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 Anambra State Govt Crushes Illegal Structures in Onitsha, Umunya; Arrests Thugs The Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB) has carried out a major enforcement operation, demolishing illegal structures at the Trans-Nkisi Layout in Onitsha North and Ajakpana Village in Umunya. The exercise, led by the Managing Director of the Board, Barr. Chike Maduekwe, marks a decisive step in the state government's campaign to recover encroached lands and restore urban master plans. At the Trans-Nkisi Layout (3-3 by NTA), a building was leveled after the developer was found to have encroached on land officially designated as government property. Simultaneously, in Ajakpana Village, Umunya (Oyi LGA), heavy machinery removed a building that had been illegally constructed across a public access road. Speaking during the exercise, Barr. Maduekwe revealed that the enforcement team had faced violent resistance during previous attempts to clear the sites, saying that it is the third time the sta...

 Onitsha Main Market Leaders decided to opt for the second option which is to remodel the market, but pleaded with Governor Soludo that they be given some time to remove their goods from places with illegal structures Rising from a dialogue at the Light House, Awka, with traders in the market and adjoining markets, Governor Soludo and the traders agreed to commence immediate reinvigoration of the market hence Anambra state government will begin phased remodeling of the Onitsha main market. Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalugo had earlier told the Governor that they decided to opt for the second option which is to remodel the market, but pleaded that they be given some time to remove their goods from places with illegal structures. The Governor who stressed that sometimes, leadership is about taking some of the inconvenient steps, to be able to secure the future, pointed out that as a matter of emergency. The Onitsha main market parks will be reclaimed, walkways brough...

 Israel to reopen Gaza border crossing with Egypt Sunday after nearly two-year closure       Israel announced Friday that it will reopen Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt this weekend, allowing limited movement of Palestinians in and out of the territory after nearly two years of closure. The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s primary gateway to the outside world, has been mostly shut since May 2024. COGAT, the Israeli military unit responsible for coordinating aid and civilian movement in Gaza, said only “limited movement of people” will be permitted. Both Israel and Egypt will screen individuals seeking to enter or leave, with European Union border patrol agents overseeing operations. Palestinians who left Gaza during the conflict will be able to return once they receive Israeli security clearance. The reopening is seen as a significant step for U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan. Israel had previously resisted reopening the crossing, but the recovery of the las...

 Boxer Gervonta Davis arrested on charges of attempted kidnapping and battery  Professional boxer Gervonta “Tank” Davis remained in a Miami jail Thursday after being arrested on charges including attempted kidnapping, false imprisonment, and battery, according to court records. Davis was taken into custody on Wednesday in Miami’s Design District by a fugitive task force, with local police noting the arrest stemmed from an incident at a Miami Gardens business on October 27, 2025. A lawyer representing Davis did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The 31-year-old fighter has faced previous legal issues in South Florida, including a domestic violence arrest last summer that was later dropped. Davis had been scheduled to face Jake Paul in a November bout, but the fight was canceled following the filing of a lawsuit against him in Miami. Hailing from Baltimore, Davis is widely regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the sport. The WBA lightweight champion ...

PlayStation credit scheme disrupts Sony video game monopoly settlement A federal judge for the second time rejected a proposed class-action settlement in an antitrust lawsuit involving PlayStation 5 gamers and Sony Interactive Entertainment. The dispute centers on whether Sony could compensate gamers with nearly $8 million in PlayStation Network credits or if the payout must be made in cash. Plaintiffs allege that Sony monopolized the digital video game market by blocking third-party retailers from selling PlayStation downloads in 2019, forcing gamers to buy games exclusively through the PlayStation Store at higher prices. The proposed settlement would distribute roughly $7.85 million in credits to about 4.5 million eligible accounts, including those of gamers who purchased a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition—a discless console released during the pandemic at a lower price. U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín, a Biden appointee, questioned whether the credits counted as cash or fun...

 Texas executed a 55-year-old man, marking the first execution in the US in 2026 Texas carried out the first execution in the United States in 2026 on Wednesday evening, putting 55-year-old Charles Victor Thompson to death for the 1998 killings of his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend. Thompson was executed by lethal injection at the Huntsville penitentiary and was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. CST. In his final statement, Thompson addressed the families of his victims, asking for forgiveness and expressing hope that they could “begin to heal” after the tragedy. “There are no winners in this situation; it creates more victims and traumatizes more people 28 years later,” he said. “I’m sorry for what I did, I’m sorry for what happened, and I want to tell all of y’all, I love you. Keep Jesus in your life, keep Jesus first.” Thompson had been convicted in April 1999 of fatally shooting Dennis Hayslip, 39, and Darren Cain, 30, on April 30, 1998. Court records show that Thompson, then 2...

 MAN CRIES OUT, ALLEGES BETRAYAL AS MARRIAGE COLLAPSES, SPARKS ONLINE WAR OF WORDS IN BENUE  30th January, 2026    A domestic dispute has drawn public attention after a man, Mr. Alexis Yachiga, accused a fellow community member, Mr. Ternenge Laha, of allegedly interfering in his marriage, a development he claims led to the collapse of his home. In an emotional statement shared on social media, Yachiga alleged that Laha used financial influence to persuade his former wife to abandon the marriage. He described the incident as a painful betrayal, noting that both men are from the same village and had previously shared mutual respect. The aggrieved husband said he had never had any conflict with Laha prior to the incident, expressing disappointment over what he termed an act of moral failure. He also made claims regarding Laha’s personal relationships, though these allegations could not be independently verified. Addressing his former wife, Yachiga said her decision to l...

 SHOCK DEMOLITION HITS BENUE LINKS AS OFFICES, VALUABLES CRUSHED WITHOUT NOTICE  30th January, 2026     Anger and frustration erupted on Friday following a sudden demolition exercise carried out in front of the Benue Links Park, Makurdi, which left several business owners counting heavy losses. The exercise, which eyewitnesses say was executed without prior notice, affected newly acquired office spaces and business containers operating around the park. Victims described the development as traumatic, noting that valuables were still inside the structures when they were pulled down. One of the affected traders said his newly acquired office frontage was demolished without warning, leaving him shocked and helpless. “It was not funny at all. There was no notice, no chance to move our things,” he lamented. Several mobile phones and other valuable items were reportedly crushed during the exercise.  Particularly hard hit was a container belonging to one Iorember B...

 GROUP PETITIONS GOV. ALIA, SEEKS RENT CONTROL TO EASE HOUSING BURDEN IN BENUE  30th January, 2026       Concerned citizens in Benue State have formally appealed to Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia to urgently address the rising cost of residential accommodation across major towns in the state. The appeal, submitted on Jan. 28, 2026, through a legal team, called for the implementation of rent control measures to cushion the hardship faced by residents, particularly low- and middle-income earners. Titled “An Appeal for the Implementation of Rent Control in Benue State,” the letter was brought pursuant to Section 4(1) of the Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law, 1977, Laws of Benue State. The petitioners confirmed that the letter was duly received and acknowledged by the state government. The group expressed confidence that Governor Alia, described as a leader committed to positive impact and people-oriented governance, would give the appeal fav...

 HON.TISEER FIRES BACK AT ASORTAR, DENIES PLOT AGAINST GOV.ALIA, THREATENS LEGAL ACTION  30th January, 2026    A former Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly and current lawmaker representing Mbagwa State Constituency, Hon. Saater Tiseer, has issued a strong rebuttal to what he described as “false and malicious” allegations levelled against him by Mr. Asortar James Asortar. Tiseer, in a statement on Friday, reacted to Facebook posts made by Asortar on January 29 and 30, 2026, which accused him of supplying sensitive Benue State House of Assembly documents to certain individuals to facilitate the drafting of a petition against Governor Hyacinth Alia. The posts also alleged that the lawmaker met with the Benue State PDP Secretary, Hon. Dan Nyikwagh, to finalise the purported petition. Describing the claims as “a complete fabrication,” Tiseer said he never, at any time, released any official documents to anyone for such purposes, nor did he attend any mee...

 Lady Gaga set to perform at the 2026 Grammys  Fourteen-time Grammy winner Lady Gaga is set to perform at the 2026 Grammy Awards on Sunday. She enters the show with seven nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for Mayhem, as well as multiple nods for her songs “Abracadabra,” “Disease,” and Harlequin. Other performers include Justin Bieber, Clipse, Pharrell Williams, Sabrina Carpenter, Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, SOMBR, and The Marías. Andrew Wyatt, Post Malone, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan, and Slash will pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, while Brandy Clark, Reba McEntire, and Lukas Wilson will lead the In Memoriam segment honoring artists who passed away last year. The ceremony will air live Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on CBS and stream on Paramount+, with Trevor Noah returning as host for a sixth consecutive year.

 Iran’s foreign minister signals readiness to restart nuclear negotiations with US Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Tehran is prepared to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States, but he emphasized that Washington must first halt threats of military action against Iran. Araghchi made the remarks during a press conference in Ankara alongside his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan. Turkey has been leading efforts to mediate between the U.S. and Iran in recent days, leveraging its close ties with both nations. Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have also relayed messages in attempts to de-escalate tensions. While President Trump has ordered a significant U.S. military buildup in the Gulf amid the threat of a strike, White House officials say no final decision has been made, and diplomatic options remain on the table. Trump himself indicated Thursday that he is in communication with Iran, stressing his conditions: “Number one, no nuclear and number two, stop...

 Bruce Willis, unaware of dementia diagnosis but still recognizes family, says wife Bruce Willis is reportedly unaware of his dementia diagnosis, his wife, Emma Heming Willis, revealed in a recent podcast appearance. Heming Willis explained on Conversations With Cam that her husband’s lack of awareness is linked to a neurological condition known as anosognosia, which can accompany frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and other forms of dementia. “It’s not denial,” she said. “It’s just that their brain is changing. Bruce never tapped in or connected the dots that he had this disease, and I’m really happy he doesn’t know about it.” The couple, married since 2009, shares two daughters, ages 11 and 13. Heming Willis emphasized that Bruce still recognizes his family members and remains present in his daily life. “He has a way with connecting with me, our children, that might not be the same as you would connect with your loved one, but it’s still very beautiful and meaningful. You just learn h...

 Former CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested during protest at church opposing ICE  Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles following his participation in an anti-ICE protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, during Sunday services last week. According to Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, federal agents took him into custody while he was in the city covering the Grammy Awards. Lowell said Lemon, a journalist for 30 years, was exercising his First Amendment rights, emphasizing that “there is no more important time for people like Don to be doing this work.” The protest began outside the church but continued inside after participants alleged that a church official also worked at a local ICE office. Lemon livestreamed the event, interviewing protestors, congregants, and a pastor. The protest has drawn criticism, as federal law prohibits obstructing worshippers’ religious practices, which would apply to a Sunday service. In response, Lemon stated that he was covering the e...

Warner Bros. Discovery teams up with X for Winter Olympics  Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is joining forces with Elon Musk’s X for coverage of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. The collaboration will see WBD share exclusive behind-the-scenes content and select highlights on X channels, while X-branded feeds will feature Eurosport, TNT Sports, and HBO Max content. Advertisers will gain access to WBD’s event clips and in-game footage, which will be prioritized on X and tailored for audiences across European markets. This partnership follows a similar arrangement during the Paris Olympics, which reportedly generated trillions of impressions and billions of video views. The collaboration aims to merge X’s real-time sports conversations with WBD’s networks and streaming platforms, including HBO Max, Eurosport, and TNT Sports. The Winter Olympics, running February 6–22, will feature stars like American snowboarder Chloe Kim and figure skater Ilia Malinin, with streaming availa...

 Canada signs auto deal with South Korea, further distancing itself from US Canada announced a new agreement with South Korea aimed at exploring opportunities to bring Korean automotive manufacturing into the country, as Ottawa looks to shield its auto sector from mounting U.S. tariffs. While the deal offered few specifics, it reflects Prime Minister Mark Carney’s broader push to reduce Canada’s economic reliance on the United States following President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade measures, including a 25 percent tariff on Canadian-made vehicles. The move also aligns with Carney’s recent call for so-called middle power nations to strengthen economic ties with one another amid what he has described as a fundamental disruption of the global order. Canadian officials said the agreement could help grow the domestic auto industry, create jobs, and position the country as a leader in next-generation vehicle manufacturing at a time when most Canadian auto production remains heavily de...

 South Africa expels Israel's envoy for insulting President Ramaphosa South Africa has declared Israel's chargé d'affaires Ariel Seidman persona non grata, its foreign affairs ministry said on Friday, Reuters reported. South Africa accused Seidman of "unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice which pose a direct challenge to South Africa's sovereignty". "These violations include the repeated use of official Israeli social media platforms to launch insulting attacks against His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa and a deliberate failure to inform DIRCO (South Africa's foreign affairs ministry) of purported visits by senior Israeli officials," the ministry said. Seidman is required to depart from the country within 72 hours, the ministry said in a statement on its website. South Africa’s ICJ case A Chargé d’affaires is a head of mission who takes charge when an ambassador has not yet been appointed, is away, or has left the post. I...

 EFCC Arraigns Serial Fraudster, Titilayo Eboh, Two Others for Alleged N247.5m Fraud in Lagos The EFCC, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, on Friday, January 30, 2026, arraigned an alleged serial fraudster, Titilayo Funmilayo Eboh, for an alleged N247, 500,000 (Two Hundred and Forty-seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) fraud before Justice Ramon Oshodi of the State High Court sitting in Ikeja Lagos. Eboh, alongside Uchenna  Ejindu and Salami Eneojo Stephen, was arraigned on an amended four-count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretence, conspiracy, money laundering  and stealing. For details of this and other stories, visit: www.efcc.gov.ng

 OPERATION PEACE SHIELD: 6 BRIGADE NIGERIAN ARMY MOVES AGAINST KIDNAPPERS IN WUKARI, ASSURES COMMUTERS OF SAFER ROADS Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have made a decisive move against kidnappers and other criminal elements operating within Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, while reassuring commuters of safer roads across the state. On 29 January 2026, troops swiftly responded to gunshots heard along the Kasuwan Shanu–Jootar Road, near a Nigeria Police checkpoint in Wukari Local Government Area. Upon arrival at the scene, troops discovered a Sharon bus with registration number LSR 445 XT Lagos, conveying nine (9) passengers. The driver of the vehicle, Mr Abdul Amukama, a 45-year-old male from Makurdi, was found with a gunshot wound to his right hand. Preliminary investigation revealed that two (2) passengers were forcibly abducted into the bush by suspected kidnappers before the arrival of troops. Following the incident, troops of...

 Kaduna Community Sells 3,000 Bags Of Maize To Raise N40m Ransom, Victims Still Held Leaders of Gidan Waya community in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State have disclosed that they sold more than 3,000 bags of maize to raise the N40 million ransom demanded by kidnappers, yet 13 abducted residents remain in captivity weeks after payment. Addressing journalists in Kaduna on Monday, Chairman of the Elders Forum, Mallam Rabo Sambo, said the community was attacked late at night on November 11, 2025, when armed men invaded the area, killing four people and abducting 13 others—five men and eight women. Sambo explained that the incident occurred between 11 p.m. and midnight while residents were asleep. “We suddenly heard gunshots, and before we could react, the bandits had already surrounded the settlement. Because our community is enclosed, they were able to ambush us easily,” he said. He added that four residents were killed during the attack, while five others sustained gunshot w...

 When I Married El-Rufai, I Didn’t Expect A Polygamous Union – Hadiza Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has shared how her marriage evolved into a polygamous one, a situation she says she did not initially anticipate. Mrs El-Rufai, the first wife of the former governor, made this known in a post on her X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday while reacting to an online discussion on polygamy. She explained that she grew up in a monogamous family and expected the same structure when she got married. According to her, although her husband was raised in a polygamous home, the issue of taking additional wives was never discussed before their marriage. “When we agreed to get married, I envisaged a monogamous marriage, even though the subject was never discussed,” she said. She noted that the marriage later transitioned into a polygamous one when her husband married two other wives, Asia Ahmad El-Rufai and Aisha Ummi Garba El-Rufai. Reflecting on h...

70-Year-Old Widow Allegedly Raped In Kafanchan, Suspect Remanded A Kaduna State High Court in Kafanchan has ordered the remand of a farmer, Timothy Ayock, in a correctional facility for allegedly raping a 70-year-old widow. Ayock faces two charges of rape and criminal force, in violation of sections 257 and 237 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.  According to the state counsel, Daniel Isah, the alleged incident occurred on December 26, 2025, in Tagama community, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. During proceedings, the prosecutor requested an adjournment to prepare the case.  Presiding Judge Michael Eugene remanded Ayock at the Kafanchan Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until March 5, 2026, for hearing.

 Federal Government Approves ₦1 Trillion Metropolitan Rail Service for Kano The Federal Government has approved the construction of a ₦1 trillion Metropolitan Rail Service in Kano State, a major infrastructure project aimed at overhauling urban transportation, reducing traffic congestion, and driving economic growth in the state’s metropolitan area. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced the approval while addressing members of the Kano State contingent that participated in the 2025 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Borno State. The governor revealed that his administration’s decision to realign with the Federal Government, led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), was strategic and intended to secure critical development projects for Kano. The new rail service will provide a modern, efficient, and affordable mass transit system connecting key districts across the metropolis. It is expected to improve resident mobility, facilitate trade, attract investment, and enhance the...

 LAWMA WARNS AGAINST ATTACKS ON ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has strongly warned members of the public against attacks, harassment or obstruction of its enforcement officers while carrying out lawful duties across the state. The Authority expressed concern over recent incidents in which enforcement personnel had been threatened or assaulted in the course of enforcing environmental sanitation laws, describing such acts as unacceptable and a direct affront to public order and environmental governance. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin stated that enforcement officers were deployed to protect public health, ensure compliance with waste management regulations and keep Lagos clean, stressing that any form of violence or intimidation against them would be met with the full weight of the law. He noted that LAWMA’s enforcement activities were backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protect...

 LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO URBAN RENEWAL, PUBLIC SAFETY IN MAKOKO  The Lagos State Government has reiterated that ongoing actions in Makoko are driven by the urgent need to protect lives, uphold the rule of law, and advance comprehensive urban renewal initiatives aimed at improving living conditions for residents. Addressing recent concerns and public discourse surrounding Makoko in an AIT programme monitored in Lagos, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, clarified that the current intervention is not a conflict between the rich and the poor, but a necessary step toward ensuring safety, legality, and humane living standards for all Lagosians. The Commissioner confirmed that the government has been in continuous engagement with the United Nations (UN) regarding the future of Makoko. The UN, he noted, has expressed interest in the renewal strategy for the area and has indicated its willingness to support the initia...

 LSPHCB LEADS HISTORIC JOINT LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE TO REPOSITION PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN LAGOS. In a bold and unprecedented move to transform grassroots healthcare delivery, the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) on Tuesday convened the first-ever Joint Leadership Dialogue on Strengthening the Primary Health Care (PHC) System, bringing together Local Government and LCDA Chairmen from across Lagos State as well as key health sector stakeholders in a landmark show of unity and purpose. The high-level engagement, which was attended by Chairmen of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), marked a defining moment in the collective resolve to reposition Primary Health Care as the cornerstone of a responsive, accessible, and people-centred health system in Lagos. Speaking at the historic gathering, the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon. Musbau Lawal, described Primary Health Care as the bedrock of effective health service deliv...