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 The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a N2.55 billion award to 110 disengaged workers of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, after a protracted legal battle spanning nearly three decades.  The appellate court dismissed separate appeals filed by ABU and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), challenging an earlier decision of the National Industrial Court (NIC) that ordered the payment of the judgment sum to the affected orkers.  The court affirmed that the workers were unlawfully disengaged by the university in 1996 and were entitled to reinstatement and payment of their accumulated salaries, allowances, and other entitlements , The dispute dates back to 1996 when the workers were disengaged from service.  The NIC ruled in their favour in 2015, ordering ABU to reinstate the workers and pay their entitlements, which were computed at approximately 2.55 billion. The Court of Appeal's decision effectively clears the way for the enforcement of the judgment and paynment o...

 INEC RELEASES FINAL LIST FOR KANO STATE ASSEMBLY  BYE ELECTIONS  Ahead of the bye elections to fill vacant seats at the Kano State House of Assembly for Ungoggo and Kano Municipal consiteuncies the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano has released the final list of candidates and political parties contesting the elections. Resident Electoral Commissioner Abdu Zango disclosed this during a media briefing, where he assured residents of the commission’s commitment to conduct a free, fair, and credible electoral process. Aisha Uba Ali reports reports that the bye elections are scheduled to hold on the 21st of February.  The Kano state house of assembly  bye election  is aimed at filling the vacant seats of two members who passed away late last year. Resident electoral commissioner,  Abdu Zango says nine political parties have duly submitted their candidates, adding that the published list represents the final list for the elections. De...

 Maldives rejects UK-Mauritius Chagos deal, moves to reclaim lost maritime zone The Maldives said that it objected to a UK-Mauritius deal on the Chagos Islands to transfer Chagos sovereignty to Mauritius from the UK. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu told parliament that the government formally submitted objections to the UK on November 8, 2024, and January 18, 2026, expressing “rejection of this decision.” A statement from the presidential office said Muizzu noted that during a December 15 call with British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, “he conveyed the Maldives' desire for further consultations on the matter.” Muizzu told lawmakers that legal proceedings have commenced to recover the maritime area lost following the ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, TRT Afrika reported. He also announced the government’s decision to rescind a letter sent by former Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to Mauritius on August 22, 2022, which recognised Mauritian s...

Teen swims for four hours to rescue family stranded at sea off Australia   A 13-year-old boy in Western Australia swam for four hours through rough seas to get help for his family, a feat rescuers called “superhuman.” Austin Appelbee covered roughly 2.5 miles of ocean after his mother and two younger siblings were swept out to sea while kayaking and paddle-boarding on Friday afternoon. The teen told reporters he was terrified but focused on surviving and reaching shore. He initially swam with a life jacket but later removed it to move more freely. To keep his spirits up, he thought of friends and even sang the “Thomas the Tank Engine” theme song while battling massive waves using a mix of breaststroke, freestyle, and backstroke. Upon reaching the beach, Austin called emergency services and reported that his family was stranded at sea. Marine rescue volunteer Paul Bresland said the boy’s efforts saved his family, who were found clinging to a paddleboard off Quindalup. Bresland ...

Comedians reach settlement in copyright lawsuit against Pandora      A group of stand-up comedians, including Bill Engvall, Lewis Black, and the estates of George Carlin and Robin Williams, has reached a settlement in their consolidated copyright infringement lawsuit against Pandora Media over the streaming of their routines without licenses for the underlying written material. The settlement was filed Tuesday in Los Angeles federal court, though the terms were not disclosed. Pandora’s lead counsel, Paul Fakler, noted that the company did not pay for the literary rights to the comedians’ written jokes and will not acquire a license for them moving forward. Fakler described the resolution as ending a “multi-year hard-fought litigation” and sparing both sides further expense and distraction. The lawsuit followed claims that Pandora streamed routines without proper rights to the written works behind the performances. A court-appointed special master had previously recom...

 New York judge blasts Trump’s timing in attempt to overturn hush money conviction A New York federal judge on Wednesday indicated he is unlikely to approve President Donald Trump’s request to move his so-called “hush money” case from state court to federal court in Manhattan, where Trump hopes to argue presidential immunity could overturn his 2024 conviction for falsifying business records to conceal payments meant to bury negative press before the 2016 election. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a Bill Clinton appointee, told Trump’s lawyers during nearly three hours of oral arguments that simply being unhappy with the outcome in state court does not justify moving the case. “The fact that someone is unhappy with the strategic decision they got does not render it good cause,” Hellerstein said. Trump was convicted in May 2024 on 34 felony counts after a Manhattan jury found he directed his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to pay $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels and d...

 Tropical storm kills 8, displaces thousands in Philippines after flooding and landslide  A tropical storm unleashed widespread flooding and triggered a deadly landslide across parts of the southern Philippines, killing at least eight people and forcing more than 28,000 residents from their homes. The storm made landfall late Thursday in the southeastern province of Surigao del Sur, bringing torrential rain that inundated low-lying communities and left some residents trapped inside their houses in heavily flooded villages. By Friday night, the system had weakened into a tropical depression as it moved toward the central Philippines, but dangerous conditions persisted across multiple provinces. Four members of a family — a couple and their two children — were killed when a landslide struck their makeshift home in a quarry area of southern Cagayan de Oro city after intense rainfall destabilized the hillside. Elsewhere, three people drowned in floodwaters in Iligan city, while an...

Russian lieutenant general shot by attacker in Moscow, investigators report Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alexeyev, a senior official in Russia’s Defense Ministry, was shot and injured Friday in an apparent ambush in a residential area of Moscow. Investigators said an unidentified assailant opened fire on a man in a building on Volokolamskoye Highway before fleeing the scene. Alexeyev was taken to a local hospital, though authorities have not yet disclosed the severity of his injuries. Russian state media confirmed the victim’s identity and reported that a criminal investigation has been launched. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the incident has been reported to the country’s leadership and expressed wishes for Alexeyev’s swift recovery, noting that security services are actively investigating. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested, without providing evidence, that Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could be behind the attack, claiming it might be intended to interfere wi...

Trump shares video depicting the Obamas in racially offensive manner President Donald Trump used his social media account Thursday night to share a video promoting false 2020 election claims that included a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as primates in a jungle. The post immediately drew criticism from across the political spectrum, highlighting Trump’s continued use of incendiary content to amplify election-related conspiracy theories despite widespread legal rulings finding no evidence of fraud affecting the 2020 outcome. The 62-second clip, part of a broader flurry of posts from Trump overnight, primarily featured a conservative narrative alleging voting machine tampering in key battleground states. Near the end, the video briefly shows two primates with the Obamas’ faces superimposed, part of a longer meme video depicting Trump as “King of the Jungle” and portraying Democratic leaders as animals, including President Joe Biden ...

 Over 85% Of The Senators Agreed To Electronic Transmission Of Results. We didn't finish the Senate section so all hopes are not yet lost. -Victor Umeh Rejecting accusations that the Senate voted against electronic transmission of election results, Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central, 10th National Assembly) said that the stance does not represent the agreement that lawmakers formed. In interview with Channels Television, on Thursday February 5, 2026, in response to rumours circulating about proposed changes to the Electoral Act, Umeh made the comments. He highlighted the level of agreement among lawmakers.  “And everybody had his view and over 85% of the senators agreed to electronic transmission of results,” he said. Umeh emphasised that the legislative procedure was incomplete. "So, it appears we were unable to complete yesterday," he remarked. "We didn't return to verify and accept yesterday's voting procedures before moving on to adjoining and turning t...

 Flight Operations Resume at Enugu Airport Following Aviation Workers’ Protest ENUGU, Nigeria – Flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu resumed late Friday afternoon, February 6, 2026, following a morning of intense industrial action that left hundreds of passengers stranded. The disruption began in the early hours of Friday when aviation workers, acting on directives from their national unions—including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN)—withdrew their services. The workers were protesting the Federal Government's recent move to concession the airport to private investors. The strike was a direct response to a 30-year concession agreement signed on January 23, 2026, by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN. Unions described the concession process as "opaque" and "procedurally flawed," alleging that l...

 First Lady of Anambra State Dr Nonye Soludo, has strongly called for the total eradication of female genital mutilation (FGM), describing the practice as barbaric, inhumane and a gross violation of the rights and dignity of girls and women. In a statement released on Friday to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Dr Nonye said there is nothing cultural or morally acceptable about subjecting a girl child to what she described as a lifetime of pain, trauma and suffering. Speaking as the founder of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, the Anambra First Lady stressed that FGM leaves long-lasting physical, emotional, psychological and sexual scars, warning that many victims are affected for life. According to the United Nations, more than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM, while about four million girls are subjected to the practice every year, many of them before the age of five. The UN also warned that 22.7 m...

 Anambra State Government meets with transport owners in Anambra, urges them to shun Sit-at-home and begin full operations on Mondays  The Anambra State Government today held a productive meeting with transport owners in the state. The meeting, hosted by the State Commissioner for Transport, Barr. Patricia Igwebuike, followed Governor Soludo's recent bold move to end the 5-year Monday sit-at-home practice in Onitsha Main Market and surrounding markets. Addressing the transporters, Barr. Igwebuike assured them that the Anambra State Government has improved security to sustain the momentum.  "Mr. Governor has discussed with banks, and I can assure you that banks will be open to serve you. The parks, petrol stations, and we're in discussions with the ministry of transport in neighboring states to strengthen synergy to end this economic sabotage," she said. The transporters were thrilled with Governor Soludo's determination to end the sit-at-home order, which they...

 🚫✋ Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Renew Fight to End Female Genital Mutilation. The Nigeria Governors’ Spouses’ Forum (NGSF) has restated its strong commitment to the total eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria, describing the practice as a grave violation of human rights and a major public health and development challenge. In a statement to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, the Chairperson of the Forum and wife of the Kwara State Governor, Olufolake AbdulRazaq, lamented that thousands of girls and women across the country continue to suffer lifelong physical and emotional trauma caused by FGM, while many others remain at risk. She stressed that FGM leaves permanent scars on the body and mind of girls, damaging their health, dignity and future potential. According to her, ending the harmful practice will lead to safer pregnancies and childbirth, fewer maternal and newborn complications, and better educational and economic ...

 Anambra East Inaugurates Committee on Food and Nutrition to Tackle Malnutrition Anambra East Local Government Area has inaugurated a Committee on Food and Nutrition to address the challenges of malnutrition in the area. The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 Agenda, which aims to strengthen nutrition education at the grassroots and combat malnutrition through the Mother, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) approach. The inauguration ceremony, held at the Local Government Headquarters, Otuocha, forms part of the government’s bottom-up strategy to address malnutrition. The programme seeks to promote the consumption of natural food sources, encourage balanced diets, and prevent stunting and wasting among children, as well as anaemia in pregnant women. The committee was inaugurated by the State Nutrition Officer, Dr Rose Amasiani, who represented the State Government, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning and State Focal Person, Steering Com...

 DEATH OF FRSC OFFICER: TRUCK DRIVER SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT  A High Court in Lagos state has sentenced one Okpara Kingsley Onyekachi, a truck driver to life imprisonment for killing an FRSC officer on duty.  In a statement by  the Corps Public Education Officer, Segun Ogungbemide, the fatal incident occurred on 16 November 2023 at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos State, while an FRSC patrol team was conducting routine traffic enforcement as Investigations revealed that the defendant, driving a 40-feet container laden truck at excessive speed, failed to exercise due care and rammed into a stationary mini truck that had been flagged down for inspection hence crushing a personnel of the Corps while actively discharging official duties.  The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, however describes the judgement as one that sends a loud and unmistakable message to all drivers, particularly operators of heavy duty vehicles that recklessness on our roads will no longer be tole...

 Nigeria Review Strategies For Unlocking Gas Advantage For Power, Industry & Growth At NIES 2026 President Bola Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to entrenching gas as the backbone of national energy architecture, supported by institutional reforms, regulatory enhancements, and investment incentives. Lydia Samson reports  that the Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo informed the participants at the Nigeria International Energy Summit that the commitment is Leveraging the Decade of Gas Initiative for Robust Harnessing of Nigeria’s Enormous Gas Reserves.

 NOA DG RECEIVES NFF PRESIDENT: ASSURES PROMOTING NIGERIA'S IMAGE The national orientation agency, NOA has expressed the commitment to partnering the Nigerian football federation, NFF in promoting sporting activities in the country especially in the grassroots. Kenneth Nanim reports that the director general of the NOA mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu was speaking while receiving the president of the Nigerian football federation NFF, ibrahim gusau in his office in Abuja .  The NFF team led by its president was at the NOA to appreciate role by the agency towards projecting Nigeria’s global image during the just concluded african cup of nations, AFCON held in Morocco .  Both parties are on the same page on the need to leverage such opportunities to promote peace and unity amongst Nigerians that will attract direct foreign investments and job creation for national development.

 NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE  INAUGURATES ANTI-CORRUPTION UNIT - "ACTU" The Nigeria Immigration Service is taking another step to tighten internal accountability with the nationwide inauguration of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, ACTU. Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, noted that corruption weakens national security, slows economic development, and erodes Nigeria’s credibility in the global community, promising that the newly inaugurated ACTU desks will be properly equipped to promote a culture of integrity and professionalism. Representative of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Olusegun Adigun, advised the nominated desk officers to work closely with Service management to reinforce accountability, ethical conduct, and transparency in daily operations. The Service says the inauguration of the ACTU desks signals a renewed effort to embed reform not just in policy, but in practice.

 BAUCHI GOVERNOR BALA RECEIVES MINISTER: PLEDGES TO PROTECT FG PROJECTS Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has pledged to protect projects executed by Northeast Development Commission in the state to drive maximum benefit The Governor gave the assurance while receiving the minister of state for regional development Uba Maigari Ahmadu who visited him at Government House,Bauchi Zainab Agboola reports that the Minister of State for regional development was in Bauchi to inspect and inaugurate projects executed by federal government through the Northeast Development Commission. The Governor commended the federal government for its foresight in establishing the organisation which he said brought significant relief in the region devastated by insurgency.      According to the Governor Bauchi state Government had executed a number of development projects in the state in order to complement the federal government's efforts.

 INEC MEETS SECURITY AGENCIES: HARPS ON LINKS BETWEEN SAFETY AND ELECTION CREDIBILITY  The Independent National Electoral Commission says Elections cannot be credible if citizens feel unsafe to participate. Chairman of the Commission Prof Joash Amupitan speaking at a meeting with security agencies believes citizens must be assured of their safety ahead of the forthcoming FCT area council polls, ekiti and osun States off cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general election.  Timothy Yusuf reports that the discussion hinges on how early security planning could be critical to preventing avoidable challenges and ensuring peaceful elections at all times.  As the 2027 General Election and other off cycle elections approach, public interest and expectations continue to rise.  To this, INEC chairman Prof Joash Amupitan noted that the Commission had finalised its timetable in line with the law, the scale affirming the complexity of the elections demand early and su...

 Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA ) engages Lagos State Number Plant Production Authority (LSNPPA) on faded and damaged number plates. As the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer,  LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, Esq., paid a courtesy visit to the management of the Lagos State Number Plate Production Authority (LSNPPA) as part of ongoing efforts to protect the rights of motorists in Lagos State. He was received by the Managing Director/Chief Executive  Officer of LSNPPA, Mr. Olayanju Olayinka Cole. The engagement focused on concerns surrounding faded and damaged motor vehicle number plates and the need for the procurement of new, standard plates to replace old and defective ones issued by the Lagos State Government. This visit follows an earlier engagement held two weeks ago between LASCOPA and the Permanent Secretary, Motor Vehicle Administration, Mr. Rasheed Muri-Okunola, to address related challenges affecting motorists across the State. During the meeting, ...

 SANWO-OLU LAUNCHES LAGOS INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE PHASE 1 REPORT •Urges stakeholders to sustain collaboration toward positioning Lagos as global financial hub.   The Lagos State Government, in conjunction with EnterpriseNGR, on Thursday launched Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC) Phase 1 Report, a project that captures the strategy and pathway to the implementation of initiatives that would transform Nigeria's economic growth, deepen the financial market and foster innovation.   The LIFC Phase 1 Report was launched at the Lagos House, Marina, by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and members of the Lagos International Financial Centre Council.   Speaking during the programme, Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing the Lagos International Financial Centre and urged stakeholders across the public and private sectors to sustain collaboration toward positioning Lagos as a global financial hub.   Govern...

Mother of Conjoined Twins Remains Hospitalised as Babies Stay Stable in NICU A 29-year-old mother who gave birth to conjoined twin boys at Mankweng Hospital on 28 January 2026 has not yet been discharged and continues to receive medical care. The twins, joined at the abdomen, remain stable in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where specialists are closely monitoring their condition. A team of neonatologists and pediatric surgeons is assessing the situation to determine the safest treatment plan and the possibility of future separation. The mother, who was urgently referred from Maphutha Malatjie Hospital after the condition was discovered during labour, is reported to be in good condition and under specialist care. Let’s keep the family in our thoughts and wish them strength during this critical time.

  ANWASE MARKET RAZED AS SUSPECTED HERDSMEN STRIKE KWANDE AGAIN  6th February, 2026       Suspected armed herdsmen have reportedly set Anwasẹ Market in Mbaikyor, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, on fire, triggering panic among residents. Eyewitnesses say the attackers invaded the market and razed shops, destroying goods and sources of livelihood. At the time of the incident, no security operatives were said to be present, leaving traders and locals to flee for safety. The attack is the latest in a string of security challenges facing Turan communities in Kwande, where residents have raised concerns over repeated assaults by armed groups. The affected area is located close to Jato-Aka, the local government headquarters. Residents are calling on security agencies to urgently intervene to prevent further attacks and protect lives and property. Efforts to obtain official confirmation from security authorities were ongoing as of press time.

 CANCER TREATMENT: FG LAUNCHES POLICY DOCUMENTS; UNVEILS ONCOLOGY CENTRES  As part of renewed efforts to strengthen cancer prevention and treatment in the country, the federal government has launched key policy documents to guide national response to the disease. The minister of state for health and social welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, unveiled the documents aimed at accelerating access to quality cancer care in Nigeria.    The newly launched documents include the nigeria nuclear medicine strategic plan and the national cancer control plan (2026–2030), which are expected to serve as roadmaps for improving early detection, diagnosis, treatment and research. The director general of national institute for cancer research and treatment said the new  centres and policy frameworks aside representing a major step toward lowering the disease burden will improve survival outcomes for patients nationwide Bassey Ita Ikpang reports that, the minister also formally dec...

 Zaria LG Education Advisory Committee Reconciles Stakeholders, Restores Weekend School Activities The Zaria Local Government Advisory Committee on Education has successfully reconciled key stakeholders following a dispute over weekend programmes at Baba Ahmed LGEA Primary School, leading to the restoration of normal activities. The reconciliation meeting, held on Monday at the Zaria Local Government Council Chamber, brought together representatives of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) of Baba Ahmed LGEA Primary School, the Muslim Special Training Centre (MPD), and Hidayatus Subyan Tahfeezul Qur’an. The meeting was convened on the directive of the Executive Chairman of Zaria Local Government, Engr. Jamil Ahmad Muhammad, after the SBMC issued a notice announcing the temporary suspension of weekend programmes conducted within the school premises. Following a thorough review of the matter and consultations with relevant parties, the Chairman approved the immediate lifting o...

 Karamai Community Appeals For Government Intervention After Years Of Displacement Residents of Karamai community in Maro Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have called on the government to urgently intervene and help them return to their ancestral homes following years of displacement caused by bandit attacks. According to community leaders, Karamai has been deserted since 2022 after repeated attacks by armed bandits forced residents to flee for safety.  Since then, many community members have been living as internally displaced persons (IDPs) across different locations, including Maraban Kajuru, Crossing, Kachia, Kateri, Kasuwan Magani, and Maraban Rido. Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr. Zaki Augustine, the community leader of Karamai, said the prolonged displacement has caused severe hardship for residents, many of whom have lost their homes, livelihoods, and access to farmlands. “Our people have been scattered for over two years now. Life has been ve...

 Kaduna Monarch Seeks First Class Status For Koro Chiefdom The Koro Chiefdom in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State has marked 25 years of traditional leadership with a colourful Silver Jubilee celebration and Koro Day 2026 held in Kubacha, the chiefdom’s headquarters. The event, themed “Koro Tradition, Culture and Progress: 25 Years of Koro Chiefdom’s Journey So Far,” drew government officials, traditional rulers, security agencies, community leaders and cultural performers from across the state. The celebration featured vibrant cultural displays, including traditional dances, masquerades and attire that reflected the history and identity of the Koro people. Representing Governor Uba Sani, the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, commended the state government’s commitment to peace, inclusiveness and equitable development. She noted that people-focused policies had created an enabling environment for communities to preserve their culture and use it as a driver of ...

Bandits have abducted the Chief Imam of the Janjala Central Mosque, Malam Bello Abdullahi , a Fulani leader in the community, Alhaji Shehu Bello, and a woman in the Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. According to Daily Trust, within the last few days, bandits invaded several communities—including Iddo, Gidan-Makeri, Kohoto, and Janjala—abducting numerous residents and rustling cattle.  Following these incessant attacks, residents of Kohoto, a community neighboring Janjala, fled their homes on Saturday.  This followed a seven-day ultimatum issued by bandits for the community to raise N6 million for the release of the abducted wife and four children of a local vigilante. Confirming the latest incident via telephone on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, a community leader told our reporter that the bandits struck again on Tuesday around 9pm He said the gunmen whisked away the Chief Imam and the Fulani leader along with a woman. The source added that the bandits, who arrived...

 Valedictory Exco in Honour of Late Ken Kayama: Gov. Diri offers condolences to bereaved family Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State today joined other members of the State Executive Council to hold a valedictory session in honour of the former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in the state, late Hon. Ken Kayama. The valedictory session, which was held at the State Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Yenagoa, had in attendance current and former council members, during which tributes were paid in honour of the deceased. Gov. Diri used the session to offer his condolences and that of the state to the family of the late cabinet member. "Moments such as this remind us of the stark reality of life, that no matter our status or accomplishments, death is a necessary end. Now is the time for Ken Kayama, but first, we are called to honour his name, and that's what we are doing here today. We offer our condolences to the wife, children, siblings and the rest of the family ...

 OPERATION WHIRL STROKE INTENSIFIES INTELLIGENCE-DRIVEN OPERATIONS, NEUTRALIZE ARMED BANDIT AND ARREST CRIMINAL SUSPECTS Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have continued to sustain an enhanced operational tempo through intelligence-led aggressive fighting patrols, recording significant successes against criminal elements across parts of Benue and Nasarawa States. On 3 February 2026, troops of Sector 1, OPWS, acting on credible intelligence regarding the activities of armed herders in Ayamba Village, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, swiftly mobilised in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard to the location. Upon arrival at Ayamba Village, contact was made with the armed elements, leading to a brief engagement during which one armed bandit was neutralised. Troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle, three rounds of 7.62mm x 39 special ammunition, and two magazines from ...