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The announcement came during a stakeholder engagement meeting held in Awka on Friday, January 9, 2026, involving representatives from the Anambra State Government, traditional rulers, non-governmental organizations, TCN officials, and BGM Limited, the consulting firm handling the project. The upgrade aims to transform the existing single-circuit line into a quad-circuit configuration using advanced conductors, significantly increasing transmission capacity — from around 100MW to potentially 1,000MW — and improving power reliability across the Southeast region...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU ARRIVES ABU DHABI President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Sunday ahead of his participation in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), which begins on Monday. The President’s plane landed at the Presidential Wing of Zayed International Airport at exactly 11:30 pm local time. He was received by Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi; Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; and members of the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi. Several other ministers, including the Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Muhammed Muhammed, welcomed President Tinubu at his hotel. President Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi from Europe...

 TROOPS OF OPHK SUSTAIN OFFENSIVES, NEUTRALISE TERRORISTS , RECORD SURRENDERS IN BORNO STATE Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have sustained intense offensive operations against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists across Borno State, recording notable successes in clearance, fighting patrols and blocking operations. Under Operation DESERT SANITY V, sustained pressure along the Azir–Wajiroko axis on 10 January 2026 forced 11 terrorists fighters to surrender along with their AK 47 rifles and assorted ammunition. Earlier, on 9 January 2026, troops conducted extensive clearance operations in the Bulaagalda cluster, destroying several active terrorist enclaves and camps at Dagumba, Bonne, Yaganari, Gosuri and Umchile, including the notorious Abu Nazir and Abu Ahmed camps. During the operation, troops dismantled life-support structures, degraded terrorist logistics and recovered items including  terrorist flags and weapons as well as magazines. Similar offensive operations in the Yale a...

 13 BRIGADE TROOPS RESCUE 18 PASSENGERS AFTER BOAT HIJACKING Troops of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army have successfully rescued 18 passengers, including 2 infants, following a hijacking incident on a passenger boat traveling from Nigeria to Cameroon on 11 January 2026. A distress call reported that suspected sea pirates, operating in  two speed boats and a wooden boat, hijacked a passenger boat moving  from Nigeria to Cameroon. The passengers were kidnapped along Kombo Fishing Port within Cameroon waterways. Responding swiftly, 13 Brigade troops deployed at Ikang pursued the criminals, resulting in an exchange of fire that caused one of the pirates’ speed boats to capsize. The pirates abandoned their victims and fled into the surrounding creeks. All passengers were rescued unharmed. Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General PO Alimikhena commended the troops for their prompt and professional response, stating: “This successful rescue operation demonstrates the cour...

 Swiss author Erich von Däniken has passed away at age 90. He died on January 10th from age-related causes at a hospital in Interlaken, Switzerland. Von Däniken became famous in 1968 with his bestselling book "Chariots of the Gods," which proposed that ancient civilizations like the Mayans and Egyptians were visited by extraterrestrial beings who helped them build monuments like the pyramids. While his theories were rejected by the scientific community as pseudoscience, he sold nearly 70 million books in over 30 languages and influenced popular culture including shows like "The X-Files" and "Ancient Aliens." He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elisabeth, his daughter Cornelia, and two grandchildren.

Pregnant actress Hailee Steinfeld attended the 2026 Golden Globes solo on January 11 because her husband, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, was playing in a crucial AFC wild-card playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.  While Steinfeld turned heads in a peach-colored floor-length gown at the ceremony, Allen was helping his team secure a 27-24 victory by scoring a pivotal touchdown with just over a minute left. Steinfeld's film "Sinners" is up for seven nominations at the Golden Globes including Best Motion Picture—Drama, and she was there as a presenter for the evening. The couple has had an eventful year, getting engaged in late 2024, married in May 2025, and announcing their pregnancy in December when Steinfeld shared a video showing Allen kissing her stomach on her 29th birthday.

Actress Teyana Taylor made a bold fashion statement at the 2026 Golden Globes in a custom Schiaparelli gown that featured a diamond-encrusted design.  The 35-year-old actress, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "One Battle After Another," wore a floor-length black gown with dramatic cutouts and a standout back detail featuring a cape and bedazzled bow over crystals. When asked about it on the red carpet, Taylor told host Justin Sylvester, "The crack is covered in diamonds. It's expensive!" Taylor completed the look with a smokey eye, wing eyeliner, and Tiffany & Co. diamonds including a tennis bracelet and drop earrings. While on the red carpet, she gave a shoutout to her two daughters, Rue Rose, 4, and Iman "Junie" Tayla, 9, saying "They are my two biggest fashion critics. But they're living tonight." This is Taylor's first Golden Globe nomination for her role in Paul Thomas Anderson's film.

 MISLEADING ACCOUNT ON COAS VISIT TO PORT HARCOURT, A FUTILE ATTEMPT AT BLACKMAIL The attention of Army Headquarters has been drawn to an outright misrepresentation of facts on the recent visit by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt Barracks. The submission by Sahara Reporters with the headline “Nigerian Army Chief Raises Alarm over Rising Pipeline Vandalism in Niger Delta” is misleading, malicious and should be disregarded. It is also important to unequivocally state that the COAS did not express concern nor raise any alarm in any quarter on alleged rising cases of pipeline vandalism as portrayed in the misleading account. For the record, the COAS, while addressing troops on Friday, 9 January 2026, at 6 Division, Port Harcourt, said: “Your job here is very key to protecting critical national infrastructure, and once you do that job very well, it will impact positively on the economy of the country.” The Army ...